[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Mughals (1526–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal) › [Later Mughals (1707–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later) › [Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirīn](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin) › [A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa) › 4.1 # Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 4.1 A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 4.1 - **Language:** English ### [4.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.4.1.1) cavalry. Aazym-ush-shan was himself encamped there, and the combat having grown warmer, he found himself overpowered, and he stopped short to see what Sultan Muazzem's fortune would operate in his behalf. This Prince, who was then on a hunting party, no sooner heard of the enemy's being so near, than he flew to his son's assistance, bringing with him his eldest Muczzeddin, and his best generals with their troops; the combat was growing warm, when an event happened, which by turning the fortune of the day, was taken for a token of approbation from providence on his enterprise. At once there arose such a violent wind, as seemed to give the combatants an idea of the dreadful Ser-Ser that buried the whole tribe of Aad under the sands of Arabia; it blew on the back of Sultan-Muazzem, and full in the face of Aazem-shah's army. This last Prince having given the command of his left wing to his eldest son, Bidar-baqht, and that of his left, to his second son, Vala-dja, was marching to the enemy, having his youngest son, Aly-tebar, then a child, upon his elephant. But he had left Assed-khan, his Vezir, at the camp of Gvaliar with a body of troops. As he was pushing forwards with ardour, Zulficar-khan, his generalissimo, who had also been generalissimo under Aoreng-zib, represented to him: "That as the day was so much spent, and such a violent tempest blew right in his face; ### [4.1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.4.1.2) and on the other hand, great part of his troops and artillery were still at a distance behind, it would not be advisable to risk a battle for a throne on such disadvantageous terms: that he thought it expedient to remain satisfied with the advantage gained over the enemy, by having burned one of his quarters, and defeated part of his cavalry; and that to-morrow, when the remainder of the troops with the artillery should have come up, it would be time then, to take in hand the bridle of prosperity, and to put the foot in the stirrup of success and fortune, in order to fall with one joint effort on an enemy already intimidated." This speech made a strange effect. The Prince who had a high opinion of his own military character, and that of his troops, and made little account of his brother and his party, having answered by some expressions that betrayed his anger and resentment, the generalissimo, who was known for a man of much valor and much discernment, replied that since his majesty would not listen to an advice dictated by zeal and prudence, and he chose to run head-long into his own ruin, he hoped he would not find fault with him, if he took his leave of a cause that looked so ominous : The Prince, full of indignation, having rejoined by a few broken words, of bitterness and anguish, turned his face from that officer, just as fortune had now turned hers from himself ; ### [4.1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.4.1.3) and Zulficar-khan, without further explanation, spurred his horse, and went to join his father who had been left in the camp of Gualiar. Aazem-shah, without minding his retreat, fell on the enemy with the utmost fury ; and the valorous on both sides being as eager as himself to shew their prowess, a mighty slaughter was taking place on both sides. But the wind blowing with more violence than ever, raised such clouds of dust and sand, that the field of battle was entirely darkened, the troops were blinded ; and it became impossible to distinguish the friend from the foe. It has been assured by several persons of character who had fought in that battle, that the sand was so hot and so big, and it choked so effectually the mouths and eyes of the combatants, that no one could stand such a tempest, but by turning his head about ; no arrow fallen from a bow could be distinguished at more than a only a few paces distance ; and beyond a few paces it could be taken up no more. Notwithstanding all these disadvantages against themselves, the troops of Aazem-shah were gaining ground ; the enemy's army was in danger ; and the fury both of officers and men was so great, that to this day this battle of Ecber-abad is renowned all over Hindostan for obstinacy and slaughter. ### [4.1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.4.1.4) There was then in Aazem-shah's army an Afghan officer of great strength of body, and much prowess, called Munevver-khan : he was followed by five thousand men of his nation ; and as he used to say that a day of battle was a wedding day for the brave, he had dressed himself in cloth of gold, and had given a similar turban to every one of his men, every one of whom was ready to shed his blood with that of the enemy. This officer having found a favourable moment, drew near Aazem-shah, and requested leave to get on horseback, in order to rush on the enemy, and shew to all the world how zealous he was for his master's cause, and how prodigal of his blood in so noble a service. The Prince answered his request, by desiring him to remain upon the elephant he had been allotted from the imperial stables; and the officer mortified at the refusal, pushed at the head of his troops as far as the centre, where commanded Azim-ush-shan himself. He was opposed by Hussein-aaly-khan, and some other officers of character, who were sons to the illustrious Seyd-abdollah-khan of Adjmir, better known under the appellation of Mia-khan. But the enemy pushed on with so much violence, that most of those officers were slain together with their men; and Hussein-aaly-khan himself, having received several hideous wounds, fell senseless on the ground. The enemy had lost full as many men; ### [4.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.4.1.5) but Munevver-khan having exhorted the few that remained to him, pushed as far as Azim-ush-shan's elephant, and having then in his hands one of those spears called Belem by the Indians, he ran it with so much violence against the boards of the Prince's haodah, that it came out at the board on the opposite side; and the Prince had infallibly been killed, had he not shunned the blow, by inclining his body quite to the left. That brave man after performing such feats of prowess, fell at last among the few intrepid men that had refused to survive their heroical commander. This bloody action cost the lives of an infinity of illustrious persons. The Prince Bidar-baqht, who commanded the left wing, fell dead, as did Valadja, his brother, a young prince who had never seen an action, and then drank up to the dregs the bitter potion presented him that day by the grim cup-bearer, death. It became necessary to announce these two losses to Aazem-shah, their father ; and this unfortunate Prince, who tenderly loved his children, and had a particular affection for the eldest, fetched a deep sigh, and said : that victory and life were henceforward of no use to him. With these words he ordered his driver to carry him into the middle of the enemy's ranks, where his haodah was so thick stuck with arrows, that one would have imagined there had rained arrows that day. He was followed by a chosen body, personally attached to him; not one of whom would leave their master. ### [4.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.4.1.6) The Prince, careless of his own safety, but anxious about the royal child, Aaly-tebar, had covered him with his bucler, after having made him squat in the haodah ; and he himself now remained uncovered : still he was pushing on, filling his bow incessantly : But vain were all those efforts : the day was already far spent ; fortune had declared herself; and his best officers were slain, such as Terbyet-khan, Aman-ollah-khan, and Metleb-khan, with the two brothers, Munevver-khan and Khan-aalem, together with the Gentoo Princes, Radja Ram-sing and Radja Dilpet, with an infinity of their troops : in one word, his two hopeful sons were no more. Aazem-shah himself wounded by several musquet-balls, had fallen senseless in his haodah, when a wretched officer of the name of Rostem-dil-khan, having got upon that hero's elephant, was not ashamed to cut off his head. He then took the Royal child Aaly-tebar by the hand, and carried the one and the other to Sultan Muazzem, his master. This sight made a deep impression on the Emperor : the sight of his brother's bloody head was more than his sensibility could bear ; he fetched many a deep sob, and wept bitterly. As to the royal orphan, he pressed him to his bosom, did everything to pacify him ; and in the sequel, he conceived so much affection for him, that he never put any difference between him and his own children. The latter took umbrage at so much tenderness, and once they represented, and complained. ### [4.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.4.1.7) But they were silenced with this answer from the Emperor's mouth ; " If your inquietude "be about his being inimical to my fortune and crown, I inform " you, that you are much likelier to be so yourselves than he ; " and that this child, in case of need, shall prove more anxious " for my preservation than any of you." --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.4.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.4.1) · Pramāṇa