The Book of Akbar 323.3

323.3

‘Ali Quli Khan on hearing of this misfortune proceeded with a body of his troops, with whom were Mahdi Qasim Khan, Baba S‘aid Qibcaq, and Muhammad Amin Diwana, to attack Shadi Khan. On the morning of the day that he had determined on crossing the river, a letter arrived from Tardi Beg Khan stating that Hemu was coming with large preparation, that the crushing of that wretch was the most important matter, and that he should come immediately. ‘Ali Quli Khan withdrew his hand from his enterprise and marched towards Delhi, but before he arrived, the officers had fought and lost a great battle, and Delhi, the capital of India, had fallen into Hemu’s hands, thus furnishing materials for his intoxication, and for the increase of his arrogance. This happened by fate for purposes known to God alone, or it was brought about by evil designs on the part of Maulana Pir Muhd. Shirwani. Away! Away! the cause rather was that the vaunting, self-praising officers might not lay the Lord of the earth under any obligation; or rather it was to show the supreme power of this Lord of the throne of fortune, and that the new conquest of India might be due to the arm of him who was helped by heaven. The brief account of this instructive disaster is as follows: The