New History of the Marathas v3.c37.s3.53

v3.c37.s3.53

At last the fateful Monday of the Hindu Divali, October 25th 1802 arrived, on which Maharashtra was to have the customary bath not in oil and hot water but in blood. Both armies knew what was coming and prepared the previous night (the Hindu *Dhana-trayodashi*) to do their best on the morrow. Yashvantrao sent word that he would wait for two hours of the morning and then act as God would guide him. Bajirao ate a hurried breakfast very early and as he began flying away, he was forcibly carried to Sindia's camp by Baloji Kunjar. At about 8 o'clock Sindia's men opened a cannonade upon Holkar's forces. Yashvantrao restrained his men until 25 shots were received from the opposite side. Then Holkar delivered his charge up to 11 o'clock. Bajirao and his brother Chimnaji stood by the Peshwa's standard at Wanavdi. At the commencement of the action Holkar personally, in answer to the Sindian fire, galloped boldly to the enemy's guns, took and turned them upon their own ranks with great effect. When the Peshwa and his brother noticed the Sindian regiments discomfited and their standard removed, they left their position and proceeded towards the Parvati, but seeing Holkar's men arriving in pursuit, Bajirao fled to the neighbouring village of Wadgaon and thence on to the foot of Sinhgad. Young Chimnaji wished to stay on and encourage his men to fight, but Bajirao carried him away against his will. It was the intense personal courage of Yashvantrao and the equally earnest devotion of one and all of his chiefs, that won the day for them. The Sindian party although numerically stronger had no burning faith in their cause. Sadashiv Bhaskar was killed and his men admitted their defeat and submitted to Holkar's mercy, in the absence of a commanding personality to lead them. They lost nearly six thousand killed and about four thousand wounded. Holkar lost nearly half that number. During the thick of the action Yashvantrao moved about fearlessly watching the whole field, guiding his men and quickly checking any wavering that he noticed in his men. This success was perhaps the greatest achievement of his life. None of Bajirao’s chiefs lost his life, as they, like him, ran away to a place of safety. The battle was fought on the plain of the three villages, Ghorpadi, Wanavdi and Hadapsur, but is usually known after the last named village.