History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c11.79

c11.79

The result of the impending battle was foregone conclusion. The Mughals encircled the royal forces and delivered fatal blows on them. Nonetheless, Zafar Khan was successful in breaking the encirclement. He fought here, there, and everywhere, but still no help was forthcoming either from the Sultan or Ulugh Khan. The battle raged fiercely, and if 'Iṣāmī is to be believed, when 5,000 of the Mughals had been killed Zafar had lost 800 men only. With the remaining 200 horsemen Zafar Khan fought on till the last, and even when his horse had been cut down he fought on foot. The contemporary chronicler gives a graphic description of Zafar's bravery. "His horse died under him", says he, "and that renowned and unmatched warrior began the struggle on foot. Having strewn his shafts on the ground before him he charged with great violence, and every shaft brought one Mughal cavalier down."⁵⁰ The gallantry of such an incomparable general, though not valued by his own jealous sovereign, received a just appreciation from Qutlugh Khvājā who sent him a message saying, "Come over to me, so that I may take you to my father who will treat you with higher honour than the emperor of Delhi has done." But Zafar Khan spurned such an offer and fought as valiantly as ever. Finding it impossible to capture Zafar Khan alive the Mughals pressed upon him from all sides and killed him in a close combat. The gallant soldier had fallen victim to an unequal fight excited by his own unbounded zeal. None of the royalists returned alive from that pursuit that day.