Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c22.s4.8

v2.c22.s4.8

This close approach of the Marathas to Sarhind greatly alarmed Abdus Samad Khan. He was at that time absent from his headquarters on a punitive expedition against Alā Singh. At the end of March 1757, when the front division of Abdali’s army under Prince Timur was transporting the plundered wealth of Delhi to Lahor, this Alā Singh in concert with other Sikh robbers had barred his path at Sanāwar (between Ambala and Patiala) and robbed him of half his treasures, and again attacked and plundered him at Māler Kot. So great had been the success of these brigands that rumour had magnified it into the prince’s captivity and even death at their hands. When, next month, Abdali himself with his main army retreated by this route, Alā Singh had shrunk from provoking him. In December Abdus Samad invaded Sunām (40 m. s. w. of Patiala) in the territory of Alā Singh, and imposed a fine on him. Hearing of Malhar’s approach the faujdar quickly settled that business, hastened back to Sarhind (12 January 1758), and set himself to repairing its fort walls and digging defensive trenches round the city. But Malhar turned back from Kunjpurā after exacting five lakhs, and Sarhind was saved. Just at this time, when Malhar’s women were on a visit to Thaneshwar and Kurukshetra for a religious bath, a local force of Abdus Samad besieged them in Shāhābād, but the Maratha escort fought well, slew many of the Afghans, and captured their horses (middle of January.)*