English
At the instigation of Haji Ahmad, Ataullah Khan, Faujdar of Akbarnagar (Rajmuhal), had taken steps to prevent all movements of messengers and spies, and to interdict all intercourse through news-letters between A'zimabad (Patna) and Bengal vid the passes of Tillagadhi and Sakiigali, until A'li Vardi Khan had crossed through those passes. In consequence, no news of A‘ll Vardi Khan's movements had reached Sarfaraz Khan. It was only when tho vanguard of Aii Vardi Khan's army had actually reached Akbarnagar (Rajmahal), that all of a sudden the news of Ali Vardi Khan’ 8 movement reached Sur- faraz Khan. This news threw both the City of Murs]iidabad and its Bazaar into commotion. Perplexed by this news, Sarfaraz Khan instantly imprisoned Haji Ahmad. Although the Rai Raian treacherously explained that A‘li Vardi’a arrival was for the pur¬ pose 6f waiting on Sarfaraz Khan, this explanation had no reassur¬ ing effect. Detailing Ghaus Khan and Mir Shnrfu-d-din, who were his old officers, to lead the vanguard, and leaving his son, Hafizu-l-lah surnamod Mirza Amani, together with Yasin Khan Faujdar, to guard the Fort and tho City, Nawab Sarfarjiz Khan together with Ghazanfar Husain Khan and a son of Muhammad Tsqi Khan, (both of whom were bis sons-in-law), and with Mir Muhammad Baqir Khan, Mirza Muhammad Iraj Khan, Mir Kamil, Mir Gadai, Mir Haidar Shah, Mir Dilor Shah, Baji Singh, Rajah Ghandarab Singh, Shamshir Khan Qurishi, (Faujdar of Silliat), Shuja Quli Khan, (Faujdar of the port of Hugli), Mir Habib, Murshid Quli Kh an Faujdar, Mardan A‘li Khan (the lato Shuj'a Khan’s Baishshi) and other Generals and Mnnsabdars and Znmin- his throno mul his life, and soandod the first faint but certain denth-knell of the ancient Moslem Satrapy in Bengal, which beoame shorn of its semi-regal prettige with his full. 40 312 da**s of Bengal, marched out from the City with a large army and fire-pouring artillery, and encamped at Bahmaniah, which is two Karoh distant from Murshidabad. Marching on the second dny, the Nawab reached Sarai Dlwan, and marching on the third day, he encamped at Kbamrah, where he mustered his army and re¬ viewed its strength and armaments. In that the officers of Shuj‘a Khan’s regime were in league with HajI Ahmad, brick-bats instead of shells were discovered in the arsenal, and rubbish was found inside guns. Consequently, cashiering Shahriar Khan, the Haji’s brother, who was General Superintendent of the Artillery, and making him over to the custody of his retainers, Nawab Sarfaraz Khan appointed in his place Pancho, son of Antony the Portuguese, to be General Superintendent of the Artillery. The forces of Maliabat Jang were arranged in the form of a circle from Aurangabad, at the mouth of the Sfiti (where the shrine of Shah Murtaza’ Hindi exists) to the plain of Balkatah. On the fourth day, when the silvery-crowned King (t.e. f the Sun) pranced on to the plain of the sky from his camp in the East darting forth daggers of radial lines, and the dusky Moon with thousands of its forces (t.e., stars), not finding itself a match for that unique Cavalier, hid itself behind the hills, Nawab Sar¬ faraz Khan, selecting an auspicious moment according to astro¬ logers, advanced to assault the eiiemy. By one single assault, the troops of Maliabat Jang were thrown into panic and confusion, were set a-reeling, and were nearly routed. The Rai Raian, 1 find¬ ing that the table was being turned, at this-moment treacherously represented to Nawab Sarfaraz Khan that the Sun had moved right vertical to the head, and that at that sultry hour if fighting were continued, both horses and soldiers would perish, owing to excessive heat and thirst, and that therefore if that day further fightings were postponed, next morning the bitter-palated enemy could be treated to a similar bitter soup (of death)— Whence will thy enemy command the strength, To fight with thee ? Owing to thy good luck, The enemy's head shall be trampled upon by thy feet. l T hi 9 Rai Raian Diwan Alamshand, the protege and favourite of Barfari* Khan’s father, under the false mask of loyalty, did more damage to Sarto.* skin's cause, than even A‘li Vardi Khun and his brother Hap Ahmad. 