The Rashīdī History 1.7

1.7

but when we reached the ground, we were unable to occupy it: for every amir and wazir in the Chaghatai army, whether he be rich or poor, has his ghulams. An amir of note with his 100 retainers and followers has 500 servants and ghulams, who in the day of battle render no assistance to their master and have no control over themselves. So in whatever place there was a conflict, the ghulams were entirely ungovernable. When they lost their masters, they were seized with panic, and blindly rushed about in terror. In short it was impossible to hold our ground. They so pressed upon us in the rear, that they drove the centre upon the chains stretched between the chariots, and they and the soldiers dashed each other upon them. Those who were behind so pressed upon those who were in front, that they broke through the chains. The men who were posted by the chains were driven beyond it, and the few who remained behind were broken, so that all formation was destroyed.