Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c40.s8.2

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.