Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 33.7.2

33.7.2

In complying with this part of Suradj-mull's advice, they seemed to act with dilatoriness and reluctance. All these counsels and this irresolution having been reported to Mir-sheab-eddin, who was exceedingly alert and intent upon his own schemes, he re-called Akybet-mahmud, and sent him to the Emperor's camp, as if to give him advice that some thousands of disbanded Marhatta horse, having made their appearance in his neighbourhood, had suddenly disappeared without it being known where they would shew themselves again. The envoy having said so much, returned to his master. The slothful Emperor paid no great attention to the message, and the negligent Vezir, whose particular business it was to watch over the army, and to insure the honour of the Imperial household, as well as the safety of the Imperial person, quietly went into his tent, and fell to his afternoon's nap, after having heard the message. But the Marhatta General, Holcar Malhar, was not so sleepy. Highly incensed against the Emperor and his Minister for their denial of some heavy cannon, he had left his son, Ghandirao, to keep the Djatts in awe, and had set out himself with a view to distress the Imperial camp with respect to water and forage, and by that means to find some opportunity to lay hold of the cannon, or at least to strike some good blow; he also wished to have no sharer in this expedition, and to be left to himself.