Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c54.s5.4

v4.c54.s5.4

It was a naturally strong position, with the broad river protecting its rear, while its front and wings were intersected by many small nālās (ravines) which hindered the cavalry charges so dear to the Holkar horse. Meantime Jaswant Rao had occupied Satwās, and on 4th July 1801 he launched his grand attack on Brownrigg. He detached Plumet and Kushābā Bakhshi with four battalions of trained infantry and a large cavalry force and eight guns to assault this Sindhian post. As Holkar's horsemen galloped up to the front, they were mowed down by the accurate grape-shot fired from Brownrigg's guns skilfully dispersed along his line. The sepoys under Plumet fought with great spirit, and forced their way to Sindhia's baggage camp, but a heavy discharge of grape (or chain-shot, according to Basawan Lal) from Brownrigg's artillery kept concealed here and hitherto held in reserve, cut them down in hundreds and after a two hours' sharp contest they fell back, Plumet himself being wounded and eight of his guns abandoned in the field. But Jaswant Holkar was a general who knew not defeat. He rallied his men in person and led them on to a renewed attack by which he recovered six of his guns, but could not change the issue of a lost battle. He retreated to Satwās, with enormous losses. Brownrigg's casualties were only 107 men including Lt. Rowbotham.*