Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c30.s3.44

v2.c30.s3.44

They had come to the north once more in full force, under an accredited plenipotentiary of the Peshwa (Ramchandra Ganesh) and great sardars like Sindhia and Holkar, at the beginning of 1770. They had first humbled the Jat and set about restoring their authority in the Doab and the country near Delhi. [Ch. 22 § 12-14.] Najib's death a few months later (30 Oct. 1770) forced the Emperor's hands; now or never must he make effective arrangements for holding Delhi, as Najib's successor was too young and inexperienced to make any stand against the Sikhs. So, on 27th December Shah Alam sent Saifuddin Md. Khan to negotiate with the Maratha sardars then in the Doab for an alliance to restore him to his capital. The envoy entered the masterless city on 7th February 1771, opened the Delhi Gate (which had been closed in fear of the Maratha and Gujar bands then out on the east bank), reassured the citizens, and from the Jāmi‘ Masjid proclaimed the authority of Shah Alam.