The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c13.31

c13.31

We need not mention here the skirmishes that at different times took place between different companies of the two armies. From the middle of November the Marathas had begun to feel the want of food and provender, but still their commander persisted in his policy of starving his enemy, blindly ignoring the fact that his enemy had much better facilities for procuring supplies than he could have, unless and until he succeeded in reopening his communications with Delhi. With the first signs of famine in his camp Sadashiv Rao ought to have attempted to force his way back to Delhi; but, after Govind Pant Bundele’s death in the third week of December, he had no excuse for persisting in his original plan. Abdali could no longer be driven into the snare laid for him. It was no longer possible to cut off his supplies, on the other hand, it became increasingly difficult for the Marathas to send out their foraging parties. Still the Brahman general’s confidence did not forsake him and even in the face of famine he persisted in the way of certain destruction and ruin.