Battle of Meerut
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Through Maratha Empire, Delhi and Panipat
Background
On the afternoon of the 26th of October, a significant battle erupted in Samalkha. The Afghan forces were under the direct command of the emperor, while the Marathas were led by Govind Pant Bundela. The Afghans were victorious in the battle, prompting Bundela to be executed. After the confrontation, Bundela escaped and sought refuge in Meerut, saving his life. Subsequently, the emperor deployed Atai Khan, along with the elite cavalry, to apprehend Bundela in Meerut.
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Battle
Najib ad-Dawlah was dispatched by Ahmad Shah to prevent Maratha supplies flowing in from Delhi, defeating the forces of Naro Shankar, the Maratha governor of Delhi. Sadashivrao Bhau in response sent Govind Pant Bundela to invade Rohilla territories and cut off Afghan supplies. Marching with 12,000 horsemen, the Maratha detachment advanced up to Meerut before being attacked by an Afghan contingent of 14,000 dispatched by Ahmad Shah on 17 December under Atai Khan. Govind Pant was killed and the Maratha force was routed, with large amounts of supplies being seized by the Afghans. In later encounters, Bundela, together with 10,000 informally trained cavalry who were not officially enlisted as soldiers, was involved in a foraging mission with around 500 men. They were ambushed by an Afghan force near Meerut, resulting in a clash in which Bundela was killed by Atai Khan. This was further aggravated by the loss of a detachment of 2,000 Maratha troops who had left Delhi on a mission to transport funds and provisions to Panipat.
Aftermath
The passing of Govind Pant Bundela greatly distressed Sadashivrao Bhau. He mourned the loss of around 22,000 inhabitants within the Maratha Empire. Subsequently, the Maratha armies confronted Afghan forces at the battlefield of Panipat, resulting in a historical defeat.