History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

46 HISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [CHAP. I.

lives. Their brave leader, Ardeshir, heroically led them on, and at length they broke the enemy’s ranks and threw them into confusion. The whole force was soon discomfited, and Alp Khan fled, leaving Ardeshir and his little band conquerors on the field. In the old wars which disturbed India before the British rule Mahomedan armies were generally successful over Hindu from the more hardy and warlike character of their soldiers. This defeat of many thousands of their number was rendered the more humihating from the fact of its having been caused by a handful of comparative strangers. The blow to their proud spirit was more than they could tamely endure. Alp Khan raised reinforcements and again appeared in the field. Ardeshir, emboldened by success, was not, however, to be daunted, and he addressed the Hindu chief in the followmg spirited terms :—“<O Prince, the enemy has appeared in greater numbers than before. They are a hundred to our one, but behold our courage. We will either yield our lives or take those of our foes, and in this resolve may God befriend us, since He always removes our difficulties.” In the battle that followed Ardeshir engaged in single combat one of the most notable of the Mahomedan chiefs. The gallant Parsi general hurled him from his horse and killed him with his sword. Alp Khan, it is said, on witnessing the scene, became

furiously excited, and led in person a heavy charge