California 
 
 jgional 
 
 cility
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES
 
 NARRATIVE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Tranfaftions in Bengal, 
 
 DURING THE 
 
 SOO BAHDARIES 
 
 or 
 
 AZEEM US SHAN, 
 JAFFER KHAN, 
 SHUJA KHAN, 
 
 SIRAFRAZ KHAN, 
 
 AND 
 
 ALYVIRDY KHAN. 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL PERSIAN, 
 ST 
 
 FRANCIS GLADPT1N, Efq. 
 
 
 
 CALCUTTA: 
 
 TRCM J' WE FKXIS OF 
 
 STUJRT and COOPER. 
 
 MICC L U H 1 I I. 
 
 *745 14
 
 C/5 
 
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 S ec 
 
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 en 
 
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 3>S 
 
 34 6* 2 
 
 
 3" O 
 
 GEORGE VANSITTART, Efq. 
 
 Of Bijh am- Abbey > Berk/lure. 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 THE Perfian Manufcript, of which 
 the following iheets are a tranfla- 
 tion, was prefented to your deceafed bro- 
 ther, at the time he governed thefe provin- 
 ces, with fo much honour to himfelf, and 
 glory to the Britifli nation; and his late 
 
 worthy 

 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 worthy fon gave me a copy of it. By the 
 untimely death of your nephew, Mr. Henry 
 Yanfittart, who was eminently poneffed of 
 every virtue. and valuable accomplishment 
 with which human nature can be adorned, 
 I loft an ineftimablc friend, whofe memory 
 I (hall ever cherim with admiration, afric^ 
 tion, and regarci 
 
 Permit me now, Sir, to offer you this 
 little Work, which fb properly belongs to 
 your family. The author, whofe name 
 is unknown, appears, in general, to be well 
 acquainted with his fubjeft, and conveys 
 much curious information, on the ftate of 
 the government, and of the revenues, of 
 Bengal, during a very interefting period of 
 
 Afiatick
 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 Afiatick hiflory ; but, at the fame time, 
 I have found it neceffary to abridge fbme 
 of his tedious details of immaterial events, 
 io as to render the tranflation acceptable to 
 
 an Englifh reader. 
 
 o ' 
 
 I havp the Honour to be, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your mod obedient, 
 
 And faithful Servant, 
 FRANCIS GLADWIN. 
 
 Calcutta^ 
 February $th 9 178s*
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 G Pages. 
 
 ENERAL Remarks en the State 
 
 of the Empire, - - i 4 
 
 Infurreftions in Bengal, - - $ 14 
 
 The Soobahdary of Azeem us Shan, 15 41 
 
 The Soobahdary of Moorjhed Kuly Khan, 
 afterwards J offer Khan, - - 42 12.3 
 
 The Naib Soobahdary of Shuja Khan, 1 24 153 
 
 The Naib Soobahdary of Sirafraz 
 
 Khan, - 154 172 
 
 The Soobahdjry of Alyvirdy Khan 
 Mohabut Jung, ... 173 211 
 
 ERRATA.
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Page. Line, 
 
 10 - 6 dele military. 
 
 10 note (i ) for colled or s read collector. 
 
 J 8 7 for Telliahgurry read Telliigurry. 
 
 2813 after khalfab read or exchequer. 
 
 44 10 dele /&. 
 
 6012 for J/ - read ant/ wr*. 
 
 67 It f Of port TCid fort. 
 
 71 14 foryT.* //x/Aj read fix fxte.entbs. 
 
 76 20 for Cbandcrnaggur read Cbundennagur, 
 
 83 20 for <// read arc. 
 
 85 In note (f) for regal read royal. 
 
 93 Note (<) add and upon other public ecca/ioni. 
 
 97 2 after </ infert tvho. 
 
 3 after fervice dele femicolon. 
 
 IOO 9 dele ana 1 . 
 
 XOO 19 for Chunahkholly read Cbunaiholly, 
 
 lo8 19 for Koolhreh read Koolharth. 
 
 1 10 18 in the note, after Othman, for of read and. 
 
 I2f 8 after -aw A inftead of a femicolon, there Ih-nild be z full flop, 
 
 128 in the firft note, for Omer read Oma> , and for of read a**/. 
 
 130* -17 before a infert w//&. 
 
 131 2 dele w7. 
 
 I39 3 for Scander read Soonder, 
 
 166 11 for Nundu/lab read h'undullol. 
 
 168 4 for sfbyfftinans read dbyffimans. 
 
 169 II for Nundullab read Nunduloll. 
 
 170 18 for W.i//7n read Ha [fan. 
 
 1 7 7 a for Zcicnrd.lren read Zeineddeen. 
 
 193 14 for w//6 read .?' 
 
 I99 9 for Baloocbff read Falooche*. 
 
 zoo 6 for 'Jangreram read 'Janketram, 
 
 Such as can leave no doubt of the real reading or fpclling, arc omitted.
 
 
 51 
 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS 
 
 ON THE 
 
 State of the Empire. 
 
 TH E imperial throne was made refplen- 
 dent, and obtained new vigour, by the 
 acceffion of his angelic Majefty, the fecond 
 Gemfhid, (a) the monarch of the land and of 
 the fca, the reviver of religion, the ornament 
 of the throne, the conqueror of the world, 
 (he victorious emperor. May God illu- 
 mine the place of his rcpoie ! () And the 
 
 (a) . ? An ancient king of Perfia, celebrated 
 for his fplendour and riches. 
 
 {V) Meaning his tomb. 
 
 P 
 
 Goorgany
 
 i GENERAL REMARKS. 
 
 Goorgany (r) diadem of vi&ory gained fplen- 
 dour, and additional value, by being placed 
 on the auguft brow of that bright flar of 
 the mmfion of felicity, the exalter of the um- 
 brella (d) of lbvereignty. 
 
 Alumgeer (e) began his reign with gaining the 
 hearts of all his fubjc&s, and arranging the grand 
 affairs of religion and of the Hate ; he next 
 poiTefTed himfelf of every part of the empire, 
 and fettled the revenues; after which he turned 
 his ambitious thoughts on conqueft, and re- 
 folved to fubdue the Dekhan, (/) which, in ex- 
 
 (c) >*Jvjy Goorgan is a territory of Turktflan, 
 from whence the imperial houfe of Timour origi- 
 nally came. 
 
 (d) m? t The cbetr, or umbrella, is one of the in- 
 fignia of royalty. 
 
 (e) When Aurungzebe afcemled the throne, he 
 aflumed the titles of w_^~ J w^C>fl J* i, r J^l, ? 
 
 A- rr> " 
 
 /^* * The reviver cf religion, Mohammed, the 
 ornament of the throne, the conqueror of the world. 
 
 if) (j/> 
 
 tent
 
 GENERAL REMARKS. 3 
 
 tent of territory, in the grandeur of its cities, 
 and in the number of it's inhabitants, is only 
 exceeded by Hindoftan. 
 
 He appointed AfTad Khan, (g) the grand vi- 
 zier (b) to govern during his abfence, and 
 marched to the Dekhan, accompanied by his 
 fon Mohammed Azem Shah, (/) together with 
 Zulfecar Khan () fon of Aflad Khan, and 
 many others of the nobility. 
 
 This expedition engaged him twelve years, 
 at the end of which time he poiTefTed himfelf 
 of the important fortrefs of Golconda, (/) and 
 took priibner Abul Haffan Tanna Shah, (w) 
 together with Sewa () and Sumbha, (0) the 
 two Marhattah (/>) chiefs of oattarah Gurh ; (^) 
 and annexed their dominions to the empire. 
 
 .J " ) 
 
 () ljs~S (,) lf~~S (p) :^/ (?) jtijt-S 
 
 B 2 Whilft
 
 4 GENERAL REMARKS. 
 
 Whilft the emperor was engaged in the Dc 
 khan, infurrections took place in different parts 
 of the empire. The Soobahs of Kandahar (r) 
 and Bcdakftian (j) abfolutely ihook off the 
 yoke, and were both irrecoverably loft. 
 
 A NARRATIVE
 
 ( 5 ) 
 A 
 
 NARRATIVE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Government of Bengal. 
 
 TN the province of Burdwan, (/) Sowbha 
 -** Singh, (#)the zemindar (V) of Chitwah Bur- 
 da, (zv) took up arms, and was joined in his re- 
 bellion by Raheem Khan, (x) an Afghan (jy) 
 chief. 
 
 Kifhenram, (z) the zemindar of Burdwan, 
 rafhly oppoiing them with only a few troops, 
 loft his life in the adtion ; and his women, 
 with money and jewels to a confiderable 
 amount, fell a prey to the conquerors. 
 
 (') )/. () <* y tyr' (v) A^ 
 
 (w) 5^ oy* (*) ^^ (7) ^1 (a r\j~f 
 
 Juggut
 
 6 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 Juggut Roy, (rt) the Ton of Kifhenram, fled 
 alone to Jchangeernagur, (b) at that time the 
 feat of government. 
 
 Nourullah Khan (Y) the Foujdar (d) of Jef- 
 fore, (e) Hooghly, (/) Burdwan, (g) Midna- 
 poor, (b) and Hijeely, (i) a Munfubdar (k) of 
 three thoufand, and who was a merchant of 
 large property, marched from Jeflbre to op- 
 pofe the rebels. But, intimidated by the ac- 
 counts which he received of their flrength, 
 dared not proceed beyond Hooghly ; where, 
 fhutting himfelf up in the fort, he ap- 
 plied to the Dutch at Chinfurah (/) for fuc- 
 cour. 
 
 (/) 3 /" f n properly Choocherah. 
 
 The
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 7 
 
 The rebels, encouraged by his pufillanimity, 
 and excited by his wealth, blockaded the fort, 
 and reduced the befieged to fuch ftraights, 
 that Nourulhh was glad to depart with a few 
 of his dependants, leaving all his riches be- 
 hind him. 
 
 The fort of Hooghly falling thus into the 
 hands of the rebels, the inhabitants of that 
 diflrict were feized with terror and difmay. 
 The principal people and merchants, with 
 their families, took refuge in Chinfurah. 
 
 The Dutch, having embarked fome Euro- 
 pean foldiers on two of their fliips, anchored 
 clofe under the walls of the fort of Hooghly ; 
 and, after battering the walls with their can- 
 non, and killing a conliderable number of the 
 rebels, made themfelves matters of the place. 
 
 Sowbha Sin^h, finding himfelf unable to 
 face the Dutch, fled to Satgong ; (#/) from 
 
 wnence
 
 8 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 whence he retreated to Burdwan ; and, giving 
 the command of the army to Raheem Khan, 
 fent him, by the way of Nuddea, () to Mukh- 
 foofabad. (0) 
 
 The daughter of the deceafed Kiihenram, 
 zemindar of Burdwan, a very beautiful young 
 woman, had been taken prifoner at the plun- 
 dering of that place. Sowbha Singh paid his 
 addreffes to her ; but fhe received his propofal 
 with horror and contempt. 
 
 Finding all his folicitations in vain, he rc- 
 folved to ufe force, and for that purpofe got 
 clandeftinely into her apartment at night. 
 Upon his attempting to ravifh her, the heroine 
 drew from under her garment a kniie, which 
 fhe had concealed, in hopes of finding an op- 
 portunity to gratify her revenge. With this 
 weapon fhe ripped up his belly, and then de- 
 ftroved herfelf. 
 
 () v > 
 
 (n) VJ J>*~a? afterwards called Moc rflicdabad. 
 ^ Sumbhs
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 9 
 
 Sowbah Singh was fucceeded by his brother 
 Himmut Singh, (/>) a monfter who refembled 
 him in all his vices, and continued the depre- 
 dations upon the royal dominions. 
 
 Raheem Khan arrogantly affumed the title 
 of Shah, (^) and the number of his adherents, 
 confiding of vagabonds, and defperate adven- 
 turers, increafing daily, enabled him to extend 
 his conquefts, till he had fubdued all the welt- 
 em fide of the river Ganges, (r) which is near- 
 ly half of the Soobah of Bengal, (s) 
 
 In the fuburbs of Mukhfoofabad dwelt Nia- 
 mut Khan, (/) with his Nephew Tehhewer 
 Khan, (#) and fome others attached to the roy- 
 al intereft. They refufed tojoin Raheem Khan, 
 upon which he ordered one of his dependents 
 to bring him the head of Niamut Khan, who no 
 
 (/>) X-^<^^ (q) oL^ (r) wP 
 {s)V &'*,>* {t))\r^J* () \fij>-X 
 
 C fooner
 
 io A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 fooncr received intelligence of the fentence than 
 
 
 
 he went to the bath, and prepared himfelf lor 
 death. 
 
 His nephew Teh hewer Khan, a youth emi- 
 nent for his military prowefs, mounted his 
 horfe, and heading a few troops, at the firfl 
 attack put the enemy to flight with great flaugh- 
 rer. But he was foon furrounded by the whole 
 army, and, together with his party, cut to 
 pieces. 
 
 Niamut Khan, on reccvingnews of the death 
 of his nephew, did net wait 10 put on armour, 
 but taking his f.vord, mounted his horfe in the 
 fame drefs in which he had come from the 
 
 bath. 
 
 Unfupported, he pufhed through the out polls, 
 and coming up to Rahecm Khan, who was alio 
 on horfeback, made a ilroke at his head, but 
 NJrinut Khan's fword was broke in two by the 
 re fiftancc of the helmet. Not in the lcalt dif- 
 
 u-.ayed
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL, n 
 
 mayed at the accident, he flung the hilt at his 
 adverfary ; and feizing him by the waift, pulled 
 him from his horfe; then jumped upon his 
 breaft, and drawing out of the fcabbard Raheem's 
 own knife, which he wore in his girdle, at- 
 tempted to cut off his head, but found it im- 
 practicable on account of the gorget. 
 
 Rahecm Khan was inftantly refcued by his 
 people ; and Niamut Khan, covered with 
 wounds, was carried to the tent of his adverfary. 
 He prefently afterwards opened his eyes, and 
 called for water, which being brought, he ex- 
 pired drinking. 
 
 The news of Niamut Khan's unhappy end 
 was conveyed by the zemindars to the Nazim, 
 (v) Ibrahim Khan, (w) at Jehangecrnagur. Ill 
 provided with troops, and himfelf no foldier, 
 he was afraid to oppofe fuch powerful rebels; 
 
 {v) M (/) rjs^U 
 f \ 
 
 and
 
 12 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 aid accordingly applied to the Emperor for 
 fuccour. 
 
 By means of the imperial intelligencers, the 
 news had reached Alumgecr before he received 
 Ibrahim Khan's letter. He afked to what tribe 
 Rahcem Kh3n belonged, and being informed 
 that he was an Afghan, faid " a (ingle hifs will 
 " drive away a hundred crows." 
 
 He immediately conferred the command of 
 the army in Bengal upon the fon of Ibrahim 
 Khan, named Zubberdufl Khan, (x) a valiant 
 and experienced officer ; and orders were iffued 
 to the Nazims of Oudh, (v) Allahabad (z) and 
 Bahar, (a) to feize the families of Raheem 
 Khan, and his adherents, wherever they could be 
 found. This profcription had in a great degree 
 the defired effed:, many of the Afghans there- 
 upon quitting Rahcem Khan, and returning 
 quietly to their wives and children. 
 
 To
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 13 
 
 To give greater weight to thefe operations, 
 the Prince Azeem us Shan (b) was nominated 
 Soobahdar (c) of Bengal and Bahar; and im- 
 mediately began his march at the head of 
 twelve thoufand cavalry. 
 
 Zubberduli Khan loft no time, but embark- 
 ed at Jehangeernagur on the Nowareh, (d) 
 with the royal train of artillery, and his 
 ehoiceft troops. 
 
 Raheem Khan having received early advice 
 of the motions of Zubberduli: Khan, encamped 
 a large army on the banks of the Ganges, to 
 difpute his landing. But the wind being ftrong 
 and favourable, carried Zubberduli: Khan 
 a great way beyond the encampment; and 
 having landed without oppofnion, he threw 
 up intrench ments. 
 
 (A) (*A**'>-^ Alumgeer's grandfon. 
 
 (c) j\)*5*J Viceroy, the fame as Nazim. 
 
 Id) 5>ly Fleet of fighting boat?. 
 
 The
 
 i 4 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 The next day he marched out of his in- 
 trcr.chments, and Raheem Khan was eager to 
 meet him. A brifk cannonade commenced on 
 both fides, which brought on a clofe engage- 
 ment, when Raheem Khan's troops took to 
 flight, and were purfued by Zubberduft Khan 
 till the approach of night. The action was re- 
 newed the next morning, and Zubberduft Khan 
 obtained a complete victory. Ranee^n Khan 
 fled to Mukhfoofabad, and the plunder of his 
 camp afforded conliderable bootv to the 
 enemy. 
 
 Zubberduft Khan, in order to recover his men 
 from their ratigue, halted three day?, during 
 which time he ient ordeis to all the zemindars 
 to fecure the paries, and cut off the enemy's 
 fupplics. The moft valuable part of the booty, 
 together with his fick and wounded men, he 
 transported to jehangecmagur by water. 
 
 Raheem Khan retreated to Mukhfoodabad, 
 \o rai'v hi:- fcattcred troops. He diilributed 
 
 con-
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 15 
 
 considerable largeflfes amongft them, and fur- 
 nifhed horfes, arms, and accoutrements to thofe 
 who had loll them in the late engagement- By 
 thefe means, in three days, he had confiderabiy 
 recruited his army. 
 
 The fourth day after the battle near the in- 
 trenchment, Zubberdufl Khan commenced his 
 march to Mukhfoofabad, being previoufly join- 
 ed by all the principal zemindars and tannah* 
 dars. (e) 
 
 He pitched his encampment to the eaflward 
 of the city. The fame day Raheem Khan re- 
 treated to Eurdwan; and the next morning 
 Zubberdufl Khan let off in purfuit of him. 
 
 At this juncture the prince Azeem us Shan 
 arrived at Bahar from the Dekhan. He had 
 come laft from Dehly, (/) by the way of Oudh 
 and Allahabad, attended by his fons Sultan Ker- 
 
 (0 j\)mXv Stationary guards, (f) r M) 
 
 reern
 
 16 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 reem cddcen, (g) and Sultan Ferukhfecr. () 
 The zemindars and aumils (;) of Bahar were 
 aflembled at his fummons, and he was employ- 
 ed in making the neceflary arrangements with 
 them, when he received repeated intelligence 
 of the victories gained by Zubberduft Khan. 
 His rapid fucceiTes excited thejealoufy of Azccm 
 us Shan, who was apprehenfive that the Empe- 
 ror would blame his inactivity, and trans- 
 fer the Soobahdary from him to that nobleman. 
 At all events, he thought it incumbent on him 
 to commence his military operations. 
 
 Accordingly he proceeded by hafty marches 
 from Bahar to Akbernagur, (k) from whence he 
 fent off a detachment to Burdvvan, totally re- 
 gardlefs of the attention due to the important 
 
 I 
 ( i) , llf collectors of the revenues. 
 
 (k) &ff\ commonly called ^JJ VO Rajmehl. 
 
 Services
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 17 
 
 fervices of Zubberduft Khan, whom he now 
 confidered as his declared rival. That gallant 
 commander. diiVufted at this ungenerous treat- 
 ment, rcfolvcd to repair immediately to the 
 Dckhan, and lay his grievances before the 
 Emperor; who, hcaiTured himfelf, would afford 
 him ample redrefs. On his march to the Dckhan 
 he pafled by the prince's encampment at Akber- 
 nagur, with flying colours, and beating the 
 Nekareh, (/) which is not allowable for an in- 
 ferior to do in the prefence of his fuperior. 
 Neither the prince, nor his officers, had the 
 boldncfs to fhew any refentment for this ad: of 
 defiance and contempt. 
 
 Raheem Khan no fooner heard of the depart- 
 ure of Zubberduft Khan, than he left the Jun- 
 gles, (m) whither he and his party had fled 
 through fear of that able commander ; and, ap- 
 
 (/) aA CJ A fmall drum, allowed only to perfoiw 
 of high rank, by a grant from the emperor. 
 
 (m) &?, wild country. 
 
 D pcaring
 
 18 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 pearing again in the provinces of Burdwan, 
 Hooghly and Nuddeah, marked his way with 
 rapine and defolation. 
 
 When Azeem us Shan received intelligence 
 that Zubberduft Khan had got through the 
 pafles of Sankreegully () and Telliahgurry (0) 
 into Bahar, he thought himfelf perfectly fecure ; 
 and ifTued his orders to the zemindars of Ben- 
 gal, alluring them of his protection, and in- 
 viting them to unite under his ftandard. He 
 proceeded by flow marches to Mukhfoofabad, 
 and was met on the road by the zemindars and 
 aumils, with their nuzzers (p) and peifhkum, 
 (j) whom he received with great affability, and 
 conferred honours upon them fuitable to their 
 refpedtive ranks. 
 
 r^\ jJL a prefent to a fuperior. 
 
 (q) .i-Uujt a tribute to the Crown. 
 
 Raheem
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 19 
 
 Raheem Khan, who at firft would give no 
 credit to the reports of Azeem us Shan's mo- 
 tions, when he approached with his army, put 
 himfelf in readinefs to encounter him, confident 
 of fuccefs from the contempt in which he held 
 him. The Nazim continued flow in his mar- 
 ches, till he arrived clofe to the town of Burd- 
 wan, where he pitched his encampment. From 
 thence he wrote to Raheem Khan, not only 
 offering a free pardon, but promifing him a 
 reward, if he would peaceably lay down his 
 arms. The rebel, in order to deceive the Nazim, 
 ihewed outward figns of contrition, whilfl he 
 was fecretly making every preparation for con- 
 tinuing the war. 
 
 Khojeh Anwer, (r) the elder brother of 
 Khojeh Affim (j) was the confidential friend of 
 Azeem us Shan, a man of abilities, by whofe 
 advice he was entirely governed. Raheem 
 
 Khan wrote to Azeem us Shan, that if he would 
 
 1 ^ ^ 
 
 D 2 1 depute
 
 20 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 depute this nobleman, to confirm by an oath the 
 afl'uranccs lately given him, he would return 
 with him to the Nazim's camp. Azecm us 
 Shan, deceived by this propofal, fent Khojch 
 Anwer to him the next morning, with full 
 powers to conclude the treaty. Anwcr fet out 
 with only a few attendants, and when he came 
 in front of Rahecm's tent, invited him to 
 a conference. Seme mc Cages paiTcd, to fet- 
 tle the forms of the interview, but at length 
 Rahccm Khan threw ofi the mafk, and fallying 
 out with a flrong party, attacked Khojeh Anwer, 
 who, after a brave reffhnce, was flain. Having 
 by this means got rid of Azeem us Shan's befl 
 general, he was freed from all apprehenfions of 
 oppofitipn, and without delay made preparation 
 to attack the Nazim's camp. 
 
 The prince was greatly afflicted for the lofs 
 of Khojeh Anwer; and, mounting an elephant, 
 drew up his army in battle array. 
 
 Raheem Khan, at the head of a body of 
 Afghans, clad in armour, penetrated to the 
 
 center
 
 GOVERN MENTOFBEN GAL. 21 
 
 center of the Nazim's army, calling out aloud, 
 " Where is Azecm us Shan ? " As foon as they 
 came up to the elephant on which the prince was 
 mounted, his body guard fled, without making 
 any refiftance. At this critical juncture, Hum- 
 meed Khan Koreifhy, (/) one of the prince's moft 
 faithful adherents, although at fome diftance, 
 faw what had happened, and galloping his horfe 
 towards Raheem Khan, called out " Thou 
 " vile wretch, I am Azeem us Shan; face me 
 " if thou dared." Then, juft as Raheem Khan 
 was bufied in attempting to cut away the ele- 
 phants chains, Hummeed drew his bow, and 
 with an arrow pierced his body, notwithstand- 
 ing his armour; and another arrow wounding 
 his horfe, he fell from his faddle, when Hum- 
 meed jumped upon him, cut off his head, and 
 placed it upon a fpear. 
 
 The death of Raheem Khan gave the victory 
 to Azeem us Shan ; and his army gained a con- 
 fidtrable booty. 
 
 Fro m
 
 22 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 From the field of battle, the prince went 
 to the tomb of Shah Behram Sucka, () at 
 Burdvvan, and after paying his vows and making 
 offerings, proceeded in triumph to the fort. 
 
 The rebels being now without a leader, dif- 
 perfed, and the province of Burdwan was once 
 more rcftored to peace. 
 
 Azeem us Shan immediately wrote the Em- 
 peror an account of his victory ; and took the 
 moll effectual means to recover the provinces 
 from the decline into which they had lately fallen. 
 
 Juggut Roy, who had fled to Jehangeerna- 
 gur upon his father being killed by Raheem 
 Khan, now waited on Azeem us Shan, and was 
 inverted with the zemindary of Burdwan. 
 The Nazim reftored to their lands thofe who 
 had fled during the diflurbances; or when any 
 had loft their lives in the royal caufe, he con- 
 ferred their zemindaries upon their heirs. 
 
 () UWj^ol- 
 
 Hc
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 23 
 
 He made a new fettlement of the revenues, 
 and reftored all the jageers, (y) aimeh, (w) 
 and altumgha, (x) that had been feized by the 
 rebels. 
 
 Alumgeer rewarded the gallant behaviour 
 of Hummeed Khan by encreafing his munfeb, 
 (y) and conferring upon him the title of Shum- 
 fheer Khan Behader, (z) with the office of 
 Foujdarof Sylhcr, (a) &c. 
 
 ' Azeem us Shan fixed his refidence at Burdwan, 
 where he built a palace and amofque. In imita- 
 
 (v) ff \? aa alignment of any part of the re- 
 yenues of the ftate for military fervices. 
 
 (w) m^S a grant of land for religious ufes. 
 
 r J' 
 f (x) v**+ J a grant of land, fo called from the 
 
 red feal affixed to it. 
 
 * +* 
 
 (j)*-***^ A dignity. (2 Ji^J^/^ 
 
 tion
 
 24 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 tion of Alumgeer, he was often prcfcnt at the 
 difputations of the learned doctors of the law ; 
 and at other times amufed himfelf by hearing 
 read the Mufhevy, () and books of hiftory. 
 
 But amongft this difplay of piety, he was in- 
 fatiab'y avaricious, and not wry fcrupulous 
 about the means of amailing money. The col- 
 lection of Syer, (7) which had been remitted upon 
 many article?, he now relumed, and eftablifhing 
 the pergunnah Bukhibunder (a) in the form of 
 a tumgha, (<?) directed that Mahommedans 
 fhould pay two and a half per cent, and Hindoos 
 and Europeans five per cent. 
 
 (/>) ( w >;-'-- > a fublime poetical work, upon fe- 
 Tcral fubjeebs of religion, politics, ,>cc. compofed by 
 
 Jilaleddeen Rocmee / /} ji*r j) I , J -V 
 
 (c) jX,"* duties. 
 / J " 
 
 {d) ^'> -;';-' .^ / tn e cuiloms at Houghly are co' 
 
 lccled Uiitler this defcription. 
 
 (V) w"V" a duty or tax. 
 
 Azeem
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 2 S 
 
 Azeem Gunge (/) in Hooghly (g) was now 
 eftablifhed, and named after the Nazim ; who 
 alfo reftored to a flourifhing condition, many 
 places that had been deferted during the troubles. 
 
