Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c44.s2.76

v4.c44.s2.76

The battle of Patan, fought less than three months before this, had proved beyond doubt the futility of swords against cannon-balls. The Rathor tribal levy was entirely made up of tumultuous bands of horsemen, with a few rusty old cannon of position. Their national infantry was a despised arm and consisted of wild Nāgā monks, poorly armed and utterly ignorant of discipline, and some servants too poor to keep a horse. Therefore, before challenging Sindhia’s new model army again, the Jodhpur Government wisely decided to stiffen its national cavalry with the Mughalia matchlock-men and gunners of Mirzā Ismail Beg, who were semi-modernised and fully experienced in a life of fighting as a profession. Ismail Beg was timed to reach Nāgor, only 40 miles off, on 11th September.