1879.] W. Irvine — The Bangasli JVatvdbs of FarruMialdd. 103 



Hamilton* comments -unfavourably on the imprudence of the Eohela 

 policy in allowing a part of their forces to join Ahmad Khan. The answer 

 seems to be ready in the facts of the case, which in Hamilton are substantially 

 as we have given them. Action was taken by the hot-headed youth, Sa'dullah 

 Khan, against the wishes of the more experienced leaders. But having once 

 gained the advantage, it was not likely that the Wazir, still less the Mahrattas, 

 would make any fine distinctions between Sa'dullah Khan's enmity and the 

 friendly feelings of the rest. The whole Eohela confederacy was to be 

 attacked and swept away. 



Consultations were now held between Ahmad Khan and the Eohelas ; 

 and the plan at length decided on, was to take shelter at the foot of the 

 Kumaon hills. Next day Nawab Ahmad Khan with the Eohela leaders, 

 setting out towards the hills, reached Muradabad. It so chanced that there 

 was a halt there of several days' duratiou. In this interval messengers 

 brought word that the Wazir, leaving Mulhar Rao and Apa Sendhia at 

 Singhi-rampur, had proceeded to Lakhnau. On hearing this, the Eohelas 

 told Nawab Ahmad Khan that they considered it advisable to return to 

 Anwalah, the rainy season being close at hand, during which they could 

 rest undisturbed at home, employing the time on summoning their clans- 

 men from all sides, and making ready to renew hostilities with the Mah- 

 rattas. This place was accepted by all, and they returned to Anwalah. 

 The Eohelas went to their houses, and Ahmad Khan encamped outside the 

 town. 



When the rains of 1751 were over, preparations were made for a cam- 

 paign, boats were collected, and a bridge was thrown across the river called 

 the Earn Ganga. This river flows through Eohilkhand and falls into the 

 Ganges on the left side nearly opposite Kannauj, more than forty miles 

 below Farrukhabad. On a report being brought to the enemy of the 

 advance of Ahmad Khan with the Eohelas and other Pathans, they des- 

 patched Khande Eao, son of Mulhar Kao, with other leaders and a numer- 

 ous army, across the Ganges, to meet and repel them. Then Ahmad Khan 

 and the Anwalah Sarddrs crossed their bridge, and gave strict orders to 

 their men to keep close to the river bank, following its course. The river 

 at one place described a semicircle. Here the Mahrattas had taken up 

 their position, intending to bar the Afghan advance. Donde Khan, who 

 commanded the vanguard, seeing the position occupied by the enemy, came 

 to the conclusion that he could not effect a passage along the river bank. 

 He therefore refrained from continuing his march, and posted his artillery 

 between the two points to east and west formed by the bend in the river. 

 By this manoeuvre he cut off the enemy's line of retreat. When Khande 

 * History of the Eohela Afghans, pp. 106 and 108. 



