Biswás Ráo, Bálájí Ráo's eldest son, who was seventeen years old, solicited the command of the army from his father; and though the latter was in reality displeased with his request, yet in the year 1173 A.H. (1759-60 A.D.) he sent him off with Bháojí in company. Malhár Ráo, Pílájí Jádaun, Ján Ráo Dhamadsarí, Shamsher Bahádur, Sabúlí Dádájí Ráo, Jaswant Ráo Bewár, Balwant Ráo, Ganesh Ráo, and other famous and warlike leaders, along with a force of 35,000 cavalry, were also associated with Bháo. Ibráhím Khán Gárdí, who was the superintendent of the European artillery, likewise accompanied him. Owing to the extreme sultriness of the hot season, they were obliged to rest every other day, and thus by alternate marches and halts, they at length reached Gwálior.
As soon as the story of 'Imádu-l Mulk and Jankújí Sindhia's having sought refuge in the forts belonging to Súraj Mal Ját, and the particulars of Dattá's death and Holkar's defeat, as well as the rout and spoliation of both their forces, were poured into the ears of Biswás Ráo and Bháojí by the reporters of news and the detailers of intelligence, vast excitement arose, so that a sojourn of two months took place at Gwálior. Malhár Ráo Holkar, who had escaped with his life from the battle with the Durránís, and in the mean time had joined Biswás Ráo's camp, then started from Gwálior for Sháh-Jahánábád by Bháo's order, at the head of a formidable army, and having reached Ágra, took Jankújí Sindhia along with him from thence, and drew near to his destination.
Ahmad Sháh Abdálí, on ascertaining this news, sallied out from the city of Dehlí to encounter him; but the latter, finding himself unable to resist, merely made some dashing excursions to the right and left for a few days, after the guerilla fashion. As the Sháh, however, would never once refrain from pursuing him, he was ultimately forced to make an ignominious retreat back along the road he had come, and having returned to Gwálior, went and rejoined Bháojí. The rainy season was coming on, * * so Ahmad Sháh crossed the river Jumna, and having encamped at Sikandra, gave instructions to the officers of his army, to prepare houses of wood and grass for themselves, in place of tents and pavilions.
Bháo and Biswás Ráo, having marched from Gwálior, after travelling many stages, and traversing long distances, as soon as they reached Akbarábád; Holkar and Jankújí, at Bháo's instigation, betook themselves to Rája Súraj Mal Ját, and brought him along with them to have an interview with Bháo. The latter went out a kos from camp to meet him, and 'Imádu-l Mulk, the wazír, also held a conference with Bháo through Súraj Mal's mediation. Súraj Mal proposed that the campaign should be conducted on the following plan, viz. that they should deposit their extra baggage and heavy guns, together with their female relatives, in the fort of Jhánsí, by the side of the river Chambal; and then proceed to wage a predatory and desultory style of warfare against the enemy, as is the usual practice of the Mahratta troops; for under these circumstances their own territory would be behind their backs, and a constant supply of provisions would not fail to reach their camp in safety. Bháo and the other leaders, after hearing Súraj Mal's observations, approved of his decision; but Biswás Ráo, who was an inexperienced youth, intoxicated with the wine of arrogance, would not follow his advice. Bháo accordingly carried on operations in conformity with Biswás Ráo's directions, and set out from Akbarábád towards Dehlí with the force that he had at his disposal. On Tuesday, the 9th of Zí-l hijja, 1173 A.H. (23 Sept. 1760 A.D.), about the time of rising of the world-illumining sun, he enjoyed the felicity of beholding the fort of Dehlí. The command of the garrison there was at that time entrusted to Ya'kúb 'Alí Khán Bahmanzái, brother to Sháh Walí Khán, the prime minister of the Durrání Sháh; who, in spite of the multitude of his enemies, would not succumb, and spared no exertions to protect the fort with the few martial spirits that he had with him.
Bháo, conjecturing that the fort of Dehlí would be devoid of the protection of any garrison, and would therefore, immediately on being besieged, fall under his subjection, went and took up a position near Sa'du-llah Khán's mansion, with a multitude of troops. * * Ibráhím Khán Gárdí, who was a confederate of Bháo, and had the superintendence of the European artillery, planted his thundering cannon, with their skilful gunners, opposite the fort on the side of the sandy plain, and having made the battlements of the Octagon Tower and the Asad Burj a mark for his lightning-darting guns, overturned many of the royal edifices. Every day the tumultuous noise of attack on all sides of the fort filled the minds of the garrison with alarm and apprehension. The overflowing of the Jumna presented an insurmountable obstacle to the crossing of the Durrání Sháh's army, and hindered it from affording any succour to the besieged. The provisions in the fort were very nearly expended, and Ya'kúb 'Alí Khán was forced to enter into negociations for peace. He first removed, with his female relatives and property, from the fort to the domicile of 'Alí Mardán Khán, and then, having crossed the river Jumna from thence on board a boat, betook himself to the Sháh's camp. On the 19th of the aforesaid month and year, Bháo entered the fort along with Biswás Ráo, and took possession of all the property and goods that he could find in the old repositories of the royal family. He also broke in pieces the silver ceiling of the Díuán-i Kháss, from which he extracted so much of the precious metal as to be able to coin seventeen lacs of rupees out of it. Nárad Shankar Brahmin was then appointed by Bháo to the post of governor of the fort.
The Durrání Sháh, after his engagement with Dattá, which terminated in the destruction of the latter, had despatched Najíbu-d daula to the province of Oudh with a conciliatory epistle, which was as it were a treaty of friendship, for the purpose of fetching Nawáb Shujá'u-d daula Bahádur. Najíbu-d daula accordingly betook himself by way of Etáwa to Kanauj; and about the same time Nawáb Shujá'u-d daula marched from Lucknow, and made the ferry of Mahdipúr, which is one of the places in Etáwa situated on this side the river Ganges, the site of his camp. An interview took place in that locality, and as soon as the friendly document had been perused, and the Nawáb's heart had been comforted by its sincere promises, he came to the fixed determination of waiting on the Sháh, and he sent back Rája Bení Bahádur, who at that time possessed greater power and influence than his other followers, to rule as viceroy over the kingdom during his absence. When Nawáb Shujá'u-d daula approached the Sháh's army, the prime minister, Sháh Walí Khán, hastened out to meet him, and, having brought him along with him in the most courteous and respectful manner, afforded him the gratification, on the 4th of Zí-l hijja, 1173 A.H. (18th July, 1760 A.D.), of paying his respects to the Sháh, and of folding the son of the latter, Tímúr Sháh, in his embrace.