Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c28.s4.4

v2.c28.s4.4

In November 1765, a formidable Sikh invasion* descended upon Najib’s territories, but he met it with a skill, firmness and tenacity which mark him out as the foremost Muslim general after Ahmad Shah Abdali among his contemporaries. The struggle this time continued for six months; there was no truce and there could be no relaxation of vigilance and effort on his part. At the end of October 1765, while one band of Sikhs went to raid the Saharanpur district, another vast force, reported to be 25,000 horse, led by Jassa Singh, Tara Singh, Sham Singh and other sardars, attacked Najib’s villages in the region north of Delhi, levied contribution from them, and advanced to Kharkhauda (23 m. n.w. of Delhi). But finding the people on the alert and ready for defence there, they made a lightning raid upon Rewari (in the jagir of diwan Nagar Mal), plundered and burnt that town, dug up the floors of the houses and took away prisoners. “The ryots of Rewari were plundered to an extreme, . . . the place was ruined.” Then they penetrated to Jaipur territory in alliance with Jawahir Singh Jat, but had to retire on the coming of the Marathas and the promise of a subsidy, (late December.) Bands of them continued with the Jat Rajah for some months after.