The History of Shēr Shāh (Tārīkh-i Shērshāhī) 3.8.6

3.8.6

When Sher Khán saw the Afghans were in good heart to engage the Bengalis, and that Ibráhím Khán was daily pondering how much longer Sher Khán would yet remain in his entrenchments, and was anxious for an engagement, as he so presumed on the number of his forces that he had encamped them all round Sher Khán's entrenchment, and had not thrown up any works to protect them, he determined to give him battle; and to send his vakíl to tell Ibráhím Khán that it behoved him to be prepared the following morning, as he intended to come out of his entrenchments for that purpose. When Sher Khán told the message to his friends, it pleased them, and he sent his vakil to Ibrahim Khan, saying, "You have often said to me, 'Come out of your entrenchments, and let us meet in battle on the open field that we may test each other's prowess.' I have purposely remained patiently in my entrenchments for a time, hoping that peace might be concluded with you; but if you will agree to no peace, to-morrow morning put your army in array and come out, so that we may meet in open battle." Ibrahim Khan replied to the vakil, "Say to Sher Khan, 'Have all your forces present on the field of battle early to-morrow morning.'" When Sher Khan heard this reply, he was much delighted, and told the intelligence to his men. Ibrahim Khan also told Fath Khan to give orders that his men should be ready and present on the morrow.