Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c40.s8: § 4. Fifth stage: Sindhia advances to seek battle
Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c40.s8
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§ 4. Fifth stage: Sindhia advances to seek battle
v3.c40.s8.1
At last, on 23rd June, when the junction of Khande Rao’s force was expected on the morrow, Sindhia assumed the offensive. The strictest precaution and order were enforced by this grey veteran leader. His plan was that his main camp should remain behind, some miles south of Lalsot with the baggage guard; Mahadji himself surrounded by 7,000 men and ten large guns, should proceed with light baggage four or five miles ahead of it; Rana Khan Bhai with the main body of his army should advance three or four miles further from his master, while the vanguard of the army, led by Rayaji Patil and Shivaji Vital (Bapu) should be posted two miles in front of Rana Khan and scout for the enemy’s approach. In every advance that was made, Rana Khan took up Rayaji’s position of the previous evening and Mahadji similarly occupied Rana Khan's deserted camping ground. This rule was methodically followed throughout the ensuing campaign.
v3.c40.s8.2
After thus "keeping his powder dry," Mahadji turned to prayer. The eve of the momentous forward movement was spent in vigil and worship. Three hours before dawn he summoned his chosen generalissimo Rana Khan Bhai, washed and clothed him in pure new robes, made him prostrate himself before the idols, rubbed on his forehead the ashes of the *hom* sacrifice just performed, and sent him off invested with Sindhia's own sword and shield. [*Ibr.* iii. 11.] In the course of the next day, Rana Khan occupied the Lalsot pass which the Rajputs had evacuated a few days before by falling back on Ramgarh. On the 26th Khande Rao Hari rode into Sindhia's camp with 3,000 Deccani horse, De Boigne's two battalions 1300 strong, two thousand Naga monks and some three hundred foot of Rajdhar Gujar (the Rajah of Samthar.) Next morning this force was paraded before Mahadji and their muster taken, and the general sent forward to join Rana Khan. [*Ibr.* iii. 20.] On the 30th of the month Rana Khan advanced some three miles beyond the pass, encamping below the Jowana hill north-west of its end, probably at the modern village of Didwana. A wide plain lay between him and the fort of Ramgarh in the north. Sindhia, according to plan, moved up and occupied the Khan's old post at the village of Lalsot, at the lower mouth of the pass.