The Book of Akbar 323.2

323.2

the Shahinshah, he turned his attention from his rivals and, with a large force of men and war-elephants from the eastern districts, marched towards Delhi, leaving Mubariz Khan, of whom some account has been already given, in Cunir. The officers who had been deputed to those provinces assembled at Delhi. Tardi Beg Khan became the arranger of the different bodies, and made preparations for giving battle. He heartened every man by language which might give comfort to the disconcerted. Many brave and zealous men came in from the districts, but ‘Ali Quli Shaibani, who was engaged in Sambal in putting down some despicable Afghans, could not join the imperial servants. The short account of this is that Shadi Khan, one of the chief officers of Mubariz Khan, had many parganas of Sarkar Sambal in his possession, ‘Ali Quli Khan proceeded this year, which was the beginning of the Divine Era—may it for ever be conjoined with auspiciousness!—to put him down. He sent before himself several of his own officers such as Muhabbat Khan, Latif Khan, and Ghiasu-d-din, in order that they should cross the Ruhab and wait for his arrival. The wine of courage withheld this force from plan and precaution, which are the first stage of prudence. Shadi Khan suddenly fell upon them and routed them. These incapable ones fought without method and let slip the reins of steadiness. Latif Khan and a number of others were drowned.