Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c55.s9.9

v4.c55.s9.9

Thomas after severe fighting took possession of the fortified city of Fathpur, 30 miles north of Sikar, and made it his base. A large Jaipur army under Rodoji Khawās arrived, encamped eight miles from Fathpur, and on 8th February advanced to attack Thomas's position. But Rajput incapacity to co-ordinate movements and the personal cowardice of their supreme commander (who had followed the tailor's profession before his Rajah's favour made him prime minister) enabled Thomas and his highly capable lieutenant Morris to handle their very much smaller but highly disciplined corps so skilfully that the isolated attacks of the two wings of the Jaipur army were beaten back as they came up one after another. Then Rodoji ordered a general charge by his centre, consisting of 6,000 picked royal troops. But "this main body had by this time become a confused mass, without order, regularity, or method. . . Mr. Thomas perceiving them at a stand, commenced a heavy fire of grape-shot, when after sustaining much loss, the enemy retreated."