1879.1 W. Irvine — The Bangash Nawabs of FarruMdbdd. 99 



chela of that Nawab, having been his uncle.* The Eana's objection pre- 

 vailed, and an hour or so before sunset, the Sahibzadahs presented themselves 

 before the Nawab. 



When the report spread that Bahadur Khan had been killed, and that 

 Sa'dullah Khan had retreated to Anwalah, the whole of the men in camp 

 began to tremble like willows. Nawab Ahmad Khan mounted his elephant, 

 and proceeding to the embrasures of the batteries, told every body that his 

 ability to wage war was not dependent on Sa'dullah Khan, that God willing, 

 he would next day order an advance from the batteries, and going as far as 

 Singhi-rampur, would give battle to the Wazir. Then privately sending for 

 each leader ? he told him to be on the alert, for at three hours before sunrise 

 he would march to make a nigbt?surpr-ise on the enemy. After such-like 

 reassuring speeches he returned to his tent. He gave orders to the men 

 in charge of the bridge fo Bi'eak it tip. Tlie investment bftd now lasted 

 one month and eleven days. 



Three hours after night-fall the Mahrattas and Ja^s set fire to Sa'dul- 

 lah Khan's tents, and the flames burned so brightly, that it was light as day 

 in Nawab Ahmad Khan's camp. Those in the army who were frightened, 

 and in all their lives had never seen such a confusion and conflagration, began 

 to make their escape. The leaders and men of reputation alone remained at 

 their posts. These, seeing the state of fright into which their troops had 

 been thrown, went in a body to the Nawab and represented to him the 

 state of affairs. He asked what they thought. They advised him to cross 

 the Ganges and take safety in flight. At first he refused, but at length be- 

 coming convinced that there was no other course open to him, he consented. 

 Then taking his brothers Murtazza Khan, Khudabandah Khan, 'Azim 

 Khan, Manavvar Khan, Salabat Khan, Shaistah Khan, and his chief men, 

 such as Sustain Khan Bangash, Tnayat 'Ali Khan, Bahyab Khan, Shadil 

 Khan, Mangal Khan, Sa'dat Khan, Mustajab Khan, he left the fort while 

 it was still night, and proceeded up stream along the river bank. The 

 Mahrattas came up with the rear guard of the retreating Pathans near 

 Shikarpur ghat 7 which is five miles above Fatehgarh. The Nawab continued 

 his flight to Kamrol ferry, about fifteen or sixteen miles above that place, 

 and there his elephant Kala-pahar swam across, guided by Ramzani 

 Mahaut, after they had thrown in a bag of gold to propitiate the genius of 

 the stream. Many of his followers lost their lives in attempting to swim 

 their horses across after him. The Nawab proceeded through Amritpur to 

 Shahjahanpur, and thence to Anwalah. 



* See p. 286, Vol, XLYII, 1878, where I state reasons for doubting the correctness 

 of this relationship. 



