The Book of Akbar 175.1.1

175.1.1

A trench was dug in front of the army, and the artillery carriages were put into position and redoubts (murcalha) constructed. Opposite to this, Sher Khan drew up a crowd of rebels and encamped after digging a trench. Every day the young men on each side came out and engaged. Meanwhile the sun entered Cancer, and the rainy season began. The clouds gathered with tumult, like rutting elephants, and distilled moisture. The encampment became flooded, and they were compelled to seek for high ground which should be free from water and mud, and where the tents, the artillery-park, &c. might be placed. It was arranged that the army should be drawn out on the morning of the 'Ashar day, (10th Muharram) and that if the enemy should come out of his trenches and advance, they would fight, and if he remained stationary, they would encamp in the selected spot. With this view they mounted their horses on 10th Muharram 947 (17th May, 1540), and drew up their lines. Muhammad Khan Rumi and the sons of Ustad 'Ali Quli and Ustad Ahmad Rumi, and Hasan Khalfat, who were the directors of the artillery, arranged the gun-carriages and mortars, and stretched chains according to rule. The centre was dignified by the presence of his Majesty; M. Hindal had the fore-centre; M. 'Askari the right wing, and Yadgar Nasir Mirza the left. M.