Later Mughals v2.c14.s25.25

v2.c14.s25.25

Rustam Ali Khan with his 800 men fought his way to Basu village and reached it at nightfall on the 18th. During this day's march Kamgar Ali Khan and others lost their lives. A halt was made at the tank near the village; but on exploring further not a trace of inhabitants nor a scrap of food could be found. No one dared to come to their assistance, and the enemy fired on them all through the night,[*] such as were killed being buried on the bank where they were camped. Next day they found that to march was impossible; a halt was called. As the village was a large one and only recently abandoned, a close search produced a small amount of grain and forage, which enabled the men to feed themselves and their horses. The day after (the 20th), at break of day they resumed the contest. By immense efforts they forced their way a mile or so onward, to the edge of a small artificial lake called Sai Talawar, where they halted. Incapable of further struggle, this fragment of an army lost heart and hope, nay, abandoned their horses, threw away their arms, disguised themselves as far as they could, and as night came on fled.