 Being very defirous of obtaining the empire, 
 he paid great courtto Derveifhes (&), and other 
 religious men, to engage their prayers in his 
 favour ; and whenever he heard of any remark- 
 able for piety and auftcrity of manners, he 
 haftcned to pay them his refpects, and took, 
 particular delight in their (J) company. Soofy 
 Baizeed of Burdwan, was at that time particularly 
 famous for his fanctity. To him Azeem us 
 Shan fent his fons Sultan Kurreemeddeen, and 
 Sultan Fcrukhfecr, with orders to bring him to 
 court. When they arrived at the habitation 
 ot the Soofy, he arofe to meet them, and gave 
 them his benediction. Sultan Kurreemeddcem, 
 
 (/) gfa (.?) J6t 
 
 E proud
 
 a6 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 proud of his exalted birth, paid fo little attention 
 to the Soofy, as not to defcend from his horfc* 
 But Ferukhfeer ran to meet him, with every 
 demonftrationof refpecl: and veneration. The 
 Soofy took Ferukhfeer by the hand, and plac- 
 ing him in his Palkee (k) faid, " you are a king, 
 " feat yourfelf ; and may the Almighty prove 
 *' favourable to your wifhes." The Soofy and 
 Ferukhfeer repaired to the court of Azeem us 
 Shan in one Palkee. The Nazim came out to 
 meet the Soofy, and conducted him to his 
 private apartments. Here he aiked his bleil- 
 ing, and entreated him to implore the Al- 
 mighty to beftovv upon him the kingdom at the 
 death of the prefent Emperor. The Soofy re- 
 plied, " that which you require, I have already 
 " beflowedupon Ferukhfeer; my prayer, like 
 " the arrow which has left the bow, cannot be 
 " recalled." Azeem us Shan was greatly afflicted 
 at this declaration, but feeing it would be in vain 
 to prefs the Soofy to recal his bleffing, difmiiT- 

 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 27 
 
 cd him with great honours. Shortly after this, 
 Azeem us Shan paid his court to Abdal cader 
 (/) of Roygong (m), and implored his bleffing. 
 
 Having fettled the provinces of Hooghly, 
 Hijilee, Midnapoor, and Burdwan, he made 
 preparations for his journey to Jehangeerna- 
 gur. For this purpofe he fent thither for the 
 nawarah, (n) or royal fleet, which had been 
 conftrudted by order of Shah Shuja (0), to adt 
 againft the pirates of Chittagong ; and, when 
 it arrived, embarked and fet fail for Jehangeer- 
 nagur After his arrival there, he was at great 
 pains in clearing the country, and levelling the 
 ground in and about the city. 
 
 In former reigns the climate of Bengal, on 
 account of the badnefs of the air and of the 
 
 (m) ^9(J\j a town in Burdwan. 
 
 () 9^fo? (,) ojy 
 
 E z water.
 
 28 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 water, was deemed inimical to the conftitution^ 
 of Moghuls and other foreigners ; and only 
 thofe officers who laboured under the royal dif- 
 pleafure were Rationed trere ; fo that this fertile 
 foil, which enjoys a perpetual fpring, was con- 
 fidered as a gloomy prifon, the land of fpec- 
 tres, the feat of difeafe, and the manfion of 
 death. The miniflers of {late and the dewans 
 appropriated the greateft part of thefe valuable 
 lands to tunkhas for thejageers of the mun- 
 febdars, fo that the amount collected in the 
 khalfah (j>) was fo inconfiderable, as to be ina- 
 dequate to the demands of the Nizamut troops ; 
 which deficiency was fupplied from the 
 treafury of Dehly, and by tunkhas {q) on other 
 foobahs. 
 
 The Emperor was highly difplcafed at many 
 parts of Azeem us Shan's conduct. He parti- 
 cularly reprobated his monopoly of feveral ar- 
 ticles of trade ; and highly cenfured his com- 
 
 if 
 
 (p) * w7 (q) c ly An affignment. 
 
 nliap.ee
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 29 
 
 pliance with many Hindoo ceremonies, fuch as 
 playing at Hooly, (r) and putting on yellow 
 and crimfon habits during their feafts of Bei- 
 funt, (i) or the fpring. When by means of the 
 royal intelligencers, thefe proceedings of the 
 Nazim were made known to the Emperor, he 
 fell into a violent paffion, and with his own 
 hand wrote the following lines to Azeem us 
 Shan: " To wear a yellow turband, andacrim- 
 " fon robe at the age of forty-fix, is making a 
 " blefTedufeof your beard." (/) The Emperor, 
 in farther declaration of his difpleafure, {truck 
 off five hundred horfes from Azeem us Shan's 
 Mun(eb. 
 
 (rj [ -? a Hindoo feftival. 
 
 Mirza
 
 ^ A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 Mirza Mohammed Hadi, () a man of con* 
 fummate abilities, who had been employed by 
 the Emperor in the Dekhan in feveral offices of 
 truft, and who had fhewn ihuch a rigid regard 
 for juftice as to put his own fon to death for an 
 offence againft, the laws, had lately been ap- 
 pointed to the office of Dewan of Oriffa. (v) 
 Him his majcfty now promoted to the Dewanny 
 of Bengal, with the title of Kart uleb Khan, (w) 
 
 The office of the Dewany (x) was diftincT: 
 from the Nizamut ; (y) the former had the 
 entire management of the royal revenues, and 
 the latter was commander of the army and 
 judge in criminal matters; but had no further 
 
 () C)\ J*\J / afterwards Jaffer Khan(x;) r^J )j J 
 v. ' .. 
 
 (w) ^Jw^^^jv the khan, or lord, who delights 
 in bufinefs. 
 
 (x) , f\^ ) the office of dewan. 
 
 (y) ^i^^lsJ the office of nazem. 
 
 interference
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 31 
 
 interference with the country than to collect 
 the Jageer Mufhroot of the Nizamut, (2) the 
 Munfebzat, (a) and to diftribute the royal 
 donations. The Nazim and Dewan of every 
 foobah were ordered to pay implicit obedience 
 to the Duftoor ul Amil, or general regulations, 
 iffued annually by the Emperor. 
 
 Kartuleb Khan was at Dehly, on a vifit to 
 his Majefty ; and, upon being inverted with 
 the fulleft powers for conducting the office of 
 the Dcwany of Bengal, fet out for that Soobah. 
 As foon as he arrived at Jehangeernagur, he 
 commenced bufinefs conformably to his inftruc- 
 tions, and would not allow the prince any inter- 
 ference in the receipt or expenditure of the 
 
 (~) ^ ^Ja- 1 P _i *J^S* <>\ y, the lands appropriated 
 for ths fupport of the nizamut. 
 
 (a) \^*'))*-*"*3-~ J * the lands appropriated for the na- 
 zim's own particular CYprnccs, in fupport of >m 
 munfib or dignity. 
 
 -real ure
 
 32 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 treafure of the Soobah. Azccm us Shan felt 
 violent refentment at this conduct, but dared 
 not complain, knowing how much the Emperor 
 was inclined to favour the Dewan, who 
 took particular care to treat the Nazim with 
 the utmoft refpedt, pleading in excufe for his 
 behaviour, the pofnive orders of the Emperor. 
 
 The prudent management of the new Dewan, 
 foon railed Bengal to the higher! degree of pros- 
 perity. Particularly careful in the choice of 
 his officers, he through their means obtained fuch 
 Complete information of the actual capacity of the 
 lands, and of the amount of cuftoms and duties, 
 that he was foon enabled to tranfmit the Emperor 
 an exact ftatement thereof. He reprefented 
 the advantages that would accrue co the crown 
 by transferring the Jageers of the Munfebdars 
 from this Soobah to Oriffa, where the lands 
 were of lefs value, and the collections made with 
 greater expence and difficulty. The Empeior 
 having approved of this propofal the Dewan 
 
 immedi-
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 33 
 
 ately relumed all the jageers in Bengal, ex- 
 cepting what were properly annexed to the 
 Nizamutand the Dewanny ; and in lieu there- 
 of gave aflignments upon OrifTa, the cultiva- 
 tion of which province had of late been very 
 much neglected. The Dewan took the col- 
 lections entirely into his own hands, and by 
 preventing the embezzlements of the zemin- 
 dar? and jageerdars, annually augmented the 
 revenue. The wholcof his conduct was highly 
 approved by the Emperor. 
 
 Azeem us Shan viewed with jealoufy the con- 
 duct of Kartuleb Khan, but the dread of the 
 Emperor's difpleafure made him difguife his 
 fentiments. He therefore fought to deftroy him 
 by fome means in which he mould not appear 
 to act. For this purpofe he engaged one Ab- 
 dul Wahid (>) a Riiiallahdar, (c) to make his 
 troop mutiny, on pretence of their pay being 
 
 incler of a troop of he 
 
 with- 
 
 (c) /'V ^7 a commander of a troop of horfc
 
 34 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 with-held from them, and in the tumult to 
 kill the Dewan. The RifTallahdar readily 
 embraced the propofal, and only waited for a 
 fit opportunity to carry it into execution. 
 
 Kartuleb Khan was not without fufpicion of 
 the Prince's ill will towards him, and in order 
 to guard againll: any attempt upon his life, 
 whenever he went abroad, wore armour under 
 his cloaths, and was attended by a number of 
 trufty adherents well armed. One public day, 
 as he was going to pay his compliments to the 
 Nazim, on horfe back, and attended as before 
 defcribed, he was encountered on the road by 
 Abdul Wahid and his troop, demanding their 
 pay with great clamour. He was not in the 
 leaft alarmed by their threats, but proceeded 
 along with them to the Prince, who, he made no 
 doubt, was at the bottom of the plot. He en- 
 tered the palace where the Prince was fitting, 
 without paying him the ufual compliments, 
 but with arefolute air placed himfelf by his fide; 
 
 and,
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 3; 
 
 and, grafping his dagger, faid C4 I am perfuad. 
 " ed that this riot is at your irrigation ; how- 
 " ever, if you offer to deprive me of my life^ I 
 " am refolved thit yoUrown ftiall pay the price 
 " of it; and his Majcfty will not be long in re- 
 ft vcnglng my death." Azeem us Shan, con- 
 founded by his boldnefsj and terrified at the ap- 
 prehenfion of the Emperor's refentriieht, mould 
 he fuffer the affamnatiori to be perpetrated, 
 thought it moft prudent to diflemble ; and, af- 
 ter difmiffing Abdul Wahid and his troop, with 
 threats of punishment for their audacious mutiny, 
 he protefted to Kartuleb Khan, that he was en- 
 tirely ignorant of the matter, and gave him the 
 ftrongeft aflurances of inviolable friendfhip. 
 
 The dewan immediately repaired to the dewan 
 sum (d), and fummoning together the public 
 officers, ordered that the conduct of the muti- 
 neers mould be entered on the public records; 
 and then, giving tunkhas upon the zemindars, 
 for the arrears of their pay, he ftruck out their 
 names from the rolls of the armv. 
 
 {d) ^(jb } J the public hill. 
 
 F 2 The
 
 j6 A NARRATIVE OF Ttit 
 
 The dewan did not fail to fend a minute aC 
 count of thefe procedings to the Emperor, of 
 whofe approbation he afiured himftlf. But, ap- 
 prehenfive that the Prince might make fartheV 
 attempts againft his life, he refolvcd to remove 
 from Jchangeernagur. On this occafion he held 
 a confutation with the canoongoes (e) and ze- 
 mindars (/), to determine upon the moft conve- 
 nient place for the tranfadtion of public bufmefs. 
 After fome days deliberation, they fixed upon 
 Mukhibofabad, in the pergunnah of Chu - 
 nakholly (g), as the moil central fituation to 
 
 (t) >iy * an officer of the government, whofe 
 duty it is to fee that all cuftoms and regulations are 
 duly obferved , and to attcfl the zemindars accounts. 
 
 (/) j\*"Z* J Zemindar literally fignifies landholder. 
 The tenure of lauds in Hindoftan is a fubjet of 
 fuch magnitude, involving fo many queftions of im- 
 portance to the Government and to individuals, that 
 it cannot properly be treated of here, in a note ; 
 but, in our Hiflory of Hindoftan, we fhall difcufs 
 thefe feveral points, in the fulled manner we are 
 able; and as our arguments will, for the moll part, 
 he fupported by authentic documents, fo we truft 
 they will, in general, be found conclufive and fa- 
 tisfactory. 
 
 the
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 37 
 
 the following places. On the north and weft 
 quarters it has Akbernagur, and the paffes of 
 Sankreegully and Telfiagury, the gates of Ben- 
 gal; on the fouth and weft are Bhirbhoom, (h~) 
 Pacheet, (/') and Bifhenpoor, (k) with the jungles 
 and mountains of Jharkhund, (/) the entrance 
 from the Decan and Hindooftan ; on the fouth 
 and eaft lie Burdwan and the road to OrifTa, Hou- 
 ghly, Hijilee, and the ports frequented by the 
 mips of European, and other foreign merchants, 
 together with JefTbre and Bhoofnah (m) ; on 
 the north, and eaft, Jehangeernagur, the capital 
 of the Soobah, with the frontier garrilbns 
 of Islamabad, (n) Sylhet, Rangamatty, (0) 
 Gorahghaut, (p) Rungpoor, (q) and Coatch 
 Bahar. (r) 
 
 (*) frf. AT. ^~< 
 
 (k) Jjjy^J. (/) *faf, (m) J->^. 
 (n) jlTA-l or Chatgong. j$lr. t 
 
 1 *"" Kartulcb
 
 3 8 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 Kartuleb Khan, without afking permiflion 
 from the Prince, removed toMukhfoofabad, with 
 the zemindary aumleh, (j) the canoongoes, and 
 other dewanny officers of the khalfeh. In 
 Koolherriah, (/) which was then a defolate fpor, 
 he built a palace, and the khalfeh cutcherry, () 
 for the tranfa&ion of all matters relative to 
 the revenues. 
 
 His Majefty was at this time in the Dckhan j 
 and when he received from the vakiahnavecs 
 (v) the particulars of the mutiny in Bengal, 
 added to Kartuleb Khan's representation of the 
 Prince's condudt in the bufinefs, he wrote a very 
 angry letter to the latter, and ordered him to re- 
 tire to Bahar. 
 
 (0 Jf officers. (t) * t X 
 
 Vr C 
 (u) ^VM/' the office in which all bufinefs oif 
 
 the revenues is tranfa&ed. 
 
 (v) . r J 2 } ?** J a royal intelligencer. 
 
 The
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 39 
 
 The Prince left his Ton Furekhfeer to act 
 as Naib Soobahdar (w) at Jehangeernagur, with 
 the afliftance of Sirbullend Khan ; (x) and 
 himfelf, accompanied by Sultan Kureemeddeen, 
 his women, and half his troops, marched to 
 Mongheer. (y) Here he found in decay a mag- 
 nificent palace of marble and black {tone, which 
 was built by Shah Shuja; but as the expence 
 of putting it in repair would have been confi- 
 derable, and not hoping for any indulgence 
 from the Emperor, he refolved to fix his re- 
 fidence at Patna, (2) on the banks of the Gan- 
 ges, where he built a fort, and furrounded 
 with a wall a city, to which lie gave the name of 
 Azeemabad. (a) 
 
 At the end of the year, Kartulcb Khan, de- 
 figning to pay his rdpects to the Emperor, drew 
 out his accounts of the receipts and diiburfements 
 
 (u>) v'b '.J^w.^* deputy foobahdar. (x) \*/*\y 
 
 s ' <f r 
 
 {y) A' (z) ~ n ();! ^h> 
 
 of
 
 40 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 of the foobah, with an eftimate of contingen- 
 cies. Having completed thcfe ftatements, he 
 fent them to one of the fudder canoongoes, (b) 
 Derpnarain, (c) for his fignature. Thiscanoon- 
 goe refufed to fign the papers, unlefs the Dewan 
 would account with him for three lacks of ru- 
 pees, which he demanded as being due to him 
 for his ruflbom, (d) or commimonr The 
 Dewan was willing to promife him one lack, to 
 be paid on his return from vifiting his Majefty. 
 Derpnarain peremptorily rejected this offer of 
 composition ; but Joynarain, (e) the other fud- 
 der canoongoc, figned the accounts without any 
 flipulations ; when the Dewan, regardlcfs of 
 Derpnarain's obftinate refufal, and Azeem us 
 Shan's difplcafure, let out for the Dekhan, 
 with a considerable peifhkufh. He, moreover, 
 
 () j^ijiX^V there are two head conoongoes, 
 who attend at the fudder, or feat of government, 
 to authenticate all dewanny accounts. 
 
 prcfented
 
 GOVERNMENT OFBENGAL. 41 
 
 prcfented to his Majefty in bills of exchange, 
 the amount of the increafe of the revenues, 
 and favings out of the jngeers. At the fame 
 time he delivered in his accounts of the reve- 
 nues ; which exhibited farther proofs of hi 
 abilities and integrity. 
 
 THE 
 
 G
 
 C 4* ] 
 
 
 THE SOOBAIIDARY OF 
 
 MOORSHED KULT KHAN, 
 
 TH E Emperor was fo highly fatisficd with 
 the conduct of Kartuleb'Khan, that he 
 united in his peribn the offices of Dcwan, and 
 Soobahdar of Be.nfral and OrifFa : and confer- 
 red on him the tide of Moorflied Kuly Khan, 
 with an augmentation of his munfeb. 
 
 When he returned to his foobahdary, he ap- 
 pointed Sycd Kkram Khan () his Naib Dcwan 
 (Z<) in Bengal, and Shuja eddeen Mohammed 
 
 Khan, (/') his fon-in-law, his Naib Dewan in 
 OriiTj. 
 
 (/) c/^>'> Or) cJ l ~f 1 / u .r 
 
 (b) / I '; 'w^t ileputy dcwan. 
 
 He
 
 A NARRATIVE, &c. 43 
 
 He brought along with him from court 
 Bhooput Roy, (/) and Keifoo Roy (/) from 
 Allahabad ; (;?/) the former of whom he confti- 
 tuted his own dewan, () and the latter his 
 moonfhy. (0) 
 
 When Moormcd Kuly Khan returned to 
 Bengal, he called his new city Moorfhedabad, 
 (p) where he eflabl.ifhed a mint ; and on the 
 money coined there were imprefled the words 
 " Struck at McorJJjerfabad." 
 
 Midnapoor, which originally belonged to 
 OrifTa, he now annexed to Bengal. 
 
 For the purpofe of making a fuller inveftiga- 
 tion of the capacity of the lands, he ordered 
 
 (k) (Jb^ Vr , (/) (jlj**J (m) )ljjl 
 
 {) '^J^J die officer who keeps the accounts of 
 great men. 
 
 , ^ .. 
 (c) , t^ fecretary (p) w ) X-" * 
 
 y g 2 the
 
 44 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 the zemindars into clofe confinement ; and put 
 the collections into the handsofBcngally aumils, 
 who executed tahoods (q) and muchulkahs. 
 (r) The revenues were paid immedia:ely into 
 the exchequer by thefe aumils ; the zemindars 
 being deprived of all interference in the receipts 
 and difburfements. 
 
 When he had thus entirely difpoifcfTed the 
 zemindars from the management of the collec- 
 tions, his aumils and their officers made an 
 actual meafurcment of all the lands in cultiva- 
 tion, as well as of rhofe called benjer; (j) and 
 obtained information of the ability of every huf- 
 bandman, in every village throughout the foobah. 
 To thofe who were fo diflrefiedasto be unabie to 
 
 (5) >;"*"' a written obligation to perform fomet'ning. 
 
 ( r ) "^ n written obligation not to be guiltv of 
 certain prohibitions. 
 
 (s) .*' land that has laid fallow five years and 
 upwards. 
 
 pur-
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 45 
 
 purchafe the necefTiry implements of hufbandry, 
 or grain to fovv their land, he advanced tekawy, 
 (/) and by this humane attention to the wants of 
 individu ils, cultivation was increafed, and the 
 revenues confequently augmented. 
 
 He made an .exact huftabood (u) or com- 
 parative ftatement of the collections of former 
 years with the prefent; and, conformably there- 
 to, his aumilscollected the produceof every har- 
 veft immediately from the hufbandmen. He 
 refumed all the cxtra-expences of the zemin- 
 dars, and gave them a nankar (v) barely 
 fufFicient for a fubfiltence. Thus, by the 
 augmentation of the revenues, by his at- 
 tention to the fyer or duties, and by confidera- 
 ble retrenchments in the expences of every 
 
 (/) (f;* <J a loan of m^ney given to the hufband- 
 man, to enable him to purchafe a firft Hock. 
 
 (v) j C ~ w a fubfiltence, either inland or money. 
 
 depart-
 
 46 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 department, he brought prodigious funis into 
 the trcafury. 
 
 The zemindars of Bhirbhoom and Bifhenpoor, 
 protected by their jungles and mountains re- 
 filled to obey the Divan's fummons to Moor- 
 fhedabad. They, however, fent, by their va- 
 keels, (?') confiderable nuzzlis and peiihkuih, 
 and as they were punctual in their remittances, 
 he thought it better to wink at their non-ap- 
 pearance, than to undertake an expenfive and 
 tedious expedition, to exact implicit obedience. 
 He was the moreover inclined to purine this 
 conduct towards Bhirbhoom, out of refpect 
 to the virtuous character of Ailad Ullah (,j 
 the zemindar. 
 
 He was convinced that it would occafion a 
 continual expence to keep Bifhenpoor in pro- 
 
 (w) i yj j an attorney, or agent. 
 
 per
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 47 
 
 per fubjedtion; and, as the lands were not very 
 fruitful, he did not trouble himfelf much 
 about that diflridt. 
 
 I! fore the time of Moorihe'd Kuly Khan, 
 the Rajahs ( v) of Tipperah, (2,) Coatch Bahar, 
 (rt) and Af ;. m. (/) preferved v.n entire inde- 
 pencience. They reiuled all obedience to the 
 court of Dchly, ufed the imperial chctr, and 
 coined money in their own names. 
 
 In the Tarikh Afham(r) is the following des- 
 cription of that country. The inhabitants con- 
 fid, of two tribes, the one called Meytch (V) 
 and the other Coatch, (e) to the firfb of which 
 the royal family belong. They have a tradition, 
 
 (y) r<\j in the Hindoovee language, fignifies 
 
 pri:ice. 
 
 ic) &'\?X {d) w ^/ 
 
 that
 
 4 8 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 that one of their ancient Rajahs aflended into 
 heaven by a golen ladder, on which account 
 the Rajahs, his defcendant*, never touch the 
 ground with their tcet ; dwelling always upon 
 a terrace, or platform. All bufinefs of the 
 flate is traniadted by the bhootyas, (/) or no- 
 bility. The Mohammedan religion was not 
 known in Afham till the reign of Huflein Shah, 
 (p-) King of Bengal, who k< pt his court at 
 Lucknowty, (b) now commonly called Gour. 
 (/) The ion of Huflein Shah invaded Amain 
 with a large army; but, being blocked up in the 
 mountains by the Afhamians, they were all 
 taken' pri loners, and condemned to ac.~t as flaves 
 in cultivating the lands. The conquerors al- 
 lowed the vanquiihed the private cxercife of 
 
 (/) W>p 
 
 Or) ^c* 
 
 their
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 49 
 
 their religion, but prohibited them the cere- 
 mony of Ezan (k). 
 
 From the time of the capture of HufTein's 
 fon and his army, no farther attempts were 
 made upon that country, till the acceflion of 
 Aurungzebe, when Shah Shuja (/), who had 
 been appointed Soobahdar of Bengal, Bahar, 
 and OrifTa, by their father Shah Jchan (/), 
 marched to oppofe his brother at the head of a 
 large army. A battle was fought at Kujhweh (), 
 and victory was inclining to the fide of Shah 
 Shuja, when it happened that Aurungzebe, with 
 a fmall party, was at a little diftancc from the 
 main body of his troops, and Aly verdy Khan (o), 
 Shah Shuja's bukhfhy (/>), came to make him 
 
 (k) i*)h\ the ceremony of calling the people to 
 prayers from the minarets of the mofques. 
 
 (/) d^o'^y (m) jlf^is* 
 
 (n) Qjf a village in Allahabad. 
 
 (') {Jn^^ iP) (/K paymafler. 
 
 H ' prifoner.
 
 5 o A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 priibner. But Aurungzcbe, who knew how 
 to turn every accident to his advantage, 
 promifed Alyverdy to make him his vizier (j), 
 if he only would prevail upon Shah Shuja to 
 defcend from his elephant, and get on horfeback. 
 Alyverdy, tempted by this promife, returned 
 to Shah Shuja, and reprefented to him, that 
 although the main body of the enemy's army 
 was thrown into confufion, yet they continued 
 to fling rockets ; and as, while he remained con- 
 fpicuous upon his elephant, by being all aimed 
 at him, one might by accident hit him, he in- 
 treated him to get on horfeback, and to allow 
 him to go in purfuit of Aurungzebe, whom he 
 would engage to make prifoner, in an inftant* 
 No fooner had Shah Shuja decended from his 
 elephant, than the perfidious Alyverdy fent ad- 
 vice thereof to Aurungzebe, who immediately 
 caufed a report to be ipread, that the fortune 
 of the day was changed, and Shah Shuja flain. 
 
 (q) f Ji minifter. 
 
 Shah
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 51 
 
 Shah Shuja's army, not feeing their prince upon 
 his elephant, credited the report, and terror 
 feizing them all, a general flight enfued, and 
 every attempt to rally them proved ineffectual. 
 
 Shah Shuja, thus abandoned by his army, 
 fled to Bengal, and fortifying the paffes of 
 Telliahgurry and Sankreegully, fat himfelf 
 down at Rajehmahl. 
 
 Aurungzebe appointed Manzem Khan (r) 
 Soobahdar of Bengal, and fent him in purfuit 
 of Shah Shuja. 
 
 Mauzem Khan, finding the paffes of Telliah- 
 gurry and Sankreegully fhut againft him, fet off 
 with a detachment of 12000 horfe, and entered 
 Bengal, through the mountains of Bheer- 
 bhoom. 
 
 (r) /*/ \?J2*<* Mauzem Khan is better known 
 
 under the title of Meer Jemlah. ^y> 
 
 H 2 Shah
 
 52 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 Shah Shuja embarked on his fleet, and fep 
 fail for Jehangeernagur; to which place Meer 
 Jemlah followed him by land. The prince, 
 finding himfelf infecure at Jehangeernagur, fled 
 to Afham, and from thence to Arkhung (j), 
 the Rajah of which place being a Mohamcdan, 
 afforded him an afylum. 
 
 When Mauzem Khan arrived at Jehangeerna- 
 gur, he embarked the artillery on board the 
 fleet, with a body of troops, v/hich he fent up 
 the river Berumputter (/) ; and then marched 
 himfelf with the main body of the army, through 
 the mountains, into Coatch Bahar; andfubdued 
 the Rajah of that country. 
 
 He then undertook the conqueft of Afham, 
 to enable himfelf to purfue Shah Shuja in his 
 retreat. After undergoing great fatigues, his 
 army penetrated into the centre of Afham, and 
 
 (j) C^yj of which Aracan is a corruption. 
 
