Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c12.s2.43

v1.c12.s2.43

On hearing of the approach of the Mughals, Ishwari Singh advanced towards the enemy in line of battle. Salābat, on his part, prepared for fight and, placing his camp and baggage in the rear, presented a bold front to the two Rajahs. But his own army was a house divided against itself. He could not trust Bakht Singh fully and remarked, "These Rangars (wild Rajputs) are all of the same breed. I cannot be sure what Bakht Singh may do at any time.* Therefore, I must keep him seated on my own elephant." Bakht Singh’s retainers opposed this proposal, which would have left them leaderless and helpless in case he was made prisoner. This internal quarrel prevented any battle being fought that day (4th April), and the armies merely stood facing each other. But this marching and counter-marching and standing in battle array completely exhausted Salābat Khan’s troops; no chief of Rām Singh came over to his side; the noonday sun blazed overhead with not a tree in sight; the water in his camp ran short, and the soldiers began to rob the bhistis who were bringing water in their leather-bags. Salābat Khan, therefore, wrote an autograph letter to Ishwari Singh, “I do not at all desire war. There is only this affair between Bakht Singh and Ram Singh, which you had better settle as arbitrator. In my opinion it would be expedient if you do not allow your vanguard to advance any further. I am encamping [where I am now]; do you encamp at your place. We two have between us 30 to 35 thousand soldiers and large trains of artillery. Where is the gain in our quarrelling about this one man Bakht Singh?” Salābat, thus assumed a tone of lordly superiority and benevolence, made an oblique march to the right hand, and encamped at a distance of four miles from the Jaipur-Jodhpur armies.