Riyaz al-salatin 111.3.1

111.3.1

Mir Habib, the Generalissimo of Murshid Quli Khan, after the latter's defeat, had gone to Raghoji Bhoslah, and persuaded the latter to undertake the conquest of Bengal. At this time, Raghoji Bhoslah, nephew of the Rajah of the Dakhin, was Governor of the Subah of Berar. Taking advantage of the circumstance that Mahabat Jang was occupied with the affairs of Orissa, and finding that the whole extent of Bengal was denuded of troops, Raghoji Bhoslah detached his generalissimo, Diwan Bhaskar Pandit, and Ali Qarawal, who was an able general, with a contingent of sixty thousand Mahratta cavalry from Nagpur, in the company of Mir Habib, by the route across the forest, in order to invade and pillage Bengal. On receiving news of the approach of Mahratta freebooters, Mahabat Jang abandoned the pursuit of the Morbhanj Rajah, and withdrew towards Bengal. As yet Ali Vardi Khan had not passed through the forests of Morbhanj, when the army of Mahratta freebooters swooped down from the direction of the chaklah of Bardwan. Mahabat Jang, with the celerity of lightning and wind, marching swiftly by night and day, reached the inn of Ujalan adjoining to Bardwan. The armies of Mahratta freebooters, concentrating from different directions, commenced looting baggages and tents.