Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c54.s1.21

v4.c54.s1.21

William Gardner, a Scotsman of noble blood, who had left the King's service in India and gone to Haidarabad, now entered Jaswant's service and was sent to Indore to raise a brigade. But when only one battalion and a half had been raised he was ordered to go to Maheshwar and aid its collector in resisting the troops of Daulat Rao who were infesting Khāndesh. In a battle that followed, on 16th December 1799, the raw sepoys of Gardner were overwhelmed by superior numbers and efficiency and dispersed with the loss of four guns, Gardner himself being taken prisoner. (*PRC.* viii. 200. Mohan S. 76a.)