Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c28.s12.48

v2.c28.s12.48

nity of interfering in the internal affairs of Bharatpur with a show of legality, Malhar sent a detachment of 15,000 horse under Sultānji Lambhāté, Makāji Lambhāté, and Sāntāji Bāblé, across the Chambal. These men looted the Jat villages from Dholpur up to the walls of Dig and Agra. Jawahir came up with his own troops and 7,000 Sikhs in his pay, and opposed Holkar's men seven kos from Dholpur (13 and 14 March, 1766.) At first the Sikh skirmishers fell back, the exultant Marathas gave chase "thinking the enemy fled," and came upon Jawahir's front line bristling with guns. The Jats now advanced firing, the Sikhs side by side with them. Towards sunset the baffled Marathas turned to retire, when the Jats charged. Many of the Marathas were killed and many hundreds of their horses taken in the ravines of the Chambal. Following up his victory Jawahir easily captured Dholpur and seized Sultanji (wounded) and all the other Maratha generals who had retired there after their defeat. It was only about 15th December next that Naro Shankar secured their release by treaty—and Malhar's successor fired a salute of artillery in honour of the event !