Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.7.7

12.7.7

Bha-sukur finding by the countenance of the enemy, and by the daringness of their General, that he had not been misinformed as to the bravery of his troops, and the personal conduct and valour of their Lord, he conceived that it would be better to get something from him without fighting, than to put everything to the hazard of a battle ; and he had thoughts of returning back to his country after having secured his honour by that contribution. He therefore sent the enemy word, "That as the Marhattas had come from afar, and were fatigued and jaded with their long marches, they would be glad to return to their own country, if he would but present them with so much as ten lacs, which small sum would be just enough to entertain them as his guests." This proposal was far from producing the desired effect. The Viceroy found his honour wounded by it, and it shocked Mustapha-qhan likewise, who was always for fighting and killing, as the only way in which he knew how to support a character, and the only one which could raise the importance of the military in general, and his own in particular. The Viceroy conscious of personal abilities and valour, and instigated also by his General, rejected the proposal with disdain, and bid the enemy advance, if they dared. This answer having animated both parties, both parties for some days fell a skirmishing ;