The Army of the Indian Moghuls: Its Organization and Administration c24.7

c24.7

When Najm-ud-dīn ʿAlī Khān at the head of the Sayyad vanguard, appeared in the distance from the direction of the river, Ḥaidar Qulī Khān, the imperial Mīr Ātash, moved out his heavy cannon into the open, and encountered the advancing enemy with a storm of balls from them and his field-pieces. The fire was so continuous and heavy that the artillery of the other side was silenced. After every volley Ḥaidar Qulī Khān urged on his men by lavish gifts of gold and silver. As the artillery advanced, the rest of the army followed and occupied the ground. Stimulated by their commander's liberality, the gunners worked zealously, and a second set of guns were loaded by the time the first were discharged. Khān Daurān's troops moved in support of the imperial artillery, Sanjār Khān and Dost ʿAlī Khān, in command of that noble's guns, particularly distinguishing themselves. The latter was wounded in the foot. Sayyad Nuṣrat Yār Khān and Sābit Khān also took a leading part, while Saʿādat Khān and Muḥammad Khān, Bangash, created a diversion on the left. During the day a rocket fell on Sayyad ʿAbdullah Khān's powder-magazine, exploding it and causing much loss of life.