Riyaz al-salatin 112: NIZAMAT OF NAWAB SIRAJU-D-DAULAH.
The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam) 112
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NIZAMAT OF NAWAB SIRAJU-D-DAULAH.
112.1.1
When Nawab Ali Vardi Khan Mahabat Jang passed to the regions of eternity, Nawab Siraju-d-daulah, son of Zainu-d-din Ahmad Khan Haibat Jang, and maternal grandson of Ali Vardi, who from before had been declared heir-apparent by Ali Vardi Khan, and whom Ali Vardi Khan had in his life-time placed on the cushion of the Nizamat, and to whom Ali Vardi with all the grandees of the court had paid homage and offered presents—ascended the masnad of the rulership over Bengal, Behar, and Orissa. Siraju-d-daulah exhibited insolence and arrogance, which are the worst of attributes, and are displeasing to God. At that time, owing to certain reasons, Ghasiti Begam, widow of Nawazish Ahmad Khan Shahamat Jang, who resided at Mutijhil, resolving to oppose Siraju-d-daulah, appointed Mir Nazar Ali, who was her servant and was bound to her by ties of various favours and obligations, to be the commander of her Vanguard, and Nawab Bairam Khan to be generalissimo of her army. Then the Begam of Mahabat Jang, and Jagat Set, as an emissary of Siraju-d-daulah, went to Ghasiti Begam and gave her assurances; and so the latter refrained from hostility, whilst Nazar Ali fled, and Bairam Khan taking refuge with one of the generals fell into disgrace. Siraju-d-daulah's army arriving captured Ghasiti Begam, together with all her effects. The Begam saw what she had never seen, and heard what she had never heard.
112.1.2
Siraju-d-daulah's army rased to the ground her buildings and her palace, and unearthing her buried treasures carried them to Mansurganj. Owing to Siraju-d-daulah's harshness of temper and indulgence in violent language, fear and terror had settled on the hearts of everyone to such an extent, that no one amongst the generals of the army or the noblemen of the City was free from anxiety. Amongst his officers, whoever went to wait on Siraju-d-daulah despaired of life and honour, and whoever returned without being disgraced and ill-treated offered thanks to God. Siraju-d-daulah treated all the noblemen and generals of Mahabat Jang with ridicule and drollery, and bestowed on each some contemptuous nick-name that ill-suited any of them. And whatever harsh expressions and abusive epithets came to his lips, Siraju-d-daulah uttered them unhesitatingly in the face of everyone, and no one had the boldness to breathe freely in his presence. Appointing a Kyeth, named Mohanlal, to be the minister and controller of all affairs, Siraju-d-daulah bestowed on him the title of Maharajah Mohanlal Bahadur, gave him a large bodyguard of cavalry and infantry, and ordered all his generals and nobles to pay respect to him. All did so, except Mir Mohammad Jafar Khan, a brother-in-law of Nawab Mahabat Jang, and the generalissimo of the army, who refused to pay respect to Mohanlal, and for some time ceased to pay respect even to Siraju-d-daulah.
112.1.3
But Rajah Mohanlal, coiling himself round the brain and skin of Siraju-d-daulah, forgot himself so far that he fancied nobody else existed, appointed his own kith and kin to posts connected with the Crown-Domains and also to other revenue offices, and dismissed the old officers. For instance, Rajah Mohanlal sent a message to Nawab Ghulam Husain Khan Bahadur that if he accepted a pay of Rs. 200 a month, he might stay on, otherwise he should quit the country. The latter, of necessity, on the plea of visiting the Kabah, set out for Hugli. Inasmuch as before Mahabat Jang's death, in the beginning of that year, on the 13th of Rabiu-l-Awal, Nawab Nawazish Muhammad Khan Shahamat Jang, who held the office of Diwan of Bengal, had died, Siraju-d-daulah arrested Rajah Rajballab, Peshkar of Shahamat Jang, on the plea that he should render up his accounts. Although Rajballab tried hard to pay up some cash and to compromise the demands, Siraju-d-daulah did not consent, and kept him under surveillance. Rajballab sent his family and children to Calcutta, to take shelter with the English. Siraju-d-daulah desired to arrest Rajballab's family also, and ordered Rajah Ram, head of his spies, to proceed to Calcutta, arrest Rajballab's family, and bring them over. Mahabat Jang, whilst on sickbed, had dissuaded Siraju-d-daulah, and directed him to postpone the matter, and urged that after recovery he (Mahabat Jang) would himself summon them.
