The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c21.s1.12

v4.c21.s1.12

‘Alī Muhammad Khān, the chief of the Rohillas of Katehr, had been a political prisoner, and in the confusion which ensued on Ahmad Shāh Abdālī’s invasion returned to Morādābād, where he completely re-established his authority. Safdar Jang, a Persian Shiah, detested all Afghāns and viewed with alarm the establishment of an Afghān state on the north-western border of his province. ‘Alī Muhammad Khān died shortly after his return, but Hāfiz Rahmat Khān, the father-in-law of his elder son, Sa‘d-ullah Khān, became regent of his territories. An officer appointed from Delhi as governor of Morādābād, but ill supplied with troops and munitions, ventured to cross the Ganges with a small force. The Rohillas whom he first attacked feigned flight, and pursuing them with triumphant shouts, he and his men were drawn into an ambush, where nearly all were slain.