A History of the Mahrattas v1.c15.34

v1.c15.34

Mohabet Khan commenced operations against Sivajee by endeavouring to reduce his forts; but, at the setting in of the rains, he had only retaken Oundha and Putta, when he withdrew to cantonments, and the ensuing season was considerably advanced before his army appeared in the field.² At length, one half of the force under Dilere Khan attacked Chakun, and the other half laid siege to Salheir. Sivajee, sensible of the great importance of the latter fort, determined on making an effort to save it. The garrison, from some cause not clearly explained, had not been able to lay in a sufficient store of provisions, and two thousand of Sivajee’s best horse, stationed in its immediate vicinity, had been cut to pieces by a body of Patans; circumstances which rendered speedy succour essential.¹ On this service Moro Punt and Pertab Rao Goozur were both detached with twenty thousand horse, and ordered to give battle. As soon as the Moghul general² heard of their approach, he sent the greatest part of his force to oppose them, under an officer named Ikhlass Khan. Pertab Rao, who commanded the advance of the Mahrattas, seeing Ikhlass Khan eager to attack him, waited his approach, drew him on to charge, fled before him until the Moghul troops were broken, when, turning round, supported by Moro Punt, he gave them a signal defeat. The Moghuls recovered their order and rallied to the last; but they were charged, broken, and routed with prodigious slaughter; twenty-two officers of note were killed, and several of the principal commanders wounded and made prisoners. The Mahrattas lost Sur Rao Kakray,³ a commander of five thousand, and had upwards of five hundred killed and wounded.