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Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 22 - **Language:** English ### Defeat of Prince Shujá'. ### [22.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.22.1) \[vol. ii. p. 60.\] The armies of Aurangzeb and Shujá' were within half a kos of each other, and both sides prepared for battle. \* \* The guns of Shujá' were so placed as to have an advantage over those of his opponents; so Mu'azzam Khán, who was a good tactician, removed forty guns during the night to another position. He took no rest, but busied himself in ordering his army and encouraging the men. The Emperor Aurangzeb was engaged in his tent performing his devotions, and praying to God for victory. Suddenly, about the fourth watch, a great tumult arose. Rája Jaswant Singh, the treacherous wretch, who marched with the army, had, through one of his confidants, opened communications with Shujá' in the early part of the night, undertaking to make a sudden assault upon the army just before daybreak, and to desert, doing as much mischief as he could. "When I do this," said he, "the King (Aurangzeb) will come in pursuit of me; you must then charge sharply upon his forces." About two hours of the night remained, when Jaswant Singh, in league with other Rájput leaders, set their numerous followers in motion, and began to move off, destroying and plundering as they went, and cutting down all who opposed them. The forces under Prince Muhammad Sultán suffered especially from their attacks. No tent, small or great, escaped their ravages. All his treasure and effects were plundered. ### [22.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.22.2) \* \* Then they made towards the royal quarters, ransacking everything, and not a tent near the royal pavilion remained safe from them. For some time the cause of all this disorder was unknown. All kinds of erroneous surmises were made, and a panic was spreading through the whole army. Many men were so disheartened that they joined the plunderers, thinking that the best way of escaping from the disaster. One party fled to the open country; another approached the enemy's army, and set about ravaging. \* \* But for all this confusion in the army, nothing shook the resolution of Aurangzeb. It was now reported to him that the traitor had moved off towards his home. Then Aurangzeb descended from his elephant, and took his seat in a litter that all the panic-stricken men who beheld him might see that he was resolute, and had no intention of retreating. He sent orderlies round to the commanders, directing them to forbid all riders of elephants or horses to stir from their places. \* \* Without exaggeration, half the army had gone away to plunder or escape, and many had joined the enemy. Intelligence was brought of Jaswant Singh having marched away towards Agra. Aurangzeb's devoted servants now gathered round him from far and near. He then again mounted his elephant, and without a cloud upon his brow rode forth to arrange his order of battle. \* \* Mu'azzam Khán received authority to make such alterations in the disposition of the forces as he deemed necessary. ### [22.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.22.3) \* \* The battle began about the fourth or fifth ghari of the day with a cannonade which made the earth to tremble, and filled the hearts of both armies with awe and trembling. \* \* A cannon-ball from the Emperor's army reached the elephant on which Sultan Zainu-l 'ábidín was riding, and although it did not strike the Sultán, it carried off one leg of the elephant-driver, and one leg also of the personal attendant who was seated behind the howda. This circumstance greatly discouraged many of Shujá's army. \* \* Saiyid 'Alam Barha, with three elephants, made an attack upon the left of the royal army, and the vigour of his assault spread confusion in the ranks of his opponents, and many of them took to flight. The retreat of the left wing made the centre waver, and the Emperor was left with only 2000 horsemen to protect him. Greatly encouraged by the sight, the enemy made a bold and fierce attack upon the centre. The Emperor mounted upon an elephant, moved about inspiriting his men and shooting arrows against his enemies. Murtaza Kuli Khan, of the left wing, with \* \* several others, made a bold charge upon the enemy, and the Emperor, seeing how matters stood, joined in the charge. \* \* This gave a severe check to the enemy, who lost many men killed and wounded. The vigour of the Saiyids of Barha had abated, but their three elephants, each of them dashing about with his trunk a chain of two or three mans weight, overthrew and crushed every one who came in their way. ### [22.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.22.4) One of them at length charged towards the elephant of the Emperor. Without moving from his place or changing countenance, the Emperor made signs for his guards to shoot the animal's driver. One of the guards brought the man to the ground, and then one of the royal elephant-drivers got upon the elephant's neck and led him off. The other two elephants then charged the right wing of the royal army, and other forces of the enemy coming up, this wing fell into confusion. \* \* The Emperor was urged to move to its support, but he was hotly engaged himself. \* \* He sent messages to the officers of the right wing, urging them to stand fast until he could come to their assistance. Several of the enemy's leading men now fell, and the efforts of the forces opposed to the Emperor relaxed, so that he was able to proceed to the succour of his right. This encouraged the men. Cries of "Kill! kill!" were raised on every side, and many of the enemy were killed. A general attack was made on the enemy's centre, and then several chiefs, who had thought it expedient to support him, came over and joined the Emperor. Victory declared in favour of the Emperor, and when the glad news of Shuja's flight was brought, shouts of congratulation and victory arose, and the drums and trumpets sounded in triumph. ### [22.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.22.5) The victors fell upon the camp of the enemy and thoroughly plundered it; every man took what he could lay hands on; but 114 guns, 115 elephants, and much treasure, and many jewels, came into the possession of the Emperor. After descending from his elephant, and returning thanks to God for his victory, he praised his nobles for their exertions. Then he sent his son Muhammad Sultan in pursuit of Shuja', with directions to use every exertion to cut off his flight. \* \* --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.22](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.22) · Pramāṇa