Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c40.s10.6

v3.c40.s10.6

Rana Khan promptly sent up reinforcements of Maratha horse under Shivaji Vital (Bapu), Rayaji Patil and Khanderao Hari (Apa), who rallied the fugitives and renewed the combat. The bloodiest and most obstinate struggle of the day raged here. The situation at one time became so critical that the sons of Murtaza Khan Barech dismounted and fought on foot, which is the last expedient of Indian warriors when driven to bay. By this time the Rathor charge had spent all its force; no infantry came up from behind to support it and consolidate its gains; and when at last more guns arrived against them from the Maratha reserve, the Rathors were driven back, but not before they had inflicted over 300 casualties, including Ghāzi Khan (brother of Murtaza Khan), Shambhuji Patil, and one jamadar slain and Malhar Rao Pawār, Chimnāji Khanderao (Shivaji Vital’s diwan), the nephew of Shivaji Vital and one jamadar wounded. For this the Rajputs had to pay a heavy price, suffering over one thousand casualties, high officers like Shovārām Bhāndāri and Bhim Singh Bakhshi’s brother-in-law, besides a score of lower officers being slain. [DY. i. 224. MD. ii. 147. PRC. i. 135, 137. HP. 503. Akh.]