Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c48.s3.10

v4.c48.s3.10

Sindhia’s generals, Gopāl Bhāu and Jivvā Dādā with De Boigne’s brigade had been advancing from the north-eastern angle of the Jaipur kingdom, conquering Bālāheri, Manpur, Gizgarh and Dāosā. On learning of the new plot hatched against their master, they at once turned sharply southwards, by-passed Bāpu Holkar (leaving him on their right), and swiftly moved down towards Tukoji Holkar’s camp on the Banās river. That chief had reached Surauli on 3rd October, and his general Bāpu could not join him in time for the coming battle. No battle, however, took place; the screen of light horse and Pindhari foragers in Holkar’s service, spread before Tukoji’s camp and, always shrinking from any action, merely tried to envelop Sindhia’s army and interrupt its supplies. Parāshar Dādāji, the minister in charge of Tukoji’s affairs, very wisely took early precautions as Sindhia’s army approached him: he sent away the heavy baggage and camp to the south and even removed Tukoji from the camp, while he himself with a light force stood at Surauli boldly facing the enemy.