Page "Battle of Khanwa" Paragraph 11

Emperor Babur was accustomed to commit to his principal Baigs in turn the charge of the advance and pickets.

When it was Mir Abdul Aziz's, day that rash and impetuous youth pushed on seven or eight miles from Fatehpur Sikri.

The Rajputs hearing of this incautious forward movement dispatched to meet him a body of 4000-5000 horsemen who without hesitation charged the instant they came up.

His force did not exceed a 1000-1500.

Many of his men were killed others taken prisoners and carried off the field on the very first onset.

The moment the news of what was going on reached the camp, Mir Mohib Ali Khalifa Emperor Babur's Grand Vizier's son and his followers were pushed forward to their assistance and there being no room for delay, numbers of separate horsemen, as fast as they were equipped, were sent off at the best of their speed while a regular detachment under Mir Muhammed Ali Khan moved forward to support them Mir Mohib Ali Khalifa who arrived first found every thing in disorder.

Mir Abdul Aziz's horse tail standard taken and many excellent officers slain.

Not only was he unable to turn the tide of success but was himself unhorsed though finally brought off by a desperate charge of his followers.

The Emperor's troops were then pursued for about two miles and it was only the arrival of the regular detachment under Mir Muhammad Ali Khan that checked the enemy.

Meanwhile when the alarm reached the camp the whole troops were called out and marshaled in battle order to meet the hostile army which was thought to be approaching.

But after the imperial line had advanced a mile or two with all its artillery it was found that the enemy satisfied with their success had returned to their camp.

These repeated successes of the Rajputs, the unexpected valor and good conduct they displayed and their numbers for they are said to have amounted to a 120, 000 horsemen along with their Mewat allies would have been one of the largest armies Babur had ever had to face, even in modern times such a huge army would have disheartened any battle hardened soldier.

Babur began to see the discouragement of his troops.