The Book of Akbar 80.1

80.1

[Text, vol. iii. p. 437.] Shahbaz Khan occupied a position on the Panar river, a branch of the Brahmaputra. Here he entered into negociations with the rebels, in the expectation of being able to win them over to his views. ’Isa received his propositions very respectfully, and for a time kept up communications. But it became apparent that his words and his intentions were not in unison, and so the war again began. For seven months the Imperial forces obtained victories from time to time, and the rebels were disheartened by failure. But Shahbaz Khan, in his self-conceit, had paid little regard to the feelings of the amirs in his army. They combined to thwart him, and ill-feeling waxed powerful. Death was busy among them, and their position became insupportable. The enemy knew that the Imperial army was dispirited, and although, by good fortune, there had been little rain, the men were listless and in low spirits. The enemy brought up a number of labourers, and cut the banks of the Brahmaputra in fifteen places, and turned the waters into the Imperial camp. When the batteries were flooded, they brought up to them large boats, called in the language of the country hilwara. A fire of cannons and musketry was opened on both sides, and suddenly a great stroke of fortune happened to the Imperial forces, when a musket-ball from their ranks killed the commander of the assailants. Some of the boats came in collision, and suddenly the waters began to fall.