The History of Mubārak Shāh 7.3

7.3

When Malik Sultan Shah's appeals for assistance reached the ears of the Sultan, he, notwithstanding the rains, marched out of the city in the month of Rajab, and proceeded towards Sirhind. He reached the town of Kohila, in the neighbourhood of Samana, and Jasrath hearing of his approach, raised the siege of Sirhind, on the 27th Rajab, and retreated to Ludhiyana. He released Majlis-i 'ali Zirak Khan, who then returned to Samana, and joined his sovereign. The royal army then advanced to Ludhiyana, and Jasrath Khokhar crossed to the other side of the river, where he encamped in full view of the Sultan's forces. He had got possession of all the boats, so the royal army was unable to pass. For nearly forty days they thus remained posted in sight of each other, until Canopus rose and the waters fell. The Sultan then retired to Kabulpur, and Jasrath Khokhar, keeping to the bank of the river, made a similar movement. On the 11th Shawwal, the king sent Sikandar Tuhfa, Majlis-i 'ali Zirak Khan, Maliku-sh Shark Mahmud Hasan, Malik Kalu, and several other amirs, with a strong force and six elephants, to cross the river higher up at Rupar. Early in the morning they crossed the river by a ford. On the same day, the king himself marched to the place where they had crossed. Jasrath Khokhar also, still holding to the bank of the river, advanced by a parallel march; but when he heard that some forces had crossed the river, he was alarmed, and took up a position four kos distant from the ford.