A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India c17.13

c17.13

While being driven back towards the river, Salâbat Khân, the Shâh’s general, made a valiant attempt to retrieve the fortunes of the day. He had for his bodyguard 500 Portuguese “renegades,” and with him these men threw themselves into the advancing ranks of the Hindus, where they “did such wonderful deeds” that ever after they were remembered. They penetrated the king’s host, and cut their way forwards till they almost reached his person. Here Salâbat Khân lost his horse, but at once mounted another and pressed on. The little force was, however, surrounded and annihilated, and the general, being a second time overthrown, horse and all, was made prisoner.