Tadhkirah i Anand-Ram “Mukhlish” 2: Muhammad Sháh leaves the Capital.

2

It has already been shown how Asaf Jáh Bahádur, Wazíru-l mamálik Bahádur and Amíru-l Umará Bahádur, the officers to whom had been entrusted the responsibility of leading an army against the Persian invaders, remained for a whole month encamped near the Shálamár gardens. When tidings came that Nádir Sháh had reached the banks of the Attock river, the commanders urged upon the Emperor the necessity of his joining them in person, and, with one accord, they moved forward in the early days of Shawwál. The author himself, Anand Rám, accompanied by his beloved sons Rái Kripa Rám and Saláh Fath Singh, left the capital on the 11th of the month, in the service of Nawáb Sáhib Wazíru-l Mamálik Bahádur. When the army reached Pánípat, the author obtained leave to revisit his home, where some private affairs required his presence. Starting on the 17th, he reached Sháh-Jahánábád on the evening of the 20th.
On the 18th of the month Muhammad Sháh, and the illustrious Prince Ahmad issued from the citadel (ark), the royal residence, and encamped near Muhammad Ganj. The royal camp reached Panipat on the 27th, when the commanders paid their respects to His Majesty, and made offerings suited to their rank.
Near Karnal flows through a broad plain a canal which issues from the Jumna river, near Mukhlispur, and continues its course to Shah-Jahanabad. This place was found convenient for the encampment of the army. By degrees news was received of the progress of the enemy. It was therefore resolved to advance no further, but to take advantage of the abundant supply of water, so necessary to the soldier, and fight to the last. The Mir-atish was instructed to construct an earthen wall around the camp; behind this the artillery was placed in position; and brave men were told off for the defence of the intrenchments. In fact, nothing was omitted that could conduce to the strength of the camp. This disposition, which could hardly be considered worthy of an Emperor, was adopted partly to await the arrival of Burhanu-l Mulk Bahadur, Nazim of Oudh, who had been ordered to join the royal army. This nobleman, though suffering from sickness, advanced by forced marches at the head of 30,000 horsemen, and reached Karnal on the 14th of Zi-l ka'da. This addition to the strength of the army created universal joy, and all now thought victory certain.