164 THE FIRST NIZAM

January, 173L When apprised of his approach, Malhar Rao
Holkar, who was plundering the country with twenty thou-
sand men, crossed the Narbada and invested Shahjehanpur,
eleven miles south-west of Sarangpur. The Marathas
started their skirmishing, but faced with the forces of
Muhammad Khan "they fled like crows on seeing a bow".1
Muhammad Khan Bangash proceeded towards Shahjehanpur
and pitched his camp in the neighbourhood of the village
TalodrL The Marathas, not daring to risk a general action,
withdrew beyond the Narbada. Muhammad Khan Bangash
left his son Ahmed Khan with 12,000 horse, and 22,000
foot, to check Malhar Rao Holkar's advance and then
proceeded towards Dhar.

Muhammad Khan Bangash anxiously waited for a reply
from Nizamu'1-Mulk, of whose departure for Burhanpur he
had hitherto received no news. At length he received a letter
from him on the 25th February 1731, asking him to proceed
towards the Narbada. Muhammad Khan Bangash at once
set out in the direction of the Narbada. On his way thither,
he received another letter from Nizamu'1-Mulk informing
him of his having safely forded the river at Fardapur and saying
that he was hurrying up to meet him (Muhammad Khan
Bangash) in order to discuss plans for cunion with strength'.2
On his way to meet Muhammad Khan Bangash, Nizamu'l-
Mulk was anxiously expecting news from his Maratha allies,
Trimbak Rao Dabhade and PHaji Gaikwad, who had promised
to join him on the Narbada.

On the 19th February, 1731, Nizamu'1-Mulk reached
Salgaon, about forty-four miles from Burhanpur and had the
intention of marching via Ghargaon to the Narbada. He
wrote again to Muhammad Khan Bangash to come by the
pass of Nanbahra. The interview between the latter and
Nizamul-Mulk took place in the last week of March 1731. For
twelve days Muhammad Khan Bangash was the guest of
Nizamu'1-Mulk during which time the two veterans formed
plans to re-establish the authority of the Emperor in the
territories occupied by the Marathas.3 Probably the two

i Ibid. *Ibid.

8 Ibid.; according to Hadiqatu'l-Alam, Muhammad Khan Bangash was guest
of Nizamu'1-Mulk for two or three days.