The Army of the Indian Moghuls: Its Organization and Administration c24.24

c24.24

Between the two forces there were deep ravines, where a large army could have been effectually concealed. Nizām-ul-mulk sent out his guns and placed them in position, so as to command from both sides the only road across this ravine. His advanced guard was concealed in the hollows on each side. Then two or three men, closely resembling the Nawāb in beard and features and age were dressed up, placed on elephants, and sent out to represent Nizām-ul-mulk at the head of his main body, which showed itself in front of the entrance to the ravine. Dilāwar ʿAlī Khān’s men came straight at their foe, and were drawn on and on by a simulated retreat. Anxious to slay or capture the opposite leader, who as they believed was in command, they pursued steadily, disposing on their way of several pretended Nizām-ul-mulks. When Sayyad Sher Khān at length brought his elephant close to that of ʿIwaẓ Khān, the Moghul by a sign caused his elephant to kneel, and by this trick, escaped with his life. When the ravine was reached, the guns did their work; and their leaders being killed, the rest of Dilāwar ʿAlī Khān’s army dispersed (Shiū Dās, 37b, M. Qāsim Lāhorī, 314, Tārīkh-i-muẓaffarī, fol. 183).