The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c13.21

c13.21

It appears that Sadashiv Rao had at first under-rated his enemy's strength. At one time he had expected that the very rumour of his approach would frighten the Afghans away. Much of his tactical and strategical mistake was due to this over-confidence. In July the Maratha army captured Delhi, the Afghans had encamped on the opposite bank but were forced to witness the fall of the imperial city without being able to help their comrades. From Delhi Sadashiv Rao proceeded to Kunjapura and reduced that place. Hitherto he had not been guilty of any tactical blunder. He was perfectly right in reducing all the Afghan stations on his side of the river and trying to cut off the enemy's retreat, but no general can be pardoned for omitting to provide for his own safety in case of an unforeseen defeat.