In the early 17th century, the farmers of Bharatpur were being terrorized and ill treated by the Mughals. At this point of time Churaman, a powerful Jat village headman rose against this tyranny but was defeated harshly by the Mughals. This did not remain for long, since the Jats once again came together under the leadership of Badan Singh, and controlled a vast expanse of territory. The Mughal emperor recognized him and the title of ‘Raja’ (king) was conferred upon him in 1724.

The Chandaus War was in important event in the career of Maharaja Suraj Mal. Chandaus town is in Aligarh district. In 1745, the Delhi Mughal Badsah Aurangzeb became angry with Nawab Fateh Ali Khan of koīl (Aligarh), so to punish him Badsah sent an Afghan Chieftain Asad Khan. Fateh Ali Khan expected loss and insult in war with Asad Khan, so he sought help of Maharaja Suraj Mal. In the month of November 1745, hardly a month had passed for  Maharaja Suraj Mal and it was his first opportunity to take independent decisions in matters of external political and army affairs.  Maharaja Suraj Mal assured Fateh Ali Khan to help and sent an army under command of his son and later he himself moved to koīl (Aligarh). When Asad Khan attacked koīl (Aligarh) in early 1746, war took place at Chandaus in which Asad Khan was killed and the royal army was defeated. Thus with the active help and strength of  Maharaja Suraj Mal, Fateh Khan could save his jagir. This war helped in increasing the power of Bharatpur state.

Maharaja Suraj Mal developed friendly relations with Raja Jai Singh of Jaipur, who loved him like son. Raja Jai Singh died on 21 September 1743. After Sawai Jai Singh, there was a family dispute between his two sons Ishwari Singh and Madho Singh.  Maharaja Suraj Mal supported claim of the elder son Ishwari Singh on the throne. Younger son Madho Singh also put forward his claim for the throne and he was supported by Maharana Udaipur Jagat Singh. A war started between two brothers at place called Jahajpur in the end of 1743, which ended up in the victory of Ishwari Singh in March 1747.

After a peace of one year the Jaipur state's family dispute reached the peak. The Niwai expedition of Peshwa in May 1748 resulted into Ishwari Singh's agreeing to provide four parganas to Madho Singh. Meanwhile on receiving a message from Ishwari Singh  Maharaja Suraj Mal reached Jaipur with an army of 10000 and advised Ishwari Singh to ignore Peshwa's agreement. Holker then moved to attack Jaipur. Madho Singh was supported by Marathas, Rathors, Sisodia, Hada, Khichi and Panwar rulers.

There was a front of seven rulers against Ishwari Singh, but Jat army under the leadership of Maharaja Suraj Mal faced the supporters of Madho Singh, the combined forces of Marathas, Mughals and Rajputs in Bagru War that started on 20 August1748. The war continued for thee days in heavy rains. Jaipur army's harawal was led by Sikar thakur Shiv Singh Shekhawat, who was killed by Gangadhar Tantya on second day. Maharaja Suraj Mal himself took the leadership of Jaipur harawal on third day. Maharaja Suraj Mal fought the war with great courage and hacked himself 50 and wounded 160 enemies. He converted almost sure defeat of Ishwari Singh to a victory. Thus in 1749 he established Ishwari Singh on the throne of Amer. This war enhanced the reputation of Maharaja Suraj Mal in the entire country.

Bundi court poet Shurya Mall, who was watching the above war has mentioned about the bravery of  Maharaja Suraj Mal in Hindi poetry as under:

"नहीं जाटनी ने सही व्यर्थ प्रसव की पीर
जन्मा उसके गर्भ से सूरजमल सा वीर"

Translation - The Jatni did not bear the labour pain in vain, she gave birth to a brave warrior like  Maharaja Suraj Mal.
Another version of this battle is that, after Sawai Jai Singh, when there was a dispute between Madho Singh and Ishwari Singh for the accession of the throne . Madho Singh was supported by Holkars and Ishwari Singh’s side was taken by Shindes. In this war, Holkar-Madho Singh army lost to Shinde-Ishwari Singh army.

