Muntakhab al-lubab 186.3

186.3

In the middle of Ramazan, Nizamu-l Mulk crossed the river with his whole army. This passage was looked upon as a good omen, and inspirited his men. 'Alam 'Ali Khan was disturbed when he heard of the crossing; but he set his forces in motion to meet his adversary. Nizamu-l Mulk waited a day to allow the rear of his army and his baggage to cross. In some places the water was up to the waist, in others to the breast, but all got over in safety without loss to life or property. Next day he marched to fix upon a position in which to give battle. He encamped at Siiganw, in the suba of Burhanpur [where his army suffered greatly from heavy rain, want of provisions, and the skirmishing of the Mahrattas]. At length the rain ceased awhile, and he marched to a ruined village three kos from Balapur. The Mahrattas were very daring and troublesome, and 'Iwaz Khan, Muhammad Ghiyas Khan, and Rambha Nimbalkar were sent to punish them. A fight ensued, in which the Mahrattas were put to flight, and a great spoil of mares, spears, etc., fell into the hands of the victors. Sufficiency of fodder and grain not being procurable, another march was necessary, and they had to bury some heavy guns, which the mud and the weakness of the bullocks prevented them from moving. After remaining three days to rest and recruit near Balapur, where sufficient grain was found, on the 5th Shawwal the army marched to the chosen battle-field, two or three kos distant. Nizamu-l Mulk made his disposition of his forces.