The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c21.s1.19.2

v4.c21.s1.19.2

Bakht Singh of Jodhpur was in rebellion against his nephew, Rām Singh, who had succeeded his father, Abhay Singh, and he appealed for imperial support against his nephew, making specious promises which offered a prospect of the re-establishment of the emperor’s authority. Zu-’l-Fiqār Jang promised him aid and set out for Ajmer. The Jāts meanwhile had extended their dominion northwards and had occupied Nīmrāna, which lay in Zu-’l-Fiqār’s way. Though they were not hostile to the emperor, the fortress was weakly held and a cheap victory appealed strongly to Zu-’l-Fiqār Jang. The garrison was expelled without difficulty, but the simple victor had but embroiled himself disastrously with the Jāts. His illusory success turned his head, and after some hesitation he recalled his advanced guard and marched southward into the Jāt country. Here an advanced guard found the Jāts in force, under Sūraj Mal. At a moment when a little resolution might have ensured the success of a mistaken enterprise his heart failed, and instead of advancing in person to the support of his advanced guard, he ordered it to retire. Its retreat demoralised the rest of his army, which was attacked and defeated by the Jāts. He then thought of fleeing to Delhi and leaving his army, but his officers would not permit this.