The Afghan History of Khān Jahān 2.5

2.5

In consequence of this, Lakhmi Chand, a son of Raja Bhid, and all the zamindars wrote to Sultan Husain, representing that Sikandar did not possess a single horse, all having perished. Husain, upon this, marched out of Bihar at the head of a large force, including 100 elephants, with the intention of defeating Sultan Sikandar; who, having crossed the Ganges at the ferry of Kantit, went first to Chunar, and thence to Benares. He detached Khan-khanan to Salbahan, the son of Raja Bhid, with directions to conciliate him, and induce him to accompany the Khan. Meanwhile, Sultan Husain had reached within thirteen kos of Benares, and Sultan Sikandar drew near with all expedition; and having marshalled his troops, with the divine aid, commenced the engagement, supported by Salbahan, who had opportunely arrived to his support. The battle was well contested; but at length the fortune of the day suddenly turned against Sultan Husain, who fled towards Patna; but being closely pursued by Sultan Sikandar at the head of 100,000 cavalry, he took the route of Bihar. After the lapse of nine days, Sultan Sikandar succeeded in reaching Husain's camp, and then heard that he had fled to Bihar. Thither also he was pursued by Sikandar, and on his ascertaining this to be the case, he left Malik Kandu behind in the fort, and sought shelter at Khalganw, a dependency of Lakhnauti. Sultan Sikandar then detached from his camp at Deobár, a force to lay waste Bihar.