The Nāṣirī Generations 284.1.4

284.1.4

Hearing of Batu Khan’s advance, they, arrogant because of their grandeur, and the number of their troops, moved forward to oppose him with an army of 40 tomans—400,000—composed of chosen warriors, who considered it an eternal disgrace to fly from the battle-field. Batu Khan detached his brother, Shaiban [the Tarikh-i-Jahan-gir says Sa]knah], with 10,000 horse as a vanguard, in order to reconnoitre the enemy and obtain information as to the number and position of their army. In the course of a week he returned, bringing information that the Bulan [Poles?] were, like the Mughals, all able and efficient men, and ten times more numerous than themselves. The two armies soon came in sight of each other. They were separated by a morass—the Fanakati and Alfi say a river or water, but it would seem to refer to a morass containing a considerable body of water. Batu requested the Musalmans in his army to assemble together in prayer, and call upon Almighty God to give them the victory, while he, himself, as was his wont on such occasions, like his grandfather before him, retired to a hill or rising ground; and, during a night and day, without speaking word to any one, occupied himself in prayer and supplication to the Most High to accord the victory to his army. During the next night he sent Boroldae [the Fanakati says, his brother Shaiban] and some Amirs, with their troops, to cross the water during the night, which they accomplished.