Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c36.s8.38

v3.c36.s8.38

Turning north-west from Karnāl, and crossing the Saraswati rivulet near Pehowā (23rd September), the main imperial army under the prince and the minister pushed on to Ghurām, 15 miles south-east of Patiāla, on the 28th. Their base remained here, while their vanguard consisting of Sikh auxiliaries and some Mughalia horsemen was sent ahead to raid the villages up to Patiāla and its environs. This they did for some time till they were driven back by Amar Singh’s allies newly arrived from beyond the Satlaj under Tārā Singh Ghebā and some other sardars, in a strong body of 15,000 horsemen. At the same time Abdul Ahad’s Cis-Satlaj mercenaries demanded the full payment of their promised pay before they would move one step in support of his campaign. [Akh. 265 b.] The friendly Sikhs negotiated between Ahad and Amar Singh and a deputation of them was, after much entreaty, induced to go to Patiāla (5th October) in order to persuade Amar Singh to come. The Rajah agreed and even fixed a day for the interview and set out from his capital, but went back from the way. Nothing but open war was left now, and Ahad sent up a strong division from his camp for attacking Patiāla. On the 7th a great battle was fought between them, Amar Singh fell back and shut himself up in his fort; the victorious imperialists encamped five miles outside Patiāla and laid siege to it. [Akh. 267 a, 270.]