1879.] W. Irvine — The Bang ash Naiocibs of Farrukhabad. 71 



Defeat of the Wazir. 



After having remained a month encamped at Marahra, the "Wazir ad- 

 vanced eastwards and entrenched himself near a place called Earn Chatauni, 

 seven miles east of Sahawar and five miles west of Patiali.* Suraj Mall 

 with his troops was on the Wazir's right wing nearest the van, and Isma'il 

 Beg Khan commanded on Suraj Mall's left. 



On his side Ahmad Khan had sent -urgent requests for assistance to 

 the Pathans of Shahjahanpur, Tilhar,f Bareli, AnwalahJ and Jaunpiir, in 

 which last place some friends of his were settled. Ahmad Khan then march- 

 ed westwards with Rustam Khan Afridi, who at that time had the chief 

 direction of his affairs. The Nawab proposed to Rustam Khan that, as 

 both the Wazir and Suraj Mall were coming against them, they should 

 divide their forces ; and he offered to Rustam Khan the choice of attack. 

 Rustam Khan replied that Nawab should fight with Nawab and simple 

 soldier with simple soldier, he therefore chose Suraj Mall as his antagonist. 



Early in the morning of the 22nd Shawal 1163 H. (13th September, 

 1750), the attack began by the advance of the detachment of Isma'il Khan, 

 chela, and of Suraj Mall Jat with fifty thousand men against Rustam Khan 

 Afridi. On his left was an eminence, the site of a deserted village. § Isma'il 

 Khan and Suraj Mall occupied the foot of this height, and planted several 

 guns on the top of it, the fire of which commanded the camp of Rustam Khan. 

 He went off to the Nawab and asked for orders to attack. Ahmad Khan 

 wished the battle postponed, but Rustam Khan pointed out that delay was 

 impossible, and the enemy being in force he must meet them. He got into 

 his palJci and returned to his men, whom he drew out at once in order of 

 battle. 



"When the order to advance was given, the Pathans by one rush carried 

 the height, sword in hand, and captured the guns. Rustam Khan then dis- 

 covered at a little distance a large force drawn out in battle array. He 

 directed the attack to be continued. It was Suraj Mall's contingent under 

 his immediate command. Suraj Mall called to his men, " You must not 



* Earn Chatauni is not marked on any map to which I have access, but I believe 

 it lies within Taluka Mohanpur. There is a well there which is believed to have exist- 

 ed from the time of the Vedas, and once a year thousands of Hindus assemble there 

 to bathe. 



f About 12 miles 1ST. "W. of Shahjahanpur. 



% Fifteen miles S. "W. of Bareli and in the Bareli district. 



§ The authors of the " Lauh" say that the final struggle with Kustam Khan took 

 place at Atranji Khera (see Gaz. N. "W. P. IV, III.) But as it is 14 miles off as the 

 crow flies from Earn Chatauni, and on the opposite or right bank of the Kali Nadi, I 

 think they must be wrong. 



