Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c26.s1.10

v2.c26.s1.10

Bijay Singh now issued from Merta and entrenched himself opposite the invader's camp and engaged in daily skirmishes and cannonading. At last on 15th September a battle at close quarters took place. Rajputs of the same clan and even of the same family were ranged on the opposite sides and fought with the blind fury of civil war. "Father slew son, brother killed brother." This unnatural contest raged from 9 o'clock in the morning till sunset. By nightfall Bijay Singh had been completely defeated. The vanquished king spent that night and the next day in Merta, loading what property he could for removal, and then fled away to Nagor. On the 17th Jayapa and Ram Singh entered Merta, looted the city for three hours, and then proclaimed safety to the unhappy citizens. The victors immediately pushed on to Nagor and laid siege to it ; but the siege was destined to last for a year and to cost the Marathas dear. *