[Text, vol. ii. p. 22.] On the 16th of Sha'bán, (1068 A.H., 10th May, 1658 A.D.), Dárá Shukoh sent Khalílu-llah Khán, and * * with some of the Imperial and his own forces, as an advanced force to Dholpúr, to make a stand there, and secure the fords of the Chambal. He himself remained outside the city (of Ágra) waiting for the arrival of Sulaimán Shukoh, who was expected to return from his operations against Shujá'. But as Sulaimán did not arrive, he was obliged to start on his march to meet and engage his two brothers. On the 6th Ramazán, near Samúgarh, the two armies encamped about half a kos distant from each other. The forces which had been sent to guard the fords had effected nothing at all. Next day Dárá Shukoh busied himself in distributing his forces, putting his guns in position, and arranging his train of elephants. He advanced a little and took up a position in a wide plain, presenting a front nearly two kos in width. The day was so hot that many strong men died from the heat of their armour and want of water. Aurangzeb also rode forth, but as he saw no advantage in being precipitate and beginning the fight, he took his stand about a cannon-shot distance, and waited for his adversary to commence the attack. But, as he made no sign beyond a parade of his forces, after evening prayer, Aurangzeb encamped in the same position, but gave orders for a strict watch being kept until morning. Next morning* Aurangzeb * * distributed his forces (in the following manner). * * Muhammad Murád Bakhsh, with his famous sardárs, took his place with the left wing. * * Having made his arrangements, he kept with him a party of bold and trusty men, of all tribes, and placing Prince Muhammad A'zam behind, in the howda, he went forth to battle. * *
The action began with discharges of rockets and guns, and thousands of arrows flew from both sides. Sipihr Shukoh, the leader of Dárá's advanced force, in concert with Rustam Khán Dakhiní, with ten or twelve thousand horse, made an attack upon Aurangzeb's guns. Driving back all before them, they pressed forward to Prince Muhammad Sultán, who was with Aurangzeb's advance, and great confusion arose in this part of the army. Just at this juncture, by luck, a ball from the enemy's own guns struck the elephant of the brave Rustam Khán, and stretched the animal dead upon the ground. This accident intimidated Rustam Khán, and he withdrew from his attack upon the advanced force, and fell upon the right wing under Bahádur Khán Koka. This commanding officer made a vigorous resistance; but forces were continually brought to support Rustam Khán, and the battle grew warm. Bahádur Khán at length received a wound which compelled him to retire, and many were killed and wounded on both sides. Aurangzeb's forces wavered, and seemed about to give way, when Islám Khán and others brought reinforcements to Bahádur. At the same time Shaikh Mír and others, with the altamsh, came up to support the right wing, and to oppose Rustam Khán and the forces under Sipihr Shukoh. A desperate contest was maintained, * * but at length Rustam Khán was defeated, and Sipihr Shukoh also was hurled back.
Dárá Shukoh, being informed of the repulse of Sipihr Shukoh and Rustam Khán, led the centre of his army, composed of not less than 20,000 horse, against the victorious wing. He advanced with great bravery and firmness from behind his own guns against the guns and the advanced force which had won the victory. He was received with such heavy discharges of rockets, guns and muskets, and with such fierce charges from his brave opponents, that he was compelled to retire.
Dárá next made an attack upon Prince Murád Bakhsh, and led a force like the waves of the sea against that lion of the field of battle. The conflict was raging when Khalílu-llah Khán, the leader of the enemy's vanguard, led three or four thousand Uzbek archers against the elephant of Murád Bakhsh. The arrows rained down from both sides, and confusion arose in the ranks of Murád Bakhsh, so that many were overpowered with fear and fell back. The elephant of Murád Bakhsh was about to turn away covered with wounds from arrows, spears, and battle-axes, but his brave rider ordered a chain to be cast round his legs. At this moment Rája Rám Singh, a man highly renowned among the Rájpúts for his bravery, wound a string of costly pearls round his head, and with his men clothed in yellow, as bent upon some desperate action, charged upon the elephant of Murád Bakhsh, and crying out defiantly, “What, do you contest the throne with Dárá Shukoh?” hurled his javelin against Murád Bakhsh. Then he cried out fiercely to the elephant-driver, “Make the elephant kneel down!” Murád Bakhsh having warded off his assault, shot him in the forehead with an arrow and killed him. The Rájpúts who followed that daring fellow mostly fell dead around the feet of the Prince's elephant, and made the ground as yellow as a field of saffron.
It is related in the 'Álamgír-náma that at this point of the battle Aurangzeb came to the support of his brother, and helped to repulse the enemy. But the author of this work has heard from his father (who was present in the battle in the suite of the Prince, and remained with him to the end of the engagement, although he was severely wounded), and from other trustworthy informants, that the Prince, after repeatedly making inquiries and learning of the progress of the enemy, was desirous of going to the support of his brother. But Shaikh Mír dissuaded him, and advised him to remain patient where he was. Meanwhile the battle raged fiercely, and deeds of valour and devotion were displayed on all sides.
The fierce Rájpúts, by their energy and desperate fighting, made their way to the centre (which was under the command of Aurangzeb himself). One of them, Rája Rúp Singh Ráthor, sprang from his horse, and, with the greatest daring, having washed his hands of life, cut his way through the ranks of his enemies sword in hand, cast himself under the elephant on which the Prince was riding, and began to cut the girths which secured the howda. The Prince became aware of this daring attempt, and in admiration of the man's bravery, desired his followers to take the rash and fearless fellow alive, but he was cut to pieces.
While this was going on, Rustam Khán again advanced against his brave opponents, and the fight grew hotter. Rustam, who was the mainstay of Dárá's army, Rája Sattar Sál, and * * were killed in this conflict. Dárá, seeing so many of his noble and heroic followers killed and wounded, was much affected. He became distracted and irresolute, and knew not what to do. Just at this time a rocket struck the howda of his elephant. This alarmed and discouraged him so much that he dismounted in haste from his elephant, without even waiting to put on his slippers, and he then without arms mounted a horse. The sight of this ill-timed alarm, and of the empty howda, after he had changed his elephant for a horse, disheartened the soldiers. The men lost heart in sympathy with their leader, and began to think of flight. Just at this time, as one of his attendants was girding him with a quiver, a cannonball carried off the man's right hand and he fell dead. The sight of this struck terror into the hearts of those around him; some of them dispersed, and others fled from the fatal field. Dárá, beholding the dispersion of his followers, and the repulse of his army, prizing life more than the hope of a crown, turned away and fled. Sipihr Shukoh also, at this time, joined his father with some of his followers,* and they all fled in despair towards Ágra. A great victory was thus gained. Shouts of exultation followed, and the young princes offered their congratulations.
Aurangzeb descended from his elephant to return thanks for this signal victory, surpassing all expectation, and, after performing his devotions, he proceeded to the tent of Dárá Shukoh. Everything had been ransacked except this tent and the artillery, so he took possession of the tent, which thus received a new honour. He bestowed presents and praises upon the princes and his devoted nobles, delighting them with his commendation and eulogy.