The History of Shēr Shāh (Tārīkh-i Shērshāhī) 3.15.1

3.15.1

When Sher Khan heard these words of 'Azam Humayun, he asked his other nobles, for example, Kutb Khan, Haibat Khan Niazi, Jalal Khan bin Jalu, Shuja'at Khan, Sarmast Khan Sarwani, and others; and they unanimously declared that it was advisable to fight, for they would never have such an opportunity again. When Sher Khan perceived that the Afghans were united in his favour and in good heart to fight the Mughals, he quitted the hills of Rohtas, and marched to meet the Emperor's army. At every stage he entrenched himself with an earthwork, and going on entirely at his leisure, made very short marches. When the Emperor heard that Sher Khan was coming, he retraced his steps, and turned in the direction of Sher Khan's army. Sher Khan on hearing this, wrote to the Emperor, saying, that if the Emperor would give him the kingdom of Bengal, and be satisfied that the khutba be read and money struck in the Emperor's name, he would be the Emperor's vassal. Sher Khan then marching on, and selecting an advantageous place, — a large village with a stream of water intervening between himself and the Emperor, — entrenched himself there. The breadth of the stream was twenty-five yards.