Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c26.s2.23

v2.c26.s2.23

Severely shaken by this defeat, the Jaipur general turned his face towards Didwana, moving by regular marches, his baggage placed in the centre of the column and his artillery in front. Constantly harassed and robbed of horses and transport cattle by the Maratha bands roving round him and his men and beasts worn out by want of water, he could not advance more than five miles a day. In this sorry plight he reached Didwana, 38 miles from Ramgarh on 20th October. During the last day of this march he had to pass twelve hours absolutely without any water, the Marathas having blocked up the wells and seized the tanks along the entire route in advance. The enemy, by repeatedly charging his rear and flanks, killed 300 of his men and took 125 of his horses and three of his guns, while large numbers succumbed to thirst.