Draft:Atai Khan's Attack on Meerut

The Atai Khan's attack Meerut was a military Skirmish initiated by Emperor Ahmed Shah Durrani in an attempt to capture Govind Pant Bundele, who had taken refuge in Meerut. Emperor Ahmad Shah Abdali dispatched Atai Khan with a small army of Afghans to Meerut. Govind Pant Bundele was ready to face the Afghan forces with his light cavalry of ten thousand soldiers. A fierce battle ensued between the two adversaries in Meerut.

Background
On the afternoon of October 26th, 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 Bundele. The Afghans gained victory in the battle, prompting Govind Pant Bundele to be executed. After the confrontation, Govind Pant Bundele sought refuge in Meerut. Subsequently, the emperor deployed Atai Khan, along with the elite cavalry, to apprehend Govind Pant Bundele in Meerut.

The Battle
In later encounters, Govind Pant Bundele, 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 Govind Pant Bundele 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 Bundele greatly distressed Sadashiv Rao Bhau. He mourned the loss of around 22000 inhabitants within the Maratha empire. Subsequently, the Maratha armies confronted Afghan forces at the battlefield of Panipat, resulting in a historical defeat.