112.1.4
At this time, Siraju-d-daulah ordered Rajah Ram, head of his spies, to proceed to Calcutta and arrest and bring over Rajballab's family and children, and himself in the month of Shaban, on the plea of touring, proceeded towards Akbarnagar (Rajmahal). Whilst Siraju-d-daulah reaching Dunahpiir had encamped on the bank of the river Kalapani, he received news that the English Chiefs in Calcutta had offered opposition, and prevented the arrest of Rajballab's family and children. On the very receipt of this news, the fire of Siraju-d-daulah's rage kindled, and he summoned the officers of his army, and said: "I intend proceeding on an expedition against Calcutta. It is necessary that none of you should go back to Murshidabad, but that all should proceed straight from here to Chunakhali and encamp there." Next morning, setting out, Siraju-d-daulah reached Chunakhali, and from there proceeding by forced marches invaded Calcutta. In the month of Ramzan, fighting with the English, Siraju-d-daulah became victorious and triumphant, and the English Chief embarking on a boat fled. Sweeping the town of Calcutta with the broom of plunder, and naming it Alinagar, Siraju-d-daulah left Rajah Manikchand with a large detachment as Governor of Calcutta. Posting strong garrisons at Makhuah and Bajbajia (Budge-Budge) and other fords for the crossing and passage of English ships, Siraju-d-daulah at the end of the above month returned to Murshidabad.
112.1.5
Saulat Jang, Faujdar of Purniah, that year, previous to Mahabat Jang's death, in the month of Jamadi-l-Awal, had died, and his son, Shaukat Jang, who was a cousin of Siraju-d-daulah, had succeeded his father. At this time, Siraju-d-daulah desiring to displace Shaukat Jang demanded the revenue of Purniah. Shaukat Jang replied: "You are lord of three Subahs (Provinces), whilst I am fallen in this corner, and am content with a bit of bread. Now it does not become your high aspiration to set the teeth of your avarice on this bit of bread." Siraju-d-daulah, on receipt of this reply, which did not satisfy his designs, despatched Diwan Mohanlal, together with other Generals such as Dost Muhammad Khan, Shaikh Din Muhammad, Mir Muhammad, and Jafar Khan, &c., with a large army, to fight with Shaukat Jang; and he also wrote to Ramnarain, the Subahdar of Azimabad, to march quickly to Purniah. From the other side, Shaukat Jang detailed for fighting Shaikh Jahan Yar and Karguzar Khan, the generalissimo, and Mir Murad Ali and others, and subsequently he himself set out and assaulting and sacking and burning Haiatpurgolah returned to Purniah. On arrival at Manihari, Siraju-d-daulah's army encamped, whilst Shaukat Jang's army at a distance of one Karoh at Nawabganj entrenched itself. On the next day, Shaukat Jang also arrived and joined his army; and on the same day, Rajah Ramnarain, the Subahdar of Azimabad, with his contingent of troops, joined Siraju-d-daulah's army.
