Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.1.1

12.1.1

Grand distribution of rewards at the Court of M8rsh8dabad — About a Coror of rupees sent to Court as the whole of Ser-efraz-qhan's estate — Aaly-verdy-qhan resolves on an expedition against the Oressa or Catec — The Oressa conquered — Strange escape of its Viceroy — Singular generosity of a Gentoo Prince towards him — Aaly-verdy-qhan leaves his grandson in the Government of Oressa — Great respect paid by Aaly-verdy-qhan and his family to Ser-efraz-qhan's mother — The new Governor of Oressa manages unworthily — His enormous oppressions — The ancient Governor's son-in-law recovers possession of Catec — Where he seises and confines the new Governor — Aaly-verdy-qhan marches into Oressa — Where he defeats Bakyr-aaly-qhan — Settles the Oressa anew — Zin-eddin-ahmed-qhan, Viceroy of Azim-abad, acquires a character for valour and conduct — Orders Roshen-qhan-terahi to be put to death — The Marhattas invade Bengal — Aaly-verdy-qhan resolves to fight them — Some of his Commanders lag behind — The Afghans in the army incline to a general defection — He disdains to pay a ransom to the Marhattas — He recovers the affection of his Afghans — He fights his way through the enemy — Memorable retreat of the Bengal Army to Cutwa — Two elephants save it from destruction — The Marhattas plunder part of M8rsh8dabad — Get possession of H8gli — Ravage all Bengal, south of the Ganga — The Governor of Azim-abad marches to his uncle's assistance — Ingenious meeting of Aaly-verdy-qhan's with a relation of his — The Emperor sends Ab8l-mans8r-qhan and Baladjirao to succour Bengal — A bridge of boats breaks down, and occasions a great loss — The Marhattas severely chastised — Overbearing behaviour of Ab8l-mans8r-qhan — The author's father is misrepresented — Baladjirao under pretence of succouring Aaly-verdy-qhan, ravages Bengal — Azim-abad saved by an accident from imminent danger — Singular resolution of a lady who attempts to defend her house and quarter against the Marhattas — Ambiguous meeting between Aaly-verdy-qhan and Baladjirao — Hussein-coly-qhan loses his office, but is reinstated by Gahasity-begum, daughter of the Viceroy — Ill offices rendered to the author's father — Who parts with Aaly-verdy-qhan's family — City of Azim-abad secured by a wall — High credit of Mustapha-qhan with the Viceroy — Aaly-verdy-qhan resolves to entrap the Marhatta Commanders — Most of them massacred — The Marhattas slaughtered everywhere, evacuate Bengal — Strange character of the Afghan nation — Mustapha-qhan, from a General of the Viceroy's, becomes his rival — He comes to an open war with him — He attacks the Governor of Azim-abad — Who opposes him vigorously — Deputation sent him — Ingenious and artful message of his to Mustapha-qhan — Bold, open answer of the latter — The Afghans attack and carry the entrenchments of Azim-abad, and yet are worsted — The victory is snatched a second time from the hands of Mustapha-qhan, who is shot through the head — Aaly-verdy-qhan marches to succour his nephew — The Afghans victorious a third time, are worsted again, and Mustapha-qhan is slain — The body of that hero unworthily used.