Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c54.s5.20

v4.c54.s5.20

On 5th October 1801 the rival hosts made contact in the plain enclosed by the Siprā and the Kān rivers north of Indore, and the fighting continued for ten days. Holkar's scouts under Fath Singh Māné first exchanged fire with the enemy's vanguard on the 5th. But Brownrigg advanced methodically towards Indore, forming his men into a huge column, protected by artillery in front and flanks and sheltering his baggage in the centre. Nothing could stand before science and discipline, and Jaswant Rao Holkar was forced to betake himself to the old light foray tactics (*ghanimi*) which proved futile now. As the Kotā news-writer in Sindhia's camp reported, "Holkar is not fighting face to face, but practising *ghanimi*. He cannot make a stand before our guns, and our troops are chasing him back". Jaswant displayed great personal bravery and always pushed on to the thick of the fight, but he had to yield ground every day.