Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c30.s3.33

v2.c30.s3.33

Early next year, 1764, a new opening for the invasion of Bihar presented itself, when Nawab Qasim Ali Khan, deposed and expelled by the English from the province (in Dec. last), visited the Emperor (February 1764) and bought his support and that of his wazir in a war for the recovery of his own, by paying them 10 and 17 lakhs respectively. The invasion of Bihar that followed and which the helpless Emperor’s apologists truly ascribed to the greed of Shujā, ended in the wazir’s crushing defeat at Buxar (23 October 1764) and finally at Korā (3 May, 1765), and the complete prostration of Oudh at the feet of the English. The derelict Emperor, who had been insulted by Shujā before the battle of Buxar and abandoned after it, took shelter with the English and was honourably lodged by them in Allahabad fort, which they took in his name on 11 February, Benares and Chunar having been previously occupied.*