| [[171]] At this time when Bairam Khan's
men had driven off most of their foes and were pursuing them and Bairam
Khan was advancing with his own army and exulting in the thought of victory,
the army of Atka Khan, which had been standing behind a ridge, appeared
in sight. Bairam Khan advanced to overthrow him, and in the first place
sent forward the elephants, of which the leader was the elephant carrying
the travelling litter (takht rawan). He himself was in the back
part of it (the litter). Suddenly the royal fortune and heaven's help withdrew
the veil of concealment from the face of success. Between the two armies
there was a rice-bottom [=a rice-field with water standing in it] and the
elephants came into that bog and stuck there. The brave men of the victorious
army shot arrows at the drivers, and by the favour of hidden succour one
hits the driver of the leading elephant and hangs down from the animal's
neck. When Bairam Khan saw that such was the condition of the elephants,
which were his mainstay, he sought to come out by their rear, leaving the
rice-bottom on his right, and to get to the dry land and make his attack.
[[172]] The Atka Khan in his foresight and courage perceived Bairam Khan's maneuver, and prepared to make the attack himself before it was carried out. Yusuf Muhammad Khan said, "Most of our men have thrown the dust of disgrace on their heads and gone off, where is the time for fighting?" The Atka Khan replied, "Though men are few, the Shahinshah's fortune is on our side, and beside [our being men?] who do not think of flying, this is a day of killing or being killed (jan-fishani ya jan-sitani)." He sent on Yusuf Muhammad Khan with a body of brave men, and made ready to fight himself with another body of courageous combatants. At the time when Bairam Khan turned back in order to execute his maneuver, those seekers of renown drew the sword of vengeance from the scabbard of resolution and attacked Bairam Khan's force. His men thought his retreat was a flight, and fell into confusion, and Bairam Khan was obliged to withdraw, and to retreat in disgrace. By the Divine aid a victory which might be the embroidery of other victories, showed her face in spite of the want of harmony, and the discouragement and the disgrace of so many men. The black-fated foe, whether those who had pursued the fugitives, or those who with Bairam Khan were determined on fighting, was dispersed. The victorious troops pursued the retreating army and made the repast of the blood-drinking blade. ===========
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== Akbar-nama
vol. 2 == Abu'l-Fazl == Glossary
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