 M 
 
 (f) f~/f, Berumputter. 
 
 v l ' took
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 53 
 
 took by florin the Rajah's principal fortrefs, 
 and palace, where they found confiderable booty. 
 Great numbers of the Afhamians fled to the 
 mountains of Bhoutunt (). The Rajah dif- 
 patched deputies to Meer Jemlah, with confider- 
 able prefents for himfelf; and confented to pay a 
 tribute to the Emperor, to whom he fent his own 
 daughter, with a quantity of gold duft, mufk, 
 different kinds of fluffs, a throne and chairs of 
 ivory, and other rarities of his country, under 
 charge of a nobleman named Budellee Bhoo- 
 kan (V s ), who, after paying his refpects to Meer 
 Jemlah, prepared to fet off for the Emperor's 
 court. 
 
 At this time Meer Jemlah was grievoufly 
 afflicted with a complaint in the liver and kid- 
 neys, which increafing daily, he left Meer Mor- 
 tiza and other officers to maintain the conquefl, 
 
 () j^~-v ^y Bhoutunt is commonly written 
 Boutan, by European authors. 
 
 - and
 
 54 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 and retired to the neighbouring mountains ; but 
 finding no hopes left of recovery, he proceeded 
 to Jchangeemagur, where he died a few days 
 after his arrival. 
 
 Upon the death of Meer Jemlah, the garri- 
 fonswere re-called from Afham ; and the daugh- 
 ter of the rajah, and the peifhkufh, were never 
 fent to the Emperor. 
 
 The ill fuccefs of Mecr Jemlah's expedition 
 effectually prevented any farther attempts to 
 conquer Afham. 
 
 The Berumputtcr, which is rather a fea 
 than a river, the oppofite fhore not being 
 vifible from the banks on this fide, runs through 
 Afham. The fancls of the Berumputtcr abound 
 with gold duft, and the Rajah keeps ten thou- 
 fand men confhntly employed in collecting it. 
 The rains in thofe parts are almoft continual. 
 The country is highly cultivated with different 
 kindsof grain; and aboundswith apples, quinces, 
 
 oranges,
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 5S 
 
 oranges, pears, and feveral forts of wild fruits ; 
 with a great variety of flowers. The mufk deer 
 is a native of Afham. In the forefts are herds 
 of elephants. Here grows a particular kind of 
 grafs, which the Afhamians rub over the bodies 
 of their tame female elephants, and the fcent 
 engaging the wild males to follow them, they 
 are foon taken; and eafily tamed. 
 
 Adjoining to Afham are the mountains of 
 Bhoutunt, where are bred Tanghen (w) horfes, 
 which are brought to Rungpoor for fale. 
 
 The climate of Bhoutunt being feverely cold, 
 the inhabitants are generally clothed in thick 
 woollen dreffes. They have an intercourfe with 
 Cafhmeer (x), by a fhort road over the moun- 
 tains. 
 
 ' > 
 
 (iv) i*jX I a hardy breed of horfes. 
 
 w /? 
 
 As
 
 S 6 A NARRATIVE OF TH 
 
 As foon as the rajah of Afham received ad- 
 vice of the appointment of Moorfhed Kuly 
 Khan to the joint offices of foobahdar and 
 dewan, he fent Budellee Bhookun to him as am- 
 baffador, with an ivory throne and palkee, pods 
 of mufk, and other rarities. His example was 
 followed by the Rajah of Coatch Bahar, who alfo 
 fent an ambafTador with a nuzzir and peifhkufh. 
 The Rajah of Tipperah no longer with-held the 
 cuftomary annual tribute of an herd of ele- 
 phants, and other tokens of fubmiffion. Moor- 
 fhed Kuly Khan, in return, fent them drefles ; 
 and this interchange of prefents and compli- 
 ments became an annual cuflom during the 
 whole time of his government. 
 
 Moorfhed Kuly Khan continued to make the 
 collections through his aumils, by difplacing the 
 zemindars, with a few exceptions, where he 
 found them worthy of trull and confidence. 
 He admitted of no charges of iebundy (j), nor 
 
 (y) (^>r ^ an allowance for lcrvants employed 
 
 in collecting the revenues. 
 
 for
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 57 
 
 for the maintenance of an army. Two thou- 
 fand cavalry and four thoufand infantry were 
 fufficient for all his purpofes. Nazir Ahmed (y), 
 who had been originally a foot foldier, was able 
 to enforce payment of all the revenues of Bengal. 
 The regulations and orders of Moorfhed Kuly 
 Khan were fo abfolute, that the mod: refractory 
 trembled in his prefence; and his commands 
 were lb implicitly obeyed, that it was fufficient 
 to fend a foot foldier to fequefter a zemindary, 
 r puniih an offender at the greateft, diilance. 
 
 He did not allow the inferior zemindars even 
 public accefs ; neither did he permit the Rajahs, 
 or any of his own officers, to be feated in his 
 
 prefence. 
 
 Two days in a week he adminiftcrcd juftice 
 in perfon ; and was fo impartial in his decifions, 
 and rigid in the execution thereof, that no 
 one dared to commit oppreffion. The wolf 
 
 (v) /i;^ 
 
 I and
 
 j8 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 and the lamb lived in harmony together ; the 
 hawk and the partridge dwelt in one neft. His 
 decisions were univerfally famous. 
 
 He prohibited all zemindars and Hindoos 
 from riding in palkecs, and allowed them to 
 make ufe only of flraight bamboos for their 
 chowpalehs. (2,) 
 
 The munfcbdars always attended his court 
 completely armed. In his prcfence, no perfon 
 was allowed to ialute another. Whoever de- 
 viated in the moil inconfiderable point from his 
 general regulations, was fure to experience im- 
 mediately the effects of his refentment. In the 
 arrangements of government he {hewed favour 
 to no one; but never failed to reward merit 
 wherever he found it. He placed not entire 
 confidence in his mutefuudies (#), but required a, 
 
 (2) /J I P a meaner kind of palkce. 
 
 (a) (/>~-> any perfon who has the ehargc of 
 
 accounts. 
 
 daily
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 59 
 daily account of the receipts, expenditures, and 
 balances, which he examined, and then figned 
 with his own hand. On the lafl day of the 
 month he exacted from the khalfeh, the jag- 
 ccrs, the khaflheveefee (), the behleh (V), and 
 Biyootat (d), the amount due, to the uttermoft 
 dam*. Until the monthly inftalments were paid 
 into the royal trcafury, he would not fuffer any 
 body to be at reft. He nut ftricr. moheflils (<?) 
 over the mutefuddies, aumils,' canoongoes, and 
 their ofheers, and confining them in the cutch- 
 
 (b) , -> ^y, f\r an office wherein certain duties 
 
 were collected ; and which alfo had charge of all 
 <:onfifcated property. It has been abolifhed fince 
 the Company's acceffion 10 the dewanny. 
 
 (r) \>y. tne P r i v y purfe ; a tax collected under 
 that name. 
 
 (d) s2-'l*'> the offices : another tax. 
 
 * A) the fortieth part of a rupee. 
 
 I 
 
 (;) l&' a perfon placed over another, to col- 
 lect: money from him. 
 
 I 2, erry.
 
 60 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 crry (/),or in the dewan khaneh(j>),of Chehelfe- 
 toon (i>), where they were refuTed victuals and 
 drink, and not fu fie red to perform the orher 
 neceffary calls of nature. Hircarrahs (/) were 
 alfo employed to difcover if any of the mohif- 
 ieels were bribed to allow them even a drop of 
 water, and they were fometimes kept in this 
 manner fo many days as to be brought to the 
 point of death, and reduced to fk.in and bon^. 
 If their fervants brought them any fuflenance, 
 with the connivance of the mohitfeels, it" d'rf 
 covered, they were feized by the hircarrahs, 
 and feverely pumfhed. To thefe fevcrities 
 
 (f) (J \*-? t the office where the revenues arc 
 cceived. 
 
 (g) *w'i*)\}}j t he hall of audience. 
 
 {h) r / i f^i}'f' literally forty pillars ; the Na- 
 wah's palace, at Moorfhedabad. 
 
 (/') o^S,* a tm\ 
 
 were
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 61 
 
 were added the cruelties of Nazir Ahmed. He 
 ufed to fufpend the zemindars by the heels, 
 and after rubbing the foles of their feet with a 
 hard brick, baftinado them with a fwitch. In 
 the winter, he would order them to be flripped 
 naked, and then fprinkled with wajter. And he 
 alio ufed to have them flogged, till they con- 
 fented to pay the money. 
 
 Moorfhed Kuly Khan employed none but 
 Bengally Hindoos in the collection of the reve- 
 nues, becaufe they are mofteafily compelled by 
 puniihment to difeover their mal practices; and 
 nothing is to be apprehended from their pufil- 
 lanimity. When he difcovered that an au- 
 mil, or zemindar, had diffipated the revenues, 
 and then, falling in balance, was unable to make 
 good the deficiency, he compelled the offender, 
 his wife and children, to turn Mohamedans. 
 
 Odynarain (k), whofe family had long en- 
 joyed the zemindary of Rajefhahy (/), was fo 
 
 * chl-
 
 62 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 diftinguifhed by his abilities and application to 
 bufincfs, that Moorfhed Kuly Khan entrufted 
 him with the fuperintendance of the khalfeh 
 collections ; and placed under his orders Gho- 
 laum Mohammed (m) jemidar (), with two 
 hundred horie. Thejemidar having demanded 
 his pay in a riotous manner, Moorfhed Kuly 
 Khan fent Mohammed Jan (0), one of his chee- 
 lahs (/>), with troops to pOnilh him. A con- 
 flict enfucd near the Rajebary (q), in which the 
 jemidar was killed; and Oudynarain, dreading 
 Moorfhed Kuly Khan'? difpleafure, deftroyed 
 
 (m) J* py 
 
 () >|-tv* a military commander. 
 
 
 (/) *** a ^ ave > born in the family, 
 
 (q) (J ^?,l; the rajah's houfe. 
 
 himfelf,
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 63 
 
 himfelf. The zemindary of Rajefhahy was 
 then conferred upon Ramjewun (r),and Kanoo- 
 khenwer (j), two zemindars on the cafl fide of 
 the Ganges, in confideration of theirhavingbeen 
 more exact in the payment of their rents than 
 the other zemindars of Bengal. 
 
 The collections of the year were always 
 completed by the end of Chcyte (/), and 
 Moorfhed Kuly Khan held the Bengal poon- 
 eah () in the beginning of the month of By- 
 fack (i;). He then difpatched to Dehly the 
 royal revenues, which amounted to a crorc and 
 
 CO cJ^/.f^ W > 'w* 
 
 (/) <Z*z* the laft month of the Bengal year, an- 
 fwering to part of March and April. 
 
 () *"\ in Shanfcrit^ figuifies lucky; and i 
 particularly applied to the hour fixed upon as lucky 
 for commencing the new year's collections. 
 
 (v) *J U^ die firft month of the Bengal year, 
 
 anfwering to part of Apiil and .May. 
 
 thirtv
 
 64 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 thirty lacks of rupees. The bags of treafurc 
 were put into two hundred carts, andefcorted by 
 a guard of 300 cavalry, and 500 infantry, with 
 the darogah of the treaiury. The favings out 
 of thcjagcers, and khaflheveeiy, he remitted 
 feparately. Along with the treafure, he fent 
 for the Emperor, a number of elephants, tan- 
 ghen, and goonth (w) horles, buffaloes, 
 antelopes, hawks, fine linens for the Emperor's 
 own wear, fabricated at Jehangeernagur, fhields 
 made of rhinoceros's hides, Sylhet mats, woven 
 of gold and ivory, mufk, and clothes of Afham, 
 fword blades called bunpafly (#), and many 
 valuable curiofitics in prefents from Europeans. 
 The foobahdar, accompanied by his officers, went 
 with the treafurc about two miles, as far as 
 Jehpayedeh (y) ; and, in order to provide againit 
 accidents, as well as for the information of the 
 
 U,A *L~-~y a very fmall breed of hill horfes 
 
 ciewans
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 65 
 
 Dewans of the prefence, he caufed an account 
 thereof to be entered in the public intelligence, 
 tranfmitted to court by the proper officers. 
 
 It was then the cuftom, that when the trea- 
 sure of Bengal arrived on the borders of Bahar, 
 the foobahdar thereof fent his own efcort to 
 convey it to the fort of Patna, where the carts 
 were changed; and from Bahar it proceeded in 
 like manner through the other Soobahs, till ic 
 reached Dehly, 
 
 The upright and judicious condudt of Moor- 
 Hied Kuly Khan was lb confpicuous, that the 
 Emperor was continually bellowing favours upon 
 him; till at length he obtained the titles of 
 Motcmenul Moolkj Allaeddowlah, Jaffer Khan, 
 Nuffieree, Naffir Jung (2,), with a munfeb of 
 
 the faithful Servant of the Empire, the Glory of the 
 State, fojftr Khan KuJJieree y the viftorious in war. 
 Nu {Tierce is a particular Sect of the Schiitej ; who 
 aiTcrt that Aly was divine, 
 
 K (even
 
 66 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 feven thoufand zat (a) and the ftandards of the 
 fifh (b) and the Merateb (c), and was enrolled 
 amongft the principal Omrahs of the empire. 
 His intcrcft with the emperor was now fo 
 great, that all appointments in Bengal were 
 madefolely at his recommendation; and, with- 
 out his approbation, it was impoffible to obtain 
 the royal afl'ent to any application. If anyone 
 happened to obtain an appointment in Bengal 
 by the means of any of the principal courtiers, 
 J after Khan would not allow him to act. 
 
 The munfebdars, feeing the credit which 
 J after Khan had obtained, were now as eager" 
 
 (a) wlj an aflignment for the fupport of a per- 
 gonal munfeb, or dignity, independent of what is 
 allowed for the payment of his troops. 
 
 (b) /< is a ftandard, with a golden fifh en 
 the top of the ftafF. 
 
 'c) w^~ I * another ftandard, with a golden b^ll on 
 the top of the ftafF. 
 
 to
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 67 
 
 to be Rationed in Bengal, as they had before 
 been anxious to avoid it, and folicited his re- 
 commendation, which always obtained the 
 royal approbation. 
 
 Seif Khan (/), the grandfon of Ameer Khan (<?) 
 
 who was related to the royal family, at the re- 
 
 quefl of Jaffer Khan was ordered to be ftation - 
 
 cd with him- As foon as he arrived in Ben- 
 1 
 
 gal, Jaffer Khan appointed him foujdar (f) 
 of Purnea, and governor of the port of Jilal- 
 gurh (g), on the borders of Morung (b) t 
 together with its rich Jageer Mufhroot of Beer- 
 nagur (/'), commonly called Dehrum poorah (k) 
 and Gowndvvareh (/) which formerly were part of 
 Bahar, but had been lately annexed to Purnea # 
 JafTer Khan offered him in marriage Nefcefeh 
 
 (/) ;\j&,# the chief magiftrate of a di ft rift. 
 
 0) X?. W^Hf/f (l)^h^X 
 
 Khannm, 
 K 2
 
 OS A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 Khanum (///) the daughter of Shuja Mohammed 
 Khan, his fon in law ; but Seif Khan excufed 
 himfelf from accenting the honor intended 
 him; which refufal, however, made no alteration 
 in the behaviour of JafTer Khan ; who, on ac- 
 count of his high defcent, mewed him every 
 kind of favour and refpecT, and remitted all 
 increafe in the revenues of Purnea, in order that 
 he might have the credit of giving him a pro - 
 vifion fuitable to his birth and pretentions. 
 
 Seif Khan being appointed governor of that 
 province, with the moil abfolute powers, expel- 
 led from the zemindary ot Beernagur the fon 
 of Beer Sawh (), who had rebelled, and op- 
 poled him in arms in fcveral actions. He fol- 
 lowed the example of JafFer Khan, and im- 
 prifoning all the zemindars, collected annually, 
 from Purnea, eighteen kicks of rupees, the 
 whole of which was at his difpolal. He after- 
 
 I 
 
 wards
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 69 
 
 wards extended the boundaries, and confiderably 
 increafed the revenues. The zemindar of 
 Morung, intimidated by his power, gave no 
 moleftation, which enabled him to clear away 
 the jungles, and bring into cultivation large 
 tradts of land at the foot of the mountains. 
 JafFer Khan was fully apprized of thole aug- 
 mentations of the collections, and allowed 
 Seif Khan to enjoy them-; whilfl he, in return, 
 always mewed great refpedt to the foobahdar. 
 Every year he paid a vifit to JafFer Khan, at 
 Moorfhedabad, with whom he lived upon terms 
 of brotherly afFedtion. - 
 
 Seif Khan paid his troops half in fpecie, 
 and half in old goods and iurniturc. He alfo 
 ufed to bellow upon his companions and inti- 
 mates, women from his haram (0) ; on which 
 account Taffer Khan ufed to call him Zun 
 
 (0) { s the women's r.partm:-nt : the fcrn^lio. 
 
 Bu '
 
 ;o A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 BukhJJj (/>), or the bejlower of women, and in pri- 
 vate would laugh and ridicule him. 
 
 Purnea is watered by the rivers Cowfee (q) 
 and Sownra (r) : fome parts are very low, and 
 large tracts of cultivated foil are frequently 
 warned away by the cataracts from the moun- 
 tains, during the periodical rains. The pro- 
 ductions of this province are rice, wheat, 
 maih (/), milliard feed and other grain in abund- 
 ance, turmeric, black pepper, large cardamums, 
 fait petre, ghee, and teizpaut (/), which is an 
 aromatic leaf of a large tree. The fruits are 
 few, being only the mangoe, the kuthel (), 
 the pine apple, the lime, and the plantain. 
 
 (s) / r~^ * a thid of vetch. 
 
 (/) i+Z-rl \,~ Indian leaf, Malabathrun^. 
 
 (u) jLvJ by Europeans called jack. 
 
 The
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 71 
 
 The mountains of Morung are fix days jour- 
 ney north of Purnea. Their forefts produce the 
 timber called Bahaderee (v), fo ufeful in build- 
 ing. There is a road over thcfe mountains 
 from Cafllmeer to Niepal (w), but craggy, and 
 in fome parts very fteep. 
 
 Half of the prelent province of Purnea 
 confifts of annexations from Bahar. The fort 
 of Jilalgurh was built to awe the Morungi'ans 
 into obedience. 
 
 Seif Khan had always a ftorc of grain fuffi- 
 cicnt for a year's conlumption, no part of which' 
 was fuffercd to be exported. 
 
 The water of Purnea is very unwholefome, 
 from whence many of the inhabitants are af- 
 flicted with wens in their necks. 
 
 ( v ) 0^)"% hut more commonly called --- L- 
 faltec. 
 
 ' In
 
 72 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 In Purnca, there are not any buildings of 
 brick or '(tone, excepting the fort and the pa- 
 lace called Loll Baugh (.v). 
 
 Cundahgolah (j), on the banks of the Ganges, 
 is a place of great trade; and, on account of the 
 cheapnefs of provifions, well inhabited by peo- 
 ple of all nations. 
 
 The country in general is fertile, and well 
 planted with trees: Sireeneah (z) is mote fruit- 
 ful than Purnea. The ficca (a) rupee, and 
 Morady (b) of Azcemabad, are the coins molt 
 current in this province. 
 
 The Rajah of Morun ufed former!} to 
 make frequent predatory incuriions into Purnea; 
 
 r x ) ? UwJ 
 
 w ' 
 
 (v)J/o>-l (~) -..V ' 
 
 y 
 (a) I"" ficcah is c in in goner; 1 '. ; but is here meant' 
 
 for the ficca rupee. 
 
 {b) (j> \ ' -j a copper coin, about 60 to a rupee. 
 
 but,
 
 GOVERNMENT 6V BENGAL. 73 
 
 But from the dread of the imperial arms, he 
 now refided in the mountains. At firft there 
 were difputes concerning the newly-cultivated 
 lands on the boundary, but Jaffer Khan fent 
 reinforcements to Seif Khan, when the Ra- 
 jah fled to the mountains * after which the 
 troops returned. His tribute confifts of 
 hawks. FromCundahgolahtoMorung, which is 
 ten days journey, the country of Purnea is a 
 fine open plain. The Morung mountains have a 
 communication with Coatch Bahar, and A (ham. 
 
 Jaffer Khan did riot forget Derpnarain's ob- 
 ftinacy, in having formerly refufed to authen- 
 ticate his accounts; but the fuddercanoongoc be- 
 ing an officer of great importance and authori- 
 ty, holding his appointment from the emperor, 
 totally independent of the foobahdar, he was 
 afraid to put him to death without a crime, and 
 therefore endeavoured to entangle him. Jaffer 
 Khan con ill! ted him upon all the bufinefs of the 
 khalfeh, which lulled him into a fatal fecuri- 
 ty ; till an opportunity prefented itfelf for the 
 L accom-
 
 74 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 accomplishment of the foobahdar's defign. At 
 the death of Bhooput Roy the de van, his fon 
 Gholab Roy (c) being found incapable of tranf- 
 
 acYtng the duties of that ftation, JafFer Khan 
 conferred upon Derpnarain the office of peifh- 
 kar (d) of the khallch. He now had the en- 
 tire direction of all affairs relative to the reve- 
 nues, and the government: of the country. Jaffer 
 Khan narrowly watched all his motions, hoping 
 that by having thus extended his power, he 
 would entangle himfelf fome way or other. But 
 Derpnarain had a thorough knowledge of cverv 
 particular concerning the ftate of Bengal, and 
 was only anxious to recommend himfelf by the 
 faithful diicharge of his duty. By the molt 
 minute inveftigation, and by the reduction of 
 expenccs, he made a fettlement of the revenues 
 of a crore and fifty lacks of rupees, and which 
 he actually realized in the khallch. By refum- 
 
 / 
 
 '~'j 
 
 (ci, . ta,.*.. !'"' leeoiul in cflice. 
 
 m<
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 75 
 
 ing the nankars of the zemindars, and collect- 
 ing a larger revenue than had ever been paid 
 into the royal treafury, he brought upon him- 
 felf the envy and ill will of all. 'After thefe 
 important fervices, Jailer Khan taxed him with 
 malvcrfation ; and, under pretence of feminiz- 
 ing his accounts, kept him in clofe confinement ; 
 and is accufed of having there ftarved him to 
 death. ,On the demife of Derpnarain, ten fix- 
 teenths of the canoongouey were given to his fon 
 Shewnarain (V); and to Joynarain, the man who 
 had figned Jaffer Khan's accounts, were left only 
 fix tenths of that office. 
 
 Zya eddeen Khan (f) foujdar (g) of Hooghly, 
 becaufc he had obtained his office from Alum- 
 
 (e) L\f}/5z'-~' this new tlivifion of the office 
 mud have been made with the approbation of Alutn- 
 gecr. 
 
 (?) J \j*,f the chief magiftrate of a diftricl. 
 
 L 2 geer,
 
 76 A NA1UATIVEOF THE 
 
 geer, confidcred himfelf totally independent of 
 Jaffer Khan's authority, and paid no regard to 
 his orders. But upon Jaffer Khan's representing 
 to Alumgcer the inconvenience of divided 
 authorities, he annexed the foujdary of Hoogh- 
 ly to the Nizamut. Jaffer Khan immediately 
 difmiffed Zya eddeen from the foujdary, and 
 appointed Wullee Beg (h) to fuccced him. 
 When Wullee Beg arrived at Hooghly, the 
 degraded foujdar came quietly out of the 
 fort, with intention of repairing to the Em- 
 peror. But Wullee Beg having fummoned 
 Kinkcr Sain (/), the late peifhkar, to render 
 his accounts, Zya eddeen would not allow him 
 to be carried away, and prepared to defend him. 
 Upon this Wullee Beg blocked up the road, to 
 prevent the march of Zya eddeen; who, being 
 fecretly aflifted by the French and Dutch, in- 
 trenched himfelf on the plain of Chandernag- 
 gur (I). Wullee Beg advanced with his army 
 
 S . , SS / 
 
 w-bj-'j Wii-K-^ <*>A 
 
 . ' 
 
 .V 
 
 to
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 77 
 
 to the tank (/) of Daybee Dofs (/), about a 
 mile and a half in front of the intrenchment. 
 Here he alfo threw up works, and wrote to JafFer 
 Khan for fuccour. In the interim flight fkir- 
 mifhes enfued, till Mulla Ruftam Turany () 
 the naib of Zya eddeen, and Kinker Sain, his 
 peifhkar, having obtained arms and ammuni- 
 tion from the French and Dutch, marched out 
 into the plain, and challenged Wullee Beg to 
 come to an action ; but he prudently kept 
 within his intrenchment, waiting the ar-t 
 rival of the fupplies expected from Jaffer 
 Khan. Shortly after, there arrrived from Jaffer 
 Khan a reinforcement of cavalry and infantry, 
 commanded by Dulput Singh (0), who brought 
 with him a threatening perwannah (/>) to the 
 
 {/) ^H"a pond. 
 
 / ~ I 
 
 [0) -l^^-h 
 
 (/>) ^l^jy a letter under a great feal. 
 
 Europeans,
 
 ;8 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 Europeans, for prefuming to protect a rebel. 
 Zya eddeen, ncvcrthclefs, by the advice of his 
 Luropcan friends, fought to take Dulput Singh 
 by furprizc; and, under pretence of negotiating 
 a treaty, fent a meffenger with a letter couched 
 in terms of friendfhip. In order to render the 
 meffenger more confpicuous, they tvrifled round 
 his head a red ihawl. The meffenger, con- 
 formably to his inilructions, engaged Dulput 
 Singh in converfation on the top of the in- 
 trench ment, when an European gunner took 
 aim with a cannon, and mot him dead upon the 
 fpot. Zya eddeen handfomcly rewarded the 
 gunner whole null gained him the victory; for 
 Dulput's men, being left without a leader, quit- 
 ted their intrenchment, and fled with Wullce 
 Beg to the fort of Hooghly. Zya eddeen took 
 this opportunity to march to Dehly, where he 
 died a few days after his arrival. After his 
 death, Kinker Sain returned from Dehly to 
 Moorfhcdabad, and, without betraying any 
 ilgns of fear, waited upon Jaffcr Khan, who ap- 
 parently forgave him, but bore him a grudge 
 
 in
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 79' 
 
 in his heart. He appointed him ahdahdar (q) 
 of the Chuckla (V) of Hooghly, and at the 
 end of the year, when he came to Moorfheda- 
 bad, confined him on pretence of malverfation. 
 He ordered him to be fed with nothing but 
 buffaloes milk and fait, which occafioning a dis- 
 order in the bowels, he died foon after his return 
 to Hooghly. 
 
 Upon the death of Syed Ekeram Khan, the 
 naib dewan of Bengal, Jafier Khan appointed to 
 that office Syed Rezee Khan (s) f the hufband of 
 Nefeeieh Khanum, his <rrand-dau?hter bv Shuia 
 Khan. This Syed Rezee was remarkable for 
 his pride and cruelty, and exerciied feveral new 
 ipecies of feveritv on the zemindars and aumils 
 who fell in arrears. 
 
 ['{) jh'^> p an oIFiccr of the revenues, who maKes 
 hiinfcli" refponfible for the collections. 
 
 
 {'') ~'\ ; - <tivii:on, confiding of fcvcral pergun- 
 
 a ! 
 
