Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c38.s8.41

v3.c38.s8.41

Mahadji* had first proposed to leave Gwalior for the imperial camp on 2nd August. But his actual start was delayed till the 26th by the incessant rainfall from the 5th to the 19th of that month. He had only reached the first stage, seven *kos* from Gwalior, when he was brought to a standstill by the rain; his camp was flooded, two of his elephants and several horses and transport animals died, and his soldiers fell sick. His astrologers urged him to go back as he had stepped out on this journey under unlucky stars. Above all, his wife Gangā Bāi, left behind at Gwalior, reported the nearness of her confinement, and his whole family was expecting a son and heir for whose coming priests had been engaged to placate every god of heaven and spirit of the nether world. So, he returned to Gwalior, *c.* 5th September. Meantime he had sent his lieutenant Ambaji Inglé with his vanguard to wait on the Emperor, and this officer was received in audience on 1st September. Ambaji's report about the rough temper of Afrāsiyāb and the interminable quarrels among his followers, cooled Mahadji’s eagerness to go to the Court.