A History of the Mahrattas v2.c38.2

v2.c38.2

(1773.)—On the retreat of the Mahrattas in 1773, Nujeef Khan regained his lost authority at the imperial court, and immediately directed his arms against their garrisons. Husham-ud-dowlah, the rival of Nujeef Khan, who had been secretly subservient to the Mahrattas, was removed from the administration. Shujah-ud-dowlah likewise took advantage of the retreat of the Mahratta army to expel their garrisons from his neighbourhood; and, after possessing himself of Etaweh, advanced towards Agra for the purpose of assisting Nujeef Khan, who was besieging it; but the fortress having surrendered, Nujeef Khan placed Mohummud Beg Humadanee, one of his own dependants, in command of the garrison. The Nabob Vizier, to conciliate Nujeef Khan, appointed him his deputy at the imperial court; and these two might have become formidable enemies to the Mahrattas north of the Nerbuddah, had not the Vizier’s attention been for a time fully engaged in prosecuting the Rohilla war; and shortly after its termination, death put an end to all his schemes. (1775.) His demise occurred in January, 1775, and his son, Asoph-ud-dowlah, after some delay on the part of the Emperor, was confirmed in his father’s title and possessions.¹