Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c10.s8.17

v1.c10.s8.17

The last brush with the enemy took place on 17th March, and two days later the prince resumed his advance, arriving at the bank of the Satlaj near Ludhiāna on the 21st. Here a halt for some days was made to refresh the troops worn out by the fight and the march through the jungle. This halt was prolonged for weeks, because Safdar Jang, who had become the centre of all affairs after the wazir's death, fell ill and took to his bed for 10 or 12 days. Even when he recovered he evaded carrying out the prince's order to cross the Satlaj and advance upon Lāhor, but made one or two futile marches along the river bank. All further operations were stopped on 9th April, when letters were received from the Emperor urgently recalling the prince to Court and appointing Muin-ul-mulk governor of Lāhor and Nāsir Khān that of Kābul. These two were given their *conge* on the 11th and 12th and the prince set his face towards Delhi on the latter of these dates. [*TAh.* 9*b*-10*b*; the earlier dates have been corrected by adding one day.]