Ghowss Khan, and Meer Serefeddeen Khan, who commanded the advanced guard, were encamped about a mile beyond the nullah*. Hav­ing learnt from their spies, that Alyvirdy Khan was making preparations for battle, they repaired to Sirafraz Khan in the middle of the night, in hopes of prevailing upon him to accompany them to their encampment: but he received them very ungraciously; accused them of entertaining unjust suspicions of Alyvirdy Khan, and obliged them to return to their quarters immediately.

Many of Alyvirdy Khan’s soldiers entered the camp of Sirafraz Khan at night, under pretence of congratulating their friends and acquaintance, on the conclusion of the peace; and kept lurking about the soobahdar’s tent, till they should be called into action. The greatest part of Sirafraz Khan’s new servants were retained by the Hajee, and his old adherents, although they suspected Alyvirdy’s since­rity, kept silence for fear of giving offence.

About two o’clock in the morning, Alyvirdy Khan divided his army into two bodies; one of whom, under the command of Nundullol*, jemidar, he placed opposite to the encampment of Ghowss Khan and Sherefeddeen Khan; and the more effectually to deceive those officers, Alyvirdy Khan left with this body the elephant standard, in order to make them believe that he was himself in that quarter. At the head of the other body, consisting of the Afghans and his choicest men, he marched himself, and in the dark of night was conducted towards the enemy’s camp, by the hircarrahs of Ramkunt, the zemindar of Rajeshahy: and he continued within musket-shot till break of day. In the dusk of the morning, when objects could not be clearly distinguished, a cannon was discharged, and the ball passed through the tent of Sirafraz Khan. His faithful officers and attendants now represented to him the danger to which he was exposed, and entreated him to make his escape; but he was so infatuated, that he would not believe Alyvirdy Khan had any hostile intentions; but said he was only come according to promise, to have a friendly inter­view. At day-break the enemy began a brisk cannonade, and numbers in the Nazim’s camp were killed, before they could prepare them­selves for defence. The greater part of the army deserted to the enemy, but with those who remained, Sirafraz Khan prepared to make a gallant resistance. After performing his devo­tions, he mounted his elephant, carrying in his hand the Koran, and the Dua Seifee. He advanced with great valour, and discharged all the arrows in his quiver: but after a short conflict, with great slaughter on both sides, Mirdan Aly Khan* and his troops were routed, and fled, leaving Sirafraz Khan with only a few of his old servants, and a small party of Abyssininans. The day was utterly lost, when Sirafraz Khan’s ele­phant-driver offered to convey him in safety to Budy ul Zeman at Bhirboom, as the animal could travel forty cose in twenty-four hours. Sirafraz Khan in a rage gave him a slap on the face, and said, “I will never show my back to these dogs.” The elephant driver, in obedience to his com­mands, penetrated into the ranks of the enemy, amidst a shower of balls and rockets. Meer Gudiey, who was seated on the back part of the amaree*, was struck dead by a rocket. Next fell Meer Kamel*; —then Irej Khan, and other chiefs; and Meer Deleer Aly was dreadfully wounded. At last a matchlock ball struck Sirafraz Khan on the forehead, and he instantly expired. The Afghans fell to plun­dering the camp, and set fire to the tents.

Meer Hubeeb, Shumsheer Khan, and Rajah Gundrep Sing, stood by idle spectators: and Meer Hyder Shah, with Khojeh Bussent, got both into one ruth*; and pulling down the curtains, fled to Moorshedabad.

We must now speak of Ghowss Khan, and Sherefeddeen, who commanded the advanced guard of Sirafraz Khan. Deceived by the ele­phant standard, they in the dusk of the morn­ing, mistook Nunduloll for Alyvirdy Khan, and dragging him from his elephant, put him to death; after which they made great slaughter amongst the enemy, plundered their baggage, and then pushed on to their own camp to gain intelligence of Sirafraz Khan. But before their arrival, Sirafraz Khan had been killed, and Alyvirdy Khan was standing upon the field of battle, surrounded by a considerable body of men, whilst the rest were employed in plunder­ing. The two chiefs made a gallant attack with their small party, and threw the enemy into confusion; but Ghowss Khan and his two sons were slain. Sherefeddeen, with only sixty horsemen, continued the action, and Alyvirdy Khan received an arrow in his side from the hand of this gallant soldier, who was aiming another, when two of Alyvirdy Khan’s officers, who were old friends of Sherefeddeen, stepped forward, and assuring him that Sirafraz Khan was slain, convinced him of the inutility and rashness of persevering; he accordingly drew off his men, and retired towards Bhirbhoom.

During the confusion which was occasioned by the intrepid attack of Ghowss Khan, and Sherefeddeen, Panchoo the Portuguese, Ghezenfir Khan, and Hassan Mohammed Khan, Sirafraz Khan’s sons in law, and many others, took the opportunity of retreating to Moorshedabad.

Bejey Singh*, a Rajpoot,* who com­manded the rear of Sirafraz Khan’s army, was encamped at Khemreh*; when he heard from the fugitives, the fate of the battle, he galloped on with only a few horsemen; and penetrating the ranks of the enemy, aimed a spear at Aly­virdy Khan; but Dawer Aly*, the darogha of the artillery, shot him immediately with a matchlock.— Zalim Singh, his son, who was only nine years old, placed himself over the corpse, with his drawn sword. Alyvirdy Khan was highly pleased with the boy; and after commending his valour and piety, ordered that his father’s body should be burned, according to the custom of their religion.

The Royroyan, being wounded in the right hand by a shot, flung himself into the river, from whence he was taken out half dead, and carried to his own house; where, out of shame and contrition for his vile conduct, he destroyed himself, by swallowing diamond dust.

During the plundering of the camp, Sira­fraz Khan’s elephant-driver, unperceived by the enemy, conveyed the corpse to Moorshedabad, where he arrived the same day; and at midnight Yeasseen Khan, and Mirza Amanee, Sirafraz Khan’s son-in-law, buried the body in the palace at Nekteh kholly. They then made prepara­tions to defend the city, and began to throw up an intrenchment; but, being deserted by their troops, were obliged to submit to the conqueror, who used his victory with great moderation.