"If Abdali goes without resolving this Maratha power, he may lose his kingdom. Not only that, he will lose his life and the whole Rohillas would be in deep trouble."

Why:

They were basically opportunists
No legitimate claim to power
Dependent on force and Abdali's backing

The First Target: Ahmad Khan Bangash

Who Was Ahmad Khan Bangash?

His Position:

Farukhabad - sultan/nawab
Small-time ruler
Allied with the Mughals

The Changing Dynamic:

In the past, under powerful emperors like Aurangzeb
These rulers reported directly to emperor
Were vasal kings

The New Reality:

Mughal Emperor now weak
These vassals started behaving semi-independently
"Testing the waters"
Trying to be separate from Mughal Emperor
"New found freedom"

Bangash's Background & Allegiance Switches

His Ethnicity

Who He Was:

Pathan - a tribe in Afghanistan
Proper Afghan
Pashtun = Pathan (same thing)
"Very proud Afghan people"

Tribal Context:

Pashtun is one tribe among several in Afghanistan
One of the dominant tribes
Sense of ethnic identity and pride

His Physical Condition

The Injury:

Had hurt his leg in some battle
Walked with a limp
"Kind of crippled"
Wouldn't walk properly

His Position at This Time

Current Title:

Mir Bakshi at the time
Got rewarded with this position

His Previous Alliance:

Had switched to Mughal side earlier
But now Abdali is here
Time to switch back
"His loyalty was based on his ethnicity to a certain extent"

The Pattern:

"Switching alliance depending on the situation - whoever is strong at the time"

The Ethnic Bond:

Considered himself Pathan
Abdali also belonged to Pashtun tribe
Some sub-tribal connection
"Semblance of similarity"
Would consider each other based on nationality and tribe

Bangash's Ambitions

What He Wanted

The Allahabad Prize:

"He desired very much to take Allahabad or nearby areas under his control from Suja-ud-Daula"

What Is Allahabad/Prayagraj:

Confluence of three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati
Saraswati now underground
Also called Prayagraj

Why Allahabad Was Valuable

The Holy Site Factor:

Considered holy place for Hindus
Where three rivers meet
Sweet water abundant
Provided for agriculture
Sustained life

The Economics:

"In the olden times if they considered something to be more valuable and life-sustaining, they called it holy."

Why "Holy":

Not necessarily magical power
But sustains life
Without water, what do you do?
Sweet water = agriculture = prosperity

Example:

Cow is holy animal because it sustained life
In days when agriculture was weak
Cow would graze and give milk
That's your food
Don't kill the animal that gives you food
Give it status of holiness → nobody kills it
Don't need laws or regulations
Just make it holy

The Commercial Value

Why Bangash Wanted It:

Several temples there
Lots of Hindus visit
Lots of commerce
Rich traders
Farmers are rich (fertile land with sweet water)
Economy was very good
Can tax people - they'll pay because well-off
"That is always attraction for a ruler"

Current Control:

Part of Suja-ud-Daula's Awadh territory
Bangash wanted to snatch it away

The Letter-Writing Strategy

Abdali's Wazir: Shah Wali Khan

Who He Was:

Wazir = Prime Minister
Like Mughals had important wazir
Abdali also had one

His Suggestion:

"Abdali himself should write a letter"

Why:

Carries more weight
Even if messenger carries the letter
"It's from Abdali" → more weight
Difficult to say no to the all-powerful man

The Letters: Two for One

Letter #1: Abdali's Personal Letter

The Praise Strategy:

"Once you praise him, it is likely that you can bring him on your side. That's why he was praising him very generously in his letter."

The Metaphor:

"It's like if you were to take flowers and throw it on somebody - the guy feels good, right?"

Spread flowers of praise via letter
Lots of good, praiseworthy words
Toward Mr. Bangash

The Content of Abdali's Letter

The Praise:

"My wazir told me that you are very trustworthy and you are utilitarian - you are very useful and we value that trait in you."

Very good at accomplishing big goals
That's your capacity
That's why I'm signing this letter myself
A big man like you should trust me
I'm in awe of your capability

The Afghan Pride Appeal:

"My kingdom in Afghanistan - my empire - should be a proud thing for every Afghan personality."

Reminding Bangash: you are also Afghan
You should be proud of what I've accomplished
Unifying Afghanistan

The Trust Declaration:

"You are one of my prime commanders and we have tremendous trust in you."

Trying to butter him up
Support me

The Promises:

"We will always hold you in high esteem"
"We'll place you in a great position"
Buttering him up as much as possible

The Assurance:

Anyone who visits Abdali gets honors
Given lots of pomp and circumstance
"If you come and visit, good things will follow"

The Enticement:

"If you come to meet with Abdali, you will profit or benefit like nobody else in Hindustan."

The Political Alliance:

Whatever areas you control - that's fine
But you should also add new areas to your kingdom
"The politics of India - you will be able to decide"
"Whoever is your enemy is also our enemy"
"Our armies will be one"

"Your enemy is my enemy. I will fight for you or make sure your enemies are weakened."

