UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES HISTORICAL AND EC CLESIA S TIC A L SKETCHES OF BENGAL, FROM THE EARLIEST SETTLEMENT, UNTIL THE VlKTUAL CONQUEST OF THAT COUNTRY BY THE ENGLISH, JN-1757. PRINTED AT CALCUTTA, 7745 14 S 3*6 HC 'i Da p^gtorical I rr OF EN G A ^ ' FROM THE o *s EARLIEST SETTLEMENT* UNTIL: THE OF! THAT COUNTRY. BY THE 'ENGLISH IN: English East India Company establish a Factory tf Patna, A. D. j 620. JLT was during the period that Afzitl Khan governed Behar, and Ibrahim Khan, Bengal, that the English first visited these provinces. Some years previous to this time* agents had been ?-ent, overland, from Surnt to Agra .where they had established a factory ; and, on their representation, two per- sons were sent (A. D.I 620) to Patna, to purchase cloths, and to establish a house of business in that city j but the great expense of land-carriage first to Agra, and then to Surat, so enchanced the price of the articles, that in the following yeas the trade was abandoned.* * See Mesrs, Hashes and Parker's Letter Vol, I. of India Records A, D. 1680. SKETCHES OF BENGAL. Sultan Shujaa appointed Governor. Transfers the seat cf Government to Rajmahcl Appoints his Father-in-law to. lie his Deputy at Dacca Account of Mr. Boughton, an English Surgeon, who obtained considerable privileges for his nation* ARLY in the year 1649, Sultan Shujaa, the second son of the Emperor Shah Jehan>, then twenty-four years of age, took possession of the government of Bengal ; but his father, fearing to trust him with too much power, conferred the government of Behar on Shaista Khan, the son of the vizier Asuf Jah/fmd nephew of^Nopr Jehan. Shtij;ra r agnii>'lransferFed the seat of government to Raj - mahel (termed, in the records of that time, Akbarnagur ,) and built there an elegant palace, some of the rooms of which are yet standing. He also 'Strengthened the fortifications which had been erected by Raja Man Sing, and expended large sums oi money in rendering the city worthy of his resi- lience , but; the following year, aearly the whole of ^he city,, and the principal part of the palace, were destroyed by a dreadful conflagration, in which many lives were lost, and the family of the Prince witb difficulty escaped. About" 1 the same time, the current of the Ganges changed its bed, and poured its torrents against the walls of the new Capital, washing away many of the stately edifices. Previous to that time, the coiirse of the Ganges wast along the northern bank, running under the walls of Gour j but since that period, it pours ks* torrents against the rocks of Kajmahel, forming eddies and whirlpools, dangerous to the , inoaucioua or impatient traveller.* In consequence of the youth and inexperience of Shujaa, the Emperor took the precaution of sending with him Aaziin Khan, who 'had been Governor of Bengal for nearly five years, nnd to whose daughter the Prince was lately married, as his 'chief counsellor and adviser ;. but Shujaa, either wishing to make him a handsome provision, or to be freed from the su- perintend an ce otlhis father-in-law, appointed that upWeman to reside as his deputy at Dacca j but hen being, shortly disgust- ed with llnit situation, waa, by his own request, repuved to the government of Allahabad :, whence he was transferred to Joanpore, an idied there, iu the year 1659, aged seventy-six years. Ke was buried in his own garden, in the .vicinity of that city, where his tomb is still shewn. * See Aaialic Researches, Vol. V. p. 271. Svo.edh. SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 3 The early part of Sultan Shujaa's government was distin- guished by his condescension to the English ; and by his granting them permission to establish factories, both at Ral- lasore and at Hoogly ; but their ships were not yet permitted to enter the Ganges. The cause of this partiality to a nation which was destined to become the rival power, and ultimately the support of the descendants of Timour, is thus satisfactorily accounted for. In the year afr dh u II c 4 i rt^l fj J f> , a daughter of the Emperor Shah Jehan having been dreadfully burnt, by her clothes catching fire, an express was sent to Surat, through the recom- mendation of the vizier Assud Khan, to desire the assistance of an European surgeon. For this service the Council at Surat nominated Mr. Gabriel Boughton, surgeon of the ship Hope- veil, who immediately proceeded to the Emperor's camp, then ir the Dekkan, and had the good fortune, to cure the young Princess of the effects of- her accident. Mr. Bough ton, in. consequence, became a great favourite at Court ; and having been desired to name his reward, he with that liberality which characterizes Britons, sought not for any private emolument; but solicited that his nation might have liberty to trade, free of all duties, to Bengal, and to establish factories in that country. His request was complied with, and he- was fur- nished with the mean* of travelling across tlie country to Bengal. Upon his, arrival in that province, he proceeded, to P'pley ,- and, in tlie year 1648, an English ship happening to arrive in that port, he. in virtue of the Emperor's finnan*, and the privile -s Ac- count of the rebellion of the Zemindar of B char The Cam- pany'j Governor applies to the Nuwab for permission to erect n fort on -the bank of the Ganges The Nuwab refuses, and insists upon the English paying the name duties they did at frurat Disputes m consequence The East-India Company obtain the sanction of King James II. to mak: tear on the J\~uicab of Bengal and the Emperor of Hindoostan An ex- pedition is fitted out, in England, to attack Chlttagong Instructions to the Admiral Failure of the expedition Causes explained An affray between the English and Mogul troops at Hoogly Tlie Admiral cannonades anil szt.s fire to the town The Foujedar requests a suspension of hostilities, .and enters into a convention The Nuwab re- fuses to ratify the convention Orders all the EngllaJt fac- tories to be confiscated, and sends an army to expel them from the country The English retreat to Suttanv.tty The Dutch and French take advantage of the dispute The English anxious to make peace The Nuwab sends three Commissioners f rum Dacca to settle terms, but at the same time reinforces the army at Hoogly The English re- * See East-India Records, Vol. lit. p. 22. SKETCHES 0!-' FEXOAL. $ 'trcnt ff> TJ'nigrlce Description of (hat place Consequences of the retrent Thf Nitwab offi-rs to make prnce Treaty signed 7 J he RgHnh return to Snttanull.i/The Company disapprove nf the treaty, and resolve to / nsecu'C /he war A fine- of -bat tie. ship mid a frigate despatched to India naffer the ertmmand of Captain Heath The Nuicab renews his oppression of the English The reinfot cement, arrives from England Captain Heath resolves, in opposition to the withes of Mr. Charnock, to recommence the ti ar Orders nil the Company' s servants to embark on board thejleet Sets ,t(i/l, and arrives at Ballasorc Attacks and plunders that town Sets sail for Chittagong Finds that place too strong to be attacked Agrees to enter into a negotiation again with the Nnwab ; but, before an answer could arrive, proceeds to Arraran, and offers proposal* to the Raja Without waiting for an answer, sails to Madras The Em- peror orders the English to be expelled from his dominion? The Nuwab Shaista Khan requests permission to resign, Aii government Quits Bengal Dies. o "N the same day that orders were despatched to recall Sul- tan 'Moham'tned Aazim to Court, the Niiwab Sbaista Khan was re-appointed to the government of Bengal ; and .arrived at Dacca about the end of the year 1 690. Immediately after Shaista Khan's return to Bengal, he wsts compelled, in obedience to the regulations of Aurunszebe, to enforce the Jizia, or poll-Tax, from the Hindoos* ; which cir- cum's'tance rendered brth him aud the Emperor very unpopular throughout the province. At Hoogly, his officers demanded payment of this tax by all Europeans and other Christians j biit the Dutch and Ensjlish refusing to pay it, the demand \vas modified into a present of Persian horses for tire N it-wall's use. About the same period, n. number of the Hindoo teovples were destroye'd - rfnd Roy Mullick Chand, a Hindoo of rank, \vho was accused of having committed some frauds in- the re- venue deparfmtrit, was confined in irons, and threatened to be seht tn that state to the Emperor, unless he consented to turn Mohammedan. The object of this threat was merely to extwt money ; but the parshftonioos aT>d persevering Hindoo remain- ed long in confinement, without complying with their wishes j and was at length RfteVstoed, at the intercession of Prince Mohammed Aazim, t6 \*h6m he was known. * The Jizia was (rj per thousand on all property. Th sick, lame, and iind, were excused. Cbrrstrans paid 1^ perenli addUianal doty pu their commerce. SKETCHES OF "BENGAL. The factors of the Engli-h Co i pnny, having found it exo.eed- v troublesome and expensive to procure a fresh order for 'om of trade from every succeeding Governor, had, upon the removal of Shahtta Khan, sent an agent with him to tin Emperor's camp, to solicit an Imperial / in. the pre- ceding year had rebelled against his, father, had taken refuge with hi m> ; and exhorting all those who were dissatisfied with the present government to join the .standard of the young * To avoid a repetition of references, the na-ler is iuforrned, ill it nearly ibe whole of thi chapter is taken from Orine's ludusun, aad Brace's AanaU of (be I-:.IM lodia Cnmpanv. t See Oroie's iiisturical f ragmeuls, A. D. 1631. SKETCHES OF HEXGAL prince- The Nuwab, who was detested for his tyrannical dis- pos'uion, and who had neglected f<> ke^p up a proper esta- blishment of troops, was so much alarmed, that he had not the courage to meet t.'ie rebels, but shut himself up in the city ; the fortifications of whicU being very deficient, the inhabitants were excessively alarmed, and the merchants sent off all their most valuable property. The siege continued for some time; but or. ing more to ihe awkwardness of the assailants than to the courage of the aarri.son, the former failed in their attempt, and were obliged to content; themselves with the plunder of the adjacent villages. Some of the soldiers of the garrison, how- ever, commiserating the situation of the pretended son ofShu- jaa, struck off his irons, and permitted him to escape to the rebels j which added strength to their party, and inercasrd tho suspicipns and alarm of the Governor. At length, re-inforce- mer.ts arriving from Benaras and Dacca, the rebels dispersed, and the gates of the city were again opened. Du ritis; the period of this disturbance, Mr. Peacock, and the other English gentlemen, continued fo reside unmolested at their factory at Sing.ee, distant ten or twelve miles from 1 among the saltpetre grounds ,. which _ circumstance inducing trio Nuwab to suspect they were in league with the rebels, 1 only forbad them purchasing any more saltpetre that year, butthvew Mr. Peacock into prison ; whence it was with much .difficulty and intercession that he was released. Tiie affairs of the Company had also, for several years, been much annoyed by the interference of other British subjects , i'i consequence -of which, the Governor at Hoogly, Mr. GyfFord, in the year 1697, made an application, in the name of t!:e Company, to the Nuwab Shaista Khan, for permission to erect a fortification in ihe mouth, or on the banks, of the Ganges to prevent the ships of those persons, whom they denominated interlopers, from entering the river ; and for the better protec- tion of their own property. But the Nuwab was too experien- ced a statesman to trust foreigners with such power: he not only refused the request, bur, insisted, notwithstanding the ( Emperor's firman, upon the E-iglish paying three and a ha! if percent, duties upon all their imports, instead of the annual sum of 3000 rupees, \vh : ch they had formerly]:. i ~ cargoes. The Nuwab, nevertheless, stated the affairs in such a light to the Emperor, as much excited' his anger against the English. YVhilst the minds of each party w~re thus oxas crated, there seemed to be no other remedy for the En'glisti than uglier to . t Military Governor, 8 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. relinquish the traae to Bengal entirely ; or, by havmcj K> anus, to effect by force what they could not obtain by uilrcuty. The East India Company censured their agent in Bengal for having been too submissive to the despot ; and direr-ted the i nor of Fort, St. George to make strenuous application to i !< Kmjjcror fura finniui, or order, permitting the English to occupy one of the uninhabited islands in the Ganges; also to /ortifV the port <>f Hidgelee, on the western bank of that river, iiiat thflr agents, in future, m'ght not be subjected to the im- positions of the Nuwab, or his inferior officers. Hut as it was highly improbable that such a proposition would be acceded to, the Company obtained the sanction of King James II. to retaliate the injuries they had sustained, and to reimburse themselves for the loss of their privileges in Ben- gal, by hostilities against the Nuwab, and his master the great iAurungzebe. To effect th'is object, an expedition was fitted out in Eng land; consisting often shins of war, carrving from twelve to seventy guns each, under the command of ^ice-admiral Nichol- son ; and on board these ships was embarked a regiment of six hundred soldiers, which on its arrival at Madras, was to be augmented* from that garrison, to one thousand men. Admiral Nicholson was instructed, first to proceed to Bal- Jasorej and having brought away the Company's agents from thence, he was then to continue his voyage to 'Chitta'gong, on the eastern side of the Bay of Bengal 5 am '> having taken pos- session of that port, to fortify it in the best possible manner -, for which purpose two hundred pieces of cannon were sent on board the fleet : and in order to facilitate this enterpr se, and to forward the future views of the Company, the Admiral was directed to enter into a treaty of alliance with the RajaofArra- can ; who, it was supposed, would readify co-operate with thtj .English, from his animosity to the Mogul government, with whom he had been frequently engaged in uar, and who had recently wrested from him that.part of his dominions. The Admiral was further instructed, to enter into terms with the Hindoo chiefs, or zemindars, in that neighbourhood j to es- tablish a mint: to collect a revenue ; a'nd, in short, to render Chittagong a place of arms for the English on the eastern side of the Bay of Bengal, as For t St. George was on the wes- tern shore. As soon as this object should be accomplished, "the troops, ,-and smallest vessels, were to proceed against .Dacca ; and, as it was presumed the Nuwab and his army would abandon tlmt city, peace was then to be offered to him, on the following conditions: That he should cede the city and territory of Chittagong to (he Company, and pay tfie debts due to tfeeta SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 9 by his svibjects. That be should allow the rupees coined at Chittagong to pass current in Bengal ; and restore to the English all the privileges they were entitled to from the firmans of former Emperors. That each party should bear their res- pective Jos *es and expenses in the war 3 and that this treaty should be ratified by the Emperor, and the President (of tht English nation) atSurat. Bur as it might be considered ungenerous to make such an attack without some previous notice, the Admiral was furnished with letters from the Company, addressed to the Nuwab and to the Emperor, explaining th grievances the English had sustained, by the breach of the firmans under which they had so long acted ; by Hie seizure of their property j and by the repeated extartioas made from, their agents. This spirited, if not rash, enterprise was defeated by several unforeseen accidents ; the fleet was long detained by contrary winds ; it was dispersed during the- voyage ; and several of the ships, instead of proceeding to Chittagong,, entered the/ 1 western branch of the Ganges, and anchored at Hoogly. In the meantime, the Madras government had sent round 400 soldiers and had directed Mr. Charnock to raise a second company of Portuguese infantry, to be officered by the Com- pany's servants. The arrn-al of such a force in- the Ganges immediately roused the suspicions and fears of Shaista Khan. He offered to compromise the differences with the English, and to submit the whole of their dispute to arbitrators appointed on both sides; but in order to be prepared against any acts of hostility, he ordered a considerable body of troops to encamp in the vicinity of Hoogly. Thes overtures and precautions were, however, rendered nu-gatory, and the intentions of the Company completely frustrated, by a petty affray between the troops of the opposite parties : for, after Mr. Charnock^ the Governor^ had; been fully informed of the Company's tie- signs, and after a considerable part of the fleet had arrived in the river, hostilities were brought on, in a premature manner, by the following unexpected circumstance. On the 28tb of October, three English soldiers quarrelled- in the market, with some of the Nuwab's troops, and were severely beaten : a company of soldiers were, in consequence^ called out for their defence ; afterwards a second company, and then the whole of the English troops : and as, upon the- first alarm, the Nuwab's forces, who were encamped outside the towu, also joined their countrymen, a general action took place. Sixty of the Mogul troops were killed, and a consider- able number of them wounded. During the conflict,. Admiral Nicholson opened a cauuonade on thetown* and Ixinit fry 10 SKETCHES OP BENGAL: hundred houses ; amongst which was the Tompany's factory^ valued, with the yoods therein, at 200, OOO/. ; and a party of his seamen, having landed, spiked' all the guns in the batteries. The Foujedar, much alarmed by the.se events, solicited a suspension of hostilities, which was granted, on condition of bis gi'ing assistance to coavey the saltpetre, and other good* that might be saved from the conflagration, onboard the ships : with this stipulation he immediately acquiesced; and; at a conference held between him and Mr. Charnock, agreed to restore to the English all their privileges of trade, until they could obtain a new firinan from the Emperor. .It improbable that this act of condescension, on the part of the Foujedar, was vfarced from him by his fears; or, that he sought merely to gain time ; for as soon as the circumstances t made kuown to the Nuwab Shaista Khan, he directed the English factories at Patna, Malia, Dacca, and Gossimbaxar, to be eonti seated ; and ordered a very considerable body, both of infantry and cawajry, to proceed immediately to Hoogly, and to expel the English from the country. During this interval, the Agent and Council at Hoogly, con- idering that they were likely to be overpowered if they remained in that situation, retired, on the 20th of December, to Ssitta- nutty (part of the present Calcutta), as being a stronger and safer post ; where, being under the protection of their ships, they might remain ia security, till matters could be accoimno- . dated with the Nuwab. la this situation of the English affaire, U*e Dutch and French took advantage of the dispute, particularly the for- mer, who having eleven ships in the river, obtained valuable investments of goods, .and re-established their factories $ which, in consequence of the various oppression they had sus- tained, they had previously determined to abandon. As that part of the English shipping, which had conveyed the expedition to Bengal, required considerable repairs ; end as many apprel>ensions were entertained for the safety of the remainder of the fleet, on board of which was embarked the greater part of the troops j it was the opinion of both Admiral Nicholson, and the Council-of Hoogly, that, instead of carrying into effect the Company's designs upon Chittagong, they might consider themselves, extremely fortunate if they should be able to restore matters to the same footing they had been on, pre- vious to the commencement of hostilities : and so strongly was President Gyfford, and the Government of Madras, per- suaded of the untoward termination of the expedition, that thicy sent a petition to the Emperor, praying for forgiveness .of what had passed, and soliciting a confirmation .of their io*- fuer UruiaiiS. SKETCHES OP BEXGAL; il In the end of December, 1 687, three of the Nuwab's ministers came from Dacca to Hoo^iy, where, having been met by Mr. Charnock and the members of his Council, a preliminary treaty, reding particular advantages to the English, was agreed upon : but this measure seems to have been adopted by the Nuwab merely to give him an opportunity of assembling his troops ; for early in- the month of February, 688, a numerous army, -consisting principally of cavalry, arrived at Hoogly, with the avowed intention of driving the English out of the country. As soon as Mr. Charnock was informed of the circum- stance, he judged it imprudent to remain longer at Sut- tanutty, and immediately commenced a retreat to Hidgelee. On their route to that place, the troops stormed and plun dered the fort of Tanna, ten miles below Snttanutty, on the western bank of the river, and burned down several magazines of salt, and granaries of rice, belonging to the Mogul subjects. They also took several Mogul ships; which they found in the river. Hidgelee is an island in the mouth of the riter Ganges, but seperated from the western bank only by & narrow stream, the greater purt of it is covered with long grass, the habita- tion of tigers: nor does it produce a drop of good water. In this spot, perhaps the wnhealthiest of the whole province, Mr. Charnock pitched his camp, and erected batteries on the most accessible parts of the island j whilst the ships, which he had caused to be anchored in the middle of the stream, completely commanded the passage of the river. n In this situation, Abdul Sumud Khan, the Mogul General, very prudently allowed them to remain, with little molesta- tion j well convinced, that the pestilential air /and brackish water of Hidgelee would prove to them a more formidable ene- my than any force he coiild bring against them. His conjec- tures were completely verified ; tor -in three months more than half of the European troops died, and the remainder were only fit tubjects for au hospital. At this, critical; period, overtures of peace were made by the Nuwab, and were joyfully accepted by Mr. Gharnock and his Council: hostilities ceased ; and, on the 16th of August 1688, a treaty was signed, when the English were permitted to return to all their factories in different parts of the province : the duty of 3| per cent, was abrogated ; and they were allowed to erect magazines and to construct docks for their shipping at Oulo- barea, a populous village sitnated OH the western bank, about eighty miles from the mouth of .the river, *ad twenty below Calcutta. The only stipulation made, on the part of the Nuwab, was, that the English should restore the Mogul ves- stis they had taken, and that their ship* of war should not agaiu 1$ SKETCHES OF BENGAL; approach Hoogly. Jn order to nccount for this favourable change in the sentiments of the Nuwab Shaista Khan, it is re- quisite to state, that, at the same period Admiral Nicholson's fleet was fitted out iu England for the attack on Chittagong, orders had been sent to the Governor at Bombay to withdraw the Company's factories from Surat, and the other Mogul ports on .the western side of India, and to commence hostilities against the Emperor A urungze be, by directing the English, cruisers to seize upon all the &hips and vessels of the Mogul Subjects, wherever they should be found. In compliance with these orders, Sir John Child, and the principal factors, left Surat on the 25th of April 1 6^9 j and the* English cruisers having in a >hort time captured a number of the Mogul vessels, the Emperor became solicitous for peace, and authorized the Governor of Surat to depute an envoy to Bombay, to learn on what terms it might be obtained." He afeo sent orders to Shaista Khan, to compromise matters with the English in Bengal, and to permit them to re-occupy all their factories. It was in consequence of these orders that Mr. .Gharnoek obtained such favourable and unexpected terms. In virtue of the treaty, Mr. Charnock, not wishing to return, to Hooglj( without the ships of war, took possession of Oulo- barea, and commenced making docks for careening the ves- sels ; iut> .after a residence of three months, he took a d is - like to/ thecplace, and obtained permission to return to Suit**, nwtty, whereahe factors and troops lived iu huts, till proper habitations could be erected. When intelligence of the total failure of the expedition, and Emperor's orders, so far as to sequester the whole of the English property in Bengal, and to place the Company's agents at Dacca in irons. Other authorities, how- ever, lead us to suppose, that it was not Shaista Khan, but the erson who officiated as Governor after his departure, named. Khan, that committed this act of severity. SKETCHES OP BENGAL; n We are not informed of the precise time, but it was about tVn period that the Nuwab, ShaisU Khan, being tar advanced in years, and anxious to return to his native country, obtained permission to resign the government of Bengal. Notwith- standing his harsh conduct to Europeans, his memory is to this dny spoken of 'with the highest respect jn that province. It is related, that, during his government, grain was so cheap that rice was sold at the rate of 640ibs. weight for the rupee ; to commemorate which event, as he was leaving Dacca, he ordered the western eate, through which he departed, to be built up, and an inscription to be placed thereon, interdicting anv future Governor from opening it, till he had reduced the price of grain to the same rate . in consequence of which injunction, the gate remained closed till the government -of the Nii\vib Serferaz Khan. Several of the public buildings erected by Shaista Khan are yet to be seen at Dacca ; which city is still called, by the Mohammedans, .Tehangirenagur. Shaista Khan died at Agra in the year of the Hejira 1 105, much regretted by the Emperor and a numerous circle of friends. NUWAB IBRAHIM KHAN. Ibrah'/m Khan appointed to the government His character^ Invites the English to return to Bengal Mr. Charnock and his Council arrive at Suttanntty, and are graciously received The Nuwab forwards the Emperor s passport for the English to trade duty free The English still 'dissatis* td Soobha Sing- Zemindar rebels -joined by the Afghan chief, Rehim Khan The rebel army advance to Burdwan Defeat and kill the Raja The circumstance reported to the Governor, who orders Nur Allah, Foujedar of Jessore, to punish the rebels-* The Foujedar shuts himself up in Hwgly The' rebels lay siege to, and take, that town- The Dutch, French, and English* obtain permission to for- tify their factories The Dutch Governor of Chinsura as- sists the Rvyalists to retake Hoogly The rebels retreat to Saatgong. fj PON the final resignation of Shaista Khan, the Emperor selected, for the government of Bengal, Ibrahim Khan, sou of the celebrated Persian nobleman, Aly 'Murdan Khan, who delivered up the fortress' of Candehar to the Emperor Shah Jehan. This chief was, in character, the very reverse of his father j he administered justice with strict impartiality, und If SKETCHES OF BENGAL, encotiraced agriculture add commerce , but was totally defi- cient of all military abilities. The first act of his authority, after assuming the government, was one most congenial to his feelings, viz. the liberation of the Company's agents who were confined at Dacca ; for aa we have seen, iir the preceding chapter, that the English* iu consequence of the oppression they had sustained from the Nuwab Shaista Khan, had entirely abandoned Bengal, it now also became a pleasing part of his duty to conciliate and recall the merchants of that nation. It has beeu before stated, that the Emperor, being highly lucensed against the English, had commanded them to be ex- pelled from every part of his dominions : but as Aurungzebe ever made his passions subservient to his policy, and \vas sen-* sible that he derived a considerable aid to his revenue by the commerce carried on by the English ; also, that their ships of war could much annoy his subjects, and prevent all inter- course between his dominions and Arabia, thereby putting a stop to the pilgrims visiting Mecca, impressed with those ideas, he, in the month of Jatuaary 1 69 1 , whilst encamped at Vizia- pore, in the Dekkan, authorized his ministers to form a treaty with Messrs. Weldon and Navarro, two English Commission- ers, who had been sent from Bombay by Sir John Child, the Director-general of the Company's settlements, to solicit peace ; and upon the appointment of Ibrahim Khan to the govern- ment of Bengal, the Emperor instructed him to invite the Eng-< lish to return to that province. In consequence of this permission, the Nuwab wrote letters, addressed to Mr. Charnock at Madras, inviting him to re tqrn, and re-establish all the Company's factories; with an assurance of a perfect oblivion of every thing which had passed, and that the English should be placed on a footing with the most favoured foreign nation : but Mr. Charnock and his Council were aware, from the .deceptions which had been before practised, that, admitting the Nuwab to be sin- cere in his offers, the/ should still be exposed to the vexatious demands of the inferior officers, and to the avarice and op- pressions of his successors ;. and being also displeased at the humiliating firman which had . lately been issued for Surat ; they therefore replied, that they could not accede, to the pro- position, unless the Emperor would grant to the Company a specific firman for. Bengal, stating' the precise term* upon which they were in future to carry on their trade. A second letter^ was written by the Nuwab to Mr. Char* iiock, informing him, that he had made an application to the Emperor for the desired firman; but that as several months must elapse before it could be procured, he might, in tha SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 14 men ntime, return, and be assured of his friendship and pro- tection In consequence of this invitation, Mr. Chnnwlf, with his oiincil and factors, attended by an escort of thirty sol. tiers, returned, on the 24t!i of the mouth of August, I 69 1 to Suttaniitty ; were, i-i obedience to the Nuwab's orders, addressed to Meer Aly Akbar, the governor of Hoo^ly, they were receiver! with much civility. The next, ye;ir, the Nuwab forwarded to Mr. 'Charnock, according to his promise, a hush al hnokum, or order, from the Emperor Auriiiigzebe, authorizing the English to trade to Bengal without paying any other duty than an annual present of 3 )UO rupees. However advantJi^eou* this licence may be considered in a pecuniary light, it fell far short of t!-e expec- tation of the I'ompany's agents, who were still Ifft exposed to the oppression* of the Nuwab or his interior officers, and had no security for their personal safty. It was therefore their opinion, that, unless a fortification could be procured, with a. district round it, perfectly exempted from the jurisdiction of the Nuwah, the commerce of the Company could never pros- per they, for these- reasons, only established a factory at Stittanutty ; and sent agents to make purchases in diffeieut parts of the country. The year of the Hejira 1 104 was marked by an extraordinary circumstance. The (rand Signior, having been informed that, the Europeans procured great quantities of one of the ingre- dients for making gunpowder from India, wrote to Aurung- aebe, to desire lie would no longer- permit his subjects to dis- pose of that article to Christian*, as it was frequently used l;y them in the destruction of the followers of Mohammed j that, therefore, whoever supplied them was accessary to the death. oftliH true bfc!ieve*s- fei consequence- of this request, the principal source of the East-India Company's commercial ad- tfainages was, for sometime, cutoff^ by a strict injunction to the Governor of Bengal- not to allow them to purchase, or ma- nufacture any more saltpetre. Three : years after thi.i event,*the commander of a large ship' belonging to the interlopers., or persons not licensed to trade to India,, arriving in the Indian seas, comtiiencf'd th t system of piracy which was afterwards carried to such a height, under the celebrated Captain K.yd and his associates. This person *e zed two of the Mogul, ships, which Were going to Judda. and Mocha with pilgrims. So gross an insult drew down upon the agents of the Dutch., French, and English nations, the vengeance of the Mogul government : their factories were all. laid under sequestration, and a stop put to their trade : iu Ben- gal alone, owing to the clemency of the governor, Ibrahim Kiua> the Eu^lisli ageutswere allowed tbeir persenai freedoui^ J8 SKETCHES OP BENGAL. and permitted to carry on their commercial proceedings in ft secret manner*. Such was the state of intercourse between the English and the Mogul government, when an accident occurred which enabled the former to obtain, without any remuneration, that object which neither bribes nor entreaties could before procure. In the year 1 107 -of the Hejira, a Hindoo zemindar of Ben- gal, named SoobhaSing, who possessed the villages ot Jetwa and Burdeh, in the district of Bnrdwan, being dissatisfied with the Raja of that place, invited Rehim Khan, an Afghan chief, who was then considered as the head of that clan remaining in Orissa, to join him in overturning the government. Having dwa* Denotes, his attention to the affairs of the province* Bvi/di a mosyue in Bardtoan, and a new bazar in Ifooxfy Regulates the customs of the port Anecdote of a cele~ Irated DerveishThe Prince interfere* between the Fovje- tfat of Hoog.ty> and the Englithi respecting- the appointment of a Cnzy, or Mohammtdah Judge, to Calcutta The Prince proceeds to Dacca wishes to make a monopoly of trtufe wordy reprimanded 6y SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 2t The King of England sends an Ambassador to the Gourt of Anrungzebe the Ambassador lands at Masulipatam, but afterwards proceeds to Surat, and landt there Set3 out for the Mogul camp Obtains an audience of the Em- peror graciously received,, and orders issued for preparing the Firmans Intelligence received that an .English pirate kad'taken three of the Mogul ships The Ambassador re- quired to give security against similar aggressions refuse* The negotiation, broken off The Ambassador quits the Mogul camp sai's- from, Surat dies The Emperdr, in* censed at the English, orders all tks Europeans in his do- minions to be confined Origin and rise of Moorshud Cooly Jaffier Khan Appointed Dewan of Bengal Description of the officers of Nazim and of Dewan* Moorshud Cooly enters with assiduity upon ftis employment Dissentions be- tiveen him and the Prince The latter accused of attempting' to assassinate the Dewan-~-The Dewan removes. his residence to Muhhsoodabad The Emperor, displeased with the Prince^ orders him to quit Bengal, and to reside in Behar The Prince proceeds, to- Rajmahel, and afterwards to Patna, where he establishes his residence, and gives his own name to that citif In consequence of the Emperor's orders, the English at Patna and Rajmahel are con/lned The inha- bitants of Calcutta threatened 'The Dewan demands the original firmans The English, having lost theirs, are obliged to bribe the Secretary Benevolent conduct of the Prince- The Dev^an proceeds to Court Graciously received by the Emperor Re-appo'mfed Dewan of the thr.ee provlnr.es, and deputy of the Prince in,, Bengal and Orissa State of the English affairs in Bengal Azcem Ooshan recalled to Court Death of the Emperor Aurungzebe Aaz'im Shah, the second son, mounts the throne, and marches towards Dehly The Prince Azeem Ooshan arrives at Agra Receives intelligence of the E&iperor's death Endeavour to seize Agra for his father Disappointed in getting the fort, but secures the district Seizes the Bengal revenue Levies an army Meeting between him and his father, ShahA'lunt, The Governor delivers up the fort of Agra to the latter, who soon after marches to meet Aazim Shah Battle hctween the brothers-r- Aa'zim Shah, and both his sons, killedShah, Alum takes the title of Behadur Shah-^-Appoints his son, Azeem Ooshan, governor of the four provinces, of Allaha~ bad, Behar, Bengal, and Orissa ; but orders him to retain. Moorshud Cooly Khan,' as his deputy in the two latter pro- vinces The Prince continues to reside at Court, b>tt ap- peinteSyed Abdullah K han to be his deputy in and Sycd Hussein Aty Khan to be his deputy G as KETCHES OF BENGAL. Slab dies Contest between *his four sons for the mpire A'/eem Ooskan is killed, and Jehundar Shah sue* ceeds to the throne. JI.T has teen before stated, that when the Emperor Aurung- zebe, in the year 1108, heard of the insurrection in Bengal, lie immediately appointed his grandson, Aseem Ooshan, se- cond son of Behadur Shah, to the government of that pro- vince.. The Prince was, at the period of his appointment, in the Royal camp, then in the Dekkan ; and as soon as he re- ceived the investiture of his office, marched with a select corps of 1 2,060 cavalry towards Allahabad : but as that prince will make a conspicuous figure in the sequel of this history, it is presumed that the following short account, given of him, and of the policy /of Aurungztbe, by an eye-witness of the events, will not be deen:ed impertinent. " Aseem Ooshan, 'the second sen of Behadur Sfiah, was a statesman of winning manners. Aulurageer (the Emperor Aurung-zebe) had always pursued the policy of encouraging his grandsons, and employing them in public affairs 5 for as his sons were ambitious of great power, and at the head of armies, .he thus .prudently controlled them, by opposing to them rivals in their own families 5 as Bedar Bukht to Aazim Shah ; and Azeem Ooshan to Shah Alum Behadur Shah. To Azeem Ooshan he had given the advantageous -government of .the three, provinces of.Bengal, Behar, and vrissa.*" Upon -the Prince's arrival .at Allahabad, he sent orders to the Governor of Oude immediately to join him, with all his forces : he also issued his commands to all the zemindars in that neighbourhood, and lo those of Benaras and Behar, to join his camp as soon as he should enter their respective terri- tories, on his njute to Bengal. When the Prince arrived atPatna, he heard of the success ofZubberdust "Khan ; and fearing that so active an officer would gather all the laurels before his arrival at the scene of action, and leave him nothing by which he might gain credit \vith the Emperor, he sent positive commands to the General not to risk another engagement until he should join him with his victorious army. .Zubberdust Khan saw clearly the object of this order, and was much hurt at having his hands thus tied up 5 but as the rainy season vva? just setting in, he can- toned his army in the vicinity of Burdwan, and waited patiently the arrival of the Prince, who also cantoned his army at Mon- Vide Memoirs of the Mogul Empire by Eradut Kban. Scott's Histo- ry of the Dekkan. vol. II, SKETCHES OF BENGAL* 25 cier, and did net advance to Burdwan till the end of the year. Upon the approach of the Prince, Zubberdust Khan advanced several miles, to meet, and to pay his respects to, the grand- son and representative of the Emperor : but so cool and dis- tant was the reception he met with from his Highness, that lie resolved immediately to quit the army, and to proceed with bis father, the deposed Governor, to Court. Having delivered over the command of the troops, he made known his request to his Royal Highness; who, jealous of the fame that Zubberdust Khan had so justly acquired, was gra- ciously pleased to comply with his wishes ; although by'so doing, he greatly reduced the strength of his own army ; as re,rly 8000 of the best troops were the dependants, or follow- ers, of the General and his father, and went away with him. The departure of Zubberdust Khan was a subject of great joy a-nd exultation to the rebels ; they dreaded the activity and courage of that officer ; and hoped to gain some advantage from the want of experience and local knowledge of the Prince. Rehim Shah immediately sent directions to all his followers ; who, in order to conceal themselves, had dispersed in various parts of the country, to join him on a certain day. Thus while the Prince was amusing himself at Burdwan, and receiving the congratulations of the zemindars and prin- cipal men of the province, the rebels again collected in great force ; and had the audacity, not only to plunder the districts of Nuddeah and iHoogb/jb-nt to encamp within a few miles of Burdwan. During the- time the Prince was at Burdwan, the Dutch chief, of Chinsura, sent an agent to the camp ; who repre- sented, that while his nation paid a duty of 3| per cent, on all their commerce, the English only paid the petty sum of 3000 rupees per annum ; and therefore solicited that the Dutch might be put on the same footing. As it was notorious that the Prince was of a very indolent dis- position, and would not give himself much trouble to ascertain the original cause of such a distinction ; and that he had come into the province for the express purpose of amassing a fortune, in consequence of which no business could be transacted with- out a bribe, and that the judicious application of money might procure any favour j the English also deputed, as their envoy, one of the most intelligent of the Company's servants, a Mr. Walsh, not only to oppose the intrigues of the Dutch, but to procure from his Highness a grant of the villages of Suttanutfy, Oobindpore, and Calicotta ; also to demand restitution of the Company's property, 'which was taken from the rebels at Raj- nuibel, and detained by the Mogul General : he was further authorized to solicit a confirna&ioa ojf the English privileges, by *4 SKETCHES OP BENGAL. the Prince's special Nishan, or order, for freedom of trade> without the payment of any duties. Mr. Walsh arrived in the PrinceVcamp, at Burdwan, in January 1698 ; but owing to the interruption of business by the war against the rebels, and various other procrastinations, he Aid not effect the object of his mission till the month of July ; when, at length, by the payment of a considerable sum of money, the Prince's order for the purchase of the lands was forwarded to Suttanutty ; but on being shewn to the zemin- dars of the three villages, they refused to make orer the lands, as* the order was not countersigned by the King's Devvan. This circumstance caused a further delay j and it was the end of the year before the business was settled to the satisfaction of the English : nor did they receive the Prince's order for- freedom of trade till the month of January 1700*. From this digression we rgtucn to the account of. the war, as given by the native historian. When Azeem Ooshan was informed of the proceedings of the rebels, instead of attacking them with vigour, he had the weakness to send a letter to Rehim Shah, admonishing him to return to his duty,, wkh a promise of forgiveness, andofbeini* taken into 'the Royal favour if he complied. The rebel received the letter with hypocritical) marks of respect ; and returned a verbal message, "That if the Prince would send to him Khuaje Anvur, his chiefcounsellor, with assuranceSr-of safety, he would, come and pay his devoirs to his Royal Highness. "t The Prince, whose disposition was open and sincere, gave his; enemy credit for an equal degree 01" candour $ and ordered Khuaje Anvuc to proceed early the next morning to the Afghan . camp, and bring the rebel chief to his presence. The Khuaje - reposing the same confidence as, the Prince did in the assuran- ces of Rehim Shah, advanced, with a small party of attend- ants., to the boundaries of his camp ; and sent a message that . he was. there, ready to give him the required assurances of safety, and to conduct him to .the.presence of the Prince. * If was during this period that the great contest between the two English Companies took place in Bengal. The Prinre could nut under* tand the subject, but took bribes from both parties : from the Old Com- pany be got 16,000 rupees ; add from the New, 14,000. t Governor Eyre, in his letter dated January 6, 1698, statei, it was reported that ibe Prince sent the rebel thief a pair of fcbackles and a word, desiring him to take his choice : that the rebel took the sword ; but tent a polite message to the Prince, pointing out to him the great age cf the Emperor, the contentions (hat must ensue upon bis death, and the favourable opportunity that was now predated to his Highness, of se- curing for himself the rich province of Bengal, by taking into his favour and service the Afghani, whose friendship he would find not leu service- able than their enmity would prove formidable. East-India Records, vol. XIX. SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 2G Whether Rehim Shah had changed his mind during the t, or wished to he more highly honoured in the jjiht of his followers, he insisted that the Khuaje should come to iiis tent ; and there, in- the presence of witnesses, reprat the Vrince'3 invitation and assurances of safety. Bnt the Khuaje, suspect- ing some treachery, declined going into the camp, and at- tempted to return home. He was pursued by a party of the Afghans; and after defending himself to the last extremity, he and all his attendants were cut to pieces. , After this atrocious act of villainy, Rehim Shah, convinced that he had nothing to expect, from the clemency of the Prince, ordered his troops to moun*. and to make a sudden and vi- gorous attack on the Royal camp. This movement was executed with such rapidity, that Azeem Ooshan had-.barely time to mount his elephant before he was surrounded by a party of the Afghans, headed by their chief, Rehim Shah ; .and would certainly have been taken pri- soner, had not a brave Arab officer, named Hamid Khan, called out, that he was the Prince, and challenged the Afghan to single combat ; at th^ same moment discharging an arrow which penetrated the rebel's s'de : a second arrow from his hand wounded his antagonist's horse in the head, who thereon reared up, and threw his vider on the ground : the Arab in- stantly dismounted, and, having cut off Rehim Khan's head, held it up on the point of his lance.- The Afghans, seeing the catastrophe of their chief, were Struck with panic, and fled on all. sides. After which they offered to submit to the Prince, provided he would take them into his service ; which beu>g agreed to, a general amnesty ivas passed, and peace restored to the .harassed province. After this unexpected victory, the Prince proceeded to the tomb of Shah Ibrahim Sukka*, in the vicinitv of Burdvvan : and having returned thanks to the Almighty for his success, he ordered a large sum of money to be distributed, in alms, to the poor and religious persons who attended on the shrine of the Saint. He then entered the city, and took up his resi- dence in the fort, which at that period was considered a place of some strength. The Prince continued to reside for a 'considerable. -time in Burdwan : during which period he directed hfs attention to repairing the injuries that had been committed by the rebels, au,d in bringing back the inhabitants of those districts, who - . "-'-" ------ -- -- - * * This person wns originally a water-carrier; hat having associated whh th"e~Snf fies, helietHmea celebrated author of poems and religious works. After bia death be TV us canonized, aud JIM 4onb is ttiU resorted to by pilgrims. ? SKETCHES OF BENGAL. -had been compelled to abandon their homes. He restored Jiisrgut Roy, the son of the murdered ttaja, 1 to his zemindary ol iiurchvHn j Hud recompensed ail those persons, who'havisift remained firm in^heir allegiance, had been dispossessed of then* ] MH\S by the rebels. For' the brave Hainid Khan .he procured, from the Emperor, the tiile-of.jShuinshere Khan Behadur, and the office of FoMjedatj -or military commander, of the districts of Bundasil and Siihef : he also liberally rewarded ail the other olficurs \vho hacj distinguished themselves on this occasion. During the period that Azeem Ooshan resided at Burdwun, he built, in that city, a public * mosque : he also caused to be Constructed, in Hoogly, a new bazar, toVvhich. he gave the name of Shah Gun^e ; but the people, in compliment to htm, called it, Az'eena Gunge. He regulated the customs of the pert of Hoogly at two and a half per- cent, on nil ^ouds belongin Mohammedans : but compelled the Hindoos* to pay rive, and the Christians. three and a half, per cent, on their , mer- chandise. 'He u!so established the inland duties, called saii; upon various commodities passing from o''j place to another, in the interior of the country. In short, .the Prince devoted in noh'ot' iiis time to the perfoi -mance of the duties of his oifice, ami ', the improvement of the revenues. He also every day allotted several hour*; to the conversation of the learned aixd 'religious, and had .frequently passage^- from the best, authors resid to mm. He often visited the hermits and derveishes, and solicited their prayers for, his uuccesgion to the throne. OnedayUie Prince sent his two sohai -.Kereera Addeen and Ferrokhsere, to visit a celebrated Sooty t> named Uayezid, and to .request -that the holy man would take tjie trouble of coming to the palace. Upon their arrival near the Saint's dwelling, Ferrokhsere alighted from his hor e ; and approach- ing, in the most respectful manner, paid his compliments, and delivered Uis father's message) whilst the other brother scarce- ly deigned. to return the Spoiy's salutation. The Saint was much irritated at the conductof Kereem Addeen, and highly pleased by the humility of Ferrokhsere : he therefore took the latter by the hand, and causing him to sit down beside him, blessed him, and said to him, " To you L> this t/ay given the empire of Hindoostau.". He soon after arose, and accompanied the youths to the palace. When Azeem Ooshan was infOrrued of the approach of the Soofy, he aro^e from his seat,, and advanced to .meet, him j and after having made many apologies for the trouble Jie had given him, seated him on" his own musnud. He shortly alter * The English ere xempted from this duty, ^ they paid a specific sun annually. t Hermit, or Monk. There are semal orders of (hen. SKETCHES -OF BENGAL; 27 communicated to the Sarnt the object of his tv'slo* ; an-i supplicated his prayers, that he mi r 'ht one day succeed to U e throne. The Saint'wiih gn -t replied,' " Alv-; ! wh;it you desire has already been s^i'ven to \or,r iSon Fc;; >!'h.-;ere : the arrow of my prayer has been shot from' the bo\v, and can- not be recalled." He then arose, bad province, three millions of pounds ster- ling in Specie, and jewels to a very great amount. The Prince, after u residence of nearly three years in Burd- wan, having regulated the affairs of the' western part of Bengal to his satisfaction; ordered the state-boats which nad been built during the government of Sultan Shujaa, to be collected in the vicinity of Hoogly ; and embarking at that place, proceeded with great pomp to Dacca, and took possession 'of the Royal By the advice of some narrow-sighted politician, the. Prince was induced,, about this time, to adopt a measure which not only gave great disgust to the commercial " part of th com- 2* SKETCHES OF BENGAL. inanity, but drew on him the displeasure of the Emperor Au- rungzebe. The Prince wished to become the sole merchant of all Euro- pean and foreign goods brought lo Bengal ; he therefore esta- blished agents at all the ports, with authority to purchase the eargo of every ship that arrived, at a low price ; and afterwards retail the goods to the merchants at a considerable profit. To- this species of commerce was assigned the epithets of *S" the union of the two Companies in 17023; but the adjustment <>f their respective affairs was not completed till the year 1708, when they took the title of The United Company of Merchants trading to the Gust ladies. f See Mua*iral Oinrab. . By Mr Orme he i-s called Jaffier Khan; and by Mr. Glad win, and -tlie translator -of the Sieral MuULber-een, sometimes Jaffier Khan, and at other times Moor^hnd Cooly. ' But as a second Jaffier Khan will ap- pear in the pages of this History, 1 have thought it better to let him re* .Uio the title of Mnoiauud Cooly Khan throughout. SKETCHES OF. BENGAL. 31 distinct : the business of the former was to defend and pro- tect the country from foreign insult or domestic insurrections,- and to enforce a strict obedience to the laws : % to the latter was assigned the collection of the revenues, and the disbursements of all the requisite expenses*. He was, in a certain degree, subject to the orders of the Nazim j being obliged to comply with all written orders, for money, from that officer, for the service of government : but the Nazim was responsible to the exchequer for any improper use of that power : he received his regular salary from the Dewan, and was not entitled to any further emolument from his office. These two officers were, however, commanded to consult with each other, upon all important affairs : and to act in concert upon every public emergency, according to the regulations which from time to time were issued. Moorshud Cooly Khan, soon after his appointment, proceed- ed to Dacca, and entered with alacrity upon the business of his office. -He found that the country was rich And productive, but- that the public revenue had been absorbed in improper channels. He therefore appointed his own collectors to the different districts ; and in a short period ascertained that the revenue of Bengal amounted to one crore (ten millions) of rupees. During the superintendance of former Dewans, the greater part of Bengal had, from the idea of its being an unhealthy and unproductive country, been made over to military jagierdars f j and only a small proportion of it remained under the immediate controul of the exchequer ; its revenue therefore had not even, sufficed to pay the Nazim, and military and civil establish- ments : in consequence of which, money was frequently drawn from the other Soubahs, to liquidate the debts of Bengal. The first act of Moorshud Cqoly's authority was, to request the Emperor to cancel all the jagiers of Bengal ; and to assign to to the officers lands in Orissa ; and other districts ; where the hand of authority, aided by private influence and superintend- nce, was required to enforce the collections. His suggestions were readily attended to; and all the assign- ments on lands, except the stipends #f the Nizamut and Dewan- ny, were transferred to Orissa. By- this means the whole of the Zemindars, or Hindoo landholders, were placed under the immediate controul of the Dewan, who, by his authority, en- forced a very considerable rise on their rents, and thereby much augmented the revenue of the state. * A copy of the Oewan's commission: may be found in the Appendix to the 3d volume of bow's History of Hindoos tan. f Possessors of lands, held by assigameut from the Crown for parti cular services. 