Later Mughals v2.c14.s25.22

v2.c14.s25.22

Meanwhile, in Rustam Ali Khan’s camp idle stories were brought in daily of the death of Hamid Khan.* Rustam Ali Khan had intended in the day of his first success to march forthwith to Ahmadabad. The destruction of his camp equipage hindered this; and for eight days and nights he lay helpless on the bank of the pond in Aras village. From morn to eve he was cannonaded. Finally, the 14th Feb. 1725 he ventured to make a start in the direction of Ahmadabad, with four or five thousand men unprovided with artillery or sufficient equipment. The Mahrattas in enormous numbers hovered round him, and he had to fight for every step, advancing daily not more than three or four miles. They succeeded in getting no further than the village Napad in Chaurasi Kambhayat. In the two succeeding days, under similar difficulties, they reached fort Kalamsar and then Napa in pargana Pitlad. They were never left in peace for one moment day or night: and wherever there was an opportunity the camp-followers and such of Hamid Khan's men as had asked quarter, disappeared. Daily the numbers diminished through death and desertion. Aqa Hadi, who had been rescued only a few days before, lost his life one day in the rearguard on his elephant when the animal, taking fright from the noise of the rockets, refused to obey its driver and made off into the enemy's line.