1879. ] W. Irvine—The Bangash Nawibs of Farrukhabad. 97 
Sa’dullah Khan pitched his tents on the opposite or left bank of the 
river, and Nawab Ahmad Khan sent off for his use food of every description 
by the hand of Mustajab Khan Warakzai. Nawab Ahmad Khan also sent 
a request that next day Sa’dullah Khan would cross the Ganges, for it was 
highly important to combine their forces into one. This message was deli- 
vered, but Sa’dullah Khan said that, after consulting with his chief men, he 
would send word of his intentions. Then he sent for Bahadur Khan and 
Fath Khan, and told them of Nawab Ahmad Khan’s request. Bahadur Khan, 
who was very reckless, replied that it was not meet to present themselves 
before the head of the Afghan clan without an offering (nazardna), and word 
should be sent to Ahmad Khan, that if God willed, they, his well-wishers, 
would the next morning lay before him as an offering the heads of the 
Wazir, of the Mahratta chiefs, and of the Jat leader. Sa’dullah Khan, 
being youthful and inexperienced, sent off a message to that effect. Ahmad 
Khan replied that whatever he thought best he should do, but to one thing 
he should pay the strictest attention, namely, not on any account to quit 
his hold of the river bank. When the fighting began, if the Mahrattas 
turned, he should not let his men pursue, because it was the Mahratta prac- 
tice to pretend they had been put to flight, and-lead their enemy away 
from his supports. Next day Sa’dullah Khan and Mahmid Khan and 
Manavar Khan Sahibzadah prepared for battle and, ranging their troops in 
order, led them against the enemy. 
On the other hand, the Wazir had been greatly frightened by the arrival 
of Sa’dullah Khin, He sent for Mulhar Rao, Apa Sendhia and Stiraj Mall 
Jat in order to consult. The plan was adopted of sending troops across 
the river to meet and fight Sa’dullah Khan, before he could unite with Ah- 
mad Khan. The bridge at Singhi-rampur, which was in bad condition, was put 
inorder. Then Khande Rao, son of Mulhar Rao, and Tantiad Gangddhar with 
fifty thousand men crossed the bridge. Jowdahir Singh, son of Siraj Mall Jat, 
and Rand Bhim Singh, zamindar of Gwaliyar, followed with forty thousand 
horse and foot. The attack upon the Rohelas then commenced. At first the 
Rohelas under Bahadur Khan let fly rockets, which fell from the sky like rain ; 
then they discharged their muskets. By degrees they gave over firing and 
drawing their swords, rushed upon the Hindts, who soon beat a retreat. 
Bahadur Khan, forgetting Nawab Ahmad Khan’s counsel, quitted the river 
bank to pursue the flying enemy. With Bahadur Khan may have been some 
two or three thousand men. He went in pursuit far ahead of the main body 
of his troops. The enemy, seeing that there was only a single elephant 
followed by a few men, without any reserves at hand to reinforce them, 
turned upon Bahadur Khan and surrounded him. Bahadur Khan got off his 
elephant, mounted his horse, and followed by his men with their swords 
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