3* SKETCHES OF BENGAL. This conduct acquired for Moorshud Cooly Khan great ce- lebrity at Court; but the haughty spirit of the Prince, Azeem Ooshan, could ill brook the constant interference, in all pe- cuniary transactions) of the Devvan, and his frequent opposi- tion to his Royal Highness's commands. Beside these causes, the Prince was exceedingly jealous of the high favour in which Moorshud Cooly stood with the Emperor ; and the courtiers and favourites of the Prince, whose extravagance, or assumed povvcrsj were constantly controuled by the Dewan, fanned the flame, and added fuel to his already exasperated temper : Azeem Ooshan was therefor^ exceedingly anxious to get rid of his rival) if it could be effected without risking the displea- sure of the Emperor. As in the East there have been at all times found people ready to commit the most daring acts, or to perpetrate the niost atrocious murders, when supported by the hand of pow- er, or bribed by the temptation ot'wenlth ; an officer, named Abdal Vahid, commanding a long-established corps of horse, called Nukedy, who were entitled to their pay monthly from the treasury, and therefore looked with contempt on the other troops paid by assignments on the zemindars, and who were, Besides, noted'for their insolence and contempt of all authority, proposed to the Prince to assassinate the Dewan, if he would ensure to him, or to his heirs, a. large sum of money. The offer having been accepted, Abdal Vahid ordered his men to waylay the Dewao, the next time he came to pay his res- pects to the Prince. An opportunity soon after offered : the Dewan, who was never deficient in etiquette and respect to the Viceroy, left his house one morning, to pay his obeisance at the palace ; but before he had gotten half way, his retinue was stopped in the street by a large body of the Nukedy regiment, who, in a. clamorous manner, demanded their pay. The Devvan, who always went abroad well armed, and was attended by a con- siderable number of armed followers, immediately jumped out of his palanquin 3 and, drawing his sword, commanded bis attendants Co clear the road>-a{id drive those fellows away. The Nukedies, seeing his resolution and firmness, shrunk back, and allowed him to proceed unmolested to the palace* ; where, as soon as he entered, he loudly accused the Prince of being the author of this conspiracy. He then seated himself, in a rude ind indecorous manner^ opposite to him ; and putting bis hand to his dagger, said, "If you want my life, here let us * This building, called the Pooshteh, is still in existence, and lain* habited by the chief c^iiserTant at Dacca. SKETCHES OF BEN6AL. 33 try the contest : if otherwise, take care that nothing of this kind ever again occurs." . ^ The Prince alarmed by his threats, and dreading the severe justice of the Emperor, was very much agitated ; and after protecting his innocence in the most solemn manner, sent for Abdal Vahid, and severely reprimanded him for the flagitious conduct of -his men, threatening hiin with the severest marks of la's displeasure if they were ever again guilty of such disorderly behaviour : these excuses did not, however, satisfy the Dewan ; he proceeded immediately to the Public Hall ot Audience, and, having sent for Abdal Vahid, examined into the arrears due to the corps ; and, after giving him an assignment for the amount, on one of the zemindars, discharged him and his regiment from the Imperial service. Moorslmd Cooly then returned home ; and having drawn out a statement of all the circumstances, had it authenticated by the signatures of the public officers ; and forwarded it, with a representation from himself, to the Emperor. After acting in so spirited and independent a manner, Moor- shud Cooly deemed it unadvisable to remain in the same place tvith the Prince j and having consulted with his friends on the most advantageous situation, he resolved to fix his residence at Mukhsoodabad, as being nearly in the centre of the province, and equally convenient for collecting the revenues from all pans. Having decided on this measure, he left Dacca without taking leave of the Viceroy , and carrying with him all the pub- lic officers attached to the Dewany, proceeded to Mnkhsooda- bad ; the name of which, in order to commemorate this event, he some years afterwards changed to Moorshudabad j thus to hand down his own name to posterity. When the well -authenticated statement of the disturbance at Dacca, and the attempt on the life of the Dswan, reached the Emperor, Who was then in the Dekkan, he sent an order to Azeeni Ooshan, severely reprimanding him ; and threatening him, that if the smallest injury was offered, either to the person or to the property of Moorshud Cooly Khan, he, although his grandchild, should be answerable for it. He further com- manded the Prince immediately to quit Bengal, and to fix bis residence in the province of Bebar. Azeem Ooshan knew too well the arbitrary disposition oif his. grandfather to attempt any justification of his conduct, or to procrastinate his departure : he therefore appointed his se- cond son,'Ferrokhsere, under the superintendance of Ser Ba- Jund Khan, to be his deputy in Dacca ; and embarking with the remainder of his family, and all the public officers, on board the government boats, proceeded to Rajmahel, and took possession of Sultan Shujaa's palace. The air of> that K 34 SKETCHES OP BENGAL. place, however, not agreeing with his family, he soinefnne alter removed to Patna, the castle and fortification of which, be repaired, and, by permission of the Emperor, changed tha name of the city to Azeemabad j by which appellation it is still distinguished by all the followers of Mobaromed. It has been before stated, that, on the abrupt termination of . Sir William Norm's embassy, the Emperor had issued orders to seize and confine every Eurpean in his dominions : in consequence of which, in the month of February 1 70 i, the whole of the English settled at Patna and Rajmahel, with all their effects, were seized, to make good the damages done by the pirates : the amount of the property, however, proving inconsiderable, the Company's servants were confined for fifty-* one days in the public jail, but were afterwards liberated on. their parole. On the 30th of March the order was extended to all the European factories ; and the loss of the English Com- pany, on this occasion, amounted to sixty-two thousand MI- pees. In this month, also, the Foiijedar of Hoogly issued an order to seize all the Company's effect* at ' alcutta ; but tha President, Mr. Beard, having previous notice of his inten- tions., had so well prepared for his defence, that the Fouje- dar hesitated to attack the factory j and, by the .private in- tervention of the Prince, who durst not openly oppose the Emperor's commands, at length desisted from his intentions. He ; however, seized upon all the goods belonging, to the Com- pany which were coming down theriver-to Calcutta j but the spirited conduct of the English, on this occasion, by preventing any of the Mogul ships from passing down the river, obliged him to release the property. During the whole of this business, the Prince Azeem Ooshan, evinced the greatest moderation ; and would, not have carried into effect the* orders of the Emperor, had he not been goaded thereto by the Imperial Dewan. In the month of October, he sent orders to liberate the Company's agents confined at Raj- niahel. and directed that they should be permitted to proceed to Calcutta j shortly after which, an order arrived from Court to take off the embargo on trade. On this occasion the De- wan relaxed in his. severity, and offered freedom of trade to ail the Europeans, provided they would make him and the Prince handsome presents j which th English refused. The Dewan, however, insisted upon the agents of the three European na- tions producing -the original firmans upon which they, claimed their privileges. The Dutch and French produced theirs j but the firman of Sultan Shujaa, having been lost, by one of the English agents in going to Madras, forty years before, the Eqg- lish were obliged to bribe the Dewan'a secretary to let the mat* terdrop. . SKETCHES OF BENGAL. Moorshud CooJy Khan, having fixed his residence at soodabad, assembled there all the public officers of his depart* ment ; and at the end of the year, having made up his accounts, in which was clearJy exhibited the great increase he had made to the revenue of the provinces, prepared to set out for Court, in order personally to lay them before the Emperor: on pre- senting the papers, however, to the two Canoungoes*, whose counter-signatures were requisite for their being audited in the Imperial exchequer, one of them, named Dherp Narain, re- fused his signature, unless bribed by a present of three lacs of rupees; but the Dewan, conscious of the accuracy of his statement, refused his demand ; and having obtained the sig- nature of the other C'anoungoe, notwithstanding bis being on, bad terms with the Prince, proceeded to the Imperial camp in the Del'kan ; and having first presented the Emperor and hts ministers with a very large sum of money** and a number of curiosities brought from Bengal, he then submitted his ac- counts to the Imperial exchequer : they were immediately audited by the Vizier, and much credit gjven to him for hia exertions He was, in consequence, dignified by the Emperor with a dress of honour, standards, and kettle-drums ; and re- appointed to Bengal, as Dewan of the three provinces, and deputy Nazi m to the Prince in. the provinces of Bengal and. Orissa, Thus circumstance gave great offence to Azeem Oo- sban ; -but knowing the despotic temper of hip grandfather, he- could only repine in silence. In the year 1705-6, the. union of the two East-India Com- panies having been nearly completed, the whole of the united, property was deposited in Fort William ; the garrison of which, was augmented to the number of one hundred and thirty European soldiers j and a number of guns were, mounted oa the works. This display of strength does not appear to have. given any offence to the Mogul government ; but it inspired the native merchants with confidence, and induced many of them, to go and settle in Calcutta ; which, in consequence, had be- come a regular and populous town, and produced a consider- able revenue ; and being rendered independent of Madras, by the Company, rose highly in the, estimation, of the commer- cial world. Such was the state of affairs, ia, Bengal, when, the great age. and bodily infirmities of the Emperor Aurungzebef having 'Officers in (be revenue department, subordinate to the The word means, literally, Etplainer of Ike Regulations. t This monarch's title was properly Aalamgeer (Conqueror, of the World; ; but a* he is better known in Europq by the appellation ha bore as prince, it is retained in this History. SKETCHES OF BENGAL, . * rise to many intrigues for the succession to the empire, IS til tan Mohammed Aa/im, who for a short time governed lien- gal, and who, although only the second surviving son of Au- rungzebe, openly laid claim to the throne, and was, in fact, the i'avouritelmd intended heir of his father, being jealous of the great wealth possessed by his nephew, the Prince Azeem Ooshan, and the power which the government of the eastern provinces threw into his hands, procured his recall ; and that jlrince, a few months before the death of the Emperor, having appointed his own son, Ferrokhsere, to be his representative in Bengal and Orissa, and Se'r Balund Khan to be deputy- governor of Behar, proceeded towards Court. Although the connection between Azeein Ooshan and the history of Bengal terminates with his departure from Patna ; yet. as the fate of that prince is not recorded in any regular history of India> it is presumed that an account of it will not be considered as uninteresting in this place. The Emperor Aurungzebe Aalumgeer departed this life on the 28th of Zykiiad (llth month) of the year of the Hejira II 18, in his camp, in the vicinity of Ahmed nagur>* aged ninety-one years and thirteen days; having verbally made a division of his empire amongst his three sons. To the eldest, Mohammed Muazim, he assigned the provinces of Cabul, .Lahore, and Moultan ; to the second, Mohammed Aazim (then "called Aazim Shah)) he gave the central parts of Hindoostan j und to the younger, Kam Bukhsh, the provinces of th South, or Dekkan. The day after the death of the Emperor, his second son, Aazim Shah, entered the Imperial camp, and took possession f the Royal tents and treasures; and as soon as the funeral rites were performed, he mounted the throne, and gave audi- ence to all the nobility, and officers of the army. He confirm- ed all the ministers of the late reign in their appointments j and, shortly afterwards, commenced his march towards Dehly, in order t,o secure the capital against his elder brother. The Prince Azeem Ooshan, who had, by the Enperor's orders, left his government of Bengal to proceed to the pre- sence, had taken the precaution to bring with him a consider- able detachment of his btst troops, and had reached the vU cinity of Agra when he heard of his grandfather's decease j upon which event he marched, with all expedition, to secure that city for his father, Mohammed Muazim, then known by the title of Shah Alaum, but the Governor of the province of * Taken by General' Wellesiey dating the late Mahfatta war. The Emperor was buried there, close, to the tomb of a Saiot uarncd Zieaal Afctdeea. SKETCHES 01- WSNCIAL. :<7 Agra having United his daughter in marriage to the sn of the prince Auzim i>ha.h, resolved to oppose him ; and in order to impede Ins progress .-.unk ail the boats in the river Jumna and erect* d batteries at the- neighbouring fords. Hit efforts were, however, unavailing ; lor A'/eua Ooshan having marched, some distance tip tte hanks of the river, crossed it and in a LLfcncral engagement, defeated and took the Governor prisoner ; by whicU event, although he could not obtain possession of the fort, he became master of the province through which all the contending armies must, pass. A short time after this event, h*'ing obtained intelligence that a convoy, with the ytar'i j-evenue of Bengal, amounting to one crore of rupee* (i ,230,000/.)nvas advancing towards Agra, lie sent off a detach- ment of cavalry, and succeeded in siezing it; which circum- stance proved, in the sequel, of the greatest importance u> the success of his father. Azeein Opshaiij having,. besides, brought with him the im- mense Mim of ue.-irly eight crores of rupees* from Bengal im- mediately commenced levying troops, and upon the arrival of lii* father at Agra, mustered before him 30,000 well mounted cavalry-j-. Although Bakir Khan, the governor of the citadel of Agra, had refused to deliver it ftp to Azeem .Ooshan, he did not hesitate a moment to send the keys to Shah Aalum, who, as the eldest son, be considered the legitimate heir to Ihe em- pire. The possession of that fortress was of the utmost conse- quence to Shah Aalum, . wit not oaly afforded him a place of refuge for his family, but contained the whole of Shah Jehan's treasures, with warlike stores of every kind ; oy the means of which he speedily n.fitted his army, and advanced to meet his rival and brother, the prince Aazim Shah. The contending armies met on the plaius of Jajoo, not many miles distant from Agra, , and as the command of thi- first line which bore the 'brunt' of the battle, was entrusted to. Azeem Ooshan, in oci^of the MICCCSS qf the day may be attributed to his exertions. The result \vag. the .total defeat of Aaam. Shah's army, and the death of himself and h:s two sons Bedar Btikht JUKI Vala Jp.hJ. This event occurred on the 1 1th of the - month Rubby al A-uii H \9, A. D.-.l 707. - - - . . i * A rore is 100 lacs, or 10,000,000. + It may not he unnecessary here to remark, L;it (he soldiers, under fheTiatiVe Princes of India, furnished their own horses and arms ; and fhat a number of them were always ready tajoin Ihe standard of aoy person who could pay them. J These events are recorded io the -Mttatakhub.al Leb.ib of Khafy Khan, the Sier Mutakhereeo of Syed Ghoohun Hussdo, aad Memoirs of the Mogul Empire, by Lradm Khan, for the latter vruifc, 33 SKETCHES OK HEXCAL. A'ie ihis victory, Slufe i/ilmn returne/I to A^ra, nnn soiled the title of BehsMwr^huh a-ud fis a proof of Ms scr-e nf the assistance he-hart received -frani lilf. son Azeen>'G.o>l rc-nppoiirted' him Governor'uE the ^province of Bengal, l>eUar ami Orissa, to which u'^s udcled-' the province of Ahahuhftd, but as the Emperor vra* desirous of retnin'm^ him reni- h'rs per- sqnu during . the wiu* awaiost. his own yor.nirer brother JCum . riiriaisb^.ne .directed' hinl' to canfirm' Moorshud Coniv ,: Khan, ai his deputy in Hengal and Oriss.i ; nnd to appoint M\C! persons as he most. : e.s teemed to be his {tepnti&s in the othejs 1 l^Od This ciccmtHStance nabtetl tjve Priucc hajKlsonieir { to;iWRrd two ncirfernen who li-td t*"eti useful ta his-n on vari-. otriaaosbeidB^HqMl hatl punicularlyi 'disiingiitelied tliftmsclves in- t'^a kit 'p'eTStfns ire re brothers aiuL boasted the^honoiif of beina; descended t'ronr'iha' Arabian Pro- ];hct. To the eldest named Syed AbduUuh -Khan he ^ve iho, government of Allahabad ; nnd to tiie yoitg^i', Svtd Hussein A-Iy.Khan, that of L'ohar. After these arrnn^eraeoty, the Prince . i.-. .:;ur.!y attended ut Court and by 1) is abilities and suavity ",ii::ev.., gained a great influence over tliQ mind *t' his ftfher. fu the year 1 121, A. D. rt"f2, the Emperor, \vm> was then-' atLahcre, \vas taken ill of a Fever, Avhich affectcii his bruin, ^-^d vetuicreU hinl totally incapable of ba*siness : and as his eidest son, Moizaddeen, had for some time declined coining to Court, on ac^ count of the preference which his father gave to Az'eem Ooshaii^ nil tlie, afi'aitsiof the empH- were, for- some time, transacted by the Prioce ; which circumstance enabled him, upoo tb^- death of Behadur Shah, to take possessin -of the Royal trea- sure, jewels, and artillery, and to mount the throne. But having, by his pride and petutenee, given offence to Zoolftcar Khan, the Ameef >il Omnsh, and other officers, they took pak with his three brothers*. At this time the whole of the Imperial army was encamped in the vicinity of Lahore : the Emperor's tents vjbre upon one side of the river (Ravy), and those of Aztem Ooshan upon the opposite bank ; but a constant communication as kept up between both, by means of boats : and as soon as the Srfiiperor , died, Axeem Ooshan took possession of the Imperial tents, ; The_ground..of encamp uientr of the theee other princes was be* tween the Emperor's tents and the town. Had Azeem Ooshan acted with promptitude, and immedi- ately attacked his brothers, he would .have probably ueeo suc- is the best, see Scott's Histbjy of Oie Dekkah; in which lb descriptioa of this battle will amuse every military reader. * Ibeir aaoies mere, Moizaddeeo, Jekan Sbab, aad Ruffiah Ooshan. SKETCHES OF BENGAL. ce'ssfa!; but hoping tliat the army, finding he was In of the treasure and artillery, would ftodc to his standard, he resolved to remain on the defensive , and ga*-e orders to have hia camp entrenched. 1 While Azeem Ooshan thus flattered himself with nn.ea^y c\>nq^iest, the .three brothers, by the advice of the Ameer ui <5mrah, dre\v severallarge pieces of artillery from the fort, aud^ 'ncamped their united. forces in one Hue, making lie pit^thejr,, defence to the fe.ir. _ . ' ( ,' ")/ ,. , In ibis situation affairs remained fur Four da-vs ; r tl"rin'ar.yvhlctt" I I > P t ' T - ' a he;wy cannonade was kept up on both sides ; but the^aypan- tnge being nilanHestly on the part of the tlir.ee -brothers, and the troops of Azeetn O^shan beginning to desert. h.e,t'ouud. it rt 'incite to alter his plan ; and on the , fifth inoroitig myrched 1" 1 1 J ' i. ' ' irom his camp, pesolved tq conquer, or to die. ,, As previous to this- time most of his.experienced generals n au left him, the troop* were djajtvu^m.,vvithou.t.injy pr.operarrar^ge- uient ; the artiiieiy were p'ifced m such a" situation as to be perfectly, rtsejess, a:id were 1 no 5, supported by any. body.tifre- gidar troops. Kereem AdJeen, the eldest son of the Prince, \vho \va> the' nominal commander of the first line, remained in the reserve with his father; and rxmfe of the officers kaevv.to- whom they sfcould apply fpr orders. ; . ,^,^ In the meantime the. enemy advanced slowly, but ii\ regular" order, towaj'ds Azeem Ooshan, whose terrified troops began to disperse. The misguided., but truly brave, .Prince," whence saw hui for.tvine, thus adverse,, .(though -lie' might have saved himself by .qutting hi^ elephant, and mounting a fleet horse> Vhich would have carried .him buck- to. Retinal.) disdaiqed tl\e- proposition, which had been suggested to him by Amceu Addowleh/, one of his attached friends ; and continuing .to ad- vance, .although nearly abandoned by all his troops, his elephuut driver was killed by a mus'qnet slot ; and tlu animal, haximj been severely wounded hy a cannon- bull, became fjmouSj anq,. rushing to the steep banfi of the Ravy, precipitate.d himself ap^ Tn;..-!>.r Into the stream. , Th again fouad, but no trace of and for a time it was hoped, b S^:lj is the account given, both in the Sier al Mutakhereen, a<:.l the Muntakhub al Lebab ; ,but by Eradub Kkan's st,at^^ r nent, the body of Azeem Ooshan .was found ^n the fidd of battle, covered witb ^p^ij^^nd^4e^eK^c\;to_i > is\brot,bei^. oVIohammed /Kefeem, tlu, clde^ op ^f,,tl,\e Prjnee, was made prisoner, and put to death by order of his un.cle, Moizaddeen, who had thea assumed the title of Jehandar Shah. These events occurred in the end ofSuffei 1 (secor-'i year 1124, A, D. 171. ; ' i ' u '"'" '- (! ' ->vM a* e$ -Promotes the son of the deceased Represents to the ^Emperor the impolicy of the Foujedar of Hoogly be1ng"'ijt(IcVfndent of his' authority ^Ordered to appoint ait officer <>f his oicn to that 'vffive Nominates tFullee Begr ''/'/dip deposed Foujedar re_ fuses .to leave behind his Peishltnr .1 dispute takes place Zyn Addeen is assisted by the {'rrnch and Jjictch The Ntewatt sends a force, under Dit- 2'Ut Sin;'-. !;> establish his oj/tcer An accidental shot killn Dilpu't Klntr The 'insurgents drice the -Nuwab's troops into the tuu-n, and march off towards fJe/tly^ The Nuwuh, some time after, t-aites rel'enge on the ^ Paishkar Reduces the ' * * See Mvza Aba TaleViTravcli. 'SKETCHES OF BSXGAL. 1 establishment Preserves great dignity In li'is Court Impartial in kin conduct, but prefers the Hintloos as-men of business -One of Inn principal Collectors commit .suicide f^arions instunces'oj the Nuwab's cruelty in cnfvrcin^ the collections Observes grent regularity in remitting the re- Venues Jef Behar, icho writes to Abdullah Khan, Gn~ temor of AHafttifind, find prevails upon -him to jrin in the r bct/ian Al>dvltah,in consequence, seises -upon the year's collections of Bengal, -and levies troop* The Emperor SB- ferscdes AldnUah, and sendu an anny to ftt*p06t#S9 him '1 he troops of Abdullah attack and defeat the Royal army Ferraklistre marches from Patna, and arrive* at Allaha- lad, u-hrre he musters hisnrmi/ Advances to C'tdg-tva 'defeat* the Roi;al army proceeds towards Agra engages tie Imperial forces commanded b if the Kmperor in person 'HvaSf'm Aly Khan severely wounded in the engagement- Jt'handnr Shah cxcnpes to Deh : y is seized an'd run fined by idssud ad Dow/ah, the Vizier fenokhscre prnchti'ned Em- 2 crcr proceeds to Dehltf cause* Jehandnr IShuh to be put to death takes possession o? the kingdom Affairs of /Bengal resumed fiaskeetl'Kknn, a far write of (tie Prince, et letup's to seize on (fie province of Bengal Aloorshud Coo'y opposes, defeats, andki'l* Hwheed Kknn Confirmed in his government Appcints his grandson deputy Deieatt cj Bengal Sets aside the -privileges of the English They Send an embassy tv Dehfy y to complain of ki.ng of .some of the other clause* ~Tke 'Eng'hh aff'i'ir* prosperous 'Ih frt'tvab obtains the Government of Behar, in addition to that of Bengal and 'Orixsa Death of Ferraklnere Mvor* thud Conh) confirmed in hi* government b;f the Emjiernr Mtjkan.mtd Shnk '/too of the Zemindar* <>J Bengal raise en insurrection are seized, and confined for lift Anec* do'es (iftl/esererift/ of Moorskttd Cooly Khan--Hisjtts+ tlce, religion, charity, policy, lo>,al'y, abxtemioitsness, learn 'iitg, 4injpurtialiiy~-i>j,ecimeH -f y 42 SKETCHES OF BKNGA.L. TJie Nuwab orders Ith tomb to be built JSndbatours to se- cure the succession for his grnndso}\, tSer Afraz fiJian Opposed by his Son-in-law, and the Ameer al Omrah, Khan Downin The Nutuub appoints h'w grandson hif heir. anil successor Dies His Aonrin-fair, iShujaa Addeen takes possession of the government. 1 t T was thought proper, in the foregoing chapter, not to in- terrupt the narrative of events ; tut t to accompany the prince A/eem Oo.sban to the end of his career. We now return to .the affairs of Bengal. Jthas been mentioned, in the foregoingChapter.thatMoorshud Cooly Khan, the Dewan, having wailed upon the Emperor Au- .rung/ebe, at his camp in the Dekkan, had been most graciously received by that, monarch j. and, in reward for his services, had -been re-appointed Dewan, of Bengal and Orissa, in his own -right; aixl Deputy Nazinv or. governor of the twx> provinces, \on the part of the Prince Azeem Ooshan. . He was also honour* .ed with the lofty titles of Niuvab Moorshud Cooly, Mutimun al ; .JMoolk, Aja.Addovvleh, Jaffier Khan Keseery, Nasjr Jung.. TheJfirst act of tl>e Xiiwab, on his return to Bengal, was fo -diange the name of the city of Mkbsoodaba.d to Moor^ha- dabad ; and, by e>tablishini< iit it the ;niut, and by erecting a palace and other public offices of ^ov.ernpiQiU, to tender it the ^ap.ital of the province. We accordingly find, that, in the year 1 1 18, A. D. 1 70G,tthe '-English East-India Company .was induced, to pay him 26^000; rupees, for permission, to establish a factory at Cossimbazar, ia .the vicinity of the new city, for the convenience oi haying the Bullion, which tbey sent from. .Europe, coined into rupees at ; ihe mint. lo this, year, also, the departJ4re.of the Prince Azeem Oesjiau iiioi^i'Behar "throw the whole of the authority into the ha'nds jof the Nu\vab> and gave him . the unlimited cuntroul over/the cih'ree provinces: for although the .Prince appointed , his son, JFe.4rjt>k > h;ere , (afterwards Emperor), to be his representative ia 'Beng'at, it d0es._jigt appear that he was authorized to do so by tjie Euiperor ; and the DeWxin gaid. Uttle atteniioh to his no- ^11 i nation. \Vhen, after the suc(j^i<^\i of Bebadur Shah, he wasQon- Srroed in the appointment of Deputy Nazim, by whictTthe ^^l.^fl'ewan -^nd Na/.im (which from the reign of Ajsbar ha4,'beo;$eparated i ) wet enow, by theAbseucx of the Prince, imilqd ln_bis persnn, he apppintel iSyed iL-ram Klmn to.be' his deputy. Dewan ,,pvr -the , province of Bengal ; and his v>n-in- lvhau, l;yi)e UL> Deputy . SKETCHES OF B.-vNCVf,. 4B in Orissa- : lie at the same time appointed Ehooput Roy, and Keisor Roy, two Brahmens, probably relations of hi.s owi to confidential situations; the first, secretary to the treasury ; and the latter his. private secretary. H^ also annexed the district of Miduapoie to Bengal, although it had always before constituted a part of Orissa. He now commenced to put in practice a sy&'er.i of thp- greatest oppression upon the zemindars, or. Hindoo jand- .'iolders ; which, although it much augmented the revenue v the state, rendered his name dreaded and detected throii. the provinces. . ., In order to make a fvtll investigation of the value of the lands, h#: placed f the principal zemiudars Lu close confinement, and gave the collection into, the hands of expert Au.mils, or eoliectors,,w-ho received the assessments from tho lavmers, and p lid the- amount into the public treasury. He also ordered, the whole-of the lands to be , re -measured ; and having ascer- tained the quantity of i'allo.)? , anil \vuste ground belonging to every village, .he camed .a, considerable proportion of it to be brought into cultivation^ for. which purpose the- collectors Avere authorized to uiake .advances ot nuxuey to the lower order of husbandmen, to sjiurchase stock, and ta reimburse thear- selves by. a certain. portion of the produce^ When he had thus entirely, dispossessed the zemindars of all interference in>th*; collection, lie, assigned to thenv an allow- ance, either in, land or- : money, fpr the subsistence of their families, called t nanlictr to which was added tiie -privilege of huming, of cutting wood in the forests, ;iad of fi.shing in the d.tkes and rivws-: the^e injiuunLtits- are called liuiikap f sand. gulkur.* i 'J'tie oivly j)sx)ns who were txenipted from - these despotic regulations were the^mindars- of .liheerblioom and Bisheiir ^)oce. cThe first was a popular and virtuous character,, named aAsud AUalv, whose ancestors had been, Hind,uos, but who had baadon'ed. the wor>'ship,ojf idols^ and embraced the Moham- ini'g to the moun- tain* of Jarcimd, whither, upon tmy invasion of the flistrict, he ^tired to pl.'ices inaccessible to his pursuers, and untuned them severely in 'their retreat : the country was besides unpro- ductive ; and the expenses of 'collection, and of UKUUtaimng it, would have exceeded the anroimt ff the revenue. These two zemindar, therefore, having refused -tlie sirm- Tnons totiltendat the Court of Moofshudabad, were permitted -to remain on therr own estotps, on -condition of regularly re- mining their assessment, through an agent sUiiuned at Mooi> hudabad. The Rajas of Tipperah, Conch Behar, an:? Assam, whose Countries, although tlvy had been overrun by the Mohammedan arms, had never been perfectly subdued, and who therefore -continued to sp-ead the irmbrelU of independence; 'and to stamp the coin in their o\vn iumes, were so imi>res>ed vvitl* the idea trfthe 'power and abitiiij/tf presents and (omp'imeiHS "became an annual custom during- the whole time of his go- veninient, with. tut e tlier pirry a'teni|>ting to recede from, or advance beyond, the nriplied line "f conduct. Moorshnd Cooly devoted -tvc> -days in tt e n-eelt to t.he ad- uninistraiion of justice, presiding tn p'son in c->urt : and so impartial was he in his decisions and so rigid in the execution of the sentence of 'he law, thai! he put 'lm own son to death for ati itifrction of its rejn'rttions -, 'and his decisions tliereiiy became Cc-letM-nted throughout. Hindoostau. This, however, tim-t be coiis'dered- as rt3|)e<'iiiig M h:iniinedans ; tor in the collection of the revenues he jtHoxVed his )mcers to be gnii'y or" i^reat cruelty and oppres-ion ; and wherever any person -opposed his will, he marked him as ihe victim of hisveeng-.i. Ifhas been b- lore men ioited, tlmt. when lid waited lo lay Itis accounts in person be re the Emperor, 'Deq> Narain, one tf tie chief "Cancnivjjoes, had refused to audit them bv his sig- itri'iue. This ri-C'iiiisinnce rankled in th tvi H! of Moorshud <*ooly ; ^m a< tie ('a> (Min^oe held hi> appointment independ- t-nily of iK; '(jovernor, and wns only nccountabJe loth" in.perial excheq-ier lor his conduct, the letter durst not m ike a:iy '|:eu 41' ta U a^iiiuvt li tn, \viihout incurring 'lie di^pleivsuie of t|i$ ttperor. lie llie>elore treited In , for several \ears vtb irre.it respect and atient.io.i j aud co.Jsuiled liillkUpua ^aidjn the tevcuue. SKETCHES OF BENGAL; 45 This behaviour gained the friendship of Derp Narain, and lulled him into fatal security ; for neon the death of Bhooput Roy, the Peishkari Klist s.ih, first cleik of the treasury, and who, in fact, managed all the business of that office, be was prevail- ed UMon, by the Nuwab, to undertake that employment. Whilst in th : s dangerous situation, Moorshud Cooly narrowly watched alLhis actions, hojw'ng, that by having thas extended his authority, he might be guilty of some misconduct, which should place him totally iti his 1 power. But Derp Naraitl, having a thorough knowfedge of the business, and being well acquainted with every particular regarding- the revenues of Ben- gal, and only anfcious to recommend hi > self by the faithful discharge of his duty* by the most minute investigation, and by the reduction of expenses, increased the revenue from onecrore nd thirty lacks, (1,300.00f rupees, ( 1 ,500, OOO/ ) which he caused to be actually paid into the public treasury ; but, in so doing, he curtailed the al- lowances granted to the zemindars, and infringed uppn the emoluments of people in office, which rendered him very un- popular, and gave the Nuwab an opportunity of accusing him of malversation in his office : and, under pretence of scrutiniz- ing hi* accounts, he kept him in close confinement, and de- prived him of nil the enjoyments of life ; which severity so af- fected the health and spirits of Derp Narain, that he fell into a recline, and in a short time died. But as the Nuwab was uspecied of having accelerated the fate of his prisoner, he at- tempt el to eff tee that impression by his kindners to the son of the deceased $ for whom he obtained, from the Emperor, his father's office of Ctinoungoe, wiih an addition of one-fourth of the emoluments of the other Canoungne ; who, in conse- quence of his having signed Moorshud Cook's accounts when Dem Naram refused his iinature, expected to have bad bis alary increased, instead of being diminished. For some years previous to the accession of Moorshud Cooly to the Dewanship.uf Bengal, the office of Foujedar,jor Curernor of the port of Hoogly, had been rendered indepen* dent both of die De wan and of the Nasdm of the province 5 but as soon as he had united both offices in few own peeson, he represetited to the Emperor, Behadur Shah, the absurd policy of ar impertiim in imfierio* or mixed authority in govern* nient 5 and requested that the Governor of Hoogly tnignt be subjected to his orders, and rende ed accountable to- foina for 1m conduct. The E>;>peror immediateh- S-\T th*- torce of his ftrgument; and Moorshud Cooly was permitted to appoint au of* and while they two were standing conversing, on, the top of the rampart, a French gun* tier discharged a cannon from, one of the advanced batteries, the ball of which- struck Dilput Sing, and tore him to pieces,, tvithout injuring the agent in the smallest degree. Although the circumstance was probably accidental, it was, considered as premeditated : much merit was assigned to the author of the contrivance, and a handsome reward given to the European for his dexterity. Whether intentional or accidental. it had the > effect, however, cf throwing the Nuwab's army into great confusion ; of which. Zyn. Addeen taking advantage, at* tacke4 and, drove them into the town of Hoogly : after which be, quietly and unmolested, proceeded with his deputy and ictinue to Dehly, where he died a short time after his arrival, witb>u,t any notice having beea taken, by the Ministers, ( the transaction. SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 47 After the death of his patron, Kinker Sein returned from Dehly to Moorshudabad j and, without betraying any signs, of fear, waited upou the Nuwab 5 who, with his usual policy, apparently forgave him, and appointed him collector of tha revenue of the district of Hoogly, but at the end of the year* when lie' came to settle bis accounts at Moorshudabad, con* fined him, on pretence of malversation, and ordered him to be fed on buffaioe's milk mixed with salt,, which occasioning a disorder in his bowels, he in a short time died. Moorshud Cooly Khan continued to make the collection* through his Aumils, by displacing the zemindars ; with a few exceptions, where he found the latter worthy of trust and confi*. dence. He admitted no charges, for troops, but those paid and mustered by himself, ' wo thousand cavalry, and four thousand infantry, under the command of Nazir Ahmed, who hud been originally a private soldier, were found sufficient to enforce the payment of all the revenues of Bengal : for so severe were hia regulations, and such the dread of hi* power and resolution, that his commands were implicitly obeyed j and it was sufficient for him to send a single messenger, to sequester a.ztjmjtxdary, or to seize on a culprit at the greatest distance. Such were the respect and diguity kept up by the Governor at his court, that, in, hw presence, no person was allowed to. salute or speak to another;, npr were any oChis officers or Rajas, allowed to sit before him. He prohibited the semiudars, and other Hindoos of opulence, from riding in palanquipa, obliging them to make use of an in* ferior kind of convey an.cj, called a Dooly, or Chowpaleh. Who= ever deviated, in the. smallest, degree, from his generel regula- tions was certain to experience the effects of his resentment. In the affair* of government, he shewed favour to no one ;. and always rewarded merit wherever he found it. He employ- ed none but Bengaity Hindoos in the collection of the revenues,, because they were most, easily compelled, by threats or punish" ment, to disclose their mal-practices and- their confederates ; and their pusillanimity secured, him from any insurrection os combination against the State, In the few instances in which* he found that they had. defrauded him, or had made away with the revenue* and were unable to make good the deficiency* he compelled the offender., with.hi$ wife and children, to become- Mohammedans, Raja Oudynarain, whose family had long enjoyed the zemin*- dary of the district of Rajeshatiy, was so distinguished by hia abilities and application, that the Nuwab entrusted him \vitb, the superintendence of the greater portion of the collections* and placed under his orders Gholauna Mohammed Jemmadar* with two hundred horse, who in a sUoit time became a greats 4S SKETCHES QF BENGAL. favourite of his principal ; but in consequence of his pay having been kept bark for many months, the Jemmadar'a people mu- tinied, and the Nuwab, without inquiring minutely into the matter, ordered a chosen detachment to quell the disturbance. A conflict ensued in tlie vicinity of the Raja's house, in which the Jemmatlar was killed, find many of his people put to death. This circumstance so "hurt and terrified Oudynarain, that he |)ut an end' to his own existence. The zemindury of Rajeshahy was, in consequence, taken away from the family, and conferred on Ramjtu un and Kanoo Kenoor, two zemindars who resided on the eastern side of the river, in consideration of their having been more punctual in the payment of their rents than the other zemindar.-, of Bengal. The Nuwab, how ever, never placed confidence n any man j tie himself examined the accounts of the exchequer every day ; and if he dUcov*red any of the zemindars, or others, remiss in their payment, he placed either the principal or h agent in arrest, with a guard overiiim^ 'topre^e this either eating or thinking ti'l the business was settled : and, in order to prevent the guards from being bribed, or negligent in their duty, he placed spies over them, who informed him of the smallest de- viation from his orders. A principal iiwtrument of the Nuwah's severity "Was Nazir Ahmed, to Whom, when a distfict was in arrear, he tised to deliver over the caprjve zemindar, to be tormented by every Species of cruelty ; as hanging up by the feet ; bastinadoing ; setting them in the sun in summer ; and by stripping; them nak- ed, aud sprinkling them frequency with cold water, in winter. But all these acts of severity were bot trifles, .compared with the wanton and cruel conductor Syed Rtv.a Khan, who was married to Nuffisah Begum, thegrand-ditogbter of the Nuwab, and who, upon the dea h of Syed Ikrum Khan, had been ap- pointed deputy Dewan of the province. In order to enforce the payment -of the reverrues, lie ordered a pond 'O be dug, which \vas filled with every thing disgusting 5 and the stench of which xvas so offensive, as nearly to suffocate whoever approached it 3 to this >hocking place, in contempt of the Hindoos, he -gave the name of Bickoom, which, in their language, means Pftradise; and, after the zemindars had undergone the usual punish- ttiei.t*, if their rent was not forthcoming, he caused them to be drawn, "by a rope tied under the atms, 'through this infernal pond, tie is also stated to have compelled them to put on loose tnnv- sers, iiuo which were introdnced live cats By such rr'uel a*nd horrid methods he extorted from the unhappy zemindars every thing they possessed, atsd made them weary x>f their lives. The collectidns'of the preceding year were always completed fcy the eud of Cheyt (the first muutU of the nev* year) -, aud in SKETCHES OF BEXGAL. 49 the beginning of Bysack (the second .month) the Nuwab ge- nerally despatched to Dehly the royal revenue, amou-nting from one crore and thirty lacs to one crore and fifty lacs of rupees, ( 1, 500, OOO/.) the greater part in specie. The boxes of treasure were laden upon two hundred or more carts, drawn by bullocks, and escorted by a guard of 300 cavalry and 500 infantry, ac- companied by one of the sub- treasurers. Along xviththe revenue, he sent, as presents to the Emperor and Ministers, a number of elephams, Hill horses, antelopes, hawks, shields made of rhino- ceros hides, sword blades, Sylhet mats, filiigree work of cold and silver, wrought ivory, Dacca muslins, and Cossimbazar silks j also a number of European articles procured at the Royal port ofHoogly. The Nuwab, attended by his principal officers, accompanied the convoy some miles from Moorshudabad : and in order to take off any further responsibility from himself, independent of his own despatches to the Vizier, he had the event recorded in the Royal Gazettes, by which all the Governors on the route were apprized of the circumstance, and were obliged, by the regulations, to have carts and an escort ready to forward the treasure to the capital ; those of Bengal being relieved at Patna, and those of the latter place at Allahabad j the convoy, and its value, frequently increasing as it went ori, by the col- lections of each province. By such conduct, Moorshud Gooly Khan conciliated the favour of the Minister and of the Emperor ; and the appoint- ments in Bengal were made chiefly at his recommendation : but if, through any other interest, a person procured the nomi- nation to an office in that province, every means was taken. to thwart him, and to render his situation so unpleasant, as to induce him quickly to resign it. In proof of the former facts, it is stated, that Sie'f Khan, the grandson of the cele- brated Amyr Khan, having been appointed to Bengal at the recommendation of the Governor, was, .upon his arrival, re- ceived in the most gracious manner, and appointed Foujedar of Purneah, wifh absolvite power over that district, and with, permission to conquer from the Raja of Morung as much terri- tory as he pleased, without any increase of revenue to the State : it is also sakl, that the Nuwab offered him his grand- daughter, Nuffisah Begum, in marriage j but that Sief Khan, being of an illustrious family, declined the connection ; and she >vras.,tlierefore united to Syed Reza. Shortly after Sief Khan had taken possession of his office, he expelled Beer Sah, the zemindar of Beernagur, who ventured to oppose his will ; after which, he imprisoned all the other -zemindars of Purneah; and collected annually from that district eighteen lacs of rupees, the surplus of which,, above the former $0 SKETCFiES OF BENGAL; revenue of ten or eleven lacs, he appropriated to 1m own use. He also considerably extended his boundary, by bringing into cultivation certain waste lands lying between Purneah and Morung as neutral ground, but to which the RajaofMorung, intimidated by Sief Khan's power, gave op hi* claim. All these circumstances were well known to the Nuwab : yet having a great friendship- for Sief Khan, he did not interfere ; but annually invited him to spend some time with him at Moor- shudabad, where he used to rally his guest on the peculiarities in his character, particularly on his mode of paying his troops, which was by giving half the amount in goods either plundered, sequestered, or purchased at a cheap rate, and the remainder in money j also for his manner of rewarding his companions and favourites, by giving them his oust-off concubines, on which account he conferred on him, the title of Zen Bukhsh, The Bestow er of JVomen* In evidence of the other assertion, it is related, that a per- son of an illustrious family, named Syed Aboo Turab, having, through the interest of one- of the Viziers, obtained the office ofFoujedarof Bhoosnah in Bengal, adjacent to which resided a refractory senaindar,. named) >Sittaram>. who- kept in his pay a band of robbers, with' whom he used to infest the roads and plunder the boats on the rivers', and even carry off the cattle from the villages, setting at defiance the power of the Fouje- dar ; to extirpate this public depredator, Aboo Turab applied, for assistance to the Nuwab ; but, instead of affording him the required aid, he was supposed> in.an.unde.p-haod manner, to countenance and encourage Sittaram. At length the Foujedar, finding he had nothing to expect from the Governor,, took into his. own pay an< Afghan officer, named Peer Khan, with 200 of his. followers, well mounted and armeid, and sent him to beat up the quarters of the depre- dator; but Sittaram, having intelligence -of the circumstance, moved to another part of the country, whereby chance he fell in with the Foujedar, who was amusing himself in hunting, and attended by a very small escort.- The robbers immediately attacked the ;; Foujedar and his party, and, before their chief came up, killed Aboo Turab. When Sittaram found that it was the Foujedar he had slain, he much regretted the circum- stance, and told his followers that the Nuwab would certainly revenge ihe insult offered to his government, by flaying them alive, and by desolating the pergunneh of Mahmoodabad : ha then respectfully delivered the body to the Foujedar' 3 atteu- . .. rr. : Zer Bnkbsb, " Beatowtr of Gold," is a common appellation foe ulibe^imM. 6 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 51 dants, who Carried it to Bhoosnab, and interred It in the vicinf-' ty of that town. When the Nuwab received intelligence of the murder of Aboo Turab, he was greatly alarmed, being apprehensive of having incurred the displeasure of the Emperor by his neglect of so respectable a person ; and whom he knew had many friends about the Court, who would not fail to represent the* state of the case. He therefore appointed Bukhsh Alv Khan to* succeed the deceased ; and sent with him a considerable force*. with instructions to seise Sittaram and all his party. Orders, were also 'issued to all'the neighbouring* zemindars, to assist ink seizing the offender -,. and they were informed, that if he waa- allowed to make his escape through any of their districts, they should be expelled from their lands, and suffer other grievous punishments. These orders had an instantaneous effect ; tha zemindars raised their posse comitatus, and hemmed the rob- bers in on every side, until Bukhsh Aly Khan arrived, who seized Sittaram, his women, children, and accomplices, and sent them in irons to Moorshudabad, where Sittaram and the robbers were impaled alive, and the women and children sold as slaves. These, proceedings .were entered in the public re- cords j and the Governor wrote a particular representation of nil the circumstances to the Emperor, placing.his own conduct in the most favourable point of view. From the. disgusting detail.of,suchitransactU>na^ we now turnu to a more dignified 'subject; In the history, of the Erioce A^eem Ooshan, it was stated, that, upon his being summoned to. Court, in the year of tha Hejira 1 1 18, he left hia-secoodson, Ferrokhsere, to be his agent in Bengal and Orissa. That Rjfirice continued to reside for some time at Dacca ,- ,but after the demise of Aurungzebe, and the accession of his grandfather, Behadur Shah, to tbe throne, A. H. 1119, he removed to Moorshudabad, and took up his-, residence at the palace, called the Lall Bag, in that city, where he lived upon terms of much cordiality with , Moorshud Cooly. Khan, not interfering at all with the government ; the whole- management of which had been placed, by < Behadar Shah's, desire, in the hands of the Nuwab. > v Upon the death of Behadur bhah, and the accession of the worthless Jehandar hhah, A. H. 1124, the Prince applied to Moorshud Cooly Khan to assist him in avenging the death of bis father, and in his views upon the empire : but the Nuwab positively refused him, declaring that no consideration should make him depart from his duty to Jehandar Shah, whom he now considered as his lawful sovereign ; but in a friendly manner advised the Prince immediately to quit Moorshudabad, lest an or- der should arrive for his being seized and sent prisoner to Debly. 52 SKETCHES OF BENGAt,' Ferrokhsere did not press the Nuwab any further ; but, set- ting out with his family and a few attendants, took the route of Patna, hoping to obtain some assistance from Syed Husseia Aly Khan, who had been appointed Governor of Behar by kia father ; and on his way was joined by a few of the adherents of his family, from Dacca. Upon his arrival at Patna, instead of entering the city, he took up his residence in a caravanserai, near Jaffier Khan's gardens ; whence he sent a respectful and doleful message to Huss.ein Aly, stating his deplorable situation,- reminding him of the favours conferred on him by Azeem Ooshan, and en- treating him to protect and support him. The Governor was much alarmed and distressed by this message : he was bound, by every tie of gratitude, to the family of Azeem Oosh.m ; but dreaded the power of Jehandar Shah, who seemed to be sup- ported by the principal nobility, and securely fixed on the throne. He therefore returned a polite, but cold answer, to Ferrokhsere, .expressive of his respect for the memory of the Prince's father, but lamenting his inability to be of any service to him ; and conjuring him to depart from Belur immediately, otherwise he should be under the necessity of seizing him, con- formably to the orders which be had received from Court. The Prince, however, not discouraged by this refusal, again solicited, that if he could uot assist him, lie would at least favour him with a visit, and advise him how he should act in the critical situation in which hfe. was placed. Hussein Aly Khan could not refuse such a request from the son of his patron : he therefore went privately to pay his res- pects to the -Prince ; and was introduced into the same tent where the females of the family were, and who were only con- cealed from view by a screen. He was received by the Prioce in the most gracious and conciliating manner possible, and 'cloth- ed in one of his Highnesses superb dresses ; after which they entered into -a long conversation on tfye state of public affairs, in which Ferrokhsere represented, that the fate of his elder bro- ther and the other princes, who had been put to death in cold blood, subsequent to the battle at Lahore, convinced him that he hah nothing to expect from his uncle, Jehandar Shah, 'but death, or a lingering and wretched imprisonment : he therefore conjured Hussein Aly to support hjs cause j and if they succeed- ed, he should share the empire with him. The Governor still remaining unmoved by these entceaties, Mileki Zeman, flie daughter of the Prince, who had been tutored for the occasion, came from behiud the .screen, and, falling at his feet, besought him to have compassion on her father and his wretched TanjiTy : -she remiuded him of the obligations he was under to h'er ; and called on him, iu the name of his ancestor, SKETCHES OP BENGAL. 53 the Prophet Mohammed, who had commanded his followers " Never to forget benefits conferred," not to forsake them in their distress ; and desired him to reflect on what posterity would say of his ingratitude and unmanly conduct, should he now abandon them, and without an exertion, let them fall into the hands-of their enemies. Before she had finished her speech, she was .joined by the widow of Azeem Ooshan ;*' whilst the oilier ladies, from behind the curtain, combined their entreaties' to prevail upon him ; and from ^obs and tears proceeded to screams and lamentations. The Governor could no longer resist such a scene ; and, yielding to their supplica I tions, said, "All I have to offer is my life > and I. now de- vote it to your service." The Prince then presented him Ms own sword, and swore never to prove ungrateful for his kind* ness. The Governor, immediately after, returned home, and wrote all the circumstances to his elder brother, Syed Abdullah Khan, the governor of Allahabad, who also owed his elevation to Azeem Ooshan. f The following day, the Prince Ft rrokhsere was introduced .into Patna with great pomp j and, upoo bis alighting at the palace, was. placed by the Governor on the musnud, and saluted as Emporor of Hindoostan : a proclamation was also issued, and letters writttn to various parts of the country, inviting all officers and -soldiers to join his Majesty's standard. When Syed Abdullah Khan received his brother's letfer, he was overwhelmed with astonishment; for besides the perils ni which they were thus plunged, their wives and children were at Dehly, and consequently in the power of their enemies : but such was his-, affection- for his brother, that he resolved to run all ri^ks, and to rise or fall with him. He therefore com- menced making military preparations : and as the convoy, with the year's collections of Bengal, had just arrived at Allahabad, under the charge of Shujaa Addeen Khan, the son-in-law of the Ntuvab of Bengal, he seized the treasure for Feirojkhsere's use. This was a most fortunate fvent, both for jihe Prince and the brothers, as.it enabled them not only to pay the arrears due to their own troops, but to recruit their army. *-Ihe daughter of tbe Prince being a child, sod his moiher advanced TS, their appearing' before a stranger, and. especially a Syed, was bul-cuusidered as any. great departure from etiquette. Had the ntbec ladies cotae forward, il would have been considered as derogating fronv the Prince's honour, which even the existing tircumstauws would uol have warranted. h This narrative is taken from the Sier al Mutakhereen. Thiscircum- stance i* differently related, by the author of the. Maaiekhufc al at refer 54 SKETCHES OF BENGAL; In the meantime, Hussein Aly, by his influence in Patna, borrowed a large sum of money from the bankers ; and pro- cured from the merchants all the materials requisite for the outfit of his army, wi.hout any other security than 'the Prince's bonds, payable, with a heavy interest, as soon as he should be fixed on the throne. Whilst the two brothers were thus acr lively employed in preparing to take the field, the Emperor was informed, by his spies, of all their transactions ; and immedi- ately superseded Abdullah Khan in his government ; sending at the same time an ac;ive officer, named Syed Abdalghoffar, with 1 2,000 horse, to dispossess him. Abdullah Khan, unable to oppose such a force in the field, took refuge in the fort of Allahabad j but encamped his troops, consisting of less than seven thousand cavalry and infantry, -under the command of his three younger brothers, for the con- venience of water and forage, at some miles' distance from the fort : of which circumstance the'Imperial General having ob- tained intelligence, by a forced march .got between them and the fort : and sent a taunting message to the Governor, that not wishing to play with children, he had left them behind him, being desirous of trying his, the Governor's skill in the game of war. This message having been reported to the young men, inflamed them with rage ; they immediately attacked the rear of the Imperial army; and, after a hard-fought battle, complete- ly routed them ; not, however, without the loss of a number *f their own men, and that of one of their generals, Noor Ad- deen Khan, the favourite brother of the Governor. This event caused much alarm at Dehly : and the Emperor, in hopes of detaching Abdullah Khan from the confederacy, meanly condescended to say, that he never had any intention of superseding him; and sent him a new commission for the .government of Allahabad, which was accompanied by an ho- norary dress of the most splendid kind. In the meantime, the Prince Ferrokhsere having arrived at -Benaras, was enabled to borrow a large sum of money from -the bankers of that city, on the same terms on which the loan had been negotiated at Patna ; and, proceeding by easy march- es, daily augmented his army by fresh levies, and was joined by several officers of distinction, who had taken disgust at the* conduct of Jehandar Shah and his ministers j so that, on his crossing the Ganges at Allahabad, and after his junction with Abdullah .Khan, he mustered an army of 25,000 cavalry, and an excellent train of artillery. The Prince soon after advanced to Cudgwa*, attended by the two brothers, Syed Hussein Alyand Abdullah Khan, with * Tbe,placc where the battle was fought between Sbnjaa and Aurung- cepe. SKETCHES OF BENGAL; . 55 nil their friends and partisans j and on the 29 tli of the month Showal, A. H. 1124, A. D. 1 7 12, defeated Aizaddeen, the el- dest son of Jehandar Shah, and gotj>ossession of all lib artillery and camp equipage. In consequence of this victory, many of the Imperial troops joined the standard of Ferrokhsere , and Abdullah Klian, who directed all the military movements, halt' ed some days on the field of battle, to carry on his negotiations with several of the Omrahs, who wore disgusted with Jehanda^ Shah and his infamous government. Tne pusillanimous Emperor, having at length taken the. field, the contending armies, on the 14th of Zilhije 1 124, met in the vicinity of Agra ; and after a confused battle, which lasted < nearly the whole day, the Imperial army was completely routed ; and the Emperor, accompanied by his mistress, Lail Coar, fled upon his elephant to Agra j where, having changed his dress, and shaved, his head and beard in the manner of the Hindoos, he, in the middle of the night, continued his flight towards Dehly. Upon his arrival in that city, instead of going to the fort, he stopt at the house of the Vizier Aussud ad Dowlah, who had been left in charge of the capital. This circumstance was shortly known throughout the town ; upon which the friends of Ferrokhsere surrounded the house, and demanded that the Royal fugitive should be delivered into their hands. In order to suppress their clamours, the Vizier agreed to confine the Emperor ; and making a virtue of necessity, he wrote a petition to Ferrokhsere, informing him, that he had imprisoned Jehandar Shah in his own house, and waited the Imperial orders concerning his disposal. In return, orders were despatched, applauding his conduct; and assuring him of the Royal favour. i During the late engagement, although fortune, in its ter rnioation, had favoured the came of Ferrokhsere, yet that di- vision of the army which had been placed under the command of his friend and principal support, Hussein Aly Khan, having been opposed to Zoolfecar Khan, the Ameer al Omrah, and his Tartar troops, was worsted, and their chief left for dead on the field : and as Zoolfecar Khan* continued to keep possession of the ground till it was dark, the body of Hussein Aly was not discovered till near midnight j and when found, was in a state of insensibility, and scarcely a spark of life remainining. On receiving some assistance, he so far recovered his senses, as to * This officer was the son ofAssudad Dowlah, the Vizier : at the desire of bis father, be yielded himself up a prisoner, and trusted to the clemency, of (he Prince ; hut, as he had been the principal cause of (he defeat and death of the father of Ferrokhsere, he bad no reason to hepe for pardon, and suffered accordingly, $> SKETCHES OF BENGAL; learn with pleasure the success of Ins party ; nevertheless, it was with much difficulty that he could be placed in a palan- quin, and- conveyed to his^brother ; who, on seeing him still alive, prostrated himself on the ground, and returned thanks to God for so signal a favour : he afterwards took off the va- luable jewel* which he wore, and presented them to the man, who had first discovered the body. Ferrokhsere encamped that night on the field of battle ; and next morning, being the loth of the month Zilhije 1124, ho mounted the throne of Hindoostan, and gave public audience to all the people. On this- occasion were introduced to him a number of the Omrahs, who, in consequence of the negotia- tions of Abdullah Khan, had either remained neuter during the engagement, or had come over to the victorious side. After the inauguration of the Emperor, he proceeded to Sekundra, to offer up his devotions at the tomb of hjs illustrious ancestor, Akbar j and at noon returned to Agra, where te received the compliments of all the inhabitants of that city. The next day the Emperor proceeded towards Dehly; and,' on his arrival in its vicinity, encamped outride the walls, and commanded the Vizier, Assud ad Qowlah, and hb son, Zool- fecar Khan, to be brought to his presence. The/ were both received with the honours due to their high rank ; after which, the former was allowed to return to his home ; but the latter was led to a private tent ; and after a few questions had beea asked him, he was strangled, as a punishment for his crimes* His body was afterwards -tied, with the head downwards, on an elephant, together with the body of Jehandar Shah, who had been put to death in prison ; and they were thus exposed in the- new Emperor's train, when he made his triumphal entry to the palace of the capital.