Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 14.12.7

14.12.7

It was at that time that Shimshir-qhan fell wounded from his elephant, without it being known how, nor by whom. This having been perceived by Djib-beg, a gentleman attached to Dilir-qhan, he jumped down from his horse, cut off the Afghan's head, and ran to present it to Aaly-verdy-qhan; and these two guilty heads, stuffed with so much ingratitude and pride and imprudence, having been now brought down from their seats, by the dispositions of an avenging Providence, were made fast to the feet of the Viceroy's elephant. At sight of this, that Prince inclined himself profoundly, and rubbed the front of humility on the ground of acknowledgment, for an event which became a sure forerunner of victory; setting open at the same time the gate of joy and gladness, he ordered the music to strike up, and the enemy to be charged everywhere, without affording him time to breathe. Meanwhile the Marhatta army, which had advanced fiercely against the left wing, as against a sure prey, finding that the engagement had taken a turn which had never been so much as suspected, and which had intirely changed the face of things, were astonished at the firmness and fortune of a man always crowned with success. They doubted of their being able to face so fortunate a Commander; and quitting the engagement, they commenced retreating. So that Aaly-verdy-qhan being freed from those importunate enemies, turned his whole attention against the Afghans;