Storia do Mogor 371.9

371.9

Meanwhile he set apart a large division from his army, numbering thirty thousand horsemen and fifty thousand infantry, which he placed under the command of his son, Sultãn Mu'izz-ud-dln, with whom was joined General Zu,lfiqãr Khãn and many other officers of repute. Their orders were to march forward by short stages and locate the position of the prince Kãm Bakhsh. During the interval Shãh 'Alam wrote several letters to his brother, praying him not to go to war, but content himself with what he had already, and not run the risk of being killed, like his other brother had been, by putting [326] his fortunes to the doubtful issue of a battle. But Kãm Bakhsh turned a deaf ear to this advice, and was firm in wishing to fight. While this discussion was going on his army was shrinking daily through the numerous desertions of men who espoused the cause of Shãh 'Alam. Thus he found himself reduced to a force of four thousand horsemen and eight thousand infantry. This condition of things forced him to retreat on Gulkandah, where he entrenched himself. The news of his retirement occasioned so great an uproar in that city that he was forced to quit it again and withdraw a distance of three leagues, near a large market town called Daubipench. It is situated on an eminence; and here a few weak entrenchments were constructed.