The Book of Akbar 326.1

326.1

When the world-adorning standards cast the rays of victory on the plain of Sarai Karinda(?), an order was issued that a distinguished force composed of devoted heroes should be sent in advance of the main army. Accordingly Iskandar Khān Uzbeg, ‘Abdullah Khan Uzbeg, ‘Ali Qulī Khan Andarābī Haidar Muhammad Akhtabegi, Muhammad Khan Jalāir, M. Quli Caqlī, L‘al Khān Badakhshī, Majnūn Khan Qāqshāl, and many brave men marched under the leadership of ‘Ali Quli Khan Shaibānī. Bairām Khan sent with them his own followers, Husain Quli Beg, son of Wali Beg, Shah Quli Mahram, Mir Muhammad Qasim of Nīshāpūr, Saiyid Mahmūd Bārha, and Auzān Bahadur, together with other zealous and experienced soldiers, that they might be the foremost of the advanced guard (harāwal-i-manqalā), might put warmth into the crisis of courage and self-sacrifice, and might test each other’s skill and valour. Those lucky ones took charge of the marshalling of the troops, and distributed them, in accord with the rules of victory and the code of strategy, into right and left wing, centre and vanguard, rear-guard, reserve, flank, archers (īqjī?), and iltmish, and made each part illustrious by the splendour of devoted ability and sincerity. and strengthened the victorious troops by the gleaming swords of veteran lovers of battle. Inasmuch as Trust in God (lit.