1879. ] W. Irvine—The Bangash Nawibs of Farrukhabéd. 99 
chela of that Nawab, having been his uncle.* The Rana’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-ramputr, 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 night-surprise on the enemy. After such-like 
reassuring speeches he returned to his tent. He gave orders to the men 
in charge of the bridge to break it up. The investment had now lasted 
one month and eleven days. 
Three hours after night-fall the Mahrattas and Jats 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, Khidaébandah Khan, ’Azim 
Khan, Manayvar Khan, Salabat Khan, Shaistah Khan, and his chief men, 
such as Rustam Khan Bangash, ’Indyat ’Ali Khan, Bahyéb 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 Pathdns near 
Shikarpur ghat, which is five miles above Fatehgarh. The Nawéb continued 
his flight to Kamrol ferry, about fifteen or sixteen miles above that place, 
and there his elephant Kdala-pahér 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, XLVII, 1878, where I state reasons for doubting the correctness 
“of this relationship, 
