Nizám Khán and his troops turned their faces towards the field with the same courage which their predecessors had dis­played on the day of the fight. The Prince was accompanied by a body of his most valiant warriors well armed, and the Khwájagí Sa'íd went beforehim on horseback. The Khwájagí glanced two or three times at the Prince, who asked him what he noticed. He replied: “Your slave sees that you are surrounded by gallant youths: if you lead them well, you may hope for victory; if you do not choose to do this, you are, of course, at liberty to do what you please. Just consider what your troops are capable of performing. Tátár Khán may have 15,000 horse­men, but he does not possess ten such as these. If the Most High be pleased to grant victory to your troops, your wishes will be accomplished; if not, you can easily effect your escape, for you are mounted on a swift horse, and could never be overtaken.” When the Prince heard this speech, he laughed, and said to the Khwájagí, “In my imagination I can picture to myself your horse's feet scampering above the surface of the ground; but as for mine, I see him buried in the enemy's gore up to his very chest, so that he cannot move.” The Khwájagí alighted from his horse, and gave his right hand to the Prince, saying, “This is a sign of victory; such a chief ought always to possess bravery and resolution.”

When the hostile parties had come to close quarters, the first person who rode towards the foe was Daryá Khán Lohání, accompanied by thirty men, who placed himself between the two armies; and in order that these horsemen might act effectively, he desired that they should all direct their attack together against the same quarter. From the other side, 500 horsemen advanced to meet them, and Daryá Khán attacked these 500 with his thirty troopers, and fought so fiercely that sparks flashed from the steel in the sight of both armies. Daryá Khán vanquished and defeated them, and they fled back to their com­rades, whilst Daryá Khán returned to his position. It is said that 500 horsemen came out three several times against Daryá Khán, who put them on each occasion to flight, and then went back to his post; after the third trial no enemy advanced, and Daryá Khán said to his companions, “The fear which I have caused and the fortune of my lord have appalled them; you, O friends, remain here whilst I hasten against them in person.” Daryá Khán penetrated their army three times, and three times returned to his place. After which Míán Husain, with 700 troopers,* sallied forth from the army of the Prince, and was attacked by 1500 horsemen of Tátár Khán's. Míán Husain was three times successful in the same manner as Daryá Khán had been; and he also went three times singly in amongst the foe, and escaped three times. After Míán Husain, 'Umar Khán Sarwání with 500 horse, receiving permission from the Prince, advanced in the direction of Míán Husain, and when near him, an interchange of civilities took place, after which 'Umar Khán said to the Míán, “May a thousand mercies be with you and Daryá Khán! You have behaved with a valour which elicits the praises of every one. I have as yet done nothing, and I have come to consult you as to what I ought to do. You have already done more than your duty; now it is my turn!”

Just at this time, Ibráhím Khán, the son of 'Umar Khán, galloped up to his father, and said, “I adjure you by the Kurán and the salt of the Prince not to advance your horse. As you looked on whilst Daryá Khán the son of Mubárak Khán, and Míán Husain the son of Khwájagí, were fighting, look also at what your own son does!” 'Umar Khán said, “I am ready to witness your valour, and will hold back.” Ibráhím Khan said, “Nothing can be perceived in a crowd; you ought, therefore, to see me advance singly.” After saying this to his father, he attacked the enemy's 15,000 horsemen three times, overthrowing on each occasion two or three hostile cavaliers with his spear, whilst their horses fled riderless. 'Umar Khán, when he beheld this, raised the battle-cry of the followers of Islám, and charged the division attached to Tátár Khán himself. Tátár Khán was slain, and Hasan Khán his brother fell alive into his hands, and the whole army of Tátár Khán was routed. This victory, which no one expected the Prince to gain, caused him to be admired by all the people and nobles. After this, Sultán Bahlol also became thoroughly convinced that Nizám Khán was the ablest of his sons, so much so that he appointed him his successor.

When the news of Bahlol's death reached Prince Nizám Khán in Dehlí, he left at Dehlí one of his nobles, Jamál Khán, in whom he placed confidence, and determined to set forth himself. On the day he quitted Dehlí, he first went to Shaikh Samáu-d dín, one of the holy men of that age, for the purpose of requesting him to repeat the fátiha, and said, “O Shaikh! I desire to study orthography and prosody with you.” He com­menced accordingly, and began repeating these words by direc­tion of his instructor, “May God render you fortunate in both worlds.” The Sultán said, “Say that again.” He did so three times successively in Arabic. Then the Sultán kissed that reverend person's hand, and explained that he was about to set forth at the summons of the nobles to assume the kingdom, and so he went away, considering this benediction as a favourable omen:

“The assertions of the pure are the interpretation of Fate,
For their hearts resemble the tablet and pen.”

Prince Nizám Khan, by the advice of the principal chiefs, advanced with all expedition from Dehlí to the town of Jalálí, and sent the corpse of his father to Dehlí.

On Friday, the 7th Sha'bán, A.H. 894, he was raised to the throne by the assistance of Khán Jahán, the Khán-khánán Farmulí, and other great chiefs, on an eminence near the Black River, or as it is called by the inhabitants of that district Kálí nai. On that spot there is a building called the palace of Sultán Fírúz, and there he became king in the eighteenth year of his age, with the title of Sultán Sikandar Ghází.* Sultán Sikandar was a most illustrious monarch and of a benevolent disposition; he was famous for his liberality, honour, and politeness; he had no affection for pomp and ceremonies, and cared not for processions and magnificent dresses. No one who was profligate or a bad character had access to him; he always associated with men of religion and the virtuous, and was both inwardly pious and out­wardly handsome; he did not give way to his desires, and was exceedingly God-fearing and benevolent to the people. He was very just and courageous, his equity beheld the weak and the strong with the same eye, and he was constantly employed in balancing evidence, deciding suits, arranging the affairs of the Empire, and trying to render his subjects happy; he personally assisted the wretched. After the afternoon prayer, he went into an assembly of Mullás, and then read the Holy Book. After being present at public prayer and the conclusion of the evening thanksgiving, he was in the habit of going to his harem, where he remained an hour. He then proceeded to his private chamber, where he seated himself, and remained awake the entire night, but slept at mid-day. He generally preferred the night for listening to the petitions of the needy; he also devoted a portion of it to regulating the affairs of the Empire, and in causing farmáns to be written to the governors of provinces and letters to the monarchs of the time. Seventeen accomplished and learned men of tried merit were constantly with him in his private apartment. After midnight he was in the habit of calling for food, when these seventeen learned men, after washing their hands, seated themselves in front of the Sultán, who was himself seated on his couch. A large chair was then brought close to the bed, and the different dishes being placed on it the Sultán commenced eating; food was also placed before his seventeen companions, who were, however, forbidden to partake of it in his presence. When the King had finished, they carried their plates away to their houses, and ate there. Some writers assert that His Majesty, in order to keep himself in health, was then in the habit of secretly drinking wine.