Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c36.s8.28

v3.c36.s8.28

Abdul Ahad now got together a large horde of recruits and a train of artillery and set out from Delhi with the prince on 3rd June 1779, giving himself the airs of a generalissimo. As he moved north, along his route Mirzā Najaf’s collectors were expelled and his own agents installed in their places; those who resisted were attacked and their lands laid waste. When the expedition reached Karnāl, the local zamindar Gajpat Singh loyally waited on the prince and was forced to promise a tribute of two lakhs. Many other Sikh sardars also presented themselves and offered their adhesion in return for pay. “Gajpat Singh became Abdul Ahad’s chief confidant and factotum for all Government business in that region. By his advice the Khan advanced and enlisted every Sikh who came in search of service and he gave to every Sikh sardar who interviewed him elephants, aigrettes &c. according to his rank. He planted Sikh thanahs wherever the ryots had fled away from the villages in fear of the royal troops.” [Miskin, 340.]* He spent the rainy season near Karnal.