Later Mughals v1.c8.s17.11

v1.c8.s17.11

At this stage of the battle Farrukh-siyar’s defeat seemed assured. Reports had spread that Husain Ali Khan was dead; while separated from his standard elephant and from most of his captains, Abdullah Khan had only a few men left around him; and in the centre, with Farrukh-siyar himself, there were no more than six thousand men. Even these men had no heart left in them and were only waiting for a way of escape. On the other side was Zulfiqar Khan with 25,000 fresh troops, many noted leaders, and powerful artillery. But for some reason, either that he despised the enemy or that he wished Kokaltash Khan to be thoroughly defeated, he refrained from intervening in the fight. Although repeatedly asked for permission, he declined to give the order to attack. At length, learning that Jani Khan was dead, Zulfiqar Khan despatched Chin Qilich Khan to support Kokaltash Khan, with instructions, when free of that duty, to turn his attack against Farrukh-siyar’s centre. Zulfiqar Khan then made ready to deal himself with Abdullah Khan, who was still in his former position. Chabela Ram withdrew his men into ambush, while Muhammad Khan succeeded in joining Abdullah Khan. The scattered troops of Husain Ali Khan re-assembled round the elder Sayyid brother. Farrukh-siyar sent two thousand men from the centre, which he commanded in person. In all Abdullah Khan had now some four thousand men at his disposal.*