* Having thus conducted Ferrokhsere to- the perilous pinnacli of his.ambitionf whence in a few years .he was to be. precipitat- ed into the abyss of destruction^ we DOW return to the aflairs^ of Bengal. When Ferrokhsere assumed the Imperial titles at P:.*na, ha was persuaded by one of his dependants, named Ka&heed Khan, to appoint him Governor of Bengal : and knowing that Moorshud Cooly Khan did not keep np niore troops than those employed in the collection of the revenues, he was in hopes that Kasheed Klfan might, by an expeditious march, completely surprise the Nuwab and, without difficulty get possession of the province, which would serve as a place of refuge, should he be disappointed in his views on the empire. The matter * For the remaining history of Ferrollueie, see Scott's History of the Dekk&o, second Volume SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 57 WTS therefore kept H profound secret till the Prince commenced his march from Patnu ; when Rasheed Khan, instead of ac- companying him, took the route of Moorsluidabnd ; and before the Nuwab was aware of his intentions, had entered the passes of Terriagurhy and Sicklygully. The Nuwab, not at all inti- midated by the circumstance, ordered his corps of 2000 caval- ry to encamp outside the city ; and, having joined to them a* many of his infantry as he could collect, with a few guns, waited the approach of the enemy. When they had arrived within a few miles of Moorshudabad, he gave the command of, his troops to two officers, named Meer Bengally and Syed A invar, and ordered them to oppose Rasheed Khan : an en- gagement ensued, in which Syed Anwar was killed, and Me.er Beugajly eompeJled to retreat : the Nuwab, however, who wag a stanch predestinarian, was not at all dismayed by the event j- but collecting the palace-guards, and a few other troops, pro- ceeded, on his elephant, to the assistance of his retreating army : his presence gave vigour to the troops ; they returned to the attack ; and an arrow, from the hand of Meer Bengally, having pierced Rasheed Khan, lie fell from his horse : his army was', in consequence, totally routed, and many of them takeu prisoners. The Nuwab returned in triumph to the city ; and gave orders that a pyramid should be immediately erected on the road to Dehly, with niches to contain the heads of Rasheed Khan and all his followers that were slain in the battle, that it might remain a monument of his victory. But as soon as Ferrokhsere was firmly established on the throne, Moorshud Cooly prepared the usual .presents, and sent them to Court, with the amount of the year's, collections, with the same punctuality as he had hitnerto done : and the ne\v Emperor, being either engaged with more interesting concerns, or considering Moorshud Cooly as an unambitious and useful servant, conferred on him the united offices of Nazim and Dewan ; the former of which he had hitherto only held as deputy; and, at his recommendation, appointed the nephew of Manickchiind to be the Imperial treasurer, or banker, with the title of. Juggett Sett. On the death of Syed Reza Khan, the. deputy Dewan of the province, the Nuwab procured that appointment for his grandson, Mirza Assud ad Dowlahj son of the deputy Nazira of Orissu, whom he intended for his heir, with 'the splendid title of Serferaz Khan. But, as it was the custom of .Hindoostan, that on the. death of any public officer, or immediate servant of the Crown, all his wealth and personal property were seques- tered and taken possession, of by Government, leaving the. family frequently quite destitute, in order to prevent such an occurrence in his famUy, the Nuwab took, the precaution of Q 58 SKETCHES OP BENGAL. purchasing, from the Talookdar of Chunacolly, the zemindary of tlie cfty of Moorshudabud ; and had the transaction registered in the books of the Canoungoes and of the exchequer j changing the name of tlie new purchase, in compliment to his grandson, to Assudnagnr ; that, in the event of his death, the profits of the estate, after paving the Royal revenue, might yield to his family the necessaries of. life. He also conferred the office of deputy Nazim of Dacca on Mirza Luft-ullab, who married his grand-daughter ; and pro- cured for him his own title of Moorsbud Cooly Khan j thus be- stowing upon his own family all the lucrative offices of govern- ment, and endeavouring to render his name permanent in the province. Asa further proof of the influence which Moorshud Cooly had acquired at the court of Dehly, it is stated, that Nejum. Addeen AlyKhan, a brother of the two celebrated Syeds who had raised Ferrokhsere to the throne, wished for the title of Nasir Jung, which had been formerly conferred on the Governor of Bengal, and who was, in consequence, now requested to exchange it for another equally honourable : but the Nuwab wrote, with his own hand, to the Emperor, that he would never part with the title conferred oa him by the great Aurung- zebe, but with his life. Moorshud Cooly Khan was sensible that Bengal owed much of its wealth to its external commerce : he therefore gave every encouragement to foreign merchants, especially to the Moguls and Arabians, from whom he only exacted the prescribed du- ties of 2 per cent, and did not permit the custom-house of- ficers to take mere than their regulated fees ; but he was too 'keen a politician not to observe with jealousy the fortified fac- tories of the Europeans, and the great advantages which the English had over the merchants, in consequence of the firmans and nishans - f which they had obtained (he said) by means of bribery and corruption ; and which permitted them to trade either duty free, or for the paltry consideration of 3000 rupees per annum. When therefore he felt himself perfectly stcure in InVgorernment, he set at nought the orders of the Prince >Shujaa, and of the Emperor Aurungzebe j and demanded from the English, either the same duties that were paid by Hindoo subjects, or a constant renewal of presents, both to himself and to all the inferior departments. Such conduct, of course, irritated the English agents r who wrote a detail of their griev- ances to the Directors of the Company in England, and soli- cited permission to send an embassy to Dehly, to complain to the Emperor of the Nuvvab's conduct. Their suggestion was approved of by the Company ; and orders were sent to the Governors of Madras and Bombay, to unite their grierance*. iu Uie same petiliou with those of Bengal. SKETCHES OK BENGAL. 59 The nomination of tl:c Ambassadors was left lo Mr. Houses, tlu- Governor of Calcutta, \vlio, selected, for this purpose, Messrs. Jnliii ^urman and Edward Slephensoq* two of the ablest .factors in (he Utugal service ; joining to them an Armenian, named Khuja Serhuud, who understood both the English and Persian languages, and who had been for many years the principal merchant in Calcutta. Mr. William Hamilton also accompanied the embassy, as surgeon. At that period the government of Calcutta were very igno- rant of the politics and intrigues of the Court of Dehly ; and the Ambassadors had no other lights to direct their proceedings, than such as they obtained from the Armenian 5 who, although he had never been at Dehly, had procured a certain degree of information from some of his countrymen, whose extensive commercial concerns led them over every part of India ; and who was very solicitous to be admitted into this honourable commission, in hopes of acquiring a large profit by the goods he should carry, free of charges and duties, in the train of the embassy. The presents designed for the Emperor and his officers consisted of curious glass ware, clock-work, brocades, and the finest manufactures of wollen-cloths and silks ; valued, altogether, at 30,000/. 3 which Khoja Serhaud, in his letters to Dehly, magnified to 1 00,0007. ; and gave such a description of the varieties which were coming, that Ferrokhsere ordered the embassy to be escorted by the Governors of the provinces through whose territories it might pass. The train proceeded on the Ganges, from Calcutta to Patna ; and thence by land to Dehly ; where they arrived on the Sth of July,. 1715, after a, march of three nionthj, The Ambassadors, upon their arrival at Court, very judici- ously did not make their application through the Vizier, Syed Abdullah Kha.n, or his brother Hussein Aiy Khan, the Ameer al O in rah ; having discovered, that, notwithstanding the Eui- peror's obligations to these two chiefs, he was not attached to- them, npr guided by their advice. The Ambassadors therefore chose for their patron a person named Khoja Hassen, who had, iiccompanied Ferrokhsere from Bengal, and upon his accession to the throne had obtained the title of Khan Duwran. This person, who held the office of Paymaster-general, was a great favourite of the Emperor's, and was admitted to all his councils. In the meantime, the Nuwab of Bengal, who had from the first instant beheld the embassy with great jealousy, and who ., considered it as an imputation against the integrity of hid. conduct, took much pains, by his interest with the Vizier and: bis brother the Ameer al Omrah, to thwart its success ; and' probably would have accomplished his object, if an accident bad not placed the English Gentlemen, at once, iua high de.-- gree of favour with the Emperor himself. CD SKETCHES OK BENGAL. Ferrokhsere had been for some time engaged to marry tli*. daughter of Raja Ajeet Sin!4, one of f ho R ijepoot Princes ; -iii 1 the bride had arrived, for that, purpose, :u die capital : but the Emperor, being afflicted with a complaint which all the skill of liis own physicians could not cure, was under the necessity of postponing the marriage. At 'length, in consequence of the recommendation of Khan Dowran, he permitted Mr. Hamilton, the surgeon of the Embassy, to attend him. and t.!;at. gen- tleman having, by a judicious operation, restored the Emperor fn health, became, *ery deservedly, a great favourite with his Majesty, who, in addition to many proofs of the Royal muni- ficeiwe*, promised to grant any other favour he should ask. Mr. Hamilton, instead of requesting any further reward for himself, besought his Majesty to concede to the English Am- bassadors the object of their mission. The Emperor, surprised at Mr. Hamilton's disinterestedness, promised, that as soon' as the marriage ceremonies were over, lie would take the petition into his serious consideration, and grant the English every in- dulgence he could, consistent with the dignity of his own empire. Shortly after this conversation, the marriage festivals com- niQneed, and were celebrated with greater pomp and magnifi- cence than had ever been witnessed in Hindoostan. This event interrupted all other business, and obliged the Ambassadors to wait for six months before they could procure a favourable op- portunity of presenting their petition. It wasat length presented, in the month of January, 1716, and, besides various subjects of complaint from Bombay and Madras, stated the numerous impositions practised, by the Nuwab of Bengal, and his inferior officers. It therefore prayed> " That a dustuck, or passport, signed by the President of Calcutta, should exempt the goods it specified from being stop- ped or examined by the officers of the Bengal government, under atiy pretence. * Among t'nc presents c'ven to Mr. Hamilton on this occasion, were medals of all his surgical instruments, made of pure gold. In clearing away the ground for the foundation of Ihe new church in Calcutta, about forty-four years ago, the tombstone of Mr Hamilton, was discovered ; which, in addition to an Engli.-h epitaph, bore a Per- sian inscription, thus translated by Mr. Glad win : " William Bamil. ton. Physician in the service of the English Company, who had accom- panied the English Ambassador to the enlightened presence, and flaving made bis own name famous in the four quarters of the earth by the cure nf the Emperor, the Asylum of the worl'd, Mohammed Ferrukhseer the Ttctorious ; and, with a thousand difficulties, having obtained permis- eipo front 4he Court, which is the refuge of the tini Terse, to return to luc country ; by the Divioe decree, on lUe fourth of December 171 7 f to be withdrawn ; and the Governor of Surat, reasoning from former experience* took ; the alarm, and firmly believed that a fleet was on its way from England, to commit hostilities, as in 1687; which would have been attended with the same consequences, as many valuable ships, belonging to the Mo- gul merchants> were then at sea. He therefore wrote privately to the Eunuch, who he knew had great influence over the Em- peror, and wsfe highly respected by the Vizier, to represent to' them " the dangerous consequences of a farther refusal of the English petition. This suggestion was readily listened to, both by the Emperor and Abdullah Khan ; and the Eunuch, foresee- ing the change that would shortly ensue, determined to reap some advantage from his intelligence, and imposed himself on: the Ambassadors us the sole author and instigator of the 1 measure. ( Th^Ambassadors, having thas accomplished theobject of their- mission, took leave of the Emperor in the month of 'July, 1717, ' two years after their arrival at Dehly. The patents addressed to-the Soubah of the Dekkan and the Nuwab of Gitzerat took effect as - soon as they were published, because they afforded no political pretext for opposition j but in -Bengal their mean- ing was much disputed or evaded. The article which permitted the English to purchase, thirty* ' eight towns would have given them a district extending ten miles south of Calcutta, along the banks on each side ofHoog- ly fiver ; of which the passake^in this extent, might have been easily commanded, by the erection of batteries or redoubts j at the same time that the revenue of the tract would have de-* frayed the expense : and the possession of *uch a tract would fcae brought under their subjection and authority a consider- ble-nutttber of the Mogul subjects. The pruden^forBsight of Mobrshud Cooly Khan, added to Ms resentment at the success of the embassy, made him behold with indignation the concession of this- article ; but not daring openly to oppose the Imperial mandate, he privately threatened the proprietors of the land with denunciations of his vengeance,. SKETCHES OF BENGAL; 89 if they parted with their ground to the English upon any terms that should be offered : and the Company's servants, confid* ing too much in the sanction of the Emperor's firman, neglect- ed the" more efficaciousmeaus of bribing the Nuvvab to compli- ance with their wishes. Thus the moit important concession^ \vhich had been obtained by the embassy was entirely frus- trated. The Nuvvab, however, complied with the orders contained in the first article ; and the privilege of gi anting diwtitc/is, or pussports, by the President of Calculi*, was recognised all over the province. This circumstance greatly augmented and fa- cilitated the circulation of the English trade ; which now no longer paid customs, nor w*as liable to be stopped by the of- ficers of Government. But a question arose, whether the English 'were entitled, under this privilege, to participate in the internal commerce of Bengal, by carrying the manufacture or products of one part of the province to another. The Em- peror's firman implied no restrictions j but the Nuwab insisted, that the immunity extended only to such articles as were either imported, or intended to be exported, by sea-; alleging, that as salt, betel-nut, tobacco, and several other articles of general consumption, were either farmed out in monopolies, or taxed with heavy duties, if the English were allowed to trade in these articles, it would not only be a great injury to all the "other merchants, but a very considerable diminution of the "public revenue. Convinced as much by the reasoning "of the Nuwab, 33 deterred by his power, the servants of the Company receded from their pretensions, and applied themselves to make the * mo.->t advantage of those privileges winch were not contested. Stfccess produced new adventurers ; and besides a number of English private merchants licensed by the Company, Calcutta was, in a short time, peopled by Portuguese, Armenian, Mogul, and Hindoo* merchants,, who carried on their com- merce under the protection of the English flag ; thus the ship- ping belonging to the port, in the^ course of ten years after the embassy, amounted to ten thousand tons ; a3 many indivi- duals amassed fortunes, without injuring the Company's trade, or incurring the displeasure of the Mogul Government. The President, nevertheless, found it requisite to conciliate the Nuwab frequently, by presents, in order to secure the Com- pany's investments, and to facilitate the course of their busi- ness at the subordinate factories; but the inhabitants' of Cal- cutta enjoyed, after the return of the embassy, a degree of freedom and security unknown to the other subjects of the Mogul empire ; and this city, in consequence, increased yearly A in extent, beauty, and riches, 64 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. In the year 1 130, A.D. 1 7 J 8$ Moorsliud CoolyKhan obtained from Court the patents he bad long solicited ; conferring on him the government of Behar*, in.addition to the united offices of Naztm and Dewan of Bengal and Orisss > which threw into Ijis hands greater powers than had been entrusted to any Covernoi', since the introduction of the Emperor Akbar's re- gulations. In the year of the-Hejira 1 1 3 1 , A. D. 1 7 1 9, the unfortunate Fer- rokhsere was gut to a cruel death-j-, by the very persons who had /aised him to the throne ; and the two young princes, Ruffeh ad Dirjaut, and Ruffeh ad Dowlah, in the course of seven months occupied the throne and their coffins j scarcely affording time to the*Governor of Bengal to manifest the loyalty of his inten- tions. But as soon as Mohammed Shah was firmly seated on the throne, the Nuwab prepared the usual presents, and for- warded them, with the collections of the year, to Dehly ; and, in return, was confirmed in his government. In the year 1 132, A. D. 1720, after the murder of the two JSyfcds, Moorshud Cooly Khan again forwarded more valuable presents to the Emperor, with a congratulatory letter on his success. Re at the same time remitted to the Viziers the col- Jertion for the last year j and by such conduct, at a time that the other Governors were very remiss in their duty, maintained jhis reputation and influence at Court. , About this period, the government of Bengal was in some measure disturbed by an attempt at insurrection, by two of the Afghan Zemindars of Mahmoodabad ; who, having collected a number of followers, plundered the adjoining districts, and bad even the audacity to seize juppn 60,000 rupees of the pub- iic treasure which was on the way to Moorshudabad. As soon as intelligence of this circumstance reached the Nuwab, b* ordered Ahsen Aly Khan, the Foujedar of Hoogly, to march against the insurgents : .and that oilicer having, by a rapid movement, surprised them, took them aH prisoners, and sent them loaded with chains to the Ts'uwnb, who confiscated all their property, transferred their zeminda'ries to Ramjiwun, his favourite Hindoo collector, and condemned thpm (being Mo- hammedans) to perpetual imprisonment : but in order that the government should not be losers by this disturbance, and to prevent a repetition of similar outrages, he caused all the ze- mindars in the vicinity of Mahmoodabad to .pay their propor- tion of the 60,000 rupees, public Koran, and in administering justice : and every yeur he sent Korarjg . wn'- fMn1acd-:m I published hy P. niartwin, F?q in -fiilciH. A II.' 1788. nmtrrlh.' ml-ofji N;.rralie of the I ranjariions ln"B*n?il j but thr trenter j>Tt >f ii li** brtn i*nenrd in tfce R\az >s=. I iKx-n : ^n^ -om> ^tracts from it ate gifeB in tbe Araishi Mubnfil, a Uic liiuiiuotianj work. , .' ; - s 06 SKETCHES OF BENGAL, of bis own writing, with valuable offerings, to Mecca, Medina, and other holy places. " He maintained above *wo thousand readers, beadsmen* and chanters, who were constantly employed in reading the Koran, and in other acts of devotion. During the first twelve days of the month Rubby al Avul, which include the birth and death of the holy Prophet, he feasted people of all conditions : and on those nights, the road from Mabeenagur to Loll Baugh> which is above three miles, was illuminated with lamps, re- presenting verses of the Koran, mosques, trees, and other fi- gures. Nearly a hundred thousand persons were employed on these occasions ; and, on the firing of a gun, the whole was illuminated at once, exhibiting, in an instaut, such a sheet of light as astonished the beholders. He also kept the festival of the prophet Kbizer, when paper boats, decorated with lighted lamps, are set afloat upon the river.* " Besides feeding a multitude of people, he also provided food for the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air. " He always provided against famine, and severely prohibited all monopolies of grain : he constantly made private inquiries Concerning the market-price of grain ; and, whenever he dis- covered any imposition, the offenders suffered the* most exem- plary punishments. If the importation of grain to the cities and towns fell short of what had been usual, be sent officers into the country, who broke open the hoards of individuals, and compelled tacarry their grain to the public markets. Rice was then commonly sold, at Moorshudabad, at four maunds for a rupee ; and the prices of other provisions were in pro- portion. He also strictly prohibited the exportation of grain ; and the Foujedar of Hoogly bad express orders to see that no ship, belonging to Europeans or others, was suffered to carry away more than was sufficient for the victualling of the crew, during their intended voyage; neither were any merchants sutV fered to have any stores of grain. " He was so punctual in the performance of all tokens of respect towards his Sovereign, that he would not sit down iu a Royal boat j and wtoen, 'in the rainy season, the Emperor's * fleet of state boats came from Dacca, for an exhibition, he went out to meet it ; and turning his face towards the seat of (Government, made feb obeisance, presented his .nuzzir, and '' v '"' * this offering consists of a boat, or ship* constructed of bamboo* aoi . coloured paper, ornamented with flags* lamps, &c. It is placed upoa inverted eartbeu pots, and, being carried in procession to the river eidr, it launched into the riwr, amidst the acclamations of the populace and ,the d.scordaot t*nds of every kind of music, and float* down iht current with majestic pomp. It is called the offering of the BJera. SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 67 the deck of the royal barge. Engagements between l*pjhants being prohibited from Court, he>did-uat allow them within his jurisdiction ; but used to exhibit and be present at those between elephants and tigers, and other animals. He took uo delight in hunting; he never indulged himself with spirituous liquors, aor any iutoxicatuig drugs ; neither did he unmse himself with singers or dancers. He- "always kept con- slant to one lawful wife ; and, out of his excess uf delicacy, would not ; suffer any strange women, or eunuchs, to enter the apartments of his seraglio. " He despised aJlAhe refinements of luxury and particularly in dress ;. and refrained from every thing that is prohibited iu the law. No high-seasoned dishes were served up to his table j neither frozen sherbets,, nor creams, but only. .plain ice. Dur- ing the winter, Kbyzir Khan^ his house^steward, used to col- lect, in the mountains of Rajmahel, a sufficient .stock of ice for the. rest of the year; and: the- whole was done at the ex pense of the zemindars of that district* In the mangoe season,, there was. stationed at Raj mahel an. overseer, who used to keep a regular account of. the choicest maagoe-trees in Maldab, Kiu- \valee, and Husseiupoor-; andi his guards were placed over them, to see that no one purloined the fruit, and that it was regularly sent to MoorsbudabacL '.Hie zemindars furnished, every thing that was. required for. these purposes--; and they durst not cut down a' mangoe- tree, nor touch any of the fruit, . that the overseer bad appropriated to the, use of, the Naziia'* table. " He possessed very extensive j*iarning, and paid great res- pect to men who were eminent for their piety or erudition : he ivrote with great elegance* and was a remarkable fine penman.: his skill in arithmetic enabled hint to -scrutinize all accounts himself: he signed ail orders and accounts with red ink : he was a b rate sol diet, a liberal benefactor, upright and just in all his dealings, bi& life 5 and asked theCaxy whether there was not any way -of -CKadrng Ahe strict letter of the IHW, to save the poor Hindoo. The Cazy answered, * There may be so much delay, as to *ilow lime for .his intecfttssor to he put to death fust ; but .after tbi:t, ie must absolutely be executed.' All ihe nde;i- vonrs of Moorshud.Cooly, in hi.s heha t', were ineffertual ; and although Biudrabund- ^vns recommei>defi to the Emperor's Biercy iy >the -Prioe ''Ajieem Ooshan, yet it was of no avail*; for the ;Cazy killed :hirrf ! with -an arrow from his o-wn hand. After the 'everauion, >Azeem Ooshan complained to Anrung- xebe, iliatvC;i*y Mohammed Slieret had killed Bitulrabund in a n't of insanity ; but the Emperor wrote with his own hand on tie Prineu'wleMer,.' CHZV Sl>eref is on ihe ul< <>f God.* At tle dtiiitli-.of Aurttng/ebe, -Cw/.y SUenef applied for leave to resign , and. ail the- entreaties oi the Nuwub cuuki uot prevail trpou .him- to- eontitkie in -office. ~ --- . ---- ^-1 - 1_: - sr the rn^rtnr of VJa>r-h-l O<{v. 4ui m^w rv i universally hy ilie Iliiidnns.; wh . r-uj^ni^taie, .wiib b-'urjMi j > . hc h |)pv influenre T ihc Mr'U^h sway nver ihp^ r. ?..-n- ; wh.-reh% fh.-y .*%? httt reVtrveA fnim ih<> riircful ^ff^< is "f Moha-n.nc.1an r(nHnpiitl o^j>igMU>0." i ^ehly } he also wrote to his father (of who^te intentions he had no swspicion), to acquaint him of the circumstance ; and, conformably to instructions ^contained in his grandfather's will, deposited his remains in , the tomb which had been previously prepared, under the steps of the newly-erected mosque. He then assured all the public officers of his inflation to retain them in their stations, should lie he confirmed in the ptovernmetit -, and afterwards removed all the treasure and effects of the deceased from the palace to . his own house. Of the first interview between the father and son, after this event, there have been two accounts written. In the Sier Mutahherefn it is stau d, that the first intelligence Serfwaz Khan had of his father's arrival, was from the sound of tii3 Imperial music. Astonished by the ncise^ he inquired the SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 7i cause, and, to his utter confusion, learned theunexp ectcd event. He immediately called a council of his intiimite friends, who unanimously advised him, that, as his father had received and proclaimed his commission, had taken posses- sion of the palace, and was acknowledged by the public of- ficers, he hud only to submit with a good grace. The young man, either agreeing in opinion with his friends, or averse to oppose his parent, hastened without any retinue to the palace, fell at his father's feet, and congratulated him upon his acces- sion to the government. In the work translated by Mr. Gladvvin, it is related, that Serferaz Khan received early intelligence of the approach of his father, and that he made preparations to oppose him : but that his mother and grandmother, both women remarkable- tor their prudence and great sagacity, and for whom he en- tertained the utmost affection and respect, interposed, and represented to him, that iiis father being an old man, could not keep him long out of the government,' or, at least, from* the inheritance to Moorshud Cooly Khan's private estate ; and therefore'advised him to be satisfied, for the present, with the office of Of wan of Bengal ; and not to be guilty of the horrid impiety of appearing in arras against his father, which would fix a reproach upon his name to all eternity. These arguments prevailed ao entirely over the ambition of Serferaz Khan, that he advanced to meet lus father, and conducted . him to Moorshudabad ; and, after resigning to him the pa- lace, retired to his own house at Nuktakhaly ; and from that time never failed of Rungporc f invades Dinagepore and Couch Beyhar, and -obtains much treasure The N-wab appoints Ssrftras Jfnan his. Heir his Death. f T, HIS officer was, ' by descent, an "Afshar, of the tribe of 'Turcomans, who formerly inhabited -Khorassan, the eastern .province of Peasia, and were esteemed the bravest soldiers*iM the kingdom. He was born in the. city of Boorhanpore, in the Dekhan ; and duripg his youth, having contracted an in- timacy with Moorshud Cooiy Khan, who was then Dewan of Hyderabad, married his only daughter, name Zynet al Nissa t Begum ; by whom he had a son called Mirza Assudallah, whose title was Serferaz Khan : he had also another son, by a concu binej named Mohammed Tuckee. When Moorshud Cooiy was appointed Dewan of Bengal, lus son-in-law accompanied him thither ; and upon the former Jbeiog prooaoted to die united government* of -Bengal and SKETCHES OF BENGAL, 73 Orissa, he sent the latter, as his deputy, to govern Orissa. In this situation Shujaa Acldeen Khan conducted himself, as a public officer, with much propriety: but being of a luxurious disposition, and addicted to gallantry, he gave much offence to his wife; who in consequence separated from him, and, with her son, went to reside at Moorshudabad. Shortly after this event, a person, named Mirza Mohammed;, tfho had married a near relation of Shujaa Addeeu Khan, came, with his two sons, from Dehly to Cuttack j : and were all three admitted into the service of the Governor. The senior of the brothers was named Hajy* Ahmed; the junior, Mirza Mo- hammed Aly, better known by the title of Aly Verdy Khan. These were both men of liberal education and distinguished abilities ; and, by their counsels, not only ingratiated them- selves with the Governor, but rendered his government popular, respectable, and beneficial to the empire. In the preceding chapter it has been stated, that when Moorshud Cooly Khan found his dissolution approaching, he bad endeavoured to procure the succession to his government for his grandson, Serferaz Khan ; hut that Shtijaa Addeen had, by the exertions of his agents at Dehly, effected a different arrangement ; by which he \vas nominated the deputy of Khan Dowran, the Ameer al Omrah, who had procured from the Emperor the government for himself; and that Shujaa Addeen, by his dextrous management, had* obtained possession of his office without any opposition. The new Governor, in order to reward his son for his for~ bearance, and to reconcile himself to his wife, nominated the former, Dewan of Bengal ; but as that office required an intri- cate knowledge of accounts, and much attention to business, he appointed Roy Alum Chund, the comptroller of the house- bold, to be the Deputy of the young man ; by which the latter was relieved from all the toils and responsibility of the office, and bis father was satisfied that the duty would be diligently performed. The Nuwab; immediately after, selected a Coun- cil, consisting of the two brothers, Hajy Ahmed and Aly Verdy Khan ; Roy Alum Chund, for whom he procured the title of Roy Royan ; and the Imperial banker, Juggut Sett ; and by their advice conducted himself in all the measure of his go- vernment. The two latter were Hindoos, and were well ac- quainted with the minute details of business and all the intri* eaciesofthe revenue department. Shujaa Addeen commenced his government by an act of clemency and justice, which does him the highest honour, and -*- ' ' i .. ..' ' : : * Hajy is a title conferred on all persons who have made the pil- grimage to Mecca : he had just returned from Arabia. u 74 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. ret dtre.I him extremely popular through all the three pro- vinces. Ue gave orders that the unhappy zemitidars, who had been kept in a miserable sta.te of confinement during the long government of h's predecessor, should upon giving security for their good conduct, be permitted to return to their families and homes, and to the management of their farms He also immediately de.>patched the sum of forty lacs of rupees in specie/ being part of the private fortune or his father-in-lau-, te the Court of Mohammed Shah j and sent also a number of elephant*, and other valuable presents, to the Emperor and to his ministers ; in return for which he received a confirmation of his appoint menj, as Governor of Bengal andr Orissa ; a commission of commander of 7000 horse ; and tha additional titles of Motimun al Moolk, Shujaa ad Dowlak AssudJuug, Behudur. The government of Behar was however again separated, and conferred on ait officer named Nivsseyit Yar Khan, and afterwards on Fakher ad Dowlah. As soon as Shujaa Addeett was confirmed in his government, be disposed of the public appointments amongst his connections and friends, in tha following manner : to his soft Serferaz Khan, as formerly) mentioned} the office of 1 Dewan ? to h other sou, Mohammed Tucfcee, the government of Orissa. He confirmed Moorshud Cooly Khan, his son-in-few, in the deputy government of Dacca. To the three sons of his chief councel lor, Hajy Ahmed, vk Nuazish Mohammed, Sayid Ahmed, and Zin Addeen, he gave the offices of "Pay master- general, Foujedar- of Rongpore* and Foujedar of Rajraahel; and upon Shujaa Cooly, an old servant, he conferred the office of Foujedar of Hoogly. Hi other counsellor, Aly Verdy Khan, had not atiy sons, but his three daughters were married to the sons cf his brother Hajy Ahmed. The new Governor imitated the conduot of his predecessor, in despatching to Court regularly, at the and of the year, tha amount of the revenues ; and had the satisfaction to find, that, notwithstanding his liberal treatment to the zemindars, the revenue, instead of being diminished, had increased: for whereas Moorshud Cooly had seldom remitted more than ona crore and thirty lacs of rupees, the amount of his collections fc.r the year 1 141- amounted to one crore and tbrty-eii^ut lacs, all of which was remitted to Moorshudabad by the agetit& of the Imperial ban'cer, Jugget Sett, xvithoutany difficulty or oppression. ..Hia mind being thus freed from public cares, he followed- He natural bent of ,1m inclinations, and lived in a style of and uiuni^cence that far surpassed any of his pre- SKETCHES OF. BENGAL. 75 decessors. The palace of Moorahud Cooly Khan being too confined and ill-contrived, he ordered it to he pulled down, and erected another more suitable to his ideas of grandeur and comfort. He was very liberal to his servants, and paid great attention to men of learning and piety : he was ah?o very charitable, and administered justice with great impartiality. He ordered the conduct of Na/.ir Ahmed and Morad, two of the oppressive instruments of liis predecessor, to be closely investigated ; and, having proved them guilty of various crimes and oppressions, .condemned them to death. Being convinced that, the very reduced military establishment kept up by Moor- shud Cooly Khan was inadequate to the security- and peace of the country, he augmented his army to 25,000, consisting of equal numbers of cavalry, and infantry armed with matchlocks,, In short, by his general conduct in the early part of his gop- vernment, Shujaa Atldeeu evinced to the world that he was, deserving of hig good fortune ; but after some years he became indolent, and abandoned himself too much to- luxury and, pleasure, leaving the business to be managed by his Council. In tha village o/ EXehpareh, on the bank of the Bhagga- rutty river, Naair A-kmed had begun to build a mosque in tha. middle of a very extensive garden. After the execution of that person, the Governor finished the mosque in a superb- style, and laid out the garden with great beauty and, elegance. To this place he gave the name of Ferreh ftaug: (the Garden of Happiness)', and ia tha summer retired thither with his -, seragJio, and passed his time in the enjoyment of every luxury. In the year 1143, A. D. 1/29-30 Fakher ad Dowlah, the governor of Behar, having been guilty of some impropriety, was removed from that office j and through the influence of Khan Dowran, the Paymaster-general, the government of that province was agaia annexed to.- Bengal ; and Shujaa. Ad-r deen Khan was, in: consequence, ordered to- appoint his owiy deputy to that important situation. It was the wish, of the. Governor to have appointed one qf bis own sons j butZy.net-al Nissa, his wife, who, as the heiress of Moorshud Cooly, interfered frequently in the government,* * So strong an opinion had thi^'ady of her own consequence, thp.f, when It was determined Aly Ve/dy Khan should be appi>it>te>l to Beh;ifi she sent for him to the gate of her apartments, and conferred m him. ttie khilaat or robe of honour, as from herself; after which her husband presented him with his patent, and other insignia of office. This idea. was however extremely erroneous, as there is no hereditaiy rank in - *diodoo.-taa, much less a right of: succession to a government ; nor was . ii r i believe ever attempted with* success, till the p,wer of the Mogul Emperor \va$ annihilated by the invasion of Nadir Shahuad the evecu which ensued. 76 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. refined t.o part with her son Serferaz Khan; and was at the SMiie time jealous of its being conferred on the son of the Concubine, lest it should make him of too much consequence : the subject \vas therefore left to the consideration of the Coun- cil, who recommended Aly Verdy Khan, as the person best qualified to preserve the dignity of the situation, and to keep in subjection the zemindars of that province, who were noted for their independence and strong spirit of insurrection. Aly Yerdv Khan was, inconsequence, invested with the robes of office, and U-as sent to Patria, with an escort of 5000 troops. Upon the arrival of Aiy 'Verdy Khan at Patna, tie found the whole province of Behar in the greatest confusion : a band of jobbers, called Bitnjarch, who had entered it under the pre- tence of purchasing grain and other commodities, laid the coun- try' through which they passed under heavy contribution, and plundered the collectors of the revenue. The zemindars of Bettiah Pnoolwareh, Chuckwar, and Boujepore, were also in a srate of insurrection, and had for some time set at defiance the authority of the Governor. To reduce these people to submission, Aly Verdy Khan found it requisite to take into his service a corps of Afghans, under the command of their chief, Abdul Kereem Khan. With these, and the forces he had taken from Moorshudabad, he first attacked and routed the Bunjarehs,. taking from them all their plu'nder : after which, he, in succession, reduced the zemindars to obedience ; and compelled them not only to liquidate the arrears of revenue, but to pay him large sums of money, under the denomination of Nuzzeraneh and Peishkush (offering and tribute). By these means Aly Verdy Khan acquired much wealth, and his troops were also enriched by plunder. la consequence of these services, and at the recommendation of the Nuwab, he received from the Emperor an inorease of his military rank, and the title of Mohubut Jung. He -however tarnished these honours shortly after, by the assassination of Abdul Kereem Khan, the commander of the Afghans, whose services had been so useful to him. This harsh measure he excused to his friends, by stating, that the overbearing conduct and insolence of 'that officer had arisen to such a height, that he found he roust either get rid of him, or have given uj) his own authority.* It now becomes requisite to notice the introduction of ano- ther European nation into Bengal. About the year 17i7> * After he dissolution of the Afghan empire corps of these people 10ere taken into the service of the Hindoo Princes and Mog-nl Gover- nors: they are esteemed brave (mops, hut very mutinous ; and unsteady in their attachment, unless to their own chiefi. SKETCHES OF BENGAL; 77 some merchants of the Austrian Netherlands, whohad long wished to participate in the advantageous commerce of the East, fitted out two ships for India, which made a very suc- cessful voyage. This circumstance stimulated others; and application was made .to the Court of Vienna for permission to establish an East-India Company at Ostend. Although this measure was strongly opposed by the English, French, and Dutch, the Emperor of Germany granted, in August 1723, tc the merchants of the Austrian Netherlands,* his letters-pa- tent, authorizing them to trade to the East Jodie*, under the denomination of the Ostend Company. In the meantime, one of the private ships arrived in the Ganges ; and, by the assistance of the French at Chanderna- gore, succeeded in- procuring a full cargo : and the cnptain of this ship, previous to his departure, made application to Moor- shud Cooly Khan, then Governor of Bengal, for ground to erect a factory, should the Company be established. As the Nuwab was not only anxious to increase the trade of the province, but also desirous of introducing more rivals to the English, of whose privileges it has been already seen he was excessively jealous, Ire immediately complied with the request, and as- signed the village of Bankybazar, situated in. the eastern side of the river, fifteen miles above Calcutta, for the residence of the Germans. In '1724, being the first year after the establishment of the New Company, an Ostend ship, named the Emperor Charles, mounting thirty guns, arrived in Bengal, but was lost in going up the Ganges. The greater part of her cargo was however saved ; . and the officers and crew tools possession of Bankyba* zar, and erected temporary houses. In the two following years, three ships, of a larger size than the first, arrived in Bengal, and completely established the Ostend trade in that province ; and as they undersold the other Europeans in various articles, their factory quickly rose in estimation. At first, the factors resided in houses constructed of mats and bamboos ; but they afterwards built brick dwellings, and surrounded their factory with a wall, having bastions at the angles : they also cut a ditch, communicating with the riier, of such a depth as to admit sloops of considerable burthen. Thus the affairs of the Ostend Company seemed to be in a flourishing state : but, in the year 1 727, the strong remon strances of the three great maritime pations compelled the Emperor of Germany to withdraw his charter, and to agree that all traffic between his subjects of the Austrian Netherlands . . . , ,3} ; ; : , i ' * See Modern Univerfal History, vol. XI. page 211, w 78 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. and the Erist Indies should cease for seven years. KofwiY -.- standing this prohibition, the private merchants occasionally sent out ships to India ; and, as the Agent of the head of the factory in Bengal was a person of great activity and determina- tion, he continued to furnish them whb cargoes. This traffic, although carried on clandestinely, could not escape the notice of the Dutch and English ; the latter of whom, in the year 1 730, sent a squadron, under the command of Captain Gosfright, of the ship Fordwich, to blockade the river Ganges. The Commodore sailed up the river ; and having obtained intelligence that two Ostend ships were anchored between Calcutta and Bankybazar, despatched two of his squadron to take them. On the first shot being tired, the Saint Theresa, the smallest of the Ostend ships, struck her colours, was immediately taken possession of, and carried to Calcutta ; but the other slipped her cable, and took shelter under the guns of Bankybazar factory, whither it was not deemed ex- pedient to follow her; and she afterwards had the good fortune to escape. Sometime after this event, the Dutch- and English united all their influence to prevail upoa the Nuwab to prohibit the. Germans from . trading to Bengal ; and, it is- said, bribed the Foujedar of Hoogly to make a. false representation of the great strength of the fortifications of Bankybazar, and the danger cf allowing foreigners to retain a place of such strength within a few miles of the Royal port. This .representation induced the Governor to-order the forti- fications of Bankybazar to be dismantled : violent disputes in consequence ensued between the German agent and the Foujodar j and at length a considerable Force was sent from Hoogly, under the command of an officer named Meer Jarfier, who surrounded the place on the land side ; but acted with so much caution, that he threw tip an entrenchment in front of bis encampment, to defend his troops from . the fire of the- besieged ; who, in the mean time, completely commanded Urn friver, and only permitted such boats as they pleased to pass. The French at Chandernagore secretly aided the Germans. with arms and ammunition, whilst they ostensibly pretended to assist in negotiating a treaty of peace. Khojeh Fazel Cashmeery, one of the principal Mogul mer- chants of Hoogly, having also, offered his services as a media- tor, sent his son "with a message to Bankybazar j but the Ger- mans seized the young man, and detained him as a hostage for their own security : and the Foujedar had such an esteem for- Khojeh Fazel, that, in order to procure the liberation of the youth, he for some days suspended hostilities : but having pro- cured his liberation, he again renewed, the siege witk more SKETCHES OF vigour, both by land and by water ; till, at length, provisions becoming very scarce in Uankybaxar, all the unlives of every description deserted, and left the European* to defend them- selves. Notwithstanding the garrison was, by this means, re- duced to fourteen persons, they continued to servo their. ^un* with such efficacy, that not one of the Mogul troops durst ven- ture out of the entrenchments. At length the Agent had the misfortune to lose his right arm 15y a cannon ball j after which he embarked, wirh his men, during the night, and reached in safety one of the ships belonging to his nation, which was at anchor down the river ; and shortly after proceeded to Europe. In the morning when the Mogul troops took possession of the factory, they found nothing of value in it, but the can- non and a few shells. After levelling the fortifications with- the ground, and delivering over Bankybazar to the Zemindar, Meer Jaffier returned in triumph to Hoogly.* Shujaa- Addeen Khan* being of a liberal disposition, and averse to trouble, allowed the English and other Europeans to enjoy the privileges that had been granted* to them by the Empe- ror Ferrokhsere, or by former Governors ; and the only dispute that is recorded to. have happened during his time, WHS occa- sioned by the Eoujedar of Hoogly stopping a boat, laden with bales of silk, belonging to the. English Company ; in conse- quence of - which a party of soldiers - was despatched from Cal- cutta, who terrified the Foujedar, and carried away the silk and other goeds which hail been stopt. This transaction was- represented to the Niuvab-as a very heinous offence; and he, in consequence prohibited the natives from supplying Cal- cutta, or any of the- subordinate factories, with grain. The English were therefore compelled to purchase peace, by the payment of a large sum, cf. money, and by. apologising for their misconduct. It has been previously stated, that on the succession of Shujaa Addeen Khan to the government, he confirmed his son- in-law, Moorshud Cooly, in therappointment of Deputy Naziiu of Dacca. Maorshud Cooly employed, as his Dewan, a person named Meer Hubbeelva native of Shirax ih Persia, who had* been a broker at Hoogly j and who, although he could neither* * The whole of these circumstances, respecting; the Germans, is stated,, by the author translated by Mr. Glad win, to have happened during tha government of Moorshud Cooly Khan ; but by Mr. Orme their expulsion is postponed till A. D. 1748. It is however apparent, In the History* of tbe Ostend Company, that their factory was in existence AD. l~,:i(J t and that their )an ships left in Bengal iu 1"J3. See Universal History, 90 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. read nor write, possessed great activity of mind and expertness in business. This man was very industrious in office, and made considerable retrenchments in the boat department and other expensive establishments. He also acquired large .sums for his master, by the sale of monopolies ; and is said to have treach- erously put to death Noor Allah, the zemindar of Jilalpore* on account of his great wealth. Sometime after this evenf, a nephew of the Raja of Tip- perah, having displeased his uncle, was banished the coun- try. The youth took refuge with a Mohammedan zemindar, named Aka Sadik, and entreated him to assist him in recover- ing the share of his inheritance. The zemindar being inti- mately acquainted with Meer Hubbeeb, recommended the oauseof the young man to him ; and pointed out the favour- able i opportunity it offered el subjecting Tipperah to the Mo- hammedan arms. Meer Hubbeeb, having represented the circumstances to his master, obtained permission to proceed with all the troops that were then in the vicinity of Dacca, to effect the object. The Mogul troops crossed the Burhampooter, and entered Tipperah before the Raja was aware of their intentions ; and having the young nsao with them whose cause they espoused, he pointed ont to them the road by which they should ad- vance. Aided by such a guide, they reached the capital before the Raja could make any preparation 'to oppose them : he was obliged to fiee to the mountains , and the nephew was raised to the Raje, upon condition of paying a large portion of the revenue to the Governor of Bengal. The whole country, in consequence, quietly submitted: and thus the province of Tipperah, which from time immemorial had been an indepen- dent kingdom, became annexed to the Mogul empire : and in order to support the young Raja against his uncle, and at the same time to secure his fealty, a considerable number of Mohammedan troops were left in the country, tinder the , command of Aka Sadik, who was nominated Foujedar. On receiving intelligence of this event, the Nuwab was rauoh pleased, :and changed the name of Tipperah to Roshenabad* (the Country of Light), and 'gave to, or procured for, Moorshud to be Dewan, and to have the actual management of all affairs. The superintendance of the boat department was entrusted to Miirad Aly Khan, who was married to a daughter of Serferaz Khan j and who had in bis employment an accountant named Rajbullub, of whpna more will be hereafter related. When these officers arrived at Dacca, Jeswont Roy was, in obedience to the Nuwab's orders, invested with the entire management of the revenues. He had been educated under the late Nuwab, Moorshud Cooly Khan, whose example be emulated, in piety, integrity, and indefatigable attention to business ; and in forming, his arrangements for the benefit of the government, studied to render them conducive to the * Properly Jug Nath (Lord of the World). The temple is situated in the town of Pnnottm. 82 SKETCHES OP BENGAL; general ease and happiness of the people. He abolished the monopolies which had been introduced by Meer Hubbeeb, and also the impositions laid upon grain. It was related, in ttie account of the government of Shaista Khan, that when he left Dacca to return to Dehly, he built up the western gate, and inscribed over it an execration against any future Governor who should presume to open it till he had reduced the price of gram to a dumree per seer, or 640 pounds weight for the rupee. The gate had continued closed to this time ; when Jeswont Roy, having succeeded in reducing the price of grain to Shaista Khan's standard, ordered it to be opened. By the prudent administration of a system of .sound policy, and humanity, the rich province of Dacca was cultivated 10. every part, and abounded in every thing 1 requisite for the com- fort and gratification of its inhabitants. Justice was admini- stered with impartiality ; and the conduct of Ghalib Aly Khan and Jeswont Roy gained great credit to their principal, Ser- ferazKhan. As the Nuwab was far advanced in years, he relaxed in his attention to business, and entrusted the management of affairs much to his son ; ordering him, however, constantly to consult with Hajy Ahmed, and the other , members of his. Council. The young man did not, however, comply with/ this injunction, and the circumstance caused a jealousy to arise, between him and the Hajy. After some time, Nuffeesa Begum, the sisterof Serferaz Khan, persuaded her husband to recall Ghalib Aly Khan from Dacca., aad to promote his son-in-law, Murad Aly, to the government. This. young man appointed Rajbullub to be ; Peishkar, or head clerk, of the boat department j .and com- menced his government with many acts of oppression. . Jeswont Roy, the Dewan, who had gained so, high a reputation for his- conduct, beheld these measures with aversion j and resolving, not to be a participator in them, resigned his appointment, and returned to Moorshudabad. Upon his resignation, the new government gave a loose to their rapacity and violence, till they reduced the country tp.a state . of comparative poverty and desolation. About this period, Sayid Ahmed, the second son of Hajy, Ahmed, Avho, upon the succession of Shujaa Addeen Khan, had. been appointed Foujedar of Rungpore, and who is, accused of, having ruled that district with great oppression, having pro- cured from Moorshudabad a considerable army, invaded Di-< nagepore and Cooch Behar j and after compelling the Rajas; to take refuge in the woods and mountains, got possession of those countries, together with- the immense treasures whieh^.. SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 83 the Rajas and their ancestors had ama??ed. When intelligence of this event was received at Moorshudabad, the Nuwab \vai pleased to confer the title of Khun liehaclur on Sayid Ahmed,*' a circumstance which was exceedingly flattering .to the young man's father. The enemies of this family have asserted., that notwithstaud* ing the numerous benefits conferred, on them by Shujaa Addeen Khan, they were constantly plotting to render themselves inde- pendent of his'ison, by sending their wealth to Pttua, and by remitting, large sums of money to Debly, to procure for Aly Vcrdy Khan, upon the death of the Nuwab, the- distinct go- vernment of Behar ; but of this part of the accusation there does not appear to be any proof Even haft he done so, uU though moralists might condemn hw conduct as a breach of private friendship, he would have been perfectly acquitted by those acquainted with the politics of HinJoostan and the con* duct of public n)>n j as it is evident that Serferaz Khan had no more right to the government, than the son of the Nobleman who now holds that important cftfce has to the succession. The only attempt at insurrection during the government of Shujaa Addeen Khan, wss by the Zemindar of Bheerbhoom, named Body al Zeman.f who was for a short time in a state of rebellion* He was however quickly reduced, and compelled to pay, in .addition to his former revenue, the sum of three lues ot rupees. At the period that the Persian usurper, Nadir Sbah, entered into Hindoostan, and that the Court of JDehly was in a state of the greatest perturbation at his approach, Shujaa Addeen Khan, finding his infirmities daily increase, and that he had but a short time to live, sent to Orissa, Doordaneh Begum the wife, and Yabia the son, of Moorshud Gooly Khan, who, at the instigation of Serferaz Khan, had been detained as hostages for the good conduct of Moorshad Caoly. He then appointed Serferaz KUan his heir, on condition that he would regard the Hajy, the Roy> Royan, and Juggut Sett, as the stedfast counsellors of his father, and follow their advice in all affairs of moment. Although Serferaz Khan bore no cordiali- ty towards these men, yet, for fear of offending his dying pa- rent, he promised to obey his commands. A very lew days after this event, viz. on the 13th Zimije 1151, A. D. 1/39, Sbujaa Addeen resigned- hia. soul,, to his. Maker,, universally. * This was nn assumed power onthe.pari , of the .Ntroab ;, and can fce only accounted for by the weak state of the Mogul Gorerumeut, during (be reign of Mohammed Shah. f He was Ibe SOD of Assud Alteh ; and imitated the conduct of his father*. 84 SKETCHES OF BEXGAL rrpetted, as a man of strict veracity, general philanthropy, and unbounded liberality. Previous to his decease, he had erected a moque and a mausoleum at Dehpareh, opposite to Moor* : uuiubad, and was buried therein. STATE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE EMPIRE AND OF BENGAL, AT THE BEGINNING OF i'HE ENGLISH WARS IN INDIA. -Aurungycbe ascended the ihroM after deposing hit father Shah Jehan Revenue of the Empire The Song of Au- rungzebe ^contend fox the dominions *of their father Com-' bination of t&e great men, who raised and deposed a suc- cession of Emperors-, when Mahomed Shah breaking 1 the Betters of Royalty, regained the crown Thomas Kouli Khan, (Nadir Shah) invades the Mogul Empire with a numerous Army The Emperor quite distracted at the event, takes the field in person Encamped on the plains ofKwnal fits troops in disorder Saadit Khan, one of the King's generals offers to attach the Persian army The battle becomes general The Mogul army routed Nizam nl Moolk) his minister, empowered to treat with the Invader The meeting -of the Kings The Invader compels the Emperor to indemnify -him for the expenses of the war t -and quits Dehly for his own city of Kandahar, after ma- sacrittg 20U.OOO Inhabitants and taking with him more than 70,000,000/. i money and jewels. The seat of the Eng- lish affairs, the provinces of Bengal, Behar and Orissa gover- ned by Shujaa Khan Tw o Moguls named Httdjy Ahmed end Allyverde -Khan, -received in his service The cha- racter of Hadjy Ahmed, who discovers his master s rul- ing passion and sacrifices his daughter to him Allyverde Khan appointed Nabob of Patna Hadjy privately oh- -tains a pkirmaund for his brother to hold the government of Behar, independent of Bengal, The death of Shujaa Khan Serf eras Khan succeeds him in his government His excessive Debauchery Loses the affections of those teho would suppoit him Disgrace put on Jugget Sett, the great- est banker in the world Hadjy tenders his own and his bro- ther's services to revenge the dishonour Jugget Sett and A I utnchand contrives to get Hadjy removed to Patna AIfy, terde Khan marches against theSoubah who roused from his de- lusive slumbers, upbraids his counsellors with their treachery -Attacks Allyverde Khan till overpowered by numbers SKETCHES OP BENGAL. 