When the Shah set out from Lahore in the direction of Delhi, he thought to himself that on the direct road between these two places, owing to the passage to and fro of the Maratha troops, it would be difficult to find any thriving villages, and grain and forage would be almost unprocurable. Consequently, in the month of Rabi-al-awwal, 1173 A.H., he crossed the river Jumna and entered Antarbed, whereupon Najib-ad-daulah and the other Rohilla chiefs, whose territories were situated in that kingdom, came to join the Shah. They likewise brought sums of money, as well as grain and provisions, to whatever extent they could procure them, and delivered them over for the Shah's use. Through this cordial support of the Rohilla chiefs, the Shah acquired redoubled strength, and having directed his corps of Durranis, who were employed in the campaign on skirmishing duties, to pursue the ordinary route, and be in readiness for an engagement with Datta, he himself proceeded on his march to the eastward, by way of Antarbed.
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A MARATHA HELMET.
On this side too, Datta, travelling with the speed of wind and lightning, conducted his army to Sirhind, where he happened to fall in with the Shah's skirmish-
