142 W. Irvine—The Bangash Nawabs of Farrukhabdad. [No. 2, 
ing his destination was admitted to an audience. The secretaries read out 
the petition in a loud voice word by word. After hearing it the Emperor 
dismissed Mahtab Khan and sent for Shuja’-ud-daula, In the Wazir’s 
opinion no answer should be sent ; no answer was the best answer. Mahtdb 
Khan waited two days, and when he found out that no answer would be 
given, he left without permission and returned to Farrukhabad, where he 
made a report to the Nawab. 
Next day Ahmad Khan and ’Iméd-ul-Mulk had a consultation, 
*"Imad-ul-Mulk urged the Nawab to march without any further delay. 
Just at this time, word came that Najib Khan had arrived at Nabiganj, a 
small town between Bewar and Chibramau, some eighteen miles south of 
Farrukhabad. Najib Khan Yusufzai, who had from various causes been 
detained at Delhi, had come by forced marches down the Duab wid@ Sakit, 
destroying crops and burning villages as he advanced. He was a turban- 
brother (paggri-badal-bhdi) of Shuja’-ud-daula’s. Ahmad Khan sent two 
hundred and fifty trays of food by one hundred and twenty-five kahars, in 
charge of Shah Muhammad Khan Jamadar, and Gulsher Khan “ sonthi- 
wdld.’”? These men had orders to deliver an ironical message that the food 
was for Najib Khan’s own use, while the territory was there for his army’s 
consumption ; what he had done was quite right and lawful, for between 
brothers there need be no ceremony. Najib Khan in anger ordered them 
to remove the trays, they might read the Fiatcha of his father over them. 
It is said that six thousand Pathan horsemen left Najib Khan’s service at 
Nabiganj.. They were received with open arms by Ahmad Khan, dresses 
of honour were distributed and daily rations were served out to them. 
Next day Najib Khan marched, and encamped near the Kali-nadi at 
Khudaganj, about half a kos from the camp of Shekh Kabir, Rajah Umrdo 
Gir Atit, and Roshan Khan. Najib Khan sent word to Shekh Kabir that 
he wished to pay him a visit. Shekh Kabir replied that they could only 
meet sword in hand ; having come to aid Shuja’-ud-daula, how could he 
think of asking for an interview with them. The next day, without paying 
his visit, Najib Khan marched off and entered Kanauj. 
Najib Khan was conducted by Shuja’-ud-daula to the Emperor’s pre- 
sence. They then began to discuss their plans. Najib Khan assured the 
Wazir of his regret for the delay, which had allowed Ahmad Khén time to 
assemble troops. If war were decided on, he would be the first in the field, 
yet he doubted if his Afghans would fight heartily against the Rohelas. 
He proposed to negociate. After two or three days Najib Khan put his 
troops in motion towards Farrukhébad. Hearing this, Shekh Kabir sent 
him a message not to come further, as next day it was his intention to pro- 
vide him with some entertainment. Najib Khan sent back word that he had 
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