Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c56.s20.3

v4.c56.s20.3

Agra fell on 18th October, and set Lake’s army free. On getting news of Ambājī’s presence on the western border of Bharatpur, he decided to crush the Maratha chief before he could threaten Delhi or escape with all his army and guns. General Lake set out from Agra on 27th October, and after being delayed by a tremendous hurricane and deluge of rain on the way, made two forced marches of twenty miles a day on the 30th and 31st and reached Katumbar (27 miles north-west of Bharatpur) in the evening. Here he learnt that the enemy had left the place that very morning and retreated northwards. Thus getting accurate news of Ambājī’s position and plan, Lake determined to make a supreme effort to intercept him before he could escape beyond his reach.