[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [General histories](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general) › [Akhbār-i Maḥabbat](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat) › Akhbár-i Muhabbat, of Nawáb Muhabbat Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) # Akhbár-i Muhabbat, of Nawáb Muhabbat Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) Translation of [Akhbar-i Mahabbat (Akhbār-i Maḥabbat)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat) - **Language:** English - **Date:** 1877 CE - **Translators:** [Henry Miers Elliot](https://indike.org/pramana/person/elliot), [John Dowson](https://indike.org/pramana/person/dowson) - **Extent:** 22 passages, 4,932 words - **Text:** complete digital text - **Source:** archive.org · The History of India, as told by its own Historians. The Muhammadan Period. The posthumous papers of Sir H.… · Public domain (published before 1930) ## Contents - [1 Foundation of the city of Calcutta by Mr. Chdnalc (Job Charnock), chief of the English tribe.](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.1) — 7 parts - [2 Account of Farásdángá.](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.2) - [3 The Sixth Year of the Reign of Ahmad Shah.](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.3) - [4 The Muhammadans and Christians in Malabar and the Dakhin.](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.4) — 8 parts - [5 Establishment of the English Power in India.](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.5) - [6 Battle of Nawab Muzaffar Jang, son of Nawab Nizamu-l Mulk Asaf Jah's daughter, with Nawab Anwaru-d din Khan, of Gopamau, a descendant of Hoshan Islam Khan.](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.6) — 4 parts ## Text ### Foundation of the city of Calcutta by Mr. Chdnalc (Job Charnock), chief of the English tribe. ### [1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.1.1) Calcutta formerly was only a village, the revenue of which was assigned for the expenses of the temple of Kali Devi which stands there. As in the Bengali language the words Karta and Kat mean the proprietor of that Kali, in course of time, by the elision of the i, it began to be called Calcutta. I now proceed to an account of the foundation of the city, and how the Honourable Company's factory was maintained at Gholghat and Mughalpura, near Hughli. Suddenly, at about sunset, when the English officers were at their dinner, a violent bore arose in the river, and fell with such force upon the shore that the factory was in danger of falling down. The officers ran out in great consternation and saved their lives. All the goods and property were destroyed by the water, and a few men and several animals lost their lives. Mr. Chanak, their chief, having purchased the Benarasi Bagh, which belonged to the Company's agent at Gholghat, near the city, cut down the trees, and founded a factory, the buildings of which were raised two and three stories high. When the compound was made, and the rooms were ready to be roofed in, the nobles and chief men among the Saiyids and Mughals, who were great merchants, went to Mir Nasir, Faujdar of Hughli, and declared that if the strangers were allowed to ascend their lofty houses, they, the Mughals, would be greatly dishonoured, seeing that the persons of their females would be exposed to view. ### [1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.1.2) The faujdar sent a report of the matter to Nawab Ja'far Khan, and directed the Mughals and other principal inhabitants of the place to accompany it. They all complained before the Nawab, who issued orders to the faujdar, to the effect that not another brick or timber should be allowed to be raised. The faujdar, immediately on receipt of the order, prohibited all the masons and carpenters from carrying on the work, and ordered that no one should go to the factory. Thus the work remained unfinished. Mr. Chanak, with great indignation, prepared to fight; but as he had a very small force, and only one vessel was present at the time, while the Mughals, who were joined by the powerful faujdar, had assembled in great number, he saw no advantage in taking any hostile measure against them, and was obliged to weigh anchor. He had a burning glass in his ship, with which, by concentrating the sun's rays, he burnt the river face of the city as far as Chandernagore. With a view to avenge this injury, the faujdár wrote to the police station at Makhuá, with orders to stop the vessel. The thánadár accordingly, in order to prevent the passage of the vessel, prepared an iron chain, each link of which was ten sirs in weight, and having made it in length equal to the breadth of the river, kept it ready and made it firm to the wall of the fort. The chain being extended across the river, the vessel was thus intercepted; but Mr. ### [1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.1.3) Chanak cut through the chain with a European sword, and went on his way. He took his vessel out to sea, and proceeded towards the Dakhin. In those days the Emperor