104 W. Irvine—TZhe Bangash Nawibs of Furrukhabéd. [No. 2 
Rao saw that they had fallen into the trap laid by the Pathans and that 
their retreat was cut off, he sent a man to Nawab Ahmad Khan to make 
terms. The messenger said, that though by the Emperor’s order they had 
served the Wazir in this campaign, they were not in heart fighting for him, 
they only fought to save appearances ; what should be now agreed on pri- 
vately with them, they swore solemnly to carry out in writing, when the 
campaign under the Kumion hills had once commenced. Ahmad Khan, on 
this message being received, sent for Hafiz Rahmat Khan, told him what 
was proposed, and referred to the old friendship between his father, Muham- 
mad Khan, and the Mahrattas. He then requested Hafiz Rahmat Khan 
to send orders to Donde Khan to withdraw from his position closing up 
the Mahratta line of retreat. Hafiz Rahmat Khan in reply said that in time 
of war, Donde Khan took orders from no one, perhaps if Nawab Ahmad 
Khan went in person he might agree, and he, Hafiz Rahmat Khan, was 
willing to accompany him to the spot. 
The order of battle was as follows; To the rear and in support of 
Donde Khan were Bahadur Khanand Mulla Sardir Khan ; after them came 
Fath Khan Khansaman; and then Nawab Sa’dullah Khan with Hafiz 
Rahmat Khan, who, mounted on one elephant, formed as it were the advance- 
guard of Nawab Ahmad Khan. Ahmad Khan and Hafiz Rahmat Khan 
proceeded to Donde Khan’s head-quarters, where they informed him of 
what the Mahrattas had promised and had sworn an oath to do. He said 
in answer, that the Mahrattas must have sent overtures only because they 
were in extremity. For was not the river on three sides of them, and had 
he not cut off the fourth ? Without any labour or trouble a speedy victory 
would be obtained. Oaths taken at such a juncture were worthless. The 
Nawab admitted that what Donde Khan said was quite true, but it was 
against the creed of a good Musulman to refuse peace to those who asked 
oe Tf their oaths were false, God would mete out the punishment. Donde 
Khan was forced at length to accede, and he sent word to his regiments to 
withdraw and allow a free passage. The soldiers were then moved off, and 
the road cleared for the enemy. Then Nawab Ahmad Khan and Nawab 
Sa’dullah Khan pitched their tents on that spot. Next day they marched 
onwards, and reached the head of the boat-bridge, thrown across by the 
Wazir under Singhi-rampiur. 
Before the arrival of the Mussulman forces, the Mahrattas had broken 
up the bridge, and when N awib Ahmad Khan reached the place he found 
the river separating him from the enemy. Artillery fire began on both 
sides. ‘The troops who had been allowed to withdraw from their critical 
position in the bend of the river, gathered round the Nawab’s army but did 
not come to close quarters. After things had been in this situation for a 
