Muntakhab al-lubab 195.9

195.9

Between Rustam 'Ali Khan and Piluji, a Mahratta chieftain at the head of ten or eleven thousand men, there had been for a year past a continual state of war, in consequence of a refusal to pay the chauth. There had been repeated conflicts, but no decisive action. Rustam 'Ali, under pressure of events, made friendly overtures to Piluji, and after a peace was settled he united the Mahratta's forces with his own. Piluji, on his side, thought that fortune was in his favour, and joined him with his forces. * * Hamid Khan, hearing of Rustam 'Ali's preparations, prepared his army and artillery, and he was joined by a Mahratta chief named Kantha, with 12,000 horse. On reaching the banks of the Mahi, a great battle was fought, with a heavy loss of killed and wounded on both sides. Hamid Khan was defeated, and his tents and baggage were plundered. He fled from the field to the river-side. Rustam 'Ali, having gained the victory, encamped a kos or two farther on. Hamid Khan won over the crafty Piluji, and on the next day gave battle again. Rustam 'Ali had lost most of his brave veterans in the fight, but he prepared to resist. The forces of Piluji now fell on Rustam 'Ali's baggage, and after some sharp fighting Rustam 'Ali's force was routed, and he himself was killed. The Mahrattas on both sides fell to plundering, and carried off whatever they could from the bazars and shops of Ahmadabad and the districts round Baroda.