83 yielded to the superior fortune of his rival Allyuerde Khan takes possession of Moorthndnbad- Appoint* his brother in hii nbxen ce, and marches against ftf&gge't Vooly Khan, in Cnt(ac'/t, who afterwards fties to Dekkan Invaded by the Marltattax Account of their origin cause of their Invasion >S'wr- rounds the Soubah demands the revenue due to the Crown Jor the fteo last years and the treasure* of Shujaa and Ser- Jeraz Kh'in The Soubah attacks the Marhattas undents his tray to the capital, pursued by them till he reached Cutwa Croxse* the river with his army in the presence of the enemy by the gallant Intrepidity of Muntapha Khan and MeerJaffier Establishes his character as a soldier Levies large troops in Behar Again takes the field against the Marhuttus Meer Hubbeeb. the Deputy Governor of Dacca deserts the Soubah' s party The Mahrnttas demand the resignation of hi* go- vernment in favor of Serferaz Khans eldest son. B'oschar Pundit treacherously assassinated, and the Marhtttas seeing the fate of their chief, speedily flie* to the Beerbhomn hilt* *1 yre'-sA army of Marhattas enter by tvay ofCuttavk tinder^ Ragojee and a notker by way of Patna under B'alajet Kan The SouVaK returns to his' capital and after fortifying the city again takes the field, but by the mediation ofSar- tarow, a peace Mas concluded Appoints Zdindee ' AhmeA Khan Nabob' of .Patna-r- D#termfria to assassinate his Gene- ral, Mustapka Khun, viha apprized of the Svubah's de- tigns and taking SKumser Khan with a considerable bodtf ef Puttans, proceeds- with which he would give the invader sufficient employment to prevent his coming nearer the capital. Bt the advice was overruled, as facing unworthy fche dignity of the King; who in person took the field with ar> army of more then t wo hundred thousand men, besides a numerous train of attendants. Kouli Khan sat himself down with a river in the front of his army. The King encamped on.th'e plains of Karnal. His army was soon in disorder for -want or food, and the vigilance of the Persian troops swept the surrounding country. Saadit Khan one of the King's generals, seeing his fellow -soldiers distressed, for provision*, ,tnd ready lo be -overwhelmed no less by their own numbers riian tire courage and activity of the invader, was led by the, impulse of his heart to the tent of the King ; and, with tfye fret-dom of a soldier, told his master that there was no time to be, lost in giving battle to the Persians : and, if fhe other generals refused to follow him, lie would comjnence the attack with his o\vn division of the army, desiring to die ivitli bis sword -in "bis hand, . either than fall ingloriousiy through the necessity .of hunger into the power of the enemy. A party of the Persians attempting to seizesonae of the bag- gage belonging to the King's army, the battle began between a small number, but speedily increased i*y supplies o.n both sides, till it became .general. The Indian army placed great SKETCHES OF BENGAL. jr- t dependence on their elephants ; Nadir Shah (as Kouli Khan is called) caused a number of camels to he .sent against ttyem, bearing stages on which fires were burning : the terror this gave to the elephants made them fall back and disorder ttie whole army. Before night came on, 17,000 of the Emperor's troops were slain, among whom ^vere a great number of pet- sons dear to his Majesty, and of great consequence to the state. .Not more than one half of the King's army was brought to engage ; many fled towards the city : and the Per- sians pillaged at discretion, till they were interrupted by the? niglit j in which the Persians buried their dead, between two and three thousand in number. About an equal number were wounded. A grand consultation was held in the Emperor's presence during the night. Nlza'm ool Mulk, his minister and chief commander, related, in the most affecting manner, the deplorable state to which the fortune of that day had reduced tbe court, and the danger to which the Emperor's person was exposed j his opinion therefore was to accommo- date matters with Nadir Shah Many on whom the King had most depended, were either among the killed or wound- ed-; and though the officer who gave this advice to his Ma- jesty, was suspected of treachery, in corresponding with the invader, the ascendancy he had now acquired laid the King tinder a necessity to trust to his advice. Full power \vas ac- cordingly given him by the Emperor to treat with the invader; and the third day after tbe battle this minister and another Indian lord were .introduced into the presence of NADIR SJIAH ; who said to, them *" I had intended to put. your Emperor and his troops to the sword, but I will favour them ; go tell him to came to me, and w will make up our quarrel iu a conve- s tent manner," Mahomed Shah, the Great Mogul, who, but a few days before, was looked upon by his subjects as possessing wisdom nnd power somewhat more than human j whose titles declared him King of all the Kings of ihe Earth, and Conqueror of the World, and who oame 'from his palace , in all the splendour of the east, was now only allowed two hundred horse to attend him to the camp of Nadir ; who placed him on a throne at his left-hand, and, after a few sentences of ceremony, said : " You have, without precaution put your all to the issue o one blow : I saw. how you were entangled, and made you offers of accommodation; but you was so ill advised, or puffe up with childish conceits, that you neglected tlie terms of my friendship, -apd abandoned your own interest. Now you see to what streightsypu, are reduced by the victorious arms of Per- sia, However* J. wi4 .-.not take your empire from .you. ; & wl} U lijiii^ 89 SKETCHED OF BENGAL. mean to indemnify myself for the expenee of this war, which must be paid: I will leave von in possession of your domi- nions." He did so, after "niassarretng above one hurdred thousand of the inhabitants in plundering the capital ;f De'hli, awt tolling at least an hundred thousand more in his way* through the country. This .cruel invader returned to disown city of Knndahnr, within the year { 1739) taking with hint more than seventy millions* of pounds sterling in money and jewels. The cruelty ot Thamas Kotili Khan is said to have extorted from a dervise this bold address : " If thou art a God, acfc as a God; if thou nrt a 'Prophet, conduct us in the way of Salvation ; if thou art a King, render the people happy, and do- Mot destroy them." To which the invader replied " 1 ant no God, to act as a God ; nor a Prophet, t6 shew the w'ny'ofl splvation ; nor a King, to render the peo'ple happy : but 1 urn- he whom God sends to the nations which he has determined) to visit with his wrath." The power and- dignity of the Emperor were so reduced byv this stroke', that he had nothing left him but the name of a Iving in many of his provinces. The governors of them only kept up a shew of allegiance ; and retained in their hands tn revenues they raised from the subjects, to strengthen thetn.-> in their usurpation. And, at the time the English military, transactions first made a part of the history of the Mogul Em- pire, the heir to the throne was a state prisoner to one ot'thesd' governors. That part of the dominions wliiefr ban been the seat of the English affairs the provinces of .Betigbf, Behar; and Oriss*^ Were in the year 1725 governed by Shujaa Addeen Khan, who for his fidelity to the King was invested with this government iri liis family. Behar and Orissa he governed by deputies, over Ben- gal he presided in person, and the city of Moor&hudabad in the centre ot Bengal, was the seat of his government. In his time two Mogu's, brothers, named Hadjy Ahmed and AllyvertJe Khan, came to Rerigah powerfully recommend- ed by some of the principal Omra'tM at court, and were re*- ceived into his service ; the former as an office * of the 'foot Bbld-ers, who immediately attended his own perien j the other as his Ffeukah, or pipe-bearen Madjy- Atomed had in liis . Vbunget days been at Mecca, \rtiich is :imp!i6d -by- the title of Hadjy, gi\x-n to all those who have made tlra< pilgrimagei This alone is a great recommendation, in a -country so far distant from a place, which, by the- Koran, all Mussulman ougl t to visit once in theii 1 lives-; at>d a : repMtatiti for sanctity i^ the best disiruise Tor an ambitious man, among a people 8t) fuil of eulhnsiasin 83 areall he-followers of Mahommt-d : it gave him au easy iutroductiun 4u the great, witicU Ut> SKETCHES OF BENGAL, -89 knew hmv to improve. He soon discovered his master's rul- ing passion ; to this lie made his court, and saw himself in the road r.o greatness ; but was conscious of a weakness which might prove an invincible obstacle to his pursuits the want of that m irtial courage so indispensably necessary in a country where no one is esteemed but by his merit as a soldier. Thar, lie knew, his brother possessed in an eminent degree j he there- fore determined to labour for his advancement, resigning to him the glory of command, and contenting himself with in- dulging an ardent thirst after riches. Fame and dominion wre the darlings of his brother's more exalted soul. Thus,, necessary to each other, they united those qualities which might have commanded success in a n.uch greater e nterp^jze. Hadjy well knew, that where the object of our pursuit is it- self criminal, crimes are the steps by which he must ascend ; no retreat, no listening to- the- voiee of nature ; the passion* themselves must be subservient, and conscience hushed. Thus resolved, he is said to have made a sacrifice ef hi* own daugh- ter to his master. Admitted a favourite/ he lifted his brotKer from one step to another, till, in the year 1729, he obtained for him the Nabobship of Patna, where Allyverde Khan soon made himself very powerful ; for, partly by policy, in setting the Rajas of that warlike province at variance with each others and partly by the success- of his arms, he brought thun to an entire submission, making, them- pay their tributes, and yet attaching them to his service. In the mean time, Hadjy, as prime minister, had acquired great riches both for himself and his master ; but not chusing to depend entirely on the frowns or smiles of another, and perhaps suspecting jealousy might be struggling with affection in his master's bosom, he eyed Patna as H, secure retreat j and, by bribes among the great men at Dehly, he privately, in 1736, obtained a phirmaund, or royal grant, for his brother to hold the government of Behar, independant o Bengal. This could not be so secretly trans- acted, but enough transpired to excite the jealousy of the Sou- bah ; who was probably meditating revenee, when, in 1739, death surprized him. His only sen, Serferaz Khan, succeeded him in his government, is well as in hi& designs against the brothers; . but when the means were considered, he saw the artful fabric they had raised hod too firm a basis for him to shake. Hadjy was in his hands ; but he could not look on hi*, brother's power without trembling. Awed by that, he determined to wait a more proper season ; and Allyverde, checked by his brother's being in the Soubah's power, durst not attempt any thing against him; so both determined to dissemble. Allyverde filled his letters with protestations of loyally and submission ; 4 the SoubaU did hi* with assurances of th. confidence he Zi 90 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. in him. As the courtiers and soldiers were mostly enemies to -the brothers, it is possible the Soitbah might in time have executed his purpose ; but, indulging himself in excessive debauchery, even te that degree as to disorder his faculties, he soon rendered himself odious to his people, and lost the affec- tions of these who might have supported him. But nothing hurt him so much as a disgrace he put on JuggutSett, the great* est banker, and perhaps the richest subject in the world. Hearing that his son, Martabrug Sett was married to a young lady of exquisite beauty, he insisted on a sight of her : all the father's remonstrances were in vain ; he persisted, and even sent people to force her from his house ; saw her, and sent her back, possibly uninjured : but the very seeing her, in a country where women are kpt concealed, was an injury never to be forgiven. The crafty Hadjy rejoiced in an event which seemed likely to add so powerful a family to their party : he immediately tendered bis own and his brother's services, to revenge the dishonour : which were readily embraced ; and they brought over likewise one Allumchand, who had been & faithful servant to the father, and would have been so to the son, but had incurred his displeasure, by representing too freely the ill consequences of excesses. They had a confer* ence ; the issue of which was, that Ailyverde should march from Patna ; that they would endeavour to win as many of the general officers to their patty as they could; .and, if they were successful, that Ailyverde Khan should have the Soubahship, But the former obstacle remained, Hadjy was still in the Soubah's power. Sett and Allumchand undertook to get him removed to Patna, and that even by the Soubah's desire. Accordingly, they repre* sen ted to the Sou bah, " That Hadjy was tampering with' the general officers; that it was dangerous to keep him at court* . and more so to attempt bis life -, but that, as he was no soldier, and could not add to his brother's strength , it was therefore most expedient to send him to Patna." The betray- ed Serferaz Khan fell into the snare ; and Hadjy received bis dismission with great joy. He soon joined his brother, and, by his artful eloquence, so glosssd over the crime with the flat- tering expectations of future greatness, that Ailyverde, who else had probably been content with the authority he possess- ed, was dazzled by the splendor, and saw not that he under* -took the death of his benefactor's son. Hadjy gave -him no time to relent : the resolution was no sooner formed than executed ; and, in December 174 ' , Ailyverde began his -march, first writing to the JSoubah, '' That he was oppressed *irh grief to nod he had so many enemie* at court, who, by their ujisreprtsenutions, bad persuaded him lo disgrace bit SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 91 brother ; that he was coming to fling himself at his feet, and prove himself his loyal servant." The Soubah, rou zed from his delusive slumber, would have taken vigorous measures j but the same traitors assured him, he had nothing to appre- hend from Allyverde Khan, who had only a few troops with him ;that if he would give them leave to assure Allyverde, in his name, that he would restore his brother to favour, and that he Was convinced of his .fidelity, that Allyvherde would march no farther. The Soubah was again deceived ; and AHyverde, by this delay of a few days, had time to gain the passes which divide Bengal from Behar, where a few men might have checked his progress. The Soubah upbraided his counsellors -with their treachery, who pleaded, that themselves were de- ceived ; and he was now to put his life and government to the hazard of a battle. Their farces were nearly equal, each ar- my consisting of mbout thirty thousand men: but it was the last day of his life that he was to experience how few were faithful to him. His chief reliance was on bis artillery, little suspecting his master of the ordnance ; who, after a few dig* charges without shot, went over to the enemy, and was follow- ed by many others. Of all his commanders, Moorshud Cool? 'Khan, Ghows Khan, and Bauker Ally Khan, alone remained faithful to him. The two Utter were killed. Moorshud Cooley ought his safety in flight, and would have persuaded the Sou- bah to do the same ; and his elephant-driver undertook to carry him safe to the city ; but he cried, " He scorned to give way to the rebels ;" and rushed with his guards into the thickest of the enemy, where, by his great effort!!, he kept the .event for some time dubious, till overpowered by numbers, he yielded to the superior fortune of his rival. Moorshud Cooley Khan fled for Cuttack, of which he was governor ; while Ally-" verde, joined by Serferaz Khan's army, entered Moorshudabad, March 30, 1742; and soon shewed he wanted only a just title to make him worthy of this high station. Contrary to the general practice, he shed no blood after the action, contenting himself with putting Serierass Khan's children under gentle confinement. His first act was to send for Hadjy, whom he had left at Patna, that he might have the assistance of his superior judg- ment in maintaining what his own bravery, directed by hfe brother's counsels, had acquired : and, having rewarded his party with the posts lately filled by his adversaries, distributed part of his treasure among them, and received the submission of the -Rajahs, and all the great men, he took the field, with a elect body of Patians added to his forces, under the command of Mustaptia Khan, a general of distinguished merit : then Appointing his brother governor in hid absence, he began hi* 92 SKETCHES OP BENGAL. march a gainst Moorshud CooIey.Khan, who was in CuttncV witft the remain* of Serferaz Khan's party. After a short and un- successful resistance, he tied with all his followers to Dekkan, and never more disturbed the Soubah. He had but a short time to indulge himself in the pleasing thoughts of beiug in quiet .possession of the three provinces, when he was suddenly alarmed with an invasion of eighty thousand Marhattas ; who, entering over the Berboom hills, made it doubtful whether he could reach bis capital in time to preserve it. It may be necessary hpre to say, who the Marhattas are, ami what iheir pretensions in Bengal. The Rajah of Sittarab, commonly called the Sou Rajah, a corruption of the family name of Sehoo, put himself at the head of a confederacy of the independent 11 j.ihs, who possess all tlie country called the promontory of India, from (ianjamv west to Guzzerat : and Aurungzebe finding all his endeavours to conquer them in vain, and that they harassed the Dekkan> and other provinces bordering on their territory, was at last glad to make, peace with them on their own terms. These were, the independant enjoyment of the abo*e countries, ex- clusive of the port of Surai, and the quarter part of the reve- nues of Dekkan, for which a certain sum was stipulated, which was culled the Chout j but the treaty was never strictly ob- served on either, side. When the Emperors had no other wars on their hands, they refused to. pay the chant ; and when there* was any intestine divisions, in the Mogul empire, the Marhattas never failed Ux extend them boundaries; till, gathering new Strength as the Mogul's- declined, they encreased their demands to the chout of the whole empire, to which the weak Emperors were obliged to submit. This year the Sou Rajah sent to de- mand the chont; The Emperor, .brought to the last state of > iinbeciility by the invasion of Nadir -Shah, and unable either to rwist.cy powply,} proposed to them, among other expedients, to send a force against Allyaerde Khan, to receive the revenues, of the two last .ysiirs, send his and his. brother's head to court, and reinstate the family of Shujaa Khan. The Marhattas glad- ly ,em braced a proj opal which seemed to. insure them the c&n- quest, or at least the plunder of three rich pj-ovinces. As their force consists solely of light horse, they made such - rapid marches, that their arrival was the first notice the Soubah, had of their intentions. ; and he was then nnfor. vumtely at the very extremity of his territories. By forced marches he reached the province of Bnrdwan ; but finding the enemy iwjst-.be up. with him should he attempt to join his brother, he there in- trenched, himself, and was soon, surrounded by the Marhattas, .. who, lliougU Bupeiior io number, did not attempt to force hitu. SKETCHES OP BENGAL. 93 Boslkar Pundit, the Marhatta general, now sent a messenger to acquaint him with his demands} which were, the revenue due to the crown, the chouts of the two last yea.rs, the treasures of Shujaa Klian and Serferaz Khan ; and that for the future the Sou Rajah should have officers of his own to collect the chout, in every district of the three provinces. The intrepid Allyverde, exasperated to hear such haughty terms, boldly resolved to fight his way through, the enemy, and join his bro- ther. He put himself at the head of the Pattans ; who, ani- mated by his example, ' and the promise of reward, charged with such fury, that they soon cut their way through the ene- my, and gained the high road to the capital. They were fol- lowed by the whole Marhatta army for three days together, till at last they reached the town of Cutwa, where happily the* river was fordaWe ; and here his situation admitted of a little rest : but when. he formed his forces, for passing the river, he found them reduced to no more than three thousand Pattans ;. the rest of his army, consisting mostly of Bengal troops, the. worst soldiers in- the empire, had taken the opportunity, while the enemy was employed against the Pattans, of marching off towards Cuttack. The Soubah now saw,, that the dangers past were far, short of those in prospect j bat, master of him- self at all times, he betrayed no sense of fear j and. he gave his orders with a chearfulness which was to his troops a cer- tain omen of success. There was one pass only by which the Marhattas could come to attack him, before he gained the river . this he gave in charge to Mustapha Khan, assisted by Zaindee Ahmed Khan, Hadjy's eldest son ; and Meer Jalfier with eighty Pat- tans, with orders to maintain it till the whole army crossed 'the river. The Marhattas, imagining the Soubah proposed to con- tinue at Cutwa till jojned by his brother, stood for some time astonished at the desperate attempt ^ but when they .saw his army in the river, enraged to see their prey escape out of their hands, they attacked the defile with the, best of. their troops j but all the efforts were in vain agajnst the brave Pattans, who obeyed their orders with the loss of half their number, and joined the Soubah with the rest on the other side of the river ; and, in this memorable affair, Meer Jaffier is said to have killed ten Marhattas with his own hand. Their ralour was amply rewarded by their generous master, who, on hi* arrival at Moorshudabadj presented Mustapha Khan with ten lacks of rupees,* and the rest in proportion. The. Soubah upbraided The ropee is a*ilver cola, struck In the Mogul's mint, with ao in- cripiion of his name and lilies, the year of nig reign, and* the place at wbicb it was struck. It wcigluirom 7 dwt l.\)aai 2 hich the Soubah found sufficiently strong against an army which had no cannon. He had now struck such a terror into his enemies, and had so well established his character as a soldier, that the Marhattas, not during to attempt the city, coiiteutod themselves with ravaging the country sill round, till the approach of the rains obliged them to retire back into the Burdwan pro- vince, and put an end to their operations. The $oubah, on his accession, had ordered large levies of troops in the province of Behar ; so that in October, the raiiw being over, he again took the field at the head of fifty thou- sand men. The Marhattas also increased their strength by the desertion of Meer rfubbeeb from the Soubah's party, wh carried some cannon with him. He had been deputy governor of Dacca, but being called to the Soubah's court, to answer to some crime laid to his charge, he rather chose to trust hJm- sfeif with the enemies of his country, than abide the resentment of an injured master ; and his great knowledge of the country made him very useful to them. T.be Marhattas, according to their usual practice, would never venture a general action, but endeavoured to bring the Sou bah to term's by harrassing his troops and plundering his country. The Soubah sent to offer peace ; but the Marhattas, to 'heir former terms, added that of the resignation of his. go- vernment to Seiferaz Khan's eldest son. Provoked at this, i the subtle Hadjy tempted his brother to try what treachery, could effect. A conference was proposed and accepted. A tent ^was pitched between both armies: and Boskar Pundit, reiving on the Soubah's oath on the Koran for his peisonal -safety, advanced with thirteen of his general officers : The itent was double, and lined with armeo^ men, who, ori the signal given, rushed on the unprepared Marriattas, and cut them to pieces in sight of their own army, who;breathed instant revenge ; but the Soubah advancing.. at tbe'bead ..pi his troops, struck . terror into a multitude without commanders, and the Marhat- tas, by a speedy flight,, disappointed, him of hjs hopes of bring- ing them to a general engagement. The only, revenge in their power was ravaging the country, which they did most effectu- ally, burning the towns, and destroying the inhabitants without regard to sex or age. "The Soubah pursued them so close.ly, that he at last drove them back over the Berboom hills, having 11 RH. and tbe proportion of alloy to fine silver i* as I or $ to 100. One hundred thousand rupees make a jack, which is e.qual to, H ,600k Itctucg ; one hundred lucks, a crore } cue hundred crores an airib. SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 5 killed many in different skirmishes, and making a number of ^prisoners. The flattering prospect was but as a sudden calm, while the clouds gather together to return with greater violence ; for ad- vice was now, 1744, brought of a fresh army of Mahrattas en* tering by the way of Cuttack, und*r the command of Ragojee'-j and of another, by the way of Patna, commanded by Balaje- row, general to the Son Rajrfh ; eatfh of sixty thousand horse. But, though independent of each other, they agreed to act in concert, and make an equal division of all plunder and advan- tages that might be obtained. The Soubah, who was returning from Berboom, apprehen- sive of being inclosed, regained Cutwa by speedy inarches, and proceeded to his capital with a mind full of anxiety at the mortification of being obliged to leave his country exposed to merciless plunderers. He made such additional works to the city as the short time would permit ; and leaving it under tire charge of Hadjy,he took the field again with an army of observa- tion, composed of troops whose bodies were half exhausted by fatigue, and their minds spiritless through despondency. But behold a dawn, of hope ! He soon traced the marks of discord between the two Marhatta generals $ and, by the mediation of Sarsarow, a conference was consented to by the Soubah and Balmjerow, t which a peace was concluded on the following terms : The Soubah paid twenty-two lacks for the chout of the two last years, engaged to pay it regularly for the future, and, it is said, gave a large sum as a present to the general himself; who on his part, promised to retire out of the country, and to assist in driving out the other Marhatta army also. Balajerow did indeed retire himself, but left the Soubah to fight it out with his confederate j who, being no match for the Soubah, divided his forces into small bodies, and laid waste whatever had been spared by his predecessors, till the rains, and the Soubah's pursuit, once more drove them out of toe country. The next year they renewed the same scene ; but the Sou* bah attacked them so closely, that he cleared the country of them early in March 1 745, Orjssa and Cuttack only remaining in their hands : and now he promised himself some respite, at least till the month of October. He this year appointed Zaindee Ahmed Khan Nabob of Patna ; who set out for that province with a considerable body of troops, to prevent the incursions of the province. About, this time the Soubah first CDnceired jealousy of .the great reputation of his general Mustapha Khan, who, by his bravery, and unlimited profusion to his Pat- tans, had made himself extremely beloved by them j crime* .sufficient to render him obnoxious, under a governmeut-de* 96 SKETCHES OP BENGAL. pending entirely on military power, and where there 5s no me- dium between supreme command and abject slavery. The generous open temper of the man considered, I doubt much whether the Soubah's suspicions were justly founded j but his death was resolved on, and it was determined to assissinate him the first time he came to court. Mustapha was too much beloved to have it kept a secret from him. To be warned was sufficient to be safe. His first thoughts prompted him to re- venge ; which he was powerful enough to execute, but could not resolve to spill the blood of a man he once loved. He ra- ther chose to quit the country with hi* Rattans, and was fol- lowed by Shumser Khan at the head of a considerable body mure. They took their route towards Behar, intending to pas i through that province into their own country. The brothers, alarmed at so great a defection, and sensible no enemy is so dangerous as an injured friend, but, above all, ap- prehensive of theirjoitting the Marhattas, by greater promi-es, attached the rest of the Rattans to them. " The Rattans, not suspecting any pursuit, had marched but slowly, and were over- taken near Patna. Receiving advice at the same time, that Zaindee Ahmed Khan was marching from that city toward them, they instantly determined to face about and attack the Soubah, whose forces were little superior to their own. The battle began with the most promising appearance of success for the Rattans, till -Mustapha Khao, borne away by the tor- rent of his passion, endeavoured with too great impetuosity to penetrate that part where the Soubah was, but met with a re* sistance equally brave, and received his death's wound from, an arrow lodged in his eye. The Rattans, as if their general, was- their only source of Hfe and courage, instantly fled, and with their general Shumser Khan, reached their own country. The brothers never escaped a greater danger ; and in the frenzy of their joy, forgetting the great services they had re- ceived from the unfortunate Mustapha, they shamefully ex- posed this remains to be carried in an ignominious manner through the streets of Patna. The Marhattas, in this and the following year, 1746-/Y. again renewed their incursions. All the Soubah could do, was, to. cover the country to the east ol the Ganges ; north and west from Cuttack to Rajahmant, lay desolate and cultivated. Indeed they were not so numerous j'the country that had beenu solong exposed to them, would no longer support such vast. armes. But while hb attention was taken up by them, a-, greater, and more unexpected misfortune befel him. The> : . fugitive Shumser Khan returned the beginning of this year, at the head of seven or eight thousand Pattans, on a project con- certed between him and Meer Hubbeeb, for the plunder oK, SKETCHES OF BBXr.ATj. n P.rtnn. Of Urn Hadjy had some intelli.aer.ee. and hastened to assist his son \vith h t counsels. Shiunser Khan arrived on theo|)pos ; ie siile of the Ganges-, within a few hours marcji of the city, and wrote a letter to tlic Nabob of Patna, feigning contrition for what was p;ist, am! desiring liis interc> ssion with the Smibah to restore him to favour. Uadjy advised -him to trv the same stratagem which had bi::n so successful against Boskar Pundit; but his son, whether from .cruple t>r fear, hesitated, and returned for answer, that he was not impovvcred t promise him pardon, but had wrote to the court in his be- half. The orders soon arrived, which were, to follow his fa-. - ther's instiuetionsi The Soubah, at the same time, the bettec to deceive the Pattans, wrote to Shumser Khan, tliat he gladly arcerjied his Services, and pressed his inarch to- Moorsiuulabad. This proposal Shumser Khan made use of fa cross the river, giving .out he intended to march on to liengak ,i Both parties desired a cwnfe but which ended in their total rout by the death of their commander Shumser. This stratagem had its utmost effect. The Marhattas, regardlss of the views of their general, and tinrestrained by. military laws, .instead of attacking the Soubah's rear, fell to plundering his camp, regardless of all the exhortations of their officers. The Soubah, after the Pattans were once bro- ken, instead of pursuing them, found the Marhattas plunder- ing his camp in the utmost confusion. Thus, incapable of making any stand, they were totally rot; ted with ?ery little loss to the Soubah, who, thus revenged for the loss of his faithful brother and beloved nephew, returned to the capital. The Marhattas never ceased their incursions, but ktpthim almost continually in the field j and the little respite he had, was fully taken up in contriving means to raise money, to sup- port the immense expences lie was at in maintaining fbtces against them, to which he obliged every body to contribute : nor did the European settlements escape, but, in 1747, were Obliged to pay their quota j he observing always this policy ; not to demand it of them all at the same time, as he wisely judged their union only could make them formidable. At last, in 1750, a firm treaty was settled with the Sou Ra jaV., by which the province of Cuttack was given up to him, and the chout was settled at twelve lacks per annum, since which they have never molested these provinces. The only alarm he iver met with after 'this, - r>\Q wlio observed this strict union between the two nephews ; that the eldest had amassed great riches, and, though n-wt-ak effeminate man himself, had for his prime minister one Hos- sein Cooly Khan, an able politician, aud much esteemed by the army ; and the other nephew possessed of a rich province \vcil secured by ri\ers and mountains, and daily increasing his forces ; and compared with these the unpromising qualities of Senje ad Dowlah, who was continually immersed in debaut chery, drinking to the utmost excess, chusing his companions frynj the dregs of the people, and giving every indication of a vicious and corrupt mind ; most people, 1 say> little ima- gined the succession would ever fall to him. [Jut, in 1/51, the balance seemed to incline to him ; for the Soubah deter- mined in his favour ; and, apprehensive Naazish might prove t e powerful for him, thought it expedient, to -deprive liim of his chief support in Hossein Cooley Khan ; but as hi$ nephew was deputy governor of Dacca, they be^an with him, lest Hossein Cooley Khan should suspect their intentions* retire to Dacca, and setup for himself. The conduct ot this afiair was left to Seraje ad Dpwlalv, who chose for .his instrument one Aga Saddoe, whose father was guvr.no o ChiLtugonij, but resided at Dacca. The son, an extravagant debluiched youth, was then under confinement at J^nazish Mohammed Khan's palace, being left there as hostage till he paid a large sum due for the revenues of his government. Seraje ad Dowlah assisted him in his escape. He. landed at Dacca tlie first of December 1755, and engaged his father iu the. enjerprize, deluded probably by the promise of Seraje ad DowlaU t *.o make him governor of Dacca. The father and son, .with twelve of their dependants, surprized die governor in the.dead of night, and, after some little resistance, in which the father was wounded, they cut off h ; s head, and .proclaimed it to be done by the orderof Seraje ad Dowlah : but the nextday, an order arriving from Nuazish Mohammed Khan, to seize Aga Saddoe, the great , men of the city immediately a^s-mbled their forces, and attack- ed him. The son, with some of his desperate followers, cut their way through their opponents, and made their escape ; hut the father, and the rest of their party, were killed. . This news reaching the capitAl. the different yartie& were immedi- ately in arms ; but the old. Soubah assuring, his nephew that A pa Saddoe had made this.attempt entirely in revenge for his confinement, the weak timid. Nuazis.h was appeased^ and the consequence .was, that Seraje, ad Dowlah, a few days after, mur- dered Hussein Cooley Khan in the. streets of Moorshudabad. r l A*U> ^usiliauirapus conduct of, Nuazish, made,, many qu.it his SKETCHES OF TFXGA L. lf,i pnrtr, apprehensive' of : tlie same fate. The old Fotibah now gave evident signs df his approaching end. Men's wishes and im-l'muM^ns are apt to decent: their judgments. !Ser:ije ad Dowlah daily rendered himself 'more odious; and ^reat reliance was had on the union of the two brothers. But providence, for its ovtti wise ends, favoured this youth with rapid Mirces-*. Nuazish and Syed Ahmed both died a natural death, within a month of each other; and Allyverde followed them, April the JO, 17f)fJ, first giving Sernje ad Dowlah the keys of his treasure, and declaring his desire that he should succeed him. I have before mentioned Seraje ad Dowlah, as giving to hard- drinking ; but Allyverde, in his last illness, foreseeing the ill consequences of his excesses, obliged him to swear oh the Koran, never more to touch any intoxicating liquor ; which he ever after strictly observed. But the excesses he had already committed, had disordered his faculties to that degree, that he had ever after a disturbed imagination j sometimes frantic with passion, and cruel to those about him; then- again caressing them on equally frivolous grounds ; and all his words and actions betrayed a violent and uneven temper. Judges of human nature will be apt to prognosticate his sudden fall from, such symptoms ; yet he came to the soubahship with the mo*t flattering prospect. He had an army formed by his prede- cessor, a full treasury, and no competitors but the son of Syed Ahmed, in arms in Purnea, and an infant named Morad ad Powlah, son to his brother, who had been adopted by Nuazish Mohammed Khan, and was now supported by his widow with & party which at first appeared formidable; but the attraction of a fuil treasury soon won that party over, and the widow, l?ft alone, was received, with the-child, into his own palace. The late Soubah had frequently observed, that the Euro- peans werte likely to conquer the whole country, and advised his grandson to keep a watchful eye over them : He used to compare the Europeans to a hive of bees, of whose honey you. might reap the benefit ; but if you disturbed their hive they would sting you to death. A few days before his death, he said to his grandson, " My life has been a life of war and stratagem : For what have i fought, for what have my councils tended, but to secure you, my son, a quiet succession to my soubahdary ? My fears for you have for many days robbed me of sleep. I- perceived who had power to give you trouble after I an> gone hence. Hussein Cooley Khat) v by his reputation, wisdom, courage, and affec- tion to Shah Amed Jung, and his house, I feared would ob- struct your government. His power is no more. Mauickchund D*.'tvnn, who might have been your dangerous enemy, I have takeii iuto favour. Keep in view the power the European. na C 2 1C2 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. tions have in the country. This fear I would a!s*> hare fteei you from, if God bad lengthened my days. The work, my son, must now be yours : Their wars and politics in the Tilings country should keep yo waking: Oa -pretence of private contests between their Kings, they have seized and divided the country of the King, and the goods of his. people, between them: Think not to weaken them all together. The .power of the English is great ; they have lately conquered .Angria, and possessed themselves of his country ; reduce thpm first j the others will give you little trouble, when you have -reduced them. Suffer them not, my son, to have factories or :Soldiera ; if you do, the country is- not yours." Mr. Forth, who was then at -the Nabob's court, gave the following account of wh-at passed before his death : " About fifteen days before the old Nabob died, I being obliged to attend every morning to see him, his son came in, and with a face full of resentment and anger, addressed him- self to the old man : Father, I -am well informed the Eng- lish are going to assist the Hesjum. The old man naked me directly if this was true ? I answeied, That this must be a -malicious report, of some who were not our friends, and done on purpose to prejudice the Company ; that the -Company nere merchants, and not soldiers-; -and that in all the trou- bles that had happened in the country, since we had a settle- ment in it, if he pleased to enquire, he would find, we had not joined any parly, or interfered in any thing but our trade ; And that the Company had been nigh a hundred years in this country, in which time they never once had a dispute witU the government on that head. How many soldiers, says he, nave you in your fort or factory (Co*simbaz.ir) ? Answer, The usual mimber, About forty, gentlemen included. Have you never more ? Answer, No, only when the Maihattas were in the country ; but as soon as they were gone, the solders were returned to Calcutta Do you know, asked he, if the Dutch and French have any come up? Answer, I cannot tell Where are your ships of w,ir ? Answer, At Bombay. Will the-y-come here ? Not that I know of; there is no occasion for them. Had you not soiu* here thr*e months ago? Answer, Yes, there comes one or two yearly, tcx:ar- ry provisions for the rest of the ships. What is the reason you have t!ie>e - ships of war in these p.irts of later? Answer, To protect the C'-mpany's trade, and for few- of .a war with France. Is there war now between jou and the French ? Answer, No, not at present but we ace. afraid it will be soon. He then turned about o his grandson, and told him he did not believe a word of the report he had he-mi ; upon which Seraje ad Dowlah answered, iHe -could prove it. The old matt SKETCHES OF BENGAL, 1 03 desired I would send our Vakeel to him directly j which having accordingly done, when he returned, I asked the Va- keel what the old man said to him, which was almost word for word what passed with me. Seraje ad Dowlah ordered tb Vakeel to attend his Durbar daily, which was accordingly done." Such were the thoughts of Allyverde Khan of the English, before he resigned his government and his life to Seraje ad Dow- lah, his successor. zHere we may find the motives from which the war against the English took its rise in the mind of the young Nabob. Allwerde Khan, the successful usurper of the provinces of Bengal, Behar, and Orissa, grown old in the art ef Eastern government, lays him down to die; and, looking upon the heir of his fortunes, says to him, " My son, the pow- er of the E-i^lkh is great; reduce them first ; when that is done, the other European nations will give you little trouble. Suffer them not to have factories or soldiers ; if you do, the country is not yours. I would have freed you from this task, if God had lengthened out my days. The work, my son, must now Devours. Reduce the English first ; If I read their, de- signs aright, your dominions will be most in danger from them. They have lately conquered Angria, and possessed themselves of his conntry and his riches. They mean to do the same thing to you : they make not war among us for justice, but for money. It ix their object ; all ti~e Europeans come here to enrich themselves j and, on pretence of private contests be- tween their Kings, they have seized the country of the King, and divided the goods of his people between them. Love of dominion, atjd gold, hath laid fast hold of the souls of the Christians, and their actions have proclaimed, o*er all the East, ho\v little they regard i bees press precepts they have re- ceived from Gtd. They believe not that life and immortality which is brought to light by their revelation. They act in defiance of the good principles they would pretend to believe. Wy son. reduce the English to the condition of slaves, and) suffer them not to have factories or soldier-. ; it you do, the country will be theirs, not your's. They who, we see, are every day using all their policy, and their power, against what they theuiseives say is the law of the Most High, are only to) be restrained by force" Advice like this from AlNverde Khan, recommended by his great reputation, and corning with the affection of a father, to Seraje art Dowlah, leaves us at > o loss to account for but motives ibr the war against the English. 10* SKETCHES OF BENGAL, NUWAB SERAJE AD DOWLAH. Seraje adDowlah marches towards PurneaStopped at Raje* inahal In consequence of Intelligence received from Cal* cuita. Returns to Co&sitnbazar and takes possession of t/is English Factory Proceeds towards Calcutta The Eng- lish endear our to avert Lis anger, but in vain The Nuwab- arrives at Calcutta Description of Fort William The Nuwab' s troops escalade and enter the fort The English lay down their arms The Nuwab enters the fort severely . reprimands Mr. Holwell The English prisoners forced into the Black Hole Mr. Holwell' s account of that very effecting event ,Afo Holwell again summoned to the Nu- U'ttb threatened withfurtlter punishment if he did not dis- close where the Company s treasure was hidden He it sent prisoner with three other gentlemen, loaded vnth fet- ters, to Moonhudabad Experiences every act of humanity from the French and Dutch Chiefs of Cossimbazar The Nuwab orders them to be set at liberty and to conduct them, wherever they chose to agoThe Nuwab marches against his cousin Shokut Jung, Nuwab of Purnea Attacks him, who makes a vigorous defence Shokut Jung- killed by a musket ballAffairs of the English resumed Mr. Drafte, with those who had escaped from Calcutta proceeds to. Fultah Receive* reinforcement from Madras, and an ex- pedition under the command of Admiral Watson and CWo- nel Clivc arrives at Fvltnh Attacks the fort of Budge Budge A confused engagement ensues The Nuwab's troops letireA ship of ff^ar silences the guns of Budge- Budge, but the assault having been delayed, a drunken sailor takes the- fort The English advances towards 6W tutta The Governor retreats The English retake Fort William and Calcutta Takes Hoogfy The Nuwab march* being delivered vg to him Orders the French to proceed to PatnaSeroje ad Dowlah obtains intelligence of the Proceedings of the English Reinforces his army at Plassy Orders piles to be driven across the river and sends in- structions to Mr. Laws to come down immediately from SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 105 Patna Treaty between Meer Jaffier the Nuwab's General and the English Meer Jaffier s life threatened by the- Soubak The Colonel writes to the Nuwab, who endeavour? to reconcile Meer Ja/isr The Seubah takes the field The English troop* take the fort of Cutiea They pass the river and take possession of P lossy grove The Nuurab encamps close to them The armies draw out in battle array The engagement commences Meer Afuddeen, the Nuwad's Ge- neral killed Seraje ad Dowlah sends for Meer J after and apologizes for his former conduct Meer Jaffier sends in- telligence of the state of affairs to Culonel Clive The Nvwab quits the field Arrives at Moorshudabad, with the first intelligence of his defeat Meer Jaffier and his son meet Colonel Clite, who on embracing Meer Jaffier, salutes- him the Soubah of the three provinces*Seraje ad Douilak on his arrival at the city assembles a cowtciPof fs great officers, and deliberates on various expedients Disguises himself in a mean dress Steals out of a window in the dead of the night and embarks oh the Ganges Arrives towards Patna Betrayed by a Durveish Taken prisoner Sent ta Moorshudabad Put to death by Meerun, the son of Meer Jaffier The English enter the' Nuwabs^ camp Meeting between Colonel Clive and Meer Jaffier> Plsits Meer Jaffier and places him on the musnud~ &fthe taking* of Chandernagore from the French- Correspondence be- tween the Nuwab and Admiral Watson A- farther ae- count of the measures adopted for deposing Seraje ad Dow - lah The battle of Pfassy- and the advancement of Meer Jvffier. to the Government of Bengal Lord dive's Ac- count. of the retaking, of Calcutta and the terms agreed on, for a Revolution fyc., given to the Committee of the Housa of Commons in, \ 7 72, Lord Clive s- account of the ficti- tious treaty^ with Omifftvnd, for his assistance in bringing about a revolution injavor Meer Jaffier. AN May 1757, Seraje ad Dowlah was in full march against the Nabob of Purnea, when suddenly, he returned to the city, and publicly declared his intention to extirpate the English 3 and without further delay he encamped his whole army oppo- site to the English factory at Cossimbazar, and summoned Mr. Watts to surrender the place to him, at the sametime sending him a beetle as a> token of friendship, and assurance of per- sonal safety. Mr. Watts having, only five-and-twenty Euro- peans in garrison, and being sensible that if hetresi3ted> he exposed all the English effects in the Soubah's dominions to. be immediately seized j that at the utmost he could not, hold , out abovtt a day or two 5 >aod finally, ignorant of the cau's^ of D 2 'JOS SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 4he So-ibaVs displeasure, obeyed the summons. Hut, con- trary to promise, the Soubah immediately made him prisoner, and presented him the following articles to si^n : I. That wer should demolish all our new fortifications. II Give no protection to his subjects. III. Make good all that the government had suffered by the abuse of the dustucks.* The first article alluded to ome additional works carrying id), on the apprehension of an approaching French war. The second was to deprive us of the power of protecting t ship he could come to All that were tte*r, and saw the tiioverimr tfoing off, concluded the retreat was general, nnl rushed out with him. They seized the boHis that were at the water -side ai>d punned us fast as they wuld for t i*-n n -t n eraot f9Stn, 'iree SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 107 the ship*, where, once on board, they stood down the river t Those who remains! in the garrison made a virtue of necessity, and still endeavoured to defend themselves ; but from this time all wa* despair, bravery, and confusion \ and the next evening, their ammunition being almost expended, and farther defence or :t retreat impracticable, they hung out a flag of truce, -which the enemy taking for a surrender, they immedi- ately scaled i he walls, killing only such as made opposition. Ou the Soubah's entering the fort himself, he ordered the English into confinement. They were standing all together near th3 Blade-hole prison, which appearing to the enemy a secure place, they were forced into it. The Soubah gave up the town to be plundered, reserving to himself the effects ia the fort The next morning twenty-three only remained alive out of one hundred and forty-six, that had been forced into the prison the night before. Mr. Holwell, one of the survivors, -gives the following ac- count of that veiy affecting event : " By narratives made public you will only know, that of one hundered and forty -six prisoners, one hundred and twenty- three were smothered in the Black-hole prison, on the night of the 20th of June, 1757. few survived, capable of giving any detail of the manner in winch it happened ; and of these, I believe, none have attempted it : For my own part, I have often at down with a reso'ution, and as often relinquished the melancholy task, not only from the disturbance and afflic- tion it raised afresh in my remembrance, but from the consi- deration of the impossibilty of finding language capable of raising an adequate idea of the horrors of the scene I essay-* ed to draw. But as <1 believe the annals of the world cannot produce an incident like it, in any degree or proportion to all the dismal circumstance* attending it, and as my own health of body and peace of mind are once again, in a great measure, recovered from the injuries they suffered from that fatal night, 1 cannot allow it to be buried in oblivion ; though still consci- ous that, however high the colouring my retentive memory may supply, it ill tall infinitely short of the horrors accom* panying this scene. Before I conduct you into the BlacV-hoV, tt is necessary you should be acquainted with a few introductory circumstances. The boubah and his troops we're in pos ession of h fort before six in the evening. I had in all, three inter* ie*v with him, the last in Durbar, before seven, whe.i he repeated h* assurances to me on the word of a soldier, that tm h*rm should come to as and indeed I believe his oHers wVre ontv general, that we should for that night be secured, an I >h u what followed wa the result of revenge aud rtbsuttueui m vbe brcuaba vflke lower 103 SKETCHES OF BENGAL.' jamadaars, to whose custody we were delivered, for tfce number of their order killed during the vsieg*. Be this as it may, as soon as it was dark, we were nil, without distinction directed by the guard over us, to collect ourselves into one bo- dv, and ait down quietly under the arched verandah or piazza to the west of the Black-hole prison, and the barracks to the left of the court of guard j and just over against the windows of the Governor's easterly apartments. Besides the guard over us another was pjaced at the foot of the stairs, at the south end of this verandah, leading up to the south east bastion, to prevent any of us escaping that way. On the parade were also drawn up about four or five hundred artillery-men with lighted matches. " At this time the factory was in flames to the right and left of us ; to the right the armory and laboratory j to - the left the carpenter's yard, though at. this time we imagined it was the Pucka-warehouses. Various were our conjectures on this ap- pearance ; the fire advanced with rapidity on both sides ; and it was the prevailing opinion, that they intended suffocating us between the two fires : and this notion was confirmed by .the appearance, about half after seven, of some officers and people with lighted torches in their hands, who went into all the apartments under the easterly curtain to the right of us, to which we apprehended they were setting fire, to expedite their scheme of burning as, OQ this, we presently came to a resolution of rushing on the guard, seizing their scymitars, and. attacking the troops upon the parade, rather than be thus tamely roasted to death. But to be satisfied of their inten- tions, I advanced, at the request of Messrs. Baillie, Jeiiks, and and Revely, to see if they were really setting fire to the, apart- ments, aud found the contrary ; for in fact, as it appeared af- terwards, they were only searching for a place to confine us in ; the last they examined being the barracks of the court of guasd behind us. " Here I must detain you a little, to do hoaour to the me- mory of a man, to whom I had in many instances been a friend, and who, on this occasion, demonstrated :his sensibility of it in a degrees worthy, of a much higher rank. .His name was Leech, the Company's Smith, as well as clerk of the parish ; this man bad made his escape when the troops entered the fort, and re- turned just as it was dark, to tell. me he had provided a boat, and would ensure my escape, If I would follow him tbrouch a passage few were acquainted with, and by which he had then entered. (This might easily have been accomplished, as the " v ^ P ut V er us to k but very slight notice of us.} I thanked nim in the best terms I was able j but told him it was a step X could not pre'vail ,on myself to take, as I should thereby very ill repay the attachment the gentlemen, and the garrison had SKETCHES OF BEXGAE. shewn to me, and that I was resolved to share iheir fate-, be if what it would j but pressed him to secure his own t^raj.?e with-*^ out loss of time ; to which he gallantly replied, that " he wai resolved to share mine, and would not leave me." '' To myself and the world i should surely have stfl6dexcus~ ed in embracing the overture above-mentioned, could 1 Imva cenceived what immediately followed. We now observed- part of. the guard drawn up on the parade, advance to us with tha officers, who bad been viewing the rooms. They ordered us all to rise, and go into the barracks to the left of the court oS' guard ; the barracks, have a large wooden platform for the soldiers to sleep on, and are open to the west by arches and ;* small parapet- wall, Corresponding to the arches of the- veran- dah without. In we went most readily, and were pleasing ourselves with the prospect of passing a. comfortable night ou the platform, little dreaming of the infernal apartments in re- serve for us. For we were no sooner all within the barracks, then the guard- advanced to the inner arches and parapet- wall ; and, with their muskets, presently ordered us to go into the room at the southernmost end of the barracks, com- monly called the Blacks-hole prison. ;. whilst others from the court of guard, with clubs and drawn swords pressed upoa $hose of us next to them. This stroke was so sudden; -so unexpected, and the throng and pressure so greats upon us> next the door of the Black-hole prison, there? .was no resisting it ; but. like one agitated wave impelling another,, .we were- obliged to give way and enter> the rest followed like a torrent ; few amongst us, the soldiers .exceptedy ..having .the least idea of the dimensions or nature .of a-, place we had never seen 5 for if we had, we should at all e\ents,have. rushed upon tha guard, and been, as the, lesser e^il,. by our own choice,, cut.. to pieces. " Amongst the first that entered, were myself, Messrs, Baillie,Jenks, Cooke, T. Coles, Ensign Scott, Revely, Law aodj Buchanan, I got possession of the window nearest. the door, and took Messrs. Coles and Scott .in the window with-me^ they being both wounded (the first, I believe, mortally) the rest of, the above-mentioned gentlemen, were close round, me: it was, now about eight. o'clock, " Figure to yourself the situation of an -hundred and forty- six wretches, exhausted by continual fatigue and action, thus-. crammed together in a cube of about -eighteen . feet, in a closer sultry night, in Bengal, shut up to- the eastward and. south- ward (the only quarters from whence air could raclv us) by dead walls, and by a wall and door to the north ;. open only to, the westward by two windows, strongly barred with iron^ronx which, he could receive, scarce any the .least circulation of freak air. 110 SKETCHES OP BENGAL. ' What must ensue, appeared to me in lively and dreadful colours, the instant I cast my eyes round, and saw tbe size and situation of the room. Many unsuccessful attempts were mu'le to to ye the door ; for, having nothing but our bauds to work with, and the door opening inward, all endeavours were vain and fruitless. " Observing every on* giving way Jo the violerrceof passions, which I foresaw must be faul to them, I requested silence -plight be preserved whilst I spoke to them ; and, in the tnost pathetic and moving terms which occurred, " 1 bagged and intreated, that, s they had yaid a ready obedience lo me in *he day, they would wow, for their own-sake* , ami c tt*e sakes of those who were dear to them, and were interested in the pre- servation of i heir lives, regard the advice I had to give them* I assured them, the return of the day vvoold give us air and liberty ^ ucged to them, that the only chance we had left for Sustaining this misfortune, ami stirvivmg the night, was the preserving a calm mit-d and quiet res-ignition on the subject too much, to be alarmed at the prospect, and indeed felt much' mure for my wretched companions thatt myself. " Among t rne guards posted at the windows, I observed an old Jeimnadar near me, who seemed to carry some com- passion for u in hm countenance ; and indeed he v>asiheoniy one, of the ma+jy in hiv station, who discovered the least trace of h ii inanity. I called -him- to me, Hud j in the most persuasive terms 1 wasrwpible, urgedhiui to commiserate the sufferings he was a witness to, and pressed him to endeavour to vet in >e panted, half in oire phre, and half in another ; awl that lie should in the morning receive a (itoustmi rupees for this i't of te-ndernes.