The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c15.177

v4.c15.177

The Mīrzās had possessed themselves of the richest districts of southern Gujarāt. Ibrāhīm Husain Mīrzā had occupied Baroda, Muhammad Husain Mīrzā Surat, and Shāh Mīrzā Chāmpāner. A large force under Sayyid Mahmūd Khān Bārha was detached to reduce Surat, and another, under Shāhbāz Khān, to reduce Chāmpāner, but had not reached their destinations when Akbar heard that Ibrāhīm Husain Mīrzā was about to leave Baroda with his troops and retire to some other district of Gujarāt. Akbar resolved to intercept him and set out at night with a small picked force. After marching the rest of the night and the whole of the following day he reached the Māhī river at sunset and discovered that Ibrāhīm Husain Mīrzā was at Sarnāl on the opposite bank, with a large force. Those with him advised postponing the attack until night had fallen but Akbar at once crossed the river with no more than 200 horse.