Nigar-namah-i Hind 2: Review of the Bhao's Troops.

2

Sadasheo Rao Bhao, having heard the news that the Shah had been holding a review of his troops, and that the royal army resembling the waves of the sea was preparing to move, came several marches this side of Kunjpura, and had an inspection of his own soldiery. In effect, the muster of the army (terrible from its numbers as the day of judgment) belonging to the Rao in question was according to the under-mentioned detail. Ibrahim Khan, besides the body of horsemen mentioned below, of whom only 2000 accompanied him, had 9000 Gardi carbineers, with four pieces of ordnance to every 1000 men. His full complement was 6000 cavalry; Malhar Rao Holkar, 5000 cavalry; Jhankuji Sindhia, 10,000; Appaji Gaikawar, 3000; Jaswant Rao Panwar, 2000; Shamsher Bahadur, 3000; Piluji, Jadun's son, 3000; Bithal Sheo Deo, 3000; Balwant Rao, a half-brother of Bhao, who, on all trying occasions, dashed forward in advance of the latter, 7000; Biswas Rao's private risalah, 5000; and Appaji Mangesiah, 2000. In a word, there mustered 51,000 warlike cavalry, suitably armed and mounted, and 11,000 infantry, together with the Gardi carbineers, 200 pieces of artillery, and camels carrying rockets, and several others zamburaks. The arms, horses, and equipments of this force were in such excellent order, that no one of the royal or Hindustani armies had ever reached so high a state of discipline. Out of all the irregular troops accompanying Biswas Rao and the body of Ghorghori Dhol horsemen, there were nearly 20,000 cavalry, as well as 2000 Rajput horse, along with the wakils of the Rajas of Kachhwaha and Rathor, and other people belonging to the forces of different chiefs of Hindu extraction, who had mostly, through fear of the ravages of the Dakhinis, put the ring of obedience in their ears, and deeming submission to these chiefs the means of escape from disaster, hastened zealously to comply with their instructions. As for Naro Shankar, who had been left behind with 6000 cavalry and a small quantity of military stores, with a view to protect the city of Dehli, his detachment was in addition to this. It is a well-known fact that the whole Dakhin came along with Bhao, and I therefore assert, that however large the equipment and army which has been enumerated may appear, it is but a trifle after all.