Tadhkirat al-waqiʿat 5: Battle of Kipchák.

5

One of the scoundrels of the enemy approached the King, and struck him on the head with his sword, and was about to repeat the blow, when His Majesty, looking at him, said, "You wretch, how dare you?"—upon which the fellow desisted; and some other officers coming up, led the King out of the battle; but he was so severely wounded, that he became weak from loss of blood, and therefore threw off his jabba (quilted coat), and gave it in charge of an Abyssinian servant; but his servant being obliged to make his escape from the battle, threw away the jabba, which having been found by some of Kamran's followers, it was brought to the Prince, who immediately proclaimed that the King was killed.
At this time there only remained with His Majesty eleven persons, including servants, and the author of these pages. We therefore took him out of the battle; and as his own horse was unquiet, we mounted him on a small ambling steed, two of the chiefs supporting him on either side, and endeavouring to console him by anecdotes of former princes who had suffered similar adversity, and encouraged him to exert himself, as it was probable the enemy might pursue him. On hearing this, he resumed his fortitude, and proceeded towards the pass of Sirtun. On the march we were joined by some of the chiefs, and at nightfall reached the entrance of Sirtun. As it was then very cold, and His Majesty suffered much from weakness, a sheepskin cloak was brought and put on him.
In the morning we reached the top of the pass; and as it was then getting warm, the King dismounted on the bank of the river, performed his ablutions, and washed his wound; but as there was no carpet for prayer to be found, the humble servant, Jauhar, brought the cover of a stool of scarlet cloth, and spread it for His Majesty, who knelt thereon, and performed his devotions, and sat down facing the kibla (Mecca). * * *
The King again mounted, and rode on to Parwan, where he alighted. At this place the only tent that could be procured was a small shamiyana (canopy), sufficient only to screen one person; under this His Majesty lay down and slept. In the morning the author of these pages awoke His Majesty, and told him it was the hour of morning prayer. He said, "My boy, as I am so severely wounded, I cannot bear to purify myself with cold water." I represented that I had got some warm water ready for him; he then arose, performed his ablutions, and said his prayers. He afterwards mounted his horse, but had not ridden far when he complained that the clotted blood on his clothes hurt him, and asked of the servants if they had no jama (coat) they could lend him. Bahadur Khan replied, he "had a jama, but it was one His Majesty had discarded and given to him, and he had worn it." The King said, "Never mind that, bring it." He then put it on, and gave the dress which was stained with blood to this humble servant, Jauhar, the aftabchi, and said, "Take care of this dress, and only wear it on holy days."
From Parwan we proceeded to Kahamrud, where Tahir Muhammad had the honour of paying his respects. He had pitched an old tent for the King, and had prepared an entertainment for him; but the blockhead did not bring any present, not even a spare dress. His Majesty ordered his followers to partake of the dinner, but went himself to the edge of a fountain, where they pitched an old tent, grimed with smoke and soot, for him; but as there was no necessary tent, the humble servant went and procured two hurdles, which he fixed up as a privy. At this time an old woman came and offered His Majesty a pair of silk trousers. He said, "Although these are not proper for a man to wear, yet, as my own are defiled with blood, I will put them on." He then inquired what the woman had for her support; and on being informed, wrote an order to the collector not to demand any tribute from her in future.