 CO osj;.^ 
 
 * He
 
 to A NARRATIVE OF T ft E 
 
 He ordered a pit to be dug, about the height 
 of a man, which was filled with human excre- 
 ment, infuch a ftate of putrefaction as to be full 
 of worms, and the flench was fo ofFenfive, that 
 it aimolt fuffocated whoever came near it ; and 
 becaufe, in the Hindoovee language, Hiekoont (/) 
 fignifies Paradifc ,Syed RezeeKhan, in contempt 
 of the Hindoos, called this infernal pit by 
 that name. The zemindars or aumils who fail- 
 ed in their payments, after undergoing the 
 ieverities before delcribed, were 'lucked in this" 
 pit. He alio ufed to oblige them to wear 
 leather long drawers, filled with live eats. He 
 would force them to drink buffaloes milk mixed 
 with fait, till he brought them to death's door 
 by a diarrhoea. By these means he ufed to col- 
 lect the revenues to the uttermoft dam. 
 
 Jaffa - Khaii, at the end of the year, after 
 letting apart the royal revenues, which werefixed 
 
 (0 \r. 
 
 ar
 
 GOVJiKNMENT OF BENGAL. 8e 
 
 at a crore and thirty lacks, ufed to bury the 
 furplus collections, and the profits* which he 
 derived from the jageers. 
 
 Jaffer Khan being fenfible that the profperity 
 of Bengal, and the increafe of the revenues, de- 
 pended upon its advantageous commerce, particu- 
 larly that carried on by the mips from Europe 
 fhewed great indulgence to merchants of every 
 description, but was, however, rather partial to 
 the Moghuls. He was jealous of the growing 
 power of the Europeans in Bengal, and pofitively 
 prohibited them from fortifying their factories 
 with baftions or ditches. 
 
 The encouragement which was given to trade 
 by Jaffer Khan, who directed that nothing but 
 the eitabliflied rate of duties mould be exacted, 
 foon made the port of Hooghly a place of great 
 importance. Many wealthy merchants, who 
 refidcd there, had mips of their own, on which 
 they traded to Arabia, Pcrfia, and other coun- 
 tries. 
 
 M The
 
 82 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 The Engltfh factory at Hooghly, which was 
 fnuated clofc to Ghowlghaut (u) and Moghul- 
 poorch (v), funk at once into the river, in the 
 middle of the day, whilft the Englifh were at 
 dinner. A few lives were loft, and the reft 
 efcaped with difficulty; but their merchandize, 
 and property of every defcription, totally perifh- 
 cd. Mr. Charnock, their chief, looked out for 
 a proper fpot for a new factory, and pitched 
 upon the garden of Bannaraffy (w), the Englifh 
 Company's Gomafhtah (t), fituated at Ghowl- 
 ghaut, clofe to the river. He bought the ground, 
 and, without afking permimon from the govern- 
 ment, began to build a new factory, which he 
 furrounded with a ditch, and fortified with baf- 
 tions. When the factory was nearly finifhed, 
 and the furrounding wall entirely completed, 
 the moghuls and native merchants who lived in 
 the neighbourhood of Moghulpoorch, com- 
 
 (w) ,fAz {x).J>'\} a fador. 
 
 i) la: ncu
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 83 
 
 plained to the foujdar, Meer Naffir (_y), that 
 they were overlooked from the terraces of the 
 houfes in the new factory, fome of which were 
 two flories high. The foujdar did not choofe 
 to interfere immediately in the difputes between 
 the native and European merchants, without 
 cxprefs orders from Jaffer Khan, and therefore 
 wrote to him on the fubject: the moghuls alfo 
 repaired to Moorfhedabad, where they made 
 heavy complaints of the encroachments of the 
 Englifh, which operated fo far with Jaffer Khan, 
 that he fent a perwannah to the foujdar, wherein 
 he was pofitively ordered to prohibit any further 
 progrefs in the conftruction of the new factory. 
 The foujdar communicated to the Englifh the 
 purport of the Nawab's (z) order. The work- 
 men immediately refufed to go on with the 
 building, and dcferted ; and thus the factory 
 was left half finifhed. Mr. Charnock having at 
 
 w As' 
 
 (?) w-^jy corruptly written nabob. 
 
 M 2 
 
 I IMS
 
 8 4 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 this time but a fmall number of troops, and 
 only one fhip, was not in a condition to main- 
 tain his ground by refiftance. He, therefore, 
 contented himfelf with fetting fire to all the 
 houfes on the fide of the river ; and embarking 
 his men on board the fhip, weighed anchor to 
 go to fea. The foujdar fent orders to the 
 tannahdar (a) at Mukhwah () to fieze the 
 fhip. The tannahdar accordingly ran across 
 the iivcr a ftrong iron chain, which had bten 
 provided fome time before to impede the 
 incurfions of the pirates of Arkung, and the 
 Mughs (r), who were ufed to infeft the river. 
 The fhip was flopped for fome time, but at lafc 
 Mr. Charnock contrived to break the chain, and 
 fet fail for the coaft of Coromandel. 
 
 ()y'.vl/ a commander of a fmall fort, or 
 
 i 
 
 of a body of ftationary guards. 
 
 (r) V* a favage race of people, who inhabit the 
 
 country bordering upon Tipperah. 
 
 Tlure
 
 GOVERNMENT Of BENGAL. 85 
 
 c 
 There happened at that time to be a grea 
 
 fcarcity of grain in Alumgeer's camp in the 
 Dccan ; and the Englifh fettlements in the Car- 
 natic (d) having beeri very active in fending 
 fupplies by their fhip?, Mr. Charnoclc met with 
 fuch a favourable reception from the Emperor, 
 hat he obtained a firmaun, confirming the Eng" 
 lifh Company in all the privileges which they 
 had before enjoyed, and permitting them to erect 
 a new factory in Bengal; and in lieu of the duty 
 of two and a half per cent, collected at the port 
 of Hooghly from the mips of the Englifh Com- 
 pany, the Emperor accepted of an annual 
 pcimkufh of three thoufand rupees. When 
 Mr. Charnock returned to Bengal with the im- 
 perial firmaun (<?), he fent vakeels with valuable 
 prcfents to JafFer Khan, who, in compliance 
 
 {/) i*J j9 a regal mandate, or edict. 
 
 with
 
 S6 A NARRATIVE Of THE 
 
 with the Emperor's edict, gave the Englifh 
 permiilion to erect a factory at Calcutta (/) *. 
 
 Formerly 
 
 (/) 
 
 & 
 
 * The monument of Job Charnock is in the 
 Calcutta Church-yard, and has the following in- 
 fcription : 
 
 D. O. M. 
 
 Jobus Charnock, Armigr 
 Anglus, et nup. in hoc 
 Regno Bengalensi, 
 Dignijfim Angloru 
 
 Agens. 
 Afortalitatis fua exuvias 
 Suh hoc marmorc depe/uit, ut . 
 in fpe beat a refurrectionn ad 
 Chrijii 'Judicis advent um 
 
 obdormirent 
 fOhii pojlquam in fob non 
 Juo percgrinatus ejjet diu, 
 reverjus e/l domum fua eter- 
 nitat'n dec i mo die Jauuarii^ 
 1692. 
 
 In clearing away the ground, for the foundation 
 of the new church, there was dug up a flab of 
 black ftone, with the following inferiptions : 
 
 Under
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAR. 87 
 
 Formerly Satgong was a very confiderable 
 city, and the refidence of the foujdarand other 
 
 officers 
 
 Under this ftonc lyes interred 
 the Body of 
 WILLIAM HAMILTON, Surgeon, 
 Who departed this Life 
 4th December, 
 1717. 
 His memory ought to be dear to this nation, for 
 the credit he gained the Englifh, in curing Fer- 
 rukseer, the prefent King of Indostan, of a 
 malignant diftemper j by which he made his own 
 name famous at the court of that great Monarch ; 
 and, without doubt, will perpetuate his memory, as 
 well in Great Britain, as other nations of Europe. 
 
 " / : i. . ' 
 
 JiAzXi 3 J I \f < i ,S) > j \, y ? J j (J IS3-! 3 5 J 
 
 " ~ // 
 
 In
 
 82 A NAKRATIVE OF THE 
 
 officers of the government; but, having been 
 very much impaired by the encroachments of 
 the river, they removed to Hooghlv, which foon 
 became a fiourifhing city. 
 
 The mild and equitable conduct of the 
 F.nglifh, in their new fettlemcnt, gained them 
 the confidence and efteem of the natives; which, 
 joined to the conlideration of the privileges and 
 immunities which the Company enjoyed, in- 
 duced numbers to remove thither with their 
 
 In English, thus : 
 
 William Hamilton, Phyfcian, in the Service 
 cf the Englifh Company , who had accompanied the Eng- 
 lifh Ambaffador to the enlightened pre fence, and hav- 
 ing made his own name jamous in the four quarters of 
 the Earth, by the cure of the Emperor ', the afylum of 
 the world, Mohammed Ferrukhseer, the victo- 
 rious; and with a thou [and difficulties, having obtained 
 permifion from the Court, which is the refuge of the 
 univcrjc, to return to his country ; by the Divine 
 decree, on the fourth of December, one thoufand feven 
 hundred and Jeventcen, died, in Calcutta, and is buried 
 here. 
 
 families ;
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 89 
 
 families ; fothat in a fhort time Calcutta became 
 an extenfive and populous city. 
 
 Sittaram (g), the zemindar of pergunnah (h) 
 M^hmoodabad (/), en ertained a band of rob- 
 bers, with whom he u fed to infefl the roads, and 
 earn off the cattle from the neighbouring coun- 
 try ; and, when purfued, they took refuge in the 
 jungles and lakes. Abu Toorab (k), the 
 foujdar of the Chuckla of Bhoofnah (/), in 
 Sircar (w) Mahmoodabad, was a fyed (), 
 related to the imperial houfe of Timour, 
 and moreover a man of great abilities; but 
 being above" courting the favour of Jaffer 
 
 ii) flA 
 
 (h) *' y a divilion, confiding of a number of 
 villages. 
 
 i 
 
 (m) J0^ a divifion, confiding of a number of 
 per^unuahs. 
 
 () >-~ v a defcendant of Mohammed, by Ali and 
 
 his daughter Fatima. 
 
 N Khan,
 
 $o A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 Khan, the latter flighted him ; and his eftablifh- 
 ment was fo fmall and ill paid, that he \va$ 
 obliged to fuflfer thefe enormities of Sittaram, 
 for want of a fuiHcicnt force to oppofe him. 
 Whenever he received any fupplies, he lint a 
 party after thefe freebooters, who then retreat- 
 ed to their hiding places till they had tired out 
 their purfuers, when they returned to their for- 
 mer practices. At lafl Abu Toorab entertained 
 Peer Khan (0), a jemidar -.(/>),' with two hundred 
 horic, whom he lent inpurfuitof Sittaram and 
 his band. Sittaram, receiving intelligence there- 
 of, placed a party in ambufh to cut off the jemi- 
 dar and his men. Abu Toorab was at this time 
 Upon a hunting party, with a few attendants and 
 friends; Sittaram, miflaking him for Peer Khan, 
 gave orders for him to be followed and at- 
 tacked. Although he cried out to the allailins, 
 that he was Abu Toorab, they would not liiten 
 to him, but put him to death. When Sittaram 
 
 (p) j\ '<-**. a contraction of ^bw/^ 7 , Je- 
 ;:;3itdar, a military commander, 
 
 came
 
 bOVEfcNMEN.T Of BENGAL. 91 
 
 Carrie up arid few Abu Toorab lying dead upon 
 <:he ground/ he bewailed his death, beat his 
 head againft the earth, and told his follo.vers 
 that Jaff^r Khan would revenge the injury, by 
 llcaing him and them alive, and by defolating 
 all the country of Mahmoodabad. The body 
 of Abu Toorab was carried to Bhoofnah, and 
 interred there. 
 
 When TafFer Khan received intelligence of 
 the murder of Abu Toorab, he was greatly 
 alarmed, being apprehenfive of incurring 
 the difpleafure of Alum^eer. for the neglect 
 that had been (hewn to this great man. He 
 appointed his own brother-in-law Bukhfh Aly 
 Khan (q) foujdar of Bhoofriah, and lent him, 
 with a confiderable force, to apprehend Sittaram 
 and his party. Perwannihs were ifflied to all 
 the neighbouring zemindars, to aflalt in feizing 
 Sittaram, and threatening, that if he was allow- 
 ed to make his efcape through any of their 
 
 N 2 zemin-
 
 pa A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 zemindarries, they Ihould be expelled from tjieir 
 lands, and fuffcr other puniihments. They 
 accordingly hemmed him in on alt fides, tiit 
 the arrival of Bukhfh Aly Khan, who feized 
 Sittaram, his women, children, and accomplices, 
 and lent them in chains to Moorlhedubad. 
 Jaffer Khan condemned Sittaram to have his 
 head enclofed in a raw hide, and after being 
 impaled alive, to be hung on a tree, on the 
 high road from Moorfliedabad to Jehan- 
 gecrnagur and Bhoofnah, for an example to 
 other zemindars. The wives, children anil 
 accomplices of Sittaram, were condemned to 
 luffcr perpetual imprifonment at M .hmoodabad. 
 His zemindarry was given to Ramjewun ; and 
 all his property confilcated into the khaflhe- 
 veefv. The proceedings were entered in the 
 public records ; and Jafllr Khan alio wrote a 
 representation theieof to the Emperor. 
 
 When Alumgeer died in the Dc khan, Behader 
 Sheh (;), his eldefc fon, mounted the throne at 
 
 Dchly,
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 93 
 
 Dehly, when he afuimed the title of Shah 
 Alum (j), and proved a wife and juft pjrince. 
 Contrary to the politicks purfued by his father, 
 he fet at liberty aU the princes of the royal fa- 
 mily whom he had confined, and made them his 
 companions; and, by hiscondefccnfion andkind- 
 nefs, attached them heartily to his interefr. 
 Jaffer Khan fcnt him a nuzzir and peiftikufh, 
 and obtained a khelut (/), with a confirmation 
 of his former funnud (). 
 
 Azeem us Shan, who was at this time foo- 
 bahdar of Bahar, left Sirbullend Khan, his naib, 
 at Patna, and repaired himfclf to Dehly. 
 
 Sultan Ferukhfeer, a fhort time before the 
 inauguration of Shah Alum, had come from 
 
 (s) y w I"" the king of the world, 
 i 
 
 (0 1 *_ ^ *** a drefs given to a perfon inverted 
 
 with a new office. 
 
 () ^~~/ a grant. 
 
 Jehan-
 
 94. A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 Jehangccrnagur to Moorfhedabad, where he 
 took up his refidence at Loll Bargh (w), with 
 the permiflion of JafTlr Khan, who gave him 
 a very kind reception, and appointed for him 
 an eftablifhment fukuble to his rank. 
 
 After a reign of feven years, Shah Alum died, 
 and his eldeif. ion, fultan Moezcddccn (a), with 
 the affiftance of AfT.id Khan the vizier, and 
 fome others of the nobility, after killing Azeem 
 us Shan in battle, fuccecih d to the empire. Jaf- 
 fer Khan fent him the ufual prefents, and he, 
 in imitation of his prcdccelibrs, confirmed 
 the funnud of JafTer Khan, who had invariably 
 obierved the utmod punctuality in remitting 
 the revenues or" Bengal to the reigning Em- 
 peror. 
 
 (iy) v i^"V 
 
 <y 
 
 (x) . - > I '-V* the elory of region : ca'lcd alfo 
 
 fiwV )/- l , r jchandar Shah, or the pofTtfibr of the 
 
 world. 
 
 When
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 95 
 
 When fultan Ferukfeer firft entertained 
 thoughts of dethroning Moezeddeen, he ap- 
 plied to JafF:r Khan for fupplies of money and 
 troops. But he pofitively refufed, declaring 
 that no consideration ihould make him dcrnrr. 
 from his duty to his lawful fovereign. Ferukh- 
 feer did not prefs JafFer Khan any farther, but 
 depending folely upon fortune, begin his march 
 from Bengal at the head of a very inconfiderable 
 body of men, with the royal artillery, which he 
 had brought from Jehani;eernao;ur. On his' 
 arrival at Bahar, a party proclaimed him Empe- 
 ror, when he railed contributions from the 
 merchants of that province. He m irehed from 
 th.-nce to Ben iris (v), where he wanted to bor- 
 row a crore of rupees from Nagger Seat (s), 
 and other merchants; to be repaid as foon as he 
 mould be fixed on the throne: and he actually 
 obtained fome lacks from them on thofe condi- 
 tions. Syed Abdullah Khan (a), andSyed HaiTan 
 Aly Khan (/>), the two brothers, who were Na- 
 
 . ~ .. /
 
 96 ANARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 zimsofOudh and Allahabad, being diiTattsfied 
 with Jehandar Shah, joined Ferukhfeer with an 
 army, and fupplied him with the trcafure of 
 borhfoobahs; and, through their powerful in- 
 tereft, railed him to the throne. The Bengal 
 trcafure from J.iffer Khan, which, on account of 
 the difputes about the empire, Shujaeddecn 
 Mahommed Khan, the darogha, had depofited 
 in the garden of Shehr Ara (d), under a 
 guaid of three hundred cavalry, was alfo feized 
 by them, and enabled them to entertain a 
 large army. Syed Haflan A!y Khan, in return 
 for his eminent fervices, was railed to the viza- 
 rut. 
 
 Ferukhfeer being greatly difTatisfied at the 
 condudt of JafTer Khan, appointed to the foo- 
 badary of Bengal, Rafheed Khan (V), the elder 
 brother of Afrafiab Khan {/), commonly called 
 Mirza Ajmeery^), of a noble and eminent ia- 
 
 miiv
 
 G OVER N MEN T OF BENGAL. 97 
 
 mily in Benga', and had been in the royal fer- 
 vice ; hocarried with him an army in order to 
 difpoffefs Jaffer Khan, who was fo little alarm- 
 ed at this invafion, that he did not think it nc- 
 ceflary to raife a fingde recruit. 
 
 Ralheed Khan entered Bengal through the 
 paffes of Teiliahgurry and Sankreegully. Jaffer 
 Khan quietly waited his arrival at Moorfheda- 
 bad. Early in the morning, when Rafheed Khan 
 was advanced within three cols of the city, 
 Jaffer Khan lent off a detachment cf two thou- 
 sand horfe and foot, commanded by Meer Ben- 
 p-aliy (/3), and Syed Anwer Jovvnpoory (/). A 
 battle enfued, when Sycd Anwer was flain, and 
 Meer Bengally obliged to retreat. When ; 
 ler Khan receive! intelligence of this defeat, 
 he lent a reinforcement of cavalry under the 
 command of Mohammed Jan, the foujdar of 
 Moorfhcdabad, and loon after followed him 
 himfelf on an elephant, with all the troops lie 
 
 m )/: 
 
 
 O could
 
 9 8 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 could collect together. Another battle wa<5 
 fought on the plain of Kurreemabacl *, adjoin- 
 ing to the city. The prefence of Jaffer Khan 
 giving vigour to his troops, they made a fierce 
 attack upon the enemy ; and Rafheed Khan* 
 being flain by an arrow from the hand of Meer 
 Bengally, his army was totally routed, and 
 many taken prifoners. 
 
 Jaffer Khan returned in triumph to the city ; 
 and ordered that the heads of Rafheed Khan and 
 his party, mould be thick in a pyramid, on the 
 high road to'Dehly* 
 
 Ferukhfeer, on his way to Dehly, before 
 he had come to an engagement with Jehandar 
 Shah, heard of the fate of Rafheed Khar., an 1 
 was ailiamed at havino- thus exnofed his own 
 weaknefs. 
 
 * < ' y J It is at prcfent covered with hoiill ; 
 
 ami forms a part of t!v: city o f Moor.hc.bbad. 
 
 A-
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 99 
 
 As foon as Ferukhfeer had depofed Jehandar 
 Shah, and raifed himfelf to the throne, Jaffer 
 Khan fent him the nfual nnzzir, and peilhkuih, 
 and remitted to him the accuftomary revenues 
 of Bengal, as he had punctually done to all his 
 predeceflbrs. Ferukhfeer, hereupon, confirmed 
 Jaffer Khan in his foobahdary. 
 
 Futtchchund Seat (), the nephew and go. 
 mfhatahof Nugger Seat Manickchund (/), who 
 had rendered very important fervices to Jaffer 
 Khan, was by him recommended to the favour 
 of the Emperor; who, in confequence, conferred 
 upon him the title of Jugget Scat (), and ap- 
 pointed him banker to the Bengal treafury. 
 
 On the death of Syed Rezee Khan, dc wan 
 of Bengal, the Emperor Ferukfeer, at the in- 
 
 treaty of Jaffer Khan, appointed to that of- 
 
 O2 fice
 
 ioo A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 fiec his grandibn, Mirza Affedullah (), the Ton 
 of Sluija eddeen Mohammed Khan, nazim of 
 Oriffa. With this appointment, Affedullah 
 obtained the title of Sirafraz Khan (0). 
 
 It is the cuftom of the Empire, that, on the 
 death of an aumeer, or munfebdar, who is the 
 immediate fervant of the crown, all his wealth 
 is confifcated, and becomes the property of the 
 government; infomucli, that not a grain of . his 
 eflate goes to his children or family; and even 
 the corpfe is unprovided with a winding meet. 
 Jaffer Khan had no fori ; but, out of his regard 
 for his grandibn, had the fore-fight to purchafe, 
 from the income of his own jageer, in the 
 name of Mirza Affedullah, (better known by his 
 title of Sirafraz Khan) the zemindary of the 
 city of Moorfhedabadj fituatcd in the pcrgunnah 
 of Koolhcriah of Kifmut Chunahkholly, from 
 Mohammed Aman, atalookdar of the aforefaid 
 Kifmut and had it regiftcred in the books 
 
 () vi m\ l\ (, >j'~- Jills' 
 
 r 
 Oi
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 101 
 
 of the khalfeh and of the canoongoes, under 
 thedefcription of Aflednagur; and which became 
 known by the appellation of the Khafs Talook. 
 The reafon for Jafler Khan's conduct herein, 
 was, that in cafe of a decline of fortune, there 
 might be left for his pofterity a plate of victuals, 
 a bare competency to fufhiin the vital fpirit : 
 and that after paying the royal revenue, the 
 profit might come to them, and their name re- 
 main, and be preferved in the pages of time. * 
 
 * As this pnffage is curious, we have been nearly 
 literal in the translation ; and, for the fatisfa&ion of 
 Perfian readers, have fubjoined the original : 
 
 A f * i ' ' I ' i f i ' 
 
 (ji vr . y t*. u- 
 
 J-i-'rt ' /--^. L r r J ';' 1 <J '-> l^f's <<c-*i 
 * f ^ i' " y 
 
 "jvJwjC'l r. < 7 ^'3 '/ r^J P** y ^,- M 
 
 > ., ^ A 
 
 He
 
 ioi A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 He conferred the office of naib of Jehangeer- 
 nagur upon Mirza Lutfullah (/>), the fon in la\y 
 of Shuja Khan; and he alfo obtained for him 
 the title of Moorfhcd Kuly Khan. 
 
 When Syed Abdullah Khan, the vizier, and 
 his brother Syed Hafian Aly Khan, found that 
 Fcrukhfecr wanted to make himfelf indepen- 
 dent of heir authority, they put him to death, 
 and raifed to the throne Raffeih ul Kuddcr (y). 
 
 / . ....... y y 
 
 
 
 Bengal
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 103 
 
 Bengal did not experience any inconvenience 
 from the change of Emperors, as Jaffer {Chan 
 was afraid of no one, but ruled with abfolute 
 fway ; and during his government, the country 
 never fuffercd from any invafion. 
 
 The Germans *, who are an European tribe, 
 at fir ft traded to Bengal, through the medium 
 of the French, who at length exerted their in- 
 rereft fo far, in behalf of thefe new comers, 
 that Jaffer Khan accepted of their nuzzir, and 
 granted them permiflion to creel: a factory at 
 Banky bazar (r). At firft they dwelt in ftraw 
 buildings-, but afterwards, at a great expence, 
 erected a factory of brick, which they fur- 
 rounded with a wall flanked with baffcions ; and 
 cut a ditch, communicating with the river, of 
 fuch a fize, as to admit (loops of confiderable 
 burthen. They now inconfiderately boafted, 
 that they would under fell all the other Ivurope- 
 
 * The Oft end Company. 
 / \ \ '' tf
 
 io 4 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 ans, which excited the jealoufy and iecret re- 
 lentment of the Englilh and Dutch, who fup- 
 plied the Moghul merchants with money to en- 
 gage Ahienullah Khan, the foujdar of Hooghly, 
 to make complaints againftthc Germans to Jaffer 
 Khan, and to fet forth the danger of fuffcring 
 them to poflefs a place of fuch ftrength. Jaffer 
 Khan, on thofe reprefentations, fent a perwannah 
 to the foujdar, commanding him to hinder 
 them from proceeding any farther with the forti- 
 fications ; but they pretended to difbelieve his 
 having fuch orders, and could not be prevailed 
 upon to defile. 'Violent difputes enfued, which 
 led to open hoflilites on both fides. Meer Jaf- 
 fer (j), the naib foujdar, threw up an intrench- 
 ment, to defend himfelf from the fhot of the can- 
 non; and the pafTageot the river tor boats was en- 
 tirely flopped. The French nowfecretly aided 
 the Germans with arms and ammunition, whilft 
 thev openlv pretended to aflifl in negotiating a 
 treatv, through the mediation of Kho ; eh Mo- 
 
 hammed
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 105 
 
 hammed Fazel Cafhmeery (/), one of the prin- 
 cipal merchants of Hooghly. Khojeh Mo- 
 hammed Kamel (), the eldefl fon of that 
 merchant, who was employed in going back- 
 wards and forwards upon the buiinefs, the 
 Germans feized, by the advice of their friends, 
 the French. The other Europeans, the Arme- 
 nians, and theMoghuls, entreated for his releafe ; 
 and for fear of his being put to death, the naib 
 foujdar fufpended the military operations for 
 two or three days. At length the merchant was 
 obliged to purchafe his liberty with a large funi 
 of money; and to give good aiTurances, that the 
 treaty mould fpeedily be concluded, to the fa. 
 tisfacYion of the Germans. At this juncture, 
 the foujdar, by his threats, prevailed upon the 
 French to withdraw their affiftance; when he fo 
 blockaded the Germans, by land and water, 
 that they were almolt Harmed, having been de- 
 ferted by all their native fervants. The garri- 
 
 V Ion
 
 io6 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 fon confifted only of an officer, and thirteen 
 other Germans, who ferved the guns them- 
 felves, and kept up fuch a conftant fire, that 
 the foujdar dared not flir out of his intrench- 
 ment. At laft the German officer had the mif- 
 fortune to lofe his right arm by a cannon ball, 
 upon which he embarked his men on board his 
 fhip the fame night, and fet fail for Europe. In 
 the morning, when the enemy took poffeffion of 
 the factory, they found nothing in it but a few 
 guns and fome fhells. After levelling the forti- 
 fication with the ground, Meer Jaffer returned 
 to Hooghly- 
 
 Shuja Khan (v), and Nejabut Khan (w), 
 two Afghan zemindars of Tunghee Seroo- 
 poor (x), in Sircar Mahmoodabad, after com- 
 nitring feveral highway robberies in their own 
 diiV.ict, and making depredatory incurfions 
 into the neighbouring zemindarries, at length 
 
 '^.^^/^ty 
 
 {?) ijvfji (w) ij^ }r (*) 
 
 had
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 107 
 
 had the boldnefs to feize fixty thoufand rupees 
 of the revenues of Mahmoodabad, on the way 
 to the treafury at Moorihedabad. The zemin- 
 dars carried their complaints to JafFer Khan, 
 who fent proper perfons, to make enquiry on 
 the fpot ; and when he received their report, 
 authenticated by the fignatures of the canoon- 
 goes and the officers of the collections, he 
 ordered the foujdar of Hooghly to apprehend 
 the offenders. The foujdar, having come upon 
 the Afghans by furprize, feized them without 
 oppofition, and lVnt them in chains to Moor- 
 fhedabad. Jaffer Khan confiscated all their 
 property, transferred their zemindarries to 
 Ramjewun, and condemned them to perpetual 
 imprifonment. In fatisi action for the plundered 
 treai'ure, he levied a Mutthote (jy) from all the 
 neighbouring zemindars. In every place where 
 a robbery was committed, Jaffer Khan obliged 
 the foujdar and zemindar :o find out the thief, 
 and to recover the ilolen goods. The goods, or 
 
 (y) ^*.i*-* an afieflment' 
 
 P ?. their
 
 io8 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 their equivalent, were given to the perfon who 
 had been robbed ; and the thief was impaled 
 alive. By thefe means, during his government, 
 travellers were protected on the roads ; and 
 every man's houfe was fecure. 
 
