Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c44.s2.43

v4.c44.s2.43

Sindhia's generals encamped about eight miles east of Patan city, in the spacious well-watered plain lying between Bhopatpurā and Narerā, outside the pass through which the road from Patan runs to Kot-Putli. The Rajput Mughaliā armies encamped about a mile or two to the east of the city of Patan, in a long line stretching from north to south, with the rugged and crooked range of hills behind them. There was no unity of command, nor any union of hearts between the Rajputs and their mercenary allies, nor even between the two sections of the Muslim troops, namely Ismail Beg's personal retainers and the hired battalions. The Rajputs suspected the fidelity of Ismail Beg, and with good reason in view of his past acts of selfish treachery. Within the Muslim force, too, there was all but declared civil war. Ismail Beg's boundless arrogance, cruelty and harshness of speech had set his captains against him, and his insolvency had driven them to starvation and desperation. Besides, he was known to be planning the treacherous arrest and murder of his battalion commandants, as he had already murdered one of them, Muhammad Yār Khan. Hence, Abdul Matlab Khan, the chief of the sepoy and artillery portion of his army, pitched his tents at a safe distance from Ismail's own troops, and a body of Rāthor cavalry had to be stationed between these two divisions to prevent them from fighting each other! (Ibrat. iii. 359; DY. S. 26, ii. 11.)