313 Although astrologers descanted on the auspiciousness of that hour for fighting, and adduced arguments in proof of the incom¬ ing victory, and although his Generals insisted on continuing the battle, Sarfaraz Khan was unmoved, and forbade by use of threats further fightings that day. Then Sarfaraz Khan encamp¬ ed on the banks of the Geriah river. Meanwhile, a letter from Mahabat Jang came avowing his loyalty, and explaining that he had come simply to pay his respects to Sarfaraz IQian. Sarfaraz Khan, who was quite inexperienced, on perusal of the letter, be¬ came reassured, dispensed with all precautions, foolishly released Haji Ahmad, who was the root of all the disturbance, and sent him to A‘li Vardi Khan Mahabat Jang, in order to reassure the latter and to bring him over. He also sent in the Haji’s company §haja Quli Khan and KJjwajah Basant, his two special confidantes , with a view to ascertain exactly the prospects of peace and war, to guage correctly the dispositions of A‘ll Vardi’s Army, and then to apprise him accurately. The imprisonment of the Haji with his other relatives had plunged Mahabat Jang into a whirlpool of confusion. He had apprehended that they would be slain, and had, therefore, hesitated to offer battle. Viewing the release of the f)aji to be auspicious, nay as the first augury of viotory, Mahabat Jang (A‘li Vardi) enclosed in a casket a brick, giving out it contained the Holy Qoran, held it in his hand, and swore by it that next morning he would with folded hands present himself be¬ fore Nawab Sarfaraz Khan, and would sue for pardon for his mis* cuudact. At the same time he presented two hundred gold ooins to Kbwajah BaBant. These idiots (Shuj'a Quli Khan and K fr w&jah Basant), not fathoming the water under the grass, returned happy and jolly, and describing to Nawab Sarfaraz Khan the loyal dis¬ position of A‘li Vardi IQian cooled the fire of his wrath. Nawab Sarfaraz S>an then ordered his butler to prepare dainty dishes for a banquet, sat re-assured on the bed of comfort, nay slumbered the sleep of insecurity on the bed of sleep (which is akin to death); and his soldiers, intoxicated by the inebriation of the wine-cup of peace, let go from their hands the reins of watch and alertness. Aye ! It is sheer folly to roly on the cajolery of thy enemy : 1 he seeming prostration of floods undermines walls ! is doe to Diwan Alameband’a memory to add that he was only one of the faith- lew out of a faithless herd. 314 After tlie withdrawal of Sarfaraz Khan’s emissaries, A‘ll Vardi Khau soothed and won over his officers by promising them two months’ pay in the event of his victory, and also by promising them the booty that might be captured. He thns incited and in¬ stigated them to fight, and distributed shells, gunpowder and arma¬ ments. lhe Generals of Sarfaraz Khan’s army who from before were iu league with A‘li Vardi Khan, were all ready for treachery and regicide. The only exceptions were Mohammad Ghana, Khan and Mir Sharfu-d-din, Commanders of the vanguard of Sarfaraz Khan s army, who were posted at the ford of the river Geriah. Ascertaining through messengers and spies the secret plot of teachery that was hatching, both the above Generals at midnight hastened to Sarfaraz Khan, apprised the latter of the fire of treachery that was fanning qnder a straw-covering, and offered by way of precaution to remove him that night to their own camp* and there to guard him, and next morning to sacrifice their lives by fighting gallantly round him. In that in matters of destiny, efforts are helpless, and the knot of Fate cannot be untied with the nail of Efforts, the will of Providence cast tho quicksilver of heedleBsness into the ear of Sarfaraz Khan. Placing no reliance on their loyal representation, Sarfaraz Khan treated those two Generals in a rude and threatening manner, and by way of censure added : “You opening a shop of self-aggrandisement desire that I should be involved in war against MahSbat Jang, who is my well-wisher.” Those two Generals got up blushing with shame and humiliation, and returned to their own camps. Arming themselves, along with their forces, they passed the night in alertness ; whilst Sarfaraz Khan, in the slumber of heedlessness, lay intoxicated with the wine of sleep. At the instigation of Haji Ahmad, in the dead of night, under the pretext of visiting relations and friends, the officers and soldiers of Mababat Jang’s army, with their light baggages, by ones and twos, mingled with the army of Sarfaraz Khan, and forming rings round the Royal tent looked out for an opportunity to strike. The officers of Shnj'a Khan’s regime , upon whom Sarfaraz Khan placed great reliance, from the very beginning were i intri¬ gue with the Haji, and seeing and knowing all connived nt and concealed Jthe conspiracy; whilst the loyal adherents of Sar¬ faraz Khan held their tongue from fear of being snubbed. Whilst one hour of the night yet remained, A‘li Vardi Khan and 3 J 5 Haji Ahmad divided their forces into two divisions. They detail¬ ed one division under the command of Nandlal Jama'dar, together with the standard and the kettle-drum, and flngs and elephants, to attack Ghaus Khan and Mir Sharfu-d-din. whilst with another division, consisting of Af gh an and Bhaliah troops, in the darkness of the night, under the guidance of the men of the Zamindari of Ramakant, Zamindar of Rajshahi, they themselves marched to deliver a night-attack against Sarfaraz San.