 The tannahs of Kutuah (2,) and Moorfhed- 
 gunge (<z), on the Burdwan road, were erected 
 by him, for the protection of travellers, at 
 the time he bore the title of Moorihed Kuly 
 Khan. He afterwards gave the command of 
 thofe tannahs to Mohammed Jan, his checlah; 
 who, for the farther protection of the country, 
 eftablifhcd another tannah, called Poobthel (<), 
 dependant on Kutuah. This man, whenever he 
 feized a highway robber, uied to have his body 
 fplit in two, and hung upon trees on the high- 
 road : on this account he was commonly called 
 Koolhreh (V), or the axe. He was always at- 
 
 tended
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 109 
 
 tended by executioners, with their axes; and his 
 name was the terror of the thieves. 
 
 Since the time of Shayifteh Khan (J) there 
 had not appeared in Bengal, nor indeed in any 
 part of Hindoftan, an aumeer who could be 
 compared with JafYer Khan for zeal in the pro- 
 pagation of the faith ; for wifdom in the eftab- 
 lifhment of laws and regulations ; for muni- 
 ficence and liberality, in the encouragement and 
 fupport given to men of family and eminence ; 
 for rigid and impartial juftice, in redreffing 
 wrongs, and punilhing offenders : in fhorr, whofe 
 whole adminiftration lb much tended to the 
 benefit of mankind and the glory of the creator. 
 His judicial decifions were fo rational and pro- 
 per, that they were as much refpecfted and obey- 
 ed as the decrees of thofe monarchs, whofe 
 names are moil renowned for equity and juftice. 
 He was fuch an obferver of his word, that he 
 
 (,/) ;j'\?~< "A"" Shayiflxh Khan was Alumgeer's 
 
 matcrhal uncle. 
 
 never
 
 no A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 never failed in the performance of any engage- 
 ment. He flept but little ; and carefully obler- 
 ved the ftated times of prayer ; and frequented 
 the congregations of the Sunnies*. From break- 
 faft to noon, he employed himfelf in copying 
 the Koran ; and inadminiftering juftice. Every 
 year he fent Korar.s of his own writing, with 
 valuable offerings, to Mecca, Medina, and other 
 holy places. 
 
 He maintained above two thoufand readers, 
 beadfmen, and chanters, who were conftantly 
 employed in reading the Koran, and in other 
 acts of devotion. During the firft twelve days of 
 the month Rebby ul Awwel, which include the 
 birth and death of the holy prophet, he feaiied 
 
 * S ? |J ,>*, Lj Trie Sunnies acknowledge the fac- 
 ceffion of Abubekcr, Omar, Othman of A!i, and re- 
 ceive the Koran and traditions in the fenfe they arp 
 expounded by their four great doctors, Abu Hanifeh, 
 J-^JJ Malek, ^Ul Shafeei, ^l^and Hembel, 
 
 , L:^ 'I his is the efublifiied faith throughout Hin- 
 L> 
 
 doit an. 
 
 people
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL, in 
 
 people of all conditions; and on thofe nights, 
 the road from Maheenagur (e) to Loll Baugh, 
 which is above three miles, was illuminated 
 with lamps, rcprefenting verfes of rhe Koran, 
 raofques, trees, and other figures. Near an 
 hundred thoufand peifons were employed on 
 thefe latter occafions; and, on the firing of a 
 gun, the whole was illuminated at once, ex- 
 hibiting, in an inftant, fuch a ihect of light as 
 aftonifhed the beholders. He alio kept the 
 feflival of the prophet Khyzir (/), when paper 
 boats, decorated with lighted lamps^ are fet 
 afloat upon the river. 
 
 Befidcs feeding a multitude of people, he alfo 
 provided food for the beads of the field, and 
 the fowls of the air. 
 
 <) A*; 1 
 
 (/) yd? Khyzir, is fuppofed, by fome, to be the 
 
 prophet Elias . -^l- I 
 
 He
 
 ii2 A NARR ATIVE OF THE 
 
 He always provided againft famine, and fe- 
 verely prohibited all monopolies of grain. He 
 conftantly made private enquiries concerning 
 the market price of grain ; and, whenever he 
 dilcovered any impofition, the offenders fuf- 
 fered the mod exemplary punifhments. 
 
 If the importation of grain to the cities and 
 towns fell lhort of what had been ufual, he 
 Tent officers into the country, who broke open 
 the hoards of individuals, and compelled them 
 to carry their grain to the public markets. 
 Rice was then commonly fold at Moorfheda- 
 bad, at four maunds for a rupee ; and the prices 
 of other proviiions were in proportion. He alfo 
 ftrictly prohibited the exportation of grain ; 
 and the fonjdar of Hooghly had exprefs orders 
 to fee that no fhip, belonging to Europeans or 
 others, was fuffered to carry away more than 
 was fufficient for the victualling of the crew, du- 
 ring their intended voyage. Neither were any 
 merchants fuffered to have any (lores of grain. 
 
 He
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 113 
 
 He was fo punctual in the performance of all 
 tokens of refpect towards his fovereign, that he 
 would not fit down in a royal boat ; and when, in 
 the rainy feafon, the Emperor's nov.arch came 
 from Jehangcernagur, for an exhibition, he went 
 out to meet it ; and turning his face towards the 
 feat of government, made his obeifance, pre- 
 fented his nuzzir, and killed the deck of the 
 ftate boat. Engagements between elephants be- 
 ing prohibited from court, he did not allow 
 them within his jurifdiction; but ufed to exhibit 
 and be prefent at thofe between elephants and 
 tigers, and other animals. He took no delight 
 in hunting. He never indulged himfelf with 
 fpirituous liquors, or any intoxicating drugs : 
 neither did he amufe himfelf with finders or 
 dancers. He always kept condant to one law- 
 ful wife; and, out of his excefs of delicacy, would 
 not fuffer any ftrange women, or eunuchs, to 
 enter the apartments of his fenudio. 
 
 He defpifed all the refinements of luxury, 
 
 and particularly in drefs; and refrained from 
 
 O every
 
 U4 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 every thing that is prohibited in the law. No. 
 high feafoned dimes were ferved up to his table; 
 neither frozen fherbets, or creams, but only 
 plain ice. During the winter, KhyzirKhan (g), 
 the deputy of Nazir Ahmed, ufedto collect, in 
 the mountains of Rajemahl, a fufficient flock of 
 ice for the reft of the year; and the whole was 
 done at the expence of the zemindars of that 
 diflricl. In the mangoe feafon, there was ftation- 
 ed at Rajemahl a darogha (h) 9 who ufed to keep 
 a regular account of the choice!! mangoe trees in 
 Maldah (/), Kutwalee (k), and Huifeinpoor (/), 
 .and his guards were placed over them, to fee 
 that no one purloined the fruit, and that it was 
 regularlv fent to Moorfhedabad. The zemin- 
 dars furmfhed every thing that was required for 
 
 (h) r*jh an overfecr. 
 
 ( i ) *> I (*) / > J Jy 9 (0 J&yirS 
 
 thefe
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. n$ 
 
 thefe purpofes, and they durft not cut down a 
 mangoe tree, nor touch any of the fruit, that 
 the darogha had appropriated to the ufe of the 
 hazim's table. 
 
 He pofieffed very extenfive learning ; and 
 paid great refpedt to men who were eminent for 
 their piety or erudition. He wrote with great 
 elegance, and was a remarkable fine penman. 
 Hisfkill in arithmetic enabled him to fcrutinize 
 all accounts himfelf. He figned all orders and 
 accounts with red ink. He was a brave foldier, 
 a liberal benefactor, upright and juft in all his 
 dealings, the fteady protector of the weak ; fo 
 that, during his government, the meaneft peafant 
 was iecured from injuftice and oppreflion. 
 
 He made no retrenchments in any royal 
 grants, or in thofe of former Soobahdars, for 
 charitable purpofes ; but, on the contrary, in- 
 creafed them. No zemindar or aumil could, 
 with impunity, opprefs any one. Their vakeels 
 were continually in fearch of complainants, and 
 
 Q_2 when-
 
 nrt A NATIRATIVE OF THE 
 
 whenever thev met with any perfon who had 
 reaion to be diff.irisfied, they ufed every endea- 
 vour to pacify him : but if it happened that a 
 well-founded complaint reached the ears of 
 J.iffcr Khan, the offender was lure to fuffer 
 feverely. If the officers of jeftice, out of par- 
 tiality, or refpedt to rank, neglected to redrefs 
 the meaneft perfon, upon a reprefentation there- 
 of from the party aggrieved, JafTer Khan tried 
 the caufe himfelf, and in his decifions (hewed 
 neither favour nor affection to any one, the rich 
 and the poor bearing equal value in his fight *. 
 
 * Notwithstanding tlic high encomiums which are 
 here bcflowed upon the government of JaiTer Khan, 
 his memory is univerfally execrated by the Hin- 
 doos y who contemplate, with heart-felt joy, the 
 happy influence of the Britifh fway over thefe re- 
 gions ; whereby they have been relieved from the dire- 
 ful effects of Mahommedan fuperftition ; and are 
 permanently fecuretl from the merciiefs hand of 
 tyranny, rapacity, and oppreffion 
 
 In
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 117 
 
 In the beginning of the government of Jaffer 
 Khan, thecutvval (>w) of Hooghly forcibly took 
 away a young girl from '.he houfe of her father, 
 a Moghul; and Ahfenullah (), the foujdar of 
 that place, fuffcring the offence to pafs unnotic- 
 ed, the father carried his complaint before Jaf- 
 fer Khan. He commanded, th.it the offender 
 (hould be Honed to death, conformably to the 
 ordinance of the Koran; and notwithstanding 
 all the entreaties of Ahfenullah, who was ?. great 
 favourite, the fentence was actually executed. 
 
 In his judicial proceedings he was guided by 
 the decisions of Cazy Mohammed Sheref (r>), 
 who had been appointed to the ofnee by Alum- 
 geer, and was univerlally eminent lot his inte- 
 grity, learning, and wiidom. During the reign 
 of Alumg'er, and the ni/.amut of Jaffer Khan, 
 the o.Tue of cazy was not proffituted to fale, 
 
 (*") I y 3* the fuperi.itendant of the po!i 
 
 and
 
 n8 A NARRATIVE OF THfc 
 
 and none but men of learning and fair character 
 were permitted to aft in that capacity. 
 
 A fakeer (p) having afked charity of Bin- 
 drabund (q), a talookdar (r) of Chunakholly, he 
 was difpleafed at his manner, and turned him 
 out of the houfe. The fakeer collected together 
 a number of bricks, with which he ere<fted a 
 wall on Bindrabund's road, and gave it the 
 name of a mofque, and from it called the peo- 
 ple to prayer. Whenever Jiindrabund pafled 
 that way, he vociferated the ezan (j), and fo 
 vexed him, that in a rage he threw down fome 
 of the bricks, abufed the fakeer, and drove 1 
 him away. The fakeer complained to Jaffer Khan; 
 and Cazy Mohammed Sheref, in anaflcmblyof 
 men learned in the law, fentenced Bindrabund to 
 be put to death. Jaffer Khan was not willing 
 
 (P) rz 9 a m cndicant. (q) /^r \j^~ 
 
 (r) j\jC-^ an inferior zemindar. 
 
 (i) t*J>)l the fummons to prayer. 
 
 to
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL, n* 
 
 to take away his life, and afked the cazy whe- 
 ther there wasjiot any way of evading the drift 
 etter of the law, to fave the poor Hindoo. The 
 cazy anfwered, " there may be fo much delay, 
 " as to allow time for his interceffor to be put to 
 U death firft ; but after that, he muft abfo- 
 " lutely be executed. " All the endeavours of 
 Jaffer Khan, in his behalf, were ineffectual ; and 
 although Bindrabund was recommended to the 
 Emperor's mercy by Azeem us Shan, yet it 
 was of no avail ; for the cazy killed him with 
 an arrow from his own hand. After the execu- 
 tion, Azeem us Shan complained to Alumgeer, 
 that cazy Mohammed Shercf had killed Bindra- 
 bund in a fit of infanity. But the Emperor 
 wrote with his own hand on the prince's letter 
 <c Cazy Sheref is on the fide of God *." At the 
 death of Alumgeer, cazy Sheref applied for 
 
 * The following are the original words, in a mix- 
 ture of Hindovee and Perfian, which is corruptly 
 
 called Moors: wJ/^ ',f\j? \J}S 'if** Cazy Shercf, 
 
 Khoda kec Teref. 
 
 leave
 
 I20 A NARR ATIVE OF THE 
 
 leave to refign, and all the entreaties of Jaffer 
 Khan could not prevail upon him to continue in 
 office. 
 
 During the niznmut of Jaffer Khan, all vexa- 
 tious taxes remained abolifhed. The meeran (/) 
 of the cazces (),andof thechrifabs (:>), h id not 
 yet been introduced ; neither were any hereditary 
 cazees difpofllfTed or changed, who were trrn 
 of good lives, and had pulled the examination 
 of the chief cazy. 
 
 Jaffer Khan being now far advanced in years, 
 and finding his health decline very foft, gave 
 orders for building his tomb, with amofque and 
 
 (/) i*)l" % f a tax collected by the cazees, and th# 
 
 mohtifebs. 
 
 (u) J>'* a judge. 
 
 (v) *_^L Z?\ Ehtifab, is the examination of 
 weights &c. and the officer is called niohtifcb^^wS^
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL, iai 
 
 a kehtareh (w) : Morad(#), the fon of Ifmael (y), 
 ferafh (2), was the perfon employed to fuperin- 
 tend the work. He pitched upon a fpot fituated 
 in the Khafs Talook, on the eaft fide of the city. 
 He pulled down all the neighbouring Hindoo 
 temples, and ufed the materials for raifing the 
 new work; the zemindars, and other Hindoos, 
 would have preferved their temples at any 
 price ; but no intreaties or bribes could prevail: 
 not one was left {landing in Moorfhedabad, or 
 at the diftancc of four days journey from it. In 
 the remote villages, many of the Hindoos' houfes 
 were threatened with deftruftion, upon pretence 
 of their being dedicated to religious ufes, and 
 they were neceffitated to redeem them, by the 
 payment of a fum of money. The fcrvants of 
 Hindoos of all ranks were compelled to work, 
 
 (tu) Sy^J a fquare, with (hops, &c. 
 
 W 5 \j> (jr) J^l 
 
 (2) //*'''/* an officer who fupcrintends the 
 
 pitching of tents, &c. 
 
 R unlefs
 
 122 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 unlefs their mailers paid for their releafe. So 
 great was the dread of Morad, that no one 
 dared to complain; his written orders were 
 circulated throughout the country, and impli- 
 citly obeycJ. By thefe mean?, in the courfc of 
 a year, the buildings were completed ; and a 
 gunge (*/) annexed to the kehtareh, to keep 
 *iie whole in repair. 
 
 Jaffer Khan appointed his grand lbn, Sirafraz 
 Khan, his fucceflbr, and fole executor of his 
 laft teftament: and, after delivering over to him 
 all his treafure and effects, and recommending 
 to his protection the public officers, and the 
 fervants of his.houfehold, quirted this peiifh- 
 nble world, end entered on futurity. Sirafraz 
 Khan, conformably to the command of his 
 grandfather, depofited his remains under the 
 ficps of the moique. He tlun confirmed all 
 the ciiicuf in their ftations, removed all the 
 
 {a) f} a public market, where duties are collected. 
 
 treafure
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BFNGAL. 123 
 
 treafure and effects of the deceafed, from the 
 palace to his own houfe; and exercifed the 
 duties of government in the fame manner as 
 Jaffer Khan. He advifed the Emperor Moham- 
 med Shah of the death of Jaffer Khan ; 
 and alfo wrote on the fubjedt to his father, 
 Shuja eddeen Mahommcd Khan. 
 
 THE 
 
 R a
 
 I 124 3 
 
 THE NAIB SOCBAIIDARY 
 
 OK 
 
 SHU J J E D D E E N 
 MOHAMMED KHAN, 
 
 THE ambition of Shuja Khan was awakened 
 on the death of Jaffer Khan, his father in 
 law, and generous patron; and made him for- 
 get the right of Sirafraz Khan to the inheritance 
 of his grandfather, as well as the duty of a 
 parent. He appointed, for his naib in Orifla, 
 Mohammed Tuckee Khan (a), another fon by a 
 concubine; and, leaving him at the city of Cut- 
 tock, marched for Bengal with a consider- 
 able army; and, in order to obtain a funnud of 
 the foobahdary, he wrote to Balkifhen (), Jaffer 
 Khan's agent with Mohammed Shah, and who 
 had great intereft at the court of Dehlv. But 
 when Mohammed Shah received intelligence of 
 the death of Jaffer Khan, he conferred the 
 
 W&Vyfi'J </&. 
 
 foobah-
 
 A NARRATIVE, &c, J2 e 
 
 foobahdary upon Khandowran (V), the Mecr 
 Buckhfhy (d), and Ameer ul Omah (<?); who, 
 through the management of the agents of Shuja 
 Khan, as well as from perfonal regard for his 
 old friend, Shuja Khan, fent a funnud, appoint- 
 ing him his naib in the nizamut of Bengal. 
 
 Shuja Khan received the funnud on the march, 
 before his arrival at Midnapore ; and, consider- 
 ing the place as fortunate gave it the name of 
 Mobarek Munzel (/); and gave orders for 
 erecting a brick kehtareh, and fcrai. 
 
 Sirafraz Khan received intelligence of the 
 approach of Shuja Khan, and made preparations 
 for marching to Kutuah, to oppofc him. Buc 
 
 (c) <j\>>3^ 
 
 (d) tj'^./ the paymafter-general. 
 (A \f^\f;*\ prince of princes. 
 
 (/) Jv-*^-/>^/ the fottunate ftage. 
 
 the
 
 126 A NARRATIVEOF THE 
 
 the mother nnd grandmother of Sirafraz Khan, 
 women remarkable for their prudence and great 
 fagacity, and for whom he entertained great 
 affection and refpect, intcrpofed. Thev rcprefent- 
 ed to him, that his father being an old man, 
 could not long keep him out of the government* 
 and the inheritance of JaflVr Kh;.n's eftate; and, 
 therefore, advifed him ro b-' fatisfied, for the pi\> 
 fjnt, with the office of dew<*n of Bengal; and 
 net be guiltvofthc horrid impiety of appearing 
 in arms ngainft his fa. her, which would fcanda- 
 lize him with all the wotld. Thele arguments 
 prevailed fo entirely over his refentment, ilv.it 
 he went out to meet his father, conducted him 
 to Moorfhedabad, and after refigning to him 
 the palace, retired to his own houfe at Nekta- 
 kholly(); and, from that time, never failed to 
 pay him his reflects every morning. 
 
 Sirafraz Khan followed the example of Jaffjr 
 Khan, fo far as regarded the external forms of 
 
 n/tif 
 
 <*W 
 
 devotion,
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 127 
 
 devotion ; and retained many of his karees (b) 
 and others. He was always attended by two 
 tnoufand cavalry in his own p y ; and had, 
 moreover, a rum rous train of young men. 
 But, from the fire of youth, and in imitation or 
 his father, he was much addicted to women, 
 and took great delight in retirement. He had 
 in his houle fifteen thoufan.l women, of different 
 descriptions, amongft whom he diflipated his 
 time ; and entirety neglected bufinefs. All 
 that could be faid in his favour was, his riot 
 being a drunkard. His time was moftly fpent 
 in rambling about to different country-feats, in 
 company with his women. By the death of 
 J-tfTer Khan, he fuddenly became his own 
 mafter; and his father being then old, and cal- 
 led into bufinefs, was himfelf too much addicted 
 to pleafure, to attend to his fon's reformation. 
 Through the indolence and mifmanagement of 
 Sirafraz Khan, many abufes were fuffered, 
 
 (/.>) (J j* Karee, in general fignifies a reader, but is 
 particularly applied to a reader of the Koran, 
 
 which
 
 i*8 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 which were highly detrimental to the country < 
 He was greatly attached to the doctrines of the 
 Schiitcs, and other heretics ^ and afibciated with 
 thofe who were ufed to talk difrefpectfully of 
 the companions of the holy prophet (/'). Some- 
 times he vifited holy men, and implored their 
 bleffing. He daily repeated the Dua Siefee (k) ; 
 but, as he neglected to practife the difcipline at 
 the fame time required, he converted the blef- 
 fing into a curfc, as will be related in its proper 
 place. 
 
 Shuja Khan was a gallant foldier, munificent, 
 and very affable in his behaviour ; bat, even in 
 old age, amorous, and addicted to pleafure. 
 
 He commenced his government by taking 
 compaffion on the zemindars, and fetting them 
 
 (f) Abubeker, Omer of Othman. 
 
 (k) , A; ^ {j *} a formulary of prayer, for the 
 deftruction of enemies ; but which is believed to 
 have no effect, unlets the fupplicator at the fame 
 
 time leads a good life. 
 
 at
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. i%j 
 
 at liberty. After accepting from them a nuz- 
 ziraneh (/), and upon their agreeing to an in- 
 creafe upon Jaffer Khan's fettlement of the 
 revenues, he gave them leave to return ro their 
 refpe&ive countries. The zemindars, fomc of 
 whom had been years in confinement, were 
 glad to pui chafe their releafc at any price. 
 Befides the profits anting from the jageers, with 
 the extra-collections under the defcript'.ons of 
 Emarat (m), Karkanehjaut (//), and nuzzir- 
 aneh, there was annually paid inro the royal 
 treafury, through the houfe of Juggut Seat, a 
 Oore and fifty lacks of rupees. 
 
 The old camp-equipage, and unferviceable 
 cattle, that belonged to the late foobahdar, 
 Shuja Khan obliged the zemindars to purchafe 
 at twice tiieir value* 
 
 (I) /'>> an offering, or prefent. 
 
 {nj ^ t .'^/j wjik fnops, o.7;cC3. 
 
 S Shuja
 
 i 3 o A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 Shuja Khan, out of the cftate of Jaffer Khan, 
 fcnt to Mohammed Shah forty lacks of rupees, 
 befides a great number of elephants, and other 
 valuable prefents. At the end of the year, he 
 remitted to Dehly the amount of the revenues, 
 and the accuftomary peifhkufh of elephants, 
 Tanghian horfes, fine cloths, and other ma* 
 nuL&urcs. 
 
 r- 
 
 In reward for the eminent ferviccs of Shuja 
 Khan, the Emperor Mohammed Shah conferred 
 on him the following titles : Motemen ul Afulk, 
 Shi'ja eddten, Mohammed Khan, Behadre t 
 jijfed Jung or the faithful fervant of the Em* 
 fire ihe magnanimous champion of Religion' 
 Mohammed Khan, the Brave; the Lion of }Var\> 
 a munfeb of feven thoufand zat (0), and the 
 
 () The Zat, or munfebdar's own particular allow- 
 ance for the r^ni of feveu thouland, was 45 000 ru- 
 pees per menfem Vide Englifli Tranflation of the 
 Ayten Akbcry, vol. I, page 245, quarto edition. 
 
 like
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 131 
 
 like number of cavalry, with a khelut, a fring- 
 ed palkee (/>), and the ftandards of the fifh, 
 and the morateb. 
 
 Being now virtually inverted with the foobah- 
 dary of Bengal, he exceeded ail his predecef- 
 fors in the fplendour and magnificence of his 
 court. The palace of Jaffer Khan being too 
 confined, and ill contrived, he pulled it down, 
 and built another more fuitable to his notions 
 of grandeur. On the anniverfary ot his birth, 
 he was weighed againft gold and filver, which 
 were diflributed in charity. He augmented 
 the army to twenty-five thoufand cavalry, nnd 
 Berkunda^e (^) infantry. He was very bountiful 
 to his troops and to his fervants in general ; and 
 thereby fincerely attached them to his hue re ft. 
 He paid great refpeel to men of learning, and 
 
 (^ None but great munfebdars arc entitled to tide 
 in a piilcee with a fringe I covering. 
 
 (q) j\ji,9 t Bcrhundaze literally fi^iiSrs 4 thnwer 
 9j lightning. li acre means a maua-lock n** r i. 
 
 5 z piety ;
 
 i 3 * A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 piety ; and particularly to derveifhes and rec'.u* 
 fes. He was very charitable : and adminiftcreel 
 jufticc with the utmoft impartiality. He con* 
 demned to dcath'Morad, and Nazir Ahmed, for 
 their infamous exto:tlons ; an 1 con'ifcated their 
 cfFc&s. In a word, by his genera! conduct in 
 the commencement of his government:, he 
 Ihewed himfelf deferving of his good fortune 
 
 In the village of Dehpareh (r), on the b.mk3 
 of the river Bhagrutty(j), Nazir Ahmed had 
 begun to build a mofque in the mid it of a viry 
 extenfive garden. After his execution, Shuja 
 Khan finifhed the mofque, and laid out the 
 garden with great beauty and elegance, and 
 called it Ferehbaugh (/). Here he ufed to re- 
 tire in the fpring, with his women, and pafs 
 
 (sj /y> - ^r the Cofiimbazar river. 
 
 (0 f^ls/ 9 the garden of cheerfulnefs. 
 
 his
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 133 
 
 his time amidft all the refinements of luxury. 
 And once a year he ufed to give, at this place, 
 a grand entertainment to all the oncers of his 
 court. 
 
