The wakíls of Mahájí Sindhia and Takú Holkar, chiefs of the Mahrattas, waited upon Háfiz Rahmat, and informed him that their chiefs were about to attack the territories of Shujá'u-d daula, and that if he would join them, he should receive half of whatever territory should be conquered. If he declined to join them, they would respect his country, and return to him Shujá'u-d daula's bond for the forty lacs of rupees, no part of which had been paid, and give up all claim on that account, provided he would allow them a passage, and would make no opposition to their crossing the Ganges. In reply to these proposals, Háfiz Rahmat requested time for consideration. Keeping the Mahratta wakíls with him, he sent to inform Shujá'u-d daula of what the Mahrattas proposed, adding that they undertook to forego all claim upon himself for the forty lacs of rupees on condition of his remaining neutral. He added, “If you will send me back my sealed bond, and will hasten to oppose the Mahrattas, I will dismiss the Mahratta wakíls, and will guard the fords of the Ganges. United, we will beat the Mah-rattas, and drive them from this country.” Upon receipt of this letter, Shujá'u-d daula immediately wrote a reply (expressing his gratification), adding that he sent Saiyid Sháh Madan as his representative, and that he would not deviate a hair's breadth from any agreement the Saiyid should make. ^{* *} After his arrival, the Saiyid promised Háfiz Rahmat that the bond should be returned to him after the repulse of the Mahrattas, when he and Shujá'u-d daula would soon meet. The Nawáb entreated Háfiz Rahmat to banish all suspicion, for there was no cause of dissension between them. ^{* *}

Háfiz Rahmat sent back the wakíls with a proper answer to Shujá'u-d daula. On the same day he sent Ahmad Khán, son of the Bakhshí, in all haste from Ánwala to secure the ford of Rám-ghát. A few days afterwards, hearing of the approach of the Mahrattas, he marched from Bareilly by way of Ánwala to Bisaulí. From that place he sent back the wakíls of the Mah-rattas, rejecting their proposals. He then proceeded with his small force to Rám-ghát. When the Mahratta wakíls returned, they informed their chiefs of the little support given to Háfiz Rahmat, and of the smallness of his force. Háfiz Rahmat advanced to the distance of three kos from Asadpúr, where Ahmad Khán was encamped, and in consequence of the celerity of his march his whole force had not come up: he had with him only four or five thousand men, horse and foot. The Mahrattas had received information through their spies of the limited number of his men, and resolved to attack him. They crossed the river during the night, and pressed onwards; but during the darkness they lost their way, and came upon Ahmad Khán's force, which they attacked. The pickets which Ahmad Khán had thrown out were watchful, and upon their reports the men were posted in the buildings and gardens of Asadpúr. The fight raged hotly all day from morn till eve, and notwithstanding the immense numbers of the Mahrattas, they were unable to prevail over the small body of Afgháns. After many men had been slain on both sides, Ahmad Khán, considering the immense force arrayed against him, sent a message to Takú Holkar and Sindhia, proposing an interview. They were only too glad to accede. Ahmad Khán went with a few followers to meet them. The Mahratta sardárs kept him with them, and pitched their camp there.

The intelligence reached Háfiz Rahmat, while he was encamped near Asadpúr, that 60,000 Mahrattas had crossed the river, and had attacked Ahmad Khán. He instantly drew out his forces, and was about to march for the relief of Ahmad Khán; but just then the news came that the Khán had gone to see the Mahratta chiefs. Háfiz Rahmat's chiefs and officers now urged upon him that it was inexpedient with his small force to wage war against the Mahratta hosts. ^{* *} Muhibbu-llah Khán joined him with two or three thousand men, and Mustakín Khán also arrived with fou?? or five thousand more; some others also came in, so that he now mustered ten or twelve thousand men. In the morning Háfiz Rahmat gave orders for the mustering of his forces to attack the Mahrattas, and all were in readiness, awaiting further orders, when messengers arrived from Shujá'u-d daula, announcing that his army was close at hand. As soon as he heard this, Háfiz Rahmat marched to attack the Mahrattas. At the same time the advanced forces of Shujá'u-d daula, General Chámkín (Champion) and Mahbúb 'Alí Khán eunuch, came up at the critical moment, and opened fire with their guns upon the Mah-rattas.

The forces of the Mahrattas were in two divisions. Mahájí Sindhia opposed Shujá'u-d daula, and Takú Holkar attacked Háfiz Rahmat. Both bodies of Mahrattas fought well and bravely; but the heavy fire of the English artillery and the flashing swords of the Afgháns made them recede, and they took to flight. Mahájí Sindhia passed over the Ganges by a bridge of boats, and halted on the other side. Takú Holkar was too hard pressed by the Afgháns to be able to cross; so he fled on the same side of the river towards Sambhal. General Chámkín (Champion) and Mahbúb 'Alí Khán crossed the river in their boats and attacked Sindhia, when he precipitately abandoned his baggage and camp, and took to flight, never stopping till he had covered five kos. The General seized upon his camp, took everything he found, and pitched his own camp upon the spot.

Háfiz Rahmat pursued Holkar for some distance; but the Mahrattas were mounted on swift horses, and traversed a long distance in the night. Háfiz Rahmat stopped near the battle­field to rest his men; Holkar went nearly to Sambhal, and he sent forward his advanced forces to plunder that place, and Murádábád and Rámpúr. ^{* *} Háfiz Rahmat followed with all his force, and when Holkar heard of his near approach, he gave up his design upon Rámpúr, and fled in great disorder from Sambhal towards the ford of Phaphú. He reached the Ganges, and having crossed it with great exertion by swimming, he united his force with that of Sindhia. When Háfiz Rahmat heard of his having crossed and effected a junction with Sindhia, he proceeded towards Phaphú, and encamped upon the bank of the river. After­wards he marched to join Shujá'u-d daula, who was encamped twelve kos off in face of Sindhia, to consult with him about the release of Ahmad Khán. After much parley Sindhia agreed to release his prisoner for a ransom of two lacs of rupees; and on payment of the money, Ahmad Khán obtained his liberty. Sindhia then marched off towards Dehlí; Háfiz Rahmat and Shujá'u-d daula, by way of precaution, remained some days at the same place, and the two had frequent interviews.