Later Mughals v2.c14.s38: Sec. 65.—Sarbuland's Army Dispersed.
Later Mughals v2.c14.s38
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Sec. 65.—Sarbuland's Army Dispersed.
v2.c14.s38.1
The Marwaris held together and opposed a bold front to their assailants. Neither did the Muhammadans cede any of their ground; after a time however these latter began to obtain the upper hand and at length the Marwaris gave way and began to leave the field. Sarbuland Khan made repeated charges and drove them before him. But from this point the fortunes of the day underwent a change. Several officers of note had been slain on the Muhammadan side. Jamal Ali Khan lost his brother Abid Ali Khan, who was killed at his side on the elephant they were both riding. Having sent the body into the city Jamal Ali Khan mounted his Arab horse and returned to the field, where he recovered the bodies of Sayyid Qaim and Tarin Khan Afghan. He and his men then escorted the bodies into the city. Others seized the opportunity and left the field; the general feeling being that Sarbuland Khan could not finally prevail and would surely be slain. Beginning as a mere supposition, this opinion passed from mouth to mouth until when it reached the city in the course of the afternoon it had assumed the shape of a report of Sarbuland Khan's death.
v2.c14.s38.2
On hearing this report, Muhammad Amin Beg and Shaikh Allahyar, who had been left in charge of the city, assembled their men and without a moment's delay left it by the Khanpur gate. In the sands of the Sabarmati they encountered men who had scattered after the attack on the hamlets and also the men accompanying the corpses of the slain. These fugitives to avoid any imputation on themselves told the two generals that it was useless to proceed, in all probability the affair was settled beyond remedy, and the most pressing need now was the defence of the city and of their leader's family. Amin Beg and Allahyar paying no heed to these remonstrances went on their way.
v2.c14.s38.3
Meanwhile, the Marwaris who had in the first instance been put to flight became aware of the fact that Sarbuland Khan's division had now been reduced to little more than four hundred men. Although he held the field without concerning himself about the fewness of his men, the Marwaris drew from it fresh courage, turned their bridle reins, and resolved to try their luck once more. The fighting was vigorously renewed, but Sarbuland Khan stood undaunted and many a Marwari was laid low by an arrow from his bow. Soon an elephant appeared in the distance and on it a man bearing a flag. The flag was recognized as that of Sarbuland Khan; it must surely be Allahyar with reinforcements! As Amin Beg Khan and Allahyar rode up, the drums beat once more and the contest was renewed more vigorously than before. In one of the Marwari onsets Shaikh Allahyar was shot; but Sarbuland Khan undismayed faced the foe and once more put them to flight. He pursued them nearly to the village of Sarkhej, a distance of about five miles. The fighting lasted all day, and it was only at nightfall that the two sides desisted. Until the going down of the sun Sarbuland Khan held the field, his drums beating a victorious march. Tents were sent for and erected where the general stood.
v2.c14.s38.4
During the day word had been brought to the Rajput camp that the Maharajah had fled from the field. Consternation seized upon the whole camp. There was a hurried loading of carts and pack bullocks, tents were struck, flags were removed, and the cry was "Marwar is far off". The local soldiers, the Gujaratis and Qasbatis, departed to the villages round about, a few went as far as Duraha without a halt, many hid in the houses in the city suburbs. It was not till the time of evening prayer, when the Maharajah returned from the battle-field that the hearts of the timid were reassured. Fugitives who had not gone very far returned and rejoined the Rajput general.
v2.c14.s38.5
When Sarbuland Khan issued his orders to pass the night upon the battle-field, Muhammad Amin Beg said to him: "Have you not obtained your desire? You were always resigning the governorship. At this time the wounded should be attended to and the survivors consoled. You ought to return to the city." In compliance with this remonstrance a march was ordered. About an hour-and-a-half after nightfall, they reached the city wall just below the fortress. Here they encamped, on the bank of the Sabarmati. Inside the city, however, the chief Gujaratis, more especially Sardar Muhammad Khan, who held the new governor's patent as deputy, would not believe that Sarbuland Khan had escaped unharmed. Sardar Muhammad Khan had cashed the bill of exchange sent to him, and with the money had enlisted men, He was in his house watching for his opportunity when the report came that Sarbuland Khan was dead, he resolved to act by seizing the city gates and throwing them open. But to make certain he sent a man to his neighbour Ali Muhammad Khan for news. He was told the truth and advised to desist. But still unsatisfied and restless, he sent again near midnight to make enquiry. To satisfy him, his man was sent into the fortress, and mounting the wall was allowed to look down on Sarbuland Khan's camp, and they could hear him in his tent recounting the events of the day to one of his friends. When this man had reported to him, Sardar Muhammad Khan gave up his intentions.