A History of the Mahrattas v1.c30.105

v1.c30.105

Several places were speedily reduced ; an ineffectual resistance was opposed to Mahadajee Sindia and Nujeef Khan at the fords of the Ganges, which they crossed in the face of the Rohillas, by passing many of their posts as if they had no intention of fording until much higher up the river, when, after throwing them off their guard, they suddenly wheeled about, dashed down upon one of the fords at full gallop, and crossing over made a great slaughter. The Rohillas, in consequence, seem to have been completely panic-struck. Zabita Khan’s territory was reduced with scarcely any opposition; the strongest entrenchments and even forts were abandoned, before a horseman came in sight.¹ Puttergurh, where considerable wealth amassed by Nujeeb Khan was deposited, fell into their hands, and the Rohilla chiefs were compelled to the very measure which Shujah-ud-dowlah desired; namely, to form a defensive alliance with him against the Mahrattas, for which they paid him forty lacks of rupees, and by which he secured himself from the Mahrattas, strengthened his own resources, and weakened the means of resistance on the part of the Rohillas, on whose ultimate destruction he was bent.²