On the 7th Rabi'u-s sání Tímúr settled the array of his army. Prince Pír Muhammad Jahángír, Amír Yádgár Birlás, and others, were placed over the right wing. Prince Sultán Husain, Prince Khalíl Sultán, Amír Jahán Sháh, and others, had command of the left wing. The van-guard was placed under the command of Prince Rustam, Amír Shaikh Núru-d dín, and others. Tímúr himself commanded the centre. In this order, full of spirits and courage, the soldiers marched to the battle field.
The enemy also came out in battle array. The centre was
under Sultán Mahmúd, grandson of Sultán Fíroz Sháh, and
Mallú Khán. The right was commanded by Taghí Khán, Mír
Alí Hauja, and others, and the left by Malik Mu'ínu-d dín,
Malik Hání, and others. The enemy's army consisted of 12,000
veteran horsemen and 40,000 infantry, with all the appliances
of war. Thus they advanced to the field of battle. The
enemy's great reliance was on his enormous war elephants, 120
in number. They were covered with armour, and on their backs
was a kind of litter or cage, in which cross-bow men and discus
throwers were concealed. Sharp poisoned points were fastened
firmly to their tusks. Rocket-men (takhsh-afgan) and grenade-
Although the army of Tímúr was weak compared with this Indian army, still his soldiers did not rate their enemy very highly. But although they had fought in many a battle, and overthrown many an enemy, they had never before encountered elephants. They had heard by report that the bodies of these elephants were so hard that no weapon would pierce them; that they could tear up strong trees with the wind (bád) of their trunks; that they could knock down strong houses with the pressure of their sides; and that in battle they could lift horse and horseman from the ground with their dragon-like trunk and raise them in the air. Exaggerations like these had raised apprehensions in the hearts of the soldiers. When Tímúr proceeded to appoint the places for the various officers of the Court, he, in his princely kindness, asked the learned doctors of the Law who accompanied the army in this invasion where he should place them. They, terrified with the stories they had heard of the elephants, answered: “In the same place as the ladies and women.”
When Tímúr perceived this terror and alarm of his followers, to allay their fears he directed that they should fix palisades, and dig a trench in front of the army. In front of these he ordered buffalos to be placed side by side, and fastened firmly together by the neck and feet with leather thongs. He had strong iron claws made and given to the infantry, who were ordered to throw them on the ground in front of the elephants. Mauláná Shahábu-d dín Jámí has celebrated these devices in one of his odes. Heaven was always favourable to Tímúr, and now gave him success without using any of these stratagems. He had on horseback ascended an eminence between the two armies, and examined all around. When he saw the opposing forces he alighted from his horse, and turning the face of supplication to heaven he offered his prayers, and begged for victory over his enemy. It was not long before a sign was given of the acceptance of this prayer. While Tímúr was offering his prayer to heaven, it came into the minds of Amír Shaikh Núru-d dín, and the other officers in command of the van-guard, that if Tímúr sent a reinforcement to the right wing and to the advance guard it would be a sure presage of victory. When Tímúr had finished his prayer, he sent Sultán 'Ali Tawáchí and others from the centre to the support of the right wing, and another party to the support of the van-guard. These movements cheered up the spirits and strengthened the courage of the men. They drew their swords and rushed fearlessly on the enemy. The elephants of mighty form and craven spirit ran off, and Tímúr thus obtained the victory.
The van-guard under Súnjak Bahádur and other officers, when they saw the enemy advancing against the right wing, placed themselves in ambush, and when the advance-guard of the enemy had passed by, they rushed out in their rear with swords drawn and arms uplifted, and in one charge killed more than 500 of them. On the right wing the Prince Pír Muhammad having advanced his men charged the enemy. He was supported by Amír Sulaimán Sháh, and aided by fortune he used his swords upon the elephants.* The men of the right wing with one accord advanced against the left of the enemy, which placed its reliance on the bravery of Taghí Khán, and drove it back as far as the Hauz-i Kháss, which is a wide and deep well, one of the works of Fíroz Sháh. The left wing, under Prince Sultán Husain and others, charged with such force and bravery the enemy's right wing under Malik Mu'ínu-d dín, that it was broken, and Amír Jahán Sháh pursued its scattered fugitives to the very gates of Dehlí. The centre of the enemy supported by the elephants advanced to attack in good order, but Prince Rustam and his coadjutors met them and made a stout resistance. The various officers brought their men into action and cut their way to the elephants. They killed the drivers, wounded the trunks of the animals with swords and arrows, and despatched them.
The soldiers of India fought bravely for their lives, but the frail insect cannot contend with the raging wind, nor the feeble deer against the fierce lion, so they were compelled to take to flight. Sultán Mahmúd Khán, Mallú Khán, and those who fled with them, entered the city and closed the gates. Prince Khalíl Sultán, of the right wing, notwithstanding his youth, attacked one of the monster elephants, cut down his driver, and led the animal, as a husbandman drives a buffalo in the plough, to Tímúr.
When by the favour of God the enemy was defeated and put to flight, Tímúr advanced to the gate of Dehlí. He carefully examined the walls and bastions of that noble city, and then returned to the Hauz-i Kháss. This is a reservoir constructed by Sultán Fíroz Sháh, so large that an arrow cannot be shot from one side to the other. It is filled by the rain in the rainy season, and the people of Dehlí obtain water from it all the year round. The tomb of Fíroz Sháh is by its side. Tímúr encamped there and the princes and nobles and officers waited upon him and offered congratulations upon the victory. They then praised the bravery and reported the valiant exploits performed by the princes and officers. Tímúr on hearing these reports was moved to tears, and gave thanks to God who had distinguished him above other monarchs by granting him such valiant sons and such faithful servants. * * *
After their defeat, Sultán Mahmúd and Mallú Khán went to
Dehlí and repented of the course they had pursued and of the rashness
they had displayed. But repentance after a disaster is of no
avail. No resource but flight was left. So in the darkness of
the night Sultán Mahmúd left the city by the gate of Hauz-rání
and Mallú Khán by the Baraka gate, both of which are to the
south of the Jahán-panáh. They fled into the desert. When
Tímúr was informed of their flight he sent Amír Sa'íd and other
officers in pursuit of them. These officers captured many fugitives
and secured a large booty. They also made prisoners of
Mallú Khán's sons, Saif Khán entitled Malik Sharfu-d dín, and
Khudá-dád. On the same evening orders were given to Allah-