Page:Mádhava Ráo Sindhia and the Hindu Reconquest of India.djvu/93



order that we should fully appreciate the difficulties which had been obstructing Sindhia's great design, we must first look back to 1773 and observe what had been going on in the court and camp of the Emperor Sháh 'Alam since the main army of the Maráthás retired from Hindustán in the hot season of that year. They had left garrisons in Rohilkhand, and they maintained a secret communication with Háfiz Rahmat Khán, the Protector of the Rohillá State. They had also an understanding of the same kind with other Musalmán Chiefs whom they had corrupted with Zábita Khán for example, and with the courtier named Hissám-ud-daulá-the same who had been their agent in the matter of the Restoration.

The cause of tho Ex-Minister, Mírzá Najaf Khán, however, was supported by his old friend the Nawáb, who was a Shia like himself and hereditary Wazír of the Empire. In Warren Hastings the Mírzá had a still more influential friend; so that, when the Nawáb Wazír had determined to press the Rohillás to a final settlement, it was a matter alike easy and important