^. He -.promised he would a'tfni|tt it, and with- drew;, but in a few miiMites re'Hrned, and tnl<| me it was im- possible. ! fh- trthoujfht J had l)een (It ficient in my offer, and proiniv d him two thousand rupees.' He wiiliHrew a !ett>nd time, Wit retutnetl sioon, and (with -I -'believe mnrh ieai pin >md eowceru) iwld ae, it was not practicable 5 ikti it could iioi be SKETCHES OP BENGAL. Ill done but by the Soubah'i orders, who ww ileepjn?| and that DO one dared awake him. " During this interval, though their passions were lew vio- lent, their uneasiness increased. We had been but few mi- nutes confined, before every one fell into a perspiration so profuse, you can form no idea of it. This, consequently, brought on a raging thirst, which still increased,, m propor- tion as the body was drained of its moisture. " Before nine o'clock, -every man's -thirst grew intolerable, and respiration difficult. 'Our situation was much more wretch* ed than that of so many miserable animals in an exhausted receiver ; no circulation of fresh air sufficient to continue life, 'nor yet enough divested of its vivifying particles to put a speedy period toit. " My thirst grew nowinsitpportable, and difficulty of breath- ing much increased ; and I had not remained in this situation, I believe, ten minute!), when I was eized with a pain in my breast, and palpitation of my heart, both to the most exquisite degree. These rowsed and obliged me to get up again ; but still the pain, palpitation, thirst, and difficulty of breathing, increased. I 'retained my senses notwithstanding, and had the grief to see death not so near me as I hoped ; but could no longer bear the pains I suffered without attempting a re- lief, which I knew fresh air would and could only give me. I Instantly determined to push for the window opposite to me j and. by an effort of double the strength I ever before possessed, gained the third rank at it ; with one hand sei/ed a bar, and by that means gained a second, though 1 think there were at least six or seven ranks between me and the window. "In-a (ew moments my pain, palpitation, and difficulty of breathing, ceased; out my thirst continued intolerable. I called aloud for " Water for G;>d's sake." I had been con^ eluded dead, but as soon as they heard me amongst them, they had still the respect ac*tching the drops as they fell, l>ke heavy rin, from my head and .-face : you can liardlv imagine how unhu^y I WAS if any of them escaped my mouth, No Brwfo! water with a train* of wretched reflections, and seeing no glimpse of hope on> which to found a prospect of relief, my spirits, resolution,, and every sentiment of religion, gave way.: I found I was. unable much longer to support this trial, and could not bear> the dreadful thoughts of retiring into the inner part of the, prison, where I had before suffered so much, Some infernal spirit, taking the advantage of this, period, brought to my re- membrance my having a small clasp penknife in my pocket ; with which I determined instantly, to open ray arteries, and, finish a system no longer to be borne. I had got it out, whea Heaven interposed, and restored me to, fresh, spirits and reso- lution, with an abhorrence of the act of cowardice I was just, going to commit. I exerted anew my strength and fortitude ; but the repeated trials and efforts I made to dislodge the in-. sulTerable incumbrances upon me, at last quite exhausted me, ad towards two o'clock, finding I musi quit, the window/ .v- SKETCHES OF BENOA sink where T was, I resolved the former^ having bore infinitely inore for life than the best of it is worth.- ' " In the rank clo-e behind me was an officer of one of (lie ships, whose name was 6rey, who had behaved will) n.m-li bravery during the -siege, (his wife, a fine woman, though country- horn, would not quit him, but accompanied him into- the prison, and was one who survived.) This poor wretch had been long raving for water and air ; I told him I was de- termined to* give up life, and recommended his <.'aiuing my si- tuutinn. On my quitting, he made a fruitless attempt to get- my place; but the Datch serjeant, who sat on my shoulder, supplanted him. " Poor Carey expressed his thankfulness, and said, he would give up life too ; but it was with the utmost labour we forced our way from the window, (several in the inner ranks appearing, to me dead standing). He laid himself down to die ; and his oVath, I believe, was very sudden, for he was a. short, full, san- guine man ; his streng'h was great, and I imagine, had he not. retired with me, I should nver have been able to have forced mv way. "I was at this time sensible of no pain, and little uneasiness : I can give you no better idei of my situation, than by repeat- ing my simile of the bowl of spirit of hartshorn. I found a. stupor coming on apace, and laid myself down by that gallant old man, the Reverend Mr. Jervas Bellamy, who lay dead, with his son, the lieutenant^ hand in. hand, near the souther- most wall of the prison. *' When I had lain there -some little time, I still had reflection- enough to suffer some uneasiness, in the thought that I should be trampled upon 4 when dead/ as I myself had done on others. With some difficulty I raised myself, and .gained the. platform, a second time, where I presently lost all sensation ; the last trace of sensibility that I have been able to recollect after my lying" down, was my sash being uneasy about my waist, which I untied and threw from me. " In my.own eseape from absolute death ,. the hand of Heaven*, was manifestly exerted : the manner was as follows : When the day broke, and the gentlemen found that no iatreaties could prevail to get the door opened, it occurred to one of them (E think to Mr. Secretary CJooke) to make a search for me, in hopes I might have influence enough to gain a release from this. scene of misery. Accordingly Messrs. Lushingto a and Walcofc undertook the search, and by my shirt discovered me under the-. dead upon the platform. They took me from thence 5 and,, imagining I had some signs of life, brought me tovyard the . win- dow 1 had first possession of. E 2, SKETCHES OP BENGAL. " At this juncture the Soubah, who bad received an account of the havock death had made amongst -us, sent one of his Je- madars to enquire if the chief survived. They shewed me to him ; told him I had appearance of life remaining, and believed 1 might recover if the door was opened very soon. This an- swer being returned to the Soubah, an order came immediately for onr release, rt*being then near six in the morning. " The fresh air at the window soon* brought me to Hfe ; and a few minutes after the departHre of the Jemadar, I was res- tored to my sight and senses. But oh ! Sir, what words shall I adopt, to tell you the whole that my soul suffered at review- ing the dreadful destruction around me ? I will not attempt it ; and, indeed, tears (a tribute I believe I shall ever pay to the remembrance of this scene, and to the memory of those brave -and valuable men) stop my pen. " Being brought into his presence, Tie oon observed the \vretched plight I was in, and -ordered a large folio volume, -which lay on a hep"of plunder, to be brought for me to sit on. I endeavoured two or three times to speak, but my tongue was dry and without motion. He ordered me water.. As soon as I got my speech, I began to recount the dismal catastrophe of my miserable companions:; but he stopt me short, with telling me, he was well informed of great -treasures being buried or secreted in the fort, and that -I was privy to it, and if I ex- pected favour, must discover it. *' I urged every thing I could to convince him there was no truth in the information ; or that if any such thing had been done, it was without my "knowledge. I reminded him of his repeated -assurances to me the day before ; but he resumed the subject of the treasure, and all I could say seemed to gain no credit with him. I was ordered prisoner under Meer Mud- -don, general of the household troops, and, with three gentle- men selected to be my companions, sent the same day (2 1 st of June) to the cajnp, and soon loaded with fetters ; and after en- during much pain and ill treatment, we arrived at Moorshu- dabad, the capital of Bengal, on the 7th of July, and were deposited in an open stable, not far from the Soubah' f s pnlace, under a guard of sepoys, where we were to remain till the Soubah returned to the city. " During our residence here, we experienced every act of humanity and friendship from Monsieur Law and Mynheer Vernet, the French and D-itch Chiefs of Cossimbazar, .who left no means unessayed to procure our release. 'Our provisions were regularly sent us from the Dutch Tank&al at Corieniiibad j and we were' 1 daily visited by Messrs. Ross and Ekstone, the Chief and second there'j and, indeed, received' such instances of commiseration and affection from Mynheer Ross, as will ever claim my most grateful remembrance. SKETCHES OP DEXGAL, MB " Ths whole body of Aremenmn merchants too, were most kind and friendly to us : particularly Agn Manual S governed with all the insolence of unbridled poor- er, dreaded by all, and beloved by none. The remains of our unfortunate colony were runy laying -on. board a few defenceless ships at Fultah,the most unwholesome, spot in the country, about twenty miles below Calcutta, and destitute of the common necessaries. -of life :, but, by the assist- ance of the French and Dutch, to whose humanity they were much indebted on this occasion, and partly by the assistance, of the natives, who, both from interest and attachment, pri- vately supplied them with all kinds of provisions, they sup- ported the horror of their situation till August, when they re- ceived a reinforcement of two hundred and forty men froro;. Fort St. George, under the command of Major Kllpatrick, with, money and warlike stores. But their greatest misery was yet to come ; for now the sickly season came on, and, what with, bad air, bad weather, confinement on board ships,, and want of proper refreshments, such a mortality ensued, as swept' of? almost all the military, and rnany of the inhabitants. They, continued ift this situation till the arrival of Admiral. Watson A SKETCHES OF BENGAL. TO* in the monfh of December, with the King's squadron-, con-^ listing of the Knt, Salisbury, and Tyg^r, witli two frigates, and two Indiamen, having on board six hundred Europeans, and a thousand Seapoys, wider the command of Lieutenant' Colonel Robert Clive> followed by the Cumberland and ano- ther Indiaman, with one hundred Europeans, and four hun- dred Seapoys, but which were not vet arrived ; a force that could give little hopes of success, but from the great qualities 1 of the gentlemen that commanded it. Admiral Watson was an officer of great bravery, disinterestedness, and public spirit j Colonel Clive was a gentleman, who had already eminently distinguished himelf in the war on the coast of Coromandel ; where, by a long train of successes, against constant superior numbers of the French, he had restored the English affairs* at a time when they were thought desperate : he had lately commanded the land forces on the successful expedition against Angriaj and was now pitched on as the properest person to > restore their affairs in Bengal. It may appear matter of wonder why the Soubah permitted us to continue so quietly at Fultah, till we were become formida- ble to him ; which I .can only account for from his mean opi- nion of us, as he had been frequently heard to say, he did not imagine there were ten thousand men in all Ferungistan, mean* ing Europe, and had no idea of our attempting to return by force, but supposed that we staid at Fultah, only till the season would permit our going out of the river. And> indeed, it is possible, thtt, now his anger was subsided, he might see the folly he had committed, and might wish our return on his own terms ; which were, to live under his government, witiiout laws or fortifications of our own, and to carry on our trade like the Armenians and his own subjects. Whatever the mo- tive was, it was happy for us, and gave us time to prepare every thing to assist the squadron in going up the river ; and accordingly, December 27, 1757, the troops were embarked^ and the fleet stood up j on the twenty-ninth they were re- landed, for the attack of Budge Budge, a place of strength, that, had they understood the art of defence, might have cost us much trouble. After a most fatiguing march,, from five in the evening till seven next morning, we came in sight of the place, while, at the same time, the fleet was got abreast, and began to fire. Colonel Clive ordered the grenadiers, volun- teers, and all the Seapoys, to go as near as they could, under cover, and be ready for an assault as soon as a breach should be made, whilst the rest of the army halted in a hollow on the plain, in order to intercept the garrison, if they attempted to retreat. While we were in this situation, and ignorant ofan^ ether enemy than those in the place, we were, alarmed at the m, SKETCHES OP BENGAL. sight, of some liotse in otirrear; and before we nad time to get out of this unlucky situation, we found ourselves almost surrounded by the enemy, who had got possession of ihe emi-. nences, and began to fire on us. Such a sudden surprise miaht liave endangered our little ariry, had not the Colonel acted with great presence of mind. He immediately detached pla- toons wherever the enemy appeared most formidable -, but they, presumptuous from their triumph over us at Calcutta, stood with great boldness, nnd killed and wounded eight men of the first platoon that advanced ; but now we brought a field-piece to bear upon them, which kept them at a greater distance; and the detachment that had been made for the assault of the fort, being returned on hearing the firing, and having joined us, we marched into the open pla ; n, and dis- covered our enemy to be Manickchund, the Soubah's Governor of Calcutta, who was cou.e to throw himself into the place, at the head of three thousand horse and foot ; but being stunned with the firing of the King's ships, he thought his assistance would be fruitless, and was returning, when he came unex- pectedly upon us, and attacked us with great bravery. In this skirmish we had twenty-one Europeans killed and wounded, and several Seapoys. Manickchund received a shot through his turban, lost bis second in command, and about fifty men, und was so intimidated, by the reception he met with, that, without making any stay at Calcutta, he hastened away to his master, to assure him, that these were not the the 2d January 1757, the troops re-embarked, and m the 3d January at day-break, were again landed in sight of Calcutta,, which the enemy abandoned almost s soon as our ship* cHme abrwist of it, firing only the euns that were ready loaded, which did some- execution on the Tyger ; and then Mr Watson 'ituidedthe King's troops, and took possession of lUe fort. Tb.e inhabitants, in the joy of returning to their SKETCHES OP BENGAL; JI9 Bettlements, seemed to forget they were returned to empty houses, and universal bankruptcy. The conduct of political affairs was now vested in a select Committee and the Colonel; the Admiral being pleased to declare, they were the best judges of the Company's interest, and that he was ready to execute whatever they thought moat conducive to it. The Committee left the correspondence with the Soubah to the Colonel, whom we are henceforward to con- sider as chief negociaefore we could take the field. A camp wa* formed on a plain about two miles to the northward of Calcutta, which was made as strong as the situation and time would permit j and the Soubuh advancing, the troops sent to Hoogly rejoined us, and mtr whole force now amounted to four hundred battalion, one hundred and twenty train, and one thousand four hundred ceapoys ; for the Cumberland was not yet arrived. Colonel Clive, on his first arrival, had wrote the Soubah, " That Admiral Watson, commander of the King's invincible ships j and himself, a soldier, whose conquests -in Dekkaof might have reached his ears; were come to revenue the in- juries he had done the English Company ; that it would better become him to shew liis lovt of justice, by making tliem ample satisfaction for all their losses, than expose his country to.be the seat of war." Such a haughty sti'e astonished him-) ha would net deign to answer it, bat . permitted Juggut Sett, and 120 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. others of the great men, who had letters addressed to them to i he same purpose, to answer them, and directed them to. sound our dispositions and expectations; and Ju^gut Sett'sauent in camp wrote, by his orders, to desire the Colonel would send' a person, in whom he could confide, to treat with him ; whose coning he should wait at a pi are called Nabob-Gunge, twenty miles from our camp ; but the- very same day his van appeared, passing our army, as if on their way to Calcutta. This had. so much the appearance of an intended insult or deceit, that the Colonel inarched out, at the head of four hundred Euro* peans, and one thousand seapoys, with two field-pieces j andr toward the close of the evening, a cannonading ensued ; but the enemy was so advantageously posted, that the effeit was trifling OB either side, and night approaching, the Colonel re- turned to camp. The Soubah, pretending to be ignorant of what had passed, sent a messenger to conduct to him whoever the Colonel should think fit. to send ; Messrs. Walsh and bcraf- ton were appointed; and in the mean time, under cover of thia negotiation, the Soobah himself,, with his whole army, passed in sight of us, and encamped between our army and' the town ; which he ridiculously thought a master- piece of policy, on a false notion, that Calcutta, thus deprived of re- lief, must fall into his hands, and ouraitny would be then at his mercy. The two gentlemen were much surprised to find, that the Soubah, instead- of waiting at the place appointed, was al-- ready with his army in the suburbs of Calcutta. On the 4th February 1757, at seven in the evening, the Soubah gave them audience in Omichund's garden, where he affected to appear- in great state, attended by the best-looking men amongst his officers, hoping to- intimidate them by so warlike an assembly. After the first compliments, they were desired to retire, and acquaint his ministers with their proposals. Prior to any ac- commodation) they insisted on the Soubah's returning to the place from which he first offered to treat; but finding the minister shuffled . kh them, they desired a private conference with the Soubah : but he judging from his own treacherous disposition, was so firmly persuaded that they bad private armi about them, and, wauled to assassinate him, that he could by, BO means be brought to trust himself. alone with them; so that, finding the Soubah only intended to amuse them, they pretended to be satisfied, and desired to .depart. The Soubah: dismissed them, telling them be expected their return in the morning, with, fall powers to finish every thing j and desired, before they quitted the camp, they would go to the tent of jugfut Sett's agent, who had something to communicate to them that would be very agreeable to the Colonel. The Soubah had., given orders to detain them there, and pro* posed to assault the fort the next day ; but suspecting his de- SKETCHES OP BENGAL, 321 stgn, they put out their lights, pushed forward, arid" sonir gain- ed the camp. On reporting their embassy to the Colonel, he determined to attack the tnemy at day-break ; a resolution that may appear rash to many, for the Soubah'.s army consist- ed of at leust eighteen thousand horse, and sixty thousand foot., with forty pieces of heavy cannon ; but the Colonel considered only the necessity of the attempt, and not the danger;- for all our black camp followers had disappeared at the approach of the Soubah's army, and we must very soon have been dis- tressed for provisions. To our force, which Miave already mentioned, was added six hundred sailors from the squadron : and the plan of operations was, to nail up the cannon, and push at the head-quarters. On the 5th February we marched at about three in the morning, and our project so far succeeded, that we came upon them unexpectedly-} but, when the day appear- ed, there came on so thick a fog, that it was impossible to dis- cover any object at ten yards distance ; and this was the Sou- bah's preservation ; for the fog clearing up for a few minutes,, between seven and eight, we found ourselves at a great dis- tance from the head-quarters, and exposed to the enemy's ar- - tillery,. which did great execution amongst us, The country too was fall of holes and ditches^ which the enemy had lined- with musquetry, which did us some mischief; but from this immense army we had no regular attack-, except from a large body of Persian horse, who received" a general volley trow the whole battalion, which obliged them to face about with the less of near half their number. Thus finding himself disap- pointed -in 'ais principal object, the. Colouel .ordered the marc U towards Calcutta. The enemy now pressed on our rear, and took, two of our field- pieces, or,e of which had the carriage broke by the bud- ness ot.tlie roads, and we had some men, picked off from be- hind cover. At eleven o'clock we reached the fort, and found, our whole loss of killed and .wounded was about an hundred and twenty, soldiers and sailors, aod uu hundred seapoys ; a consi- derable, diminution of our- small force: But the enemy suf- fered much more, having. lost six or seven hundred men, killed and wounded, with two general officers, besides a .vast- number, of oxen, camels, horses and elephants : our army marched out agaui,.in the evening-, to their fwmer camp, the route be ing- within a mile of the Seubah's head-quarters, though covemi with a wood 5 but the morning's alarm had struck sue.h a terror ;uto them, that, far from attacking .us, they were ready for con- fused flight, with which, we were not at that time acquainted. The greatest advantage we reaped from this action, wa^ia tlie effect it had upon the SoubaU, who was not only intimidated bj the boldness of the attempt, but struck with his own pru= I** SKETCHES OP BENGAL; , in having exposed himself to be attacked at such a clis* advantage. To add to his uneasiness, he thought he discover- ed some appearance of disaffection in some of his principal officers, particularly in Meer Jaffier, whose conduct in this ufaic had been' very mysterious. The Soubah's army passed that night under arms, in continual apprehension of being at- tacked ; and early in the morning he sent a messenger to en- quire the cause of our behaviour, and to renew the treaty j and under cover of this negociation, he thought himself very happy in quitting the neighbourhood of Calcutta, and encamping on a plain within sight of our army. Had he continued there but one day longer, the Colonel intended tor have had a battery on Dura Dum bridge, which would have commanded the lake, and put his army entirely at our mercy. But now, only sensible ot our own loss, and ignorant of the effect it had on the enemy, we gladly renewed the treaty, which in two daya signed by both parties. Articles signed and sealfdty" Jus Excellency Seraje ad Dow*. lah, Soubah of Bengal, 'Behar, antf Orissa, dated Febru* ary 9, 1757. I. Whatever tig'hts and privileges the fCin? has granted the "English Company in their Phirmaunds, and Husbulhookums, fTnall be acknowledged and stand good ; whatever villages have been giverr to the Company by the Phirmaunds, notwithstand- ing they 1iave been with -held by former Soubahs, -shall be iven up to them j nor shall the Zemindars oppose iheir taking possession of those villages. ; Agreed toi '11. 'All goods passing and repassing-through the country, by landjjr by water, with English dustucks, shall be exempted from any tax, fee, of imposition, of the Ghautwallas, Chokee- dars, Zemindars, or Others, - ''Agreed to. III. All the Company's factories seized by the Soubah, shall be returned ; all the money, goods, and effects, belonging to the Company, their servants and tenants, which have been seized and taken by the Soubah, sliall be restored ; and what has been plundered by the people, made good by the payment of such a sum of money, as his justice shall think reasonable. ~I will restore only what has been accounted for in the government books. IV. The Company- shall be allowed to fortify Calcutta> in such manner as they -shall think proper, without hindrance or obstruction. -- Agreed to. V. And to coin siccas, both of gold and silver, of equal fine- .ness wjth those of .fifcoorshudabad, Avhich shall pass current through the provinces. -- 'Agreed to. Then followed the Soubah's seal ; and having sworn to ful- fil the same, Meer Jaffiei- and Roybullub, two of his genera! officers, under-signed it as securities. SKETCHES OF BENGAL; 1*3 The Soubah then;sent the usual present to the Governor, Admiral, and Colonel, consisting each of an elephant dress, and head-jewel ; which were received by the Governor and Colonel, as representatives of the Company. Mr. Watson, as representative of the King, refused to accept the present ; but received the Soubah's officers who brought it in a very polite manner on board the Kent, and displayed to them his lower tier of thirty-two pounders, of which they made a dreadful report to their master ; who, not conceiving any great liking to his new friends, marched with all haste to the capital, hap- pily for his subjects, somewhat humbled by his late defeat. Mr. Watts being well versed in the country language, and in their politics and customs, accompauied the Soubalf, to attend tde fulfilling of the treaty. The Afghaun mountaineers, who possess Kandahar and the mountains that divide Persia from Hindoostan, encouraged by the success of former invaders, entered the country with so powerful an army, commanded by an old officer of the Shah's, named Abdullah Khan, that the court of Dehly, unable to re- sist, submitted to the conqueror 5 and news now came, that lie intended a visit to the eastern provinces. This alarmed the Soubah, who acquainted the Colonel with it, and dropped some hints of wanting his assistance. The Colonel on the first advices, crossed the Ganges, which was equally conveni- ent either to inarch to Chandernagore, or to the Soubah. Mr. Watts found, that the French had, by the prevailing power of corruption, won over to their interest several cour- tiers, who were most in the Soubah's confidence ; and had certain information, that the Soubah had wrote to Mons. Bussey, who commanded a large army in the Dekkan, that he might be assured he would never fulfil the treaty, but would infallibly join the French, and fall on ua, whenever our squa- dron and forces left the river j that the only way to prevent it, was, to attack the French, while he was* influenced by his fears of the Afghauns. Mr. Watts's judgement will hereafter appear to be well founded, as the Soubah had already sent a large body of troops to assist the French ; had returned the two lacks of rupees taken from them the year before j and had entered into some private negociation with the French governor, wherein he promised him the .government of Hoog- ly, a mint, and other advantages. His espousing their causa so warmly, made us still cautious of provoking him too far j but Mr. Watts made so artful an use of his fears of the Af- ghauns, observing to him that we could never think of leaving our settlement to be attacked by the French, in case he re- quired our assistance against them, that, partly by sifch argu- ments, and, taught by the French the power of money/ at the 124' SKETCHES OF BENGAL; SoubalVs court, partly by a handsome present of money to hit first secretary, he; produced the following letter irom him to Mr. Watson : " Your agreeable letter, acknowledging the receipt of mine* which you' tell me has dispelled jour anxiety j that you had hitherto forbore attacking the French, out of regard to me j that you had prepared reasonable articles ; hud sent for them, and told them to sign them ; that they gave for answer, if any future commander should disapprove them, they had now pow- er to over-rule him j that therefore peace had not tuken place, with other disagreeable circumstances :I have received, and 1 have well considered it. If it be true, that one Frenchman does not approve, and abide by a, treaty eiiteied into by ano- ther, no confidence is to be placed iti them. The reason of my forbidding war in my country is, I look on the French as my own subjects, because they have, in this -affair, implored, my protection } for which reason I wrote to you to make peuce with them, or else J had neither pleaded for them, nor pro- tected them ; but you are a generous and wise- man, and well know, if an enemy comes to you \tfith a clear heart, to implore your mercy, his life should be granted to. him ; that is, if you* think him pure of heart ; but, if you mistrust his sincerity, Jiut according to the time and occasion." This letter may be very well understood, as a consent to our attacking ih'e French, though it certainly was never , meant as?, such ; for he had not only his colours fiying, and a body of men at Chandernagore, biit had ten thousand men marching towards us, under the command of Roybullub, who were ad- vanced as far as Plassey, near thirty miles from the capital; another of four or five thousand still nearer, under the com- mand of Manickchund : but another well-applied bribe to Nundcomar; the governor of "Hoogly, removed all obstacles ; for it persuaded him to withdraw the troops under his com- mand from Chandemagore, and to Write, the Soubah, " That as the French were by no means able co resist the English, lie had therefore ordered his troops to Hoogly, lest his .victo~ rious colouis should be involved in their, disgrace." This the Soubah approved of, and wrote, to Roybullub and Manick- chund to proceed no farther. Thu?, floating between l.is fears and wishes, he shamefully abandoned those whom, he was bound, both for his honour and interest, to support ; and now no furtherobstacle remaining, Colonel Glive, who was advanced, almost to the limits of 'Ghandernagqre, MS if on his way. to join tiie Stmbah, immediately.. began the ,-iege, Thf fort was .a. : regular square, motiiiting^Uvetvei twenty-four pounders* on each bastion, with several cannon mounted t:n fine* ravelin before the gate to the river-side. ; $ha> SKETCHES OF BENGAL, 12* ditch imperfect ; no glacis ; and but a small es,nlanar!e of about two hundred and fifty' yards ; and had> of soldiers, sailor*, and other Europeans, near six hundred men in garrison, besides three hundred good seapoys. It was invested on the I3tu of March ; on the 14th th.e French abandoned their outworks ; and from that time to the 22d, were mostly employed in erecting two batteries, which were then ready. On the 23d, Mr. Wat- son, joined by Mr. Pocock, (who, on hi? ship's arrival at Bal- lasore, hearing what was going forward, to partake of the glory of the action, came up in a light boat, and hoisted his flag on board the Tyjjer) passed the ships the French had sunk, owing to their neglect, in sinking them so wide as to leave a passage between them, and at s protect the small remainder of them, which was about an hundred men, collected together at Cossirtibazar, under the command of Mons. LHSVS, and to dissemble his resentment, till the return, of our squadron and forces 10 the Coast, gave him an opportu- nity to tail on us again, and extirpate us for ever. I3ut, as the whole tenor oi his conduct strongly indicated, that he had views of further service from this body of Frenchmen, Mr. Watson wrote him, " That if he continued to protect the King's ene- mies, he would light up a flame in hi# country, that nil the wa- ters of the Ganges should not quench." Thus intimidated, lie obliged the French to quit the province, and to retire to Piitna, where he kept them in reserve against a long-wished moment, when the return of cur force to the Coast should Jeavt us exposed to his revenge. From the time he heard that (Jhandtrnagore was taken, he never enjoyed a moment's peace of mind. His imagination was ever haunted by dreadful no- tions of the King's ships, which he was told, and was idle' enough to believe, could be brought up the Gauges, close to liis capital; and, to prevent it, he dammed up the mouth of the C'ossimbazar river. To increase his apprehensions, our army still continued in camp near Hoogly. These circum- stances, togther with the mortification of refunding the plun- der of Calcutta, and the repeated demands of the French, would sometimes make his anger burst out from under the veil' of dissimulation, in which he endeavoured to cover it. In one of these transports, he determined to break with us, and or- dered Meer Jaffier, with a large body of troops, to join th^se at Piassey-, promising him a reward of ten lacks of rupees the flay he returned victorious} and sent for Mr. Laws, to come down immediately from Patna, for that he was determined to full on us ; and turned our Vakeel out of the Durbar. But these fits of valour were of short duration, his fears again pre- vailed ; the march of the troops was countermanded; the Va- fceel honoured with a dress j. Mr. Watts caressed, and his re-- venge smothered, till it might blaze forth wi'.h more security. Lut he had now given such strong indications of his resolution nevir to forgive us, that Colonel Olive, necessitated by these related proofs of the Soubah's perfidious intentions, recom- mended to Mr. Watts the forming of a party to join us, in case'- thing* should cciue. to extremes, which many circumstances com uired to facilitate. The Soubah, by the severity and ca- priciousness of his temper, had made himself rotny secret ene-- nues, both 111 Uis court and army. The old ministers of his SKETCHES OF BENGAL. predecessors were obliged to give way to new favourites, cnosin from the dregs of the people, and there was hardly one ot them but had, in his starts of passion, been threatened with death ; while mutual' mistrust prevented their taking any measures for their preservation At last one of them, named Khoda Yar Khan Laitte. thinking there was more confidence to be placed in us than in his own countrymen, sent a message to Mr. Watts, that he had something of great importance to commu- cale to him, arid wished to see him. Mr. Watts was too close- ly watched by the Souba-h's spies to venture himself, but sent one Omichund to him, who was an agent under him. To him he opened his mind freely, acquainting him with his own dan- ger ; assured him the Soubati was tirmly bent or extirpating s, and made a tender of his set vices; <3michund confirmed him in his fears of the Soiibah, and gave him hopes his propo- sals of the like nature from Meer .lamer, a general of the first rank, and nearly related to the Soubah, by his marriage with Allyverde Khan's- sister. I have before mentioned, that this gentleman's mysterious conduct in the last battle, where he kept himself at a distance, waiting to see what issue the affair was likely to have, had made the Soubah suspicious of him, as well as of Roybullub, for his close connection with him. The uneven temper of the Soubuh could never long retain its disguise; 'for though he affected an exaggerated friendship 'for those he intended to destroy, yet his real sentiments would now and then escape him ; and he had been frequently heard to say, he would have the heads of them both. This had been told them, and sufficiently warned them to provide for their safety ; so that Meer Jaffier and Roybullub, both judged the English protection would be a port of safety to them. They sent a mar privately to Mr: Watts, to let him know how they stood affected, and to assure him, that Seraje ad Dowlah was determined never to forgive the English the disgrace of his late defeat, and waited tmly a proper opportunity to= fall -on thtm again, and concluded with a hint that many of the principal officers of the army, whose lives were in continual jeopardy, from the cruel and capricious temper of the Soubah, had de- termined to depose him ; that if the English would support Meer Jaffier in his views on the Subahship, he would readily make any concessions that might be deemed necessary, to in- demnify the English for the losss they had sustained, and to render their trade advantageous to them. These proposals were received with great satisfaction ; and Mr. Watts acquainted the Colonel, and the gentlemen below, with it, who immediate- ly empowered him to treat, and settle the plan of operations with Meer Jaffier. Mr. Watts had an interview with Meer Jaffier, who represeated to him, that nothing, could b& cona 1t8 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. xvhile the Nabob's army was in the field, as it separated him from the heads of his party ; and hmdered him from conceit- ing proper measures with him. It was agreed, therefore, to lull the Soubah into a firm persuasion of our peaceable in- tentions, to try, by dissimulation, to remove this obstacle. For this purpose, the Colonel ordered the army into quarters, and wrote the Soubah, " That while the armies continued in the field, their enemies would be endeavouring to interrupt that perfect harmony and friendship which subsisted between them j that he had therefore pu his army into quarters , and, thought he had no reason to doubt his Excellency's strict adherence to, and full compliance with all the articles of the treaty, yet, nevertheless, he wished he would disappoint those hopes their mutual enemies enteitained, by withdrawing his army from Plassey, and that he would hasten the payment of the money , and other articles of the treaty." The Soubah was glad to be freed from the uneasiness our army gave him, by being in. the field, thanked the Colonel for this proof of his friendship, and promised to .put his troops into quarters : but these words were loo inconsonant to his schemes, to be followed by actions ; for he still continued his army encamped, and prolonged, to the utmost, the execution of the treaty. By the happy use of an unexpected event, this obstacle was removed, and the Soubah became the dupe of his own projects. The Marhattas, hearing of the troubles in Bengal, and thinking it a proper opportunity to annex so rich a province to their already too extensive empire, wrote to .the Governor of Calcutta the fojlowing letter : Ballajerow Seehoo Bajterow, f^izier to Ram Rajah, brother to Rajah Sehoo,from Hydrabad, to Roger Drake, Gover* nor of Calcutta. " I have longtime wished for* meeting with you, which the great distance has prevented. Every thing prospers with me ; and it is my wish that success attend you, with long life and happiness. Your misfortunes have been related to me by Ragoojee, son to Janoogee. Make'yourself easy, and be my friend j send me your proposals, such as you imagine may be for the best ; and, with the Divine assistance, Shumser Khan Behadur, and Bagoo Baboo, son to Bajeerow, shall enter Bengal with a hundred and twenty thousand horse ; besides, there are other forces shall be ready at your call, if yon have need of them, having wrote to Ameer Khan to proceed to you, whenever you shall write to him to that effect. Whatever merchandize and riches you have lost in Bengal, the double of its value shall be restored by me. Do not, on any account, make peace with the Nabob. .In a few days my forces shall enter Bengal, SKETCHES OF BENGAL, * 159 and the trade of the province shall be 'entirely yours. Go- vindroy will relate to you further particulars : to him com.mu- nicate what force you have need of, and due regard shall ba paid to your dictions. The French shall not remain in Ben- gal : your forces shall keep them out by sea, mine by land." The person mentioned in the letter had a private conference with Colonel Clive, wherein he confirmed the contents. The Colonel's first reflection was, that this might possibly be an in- vention of the Soubah to sound his intentions - r when suddenly, with that quickness of thought by which he was distinguished on all emergencies, he determined to turn the stratagem on the head of the inventor, by sending the letter to theSoubahhimselfj which, if suspicious were just, would deceive the Soubah into a firm persuasion that we had no jealousy of his design j or if the letter was real, would awe him by the fear of so powerful an alliance. Mr. Scrafton was accordingly dispatched with these proposals, accompanied by a letter from the Colonel j in which l\e wrote him, " That notwithstanding he had put the army into quarters, and given every proof his Excellency could" require of his firm Intentions to preserve the peace, he 'was not yet so. happy as to gain his Excellency's confidence, who still kept a large army encamped at Plassey, which seemed to hang like an impepding storm over our heads ; kept the provinces alarmed, and prevented the merchants from resort- ing to Calcutta. That he had but one proof more to give him, of his sincerity, which the bearer would acquaint him with. If that would not'suffice, he should think himself for ever banished from his confidence and friendship." The Soubah, who had been informed by his spies of the interview between the Colonel and the Marhatta agent, and of his letter being on the way, was impatient to know the con- tents. Mr. Watts introduced Mf. Scrafton to the Soubah, and they found him accompanied by Narain Sing, the head spy, ivlanickchund, and Juggut Sett. The Soubah affected to b<3 charmed with the Colonel's letter, which was enforced by every argument suitable to the occasion j he expressed somo doubt of the Colonel's sincerity, but found himself obliged to put O.Q the appearance of conviction,, when the Marhatta'^ letter was delivered to him.i. Having, read it, he broke forth Into loud acclamations to the Colonel's praise ; and, thinking now to deceive ua by this feigned confidence, said, he would order his army Into quarters ; and did not doubt but our fleeC and army would quit the country as soon as the- season woultl permit ; and desired- we would go to Rajah Mohunloll,^ his prime minister, to whom he had given orders to finish ow a&iirs j arul immediately ordered .the troops into the city. ISO SKETCHES OF BENGAL: The minister acted the same pnrt as h'w master ; but, lilce En old practitioner in ministerial firt.s. proposed, that the Colonel should send up a discharge in full of all suras stipu- lated by the treaty, though nothing was yet determined with respect to the thirty-eight villages,* and very little progress made in the rest of the treaty ; and that by the time it arriv- ed, the whole should be discharged. The Soubah returned the Colonel a favourable answer, and told the gentleman who carried the letter, that he expected him back in a week with the 'desired discharge, and then he would reward him with great presents and honours. Every thing was now in a fair wy ; the Plassey army broken up and put into quarters ; and Meer Jaffier, after having consulted with Roybullub, and the head of his party, con- cluded the following treaty with Mr. Watts, and promised to join us as soon the armies drew near each other. We, on our parts, promised, by the blessing of God on our arms, to make him Soubah of the three provinces. Treaty executed by Sfeer Jaffier Khan Benadur. I swear by God, and the Prophet of God, to abide the terms of this treaty whilst I have life. f Treaty made with Admiral JPateon, Colonel Clive, and the Counsellors, Mr. Drake and Mr. Watts. Art. I. Whatever articles were agreed upon in the time of peace, with the Nabob Serajead Dowlah, I agree to comply tvith. II. The enemies of the English are my enemies, whether they be Indians r Europeans. III. All the effects and factories belonging to the French in the province of Bengal, the paradise of nations, and Debar, and Orissa, shall remain in the possession of the English, nor will I ever allow them any more to settle in the three provinces. IV. In consideration of the losses which the English Com- pany have sustained by the capture and plunder of Calcutta by the Nabob, and the charges occasioned by maintenance of the forces, I will give them one crore of rupees. V. For the effects plundered from the English inhabitants at Calcutta, I agree to give fifty lacks of rupees. VI. For the effects plundered from the Gentoos, Moors, and other inhabitants of Calcutta, twenty lacks of rupees shall be given. VII. For the effects plundered from the Armenian inhabr- tants of Calcutta, I will give the sum of seven lacks of rupees. See the first article of the treaty, page fi2. *f These wards were written in bin own bund, at (be bfjinoisg Of tue treaty, and were undersigned by him. SKETCHES OP BENGAL. . 131 The distribution of the suras allotted to the English, Gentoo, Moor, and other inhabitants of Calcutta, shall be left to Ad- miral Watson, Colonel Clive, Roer Dr; ke, William Watts, James Kilpatrick, and Richard Beecher, Esquires, to be dis- posed of by them, to whom they think proper. VIII. Within the ditch surrounds the borders of Calcutta, . are tracts of land belonging to the several Zemindars ; besides these, I will grant to the English Company six hundred yards without the ditch. IX. All the land lying south of Calcutta, as far as Culpee, shall be under the Zemindary of the English Company ; and all the officers of those parts shall be under their jurisdiction. The revenues to be paid by the Company in the same manner with other Zemindars. X. Whenever I demand the assistance of the English, I \yi\l be at the charge of the maintenance of their troops. XI. I will not erect any new fortifications near the river Ganges below Hough fy. XII. As soon as I am established in the three provinces,, the aforesaid sums shall be faithfully paid. Dated the fifteenth of the month Ramzan, (June 1 757,) in the fourth year of the present reign. There was a separate treaty, stipulating the payment of fifty lacks to the army and navy. Our affairs were now drawing to a crisis, when an e?ent hap- pened, that had like to have blasted all our hopes. Whether any thing of our connections with Meer Jaffier had reached the Soubah's ears, or whether he had before projected his destruc- tion, and thought this the properest opportunity, while we seemed so quiet, is uncertain ; but Meer Jaffier thought him- self in such danger, that he would no longer venture to go to court, and on his disobedience of the Soubah's summons, his death was resolved upon. The artillery was pointed against his house, and the troops ordered to surround it. Meer Jaffier acquainted the Colonel with his situation, and wrote him, that nothing could extricate him from the danger he was'in, but the news of his march. The die was* cast ; and on the IStii of June the whole army marched forward, and the Colonel wrote the Soubah, the very day of his march, to the following purport : *' That, from his great reputation for justice, and faithful obserrance of his word, he had been induced to make peace with him, and to pass over the loss of many crores of j-apees, sustained by the English in the capture of Calcutta, and to rest content with whatever he, in his justice and gene- rosity, should restore to them ; that his Excellency had not thought fit to set any value on the friendship of the English, but bad* in every thing, discouraged; as much as possible, the 132 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. Company's business, by turning their Vakeel disgracefully from his persence, refusing free passage to the English through the country, intercepting their trade, - and searching their factory at C'ossimbazar for ammunition and warlike stores, on pretence of their intending an attempt on his life, in the time of profound peace ; threatening them with instant rupture, if they did not submit to the search ; that these were but trifles, compared to his open and -avowed protection of the King's enemies, of which his letters to Mons. Bussey, wrote but a few clays after his entering into a solemn treaty with us, inviting him to hfs country, was-a flagrant proof ; that his protection, and allowance of ten thousand rupees per month, to Mons. Laws, and many other circumstances, were not only so many deviations from the treaty, but evidently shewed his Excellency's intention to fall upon the English, as soon as the absence of 'their troops might expose them to it 5 that the main, article of the treaty was infringed, in his proffering only a fifth part of the sum paid into the treasury* for the plunder f Calcutta, and yet demanding a discharge for the whole. The Colonel complained bitterly of so many insults put upon him, and reminded the Soubah how differ- ent his own conduct was, when called upon to assist against the Pattans. He solemnly declared, his intentions were to< have fought for him to the last drop of his blood ; .but seeing his Excellency had chosen his friends from among his enemies, and had, in every respect, deviated from his engagements, .he had determined, with the approbation of all who were charged with the Company's affairs, to proceed immediately to Cos- sinibazar, and .submit their disputes to the arbitration of Meer Jaffier, Roybullub, Juggut Sett, and others of his great men. That if it should be found, that he, the Colonel, had deviated from the treaty, he then swore to give up all further claims ; but that, it it appeared his Excellency had broke it> he should then demand satisfaction for all the losses sustained by the English, and all the charges of their army and navy > and concluded with telling him, that the rains being so near, ^nd it requiring- many days to receive answer, he bad, found it necessary to wait upon him immediately." Affairs, between the Soubah and Meer Jaffier were now at a crisis. Some of the few who were faithful to the Soubah, assured him it was at Meer Jaffier.' s instigation that we inarch- ed up, and advised him to fall oahiia immediately ; but others, of Meer Jaffier's party, who were in his confidence, persuad- ed him to make up the breach for the present, and defer his designs to some more favourable occasion. If the Soubah etreii before in abandoning the French, he doubly evred now, m otiuiiuiug a. ausjiisiaus frjeud,, anil piie.whose.duath h& vva SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 133 still determined on, to continue in the charge of a great body of troops, which self-defence would hare taught him to make use of for his own preservation. He was sensible of his weak- ness j but, instead of having resolution to rise above it,'aYid terminating his fears at once, by the attack of Meer Jaftier, he endeavoured to deceive him, by the thin disguise of grare and pardon, confirmed by oaths. The Koran was introduced, the accustomed pledge of their falsehood ; the Soubah swore lie would never attempt his life ; Meer Jaffier, that he would be his faithful soldier, and fight fpr him to the last drop of his blood. They parted with smiles on their countenances, and treachery in their hearts, each happy in the thought of ovt r- ruaching the other ;'and now we 'were the grand object of their attention. The Soubah immediately took the field, with about twenty thousand horse, and fifty thousand foot, and fifty pieces of heavy cannon ; whilst our army, consisting of a thou- sand Europeans, and two thousand Seapoys, with fix field- pieces, and a small detachment of sailors from the squadron, were advanced, partly by land, and partly by water, as far as the town of Cutwa. Three days were passed there in the most ureasy suspenee, waiting for intelligence of the issue of the dispute between the Soubah, and our ally Meer Jaffier. In this doubtful interval' the majority of our officers were against crossing the river, and every thing bore the face of disappoint- ment 5 but, on the 22d of June, the Colonel received a letter from Meer Jaffier, which determined him to hazard a battle ; and he passed the river at five in the evening. The Soubah was now within twenty miles of us ; but, far from being puffed up with the superiority of his numbers, he be- trayed ,his anxiety at the approaching moment, when his life and government were to be exposed to the , issue of a battle. Mistrust of his own army, and the dread of an enemy, who had before defeated him, made him presage the worst ; and a trifling circumstance, which he took for an-ill omen, con- firmed him in. his fears: it is indeed the effect alone which can' excuse my mentioning it. ' As he was sitting in his te^tit, the evening before the battle 1 , revolving in his mind the doubtful issue, his attendants im- perceptibly left him, one by one, till he Was alone j when a- fellow entered, unperceived by the Soubah, and carried off' the gold top of the hookah he was smoaking, and'cnt off some of the broad-cloth of his tent. It shocked his soul to think, that he, whose frowns were death but in the morning, should now be so little feared. He called for his attendants, and cried, with great emotion, "'Sure they see me dead." However, with an appearance of composure, ill suited with tlie pangs he felt, he ordered the disposition of his anny,,ad 134 SKETCHES OF BENGAL, began his march before day -break. Ours, after a most fa- tiguing march, from five in the evening, till one in the morn- ii)g,.which was absolutely necessary, in order to be possessed of Plassey town and grove before the enemy could reach it, halted in the grove till day-break ; when the Soubah's army appeared marching from their fortified camp before-mention- ed j and what with the number of elephants, all covered with scarlet cloth embroidery, their horse, with their drawn swords glistening in the sun, their heavy cannon, drawn by vast trains of oxen, ; and their standards, flying, they made a grand and formidable appearance. And their disposition, as well as the regular manner in which they formed, seemed to speak great- er skill in war than we expected from them. But what avails pomp and parade, when the heart is not fired by loyalty to its prince, or love to it6 country ? At six in the morning, June 23d, the enemy v?as*discovered marching in a deep column from their old camp : between every body of four or five thousand was a part of their artillery. In this order they continued marching, as if they . intended to surround us, as far as (he river would permit ; but as soon as their rear was got out of the camp, they hulted, and a body of about fifty Frenchmen Advanced in front of the rest, their officer calling out, in vain, for some -of the Soubah's troops to follow him : for-; such was their mistrust of each other, that no commander dared to venture on singly, for fear some other commander, suspected of attachment to us, should fall on him. These advanced, undercover of an eminence,, to. within about five hundred paces of us, and then began a general cannonading. Our little -army was at first drawn up without the bank which . surrounded' the grove, but we soon, found such a shower of balls pouring upon us from their fifty, pieces of cannon, most of which were thirty- tw-o anil twenty- four pounders, that we retired under cover of, the bank, leav- ing two field pieces without, whilst the other four kept playing through the breaches in the bank. In this posture both ar- mies remained till about twelve, when a heavy shower of rain falling, the enemy's horse advanced, as if they meant to take advantage of it ; but when they found our field-pieces kept firing, notwithstanding the rain, it checked their ardour. The rain ceasing, the cannonading continued till about four in the afternoon, when they began to retire to the old camp, their artillery marching in first. And now we. took notice of a large body on our left, moving in such a manner, as to make- it doubtful whether their aim was to possess themselves of. the village on our left, or whether they were friends, and wanted to join us. However, as no sigoal had been agreed cu, owing to the miscarriage ot a messenger, who hud beea SKETCHES OF BENGAL. ' 135 dispatched to us in the morning by Meer Jaffier, we kept them- at a distance by our field pieces. When all their artillery was- gat within the camp, Major Kilpatrick moved forward with about two hundred Europeans and three hundred seapoys, and possessed himself of. the eminence, where the French had been, till they retired with the rest. On this motion, the fciiemy seemed inclined to come out again on the plain ; but Colonel dive ordering all our fire to be directed- against their oxen and drivers, after several attempts they were obliged to give over, and several large bodies of horse began to advance- on us, and take possession of an adjacent eminence; but we presently observed their elephants unruly, and great confusion amongst them. The Colonel conceiving this the moment onr- which the success of the day depended, immediately ordered"-' the eminence and their camp to be assaulted by the advanced- body and the whole army to march forward. The enemy stood their ground at the eminence long enough to receive a general volley, when they faced about with great precipita- ' tion ; and some of their ammunition blowing up just a.s Colo- iit;l Glive was inarching up to their camp, it put them into such confusion, as made them incapable ot resistance, and the ' rout became general. Their camp, baggage, and cannon, aH fell into our hands> and we continued the pursuit all night.,' Thus was this decisive victory obtained/ with the trifling loss of about seventy men killed" and wounded on j our. side* and about five or six hundred on the enemy's. One great cause of our success was, that in the very be- ' ginning of the action, we had the good fortune to kill Meer Muddun, one of the Soubah's best and most faithful officers ; which struck such a terror into him, that he sent for Meer Jaffier, threw his turban at his feet, and told him, with a most f dejected countenance, " That it was he that must protect that turban." Whether this moved Meer Jafiaer's compassion, or his politics were to save appearances with both parties, is un- - r certain; but-hedid not offer to join us, only wroteahe Colo- nel a note, advising; him to push forward, for that the battle was more than Ka!f. won i -in every thing else he stood neuier during the whole action. Despondency had now taken such possession -of the Sou- ' bah's soul, that he left the field at four in the evening, on r an elephant, and made such- haste, that he was himself one of the first that carried the news of his defeat to. the capital, which he reached that night. Meer Jaffier's troops retired slowly and regularly from the field of aetiuu, marching wide of. the rest of .the Soubah's army, and halted a few miles from us. In the morning the Colonel sent Omar Beg, and Mr, Scrafton, to Meer Jaffier. As soon as. he saw the messeu- l3G SKETCHES OF BENGAL. gers, lie advanced forward, with his son, to meet them ; but was far from testifying that joy which might have been expected : Probably, bred up in the treacherous court of Ally- verde Khan, he harboured some suspicion that the Colonel iiii^ht resent his conduct, in not joining him conformably to his promises ; for afterwards, when the guards drew out to receive him as he passed, he started, as if lie thought it was all over with him 5 nor did his countenance brighten up, till the Colonel embraced him, and saluted him Soubah of the three provinces, advising him lo hasten to the capital, to pre- vent its being plundered, and to assume the title of Soubah, in which he would support him with all his force as soon as possible. We continued our joyful march towards the city, and had the pleasure to see the marks of onr victory all through our route, the plains being covered with cannon, trains of oxen, broken carriages, wounded horse, and, among the rest, an elephant found dead, sixteen miles from the field of battle, with two six-pound shot lodged in his body. Let us now follow Seraje ad Dowlah. On his arrival at the city, he assembled all his great officers, to consult them on this unfortunate event : some advised him to deliver himself up tO'the Colonel, against whom he had no hope of success, having been twice defeated by him. This, which was the most prudent advice, his shallow judgment mistook for treach- ery. Others advised him to open his treasury to his army, and endeavour, by .great rewards, to spirit them up to make another effort. Pie seemed to' approve of this, immediately 'Ordered three months pay to his army, and dismissed his coun- cil with assurances of his heading his troops again in the morn- ing. But, when left by himself, he suffered all the pangs ol adversity. His terrified imaginations represented every one that approached him as a traitor, that wanted to deliver him up, He abandoned himself *to his fears, and, knowing not whom to trust, he'disguised himself in a mean dress, and stole out of a window in the dead of night, with no attendants 'but one faithful servant. Before Meer Jalfier could enter the palace, tfie women had broke loose from their confinement, and carried off jewels tc an immense value ; while the soldiers had broke into the treasury, and carried away great sums' of money. All was anarfliy and confusion.; the frightened inhabitants stood in dreadful suspeuce expecting nothing but massacre and deso- lation from a victorious army; till the arrival of Mr. Waits and Mr. Walsh, 'sent forward by the Colonel, and a procla- mation issued out, that Meer Jaflier was appointed Soubah by Colonel dive, turned their fears to astonishment. This, with the news gf the halt of par rmy on the 25th and 6ih, restored tranquillity to the city. Meer Jatfier, whether SKETCHES OF BENGAL. ]37 conscious how little he had contributed to our success, or that a Mussulman could not conceive such moderation, when we had the whole in onr power, still doubted the reality of his exaltation, and it was with great difficulty that Messrs. Watts- and Walsh could prevail on him *o act as Soubah. On the 27th the Colonel entered the 1 city, with two hundred Europeans, and five hundred seapoys, and took up his quarters at a palace near the Soubah's. Upon the Colonel's arrival, Juggut Sett, and several of the great men, anxious for their fate, sent their submission, with offers of large presents, which the Colonel refused, assuring them he desired nothing but their assistance in settling the government. The next day Meer Jatfier visited the Colonel, and accompanied him in great pomp to Juggut - Sett's house, where they settled all money affairs. On the $9h, the Colonel went to the Soubah's palace ; and in the presence of fill the Rajahs and great men of the court, led him to' his throne, and, in compliance with the custom of the country, mnde his sub-mission to him as Soubah, by pretent- 1 ing him with a few pieces of gold, in-which he was followed by all the great men present. From this time Meer Jatfier assumed the title of Mehabut- J'tfng, and acted as Soubah of the three provinces*- The first fruit of onr success, .was the receipt'of near a mil- - Jion sterling, which the Soubah paid us- on the ^ 3d of July,' and was laden on beard two hundred 'boatsj- part 7 of the fleetr that attended us in -our march upv escorted by a detachment from the army. As soon as they entered thegreat river, they were joined by the boats of tlje squadron, and all together formed a fleet of three hundred boats, with -music playing/ drums beating, and colours flying, and exhibited to the French and Dutch, by whose settlements they passedy a scene far different from what they had beheld the year before, when the Nabob's fleet and army- passed them, with the j captive Eng- lish, and all the wealth and plunder of Calcutta. While we were thus-happy in :ou* success; Seraje ad Dow- lah was travelling in disguise^ like a miserable fugitive, to-- wards Patna, where he hoped once more^ to appear in arms y bol being discovered by the Governor of Rajenrahel, Meer Jaffier's brother, he was surrounded ; and advic*of it reaching 1 tjie Soubahj he sent his eon to take him prisoner, and bring- him tp the city, where he arrived on th 4th of July at night, unknown to the Colonel, and was privately put to death by the order of Meer Jatfierj who came in the merning to apolc- ; gize for having taken such a step without consulting him, This account is gi?en by Mr. Scrafton ; but the tetters which passed between Admiral Watson and Seraje ad Dowlah, and L 2. SKETCHES OP BENGAL. the account given by Lord Clive, giving further light into the conduct on both sides, are the subject of the following sheets. LETTERS BETWEEN THE NABOB AND ADMIRAL WATSON, &c. 