Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c22.s7.1

v2.c22.s7.1

By the 12th of January the Afghan vanguard (under Jahān Khān) had arrived at Pānipat and his master at Karnāl, 20 miles behind him. Here the invaders changed their route and plan of campaign: while a small body of fleet skirmishers was pushed on towards Delhi to feel the way and establish contact with the Ruhela traitors within, Jahān Khān himself with the full vanguard crossed the Jamunā near Pānipat, entered the Doab, and pushed on down the east bank of the river, by way of Kairānā, Jhanjhānā, Shāmli and Kāndhla, driving out the Maratha collectors from these places and slaying the governor of Shāmli who had offered resistance. He then encamped at Luni, daily sending out foragers on all sides. On 16th January, in the afternoon, these enemy bands were first sighted from the walls of Delhi fort, plundering and driving their horses on the river bank opposite. The eastern bank having been thus secured, the central division left behind at Karnāl under Abdali and his wazir pushed on due south towards Delhi and encamped at Narela, where they were joined (16 January) by Najib’s Ruhelas, who had been posted outside the north gate of the capital. The invaders’ front skirmishers penetrated to the northern suburbs like Wazirabad, Kalipahari, etc.