Twilight of the Sultanate c15.s4.59

c15.s4.59

The two armies lay facing each other for eight days, April 12 to 19, but neither side took the offensive. Feeling convinced that delay would imperil his whole plan, Bābur despatched an advance force on the 19th under Mahdī Khwājā to attack the enemy.¹⁵⁸ The surprise failed, but it helped provoke the adversary into launching an attack. On the morning of 21 April, 1526 (8 Rajjab, 932 H)¹⁵⁹ Ibrāhīm's army advanced to attack. On the opposite side the Turki-Mughal army was drawn up in the traditional formation of Right, Centre, Left and Van, but there were large flanking parties (tūlughmā) for each of the formations. The main Right wing was under the command of prince Humayūn, and the main Left was under Mahdī Khawājā. The Van was led by Khusru Kukoltash and Muhammad 'Alī Jang-Jang. Ustad 'Alī with the heavy pieces was posted on the right of the Centre, and Mustafā with lighter pieces on the left of it. Bābur, of course, was in the Centre.