Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c35.s4.9
Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c35.s4.9
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v3.c35.s4.9
In the strategic moves before this battle, the imperialists had marched southwards along the eastern route from Hodal by Chhata and Sahar, leaving Kotban untaken behind them. But after the utter wreck of the Jat field force at Barsānā, Mirzā Najaf's first care was to secure his rear by sending a detachment under Rahim-dād against Kotban which was held by Sitārām, the father-in-law of Nawal Singh. Strong reinforcements arrived under Najaf Quli to assist in the siege. The place was now completely invested and its provision supply cut off. After 19 days, Sitārām silently evacuated it one night (end of November), and next morning the imperialists gained possession of it with all its guns and "immense quantities of provisions powder and shot, tents, &c." [*Ibrat*, i. 240-'2. *Ch. Gulz.* 493b.]