New History of the Marathas v2.c29.15

v2.c29.15

" We arrived at Delhi with the sardars and took possession of the city. The Shah Abdali with Shuja and Najib Khan has moved to a spot on the opposite side. The river is still in flood. Shuja and Najib Khan have suggested certain terms for a peaceful return of the Shah. They have proposed that the Punjab be ceded to the Afghans with Sarhind as the boundary between the two spheres, that he should take charge of Delhi, appoint Shuja as the Wazir and Najib Khan as the Mir Bakhshi. These are the terms that the Shah Abdali offers. We have urged that the Maratha influence should extend to Attock and that we shall take charge of Delhi and the Emperor, although we shall make such appointments to the high posts as will make no material change from the past. Unless a mid-way between these two extremes is found out, it seems the negotiations will break down. If the river had not been an impediment, we should have come to grips with the enemy long ago. We will not accept any dictation of terms.