New History of the Marathas v2.c34.34

v2.c34.34

Trimbakrao relentlessly pressed the campaign against Haidar and inflicted upon him a crushing defeat in a battle near Shrirangapattan on 5th March 1771, which is known as the battle of Chinkurli or the Moti Talav. Several thousand of the enemy’s troops were slain and a large booty of animals and materials secured. Haidar Ali escaped with his life in disguise during the darkness of the night. Pethe at once followed him to Shrirangapattan, but the place was impregnable and no impression could be made against it for a long time. The rainy season of 1771 arrived and the Marathas, encamped at Moti Talav, continued operations in various directions, inflicting severe reverses upon the enemy at many different places. But Haidar Ali too went on tenaciously opposing the Marathas and holding his ground with courage and fortitude. It was a difficult job for Trimbakrao. For three years continuously the Maratha troops had been out on field service, wearied by constant campaigning and now extremely impatient to go home. In the mean time alarming news arrived of the increasing illness of the Peshwa at Poona, which depressed every body.