An order was now issued for all the troops to appear fully armed and accoutred. The amírs accordingly brought out their men, and the Emperor reviewed them. Although he had full trust and hope of heavenly assistance, he neglected no material means of success. He gave the command of the centre, which is the place of the Sultán, to Mirzá Khán, son of (the late) Khán-khánán Bairám Khán, a young man of great parts and promise. He also appointed Saiyid Muhammad Khán Bárha, a man of great bravery, and Shujá'at Khán and Sádik Khán to the centre. The command of the right was given to Mír Muhammad Khán-i kalán, and that of the left to Wazír Khán. The advance, composed of a number of brave fellows, was placed under the command of Muhammad Kulí Khán and Tarkhán Díwána. His Majesty kept under his own immediate direction 100* horsemen, men who had been picked out from a thousand thousand—a reserve intended to support any division which might be hard pressed. Strict orders were issued that no man was to stray from his place.

Although the horsemen under his colours were only 3000 in number, and the enemy had more than 20,000, he put his trust in God, and in the latter part of the day marched from Bálísána towards Ahmadábád. A messenger was sent to apprise Khán-i 'azam of his approach. He marched all night, and on Tuesday, 3rd Jumáda-l awwal, he reached Karí, a town twenty kos from Ahmadábád. The scouts now brought in the intelligence that a large force of the enemy had come out of the fort to give battle.* Orders were accordingly given to attack them, and drive them from the road, but not to incur any embarrassment by attacking the fort. This was accomplished in the twinkling of an eye, and those of the enemy who escaped the sword, threw themselves into the fort. Leaving the fort untouched, in obedience to orders, the army marched five kos from Karí, where it rested till dawn.

As soon as it was light, the bakhshís drew up the forces, and marched on without drawing rein to a place about three kos from Ahmadábád. Orders were given for every man to arm himself, and the royal armoury was opened, so that every man who had lost or damaged a weapon might choose one to suit him. Ásaf Khán was sent to Khán-i 'azam, to inform him of the proximity of the Emperor, and directing him to effect a junction. Thus, in nine days, the Emperor marched from Fathpúr to the outskirts of Ahmadábád, a feat which it is difficult for the pen to describe.

It was now discovered that the enemy, drunk with wine,* were asleep on the bed of heedlessness, quite unaware of the approach of the royal army. The feeling ran through the royal ranks, that it was unmanly to fall upon an enemy unawares, and that they would wait till he was roused.* When the blast of the trumpets was heard, the enemy, in amaze and alarm, rushed to their horses.* Muhammad Husain Mirzá advanced with two or three horsemen to the bank of the river to ascertain the truth, and it so happened that Subhán Kulí Turk had also gone down to the river with two or three men from our side. Muhammad Husain Mirzá called out to Subhán Kulí, inquiring whose army it was, and he was answered that it was the Emperor, who had marched from Fathpúr to punish traitors. The Mirzá replied, “My spies have informed me, that fourteen days ago the Emperor was at Fathpúr; and if this is the Imperial army, where are the royal elephants which always accompany it?” Subhán 'Alí said, “How could elephants have travelled with us 400 kos in nine days?” Muhammad Husain Mirzá returned amazed and troubled to his army, and drawing out his forces, he prepared for battle. He directed Ikhtiyár Khán to take 5000 horse, and prevent Khán-i 'azám from sallying out of the city.

When the time for delay drew to an end, the Emperor directed the advance to cross the river, and that Wazír Khán also should cross with the left. This being done, he himself crossed over at the head of his chosen men. Some little confusion occurred in the passage, but the troops all got over together, and advanced a short distance on the other side, when a strong force of the enemy came in view. Muhammad Husain Mirzá, with 1500 Mughals,* all devoted men of his own, came up and fell upon the advanced force under Muhammad Kulí Khán and Tarkhán Díwána. Simultaneously the Habshís and Afgháns attacked Wazír Khán, and then the fight grew close and warm.

The Emperor perceived some signs of weakness and distress in the advanced force, so he gave the word, and charged the enemy like a fierce tiger. Another body of the royal forces came up and took them in flank. Saif Khán Koka made a rash charge and was killed. Muhammad Husain Mirzá and Sháh Mirzá struggled manfully, but ill-luck attended them, so they turned and fled. The royal troops advanced and cut off some. His Majesty with several of his men drew up and stood fast. Muhammad Husain Mirzá had received a wound, and in his haste to make his escape, he put his horse at a thorn hedge, but the animal fell. One of the royal troops, a Turk named Gadá 'Alí, who pursued him, threw himself from his horse and made him prisoner.

Wazír Khán on the left fought well and bravely, but the Habshí and Gujarátí troops made charge after charge, until they became acquainted with the defeat of Muhammad Husain Mirzá and Sháh Mirzá. Then they also turned their backs. Mír Muhammad Khán on the right drove back the sons of Sher Khán Fuládí, and put many of their men to the sword. Victory now declared itself on every side, and His Majesty returned triumphant to his couch, which was placed at the edge of the battle-field, and there he offered up his thanks for the victory vouchsafed.

Gadá 'Alí Badakhshí and a servant of Khán-i kalán now brought in the wounded Muhammad Husain Mirzá a prisoner, each laying claim to the honour of capturing him. Rájá Bírbal asked him who made him prisoner, and he replied, “Ingratitude to His Majesty;” and he spoke the truth. His Majesty spoke a few kind words to him, and gave him into the custody of Ráí Singh. Among the prisoners taken was a man named Mard Azmáí Sháh, who declared himself the Koka of Mirzá Ibráhím Husain. His Majesty struck him to the earth with a spear, and the attendants cut him to pieces with their swords. It was afterwards found out that he had killed in the battle of Sarnál, Bhúpat, brother of Rájá Bhagwán Dás.*

An hour after the victory was won, another large division of the enemy* made its appearance, and the vedettes brought the information that it was Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk Gujarátí. He had been charged with the duty of closing the road against 'Azam Khán, but when he heard of the defeat of the Mirzás, he left the city roads and came out into the field. His Majesty ordered a force to advance and assail him with arrows. When he came in sight, some fierce horsemen charged and overthrew the troop which preceded him. Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk in his fright cast a look upon the hill whereon the royal standard was planted, and he (and his men) ran off on both sides of it in such disgraceful panic that the royal troops pulled the arrows out of the quivers of the fugitives, and used them against them. A Turkomán named Suhráb Beg now recognized Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk, and pur­sued him. Coming to a thorn hedge, the fugitive endeavoured to make his horse leap over, but the animal threw him. Suhráb Beg dismounted and took him prisoner. Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk said, “You look like a Turkomán, and the Turkománs are followers of 'Alí. I belong to the Saiyids of Bokhára, do not kill me.” Suhráb Beg replied, “I recognized you and pursued you. You are Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk.” Thus having said he cut off his head and returned to mount his horse, but some one had taken it, so he wrapped the head in the skirt of his garment and walked back. At the time that Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk advanced towards the hill on which the Emperor was standing, the Rájpúts of Ráí Singh, who had charge of Muhammad Husain Mirzá, cast the Mirzá off an elephant to the ground, and despatched him with a spear.