New History of the Marathas v2.c24.122

v2.c24.122

7. Clash of Arms.—As news of Husain Ali’s approach reached the Emperor, he became extremely apprehensive for his life and forwarded repeated messages and special agents to turn him back. Thereupon Husain Ali asked the Maratha commanders to return or halt where they were, but they refused to do so unless Shahu’s mother and party were delivered into their hands. Husain Ali reported the matter to the Emperor adding that it was now impossible for him to offend his Maratha allies and that they would create fearful trouble for all, if their wishes were opposed. Thus they all pushed on and the two Saiyad brothers met together at Delhi and at once concerted sound plans for mastering the situation as it developed. Details of the revolution that followed are plentiful and can be studied in the pages of Irvine’s *Later Mughals*, in *Siyar-ul-Mutakherin* and other contemporary accounts. Here only the relevant portions touching the Maratha doings need be adverted to.