1879.] W. Irvine—The Bangash Nawabs of Farrukhabad. 127 
tery. Ahmad Khan’s guns were, however, all in order, and many had iron 
shields (? = chadaren). As it was the cold season, there were watch-fires 
here and there, at which the camp-followers and labourers were warming 
themselves. ‘These men, hearing the tramp of horses’ hoofs, called out to 
each other that the Mahrattas were on them. They snatched up some 
lighted wood from the night fires in pieces of broken pottery and threw 
them on the port holes of the guns and “ ehddar,’” which all went off toge- 
ther. A number of the enemy were slain and the rest fled. On Ahmad Khan’s 
side not a soul was hurt. All this was done without the Nawab being 
disturbed. At dawn the Durrani king visited the field of battle. Ahmad 
Khaén went out to meet him, when he said that he had now seen, with his 
own eyes, proof of that bravery of which he had heard. He took off his 
jigha* and made a present of it tothe Nawab. After that his enemies 
were abashed and silenced. 
On the day of the great battle (7th January, 1761), Ahmad Khan was 
directed to guard the women, his force being so small. The Nawab refused 
indignantly, saying, that such work was fit for eunuchs, he would fight in the 
front. The Abdali king then sent him to the right wing. It was here that 
the first attack was made, and after a contest in which Ibrahim Khan Gar- 
di was wounded, the Mahratta gained the advantage. In this emergency 
Ahmad Khan sent his darogha, Musharrif Khan, to Ahmad Shah asking for 
aid. When the messenger reached the king, Shuja’-ud-daula and Najib 
Khan stated that the enemy was not opposed in great force to Nawab 
Ahmad Khan, that the need for reinforcement was greater with ’Indyat 
Ali Khan, son of Hafiz Rahmat Khan. When Musharrif Khan reported 
that no reply had been given by the king, he was sent back with a still 
more pressing message. At length two divisions were ordered out, and 
these having strengthened the right wing, the Mahrattas were gradually 
driven back. Biswas Rado having been killed, Sadasheo Bhao fled, all be- 
came confusion, and by two o’clock in the day the field was won. 
Daim Khan, chela, used to relate that when Ahmad Khan was sent for 
after the battle to receive a khilat, he sat down by the entrance of the tent. 
Shuja’-ud-daula took up the Nawab’s sword and pulled it out of its scabbard. 
There was no edge on it, the Nawab using it in a particular way. Shuja’- 
ud-daula in a mocking manner said—“ Are you a commander of Fifty-two 
“thousand and own such a sword as this?” The Nawab replied, “ The 
“edge of this sword was felt by your father well.” He referred to the de- 
feat and flight of Safdar Jang. Nawab Najib Khan, Rohela, who was a 
great friend of Shuja’-ud-daula, then asked for the sword and, having look- 
ed at it, praised it ironically and begged it as a gift. Nawab Ahmad Khan 
* A gold ornament worn in the turban—“ Qanoon-e-Islam,” 2nd ed, App. III, p. x. 
