The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c21.185

v4.c21.185

Shortly before dawn, Shujā‘-ud-daula received a last despairing letter from the Bhāo Sāhib. “The cup is now full to the brim, and cannot hold another drop.¹ If anything can be done, do it or else inform me plainly at once: hereafter there will be no time for writing nor speaking.” It was plain from this that the Marāthās were coming out. The Nawāb at once told his men to fall in, and galloped off to warn Ahmad Shāh. Ahmad Shāh, who was sleeping, was aroused, and was soon up and seated on his charger outside the little red tent, calmly smoking his hookah, and listening to the commotion in the enemy’s camp. It was as yet uncertain whether the Marāthās were preparing to attack or to slip away, but at length the long lines of troops were seen deploying in the dim light. “Your servant’s news is very true”, said Ahmad Shāh, and at once issued the necessary instructions to his officers. The Marāthās advanced slowly, the ends of their turbans loose and their faces anointed with saffron—a sign that they had come out to conquer or to die on the field. On the left of the line was Ibrāhīm Khān with his regular battalions, with Dāmāji Gāikwār on his immediate right. On the right flank were Malhār Rāo Holkar and Jānkoji Sindia. The centre was composed of the household cavalry.² The Bhāo himself, seated beside Vishvās Rāo on a magnificent war-elephant, took station beneath a black mango-tree, and over him floated the famous Bhagwā Jhanda, the national standard of the Marāthās. Three *Jari Phatkas*, or grand ensigns of the Peshwās, were in the field. The Afghān centre was commanded by the chief minister, Shāh Walī Khān, with the pick of the Durrānī troops on their great Turkī mounts. On the left flank were Shāh Pasand Khān and Najib-ud-daula, the latter facing his old enemies, Sindia and Holkar. Between these and the centre was Shujā‘-ud-daula with the Oudh troops. On the right flank were Barkhurdār Khān and Amīr Beg with Rohilla and Mughul contingents.