History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c11.252.4

c11.252.4

A careful examination of their accounts decides the issue in favour of Firishta, who had probably consulted them all except one, and whose narrative clearly shows that Hasan had a large force at his command and consequently had no need to lie in ambush and deliver a surprise attack. Besides, Barani, who is a contemporary writer, does not mention any sudden attack and the author of the *Tabqāt-i-Akbari*, follows Barani and makes no allusion to the surprise attack by Hasan. Their omission, though not a conclusive argument, lends support to the view of Firishta. The author of the *Tabqāt* simply says that after the departure of the Sultan the rebels gathered together again, routed the army of ‘Imād-al-Mulk and killed him.¹⁴¹ Firishta’s account, detailed as it is, throws much light upon the relative positions of the two parties. Hasan had already under his command 20,000 men who had followed him towards Bidar and Kulburga. But he felt that this force was inadequate to oppose the enemy who had proceeded to the field of battle with great pomp and show. For 20 days both parties dug trenches all around in order to fortify themselves and neither had the courage to begin the attack. Meanwhile Hasan got reinforcements from the Raja of Telingana who sent a quota of 15,000 foot from Kaulās¹⁴² and from Nāsir-al-Din at Daulatabad who despatched 5,000 horsemen together with the royal treasure which he had seized during the rebellion.