The Marathas were defeated by Afghan armies at the Third Battle of Panipat and a hundred thousand Maratha survivors reached Maharaja Suraj Mal’s territory while returning south, sans arms, sans clothes and sans food. Maharaja Suraj Mal and Maharani Kishori received them with tender warmth and hospitality, giving free rations to every Maratha solder or camp follower. The wounded were taken care of till they were fit to travel. Thus, Maharaja Suraj Mal spent no less than three million rupees on their sick and wounded guests.

Delhi Badsah was worried by the rising power of Jats of Bharatpur, as Jats had occupied Faridabad. Ahmadshah gave the Jagir of Faridabad to wajir Safdar Jang. The new wajir advised Balram, who had occupied Palwal and Faridabad paraganas and  Maharaja Suraj Mal to leave the shahi parganas but they ignored it. At the same time Mir Bakshi Salabat Khan also left for the Marwar expedition. In November 1749, Safdar Jang and Mir Bakshi planned to attack Maharaja Suraj Mal from different directions and sent a message to  Maharaja Suraj Mal to leave Faridabad for them.  Maharaja Suraj Mal was not moved by this proposal. Wajir Safdar Jang thought it wastage of time and money to do war with  Maharaja Suraj Mal, so he decided to be friendly with  Maharaja Suraj Mal. They wanted help of  Maharaja Suraj Mal to defeat Farrukhabad’s Vangash Pathan.  Maharaja Suraj Mal assured them to help and got faujdari of Mathura in exchange.

Mir Bakshi attacked Mewat to destroy Nimrana fort of  Maharaja Suraj Mal and occupied it on 30 December 1749. After this Mir Bakshi moved to Agra rather than Narnaul and stayed near Saray Shobh Chand. On 1 January 1750  Maharaja Suraj Mal could know the objective of Mir Bakshi Salabat Khan, so he moved towards his camp. The army of  Maharaja Suraj Mal with 5000 Jat soldiers seized the army of Mir Bakshi. The Gohad ruler, Maharaja Bhim Singh Rana, with 200 sawars also joined him. Hakim Khan and Rustam Khan along with many Mughal soldiers were badly killed. The supply of water, food and other communications were blocked and Mir Bakshi was forced to do the treaty with Maharaja Suraj Mal.

1. No person of Mir Bakshi will cut pipal (Ficus religiosa) tree in their country.
2. No temple in this area will be insulted and no objection will be raised regarding worship of Hindus.
3. Shuraj Mal took the responsibility that he would get Rs 15 lakh peshkash from Rajputs of Ajmer Subah. Provided Mir Bakshi takes oath that he would not cross Narnaul.

The friendship of Maharaja Suraj Mal with wajir Safdarjand paid him the dividends. On 20 October 1752 Maharaja  Suraj Mal appeared before the samrat with wajir and he was awarded with the title of 'Kunwar Bahadur Rajendra' and his father Badan Singh as 'Raja Mahendra'. In December wajir gave Maharaja  Suraj Mal the faujdari of Mathura and shahi jagir on Khalsa land. Thus  Maharaja Suraj Mal could legalize his possession over the shahi areas with the support of wajir.

In the early 1753, wajir cunsulted Maharaja  Suraj Mal to punish faujdar Bahadur Singh Bargujar of Koil, as both were suspecious of his friendship. They decided to attack Koil. Wajir obtained shahi orders and handed over the leadership of this expedition to Maharaja Suraj Mal. Maharaja Suraj Mal moved from Delhi for the war in first week of February 1753. Jawar Singh joined him after crossing Yamuna. Maharaja Suraj Mal attacked Aligarh on 10 February and brought under his reign. Faujdar Bahadur Singh had to take shelter in his ancestral fort at Ghasera.

Maharaja  Suraj Mal consulted his four Generals- Surati Ram Gaur, Bharath Singh, Daulat Ram and Kripa Ram Gujar about strategy to deploy the army to seize the Ghasera fort. The north front was led by Jawar Singh, south front by Bakshi Mohan Ram, Sultan Singh and Vir Narain. Balu Ram was asked to be ready for any front. Maharaja Suraj Mal himself with a gun-army of 5000 and artillery led the eastern front with his mama Sukh Ram, Maidu ruler Ratan Singh, Mir Muhammad Panah, Gokul Ram Gaur, Ram Chandra Tomar, Hari Nagar and other chiefs including that of famously mercenary Saharan clan .