Aurangzeb was in that part of the kingdom, straitened by his enemy for provisions, and his camp was reduced to starvation. Upon this the chief of the factory in the Carnatic sent vessels laden with grain, showing great consideration for the throne, and proved of great service. The Emperor was much pleased with the English people, and desired to know the Honourable Company's wishes. The English chief requested him to grant a sanad and farmán, giving permission to establish factories in all parts of the kingdom, and particularly in Bengal. The request was granted, and the royal orders exempting the Honourable Company's ships from custom duties, fixing a sum of three thousand rupees as a peshkash to be presented to the bakhshí of the port, and giving permission for the establishment of factories, were issued. Mr. Chanak returned with the royal farmáns from the Dakhin to Bengal. He sent his agents with the peshkash and some presents to Ja'far Khán, and obtained permission to erect a factory in Calcutta. Mr. Chának accordingly erected a new factory at the place where he anchored after returning from the Dakhin, which is known by the name of Chának. He founded the city and populated it, and gave a stimulus to the trade of Bengal. That factory is well known to this day by the name of the Old Fort. ### [1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.1.4) Calcutta is a large city, situated on the banks of the Bhagirathi. It is a large port, and the great mart of the trade of the Honourable Company and their dependents. Small vessels called silap (sloops ?) every year trade with this port from China, Europe, and other countries, and almost at all times some are at anchor there. In these days this city is the residence of the chief English officers, and the city and its dependencies are considered their property. The buildings are built entirely of masonry, plastered with lime or mud. The land, on account of its vicinity to the sea, is very brackish and damp, and hence the houses are raised two or three stories high. The lower apartments are not fit to be inhabited. The buildings are like those of Europe, airy, spacious, and commodious. The city is very large, and all constructed of brick. Besides the English, the Bengalis, Armenians, and other inhabitants, are also opulent merchants. The water of the wells, on account of its brackish quality, is not drinkable. If any person drinks it, he is sure to suffer. In the hot and rainy seasons it becomes peculiarly bitter and saline, and consequently drinking water is procured from tanks. The sea is forty kos distant from the city, and the ebb and flow of the tide occur every day and every night. At full moon the bore rushes in for three days with unusual violence. It presents a curious and wonderful scene; it throws some boats on the shore, and breaks others to pieces; ### [1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.1.5) those which are not near the shore receive no injury from it, and therefore no boat, large or small, is left there unanchored. In the same manner, towards the end of the lunar month, the water rolls in with great violence for three days and nights. These high floods are called homán in the Bengali language, and that which takes place daily is termed jowár-bháta. A mud fort towards the south, outside the city, constructed after the English model, is very marvellous. Its praise is beyond all expression; it is well worth seeing. The wall which encircles it appears in every direction low from the outside, just like the embankment of a tank ; but looking at it from the inside it appears high. Very large and lofty buildings are erected within it, and much skill is shown in the entire construction of this fort. There are many other wonderful and excellent works in this city. As regards the beauty of the buildings and various novelties, there is no city like this in the whole of Hindustan, except Shah-Jahanabad, which is incomparable. Its only defects are that the air is very insalubrious, the water brackish, and the soil damp, to such a degree that the floors of the houses, although made of bricks and lime, are still, from the excess of moisture, always damp, and the walls also are wet to the height of two or three cubits. For four months in the winter the climate is not so unhealthy ; but for eight months during the summer and rainy seasons it is very injurious. ### [1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.1.6) Calcutta is a wonderful city, in the country of Bang. It is a specimen of both China and Farang. Its buildings are heart-attracting and delightful. Their heads are exalted to the height of the sky. The decorations executed in them by skilful persons Exhibit a variety of good colours and beautiful drawings. From the beauty of the works of the European artists The senses of the spectator are overpowered. The hat-wearing Englishmen who dwell in them All speak the truth and have good dispositions. As are the dwellings, so are their occupants. How can I sufficiently indite their praises ? The roads made of pounded brick are so level, That the