Later Mughals v1.c8.s12.13

v1.c8.s12.13

During this time Farrukh-siyar continued his advance from Allahabad. His force is variously estimated: some putting it at 25,000 horse, some at 50,000 horse and 70,000 foot. He reached Sarai Choli on the 19th Shawwal (18th November 1712), was at Hathganw on the 20th, Amratu on the 21st, Sarai Manda on the 22nd, Cheda Abunagar on the 23rd, Kunwarpur on the 24th, and Roshanabad on the 25th. Here he learnt that the enemy were entrenched at Khajwa, at a distance of about five miles. Next day they advanced to Aqilabad. Here a new adherent appeared in the person of Muhammad Khan Bangash, at the head of 4,000 or 5,000 horsemen, chiefly Afghans. For some years this man, a native of Mau on the Ganges, in pargana Shamsabad of the Agra subah, had lived as a soldier of fortune in Bundelkhand, hiring out himself and his men, first to one and then to another of the large zamindars, between whom there raged interminable quarrels about their lands and their boundaries. Muhammad Khan changed sides as often as he thought it of advantage to himself. Lately he had presented himself in Prince Azz-ud-din's camp, in the hope of employment and reward. Disgusted with what he saw there, he felt it more prudent to transfer his services, and now joined Farrukh-siyar. He was presented through Sayyid Abdullah Khan and taken into the Prince's service.*