 On the other-side Rao Bahadur Singh was ready with 8000 soldiers, sufficient food and weapons. On the first day of war, Rao had to retreat back on the eastern front. His brother Jalim Singh and son Ajit Singh were wounded. Rao returned to fort and started intensive artillery attack from inside the fort. Maharaja Suraj Mal instructed his beldars to dig out the trenches and shift the army fronts to the outer boundary. The war continued for many days.

Due to the severity of war and its probability of continuing for longer period, Rao Bahadur Singh, under pressure of his people sent his wounded brother for negotiation with Maharaja Suraj Mal. Maharaja Suraj Mal put a proposal to leave the front on the condition of paying Rs 10 lakhs along with entire artillery to be handed over to him. The stubborn Rao did not agree to hand over cannons. Meanwhile Jalim Singh died. After few days Maharaja Suraj Mal again tried for negotiations but could not succeed. Maharaja Suraj Mal then ordered severe attack from all sides. A severe war took place on the night of 22 April 1753. Next day Mir Muhammad Panah along with 1500 jat soldiers were killed but Jat army could enter the fort. Bahadur Singh decided for the jauhar, he massacred all the women in the fort. Rao Bahadur Singh along with his son Ajit Singh and the soldiers fought the decisive war. The court poet Sudan of Maharaja Suraj Mal, who was eye witness of the war, has described about their bravery impartially. Rao Bahadur Singh along with his son Ajit Singh fought till last moment and were killed on 23 April 1753 and the fort of Ghasera was captured by Maharaja Suraj Mal.

Maharaja Suraj Mal fortified the city by building a massive wall around the city. He started living in Bharatpur in year 1753. Maharaja Suraj Mal attacked Delhi on May 9, 1753. He defeated Nawab of Delhi Ghazi-ud-din (second) on May 10, 1753 and captured Delhi. The attack of Jats in Old Delhi and nearby areas frightened the people and started running to New Delhi for the protection of life and property. The army of Badshah could not protect them. On 13 May samrat removed Safdar jang from the post of wajir and appointed Intijam as new wajir along with Imad as Mirbakshi. On the advise of Maharaja Suraj Mal Safdarjang, in counter action, appointed Akbar Ādilshāh, said to be grandson of Kāmbaksh, as samrat of Delhi. On 14 May Jats sacked Chārbāg, Bāg-e-kultāt and Hakīm Munīm Bridge. They sacked Jaisinghpura on 15 May and burnt many areas. On 16 May Jats attacked Delhi ferociously and defeated Sādil Khan and Raja Devidatta in a severe war. On 17 May their army could capture Firozshah Kotla. In a severe war with Rohillas Najib was wounded and 400 Ruhela soldiers were killed.

The Nawab of Delhi, in revenge of the defeat, instigated Marathas to attack Maharaja Suraj Mal. The Marathas laid siege over the Kumher fort on January 1, 1754. Maharaja Suraj Mal gave strong resistance. However, the Marathas were on the brink of conquering the Kumher fort.

