Riyaz al-salatin 111.3.4

111.3.4

It was at last decided to place the artillery round the army, and to put baggages in the centre, and in this form to march out expeditiously from Bardwan to Katwah, where food and fodder would be either procurable, or could he imported by waterways or highways from the environs of Murshidabad, to relieve the distressed soldiery. In short, in pursuance of this plan, setting out at night from Bardwan, Mahabat Jang's army marched towards Katwah, and in a short interval by forced marches reached Katwah. The light Mahratta cavalry, however, covered forty karoh a day, and thus before Mahabat Jang's arrival at Katwah, they had already burnt down its fields, farms, and granaries, and reduced them to ashes. The army of Mahabat Jang now being in a state of utter despair, sent up to the skies wails, similar to the following :— We never get relief from distress ; To whatever country we roam, We see the sky alone. However, Haji Ahmad collecting the bakers of Murshidabad got breads prepared, and sent these together with other eatables and food-stuffs on boats to Katwah. Other provisions and food-grains were also similarly conveyed gradually and in large quantities. At last, Mahabat Jang's army were saved from starvation, and their cattle also received a grateful supply of fodder and grass. Mahabat Jang's soldiers, whose houses were in Murshidabad, felt home-sick, and gradually drifted away towards their homes.