Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.12
A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 12.12
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12.12.1
Aaly-verdy-qhan was the more inclined to ascribe this victory to the particular care of Providence, as the accident happened to those unfortunate men at the bridge, might have been of the utmost consequence, his vanguard being composed wholly of their friends and relations. He therefore gave his troops some rest, and for that day encamped in the Marhatta camp. The dead bodies were fished up, disengaged from their arms and clothes, and washed and purified, according to law, and committed to the earth. It was observed that they had a bluish appearance. Doubtless it was because the weather was so very hot, it being the end of the rains; and because the unfortunate people being straightened by their arms and clothes, had undergone a kind of strangulation and choking. This remarkable victory was obtained in the month of Shaaban of the year 1155 of the Hedjrah; and Bha-sukur sensible that he had done as much as could be done, took to the valleys of the Pachaet country; his troops in the utmost fear and confusion, evacuating the districts of Hogly, Bardevan and Midnipur, and all the other countries, which they had taken possession of. They were flying everywhere, and everywhere pursued by Aaly-verdy-qhan, who intent on their destruction, did not take a day's rest. Bha-sukur intimidated by the enemy's eagerness, struck into a tract full of brambles and thorny broken grounds, where the pursuers and the pursued were hardly differenced by a distance of six or seven cosses.
12.12.2
In a few days they both arrived in a woody tract full of snakes and large red ants, but so incredibly beset with tall trees and underwood, that in no part of the forest could two horsemen pass abreast. Insomuch that it became impossible for the officers to know where their own men were. So far from being able to hear of the enemy, Bha-sukur unable to open his way to his own frontiers, through such a difficult country, and at a loss how to manage with such an enemy at his heels, found himself obliged to leave the management of the march to Mir-habib; and that able General found means to bring him back to the woods of Bishenpûr, from whence he proceeded through the plain of Chendracona, and at last emerged about Midnipûr. From thence he sent troops to oppose Sheh-maasûm, in Oressa, a Commander who encamped at Hariarpûr with a handful of men. The Marhattas informed of the feebleness of his force, fell upon him, after having several times offered him terms, which he has often refused; so that the brave officer listening only to his sense of honour and fidelity, came out of his lines with his handful of men, and after a furious engagement which cost much blood, he fell like a brave man, selling his life to the highest bidder. Meanwhile Aaly-verdy-qhan informed that the Marhattas having given him the slip, had shown themselves in the Midnipûr, marched back from that difficult country; and having crossed the whole Bardevan, he advanced with a resolution to attack them.
12.12.3
So much expedition and perseverance could not but add to the fears of the Marhatta General, who far from being recovered from his panic of Catwa, fled again from Midnipûr, and then to Balisser-bender (Balassor), all this while without being able to get rid of his pursuers, as the Viceroy was continuing the pursuit without giving himself any rest. The Marhattas tired with so much obstinacy, faced about and resolved to try his chance again. The action was warm, and cost the lives of a number of brave men on both sides; but still with a greater loss on the side of Bha-sukur, who finding that his difficulties increased upon him, fled again, and was still pursued by the bravest and best mounted of the Bengal army; whilst the Viceroy followed with the main and an artillery of such large cannon, as would have shaken the globe. Matters came to such a pass, that the Marhattas often cut down, and then endlessly pursued, and often experiencing the heavy blows of the enemies, at last lost courage, and could not be brought to face about, or to stand their ground for half an hour; and their General eternally pursued, fled again, until he reached the last boundaries of Oressa, and even through the frontiers of Decan;
12.12.4
so that the Viceroy continued the pursuit as far as the Chilca Lake, where finding no enemy before him, and even no traces of their laggers, he returned crowned with glory to Catec, where hearing how bravely and faithfully he had been served by Sheh-Maassum, he sent for his family, condoled with it, and took care of its well-being. The post of that brave man was given to Abdol-nebi-qhan, uncle to Mustapha-qhan, on whose recommendation his military degree was raised up to three thousand horse, to which distinction was added an augmentation in the effective men of his regiment, a kettle-drum, a fringed Paleky, and the title of Bahadyr or Valiant. A number of other troops were commanded to attend him, and he received strict orders to keep a watchful eye over the enemy's motions. This officer, on his nephew's invitation, had quitted Samana, the place of his nativity and that of his ancestors; and with a choice body of men, composed entirely of his own nation, and officered by his own family, he had joined the army a little after the battle of Bardevan, where he had offered his services to the Viceroy. His brigade, which was of no less than five thousand men, was ordered to remain with him; and to this was added a body of musqueteers, and as much artillery and necessaries as the time and place seemed to require.
12.12.5
But as the man, being a rough soldier, understood very little of administration, the son of the first Minister, Djankiram, was ordered to attend to that business under the title of his Pishcar or agent. This was Radja Durlubram. It was after those arrangements had already been taken, that news came of Abul-mansur-qhan's arrival at Azim-abad, and also of some disobliging actions of his, which rendered it necessary to find a remedy, unless he came to some concessions. Such an intelligence having hastened the Viceroy's departure from Catec, he recommended the country and inhabitants to the care of the new Governor, hung at his ear two pendants of wholesome advice, and set out on his return to Murshud-abad, carrying with him his two sons-in-law, his friends, and the rest of his troops. He traversed the Midnipûr and Bardevan; and it was in this last place he received intelligence that Abûl-mansûr-qhan had returned to his own country. This was at the very time when Aaly-verdy-qhan was taking measures to drive him away. The singular behaviour of that pretended succourer had made such an impression on his mind, that some days before, he had put this question to Mustapha-qhan: "General," said he, "you hear that the Viceroy of Aûd acts very much like an enemy. He disposes of every thing in my country, with as little ceremony as if he were at home. Should it become necessary to make him change his manners, how are we to manage?
12.12.6
For the Marhattas find me work enough." The General, without hesitation, answered, that he did not see there any matter that should require much deliberation; let your Highness tear this man to pieces, added he, and let me scamper after the other; and rest assured that a good account shall be given of him. Whilst the Viceroy was musing on this answer, news came that Baladji-rao, the Marhatta Generalissimo, having set out by the Emperor's order for succouring Bengal, was arrived at a few days from Mûrshûd-abad; so that the Viceroy hastened his march, sensible that he would hardly have landed in his palace, before he should have been obliged to leave it again.
12.12.7
By this time the news of the victories over the Marhattas had reached the Imperial Court, and the Emperor, perfectly satisfied with the Viceroy's conduct, wrote him with his own hand a letter full of encomiums, bestowed on him the title of Hessam-el-mulk, or Sword of the Kingdom, and added to that favour that of a rich Sabre and Poniard, with a Serpich or circlet, and Djica or Aigrette, and a chaplet of large pearl; and not content with those honours, he sent him a whole dress of his own wearing. He at the same time complied with the petition he had sent up, and conferred new titles and new honours on the principal persons of his family. Nevazish-mahmed-qhan, who enjoyed already the title of the Valorous in Wars, was decorated with that of the Respectable of the Empire; Sayd-ahmed-qhan, already the Impetuous in Battles, was proclaimed the Important of the Empire, and Zin-eddin-ahmed-qhan, already the Imposing in Battles, became the Honour of the State. At the same time the epithet of the Honoured of the Empire was bestowed on Ata-ollah-qhan, and those of Qhan or Lord, and Bahadyr or Valiant, on Mustapha-qhan, who also received the patents of a command of three thousand horse.