Akhbar-i Mahabbat 6.3

6.3

By the revolution of time a difference arose between Muzaffar Jang and the Afghans, which turned to open hostility. On the 17th Rabi'u-l awwal of the said year, both parties prepared for battle. On one side stood Muzaffar Jang and the French, and on the other the Afghans. Himmat Khan and the other Afghan chiefs suffered the consequences of ingratitude, and were slain. Muzaffar Jang also, having received a wound in his eye-ball, hastened to his grave. After this the French entered the service of Amiru-l Mamalik Salabat Jang, the third son of Asaf Jah, and having obtained possession of Shikakul (Chicacole), Rajbandar, etc., they acquired great strength. Their sway extended to different parts of the Dakhin. For a long time they had kept up an intercourse with this province, but nobody took them into service. Muzaffar Jang was the first who employed them, and brought them into land belonging to Muhammadans. When the French had reached this degree of power, the English, who are ever on thirst for their blood, also ventured to encroach upon the territories belonging to the Emperor. Having taken possession of some parts of the Dakhin, they made themselves master of the fort of Surat, and erected strong factories in Bengal. They obtained orders from the Court of 'Alamgir for the exemption from tax of their goods, and they firmly settled in Bengal.