The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c15.44

v4.c15.44

Bāz Bahādur, a voluptuary devoted to music and to the society of dancers and singers, above all to that of his beloved mistress Rūp Matī, famed for her beauty and her devotion to her lover, now held his court at Sārangpur.² The imperial army invaded Mālwā, advancing by regular daily marches until it was within 20 miles of Sārangpur, and it was not until it had reached this point that Bāz Bahādur awoke from his dreams of love and music and bestirred himself to defend his kingdom. Marching from the city, he entrenched himself at a distance of three miles from it and awaited the attack of the imperial troops, but on 29 March he was induced, by feigned attacks from various directions, to leave his entrenched position and take the field. The battle was of short duration. His troops were outnumbered and his Afghān officers were disaffected and left the field early in the day. Bāz Bahādur saved his life by flight, but his women, his treasures and his elephants fell into the hands of the victors, and the devoted Rūp Matī took poison in order to escape the embraces of Adham Khān.