The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.252

v4.c20.252

The Indian army was distracted with terror and fervent prayers went up for the speedy arrival of Burhān-ul-Mulk, who was leading his large contingent to the imperial camp. Nādir Shāh, finding that dense jungle would impede a direct advance from the north on Karnāl, inclined slightly to his right, and encamped, on 23 February, in the open plain two leagues to the west of the town. On the following morning he advanced to within a league of the town. His patrols and scouts had already searched the country to the south of Karnāl and he knew more of the movements of Burhān-ul-Mulk than was known in the Indian camp. On 23 February he had sent a force to cut him off, but Burhān-ul-Mulk, moving between the main road and the river Jumna, had passed unmolested, though his baggage train was captured.