Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.7.8

12.7.8

but as such small engagements did not suit Aaly-verdy-qhan's temper or interests, he resolved to leave his baggage, such as carts, wheel carriages, large tents and other such articles, in his camp, and with his troops thus disencumbered to rush upon the Marhatta horse and try what they could do in a day of battle. At day-break he mounted, after having published under severe penalties, that no one of the camp-followers or of the baggagemen should presume to mingle with the troops on their march; but his injunctions availed nothing, and hardly were the troops marched, when the camp-followers, afraid of the enemy, flung themselves amongst the troops and encumbered them exceedingly. This was the opportunity which the enemy wished. In an instant the Marhattas made their appearance on all sides and attacked everywhere ; but the Bengal army standing their ground, the business of killing and wounding went on briskly, and brave actions were performed on both sides. In this conflict Musaheb-qhan, eldest son to Umer-qhan, was surrounded and slain. This was a young man who joined to the bravery of his family, an heroical prowess of his own. He was already an officer of renown and character, and wanted to signalise himself in that trying day; but having advanced too far through the thickest of the enemy, he succumbed under repeated wounds, and fell speechless, after having performed actions worthy of himself. Still the army was gaining ground on the enemy;