Ahmad Sháh, on hearing this sad news, writhed like a serpent, and kindling the fire of anger, moved towards the enemy. Although the river flowed with great impetuosity, yet he forded it at Bághpat, and engaged with the enemy, who, not being able to withstand him in the field, retreated to Pánípat, and fixed their batteries there. The Abdálí besieged their camp, and when the siege had lasted five months, the enemy one morning left their intrenchments, and drew out their army in battle array. The fire of battle raged from early morn and was not extinguished till evening. At last the gale of victory blew over the royal flags, and all the Dakhin host was cut down by the swords of the Muhammadan warriors. Of their chiefs none except Malhár saved his life. The dead lay strewn shoulder to shoulder from the plain of Pánípat to Dehlí. About ninety thousand persons, male and female, were taken prisoners, and obtained eternal happiness by embracing the Muhammadan faith. Indeed, never was such a splendid victory achieved from the time of Amír Mahmúd Subuktigín to the present day by any of the Sultáns but by this Emperor of Emperors. After this conquest, he appointed Wazíru-l mamálik Shujá'u-d daula to the office of Wazír, Najíb Khán to that of Bakhshí, and having granted tracts of land to the other Afgháns, and dismissed them to their respective abodes, returned himself to Kandahár.
The history of this sovereign will be given in full detail in its proper place.
When Nawáb Shujá'u-d daula arrived in his province, he went to kiss the threshold of His Majesty Wálá Gauhar Sháh 'Álam, and obtained the high rank of Prime Minister. I am now going to relate a full account of this great Emperor and his wise Minister.
That prince of noble extraction, the jewel of the crown of sovereignty, fought a battle with Gházíu-d dín Khán in the fifth year of his venerable father's reign, and having left Dehlí, proceeded to the eastward. None of the Afghán chiefs received him hospitably, through fear of Gházíu-d dín Khán. He was obliged to resort to that hero of the world (Shujá'u-d daula) in the fort of Jalálábád, where he was respectfully and hospitably received. After some days' halt, he proceeded to invade Bengal. Muhammad Kulí Khán, Governor of the province of Alláhábád, and Zainu-l 'Ábidín Khán, joined him. He allowed them to remain with the camp, and ordered them to raise an army.
In a few days a force of about one hundred thousand horsemen was collected, and he went to take Patna 'Azímábád. After the city was besieged, and much blood was shed, Míran, son of Ja'far 'Alí Khán, Governor of the province of Bengal, assembled a large force, and having invited the Firingí armies to assist him, waged war with the Emperor. Though the garrison was on the point of being overpowered and Míran of taking to flight, yet, through the disaffection of the nobles in whom the Emperor confided, and the want of treasure, which can never be amassed without possessing dominion (dominion and treasure being twins), great disaffection arose in the Emperor's army. Many, from fear of scarcity of provisions, went to their homes, and others who had no shame joined with Rám Náráin and Míran. The army of the Emperor met with a terrible defeat. Just afterwards Míran was killed by a stroke of lightning, and peace was concluded by the agency of the Christians.
Muhammad Kulí Khán came to Alláhábád, and the news of 'Azízu-d dín 'Álamgír's death reached Sháh 'Álam in Patna, on which he was much afflicted in his mind; but ascribing the event to the wise dispensations of Providence, he sat upon the throne of sovereignty on the 5th of Jumáda-l awwal. Nawáb Shujá'u-d daula, after a few days, came to the border of his territories, and having invited the Emperor from 'Azímábád, obtained the honour of an interview, and was exalted to the hereditary office of Wazír, and afterwards accompanied him to Alláhábád. It is through the means of that great man that the name of Sáhib Kirán Gúrgán (Tímúr) still remains; otherwise, the Abdálí would not have allowed one of his descendants to survive.
The Emperor now fixed his residence at Alláhábád, kept the eldest son of Shujá'u-d daula in his Court as deputy of his father, whom he permitted to return to the province of Oudh, which is his jágír and altamghá. As it is at this time the 1180th year of the Hijra,* it is therefore the twelfth year of His Majesty's reign, which commenced from the month of Jumáda-l awwal. May God render His Majesty kind towards all wise and learned men, towards the poor, and towards all his subjects: and may he give him grace to walk in the paths of the Holy Law!
To relate in detail the events of Sháh 'Álam's reign would require a separate history. The writer contents himself therefore with giving the above succinct account of him.
Burhánu-l Mulk, in consideration of the valuable services he had rendered to the Emperor, was elevated to the rank of five thousand personal and the command of five thousand horse. He also obtained the title of Bahádur Jang and the governorship of Ágra; and greatly exerted himself in subverting and destroying the rebels. When Mahárája Jai Singh Sawáí was sent against Chúráman Ját, the governorship of the province of Oudh was conferred on Burhánu-l Mulk, and with it that title. He took such measures that no trace of revolters remained within the limits of his province. This is well known and requires no comment.
At the time of the invasion of Nádir Sháh, he came to Court with all haste, and although dissuaded by the Emperor and the nobles, yet he fought very boldly against the Sháh. After the action he visited the Sháh, and was received with great honour. Distressed beyond measure at the misfortunes which afflicted the times, he poisoned himself,* leaving Safdar Jang Abú-l Mansúr Khán, his sister's son, as his successor, in whose forehead the light of greatness shone, and in whose appearance the marks of dignity and grandeur were conspicuous. At the time of the invasion of Ahmad Sháh Abdálí, who killed Nádir Sháh, and had come down with a numerous army to conquer Hindústán, Safdar Jang, with great intrepidity, stood firm to his ground, and, with a view to preserve his honour and fame, fought very severe battles with that hardy and stubborn enemy. Although Kamru-d dín Khán, the minister, had fallen, and the son of Rája Jai Singh Sawáí had fled from the field; although at the same time the news of the death of the Emperor was received, and the royal army was routed and dispersed, yet he repulsed and defeated him. After the flight of the Abdálí, he placed Ahmad Sháh upon the throne, and assuming the office of wazír, brought him to Delhí, and turned his attention to the administration of the Government. As at all times the creators of disturbance were at their work, a misunderstanding arose between him and the Emperor. For some time he was engaged in punishing and subduing the insurgents, and tried to correct the conduct of the Emperor, who, being addicted to luxury and pleasure, took no care of his duties.* But seeing that it was all in vain, he left the Emperor, and went to the province which had been assigned to him. After some days he expired, and was succeeded by his son, the most upright, accomplished, and brave Jalálu-d dín Haidar Shujá'u-d daula, who in the time of Sháh 'Álam obtained the office of wazír, and excelled all competitors in wealth and rank. The son was even superior to the father, and an account of him shall be given hereafter.