 At lad he abandoned himfllf to indolence 
 ard pleafure ; whiift he in r rufted the entire 
 management of affairs 10 Maj.e Ahmed, the 
 R o) royan, and Juggut Seat ; whofe ch r &:rs, 
 with fome others, piall now be iLicribid, 
 
 When Shuja Klnu was naib foabahdar of 
 Oriffa, Roya'umchund() was the tnohurrir(v) 
 
 of his houfvhold. This man was row promot- 
 ed to the office of dewan of the nizamut of 
 Bengal, and had the emire management of all 
 affairs belonging to that department ; in the ex* 
 pences of which he made confiJerable retrench- 
 ments, and was rewarded with a munfeb of a 
 
 (v) J J> any perfon who keeps accounts. 
 
 thoufand
 
 134 ANARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 thoufand zat, and the title of Royroyan (?), 
 an honour that had never before been conferred 
 upon any officer of the nizamut, or of the 
 dewanny of Bengal. 
 
 Hijee Ahmed (x), and Mirza Mohammed 
 Aly (v), were the fons of Mirza Mohammed 
 Clerk of the Kitchen to the Emperor Azem 
 Shah. Hajee (2), at the death of his father, 
 fucceeded to his place, and was afterwards 
 made fuperintendent of the jewel-omce ; and, 
 upon the death of Azem Shah, during the 
 conteft for the empire, Hajee and his brother 
 eloped with fpme valuable jewels, and pafled 
 through the Dekhan to OruTa, where they en- 
 tered into the fervice of Shuja Khan. By vilely 
 
 (w) rj^^lj^ l he principal officer under the 
 
 dewan. 
 
 W Sl(/S w J^J-l* 
 
 (2) He is fo called from having peiformed a pil- 
 grimage to Mecca. 
 
 pro-
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 13$ 
 
 proftituting their own women to the defire of 
 Shuia Khan, they infinuated themfelves into his 
 confidence and ftiendihip, and acted their parts 
 with fuch art and cunning, as far exceeded all 
 f hat is related of Keleelah, and Dumnah {a), in 
 the fable. When Shuja Khan obtained the 
 naib foobahdary of Bengal, Mirza Aly was ap- 
 pointed fbujdar of Rajemahl, with a munfeb, 
 and the title of Alyverdy Khan (b). Moham- 
 med Reza (<r), the eldeft fori of the Hajee, was 
 made Daroghaof thePatchowtereb(/), at Moor- 
 ihedabad ; Aka Mohammed (e), his fecond fon, 
 was appointed foujdar of Rungpoor; and his 
 third fon, Mirza Mohammed Hafhem(/), was 
 
 (a) *<* ) ) j*% the two crafty jackals, in the dn- 
 War e Soheily. Part of this admirable work has been 
 tranflated into French, and from thence into Englifli, 
 and publiflied under the title of Pilpay's Fables ". 
 
 (d) 8w/,f the cuftom-h.oufe. 
 
 honoured
 
 i$6 A NARRATIVE OF TUT! 
 
 honoured with the tirlc oi' FLflu m A'y Khan* 
 The credit of Hajee and his brother iiicreafcd 
 daily, till at length Shuja Khah was tiiiiiely 
 managed by their evil ccunllls. 
 
 Tecr Khan Kclanwut (g), who 'n his youth, 
 when he was in indigent circumftjnees at B r- 
 hanpoor, had recommended himftlf to Shuja 
 Khan by the proftitution of his own wives, and 
 daughters ; and from thut time continued in his 
 fervice; on the removal of Ahfcnullah Khan, 
 was appointed foi ijdar of Hocghlv, and ob- 
 tained the title of Shuja Kuly Khan ;/. ). By 
 his extortions, the port of Hooghly was much 
 defeated, and the duties consequently hflened. 
 He was continually difpu-.ing ivith the Euro- 
 peans ; and, on the mofi triflingoccailons, would 
 apply to Shuja Khan for troops, on pretence of 
 their being neceffkry to affifr. him in collecting 
 the duties. He exacted a nuzziraneh and a 
 
 (g) ^~W&/\ (b) l : J-' Jf" 
 
 duty,
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 137 
 
 duty, from the Englifh, Dutch, and French. 
 Once he took out of fome boats a number of 
 bales of raw filk, and cloths, which were Eng 
 lilh property ; and detained them near the fort 
 of Hooghly. A parry of Englim foldiers came 
 immediately from Calcutta, and upon their ap- 
 pear mce, the foujdar took refuge in his wo- 
 mens' apartments. The foldiers mounted the 
 walls of the fort ; and, after infulting the fouj- 
 dar, brought away their goods. He wrote to 
 Shuja Khan a grofs mifreprekntation of the cir- 
 cumftances, and inconfequence, the fuppliesof 
 grain to Coffimbazar and Calcutta were cut off 
 by the king's officers. The Englifh were con- 
 tained to purchafe a peace, by confenting to 
 pay three lacks of rupees to Shuja Khan; 
 which fum the chief of Calcutta actually railed 
 by contributions from the merchants, and re- 
 mitted the whole to Coilimbazar, where it was 
 paid to the nazim. 
 
 As a further reward for the fen'ices of Shuja 
 
 Khan, and through the iu'ereft: <>: Khandow- 
 
 ran, the naib i'oj jahdary of i3aaar wjls annexed 
 
 T to
 
 138 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 to that of Bengal, by the removal of Flickered 
 dowlah (/'). 
 
 Shuja Khan appointed Alyvirdy Khan his 
 
 naib in Bahar, and fent him to Azeemabad with 
 
 five thoufand cavalry and infantry. Alyvirdy 
 
 Khan engaged in his fervice Abdulkurreem 
 
 Khan (k), a Rohillah (/), and other Afghan chiefs 
 
 of Derbungah (m) ; and they having railed a 
 
 large army, he fent them againft the Bun- 
 
 jarela (), a band of robbers, who under the 
 
 pretence of carrying on trade, laid the whole 
 
 country under contribution, and plundered the 
 
 royal revenues. They were loon defeated, and 
 
 Abdulkurreem and his troops were enriched by 
 
 the fpoil. Alyvirdy Khan then employed the 
 
 Afghans in fubduing the rebellious rajahs of Bet- 
 
 teah (o), and Phoolwareh (p) ; after which they 
 
 ( i ) ))A\/ {h) / ky^Wi *? (/) J^9J 
 () *Cr,J* () *J&~. 
 
 reduced
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 139 
 
 reduced to obedience Chuckvvar (q), with the 
 zemindars of Bhoojpoor (r), rajah Scander 
 Singh (s), zemindar of Tikaree (/), and Namdar 
 Khan Mie (), who depending upon their jun- 
 gles and mountains, had long defied the autho- 
 rity of the nazims of Bahar. They all agreed to 
 pay a nuzzeraneh, and peifhkufh ; and the reve- 
 nues were alfo permanently fettled. Thefe 
 conquefts brought immcnfe fums to Alyvirdy 
 Khan ; and Abdulkurreem and his troops were 
 alfo made rich by the plunder. 
 
 When Alyvirdy Khan had thus got poflfef- 
 fion of the whole country, had made a perma- 
 nent fettlement of the revenues, and found 
 himfelf at the head of a large army, with a full 
 treafury, he became jealous of the influence 
 of Abdulkurreem, and had him bafely murder- 
 ed in his own houfe. 
 
 (0 &&" ()//c^ j> ^ 
 
 T 2 At
 
 MO A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 At the infligatton of Hajee Ahmed, Ah*vir* 
 dv employing the intcrefl of his old friend 
 1.. Kh n, dewan o; [Ik Khalfeh at Dchly, 
 with Kummercddeen Khan, the vizier, .-ind 
 other miniftcrs, through their means, without 
 confuting h!s patron and b;nefa<5tor Shuja 
 Khan, obtained from the Emperor the title 
 of Mchabut Tunc *. 
 
 The two brothers now entered into a clofe 
 confederacy with Alumchund, and Jugget Sear, 
 men fuited to their purpofes; and laid the defign 
 of making themfelves entire matters of the three 
 foobahs. Shuja Khan was now fuperannuated, 
 and incapable of attending to bufinefs; and Sira- 
 fraz Khan they defpifed asan ignorant and inexpe. 
 rienced youth. But they were afraid of the abi- 
 lities of Mohammed Tuckee, who was a brave 
 officer, and beloved by the army ; and therefore 
 fought every occafion to ib x dilleaiions between 
 him and Sirafraz Khan, in order to engage them 
 to deftroy each other. Accordingly, when Mo- 
 
 * 't^kZ** ~\y* the teiror of war. 
 
 hammed
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. i 4 x 
 
 hammed Tuck e cam? ro M >orfliedabad to vifit 
 his father, Hajee contrived to create fuch a 
 mifunderftanding between him and his brother, 
 that they drew up their troops, and would 
 actually have come to a pitched battle, had they 
 not been prevented by the interpofition of their 
 father ; whofe authority, joined to that of the 
 princeffes, effected a conciliation ; and Mo- 
 hammed Tuckee was fent back to Cuttack, 
 where he died fhortly after. 
 
 Meer Hubeeb Shirazy (v) was, for fome 
 time, a pedling broker at Hooghly ; and, 
 although he talked the Perfian language fluently, 
 was neither able to read or write. But, having 
 formed an inimaey with Mooifhed Kuly Khan, 
 at Moorfhedabad, he accompanied him to Je- 
 h;ingeernagur ; and there became his deputy. 
 Meer Hubeeb was very induflrious in office, 
 and made confiderable retrenchments in the 
 Nowareh, and other cxpcnfive eftablimmcnts ; 
 
 c and
 
 H2 A NARRATIVEOF THE 
 
 and alfo acquired great Turns for his matter, by 
 conducting various monopolies. He treachef- 
 oufly put to death Nourullah (ze/), the zemindar 
 of Jilalpoor (x); and conflfcated his property, 
 which was very confiderable. He fet on foot an 
 expedition againil Tipperah, under the imme- 
 diate management of Aka Sadick (^v), the ze- 
 mindar of Pautpiflar (z) ; a man whofe charac- 
 ter was perfectly conformable to his own prin- 
 ciples. The fon of the late rajah of Tipperah, 
 having been expelled by his uncle, he joined 
 Aka Sadick; and Meer Hubeeb gave him hopes 
 of obtaining the zemindarry. He conducted 
 the troops through the paffes, and over the 
 fords of the rivers into Tipperah ; when the 
 rajah, unable to makeoppofition, took refuge 
 in the mountains ; leaving Meer Hubeeb in 
 quiet poffeffion of the country. He then took 
 the forts of Chundygurh (a) and Jyneteh (<), 
 
 in
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 143 
 
 in which he found great riches. From that 
 time Tipperah was annexed to the empire. 
 Meer Hubeeb fettled the country; placed ftrong 
 garrifons in different parts; conferred the ze- 
 mindarry upon the rajah's nephew, and appointed 
 Aka Sadick foujdar. After which he returned to 
 Jehangeernagur with the treafure and plunder, 
 and a great number of elephants. Moorfhed 
 Kuly Khan fent Shuja Khan an account of the 
 conqueft of Tipperah, with a confiderable mare 
 of the plunder. Shuja Khan named Tipperah 
 RoJJjenabad (r), or the city of light-, and gave to 
 Mooillied Kuly Khan the additional title of 
 Bebadre; and to Meer Hubeeb that of Khan. * 
 On the death of Mohammed Tuckee Khan, 
 thenaib foobahdary of Orifla was conferred upon 
 Moorfhed Khuly Khan ; who took along with 
 him Meer Hubeeb. Through the management 
 of the latter, the revenues of Oriffa were confi- 
 derably increafed ; at the fame time that he made 
 
 (O )tf 
 
 V^V 
 
 * The na7ims conferred the inferior titles of kJ:i:n } 
 or lord ; and bchadre^ ox valiant. 
 
 fire .1::
 
 144 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 great reductions in the expcnces. During the 
 government of Mohammed Tuckee, the rajah 
 of Purfotirf. (d) had carried away the idol of 
 Juggennaut (e), acrofs the river Jelkth (7\ 
 beyond the boundary of Orifla, and placed it 
 on a mountain : which fectflion lclfened the re- 
 venues near nine lacks of rupees, being the 
 amount of the annual collections from the pil- 
 grims. But rajah Doond Deo (g) having made 
 his peace through Hubecbulhh Khan, by the 
 payment of a confulerable nuzziraneh to the 
 government, brought back the idol to Purfo- 
 tim, where it was worfhipped asbefore.' - 
 
 The following are fome of the ceremonies 
 obferved by the Hindoos, during the pilgri- 
 mage to Juggennaut, at Purforem. They firfr, 
 fhave their heads like the Muffulmans. At the 
 outer gate of the temple, they offer food at the 
 
 flation
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL, in- 
 flation of Kobeir, who was a holy Muflulman 
 derveifh ; and they eat and drink this offering, 
 which they called terwanee (b). Whilft the 
 Hindoos are at Purfotim, they make no fcruplc 
 to eat with Muflulmans, and other calls ; and 
 various kinds of food, ready dreffed, are fold 
 in the markets, and eaten indifferently by the 
 Hindoos and Muffulmans. 
 
 Injthe reign of the Emperor Akber (/) Calla- 
 pehar (k), an aumeer from the time of Ba- 
 ber (l)> who was a brave foldier, and reputed 
 to have the power of working miracles, invad- 
 ed Or ilia, by the road of Jarkhend, at the head 
 of twelve thoufand cavalry. The reigning 
 prince of the country, at that time, was rajah 
 Muckunt Deo (/), whofe cuftom it was to 
 hold his court for fix months, and fpend the 
 reft of t the year in fleep. During the latter 
 
 U time
 
 146 ANARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 time, whoever prcfumed to difturb him when 
 aflcep, was fure to be put to death. When tho 
 rajah heard of the approach of CalLpehar, 
 he built the fort of Barahbatty (), and there 
 fhut himfelf up, and flept according to cuflom. 
 Callapehar having defeated his armies, fubdued 
 all the country, and took prifoner the Rannee (o) 
 his wife, with a great booty. He then befk gcd 
 Barahbatty, but no one yet dared to awaken the 
 rajah. At laft feme of his fervants thought of 
 the expedient of making the hautbois perform 
 an air, which roufed him from his lethargy, 
 and informed him of his fituation; but all op- 
 pofition was now in vain, and he fell like grals 
 before the edge of the conqueror's fword. 
 From that time Oriila was annexed to the em- 
 pire, and received into the pale of Iflamifm. 
 
 The following miraculous powers are attri- 
 buted to Callanehar. As far as the beat of his 
 
 
 drum
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. j 47 
 
 drum could be heard, the ears and feet of the 
 idols fell off; and it is pretended they are now 
 in that condition, although, to blind Hindoos, 
 they appear perfect, and are {till worshipped by 
 rhem *. 
 
 Mirza Mohammed Said (p), Hajee's fecond 
 fon, who was naib foujdar of Gorahghaut, and 
 Rungpoor, on the part of Sirafraz Khan, relying 
 on their fupport, defolated thofe fine diflricrts 
 by his oppreffions. He obtained forces from 
 Shuja Khan, and employed them againft the 
 rajahs of Coatch Bahar and Dinajepoor. (q), 
 who confiding in their riches and ftrength, want- 
 ed to make themfclves independent. Moham- 
 med Said, partly by force^ and partly by arti- 
 fice, for which his whole family were fo pecu- 
 
 * Many mutilated idols arc to be feen in different 
 parts of Hindoftan, and, in general, they are de- 
 prived of their nofes. In the opinion of the Hin- 
 doos, a mutilated idol has loft all its fanclity. 
 
 U 2 liar iv
 
 i 4 8 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 liarly famous, got pofleffion of thofe countries, 
 together with the immenfe treafures which the 
 rajahs and their anceftors had amafled. On ac- 
 count of his conqueft of Coatch Bahar, as well 
 as to pleafe his father, Shuja Khan gave him 
 the titles of Khan, and Bahadre. 
 
 When Moorfhed Khuly Khan obtained the 
 naib foobahdary of Oritia, Shuja Khan gave the 
 government of Jehangeernagur to Sirafraz 
 Khan, who fent thither, as his deputy, Ghaleb 
 Aly Khan (j), a fyed of the imperial family of 
 Perfia ; and Jeffwunt Roy (/), who had been 
 moonlhy to Jaffer Khan, was appointed his de- 
 wan, to have the a&ual management of all af- 
 fa'rs; an i in order to pleafe his filler Nefeefeh 
 Begum, the office of darogha of the nowarcli 
 was given to Morad Aly Khan, the fon of the 
 late Syed Rezee Khan, and who had married a 
 
 W cM^if (i) (/ 
 
 daugh-
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL, 149 
 
 daughter of Sirafraz Khan. Rajbullub ()was at 
 that time a mohurrir in that department. JefT- 
 wuntRoy, upon his arrival at Jehangeernagur, was 
 invefted with the fole management of the reve- 
 nues, and every other department. He had been 
 educated under Jaffer Khan, whofe example he 
 emulated in piety, integrity, and indefatigable 
 attention to bufinefs ; and in making his arange- 
 mentsfor the benefit of the government, ftudiea 
 to render them conducive to the general eafe 
 and happinefs of the people. He abolifhed the 
 odious monopolies which had been introduced 
 by Moorfhed Kuly Khan, and Meer Hubeeb, 
 and alfo the impolitions they had laid upon 
 grain. When Shayifteh Khan took his leave 
 of Jehangeernagur, to return to Dehly, he fhur 
 up the weft gate, and wrote over it an execra- 
 tion, againft any future governor who mould 
 prefume to open it, till he had reduced the price 
 of grain to a dumree * a feer. The gate had con- 
 
 (*) w*-V?.L/ * (J/>) the eighth part of a dam. 
 
 tinued
 
 i 5 o A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 tinned fhut ro this time, when Jeflwunt Roy 
 having made the requifire reduction in the price 
 of grain, had it opened. The rich province of 
 Jehangcernagur, by the prudent adminiftration 
 of a fyftem of found policy and humanity, was 
 cultivated in every pare, and refembled a o-^r- 
 den in the f.-jfon of fpring. Jeff-.vunt Roy was 
 univerfally famous for his juftice ; and his wife 
 adminiftration gained great credit to his patrons 
 Shuja Khan, and Sirafraz Khan. Some time 
 afterwards, when Morad Aly Khan, fon in law 
 to Sirafraz Khan, was appointed to fuccecd Gha- 
 leb Aly Khan, as naib of Jehangeernagur, he 
 made Rajbullub the peifhkar of the nowareh, 
 and began his government with many acls of 
 opprefiion. Jeffwunt Roy was i'o much difgurt- 
 ed at his conduct, that he applied for leave to 
 quit his office; and upon his refignation, the 
 new government gave a loofe to their rapacity 
 and violence, till they reduced the country to 
 its former ftate of poverty and defolation. 
 
 Budy
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 151 
 
 Bud}' ul Zcman(^), a zemindar of Bhirbhoom, 
 having entirely thrown off the yoke, whereby 
 the government was deprived of the revenues of 
 1,400,000 bcegahs of cultivated land, Sirafraz 
 Khan, who had the charge of that diftnet, 
 fent thither, by the way ofBurdwan, a large 
 force, under the command of Meer Sherefed- 
 deen (w) t and Kojeh BufTunt (x) y an eunuch 
 of his feraglio. Upon their approach, the 
 rajah thought it prudent to fubmit, and throw- 
 ing himfelf upon their protection, accompani- 
 ed them to Moorlhedabad, where, after wait- 
 ing upon Sirafraz Khan, he was brought be- 
 fore Shuja Khan, and obtained pardon, upon en- 
 gaging to pay the Emperor a tribute of three 
 lacks of rupees annually. Keerut $ingh (y), ze- 
 mindar of Burdwan, became fecurity for the 
 performance of his engagements, when he was 
 permitted to return to Bhirbhoom. 
 
 
 W^/ 1 ^ (y) 
 
 Whilft
 
 iS2 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 Shuja Khan, according to the cuftom of Sul- 
 tans and great Omrahs, gave orders, during his 
 life time, for erecting a rnofque and his maufo- 
 leum. They were accordingly built in Deh- 
 pareh, on the banks of the Bhagrutty, oppofite 
 to Moorthcdabad. 
 
 Whilft Nadir Shah (z) was at Dehly, and 
 juft after the death of Khandowran (a), Shuja 
 Khan took to his death bed. Hl- fent to OrilFa 
 Yahia Khan (b) 9 and Doordaneh Begum (r), 
 the fon and wife of Moorfhed Kuly Khan. 
 He then appointed Sirafraz Khan his heir, up- 
 on condition that he would regard the Hajee, 
 the Koyroyan, and Jugguc Seat, as che repre- 
 fentatives of his father, and implicitly follow 
 their advice in all affairs of moment. Although 
 Sirafraz Khan had no cordiality towards thefe 
 men, yet for fear of offending his father in his 
 
 
 lad
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 153 
 
 laft moments, he promifed to obey his com 
 mands. Shuja Khan then formally delivered 
 over to him the government, and after beftow- 
 ing fome prefents upon his favourite fervants, 
 paid the debt of nature. Sirafraz Khan order- 
 ed his body to be interred in the maufoleum at 
 Dehpareh. 
 
 X thb
 
 L '54 3 
 THE NAIB SOOBAHDARY 
 
 OF 
 
 S I R A F R A Z KHAN. 
 
 NOTWITHSTANDING Sirafraz Khan's 
 uncontcfted fuccefTion, he was fo appre- 
 henfive of the intrigues of his enemies, that he 
 did not venture out of the fort to attend his 
 father's funeral. In obedience to the commands 
 of his father's teflament, he entruflcd the go- 
 vernment to the management of the Hajee, 
 the Royrayan, and Juggut Seat. Their influ- 
 ence increafed daily, to the entire exclufion of 
 all Sirafraz Khan's old friends, and dependants, 
 who had naturally entertained hopes of prefer- 
 ment, and confequently were difTatisfied at 
 finding themfelves neglefted. The princefTes 
 ufed their endeavours to prevail upon Sirafraz 
 Khan to employ his old fervants, upon whole 
 attachment he might rely ; but .the triumvirate 
 oppofed every attempt of the kind, and would 
 not admit of any participation of their power. 
 
 The
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 15 
 The Hajee and Alyvirdy Khan had for years 
 formed the defign of poffeffing themfelves of 
 the nizamut of Bengal, and they thought the 
 prefent time favourable for carrying their long 
 concerted fcheme into execution. They artful- 
 ly reprefented to the Royroyan, and Juggut Seat, 
 that Sirafraz Khan was plotting their deftruc- 
 tion, in order to make room for his old depend- 
 ants. After exciting their apprehenfions for 
 their own fafety, it was agreed that Alyvirdy 
 Khan, being ordered to Bengal under pretence 
 of paying his refpects to Sirafraz Khan, mould 
 bring with him a fufficient force to protect 
 them from the evil attempts of their enemies. 
 This was the declared intention of the brothers; 
 but in their hearts they had determined to take 
 away the life of Sirafraz Khan. 
 
 When Nadir Shah plundered Dehly, every 
 part of Hindoftan was filled with the dread of 
 being vifited by the mercilefs invaders. Sira- 
 fraz Khan, at the inftigation of the Hajee, and 
 the Royroyan, actually ordered coin to be 
 X 2 (truck
 
 i 5 6 A NARRATIVEOF THE 
 
 (truck, and the Khotbah (d) to be read in the 
 name of Nadir Shah: and, moreover, remitted 
 to him the revenues of Bengal by Moreed 
 Khan (c) y who juft before had been fent thi- 
 ther by Kummereddeen Khan (f) 9 in order to 
 efcort the treafure to Dehly. After the depar- 
 ture of Nadir Shah, the Hajee, and Alyvirdy 
 Khan did not fail to avail thcmfelves of thefe 
 circumftances, to injure Sirafraz Khan with 
 Mohammed Shah; and, by their negociations 
 with Nizam ul Mulk (g) 9 and other minifters of 
 ftate, endeavoured to procure an order for his 
 execution as a traitor. 
 
 At the fame time Hajee and his colleagues 
 reprefented to Sirafraz Khan, that his army 
 was' too great, and that by reducing it to a pro- 
 per ftrength, he would gain credit with the 
 emperor, by leffening the military expences of 
 
 (d) ^k? the prayer for the emperor. 
 
 the
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 157 
 
 the government. The eafy and credulous Sira- 
 fraz Khan readily confentcd to have half his 
 army difbanded; and as faft as the men were 
 difmiffed from his fervice, the Hajee fccretly 
 entertained them for Aly virdy Khan ; to whom 
 he fent twenty four lacks of rupees from him- 
 felf, and his three fons; and others of their re- 
 lations and friends made them large advan- 
 ces, to be repaid when they mould get pofleffion 
 of the foobahdary. 
 
 Sirafraz Khan (), having received intima. 
 tion of their plot, from his agents at court, 
 formed a defign of emancipating himfelf, and, 
 with that view, had made the following arrange- 
 ments. Alyvirdy Khan was to be recalled from 
 Bahar, and fucceeded by Syed Haifa n Moham- 
 med Khan, the fon-in-lavv of Sirafraz Khan ; 
 the foujdary of Rajemahl, with the command 
 of the important paries of Sankrecgully, and 
 Telliagury, upon the removal of Attahullah 
 
 K h an ,
 
 158 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 Khan, the Hajcc's fon-in-law, was to be given 
 to Meer Sherefeddeen Bukhfhee (/); and Jefl- 
 wunt Roy was to have fuperfeded the Royroyan. 
 But thefe intentions having been fecretly dis- 
 covered by the Hajee and his colleagues, they 
 waited upon Sirafraz Khan, and with the molt 
 folemn proteftations of inviolable duty, and at- 
 tachment to his family, fet forth the public 
 evils which muft enfue from fo precipitate a 
 change of men and meafures, at the feafon of 
 the heavv collections of the revenues ; and only 
 entreated him, for his own fake, and for the in- 
 tereft of the government, to delay the execu- 
 tion of his plan till the end of the year, of 
 which there remained only three months. 
 Sirafraz Khan, who was of an open and unfuf- 
 pecting character, fwal lowed the bait, and 
 gave up his plan altogether. 
 
 In the interim, Alyvirdy Khan began his 
 march for Bengal, at the head of a powerful 
 
 co^^Aj/a-' 
 
 armv 
 
 ; J
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 159 
 
 army, under pretence of paying a formal vifit 
 to the new Nazim. 
 
