select this as the point of attack. Although found to be the least inaccessible of the three passes, it was still difficult; and was defended by the Sepoys of the 50th Native Infantry, as well as by a large number of picked Bundelas.
In order to deceive the enemy as to his intention, and to prevent the Rájá of Banpur coming to the assistance of the Rájá of Sháhgarh, who defended Mundinpur, Sir Hugh Rose ordered a feint to be made against Narut; whilst he himself attacked Mundinpur. He even marched some miles towards Narut, with his whole force; and then counter-marching, fell unexpectedly on Mundinpur. The fight was precipitated by the ardour of an artillery officer, who galloped his guns to the right front, to drive the enemy from the heights. Just as he came into action the 50th Native Infantry, showing merely their caps, opened a heavy fire on the battery.
This brought matters to a speedy conclusion; for it was now necessary to make a rapid advance. The fire was extremely hot, 'as rapid and hot a fire as ever I saw,' wrote Sir Hugh Rose to Sir Colin Campbell. The casualties were numerous. The General himself had a spur shot off, and his best horse wounded. But the infantry of the Haidarábád Contingent dashed down the glen with a cheer, and completely routed the surprised enemy. Driven with loss from their position, the rebels endeavoured to join another large body of their comrades who occupied the hills on the left of the road. Before they
