A History of the Mahrattas v1.c20.4

v1.c20.4

At this juncture there were two armies in the interests of the Syuds, at no great distance from each other; the one under Dilawur Ally Khan was on the frontiers of Malwa, and the other was the army of the Deccan, stationed at Aurungabad, with the deputy viceroy, Alum Ally Khan, a nephew of the Syuds, left in charge of the government, when his uncle Hoossein Ally Khan departed for Delhi to depose Ferokhsere. As the rains were at hand, Nizam Ool Moolk probably contemplated that the advance of the former might be obstructed by the swelling of the Nerbuddah and Taptee, and that he should be able to decide the fate of the Deccan and become master of its resources, before the deputy viceroy could be reinforced from Hindoostan. Dilawur Ally Khan, however, marched with such rapidity, that he crossed the rivers whilst still fordable, but either incapable of perceiving or disdaining the advantage which would have been ensured by forming a junction with the troops at Aurangabad, and intent only on attacking his enemy, he marched straight for Burhanpoor. Nizam Ool Moolk prepared to receive him, and being aware of the impetuous character of his adversary, adopted an order of battle suggested by his experience of Deccan warfare: he sent forward and displayed a part of his army, to stimulate the ardour of Dilawur Ally Khan, who rushed upon them, pushed forward in imagined victory, was drawn into an ambuscade, defeated, and slain.¹