112.1.6
On the morning of the following day, Rajah Mohanlal advanced with his force in order to fight, and unfurled his flag carrying the ensignia of the Mahi Order which he held. Shaukat Jang, on seeing the ensignia of the Mahi Order, fancied that Siraju-d-daulah himself had joined his army, and was marching up for fight, and so Shaukat Jang advanced also with his army. Shaikh Jahan Yar dissuaded Shaukat Jang, saying: — "To-day the moment for fighting is not auspicious, if it pleases God, to-morrow early in the morning we shall fight, and whatever is decreed by Providence shall take place." Shaukat Jang, paying no heed to this dissuasion, marched up to the battle-field. Shaikh Jahan Yar was also obliged to advance with his corps, and whilst fighting bravely he received a gun-shot. Shaikh Abdu-r Rashid, his brother, and Shaikh Qudratu-l-lah, his son-in-law, together with Shaikh Jahan Yar, his nephew, as well as his other kinsmen were slain on the battle-field, and earned present and future glory. At this time of strife, a sword fell on the neck of the horse of Shaikh Jahan Yar, and cut asunder its rein, and the horse furiously gallopped away with its rider from the field. As he had already received several mortal wounds, by the time of his arrival at Birnagar, he expired. At that crisis, Shaukat Jang, himself joining in the fight, advanced, discharging arrows, and came in front of Dost Muhammad Khan.
112.1.7
The aforesaid Khan said, "Come on my elephant, as you will find security then." Shaukat Jang not consenting fixed a sharp arrow in his teeth, and shattered his fronttooth. At this time, besides two horsemen, one of whom was Habib Beg, no one else was with Shaukat Jang. Habib Beg dismounting from his horse stood in front of his elephant on the field. As decreed by fate, a bullet from the gun of a servant of Dost Muhammad Khan hit Shaukat Jang on the forehead, and the bird of his soul flew away, and nestled on the branches of annihilation. And Kalguzar Khan, the generalissimo Shaikh Bahadur Karnuli, Abu Turab Khan, Murad Sher Khan, nephew of Shaikh Jahan Yar, Shaikh Murad Ali, disciple of Nawab Saif Khan, Mir Sultan Khalil, the archer, Loha Singh Hazari, and Mir Jafaru-l-ju, &c., displayed gallant bravery, and tasted the potion of death on the battle-field. Siraju-d-daulah had advanced to Akbarnagar (Rajmahal), when the tidings of victory arrived; and he ordered the music of victory to strike up. He also caused the adherents of Shaukat Jang, such as were captured, to be punished in various forms. Rajah Mohanlal confiscating fifty-one elephants, and horses, and camels, and other treasures of Shaukat Jang, and leaving his own son as Deputy Governor of the Faujdari of Purniah, returned.
112.2.1
When Siraju-d-daulah, after the fall of his cousin, arrived in Murshidabad, the chess-board of time presented a new game. Of the English, who had been routed by Siraju-d-daulah in Calcutta, and whose treasures worth several laks had been plundered, some escaped and fled to an island. Thence they sent messages to Enghxud and other ports, and in a short time obtained reinforcements. After some months, the English chiefs, under the command of Sabit Jang (Clive), with thirty thousand men, arrived on ships of war, obliged the garrisons of the Nawab's outposts to take to their heels, and fought with Rajah Manikchand. The Rajah suffered a heavy defeat. The English advancing to Hugli, rased its fortifications with the cannonade of their artillery, and the Faujdar of that Fort fled. Siraju-d-daulah, on getting news of the English victory, set out for Calcutta from Murshidabad, and encamped in the garden of Karhati, in the suburbs of Calcutta. The English made a night-attack. The next day, Siraju-d-daulah not having the boldness to advance, and outwardly proclaiming the conclusion of peace, marched back anxiously to Murshidabad. After arrival in Murshidabad, Siraju-d-daulah found that all the Nobles and Generals were disaffected. Foremost amongst them was Mir Muhammad Jafar Khan Bahadur, from whom the office of generalissimo had been transferred to Khwajah Hadi Ali Khan, and who had shut himself up in his house.
