History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v2.c26.27

v2.c26.27

That very night a gallant Imperial officer named Purdil Khan with 150 men climbed a mound a little north of Deorai and midway between the two armies, and passed the night there. The dawn revealed the party to the enemy who sent skirmishers to dislodge them. But the Imperial army pushed forward a body of 2000 men to assist in holding this advanced post, while Dara supported his skirmishers with an equally strong force.∗ The contest raged for more than four hours; but the enterprise and tenacity of Purdil Khan had borne fruit: the Imperial artillery had been safely dragged to this position of vantage under cover of his resistance, and the post firmly secured. Dara’s advanced troops retired baffled behind their lines. The whole Imperial army now moved forward. The Van and the Right Wing took post opposite the eastern trenches, close to the Gokla hill, and the Left Wing faced the trenches near Bithli. It was impossible for Aurangzib’s army to be fully deployed; the other divisions were held back from the fighting line and surrounded Aurangzib’s tent which was now pitched 1½ miles from the enemy’s position. That day (12th March) his guns were carried half a cannon-shot forward and disposed before the enemy’s guns in the centre of the line.