The Memoirs of Bābur 932.5.1

932.5.1

(_t. Preparations for battle._) While we were marching on in array of right, left and centre, the army was numbered;[1659] it did not count up to what had been estimated. At our next camp it was ordered that every man in the army should collect carts, each one according to his circumstances. Seven hundred carts (_arāba_) were brought[1660] in. The order given to Ustād `Alī-qulī was that these carts should be joined together in Ottoman[1661] fashion, but using ropes of raw hide instead of chains, and that between every two carts 5 or 6 mantelets should be fixed, behind which the matchlockmen were to stand to fire. To allow of collecting all appliances, we delayed 5 or 6 days in that camp. When everything was ready, all the begs with such braves as had had experience in military affairs were summoned to a General Council where opinion found decision at this:—Pānī-pat[1662] is there with its crowded houses and suburbs. It would be on one side of us; our other sides must be protected by carts and mantelets behind which our foot and matchlockmen would stand. With so much settled we marched forward, halted one night on the way, and reached Pānī-pat on Thursday the last day (29th) of the second Jumāda (April 12th). (_u. The opposed forces._)