At this period an army was prepared for the purpose of at­tacking Ráná Sanká.* Míán Husain Khán Zarbakhsh, Míán Khán-khánán Farmulí, and Míán Ma'rúf,* who were the chief commanders in the army of Sultán Sikandar, and whom he had distinguished beyond all others by associating with them, and increasing their rank and preferments,—who were the bravest men of the age, and could have instructed even Rustam in the art of war,—and who during the reign of the deceased Sultán had fought many battles and taken many castles;—these generals the Sultán placed under Míán Mákhan, the commander-in-chief of this expedition.* When they arrived in the Ráná's country, the Sultán wrote, ordering Míán Mákhan to seize Míán Husain Khán and Míán Ma'rúf Khán in the best way he could, and send them prisoners to him. Mákhan Khán went to the tent of Ma'rúf Khán, under the pretence of condoling with him for the loss of his son, notwithstanding he had died two months previously. Míán Husain Khán was informed of this, and went speedily thither, and told Míán Mákhan that he had better forego his intention of imprisoning Míán Ma'rúf, and that he had better rise and depart in safety, remarking that the King had gone mad. Mákhan upon this remonstrance departed, and sent intelligence of the circumstances to the Sultán, who replied by inquiring why he went to people's tents, and ordering him to raise a large tent in the plain, and send information to the chiefs that a royal farmán had arrived, and that they must come and hear its contents. Míán Mákhan was commanded to seize Husain Khán first, and he obeyed these orders. When the chiefs were assembled, Míán Husain came, bringing with him a thousand men clothed in chain armour, which was concealed by white clothing. He directed them to keep strict watch outside when he entered the tent. Míán Mákhan had caused another tent to be erected near the first, in which he had placed a thousand soldiers, with orders, when Ma'rúf Khán approached, to lay hands first on Husain Khán. When Husain Khán arrived near the tent, he was told that soldiers were concealed in it for the purpose of seizing him and Ma'rúf Khán. When Míán Husain Khán reached it, he ordered his men to undo the ropes of the tent in which Míán Mákhan's soldiers were placed in ambush, and consequently the tent fell on them.* He then went into the other tent, and requested Míán Mákhan to read the farmán. Míán Mákhan said, “It is contrary to orders to read it after this fashion.” Míán Husain Khán replied, “I am fully aware that the object of these troops and this farmán is to take away my life, and I am not going to yield it to any such worthless contrivance.” He then took the hand of Míán Ma'rúf and went out.

When Míán Husain saw that there was no escape from the King's injustice, he determined to send his vakíl to the Ráná to inform him of his coming. The Ráná was at first fearful and suspicious of Husain Khán, of whose renown he had heard. He was afraid that he meditated some stratagem. After entering into a compact, Míán Husain went to the Ráná with a thousand horsemen, and the Ráná sent his own nephew to meet him. After which they had an interview.

On account of the departure of Husain Khán, Míán Mákhan, notwithstanding that he had with him 30,000 horsemen and 300 gigantic elephants, was much discouraged. The day after he put his army in battle array, for the purpose of attacking the Ráná. The Ráná, together with Míán Husain Khán, advanced against him with an innumerable army, and the elephants of Husain Khán were recognized amongst them. Míán Mákhan sent a message to Míán Ma'rúf, saying, “You and Husain Khán are great friends. He is now in rebellion, and has joined the Sultán's enemies; what is the good of your remaining with us?” Ma'rúf replied, “I have eaten the salt of Sultán Bahlol and his offspring for thirty years; and I was chief commander of the army during the reign of Sultán Sikandar. The fort of Júnd was captured through my skill. I slew the Rájá of Nagarkot; and that stone, which the Hindús had worshipped for 3000 years, I exposed to be trodden under foot by all the people. From the period of the revelation of Islám to the present day, many noble monarchs, who fancied that they re­sembled Farídún and Sikandar, and who vanquished the world, were unable even so much as to besiege that fort; yet it yielded to my prowess. I brought seven mans of gold from the Rájá of Bihár. Since King Ibráhím's accession to the throne all sorts of upstarts have arisen, who accuse me of being faith­less and rebellious. Even now I am ready to undertake any duty that may be assigned, and will not flinch from its performance.”

Whilst this was going on, information was brought of the arrival of the Ráná's troops, whereupon Mákhan arranged his army. He placed Sa'íd Khán Furat and Hájí Khán with 7000 horsemen on the right; and Daulat Khán, Alláh-dád Khán, and Yúsuf Khán on the left; whilst Míán Mákhan himself com­manded the advance. Míán Husain, although much vexed with Míán Mákhan, did not present himself, on account of his having eaten the salt of the Sultán.* When both parties were prepared for action, the Hindús advanced most valiantly, and succeeded in defeating the army of the Sultán. Many brave and worthy men were made martyrs, and the others were scattered; whilst Míán Mákhan returned to the place from which he had set forth. During the evening, Míán Husain Khán sent a message to Míán Mákhan, saying, “Now you have learnt what men of one heart are. It is a hundred pities that 30,000 horsemen should have been defeated by so few Hindús. Now you may learn what deeds the remembrance of past favours will induce vassals to perform when they are united heart and soul. Send Míán Ma'rúf duly prepared for action to me at midnight.” He also wrote to Míán Ma'rúf, to tell him that “they had both seen how fit Míán Mákhan was to command, and that now it was proper that they should recollect what they owed the Sultán, although he did not treat his good servants as he ought; otherwise people would say, ‘You ate the salt of Sultán Sikandar for thirty years, and were numbered amongst his chiefs, never­theless you were ungrateful enough to side with his foes.’”

Accordingly Míán Ma'rúf, accompanied by 6000 horsemen, left his camp, and halted at the distance of two kos from Míán Husain, which chief, on receiving intelligence of his arrival, came and joined him. The army of the Ráná, flushed with their success, were rejoicing and amusing themselves, and the angel of death was smiling at their heedlessness, when suddenly the sound of horns and kettle-drums withdrew the cotton from the ears of their senses, and the Rájpút chieftains were dismayed. The Afgháns rushed on them sword in hand, and commenced a promiscuous slaughter; the Ráná was wounded, but contrived to escape with some of his men,—the rest were put to the sword. In the morning this news was brought to Míán Mákhan, and he was ashamed.

Míán Báyazíd, the son of 'Atá Lodí, who was the bakhshí of the army, and a connexion of Míán Husain Khán, wrote to the King announcing the victory which Míán Husain Khán and Míán Ma'rúf had gained, after which Míán Husain Khán sent fifteen of the elephants and 300 of the horses of the Ráná to Dehlí. The Sultán was much pleased at this success; he caused the kettle-drums to be beaten loudly, and sent khil'ats, girdles, daggers, two valuable elephants, and four horses, to Míán Husain and Míán Ma'rúf. He also caused a farmán to be written, in which he loaded both of them with a hundred expressions of favour and good-will.*