'Admiral Watson's Letter to Seraje ad Dowlah, Nabob oftke Provinces of Bengal, Behar, and Orinsa. The King my master (whose name is revered among the monarch s of the world) sent me to these parts with a great fleet, to protect the East India Company's trade, rights, and privileges. The advantages resulting to the Mogul's domi- nions from the extensive commerce carried on by my master's subjects, are too apparent to need enumerating : how great was my surprize, therefore, to hear you had marched Against the said Company's factories, with a large army, and forcibly expelled their servants, seized and plundered their effects, amounting to a large sum of money, and killed great numbers of the King my master's subjects 1 I am come down to Bengal to re-establish the said Compa- ny's servants in their < former factories and houses, and hope to find you willing to restore them their ancient rights and immunities. As you must be sensible of the benefit of having the English settled in your country, I doubt not you will con- sent to make them a reasonable satisfaction for the losses and injuries they have suffered, and by that means put an amica- ble end to the troubles, .and secure the friendship of my King, who is a lover of peace, and d^ights to act in equity. What can I say more ? From on board his Britannick Majesty's ship Kent, at Ful* tah, the 17th. Dec. 1756. Seraje ad Dowlah s Letter to Admiral Watson. Jan. 23, 1757. You write me, that the King your master sent you into In- dia to protect the Company's settlemeots, trade, rights, and privileges : the instant I received this letter I sent you an an- swer} but it appears to me that my reply never reached you, for which reason I write again. I must inform you, that Roger Drake, the Company's Chief in Bengal, acted contrary to the orders I sent him, and encroached upon my authority ; he gave protection to the King's subjects who absented them- seUes, from the inspection of the Durbar, which practice I did foibid, but to no purpose. On this account I was determined to punish him, and accordingly expelled him my country : but it was ray inclination to have given the English Company per-. SKETCHES OP BENGAL; 139 mission f o have carried on their trade as formerly, had another Chief been sent here : for the good therefore of these provin- ces, and the inhabitants, I send you this letter ; and if you are inclined to re-establish the Company, only appoint a Chief, and you may depend upon my giving currency to their com- merce upon the same terms as heretofore enjoyed. If the English behave themselves like merchants, and follow my or- ders, they may rest assured of my favour, protection, and as- sistance. The slave of 'Allumgheer, King of Hindoostan, the mighty conqueror, the lamp of riches, Shah Cooly Khan, the most valiant amongst warriors. Admiral WateoiC* Answer. Dated 27th of Jan. 1 757. Your letter of the 23d of this month I this day received j it has given me the greatest pleasure, as it informs me you had written to me before, a circumstance I am glad to be assured of under your hand, as the not answering my letter would have been such an affront as 1 could not have put up with un- noticed, without incurring the anger of the King my master. You tell me in your letter, that the reason of your expelling the English out of these countries was, the bad behaviour of Mr. Drake, the Company's Chief in Bengal. But, besides that Princes and Rulers of states, not seeing with their own eyes, nor hearing with their own ears, are often misinformed, and t^e truth kept from them by the arts of crafty and wicked men, was it becoming the- justice of a Prince to punish all for one man's sake ? Or to ruin and destroy of many innocent people as had no way offended, bat who, relying on the faith of the royal Phirmaund, expected protection and security both to their property and lives, instead of oppression and murder, which they unhappily found ? Are these actions becoming the justice of a Prince ? Nobody will say they are. They can only then have been caused by wicked men, who have mis- represented things to you through malice, or for their own private ends ; for great Princes delight in acts of justice, and in shewing mercy. If therefore you are desirous of meriting the same of a great Prince, and lover of justice, shew your abhorrence of these proceedings, by punishing those evil counsellors who advised them ; cause satisfaction to be made to the Company and to all others who have been deprived of their property, and by these acts turn off the edge of the sword, which is ready to fall on the heads of your subjects. If you have any cause of complaint against Mr. Drake, as it i& but just the master alone should have a power over his SKETCHES OP BENGAL. servant, send your complaints to the Company, and I will an ewer for it they will give you satisfaction. Although I am a soldier as well as you, I had rather receive satisfaction from your own inclination to do justice, than be obliged to force it from you by the distress of your innocent subjects. The Nabob's Reply. You hare taken and plundered Hoogly, and made war upon my subjects : these are not actions becoming Merchants ! I have, therefore, left Moorshudabad, and am arrived near Hoog- ly $ I am likewise crossing the river with my army, part of which is advanced towards your camp. . Nevertheless, if you have a mind to have the Company's business settled upon its ancient footing, and to give a currency to their trade ; send a person of consequence to me, who can make your demands, and treat with me upon this affair. I shall not scruple to grant a Purwannah for the restitution of all the Company's factories, and permit them to trade in my country upon the same terms as formerly. If the English who are settled in those provinces will behave like merchants, obey my orders, and give me no offence, you may depend upon it I will take their loss into consideration, and adjust matters to their sa->. tisfaction. You know how difficult it is ta prevent soldier* from plundering; in war ; therefore if you will, on your parts, relinquish something of the damages you- have sustained by. being pillaged by my army, I will eudeavour to- give you sa-* tisfactinn even in that particular, ia order to gain .your friend- ship, and preserve a good understanding for the future withr. your nation. You are a Christian, and know how much pre* ferable it is. to accommodate a dispute, than to keep it alive j- but if you are determined to sacrifice the interest of your Company, and the. good of private merchants, to your incli- nations for war, it is no-fault of 'mine: to prevent the.fatafr consequence of such, a ruinous war, I write this. letter, The Nabob's Proposals of Peace to Admiral Hfatsont " The Colonel's letter I have received, with the agreement? of, the Governor and Council signed and sealed. He desires me in get the articles of the treaty now made, ratified by myi great men aod principal officers* I have complied with his* request: it will be proper,, likewise, for you and the Colonel, on one part, and myself on the other, to execute an agreement that hostilities between us shall cease 3 that the English will always remain my friends and allies ; and that they will assist zne against my enemies : for this purpose I send a person of distinction and cou&dence, who .will speak at large, the seuti- SKETCHES OP BENGAL; 111 ments of my heart ; and I hope you will inform him of your disposition towards me. The articles which were sent to me, I have returned, signed by myself, the King's Dewan, my o\va Dewan, and the Bukhshy of my army. I should be glad if you would confirm this treaty by a paper under your hand and seal, as the Colonel has done. I have, in the most solemn manner, called God and the Prophets to witness, that I have made peace with the English. As long as I have life, I shall esteem your enemies as enemies to me, and will assist you to the utmost of my power whenever you require it. Do you likewise, and the Colonel, and the Chiefs of the English factory;, swear, in the presence of the Almighty God, to observe and perform your part of the treaty, and to esteem my enemies as your own, and always be ready to give me your assistance against them : and, though you may not come yourself, I flatter myself, you will send the aid I shall at any time ask for. God is the witness between us in this treaty.'' " God and his Prophets are witnesses, that I never will de- viate from the terms of the treaty I have now made with the English Company, and that I will on all occasions- shew them my favour, relying on your faith to observe inviolably your part of the treaty," The Nabob's Letter to Admiral JVatson. " To put an end to the hostilities in my country and do- minions, I consented and agreed to the treaty of peace with the English/that trade and commerce might be carried on as formerly ; to which treaty you have agreed, and a firm accom- modation -between us is settled- and established: you have sent me an agreement under your own hand and seal, not to disturb the tranquillity of my country ; but it now appears that you have a design to besiege the French factory near Hoogjy, and to commence hostilities against that nation. This is con- trary to all rule and custom, that you should bring your ani- mosities and differences .into my country ; for it has never "been known, since the days of Timoor, that the Europeans made- war upon one another within the King's dominions. . If you are determined to besiege 4he Ffench factories, I shall be Necessitated, in honour and duty to my King, to assist them with my troops. You seem inclined to break the treaty so lately concluded between us ; formerly the Marhattas infested these dominions, and for many years harrassed the country with war, but when the dispute was accommodated, and a treaty of peace with that people concluded, they never broke it, nor will they ever deviate from the terms of the said treaty. It is a wrong and wicked practice, to break through and pay no regard to treaties made in the most solemn manner i yoi* Ma. SKETCHES OF BENGAL. are certainly bound to abide by your part of the treaty strictly, and never to attempt, or be the occasion of any troubles or disturbances i future, within the provinces under my juris- diction. I will, on my part, observe most punctually what I have promised and consented to. " I will maintain and preserve, on my part, the treaty of peace I have made with the English, which, with the permis- sion of God, I hope will continue for ever : you may have heard, that for seven years we had constant wars with the Marhattas ; but when a treaty of peace was concluded with them, they strictly observed the terms, and never deviated from them. It is but just and .reasonable, that your nation should pay regard to the late treaty, and commit no hostilities in my country, nor disturb its tranquillity with any differences that may subsist between you and other European powers." To this' the Admiral sent the following Reply, dated the 21st of February, 1757. "Your letter of the 19th I was honoured with this morning ; .and observe that you disapprove of our committing hostilities against the ^French settled in these province. Had I ima- gined (it '-would have given you any umbrage, I should never iiave -entertained the least thoughts of disturbing the tran- quillity t>f your country, by acting against-that nation within the Ganges; and am now ready 'to desist from attacking their factory, -or committing other hostilities against them in these provinces,, ^if they will consent and agree to a solid treaty of neutrality ; and tf you, as Soubahdar of Bengal, will, under your hand, guarantee this treaty and promise to protect the JEnglish from any attempts made by that nation against our settlements during my absence. I am persuaded you have heard of no people in the world who pay a stricter regard to their word, and to the faith of treaties, than the English ; and I do sincerely assure you, that I will inviolably preserve the peace we have concluded with you j and I dare answer for the Colonel and the Company's representatives, that they will not attempt to infringe any part of it. " I have ratified the late treaty between you and the English, with my hand and seal : and I now repeat my assurance, made in the presence of God, and Jesus Christ, that I maintain and preserve inviolably my part of the said treaty, not doubting of your sincerity in performing sui'h articles as you have consent- ed to. I likewise promise, that I will not disturb the tran- quillity of your country, by committing any hostilities against the French, provided you will be answerable for their observ- * ance of a strict neutrality with us." The French, by ihe prevailing power of corruption, had gained some of the courtiers, and they so influenced the SKETCHES OF BENGAL; 143 bob, that, without waiting for the above answer to his letter of the 1 9th, on the 20th he sent another letter to the Admiral. " The letter I wrote to you yesterday, I imagine you have received ; since which I have been informed, by the French Vakeel, that five or six additional ships of war have arrived in the river, and that more, are expected. He represents, like- wise, that you design commencing hostilities against me and my subjects again, as soon as the rains are over. This is not acting agreeable to the character of a true soldier, and a mam of honour, who never violate their words. If you are sincere in the treaty concluded with me, send your ships of war out of the river, and abide stedfastly by your agreement j I' will not fail in the observance of the treaty on my part. Is it becoming or honest to begin a war, after concluding the peace so lately and solemnly ? The Marhattas are bound by no gospel, yet they are strict observers of treaties : it will, therefore, be mat- * ter of great astonishment, and hard to be believed, if you, who are enlightened with the gospel, should not remain firm, and preserve the treaty you have ratified in the presence of God and Jesus Christ." To this the Admiral replied, in a Letter dated the 25th of February, 1757. " Your letter of the 20th instant I received two days ago j but being just in the height of my dispatches for England, I was not aWe to answer it till now. I know not how to express' to you my astonishment, at finding myself taxed with having a design to break the peace, on so slight a foundation as a base fellow's having dared to tell you so, without any one action of mine being produced to support so extravagant and impu- dent an accusation, which has not the least shadow of proba- bility to render it credible. You teli me, " It is unworthy the character of a soldier, and aYnan of honour, to violate their words !" In what single instance, since my being here, have I acted so unworthily as to make you think me capable of vio- lating mine ?.ourself can answer for me, "In none." My dealing with you hath always been full of that frankness and sincerity, for which my countrymen are remarkable throughout the known world. From you, Sir, I expect justice on that base man, who has dared falsely to accuse me, and to impose upon you. In the mean time, I have c omplained to the French o ' their Vakeel's behaviour ; who have promised me to write to you their knowledge of the falsity of his accusation. You may rest assured, that I will always religiously observe the peace ; and I beg you to believe, that people- who raise reports to the . contrary, can only do it to create jealousies, which they hope will break the friendship they are sorry to see between us.' ' 144 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. Notwithstanding the Nabob bad by tins time sent a body of troops to assist the French, he sent the following letter to the Admiral. The Nabob to the Admiral. " The letter you wrote me about tire French affair, J have received and perused : you may depend upon it, that I neither have, nor will, assist the French. If they begin any troubles, or commit any hostilities in my territories, I will oppose them with my whole force,-and punish them very severely. I was informed you designed to attack Chandernagore, which made me write to you what I thought was reasonable and just, upon that head. The forces I sent down were to guard and protect the King's subjects, and not to assist the French. If the purport of nay letter has been the occasion of your desisting from the attack of Chandernagore, it gives me great satisfac- tion. I have written to the French, likewise, what I thought was proper, in order to make them apply for a neutrality : I suppose they will act conformably. I will send a person of consideration to bring me the treaty you may conclude with them, and will order it to be registered in my books. Assure yourself that I have no other design or inclination, than to live upon terms of good understanding and friendship with the English. By the grace of God, 1 never intend to do any thing that you will not esteem just ; this rely upon, and do not ex- pect a failure. Do you likewise remain fixed to your treaty and word, and give no credit to the reports of people of no consideration or figure : if you have any thing to write about, please to address me, and no body else; I will always send you a fair and unreserved answer. " The van of the King of Dehli's army is advancing towards the provinces , upon this intelligence I design marching to- wards Patna to meet them. If at this critical juncture you will be my friend, and send me assistance, I will pay your forces a lack of rupees monthly, while they remain with me. Send we an immediate answer." The Admiral to the Nabob. t( I this moment received your letter, which gives me the greatest satisfaction. I had a suspicion, from your so easy crediting French "reports, th&t you entertained a partiality for that nation, to the prejudice of mine, your letter has removed all my doubts, so that henceforward I shall rely with confidence on your friendship, and every day study to give you the strong- est proofs, of mine. *' The ready obedience I paid to your desire, in not attackf ing the French, will, I persuade myself convince you that SKETCHES OF BENGAL; 143 nothing but the strongest necessity could make me again apply to you on that subject. I beg you will give your most serious at- tention to what I am going to say : Immediately on the receipt of one of your past letters, I not only gave over all thought* of attacking the French, but invited them to enter into a treaty of neutrality, and to .send people here to settle tlitf terms ; but judge* what must have been my surprize,- when, after they were in some manner settled, the French deputies owned that they had no power to secure to us the observance of the treaty, in case any commander of theirs should come with a greater power alter my departure ! You are too reasonable- not to 8e, that it is impossible forme to conclude a treaty with a people who have no power to do it, and which, besides^ while it ties my hands, leaves those of my enemies at liberty to do me what mischief they can.. They have .also for a long time reported, that Monsieur Bussy is coming here with ay great army. Is it to attack us ? You are going to Patna you ask the assistance of our forces. Can we with the least degree of prudence march with you, and leave our enemiea behind us ? You will be then too far otf to support us, and- we shall be unable to defend ourselves. Think what can be done in this situation. I see but one way. Let us take' Chan- dernagore, and secure ourselves against any apprehensions from that quarter, and then we will assist you with every marg- in our power, and go with you even to Dehli, if you will. Have we not sworn reciprocally, that the friends and the enemiea of the one should be regarded as such by the other ? and wilt not God, the avenger of perjury, punish us> if we do not fulfil; our oaths ? What can I say^more I Let ie request the favour' of your speedy answer. " You tell me the van of the King of Dhli'a army is ad vancing towards these provinces, and that you are going towards Patna to meet them ; in consequence of which, 'you. ask me to be your friend, and give you assistance; Have we' not already -sworn a friendship? Pat it into ray power* to assist you, by yielding to my request, and you shall find I* will support you to the utmost of my ability. Believe me, and most assuredly you will not be deceived. If you doubt* me, look back into all my dealings towards you, and judge from them. I esteem you now to be such a freind to my na- tion, that I think it would be dding injustice'to your good in- clination towards me to keep any occurrence from your knowledge* therefore I take this earliest opportunity to tell you, the troop* which should have come here with me, are now arrived in the, river, a circumstance that will be beneficial to yoar interest*. if you will but give the means of making it so*' - N ft MO SKETCHES OP BENGAL. A few ^3ays after this, the Admiral's favourable sentiments of the Nabob were entirely changed ; he was convinced that he had entered into a private negociation with the French, and was determined to support them, even with his whole force, while every article of his treaty -with us remained un- fulfilled. Hp, therefore, on the 4th of March, sent the follow- ing letter. The Admiral to the Nabob. But it is time now to speak plain : if you are really desirous of preserving your country in peace, and your subjects from misery and ruin, in ten days from the date of this, fulfil your part of the treaty in every article, that I may not have the least cause of complaint ; otherwise, remember, you must answer for the consequences -, and, as I have always acted the open, unreserved part, in all my dealings with you, I now acquaint you, that the remainder of the troops, which should have been here long since, and which, I hear, the Co- lonel told you he expected, will be at Calcutta in a few days ; that in a few days more I shall dispatch a vessel for more ships and troops , and that I will kindle such a flame in your country, as all the water in the Ganges shall not be able to extinguish. Farewell : Remember that he promises you this, who never yet broke his word with any man whatsoever." The Admiral, on the 9th of March, received from the Nabob* the following Answer : '5 1 have already answered the letter you wrote me some clays ago. Be so kind as to consider the purport of what I wrote, and send me a speedy reply. I am fixed and deter- mined to abide by the terms of the treaty we have concluded, but have been obliged to defer the execution of the articles, on account of the Hooly, during which holidays my Banians and Ministers do not attend the Durbar. As soon as that is f-over, I \vill strictly comply with every thing I have signed. "You are sensible there is no avoiding this delay, .and I flatten SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 147 myself it will not be thought much of. It is not my custom to break any treaty I make, therefore be' satisfied that I will not endeavour to evade that which I have made with the English. I rely "on your friendship and bravery, in giving me the assistance I asked, against the van of the Pattan army, \vho are advancing this way ; and that you will oblige me with a compliance to the request I made in my last letter. What shull I say more. " I beg you will be sensible of my sincerity. I promise you in the most faithful manner that I \vill never break or in- fringe my part of the treaty I have made with your nation." Inclosed in this letter came a small paper with these lines : " This you may be sure of, that if any person or persons attempt to quarrel with you, or become yoor enemies, I have sworn before God that I will assist you. I have never given the French a single cowry ; and what forces of mine are at Hoogly, were sent to Nundcomar, the Fpujdar of that place. The French will never dare to quarrel with you ; and I persuade myself that you will not, contrary to ancient cus- tom, commit any hostilities within the Ganges, or in the pro* vinces of which I am Soubahdar." The Admiral received also from the" Nabob another letter, dated the 10th of March, 1757. " Your obliging answer to my letter I have received, where- in you write, th.it your suspicions are at an end ; and that, on the receipt of my letter, you forbore attacking Chandernagore, and sent for their people to make peace, and wrote out the terms of agreement ; but when they were about signing them, they declared, that if they signed the articles, and any other commander should arrive, they could not be answerable for his adheringj and that on this account there was no peace; You also, write . many other particulars, of which I am well acquainted. It is true, if it is the custom of the French, that if one man makes an agreement, another will not comply with it, what security is there ? My forbidding war upon my bor- ders, was because the French were my tenants, and upon this* affair desired my protection. . On this I Wrote to you to make peace, and no intention* bad I of assisting or favouring them. You have understanding and generosity j if your enemy with an upright heart claims your protection, you will give him his life, but then you must be well satisfied of the innocence of his intentions ; if not, whatever you think right, that do. I am firm to my agreement, and look upon your enemies as my own -, which I shall never swerve from. Daily our friendship will increase." 148 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. CHANDERNAGORE {TAKEN FROM THE FRENCH. Colonel Clive* the latter end of February, 1737, left his camp near Calcutta, and crossed the Ganges, which was equally convenient either to commence hostilities against the French, or to join the Nabob against the Pattan forces ; but the in- tentions both of the Nabob and the French being very ma- nifest, on the 8th of March he turned his face towards Chan- dernagore. and on the 13th he invested it. On the 14tb the enemy sallied out j in which affair Captain Coote greatly sig- nalized himself, and soon after made them retreat ; on this they quitted their outer works, and bec.ame musters of the town, and the batteries in and about it, with very little loss ; and the enemy, by this means, were shut up within their fort. As soon as every thing was in readiness on board the fleet, and the ships cleared of their superfluous stores, they moved up the river with the flood-tides. To the great mortifieation of the French (who had flattered themselves that it would be impracticable for us to bring up our largest ships,) on the 18th the Kent, Tyger, and Salisbury appeared in sight of the fort, and then, turning the point of Chandernagore reach, anchored on the 1 9th off the Prussian octagon, from whence we had a full view of the town and fortifications. As soon as 've came to an anchor, the French threw a shell, and fired a shot or two, to try if they could reach our ships, but they fell short. The preparations for the attack of this place had unavoida- bly been carried on so openly, that it was impossible they should be kept a secret from the French, who had therefore made use of every possible method to frustrate our design. Just above the fort of Chandernagore, there was a large bank of sand, which made the passage very narrow : to block up this channel, they had sunk three ships loaded with ballast ; the masts of which, however, appeared above water. Three other large ships lay at anchor above the fort : these, it was said, were prepared as fire-ships to be sent down with the tide, to burn our squadron in the middle of the night. The 'Admiral therefore resolved to be beforehand with them, and gave orders, that all the boats of- the ships should go up, as soon as the night came on, and endeavour to cut their cables* This was accordingly done, aad they all drove upon the sands. Jt afterwards appeared, that the crews belonging to those ships had been taken out to reinforce the garrison. The attack of the fort would probably have taken place the next mornM'e, had the tides in the river been at all favourable for that purpose j but, unfortunately for us, they served either too early in the morning, or too late in the afternoon. This circumstance obliged the Admiral to postpone the attack for two or three days. In the mean time he sent Lieutenant Key SKETCHES OP BENGAL, 149 with a flag of truce to the Governor, demanding a surrender 1 of the place ; which he politely, but absolutely refused to giva up. Mr. Key having, observed, as he passed between the vessels' masts which were sunk in the channel of the river,/ that their hulls were not deep under water, Mr. John Dela* motte, a brave and active officer, and who was master on. board the Admiral's ship, was the next day sent to sound- them ; and, notwithstanding all the efforts of the enemy to interrupt him, 'by an incessant firing of their cannon, he* brought back the agreeable news, that there was room for OUP ships to pass with sa'fety between them j but besides theob-: struction which we expected to meet with from these sunken* vessels, the French had taken care to erect two batteries o heavy cannon, to render this narrow pass still more difficult and dangerous. One of these was- constructed in the form of a half- moon, and lay OB the very brink of the river, within musket-shot of the sunken vessels ; the other was a fascine battery on the glacis of the fout, and was intended to rake ourr ships fore and aft. The cannon on. their south bastion could also be brought to fire down-. the river/ The disposition made.for attacking, the fort was as fellow* : The Tyger.waa--to-.be placed against the north-least- bastion j; the Kent against, the curtain, between the- bastions opposite; the gate j and the Salisbury., agaiust the.- south-east bastion*; Before we began the attack,, it was judged absolutely necessary that Colonel dive should , efect "a battery on the side of tho- river, to fire on the south face of the enemy's- south-east bas-v tion ; and, in case of an obstinate resistance, . that, we mi^hfe- breach that bastion by a cross ftre from the ships, and front this intended battery. Preparations were, accordingly mada* for this purpose 5 but, before they, could be carried into exe- cution, the army were obliged to. make themselves masters of the half- moon. battery> which they did with great gallantry* driving .the enemy's troops "before them into the fort. . All things being, ready, OQ the 22d the Admiral appeared, extremely anxious- to--, begin, tha attack ; but the flood-tide in- the afternoon was so very, late, the ships could not possibly be placed in their proper stations while there was sufficient . day-light to direct our fire j the enemy, therefore, would have had a great advantage over us ; for though the nights were toe* dark for us to distinguish the embrasures-of their fortifications,, yet they could plainly see the hulls of our ships, which would? have lain so near the fort, that a. shocking. carnage must have been made amongst theirs crews. That another day, how* ever, might not be lost, the Admiral, the same evening, or- dered lights to be placed on the masts of the vessels that had beea sunk,, with blinds towards the fort, that we might see O 2 159 SKETCHES OP BENGAL. liow to pass between them a little before day-light, and with* out being discovered by the enemy . At length, on the morning of the 23d March, the ships get- ting under sail, the Colonel's battery, which had been finished behind a dead wall, be^an firing upon the south-east bastion. The Tyger, with Admiral Pococka flag flying, took the lead, and about six o'clock in the morning got very well into her station the north-east bastion : the Kent, with Admiral Wat- son's flag, quickly followed her ; but before she could reach her proper station, the tide of ebb made down the river, which occasioned her ancher to drag ; so that before she brought up, she had fallen .abreast of the south-east bastion, the place where the Salisbury should have been, and, from her mainmast aft, she was exposed to the flank guns of the south-west bas- tion also. This .accident of the Kent's anchor not holding fast, and her driving down into the Salisbury's station, threw this last ship out of action, to the great mortification of the Captain, officers, and crew ; ; for she never had it in her power to fire a gun, unless it was now and then, when she could sheer on the tide. ^The French, during the whole time of the Kent and Tyger's approach towards the fort, kept up a terri- ble cannonade upon them, without resistance On their parts ; but as soon as the ships came properly to an anchor, they returned it with such fury, as astonished their adversaries. Oolonel dive's troops at [he same time got.into those houses \tfhicfe were nearest the fort, and from thence greatly annoyed the enemy .with their musketry. The fire now became gene- ral on both sides, ( and was kept up with extraordinary spirit. The flank guns of v the .south-west bastion galled the Kent very much ; and, the Admiral's aid-de-camps being alt wound- , ed, Mr. .Watson went down himself >to Lieutenant William Brereton, who commanded the lower- deck battery, and or- dered him particularly to direct his fire against those guns ; and they were accordingly soon afterwards silenced. At eight in the morning several of the enemy's shot struck the Kent at the sam*; time ; one entered near the fore-mast, and set fire to two or three tliirty-two pound cartridges of gunpowder, as the boys held them in their bauds ready to charge the guns. By xhe explosion, the wad-nets, and other loose things, took fire between decks, and the whole ship was so filled with smoke, that the men in their confusion xried out, she was OB fire in the gunner's store-room ; imagining, from the shock they felt from the balto, that shell had actually fallen into : her. This notion struck a jranic into the greatest part of the .crew, and 70 or 80 jumped out of "1e port- holes into the boats (that were along- side the s'lip. The French presently sa\v this eouiu&ioa ou board the Kent, and, .resolving to take the ad- SKETCHES OP BENGAL, 151 vantage, .kept up as hot a fire as possible upon lier during the whole time. Lieutenant Brereton, however, with the assist- ance of some other brave men, soon extinguished the fire ; and then running to the ports, he begged the seamen to come in 'again, upbraiding them for deserting their quarters : but finding this had no effect upon them, he thought the more certain method of succeeding would be to strike them with a sense of shame, and therefore loudly exclaimed, " Are yoii Britons, are you Englishmen, and fly from danger ? for shame, for shame !" This reproach had the desired effect ; to a man, they immediately returned into the ship, repaired to their quar- ters, and renewed a spirited fire on the enemy. In about three hours from the commencement of the at tack, the parapets of the north and south bastions were 'al- most beaten down ; the guns were mostly dismounted ; and we could plainly see from the main-top of the Kent, that the ruins from the parapet had entirely blocked up those few guns which otherwise might have been fit for service. We could easily discern too, that there had been a groat slaughter among the enemy ; who, finding that our fire against them rather increased, hung out the white flag : whereupon a cessation of hostilities took place, and the Admiral sent Lieutenant Brereton (the only commission officer on board the Kent that was not killed or wounded) and Captain Coote, of the King's regiment, with a flag of* truce to the fort ; who soon returnee), accompanied -by the Franch governor's son, with articles of capitulation : which being settled by the Ad' miral and Colonel Clive, they soon after took possession of the place. CONTINUATION OF THE CORRESPONDENCE BE- TWfiEN ADMIRAL WAI SON AND SEKAJE AD D OWL AH. Admiral Watson to the Naiob. ^th March, 1757. " I have the honour of several of your letters, which I would have paid due attention to, and answered immediately, bad not the service I came here upon engaged all my time. I hope you wHl accept this as a reasonable excuse for my long silence. I have now the pleasure to acquaint you, that on the 23d of this month, after two hours fighting, we, by the blessing of God, and t'"j happy influence of your fortune and friendship, subdued and took possession ot the French fort, making .oiir enemies prisoners,, except a small number, who fled up the river with their efiec's. I have sent a few armed iuea to seue them; and I persuade mjself you will not be 152 SKETCHES OF BENGAL: displeased at this step, since I have given the strictest orders not to molest or disturb any of your subjects. " I have often declared to you my unalterable resolution of strictly adhering to the treaty made between us ; and, 'as \ve have sworn reciprocally, that the enemies of either should be esteemed the enemies of both, I hope, by your favour, the enemies I have now remaining, will be delivered into my hands, together with their >effects. " The moment I received your letter, complaining of Mr. Drake's having addressed himself to Manickchund in a manner* displeasing to you, I wrote to Mr. Drake, and desired he would make an apology to you, for the expressions he had mado use of to Manickchund ; which he has done, and I hope you are satisfied therewith: you may rest assured, you will have- no cause of such complaint for the future. lf I observe by your letter of the 22d &f this month, thas you were under a necessity of sending your brother, Rajab Roy Dallubsam Behadur, into the Burdwan country, to col- lect the revenues, which Manickchund excused himself from, paying: as you have given me vow word, that this is. tha purpose of his march, it is not in the power of any artful, 'de- signing person to make me believe the- contrary ; and, as it> will be evermore my first principle to promote and establish* the friendship made between us, I shall be very cautious how I-' give credit to any idte storied, tending to break- the unity, which* 1 hope will endure for ever between you and the English* I am sensible our nation has many enemies at your court , but, as you are a wise and prudent Prince, L hope you will it* time discover all the wickedness of those, who, by asserting for positive truths what have appeared to be notorious false- hoods, have attempted to injure us in pur opinion. As I know your ears have been filled with evil reports of us, ancfr: yon will be subject to hear the stories -ef such deceivers, a. person in whom I confide will be* sent to you: receive what he may say, as my; sentiments, and be assured you shall not be deceived. What can I say more?' 1 This letter not producing the desired effect, and being too , well convinced that the Nabob had hostile intentions in fiis breast ; for, 1 instead of delivering up> he corresponded with? and protected 'our French enemies j the- Admiral addressed* another letter to him, dated the 3tst-of March; 1757. "' I have already informed you of our conquest of*Chander- nngore, and making all the French our prisoners, except some* fi gi lives who fled up the river; after whom, I told you, I had* Kent some armed men in boats. I am sorry I should be un- der the necessity of sending you another letter ; but having ftceived information that you hare, not as yet performed your SKETCHES OP BENGAL; agreement, I must take leave to acquaint yoa, that, from the repeated promises you have made, of keeping your word in every respect, I now expect you will act confomably to the oath you have taken before God and your prophet, and comply immediately with all the articles of the treaty. Deli* ver also the cannon to Mr. Watts, which you now have belong- ing to the Company, and strictly keep to the oath we hwe both sworn, of living in friendship, and esteeming each other's enemies our own ; and deliver up into my hands ail the French. in your dominions, with their effects. This will be keeping your oath, and behaving like a Prince whose pursuit is justice* and whose utmost glory, as a soldier, is preserving his word! inviolable. Depend upon it, if there are any about you bold enough to advise you to act contrary to these just demands, they are your enemies, and want to see your country involved in ruinous war; which nothing but your breach of promise, of faith, and of honour,, shall ever prevail on me* to engage in. Nothing will give me more satisfaction, than the being assured that continual peace and friendship will for ever last between you and the English* Since f !>egan this letter, I am inform- ed the fugitive French have offered to enter in'o your service. If you accept this offer, 1 shall conclude that you intend to favour the French, and, desire to live no longer in friendship with me, especially as- you have declined the assistance of the English troops, after strongly soliciting them." The Admiral, net .-being able te obtain any answer to this/, scjiu another letter. TJie Atmiral to .the Kent, off Chnndernng-ore^ 2d of April, 1757.' " I- have been informed that you express some uneasiness at our ships remaining at 4 his settlement, and our army being encamped near Hoogly, I find that our enemies hare taken the advantage of your uneasiness, and endeavoured to persuade you our troops propose marching up in-. a hostile manner against, you to Moorshadabad, It is amazing to me, that any one should, dare to impose so grossly on your understanding, without trembling at the consequence, should his arts- be dis- covered. And it also surprizes me, that you should hearfceu to such idle stories. Yoa, as a soldier, must know, that while I have enemies yet in your dominions, it would be very impo- litic in me not to pursue them. Yet, if you will deliver up> my enemies, and their effects, to me, my ships and troops shall immediately return to Calcutta ; and then, and not be- fore, shall I be convinced of, your sincerity and resolution iri abiding by the oath you have taken, of regarding roy enemies a&.your own." 154 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. The day after the forwarding of the above, the Admiral received the following letter from the Nabob, though dated the 22d of March, 1 757. - " What I have promise 1, and set my band- to, I will firmly maintain, nor in any respect, deviate therefrom. All Mr. IVatts's demands, and whatsoever he has represented to me, 1 have complied with, and what remains shall be given up by the 15th of this moon. This Mr. Watts must have written to you, with all the particulars ; but, notwithstanding all this, it appear* to me, from many instances, that you seek to obli* terate your agreement with me. The country within the ter- ritories of Hoogly, Hidgelee, Burdwan, and Nuddea, has bee'n, ravaged by your troops. For what cause is this ? Add to this, that Govindram Mitter wrote to Nuudeomar, by the son of Ramdhone Ghose, requiring him to deliver Kalighaut, as be- longing to the districts of Calcutta, into his the said Milter's possession. What is the meaning of this ? I am sure this has been done without your knowledge. -In confidence of your engagement, I made peace ; with the view of procuring the welfare of the country, and to prevent the ruinous conse- xjuences which would befall the royal territories from both ar- ttiies, and not that the people should be trampled upon, and the revenues obstructed . tf Your endeavours should be, daily to strengthen more and more the friendship which has taken root betwixt us, and to that end, put a stop to the influence of this mischief-maker, and discountenance the aforesaid Mitter, in such a manner, that he may not dare to say these things, nor be guilty of such false proceedings for the future. By the will of God, the agreement shall never be infringed upon my part. I have spoken to Mr. Watts fully on this subject .j the particulars of which you will .have .in his letter. " P. S. I have just learned that the French are bringing a large force from the Dekkan, to make war against you ; for this reason I write to you, that if you stand in need of any forces of the government for your support, you will immedi- ately acquaint me, and they shall be ready to join you wheu- everyou shall have occasion for them." This produced the following reply. The .Admiral to the Nabob. Bated Calcutta, 3d of April, 1 757. -" The letter you did me the-honour to write the 22d of last month, did not come tx> my hands .till this day. As the sub- ject of it required an answer as soon as possible, I make no The Nabob sent the following answer. . The Nabob to the Admiral, dated \4th of Afiril, 1757. " Your letters, at several times, i Uave received with the news of your health, which has given met great pleasure. The purport of them I have duly understood ; and for your satis- faction, and in observance of the agreement between us, to. look upon each other's enemies as your own, 1 have expelled Mr. Law, with all his adherents, from my country, and have given strict orders to all my Naibs and Foujedars, not to permit them to remain in any part of my dominions. I urn ready, upon all occasions, to grant you my assistance. If the French , ever enter the province with a great or small force, \vith a design of making war upon you, God and his prophets are betweeu ua, that whenever you write to me, 1 will be your : SKETCHES OF BENGAL, 137 ally, and join you with all my force. Rest satisfied in this point, and be assured of my resolution to remain inviolably by the promises which 1 have made in my letters, and in the treaty concluded betwixt us. With regard to thje French fac- tories and merchandize, I must acquaint your Excellency, that I have been informed, the French Company are indebted to the natives, and have several lacks belonging to my subjects in their hands ; should I comply with your demands in deli- vering up the effects, how can I answer it to the creditors of the French. Your Excellency is my well-wisher and my friend j weigh all this affair, and return me your answer, that I may act accordingly. " I have written before, and now repeat, that if the English Company want to establish their trade, do not write me what is not conformable to our agreement, by the instigation of self- interested and designing men, who want to break the peace between us. If you are not disposed to come to a rupture with me, yon haver my agreement under my hand and seal ; when you write, look upon that, and write accordingly. " Mr. Watts will inform you fully of all particulars : What shall I write more ? "If you desire to maintain the peace, write nothing contra- ry to the treaty." This letter, and daily instances of the Nabob's perfidious and hostile intentions, engaged the Admiral to address the Nabob more plainly, in a letter dated April 19, 1757. " I am honoured with your letter of the 14th of this month, acquainting me with your having received, at several times, the letters I lately wrote you. Your forbearance, and not writing 'to me, hath not the appearance of that friendship, you would persuade me you have for my countrymen ; and with regard to myself, I must take the liberty to say, I was more particularly intitlecl to a speedy answer to my Jetteis,, from my high rank -and station 5 and I cannot help looking upon your neglect in tins respect; but as a slight offered to the King, my master, who sent me into India to protect his subjects, and demand justice wheresoever they were oppressed. " I observe in your letter the following particulars, viz. 41 that for my satisfaction, and according to our mutual agree- roent to look upon each ether's enemies as our own, you have -expelled MonsieurLaw, and bis adherents, from your domini- ons, and given strict orders* &c.'' My brother, Mr. Watts, who is entrusted with all the Companyls. concerns,,, always writes me the particulars of your intended favours, towards us 5 but I have never found that what he writes is put iu.exe- cution, neither do I find that what you wjote me.in your letter, dated the 22d of March, is yet -complied, with.. You therein 153 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. assured me, that you would fulfil all the articles you had agreed to, by the 15th of that moon. Have you ever yet complied with them all? No. How then can I place any confidence in what you wrjte, when your actions are not correspondent with your promises ? Or how can I reconcile your telling n>e in so sacred a manner, you will be my ally, and assist me with your forces against the French, when you have given a Purwatmah to Mr. Law and his people, to go towards Patna, in order to escape me, and tell me it is for my satisfaction, and in observ- ance of the mutual agreement, you have taken this measure ? Is this an act of friendship ? Or is it in this manner I am to understand you will assist me ? Or am I to draw a conclusion from what you write., or from what you do ? You are too wise not to know, when a man tells you one thing, and does the direct contrary, which you ought to believe. Why then do you endeavour to persuade me you will be my friend, when at the same time you give my eneir..es your protection, furnish them with ammunition, and suffer them to go out of your dominions with three pieces of cannon ? Their effects I esteem a trifling circumstance, and as far as they will contribute to do justice to your people, who are creditors to the French Company, I -have no objection to your seizing them for their use, for money is what I despise, and accumulating riches to myseU is what I did not come here for. " But I have already told you, and now repeat it again, that while a Frenchman remains in this kingdom, I will never cease pursuing him ; but if they will deliver themselves up, they shall find me merciful: and lam confident those who havealieady fallen into my hands, will do me the justice to say, they have been treated with a much greater generosity than is- usual by the general custom of war, " If you will reflect upon the oath you have taken, you can- not but join with me in what follows : As soon as Cossimba- zar is properly garrisoned, to which place our troops will spee- dily begin their march, I desire you will grant a dustuck for the passage of two thousand of our soldiers by land to Patna. You may be assured they will do no violence, nor commit the least in- jury to the natives ; the only design of sending them is to seize the French, and restore tranquillity and perfect peace in your kingdom, which can never be truly established in these domini- ons, mstructjons ; from Calcutta^ , he gave orders for the army to hold themselves in readiness to march the next morning : when, leaving a subaltern officer with all the sick at Cutwa, he broke, up his camp, and inarched towards the enemy, through water almost to the soldiers middles, the rainy season, being W set in. At six o'clock in the morning the army crossed a river, and inarched about two miles farther, to a grove,, where they halted .till . erening j about four- the next 1 64 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. morning, the whole array reached PI assey- grove, after a very fatiguing march, and through a whole eight's rain. Advice haying been brought to the Colonel, on his arrival at the grove, that the Nabob's vanguard, consisting of six thousand men, was within three miles of our army, he ordered an advance guard of two hundred Europeans, and three hundred seapoys, with two pieces of cannon, to post themselves at Plassey- house ; and several guards of se.ipoys, at proper distances from each other, round the grove. At day- break of the 23d, the Nabob's army was perceived marching out of their lines towards the grove, which we were in possession of: their intention seemed to be to surround us. The Colonel hereupon formed his army ; the "Europeans he filed off in four divisions ; the first he put under the command of Major Kilpatrick; the second under Major Grant ; the third under Major Coote ; and the fourth under Captain Gaupp : the seapoya were formed on the right and left. Pias- sey-grove is surrounded by a bank ; our army's left flank was covered by Plassey-house, and the river and the right flank by the grove. The enemy's army kept marching towards ours in deep co- lumns, supported by a large train of artillery, consisting of fifty-three pieces of cannon, chiefly of eighteen, twenty-tour, and thirty-two pounders. Their manoeuvres, upon this oc- casion, differed materially from those they had been accustom-* ed to ; for, instead of posting their artillery all together, aa was. their usual practice, they disposed -them between the di- visions of their troops, and had uot above two 'or three piece* of cannon on a spot ; s'o that, an attack*' upon any one part of their artillery could not have been decisive. ' In this order they continued marching as far as the river would permit; but as soon as their rear was out of the camp> failing ift'their plan to surround us, they halted ; and a body of -about fifty French, advancing in front of a Urge detachment of their army, com- manded by Meer Muddun, one of their principal generals, with four pieces of cannon, lodged themselves within the banks of a tank (or pond of water) distant from Us about six hUn* dred yards, and began a brisk cannonade. Our little army was at first drawn tip without 'the bank which surrounded the grove, but'soon found such a ; shower of balls pouring upon them from the enemy's ettftnoit, that the Colonel thought proper they should retire muter cower of ibe bank, leaving two field->pieces without, white the otherf four were kept playing through the breaches in the bank. Qur left wing was still covered 'by Plasfcey-house, which wa* about fifty yards distant, and clofce to the river-side. .