The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c21.s1.58

v4.c21.s1.58

‘Alī Vardī Khān was again engaged with the Marāthās south of Katwa when this alarming news reached him. On 1 March, 1748, he marched towards Patna, leaving a sufficient garrison to protect Murshidābād. The Marāthās followed him, hanging on his flanks and rear, and gave his army no rest. When he met the Afghān rebels about eight miles to the west of the town of Bārh, on the Ganges, he was obliged to attack them while the Marāthās were still threatening his rear. His small army seemed doomed to destruction, but a fortunate discharge of artillery and musketry killed or wounded the three Afghān leaders early in the day, and this produced its usual result. The great host, largely composed of raw levies, fled in all directions. The Marāthās, fearing lest the victorious army should turn on them, dispersed, and ‘Alī Vardī Khān, entering Patna, appointed Sirāj-ud-Daula, his daughter’s son by Haibat Jang, governor of Bihār with Rājā Jānkī Rām as his guardian and deputy, and followed the retreating Marāthās.