In 1757, the town was sacked and captured by the forces of the Hindu Maratha Empire. The Sikhs started occupying territory, Nishananvali misl, under Dasaundha Singh and Sangat Singh, took possession of a long and narrow stretch of land south of the Sutlej, extending from Singhanvala in Moga, Punjab district up to Shahabad with Ambala as the headquarters. The territory of Shahabad Markanda and Ismailabad fell to Sardar Mehar Singh. Several attempts were made by the Afghans to dislodge the Sikhs, but they were repulsed every time.