1896.] " W. Irvine— Later Mughals (1707-1803). 149 
Bahadur Shah’s death he had sent out troops in three directions in 
order to prevent all escape by the ferries on the Ravi river, and had 
sent flattering promises anda note in Jahandar Shah’s hand-writing 
to Mahabat Khan and the other sons of Mun‘im Khan, the deceased 
vazir. Many imperial commanders and soldiers were encamped in 
great discomfort on the sandy ground in the dry bed of the river, 
where they also suffered occasionally from cannon shot which fell 
in that direction. It occurred to Zi-l-fiqgar Khan thatif his guards 
at the ferries were withdrawn, all these men would be only too glad 
to make their escape with their families. Accordingly this order was 
earried out during the night between the 8th and the 9th Safar. 
Many marched away to a place of safety, and many joined the standard 
of Jahaudar Shah. The movement also extended itself to ‘Azimu-sh- 
shan’s own adherents. Crowds of men during this night, on pretence of 
placing their families out of danger, made their escape from the earth- 
work. None of them were touched or hindered by the other side; all 
were allowed to pursue their own way. Among the first who fled were 
Mahabat Khan and Khan Zaman Khan, sons of Mun‘im Khan and 
Hamidu-d-din Khan, Qil, ‘Alameiri, all of whom crossed the Ravi during 
the hottest of the fighting. Sulaiman Khan, Panni, Shah Nawaz Khan, 
Safawi, Daya Ram, Nagar, and Késri Singh remained faithful and passed 
the night on the alert.! 
When morning broke on the 9th Safar (17th March, 1712), the 
three princes decided to bring the contest toa final issue. Zi-l-fiqar - 
Khan took command of the centre by the side of Jahandar Shah ; 
‘Abdu-s-samad Khan was put at the head of the vanguard; Kokaltash 
Khan was on the right and Jani Khan on the left wing. Jahan Shah 
supported the vanguard and Rafi‘u-sh-shan commanded the rear. In this 
order they advanced towards the entrenchment of ‘Azimu-sh-shan. For 
six hours both sides maintained an artillery-fire, and Jahandar Shah’s 
guns after each volley were advanced slowly until they were close to the 
earthen wall. Suddenly Késri Singh and his men charged the guns but 
were repulsed by ‘Abdu-s-samad Khan. In the hand to hand encounter, 
Késri Singh was shot and fell from his horse. His men were thrown 
into confusion. ‘Abdu-s-samad Khan, seeing his chance, encouraged his 
men with aloud voice, and in a short space their opponents were all put 
to the edge of the sword, not one escaping alive. Following up their 
advantage, ‘Abdu-s-samad Khan and his men rushed on towards the en- 
trenchment. Pirthi Raj, leader of Jahan Shah’s vanguard, and ‘Abdu-s- 
samad Khan entered the position together. Sulaiman Khan and his 
1 Kamwar Khan, 108; Warid, 62; Mhd. Qasim, Lahdri, 49. B.M., 1690, fol. 158 8, 
adds Sarfaraz Khan to the fugitives. They took refuge in the Lahor Masjid. 
