Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s1.7

v2.c27.s1.7

The Sindhias next entered the Panjāb, and after effecting the reconquest of that province returned towards Delhi in May 1759. Crossing the Jamunā at the Rāmrā Ghāt (east of Pānipat), they halted at Shāmli and opened negotiations with the wazir. At the end of this month, Dattāji proceeded south to Bāghpat and induced Najib to pay him a visit.* It was at first agreed that Najib would support the Marathas with his troops in the invasion of Bihar by way of Oudh, if the Sindhias respected his possessions. It was necessary for Dattāji to keep Najib in hand, because he had decided to overthrow the false and incompetent wazir Imād, and take over the administration of the empire, in order to secure a more regular collection of tribute. On 1st June he sent Abdul Ahad Khan and Antāji Mānakeshwar to the wazir with an ultimatum calling upon him to resign his post and place the empire under his (*i. e.*, Dattāji's) control, as "Imād was unfit for the management of the empire and all his comrades were peculators." In case of refusal, the Maratha chief threatened war. But after some days, he was induced in return for a bond for the payment of an indemnity, to turn back from Bāghpat, and Delhi escaped an attack.