Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s4.1

v2.c27.s4.1

From the fatal field of Barāri-ghat the Maratha army fled headlong towards the south-west, with the fresh Durrāni horsemen on their heels. The pursuit was kept up for about 24 miles. But Dattāji's wise foresight now bore abundant fruit: he had kept his fighting force lightly equipped and ready for rapid movement, and Jankoji soon succeeded in rallying them and bringing them in some sort of order to Paniālā, five miles north of Kot Putli (which latter is 25 m. south of Nārnol) in the Jaipur kingdom, on 14th January, after catching up on the way his baggage train, women and other non-combatants who had been sent off from Delhi four days before the battle. A day after his arrival here, he was joined by Malhar Rao Holkar, who had started from Jhilāré in Rajputana on the 3rd. Some time was necessarily taken up by the funeral rites and condolence for the dead Sindhia chief and the discussion of the future plan of operations. It was decided to send off the baggage tents and non-combatants to the Deccan in charge of Govind Ballāl. This party started from Kot Putli on 23rd January, and after passing through the friendly territory of Kerauli crossed the Chambal river near Sabalgarh (48 miles due west of Gwālior) on 3rd February. The following night a posthumous son was born to Dattāji. *