The Marathas had attacked Kumher Fort on 20 January 1754 AD. They besieged the Kumher Fort till 18 May 1754. The war continued for about four months. During the war Khanderao Holkar, son of Malharrao Holkar, was one day inspecting his army in an open palanquin, when he was fired from in side the fort and a cannonball hit him and he was killed on 17 March 1754. Malhar Rao got very angry on the death of his only son and wanted to take revenge and vowed that he would cut off the head of Maharaja Suraj Mal and throw the soil of fort into Yamuna after destroying it. Marathas increased the pressure. At a time, when the Marathas were just going to take over the fort and destroy it, Maharaja Suraj Mal counseled Maharani Kishori, who assured him not to worry and started the diplomatic efforts. She contacted Diwan Roop Ram Katara. She knew that there is were some differences between Malharrao Holkar and Jayappa Sindhia and that Jayappa Sindhia was very firm in determinations. She advised Maharaja Suraj Mal to take advantage of mutual differences within Marathas. Diwan Roop Ram Katara was a friend of Jayappa Sindhia. She requested Diwan Roop Ram Katara to take letter of Maharaja Suraj Mal with a proposal of a treaty. Jayappa Sindhia assured to assist and contacted Raghunathrao. Raghunathrao in turn advised Holkar for treaty with Maharaja Suraj Mal. Malhar Rao Holkar assessed the situation and consented for treaty due to possibility of isolation. This led to a treaty between both rulers on 18 May 1754. This treaty proved very beneficial for Maharaja Suraj Mal. However, this increased the differences between Holkars and Shindes.

India held her breath in painful suspense for the last six months of the year 1760. A struggle between the foreign Afghan invader and the Maratha for ascendancy in Northern India was given the appearance of a great communal and religious war by the Durrani. Agents of Peshwa visited the court of every Hindu prince of Rajputana, but received a cold reception and evasive replies. Right from the start the Maratha commander attempted to win over allies. He wrote, though in vain, to the various Hindu and Muslim chiefs, seeking their help in banishing the invader and protecting the Mughals. The Sarva Khap Panchayat of the upper Doab, however, responded to this call.

After his arrival on the bank of the Chambal, Sadashivrao Bhau sent a high-flown letter to Raja Maharaja Suraj Mal, requesting him to come without delay to the Maratha camp and unite. Raja Suraj Mal, however, suspected treachery and hence hesitated to visit the Maratha camp till Malhar Rao Holkar and fety. They persuaded him to meet the Bhau at Agra. Maharaja Suraj Mal went to the Maratha camp and was honourably received by the Bhau and other Maratha generals. Bhau, in person, advanced two miles (3 km) to welcome his only as well as an important ally (Maharaja  Suraj Mal. The renewed pledge followed, Bhau taking the Yamuna’s water in his hands as a solemn proof of his alliance with Jat Raja. The wazir held a conference with Bhau through the mediation of Maharaja Suraj Mal.

Everything went well for a few days and it was all love and cordiality between the Jats and the Marathas. But coolness soon sprang up owing to difference of opinion as to the plan of campaign against Abdali. The Maratha commander-in-chief called a council of war at Agra, and there, Maharaja Suraj Mal was asked to give his opinion as to the proper method to be followed in impending campaign. The Jat chief emphasized caution and reflection in conducting the war against a mighty and clever enemy like Abdali. He proposed that the ladies, the heavy equipage, big guns, and such other things, which were of little use in the present struggle, should be dispatched toJhansi, Gwalior or any of his forts. The line of supplies should be kept safe and open. The provisions, he ensured, could be produced from Jat country. He advised to carry on an irregular warfare with light cavalry (jang-i-kazzaqana) against the Shah, and not encounter him in pitched battles in the manner of kings and emperors (jung-i-Sultani). He further advised the Bhau that one of the army should be sent towards the east, another towards Lahore, so that by devastating those countries, the supply of grain to the army of Durrani may be cut off and also create a diversion and thus force his Indian allies to desert Abdali. When the rainy season will arrive both sides will be unable to move from their places and at last the Shah, who will be in a disadvantageous position (in comparison with us), will of himself become distressed and return to his own country. The Afghans thus disheartened, would submit to your power.

However, it could also be said that, this couldn't have been of much help to the Marathas, as Abdali was hugely dependant on Najib and Shuja for the supplies from Rohilkhand, Antarved(which is to the east of Yamuna) and from Awadh respectively. Also, it is worth noting that at that moment of time, Abdali was banked on the eastern side of the Yamuna river and thus, it seems improbable for him to get supplies from Lahore or Afghanistan.

