Riyaz al-salatin 112.2.1

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.