morning breezes sweep away all the dirt from them. In all the lanes persons whose faces are like the moon take their walks, So that you would say the earth was bathed in moonlight. One is like the moon, the other like the planet Jupiter, The third shows a beauty like that of Venus. As a multitude of persons like the planets roam in every direction, The streets take the resemblance of the Milky Way. ### [1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.1.7) You will see, if you go to the bazár, all the excellent things of the world. All things which are produced in any part of the inhabited world Are found in its bazár without difficulty. If I attempt to write in praise of the marvels of the city, The pen will refuse its office. But it is well known to all of every degree That it combines the beauties of China and Farang. The ground is as level as the face of the sky, And the roads in it are as straight as the line of the equator. People go out to walk on them, And there they meet together like the planets. Such a city as this in the country of the Bengalis Nobody has seen or heard of in the world. ### [2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.2) Chandernagore, alias Farásdángá, is twelve kos from Calcutta, and there is a factory in it belonging to the French Christians. It is a small town on the banks of the Bhágíratí. An officer on the part of the King of France remains there to govern the town and manage the commercial affairs of the place. The English have no concern with it. In the same manner, Chochra (Chinsura) is in possession of the tribe of Walandíz (Hollanders). This place is a little to the south of the port of Húghlí, and is one kos to the north of Farásdángá. In like manner, Seorámpúr (Serampore), which is also situated on the same stream, and opposite to Chának, has a factory of the tribe of Dánamár (Denmark), by which name the station itself is sometimes called. In these places no other rule prevails than that of the nation which owns the factories. I again resume my original subject. Nawab Ja'far Khán, towards the close of his life, built on his own property, which lay to the east of the city of Murshídábád, a ganj, a katrá, a mosque, a minaret, a reservoir, and a large well. He also raised his tomb at the foot of the stairs of the mosque, with the view that by that means it might not soon get injured, and that by the fortunate contiguity of the mosque, prayers might constantly be made in his name. As his end approached, having no son, he appointed as his representative and successor Sarfaraz Khan, his daughter's son, whom he had brought up from infancy, and consigned to his care all public treasure, the buried wealth, furniture, and all the privileges appertaining to the Nizam and the Emperor. ### [3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.3) In this year, 'Imadu-l Mulk (Ghaziu-d din), having secured the concurrence of Malhar Mahratta, attacked Suraj Mal Jat, who was one of the dependents of Safdar Jang. Suraj Mal, having taken refuge in one of his forts, wrote to Ahmad Shah and Intizamu-d daula, representing that if 'Imadu-l Mulk, joined by the Mahrattas, should acquire power, he would assuredly ruin the Empire as well as the Wazarat. Intizamu-d daula saw the evil, and persuaded the Emperor to proceed, on pretence of hunting, towards Sikandra, where Holkar Mahratta suddenly made an attack upon the royal army. Ahmad Shah with his mother, Intizamu-d daula, and some other followers, fled. All the royal camp equipage and the insignia of royalty were plundered by the Rajputs. Malika Zamaniya, the daughter of Farrukh Siyar, with other ladies of the royal household, were captured by the Mahratta and received into his zenana, and the honour of the family of Timur received a deadly wound. 'Imadu-l Mulk, on receipt of this intelligence, abandoned the siege of the Jat's forts, and in company with Malhar Rao Holkar and Samsamu-d daula, the commandant of artillery, returned to Dehli. There, in concert with the chief officers of the throne, he first killed Intizamu-d daula, his maternal uncle, and then assumed the rank of wazir for himself, under the title of Ghaziu-d din Khan, He took Ahmad Shah and his mother prisoners, and treated them with every indignity. The pen now turns to other matters, and, if God please, the present subject shall be hereafter resumed. ### The Muhammadans and Christians in Malabar and the Dakhin. ### [4.