Page:History of India Vol 4.djvu/293

THE ADVANCE TOWARD DELHI 245 travelling many stages, and traversed long distances, but as soon as they reached Akbarabad, Holkar and Jankuji, at Bhao's instigation, betook themselves to Kaja Suraj Mai Jat, and brought him along with them to have an interview with Bhao. The latter went out a league from camp to meet him, and Imad-al- mulk, the vizir, also held a conference with Bhao through Suraj Mai's mediation. Suraj Mai proposed that the campaign should be conducted on the follow- ing plan: that they should deposit their extra baggage and heavy guns, together with their female relatives, in the fort of Jhansi, by the side of the river Chambal; and then proceed to wage a predatory and desultory style of warfare against the enemy, as is the usual practice of the Maratha troops; for under these cir- cumstances their own territory would be behind their backs, and a constant supply of provisions would not fail to reach their camp in safety. Bhao and the other leaders, after hearing Suraj Mai's observations, ap- proved of his decision; but Biswas Eao, who was an inexperienced youth, intoxicated with the wine of ar- rogance, would not follow his advice. Bhao accord- ingly carried on operations in conformity with Biswas Rao's directions, and set out from Akbarabad towards Delhi with the force that he had at his disposal. On Tuesday, the 9th of Zi-al-hijja, 1173 A. H. (Sept. 23, 1760 A. D.), about the time of rising of the world-illum- ining sun, he enjoyed the felicity of beholding the fort of Delhi. The command of the garrison there was at that time entrusted to Yakub Ali Khan Bah-