The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c14.45

v4.c14.45

Sher Shāh, with his army of 80,000 horse, came into contact with Māldeo in the neighbourhood of Ajmer but hesitated to attack though opposed by only 50,000 horse. For a month the two armies lay opposite to one another and Sher Shāh’s situation had become critical, owing to lack of supplies, before he used a device not infrequently employed in eastern warfare. Causing letters to be written to himself, as from Māldeo's *thākurs*, or nobles, promising that they would deliver their master into his hands, he had them enclosed in a silken bag which was dropped, as though by accident, near Māldeo's tent. It was picked up and carried to Māldeo, who was dismayed by what he deemed the treachery of his *thākurs*. He countermanded the general action which he had ordered, and would not trust their protestations of fidelity. As the Muslims advanced, 12,000 Rājput horse, led by *thākurs* bent on proving their loyalty, charged them, and cut their way almost to the centre of the royal camp, but were overwhelmed by numbers and almost annihilated. Māldeo saw too late that he had been deceived and could no longer withstand the invader. His army dispersed but its valour had so impressed Sher Shāh that he exclaimed that he had wellnigh lost the empire of India for a handful of millet. He left Khavāss Khān and ‘Īsā Khān Niyāzī to establish his authority in Mārwār and marched to Chitor, the keys of which were sent to him by the officer who held it on behalf of Rānā Uday Singh of Mewār.