Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c39.s5.31

v3.c39.s5.31

At last Apa Khanderao was so hemmed round by increasing enemy forces that he found it hard to extricate himself and proposed to retreat northwards across the Jamuna into Oudh territory, as his westward path to Gwalior was blocked. "He had, in confidence, dispatched the greatest part of his troops towards Jhansi, whilst he himself remained near Panna, with a small body of horse, not exceeding 2,000, to wait the final execution of the treaty [with the Bundela princes.] The Rajahs had taken advantage of this circumstance by suddenly assembling all their forces (20,000 men) and demanding the restitution of the hostages they had given him as a security for the fulfilment of their engagements.” (Anderson, 18 Nov. 1786.) But with great difficulty he effected his escape with the Bundela hostages to Gwalior shortly after, though the enemy captured several of his captains, including his own brother. [PRC. i. 61, 62.] Thus this huge military expenditure for nineteen months brought nothing in return. [HP. 489.]*