Book Title: Indian Antiquary Vol 16
Author(s): John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

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Page 296
________________ 272 THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY. [SEPTEMBER, 1887. Khâo Rohela. But the Nawab Imadu'l-Mulk gerous position of Ahmad Khan, encouraged Ghaziu'ddîn Khân, and Suraj Mall Ját having the sawárs by telling them that the water already before despaired of being pardoned was not deep, and ordering each of them to take by Ahmad Shah, joined the Marathas and a footman upon his horse. He then himself incited them to occupy Dehli. Whereon Y'aqub leaped into the Jamna, according to the verse : • Ali Khan Bamisai, the governor of that city “ In the name of Allah, while it moveth for-- who had been living in Shahjahanpur and ward, and while it standeth still," and swam had been appointed to that post by the Wazir to the other bank. When the cavalry of the Shah Wall Khan, because he belonged to army saw the Padshah in the river they all his own tribe was besieged by the Markthânecessarily followed his example, army, but surrendered the fort of Dehll in a few They batened as quickly into the river days with the approbation of the Wazir, and As if there were no differenoe between water a departed to the camp. Then Bhâo and other and land. Maratha chiefs obtained possession of the city, The brave warriors passed through that swift and assured each other in the height of their water, pride that they would transform the Jam'i mos- The current of the river causing no fatigue. que [of Dehli] into a big temple. They also But though the water did not injure them The bullets of the infidels sent many to the slew in the most ignominious manner in that locality 'Abdu's-Samed Khan Muḥammad ai permanent abode. Hashtnagteri, and Mian Qutb Shah, with The body of the above-mentioned Ahme. other Sardárs. They then marched to the fort Khan was in this way burnt by a musket Kunjpar, and Ahmad Shah, hearing of this shot in the water, the dust of his existence was movement, immediately hastened to succour scattered to the winds of non-existence, and the the place. When he had reached the Mirza ship of his life sank in the vortex of death. Baqir, and heard of the murder of Şamad Khân. When the whole Afghan and Indian camp had Hashtnagari, of Mian Qutb Shah and of Nijabat crossed the river Jamna, and the Marath Khan, the Ráis of Kunjpůr, he was filled with guardians of it had been put to flight, Ahmad grief, and determined to cross the river Jamna Shah issued orders to the army to dry all like a whirlwind and to poor a rain of cannon the saddles and trappings that day in the sun balls upon the infidels. The river being swollen 80's to be ready for battle on the next, by the rains, and no boats at hand, he ordered and to be on the alert also during the night. the Corps of Ghulams to cross the river at once He marched next morning as far as the sarái by swimming. Whereon the sawars of the of Sinhálka, where the tents of the Marathas. Ghulamkhana, who were four thousand in num- stood, and having drawn up his troops in ber, at once leapt into the water. Some assert battle-array, got ready to make an attack. that the first man whom Ahmad Shah ordered He first appointed the Sardar Shah Pasand to throw himself with his horse into the river Khan Ishaqzai, who was standing before him, was Aḥmad Khan Khaibari, who did so with to take command of the vanguard for the day, two thousand of his people. When the Maratha and to see what account he could give of the troops, who guarded the banks, perceived this Dakhani army. Accordingly that Sardár started movement they fired upon the Afghans, and with his cavalry, which amounted to nearly Ahmad Shah, becoming aware of the dan- three thousand, met the outposts, and having PaijAb, instead of as tual bringing a substantial con- expedition for the final conquest and annexation of tribution from his conquests to the Peshwa's treasury, Hindustan, and the replacement of the Mughal by was selected to the task of driving the Afghåns beyond Brahman dynasty." Calcutta Review, 1870, Vol. LI., No. Atak, and with him went the Peshwa's eldest son, CI., p. 26. The separation of Raghunath Blo and the Winw Me Rio. From the army of the Dakhan, flushed as 80 Lakhs of rupees alluded to above, are recorded also it was with success, were detached 20,000 picked horse- by Grant Duff, Vol. II. p. 132-3. men under the flower sic) of the old Maratha families, and body of 10,000 infantry and artillery, trained and "Ahmed Shah was desirous of saving this place but disciplined in the French fashion and commanded by the swollen state of the Jums provented his crossing. and when he had discovered a IbrAhim Khan Gardi, an able officer trained under M. ford, Kunjpurs Busay. This division of the BhAo's army was probably had fallen. He had crossed the wbole of his army by the finest and most formidable body of native troops at the 25th October, and the next day fought an indecisive that time in India. Messages were also sent to all the action with the enemy, who had hurried up to oppone Marathi chiefs to join the commander-in-chief and the his passage of the river.-Calc. Rev. 1870, Vol. LI., Prince, as they marched northwards for what, in the No. CI. p. 27. opinion of the whole of Maharashtra, was regarded as an "Quran, ch. xi. v. 43.

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