112.2.2
Siraju-d-daulah placing large batteries in front of Mir Jafar's palace was ready to blow him up, and ordered him to quit the City. Mir Jafar tendering excuses and apologies, secretly set about making warlike preparations in self-defence, and tampering with the Bhaliah Generals and Commanders and with Jagat Set. Ratifying their conspiracy by mutual oaths and promises, Mir Jafar sent secretly Amir Beg, who was one of his confidential adherents, with letters to Calcutta, asking the English troops to be sent. Amir Beg, by indulging in various assurances, induced the English Chiefs to set out from Calcutta and to march to Palasi (Plassey). When the moment for action had passed, Siraju-d-daulah on hearing the Watts, the English Resident at Murshidabad, was threatened. The Nawab went so far as to tear up a letter which Col. Clive had written to him. Soon after, however, from fear of his false courtiers and want of confidence in his own army, he tried to pacify Mr. Watts by a Khilat, and wrote an excuse to Clive. But Clive had already flung himself into the conspiracy headed by Mir Jafar, to dethrone Siraju-d-daulah. According to the Tarikh-i-Mansuri, the conspiracy was planned by Mir Muhammad Jafar, Aminchand Raura (generally called Omichand) and Khwajah Vizier, but according to the Seiru-l-Mutakherin, by Mir Muhammad Jafar, Rajah Dulab Ram and Jagat Set, who had each their agents in Calcutta. (See quotation from Seir given by me already in this note).
112.2.3
Clive treated with the conspirators through Mr. Watts. The author then gives a description of Clive's double dealings with Aminchand (Omichand) as given in all histories of Bengal." "Early in June 1757, Clive left Calcutta, reached on the 17th the small town of Katwah, south of Plassey, and took possession of the fort of that place.
112.2.4
On the 21st June, 4 p.m., Clive left Katwah, crossed the Hugli, and pitched his tents on the morning of the 23rd, in the fields of Plassey. The Nawab's army was now in sight. A cannonade commenced. The English attacked the tents of Siraju-d-daulah, but were vigorously opposed by Mir Madan (called Moodum Khan in Thornton, Vol. I, p. 240), one of the Nawab's faithful amirs. About 12 o'clock Mir Madan was struck by a cannon-ball and carried to Siraju-d-daulah's tent, where he died. The fighting was, however, continued, Mohanlal having taken Mir Madan's place. But nothing decisive was done. Afraid of a conspiracy Siraju-d-daulah sent for Mir Jafar, who had taken no part in the fight. After most earnest solicitations on the part of the Nawab, Mir Jafar promised to fight the next day, on condition that Mohanlal should be at once ordered to withdraw from the fight. Siraju-d-daulah agreed, and Mohanlal returned to his tents. But no sooner did the troops see their General had left the field than they became hopeless and began to flee. Before evening, the army of the Nawab had dispersed. This is the battle in which India was lost for Islam." See Blochmann's notes from the Tarikh-i-Mansuri referred to above.
112.2.5
The Seiru-l-Mutakherin's explanation regarding (p. 637, Vol. II), Clive's breach of the treaty with Siraju-d-daulah is apologetic in tone. The Seir states that the English had joined Mir Jafar's conspiracy, but as this wise race do not, without some substantial reason, engage in hostilities, or break treaties, they must have entered into some correspondence with the Nawab, and advanced some good reason (of which the author was not aware) for breaking the treaty of peace. Possibly the reason was found in the delay in the payment of the Nawab's indemnity on account of the losses sustained by the English during the capture of Calcutta by Siraju-d-daulah. I will now summarise the description of the battle of Plassey from the news of the advance of the English troops, marched out of the City. Now taking out the cotton of recklessness from the ear, Seiru-l-Mutakherin (Vol. II, p. 638). On hearing of Clive's movement, Siraju-d-daulah tried to conciliate his disaffected officers, who outwardly professed loyalty to him, but inwardly plotted his ruin. Siraju-d-daulah sent Rajah Dulab Ram (the traitor) ahead to Plassey, to supervise the construction of redoubts and entrenchments, and shortly after moved up there himself, with his faithful officers, Mir Madan and Mohanlal and with the traitor, Mir Jafar. Clive also moved to Plassey with a small number of English Telengi troops, numbering about 2,000 in all.
