A History of the Mahrattas v1.c30.101

v1.c30.101

The President and Council at Bengal, although it was upon the face of their records that in 1766 Shah Alum had made overtures to the Mahrattas, were not at first apprised of his having renewed the negotiation, and were therefore at a loss to account for the conduct of the Mahrattas in not making themselves masters of Delhi; instead of which they took the route of Rohilcund. The Rohilla chiefs behaved with no spirit; their country was entirely overrun; the strong fortress of Etaweh fell into the hands of the Mahrattas; and the whole of the Dooab, except Furruckabad, was reduced, almost without opposition. The territory of Zabita Khan was not exempt from their ravages; they likewise made irruptions into Korah, and preferred demands upon Shujah-ud-dowlah, which alarmed the English and induced them to prepare for resisting an invasion which they deemed probable.