Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c40.s9.7

v3.c40.s9.7

The forward movement of Mahadji Sindhia's army was begun on 23rd June, but the decisive encounter which he was seeking did not take place till more than a month later. To this delay both sides contributed.* Sindhia waited till he should be joined by the unaccountably slow Ambaji Ingle and he also expected to see the Rajput coalition dissolve quickly. He knew that it is impossible to keep a large body of rustic clansmen together for a long time, so that the divergent elements assembled at Jaipur would quarrel and disperse to their homes if kept idle for a sufficiently long time. Nor would the mercenary Hindustani and Mughalia deserters remain loyal to their new employer when he failed to pay them punctually, and the cash resources of the Kachhwa State were very limited. Therefore he ordered Rana Khan to advance most cautiously, sending his artillery and disciplined musketeers ahead, and decline to be drawn into an engagement unless attacked, and every night fall back on his entrenched camp. During the day Mahadji, who had pushed on to Rana Khan's last encampment, would keep observing the country round, seated on a hillock, telescope in hand.