History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c40.33.3

v2.c40.33.3

It was clearly impossible for him to do so in the face of the Afghan rebellion and he merely temporised by sending the embassy of Mun'im Khan to Raghujī described above. As soon as the proposal fell through Raghujī advanced towards Birbhum and brought the whole of Orissa, Medinipur and Hijli and the greater part of Burdwan under his sway. Mīr 'Abdul 'Aziz surrendered and was permitted to join the Musalmans of Murshidabad, but Durlabhrām was detained for more than a year till the payment of the ransom.¹ The Afghans, who had rebelled, now sent proposals to Raghujī Bhonsle to join his standard and the latter found it to be a great advantage to have several thousands of trained Musalman troops under him. So he set out for Kharagpur, plundered Tikari and Shahpura in the Gaya district and crossed the Sone to reach the hills near Sasaram where the Afghans had taken refuge. 'Alīwardī followed him with 12,000 horse. A battle with the Marathas proved indecisive but his baggage was plundered. At this stage 'Alīwardī's begum sent two envoys named Muẓaffar 'Alī Khān Bahādur and Faqī 'Alī Khān to call upon Raghujī and Mīr Ḥabīb with proposals of peace. They were introduced to Mīr Ḥabīb and though Raghujī would have listened, Mīr Ḥabīb definitely refused to have any treaty with the murderer of Sarāfrāz Khān.² According to his advice Raghujī now took the road to Murshidabad and was followed by 'Alīwardī.