 The Hajee had directed his fon-in-law, 
 Attahullah Khan, the foujdar of Rajemahl, to 
 intercept all correfpondence between Bengal and 
 B.ihar, fo that the fir ft intelligence which Sira- 
 fraz Khan received of the motions of Aly virdy 
 Khan, was that of his being arrived at Raje- 
 mahl. The city of Moorfhedabad was thrown 
 into the utmoft confternation at the intelligence 
 of this unlooked-for invafion; whilft the Hajee 
 impudently protefted, that his brother was 
 only coming to pay his dutiful refpedts. Sira- 
 fraz Khan, however, ordered the Hajee into 
 cuftody, and fent off a considerable detachment 
 under the command of Ghowfs Khan (), and 
 Mcer Shercfeddeen, to oppofe the farther 
 progrefs of Aly virdy Khan. Hafeezullah 
 Khan (/), commonly called Mirza Amanee (>;/), 
 
 [k)tf\?*L,f (/) rjl : ; 
 
 vJ)bj& 
 
 (who
 
 160 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 (who had married one of Sirafraz Khan's daugh- 
 ters) together with YaiTeen Khan (), the fouj- 
 dar of Moorfhedabad, were appointed to take 
 care of the city and the ferqglio. Sirafraz Khan 
 marched fhortly after, attended by the following 
 principal officers : Ghezenfir HufTein Khan (0), 
 and Huflan Mahommed Khan (/>), (both Sira- 
 fraz Khan's fons-in-lavv) Meer Mohammed Bau- 
 ker Khan (9), Mirza Mohammed Irej Khan (r), 
 Meer Kamel (s), Meer Gudiey (/), Meer 
 Hyder Shah (u), Meer Deleer Aly (^), Beejy- 
 fingh (w), Rajah Gundrep (a:), Shumfheer 
 Khan Koreifhy (y) foujdar of Sylhet, Shuja 
 Kuly Khan, foujdar of Hooghly,Meer Hubeeb, 
 
 Mirdan
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 161 
 
 Mirdan Aly Khan (#), and many other mun- 
 febdars, befides the troops of the zemindars, 
 forming altogether a very numerous army, with 
 a large train of artillery. The firft day they 
 encamped at Bchmemah (<) The fecond 
 march was to Dewan Serai (<:). The third day 
 they came to Khemrch (d). Here, upon exa- 
 mining the ammunition, it was difcoveied that 
 inftead of fhot for the guns, they had 
 brought bricks and clods of earth ; whereupon 
 the darogha of the artillery, Sheriar Khan (<f), 
 who was related to the Hajee, was given in 
 charge to the cheelahs ; and fucceeded in office 
 by Panehoo, the fon of Antonio, a Portuguefe 
 phyfician. 
 
 The encampment of Alyvirdy Khan extend- 
 ed from Aurungabad (/) beyond Sooiy (g), to 
 Cherka Bilghuttah (b). 
 
 ' rfV 
 
 Y On
 
 i6i ANARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 On the fourth day after leaving Moorfheda- 
 bad, in an hour which the aftrologers had de- 
 clared to be fortunate, Sirafraz Khan marched 
 out from his encampment to meet the enemy. 
 The troops rufhed on to the attack with fuch 
 eager nefs, and the artillery was fo well fcrved, 
 that Alyvirdy Khan's troops gave way, and the 
 victory would have been decifive for Sirafraz 
 Khan, had he not been milled by the evil coun- 
 fel of the Royroyan; who, feeing that the for- 
 tune of his confederates would be totally ruined 
 mould Sirafraz Khan purfue the advantage, 
 reprefented to him, that the troops being ex- 
 haufted with fatigue, and dying of thiril:, 
 it would be highly imprudent to expofe them 
 any longer to the heat of the day, and therefore 
 advifed him to defift till the next moininp-, when 
 his men having recruited their ftrength, would 
 gain an eafy victory over the routed and dif- 
 heartened enemy. In compliance with this evil 
 advice, and in direct oppofition to the inclina- 
 tion of his troops, Sirafraz Khan gave over the 
 
 purfuit.
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 163 
 
 purfuit, and encamped at Geriah Nullah (*). 
 The enemy had retreated to Rajcmahl. 
 
 After this he was completely duped by a let- 
 ter from Alyvirdy Khan, couched in terms of 
 fubmiffion, and folemnly protefting, that he 
 was only coming to pay his dutiful refpetts. 
 Sirafraz Khan was fo entirely deceived by thefe 
 profeffions, that he not only reftored the Hajee 
 to liberty, but even fent him to allure Alyvirdy 
 Khan of his good difpofition, and defire to fee 
 him. Along with the Hajee, he fent Shuja Kuly 
 Khan, and Kojch Buffunt, to make obfervations 
 on their conduct. 
 
 Alyvirdy Khan, who had hitherto proceeded 
 with caution, from the dread that if he de- 
 clared his intention of depofing Sirafraz Khan, 
 he would retaliate upon the Hajee, received 
 his brother with raptures, and confidcrcd his ar- 
 rival as the fure omen of their future victory. 
 
 (0 JCL/ 
 Y a However,
 
 i6 4 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 However, in order to deceive the mefleno-ers, he, 
 in their prefence, fpoke of his ablblute inability 
 to oppofe the mighty forces of Sirafraz Khan; 
 and having previoufly folded una brick in a 
 piece of cloth, which he pretended was the Ko- 
 ran, made a folemn oath thereon, that he would 
 the next morning throw himfelf at the feet of 
 Sirafraz Khan, and implore his protection. 
 He prcfented each of the mefiengers with an 
 offering of two hundred gold mohurs ; and, in 
 ihort, acted his part fo well, that they alfo were 
 deceived; and on their return, fatisfied Sirafraz 
 Khan upon the rectitude of Alyvirdy's intentions. 
 Sirafraz Khan was delighted with their report. 
 He called for hisbekawul, or cleikof the kitch- 
 en, ordered him to prepare an entertainment 
 for the next day ; and, with a cheerful heart, 
 went to fleep in his tent. His troops having 
 heard that a peace was concluded, paid no 
 farther attention to their duty. 
 
 After the departure of Sirafraz Khan's mef- 
 fengcrs, Alyvirdy Khan called a council of his 
 
 principal
 
 GOVERNMENT O F BENGAL. 165 
 
 principal officers, when he communicated to 
 them his intention of attacking the enemy's 
 Camp, and promifed the troops a gratuity of 
 two months pay, and free plunder. 
 
 -Ghowfs Khan, and Meer Sercfeddecn Khan, 
 who commanded the advanced guard, were en- 
 camped about a mile beyond the nullah*. Hav- 
 ing learnt from their fpies, that Alyvirdy Khan 
 was making preparations for battle, they repaired 
 to Sirafraz Khan in the middle of the night, in 
 hopes of prevailing upon him to accompany 
 them to their encampment : but he received 
 them very ungracioufly ; accufed them of en- 
 tertaining unjuft fufpicions of Alyvirdy Khan, 
 and obliged them to return to their quarters 
 immediately. 
 
 Many of Alyvirdy Khan's folriiers entered 
 the camp of Sirafraz Khan at night, under 
 pretence of congratulating their friends and 
 
 * Jif a rivulet. 
 
 ac-
 
 166 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 acquaintance, on the conclufion of the peace ; 
 and kept lurking about the foobahdar's tent, 
 till they mould be called into action. The 
 greateft part of Sirafraz Khan's new fervants 
 were retained by the Hajee, and his old adhe- 
 rents, although they fufpedted Alyvirdy's fince- 
 rity, kept filence for fear of giving offence. 
 
 About two o'clock in the morning, Alyvirdy 
 Khan divided his army into two bodies ; one 
 of whom, under the command of Nundullah (k)> 
 jemidar, he placed oppofite to the encampment 
 of Ghovvfs Khan and Sherefeddeen Khan; and 
 the more effedtually to deceive thofe officers, 
 Alyvirdy Khan left with this body the elephant 
 ftandard, in order to make them believe that 
 he was himfelf in that quarter. At the head of 
 the other body, confuting of the Afghans and 
 his choiceft men, he marched himfelf, and in 
 the dark of night was conducted towards the 
 enemy's cam]), by the hi rear rah s of Ramkunt, 
 
 the
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 167 
 
 the zemindar of Rajefhahy: and he continued 
 within mufket-fhot till break of day. In the 
 dufk of the morning, when objects could not 
 be clearly diftinguifhed, a cannon was difcharg- 
 ed, and the ball pafled through the tent of 
 Sirafraz Khan. His faithful officers and at- 
 tendants now reprefented to him the danger 
 to which he was expofed, and entreated him to 
 make his efcape ; but he was fo infatuated, that 
 he would not believe Alyvirdy Khan had any 
 hoftile intentions; but faid he was only come 
 according to promife, to have a friendly inter- 
 view. At day-break the enemy began a brifk 
 cannonade, and numbers in the Nazim's camp 
 were killed, before they could prepare them- 
 felves for defence. The greater part of the 
 army deferted to the enemy, but with thofe who 
 remained, Sirafraz Khan prepared to make a 
 gallant refinance. After performing his devo- 
 tions, he mounted his elephant, carrying in his 
 hand the Koran, and the Dua Seifee. He ad- 
 vanced with great valour, and difcharged all the 
 arrows in his quiver : but after a Ihort conflict, 
 with great {laughter on both fides, Mirdan Aly 
 
 Khan
 
 iC8 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 Khan (/) and his troops were routed, and fled, 
 leaving Sirafraz Khan with only a few of his old 
 iervants, andafmallparty of Abyfiininans. The 
 day was utterly loft, when Sirafraz Khan's ele- 
 phant-driver offered to convey him in fafety to 
 Budy ul Zeman at Bhirboom, as the animal could 
 travel forty cofc in twenty-four hours. Sirafraz 
 Khan in a rage gave him a flap on the face, and 
 faid, " I will never fhow my back to thefe dogs." 
 The elephant driver, in obedience to his com- 
 mands, penetrated into the ranks of the enemy, 
 amidft a ihower of balls and rockets. Meer 
 Gudiey, who was feared on the back part of 
 the amaree (;), was ftruck dead by a rocker. 
 Next fell Meer Kamel*; then Irej Khan, 
 and other chiefs; and Meer Delecr Aly was 
 dreadfully wounded. At laft a matchlock ball 
 ftruck Sirafraz Khan on the forehead, and he 
 inftantly expired. The Afghans fell to plun- 
 dering the camp, and fet fire to the tents. 
 
 'rn)[Jj\f a feat placed en the back of an dephan:, 
 
 Meer
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 16*9 
 
 Meer Hubeeb, Shumiheer Khan, and Rajah 
 Gundrep Sing, flood by idle fpecftarors : and 
 Meer Hyder Shah, with Khojeh BufTent, got 
 both into one rnr,h (>/) ; and pulling down the 
 curtains, fled to Moorfhedabad. 
 
 We mud now fpeak of Ghowfs Khan, and 
 Sherefeddeen, who commanded the advanced 
 guard of Sirafraz Khan. Deceived by the ele- 
 phant ftandard, they in the dufk of the morn- 
 ing, miftook Nundullah for Alyvirdy Khan, and 
 dragging him from his elephant, put him to 
 death ; after which they made great flaughter 
 amongft the enemy, plundered their baggage, 
 and then pufhed on to their own camp to gain 
 intelligence of Sirafraz Khan. But before their 
 arrival, Sirafraz Khan had been killed, and 
 Alyvirdy Khan was {landing upon the field of 
 battle, furrounded by a coniiderable body of 
 men, whilit the reft were employed in plunder- 
 
 () #yJ a carriage drawn by bullocks. 
 
 ing.
 
 i 7 o A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 ing. The two chiefs made a gallant attack 
 with their fmall party, and threw the enemy 
 into coafufion; but Ghowfs Khan and his two 
 fons were flain. Sherefeddeen, with only fixty 
 horfemen, continued the action, and Alyvirdy 
 Khan received an arrow in his fide from the 
 hand of this gallant foldier, who was aiming 
 another, when two of Alyvirdy Khan's officers, 
 who were old friends of Sherefeddeen, ftepped 
 forward, and afiuring him that Sirafraz Khan 
 was flain, convinced him of the inutility and 
 rafhnefs of perfevering ; he accordingly drew 
 off his men, and retired towards Bhirbhoom. 
 
 During the confufion which was occasioned 
 by the intrepid attack of Ghowfs Khan, and She- 
 refeddeen, Panchoo the Portuguefe, Ghezenfir 
 Khan, and HaiTm Mohammed Khan, Sirafraz 
 Khan's fons in law, and many others, took the 
 opportunity of retreating to Moorfhedabad. 
 
 Bejey
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 171 
 
 Bejey Singh (o), a Rajpoot, (p) who com- 
 manded the rear of Sirafraz Khan's army, was en- 
 camped at Khemreh (q) ; when he heard from 
 the fugitives, the fate of the battle, he galloped 
 on with only a few horfemen; and penetraring 
 the ranks of the enemy, aimed a fpear at Aly- 
 virdy Khan ; but Dawer Aly (r), the darogha 
 of the artillery, mot him immediately with 
 a matchlock. Zalim Singh, his fon, who was 
 only nine years old, placed himfelf over the 
 corpfe, with his drawn fword. Alyvirdy Khan 
 was highly pleafed with the boy; and after 
 commending his valour and piety, ordered that 
 his father's body mould be burned, according 
 to the cuftom of their religion. 
 
 The Royroyan, being wounded in the right 
 hand by a Ihot, flung himfelf into the river, 
 
 (0) -?f. 
 
 {p) *Z~>;^Jj the Rajpoots arc a military tribe of 
 
 Hindoos. 
 
 s 
 
 Z 2 from
 
 172 A NARRATIVEOF THE 
 
 from whence he was taken out half dead, and 
 carried to his own houfe; where, out cf fhamc 
 and contrition for his vile conduct, he deihroyed 
 himfelf, by fwallovving diamond dull. 
 
 During the plundering of the camp, Sira- 
 fraz Khan's elephant-driver, unperceived by the 
 enemy, conveyed the corpfe to Moorihedabad, 
 where he arrived the fame day ; and at midnight 
 YealTeen Khan, and Mirza Amanee, Sirafraz 
 Khan's fon-in-law, buried the body in the palace 
 at Ntktch kholly. They then made prepara- 
 tions to defend the city, and began to throw up 
 an intrenchment ; but, b/ing deferred by their 
 troops, were obliged to fubmit to the conqueror, 
 who ufed his victory with great moderation. 
 
 THE
 
 [ '73 ] 
 THE SOOBAHDARY 
 
 OF 
 
 A L T V I R D T K H A N 9 
 M E H A B U r JUNG. 
 
 TTAJEE AHMED haflened to Moorfhe- 
 * -* dabad, where he proclaimed his brother 
 Soobahdar, and in his name promifed free par- 
 don and protection to every one. Yeaffeen 
 Khan, at his command, fecured the public 
 officers of Sirafraz Khan, and all his treafures, 
 together with the haram. 
 
 Alyvirdy Khan was fenfible, that if he had 
 marched his troops into the city, immediately 
 after the victory, it would have been impoffible 
 to have retrained them from plundering the 
 treafure and effects of Sirafraz Khan. He 
 therefore remained encamped at Gowbcreh (r) 
 three days, and on the fourth entered the city 
 
 in
 
 174 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 in triumph, held his court as Nazim, and took 
 poffeflion of crorcs of rupees, that had been 
 amafliog from the time of Jaffer Khan. 
 
 Atyvirdy Khan always kept conftant to one 
 lawful wife, and took no delight in the company 
 of other women, wherefore the Hajee and his 
 dependants got poffeflion of all Sirafraz Khan's 
 women, amongft whom were above a thouland 
 beautiful girls. Alyvirdy Khan fent to Jehan- 
 geevnagur the wives and children of Sirafraz 
 Khan, and allowed them a maintenance out of 
 the Khais Talook. Nefeefeh Khanum, the 
 fifter of Sirafraz Khan, had adopted her infant 
 nephew Aka Baba (s); and fhe, having entered 
 into the fervice of Nowazifli Ahmed Khan (/), 
 the Hajee's eldeil fon, to regulate the affairs of 
 his haram, was thereby die means of prelerv- 
 ing the lives of her brother's children, who 
 would otherwife have been all facrificed to the 
 policy and ambition of the Hajce. 
 
 When
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 175 
 
 When Mohammed Shah received intelli- 
 gence of the death of Sirafraz Khan, and the 
 ufurpation of Alyvirdy Khan, he appeared 
 much affedted at the relation; but afterwards 
 adted in a manner very unbecoming the digni- 
 ty and duty of an emperor ; for, inftead of pu- 
 tt i filing the traitor, he had the mcannefs to par- 
 ticipate of his plunder; and in return conferred 
 upon him the nizamut of the three foobahs. 
 Out of the eftate of Sirafraz Khan, Alyvirdy 
 Khan fent Mohammed Shah forty lacks of 
 rupees, together with a peimkufii of fourteen 
 lacks. Kummereddeen Khan, the vizier, had 
 three lacks, and Nizam ul Mulk, one lack. He 
 ftipulated with government for the accuftomary 
 revenue of one crore and thirty lacks. But 
 from the zemindars he collected a con- 
 fidera"ble nuzZiraneh , and exacted from them, 
 in the name of the emperor, a peimkufh amount- 
 ing to twice the fum that he actually remit- 
 ted to Dehly on that account. 
 
 Alyvirdy Khan made alfo the following ar- 
 rangements. The office of bukhfhee he con- 
 ferred
 
 176 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 ferred upon Mecr Mohammed Jaffer Khan (), 
 who had married the Nazim's lifter in law, and 
 was highly refpedted for his valour, and gene- 
 rous difpofition. The office of dewan of the 
 nizamut, with the title of Royroyan, were con- 
 ferred upon Chine Roy (v), who had been a 
 mohurrer in the jageer of Jaffer Khan, and 
 was univerfally efleemed for his integrity and 
 piety. Mohammed Reza Khan, the Hajee's 
 eldeftr fon, and who had married a daughter of 
 Alyvirdy Khan, obtained the title of Nowazifti 
 Ahmed Khan*, Shehamet Jung (w), with the of- 
 fice of dewan of Bengal, and Naib foobahdar of 
 Jehangcernagur, Islamabad, Tipperah, and Syl- 
 het ; Hafhem Aly Khan, the Hajee's third fon, 
 who had alfo married a daughter of Alyvirdy 
 
 (k) i<\\P J 1 ?? J* *rf He was made nazim of Ben- 
 gal, Bahar, and Oriffa, upon the death of Surajcd 
 dowleh, after the battle of Plafiey. 
 
 * jfh tJ^Jl^ the careffed of Ahmed (or Moham- 
 med). 
 
 (w) fc-^l- 7 . ^Lo^yy" the dignity of war. 
 
 Khan,
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. i 77 
 
 Khan obtained the title of Zeicneddeen (*), 
 Ahmed Khan, and the naib foobahdary of Bahar. 
 And all the reft of their relations and depen- 
 dants obtained miinfebs, and jageers. 
 
 The licenricus cenduft of Alyvirdy Khan's 
 army, particularly of the Afghans and Beh- 
 leah (_y), who plundered wherever they came, 
 and violated every right human and divine, 
 was a dif^race to his government. 
 
 At the commencement of the invafion, Aly- 
 virdy Khan had applied to Moorfhcd Kuly, the 
 naib foobahdar o'i Oriifa, tojoin him; but, from 
 an inveterate hatred, he had neglected to pay 
 any attention to the requisition : and therefore, as 
 foon as he heard of the death of Sirafraz Khan, 
 being apprehenfive for his own fafety, he aug- 
 
 (x) i*)wjtf\/* ' -^'i' \J the ornament of the religion 
 f Ahmed. He was thj father of Surajed dowleh. 
 
 {y) ~J*y. a barbarous race o. Hiiuloos, who inha- 
 bit Bhoojpjor, in Bahar. 
 
 A a n.ente.l
 
 178 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 merited his troops/ and put himfelf in a pof- 
 ture of defence. But willing, if pofiible, to 
 conciliate matters, he fent to Moorfhedabad 
 Mekhlefs Khan (z), ) fon-in-lavv to the Hajee, 
 who had been long in his fervice, to negotiate 
 a reconciliation. The two brothers wrote an 
 artful letter to Moorihed Kuly Khan, giving 
 him hopes of an accommodation, whilft they fent 
 back Mekhlefs Khan, with inftrudtions to endea- 
 vour to feduce his troops. Alyvirdy Khan, 
 fhortly after, marched into Oriffa, at the head 
 of a very large army. Upon his approach, 
 Moorihed Kuly Khan conveyed his wife and 
 his fon Yahia Khan to the fort of Barahbatty, 
 and then marched from Cutteck to Bala- 
 fore (a). 
 
 He threw up an intrench ment from the 
 mountains of Neelgury (b) to the river, and 
 
 there
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 179 
 
 there waited the arrival of Alyvirdy Khan, 
 unfufpicious of the treachery of Mekhlefs 
 Khan. 
 
 Alyvirdy Khan arrived at Midnapoor by 
 rapid marches; and, after engaging in his inte- 
 reft the zemindars of that quarter, proceeded 
 to Jelafore, where he encamped. At Rajghaut, 
 on the oppofite fide of the river Sebunrekha, 
 theMoorbunge rajah hadgarrifoned another tan- 
 nah, and thrown up an intrenchment. All 
 Alyvirdy Khan's attempts to gain him were inef- 
 fectual : but at laft, Alyvirdy Khan ordered his 
 artillery to cannonade the place, when the rajah 
 and his men deferted the poft, and retreated in- 
 to the jungles. He then marched forward, un- 
 molelted, to Ramchunderpoor (r), between 
 four and five cofe (d) from Moorfhed Kuly 
 
 (c) J}\ : j+?^\j 
 
 (cl) s*J a crouh or . \S $ c fe 1S generally 
 cflimatcd at two Britifh ilatute miles. Major Ren- 
 
 mil's Memoir. 
 
 Khan's
 
 180 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 Khan's intrenchment. Frequent mefTages pafT- 
 ed between them for near a month, during 
 which timeMoorfhed Kuly Khan never flirred 
 out of his intrenchment. Alyvirdy Kuan was 
 at laft fo much diilrefTed by the want of grain, 
 for his army, which confiftcd of near one hun- 
 dred thoufand men, whilft the periodical rains 
 were near at hand, that he began to apprehend 
 they would fall a prey to famine and the ene- 
 my ; and therefore was undetermined whether 
 to make peace, or togob^c'-: to Bengal, and re- 
 turn again after the rains. But Muftafa Khan, 
 who commanded his Afghans, was decidedly 
 againffc pacific meafures, and advifed him to 
 canton his army in OritTa during the rains. 
 
 However, Alyvirdy Khan was foon relieved 
 from his doubts and apprehenfions, by the ma- 
 nagement of his fecret agent Mekhlefs Khan, 
 who, by artful contrivances, prevailed upon 
 the officers of Moorfhed Kuly Khan to leave 
 their intrenchment, and come to action, in op- 
 pefitien to the wife plan oi delay which Moor- 
 
 ihed
 
 GOVERNMENT OFBENGAL 181 
 
 fhed Kuly Khan had refolved upon, from the 
 conviction that the enemy could not keep 
 the field much longer, but would be forced to 
 return to Bengal, without havinp clil-cied any 
 thing. Mekhlefs Khan, by letting forth the 
 pufillanimity of remaining inactive in the 
 trenches, in the face of a languid and difpi- 
 rited enemy, fo operated upon the youthful 
 and ambitious mind of Bauker Khan, that he 
 pofitively refufed all further reflraint, and 
 marched his men out of the intrenchment to 
 attack the enemy. Thus fituated, Moorihed 
 Kuly Khan had no alternative, but was com- 
 pelled to follow with the main body of his 
 tioops. After a brifk cannonade, and a clii- 
 chaigcof rockets on both fides, the two armies 
 joined battle : in the beginning of the en- 
 gagement, that of Oriffa had fo much the ad- 
 vantage, that the elephant upon which was 
 Alyvirdy Khan, and another, with his wife, 
 were driven back a cole from the rick; of battle. 
 At this juncture, Mekhlefs Khan, and Abed 
 Khan, who were mounted upon one. elephant, 
 
 defer ted
 
 182 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 deferred to the enemy, with other officers and 
 troops, as had been pre-concerted with Aly virdy 
 Khan. Added ro thefe defections, the follow- 
 ing accident completely turned the fortune of 
 the day : Manickchund (<), the peifhkarof the 
 rajah of Burdwan, had profeffedly come to the 
 afliftance of Alyvirdy Khan; but determined to 
 join whichever party might prove the victor, he 
 had maintained a lecret correfpondence with 
 Mcorfhed Kuly Khan; and when he faw that he 
 had the advantage in the action, was preparing to 
 join him; but Bauker Aly Khan, who command- 
 ed the van of the Oriffa army, fufpecting him 
 of treachery, would not allow him to join, but 
 compelled him to unite with the enemy, and 
 in confequence, the troops of Oriffa were to- 
 tally rouied. When intelligence was brought 
 to Alyvirdy Khan, that the enemy were in their 
 turn repulled, he rallied his broken forces, and 
 a fecond conflict enfued. Moormed Kuly Khan 
 was now worded, and retreated to Balafore, 
 
 where
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 183 
 
 where he embarked on a floop, which he had 
 provided againft accidents, and fet fail for the 
 Dekhan. 
 
 Alyvirdy Khan purfued MoorfhedKuly Khan 
 to Balafore, and, upon his departure, fent 
 Khyerullah Beg(/*\ and Fakeerullah Beg (g), 
 to feize the wife and fon of Moorfhed Kuly 
 Khan, whom he had abandoned in the fort of 
 Barahbatty. But Morad Khan, the bukhfhee 
 of the rajah of Purfotim, under whofe care 
 they had been left, fled with them, by the road 
 of Sittakole (/-), to the Dekhan; and carried 
 with them a great parr of the treafure of Moor- 
 fhed Kuly Khan. However, the olHcers of 
 Alyvirdy Khan arrived in time to intercept a 
 confiderable quantity of money and jewels, 
 which was on the backs of elephants, ready to 
 depart. 
 
 / / 
 
 l/C' 
 
 (/) ~J*r.* Jl /: fc) b^U# {h) J- J 
 
 Alyvirdy
 
 i34 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 Alyvirdy Khan marched, without halting, 
 to Cuttcck, where he pofTefTed himfclf of the 
 remainder of the treafure and effects of Moor- 
 ihed Kuly Khan. He proclaimed, by beat of 
 dium, a general pardon for all who returned to 
 their duty; and by thefe affhrances of knit-* 
 and kindnefs, prevailed upon the zemindars to 
 pay him anuzziraneh, and to conclude a fettle- 
 ment for the revenue. He remained a month 
 at Cutteck; when, after having fettled all the 
 affairs of the foobah, he appointed for his 
 naib Said Ahmed Khan (/), his nephew ; to 
 whom he gave the title of Sowlet Jung (k) ; 
 and, leaving with him an army of three thou- 
 fand cavalry, and four thoufand infantry, under 
 the command of Gowjer Khan (/), marched back 
 to Bengal. 
 
 (k) ^-X-.^J*"? the fury cfwar. 
 
 V)iJ "-'.:>
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 185 
 
 Said Ahmed Khan, who had ever been noto- 
 rious for his mean parfimony, now, in order to 
 leffcn the military expences, entertained at 
 reduced allowances, fom of Moorflied Kuly 
 Khan's jemidars, and fent back to Moorfhe- 
 dabad, Gowjir Khan and his men. But as 
 foon as they were departed, the new troops, 
 who had only engaged in this fervice, to have 
 an opportunity of revenging themfelves, all 
 mutinied. Said Ahmed Khan fent Coflim 
 Beg (w), the commandant of his artillery, and 
 Hedayetullah (), foujdar of Cutteck, to ne- 
 gotiate with them ; when they killed the for- 
 mer; and the latter, after being dreadfully 
 wounded, with difficulty made his efcape. At 
 midnight the inhabitants of the city, headed 
 by the jemidars, attacked the houfe of Said 
 Ahmed Khan; and after feizing him and his 
 dependants, plundered every thing that they 
 could lay their hands upon. They then 
 brought back Mirza Bauker from Sittakole, 
 
 (m) , V~* Si () >*"'/^,~l>V 
 
 Bb 
 
 ant:
 
 i8 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 and placed him in the government. He got 
 pofTeflion of the trcafure ; made himfelf mailer 
 of all Oriffa ; and the report of his approach 
 fpread alarms in Bengal. 
 
