Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s1.11

v2.c27.s1.11

From Shāmli Najib returned to Saharanpur, while Dattāji advanced to Mirat, and near that city attacked a fort built by Jetā Gujar. "The garrison, overcome by superior numbers, fled away. Thence Dattāji went and encamped near the home of the Barha Sayyids,* who were the hereditary enemies of the Ruhelas [end of June.] He asked Najib to cede some parganahs of Saharanpur, but the Ruhela offered to pay the fixed tribute only if the Marathas vacated his country, and he refused to alienate any of his villages. Dattāji did not agree to this; he sent detachments to the outposts of Najib, from which the Ruhela's agents retired without a blow." [TALS. 209, Nur-ud-din 22.] Thus, at last open war was precipitated by Dattāji's hustling tactics.