A History of the Mahrattas v2.c48.6

v2.c48.6

(June 7.)—On the night of the 7th June, five battalions of regular infantry were sent by Sindia, under a Frenchman named Du Prat,¹ to endeavour to surprise the camp of Amrut Rao and seize the Byes; but he failed in the attempt, and being briskly attacked, was compelled to retreat with some loss. Negotiations ensued; a suitable provision and a place of residence of their own selection were again promised to the Byes, and Amrut Rao, not doubting Sindia’s sincerity, approached his camp in the neighbourhood of Poona, and took up his ground at the Khirkee bridge. When Amrut Rao had been thrown entirely off his guard, Shirzee Rao Ghatgay taking advantage of the Mahomedan festival, which commemorates the death of the sons of Ali and Fatima,² came to the river side on the 11th of Mohurrum, when