Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c44.s3.3

v4.c44.s3.3

Moving obliquely to their right, the trained battalions came upon the enemy and opened fire with grape on the Nāgā lines all of a sudden. The surprise was complete; the Nāgās were utterly unprepared; many of them had dispersed to the fields for the necessary operations of nature after the night's sleep, some were brushing their teeth with chewed twigs, some bathing in the tanks, and some still in bed. For some time the Rajput guns replied but without stopping De Boigne’s advance, who shot down the Nāgās running about and trying to assemble for combat. Nothing could stand before such superior firing at close range. The Nāgā lines were forced and their artillery captured in an hour’s time.