The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.239

v4.c20.239

Bājī Rāo was now in serious pecuniary difficulties, owing to the size of his army and the high pay necessary to outbid Nizām-ul-Mulk. His troops were in arrears and he was heavily indebted to moneylenders. The emperor and his minister desired peace, but the less mean-spirited Turanian nobles were opposed to any disgraceful compromise. Muhammad Shāh’s conciliatory attitude encouraged the Peshwā to demand the cession of the whole of Mālwā and the tract south of the Chambal, Allahābād, Benares, Gayā, and Muttra, the recognition of his right as hereditary *Sardeshmukh* and *Sardeshpāndya* of the six provinces of the Deccan, and an annual assignment of five million rupees. His claims threw the emperor into the arms of Nizām-ul-Mulk, who was implored to forget the past and to save the empire from destruction. In March, 1737, Khān Daurān and Qamar-ud-dīn Khān, each at the head of a great army, advanced one towards Ajmer and the other towards Muttra while Burhān-ul-Mulk crossed the Ganges to help the Rājā of Bhadāwar, whom Holkar was besieging in his stronghold. Burhān-ul-Mulk fell on Holkar and pursued him towards Gwalior, and then, hearing that the Peshwā was encamped at Dholpur, turned northward to attack him, when he received letters from Khān Daurān.