English
After much fighting, Mustafa Khan, finding it impossible to hold his own, retreated in a hapless condition across the frontier of Azlmabad to Ghazipur; whilst Mahabat Jang becoming victorious and trium¬ phant returned to Murshidabad. Mustafa Khan again collected a large force of cavalry and infantry, and again invaded Azlmabad. Zainu-d-din Ahmad Khan, according to the adage “ One who is beaten once can be beaten twice,” with his victorious troops encountered him, and after much efforts and countless exertions, and after much slaughters and fightings, became victorious, whilst Mustafa Khan, as a retribution for his disloyalty, was slain on the battle-field. Zainu-d-din Kan cutting off the head of that wretch from his body tied his corpse to the feet of an elephant which was patrolled round the city to serve as a warning, and also suspended his head at the City Gate. At this juncture, Raghoji Bhoslah despatched to Bengal a Mak- ratta army under the command of his son Rajah Janoji, his adopted son, Mohan Singh, and the miscreant Mir Habib, in order to de¬ mand the Chauth . 1 A large number of Muptafa Khan’s Afghan ad- pp. 400 and 498, Blochraann’s Tr.) It was the “ stronghold in Akbar’s time of Rajah ‘ Gajpste’ or * Kaohite, ’ who waa the greatest Zemindar in Behar at the time.” In the 16th year of Akbar’s reign, Akbar's General, §hahbaz Khan- i-Kambu, operated against this Rajah who fled, and §hahbas then conquered Jagdispur, when the whole family of the Rajah was captured, ghahbas then conquered ghergadh, which waa held by Sri Ram, Gajpati’a son, and about the same time took possession of Robtas. 1 This third Mahratta invasion of Bengal under Janoji, sou of Baghoji Bhoslah (with him being of coarse the inevitable Mir Habib as the Chief Ad¬ viser and as guide, friend and philosopher of the Mahrattas), is also lucidly narrated in the Seiru-l-Mutakherin (Pers. text, pp. 555-692). Janoji came to Katak, whilst Ali Vardi’s newly-nominated Deputy gubadar of OrisBa, Mir Jnfar, was still at Mednipur, on his way to Katak. On bearing of the Mah¬ ratta incursion, Mir Jafar (who secretly was conspiring against Ali Vardi) retired to Bardwan. The Mahrnttas then advanced to Pudwan. After some indecisive skirmishing, Janoji made for Morshidabad, and after doing some looting in its neighbourhood retreated to Mednipur, pursued by Ali Vardi pin. In the meantime, Janojre principal adviser, Mir Habib, bad opened treacherous negotiations with the late ■ Muafi Eian's Afghan adherents 354 herents a]sp joined them, and the market of fight and slaughter once again became waj*m in the conflict between Mahabat Jang and the Marhattas. The Subah of Orissa fell into the hands of Janoji, whilst weakness set in in the Province of Bengal. Mir Habib open¬ ed negotiations for the settlement of the Chauth of Bengal. Nawa* zigh Ahmad Khan, Aljsan Qnli Khan, 1 Jagat Set, and the Rai- Raian 8 exerted themselves strenuously on the side of peace. But in Darbhanga and its neighbourhood, and these had effected a sanguinary revolution by treacherously killing at a Darbar Ziiinu-d-din Khan, Subadar of Patna. Now Janoji moved to Patna (with him being Mir Habib), and All Vardi also proceeded to Patna. Ali Vardi now rose to the height of his generalship, and succeeded in crushing and routing his united Afghan and M&rbatta foes in a great battle near Barh. (See the spirited description of this battle in the 8eir, p. 56(1). Janoji, now receiving news of his mother’s death, retreat¬ ed to Nagpur, leaving Mir Habib towards Katak and Mednipur with some Mahratta and Afghan troops (Seir, p. 576). Shortly after, Raghoji sent to Mir Habib another Mahratta reinforcement under Manaji, younger brother of Janoji [Moban Singh of the text is obviously a mistake or misprint for Mannji] Ali Vardi marched out with his army from Murshidabad and passed through Katwah, Bardwan, Mednipdr, Bhadrak, and Jajpnr ; whilst Mir Habib with his Mahratta and Afghan troops fell back from Mednipur towards Katak. All Vardi triumphantly entered once more the City of Katak, and recaptured the Fort of Barabati, after killing its commandants, Serandaz Khun, Syed Nur, and Dharam Dass (p. 578, Seir), Pers. text. This re-conquest, however, proved abortive, for whilst Ali Vardi was still at Balasore on his way towards Mur¬ shidabad, Mir Habib with his light Mahratta and Afghan cavalry swooped down on Katak, and killed Shaikh Abdus Subhnn, who had been left there as Deputy Governor by Ali Vardi. (See pp. 579-580 of the Seir, which also gives a good description of the Katak City). The Mahrattas, it would seem, always moved with light and mobile cavalry, whilst Ali Vardi’s army was not equal y light or mobile. Ali Vardi had, therefore (despite the fact that next to Asafjah, he was the first General of the time in India) ^ •neonntw t e eame difficulties in encountering Mahratta troops, that the