The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.285

v4.c20.285

Raghūjī Bhonsle, on hearing that ‘Alī Vardī Khān was again engaged with Bāqar Khān, sent Bhāskar Pant to invade Bengal. ‘Alī Vardī Khān was chastising the Rājā of Mayūrbhanj when he heard in April, 1742, that Bhāskar Pant had left Nāgpur, and at once marched towards Murshidābād; but Bhāskar Pant was before him and attacked him with 12,000 horse at Uchālan, sixteen miles south of Burdwān. He pushed on to Burdwān, but here he was surrounded by the Marāthās, who cut off all supplies. When with infinite difficulty he fought his way to Katwā, on the Bhāgīrathī, about forty miles south of Murshidābād, he found that the Marāthās had plundered the town. A supply of food had, however, been despatched from Murshidābād and his army was refreshed. After a short halt at Katwā he reached Murshidābād, but a party of Marāthās, led by Mīr Habīb, who had deserted to the enemy, had previously visited and plundered it.