282 W. Irvine— The Bangash JTawahs of FarruJchdhdd. [No. 4, 
Nov , 1720) he placed his army in battle array. The battle began early on 
the 4th November and lasted all that day and night. On the 5th, after 
’Abdullah Khan had descended from his elephant to fight on foot, he was 
wounded by an arrow in the forehead. Haidar Kuli Khan recognizing him, 
took him and his brother Najm-ud-din ’Ali Khan prisoners, put them on 
an elephant, and conveyed them to the Emperor. The drums then beat to 
victory. Muhammad Khan in this hotly contested battle appears to have 
fought in the main body. In Sahib Rae’s collection, there is a long letter 
from Muhammad Khan to Rajah Jai Singh Sawae describing the battle, 
but there are no personal details. The Nawab for his services was pro¬ 
mised six lakhs of rupees on receipt of treasure from Bengal, but the 
money was never paid. 
If the local myth were to be believed, Muhammad Khan played a 
much more dramatic part than history accords him. The story goes that 
Muhammad Khan with his whole force moved down on ’Abdullah Khan. 
On the Nawab’s elephant, seated behind him, were Mukim Khan and Dadd 
Khan, chelas. The elephant was driven close to that of Sayyad ’Abdullah 
Khan and Muhammad Khan gave him “ Salam ’ alaihum.” The Sayyad 
with a “ Wa ’alaikum ” stretched out his hand from the howdah to be 
kissed. Muhammad Khan then threw his silken girdle round it, and drag¬ 
ged the Sayyad out of his howdah. From the jerk ’Abdullah Khan’s 
turban fell off, and Muhammad Khan threw him down a Kashmir shawl to 
wind round his head. The Sayyad refused to take it and, looking towards 
Muhammad Khan, spat at him. Mukim Khan and Daud Khan sprang 
down and seized Sayyad ’Abdullah Khan, the former taking his shield and 
the latter his sword. An attempt at rescue was foiled and about midday 
the Nawab reached camp with his prisoner ; on a demand from the Emperor 
the Sayyad was made over to him. The shield remained with Allahdad 
Khan, son of Nawab Mukim Khan, up to the time of Nawab Shaukat Jang 
(1813-1828) ; and Nawab Amin-ud-daula used often to send for it, and 
highly extol the valour by which it had been won. 
On the 16th Muharram, 1133 H. (6th Nov., 1720) # the Emperor 
Muhammad Shah marched for Delhi; and advancing quickly he reached it 
on the 19th (9th Nov., 1720) and encamped for two days near the pillar of 
Khwaja Nizam-ud-din. Those who had distinguished themselves were 
presented. On this occasion Muhammad Khan, who had been made a 
Commander of six thousand on Muhammad Shah’s accession, was increased 
to the rank of Haft Hazari 7000 horse. He received a khilat with 
seven lakhs of rupees in cash, he was granted the title of Ghazanfar Jang 
“ The Lion of War”, and the parganahs of Bhojpur and Shamshabad, both 
* S-ul-M. 443 
