For a time, both sides hesitated to act, but Safdarjung's position shifted after receiving reinforcements from Suraj Mal, the Jat ruler, and Salabat Khan.

[1] In response, on 13 May 1753, Ahmad Shah Bahadur dismissed Safdarjung as Wazir (prime minister) and appointed Intizam-ud-Daulah in his place, with Imad-ul-Mulk as Mir Bakshi (chief military officer).

Safdarjung retaliated by declaring a eunuch as a rival emperor under the name Akbar Ādilshāh and appointing himself as Wazir and Sarbuland Khan as Mir Bakshi.

The Jats and Qizilbashes on Safdarjung's side continued to fight against the Marathas and the imperial forces, but the morale of his men weakened, leading to defections to the emperor's camp.

Meanwhile, the emperor received reinforcements from several regional rulers, and the Marathas exploited the situation by attacking Safdarjung's rear, looting his camp.

[1] Following the rebellion, Imad-ul-Mulk, the de facto ruler of Delhi, sought assistance from the Marathas and orchestrated an attack on Jat territory.

[5] In January 1754, the Marathas, led by Raghunath Rao, alongside Mughal forces, laid siege to the Kumher Fort, ruled by Suraj Mal.