112.2.6
Clive commenced the battle with a brisk cannonade, whilst Mir Jafar stood by at a distance and watched the game. Mir Madan fought bravely till about 3 P.M., and steadily advanced with Mohanlal close to Clive's position. Seeing Mir Madan's gallantry, Clive, it is said, was dispirited and reproached Omichand for having falsely assured him that everyone was disaffected against the Nawab, and that no one would fight for the latter. As luck would however have it, at this time Mir Madan was hit by a cannon-ball and was removed to Siraju-d-daulah's tent, where he died. Siraju-d-daulah now becoming anxious sent for Mir Jafar, beseeched the latter to fight on his behalf, and even placed his turban before the latter, and addressed this arch-traitor as follows : " I now repent of my deeds, and in the name of relationship that you bear to me, and in the name of the bounties that you received from my grandfather, Mahabat Jang, I entreat you to defend my life and honour." The pathetic appeal did not move the heart of this arch-traitor who still harboured his treacherous designs under the mask of friendship and who returned the following false answer : " To-day is at its close, and the time for further fighting to-day is over. To-day, order the battle to cease; to-morrow I will fight for you with the whole army." Siraju-d-daulah fell into Mir Jafar's trap, and sent a message to his Diwan, Mohanlal, who was continuing the fight after Mir Madan's fall, to return.
112.2.7
Mohanlal said there was no time to return now, as he was in the thick of the fight, which would finally decide the fate. Siraju-d-daulah consulted Mir Jafar, who cunningly repeated his former treacherous advice, and in consequence Mohanlal was summoned back. Mohanlal's return had a disastrous effect on Siraju-d-daulah's army, who dispersed in all directions. Siraju-d-daulah then returned swiftly to Murshidabad, halted for some time at Mansurganj, but found he was surrounded on all sides by false courtiers and traitors. So he left with his Begams and gold for Bhagwangolah, whence on boats he sailed for Azimabad sending at the same time a letter to Mons. Las to join him. Before Las's arrival, Siraju-d-daulah was on his way to Patna. Owing to his Begams and children having had no food for some days, Siraju-d-daulah, whom misfortune was dogging, landed at Rajmahal, went to the house of a fakeer named Danu Shah, who undertook ostensibly to prepare Khichri for him, but who inwardly harboured resentment against the Nawab, owing to previous ill-treatment. This fakeer promptly sent news of Siraju-d-daulah's arrival to Mir Daud (brother of Mir Jafar), who was at Rajmahal. Mir Daud and Mir Qasim Khan he displayed towards the aforesaid Khan (Mir Jafar) flattery and endearment, and sending the Begam of Mahabat Jang to Mir Jafar opened the gates of apology for his past shortcomings. Mir Jafar did not listen to them, as he had no reliance on Siraju-d-daulah's assurances and actions.
112.2.8
After this, when Siraju-d-daulah advanced from Chunahkhali, the aforesaid Khan (Mir Jafar) also marching encamped at a distance of half a farsakh from the army of Siraju-d-daulah. Mir Madan, Superintendent of the Artillery, told Siraju-d-daulah that the English were coming at the instigation of Mir Muhammad Jafar, and that it was, therefore, expedient to finish first Mir Muhammad Jafar, and that after the latter was killed, the English would not have the daring to approach this side. In that the arrow of Fate cannot be parried by the shield of Effort, and in that God's decree had already been passed another way,
112.3.1
To the advice of that wise sage, That light-hearted man (Siraju-d-daulah) was deaf. When next day, Siraju-d-daulah reached Daudpur, tidings came to the effect that the English had set fire to Katwah. At that time Mohanlal reproached Siraju-d-daulah, and said: "You have ruined me, and rendered my children orphans. If you had not removed Mir Muhammad Jafar Khan and Dullab Ram from the Katwah outpost, things would not have taken this turn." In short, on the morning following that day, which was 5th Shawal of the 3rd year of the reign of Emperor Alamgir II, the English army from Palasi (Plassey) on one side, and Siraju-d-daulah from Daudpur on the other encountered each other, and opened the battle with a cannonade. Mir Muhammad Jafar Khan, with his detachment, stood at a distance towards the left from the main army; and although Siraju-d-daulah summoned him to his side, Mir Jafar did not move from his position. In the thick of the fighting, and in the heat of the work of carnage, whilst victory and triumph were visible on the side of the army of Siraju-d-daulah, all of a sudden Mir Madan, commander of the Artillery, fell on being hit with a cannon-ball. At the sight of this, the aspect of Siraju-d-daulah's army changed, and the artillerymen with the corpse of Mir Madan moved into tents. It was now midday, when the people of the tents fled.
