Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c7.s7.7

v1.c7.s7.7

But the table was turned upon Hedāyet Ali early in 1748. At the first news of Abdāli's capture of Lāhor and intended march upon Delhi, Ali Muhammad Ruhela deserted his post at Sarhind* (middle of February) and with his entire contingent of Afghāns returned to Rohilkhand. At once his clansmen dropped their ploughs, took up their matchlocks, and joined him in their thousands. With this overwhelming force he swept the district clear of the lawful *jāgirdārs’* officers and re-established his own possession in a month’s time, set up his own magistrates again, and crossed the Ganges into the Bijnor and Murādābād districts.