1879.] W. Irvine—TZhe Bangash Nawdbs of Farrukhdbad. 101 
to each other something in Mahratti, which he did not understand. Then 
one of them lifted his right hand and hurled his spear at His4m-ud-din. 
‘It struck him between the side and the left arm. Another spear was 
thrown by the same man from his left hand. This second spear entered at 
the right side, and the two spears crossing each other stuck out like the 
handles of a pair of scissors. The wounds caused Hisam-ud-din to feel giddy 
and left him no strength to wield his sword. Just then the shaft of one of 
those spears fell down, and struck the horse on the crupper. From the 
blow the horse gave a bound, and His4m-ud-din, losing control of him, was 
thrown, with the two spears still sticking into him like a pair of shears. 
At once several of the scoundrels got off their horses and making him a 
prisoner, wrenched the bare sword out of his right hand. Hisam-ud-din 
now thought it was all over, and turning his thoughts to Heaven, he hum- 
bly prayed to God that, whether his life were taken or not, he might be 
sprared further dishonour. As he lay, he turned his face towards the Gan- 
ges, and being on the high bank at the edge of the river, he could see below 
him a number of Afghans, who for fear of their lives had stripped them- 
selves naked and were crouching in the water. At this moment a fresh 
party of Mahrattas came up. On seeing them, many of these seated at the 
water’s edge threw themselves into the river ; the rest, seeking quarter by 
putting their fingers between their teeth, were captured and driven off 
towards the camp. 
In a short time some other horsemen rode up and asked Hisim-ud-din 
why he was seated there alone. He replied “ What else can Ido?” They 
said “ Come with us.” He said “ I am not able to walk.” They had with 
them a wounded horse, which they ordered him to mount. He obeyed and 
mounting rode with them. The sowars took him straight to Mulhar Rao, 
who was standing with his retinue near the Kasim Bagh. Mulhdr Rado 
said to him, ‘“‘ Did Ahmad Khan cross the Ganges early or late in the 
night ?”” 
His4m-ud-din.— I do not know.” 
M. R.—“ How can I believe that you could have been in Ahmad 
Khan’s camp without knowing ?” 
Hisim-ud-din.—* If I had known I should have gone with the Nawab.” 
M. R.—* That is true.” 
He then ordered one of the horsemen to take Hisdm-ud-din to the 
tents of Khande Réo,* where he was to receive every indulgence consis- 
tent with his detention as a prisoner. When brought before Khande Rao, 
he assigned comfortable quarters to His4m-ud-din. 
* Khande Rao was killed at the siege of the Jat fort of Komber in 1755-6, Grant 
Duff, 284, 
