[Text, vol. iii. p. 744.] In this year there was little rain, and the price of rice rose high. Celestial influences were unpro­pitious, and those learned in the stars announced dearth and scarcity. The kind-hearted Emperor sent experienced officers in every direction, to supply food every day to the poor and desti­tute. So, under the Imperial orders, the necessitous received daily assistance to their satisfaction, and every class of the indigent was entrusted to the care of those who were able to care for them.

Defeat of the Dakhin Confederates.

[Text, vol. iii. p. 764.] The Ahmadnagar affair, and other unfortunate matters, had brought disgrace upon the armies of the Dakhin, and made their leaders desirous of retrieving their fortunes, by contending against the Imperial forces. Sháh Murád was at the head of the royal army, and was desirous of giving battle, but the experienced amírs objected, and con­tinued their opposition, until Mirzá Sháh Rukh was appointed commander-in-chief, and Khán-khánán and other distinguished officers were named for different duties. The military chest, the elephants, and the artillery, were carefully looked after, and everything properly arranged. Mirzá Sháh Rukh and Khán-khánán commanded the centre. * * The army marched from Sháhpúr, and took up a position twelve kos from Patharí.

The enemy also prepared for battle. The army of Nizámu-l Mulk was in the centre; the 'Ádil Khánís were on the right, and the army of Kutbu-l Mulk on the left. On the 28th Bahman, after the first watch of the day, the river Gang (Godávarí) was passed, and the battle began by an attack on the right wing of the enemy. But they held their ground firmly in a strong position, and kept up a heavy fire. Great bravery was exhibited on both sides, and a long and desperate struggle was maintained. The enemy was numerous, and the superiority of his fire checked the Imperial ranks and made them waver. Jagganáth and several other Rájpúts drew rein, and did not move, while the 'Ádil Khání troops made an onslaught upon Rájá 'Alí Khán of Khándesh. He made a stubborn resistance, and fell fighting bravely, with thirty-five distinguished officers and 500 devoted followers.

Mirzá Sháh Rukh and Khán-khánán had been successful in their part of the field, so also had Saiyid Kásim and other leaders. The enemy was under the impression that the ruler of Khándesh was in the centre, and thought that Mirzá Sháh Rukh and Khán-khánán were involved in his defeat. During the darkness of the night, the opposing forces remained separate from each other, each supposing that it had gained a victory. In the course of the night many of the scattered troops rejoined their standards. Under the impression that Rájá 'Alí Khán, of Khándesh, had gone over to the enemy, the Imperial troops plundered his bag­gage. Dwárka Das of the advance, and Sa'íd Jalál of the left, retired to Nílawí. Ram Chandar, who had fought bravely, and had received twenty wounds with the forces under Rájá 'Alí Khán, remained among the wounded during the night, and died a few days after.

When morning came, the Imperial forces, 7000 in number, found themselves in face of 25,000 of the enemy. They had all night suffered from thirst, and they now carried the river Sugám. The enemy was only half-hearted, and being dismayed by this demonstration took to flight, and made but little resist­ance. * * Worn out by the protracted conflict, the Imperial forces were unable to pursue. At the beginning of the campaign, the Imperial forces numbered only 15,000, while the enemy were 60,000 in number. Still they had gained this great victory, and had captured forty elephants and much artillery.