The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.289

v4.c20.289

As soon as Raghūjī heard that an agreement about the *chauth* of Bihār had been reached he retreated rapidly westward. 'Alī Vardī Khān and Bālājī Rāo marched in pursuit, and the latter, pressing ahead, came up with Raghūjī Bhonsle, defeated him, and plundered his baggage. Though the government of Mālwā was then conferred on the Peshwā, imperial susceptibilities were indulged by appointing him as the deputy of the emperor's son, prince Ahmad. In the same year an attempt was made to assert the unity of the empire and the authority of the emperor over viceroys and governors who were independent in all but name. 'Alī Vardī Khān of Bengal was excepted owing to the danger of incursions of Marāthās into his province, but 'Umdat-ul-Mulk of Allahābād and Safdar Jang, the latter after some hesitation, obeyed the summons and appeared at court, while Zakariyā Khān of the Punjab sent his son as his representative. Bakht Singh, the rebellious brother of Abhay Singh of Jodhpur, seems to have taken no notice of the summons, and Sawāī Jay Singh of Amber, who held the government of Āgra, was prevented by death from obeying it. He had ruled Amber for forty-four years, and was a generous patron of science. Latterly his friendship with the Peshwā, Bālājī Rāo, had been of great service to the empire.