The Memoirs of Jahāngīr (Jahāngīrnāma) 78.3

78.3

When the Prince’s army passed over the mountains of Chanda, and entered Malwa, Shah Jahan came out of the fort of Mandu with 20,000 horse, 600 elephants, and powerful artillery, with the intention of giving battle. * * Mahabat Khan opened communications with several persons, who, through apprehension or compulsion, had joined the army of the rebel, and they, perceiving that his case was hopeless, wrote to Mahabat, asking for assurances of safety. Shah Jahan, not daring to risk a general action, and thinking always of his retreat, sent his elephants over the Nerbadda. He then sent his forces against the royal army near the village of Kaliya; but he himself, with Khan-khanan and several others, remained a kos in the rear. Barkandaz Khan, who had been in correspondence with Mahabat, and had received his promise, when the opposing armies approached each other, seized the opportunity of coming over to the royal army with the body of matchlockmen that he commanded. Rustam also, one of the chief and most trusted officers of the rebel, received assurances from Mahabat, and came over with several other officers. When Shah Jahan heard of this, he gave up resistance, and, being unable to place reliance upon any one, he determined to fly. With his forces in disorder, he crossed the Nerbadda, and several of his followers took advantage of the confusion to join the royal army.