^ In this, situation both armies .remained till about tivelre o'clock, when a heavy shower of rain falling, the euemy's SKETCHES OF BENGAL; 1TJS horse advanced, as if it to take advantage of it j. but when they found that our field-pieces continued firing, notwithstanding the rain, their ardour was checked. ' The rain ceasing, the cnnnonading continued till about three in the afternoon, when they retired without confusion to their old camp, their artillery marching first. And now a large corps on the left of our troops was seen moving, in such a manner as to make it doubt- ful whether tlieir aim was to possess themselves of the vil- lage to the left, against us, or whether they were friends, and wanted to join our army, but they proved afterwards to be friends under Meer Jaffier's command ; however, as no signal had been agreed on (owing to the miscarriage of a messenger; which he had dispatched to the Colonel ia the morning) they were kept at a distance by our field-pieces-. After this retreat of the enemy, Colonel Ciive, leaving orders with Major Kilpa- trick to send him notice if the Nabob should make any new motions, went into Plassey-house to put on dry cloaths, and consider whether, notwithstanding the fatigue which his troops had already undergone, he should attack t lie Nabob's camp, or defer it till night. * During this interval, information was brought to the Colo- nel, that a detachment of our army, with some field-pieces, was marching towards the before-mentioned tank and emi- nence, at about the distance of six hundred yards, which had been possessed by the French, but who abandoned it whetr the army of Seraje ad Dowlah retired to their camp. Colonel dive expressed his surprize that such u step should have been taken without his orders, and immediately hastened after the detachment, which he -reached nearly at the -sme time it ar- rived at the tank. He now found that this detachment was commanded by Major Kilpatrick j whom he at first ordered under arrest, but was pacified by the Major s ma*king .him an apology. The Colonel then ordered Major Kilpatrick back to the grove, and took the command of the detachment himself, re- solving, since such a step had been taken, not to make any retreat, but rather to bring on a second action, and make it decisive. He therefore ordered.a reinforcement frwn the main body in the grove ; upon which Major Coote, with his detach- ment, joined the Colonel' The Colonel then set the King's grenadiers, and a grenadier company of seapoys, to lodge themselves behind a bank that was close upon the enemy's lines; from whence they kept a continual fire with their small arms, as did the detachment at the tank, with four pieces ot cannon. In the mean time the enemy's- infantry and cavalry pushed out towards, our several little bodies of troops, and endeavoured "S a. SKETCHES OP BENGAL. to bring their heavy artillery to bear ; but they met with so \vanu a reception, and lost so many draught- oxen and drivers, that thev failed in their'attempt. When the infantry and ca- valry had faced our troops for some time, and stood a very smart cannonading, in which they lost a great number of men and horses, it was observed they were in some confusion, and. that, their elephants grew very unruly. The Colonel took immediate advantage uf this critical moment, and sent orders to Major Coole to attack a large body of horse and foot upon a rising ground, at about the distance of 150 yards, and order- ed another officer at the same time to storm the angle of the camp. Both these attemps succeeded; the enemy made but a taint resistance ; Major Coote marched into their lines, and a general route ensued. The assailants pursued till it was dark, and then halted at Dondpore, a place about six miles distance from the field of battle, where they were joined by the rest of the army from Plassey- grove, under Major Kilpa- trick, who, at the commencement of the route, received orders from the Colonfel to march. The Nabob's army was comput- ed to consist of twenty thousand horse, and forty thousand foot. Our loss was very inconsiderable ; but he had about five hundred men killed, among .whom was Meer Muddun, whose death was the occasion of the confusion just mentioned. Their fifty-three pieces of cannon, of eighteen, twenty-four, and thirty-two pounders, fell into our hands, with their camp, baggage and elephants. While our army was pursuing, a large body of horse was ob- served on our right ; after firing a few shot at them, a mes- senger arrived with a letter from Meer Jatfier to the Colonel, acquainting him, that the corps was under his* command, and requesting an interview that night or the next morning. Ac- cordingly t\\& next day he had an interview with the Colonel ; when, after congratulating him on his victory, he declared himself ready to perform the articles betiveen them. The Colonel saluted him as Soubah of Bengal, Behar, and Orissa, and advised him to advance immediately to Moorshudabad, after Seraje ad Dowlah, promising that he would follow to sup- port him with his whole force. Seraje ad Dowlah reached his capital, which was twenty niles distant from the field of battle, a few hours after his defeat ; and the next evening, not knowing whom to trust, or what to do, abandoning him- self to his fears, he disguised himself in the habit of a Fa- quier, and, with one or two attendants, attempted to make his escape. Meer Jaffier immediately entered the palace, where all was anarchy and confusion j but presently Messrs. Watts and Walsh armed from the Colonel, to pacify the in- habitants, and assure them of. protection : and on the 2/th SKETCHES OF BENGAL, U7 of June, Colonel Dive made his public entry into Moorshu- cUhntl. Meer Jaffer visited the Colonel the next tlay ; and on the !i9h Colonel Clive went to the palace, and in the pre- sence of the Rajahs and grandees of the Court, he solemnly handed him to the Musnud, or carpet, and throne of state, where he was unanimously saluted Soubah, or Nabob, and received the submission of all present. The remaining part of the month was spent in settling many important matters, consequent to such an amazing revolution. On the 26th of July the new Nabob sent presents, after the custom of the country, and of the Eas*. in general, to the Admiral, consisting of an elephant, two fine horses, a rich Hindoostanee dress of gold, with turbans and sashes ; and a rose and plume composed of diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. Admiral Pocock was also complimented with a present of the same kind. Admiral Watson received the Am- bassadors, on this occasion, with marks of great respect ; he made presents of fine cloth and velvet to each in return ; dressed his ships, displaying as many flags, of different na- tions, as could be disposed of on the yards, masts, and rigging of the ships, saluted them with his cannon, and wrote the following congratulatory letter to the Nabob. Charles Watson, Commander of 'the fleet belonging to the most puissant King of Great Britain, irresistible in battle, to the Nabob Shujah Al Moolk Hassan ad Dowlah Meer Mahomed Jnfficr AH Khan, Behadur, Mohabut Jung-. er. was pitched upon to be the person to place in the room of:Seraje;ad Dowlah. In -consequence of vyhich a -treaty was formed, which, amongst -others, consisted of the following articles*: That one million two hundred thousand pounds should bu givcu to the Company j six huadred thuu- SKETCHES OP DENOAL. 175 Band pounds to the European sufferers ; six hundred thousand pounds to the Navy and Army ; about two hundred and fit'iy thousand to the natives of (he country ; and about one hun- dred thousand to the Armenians. When this was settled, his Lordship remembers that Mr. Becher suggested to the Com- mittee, that he thought that Committee, who managed the great machine of government, was entitled to some considera- tion, as well as the Navy and Army. In consequence of which> Mr. Watts was wrote to npon the subject ; but what that con- sideration was, he never, knew till after the battle of Plassey ; and when he was informed of it by Mr. Watts, he thought it too much, and propo.>>ed that the Council should have a share in it : the sums received were, he belie'/ed, as Mr Becher had stated. Upon this being known, Mr. Watson applied, that he was entitled to a share in that money. He agreed in opini- on with the gentlemen, when this application was made, that Mr. Watson was not one of the Committee ; but at the same time did justice to liis services, arid proposed to the gentlemen, to contribute as mnch as would nuke his share equal to the Governor's and his own About three or four consented to it, but the rest would not. His Lordship observed, that at thaf time there were no convenants existing ; the Compa- ny's servants were at liberty to 'receive presents ; they always iiad received presents ; and his idea of presents is as follows : When presents are received as the price of services to the na- tion, to the Company, and to that Prince who bestowed those presents ; when they are aot exacted from him by compul- sion ; when lie is in a state of independence, and can do with his money what he piep.ses j and when they ar not received to the disadvantage of the Company j he holds presents so re- ceived not dishonourable. But when they are received from a dependent Prince ; \vben they are received for no services whatever ; and when they are received not voluntarily, he holds the receipt of such presents dishonourable. He never made the least secret of the presents he had received, he acquainted the Court -of Directors with it) and they, who are his masters, and were, the only persons who had a right to object to his receiving those presents, approved of it. Every thing being agreed on between Meer Jaffier and the Reqret.CorcixMttee, we marched the array to meet the Nabob whom we entire!)' Defeated.- His death followed soon after, and Meer jaflier was, in a few days, in possession of the go- vernmeut, and of a revenue of three millions and a half ster- lingper annum. The one-half of the Secret Committee being then present at the capital, and a report made by the Nabob's ministers of the state of the treasury, it was settled, that half toe sttin stipulated by treaty should be paid in three months, U2 174 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. and tlie other half iu three years, all conditionally, that we support him in the government. Tha Nabob then, agreeable to the known and usual custom of Eastern Princes, made pre- sents, both to those of his own- court, and such of the Engh"sh> who by their rank and abilities had been instrumental in the happy success of so hazardous an ^nterprize, suitable to the rank and dignity of a great Prince. I was one amongst the many who benefited by his favour. I never sought to conceal it j but declared publicly in my letters to the Secret Commit- tee of the Indian Directors, that the Nabob's generosity had made my fortune easy, and that the Company's welfare was now my only motive for staying in India. The Company had acquired a million and a half sterling, ami a revenue of near an hundred thousand pounds per annum, from the success of their forces under .my command, when ample restoration had been made to those whose fortunes suffered by the calami- ty of Calcutta. It is well known to every gentleman in Ben- gal, that the honour of my country, and the interest of the Company, were the principles that governed all my actions ; and that, had I only taken the advantageous opportunities that presented themselves, by my being Commander in Chief, and at the head of a victorious army ; and what by the custom of that country I 'was entitled, to, thejaghire itself, great as it is, would have .been an object scarce worth my roivsid' ration. The city of Moorshudabud is as extensive, populous, and rich, as the city of London, with this difference, ihnt there are individuals in the first, possessing infinitely greate* properly than any in the last city ; these, as well as other men of property, made me the greatest offers (which nevertheless are usual upon such occasions, and what they expected would have been required) anil had I accepted these offers, J might have been, in possession of millions, which the present Court of Directors could not have dispossessed me of ; but, preferring the reputation of the English nation, the interest of the Nabob, and the advantage of, the Company, to all pecuniary considerations, I refused all- offers that were made me, not. only then but to the last hour, of my continuance in the Company s service in Bengal. Lord Cliv** Account of the fatMowt Treaty trith Omh-lmnd 3 for his atmhiancff in bringing about tke Revolution in favour of Meer Jaffier. Lord Clive informed the Committee, that *hen Mr. Watts- had nearly accomplished the means of carrying that r*vplution into execution, he acquainted him by letter, that a fresh diffi- culty hud fttaited,; Uiat Oittichund bad insisted upon tbre- SKETCHES OF BENGAB. percent, on all the Nabob's treasures, and tbirty lacks in mo- ney, and threatened, if he did not comply with that demand; he would immediately acquaint Seraje ad Dovvlah with what was going on, and Mr. Watts .should be put to death.* That when he received this advice, lie thought art and policy war- rantable in defeating the purposes ot su< h a villain, and th.t bis Lordship himself formed the plan of the fictitious treaty; to which the Committee consented : it was hent to Admiral Watson, who objected to the signing of it ; but, to the best of his remembrance, gave the gentleman who carried it (Mri Lushington) leave to sign bis name upon it ; That his L< ship never made, any secret of ij ; he thinks it warrantable in such a case, and would do it again a hundred times ; he had no interested motive in doing it, and did it with a design of disap pointing the expectations, of a rapacious man ; That Omichund was employed only as an ayent to Mr. Watts, aa having most knowledge of Seraje ad Do*mb's court, and had commission to deal with three or four more of the court : and did not believe that Omichund was personal!) known to AJeer Jatiitr but through Mr,. Watts. When ihe.anuy marched, Meer .J-aifir had promised tit a > lie and his son would join them with a large Ibrce at Cutwa :- when they arrived there, they saw no appearance of force to join them ; but received letter? from Meer Jatiier, informing' him, that the Nabob had suspected hia designs, and mads him swear on tlie Koran, that he would not act against him ; and therefore he could not give that promised assistance ; hue: that when they met Serajp ad Dowlah in the field,- he would*- then set : at the same time Omichund received two or threa letters from the Nabob's camp, that the affair WHS discovered,; and that Mer Jaffier and the Nabob were one : that his*. Lordship was much puz&ied,. for he thought it extremely ha-' zardous to.. pass a river which is only tordable in one place,* march ope, hundred and fifty miles up the country, and risk a. battle, when, if a defeat ensued, not one man. would have, returned to tell t. In this situation he/ called? a council o" war: and the question he put.w-as, Whether they should cross* tbe river and attack Seraje.ad Dowiah with their own forces.' alone, or wait for further intelligence ? Every member gave-, their opinion against the attack, till they had received firrthei* intelligence, except Captains Coot& and Grant. His Lord-- ship observed, this was the only council of war that ever he-' held, and, it he had abided by that council^ it would -hava beeu, ths ruin of the East India Cwnpany. After about twenty-four hours mature consideration, his Lordship, said,- he took upon himself to break through the opinion of thet couucil* auU. ordered the aroxy to cros& the river 3 and v 176 SKETCHES OP BENGAL. be did upon that occasion, he did without receiving advicfc from any one. Lord Clive further said, that Mr. Watts was two or three mouths employed in the neeociation of the revolution 3 and the correspondence was carried on entirely between himself and ^lr. Watts ; that he did not know exactly the amount of the treasure of Seraje ad Dnwlah. but believed about three or four millions ; that the final terms of the agreement between Meer Jamer and Mr. Waits, were not agreed on still a few 'days before the march of the army ; that Mr. Lushington was the person who signed Admiral Watson s by name his Lord- Snip's order. John Walsh, Esq ; being here called by the Committee to gWe ao account of what he knew of the fictitious treaty, said, that he and Mr. Lushington went together to Calcutta with the treaty, with a letter from Colonel Clive ; and that his l)is idea had always been, that Ami ra I Watson refused to sign llie fictitious treaty, but permitted Mr. Lushington to do it for liim : that the fictitious treaty was wrote on red paper ; and lie remembered Omichund was very earnest in his inquiry after that particular paper, after the Nabob was put upon the jMusiilid. Lord Ciive further acquainted the Committee that all the let- ters in cypher which passed betwen Mr. Watts and himself, are wot entered in the country correspondence or any where dse j that he had got some of the letters 5 but did not know whether he tad the letter wherein mention is made of Omicbund's demand of five per cent on the treasures, and thirty lacks, that the fictiti- ous treaty, to the best of his remembrance, stated thirty lacks, and five per cent, upon the treasures ; it might b'e fifty lacks for aught he knows. That he believe* the letter relating to the donation to the Army and Navy, is entered or mentioned in one of his letters ; he did. not recollect what he- paid to the heirs of Admiral Watson ; that he wrote to the Secret Committee in England, stating the donations to the Nary and Army, bat not the donations to the Committee. He wrote a private tetter to Mr. Paine, then Chairman, in which he mentioned the dona- tions to the Committee j that he mentioned in his general letter that the Nabob's bounty had made his fortune easy ; he knew of no stipulation by Mr. Watts, for fifty lacks, or any other auui, besides the donation to the Army and Navy and Select Committee 5 if there Was any such sum, it was without his consent or knowledge. In regard to the fate of Seraje ad Dowlah, his Lordship said, be had been informed that he fled, and took shelter in a faoquier's house, whose nose and ears he had cut off upon a former occasion: .that there was a brother of Meer Jaffier's SKETCHES OF BENGAl'. ITT at Rajmehal (a small distance from the place where he took refuge) that this facquier sent immediately notice to him, that he had Serajead Dowlah in his house, and he should keep him till he could seize him j that the Nabob's brother immediately set out with a few attendants, and seized him and that he was brought from thence to the city, and immediately put to death by Meerun, Meer Jaffier's son ; it is said without the father's knowledge j that his Lordship knew nothing of it till ihe next- day, when the Nobob made him acquainted with it, and apologised for his conduct, by saying that he had raised a mutiny among his troops ; and this was all his Lordship knew of the matter. Lord Clive farther said, in regard to the fictitious treaty that he did not recollect whether Mr. Lnshington brought it back with Mr. Watson's name to it ; to the best of his remembrance, Mr. Lushington told him, that Admiral Watson gave him leave to sign his name to- the fictitious treaty : be did not re- collect whether- Mr. Watson's seal was put to it, bur believes that Mr. .Watson's name and a seal were put to both the treaties before they were dispatched to Mr. Watts ; he is not certain whether Mr. Lushington signed in his presence at Cal- cutta, or the French gardens. Roybullub did not receive five percent, on all the money paid, but on some of it particularly* not on that which was paid to the army ami navy. Roybullub - was one of the Nabob's generals. His Lordship bein^ asked, what might be the particular vahie in money or jewels, received by him and such other gentlemen > as he may recollect ? said, He received about sixteen lacks of rupees clear, after deducting commission and all other articles 3 that hejeceived no Jewels, but all in money ; that he believed Mr. Watts might receive altogether about eight lacks ; Mr. Walsh about five ; there were three or four more but could not recollect the s.ums r that he thinks Mr. Scrafton had two lacks, but is not certain. Thee donations were given exclusive of the sums stipulated for the gentlemen of the Committee, Coun- cil, Aimy, andNavy. That the share he received as- commander in chief, amounted to about two lacks; Mfijor Kilpntrick, he believed, had about three or four lacks, exclusive of the sums stipulated for the Army and Committee ; Mr. Lushington had something very trifling, about fifty thousand rupees ; Captain Grant had one lack. His Lordship also said, that these presents were not paid down at the time, but by instalments; and his Lordship being asked by what instalments the presents, above those stipulated for the Army, Navy, Council, and Committee, were paid ? he said, Thnt he knew .of no agreement, but they were paid halt down, auU half in about fifteen mouths,- to the best X 2 178 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. of liis remembrance. And being further questioned, Whether, when the first half was paid down his Lordship had any ex- pectittion of the remainder ? he said, He had, from the intel- ligence of Mr. Watts, who acquainted him that the present for his share would amount to twenty lacks, but he received only iiixteen ; that lands the amount of seven hundred thousand }) much as a chapel in any of the English settlements for the ' true religion, except at Fort Saint George, only, where lately a church has been erected for 'the use of ihe Knglish factory, by the piety and care of Mr. Masters, then President, without any aid or countenance from the Company in order thereto, . In other places the room they eat in contains their> eongrega*- tion." Streynsham Masters entered on the Government of the- Piesidency of Fort Saint George on the 6th day of February 1678; he" was succeeded on the 1 3th day of July, 1681, by Mr. Gifford : during the short period of a Government of little more than three years, Mr. Masters strenuously endea- voured to instill a sense and remembrance of the true religion in the rising settlement committed to his charge. At (he time we write of, the Company's servants chiefly were mere- adventurers, led to India by the desire of lucre and the hopes- of a speedy and prosperous return to England, When a com- munity consists of a fleeting body, that will not regularly colonize, little regard is paid to the important concerns o" religion. The Dutch East- India Company at the same period spent ten thousand pounds annually in the propagation of the true Christian Faith. Able missionaries were sent to their various- settlements, and a unversity was established at Ceylon ; to perfect their grand design, the Scriptures were translated iato the Malavese and other oriental languages, The English Factory at Calcutta was established by Mir, Charaock ia the year 16&9-90, and the fortifications of oUfc t$fi SKETCHES OP BEN'GAti. v Fort William were raised in 1696-7 ; but when the pious ex- ample of Mr. Masters was followed in Bengal, cannot now, perhaps, he ascertained with precision.* In the coarse of twenty years two unfortunate circumstances occurred to des- troy the records of Calcutta, the only source from whence we couhT hope to derive true information. If any public papers were saved from the dreadful desolations of convulsed nature in 1737, they were, with the succeeding records, spoiled by the unsparing hand of devastation and Mahommedau barbari- ty at the capture of'Calcutta in the year 1756. I think it highly probable that the English might have founded the Old Church, about, or before, the year 1715, at which period the settlement htd been established twenty-five years : admitting this supposition, the Armenians, an indus- trious mercantile people, soon followed the sacred example set by the English. The Armenian Church of St. Nazareth was founded by Aga Nazar, an opulent Armenian, in the 5 ear 1724. Although we cannot ascertain the precise date, yet we may with confidence affirm, that the English Church of Old Calcutta was erected long before the year 1723. t The fol- lowing extract is from the Gentleman s Mngazine t printed in London in 1738-9 "In the night between the 1 1th and 1 2th of October (1757) there happened a Curious hurricane at the mouth of the 'Ganges, which reached sixty leagues up the river. There was at the same time a violent earthquake, which threw down a great many houses along the river side ; in Galgota (i. e. Cal- * Th % ere was a Christian Temple erected at- Agra aboot the rear T60P by the ?reat and enltgh'ed Emperor Akhar. a monarch f no fixed religion, but one who favoured Christianity : h's descendant Shah Je- fcan destroyed this monument f his grand -father's mnnifirence. + Extract from the Travels of Captain Aleiander Hamilton, who pent his time trading in various parts of the East Indies from the year 1688 to 1793, published in 1127. " Aboot fifty yards from Fort William stands the Chorch bniJl by fte pious Charity of Merchants n-sMins there, and the Christian bene- Tolence of sea-faring men, whose affairs called them to tiade there, bat Ministers of the Gospel being subject to Mortality, very often young merchants are obliged to officiate and have n salary of 501 per annnm added to what the Company allow them for their pains in read* log Pravers and -a Sermon on Sundays * In Calcutta all religionsre talerated bit Ike -Presbyterians, and that they brnw r beat. The Pagans carry their Idols in procession IfcroogVthe'Town. The Roman Catholics have their Church to lodge their Images io, and the Mahommedans are not discountenanced $ tut Ibere are no Polemicks except what are between onr High Church, ip.en and ourlow, nr.beiweeo jJie GoTeraor'i fttrty aud oibec Jfierthaots in Poinu of Trade.** SKETCHES OP BENGAL, 183 alone, a port belonging; to the English, two hundred houses were thrown down, and the high and magnificent ttccple of the English Church unk into the ground without breaking. It is computed that 20,000 ships, barks, sloops, boats, canoes, &c. have been cast away. Of nine English ships, then in the Ganges, eight were lost, and most of the crews drowned. Barks of sixty tons were blown two lengues up into land over the tops of high trees j of four Dutch ships in the river three were lost with their men and cargoes j 300,000 souls are said to have perished. The water rose forty feet higher than usual in the Ganges." The curious and observant Mr. Holwell could, doubtless, have given us a particular account of the foundation of (he sacred structure injured so materially by this dreadful calami* ty, for he arrived in Calcutta so early as the year 1731-2 : as the eyes of this honourable man were lately sealed in the dumber of death, we perhaps might seek in vain among the living survivors of Old Calcutta for this desirable information. The Old Church of Calcutta was demolished during the trou- bles of 1756 by the army of Seraje ad Dowlah. It Jay con- tiguous to the Old Fort, at the west end, where the Writers* Buildings now stand. The victory of Plassey, gamed by Colonel dive in June 1757,- laid the foundation of New Calcutta and of New Fort William. Decisive as this battle was, yet it could not be ex- pected to produce immediately that serene tranquillity among the re-instated English, which would have been absolutely necessary to dispose them to repair (were it practicable) the dismantled walls that lately surrounded their sacred altar, or lead them to reflect seriously on a plan for the erection of another temple to the Almighty. Four years of succeeding, but partial, troubles left little time to the inhabitants of Cal- cutta for the solemn purposes of public devotion : but the fifth year (1762) is characterized as the year of tranquillity in India. We must here revert to the origin of an institution inti- timately connected with these ecclesiastical notioes, as the grand pillar of its present support arose from the ruins of the Old Church. On the completion of St. John's Church, the first genera! Vestry met on the 8th day of May 1787 ; Earl Cornwallis presided : from a scrutiny then made, it appeared that such proceedings of former vestries as had been preserved since of the capture, were irrecoverably lost, owing to the negligence of the trustee to whom Mr. Lai-kins, the Church-warden, con- fided them, when sickness- com petted him to go to Bombay in 1783. The untimely death of his successor, Mr. Vansittart, 184 SKETCHES OF BENGAL, in October 1786, overturned all hopes of leading to any trnee* of their discovery, nor were ar y pror?edings found that had taken ^lace during his War-denship This was the third time unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances occasioned the loss of the records, in consequence ol' which the present Vestry de- termined to elect two Church- wardens with a succession, and to lodge all public papers iu future in the archives of the New Church. The late Mr. Secretary Hay, when officiating as Church- warden, used every possible endeavour to ascertain the origin of the old Calcutta Charity Fund : on application to Mr. Charles Weston, who had resided many years in Bengal,* and acted formerly as Vestry Clerk, .Mr. Hay received the answer entered on the proceedings of the Select Vestry, May the22d, 1767* ef-which the following is an extract : " May the 12th, 1787. I have received your favour of the ll'th instant. The old court house, (called the town hali) was formerly a lower-roomed house, and [ always heard it belonged to the Charity j the first foundation whereof I be- lieve, was by subscription, and its support also. The Charity boys were lodged and educated there, and the whole annual expence of twenty children, I believe, did not exceed rupees 2400, about forty or forty-five y?ars ago, I mean current or arcot rupees, as the siccas were not current till after the year J757, when the English gained the battle of Piassey. Tha upper works of the said house were also built by subscription, I believe, in 176,5 or 66. When Lord Clive was Governor,. one Omichund, ~a very rich merchant, gave 20 or 30,000 ru pees for this purpose ; as I have heard. * Mr. Charles Weston. (he SOD of (he Recorder of the Mayor's Coarf, was born in Calcutta iu 1731, in a House then opposite, to where the Tiretla Bazar now stands. He rerol lei is the great storm and inunda- tion nf 1137, as il compelled his family to quit their House. The stre- pie of the Church he slates to have fallen prostrate, a more probable position to have fell in than that stated in the Gentleman's Magazine. The Houses of the Europeans in Calcutta at that time were surroumled with spacious garden-, in which they stood central. This gentleman was tb<> friend and associate of Mr. Holwell, at.d carried arras a a militia man at the Old Fort in 1756. He is the founder of hii own opnlenre- sorely Fortune never bestowed wealth better iliao on < hades Weston a striding and enisling example that chaste and re- fined sentiments are not confined to completion or climate. This tru- ly honorable man resided at Chiosurah amid a group of Deceptions people, soothed and supported hy his bounty. Those who hadseen better days on whom Fortune has ceased to smile had beeo comforted by Charles Weston. One hundred Gold Mnhurs a month were regularly distributed to the indigenlfrom a boi placed on his table, nor was there any Sircar to deduct or intervene;. all cane from hi* own,*aa. haod. SKETCHES OP BENGAfc. F83 "The rent of the old" Court House Church collections, and interest on (he hind in the hands of the Hon. Company Live- maintained twenty boys and enabled ll.e charity to bestow some trifling: donation*. " In I-773- -4- 5 1 paid to the church-warden 6 or 7000* cnrrei it rupees, as executor to the estate of Lawrence Ton- stanlins, deceased, who had left the reversion of his estate to- the poor and other charitable purposes. " The bulk of the charity fund now in the hands of the Honorable Company, I believe originated from the restitution money regeiv^d for pulling down the English Church by the Moors at the capture of Calcutta in 1756." We learn principally from this letter, and partly from other documents, that the agregate fund of the old Calcutta Charity arose from the following sources. 1st. The origirial subscription made before, or about th>s year 1732. 2d. Church collections. 3d. ; The- restitution money for the demolition of the old' 5 Church, made by the Nabob. Meet* Jaffier Ally Khan. Ths amount is unascertained. 4th. The donation of Omichund by himself, or his Al- moner after his demise. He died in Calcutta in 1763. The? amount and particulars are unascertained.' 5th. Seven thousand current rupees (or less) paid in ths- year 1773-4 by Mr. Charles \Veston, as executor to the estate of Lawrence Constantius, an opulent Portuguese, deceased. To the above must be added 80 J rupees per month, paid ' ' by the Company to the fund, as rent for the Mayor's or Town " HaH, afterwards called the Old Court House. How this^be-* < came the property of the old Calcutta Charity Fund is now un-< known: when ^he question was put> to the> Select Vestry by the Company's Attorney in the year 1792, they replied* '* We * apprehend the uninterrupted possession of the said premises for above forty years is the, best title that can be produced for the said property."* The famous Omichund is supposed to have contributed largely to this charity, as- Mr. VVeston states to have heard from general report. Mr. Hay, on a reference to Mr, William Chambers, an highly respectable Orientalist), on the subject of ID 1792 the property of the Old Court House was conveyed to Government, who still allow, foril the monthly rent of 800 Sfcca Ro-*' pees in- coosidetatioo of the object to which it is appropriated. The building in (he same year was razed to the ground. Mr. Ortue speak- ing of it in (be jear 1156 terms it '* a very spacious house of one floor ' to wbicb (be favor's Court and 'Assizes used to be held." ' 18S SKETCHES OP BENGAt* Omic1itin, however, of a different nature. They are already removed from their original situations, and if any use can be made of them entire for the church, they would there be best preserved, as indeed they deserve to be. There- are also some smaller stones, polished and ornamented with sculptures -of flowers, fret-work, &c. and. a, few. free stone of great length."*- Mr. Av YY, Davis> a. gentleman who had made historical,, and particularly cielinsf aqd ornamental painting, his study,, offered his services to the committee to decorate the church. Mr. R Hall, as -a barrister, offered his services in drawing. up the contracts with such people as the committee had occa* sion to employ; M*. Wilkins superintended the moulding uf stoces -prepared at Benares, and Capt. Galdwell dispatched the stones cut from the quarries at Clmnar. Mr. Champion, of Bhangiepore procured^ gate-for the inside plaisteriug of the church, and the Hon. Court of Directors Sent a slender aid, acconwanied by their approbation of the plan, as appears by. the following ..extract of their general letter, dated the 1 1th Ap^- ril 1785. "' Having conwdered your -advices respecting 'the Church proposed to be built by. public contributions in the town of Calcutta, and being desirous to encourage so laudable a design, we have resolved that the sum of 12UO/. be presented by the Company towards the provision of communion plate;, an organ, a clock, bells, and' velvet, for the pulpit, desk, :md com m union- table for the said church." * India was first. discovered by th<- Portuguese io May 1497, at which lime, apd solicited from the Government of Bengal, 35,000 rupees, which, upon a scrutiny, they found would be wanted, in addition to their present stock, to enable them to^complete the building. The Government shortly after this application directed sicca rupees, 7206-5-8 the produce of some confiscated goods be- longing to Colonel Watson, to be paid to the committee : they were about the same time presented with sicca rupees 5688- 9-4, the amount produce of the Company's 'state tent, which was barned : in May the Governor General in Council appro- priated the sum of 1500 rupees towards the completion of the church. This in aggregate made the sum of sicca rupees 14,394-15. The money paid to Lieut. Agg, only, since the commence- ment of the building to the 16th of April 1787, amounted to BJca rupees 69,946-15-1 : the total espence to the same period was current rupees 1,24,182-12-10 : by an estimation then made, it - appeared current, rupees 59,954-2-1 were yet requisite to finally and perfectly complete the church and spire. This makes a stun total of current rupees 1,84,836-14-1 1. On the 24th of June 1787, the church was consecrated and dedicated to St. John. The Rev. Wm. Johnson and the Rev. Thos. Blanshard were chaplains ; Earl Cornwallis at- tended with all the great officers of state : during the Anthem a collection was .made for the benefit of. the Charity School, amounting to sicca rupees 3543-3. Sir John Zoffany bestowed on the church that admirable altar piece, representing " The Last Supper." It was proposed by the Revl Mr. Johnson and Mr. Cudbert Thornhill, as Sir-J. Zoffany was about leaving Calcutta to present him with a ring <3f5000 rupees value in consideration of this' signal exertion SKETCHES OF BENGAL? ll/l of his eminent talents : the low state^of tlieir fund prevented every other member of the committee from supporting the. motion of Messrs. Johnson and Thornhijl, but they unanimous- ly agreed in sending to Sir John Zoffany, an honorable written testimonial of the respect in which they held his great abilities as an artist. From their handsome and appropriate letter I select the following paragraph : " We should do a violence to your delicacy, were we to express, or endeavour to express, in such terms as the occa-v sion calls for, our sense of the favour you have, conferred on the settlement by presenting to their place of worship so capi- tal a painting th;tt it would adorn the first church in Europe, and should excite in the breast* of its spectators those senti- ments of virtue and piety so happily jiourtcayed in ihe figures." The Select Vestry of the 28ih of June 1787, in stating the duty of the Church-wardens, entered on record the following preliminary remark : "'that the gentlemen acting as Church- wardens, or under that name, do act as such from a necessity that the duties of this office should be executed and in confor- mity to the long established customs of this settlement j for s Calcutta is not of itself a parish, though in a parish, and there are no legal powers to levy church rates in it, or to com* pel the performance of some of the functions properly belong- ing to the office of Church-wardens, the persons acting as Church-wardens in Calontta cannot be considered by the law as properly described under that specification, but they must be considered to act with the consenfof the inhabitants for \vhoae advantage and good they perform the duty." In September 1787, the Vestry received from England a chalice, two cups and two salvers, weighing in M237-0& 3 dials. These articles were of silver gilt,, instead of solid gold, as the committee formerly determined they should be of. In January 1 788, the walls of the Church-yard were repaired,' 'the trees and shrubs cut down, the Old Magazine tank filled up, and drains made around the walks, which were at the same time repaired and considerably raised. Thus, at the expenceof nearly two lacks of rupees* obtained fcy the voluntary contributions of a liberal people, with some slender aid from their Honorable Masters/ the neat temple of St. John was erected in. Calcutta now one of the most opu- lent cities in the, world a city of palaces, and the bank of nations ? At the period of collecting these notices the 'church had stood the public in nearly threelacksof rupees, as several improvements and embellishments have taken place since the year 1788.* * I anpex the following fur the satiataction ot iho&e wo wiib io be informed of pariiauJars. J92 SKETCHES OF BENGAL; The Inhabitants of Calcutta (tire distinguished fora liber.v Hty which unquestionably cannot be paralleled among the nations of the universe ;ra sober retrospect of them in their col- lective body will exhibit this unshaken truth : I speak not only from, fcturiy and long observation, but from personal experi- ence. Ever studious to do'good, their benign spirit did not now slumber, but actuated them to consider on what they could again perform for the benefit, of mankind. Reflection pointed out to them the deficiency of a Public Charitable InstU tutidn in this great capital :* towards the close of the year 1789, it was determined to icirculate proposals for the institution of a Free School, Which 'immediately proved successful, and on the 21st day of December it was declared constituted. I must now pause, and|> however painful the duty, strip a single 'plume from the gl6ry of the civilians of Calcutta. Tleij followed an >eiFampJc ?< Contrary to what has' occurred in civilized 'states of Europe, the example in Asia was set by the military body.' In. the year 1782, an institution was formed in Bengal for the protection^ education and support of the Orphans- of the 1 MIKtary, noUonly- of Officers, but of Soldiers. By this most-noble institution, numberless boys have, been pro- vided for>. and a thousand tender females saved from tempta- tion and proftigateness. To eermpiete the climax of the glory of the Bengal Military, ha who -suggested and supported the institution, and tenderly -nursed itimus-infancv, .arose from among themselves-.! 1?he uamo of this divine man is YV'iilituu Kirkpatrick, a name o\er which a,dacal coronet; raised by iba united monaVehh ofc the universe, can shed . no supervenient lustre ! i\ The plan of the Calcutta Free School Society instantly, met ^ :iie cordial approbation of the higher order of people in"thV- capital, which was testified by the immediate subscription of : iicca Rupees 28,082, and the monthly: contribution of Sicca Rupees 1 W67- Eati Oorn\va.llis, then Governor General, pre- ' oelad t the society two-thousand rupees, and accepted the- patronage of the institution. ' ' : ..... - .. - BspeaoVd in the Gtmrclt la and half. lack of bricks. Tfcere is in the ^"oundaiiivn of i.iie Church 27,^60 feet of solid mnsourj. The flo-.ir of ihe Chuich forms a square of 70 f--t. . The superficial contents of the roof of the Church is'10,','00 square The erection of tHe spire from the level of the roofoost 15,090 rupees; lieu* Agg's reward v7as 15 per cent, on the whule exuence. The Church acquired by Lottery 25,592 Current Rupees, which by the flo joriaiion of papei became 260,88-6-8 Current flupces. * The reaflipr [perhaps will observe tbe^> Olb ^Otie4l II, in a letter addressed to the society, expressed his approbation of the institution with such a liberal spirit, that it would be injustice to pass it over in silence ; The conclusion of a letter so honourable to him I transfer to these sketches for the- perusal of posterity. " I ask permission, gentlemen, to partake of so beneficial a scheme and to become a subscriber* to the fund for 1000 Rupees, which I beg leave te ofl'er, together with my most ardent wishes that y our humane endeavours may be crowned with all 'possible success, and that the prosperity of this Charity School increasing more and more wncUr your enlightened m-* fluence, may in- future be productive of deserving citizens, meritorious members of society, and subjects who will do he- nour to mankind, for which your memory will be ever blessed < and revered by posterity." Such were the liberal sentiment* and such the unsolicited bounty of this illustrious foreigner. The Free School Society on- its first institution associated. 1 itself with the Old Calcutta Charity^ a name at this time dor- mant, as the two united institutions are now known under the general name of the Free School. The Old;, .Charity, on the 1st of Jan, 1790, had' a net proper- ty of Current Rupees 2,45,897. The Free School in 1790 had a fund of Current Rupees 58,062. Old Calcutta Charity, , - -- -- 245y897 Free School Society, - ~ - 58,062 Current Rupees 303,959 Such was-the immense property of the united charities in the middle of the- year 1790". The General School was finally settled; at -the- garden-houser near the Jaun Baaar in .the year 1795, premises- then stood the Society in Sicca Rupees 26,800 : since that period Sices- Rupees -30,000 have been expended to adapt them to the pur- poses of. the united institutions. B3 194 SKETCHES OP BENGAL; jln Elucidatory Paper, containing some further account of what is stated in the preceding pages, regarding the Old and New Church of St. John, fyc. $c. I was at Calcutta very soon after it was re-taken by Admi- rals Watson and Pocock, and Colonel Clive. I then saw the ruins of the Old Church, situated, as Mr. Holwell has placed it, in a plan of Calcutta, in his account of the Revolution in Bengal. I think it was nearly in the north-west corner of the now- compound of the Writers' Buildings. Before. the place was taken by Seraje ad Dowlah, I have understood it wns the custom for the Governor to walk to the church, when the wea- ther permitted his doing so. When that church was built, I have not had the means of ascertaining : but I have fre- quently heard that it was constructed by the voluntary con- tributions and patriotic spirit of some gentlemen of the place, who had been prosperous ; but principally by the benevolence of Captains and Supercargoes, and of the persons concerned in sea trade, without any assistance from the Company. I have understood that some of the original contributors were of the society of Free-Masons, and that by their influence it was called St. John's Church. Information of the building was transmitted to the Society for Propagating the Gospel. 'That Society sent out an answer e\pre*5re of then- approba- tion, and of the great satisfaction it derived from so pious and so meritorious a work. The Society also sent a silver cup, with an appropriate inscription, in testimony of the comme- moration of it. Were it a matter of any importance, I con- ceive, by applying to the Secretary, the aera of building the church might be ascertained from the records of that Society. It is remarkable that the cup was either saved or recovered, after the capture in 1756, and it remained with some plate belonging to the Company. The plate being very old fashion- ed in the time of Sir John Shore, the Governor General,, orders were given to melt it down, and to make it into articles suited to the present taste. This was .perfectly right as to every thing but the cup, which could have no 'value but from the givers, and from its being a monument ef a very pious and meritorious work, which de- served to be-held in perpetual remembrance. [ saw Owiichund in 1758. He was dead before I returned to Bengal in. 1764. I suppose it was after Lord dive's return to this country in 1765, that I heard of his benefaction. I have always understood it to have been 25,000 Rs. to go to- wards building a church. I have heard it frequently spoken of, a* a thing w *dl known, and Iconceived the sum to have been paid into the treasury for that purpose many years ajjo. From the circumstances stated respecting Otnichund's will* SKETCHES OF BENGAL; 195 I suppose Omichund bequeathed a laree portion of Vis fortune t<> pious uses, and that Huzooree Mull thought it would be disposing of 25,000 Rupees perfectly in consonance to the tes- tator's intention to give that sum out of the deceased's for* tune, towards building an English Church. They were both liberal- minded men. As to the fund of the Charity, I believe I can give informa* tion of some particulars which may be depended on. Mr. Bourchier, who was after wards 'Governor of Bombay, was, some time prior to that, Master Attendant at this place. He was a merchant, who had been successful. At that time there was no Town-hall, nor any house for the Mayor and Al* derman to hold their court. To remedy this very great in convenience, Mr. Bourchier built the Old Court-bouse as it stood before th'e additions which were made to it in 1765, and on different occasions afterwards. He gave it to the Company, on condition, that .government should pay 4000 Arcot Rupees per annum, to support a Charity School, and for other benevo- lent purposes. Into that fund, as I have been informed, went also the sacramental collections, and fees for the palls, which I know to have been of three rates, 40, 25, and 12 Ar. Rs. the palls being kept at the expece of the Charity fund. In con- sideration of the great additions made to the Court-house, which were chiefly by the 'liberal spirit of the h>haMta*it of the town, government agreed to give 800 Rs per month to the fund of Charity, for the school and other benevolent uses. And I have understood that when the ruinous state of the build* ing made it necessary to pull it down, government, with * generosity of raind which must ever do great honour to those who were then members of it, agreed with the Church-wardens to pay that -stun in perpetuity. A TABLE OF THE CHAPLAINS OF CALCUTTA. JTOSTERITY will be desirous to learn tlie names Divines to whose cure the Ecclesiastical Concerns of had been committed : to gratify them in this particular , I have arranged, this paper, which I believe to be nearly correct. It contains a table of the succession of Chaplains from the conr quest to the year 1800. In glancing ovep this list the plf) In- dian will pause at the name of Yatcs p,nd, with eyes .parjcling wth approbation, exclaim, "That njan would" hf$ aided dignity to the crosier and the hallowed laun !" W5 SKETCHES OF BENGAL; CHAPLAINS of the PRESIDENCY of CALCUTTA, AT AND SINCE THE CONQUEST. 1756.- REV. JEKVAS BELLAMY, perislied in the Black Hole on the 20ib of June, 1766. 1756. REV. MB. MAPLETOFT, appointed in December, 1749. Died durng the mortality among the fugitives at Fultah after the capture of Calcutta. 1757. No Chaplain. 1758.-"RKV. HKWR'Y BUTLER, arrived in Calcutta in Jan. ; 1758, on his way Senior Chaplain to the Presidency in 1788, on the promotion of Mr. Blanshard - f returned to England in 1794. 1780. Rtev. D. BROWN, appointed in 1786', Senior Chap- lain in 1797, on the departure of Mr. Blanshard; Provost of the College of Fort William, August 18, 1800: 1787.REV P. L'IMBHICK, appointed to Bengal in 1797; to the Pi-esidency in 1797, Chaplain to the College of Fort . -Rfcv. C. BUCHANAN, appointed to Bengal in 1796i to the Presidency in November 1, 1 799i Vice ProvoaJ; of College of Fort William, August 18, SKETCHES OF BENGAL, 197 THE PROTESTANT MISSION TO CALCUTTA. JL NOW present the inquirer with some notices respecting the Mission to Calcutta, which comprehend anecdotes ot the life of the Rev. John Zachariah Kiernander, so far as respect him in the character of the first Protestant Misssonary sent- to Bengal. The Voluntary Society Propagating the Gospel in, Ifpreigu Parts, instituted in England at the close of the year 1 6'9S, King William III. granted to it u Charter of Incorporation at the close of the year 1701. This body consisted of the original members, with a few additional persons of distinction, whose attention rested solely. on the welfare and prosperity of British America. A Society, distinct from that corporation shortly after associated itself with the Voluntary Society in endeavouring to promote their meritorious intentions. The general body is now known by. the name of " The Society for Promoting Christian Know- ledge." In the year 1728, a Protestant Mission was sent to Fort St, George under the management of the Rev. Mr. Schultz, a Danish Missionary: in 1737 the Mission extended to Cuddalore, and in 1758 to Bengal, by the erection of a Mission and School in Calcutta. * John Zachariah Kiernancler was bbrn-on the 21st of Novem- ber 17H, at AkStad, in Sweden, a place situated about fouc Swedish miles from the gceat city of Lindkoping, in the pro- vince of East Gothland. He received the first rudiments o scholastic learning at Gymnasium of Lindkoping, but complet- ed his education at the University of Upsal.' In his 24th year he became desirous of visititig foreign Uni- versities, and on obtaining recommendatory letters and a pass- port, by the influence of his friends in Stockholm, lie took his passsage through the Baltic to Stralsund and from thence to' Halle irr Saxony, where he arrived in the 17th of November. 1735. He was favourably received at the University of H Jlu by Doctor Gothilf August Franke, who immediately appointed him Inspector of the Latin School, and afterwards favoured him -with other Benefices. Kiernancler spent four years under the patronage of Di'. Franke, when having satisfied his youth- ful curiosity, he began to think of returning fo Sweden, but at 1 this rery crisis a circumstance occurred which took him fiour his native country, Sweden, for ever. The Society intituled at London for Promoting Christian Knowtedge. wrote, ta Doctor Franke, requesting him to recom- mend to them a proper person to be sent out as a Missionary C 3 198 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. toCuddalore. Doctor Franke made the proposal to Kiernnn tier, who, after some deliberation accepted the vocation j and on Uif 2Uih of November, 1739, he was ordained to the Ministry. Mr. Kiernander immediately set out for London, where he HI rived on the 25th ot December. He was lodged at Kensing- ton by his Majesty's, ChapUin the Rev. Mr. Ziegenhagen,* and on the 29th introduced by that gentleman to The Society, who received him with a public welcome. Mr. Kiernander left England in the Colchester Indiatmn on the 20ih of April, 1740, and arrived at Cuddalore on the 2'ilKHM^ 'i^ust, as colleague to the Rev. John Ernest Gueis- ter, who was appointed to Madras in 1744, when -the charge of Cuddalore devolved on Mr. Kiernander, who then had a congregation of 154 persons, viz. 99 Malabars ad 55 Por- tuguese, with 20 children in the Malabarian School, and 28 in that of the Portuguese. Mr Kiernander was treated with the most polite attention by Admiral Boscawen, and the Government of Fort St. David ; that Government put him in possession of the Portuguese Homan Catholic Church at Cuddalore, and at the same time expelled all Popish priests front the Company's 'territories. On the 26th of Norember 1749, the day after the receipt of the Governor's order; the English, Tamulian and Portuguese congregation assembled to hear divine service and a sermon in the three different languages, when the church was solemnly dedicated, and called Christ Church. Such was the prosperous state of ,the Mission com- mitted to the charge of Mr Kiernander. About this period M-r. Kjernander was married to Miss Wendela Fischer. On the 4th of May 1753, Lieat. General Count Lajly took Cuddalore by captitulation ; Kiernander waited on that impetuous General, who told him no Protestant Misssionary was then required at Cuddalore, but that he would grant him a passport to go to Tranqtiebar ,j this was accepted, and on the 8th of May, Mr. Kiernander arrived at the Danish capital Stripped of all his property, excepting a few articles of apparel. On the 2d of the following June, Fort St. David fell also by capitulation, to the arms of France, in consequence of which as no immediate prospect appeared of the restoration of the English to Cuddalore, Kieruauder turned his eyes to Bei.