Tarikh-i Salatin-i Afaghina 3.4.8

3.4.8

Although the Afghan army greatly outnumbered its opponents, yet the soldiers were dispirited and disheartened from the Sultan's ill-treatment, and the nobles were offended. A fierce conflict, nevertheless, took place in the plain to the east of Panipat: so desperate a battle, indeed, had never been seen. Many of the Sultan's soldiers were killed. He himself was standing with some of his men near him, when Mahmud Khan came forward, and said, "Our affairs are in a very desperate condition; you had better leave the field of battle. If the King is saved, it will be easy to find another army, and again make war against the Mughals. We shall soon be able to find an opportunity of accomplishing our wishes. This is my opinion; but whatever His Majesty thinks is best." The Sultan replied, "O Mahmud Khan, it is a disgrace for kings to fly from the field of battle. Look here, my nobles, my companions, my well-wishers and friends have partaken of the cup of martyrdom. One has fallen here, another there; where then can I now go? My horse's legs are dyed with blood up to his chest. Whilst I was King, I governed the empire as I pleased; now, perfidious Fortune has sided with the Mughals, what pleasure is there in life? It is better that I should be like my friends, in the dust and in blood." On saying this, he rushed into the thickest of the fight, with 5000 brave horsemen, who were all that remained to him of his best troops, and slew many of the Mughals.