Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c8.s5.33

v1.c8.s5.33

Arriving before Patna about two hours after dawn on March 14, 1745, Mustafa Khān halted in the numerous mango-groves south of the city. Forming his men in two divisions, each six to seven thousand strong, he sent one of them under Buland Khān Ruhela to turn the rear of the defences, while he himself led the other against the last stockade which was held by the Rājāh of Tikāri and other zamindārs. The local levies broke and fled at the first charge of these compact bodies of seasoned warriors, and the Nawāb’s officers who made a stand found themselves unsupported except by a handful of personal friends. The field was quickly swept clear up to the position where Zainuddin himself stood thinly guarded.