A History of the Mahrattas v1.c20.6

v1.c20.6

Alum Ally Khan, the deputy viceroy, had not assembled the whole of his army, when news of this disaster reached Aurangabad; the troops of Shao, under Kanhojee Bhonslay, the Sena Sahib Soobeh, and Hybut Rao Nimbalkur speedily joined Shunkrajee Mulhar, who, since the departure of Hoossein Ally Khan, had resided with the deputy viceroy as the envoy of Shao. Khundee Rao Dhabaray, who had just returned from Delhi, was likewise dispatched from Satara with a body of horse. Alum Ally Khan advanced towards Burhanpoor, and sent forward the Mahrattas to harass his opponent. Nizam Ool Moolk, who had been busily employed in preparing his own troops and sowing sedition among those of his adversary, likewise advanced; but the Poorna river being greatly swollen, his march was for a time interrupted, until a ford was discovered. The Mahratta horse on each side had frequent skirmishes as the Moghul armies approached each other; but Nizam Ool Moolk, previous to engaging, stationed his Mahrattas at a village some distance in the rear. Choosing an arrangement nearly similar to that by which his late success had been achieved, Nizam Ool Moolk attacked his adversary at Balapoor in Berar Payeen Ghaut, drew him into an ambuscade, where, after great efforts of personal valour, and after many of his troops had fled or deserted to his enemy, Alum Ally Khan at length fell, surrounded by Mahrattas slain in his defence. On this occasion the Mahrattas behaved as faithful auxiliaries and fought with bravery; they lost no person of note, except Shunk-rajee Mulhar, who was mortally wounded and made prisoner.¹