Oudh State Supported by: Nawab Faizullah Khan of Rohilkhand Hafiz Rehmat Khan Barech † Shuja-ud-Daulah Warren Hastings The First Rohilla War of 1773–1774 was a punitive campaign by Shuja-ud-Daula, Nawab of Awadh on the behalf of Mughal Emperor, against the Rohillas, Afghan highlanders settled in Rohilkhand,[1] northern India.

Having been driven into the mountains by the Marathas, a few years earlier, the Rohillas had appealed for aid to Shuja-ud-Daulah, at that time an ally of the British.

The Nawab then decided to annex their country, and appealed to Warren Hastings for assistance, which was given in return for a sum of forty lakhs of rupees.

[2] The Rohillas under Hafiz Rahmat Ali Khan[3] were defeated by Colonel Alexander Champion on 23 April 1774 at the Battle of Miranpur Katra.

Large number of Afghans then flocked to join him against the British but ultimately he was defeated and the state which was now considerably reduced in size was handed over to the infant son of Muhammad Ali Khan.