[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Mughals (1526–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal) › [Akbar (1556–1605)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar) › [Akbarnāma](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama) › [The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge) › 138 # The Book of Akbar 138: OF HIS MAJESTY GĪTĪ-SITĀNĪ FIRDAUS-MAKĀNĪ’S DRAWING OUT HIS FORCES AGAINST RĀNĀ SANGĀ, AND UPBEARING THE STANDARDS OF VICTORY. The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 138 - **Language:** English ### OF HIS MAJESTY GĪTĪ-SITĀNĪ FIRDAUS-MAKĀNĪ’S DRAWING OUT HIS FORCES AGAINST RĀNĀ SANGĀ, AND UPBEARING THE STANDARDS OF VICTORY. ### [138.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.138.1) Whene’er a design takes root in the bosom of an auspicious one, on whose honoured head God, the World-arranger, hath placed the diadem of true sovereignty, and whose lofty intellect is set on obeying the behests of the Lord of Lords, his action rises above the petty views of the vulgar, and he achieves success in realm and religion (dīn u dunyā). The wondrous deeds of his Majesty Gītī-sitānī Firdaus-makānī are an instance of this, for as his felicity increased so also did his wisdom, and in proportion as the causes of dizziness augmented, so also did his prudence become enhanced. He ever took refuge in the Divine Unity, and in the administration of justice and the management of State affairs, never deviated a hair’s breadth from the highway of reason. And at this time when Rānā Sangā, in the pride of his numbers and courage and with his brains full of boastful madness, began to act presumptuously, and to remove his foot from the circle of equanimity, and was drawing nigh with the stride of boldness, he (Bābar) made the favour of God his stronghold, and gave no admission to the attacks of dismay but proceeded to quell that ill-fated disturber of the Age. On Monday, 9 Jumāda-l-awwal (11th February, 1527), he marched out from Agra to extirpate this sedition, and pitched his camp in the neighbourhood of the city. ### [138.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.138.2) Reports were continually arriving that the ill-fated one (Rānā Sangā) had attacked Biāna with a large army, and that the troops who had come out of that town, had not been able to withstand him and had turned back. Sangar Khān Janjūha was killed on that occasion, and Amīr Kitā Beg wounded. Having halted four days, he (Bābar) marched on the fifth and encamped in the plain of Mandhākar which lies between Agra and Sikri. It occurred to him that there was no water-supply for the troops except in Sikri—(which after returning thanks for his victory, his Majesty Giti-sitani, by giving diacritical points, named Shukri (thanksgiving) and which is now by the auspicious felicity of the king of kings, known as Fathpur, from its giving victory to hearts)—and it might happen that the hostile army by using despatch, would get possession of this. In consequence of this just thought, he proceeded next day towards Fathpur and sent Amir Darvesh Muhammad Sarban in advance in order that he might find a proper ground for encampment. The said Amir fixed on an eligible spot in the neighbourhood of Fathpur Lake (Kūl) which is a broad sheet of water and an ocean-like reservoir, and that was made the pleasant ground of encampment. From thence messengers went to summon Mahdī Khwaja and the other officers who were in Biana. Beg Mirak who was a servant of Jahanbani and a number of the Emperor's special attendants were sent to collect information. ### [138.