A History of the Mahrattas v2.c43.37

v2.c43.37

Subsequent to the surrender of Canoond, which happened before Sindia reached Poona, Holkar’s and Sindia’s armies were levying tribute together in the Rajpoot territory; they had also taken two forts, when, quarrelling about the spoils, their jealousy burst forth into open hostilities, which brought on the battle of Lukhairee,² near Ajimere, on which occasion Gopaul Rao Bhow, Luckwa Dada, and De Boigne, with twenty thousand horse and nine thousand regular infantry, defeated Holkar’s army, consisting of thirty thousand horse and the four battalions of Dudrenec. The attack was planned by De Boigne, and the conflict the most obstinate ever witnessed by that officer. By the explosion of twelve tumbrils of ammunition his brigades were thrown into great confusion, but, being posted in a wood, Holkar’s cavalry could not take advantage of the disaster. Dudrenec’s battalions fought until they were nearly annihilated. Their guns, thirty-eight in number, were all taken; the shattered remains of the corps retreated precipitately into Malwa, where Holkar, in impotent rage, sacked Oojein, the capital of his rival.