The Nāṣirī Generations 224.2

224.2

On the return of Malik Nusrat-ud-Din, Ta-yasa’i, the Ranah of Ajar, Chahar, by name, occupied the route of the Musalman forces, and blocked up the road in the narrow parts of [some] deep ravines, and was drawn up [with his forces], at the head of the road, prepared to oppose their passage. Malik Nusrat-ud-Din, Ta-yasa’i, was somewhat weak in body [from sickness?] at the time, and he divided his force into three bodies, at the head of three roads—the first body consisted of the unincumbered horsemen [under his own command]; the second body of the baggage, material, and the followers of the force, with an Amir in charge; and the third consisted of the booty and the cattle with an Amir with it also. I heard Nusrat-ud-Din himself state, saying: Through the divine favour, never in Hindustan had an enemy seen my back; and, on that day, that Hindu fellow fell upon me like a wolf upon a flock of sheep. I divided my force into three bodies in order that, in the event of the Hindu confronting me and the unincumbered horsemen, the baggage and war material and cattle might pass on in safety, and, in case he should show a desire towards the baggage and war material or cattle, I, together with the auxiliaries of the true faith, would come behind him and take satisfaction on his malignity." The Hindu confronted Malik Nusrat-ud-Din's own division, and Almighty God gave him the victory.