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.138.3) In the morning intelligence was brought that the opposing army had advanced one kos beyond Bisawar and were eighteen kos distant. On the same day Mahdī Khwaja, Muhammad Sultan Mirza and the other officers who had been in Biana, arrived and did homage. During this time, daily skirmishes took place between the outposts in which gallant soldiers distinguished themselves and received the royal approbation. At length on Saturday, 13 Jumada-l-akhar 933 (16th March, 1527), Rana Sanga advanced with a large army to a hill near the village of Khanwa in the Sarkar of Biana and about two kos from the imperial camp. His Majesty states in his Memoirs that according to the Indian calculation by which territory yielding one lakh of revenue furnishes 100 horse, and one of a kror of revenue, 10,000 horse, the dominions of Rana Sanga, as yielding ten krors of revenue, furnished 100,000 horse. Many chiefs also, who had never served under him before, gave in their allegiance and increased his army. Thus Silahu-d-din, the ruler of Raisin and Sarangpur, etc., supplied 30,000 horse; Rawal Udi Singh of Nagaur, 12,000; Hasan Khan Mewati, ruler of Mewat, 12,000; Bihari Mal Idari, 4,000; Nirpat Hada, 7,000; Sitarvi Rao (of Cutch), 6,000; Dharam Deo, ruler of Mirtha, 4,000; Narsingh Deo Chauhan, 4,000; Mahmud Khan, son of Sikandar Sultan, though he had no territory, yet in hope of regaining his ancestral throne, brought with him 10,000 horse; so that the whole force amounted to two lakhs and 1,000 horse. ### [138.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.138.4) When his Majesty heard of the arrival of the enemy, he set about arranging his forces. The royal station was in the centre. Chin Timur Sultan, Mirza Sulaiman, Khwaja Dost Khawand, Yunus ‘Ali, Shah Mansur Barlas, Darvesh Muhammad Sarban, ‘Abdu-l-lah Kitabdar, Dost Ishak Aqa and others of the great officers were stationed in the right. On the left were ‘Ala’u-d-din, son of Sultan Buhlul Lodi; Shaikh Zain Khwafi, Amir Muhibb ‘Ali, son of Nizamu-d-din ‘Ali Khalifa; Tardi Beg, brother of Quc Beg; Shirafgan, son of Quc Beg; Araish Khan, Khwaja Husain and many other servants of the Sultanate and pillars of the State. The right wing was adorned by the fortunate presence of his Highness Jahānbānī and on his right were Qāsim Husain Sulṭān, Aḥmad Yūsuf Oghlaqu, Hindū Beg Qūchīn, Khusrū Kokultāsh, Qawām Beg, Urdū-shāh, Walī Khāzin, Qaraqūzī, Pīr Qulī Sīstānī, Khwāja Pahlwān Badakhshī, ‘Abdu-l-shakūr and many other gallant men. On the victorious left of his Highness Jahānbānī, were Mīr Ḥama, Muḥammadī Kokultāsh, and Khwājagī Asad Jāmdār. ### [138.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.138.5) And on the right wing there were nobles of India such as the Khān-khānān, Dilāwar Khān, Mulkdād Kararānī and Shaikh Ghuran. On the left wing were Sayyid Mahdī Khwāja, Muḥammad Sulṭān Mīrzā, ‘Ādil Sulṭān, son of Mahdī Sulṭān, ‘Abdu-l-‘azīz Mīr Ākhūr, Muḥammad ‘Alī Jang Jang, Qatlaq Qadam Qarāwal, Shāh Ḥusain Bārbegī, Jān Beg Atka. And of the nobles of India there were Jalāl Khān and Kamāl Khān, sons of Sulṭān ‘Alā’u-d-dīn, ‘Alī Khān Shaikh-zāda Farmulī, Niẓām Khān of Bīāna and many other brave warriors who girt the waist of service with perfect loyalty. And as a flanking party, there were Tardī Ykka, Mulk Qāsim, brother of Bābā Qushqa and many Mughals on the right wing. Mū’min Atka and Rustam Turkamān with many of the Emperor's special dependants were stationed on the left wing. ### [138.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.138.6) For the sake of protection, the practise of the holy warriors of Rūm was followed and a line of carts was arranged and connected by chains so that there might be cover for the matchlock-men and cannoniers, who were in front of the soldiers,—and Niẓāmu-d-dīn ‘Alī Khalīfa was appointed to command this line. Sulṭān Muḥammad Bakhshī, after arranging the commanders and officers in their posts, stood near the Emperor to hear his commands which were allied to Divine inspiration,—and despatched adjutants (tawācīān) and couriers to all sides who conveyed the orders to the officers. When the pillars of the army had been arranged in this excellent manner, a command was issued that no one should stir without orders from his position, nor without permission advance his foot into the battle. A watch of the day had passed when the fire of war was kindled. Verse. The soldiers bestirred themselves on each side, Day and night were commingled, On each side arose a war-cry, Two seas of hate foamed at the lips, The steel-shod hoofs of the chargers Reddened the ground with the blood of the brave. The world-holder mid his glorious camp Moved exultant on his prancing steed. ### [138.