Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c8.s6.13

v1.c8.s6.13

In the rapidity of his march the Nawāb had far out-stripped his baggage and tents, and this brought him to a halt for some days. His Begam—he had only one wife throughout his life—sent envoys on her own initiative to make peace with Raghuji in order to give repose to her war-weary lord. Raghuji would have gladly accepted the offer, but Mir Habib advised him to make a dash upon Murshidābād and loot the capital of Bengal which was without the means of defence during the absence of the Nawāb and his army. From the bank of the Son, the Marāthas doubled back towards Bengal, Alivardi hurrying at their heels and his army suffering terrible privations from scarcity of food.* By way of Munir and Patna he turned towards Bengal. At Bhāgalpur, on the deep stream of Champānagar, Raghuji at the head of 6,000 men turned back and surprised Alivardi, whose escort was only 600; but by severe fighting the Nawāb gained time for the rest of his army to come up and drive the Marāthas away.