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.4.1) Let it not be hidden from the sun-resembling minds of those who understand the value of the gems of intelligence, that, previous to the rise of Muhammadanism, the Jews and the Christians had intercourse, as merchants, with most of the ports of the Dakhin, such as Palniar and others. Having become familiar with the people of that country, they established their residence in some of the cities, and built houses and gardens. In this manner they sojourned for many years. When the great star of Muhammadanism appeared, and the rays of that world-enlightening sun shone from the east to the west, gradually the countries of Hindustan and the Dakhin were also benefited by the light of the Muhammadan law, and intercourse of the Musulmans with that country began. Many of the kings and rulers of that country espoused the Muhammadan faith. The Rajas of the ports of Goa, Dabal, and Chand, etc., allowed all the Musulmans who came there from the different parts of Arabia to settle on the sea-shore, and treated them with great honour and respect. For this cause the Jews and Christians burned with the fire of envy and malice. But when the countries of the Dakhin and Gujarat came into the possession of the Kings of Dehli, and Islam was established in them, the Europeans put the seal of silence on their lips, and never uttered a word of animosity or opposition, till at length, about the year 900 A.H. ### [4.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.4.2) (1495 A.D.), when weakness and disorder found their way into the government of the Sultans of the Dakhin, the Portuguese Christians received orders from their King to build their forts on the shore of the Indian Ocean. In the year 904 A.H. (1499 A.D.) four ships of the same people arrived at the ports of Kandaria and Kalikot (Calicut), and having made themselves acquainted with the circumstances of the place, they returned to their own country. Next year six vessels came and anchored at Kalikot. The Portuguese petitioned the chief of the place, who was called Samuri (Zamorin), to prohibit the Muhammadans from intercourse with Arabia, remarking that they would benefit him much more than the Muhammadans could. The Samuri, however, gave no heed to their prayers, but the Christians began to deal harshly with the Muhammadans in all their transactions. At last the Samuri, being provoked, gave orders that the Christians should be slain and plundered. Seventy persons of rank were destroyed among the Christians, and those who remained embarked on the vessels, and thus saved themselves. They landed near the city of Koji (Cochin), the chief of which was at hostility with the Samuri. They obtained his permission to build a fort, which they completed hurriedly in a very short time. They demolished a mosque on the sea-shore, and made a Christian church of it. This was the first fort which the Christians built in India. ### [4.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.4.3) With the same expedition they built a fort at Kanur (Cananore), and to their entire satisfaction engaged in the trade of pepper and dry ginger, preventing others from engaging in the same traffic. On this account the Samuri raised an army, and having killed the son of the chief of Cochin, plundered the country and returned. The heirs of those who were slain again collected their forces, raised the standard of sovereignty, and restored the population of the country to its former state. By the advice of the Firingis they built ships of war, and the chief of Cananore followed their example. This excited the anger of the Samuri, who lavished immense treasure upon an army raised for the purpose of attacking Cochin; but as the Firingis always gave their assistance to its chief, the Samuri returned twice unsuccessful. He was at last obliged to send his ambassadors to the Kings of Egypt, Jedda, Dakhin, and Gujarat, complaining to them of the outrages of the Christians, and imploring their aid. He also at the same time represented their disrespect towards Islam, and thus excited the wrath as well as the zeal of those Princes. The Sultan of Egypt, Mansur Ghori, sent one of his officers named Amir Husain with thirteen ships (ghrabs) full of fighting-men and munitions of war towards the coasts of Hindustan. Sultan Mahmud of Gujarat also prepared several ships to oppose the Firingis, and despatched them from the ports of Diu, Surat, Goga, Dabal, and Chand. ### [4.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.4.4) The Egyptian vessels touched first at Diu, and joining those of Gujarat, sailed towards Chand, where the Firingis had assembled. This force was augmented by forty vessels of the Samuri, and some from the port of Dabal. When the junction was effected, a fire-ship of the Firingis, without being observed, suddenly fell upon their rear, and the whole surface of the water was instantly in a blaze. Malik Ayaz, the chief of Diu, and Amir Husain, prepared to oppose the enemy, but all to no avail. Several Egyptian ships were taken by the enemy, numerous Muhammadans drank the sweet water of martyrdom, and the Firingis returned victorious to their port. It was during these days that Sultan Salim of Rum obtained a victory over the Ghori Sultans of Egypt, and thus their dynasty closed. The Samuri, who was the originator of all these disturbances, was disheartened, and the Firingis obtained complete power; so much so, that in the month of Ramazan, 915 A.H. (Dec. 1509 A.D.), they came into Kalikot, set the Jama'-masjid on fire, and swept the city with the broom of plunder. Next day, the Palnadis collected in large numbers, and falling upon the Christians, killed five hundred men of rank, and many were drowned in the sea. Those who escaped the sword fled to the port of Kulim (Coulon). Having entered into friendly relations with the zamíndár of that place, they erected a fortress for their protection about half a farsakh from the city. ### [4.