Niamut Khan, on receving news of the death of his nephew, did not wait to put on armour, but taking his sword, mounted his horse in the same dress in which he had come from the bath.

Unsupported, he pushed through the out posts, and coming up to Raheem Khan, who was also on horseback, made a stroke at his head, but Niamut Khan’s sword was broke in two by the resistance of the helmet. Not in the least dis­mayed at the accident, he flung the hilt at his adversary; and seizing him by the waist, pulled him from his horse; then jumped upon his breast, and drawing out of the scabbard Raheem’s own knife, which he wore in his girdle, attempted to cut off his head, but found it impracticable on account of the gorget.

Raheem Khan was instantly rescued by his people; and Niamut Khan, covered with wounds, was carried to the tent of his adversary. He presently afterwards opened his eyes, and called for water, which being brought, he expired drinking.

The news of Niamut Khan’s unhappy end was conveyed by the zemindars to the Nazim,* Ibrahim Khan,* at Jehangeernagur. Ill provided with troops, and himself no soldier, he was afraid to oppose such powerful rebels; and accordingly applied to the Emperor for succour.

By means of the imperial intelligencers, the news had reached Alumgeer before he received Ibrahim Khan’s letter. He asked to what tribe Raheem Khan belonged, and being informed that he was an Afghan, said “a single hiss will drive away a hundred crows.”

He immediately conferred the command of the army in Bengal upon the son of Ibrahim Khan, named Zubberdust Khan,* a valiant and experienced officer; and orders were issued to the Nazims of Oudh,* Allahabad* and Bahar,* to seize the families of Raheem Khan, and his adherents, wherever they could be found. This proscription had in a great degree the desired effect, many of the Afghans there­upon quitting Raheem Khan, and returning quietly to their wives and children.

To give greater weight to these operations, the Prince Azeem us Shan* was nominated Soobahdar* of Bengal and Bahar; and immediately began his march at the head of twelve thousand cavalry.

Zubberdust Khan lost no time, but embarked at Jehangeernagur on the Nowareh,* with the royal train of artillery, and his choicest troops.

Raheem Khan having received early advice of the motions of Zubberdust Khan, encamped a large army on the banks of the Ganges, to dispute his landing. But the wind being strong and favourable, carried Zubberdust Khan a great way beyond the encampment; and having landed without opposition, he threw up intrenchments.

The next day he marched out of his intrenchments, and Raheem Khan was eager to meet him. A brisk cannonade commenced on both sides, which brought on a close engage­ment, when Raheem Khan’s troops took to flight, and were pursued by Zubberdust Khan till the approach of night. The action was renewed the next morning, and Zubberdust Khan obtained a complete victory. Raheem Khan fled to Mukhsoosabad, and the plunder of his camp afforded considerable booty to the enemy.

Zubberdust Khan, in order to recover his men from their fatigue, halted three days, during which time he sent orders to all the zemindars to secure the passes, and cut off the enemy’s supplies. The most valuable part of the booty, together with his sick and wounded men, he transported to Jehangeernagur by water.

Raheem Khan retreated to Mukhsoodabad, to rally his scattered troops. He distributed considerable largesses amongst them, and fur­nished horses, arms, and accoutrements to those who had lost them in the late engagement. By these means, in three days, he had considerably recruited his army.

The fourth day after the battle near the intrenchment, Zubberdust Khan commenced his march to Mukhsoosabad, being previously joined by all the principal zemindars and tannah­dars.*

He pitched his encampment to the eastward of the city. The same day Raheem Khan retreated to Burdwan; and the next morning Zubberdust Khan set off in pursuit of him.