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74
In October, 1760, the Marhattas marched
north to Sarhind, with a view to cut off Ahmad
Shah's line of communication. On their way to
that city, they attacked and stormed the fortress
of Kunjpura, sixty miles north of Delhi, putting
to sword the entire garrison, numbering no less
than 10,000 men. This wholesale massacre took
place almost in sight of the Afghan army,
encamped on the other side of the river. Once
more the flooded Jamna and the violence of the
periodical rains stood in the way of rendering any
help to the besieged. Ahmad Shah concluded
that further delay was suicidal ; something must
be done at once.
With this intention he broke up his canton-
ment and ordered his men to cross the river
against all odds. On reaching the Jamna, he
found it swollen and in full flood. He proceeded
along it to find a ford. But he could see none.
He resolved to cross it at all cost. The disgrace
must be wiped out. The passage across the river
was conducted admirably and effected in face of
resolute resistance and volleys of bullets from the
other side. The Marhattas were so disheartened
to see this unusual bravery, that they fell back
Roughly two thirds of characters agree with a modern printed edition of the same text. Much of the disagreement is editorial, not misreading. Treat the transcription as a finding aid and read the page image before quoting. How this was measured.