When Āṣaf Khān conquered the country of Panna, Dūrgāvati was infatuated with the strength of her army, her courage and her abilities, and was not apprehensive of such a neighbour. When Āṣaf Khān was near at hand he kept open the gates of friendship and intimacy and sent spies and experienced traders into her country and made investigations about her revenue and her expenditure. When he knew the truth about her abundant collections of treasure, and her hidden stores, the desire of lordship over the country entered his mind, and he longed to embrace the bride of the territories. He began with coquetry and toying, and put out his hand to touch the down and the mole of the beauty (Gondwāna), i.e., he began by attacking and plundering the villages and hamlets on the borders. At length, he in this year by the orders of the Shāhinshāh, collected 10,000 cavalry and abundant infantry and girded up the loins of endeavour for the conquest of Gaḍha. Muḥibb 'Alīkhān, Muḥammad Murād Khān, Wazīr Khān, Bābāi Qāqshāl, Nāir Bahādūr, Āq Muḥammad and a large number of holders of fiefs in that quarter accompanied him in accordance with the royal order. The Rāni was drunken with the wine of negligence and was spending her time in prosperity. Suddenly the news arrived that the victorious royal army had reached Damoh* which is one of the important cities of the country. A stone of dispersal fell into the midst of her pride, and her soldiers scattered in order to defend their families. Not more than 500 men remained with her. As soon as she heard of the event, the Rānī in her courage proceeded towards the victorious army and with the rashness which outruns arrogance went forward to welcome a battle. Adhār, who had charge of her administration, spoke to her like a well-wisher of dominion and unfolded the circum­stances of the desertion of the soldiers and of the largeness of the royal army. The Rānī replied that the desertion was due to his stupidity, and asked how she, who had for years governed the country, could resolve upon flight? “'Twas better to die with glory than to live with ignominy. If the just king were here in person it would have been proper for her to wait upon him. What did that fellow (Āṣaf Khān) know of her rank? It was altogether best that she should die bravely.” She advanced four stages towards the victorious army. Aṣaf Khan, who was marching rapidly, halted in Damoh. The Rānī had collected 2,000 men. Her officers unani­mously said that it was noble to determine upon war, but that it was not in accordance with courage and prudence to let fall the thread of deliberation. It was proper to stay in some secure place and to await the reassembling of their forces. When the Rānī heard these words she moved towards the forest west of Gaḍha. She then came into another forest north of Gaḍha, and wandered about slowly in those deserts. At last she came to Narhī which is east of Gaḍha. It is a place very difficult for ingress or egress. On four sides there are sky-high mountains, and there is a river in front called Gaur. On another side is the furious river, the Narbada. The ravine formed by the passage of the river and by which access is attained to the village is very narrow and awful. Āṣaf Khān, who, on hearing that the Rānī was approaching, had halted at Damoh, completely lost news of her, and though he sent out persons to make inquiries, yet, as the country was of an extraordinary nature, he could get no information. At last, he advanced in person to Gaḍha and proceeded to bring the villages and hamlets into subjection. When he got news of the Rāni he left a force in Gaḍha and hastened after her. When the Rani heard of the army's approach she called together her officers and held a council. She said that if they thought of going to some other place till her forces were collected, it would be proper to go there, but that her own inclination was to fight. How long was she to shelter herself among trees? Whoever liked to go might do so. They had leave. There was no third issue to her warfare. Either she would fall or she would conquer. At last all her men—there were about 5,000 collected—set their hearts on fighting. Next day the news came that Nair Muḥammad, Āq Muhammad and a large force of gallant men had taken by force the head of the ravine which was the road of access, and that Arjan Dās Bais, who was the faujdār of the elephants (i e., Dūrgavati's), had bravely lost his life there. The Rānī put armour on her breast and a helmet on her head and mounting an elephant slowly advanced to encounter the heroes who were eager for battle. She said to her soldiers, “Do not hasten, let the enemy enter the pass and then we shall fall upon them from all sides and drive them off.” It turned out as she anticipated, and there was a great fight. Many on both sides fell to the dust, and three hundred Moguls quaffed the wholesome draught of martyrdom. The Rānī was victorious and pursued the fugitives, and emerged from the ravine. At the end of the day she summoned her chief men and asked what they advised. Each man spoke according to his understanding and courage. The Rānī said we ought to make an attack this night, and finish off the enemy. Otherwise Āṣaf Khān will come in the morning in person and take possession of the pass, and will fortify it with artillery. The task which is now easy will become difficult. No one agreed to this proposal. At last she yielded to the majority and retreated by the way she had come, and occupied herself in comforting those of her people who had been orphaned. When she came to her house she proposed the night-attack to some of her devoted followers. Not one of them could equal her in courage. When it was morning, what the Rānī had foreseen occurred. Āṣaf Khān came with his artillery and fortified the entrance to the pass, and the victorious army entered the mountains. The Rānī in her eagerness for battle mounted on a lofty and swift elephant which was the best of her animals, and was called Sārmān, and came out. She drew up her forces, distributed the elephants and prepared for battle. After the armies had encountered, the work passed from arrows and muskets to daggers and swords. Rajah Bīr Sā, the Ranī's son, who was the nominal ruler, behaved bravely, and performed great deeds. Shams Khān Mīāna, and Mubārik Khān Bilūc fought bravely. The battle raged till the third watch of the day, so that if it was fully described the account would be a long one. Three times Raja Bīr Sā repulsed the victorious army but the third time he was wounded. When the Rānī heard of this she ordered trusty men to remove him from the battle-field to a place of safety. They obeyed the command and carried him off to a retired place. On this account a great many left the field of battle, and the Rani's troops were much discomfited. Not more than 300 men remained with her. But there was no weakening of the Rānī's resolution, and she continued to wage hot war alongside of her own gallant followers. An arrow from the bow of fate struck her right* temple, and she courageously drew it out and flung it from her. The point remained in the wound, and would not come out. Just then another arrow struck her neck. That, too, she drew out with the hand of courage, but the excessive pain made her swoon. When gradually she recovered her senses she addressed Adhār, who was of the Bakhīla caste and was distinguished for courage and devotion and who was riding in front of her on the elephant. She said to him, “I ever laboured to educate and consider you in order that one day you might be of service. To-day is a day in which I am over­come in battle, God forbid that I be also overcome in name and honour, and that I fall into the hands of the enemy; act like a faithful servant, and dispose of me by this sharp dagger.” His true heart could not do anything so hardhearted. He said, “How can I bring my hand to do this thing. How can the hand which has held your gifts do such a dreadful deed. This I can do: I can carry you away from this fatal field. I have full confidence in this swift elephant.” When the Rānī heard these words, which proceeded from soft-heart­edness, she grew angry and reproached him, saying, “Do you choose such a disgrace for me?” Then she drew her dagger, and herself inflicted the blow, and died in virile* fashion. A large number of her devoted followers fell in her service, notably Kanur Kalyān Bakhīla, Cakarmān Kharcalī, Khān Jahān Dakīt and Mahārakhs Brahman. A great victory was gained. A thousand elephants and much other booty fell into the hands of the Imperial servants. There was both a large amount of property obtained and also an extensive territory was added to the Imperial dominions. The reign of the Rānī lasted for sixteen years.