Capture of Delhi (1771)

In 1771, the forces of the Maratha Confederacy led by Mahadaji Shinde captured Delhi from the Rohillas and brought back the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II to Delhi from exile in Oudh. The Marathas captured Delhi from Zabita Khan Rohilla who was put in charge by the Afghans.

In the Third Battle of Panipat, the Maratha Confederacy suffered a serious blow at the hands of the Afghan Empire, the Nawab of Awadh and the Kingdom of Rohilkhand under Najib ad-Dawlah. After the death of Peshwa Balaji Bajirao, Madhavrao I became the Peshwa under the regency of Raghunathrao. Mahadji Shinde's victory over the Jats of Mathura, Rajputs of Rajasthan and Pashtuns-Rohillas of Rohilkhand (in the western part of present-day Uttar Pradesh state) re-established Maratha influence in the region.

Capture
The Peshwa's instructions ended the passive policy and advocated for a strong stance against the Rohillas. Visaji Krishna demanded nazar from Zabita Khan, who refused and was expelled from the camp. The Maratha army marched to Delhi, where Saif-i-uddin Muhammad Khan secured the peaceful surrender of the city. However, Zabita Khan's troops inside the fort refused to submit, leading to a breach in the ramparts. The Marathas entered Delhi on February 10, 1771, with a force of 3,000 horses. They presented nazar and professed allegiance to the emperor, seizing the surrounding area and removing Najib's appointees. The Maratha chiefs demanded 40 lakhs of rupees for restoring the emperor, the cession of Meerut and neighboring districts and the right to appoint imperial officials below the Wazir and receive half of their nuar. Saif-ud-din Muhammad Khan accepted these terms on behalf of the emperor and forwarded them for ratification.