Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c8.s2.22

v1.c8.s2.22

In the morning the Bengal army resumed its march towards Katwā. All its tents, baggage and provisions had been lost, but the artillery still remained and proved very useful in forcing the Marātha spearmen to keep at a respectful distance. In this way, these men, now greatly reduced in number, cut their way to Nigun-sarāi, where a desperate rear-guard action was fought to check the enemy and Musāhib Khān fell. Next day Katwā was reached. During this march, whenever the Bengal army halted, the pursuing Marāthas used to halt likewise, just beyond the range of the jizails, while their roving bands plundered and burnt the villages for ten miles on each side of the road at every stage. Fighting daily on empty stomachs in this manner, the Nawāb and his army reached Katwā with their bare lives. This small town had been previously sacked and burnt by the Marāthas; but the famished Bengal troops were glad to appease their hunger with the half burnt rice that they could rake up among the ashes of the houses. Soon provisions, artillery and fresh troops reached Katwā from Murshidābād, and the Nawāb’s army was restored to strength and comfort. [Siyar, ii. 117—121.]