Before Najib was made Mir-Bakshu of Delhi by Abdali during one of his invasions, Gajuddin was the Wazir of Delhi. Gajuddin had killed two of the Delhi Badshahs. He was the one who helped and introduced Najib in the Delhi Darbar. But then, Najib back-fired and instead ousted Gajuddin from Delhi. He even tried to lay his hands on the women in relation with Ghaji-ud-din. Thus, Ghaji-ud-din came under the cover of the Marathas for protection and help against Najib. But, Ghaji-ud-din with help of Bhausaheb, just wanted to fulfill his selfish motive of retaining the post of Wazir of Delhi. He didn’t have any army of his own with him when he came under the Maratha cover.

Surajmal and Ghaji-ud-din along with Gangoba Tatya (the karbhari of Holkars) and the karbhari of the Shindes had planned to take over Delhi with the help of the army of Bhausaheb and then, give the control of Delhi to Surajmal and the post of Wazir of Delhi to Ghaji-ud-din. In return, the two karbharis were hoping to get money and greater role in the affairs of the North. For this motive itself, the two karbharis were persuading Bhausaheb during their march to Delhi, to return to Pune and that they would take control of Delhi and drive out the invaders. But Bhausaheb being the brave and responsible person he was, refused to leave his army in the North and return to Pune. Bhausaheb had come to know about motives of Surajmal, Ghaji-ud-din, and the two karbharis. However, he didn’t punish the two karbharis in the middle of the battle as it could have led to tension and confusion, and thought that it would be appropriate to deal with them when the Marathas returned to Pune after a successful campaign. However, Holkars and Shindes weren't a part of this plan and the only culprits were the two karbharis.

Raja Suraj Mal, accompanied by >Ghazi-ud-din, joined the Bhau with 8000 Jats. The allied army reached Delhi on 23 July 1760 and laid siege to it. Marathas captured Delhi rather easily although there was a substantial army posted there. Ibrahim Gardi with his artillery did a commendable job, giving first taste of the Maratha artillery to the Afghans. When the imperial capital fell, Ghaji-ud-din had his revenge upon the Mughals (i.e.Abdalis). However, in contrast to popular belief, Delhi was already reduced to ashes due to invasions by various powers. Thus, the Marathas weren't able to get suuplies from Delhi too. Ghaji-ud-din now was waiting as to when he would be made Wazir of Delhi. But Bhau already knew about Ghaji-ud-din's selfish motives and thus, signified his unwillingness to recognize Ghazi-ud-din as wazir. He conferred the title of Raje Bahadur upon Naro Shankar, appointed him with the office of wazir. Raja Suraj Mal felt that his word was violated and he strongly represented against it.

Bhausaheb then went on to melt the ceiling of the Diwan-i-khas, which was made up of many jewels. However, Bhausaheb was compelled to do so, as the there was not even any food to eat for the Marathas and the warriors of the Maratha army who were more expensive than the jewels on the ceiling were dieing of hunger. Delhi was also reduced to ashes. As there was no ally of the Marathas in the north, there was absolutely no way from where the Marathas could get adequate supplies.  Maharaja Suraj Mal advised:
In October 1760, the Bhau having decided to march against the Nawab of Kunjupura, summoned his chiefs, Holkar, Sindhia,  Maharaja Suraj Mal and others to consult them.  Maharaja Suraj Mal took this opportunity to vent his embittered feelings and with great bluntness said to the Bhau:

“Give back to Ghazi-ud-din the office of wazir, which of right belongs to him. I am embarrassed on this account, and my honour and good name have been affected by it. From this time, be kind enough to give greater consideration to our little requests. In that case you can consider me and my resources at your disposal. I shall continue to help and supply you with provisions as before. You should not leave Delhi. Mature your plans from this place…It is not advisable to be now entangled in affair of Kunjpura.”

However, Bhausaheb had to make the decision of attacking Kunjpura as he had come to know about the huge godown of foodgrains stored in Kunjpura, which was stored by Abdali in case he needed it. These supplies were soon to be delivered to Abdali. Hence, Bhausaheb made the decision of quickly attacking Kunjpura.

Thus, Bhausaheb differed sharply. He struck to the entrenched mode of warfare through heavy artillery and feet musketeers of his favourite gardi without appreciating that this system had yet to be synthesized with the traditional Maratha mode to yield the intended results.