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.4.5) In the same year they took the fort of Goa, belonging to Yúsuf ’Ádil Sháh, who retook it by stratagem; but after a short time, the Firingís, having bribed the governor of the place with large sums of gold, again became its masters, and they made the fort, which was exceedingly strong, the seat of their Government. This made sorrow and grief prey upon the health of the Sámurí, who expired in 921 A.H. (1515 A.D.). His brother, who succeeded him, rolled up the carpet of destruction, and pursued the path of friendship with the Firingís. He gave them ground for a fort near the city of Kálikot, and took an agreement from them that he should be allowed to send four ships laden with pepper and dry ginger to the ports of Arabia. For some time the Firingís observed these terms; but when the fort was completed, they prohibited his trading in those articles, and began again to practise all kinds of tyranny and persecution upon the followers of Islám. ### [4.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.4.6) In like manner, the Jews of Kranghír (Cranganore), observing the weakness of the Sámurí, advanced their foot beyond the proper limit, and made a great many Muhammadans drink the cup of martyrdom. The Sámurí, repenting of his concessions, marched towards Cranganore, and so entirely extirpated the Jews that not a trace of them was found in that land. After this, joined by all the Musulmáns of Pálnád, he proceeded to Kálikot, and laid siege to the fort of the Firingís, which he reduced with great difficulty. This increased the power and pride of the Pálnádís, who, according to the terms of the original agreement with the Firingís, began to send their ships full of pepper, dry ginger, etc., to the ports of Arabia. In the year 938 A.H. (1531 A.D.) the Firingís founded a fort at Jáliát, six kos from Kálikot, and prevented the sailing of the Pálnadí vessels. About the same time, during the reign of Burhán Nizám Sháh, the Christians built a fort at Rívadanda, near the port of Chaul, and took up their residence there. In the reign of Sultán Bahadur Sháh of Gujarát, 941 A.H. (1534 A.D.), they took possession of the ports of Swálíh, Damán and Diú, which belonged to the Kings of Gujarát, and in the year 943 A.H. (1536 A.D.) they fully established themselves at Cranganore by force of arms. ### [4.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.4.7) At this time Sultán Salím of Rúm determined to expel the Firingís from the ports of India, and make himself master of them. With this view, in the year 944 A.H. (1537 A.D.), he despatched his minister, Sulaimán Bádsháh, in command of one hundred vessels, and he, having wrested the port of Aden from Shaikh 'Amr, son of Shaikh Dáúd, whom he put to death, sailed to the port of Diú, and there made preparations for war. He was nearly victorious, but, for want of provisions and treasure, he was obliged to return unsuccessful to Rúm. In the year 963 A.H. (1556 A.D.) the Tarsás (Christians) were in possession of the ports of Hurmuz, Muskat, Sumatra, Malacca, Mangalore, Negapatam, Barcelore, Ceylon, and Bengal, to the very borders of China. In all these places they built their forts. But Sultán 'Alí Haí captured the fort of Sumatra from them, and the chief of Ceylon also, having subdued the Firingís, expelled them from his dominions. The Sámurí, chief of Kálikot, being much harassed, sent his ambassadors to 'Alí 'Ádil Sháh and Murtazá Nizám Sháh, instigating them to wage a holy war against the Firingís and turn them out of their country. ### [4.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.4.8) In 979 A.H. (1570 A.D.) the Sámurí besieged the fort of Chálíat, and Nizám Sháh and 'Ádil Sháh besieged that of Rívadanda. The former, through his courage, was successful in capturing the fort; but the latter, on account of the infidelity of their servants, who were deceived by the temptations which the Firingís offered them, returned without fulfilling their object. From this time the Christians became more audacious in their persecution of the Muhammadans, in so far that they stretched out their rapacious hands to plunder on their return from Jedda some ships of the Emperor Jalálu-d dín Muhammad Akbar, which had sailed to Mecca without their permission, and they treated the Musulmans with great severity and contempt. They burnt down the port of 'Adilabad Farain, which belonged to 'Adil Shah, and entirely destroyed it. In the guise of merchants, they also came to Dabal, and wished, by cunning and deceitful means, to obtain possession of it; but its chief, Khwaja 'Aliu-l Malik, a merchant of Shiraz, being aware of their views, killed one hundred and fifty of their men of rank, and devoted himself to extinguish the fire of mischief. ### [5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.5) Be it known to men of curiosity