- gal, where the Battle of Plassey, on the preceding year, had laid the foundation of : the grandeur of Calcutta. On the llth of September, Mr. Kiernander left Tjanquebar, accommodated by the munificence of the Danes, the friends of * The sump Ontlemnn, who died in the y*ar 1176, nffrr being /to -/ears Chaplain to Ue flo ja.1 German Chapel at Sua SKETCHES OF BENGAL, the true Rel r g'on : on he 29th of the same month lie arrived it) Calcutta, and declared his intentions to the Government of establishing a Mission ther>. Governor Clive, Mr. Watts, and the other gentlemen of Council approved of and i'atoured his propositions. Mr. Kiernander, on the 4th of November, 1 758, -was bless- ed with a son : the reader may judge what a reception Mr. Kiernander bad in Calcutta, when he is told Colonel Robert Clive, Mrs. Margaret CJive, Mr. William Walts, .and Mrs. Frances Watts, .stood sponsors for the child : the infant was named Robert William, in honour of his high sponsors. Mr. Kiernander opened the Mission School at Calcutta on the 1st of Dec. 175iH : on the 3 1st Dec. of the following year, 175 children had been received by him, 37 of which number he had provided for. Mr. Kiernander at this time occasionally preached *t Serampore, where the Danes, then in their infant settlement, had no chaplain. Mr. Kiernander wasr very graciously received in Calcutta, by the Rev. Henry Butler and the Rev. John Cape, chaplains at the settlement in the years 1/53-9-60 and 61 ; they pro- cured him large subscriptions for carrying on the pious work he was engaged in, and assisted him in his peculiar offices as a minister ot the Gospel. Mr. K'ernander, on the 9th of May, 1761, lost his Lady, but he had the fortitude not to give himself up to vain lam en* tations. On the succeeding year, the remembrance of all former sorrows was obliterated in the silken embraces of opu lent beauty: the 10th day of February 1762, witnessed his union with Mrs. Anne Wolley. In the year 1767, Mr. Kiernander was obliged to remove from the house lent by the Company for Jbe use of his Church and School : lie in consequence resolved to purchase ground and build a Church at his own expence ; in May this year, tha 27th ot' his mission, he laid the foundation of the present Mis- sion Church. About this period the Court of the Emperor Shah Allum requested from Mr. Kiernander some copies of the Psalter and New Testament in the Arabic language : he complied, and hud the .satisfaction to hear they were so well received by his Majesty's Mullahs, that he transmitted to Alla- habad, where the Court then was : held, all the Arabic Psalters and Testaments jn his possession. As Mr. Kiernander was advancing in. years, he took tw$ associates to assist him : they were Romish priests, who, on their arrival at Calcutta, nnde a public abjuration from the errors of Poppry, the Rev. Mr. Bento De Silvestre and the Rev. Manuel Joze de Costa. These gentlemen drew on them- selves the censure of the Conclave of Goa, and a ftomisU prwst 400 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. was sent from thence to Calcutta to excommunicate th-em, but 'tis vain threats did not in the smallest degree affect the Pro- testant Mission at Calcutta. The Mission Church would hare been completed early in 1770, had not the progress been stopped by the death of the architect j* the persevering Kiernander, by bis own unremitting diligence, compensated in part for this misfortune : on the 23d of Dec. the sacred edifice was consecrated and named Beth Tephillah, which in the Hebrew language signifies The House of Prayer. The building cost the founder above 60,000 Sicca Rupees 5 1818 Rupees only of which sum had been pre- sented in benefactions. Thus, after a lapse of fourteen years, Calcutta once more beheld an English Church completed at the expence of a Stranger ! As-a piece of architecture, Beth Tephillah cannot be com- pared to the Old Church of St. John, destroyed by the bar* barians in 1756. One was founded by an individual the other by the united charity of opulent merchants, in days when geld was plenty, labour cheap, and not one indigent European in all Calcutta! Existing authorities testify the perfect com* position of that temple, to which the Governor on every Sun- day walked in solemn procession, attended by all the civil ser- vants, and all the military off duty. We learn from a tradi- tion handed down to us by the famous Lady Russel, that the steeple of St. John's was very lofty and uncommonly magnifi- cent, and constituted the chief public ornament of the settle* tnent before the calamity of 1737. Mr. Kiernander, wishing to make the Mission Church a? lasting as- possible, constructed it of the best materials ; they who suppose that Captain Griffin largely contributed to the benefit of the Mission are misinformed j I have seen the wilr and papers of Gapt. Griffin, and can assert, that of the residuary legacy left to the Mission, not one-cash ever- w as realized. Mr. Kiernander lost his second lady in June 1773, after a continued sickness of six months. She left her jewels for the- benefit of Beth-Tephillah ; with the amount produce Mf. Kiernander founded a Mission School on his own ground, iir the rear of the Church, capable of holding 250 children. 'It was; founded on the 7th of July 1 773, and completed on the 14th of March 1774. About this period* the Rev. Mr. Dieruar ar- med to assist the Mission, In the year 1778, Mr. Kiernander began to experience the frailties and infirmities of age. His sight failed him, and in . * Mr. Martin Bouteoi de Me? ell, a Danish Architect* SKETCHES OP BENGAL. 20! 1782 he was. 'obliged to submit to the painful operation- of having his eyes couched ; that operation succeeded so well that lie was soon after able t,o write to the Society .to congra- tulate them li on his happiness in once more being enabled to see the prosperity of the Mission." " Lady Conte, when at Calcutta, attended and received the sacrament at the Mission Church." " This good example," says the Missionary, " is attended with a very happy influence, and gives great encouragement to the congregation," In the year 1783, the Rev. Mr. Westrow Hulse, chaplaia to the late Sir Eyre Coote, on bis return to Europe made the Mission a present of 500 Sicca Rupees ; Mr. Kiernander him- self gave 1 000 Rupees, and his son, Mr. Robert William Kier- nander, gave 3000 Rupees, the yearly interest of which was to be applied to the support of the Mission. Mr. Diemar this season returned to Europe. Here we must revert the scene and behold more unpleasing prospects. In the year 1 78C, a cloud of adversity was gather- ing over the hoary head of Kiernunder ! He foresaw the ap- proaching calamity,, and wrote to the Society in England, ex- pressing a wish of going to. London with his son, and earnestly soliciting them to send out another Missionary, " lest his con* gre^ation should be forsaken and his Church shut up." This venerable patriarch was now in the 76th yearofhia age and the 47th of, his mission, an age, at which, in any cli- ruate the 'debilitated frame must feel, severely the reverse of fortune^ but how unspeakable severe must it be felt by ona who, fora period equal to the ordinary life of man, had been used to the gentle ease of India! The hovering cloud burst iii i 787, and the ruin of all his fortunes followed the seal of the Sheriff of Calcutta was, clapped even on The Sanctuary* of God Almighty I The Magistrate inusb obey the law of which be is only the first servant doubtless, that officer, with a trembling hand, closed the gates of Beth-Tephillah. One person immediately stepped forward who restored tha Church to religion. He paid for it the sum it was appraised at Ten Thousand Rupees Yes one person stepped forward and saved the Temple, where the hymns of truth have been chaunt> ed for seventeen years, for being weekly profaned by the hum* di urn sing-song of an auctioneer. The property of the Church School, and Burying Ground, was transferred on the last day of October. 1787, to three trus- tees, the Rev. Mr. Brown, Mr. William Chambers, and the purchaser Mr. Charles Grant ; thenceforward it ceased to te the property of an individual. r his arrival in Calcutta, in the service of the Mission. REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER, I herewith return the Ac* count of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge for the year 1796. Accept of my thanks for the v persual of it} %vhich DOW leads me to express my sense of Gratitude to God, for his gracious Providence, so clearly and most sublimely ap- pearing in so many instances , and which cannot but create in the mind of every reader who wishes to see the enlargement of the saving knowledge of Christ and of his Kingdom, a most hearty Joy and Gratitude. Is it not by signal Divine Providence, that this noble Society has now subsisted a whole century, in which period much good has been done in many parts of the world ? Is it not most remarkable, how, from time to time, such well disposed persons have been found, who have supplied the places of those who have departed, and how this Society have thus con- tinued, increased, and in every respect been improved and bless* Is it not most worthy of observation, how great and good the care of Divine Providence has been in providing, from time to time, the means whereby they have been enabled to do so much good ? Must it not be a hearty rejoicing to every good man, to see tow far they have extended their charitable design in so many and various branches of well doing? How can we then be back- ward and silent with our Gratitude to God, from whom alone all good and every Blessing proceeds? I am astonished, when I see the great number of Cha arity Schools, and the very great number of Children that have already, and do yet enjoy a good Education, and who have thus been qualified for useful services to the Public, and from whence the Church of Christ has received hiany Members, Day Heaven itself has received an increase 204 SKETCHES OF to iu numbers : without which care and education, too many juig-ht probably have been left in ignorance and vice, and tiui* cast away and been lost. And how most admirable and highly laudable are their charitable endeavours, in extending the same to distant parts of the world, to such where the light of the Gospel is extin- guished, that they may, by these means, be enlightened, and iind their way to Heaven. And surely, if ever the light of the Gospel of Jesus the Redeemer and Saviour of mankind shall come to the Natives of this country, it must come from . England ; for there is not a nation in all the world, as the state of the world now is, that has the means or the opportunity for such an undertak- ing : but for this excellent purpose, it seems the Lord has chosen England, and has therefore blessed them \yuh won- derful and rapid increase of possessions iu this country ; which half a century ago was not any more than hardly a little Terri- tory or small Tract of Land, of about 4 or 5 Square English Miles, at each settlement of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, &c. Nor had they that time, when I arrived .iu this country, any thoughts of. making conquests, which was in the year 1740. But Divine Providence alone has directed circum- stances, and led them on to success, and has now enlarged their possessions to a most valuable Empire, nor doth this en- largement yet seem ' to stop in its extension. And when at the same time, we consider the removal of an emulating Na- tion who has been, and yet is, in opposition to the main de* sign of propagating Christian Knowledge \ are these not in- stances, that may open our eyes, to see a wonderful and gra- cious Divine Providence, and that from the whole we may draw an equal conclusion-, with tlat oi David's in Psaliu 105, 44, 45. " That the Lord has given them the lands of the Heathen?, and they have inherited the Labour of the People ; (for this purpose, and this end) that they might observe his Statutes and keep his- Laws." Not only themselves, but that it was also their' duty, to bring the Na* lives of the Land to the > knowledge of the Lord, and to the ame duty of observing the Divine Statutes and keeping thft Divine Laws. No Nation has as yet given greater proofs of their readiness to do this than what a part of the English Na* tion has already done. And I have not the least doubt, but that all who have open eyes to see how much Divine Pro- vidence is yet acting in favour of England, particularly at this preseot. period, and in all parts of the world, will confess, that the above conclusion is justly drawn, and ought with.* jsilling mind and united endeavours cause to be executed. SKETCHES OF BENGAfc. 205 And what great wonder would it be to see, perhaps sooner than we expect, that the whole English Nation unites in a General Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge to the Nations in the East Indies? And then, how could the Lord otherwise than gre;itly bless such good endeavour, united in the true spirit of (Jhaeity ? Tbts great work, so much desired,, would then, by 'the Lord's Mercy and Blessing, most gloriously be effected, and would also give the firmest stability to the English possessions. Yes, I verily believe, there will be few individuals in England, who would exclude themselves from reaching out a helping Hand towards the forwarding of sucbr a happy work. But I will return to another subject, wherein I heartily re- joice, which is this, that I find the Society are resolved to con- tinue their kind care of the Calcutta Mission. It is indeed' lamentable that the difficulty of fending proper Labourers for sending out in this Vineyard, has for so long a time been dis- tressing. I trust, however, that the Good Lord of the Vine- yard will in his own proper time provide such, who are willing- to bear the burden a*id heat of the day, and ready to take up- the load on both shoulders: which I hope, yon> my dear Brother, will never grudge to do. You will sufficiently be upported, when you put your Trust in the Lord: Your heavy- burdens will be light and easy, by bearing them with patience > you will overcome difficulty by perseverance and firmly con- fiding in the Lord, who will not leave you alone HOP desert you : for the work, to which you ate called is She Lord's- own- work- and He is the Principal Labourer ; you are only the Instrument \vhich the Lord maketh use of, and both the woik and the instrument are the Lord's > and that being the- case, how can you fail of success,' in that degiee as the- Lord is pleased to di~- reet ? Never let it slip out of yor mind that you serve a good' Master who is love itself, who amply rewards hts faithful ser- vants according, to their almighty Helper in all need wherein He is nearest present with them, when they least think it, and' have no man to help them. The most sad period in my life \vas this, when after 47 years' service Jo the Mission, only 3 years less than half a century., I was by. old age, fatigue, and' other- vexations, quite exhausted, and under the' necessity of leaving my- post ; and BO successor sent out for the work in the Mission, neither any Hopes given of any one coming to release me, &c. &.C. In that situation, you may easily imagine my anxiety of nund was greajt. But see how wonderfully and graciously Di- vine Providence interfered to my great comfort. Three Friends were in readiness, surely by the divihe appoint- ti The poor Mission-Church got ,kind and careful Patrons, uw^ Chambers and Graftf j be their good works, never for- E a 205 SKETCHES OF BENGAt; gotten ! I have it, and I have rejoiced, it has supported mjp depressed spirits. I do still now in ray 87th year of age see it and cannot but rejoice. I had much to say on this subject j but facts do better than I can, openly and loud. Since the Lord has hitherto been our helper, which you may clearly see, so you may take courage, and be confident that the Lord will con- tinue to lend a helping hand, and will not leave you alone, nor forsake you ; but will bless you, and make you His Instrument for conveying His Blessings to many souls. My dear Brother you may in the beginning, as also in process of time, find diffi- culties 5 for, the world is yet the same, there are many who are professed Enemies to the Gospel of Christ, many who are cold and indifferent about it and some, who are Wolves in sheep's clothing, and such as I have it in experience, are the very worst. Bvtt let not this cast you down ; against all such, you have sufficient comfort in the whole 37th Psalm. The Lord will be on your side, He can and will procure you true friends also. When and wherever the Lord may be pleased to open! a Door for you, to work and to good, do it. Wait patiently for the Lord's opening that Door for doing that good which yqu may. wish for ; do not go before him, but follow his lead- .iogs, and he will wisely and safely lead you on in the right way pf doing much good. He knows best the proper ti ma for every thing. He provides the means. He will give you strength and wisdom, He alone can. and will bless your work. ~^Iy heart is full and overflows, but my Hand is weak. I caa add no more, but that! am yours very cordially. J, Z. KIERNANDER. There are twe charitable institutrotts In - Calcutta, which .owe their origin chiefly to the talents, perseverance, and in* .dustry .of two ; individuails..-~fFor the : Military Orphan Institu- tion wfc are Indebted to .the active zeal of Colonel Kirkpatrick, whose genius first pknned, and. whose talents afterwards were eminently displayed in. effecting its formation and establishment both in India and England-- For' the 'Native Hospital we are indebted to tbe humane stiggestions'and pious industry of the Reverend John Owen, Junior . ChSplain of 'Fort William, an active, pastor, who, when in Bengal, boldly wielded his pen and commented on those who presumed to infringe on tha Rights, pf the Clergy. i l>a#e already mentioned the Military Orphan Institution ;u two sdiffe.r.egt places: it only remains for me to annex* a fewxlates and a fe\ir get! oral remarks to these records of chari- tp : ;iTha Grphani Institution may date 4ls ex5stefl<5te ; '%0m. August. 1782, at which LjEna jM^posals were circulated out tfie JBeDgal Army,' which hiet \vith gen Wai SKETCHES OF BENGAL; The Military Managers, through their natural Patron, Ge- neral Sir Eyre Coote, on the 1 8th day of November, 1 782V. addressed the Government of Bengal in support of their plan.! Tliat Government acquiesced with all their wishes, Tha Managers, on receiving the sanction of the Supreme Govern* ment, addressed the Court of Directors in March i 783, and solicited their countenance in a cause to which none, but bar* bariaus, could refuse assent. Colonel Kirkpatrick, in Dec. 1783, returned to Europe, on the Rodney East- indiaman, and at the request of the Army* assumed the management of the affairs of the Society in Eng land, where he exerted himself with the same persevering in dustry and active zeal as he lately had exhibited in Bengal, The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge took a warm part in the concerns of the institution : Mr. Dundas. then a leading Member of the Board of Control, declared that the charity had a claim on public grounds, to the support of the Company. General Smith, Colonel Champion, Mr. Bensley, and Mr. Inglis, strongly interested themselves in the support of Colonel Kirkpatrick, and the consequent prosperity of the Orphan Society. The Upper House of the Institution is supported by month* Ij contributions from the Army, viz. three rupees from each Subaltern and Assistant Surgeon : six rupees from each Cap- tain and Surgeon : and nine rupees from each Major. Offi* cersofa more exalted rank have given large vountary Coutri, butions. The Officer's Fund on the 1st of Jan. 1802, independant of the private property of Orphans, amounted to 374, 167 Sicca Rupees. The Soldier's Fund at the same period amount- ed to 107;450 Sicca Rupees. The Lower House of the In* stitution is supported by the Hon. Company : the plan for this part of the Charity was engrafted on the original Institu- tion in July 1 783. The Hon. Company, at and since that .period, have adopted as their own children those who have lost their natural parents. They have become the fathers of the Orphans of their Soldiers ! May the treasure of bounty in all nations be ever open to the fatherless infant ! Such was the origin of an Institution, the Managers of which assembled, sit as High Priest? of Virtue, -nud the Guardians of six hun dred Virgins. The actual Institution of the Native Hospital may be dated on the 13th of Sept. 1792, on which day the committee ef Insututors and Sub-cribers. published the follow- 1 ing notice in the- different- periodical papers of that time: ' The want of an Hospital or Institution for the relief of per- sons suffering from accidents, being severely felt by the native inhabitants of Calcutta in general, and inure particularly 1 by 208 SKETCHES OF BENGA1. the labouring part of them, a plait for establishing sucfc an Institution, as may be best calculated to afford relief under the circumstances above alluded 10, will, it is hoped, meet with the general encouragement of the settlement- The most common observation, or the slightest reflection, will serve to shew, that in a populous city like this, accidents, such as fractures and contusions must frequently happen among the labouring part of the inhabitants ; it is no less evident that the ignorance of the natives in Surgery and Anatomy totally inca- pacitates even those who make medicine their study from af- fording the slightest aid or relief in cases of the above descrip- tion. The consequence of which is, that numbers of persons, who have been so unfortunate as to meet, with accidents, and v ho with a little professional cave and attention might have recovered in a few weeks, now die for want oC assistance, or drag on a miserable existence, maimed and cripples for life. The numerous establishments in the city of London, and the other principal Manufacturing Tow us in Great Britain, which have been founded, for the purpose of administering relief in cases of the nature above, described, solely by the contributions of individuals, equally tend to shew the facility with which such an institution may be established in Calcutta, and the benefits which will thereby be diffused. " It is therefore proposed to establish an Hospital for the cure- of persons labouring under accidents, which require the pro- fessional care and assitance of a Surgeon. Such an institu- tion can only be established and supported by the vuluntary contributions of individuals. " The liberality of the European part of the settlement ha* seldom been solicited in vain, even in cases of much less emergency than the preterit, and it may reasonably be presumed, that, in this instance, the Natives will be no less ready than xi.'ie British Inhabitants to contribute their subscriptions to support an establishment, from which they themselves will derive the sole benefit. With respect to the professional assistance requisite to give effect to the plan proposed, little or no difficulty can arise on that point, as the gentleman by whom it was originally suggested, have authority to say, that every support ang encouragement will be given by Government in favour of a plan, which has for its object the relief of so large a body of people, as the Native Inhabitants of Calcutta. " Akhough in the outlines of the plan submitted to the public it is s,tated that the object of the proposed intitution is to pro- vide relief for persons suffering from accidents, those being the cases which under the existing circumstances appear to be most urgent, it is by no means intended to confine the opera- tion of the institution to accidents solely, provided the suppport SKETCHES OF BENGAL. 209 *nd encourgement which the plan may receive from the public, will admit of its benefits being more widely diffused j it is pro- posed to extend the benefit* of tlie institution to the sick, by furnishing them with medicine and advice under such limitations as the state of the Funds may require, as well as to persons in the situation before described.'' Marquis Cornwall!*, then Governor General, and his Council, approved the plan, and on the 6th July 1793, granted to the Committee of the Hospital, SixWunidredSieca Rupees per month. On the 31st of July 1 794, A general meeting' of the Subscri^ bers was held, and a plan for the management of the Hospital adopted, consisting of eighteen distinct paragraphs, the first of which conned a request to the Governor General and Supreme Council tbe Patrons of the Intitution, which was acqoies ced with -.the second paragraph anpjointed twelve Governors for the Hospital, three- fourths of wTiom were to Ue Btitisk- born Subjects, Armenians, ur.--.Portu;!uese. The eleventh paragraph constituted the Bank of Hindoostan, Treasurer : the remaining fifteen para^Jtaphs determined the general and internal duties and concerns of the Hospital. At this meeting twelve Governors were first nominated : the name of tjf llev. Mr. Owen, as may be expected, appears tba ' first ,. , of the twelve. . , . ,- On the 4th of August Government sig.nifific^t.0; .tfie/C, inittee their .approbation pf all the proceedings of the late jueting, and on the 1st .of Sept. an House .was opened in Chit- pore lioud for the reception of Patients The Court of Directors, on the 3d of .July J 798, in their general letter . to the Government of .fyeqgal* expressed their approbation of the 'institution. The Governors, , soon after the establishment of the insti r tution, came to th,e resolution of buildiog a.n house pecu%r|y adapted to their purposes, in consequence of which grounci was purchased. in the open and airy road of Dhurrnmtullah : the purchase of the ground and house,, w.ith the erection of the necessary additions, stood! the Grp.ye.rnpr.vin the sum of Si.cca .Rupees 41,573-5-6, which, wi^h Sicqa Rupees^ 4G, 001 -6-2 in Company's paj)er and cash, for p?ed the capital stoc|i of thje institution on the 1st of Sept., l$i<2. From the 1st ot Suptem.ber 1794, when the Hospital, fifiit opened for the-.rdief' of .iutjigent. natives, to the 1st of Sept, 1802, -1587 hpu^e-patLents have. lew admitted to the benefits ef the institution, .and 6127 out patients have beep attended on: of this vast number, 75,00 have been again. restored in P healthy state to Society.! The,gpod Edward lyes, the physician and friend pf A Watson, observed, after the ire-capture and re-establishment SIO SKETCHES OF BENGAL. of Calcutta, " It is not possible to point out a part of the world where the spirit of charity is more nobly exerted than iuoitr. East- India Company's Settlements: numerous instances may be mentioned, wliere princely subscriptions have in a few hours been raised, and applied to the effectual relief of many unfortunate families." Mrs. Kindersley, who resided in and travelled through Ben- gal in the years 1766-7-8, ten years after the departure of Mr. Ives, observes in her letters : "There is no part of the world where people (will) part with their money to assist each, other so freely as the English in India." ACCOUNT OF CHANDERNAOORE. _ __ V^/HANDERNAGORE was once a flourishing colony in the clays of Watson, Pocock, and dive, but it has lost much of that beauty with which it had been decorated by French ingenuity. The walks once so level, are now rugged, and the menacing fort .dismantled. The fort was 'a regular square about three quarters of a mile in circnniference with four bas- tions, each mounting, as stated by Mr. !ves, sixteett guns, besides soirie on the curtain. Of these, two bastions remain, f on one of .whicti stands the staff, from whence the fla of France fluttered. The mouldering walls of the Govern- TOent-house,'' which proudly arose in the centre of Fort Orleans, point out the spot where the vain and wily Dnpleix once dic- tated to admiring Frenchmen; and where in distant idea he first meditated 'the' extirpation of the English and the aggran- dizement of ins nation. The fine Church of St. Loitis stood at a small distance from the Fort} the foundation remains, \\hich proves it to hav'6 'been a; massy building, and calculated 'for military as well as divine service. Mr. Ives informs us, there was a battery of four pieces of cannon on the top of this "Church. The whole aisle is vaulted underneath, and a cen- tral entrance appears, whicti &&s covered with a flag of marble 'that occasionally Urtecl.np, and doubtless was designed by the architect as a repository for the dead. On the destruction df this Church, the French Government converted a Magazine in the rear of it into a place of divine worship, and adding a plan frontispiece, have dignified it with the name of //' ' Eglise &t. Louis, Paroisse de Chandernagore. When the Old Church *of St. Louis was founded, I have not been able to ascertain. . . SKETCHES OF BENGAK The Italians buiit a small Chapel at Chandernagore, in th year 1/26, as appears by the date engraved on the inner door ; on the outer door is the following inscription, which shev-'S it to Lave been dedicated to 'iod, and the Lady of Loretto. 1) : y.r H. M. V. LAVRETAN^E. The Burial Ground at Chandernagore is kept in bad order/ and the monuments are in a ruinous state : there is no remark- able inscription to be seen there, nor one earlier than the year 1729 : immediately on-entering the gate, the eye is attracted by a building similar to u Mohamedan Mosque, in which is an altar of rude workmanship, decorated agreeably to Papal custom. This is said to have been erected as an instant re- ceptacle for those who died of contagious disorders, where the bodies remain until they eould be conveniently interred. Chandernagore, though stripped of its Gallic plumage, is still very populous, and contains in the town and its depen- dencies about 50,000 inhabitants. ACCOUNT OF CHINSURAH. JL\. PLEASING sail of a few hours conducts you to Chinsurah." Over Fort Gustavus at the North gate, is, 16oVc87j Over the southern, or garden gate is, 16 o V c 92. The gar- den was once very beautiful and embellished with the Work of the Statuary, 'but the Colony having experienced the miseries of war, has fallen to ruin j there are a few native Dutchmen now in Chinsurah. The steeple of the' Church of Chinsurah was not designed as such originally, but merely erected for the elevation of a chime clock, the gift of Mr. Sichterman : on the steeple is a stone bearing an inscription in the Dutch language, which has been thus translated to me. " Built by A. Sichterman, Member Extraordinary of the High Council of the Dutch East India Company, and Cover-, -nor of the Bengal Direction, &c. 1742." Mr. Vernet added the body of the Church to this old stee- ple : the expence of building it could not have exceeded 1 2,000 -Kupees. Mr. Vernet then laid the first stone of the Church, in which divine service was performed on the 1st of November 1 767. In the Church are fifteen escutcheons, one of which is dated 4665 : this has been placed there, at the usual expence of one 212 SKETCHES OP BENGAL,' Hundred Rupees, by the posterity of the deceased, whom I cannot name as the escutcheon bears initials only. The in- scription on Mr. Vernet's escutcheon is as follows : " Den weledelen Achtbaaren Heer George Louis Vernet in Leeven Directeur van Bengalen gebooren : tot S'graaven Huage den 11 Jan. An 1711, obiit tot Batavia den 13 De- cember, An 1775 Oud 64 Jaar.* " The Honorable Mr. G. L. Vernet, whp when living wai Governor of Bengal, born at the Hague 1 1th Jan. 1711, died at Batavia 13th December 1775, aged sixty-four."* The Dutch in every colony have " Armen Fonds" or a Poor Fund. On the capture of Chinsurah in 1795, the fund of that colony amounted to 31,000 florins, 20,000 of which arose in 1 789 from the third part of a confiscated vessel, the An- toinette. The original part of the fund gradually accumulated from fines, church collections, and the purchase of monumen- tal ground. The Dutch, to restrict the vanity of the poor,; make the family in humblest circumstances pay the largest sum for .monumental honours. A hearse and pall are kept at the expence of the fund : the hearse is hired at twenty-five rupees and the pall at sixteen. Mrs. Vernet lies interred in the Burial Ground of Chinsuralu under a tomb with no inscription. The ground is in bad order and contains no monument, dated earlier than 1743. The tomb of the Weston family is the most remarkable one to be seen, there. Not far distant frpm the Burial Ground of Chirwurah is an ice field, where ice is made in the cold season. The inhabi- tants of Chandernagore have often attempted to emulate Chinsurah in making ice but hitherto in vain ; such is the difference of climate between the two settlements, though not more than five miles apart : the country about Chinsurah is more open and level. In the year 1695 the present Armenian Church at Chinsu- rah was founded by Markar Johannes, and completed in * Mr. George Louis Vetnet, was of a considerable family, and re- lated to the famous painter of that name. He was in his youth, ane of the Pages to Louis the 15th, but the judgment of his friends made them seek for a situation which promised more solid advantages, and better prospects of success ; and their influence obtained his appoint- ment in the Dutch East India Company's Service, It is believed he came to India some years before 1750, and that he was in that year if not earlier, in Bengal. In the year 1756, when the revolution took place by the violence, injustice, and cruelty, of the Nabob Sernje ad Dowlah, Mr. Vernet, who was then second of the Dutch Factory, at Galcapore and the other Gentlemen of that Factory, shewed much, iindnesn, and rendered considerable services to the gentleoaeri al Co*- fiimbazar. lu ihe year 1758, Mr. Y. was Chief at Calcapore. SKETCHES OF BENGAL; $13 T69 7 by hi.s 1 brother Joseph, ft is the oldest Church the Armenians -have in Denial. The- following inscriptions in tlie Armenian language appear Bear the altar, niui are thus translated : " Mere lips-inrterred Markar, the son of Coja Jffhftnnes, an Armenian fron>~ Julpha, of the country of Mm*hr: he was honored with the favour of Kings. Dying in this foreign landi to perpetuate his memory, lie founded this holy- church and dedicated it to St. John the Baptist? 1697." On another stone is the following Epitaph 'on-the 1 tomb of Johannes Markar, the son ot Johannes, the founder of ilia Church : " Here lies interred" the famous Kharib (c. i. foreigner) Coja Johannes, the sou of Markar, an Armenian from .Julpha, of the country of iShosh. He was a ' con's ide/ahle Merchant, ho- nored with the .favour-, of Kings and Viceroys. He travel I edf North, Souifc; East, and We'st, and 'died at Hoogly in Hiu doostan, Nbvr. the 7, 1697." In Chinsurah there is a neat Catholic Chapel dedicated to. Jesus MaHaJoze, which w-as completed jn 1/40. The famous and pious Mrs. Sebastiana Shaw, who was born in Chinsurah, left, on her. demise i!HJ725-,.some^/unds towards liie- -erection of this Chapel. The original one wasbuilt-with mat* and straw. Chinsurahi Hoogly, and Bahdel are distinct names for what may be called one city. The ancient and famous Port ot Hoogly contains- now but a few small, houses and several poor huts. Tfie lascivious damsels of this once gay city sluiii- ber under its ruins : when Pomp withdrew from-/ thence, De<< bauchery vanished. Poverty now stalks ower the ground. In Hoogly. audits environs, there are -many- who still call themselves Portuguese, and bear -the naie of those inxmortal heroes, who first stemmed the Indiau beas undetthe Lu'silaoian. flag. : On the road through Hoogly to Bandel is a Mosque, on th outer gate of which is an-inscription> in Persian. Immediately adjoining Hooglyj is the village of Bandt;!, and in it stands the beautiful Convent De Nossa Senhora De Ruza.- rio, of Bandel,. of Hoegly. . Thfs famous Convent tstands delightfully 'situated on the banks of the Hoogly : on approaching the frontispiece of it appeared to me to diffuse a cathedral gloom and struck me with religious awe. The Convent is a quadrangle, one side of which forms the chapel. TneTTdnverit of Bandel was founder! in 1599. In the same vwr the 1 r&ofi'ks of the order of St. Augustine fuiinded--a C&- Church at Hoog bras ulso-the Church of MiSeraeorchs, G 3 SKETCHES OP BENGAL to which wo* attached an Orphan House,* for the Protection and Education of Young Ladies. Merchants, and such as com- merce called to distant parts, committed their families in their o.vn absence, to sacerdotal protection in the Recokhimento of the church of Miserai?ordia. These sacred buildings suffered in 1G33, when Cessna Khan, Soubadar of Bengal, by the ordec of the Emperor Shah Jehnu attacked Michael Rodrigues, Gqvernor of Hoogly, and took the Pxirtu : uese fortress. The scythe of time has long since levelled these fubricks of Lusita- nian grandeur at.Hoogly. The Convent of Baudel only remains to point out the spot, where Portugal, in. days of yore, raised a flourishing colony. The Convent was pulled down in 1640 ftnd rebuilt by that pious gentleman J. Gomes de Soto. . In the Chapel of the Convent is a stone with the following inscription rudely cut, two letters are formed in many places, uch as ST, AN, VA : ^this makes it difficult to be understood at the first view, particularly as there, |s no distinction of syl- lables : 1 here make the distinction, and terminate each line where it ends on the stone, but our types do not enable me to' give a fac simile. Este Camero Mand. Ov Faser lorn Gom Es De Soto E Sva Mo Ller Peraeles es Evs Dessendente Sonde Estuia Svas Filhas Sogra E Cva JJhado Osqvaisma Ndaram Fazer Est A. Igreia AnO 1661. Which informs us, that this vault was built by'otder of ^r.' B. Gomes de Soto and his wife, for themselves and their pos- terity : their Daughters, Mother-in-Law, and Brothers-in- Lavr are interred here. Ue directed this church to be built Anno 1661, la the chapel an inscription, glazed and framed, attracted rny eye : I present it to the reader with an explanation of it. Este Altar DA VIRGCM NOSSA SENHQRA DE ROZARIO. do Convento d'tJgolym He Privilegiado ao Sabado. Pello Sumo Pontifice * In the Portuguese language Recolhimento, which literally siguifics a retirement and home of Protection for Ladies. SKETCHES OF BENOSUQ ttlj Benedicto XII. ; An*o de MDGGXXVI. ..: , This shews thai " the Chapel was. privileged for Saturday^ " by the Supreme Pontiff Benedict Xll. iti 1726." tb . i THE PORTUGUESE OF CALCUTTA. HE Portuguese under Vasco de Gama discovered the sage to India by the Cape of Good Hope in 1497. Goa wu captured, and Fort'. Enianuel founded by Albuquerque in 1510 : from thenceforward to the present day, this Island has been considered as the capital of the Portuguese conquests, and the seat of the Primate and Metrapolitan of all Asia. Goa, the first city in which any European power effected a settlement. Our contemporaries havp been compelled to solicit even the means of existence from the schismatic descendants, of Europe. During the famine in 1793, a Carmelite monk of the Monastery of Nossa Senhora de Carmo was soliciting alms in the streets of Calcutta for the support of his convent : be came with a memorial signed by the Heads of his, Order. In . Goa, as in all other places where a Papal Government exists, poverty is to be seen linked with wretchedness. Yet the Por- tuguese invariably have made choice of the finest situation i wherever they have fixed their abode as a proof, Goa presents , one of the most romantic scenes from the sea, of any on the , Malabar Coast. The Fort of Algoada forms one side of the , entrance to the harbour, and the Monastery of Nossa Senhora , de Carmdon an high point of land, and whose beautiful ap- pearance invites Bother sentiments, than those of horrid solitude, and still more horrid celibacy. The Portuguese first entered Bengal as military adventurers in the service of the King of Gour about the year 1538, the ' last year of the Government ofNuno de Cunha, the tenth Vice- roy of India, these facts i give on the authority of Manuel Faria y Souza, the Historian of POT tuguese Asia, who com- mences his history with the year 1412, and closes it with the year 1640. , ' " . ; The same writer states, that Melapore was erected into a > Bishoprick in 1607. ;* In the year 1599, th6 Portuguese built a Fort at Hodgly, in the place now called Gholeghaut. In the same year the Mission- aries of the Order of St. Augustine founded the Convent of Bandel, the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, and the Church > 21 ft SKETCHES OF BENGAL* of Miseracordia, to which was attached a Recolhimento for- the Protection of Ladies -.the foundation of these sacred build- ings ara to be seen a* this day. Tim ronvent of JMndel waa demolished in I (J40, and rebuilt by John Gomes De Solo. In 1632, the Portuguese committed excesses on the Impe- rial Mahal at Hoogiy : the Emperor demanded satisfaction, which was denied him. The incensed Monarch immediately ordered a powerful .army, commanded by twenty-two Ouirahs, to extirpate the Portuguese. Michael Rodrigues and his garri- son bravely opposed, and the Musselmans would have besieged in vain, had not a Portuguese Mestie, Martin Pereira de Mello, betrayed the fortress bv pointing out a track through \vhichtheenemyentered and destroyed all before them with fire and sword. Michael Rodrigues and 1 5,000 Christian cap- tives were dragged to the Imperial residence at Agra . Shall Jehan commanded thehi, as slaves of war, to be distributed nmpng Jthe Musselman families : of the five Augustine Friara brought to Agra, four were immediately put to death : the fifth, the Rev. Fre J. D'Cruz, was reserved for peculiar and exe nplary pUnishment. These events occurred in J633. When the day of punishment arrived, the Emperor ordered him to be cast in an area to a furious elephant. Tlie elephant at sight of this friar, lost his native ferocity and gently caress- ed him with his proboscis. The astonished and disappointed Em-. peror determined on his pardon, and ordering, him to' b brought to the. imperial presence, granted h'un three days to- reflect, on any request he had to make, which should be com- plied with. The prudent D'Cruz did not require so much time to deliberate, but instantly determined,.and solicited hu own liberty, with permission to recondnct. the surviving Christian captives to Bengal. 1 present the history to .the. reader as I find it in the archives of Bandel.* * The following is copied from the original records a Dignissim*- Prior Coiwento de Bandel. The Reader will bald in recollection the language of Mr. Pnpe : ! How instinct varies in the grovelling swine, Compar'd, halfteasoning elephant, with thine. Ch^iron O dia desiinadrt parase eiecutar O Mariirio que fui -no nnne dp 1633, O Impwador ordenou qtro M. R. P. Fr. Joan da Cfuz fossa lausHdu ao pes de hum bravo Elefaple por que esisio depedasasse na sua e l)a loila ;i s'ia Cotfe : ejquecido o Elefante da s-ua natural bravt- ZH jirosir:in'l'> aos pes do duo Padre fez Ihe cortezias e o defender- c>iui a ti'Miibi. Veodo it>da^ .Co*(e e o inesmo Imperador taft grande prodigio fr-,\> de hum mcsmo lenlimento, e esseotarao que a dito M. R. oao il;i Cf nzera srrva de, Depb,, e logo foi levado a presenciado or, <> q'ial Ihe ordennu pedisse o que qulzesse porque Ihespri*. o ni'lo ; para enie Ihe den tempo de tfes dias, porern o Hit Pitii-re respitnHro-que nan necessilava lie tanto- tempo -e <>mu(eqne qiieria siia Ma^e^tade Ihe roncnles.se dar the libcrdad* coui cllejuntamente, todus os Cbriauoo calivu*. SKETCHES OP BENGAL. It is certain the Portuguese were again received into favour as the Emperor presented them with an Imperial donation of 777 biggahs of land, which they possesss to this day, under the name oC Bandel of Hopgly, otherwise Balaghur. , By this Imperial grant, the Portuguese were permitted to found Churches,' and the friars were exempted from the autho- rity of the Soubahdars or Foujdars, and other officers of state. WiUiiti the lituit^ of their 777 biggahs, they were allowed to exercif^, magisterial power, with regard to the Christians, but were denied that oi'life and death. They were at the. same time ewmpr.ed rr^iual} tribute and .toll*.' Before the Portuguese were established at Hoogly, the Au- gustine Monks founded the Churches of Chittagong^Tezgong and Balasore, but of their foundation I can give no particulars. Job Chp.rnock, the father of Calcutta, settled there in 'the year I 6'89 : a fe*v Portuguese followed him to the netv settle* ment, where to encrease populaiion and civilization, theEnglish Government allotted them ground for the exercise of divine worship, on which the Friars of the Order of St. Augustine erected a temporary Chapel of mats and straw, and application was made to the Prior of Bandel for a Priest to officiate there-, in ; the Portuguese congregation quickly encreased, and before tbe year 17.00 a brick Chapel was erected in Calcutta at the exjjence of Mrs, Margaret Tench : this Chapel was much en- larged in the year 1720,- by Mrs. Sebastiaoa Shaw , during the vicarship and under the direction of the Rev. Fre Francisco Da Assumpcao, } the-.tdnrbr stones of tlwse two pious benefac- tresses were .placed in a conspicuous place, aloft, in the walls of the old Chapel, and now lie, one at each side of the altar> jn the present church of The Virgin Mary of Rosary. Ti i e records of the old Chapel were destroyed during the troubles of 1756, When the English were re-established in Calcutta, the-Pro* vincial of Goa assumed to himself the power of appointing Vicars to Calcutta, -who had the management of the- funds of the Church.. The Portuguese saw reason (hat their Vestry and Ward eos -should have the management of the funds : on a remonstrance , to the Bishop of Meliapore, that,drgnitary ^vas pleased .to comply with their request, and since the year 1773 the ( huwh^wardens have been the trustees of the public^ ' In J 777 the. Bishop of Meliapore thought proper to declare L. DTosta, Thomas Griffith, Pascal Dessa, and D. Percirn, perpetual ; Wardens, in; consequence of considerable legacies left to tbe ChurqU by Mrs. Ga*ret, to- whose estate Mri Griffith^ one of the Wardens, was executor. The Wardens heretofore vere chosen Uy regular ,nd annual elections, and tbe inhabitants aow seeing thejr rigjit of election infringed^.opposed and H 3 lit SKETCHED OP cd other Wardens. This brought on a coh test, which was decided by the Supreme Court io favour of the inhabitants hi J73. The suit cost them 40,000 Rupees.-- ' In the year 1796, the Portuguese determined to throw do\vn their Old Church and build a more spacious one in the modern style. Two opulent brothers from Bombay; Mr. Joseph Bar- retto and Mr. Louis Barretto, the heads of the Portuguese nation in Calcutta, stepped forward on the occasion and shew*- ed the same zeal as Gomes de Soft), Mrs. Tench and 1 Mrs, Shaw did of old. The 6rst s fortune of his arms, gradually drew the. Armenians from Ararat, or Old Julfa, ;to the suburbs Julfas to khorassanj from thence by Can- dahar and Cabul to Delhi ; and when the English were settled in these territories, from Delhi,, by Lucknow, to Be napes, tc Patqa, and Bengal. Above two, hundred years agp the Armenians first entered the Persian Gulph and carried on a trade from Surat to Persia and from Persia to Venice, in consequence of which the ma- nufactures of India are this day known in Venice by the name of persiana, in process of time more bold adventurers, tallure.d by the hope of they formed a settlement' at Sydabad in consequence of a Phirmaund from the Mogul': wneh,the Dutch settled at, Chin- surah in 1 625', they were followed by the Armenians : the Anne Church at Chmsurah was founded by this family' in 1695, and is the oldest-Church the Armenians have in Bengal. On the establishment of Calcutta,' 1689, the Armenians, as well as the Portuguese, accepted the invitation? of Charnock^ and placed themselves under the protection of his Government : ^Rerianentch Phanoos was permitted to purchase the ground where the Church now stands, and which was used as their burying-ground until the year 1/24, when the present Church was itwridgtf by national' contribution under the auspices of Aga Nazar : the steeple was added by the Huzoor Mull ^famil^y in 1 73'4 : the architect was Cavond, au Arjnenian from Persia. In the year 1763 the Church "was repaired and em- Hbettished by the deceased Aga Petruse Arratoon : in 1790 it \vas again considerably improved by the late highly respectable Aga Chackick Arackel, who .presented the clock and built houses' for the clergy. The Church is called 'St. Nazareth'* hurth, in honour of the founder. Previous to the year 1724 the Armenians performed divine service in a temporary Chapel, about one hundred yards to the : south of St. Nazareth's Church. The revenues of the Church aVnot .fixed, but the surplus, fiftor deducting for incidental expences. is appropriated' to'iUe ^efifcfcf the poor. SKETCHES OF BENGAL? 221 The connection of the Armenians with the English re- dounds to the. national honour of both parties, as we see in the Grant made to Phanoos Kalender. The Markar family enjoyed the smiles of Kings and of their Lieutenants. Koja Serhaud was conjoined with Mr. Surman and Mr. Stephenson in the English embassy to the Imperial Court of Delhi in 1715. Our contemporaries have seen tJie great grandson of Phanoos Kalender,. the late .Aga Chachick Arackel, distinguished by the Honourable Company, who transmitted to bin* a miniature of the King of England. Under the Mogul Government the Armenians had -access- to public offices, as many of them -were very opulent merchants,, highly respected by the. Omrahs, . among whom they had such considerable. influence, thdt. tbe Greeks were induced to solicit! their patronage, under which they? were first introduced into* Calcutta, and both people, until very lately, went under the, general appellation o .Urmannce, The 'Greeks, for their pa-- trona_re, paid to the Armenian Church one Afreet Rupee for. every bale ot merchandise they received from Dacca; Sylhetj lia; diwia, Assam, Paiua, and Moorshudabad, whether it was sokl in Calcutta, or exported for the Turkish market. The* Greeks continued to pay this tribute until., the establishment of thuir own Church in I781j and then, as I . learu from a JlfS, by Mr. llastiygs, their community was nxst known, in Great, Britain. I nave no further particulars to offer respecting the Arrge-' uiuns of Calcutta. It oiay be observed they, participured with, the English in the misfortunes of 1756: but it must also ba> observed that when the clouds of adversity had blown away, f and tlie Sun of Britifth prosperity again beamed glory in Ben-, gal, the Armenians participated in, the genial warmth of .its rays, and received in compensation' for their losses 700,000, Rupees. ^^* M ^ l *^^ lM ^" M y^*^^^' i '*^"**Bg THE GREEKS OF CALCUTTA. V^OMMERCE allured the Greeks, 33 well as the Armenians/ to.ap association with, tbe English in India. The first eminent Grecian who settled in Calcutta was Had* Ue Anxious Argyree,*. a native t.f i'iaiUippo r ,ii& : he came ta Bengal in I7a0. ., . e _ _ * He made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and (lie Greeks 'who do-sa'ac, ire the appellation of'Hadje*, as wpirrfnh'*' Waho'tri e v dftn S . W>W% to ecra, Tlj ^rmecigi) t?rjn them Mokd^ae^ajTiiffcij ^ oascqueaUy act to be found in tbe Greek Lexicon. J 3 SKETCHES OP BENGAL. Mr. Philip Da Crua, a very old and respectable PortngnBse Merchant of Calcutta, has stated to me, that he accompanied, Alexios Argyree in a voyage from Calcutta for Mocha and Judda at the close of the year 1770 in the ship Alexander. Argyree went as interpreter in the Arabic language to Thornhil!, who commanded the vessel. On the 29th of Dec. they met with a severe gale in which the vessel was dismasted ; at the moment of extreme danger, when all expected the vessel must fe*ve foundered, Argyree made a solemn vow to heaven, that if they survived the threatening perils he would found a Church in Calcutta for the Grecian congregation. When the gale abat- ed they put in and refitted at Madras, and in February 1771 proceeded to Mocha, where they took in a cargo of coffee for Pondicherry : as the season was too far advanced for the vessel to proceed to Judda, Captain Thornhill dispatched Argyree overland to Cairo to procure a Phirmaund from the Beys for liberty for the English to trade to Suez : Argyree returned sucyv#sful, and at the commencement of the Government of Mr. Hastings, received a favourable answer to a petition he presented for permission to establish a Greek Church in Cal- dutfca. The Greek Church in Cftteutta consequently dates its existence from the year \772 f but divine service had been occasionally performed there by the few Greeks in the Settlement since the year 1769. Such additional information as I have respecting the Greek Church in Calcutta I owe to the Rev. Constaaido Parthenio, a gentleman, polite and communicative ; and one who is unques- tionably the most enlightened person under the English Government of all the descendants of Hellas. iBy the sanction of the Patriach of Constantinople, Argyree roug-ht a Ministei from Alexandria, and under the auspices of the munificent Hastings, purchased, with the assistance of the Greeks a small house in the alley contiguous to, and in the rear of, the steeple of the present Portugese Church of the Vir gin Mary of Rosary, where divine service was performed for the spiritual benefit of the Greeks in Calcutta. Death put a period to the further pious intentions of Argyree. He died at Dacca on the 25th of August 1777- The foundation of the present Greek Church was laid in June 1780, three years after the death of Argyree. It was conse* crated on the 6th of August 1 781 , and dedicated to The Transfi- guration of our Blessed Redeemer on Mount Thabor. The estate of the late Argyree, and his surviving family contributed to the purchase of the ground and the erection of the building, which cost, together, about thirty thousand rupees, SKETCHES OF 'BENGAL, r 'fi principal part of this sum arose from voluntary contri- butions on the solicitation of Mr. Parthenio, a native of Corfu, who settled' in Bengal in 1775. This gentleman attracted the notice of Mr. Hastings, who, with that liberality and conde* scensiorr for which he was ever distinguished, placed hifr name at the head of the Subscription for two thousand rupees, and thus set an example to the English to- encourage the pious in* ten dons of the Greeks. The English Gentlemen contributed largely, and the few poor Greeks trading- to Bengal added each their mite to the aggregate; The Greek Church is in fact & Sacelhim. In the Church is a Sanctorum : the Thuribulaand Chandeliers are of silver, and made after the Jewish fashion. The Greek Society at Calcutta is called among the brethren * l The Orthodox Brotherhood of the Greeks in Calcutta." There was a fraternal agreement passed among the Greeks ef Calcutta for the purpose of directing the temporal affairs of their Church, by which they have resolved, that it is the property of themselves and" their successors so long as any of the same nation and religion remain in Calcutta. The Greeks declare the King of England the Protector of their Temple, and daily implore the Almighty for his prosperity at the foot of their altar. The Revenues of the Greek Church at -present scarcely amount to eighteen hundred rupees per annum ; one part of which rises from a taxation on about forty Native Greeks, who contribute according to their circumstances, but they are almost all poor, at> the branches of trade they are engaged in, is of Uttle importance : the other part arises fro-m the rent of four houses ; oue of which had been appropriated for the celebration of divine service in the days of Argyree, before the foundation of the Temple of the Transfiguration j the other three were the bequest of pious Greeks on their demise. Their Ministers are sent to India by the permission of the Patriarch of Constantinople, from whatever part of Greece the congregation are desirous to have them, The Greeks in Bengal would admit proselytes, were they not apprehensive of vagrant Indians throwing themselves on the Charity of their community, the aggregate fund of which is too small for the purpose of extensive benevolence, or even the administration of relief to any, but the indigent of their own circumscribed Society, and then the distribution is made with a frugal hand. They, ho wever, admit proselytes in the fol- lowing cases : if a Gre ek wishes to marry a native woman* she is first baptized, and their progeny educated conformable to the rites of the Greek Church : Several native orphans and forlorn youth of both sexes (perhaps fifty) serving in Grecians 2*4 SKETCHES OF BENGAL. families have been baptized and educated at the experice of their masters . t'ere are now severaluf thisdescriptionin Bengal, who underMaml the ancient Gtfeek, and read and write the modern language with facility. In the aisle of the Church of the Vir- gin ,\l;trvot Rosary are to be seen some tomb-stones which x>fgin>lly eqvered the remains of Turkish Greeks ; few of lire Greek Islanders came to Bengal, and at this very day tfcs Turkish Greeks prevail in Calcutta : of the small number from the classic ground Demetrius Galanos frona Athens mast be particularized as a man whose accomplishments and skill as a Grammarian have rendered him highly respectable and the delight of the Grecians,, This gentleman pursued his studies in the Sanscrit* language at the Oxford of the Bt.st. Such are the particulars I have been able to collect concerning our new mercantile associates to which I wili subjoin a mere notice of the^jGreeks at Dacca. At D.acca there are few a pedling, Greeks. .The sruv of Argy- ree resides there, the survivors ^'ofVuiis-forUines Hlmnsjiothes Alexois, called by the English Mri'sPbnioMy, was horn in Phi- lippopolis iihd came to India in 1772, tinder the auspices of his fatheis * His descent tnwri Arg\ ree, his ^eal, ; n the days of his prosperity, to-forward -the- pious \vishe? >f his father, and his having losta most amiable wife in 1798, are all the circum- stances that have come to my knowledge respecting him. Mrs. PaniuttVilies under monumental honours in the Greelc Burial Ground. OR the>oad from Dacca toTezgong/j this ground the Greeks purcha? ed in J7&2, as thpy did not wish the remains of thfcir brethren should repose in the: cemetery of -the * Portu- gviese Chapel at . : Te'7gong. Coja-rSimois a native of Caesaria, chiefly contributed: towards; the purchase of tlie linrial Ground. The Greeks first settled at Dacca in the year 4 772. t-".n /.-. Oi'i" Tr H P . F V D 4 II E CJ eifbii ! ii>; ' 1 - -M'itt - . / .. . 1 & UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY This book is DUE on the last date stamped below BCfDDMflB ^ JAN 1 8 1976 c? sALiro: