Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c16.s2.1

v1.c16.s2.1

Imād's chief agent Aqibat Mahmud Khan opened the campaign of reconquest in the Faridabad district, south of Delhi, which lay in the Bakhshi's *jāgir*. Here the leading disturber of law and order was Balu Jāt. When Aqibat went with 500 Badakhshi and 2,000 Maratha troopers and demanded the revenue of the district and the tribute due to the Emperor, Balu resiled from his promise and showed fight. Imād sent 7,000 more troops and 30 pieces of light artillery with rockets to Aqibat to match the guns of Ballamgarh. After some fighting Balu made his submission, saw Aqibat and agreed to pay the rent and tribute due from him. Then Aqibat advanced to Palwal, 14 miles south of Ballamgarh, but found the peasants afraid to pay him rent lest Balu should demand it again. The revenue-collector of the place, whom Balu had ousted, told Aqibat that unless he captured Ballamgarh and killed Balu he would fail to get control over the administration of the district. A *thānahdār* sent by him to Fathpur village was turned out by the *ryots* at Balu's bidding. Aqibat, therefore, marched back to a plain near Ballamgarh and asked Balu to come and settle the revenue demand. Balu arrived with his *diwān*, one son and an escort of 250 men. Aqibat demanded payment, saying that as Imād had made the peace for him and the Emperor was pressing Imād for the tribute, Imād in his turn was censuring Aqibat for negligence at this delay in collecting the money. The Jāt chief replied defiantly, "I have not brought the money in my pocket. I only promised to pay the tribute after collecting the rents. If you want to wrest this tract from me, you will have to fight for it." High words were exchanged and Balu in anger laid his hand on the hilt of his sword. But the Badakhshis surrounding Aqibat’s *pālki* fell upon him and slew him with his son, his *diwān* and nine other men* (29 November, 1753.) The garrison of Ballamgarh kept up a fire till midnight, after which they evacuated the fort. Aqibat took possession of it with all its artillery and armament and gave the other property within up to plunder by his soldiers. The district was conferred upon Imād.