Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s5.5

v2.c27.s5.5

The Maratha raiders under Malhar reached Sikandrabad on 28th February, sacked that large city totally, and halted for news of Abdālī's movements. Here they learnt that ten lakhs of treasure sent from Najib's estates in trans-Ganges had arrived opposite Anupshahar on the way to Abdālī's camp, as the Ruhela chief's contribution to the war-expenses of his protector. Malhar immediately sent out scouts to search for a ford near Anupshahar and halted for three or four days. This delay ruined him. Ahmad Shah sent a strong cavalry detachment under his best general Jahān Khan, who after a forced march surprised Malhar's vanguard, under Gangādhar Tātyā (Chandrachud), eight miles in front of Malhar's camp, at the dawn of 4th March. The Maratha resistance was short; they fled away "on unsaddled horses, giving up all their property to plunder." Three high officers,—Anand Ram Jādav, Shethyāji Kharādē and his son (named Faqirji in a Persian MS.),—besides many common soldiers, fell * in the fight and the pursuit. Malhar himself fled away at a breakneck pace, and came to Agra after crossing the Jamunā, while Gangādhar reached Mathurā behind him.