Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c29.s1.35

v2.c29.s1.35

∗ *SPD.* ii. 5,6. xxi. 92-94. xxix. 27. Tod repeats the Rajput tradition that this battle (named by him after *Batwara*) was won solely by Zalim Singh and the Kota contingent, while Malhar merely looted the Kachhwa camp! The detailed and absolutely contemporary Marathi despatches disprove this story. The Kota contingent of 2,500 men could not have routed the Kachhwa army of over 10,000 horse, equipped with artillery shutarnals, jizails and rockets borne on camels, and flushed with their recent success in the trans-Chambal region. The severe contest waged for nine hours by Malhar and the Sindhia family contingent than under his banners, shows that the Marathas bore the brunt of the fight and that Zalim Singh played a very minor part. That there was no ewift panic flight of the Jaipur army is proved by their exceptionally large proportion of casualties.