112.3.2
As yet Nawab Siraju-d-daulah was busy fighting and slaughtering, when the camp-followers decamping from Daudpur went the other side, and gradually the soldiers also took to their heels. Two hours before sun-set, flight occurred in Siraju-d-daulah's army, and Siraju-d-daulah also being unable to stand his ground any longer fled. On arrival at Mansurganj, which had been founded by him, he opened the Treasury gates and distributed money to the army. But owing to grave anxieties, being unable to halt there, the Nawab abandoning his treasures and effects, at nightfall, with his wives and children, got into a boat, carrying with himself a lot of precious jewelleries and gold coins, and sailed towards Purniah and Azimabad. After Siraju-d-daulah's defeat, Mir Muhammad Jafar entered his camp, in the night held a conference with the English Chiefs, and early next morning marched in pursuit of Siraju-d-daulah, and arrived in Murshidabad. Finding the sky propitious towards his views, Mir Jafar entered the citadel, struck up the music announcing his accession to the masnad of Bengal, issued proclamations of peace and security in the City, and unfurled the standard of subahdari. Mir Jafar then detailed his son-in-law, Mir Muhammad Qasim with a corps to capture Siraju-d-daulah, and quartered the Engish army at Bahniah. But Siraju-d-daulah, travelling in the night, had sailed swiftly from below Maldah, and reached Bahial.
112.3.3
When news reached him that the mouth of Nazirpur was unnavigable and boats could not pass by that way, he was obliged to disembark, and went to the house of Dan Shah Pirzadah, whose house was at that place. Dan Shah who previous to this had suffered some injury at the hands of Siraju-d-daulah, finding the latter in his power, and seeing the times favourable, by giving assurances and consolations, detained Siraju-d-daulah in his house, and ostensibly engaging on preparing food, sent information to Mir Daud Ali Khan, Faujdar of Akbarnagar (Rajmahal), who was brother of Mir Muhammad Jafar Khan. The spies of Daud Ali Khan who were searching for Siraju-d-daulah, fancying it to be a grand victory, swiftly arrived, and capturing Siraju-d-daulah carried him from the house of Dan Shah to Akbarnagar, from whence the spies of Daud Ali Khan and Mir Muhammad Qasim Khan carried him in their company to Murshidabad. Mir Muhammad Jafar Khan threw Siraju-d-daulah into prison that day. On the next day, with the advice of the English Chiefs, and on the importunity and insistance of Jagat Set, he slew him, and suspending the corpse of that victim of oppression to a howdah on an elephant's back, sent it round the City, and then buried it in Khosh Bagh in the Mausoleum of Nawab Mahabat Jang. After some days, Mir Jafar killed also Mirza Mihdi Ali Khan, the younger brother of Siraju-d-daulah, by stretching him on an instrument of torture, and buried his body by the side of his brother's grave.
112.3.4
The Nizamat of Nawab Siraju-d-daulah lasted one year and four months, and he was slain at the end of the month of Shawal 1170 A.H.