The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c21.s1.19.1

v4.c21.s1.19.1

The Marāthās sacked Farrukhābād and had for some time been endeavouring to throw a bridge of boats across the Ganges, hoping to surround the position held by Ahmad Khān, which was open in all directions on the east of the Ganges. Mahmūd Khān was unsuccessful in preventing this, and on 28 April the Ganges was bridged under cover of the Marāthā guns. Sa‘d-ullah Khān joined Ahmad Khān two days later, and the latter, unwilling to stand a siege in his camp, came forth, and gave battle. The Afghāns were defeated, with heavy loss, and the remnant fled by way of Aonla and Morādābād to Chilkia, at the foot of the Kumāūn hills. The Marāthās occupied Rohilkhand throughout the rainy season of 1751 and were rewarded for their services in this campaign with half the Bangash territory. The power of the Bangash Nawabs of Farrukhābād was now finally broken. Early in the reign Zu-’l-Fiqār Jang had held the provinces of Allahābād and Āgra, but the minister, Safdar Jang, coveted the former, which adjoined Oudh, and transferred to Zu-’l-Fiqār Jang Ajmer, which adjoined Āgra, and took Allahābād. The emperor was obliged to sanction this arrangement, though it was detrimental to his interests. Zu-’l-Fiqār Jang was foolish, irresolute, and a poltroon, but events in Rājputāna gave him an opportunity.