Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 6.15.6

6.15.6

These ravages engaged Nizam-el-mulk to send his family and heavy baggage within the fortress of Assir, and then to meet his enemy in the field. But the river Purna, which flows at about seventeen cosses from Burhanpur, being then swollen by the rains, was likely to occasion much delay, had he not been extricated by Ghoass-qhan. This General, who was acquainted with the country, proposed to march about eighteen cosses higher by the left, towards a spot which he knew to have a ford; and to this they arrived sooner than expected by by-ways, which were pointed out by the Zemindars of the country. So that Nizam-el-mulk, having forded over, was already in full march towards the enemy, before the latter knew any thing of his approach. At last he received intelligence, and marched up to his antagonist, whilst the latter's Marhatta horse, to be beforehand with what booty might be had, ran forwards, and by scouring the country occasioned a dearth and a scarcity in Nizam-el-mulk's army. Especially as the heavy rains which were falling daily, had spoiled the roads, and the Marhatta horse were perpetually harassing him on all sides; insomuch that it became difficult to move; and here again Ghoass-qhan was of great service. At the head of some thousands of those Marhatta horse that served in Nizam-el-mulk's army, he cut his way through the other freebooters, and was followed by that General, who found himself obliged to advance through perpetual skirmishes;