After losing territories in northwest India, Ahmed Shah Durrani sought to avenge that defeat, reclaim his lost land, and punish the Marathas.

[5] The Sikhs in Lahore fiercely resisted the Afghan advance but were ultimately defeated, leading to the capture of the city.

The Maratha commander Dattaji Rao Scindia crossed the Yamuna river in order to block the passage to Delhi.

Abdali, therefore, marched to battle the Marathas and oust them from Delhi, meanwhile, the Mughal vizier, Imad-ul-Mulk had also moved from Delhi with his troops and joined the Marathas at Karnal; the two armies collided in Taraori on 24 December,[7] and the combined Mughal-Marathas initially gained the upper hand as they routed the Afghans and chased them, Abdali, who was in close contact with his advanced guard, sent his general Shah Pasand Khan with a reinforcement of 5000 suddenly intercepted the pursuers, at this moment, the Mughal soldiers disengaged and deserted the battlefield, the Afghans launched their counterattack and poured the Marathas with Musket fire,[8] two additional detachments to cover their flanks, the marathas fought despretaley, after having broke their formations and surrounded from three sides, the front and the flanks and overwhelmed by superior numbers, the marathas guards were annihilated,[9] leaving 400 killed on the battlefield.

[10] Although Abdali was victorious, he withdrew under the cover of night to avoid taking another unnecessary action, he crossed the Yamuna River and continued his march to Delhi, however, he would encounter another Maratha army and engage with them in the Battle of Barari Ghat.