Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c29.s1.38

v2.c29.s1.38

While these negotiations were dragging their customary slow length along and the Maratha horse was subsisting by raids on the Jaipur villages, an unexpected diversion came to the relief of Madho Singh in the form of the invasion of Bundelkhand by the Emperor Shah Alam II and his new wazir Shuja-ud-daulah, their prompt capture of Kalpi (January 1762) and Jhansi (1 Feb.), the uprising of all the Bundela chieftains against Maratha rule, and the treason of three Maratha local agents who went over to the Muslim invaders. Holkar was compelled to turn away from Rajputana to the eastern side from which frantic calls for help were reaching him. He left Jaipur territory, by way of Nandgaon, Sākore and Pataudi (17 Feb.) for Jhansi. But that fort had already been lost to the Marathas. So, he turned back via Sanganer (27 Feb.) to Indor, as his wound had festered, making him very weak and reduced in health, with the result that he was given no bath for three months. His retreat disheartened all the Maratha officers and partisans in that country.*