The Book of Akbar 401.4

401.4

Meanwhile news came that Baz Bahadur had approached with the army of Khandes which he had taken with him with the intention of attacking Bijagarh. When he came there he learnt that Pir Muhammad Khan had moved swiftly with a small force and had gone to attack Asir and Burhanpur. He was much disturbed and went off to that province. Just at the time when the men were loaded with booty and were returning, and a number of them had got separated, the news came that Baz Bahadur was close at hand. Pir Muhammad Khan took counsel with men of experience. Most of them agreed that it was not a proper time to fight, for they had made great exertions and gained victories and every one was laden with booty. The proper thing was to avoid fighting and to cross the Narbada. They could recruit themselves at Handia and collect fresh men and then set to work. As his fate had arrived Pir Muhammad Khan did not listen to the honest words of the men of experience, and set his heart upon fighting. His comrades did not support him, and after a little fighting did not stand firm. Yar Ali Biluc seized Pir Muhammad Khan’s rein and forced him from the field as there was no use in staying longer. When they came to the bank of the Narbada it was near evening. Though his companions said that the enemy was far off, and that they should remain that night where they were, yet as the inevitable moment had arrived, the messengers of death made him restless and induced him to swim his horse across the Narbada.