[[253]] The number of the rebels was more than four thousand. His Majesty the Shahinshah indicated to the brave sacrificers of their lives that they should gain the victory, spiritually and physically. A hot engagement followed, but as the enemy was numerous and the loyalists waiting on the royal stirrup possessed but a small share of his good fortune, the work did not advance. Suddenly his holy glance perceived that a number of his men had on account of the strong wind, and of the fire which had arisen in different sides of the village, taken shelter under the trees and were looking for a safe corner. The royal wrath blazed forth. Though it was a case for showing severity to those men, he from his innate graciousness winked at their misconduct and advanced on person on the elephant Dilsankar. As there was much fire in front of the village, and it was hard for the elephant to go forward, they took the mountain-form [elephant] round by the back of the village.

    His Majesty told me the story with his own holy lips in this fashion: "When the elephant had been driven into the narrow places of the village I saw a yellow cuirass appearing on a roof. Dastam Khan had such a cuirass and I thought it was his. I urged on the elephant and got near the roof. Meanwhile there was a rain of sticks and stones and arrows. The Divine protection (which is the Shahinshah's coat of mail and which ever watches over him) became more and more marked. When I got close up I saw that the mail-clad man was Muqbil Khan, and that he had gone up and was wrestling with one of the stiff-necked ones, and trying to throw him off the roof. A number of unruly spirits had run to help, and to finish Muqbil Khan." Just then His Majesty the Shahinshah pushed on the [[254]] elephant and at the same time he called to the men to get up on the roof.... The wretches fled. The opponent was quickly disposed of. At this time the elephant's forefoot went into a grain-pit and Jujhar Khan Faujdar who was on the elephant and behind His Majesty fell on the top of the latter. His Majesty by his divine strength brought the elephant out of that abyss and tried to get on to the house where the rebels had fortified themselves.

At this time none of the attendants was present except Rajah Bhagwant Das and Rajah Badicand. As His Majesty suffered from thirst, Rajah Bhagwant Das served him with his own supply. By chance in the same lane where his Majesty the Shahinshah was advancing towards victory, a Hindu drew his sword and struck with it. The blow fell upon the iron ring which is placed on elephants' tusks for strength and for show. The clash made sparks fly out, and the elephant in a rage doubled up the swordsman and trod him under foot. Just then a boy of fifteen, in his agitation, flung himself from a roof on to the elephant. Jujhar Khan wanted to kill him, but His Majesty in his mercifulness did not permit him to do so.

When they came near the house they saw that the special faujdars had come and were standing in astonishment at the amount of the work. His Majesty advanced and drove the elephant against the gate. A Rajput was shooting arrows. Seven hit the Shahinshah's shield. He used to say that five went through and through the shield to the extent of three and five fingers and that two stopped in the shield without traversing it. The Divine protection was another shield which protected him. 'Alawal Khan Faujdar did not recognise His Majesty and called out from a distance, commending him and saying, "Who are you, that I may praise you to His Majesty?" His Majesty showed his face and made that lucky one utter thanksgivings. At this time Tatar Khan cried out, "My king, [[255]] where are you going in this rain of arrows?" Jujhar Khan rebuked him, saying, "What time is this for crying out and mentioning names?"

At last His Majesty the Shahinshah broke down the wall and entered the dwelling. Three or four other elephants joined in this work and a large number of the audacious rebels were killed. Many shut themselves up in the house. In accordance with orders, the roof of the house was broken and fire flung in. The breath of these ill-fated ones was converted into smoke. Nearly a thousand of them were sent to the abode of annihilation by the fire of the Divine anger.

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