The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c17.16

v4.c17.16

These changes in the supreme command, though accompanied by reinforcements in men and money, were ineffectual against the difficulties of the country of which the defenders made the most by their strategy and tactics. Want of combination continued to mark the leadership on the imperial side. Affairs in Mewār had been sufficiently prosperous to justify the replacement of ‘Abdullah Khān, who was also sent to the Deccan in 1611, though he had been appointed governor of Gujarāt. An enveloping movement was planned in which Khān Jahān and Rājā Mān Singh were to take the left or eastern side through Khāndesh and Berār while ‘Abdullah Khān advanced on the west. Eager to obtain the whole credit for himself, ‘Abdullah Khān rashly pressed on through Nāsik with inadequate scouting and failed to keep touch with the other army though pressed by Rājā Mān Singh to make a concerted plan. Marāthā skirmishers harassed his forces by day and night, acting as a screen to hide the concentration by Malik ‘Ambar of a large force. Though he penetrated the Ahmadnagar country as far as Daulatābād, his forces had suffered so much that in the absence of reinforcements he was forced to retire, and withdrew to Gujarāt sustaining heavy losses so long as he was within hostile territory.