Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c8.s2.9

v1.c8.s2.9

After recovering Katak from Bāqar Ali, the Nawāb passed two or three months there restoring the administration and making the necessary arrangements, and then he set out on his return to Bengal. On the way he halted near Balesar to send detachments into the Mayurbhanj country to punish its Rājah for his unfriendly attitude during the recent war. While thus delayed, the Nawāb heard at Jaygarh that Raghuji Bhonslé had sent his prime minister, Bhāskar Rām Kolhatkar, with a strong force to invade Bengal and collect *chauth* from the province. Further on the way, at Mubārak Manzil,* he learnt that the Marāthas had already passed through Pachet and entered the Bardwān district. By a forced march of one night and day the Nawāb arrived at Bardwān and encamped outside that town on the bank of the Rāni's tank (15th April, 1742). [Siyar, ii. 116-117.]