History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c66.s6.1

v4.c66.s6.1

The Mughals deposited their baggage at Malkhed and their Van again advanced under Khan-i-Jahan to hack a way towards Haidarabad. The Deccanis outnumbered this force as three to one; but the Mughal troops, especially those under Himmat Khan and Sayyid Abdullah Khan of Barha, fought with obstinate bravery, and, in spite of heavy losses, always succeeded in beating the Deccanis back at the end of the day. Khan-i-Jahan himself was attacked by a Golkonda captain named Bari Khan, who was celebrated for his skill in throwing stones with the accuracy of a musketeer marksman; but the Mughal general shot him dead with an arrow. On one occasion a Mughal defeat is said to have been averted only when an infuriated elephant of Rajah Ram Singh was driven into the enemy's ranks, with a three maund iron chain swinging from its tusk, which unexpected charge caused the horses of several Deccani captains to rear and overthrow their riders. Each such encounter was followed by a halt of three or four days on the Mughal side. (K.K. ii. 296-298.)