Marathas stormed Kunjpura and again achieved a rather easy victory although there was a substantial army protecting Kunjpura. The whole Afghan garrison was either killed or enslaved. Noted generals of Abdali were slain. This win lifted the spirits in the Maratha camp and also gave the Marathas(who were waiting for the war to finally begin, as, well over an year had passed since thay had left Pune) the chance of battling the Afghans. Large quantities of foodgrains were won by Bhausaheb in Kunjpura but that too didn't last for many days and Marathas had to fight the battle on an empty stomach.

If not for Kunjpura, then it would have been even more difficult for the Marathas to survive.

G.C.Dwivedi writes that equally sagacious was  Maharaja Suraj Mal’s insistence on keeping a firm base at Delhi. Impliedly it meant that the line of communication should not be lengthened and that continuous supplies be vigilantly ensured. The real implications of ignoring it were seen later on. Keene observes that had the advice of  Maharaja Suraj Mal been followed the resistance to the Abdali would have been more successful and the whole history of Hindustan far otherwise, than what it has since been.

Maharaja Suraj Mal, greatly disgusted and mortified, left the assembly and returned to his place, cursing his own folly in coming to the Maratha camp. As his motive of controlling Delhi couldn't be achieved through Bhausaheb,  Maharaja Suraj Mal thought of leaving the Maratha camp. Sindhia and Holkar had pledged their word of honour for the safety of  Maharaja Suraj Mal. These two chiefs, now greatly concerned, met secretly and thus deliberated.

Having deliberated, they sent for Rupram Katara, the vakil of  Maharaja Suraj Mal and advised him “Do flee from this place tonight by any means. The encampment of Bhau Sahib lies at a distance: without letting him know it, slip out in silence. The pledge of honour between you and us is thus redeemed; say not a single word to us after this.”

Holkar and Sindhia could have thought that Bhausaheb and Balwant Rao had planned to arrest  Maharaja Suraj Mal and thus, in order to keep their word regarding the safety of  Maharaja Suraj Mal, Holkar and Sindhia alerted Rupram Katra. However, this deliberation could be debated as Holkar and Sindhia weren't the best of friends and had some differences.

Maharaja Suraj Mal, accompanied by Ghazi-ud-din Imad-ul-mulk, marched away to Tughlaqabad; grain became very dear (at Delhi). A large tract of the country about Delhi had been so completely ruined by constant ravages, that the Durrani became dependent on the country of Ruhelas for his supplies and the Maratha army drew theirs from  Maharaja Suraj Mal’s kingdom. There was an acute shortage of supplies. So it is no wonder that the Marathas had to fight on an empty stomach at Panipat.

Raja  Maharaja Suraj Mal’s position was so conspicuous and his attitude so important that even his neutrality was considered by both parties as worth securing. He could not be persuaded to join the Maratha again. He thanked his priest Rupram for his recent escape. The vigilant Abdali at once seized this opportunity to make an attempt to win over  Maharaja Suraj Mal. He knew that his enemies could not be decisively crushed till they had been deprived of such a strong base of operations as country of  Maharaja Suraj Mal. He had several times tried without success to detach the Jat Raja from the Marathas. He now opened the fresh negotiations with the Jat Raja, through Nawab Shuja-ud-daula. Raja Devi Dutt, Ali Beg (of Georgia), and others came, on behalf of Shuja-ud-daula to the Jat for negotiating the terms of a compromise. The Jat agreed to it, wore the khilat sent by Shuja-ud-daula and the Shah, and exchanged oaths. The practical result of this treaty was to ensure only the neutrality of   Maharaja Suraj Mal, but not his active assistance on the Afghan side. He entered into this alliance with the Abdali only to provide against an emergency, and because complete isolation was too dangerous for any state in then prevailing political condition of India.

Maharaja Suraj Mal, accompanied by Ghazi-ud-din Imad-ul-mulk, marched away to Tughlaqabad; grain became very dear (at Delhi). A large tract of the country about Delhi had been so completely ruined by constant ravages, that the Durrani became dependent on the country of Ruhelas for his supplies and the Maratha army drew theirs from  Maharaja Suraj Mal’s kingdom. There was an acute shortage of supplies. So it is no wonder that the Marathas had to fight on an empty stomach at Panipat.

