Riyaz al-salatin 111.4.10

111.4.10

Being somewhat relieved of his anxiety by the withdrawal of Raghoji Bhoslah, Mahabat Jang presented a large amount of cash to Balaji Rao, and thus sent him out of Bengal in a contented and thankful mood, whilst he himself returned to Bengal. Being inwardly in anxiety as to the demand of Raghoji for Chauth, Mahabat Jang set about mobilising troops. At this moment, a rupture occurred between Ali Vardi Khan and Mustafa Khan, the Afghan General, and it was so far accentuated that all the Afghans combining with the latter, broke out into revolt, and set out with a large force for Azimabad (Patna), in order to storm that City, and to capture Haji Ahmad and Zainu-d-din Ahmad Khan. On reaching Mungir (Monghyr), Mustafa Khan besieged the Fort of Monghyr. The Commandant of the Fort prepared to fight. Abdu-r-rasul Khan, a cousin of Mustafa Khan, advancing in the inebriation of the wine of valour and daring, wanted to storm the Fort, by battering down its gate. The guards of the Fort hurled down a huge stone on his head. From the blow of that heavy stone, his head was smashed to atoms. Mustafa Khan, viewing this disaster to be a bad omen, abandoned the siege of Monghyr, marched with celerity to Azimabad, (Patna), engaged in besieging the latter City, and commenced fighting with Zainu-d-din Ahmad Khan.