From the 6th of the month Rajab, in the year 1166 A.H. fighting and contests commenced in earnest. But how can one call it fighting, when on the side of Safdar Jang there were 50,000 horsemen, and the Emperor had only a small body of men, and they too, by reason of the strength of their enemies and the weakness of their own party, were terror-stricken? But I must relate the victory of the weakest, among my records of extraordinary incidents; and the reason why these already half-conquered and almost unarmed men obtained the victory, and the others who considered themselves already conquerors were worsted, was apparently this, that Nawáb Safdar Jang perceived, when he considered the state of the people of the old city, and the smallness of the army, and want of money, that they would of their own accord return to their allegiance; and so, whilst he was in fear and anxiety himself, he instilled fear into the minds of his chiefs, and did not consider it advisable to make an attack till late in the day, when Mahmúd Khán of Kashmír, steward of Nawáb 'Imádu-l Mulk, Háfiz Bakhtáwar Khán, and the relations of the Nawáb Kudsiya and others, having raised a large army, and called together the landholders from the district around, supported by their artillery, they took up their position so as to block up the entrance into the city.

Accordingly the inhabitants of the city, with a view to obtain­ing protection for their families and property, and on account of their being of the same sect and kindred tribe with the Mughals, deserted from the army of the wazír in troops; and with the hope of obtaining presents, dresses of honour, and increase of pay, entered the service of Nawáb 'Imádu-l Mulk. The troop of horse called the dágh-i sín,* which Nawáb Sa'ádat Khán and Safdar Jang had left behind, he ('Imádu-l Mulk) kept in perfect order, and appointed Mahmúd Khán to their command. Not­withstanding this state of things, negociations for peace went on.

But the Ját and Kazalbásh soldiers reduced to ashes the old city and Wakílpúr and other places; and the Nawáb Wazír spread the report that they had gone to the Kashmír Gate. So the citizens were in a dilemma on both sides. Outside the city the Ját and Kazalbásh soldiers were carrying on the attack; inside, the Emperor issued an order that the houses of those men who joined the Wázir should be seized. On this pretext wicked and ill-dis­posed men followed their own devices. The first thing that happened immediately on the Emperor's order being issued was that the houses of the sons of Mahmúd Is'hák Khán deceased were plundered, because that from their houses balls and rockets fell by night upon the ramparts, and in this way a world of people were injured and wounded. As every one knew that he was the brother-in-law of Nawáb Shujá'u-d daula, son of the wazír, who was with the Emperor, they all had left their families and property there, and were plundered. Some perished by the flames, and some were drowned in the river. The same thing happened to the house of the Khwája Mahmúd Básit, who was the spiritual guide of the wazír. His house was outside the city walls, and as he had received a message from the wazír to keep his mind at ease, he had not moved out of his place. The Ját plunderers, who went by the name of Rámdal among the people of that part, attacked his house, and carried away the property of a number of men who had left their goods there; this became the source of very great affliction to the people.

Considering the quantity of property that was collected near the Kashmír Gate, which was looked upon as a safe place, the inhabitants of that part may be said to have been the worst off. All, small and great, became involved in confusion, and began to utter complaints and lamentations; and the state of the people was like a wreck, for save in the presence of Him who hears the prayers of all in deep distress, they had no place of refuge. At this crisis Najíb Khán Rohilla came with 10,000 horse and foot in answer to the Emperor's call, and on the 1st of the month above mentioned, viz. Sha'bán, he arrived in camp. Isma'íl Khán of Kábul, who was Mír-shamshír to the Wazír, and had a battery in the house of Salábat Khán, made a mine under the tower of the city wall, which was adjoining the house of Kamru-d dín Khán, where there was a battery of the Emperor's troops, and on the 3rd of Sha'bán they fired it. Notwith­standing that it did not produce such universal destruction as might be expected, yet many of the Emperor's followers, and the servants of 'Imádu-l Mulk who were assisting them, and who were at work trying to frustrate the enemy's design, were de­stroyed; and a crowd of men were wounded and in part de­stroyed by the stones of the tower that were blown up in the direction of the burning battery. The wazír's troops made an attack, and the fruits of victory were nearly visible on their side, when Nawáb 'Imádu-l Mulk Mír Bakhshí, Háfiz Bakhtáwar Khán, Najíb Khán and others, opposed them and behaved with great bravery, and a large number from both sides became food for the all-devouring swords. Najíb Khán Rohilla was wounded by a ball, but both sides remained as they were, neither party gaining the victory. At night Isma'íl Khán left his battery, and went out to the camp of Safdar Jang. This was a source of relief to the citizens, because, when the field of battle was close, the balls and rockets fell on every one like the blows of sudden misfortune.

After his retreat, the Mír Bakhshí, Háfiz Bakhtáwar Khán, and others advanced their batteries and got possession of the little fort of Fíroz-sháh, and another called the Old fort. After a few days spent in fighting, Nawáb Safdar Jang abandoned his intention of keeping to the road by the river, on account of the strength of the enemy's intrenchments, and marched by way of the Tál-katora. In that direction he added fresh splendours to the city of the angel of death. The Mír Bakhshí and the others then hastily strengthened their intrenchments in that quarter. Some well-contested engagements took place, and Gosáin, who was an officer of great bravery in Safdar Jang's army, was killed.

When Safdar Jang found that an entrance to the city on that side was impracticable, he returned by Khizrábád and the river, The same course of events ensued. Daily the bark of life of crowds of warriors of both sides floated down the river of death. After many battles and a great deal of fighting, the wazír came to the conclusion, that on account of their being so close to the city and fort, the enemy were enjoying rest. So he de­termined to retreat by a circuitous route, and thus draw the enemy into the plain, and engage him there. Accordingly he retreated gradually to a distance of twelve kos; and as he re­treated, 'Imádu-l Mulk advanced his trenches. But he was prevented by the prayers and tears and complaints and persua­sions and panic of the citizens from attacking his adversary in the plain and turning his flank.

While matters stood thus, Saiyid Jamálu-d dín Khán, who had been sent by Mu'ínu-l Mulk, governor of the Panjáb (who was the uncle and father-in-law of 'Imádu-l Mulk), arrived with 5000 horse, which added greatly to his strength. They were anxious to engage in battle, as men who are confronted by enemies, but Najíb Khán Bahádur showed signs of disapproval.