New History of the Marathas v2.c31.29

v2.c31.29

For full five months from 10th March to 10th August, the two combatants occupied themselves in wearing each other out, destroying each other’s territories and seeking some advantageous position for an action where a decision could be obtained. While the Mughals ravaged the Maratha country between Nasik and Satara, the Peshwa’s forces retaliated by a similar process between Malkapur in the north and Haidarabad in the south. When the Marathas entered the Bhosle’s possessions in Berar, Nizam Ali came on their heels. But the Marathas giving him the slip and avoiding an action, fled southwards to Sholapur and Naldurg. Nizam Ali then changed his tactics, finding it futile to pursue the nimble Maratha horse with his heavy train of artillery. In order to draw the Marathas back, he entered Maharashtra about the middle of April when the Marathas were plundering in the vicinity of Yadgir and Bedar. Vithal Sundar’s nephew Vinayakdas ravaged the rich towns of Nasik, Junnar and Sangamner. Nizam Ali himself turned his attention to Poona, and Gamaji marched southwards devastating Satara. They carried fire and sword into the countryside and met with little opposition.