1 &Z-UD-DIN ALAMGIR IL 231
2 the expenses of the invading Mahratta troops during their march, and. held
3 -out to them hopes of enriching themselves by plunder. The expedition was
4 undertaken by the Mahrattas with alacrity, and Raghobd and Malhar Rao,
5 .the Mahratta chiefs, marched towards the Panjdéb at the head of a consider- rine Matirating:
6 able army. They were joined at the Sutlej by Adina Beg Khan, who put at 7" "1° Sams
7 their disposal the Sikh troops which he still retained in his employ. The
8 ‘Mahrattas entered Sirhind and defeated Abdul Samad Khan the Durrdui , The Mabratias
9 general, who was stationed in that town with a body of twenty thousand . :
10 Rohillas, horse and foot. The city had no sooner been evacuated by the
11 Afghans, than the Sikh followers of Adina Beg Khan subjected it to a general
12 pillage. This incensed the triumphant Mahrattas, who considered the booty
13 their exclusive privilege, and who, jealous of the Sikhs, resolved upon punish-
14 ing them for their wanton outrage. The children of the hdlsé, however,
15 taking advantage of a dark night, fled with their prize, and put themselves
16 beyond the reach of the pursuing Mahrattas.
17 After the fall of Sirhind, the Mahrattas advanced rapidly to Léhore,
18 ‘accompanied by their ally, Adina Beg Khan. Sardar Jahan Khan, with
19 Prince Tymdér Shah, pitched his tents at Kachhi Serai, where, taking up an, Pefeatofthe
20 intrenched position, he prepared for action. A battle ensued, in which the Seri.
21 Durranis were defeated, and Jahdn Khan retired across the Attak with two
22 hundred horse, leaving his property and treasure to be plundered by the
23 invaders, and Lébore was occupied by the Mahrattas. This event took place ,, Lahore occupied by
24 in May, 1758. Adina Beg Khan had this victory celebrated at Lahore by as
25 beat of drums, and great rejoicings took place. Asa reward for his services, ~
26 the Mahrattas installed Adina Beg Khan in the office of viceroy of the Panjab, , soni. gee Eh,
27 with Khwaja Mirza as his deputy at Lahore. Sabib Patil, a Mahratta general, the Panjab.
28 marched to the fort of Attak at the head of ten thousand troops, in pursuit
29 of Tymur Shah, while Shamaji Rao was appointed governor of Multdn.
30 The power of the Mahrattas had at this time reached its zenith, and the
31 prophecy of Sivaji, the founder of their monarchy, was fulfilled, that they
32 should water their horses in the Indus and in the Hughli. They had tra- nate power of the
33 versed the country from the Dekkan to the Indus, had overrun the metro- zenith,
34 politan provinces of Dehli and Agra, were masters of the Panjéb, had
35 concerted with Ghazi-ud-din the Dehli wazir a plan for annexing Oudh to
36 their conquests, and now openly aspired to the subjugation.of the whole of
37 Hindostén. It was not until the great battle of Panipat that their power
38 declined.
39 _ Nothing in the shape of: order or discipline prevailed in the Panjab
40 during the short time the Mahrattas held the reins of government. ‘T'he
41 Sikhs committed depredations in all parts of the country, unchecked by the
42 foreigners, who were nominally rulers, and the zemindars resisted by force
43 the demand of the government for revenue. Perplexities and commotions in Ma
44 Hindostdn and the Dekkan soon compelled the Mahrattas to abandon the Panjab, 1758, leaving
45 country which they did in the same year in which they had subdued it, leav- peal Tepid
46 ing a detachment at Lahore, They left Adina Beg Khan as their governor
47 there, on the condition of his remitting to their treasury an annual
48 tribute of seventy-five lakhs of rupees. The Rohillas mutinied, under one gi Trouble aiven by
49 Qutab Shah, and the Afghans of Malerkotla raised the standard of rebellion Afghans of Maler.
50 under their chief Jamal Khan, The insurgent forces collected in large *™
51 numbers in the neighbourhood of Phillour, where Adina Beg Khan gave
52 them battle. The engagement was asanguinary one. The Afghans and
53 the Rohillas greatly outnumbered the viceroy’s forces, whose oss in killed
54 and wounded was great. Desertions had commenced in the viceroy’s
55 army, when Jamal Khan’s elephant coming close to the viceroy 5, Mohamad
56 Sri Satguru J agjit Singh Ji eLibrary NamdhariElibrary@ gmail.com