The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c21.180

v4.c21.180

The space between the lines was now the scene of almost daily skirmishes: horsemen rode out challenging their foes to single combat, and a number of fierce actions developed from chance encounters. Raids by the Gārdī infantry on 19 November and by Sindia on the 22nd were repulsed with loss, after some initial successes; and on 7 December a Rohilla attack was defeated in a spirited manner by Balvant Rāo Mehendale, who drove off the Afghāns with great slaughter, but was unfortunately killed in the hour of victory, when his men fled. The Afghāns pursued them and nearly stormed the Marāthā camp, which was only saved by the approach of night. The death of Mehendale, his brother-in-law and most trusted counsellor, was a serious loss to the Bhāo Sāhib, but about the same time he managed to get into touch with Govind Pant, the Peshwā's collector in Bundelkhand and the Dūāb. Govind Pant advanced rapidly with a swarm of light horsemen, and skirmishing in the traditional Marāthā manner, began to cut off the enemy's supplies and harass his foraging parties.