Riyaz al-salatin 113: NIZAMAT OF SHUJAU-L-MULK JAFAR ALI KHAN
The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam) 113
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NIZAMAT OF SHUJAU-L-MULK JAFAR ALI KHAN
113.1
When Jafar Ali Khan ascended the masnad of the Nizamat of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, he set himself to the conciliation of the states, in effect, that Siraju-d-daulah was a victim of Intrigues and misfortunes left as a legacy by his grandfather, Ali Vardi Khan, who had inaugurated in Bengal an era of violent intrigues and dark treachery, by killing his own master, Nawab Sarfaraz Khan (son of Ali Vardi's benefactor, Nawab Shujau-d-din Khan), and who was, therefore, now punished by an Avenging Providence in the person of his grandson Siraju-d-daulah, whom Ali Vardi had regarded as dearer than his own life. That Siraju-d-daulah did not bring on the misfortunes on himself by his own incapacity, is proved by what the Seiru-l-Mutakherin (Vol. II, p. 633), states, namely, that 'Siraju-d-daulah had attained the zenith of power and opulence, and that, therefore, a declension was inevitable according to the laws of nature.' This Revolution in the history of Bengal which in effect supplanted Moslem Rule and made the English virtually supreme in this country, may also be viewed in another aspect as a wise Dispensation of Providence for the ultimate good of the people. At the time, it is abundantly clear, the people in Bengal were sunk in the abyss of moral debasement, and the cankers of dark ingratitude and treachery, untruthfulness and venality had crept deep into the vitals of their hearts.
113.2
In the pursuit of the phantoms of individual self-aggrandisement and of personal ambitions, they had taken advantage of the youthful failings of their sovereign and of the internecine jealousies that distracted his family, forgotten and forsaken all sentiments of gratitude and honour, and yielded to their instinct of intrigue by fraternising with the Nawab's disloyal relation, Mir Jafar. These, therefore, verily needed a Chastener — a Moses — to save them from further moral dissolution ; and so Providence in His inscrutable wisdom sent to them One from across the seas in the person of the English, to scourge the vices of the land, to chasten the people, to purify and re-form them, and to once more, if possible, to rescue them from the sea of moral annihilation. army and the nobility, who had joined him in his conspiracy to destroy Siraju-d-daulah. He appointed his nephew, Khadim Husain Khan, to the office of Faujdar of Purniah, and conferred on Ramnarain a robe of honour, confirming him in the Deputy-Governorship of the Subah of Azimabad (Patna). At this time Shah Alam invaded the Subah of Azimabad. Rahim Khan and Qadirdad Khan, &c., sons of Umar Khan, and Ghulam Shah and other commanders and generals in the service Khan being thus re-assured, let Ramnarain return to the fort of Azimabad. Shortly after, on getting news of the approach of Miran and the English, Ramnarain threw off his mask of loyalty to the Prince and Muhammad Quli Khan.
113.3
The latter pressed the siege of Patna, assaulted the Fort, and Ramnarain being hardpressed was about to surrender and run away. Then news arriving that Shujau-d-daulah by a foul trick had made himself master of the Fort of Allahabad, which was held by his cousin Muhammad Quli Khan, the latter together with Prince Ali Gauhar abandoned the siege of Patna, and withdrew towards Allahabad. (See p. 669, Seir, Vol. II). At this time, Mons. Las met the Prince, persuaded the latter to attack again Patna, but the latter acknowledged his inability to do so, owing to want of funds. If, at this time, Shujau-d-daulah, instead of being meanly treacherous to his cousin, had supported him, the fate of Bihar might have been different. See Mons. Las's observations on the point quoted in the Seir (Vol. II, p. 670). At Benares, Muhammad Quli Khan's march was opposed under orders of Shujau-d-daulah, whilst Prince Ali Gauhar with Mons. Las was allowed to pass on via Mirzapur to Chattarpur towards Bundelkhand. Muhammad Quli Khan was carried to Shujau-d-daulah who had the meanness to imprison him. In the meantime, Miran with Col. Clive came to Patna, and Ramnarain waited on them, whilst apparently Amicable relations were opened between them and Prince Ali Gauhar, through the diplomatic correspondence of Ghulam Husain Khan, author of the Seir. (See Seir, Vol. II, p. 674). Shortly after, on the invitation of Diler Khan and Kamgar Khan, Zamindar of Tirhut Samai, Prince Ali Gauhar again invaded Patna.
