The Rashīdī History 82.2

82.2

Some persons came and gave him such a vivid description of the battle that he longed to go and see it himself. So, without putting on his armour, he started for the scene of action with a small number of followers. On reaching the edge of a ravine they saw that the infantry of both sides were engaged in close fight. From this position they could not see very distinctly, so the Khan descended into the ravine, and came on to the road in order to get a better view — for the ravine was a road-way. When the Khan came down, the infantry became more daring, and fought most fiercely. At that moment Alim Shaikh Bahadur, who was one of the Khan's most distinguished warriors, was in his tent; he heard that the Khan had gone to watch [the battle], and it occurred to him that he would go and display his valour, that he might become distinguished above his equals. Having fastened on his armour, he passed before the Khán, and then went in among the infantry who were engaged in the battle.