Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c40.s11.7

v3.c40.s11.7

The inevitable outburst came on the 30th. That day news arrived that a grain convoy of 6,000 pack-oxen and 700 camels coming from the Kerauli side viâ Khush-hal-garh had been cut off by the Rajputs owing to the negligence and cowardice of the escort, a thousand Deccani horse and foot. The Jaipur Rajah's Dāi-bhāi (wet nurse's son) blocked the eastern road from Khush-hal-garh, while Rodā Rām Khawās closed the southern route from Ranthambhor. The coming of provisions to Mahadji's camp now totally ceased. "A Rupee could not buy even four lbs. of flour or six lbs. of dāl. All the troops, especially the sepoy battalions, clamoured for their pay. Mons. Lesteneau came to Mahadji and reported that the Mughalia troops who had previously gone over to the Jaipur side were seducing his sepoys by promising to pay up their dues from the Jaipur treasury. Mahadji at first did not pay heed to his words." [Ibr. iii. 26.]