that from the date that the ships of the Emperor Jalalu-d din Muhammad Akbar were seized by the Christians, the sending of vessels to the ports of Arabia and Persia was entirely closed, not only in the Dakhin and Bengal, but in other provinces of Hindustan, because it was considered beneath the royal dignity to enter into treaties with the Firingis, and to send them without entering into any understanding was to throw lives and property into danger. The Emperor's nobles, however, such as Nawab 'Abdu-r Rahim Khan Khan-khanan, and others, having entered into an agreement with them, used to send their own ships, and affairs continued in this course for some time. When the Emperor Nuru-d din Muhammad Jahangir ascended the throne of Dehli, there existed great discord and animosity between the Christians of Portugal, France, etc. Thirsting after the blood of each other, they read together the same evil book of hatred and malice. Contrary to the manner in which they had been treated, the Emperor granted the English a spot in Surat for the erection of a factory. This was the first settlement which the English made on the coasts of India. Before this, they also occasionally brought their cargoes to the ports of Hindustan, and having sold them there, returned to their native country. Afterwards, they also began to establish their factories at different places in the Dakhin and Bengal. In the time of Aurangzeb 'Alamgir, they founded the city of Calcutta, an account of which has been given above, and requires no repetition. ### Battle of Nawab Muzaffar Jang, son of Nawab Nizamu-l Mulk Asaf Jah's daughter, with Nawab Anwaru-d din Khan, of Gopamau, a descendant of Hoshan Islam Khan. ### [6.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.6.1) Nawab Muzaffar Jang, grandson of Nawab Nizamu-l Mulk Asaf Jah, at the instigation of Husain Dost Khan, alias Chanda, a resident of Arkat (Arcot), joined the French of Phuljari (Pondicherry), and invaded Anwaru-d din Khan Shahamat Jang of Gopamau, who had been governor of Arkat from the time of the said Nawab Nizamu-l Mulk, with the intention of wresting the place from him. A great battle ensued, Nawab Shahamat Jang, however, having fought very boldly, and given proof of his valour, fell in the field. Nawab Nizamu-d daula Nasir Jang, the second son of Nawab Asaf Jah, who had succeeded him in the chiefship of the Dakhin after his death, on receiving the news of the defeat of his sister's son, marched to punish Muzaffar Jang with a body of 70,000 horse and a lac of foot-soldiers. Having reached the port of Phuljari, he engaged in battle on the 26th of Rabi'u-l akhir, 1163 A.H. (24th March, 1750 A.D.), and became victorious. Muzaffar Jang was captured alive. Nizamu-l Mulk passed the whole rainy season in Arkat. ### [6.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.6.2) The French of Phuljari, having made a confederacy with Himmat Khan and other Afghan chiefs of the Carnatic, and servants of Nizamu-d daula, made them blind to the obligations they owed to their master, with the temptation of land and riches. These ungrateful people prepared to take cunning and deceitful measures, and joining with the Christian French of Phuljari, made an attack in the night of the 16th Muharram, 1164 A.H. (19th Nov. 1750 A.D.). They made Nawab Nizamu-d daula drink the red cup of martyrdom, and after his death the said Afghans and French raised Muzaffar Jang to the chiefship of the Dakhin. This Nawab, with a body of the Afghans, went to Phuljari, and having employed a great number of the Christian French, purchased their support of himself. In the same year he proceeded with an army of the Afghans and the French to Haidarabad, and passing through Arkat, entered the territory of the former tribe. ### [6.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.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. ### [6.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot.6.4) As the French had put Nawab Anwaru-d din Khan, of Gopamau, Governor of Arkat, to death, and having nominally chosen a person as chief, had gained ground in the Dakhin, Nawab Muhammad 'Ali Khan, his son, made friendship with the English officers, who in all respects gave him their assistance, and used their best efforts to extirpate the French. In 1174 A.H. (1760 A.D.) they laid siege to the fort of Phuljari, and having wrested it from the hands of the French, levelled all the buildings in it with the ground. Shikakul, Rajbandar, and other possessions of the French, the conquest of which was beyond all...tion, fell of themselves into their hands. Nawab Muhammad 'Ali Khan Mansur Jang, by the favour of the English, became governor of Arkat, under the title of Walajah Amiru-l Hind Muhammad 'Ali Khan Bahadur Mansur Jang. He gave himself up to the guidance of the English officers, and spent his whole life in the enjoyment of pleasure and delight. At present the territory of Arkat, like Bengal, is under the sway of the English, as will be shown hereafter. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.akhbar-i-mahabbat~en-elliot) · Pramāṇa