History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v2.c24.57

v2.c24.57

Saf Shikan Khan, who had reached Bhakkar on 21st October, only three days after Dara’s flight from the opposite bank (Sakkar), halted one day to take possession of the city, posted a garrison at Rohri and a force at Sakkar to blockade the gates of its fort, and then on the 23rd resumed his march, without waiting for Shaikh Mir who had a longer journey to make and was three days behind.[*] On the 30th he got a letter from the qiladar of Sehwan, which was 26 miles ahead, reporting that Dara had arrived within ten miles of that fort and urging him to hurry up and intercept the enemy’s treasure-boats coming behind. At once he despatched a force of 1000 mounted barqandazes with 14 swivel guns on the backs of camels, and rockets, to outstrip Dara’s boats and entrench on the left bank of the Indus further down, near Sehwan, where the river was narrow, and thus prevent the escape of the boats. That very night he himself made a forced march of 24 miles down this bank and, leaving Dara on the right bank behind him, next noon overtook the barqandazes by the edge of the river, one mile below the fort (which was on the opposite bank).