 Alyvirdy Khan marched a fecond time to 
 Midnapore, by the way of Burdwan : upon 
 his approach Mirza Bauker fent his baggage 
 and valuable effects to Sittakole; and retreated, 
 with his army, to Cutteck. 
 
 Alyvirdy Khan proceeded from Midnapore 
 to Jeleyiir ; and croffing the river at Rajghaur, 
 marched by Phoohvariah (0), to Balafore. 
 
 Mirza Bauker, perceiving that no depen- 
 dence could be placed upon his troops, caufed 
 a report to be fpread, that he was preparing to 
 march out againft Alyvirdy Khan, whilft in 
 his own mind he had determined to retreat to 
 
 the
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. iJ 
 
 the Dekhan. The baggage and the prifoners 
 he fent aCrofs the river Gherijewry Q>)> to pro. 
 ceed to the Dekhan. At this time Alyvirdy 
 Khan was encamped forty eofc from Ctitteck, 
 where his fpies brought him intelligence of 
 thefe proceedings, at midnight. He imme- 
 diately ferit fdr Meer Mohammed Jaffer, Mufta. 
 fa Khan, and fome other chiefs, and confulted 
 them on the occafion. It was agreed that Meer 
 Jaffer mould immediately march with a de- 
 tachment, in purfuit of Mirza Bauker; and 
 Alyvirdy Khan follow the next morning,' with 
 the reft of the army. When Mirza Bauker 
 received advice that Meer Jaffer was within five 
 cofe of Cutteck, he placed Said Ahmed Khan in a 
 covered rut.h, along with Hajee Mohammed 
 Ameen (y), a fervant of Moorfhed Kuly Khan ; 
 two horfemen armed with fpears, guarded the 
 carriage, and had orders to difpatch their pri- 
 foner in cafe the enemy mould overtake them. 
 They travelled in this manner from Cutteck, 
 ii ! I. 1 1 ii . , 
 
 B b 2 two
 
 ij$ AttARaATl.VE.OF THU 
 two or three ftages. ,Hajec Ameen, happcjv* 
 ingtobi feized wiihalhortnefsof breath, chang- 
 ed feats with Ahmed Khan v ,to get a little air ; 
 ail the .way he kept his dagger drawn, ready 
 to difpatch his prifener. At this Juncture, 
 Birlefs Khan (r; y with fifteen horfemen, hap- 
 pened to enter the jungle, and their flag ap* 
 pearing above the bullies, the fpearmen con- 
 cluded that Alyvirdy Khan was arrived ; and 
 not having been apprized that Hajee Ameen 
 i,iad changed feats with his prifoner, they drove 
 their fpears at him, miftaking him for Said 
 Ahmed Khan ; and, thinking they had killed 
 him, took to flight. Hajee Ameen lay welter- 
 ing in his own blooJ, and cried out that he 
 was murdered. Mter Mohammed JafTer had 
 jufl routed, the enemy, and his people were 
 calling out for Said Ahmed Khan, imagining 
 that he might be amongit the fugitives ; but 
 he, apprehending them to be the enemy, who 
 were enquiring after him to deilroy him, durft 
 
 not
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 18* 
 
 not fpeak; till diftingutfhing the voice of 
 Meer JafFer, he lifted up the curtains of the 
 rttt,h, and difcovered his friend. Meer Jaffcr 
 alighted from his horfe, and they embraced 
 with mutual affection. Whilft they were con- 
 gratulating each other on their happv meeting, 
 and afking a number of cneftions, Ha ice Ameen 
 took the opportunity of "flipping out .of the 
 carriage. When they had finifhed their con- 
 venation, Meer Jaffer miffed his horfe ; and, 
 not being able to find Hajee Ameen, they con- 
 cluded he mud have made his. cfcape up- 
 on it. _ 
 
 The Afghans came up with Bauker Khan, 
 and brought him to action, but he, being aid- 
 ed by Morad Khan, the bukhfhee of the tajah 
 of Purfotim, penetrated into the jungle ; 
 and proceeded to the Dekhan, by the road of 
 Champahghatty (s): the Afghans, unwil- 
 ing to lole their bread, by putting an end to 
 the war, gave up the purfuit. 
 
 S- When
 
 *5 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 When Aly ir *y Khan returned toCuttecV, 
 he puniflied the rebels who had Joined Mirza 
 Bauker. He appointed to the office of naib 
 foobhadar, Sheikh Maufibom *, a coniiderable 
 jcrriidar ; and then prepared to return to Ben- 
 gal. 
 
 When Alyvirdy Kharl arrived at Balafore, 
 he refolved to punifh the Moorbunje rajah, for 
 having joined Mirz* Bauker. The rajah refid- 
 ed at Hirhirpoor (/), and was then celebrating 
 his nuptials, not thinking it poffible that 
 Alyvirdy Khan would attempt to moled him, 
 furrounded by jungles and mountains. Aly- 
 virdy Khan advanced, with fire and fword, 
 putting great numbers to death, making prifon- 
 crs of women and children, burning the towns 
 an J villages, and carrying off the cattle. The 
 rajah, and his family, took refuge in the moun- 
 tains. 
 
 But
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. i 9 r 
 
 But whilft Alyvirdy Khan was gratifying his 
 revenge in defolating the territory of Moor- 
 bunje, his fpies brought him intelligence that 
 fixcy thoufand Mahrattahs (), belonging to 
 Ragoojce Bhofelah (v), the nephew of rajah 
 Sahew (w), were marching from Nagpoor (x), 
 under the command of Bhafkir Pundit (y ), to 
 invade Bengal. He turned back immediately; 
 but before he got out of the wilds of Moor* 
 bunje, the Mahrattahs had entered the Burd- 
 wan province. He proceeded, by forced 
 marches, till he arrived at Achalun Serai (2), 
 within three cofsof Burdwan. Here the Mah- 
 rattahs, who were as numerous as locufts, fur- 
 rounded him in all (ides: the Bengal troops, 
 unacquainted with their manner of fkir- 
 mifhing, were under continual apprehenfion ; 
 and loft all their camp equipage and baggage. 
 They were at one time thrown into fuch difordcr, 
 
 (*) Jtft (y) ^J^jC-lp M&s-SjK 1 
 
 that
 
 192 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 that the Mahrattahs had feized the elephant, 
 upon which the Begum (a), Alyvirdy Khan's 
 wife, was mounted, and were'conveylng her to 
 their camp ; when Mehfaheb Khan made a 
 defparate attack ; and, after great flaughter on 
 both fides, recovered her from the enemy ; he 
 however, was killed in the action, and 
 buried in the field of battle. At length, they 
 "fought their way toBurdwan, amidfl incredible 
 hardihips and fatigues ; the men having hardly 
 flept for three days ; and encountered fuch dif- 
 trefs, from the want of provifions, that the men 
 were compelled to feed upon the roots of plan- 
 tain trees, and the cattle upon the leaves of trees ; 
 and even of this hard fare there was a fcarcity. 
 The Mahrattas let fire to all the neighbouring 
 villages ; and the troops, being afraid to go out 
 to forage, were again near perifhing by fa- 
 mine. In this fituation, Alyvirdy Khan re- 
 folved upon fighting his way to Kutuah ; 
 
 (*) AT. princefs. 
 
 I . where
 
 GOVERNMENT OFBElfrCAL. 19$ 
 
 where he expe&ed to find plenty of grain. 
 He placed his artillery on his flanks, and march- 
 ed in this manner during the night. But the 
 Mahrattahs, being mounted on mares that could 
 travel forty cofe in a day, got the ftart of him 
 and, before his arrival at Kutuah, plundered, 
 burnt, and deftroyed, every thing they could 
 find. The troops eagerly devoured the rice 
 which they recovered from the flames ; and by 
 the exertions of the Hajee, they were foon 
 fupplied, by boats from Moorftiedabad, with 
 bread, and other neceflaries for themfelves? 
 with fufficient fodder for the cattle. 
 
 Mcer Hubeeb, who had been taken prifoner 
 by the Mahrattahs at Burdwan, now entered 
 into their fervice ; and became their principal 
 agent. His family and property were at Moor- 
 fliedabad, under the care of his brother, Meer 
 Shereef (b). He marched all night with fever, 
 hundred Mahrattahs, and at day break arrived 
 
 Cc at
 
 i 9 4 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 at Dehpareh; fet fire to the Gunge, and then 
 crofTed the Bhagrutty, to his own houfe in 
 Moorfhedabad, which was about an arrow ftiot 
 from the Kellah (c). The Hajce, after bar- 
 ricading the ftreets, and firing two or three 
 guns, fhut himfelf up in the Kellah, along 
 with Nowazifh Ahmed Khan, and Huffein 
 Kuly Khan; no one daring to face the Mahrat- 
 tahs. After plundering Jugget Seat's factory, 
 and other capital houfes, they took prifoners 
 Morad Aly Khan, rajah Doolebhram (d), and^ 
 Meer Shuja eddeen, darogha of the Patchow- 
 terah, and carried them to their encampment, 
 at Teeretkoneh (^), two cofe from Moorfheda- 
 bad, on the weftern fide of the river; intending 
 to plunder the city again the next day. But 
 Alyvirdy Khan, with his whole army, arrived 
 at Moorfhedabad in the night; when the Mah- 
 rauahs, difappointed in their intention, burnt 
 all the villages near Teeretkoneh, and retreated 
 to Kutuah. 
 
 {c) fk or fort. (d) fh*fJj) [e) *f^ /: 
 
 The
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 195 
 
 The Mahrattahs continued atKutuah during 
 the rains, having placed garrifons ail over the 
 country. Meer Hubeeb, who had many ac- 
 quaintances at Hooghly, having entered into a 
 confederacy with Meer Abulhaflan (/), of that 
 place, marched, with Seeflrow(- ), and two 
 thoufand Mahrattahs, and arrived there at night. 
 Abulhaflan went to Mohammed Reza, (b) who 
 was caroufing at a nautch (/'), and told him 
 that his old friend Meer Hubeeb, who had 
 come alone to fee him, was waiting for 
 admittance. Mohammed Reza, being in- 
 toxicated with liquor, had no fufpicion of 
 treachery, and ordered the gateof the fort to be 
 opened; when Meer Hubeeb, with the Mah- 
 rattahs, ruined in, and, fecuring Mohammed 
 Reza, and Mirza Peyaren (&), the foujdar, got 
 pofieflion of the fort. Many of the principal 
 
 (/)/? t an exhibition of dancers, whether males 
 or females. 
 
 (*> ct'Wj* r 
 
 C c 2 in-
 
 i 9 6 A NARRATIVE QF THE 
 
 inhabitants of Hooghly took 'refuge in the 
 European fettlements. The Moghuls, who 
 were in the intereft of Meer Hubeeb, were, by 
 him, introduced to Seefirow, who, contrary to 
 the general character of his nation, was a very 
 worthy man, and took great pains to conciliate 
 the minds of the conquered, by his mild and 
 equitable government : the zemindars, en* 
 couraged by his conduct, readily fettled with 
 him for the revenues. He alio kept upon good 
 terms with the Europeans. He appointed 
 Abulhaffan foujdar of Hooghly, who admini- 
 stered juftice, with the afliftancc of the cazees, 
 and other officers, 
 
 Meer Hubeeb, who had the entire manage- 
 ment of the revenues, returned to Bhafkir at 
 Kutuah, carrying with him a few guns. The 
 vakeels of the zemindars came and paid him 
 fums of money, to fave their country from the 
 depredations of the Mahrattahs ; and he gave 
 them guards to protect and encourage the 
 ryotts (/). Many of the principal people fled 
 
 (/) *>z?J *yo", apeafant. 
 
 to
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 197 
 
 to the eaftern end of the Ganges, and fettled 
 in thofe provinces, with their families. All 
 the country, from Akbemagur to Midnapoor, 
 and Jeleyfir, was over-run with the invaders; 
 who committed unparallelled acts of cruelty 
 and extortion. 
 
 Alyvirdy Khan was all this time meditating 
 revenge, and making preparations to flrike a 
 decifive blow. Whilfl the Mahrattahs were dif 
 perfed all over the country, collecting the reve* 
 nues, free from all apprehension of being 
 attacked ; he fuddenly marched from Moorfhe- 
 dabad, and croffed the river, oppofite to Ku- 
 tuah, over a bridge of boats, which had been 
 conftructed during the night. The Mahrattahs 
 being entirely off their guard, were Slaughtered 
 like flieep; and Bhafiur Pundit, with all the 
 troops he could collect, retreated to Ram- 
 gurh (w) ; and from thence pafled through the 
 jungles to Orifia. Sheikh Moaifoom, the naib 
 
 g il l mm 1 M l T -- . 
 
 100-
 
 i 9 3 A NARRATIVEOF THE 
 
 foobahdar of Orifla, having only a fmall force, 
 and being defcrtcd by the zemindars, fell a 
 victim to the Mahrattahs, who became 
 entire mailers of that province. 
 
 When Alyvirdy Khan arrived at Burdwan* 
 he paid the arrears due to his troops, befides 
 a gratuity of two months pay ; and promot- 
 ed fuch of the officers as had diftinguiftied 
 themfelves in the action at Kutuah. He then 
 proceeded to Cutteck ; and, after feveral fkir- 
 miihes, drove the Mahrattahs out of OrifTa. 
 He appointed for Kis naib in Orifla, Abdulruf- 
 fool Khan (), the nephew of Muftafa Khan; 
 and leaving him in Cutteck, with five or fix 
 thoufand cavalry and infantry, returned to 
 Bengal. 
 
 Upon the defeat of BhaJkir Pundit at Kutuah, 
 Seeflrow evacuated Hooghly, and retreated to 
 Bifhcnpoor. The other Mahrattahs, who were 
 difperied over the country, alfo fled. 
 
 w c^jo^ 
 
 But
 
 Government of bengal. i 99 
 
 But new troubles foon arofe ; for Bhalkir, 
 defpairing of re-conquering Orifla, led the Mah- 
 rattahs through Bhauglepoor (o) and Rajemahl 
 towards Bahar, and when Alyvirdy Khan went 
 in purfuit of them, turned about, and got be- 
 fore him to Moorfhedabad. He purfued them 
 with fuch hafte, that he arrived whilft they 
 were plundering the quartet of Baloochee (p) ; 
 when, upon hearing the found of his drums, 
 they abandoned their prey, and fled to Ram- 
 gurh ; whither alfo Alyvirdy Khan followed 
 them. For three years the Mahrattahs annually 
 invaded Bengal ; but no decifive battle was 
 fought during the whole of that time. 
 
 Alyvirdy Khan, having formed an intimacy 
 with Aly Bhiey (?), a Mahrattah chief, who 
 xvas a Muflulman, invited him to Moorfheda- 
 bad ; and perfuaded him, that being weary of 
 hoflilittes, he was ready to purchafe a peace, 
 
 by
 
 joo A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 .r 
 
 by commenting to pay the chowt.h (r). Aly 
 Bhiey, having mediated a treaty upon thefe 
 terms, with the Mahrattah chiefs at Dungen- 
 gur (s), Alyvirdy Khan, at their requifition, 
 fent rajah Jangeeram (/), and Muftafa Khan, 
 to ratify the' treaty on' his part, by the moft 
 folemn oaths, according to their refpective 
 faiths. At the meeting it was agreed, that 
 the Mahrattah chiefs and Alyvirdy Khan mould 
 have an interview; after which, the ambafTa- 
 dors took their leave, and returned to Moorfhcd- 
 ebad. Alyvirdy Khan ex pre fling great fatis- 
 fadtion at the peace, caufed it to be proclaimed 
 every where, and gave orders for khelauts, jew- 
 els, elephants, and other prefents, to be pre- 
 pared, againft the arrival of the Mahrattah 
 chiefs. 
 
 The place appointed for the interview, was 
 the plain of Munkereh (u) ; where there was 
 
 (r) #y*f a fourth of the colle&ions. 
 
 (5) xi (?) fhjftr () Gj.C* 
 
 pitched
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 201 
 
 pitched for their reception, a magnificent tent, 
 of an immenfe fize, in the lining of which 
 a confiderable number of armed men were con- 
 cealed. The Mahrattah army was encamped 
 at fomedi fiance, and BhafkirPundit, Aly Bhiey, 
 and twenty other chiefs, came to Alyvirdy 
 Khan's tent, attended by only twelve thoufand 
 cavalry. As foon as the Mahrattah chiefs had 
 entered the tent, the doors were fecurcd, fo that 
 no one could come in or out. Bha.fk.ir Pun- 
 dit advanced to embrace Alyvirdy Khan, who 
 called out " difpatch this vile infidel!" when 
 the men, who were concealed within the tent, 
 upon hearing this %nal, inftantly ruflied out 
 with their fwords drawn, and butchered the 
 defencelefs Mahrattahs. During the maffacre, 
 Alyvirdy Khan got out of the tent; and mount- 
 ing on an elephant, .commanded his troops to fall 
 upon the Mahrattahs, who were (landing care- 
 kfflv near the tent. Some efllcted their efcape; 
 but the greater part were killed, or taken pri- 
 foners. When intelligence of the maffacre 
 reached the Mahrattahs who were in Burdwan, 
 
 1) d and
 
 202 A NARRATIVE OF T II R 
 
 2nd other parts of Bengal, they fled to Nag- 
 poor (v) ; but in their retreat, many were dized> 
 and killed by the zemindars. 
 
 After the rains, during the i\ ftival of the 
 Delhereh (w),' which is the time that the Mah- 
 rattahs always commence their expeditions, 
 Ragoojee Bofelah entered Bengal with a migh- 
 ty armv, to revenue the death of Bhafkir, and 
 the other chiefs. They defolated the country 
 wherever they came ; and killed or mutilated all 
 who fell into their hands. 
 
 Alyvirdy Khan was preparing to march from 
 Moorfhcdabad, with a powerful army, when 
 Bal'ajee Row (*), another Mahrattah chief, 
 was fent into Bengal by Mahommed Shah to 
 his aftiflance. Ballajee Row was the fon of Ba- 
 
 (%u) 3 > V ,y .J a moveable lunar feftival of the Hin- 
 doos. (*) ^Jj:\ 
 
 jeerow
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 203 
 
 jecrow Pundit Purdhan ()'), the general of ra- 
 jah Sahoo (2), who was at this time an infant; 
 and Ballajee was at enmity with Ragoojee. 
 Aiyvirdy Khan plainly law, that by continuing 
 the offenfive alliance, his country would become 
 the prey of both armies ; and therefore fought to 
 be rid of them as foon as poffible, availing 
 himfelf of the enmity between the two chiefs. 
 He fent vakeels, with confiderable prefents, 
 to Ballajee; and thereby engaging him firmly 
 in his iirereft, they united their forces in Bheer- 
 bhoom ; upon which Ragoojee thought proper 
 to retreat. However Alyvirdy Khan was after- 
 wards obliged to purchafe the departure of his 
 ally Ballajee, by the farther payment of a 
 large fum of money. 
 
 About this time, a mifundcrftanding happen- 
 ing between Alwirdv Khan and Muftafa Khan, 
 the latter rebelled ; and, at the head of an army 
 
 D d 2 of
 
 ao 4 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 of Afghans, marched into Bahar. Having in- 
 verted the fort of Mongheer, he fent his nephew, 
 Abdulreflbol Khan, to force the gate ; when 
 the beiieged threw down a large (lone upon his 
 head, and darned out his brains. Muflafa Khan 
 raifed the fiege of Mongheer, and marched to 
 Fatna. Near that place he had an engagement 
 with Zeineddeen Ahmed Khan, who was worft- 
 ed, and driven into the city. After this vic- 
 tory, the Afghans began plundering the country ; 
 and Muflafa Khan was left near Patna, with 
 only a fmall party ; which coming to the know- 
 ledge of Zeineddeen, he made a fally, and in 
 the engagement Muflafa Khan was deprived ot 
 one of his eyes, by a matchlock ball : after 
 having loft many of his men, he retreated to 
 Jugdeefpoor (a). Muflafa Khan had applied to 
 Ragoojee for an army of Mahrattahs, who 
 gladly embraced the opportunity of invading the 
 provinces. 
 
 fa) J ^ , "w^.w 7 
 
 Alv-
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 205 
 
 Alyvirdy Khan marched to Azeemabad, 
 where he gainrd a victoty over Muftafa Khan, 
 who retreated to Ghazipoor (b) j Alyvirdy Khan 
 then returned to Morfhedabad. After his depar- 
 ture, Muftafa Khan again appeared before Pat- 
 na; where, being killed in battle, Zeineddeen or- 
 dered his body to be fplit in two, and expofed 
 upon an elephant throughout the city. 
 
 At this juncture Ragoojee fent into OriiTa an 
 army of Mahrattahs, commanded by his adopted 
 ion, rajah Janoujee (<), with Meer Hubceb, to 
 collect the chowt ( h : in this army were many of 
 the dependents of the late Muftafa Khan. 
 When Janoujee had eonqutred OrifTa, M^cr 
 Hubeeb fent an offer of peace to Alyvirdy Khan, 
 upon condition of his paying the chowt.h. 
 Nowazim Ahmed Khan, HafEtn Aly Khan, 
 Juggut Seat, and the Royroyan, were inclined 
 to purchafe a peace ; but Alyvirdy Khan re- 
 jected the propofal with indignation. 
 
 Shum-
 
 206 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 Shumflieer Khan, and fome other Patans (d), 
 of Uerbungah, who had been connected with 
 Muftafa Khan, and held a correspondence 
 with the Mahrattahs, demanded their pay, 
 in a mutinous manner, during the war ; when 
 Alyvirdy Khan, being fufpicious of them, paid 
 them their arrears, and difmiiTed them. When 
 they returned to Derbungah, they offered their 
 fervice to Zeineddeen; and, as they were known 
 to be good troops, he readily engaged them. 
 
 Shumflieer Khan, and his officers accordingly 
 croiled the Ganges, with three hundred cavalrv, 
 under pretence ot paying their compliments to 
 Zeineddeen Khan, upon being taken into his 
 employ. They waited upon him at his palace 
 of Chchelfitoon, in Patna ; and after paying 
 their refpe<fts, feated themlelves on each 
 
 (</) r)*7~~ the Patans, or Afghans, are Alahom- 
 medan tribes, who inhabit the northern pares of 
 Hindoftan. The tranflat >r is in poflefhon of a 
 Perfian manufcript, wherein they areconjedured to 
 be the defcendants of the loft Jewifh tribes. 
 
 fide
 
 GOVERNMENT O F BENG AL. 207 
 
 fide of him. Shortly after, whilft he was en- 
 gaged in familiar converfation, one of the Pa- 
 tans, named Morad Sheer Khan (c), feeing 
 him off his guard, ripped up his bowels wkh 
 a jemdher (/), and he expired on the fpot. 
 The three hundred Patans who were waiting 
 without, ruihed in, and mardered all the 
 fervants of Zeineddecn who were prefcnt. 
 They treated the Hajee with the vilefl indig- 
 nities, put him to death with tortures, 
 polfefled themfelves of lacks of treafure, 
 violated the women of his family, and made 
 them prifoners: after which they facked the 
 city, paying no refpec/t to age, fex, or charac- 
 ter. Shumfheer Khan collected together about 
 a thoufand cavalry, and marched into Bengal. 
 
 Alyvirdy Khan was encamped at Amanee- 
 gunge (g), engaged again ft the Mahrattahs, 
 
 mw.i iimi mjezmixxmm 
 
 (/) ,#^ a h-.rge dagger, with x double ed c. 
 
 (0 y . ill 
 
 U C O when
 
 2o3 A NARRATIVE OF THE 
 
 when he received intelligence of the maflacre 
 at Patna. Being greatly afflicted at the mur- 
 der of his brother and nephew; he determined 
 to take inftant revenge upon Shumfheer Khan, 
 and the other affaffins. But his troops mutinied 
 on account of their pay, and could not be per- 
 fuaded to march, till Nowazifh Ahmed Khan 
 had fupplied, from his own funds, fufficient 
 money to difcharge their arrears ; w'.iich is re- 
 ported to have been eighty lacks of rupees. 
 
 Alyvirdy Khan left NowaZifh Ahmed Khan at 
 Moorfhedabad, and marched himlelf to Patna. 
 The Mahrattahs hung upon his march, and en- 
 gaged him in continual fkirmifhes, till he ar- 
 rived a little beyond the town of Bar ; where he 
 was joined by rajah Soonder Singh, zemindar 
 of Tekaree. The Afghans now charged him 
 in fiont, and the Mahrattahs in the rear; but 
 his troops fought with defperate valour ; and 
 Shumfheer Khan, with mod of the other chiefs, 
 beine killed bv cannon fhot, the Afghans took 
 to flight; and, upon their retreat, the Mah- 
 rattahs
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 209 
 
 rattahs difperfed ; fettinG: at libertv the women 
 and family of Zeineddeen Ahmed Khan, and 
 the Hajee. 
 
 Alyvirdy Khan, having appointed Surrajecl 
 dowleh (b) to fuccecd his father Zeineddecn 
 Ahmed Khan, as naib of Bihar, and made 
 rajah Jankeeram his dewan, returned to Moor- 
 fhedabad, tooppofc the Ma'hrattahs. 
 
 Said Ahmed Khan, who from being the 
 eldcft farviving fon of the Hajee, entertained 
 hopes of fucceeding Alyvirdy Khan, was ap- 
 pointed to the government of Purnea. 
 
 As the Mahrattahs were flill very powerful, 
 Alyvirdy Khan did not make any itay at Moor- 
 fhedabad, after his return from Bahar ; but 
 marched to the relief of Orilfa. Sycd Nour- 
 
 (h) J)jJ\? L- v the luminary (it is literally the lamp) 
 tf thcjLitc. 
 
 E c rullah
 
 2io A NARATIVE OF THE 
 
 rullah Khan (/'), and fome Mahrattah chiefs 
 who had ihut thcmfelvcs up in Bharahbatty, by 
 promifes of fafety, were prevailed upon to fur- 
 re ndcr ; when Alyvirdy Khan had them treach- 
 erously put to death. 
 
 The provinces having been thus annually in- 
 vaded by the Mahrattahs for twelve years, 
 without any hopes of preventing their return by 
 hoflile meafures, Alyvirdy Khan was perfuaded 
 to conclude a peace, by agreeing to pay them 
 the chowt,h of the three foobahs. After a 
 long negeciation, the treaty was finally conclud- 
 ed, upon thefe terms; and Oriiia was ceded to 
 the Mahrattahs, in fat isf action of the chovvt t h. 
 Mefaleheddeen Mohammed (k) Khan was ap- 
 pointed naib on the part of Alyvirdy Khan, to 
 adt in conjunction with the Mahrattah officers. 
 
 Thus relieved from the cares and anxieties of 
 war, Alyvirdy Khan fpent the remainder of his 
 
 life
 
 GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL. 211 
 
 life in hunting, and in travelling about the 
 country. He died of a diforder in his bowels, 
 on the 9th of April, 1756; and was fucceeded 
 in the foobahdary by his grandfon, Surajecd- 
 dowleh; whom he had appointed his fucceflbr 
 in his lifetime. 
 
 gTT* For the information of fuch of our readers 
 as are not converfant in the Perfian language, it may 
 be necefTary to obferve, that the explanations in the 
 notes are, for the molt part, in the Angular number. 
 
 FINIS.
 
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