Letter #2: The Wazir's Letter

Shah Wali Khan Also Wrote:

Abdali wasn't the only one writing
Wazir wrote too
Two letters for one person
"Two for one"

The Strategy:

Double the pressure
Double the flattery
Show how seriously they take Bangash
Both the king and the prime minister writing

Key Figures

Name	Role	Key Trait
Ahmad Shah Abdali	Afghan invader	40 years old, 6th invasion, master strategist
Shah Wali Khan	Abdali's Wazir	Suggested personal letter strategy
Najib Khan Rohila	Afghan commander in India	Foot soldier → minor king, desperate for Abdali's help
Ahmad Khan Bangash	Nawab of Farukhabad	Pathan/Afghan, crippled leg, ambitious for Allahabad
Suja-ud-Daula	Subedar of Awadh	Controls Allahabad, being courted by both sides
Sadashiv Rao Bhau	Maratha commander	Leading 100,000+ people north
Suraj Mal	Jat ruler	Small-time player, afraid of Maratha power

Geographic Context

The Doab:

Between Ganga and Yamuna
Very fertile
Where Abdali camped

Allahabad/Prayagraj:

Confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati
Part of Awadh (Suja-ud-Daula's territory)
Bangash wants it
Very prosperous due to agriculture and pilgrimage

Farukhabad:

Bangash's small kingdom
In northern India

Awadh:

Suja-ud-Daula's territory
Includes Allahabad
Key strategic region

Timeline

Time	Event
1760	Abdali's 6th invasion of India
1760	Abdali camps in the Doab with huge army
1760	Sadashiv Rao marching north with 100,000+ people
1760	Abdali sends messengers to various rulers
1760	Abdali and Shah Wali Khan write letters to Bangash

Major Themes

1. The Alliance Race

Both sides desperately seeking allies. Abdali proactively courting local rulers before Marathas can secure them.

2. The Flattery Offensive

"Throw flowers on somebody and they feel good" - Abdali using lavish praise as a weapon.

3. Ethnic/Religious Bonds

Appeals to shared Afghan identity (Pathan/Pashtun), shared Muslim faith. Bonds that transcend immediate political interests.

4. The Fence-Sitter's Dilemma

Small rulers caught between two superpowers. Don't want to back the loser. Paralyzed by fear of choosing wrong side.

5. Logistics = Everything

Massive armies need local allies for supplies, funds, food. Can't sustain 100,000+ people without local support.

6. The Ideological Card

To Muslims: "Islam is in danger." To Afghans: "Afghan pride." To Rajputs: "Get rid of Maratha harassment." Tailored messages.

7. Opportunism & Survival

Najib Khan, Bangash, and others switching sides based on who's stronger. No deep loyalty - just survival.

Strategic Analysis

Why Abdali Was Ahead in Alliance Race

His Advantages:

Personal touch - Wrote letters himself (rare for a king)
Double pressure - King + Wazir both writing
Concrete promises - "We'll make you powerful"
Enemy identification - "Your enemy is my enemy"
Ethnic bonds - Afghan to Afghan appeal
Religious appeal - Islam in danger narrative
Already powerful - Can extract tribute from Mughal Emperor himself

Why Marathas Were Behind

Their Disadvantages:

Seen as outsiders - From the Deccan
Reputation as tax collectors - Constant tribute demands
Just harassment - No concrete benefits offered
Bhau inexperienced - First time in north, doesn't know politics
Fighting uphill - Have to overcome years of resentment

The Desperation Hierarchy

Most Desperate: Najib Khan

Will lose life and kingdom if Abdali leaves
Absolutely cannot let Abdali go back
"Won't let you go"
His entire survival depends on Abdali destroying Marathas

Very Desperate: Ahmad Khan Bangash

Wants Allahabad badly
Sees opportunity with Abdali here
His threat has "waned" - no longer as powerful
Needs external help to achieve ambitions

Somewhat Desperate: Rajputs

Lost their relevance
Divided into small kingdoms
Tired of Maratha harassment
But afraid to commit to either side

Least Desperate: Suja-ud-Daula

Actually has significant power (controls Awadh)
Sitting on fence because he can
Both sides courting him
Can afford to wait and see

The Economics of Holiness

Fascinating Insight:

"In the olden times if they considered something to be more valuable and life-sustaining, they called it holy."

Examples:

The Cow:

Grazes → gives milk → sustains human life
Don't kill your food source
Make it "holy" → nobody kills it
No need for laws or regulations
Just make it holy

Three Rivers Meeting:

Sweet water = agriculture = prosperity = life
Becomes "holy" site
Not magical, but practical
Sustains life

The Strategy:

Call it holy → people protect it naturally
More effective than laws
Deep cultural programming

The Letters' Effectiveness

Why They Might Work on Bangash

Personal from the King - Shows respect
Flattery - Everyone likes praise
Ethnic bond - Afghan to Afghan
Concrete promises - Position, power, help against enemies
United armies - "Our armies will be one"
Benefit pitch - "Profit like nobody else in Hindustan"
Pride appeal - Afghan empire to be proud of

The Risk for Bangash

If he joins Abdali and Marathas win:

Face Maratha revenge
Lose everything

But if he doesn't join and Abdali wins:

Miss the opportunity
Someone else will get the benefits
Might face Abdali's displeasure

What's Coming

Immediate:

Will Bangash accept?
What will Suja-ud-Daula do?
Can Marathas counter Abdali's alliance offensive?

The Stakes:

Whoever wins the alliance race has huge advantage
Locals provide supplies, intelligence, safe passage
Without allies, can't sustain massive armies
The battle might be decided before armies even meet

Where we left off: Abdali and his wazir have sent flattering letters to Bangash. The "flowers of praise" have been thrown. The promises made. The ethnic bonds invoked. Now the question: Will it work?

Abdali isn't just bringing an army - he's bringing a diplomatic offensive. Letters, flattery, promises, ethnic appeals, religious appeals, concrete benefits. He's playing the alliance game at the highest level. Meanwhile, Bhau is still learning the basics of northern politics. The race is on.