[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) › [Chahār gulzār-i Shujāʿī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.chahar-gulzar-i-shujai) › [Chahar Gulzar Shuja'i, of Hari Charan Das (Elliot & Dowson, extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.chahar-gulzar-i-shujai~en-elliot) › 2 # Chahar gulzar-i Shujaʿi 2: Death of 'Aliwardi Khan, Názim of Bengal. Chahár Gulzár Shujá'í, of Hari Charan Dás (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 2 - **Language:** English ### [2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.chahar-gulzar-i-shujai~en-elliot.2) 'Aliwardi Khan, the Governor of Bengal, Maksudabad and Patna, having no son, and seeing that his end was fast approaching, appointed his daughter's son as his successor, and enjoined on him the observance of two precepts. First, that he should never enter into hostilities with the English. Secondly, that he should never exalt Ja'far 'Ali Khan to any great rank, or entrust him with such power as to involve himself in difficulty, in case of his revolt. Siraju-d daula, however, soon forgot these precepts, and when, after the death of 'Aliwardi Khan, he succeeded to power, he took Ja'far 'Ali Khan into his favour, and conferred on him a jagir, to which he also attached a troop of horse and foot, and placed his whole army under his command. The English at Calcutta punctually paid their annual tribute, according to the fixed rate. But Siraju-d daula, through his covetousness and pride of power, demanded an increase of tribute from them, and became openly hostile towards them. Actuated by his vanity and presumption, he suddenly attacked them in Calcutta, and having plundered their property and cash, put several of their officers to death, and returned to Murshidabad. As the English had taken no heed of his movements, they could not oppose him at the time with success; but afterwards they collected a large army, and marched boldly towards Murshidabad. They also brought over Ja'far 'Ali Khan to their interest, upon the promise of making over the province of Bengal to him. When their army reached within one or two marches from Murshidabad, Siraju-d daula advanced to oppose them. Ja'far 'Ali Khan, who had the command of all his forces, wished to capture and surrender him to the English without any battle being fought; but Siraju-d daula soon became acquainted with his intentions, and seeing himself in a helpless situation, secretly embarked alone in a boat and fled. After his flight the English assigned the province of Bengal to Ja'far 'Ali Khan, who established his rule there, and appointed his deputies in all its districts. All the property of Siraju-d daula was taken and divided between him and the English. When Siraju-d daula had gone thirty kos from Murshidabad, he stopped for a while, and ordered his servant to land in the jungle, and try to get some fire for his hukka. Accordingly the servant disembarked, and seeing the cottage of a darwesh, he approached it, and asked the occupant for some fire. It is said that the darwesh had been a servant of Siraju-d daula, and, being ignominiously turned out by him for some fault, he had become a fakir, and taken up his abode in this jungle. When he saw the servant of Siraju-d daula, with a chillam in his hand studded with gems, he instantly recognized him, and asked him how he happened to be there. The servant, who was a simpleton, discovered the whole matter to him; and the darwesh, quietly leaving him there, went with all speed to the governor of the neighbouring town, and informed him of Siraju-d daula's arrival. As orders for capturing the Nawab had been issued by Ja'far 'Ali Khan and the English, and the governor had received them on the same day, he immediately embarked on a boat, and, having seized the Nawab, sent him under the custody of some trusty servants to Ja'far 'Ali Khan, who put him to death in A.H. 1160 (1747 A.D.). Having so far gratified his ambition, Ja'far 'Ali Khan with a settled mind devoted his attention to the management of Bengal, and took possession of all the wealth and royal equipage of Siraju-d daula, who had involved himself in this danger by not observing the wise advice of his grandfather. - [Previous: 1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.chahar-gulzar-i-shujai~en-elliot.1) - [Next: 3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.chahar-gulzar-i-shujai~en-elliot.3) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.chahar-gulzar-i-shujai~en-elliot.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.chahar-gulzar-i-shujai~en-elliot.2) · Pramāṇa