the Battle of F a n i p u t. ioj, 



lad faid. That as to peace, he had no caufe of quarrel with theDuR- 

 rany Shah, who might march back to his own country, whenever he 

 pleafed; that all the country on the other fide of the Attock, mould remain 

 in the poffeflion of the Shah, and all on this fide of it mould belong to 

 the chiefs of Hindajlan, who might divide and fettle it, as they could agree 

 among themfelves. Or, if this mould not fatisfy the Shah, he mould pof- 

 fefs as far as Lahore, Laftly he faid, that, if the Shah infilled on ftill 

 more, he fhould have as far as Sirhind t leaving the remainder to the chiefs 

 of Hindoft-an, as was faid before. With this anfwer Yacoob Khan re- 

 turned. 



Two days after this, Surja - Mul, who was encamped at Bidderpoor 3 

 fix'cofs from Deb/y, by the advice of Mulhar Row and the other difaf- 

 fecled chiefs, under pretence of changing the ground of his encampment, 

 fent off all his baggage and camp-followers towards his own country, and, 

 when he received intelligence, that they had got ten cofs omtbeirway, he 

 followed them with his divifions of troops, and had got a great di fiance, 

 Before the Bhow heard of his departure* In a day and'.-fwo- nights he 

 marched fifty cofs, and reached the firong holds of his 6 wn ' country i ::: 



■■■ ri .-' 



The Bhow made no account of His defection, only faying that fuch 

 conduct was to be expected from mere Zemindars ; that his going was of 

 no importance, but rather to be rejoiced at, fince he did not quit them at 

 any time, when they might have relied on him for material fervice. 



Mahommed Yacoob KhaN, returning to camp, reported all the Bhow's 

 overtures ; but, as neither party were fmcere.y in eameft, the negotiation went 

 on but ilowly.. 



