A History of the Mahrattas v1.c18.62

v1.c18.62

The victorious Mahrattas, with their usual activity when successful, beat in the Moghul outposts in every direction; destroyed their foragers, and so completely cut off their communications that neither supplies nor intelligence could reach them. Reports of the Emperor's illness and death were industriously circulated by the Mahrattas, who then made overtures to Kaum Bukhsh, and proposed to make him Emperor. The prince either listened to their proposals, or at all events Assud Khan and his son affected to believe that he did, and they determined on placing him under restraint.² The Mahrattas, apprised of what was going forward, taking advantage of the bustle and dissension, which the circumstance naturally created in the Moghul camp, attacked and harassed them with additional vigour. The personal troops of Kaum Bukhsh refused to fight, all became alarm and uproar; at last the Moghuls burst their cannon, abandoned their batteries, and were in turn besieged in their lines.