From Kandahár, which Sultán Nádir first desolated and then founded Nádirábád in its stead, and Sultán Ahmad afterwards destroying the latter city and replacing it by that of Ahmad Sháhí, the route to Kábul was as follows. [Detailed and descriptive account of the route from Kandahár by Kábul, Pesháwar, Attock and Láhore, to Dehlí.]
Having concluded a description of the marches along the whole
length of the route, the dark-writing pen enters into a narrative
of the battle fought by Ahmad Sultán Abdálí Durrání, and the
Hindústání chiefs who had coalesced with him, against Wiswás
Ráí and his deputy Bháo, who were of the Mahratta race;
when, having engaged the infidel throng at the town of Pánípat,
he by the aid of Divine power inflicted a severe defeat, and
expelled them from the face of Hindústán, insomuch that they
never ventured to re-enter it for a period of twenty years. Now-
In short, the author will explicitly relate a useful summary of the wondrous events that took place at the battle of Pánípat, and the annihilation of the vile infidel Mahrattas; detailing both whatever he has seen with his own eyes, and whatever authentic information he has acquired from other historians in every quarter. Wherever any one else has written a different version to that of the author's, it is entirely erroneous, and unworthy of credence, and that man has, solely with a view to his own glorification, uttered falsehoods without any foundation.
Now the author was at that time Comptroller of Affairs to Sardár Sháh Pasand Khán, who was chief over 12,000 horse, consisting of Kazalbáshís, Abdálís, Chahárás, Aimáks of Hirát, Marvís, Jazínís, Wardaks, Uzbaks, Charkhís, Hútakís, and Ghiljáís; as well as dárogha of Ahmad Sultán's stable, and of the paiks and harkáras (couriers and messengers). He formed the vanguard and advanced division of the army, and during the heat of the conflict we were opposed to Jhankú and Malhár Ráo, two leaders of the aforesaid Mahrattas, and from all sides couriers kept constantly bringing us intelligence. Nothing, therefore, more accurate than this that I have written, has ever met any one's sight; and accordingly the movements and dispositions of the forces, and other particulars of the action, and of the period they were halted confronting each other, will here be fully detailed.
Ahmad Sultán, after fighting an action with Jhankú and Datta Patel on the banks of the river Attock, in which they were worsted, pursued them as far as Búryá and Sárangpúr. Just as his army was crossing the river at Búryá, however, whilst a portion of it had effected its passage, another was midway across the stream, and another was still waiting to cross, the Mahrattas made a vigorous attack, and a tremendous conflict ensued. The action lasted for three or four gharís or even as long as a pahar, but ended in the ultimate discomfiture of the Mahrattas, 4000 of whom met their death, the survivors betaking themselves to Sháh-Jahánábád, where they remained.
On this side too, Ahmad Sultán having arrived opposite Sháh-
Next day Ahmad Sultán marched into Sháh-Jahánábád, and at the earnest intercession of Maliku-z Zamání, the consort of Muhammad Sháh, and daughter of Farrukh Siyar Bábarí, he prohibited his army from pillaging the city. This measure, however, was not attended with complete success, for every now and then the soldiery kept laying violent hands on the inhabitants, till, after an interval of twenty days, he marched away from thence, and proceeded to the city of Mathurá. After attacking and plundering certain Játs, he crossed the river Jumna, and took up his quarters at Sábit-kasra for the hot weather. On the near approach of the rainy season, he marched off to Anúpshahr, and laid the foundation of a cantonment, issuing orders to his army that every man should construct a thatched hut for himself, so that the camp equipage and baggage might not be damaged during the rains. The expert thatchers accordingly used their utmost diligence in preparing these abodes.
In the interim news arrived that Wiswás Ráí, and his deputy
Bháo, had entered Sháh-Jahánábád at the head of an army
numbering about three lacs and a half (350,000) of cavalry
and infantry. On the same day, too, Nawáb Shujá'u-d daula
Bahádur, son of Safdar Jang Írání, joined Ahmad Sultán's army
with 30,000 horse and foot, and fifty pieces of cannon. After an
interview, Ahmad Sultán directed the Nawáb, along with Sháh
Pasand Khán, to strike his tents, and repairing as quickly as
possible to Sháhdara, which lies on this side the river Jumna, to
pitch his advanced camp there, in order that the garrison, which
was shut up in the fort of Sháh-Jahánábád, might take courage
to hold its own. The above individuals traversed the distance
as directed in the course of three or four days, wading with
extreme difficulty through the floods caused by the rain; for all
the country and the roads were covered with water up to a
horse's chest, and the Hindan and Kálí streams were scarcely
passable, as no ford could be discovered. Having thus reached
Sháhdara and erected their tents, several Abdálís and Kazal-
As it was the rainy season, the Mahrattas did not deem it expedient to attempt the passage of the river Jumna, on account of the impetuosity of the current, and the encampment of the army on the opposite bank. Some of the Afghán chieftains too, such as 'Abdu-s Samad Khán, Kutb Jang, and others, were at Kunjpúra, coming to join the army with ten or fifteen thousand followers; but owing to the headlong force of the stream, had halted, and were making arrangements for crossing. As soon as this intelligence reached the ears of Bháo and Wiswás Ráí, they set their hearts on coercing the chiefs in question, and moved towards Kunjpúra. On arriving there, they entered into a sanguinary conflict with the said chiefs; and ultimately the Mahratta force, from its vast superiority in numbers, having overcome them, put the whole body ruthlessly to the sword. 'Abdu-s Samad Khán and Kutb Jang suffered death, and Nijábat Khán was taken prisoner. At that time the Mahratta power had reached to such a pitch, that they had brought all the country as far as the river Attock under their subjection.
When the news of the defeat and death of the above-mentioned chieftains reached Ahmad Sultán, he expressed the deepest regret; but no benefit accrued therefrom to those who had fallen. As the rainy season, however, had drawn to a close, he marched from Sháhdara with a view to seek revenge, and turned in the direction of Kunjpúra. Directly intelligence of Ahmad Sultán's movement reached the Mahratta leaders, they quitted Kunjpúra, and arriving at the town of Pánípat, encamped there. On this side, Ahmad Sultán, at the head of his army, consisting of 60,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry jazailchís, 2000 camel swivels, and 200 pieces of cannon, repaired to the bank of the river Jumna, right opposite to Pánípat, accompanied by the chieftains of Hindústán; such as Nawáb Wazíru-l mamálik Shujá'u-d daula Bahádur, son of Safdar Jang Bahádur Írání, with 30,000 horse and foot, and 50 pieces of artillery; Ahmad Khán Bangash, with 15,000 horse and foot, and 60 guns; Najíb Khán, with 30,000 horse and foot, and 30 guns; Háfiz Rahmat Khán Afghán Rohilla, with 25,000 horse, and 25 guns; Davindí Khán Afghán Rohilla, with 12,000 horse and foot, and 10 guns; and Asadu-llah Khán Afghán Rohilla, with a similar force. Having crossed the stream in the course of three days, he pitched his camp and pavilion in front of the Mahratta army.*