The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.138

v4.c20.138

The imperial vanguard was drawn up in two divisions of 15,000 men each, under Jānī Khān (right) and Kokaltāsh Khān (left), with 10,000 more men behind them as supports under Sabhā Chand, ‘Abdus-Samad Khān and Muhammad Amīn Khān. Farrukh-siyar’s front was led by Sayyid ‘Abdullah (left) and Husain ‘Alī (right). Shortly after 3 o’clock in the afternoon the rival vans engaged and the battle began. Jahāndār’s artillery did great havoc among Sayyid Husain ‘Alī’s ranks, while his rear was assailed by the imperial supports under ‘Abdus-Samad Khān. Husain ‘Alī, fighting desperately on foot, was wounded, rendered senseless and left buried under a heap of the slain; many of his retainers and clansmen were wounded or killed by Kokaltāsh Khān’s onslaught. Meantime, Farrukh-siyar’s men under Chhabelā Rām and Muhammad Khān Bangash had attacked the imperial right (under Jānī Khān), but after severe losses on both sides a desperate charge by these two commanders ended in Jānī Khān being shot, at which his troops fled away, but the victors also fell back.