Muntakhab al-lubab 131: March of Prince A'zam.

131

[vol. ii. p. 581.] Prince A'zam Shah, with his artillery, and a force of nearly thirty-five thousand horse actually present (maujudi), which according to military reckoning means an army of more than eighty or ninety thousand men, and with his amirs and adherents, marched forth for war. * * He endeavoured, by augmentations of mansabs and promotions in rank, to secure the good will of the nobles; but in providing for advances and pay to the army, and in giving assistance and presents of money, he, through want of treasure, was very sparing. If any of his most attached nobles spoke to him on this subject, he, in his proud and haughty way, gave sharp answers that there was no real necessity in his army, but fear of the opposite party. In fact, he had not money to be liberal with; but his bitter words, and the ill temper which he occasionally showed, pained and disgusted many of his followers. After he departed from Burhanpur, Chin Kalich Khan, who had been created Khan-dauran, went off with several noted men and returned to Aurangabad. Muhammad Amin also, with many Mughals, plundered the banjaras of the army, and fell back to Aurangabad. When the Prince was told of such matters, he paid no attention to them, and made no change in his conduct. After crossing the river (Nerbadda) at Hándiyá, he arrived at Doráha.