Bayan-i waqiʿ 2.3

2.3

'Aliwardi Khan, too, had been on terms of friendship with Shuja'u-d daula, and was appointed by him to manage the affairs of 'Azimabad, in the office of deputy governor, and was so employed when he marched towards Murshidabad, for the purpose of reasoning with the son of his patron on the impropriety of being induced to oppress and tyrannize over his dependents by the silly speeches of designing men, and with the hope of being able to deliver Haji Ahmad from his difficulties. Sarfaraz Khan was completely possessed with the idea that he was coming with deceitful and dishonest intentions, and marched out of Murshidabad to meet him. An action took place between the two armies, in which Sarfaraz Khan was accidentally killed by a musket-ball fired by one of his own men. His army was scattered. Of his friends and officers, some were killed, others were taken prisoners, and part fled. Now the followers and friends of Sarfaraz Khan say, that 'Aliwardi Khan made use of the false imputation as a means of advancing his own views, and that, though apparently he came for the purpose merely of having an interview and giving advice, in reality his intention was to seize upon the property and take the life of Sarfaraz Khan. At any rate 'Aliwardi Khan became master of the country and treasure, with all the wealth of Ja'far Khan, who had formerly been Subadar of Bengal, and was the grandfather of Sarfaraz Khan by his mother's side.