Raja  Maharaja Suraj Mal’s position was so conspicuous and his attitude so important that even his neutrality was considered by both parties as worth securing. He could not be persuaded to join the Maratha again. He thanked his priest Rupram for his recent escape. The vigilant Abdali at once seized this opportunity to make an attempt to win over  Maharaja Suraj Mal. He knew that his enemies could not be decisively crushed till they had been deprived of such a strong base of operations as country of  Maharaja Suraj Mal. He had several times tried without success to detach the Jat Raja from the Marathas. He now opened the fresh negotiations with the Jat Raja, through Nawab Shuja-ud-daula. Raja Devi Dutt, Ali Beg (of Georgia), and others came, on behalf of Shuja-ud-daula to the Jat for negotiating the terms of a compromise. The Jat agreed to it, wore the khilat sent by Shuja-ud-daula and the Shah, and exchanged oaths. The practical result of this treaty was to ensure only the neutrality of   Maharaja Suraj Mal, but not his active assistance on the Afghan side. He entered into this alliance with the Abdali only to provide against an emergency, and because complete isolation was too dangerous for any state in then prevailing political condition of India.

The Marathas were defeated by Afghan armies at the Third Battle of Panipat and thousands of Maratha survivors reached Maharaja Suraj Mal's territory while returning south, sans arms, sans clothes and sans food. Maharaja Suraj Mal and Maharani Kishori received them with tender warmth and hospitality, giving free rations to every Maratha solder or camp follower. The wounded were taken care of till they were fit to travel. Thus, Maharaja Suraj Mal spent no less than three million rupees on their sick and wounded guests.

After the defeat of Marathas in war with Ahmad Shah Abdali, the treatment given to the Marathas by Bharatpur state angered Abdali. Abdali demanded Rs. One crore from Maharaja Suraj Mal as a penalty for helping his enemies. Maharaja Suraj Mal was not ready to give this huge amount to Abdali and make him more powerful, so he decided to have war with Abdali.

On 2 February 1760, Abdali moved to Bharatpur against Maharaja Suraj Mal and seized Deeg fort on 2 February 1760.  Maharaja Suraj Mal played a trick. One group of Maratha forces was sent to Rewari, another towards Bahadurgarh and third group of Jat force was sent towards Aligarh. Jat Army looted Aligarh on 17 March 1760 and destroyed its fort. Abdali was forced to remove the capture of Deeg Fort. He followed Marathas through Mewat. Holkar had also become friendly to Maharaja Suraj Mal. Holkar was defeated at Sikandra and came to Bharatpur for refuse.

Agra was the richest town during those. Maharaja Suraj Mal decided to capture Agra fort to re-establish his influence in doab region. On 3 May 1761 the Jat army of  Maharaja Suraj Mal with 4000 Jat soldiers reached Agra under the command of Balram and gave the message of Maharaja Suraj Mal to the kiledar (incharge) of Agra fort that the army wants to cross Jamuna and needs camping place. The kiledar gave the sanction for camping. Meanwhile the Jat army started entering the fort, which was resisted by the guards in which 200 people died. Jat army started war from Jamamasjid. During this period Maharaja Suraj Mal stayed at Mathura to observe the situations. On 24 May 1761 Maharaja Suraj Mal along with Imād and Gangadhar Tantya moved from Mathura, crossed Jamuna and reached Aligarh. From Aligarh his army moved and captured the areas of Jat ruler koīl and Jalesar. They reached Agra to help his army at Agra in the first week of June. Maharaja Suraj Mal arrested the family members of the guards staying in Agra town and pressurized the guards of fort for surrender. At last the kiledar agreed to surrender by receiving a bribe of Rs 1 lakh and jagir of five villages. Thus after a seize of one month Maharaja Suraj Mal captured Agra Fort on 12 June 1761 and it remained in the possession of Bharatpur rulers till 1774.

