The Seven Cities of Delhi
a series of skirmishes ensued, as the result of which the imperial force had to retire to Humayun's tomb, and then to Dariaganj. The king threw over Najaf Khan, and accepted Zabita Khan as his minister. The former fortified himself in a sarai outside the Cabul Gate, but seeing no hope, put on his armour and rode out, as he thought, to his death. Instead, he was respectfully received, and escorted in safety to the Mahratta camp. Why ? Because it did not suit them to dispose of a man of such influence, although they had but a few days previously been the instruments of his disgrace. Such a complete change of policy is difficult to understand, but that is
just what so often happened — slight incidents or further discussion causing great changes of policy, it might be on two successive days. It is therefore impossible to detail fully the events of the next few years, but some important events may be briefly noticed.
In 1775 the Jat power was broken by Najaf Khan at the battle of Barsana, and this intrepid noble took the strong fortress of Dig in the following year. In 1777 he engaged the Rohillas, under Zabita Khan, at Panipat ; the action was indecisive, but a compact, ratified by marriages,brought peace. In 1779 he signally defeated the Sikhs at Meerut, and thus was successful246
