Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c30.s3.30

v2.c30.s3.30

From this place Shah Alam, entirely moved by the leading strings of Shujā-ud-daulah, started on 7th Nov. 1761 for the recovery of his dominions in Bundelkhand. Here, as well as in the adjacent tract of North Mālwā, the Maratha dominion had been shaken to its foundations by their defeat at Pānipat. All the local zamindars south of the Jamuna and the Chambal—Jat, Rajput, Ahir, Bundela and Ruhcla—had risen against the Marathas, stopped the payment of revenue and tribute, and even occupied the villages belonging to the latter. Not a pice could be collected; the garrison of Gwalior fort had received no salary for two years. The evil was aggravated by the dying Peshwa's inability to send reinforcements and the treason of several local officers (notably Ganesh Sambhaji) who went over to the imperialists. Into this defenceless and distracted country Shuja entered early in January 1762, crossing the Jamuna at Kalpi. That post surrendered without opposition. Then Moth was taken, and Jhansi itself (1 Feb.) after a short resistance. The Bundela chiefs of Urchha and Datia sent tribute to their sovereign. Shuja, whom Shah Alam had appointed his wazir in the preceding June, at last put the wazir's robes on and first signed official papers in that capacity on 15 Feb. 1762. Then, by way of Jalalpur (31 March), he marched upon Mahoba, but could not subdue its Rajah Hindupat, the great-grandson of the famous Chhatrasal. So, the expedition returned across the Jamuna, and the Emperor encamped for the rainy season at Sheorajpur, in the Cawnpur district. [SPD. xxvii. 272, xxix 13. G. Ali ii. 112-140. Muna Lal, 28-53. Imad, 86.]