The Book of Akbar 42.3

42.3

Ibrahim Husain Mirza had previously entered the town of Sarnal. When he saw the dust of the approaching force, and the way in which the horsemen crossed the river, he told his companions that he was sure that the Emperor was there present. But the ill-starred foolish man led his forces out of the town to a rising ground, and there took up a position. When the Emperor’s men had come out of the river, they were scattered and broken up into parties, each of which pushed on as best it could. The Emperor himself, with a few followers, approached the river-gate of Sarnal, where he was encountered by a party of the rebels. But Mukbil Khan, a Kalmuck slave, rushed forward with a few brave fellows, and soon watered the dust with their blood. On entering the town, they found it full of men, and learned that Ibrahim Husain Mirza had gone out by another way to prepare for battle.