Indian Antiquary Vol 52

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 305

289
OCTOBER, 1923] HISTORY OF THE NIZAM SHAHI KINGS OF AHMADNAGAR
therefore marche d with great specd, covering two stages every day, little thinking that he was marching to meet his fate. The hand of fate had seized his reins and was leading him straight to the slaughter house, and he therefore passed on, intent on battle and disregarding all advice, until he reached the neighbourhood of the ghat of Rohankhed.339
But before Jamâl Khân could reach the ghat already named, the royal army had already seized on it, and Jamâl Khân therefore turned aside to another ghat, by crossing which he would be able to attack the royal army. When Burhân Nizam Shah heard of the intended passage of Jamal Khân by another ghat, he was inspired to march thither to meet him, and with Raja All Khân and the whole army, marched towards the ford for which Jamâl Khân was making. The royal army reached this ford before Jamâl Khân's arrival, and by great good fortune obtained possession of the only water which was to be found in the neighbourhood. At the hottest time of the day, when the sun was at its height, Jamâl Khân and his army descended the ghat and caught sight of the royal army.
When they descended from the hills into the plains, they saw a land which resembled the plain of the resurrection in heat, and dry in the extreme. Jamâl Khân's army marched hither and thither in that dry land in search of water, but found nothing but a mirage,340
When Jamal Khân found matters to be thus, he turned his heart aside from thoughts of eating and drinking, and even from those of the kingdom and of the wealth, and on that very day, Rajab 13 (May 7, A.D. 1591),341 resolved to attack the royal army at once. In company with Khudâvand Khân he drew up his army, placing the artillery in front and the rest of the army in its rear, and then marched to attack the roy
army.
It so happened that between the two armies there was an impassable slough, on the edge of which the royal artillery was drawn up in ambush, and Jamal Khân's army, knowing nothing of this obstacle, came on at a rapid pace, when suddenly the greater part of their elephants and cavalry stuck fast in the mire, and Jamal's army, though they hastened to the right and the left to find a passage, were unable to find one, or to cross the slough. The royal troops, who were drawn up on the edge of the slough, then opened a heavy artillery fire on Jamâl Khan's troops and threw them into the greatest confusion.
At this juncture Habshiyân, who was one of Jamal Khân's amirs, led by his good fortune, turned his face from Jamâl Khân and went over, with nearly 1,000 horse, to Burhân Nigam Shah, and his defection caused still greater confusion among Jamal Khân's troops. Jamal Khan was now much perturbed and rode backwards and forwards trying to make his men fight by promises of money rewards. He then came to his artillery and used every effort to induce the gunners to fire their guns, but nobody fired a gun. Failing in his object he was overcome with wrath, and cut off the head of Mâdho Râm, the havâldar of the artillery, with a sword. Then, when he looked around and saw the way of safety closed on every side, he washed his hands of life, and he and Khudâvand Khân then rode into the thick of the fight and fought bravely.
In the meantime victory declared for Burhân Nigâm Shâh342 and the proud banner of Jamal Khan was hurled down into the dust. Jamâl Khân was now hit in the forehead by a musket ball, drank the hot draught of death at the hands of the lord of hell, and went
339 In 20° 38' N. and 76° 12' E.
340 Jamal Khan, arriving within striking distance of the enemy after a long and hot march, found him in possession of the only water within view. After some search a grove of date palms was found, which contained just enough water to slake the thirst of Jamal Khan's men and their horses. Jamal Khan attacked as soon as his men had refreshed themselves-F. ii, 297.
341 Firishta (ii, 297) agrees in this date, but the Akbarnáma has April 5, 1591.
342 According to Abûl Fagl, in the Akbarnama, the victory of Rohankhed was due almost entirely to Raja Ali Khan. He and Burhân agreed that it would not be politic for the latter to be prominent in hostilities against his future subjects, if it could be avoided, and thus Burhan stood aside, with a small contingent, while his ally engaged the enemy.