Chahar gulzar-i Shujaʿi 10: Account of Bengal, Maksudabad, and Patna 'Azimabad, and of the cities of Calcutta and Dacca.

10

When the English had driven out Kasim 'Ali Khan from Bengal, Maksudabad and 'Azimabad Patna, they confirmed the son of Ja'far 'Ali Khan in the deputy-governorship of Bengal, and Shitab Rai in that of 'Azimabad Patna. The armies which were stationed in those provinces under the command of the former governors were all dismissed, and the necessary number of Telinga barkandazes were enlisted, to be kept at the disposal of the deputy-governors of the provinces. It is said that a very strange practice was introduced into the country, namely, that the English began to sell some articles themselves, and that they prohibited other traders from dealing in them according to former practice.
In the month of Shawwal, 1183 A.H. (Feb. 1770 A.D.), in the city of Calcutta, where the English resided, such a storm raged that many men were killed, and houses destroyed by the force of the hurricane. In the same year such a dreadful famine occurred in Calcutta, Bengal, and 'Azimabad, that in places where four maunds of grain had been sold for a rupee, even four sirs were not then to be obtained for the same money. Consequently many persons died of hunger. It is said that in Bengal and 'Azimabad about three million seven hundred thousand men were starved to death; and many sold their sons and daughters for grain, or for four or eight anas a piece. On account of this dearth, the English sent several hundred boats from Calcutta to Faizabad for the purpose of procuring grain. Thus the price of corn was also raised in Faizabad and Lucknow.
It is said that in the month of Muharram, 1183 A.H. (May, 1769 A.D.), such showers of hailstones fell, that the whole city of Calcutta, where the English resided, was reduced to ruins. Several men were killed, houses levelled to the ground, and only a few men survived. In the same month and the same year hailstones fell also in the city of Maksudabad.
It is said that the English are so just and honest, that they do not interfere with the wealth of any rich men, bankers, merchants and other people who reside in their cities, but, on the contrary, they are very kind to those who are wealthy. But from those who are powerful they manage to obtain money by their wisdom and adroitness, and even by force if necessary; but they are not oppressive, and never trouble poor people. They are a wonderful nation, endowed with equity and justice. May they be always happy, and continue to administer justice!