Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c8.s2.20

v1.c8.s2.20

In this condition the Bengal column was discovered in the morning and enveloped by the Marātha light horse. By four o'clock in the evening its advance was entirely stopped, and it came to a halt in a muddy rice field. When Alivardi ordered a charge to clear a path in front, the Afghān soldiers who formed the backbone of his army made a mere show of fighting without really engaging the enemy. The reason was that they were discontented with the Nawāb for his not satisfying the greed of their leaders. The Marātha horse circling round forced the stragglers and rearguard to crowd for safety upon their own centre, abandoning the baggage and tents which were slowly coming up from behind. The enemy seized the opportunity, set fire to the tents, looted the property in the camp, and cut down the stragglers, only a few of whom escaped. The column passed all that afternoon and the following night in the rice-field, without food or shelter and unable either to advance or to retreat.