British had in en¬ countering the Boers in the late South African War. In the end, it is true, Ali Vard/triumphed, but the price that he had to pay for his apparent victory was too much, nor did he survive it long enough to reap its^benefit. ^ 1 In a former part of the text, he is named “ Husain Quli ^an, which appears to be correct. (See Seir, Vol. II, Pers. 495). Husain Quh Khan was Naib or Deputy of Nawazisji Mubammad gian Bon-.n-lawofA Vardi Khan, and Governor of Chakla Jahangiruagar (Dacca), including Silhat an 8 d N^lrish 1 Mubammad Khan was Governor of Jahangirnagar, and also held the portfolio" of Supreme Diwan of Bengal under AH Vardi Hian the e- pnty Diwanship being held by Qfrn Kai (who had been Pefihkar under A1 355 Mahabat Jang, considering the acceptance of Chanth to be hu¬ miliating, refused to conclude peace, and with bis army prepared to fight and drive out the Mahrattas. Mahabat Jang suspected treachery from Sham Sher Khan, Sardar Khan, Murad Sher Khan, Huiat Khan, and other Afghan Generals of Darbhanga, who, during tiie late insurrection, had sided with Mustafa Khan. And, as a matter of fact, these Afghan Generals had opened at this time (reasonable correspondence with Mir Habib and his Mahrattas. These Afghan Generals, following the example of Mustafa Khan, now broke out into open revolt on the pretext of demand of pay. Mahabat Jang, having lost all confidence in them, paid them up, and disbanded them. These reaching Darbhanga, after a short time, leagued amongst themselves in pursuance of designs of treachery, and made offers of service to Zainu-d-din Ahmad Khan. As Zainu-d-diu Kbau was a friend of soldiers, he con¬ ciliated them, accepted their offers of service with the approval of Nawab Mahabat Jang, and invited them to a Darbar. Sham Sher Khan aud Murad Sher Khan with a corps of Afghans arrived at Hajipur, aud encamped on the bunks of the river. According to the order of Zaiuu-d-din Ahmad Khan, they left behind all their sol¬ diers, and crossing the river came to Azimabad (Patna) attended only by three hundred cavalry, consisting of kinsmen and comrades who were all of oue heart for the purpose of waiting on Zainu- d-din Ahmad Khan. Ou obtaining an audience, they observed all the points of etiquette, aud sat in the Qhihil satun Palace, ranged on the right and left of Zaiuu-d-din. Zainu-d-din Ahmad Khan reclining against pillows on a MasnaJ, made polite enquiries regard¬ ing each. Murad Sher Khan, nephew of Sham Sher Khan, finding Zainu-d-diu off his guard, pulled out a dagger from his waist, hit the latter so hard with it on the stomach, that his intestines came out. By that single blow, Zainu-d-din was killed . 1 The traitors, liftin*? chand, Deputy Diwan of Shujau-d-din Khan). (See Seir , Vol. II, Pera.text, p. 495). See also note ante. Q^in Hai, on death, was succeeded in his offico by Bhirun Dutt, who again was followed by Kiratchnnd (son of Alamcljnnd) and by Umed Bai (See Srir). 1 It would appear from the account given in the Seiru-l-Mutatherin (p. 666) alluded to before, that the Afghan adherents of tho lnte Mn?);afa Khan were in secret conspiracy with Mir Habib, the inspiring genius, and the guide, friend and philosopher of the Mahrattas, and that in consequence of Mir Habib's instigation, they had enacted this enrol tragedy at Patna. A very luoid acoount of this tragedy is given in the Sciru-L-iluta^erin 356 up tlieir swords, cut down Zainu-d-din’s companions, looted all his treasures and effects, captured the Begam 1 with her daughter and also Haji Ahmad. They suspended the Haji * to a tripod with his head downwards, and by torturing him made him give up large treasures, and slew him. They carried off the ladies of the Harem together with numerous treasures as booty. And similarly, they swept the houses of other nobles of the City with the broom of rapine. These Rohilah Afghans sacked the City and its suburbs, looted treasures, dishonoured women and children, and desolated a whole world. 3 A great consternation seized those regions. “ Pro¬ tect me, 0 Lord, from the wickedness of infidels and from the wrath of Thine.” Sham Sher Khan collecting one hundred thou¬ sand cavalry and infantry was not contented with the subjuga¬ tion of Azimabad, and he further cherished visions of conquering Bengal. Mahabat Jang, who was at this time encamped at Ama- niganj 4 on some important business connected with the Mahratta (Pers. text, p. 559). Zainn-d-dm (flon-io-law of Ali Yardi Eian and ?ubadar at Patna), was holding a Darbar for the reception of the Darbh.nga Afghan Generals who were adherents and connexions of the late Mn 9 *afa ^ao. T e Darbar function was nearly over, and Zainu-d-din £n was handing betels with his own hand to the Chief Afghan Generals, when one of these, Abdar Rashid Khan, whilst receiving a betel, treacherously gave Zamn-d-din ghan a dagger-thrust in the abdomen.