Riyaz al-salatin 111.5.5

111.5.5

Mahabat Jang suspected treachery from Sham Sher Khan, Sardar Khan, Murad Sher Khan, Haiat Khan, and other Afghan Generals of Darbhanga, who, during the late insurrection, had sided with Mustafa Khan. And, as a matter of fact, these Afghan Generals had opened at this time treasonable correspondence with Mir Habib and his Mahrattas. These Afghan Generals, following the example of Mustafa Khan, now broke out into open revolt on the pretext of demand of pay. Mahabat Jang, having lost all confidence in them, paid them up, and disbanded them. These reaching Darbhanga, after a short time, leagued amongst themselves in pursuance of designs of treachery, and made offers of service to Zainu-d-din Ahmad Khan. As Zainu-d-din Khan was a friend of soldiers, he conciliated them, accepted their offers of service with the approval of Nawab Mahabat Jang, and invited them to a Darbar. Sham Sher Khan and Murad Sher Khan with a corps of Afghans arrived at Hajipur, and encamped on the banks of the river. According to the order of Zainu-d-din Ahmad Khan, they left behind all their soldiers, and crossing the river came to Azimabad (Patna) attended only by three hundred cavalry, consisting of kinsmen and comrades who were all of one heart for the purpose of waiting on Zainu-d-din Ahmad Khan. On obtaining an audience, they observed all the points of etiquette, and sat in the Chihil satun Palace, ranged on the right and left of Zainu-d-din.