Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c55.s9.3

v4.c55.s9.3

In November 1795, Thomas was sent by Āpā Khāndé Rāo to the Sāharanpur district to drive away a horde of 5,000 Sikh raiders who were investing the fort of Jalālābād. Lakhwā Dādā then appointed Thomas as warden of the marches to guard the Jamunā frontier of the Upper Doāb, and raised his contingent to 2,000 infantry, 200 cavalry, and 16 pieces of artillery, and for their maintenance assigned to him the parganas of Pānipat, Sonpat and Karnāl. In July 1796, Thomas took a noble revenge. Begam Samru had been imprisoned by her troops and her step-son Zafaryāb Khan placed in power nine months before, (Oct. 1795). But on 9th July 1796, Thomas moved by her appeal, marched with his sepoys very secretly to Sardhānā, where he was joined by some troops in the Begam’s interest, with whom he had already concerted her restoration. The Marātha sardārs in Delhi were privy to the plot, and encouraged it. She was restored to the lordship of Sardhānā and sent her worthless step-son into confinement. (PRC. viii. 206.)