The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c21.174

v4.c21.174

The Marāthās were outside Delhi by the end of July, and the fort was captured without much difficulty on 2 August. Here also the Bhāo Sāhib's conduct gave great offence. In order to pay his troops, he stripped off the silver from the ceiling of the great hall of audience, and plundered tombs and shrines which Persian and Afghān had respected.² A rumour was even spread abroad that he intended to place Vishvās Rāo on the Mughal throne. Dismayed at this behaviour, Sūraj Mal and his Jāts quietly decamped: the loss of these seasoned troops was a serious matter, but the Bhāo Sāhib affected to make light of it, saying that nothing better could be expected of mere landholders. The Marāthās spent the rainy season encamped in and around Delhi, while the Abdālī was in quarters at Anūpshahr in the Bulandshahr district; both parties being busily engaged in intriguing, through their agents, for the support of Shujā‘-ud-daula, the Nawāb Vazīr, who had succeeded his uncle Safdar Jang in 1754 and at first remained neutral. Proposals were also made by the Bhāo Sāhib that the Abdālī should be given large territories north of the Sutlej on condition that he withdrew, but they fell through, chiefly on account of the opposition of Najīb Khān the Rohilla, who had good cause to hate the Marāthās for ravaging Rohilkhand and wanted them to retire for good and all behind the line of the Chambal. Shujā‘-ud-daula reluctantly decided to join his co-religionists.