Jauhar-i shamsham 1.3

1.3

(When Muhammad Shah was in the field against Nadir Shah), Sa'du-d din Khan Bahadur, darogha of the sublime artillery, planted an iron fortress as it were all around the royal camp, which was five parasangs in circumference, by chaining together the heavy pieces of ordnance (most of which required 600 bullocks for the drawing of their carriages, and some a thousand or more, as well as five or ten elephants to push each gun from behind, exclusive of the people attached to every one, who by their expert contrivances pass it with ease over rugged and difficult places), and the medium and light guns, which exceeded the limit of computation, and were beyond the power of reckoning. * * The heavy shower of arrows, and the hail-storm of bullets, with the violent pelting of their fall, caused the torrent of death to sweep away the fabric of a multitude of living forms, and despatched to the sea of perdition a whole host of the ever-victorious army under the command of Amiru-l umara Samsamu-d daula, successful in both worlds. His Majesty, the shadow of the Most High, on learning the frightful news of the superior prowess of the ferocious Kazalbashes, was about to despatch a suitable force to the aid and support of that choice favourite at the Court of the Omnipotent; but through Fath Jang Nizamu-l Mulk's opposition, the august and sublime intention was not carried into effect.