Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c42.s2.43

v3.c42.s2.43

Ghūlām Qādir could no longer maintain himself in the fort, especially as his troops there were starving from the effective Maratha raids in the Doab. So, he began to cross his booty, baggage and army over the river by way of Salimgarh, en route to Ghausgarh, but still kept a garrison of his own in the palace. His treasure convoy on the way to his home was looted by the Sikhs and Gujars in concert with the Marathas who had now entered the upper Doab in large numbers and helped to “make the country from Ghausgarh to the northern hills a lampless desolation”. He was now compelled to hasten to the eastern bank in defence of his own estates. The Maratha horse, who were without any artillery or disciplined musketeers, were easily driven back whenever they met him in the open. For some days Ghulām Qādir continued to revisit the fort of Delhi and make a parting extortion by beating Bidār Bakht, Prince Akbar, and even the half-dead Shah Alam, and carrying away some sons of Shah Alam as well as Bidar Bakht as his prisoners.