A History of the Mahrattas v2.c57.77

v2.c57.77

remainder to follow as expeditiously as they could, General Smith pushed forward, and came in sight of the Mahrattas about half-past eight, just as they were moving off the ground. The Peishwa sent Gokla a taunting message for having thus allowed the army to be surprised, to which the latter replied, that he might rest assured his rear should be guarded. Gokla, having desired Appa Dessaye Nepankur, who was at the head of about four thousand men, to support him, waited with five hundred horse for the approach of the cavalry, who were then advancing in three columns, the dragoons being in the centre, the 7th on the right, and the 2d regiment on the left. Gokla’s friends advised him to retire for support, and return better prepared to meet them, but to this he objected and merely replied ‘whatever is to be done, must be done here.’ As the British troops came near, the Mahrattas fired a volley with little effect; and three hundred of them, with Gokla at their head, came galloping down diagonally across the front, wheeled suddenly round on the flank of the 7th regiment of cavalry, as they were forming after crossing a ravine, and driving upon them with their spears, occasioned considerable confusion; but Captain Dawes of the 22d dragoons, instantly throwing back a troop of his men, charged along the rear of the 7th and dashing into the middle of the Mahrattas, in a few minutes dispersed them in flight. Gokla fell on this occasion by the hand of a dragoon; and, though supposed to have been wounded before he came in contact with his antagonist, fought bravely to the last, literally dying, as he had pledged himself, with his sword in his hand. Govind Rao Ghorepuray and Anund Rao Babur, both persons of distinction, were killed with him. The Mahrattas were pursued for some miles; several elephants, a quantity of baggage, and a few horses were taken; but the most important result was the capture of the Raja of Satara, with his mother and brothers, who on this occasion, to their great joy, were rescued from the power of Bajee Rao and the thraldom of the Concanee Bramins. Prior to this event the Mahrattas had resolved to stand a general action, as soon as Ramdeen, a partisan of Holkar, should arrive. For this purpose, the Peishwa’s infantry and guns, before left at Nepanee,¹ had arrived at Kurar, but the unexpected attack of General Smith and the death of Gokla completely disconcerted their arrangements. The affair of Ashtah, trifling as it was, had a very material effect in hastening the termination of the war, and these advantages were purchased with the loss of only one man killed, and eighteen or twenty wounded; amongst the latter was General Smith. The Mahrat-tas, in the charge and during the pursuit, lost about one hundred men. The Raja of Satara having been made over to the care of Mr. Elphinstone, General Smith proceeded to Seroor, and thence resumed the pursuit. Bajee Rao remained for a time at Kopergaom,¹ where he was joined by the expected Ramdeen, and deserted by his luke-warm friends the Putwurdhuns. He next continued his route towards Chandore,² intending ultimately to proceed to Nagpoor, where events, as interesting as those already detailed, had taken place before this period.