New History of the Marathas v2.c26.64

v2.c26.64

At these occurrences Ahmad Khan Bangash completely lost heart and along with most of his followers decamped in the night. Several of his men were drowned in the river. The Pathan camp was plundered and a large amount of booty was secured by the Wazir. Writes Govindpant Bundele, “The Pathans attempted the restoration of their rule at Delhi ; and failing this, they wished to coerce the Emperor so far as to secure for themselves the posts of the Wazir and the Mir Bakhshi, so doing away with Safdar Jang’s power. Ahmad Khan met the fate he deserved on the banks of the Ganges. If he had not been so routed, the Marathas would have lost all their labours and acquisitions of former years. The most faithless of all Pathans, Turai Khan had joined Ahmad Khan Bangash and was killed with all his followers.” Thus it will be seen that at this critical juncture, it is the Marathas who saved the situation for the Empire. When the news of this Maratha victory over the Pathans reached Poona, a wave of enthusiastic joy spread throughout Maharashtra. The Peshwa offered his heartiest congratulations to the Sardars. Dattaji Sindia distinguished himself in this campaign of the Doab for the first time.³