A History of the Mahrattas v2.c49.39

v2.c49.39

Having joined the army after it had crossed the Nerbuddah, Shirzee Rao was sent forward with ten thousand horse and fourteen battalions under Colonel Sutherland,¹ to avenge the plunder of Oojein by retaliating on Indore, the capital of Holkar. Jeswunt Rao advanced to its protection with some regular battalions, but without European officers, five thousand irregular infantry and about 25,000 horse. Skirmishes of some days' duration terminated in a well concerted but ill-executed attack on the part of Holkar, and a signal defeat was the consequence. He lost ninety-eight pieces of cannon, and his capital was completely plundered. The remorseless Ghatgay had here a full opportunity of indulging his disposition to violence, which he fully gratified in dreadful acts of wanton and barbarous cruelty.