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.138.7) Such a battle raged on the right and left wings that the earth quaked and the universe resounded with the clangour. The left wing of the enemy moved against the imperial right and fell upon Khusru Kokultash, Malik Qasim and Baba Qushqa. Chin Timur Sultan was ordered to go to their assistance and by his intrepid aid he drove the enemy nearly to the rear of their centre. A noble reward was assigned to him for this. Mustafa Rumi brought forward the carts from the centre of his Highness Jahanbani’s division and by his matchlocks and culverins (zarbzan) so broke up the ranks of the enemy that the rust was scoured off from the mirror-hearts of the brave combatants, and many of the enemy were laid level with the earth and were annihilated. And, as from time to time, the hostile troops advanced, so did his Majesty Giti-sitani send on picked men to succour his victorious soldiers. ### [138.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.138.8) At one time orders were given to Qasim Husain Sultan, Ahmad Yusuf and Qawam Beg; at another to Hindu Beg Qucin; at another to Muhammad Kokultash and Khwajagi Asad. After that Yunus 'Ali, Shah Mansur Barlas and ‘Abdul-l-lah Kitabdar received orders. Then Dost Ishak Aqa, Muhammad Khalil Akhta Begi were sent to assist. The enemy’s right wing repeatedly attacked the left wing of the victorious army but every time the loyal souled Ghazis affixed some of them to the ground by a rain of calamitous arrows, and slew many of them with the lightning of daggers and scimitars. Muman Atka and Rustam Turkaman acting according to orders, attacked the benighted bands from the rear, and Mulla Mahmud and ‘Ali Atka Bashliq who were servants of Khwaja Khalifa went to their assistance. Muhammad Sultan Mirza, ‘Adil Sultan, ‘Abdu-l-‘aziz Mir Akhur, Qatlaq Qadam Qarawal, Muhammad ‘Ali Jang Jang, Shah Husain Barbegi and Mughal Ghanji engaged in action and maintained a firm position. Khwaja Husain went with a body of the household troops to their assistance and all the victorious warriors,—who with jeopardy of their lives devoted themselves to service,—made lofty the standards of toil by taking vengeance on the enemy, and choked the springs of the enemy’s hope with the dust of failure. ### [138.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.138.9) Verse. The hands of the javelin-throwers were knot upon knot (girih bar girih), The backs of the brazen-bodied ones were cuirass upon cuirass (zirih bar zirih). On each side, the rock-piercing spears Closed with thorns the path of safety. The shining of caerulean scimitars Deprived eyes of sight by their gleaming. The dust of the earth put a cap on the Moon And stopped the breath in the throat. ### [138.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.138.10) As the engagement was long, owing to the numbers of the enemy, orders were issued to the household troops, who were behind the carts like chained tigers,—to emerge from the right and left centre and after leaving a space in the middle for the musketeers, to charge from both sides. In accordance with the noble call the gallant youths and valiant warriors, like tigers breaking from their chains and gaining their liberty, dashed forward. The clashing (cahācah) of swords and the whizzing (shīpashīp) of arrows reached the heavens, and that rare one of the Age, 'Alī Qulī, stood with his following in front of the centre and performed wonders in discharging stones and in firing of culverins and muskets. Just then orders were issued for moving forward the carriages of the centre and his Majesty himself moved against the foe. When this was perceived by the glorious army, they became agitated like a billowy sea and all at once made an assault on the hostile ranks. At the end of the day the flame of conflict so blazed up that the right and left of the victorious army forced and drove the enfeebled left and right of the --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.138](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.138) · Pramāṇa