113.4
At this time, the English army under Captain Cochrane supported Ramnarain. Mr. Amyatt was still the Chief of the English Factory at Patna, whilst Dr. Fullerton was attached to the Factory as the medical officer. The author of the Seir (Ghulam Husain Khan) was a friend of Dr. Fullerton, and was the latter's guest at the time. (See Seir, Vol. II, p. 676). At this time Emperor Alamgir II was treacherously murdered under orders of Imadu-l-Mulk (See Seir, Vol. II, p. 676), and Ali Gauhar consulted Ghulam Husain Khan's father, who resided at the time in Husainabad in Bihar Province and proclaimed himself Emperor under the title of Shah Alam in 1173, A.H., appointed Shujau-d-daulah as his Vizier, and Najibu-d-daulah as his General. Then Kamgar Khan Muin and Asalat Khan and Diler Khan met the Emperor, and induced the latter to invade Bihar. At this time, Ramnarain was encamped on the banks of the river Dhanah. At this battle, Shah Alam defeated Ramnarain, who was wounded. The English army who supported Ramnarain and were led by Captain Cochrane and Mr. Barwal, were also defeated and dispersed; and Patna fell into the hands of the Emperor. (See Seir, Vol. II, p. 678). At this battle, Diler Khan and Asalat Khan, sons of Umar Khan, fought and fell heroically on the side of the Emperor. Shortly after, Miran, with the English troops under Colonel Clive arrived.
113.5
On the side of the Emperor, Kamof Siraju-d-daulah, whom Jafar Ali Khan had previously from policy shifted to the province of Bihar, now joined the Imperial Army. At Fatuhah, a battle took place between the Imperialists and Ramnarain. Ramnarain was wounded, and fled to the fort, and the Imperial troops laid siege to the fort. Nawab Jafar Ali Khan, on getting this news, despatched to Bihar his son, Nawab Nasiru-l-Mulk Sadiq Ali Khan Shahamat Jang, surnamed Miran, with a detachment of English troops. On the banks of the river Adhuah, adjoining Barb, a battle ensued with the Imperialists. On the side of the Imperialists, Qadirdad Khan and Kamgar Khan displayed feats of bravery. Muhammad Amin Khan was wounded, whilst Rajballab fell back, and both contemplated flight. Qadirdad Khan, with others, by brave onslaughts, attacked the lines of artillery. A heavy gun, which required to be drawn by 400 bullocks, happened to lie in front of these. Those men got entangled amidst the bullocks, and failed to cut through as the bullocks hemmed them on all sides. At this juncture, the elephant-driver of Qadirdad Khan was shot by a bullet. Qadirdad Khan spurred on his elephant with his feet, and shot arrows. Nawab Sadiq Ali Khan received a wound, being hit by an arrow. At this moment, a big cannon-ball hit Qadirdad Khan on the left-side of the chest, and finished him up. On seeing this mishap, Kamgar Khan and others reining back their horses fell back to their own lines.
113.6
The army of Sadiq Ali Khan, on ascertaining this, made a fresh onslaught, attacked the Imperialists, and struck up the music of victory. The Imperialists were defeated. Rahim Khan and Zainu-l-Abidin Khan, who had made a detour towards the rear of Sadiq Ali Khan's array, on hearing the music of victory, made a flank movement towards the right wing, and attacked it. But owing to the cannonade of the English artillery, they were unable to stand their ground, and were defeated. After defeat, the Imperialists retired towards Bardwan, and Sadiq Ali Khan, pursuing them, followed them up to Bardwan via Chakai, Khauti, and Birbhum. From this side, Jafar Ali Khan also marched expeditiously to Bardwan, and on the banks of the river below the town of Bardwan, a battle commenced with a cannonade. The Imperialists not being able to hold their own there, marched back to Azimabad.
