The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.305

v4.c20.305

There still remained some able and brave officers in the army, and Safdar Jang, with a useful force of Persian troops, and Mu‘īn-ul-Mulk, son of the late minister, insisted on taking the field. After three or four days of this desultory and indecisive fighting, operations assumed a more serious character. Ahmad Shāh Abdālī led a determined attack on Mu‘īn-ul-Mulk, who opposed to it a resistance as determined. Another attack was then led on the imperial centre, commanded by the prince, who was so hard pressed that Safdar Jang was obliged to send some of his troops to his assistance. Safdar Jang then advanced with his Persian troops on foot, preceded by his artillery which kept up a continuous fire on the enemy, and attacked Ahmad Shāh Abdālī. By great good fortune a rocket or some other missile ignited the waggon-loads of rockets which the invaders had captured and these exploded in all directions, causing many casualties among the Afghān troops and throwing them into confusion. Many fled, but Ahmad Shāh Abdālī contrived to hold his ground until the evening, and during the night began his retreat towards Afghānistān.