Riyaz al-salatin 111.4.5

111.4.5

Expressing his satisfaction, Mahabat Jang ostensibly set about collecting valuable khillats and jewelleries, together with elephants, horses, and other rare and precious presents for presentation to the aforesaid Mahratta Generals. Announcing to the general public news of the approaching peace, Mahabat Jang covertly laid a plot of treachery, and took into confidence his own Generals towards its development. He picked out veteran and brave soldiers from his army, and caused long and wide tents, capable of holding large detachments with horses and elephants, to be pitched at Mankarah. Himself going into one of the tents, he arranged a grand party of friends and comrades. He secreted in battle-array inside the tents a battalion of picked men, and sent a message to Ali Bhai to bring over Bhaskar with all the Mahratta Generals. In short, Bhaskar, leaving all his troops in camp, came to Ali Vardi's tent, together with Ali Bhai and twenty-one other Mahratta Generals. The tent-pitchers following the signal dropped down the screens of the pavilion, tied them strongly with tent-ropes, and cut off the ingress and egress of friends and foes. Mahabat Jang, at the very sight of Bhaskar, said to his comrades who were waiting for the signal : "Kill these heathen sinners." Instantly, swords sprang up from every side on the Mahrattas. The clamour of assault rose up to the skies, Breasts were pierced through by swords.