Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c30.s3.31

v2.c30.s3.31

Early next year (1763), the Emperor, escorted by the wazir, marched to Sikandrabad in the middle Doab, summoning the Ruhela and Bangash chiefs to join him and conduct him to Delhi. Ahmad Bangash had reason to fear Shujā’s ambition and so proved recusant. Shujā was about to go to war with him, when Hafiz Rahmat, Dundi Khan and Najib arrived (April), interviewed the Emperor and forced Shujā to give up his designs against the Nawab of Farrukhabad. But these designs had alienated all the Afghans from Shujā. To make matters worse, a sectarian riot with bloodshed broke out between the troops of Shujā and Najib, who were respectively of the Shia and Sunni faith. The plan of installing the Emperor at Delhi by a united Muslim force broke down, the Ruhelas returned to their homes (middle of May) and the Emperor to Allahabad for passing the rainy season.*