Riyaz al-salatin 111.3.6

111.3.6

Then the Mahrattas abandoned the idea of assaulting the City, and after desolating the surrounding tracts across the river returned to Katwah. The rainy season now set in. In view of the tumultuousness of the river, the Mahrattas now suspended their fighting, established their quarters at Katwah, and from there commenced making administrative arrangements. Giving Mir Habib a free hand in all affairs, Bhaskar Pandit himself remained at Katwah, and sent out detachments in all directions for raid and plunder. Similarly, Mahabat Jang, in view of giving rest to his army, did not move out of the City. As in his earlier years, Mir Habib had lived at Hugli, the latter place still abounded with many of his kinsmen and friends. Their headman, Mir Abu-l-Hasan Sarkhil, now laid plans to surprise Hugli. He won over many of the Mughals to his side, and held secret correspondence with Mir Habib. Mir Muhammad Riza, the Deputy Faujdar of Hugli, used to treat Mir Abu-l-Hasan as his right-hand in all affairs. In blissful ignorance of the fact that he had a traitor in his camp, the Deputy Faujdar passed nights and days in carousals. At length, at the instigation of Mir Abu-l-Hasan, Mir Habib with a detachment of two thousand cavalry commanded by Sis Rao advanced to Hugli, and at midnight arriving at the gate of its Fort announced his arrival to Mir Abu-l-Hasan.