The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c21.181

v4.c21.181

The tables were now turned. The Afghān camp was in a state of siege, and there was a serious shortage of food. Many of the Afghān generals became seriously alarmed, and urged the Abdālī either to attack the Marāthās or to break camp and retreat. But here Ahmad Shāh showed himself a great captain. "This", he answered, "is a matter of war with which you are not acquainted. Military operations must not be precipitated. You shall see how I will manage this affair, and bring it to a successful conclusion." He then proceeded to tighten the blockade. He established an advanced post of 5000 men half-way between the lines; and there he pitched a little red tent, which he made his head-quarters from sunrise to nightfall, riding fifty or sixty miles a day to visit his outposts. After dark, the advanced post was pushed up to the very walls of the enemy's camp, and remained under arms all night, while other bodies went the rounds. "Ahmad Shāh's orders were obeyed like destiny," says Kāsī Rāj, "no man daring to hesitate or delay one moment in executing them."