113.7
Jafar Ali Khan and Sadiq Ali Khan now set themselves to confiscate the treasures and effects of Nawab Siraju-d-daulah and the Begams of Mahabat Jang, &c. Rendering the latter hard up for even a night's sustenance, they had already sent to Jahangirnagar (Dacca), the Begam of Mahabat Jang with her two daughters, one named Aminah Begam, mother of Siraju-d-daulah, and the other named Ghasiti Begam, widow of Shahamat Jang, together with other ladies of Mahabat Jang's harem. Jafar Ali Khan and Sadiq Ali Khan now sent Baqir Khan, the General, to Jahangirnagar (Dacca) with a corps of one hundred cavalry, and wrote to Jasarat Khan, Faujdar of Jahangirnagar, peremptorily directing the latter to capture and make over Ghasiti Begam and Aminah Begam to Baqir Khan, as soon as the latter arrived. On the arrival of Baqir Khan at Jahangirnagar, Jasarat Khan was obliged to pass the necessary orders. The Begams were placed on a boat, which was taken out some karoh from Jahangirnagar and there sunk in the river. It is said that when the Begams were taken out to the boat, and became aware of their fate, they repeated their prayers, held the Holy Qoran in their armpits, embraced each other, and then plunged into the river. O, Gracious God, what inhuman barbarity was this ! But at length, Sadiq Ali Khan also suffered retribution for it in his own life-time.
113.8
At this time a misunderstanding had set in between Sadiq Ali Khan and Khadim Husain Khan, on account of levy of revenue and also of other matters. Sadiq Ali Khan, resolving to expel and extinguish Khadim Husain Khan, planned an expedition to Purniah. Khadim Husain Khan advancing with his troops from Purniah, entrenched himself at Gandahgolah (Caragola) for fighting. Then, all of a sudden, news arrived that the Imperialists had besieged the fort of Azimabad (Patna), and were fighting with Ramnarain. Consequently, Sadiq Ali Khan, abandoning his contemplated expedition to Purniah, set out for Azimabad. Khadim Husain Khan, not considering himself a match for him, set out for the Imperial Capital. From this (i.e., the southern) side of the Ganges, the army of Sadiq Ali Khan, and from that (i.e., the northern) side of the Ganges, Khadim Husain Khan marched up. And when news of the approach of Sadiq Ali Khan spread at Azimabad, the Imperialists raising the siege of the fort of Patna retired by the highway towards Munir. Sadiq Ali Khan, thus finding himself at leisure, crossed the river, and marched in pursuit of Khadim Husain Khan. Khadim Husain Khan marched forward with the swiftness of lightning and wind, whilst Sadiq Ali Khan hotly pursued him from behind, making forced marches. At this juncture, a storm of wind and rain came on and disabled both the horsemen and the horses from action.
113.9
Khadim Husain Khan reached the bank of a river, to ford which was difficult, and to cross which without a ferry boat was impossible. The army of Khadim Husain Khan, like the Israelites of old, finding the river in front and the enemy in the rear, despaired of life. Finding all ways of escape cut off, Khadim Husain Khan of necessity flung his treasures and heavy baggages amongst his soldiers, and placing his trust in his God and looking up to the Infallible Artist, looked out for supernatural help. The army of Sadiq Ali Khan, having had to march through mud and clay and being drenched through by a heavy shower of rain, were rendered unfit for fighting, and halted that day at a distance of 2 karoh from Khadim Husain Khan. In that the cup of the life of Khadim Husain Khan and his companions was yet not full to the brim, at midnight a lightning fell on Sadiq Ali Khan, and killed him and his personal attendant. This mishap occurred in 1173 A.H. Khadim Husain Khan, thus getting providentially rescued from the claws of certain death, marched away with the speed of lightning and wind, and went to the Subah of Audh (Oudh). Rajballab and other comrades of Sadiq Ali Khan rubbed the ashes of sorrow and anguish on their heads, and together with the English army retired to Azimabad. There they directed their attention towards the Imperial army, including the Emperor's Mahratta Contingent, who were encamped at Hilsah, and commenced warfare.
113.10
The Imperialists were again defeated, and the French General who was in the company of the Emperor was captured, whilst Rajballab followed up to Bihar. When the Imperialists marched towards Gya-Manpur and Kamgar Khan fled to the hills, Rajballab thought of returning. But at this moment, news arrived to the effect that Nawab Jafar Ali Khan was a prisoner, and that Nawab Qasim Ali Khan had acquired the Subah of Bengal, as will be related hereafter. The period of the Nizamat of Nawab Mir Muhammad Jafar Ali Khan lasted about three years.