Nawáb Shujá'u-d daula, being apprised of this circumstance, mounted the fleet steed of resolution, and in Rabí'u-l awwal, 1173 A.H. (Oct. Nov. 1759 A.D.), taking his troops resembling the stars in his train, he repaired on the wings of speed to Chándpúr, close to the locality where Najíbu-d daula was stationed. As Gobind Pandit had reduced the latter's force as well as his companions to great straits, by cutting off their supply of provisions, Nawáb Shujá'u-d daula Bahádur despatched 10,000 cavalry, consisting of Mughals and others, under the command of Mirzá Najaf Khán Bahádur, Mír Bákar Himmatí and other leaders, to attack the Pandit's camp. He also afterwards sent off Anúpgar Gusáín, and Ráj Indar Gusáín in rear of these. The leaders in question having fought with becoming gallantry, and performed the most valiant deeds, succeeded in routing the enemy. Out of the whole of Gobind Pandit's force, 200 were left weltering in blood, and as many more were captured alive, whilst a vast number were overwhelmed in the waters of the Ganges. Immense booty also fell into the hands of the victors, comprising every description of valuable goods, together with horses and cattle. Gobind Pandit, who after suffering this total defeat had escaped from the field of battle across the river Ganges, gave himself up to despair, and took to a precipitate flight. As soon as this intelligence reached the ears of Háfiz Rahmat Khán and the rest of the Rohilla chieftains, they sallied forth from the forests of Kamáún, and repaired to Nawáb Shujá'u-d daula's camp. Meanwhile Najíbu-d daula was released from the perils and misfortunes of his position.
Nawáb Shujá'u-d daula Bahádur assembled the Rohilla chiefs, and offered them advice in the following strain: “The enemy has an innumerable army, his military prowess is formidable, and he has gained possession of most of the districts in your territory; it is therefore better for you to make overtures for peace.” Every one, both high and low, applauded the Nawáb's judicious counsel, and voted that pacific negociations should be immediately entered into with Dattá; but the truce had not yet been established on a secure basis, when the news of Ahmad Sháh Abdálí's approach, and of his arrival on this side of Láhore, astonished the ears of all. Dattá, with the arrogance that ever filled his head, would not allow the preliminaries of peace to be brought to a conclusion; but haughtily discarding the amicable relations that he was in process of contracting, moved with a resolute step along the road to Dehlí, with a view to encounter the Abdálí Sháh. He was accompanied at that time by 80,000 horsemen, well armed and equipped.
When the Sháh set out from Láhore in the direction of Dehlí, he thought to himself that on the direct road between these two places, owing to the passage to and fro of the Mahratta troops, it would be difficult to find any thriving villages, and grain and forage would be almost unprocurable. Consequently, in the month of Rabí'u-l awwal, 1173 A.H., he crossed the river Jumna, and entered Antarbed. Be it not unknown, that Antarbed is the name given to the land lying between the Ganges and Jumna, its frontier being Hardwár and the Kamáún hills, which are situated in the northern quarter of Hind. * *
In short, Ahmad Sháh Durrání entered Antarbed, and Najíbu-d daula and the other Rohilla chiefs, whose territories were situated in that kingdom, came to join the Sháh. They likewise brought sums of money, as well as grain and provisions, to whatever extent they could procure them, and delivered them over for the Sháh's use. Through this cordial support of the Rohilla chiefs, the Sháh acquired redoubled strength, and having directed his corps of Durránís, who were employed in the campaign on skirmishing duties, to pursue the ordinary route, and be in readiness for an engagement with Dattá, proceeded himself to the eastward, by way of Antarbed.
On this side too, Dattá, travelling with the speed of wind and lightning, conducted his army to Sirhind, where he happened to fall in with the Sháh's skirmishing parties. As the Durránís are decidedly superior to the Mahratta troops in the rapidity of their evolutions, and in their system of predatory warfare, the moment they confronted each other, Dattá's army was unable to hold its ground. Being compelled to give way, he retired to Dehlí, keeping up a running fight all the way, and took up a position in the plain of Báwalí, which lies in the vicinity of Shah-Jahánábád. At that juncture, Jankújí proposed to his nephew with haughty pride, that they should try and extricate themselves from their critical situation, and Jankújí at once did exactly what his respected uncle suggested. In fact, Dattá and his troops dismounted from their horses after the manner of the inhabitants of Hind about to sacrifice their lives, and boldly maintained their footing on the field of battle. The Durránís assailed the enemy with arrows, matchlocks, and swords, and so overpowered them as not to allow a single individual to escape in safety from the scene of action. This event took place in Jumáda-l awwal, 1173 A.H. (Jan. 1760 A.D.).
As soon as this intelligence reached the quick ear of Malhár Ráo Holkar, who at that time was staying at Makandara, he consigned the surrounding districts to the flames, and making up his mind, proceeded in extreme haste to Súraj Mal Ját, and importuned that Rája to join him in the war against the Durrání Sháh. The latter, however, strongly objected to comply with his request, stating that he was unable to advance out of his own territory to engage in hostilities with them, as he had not sufficient strength to risk a pitched battle; and that if the enemy were to make an attack upon him, he would seek refuge within his forts. In the interview, it came to Holkar's knowledge, that the Afgháns of Antarbed had moved out of their villages with treasure and provisions, with intent to convey them to the Sháh's camp, and had arrived as far as Sikandra, which is one of the dependencies of Antarbed, situated at a distance of twenty kos from Dehlí towards the east. He consequently pursued them with the utmost celerity, and having fallen upon them, delivered them up to indiscriminate plunder.
The Abdálí Sháh, having been apprised of this circumstance,
deputed Sháh Kalandar Khán and Sháh Pasand Khán
Durrání, at the head of 15,000 horse, to chastise Holkar.
The individuals in question, having reached Dehlí from Nár-
In the year 1172 A.H. (1758-9 A.D.), Raghunáth Ráo, the brother of Bálájí Ráo, after confiding the provinces of Láhore and Multán to Adína Beg Khán, and leaving Jankújí with a formidable army in the vicinity of the metropolis of Dehlí, arrived at the city of Púná along with Shamsher Bahádur, Malhár Ráo Holkar, and Jayájí Sindhiya. Sadásheo Ráo Bháojí, who was Bálájí Ráo's cousin, and his chief agent and prime minister, began instituting inquiries as to the receipts and disbursements made during the invasion of Hind. As soon as it became apparent, that after spending the revenue that had been levied from the country, and the proceeds arising from the plundered booty, the pay of the soldiery, amounting to about sixty lacs of rupees, was due; the vain illusion was dissipated from Bháojí's brain. The latter's dislike to Raghunáth Ráo, moreover, had now broken into open contumely and discord, and Bálájí Ráo, vexed and disgusted at finding his own brother despised and disparaged, sent a letter to Bháojí, declaring that it was essentially requisite for him now to unfurl the standard of invasion in person against Hindústán, and endure the fatigues of the campaign, since he was so admirably fitted for the undertaking. Bháo, without positively refusing to consent to his wishes, managed to evade compliance for a whole year, by having recourse to prevarication and subterfuge.