The Army of the Indian Moghuls: Its Organization and Administration c24.10

c24.10

‘Abdullah Khān had decided to single out for attack the force under Sayyad Nuṣrat Yār Khān, who had command of the advanced guard near the emperor. Against this man the Sayyads had a special grudge, because he, one of their own clan and a relation, had sided against them. Having swept him on one side, ‘Abdullah Khān hoped to be able to push on to Muḥammad Shāh’s centre (qalb). First of all, he tried to make his way to his objective from his own left, but found the river such an obstacle, that he changed his direction and moved across his front to the right of his own army. As soon as the movement was detected, reinforcements were sent for by Muḥammad Shāh, the centre having been left very weak. The generals who were thus summoned objected to quit their posts. The imperial artillery present with the emperor’s division, was then despatched towards the river to bar the way, and part of the vanguard was also transferred to the same point.