Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c58.s6.3

v4.c58.s6.3

The Marathas, at the first sight of Wellesley’s force at noon, broke up camp and drew their infantry in a long line facing the Khelnā, and parallel to the two rivers. But as soon as they saw him crossing the Pipalgāon ford, they rapidly wheeled a quarter circle to their left and drew up with their first line north to south at right angles to the two rivers, barring Wellesley's path of attack on their left flank. Their second line was formed west to east along the south bank of the Juah nālā, meeting their first line at the village of Assaye, both lines pivoting upon that village. Assaye was also the hinge of the British line. The field over which the battle was fought was a quarter-circle or half-opened fan. Wellesley's plan was to work with his own left along the circumference of this quarter-circle, from the south to the west, strike the enemy's right on the Juah nālā, and roll their entire line eastwards back upon Assaye, whose trenches and powerful guns would then be abandoned by an enemy defeated all along their front. Therefore, his left wing would have to cover four times as much ground as his right and also to keep out of the range of the enemy's heavy guns in Assaye during the first stage of this tactical operation.