Riyaz al-salatin 113.3

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.