It was 1760 and Prince Ali Gauhar was Emperor Shah Alam II, but he was not entirely out of danger. His Rohila Afghan feudatories of the UpperDoab and Rohilkhand had a fierce and unruly streak. They also became too powerful and close to the Afghan Emperor Abdali. Awadh, where he remained in exile, was ruled by his feudatory Nawab Shuja. However, this Nawab was a Shia. He was also powerful, practical, and was close to many Hindu powers. The East India Company (EIC) then dominated the East after the Battle of Plassey; early attempts of reconquest had failed. Above all, his father’s killer, Imad-ul-Mulk, and the Marathas held Delhi. Also, an enormous Martha host had coalesced in the North,...
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