After Maharaja Suraj Mal, Maharaja Jawahar Singh, Maharaja Ratan Singh and Maharaja Kehri Singh (minor) under regidentship of Maharaja Nawal Singh ruled over Agra Fort. There is a haveli in the name Maharaja Nawal Singh in Agra Fort and also a Chhatri of Maharaja Jawahar Singh built in rightside of Khasmahal near the Chhatri of Rosanara-Jahanara.

The third battle of Panipat was followed by a comparative calm – a quiet of exhaustion; Northern India at least ceased for some time to be the battle-field of the Afghan and the Maratha. >Panipat had only shattered the extravagant dream of the Marathas but brought no permanent peace to >Islam. The moment the Maratha was overthrown, the Jat came in and challenged her victorious champion who, weary and exhausted, shrank from the contest and retired beyond the Indus. The stubborn Jat courage revived confidence in the prostrated Hindu mind, and Islam was again thrown on the defensive.

Maharaja Suraj Mal wanted to seize these few moments of his enemies respite for carrying out his twofold object which he had long in view; first to interpose a solid block of a Jat confederacy between the Abdali and the Ruhelas, extending from Ravi to the Jamuna; secondly to expel Najib-ud-daula from Delhi, restore his protégé the ex-wazir Ghazi-ud-din to his former position and power, and control the policy of empire through him. But he decided not to attack Delhi first but simply cover it during his contemplated campaign. He sought the expansion of his dominion in the tract of Haryana dominated by powerful Muslim jagirdars and the districts around Delhi, mainly inhabited by the Jats.

Maharaja Suraj Mal was active in annexations in the following two years 1762 and 1763.  Maharaja Suraj Mal sent his eldest son Maharaja Jawahar Singh to conquer Haryana while another army was sent under his youngest son Nahar Singh  to establish his authority in Doab, and watch the movement of the eastern Ruhela chiefs.

Towards the end of 1763, arose a quarrel between the Jats and the Baloch. The expansionist ambitions of the former and the latter’s unfriendly policy towards the Jats formed the general background of this event.

Maharaja Jawahar Singh directed his attack upon Farrukhnagar, held by a powerful Baloch chief, Musavi Khan. But he having failed to capture it,  Maharaja Suraj Mal himself came and laid siege to strong fort of Farrukhnagar in October, 1763, with all his forces and big artillery. Two months passed away and Musavi Khan being hard pressed, consented to surrender it if  Maharaja Suraj Mal would take an oath on the Ganges water not to hinder his departure.

But the Jat on this occasion made the same unscrupulous use of the sanctity of the Ganges as that of the Quran by some Muslim rulers. The Baloch chief was made a prisoner and sent to Bharatpur. Thus, after a siege of two months, the fort of Farrukhnagar, along with all its effects came in the Jat possession on about 12 December 1763.

Garhi Harsaru, Rewari and Rohtak had already fallen into the hands of  Maharaja Suraj Mal. He now turned his arms against Bahadurgarh, about 12 kos to the west of Delhi, the strong-hold of another powerful Baloch chief Bahadur Khan. In his distress, the Baloch chief appealed for help to Najib-ud-daula, who however judged it inexpedient to provoke a war with  Maharaja Suraj Mal, before the arrival of the Abdali.

By the year 1763, the Jat power under  Maharaja Suraj Mal had reached such a glorious height, as had never been attained before. Owner of a spacious kingdom, of the richest and overflowing treasury, and of the most formidable and gallant troops unrivalled in contemporary India, as  Maharaja Suraj Mal was, little wonder that needy persons like Mir Qasim of Bengal, turned their eyes for help to him.

The Baloch incident, in turn, precipitated a clash between  Maharaja Suraj Mal and Najib-ud-daula, both of whom looked with an evil eye at each other. The allies of Najib had succumbed to the Jat stratagem only two days before he could reach Delhi (14 December 1763). Najib, dreading the tremendous strength of his foe, attempted to placate him more than once. But Maharaja Suraj Mal was so much annoyed with his conduct that all his efforts proved to be of no avail.