Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c28.s4.11

v2.c28.s4.11

A newsletter written on 13 January 1768 shows that this battle or one very much like it took place a day or two before that date near Jalalabad (10 m. n. e. of Ghaziabad): “Intelligence was brought that the Sikhs were hovering in detached bodies round Najib’s camp, beyond cannon shot . . . to intercept the convoys of grain . . . Immediate orders were issued by Najib to get the artillery in readiness and prepare for battle . . . The advanced guards engaged. A heavy fire of artillery and small arms began and was maintained with great vigour. Najib, mounted on an elephant, was present in the rear of the artillery. The first line which bore the brunt of the battle behaved with singular intrepidity. In the midst of this, the Sikhs found means by a feint to throw the line of artillery into some confusion and were advancing with great impetuosity, when some timely assistance was given by Sayyid Md. Kh. and a chosen body of Afghans, and the Sikhs were repulsed with loss. Towards the close of the day Najib ordered his troops to desist from the engagement but to stand armed and prepared . . . Several sardars of distinction were killed and wounded in the battle.” [*CPC.* ii. 776.]