[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Mughals (1526–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal) › [Later Mughals (1707–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later) › [Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirīn](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin) › [A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa) › 12.15 # Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.15 A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 12.15 - **Language:** English ### [12.15.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.12.15.1) "It is before his death that the worthy man's merits must be known, and placed to his account; "For none deserves to be deemed such, but he that carries such a character to the very grave." After a digression which the reader shall set to the account of the importance of the personage, and the singularity of the event, we shall return to the thread of our history. Baladji-rao, sensible that an army of Marhattas would never remain under control at the sight of plunder, and anxious to approve himself as good as his word, quitted Daüd-pür; and striking to the right, he continued his route by Ticarry and Gaya, behind Azim-abad, and at some distance from that city, through Manpür and Bahar, from whence he came again into the high road by Mongher and Baghalpür, two populous towns, the territory and inhabitants of which suffered exceedingly from the passage of his troops. Numbers had fled to the other side of the Ganga; but a lady of distinction, relict of Ghaüss-qhan, (a General of great character whom we have seen slain at the battle of Gheriah) being unable for want of means to cross the river with her numerous family; and having it not in her power to provide otherwise for her safety; resolved to stand her ground and to defend her honour to the the very last drop of her blood. This heroine called her relations and dependants together, exhorted them to perish rather than to behold their women defiled or even attempted; ### [12.15.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.12.15.2) and finding them willing, she shut up the doors of her houses, barricaded her quarter, and arming her dependants with a small number of rusty musquets then at hand, she prepared to defend herself against that mighty host of foes. All the inhabitants had fled, or had submitted to defilement, and sack, and plunder; and it was only from that cluster of ruinous dwellings, that some opposition was exhibited, and a report of some firing was heard. The plunderers surprised at so unexpected an appearance, surrounded the refractory quarter, and were in doubt whether they should force it or not; for the firing went on, and some of their men were falling. But meanwhile intelligence of this strange event having reached the ears of the Marhatta General, it excited a sense of admiration mixed with curiosity. Upon enquiry about that strange event, he was informed "that the widow of a renowned General, being through poverty unable to provide herself with lodgings and subsistence on the other side of the water, had resolved to bury herself under the ruins of her house, rather than to suffer any defilement. That she had barricaded her quarter, and with a handful of dependants, whom her resolution had roused, she was defending it so well, that the plunderers, little accustomed to find so much resistance, had not dared to attempt it, and were only looking at it from afar. The intelligence pleased Baladji-rao. He was astonished to find so much daringness in a woman; ### [12.15.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.12.15.3) and not content with praising her resolution, he sent her a kind message, which he accompanied with a present of some curious stuffs of Decan, and some curious brocades; and to put her house and quarter out of all danger, he sent a detachment of his bodyguards to take charge of it, with orders not to stir from thence, until the whole army should be gone and far off. He added, that they would answer to him for any insult she might suffer. After giving this order he continued his route by the hilly country; and the guards having strictly executed their orders, took a respectful leave of the heroine, and rejoined their main. The Marhatta General continued his route through hills and woods, and after some days' march, he emerged in the plains of the Birbohom, which is a tract in the neighbourhood of M8rsh8d-abad. Rhago-dji-bhosslah was on his side approaching that city. That Prince incited by Bha-sukur, his General, had set up another army, with which he had again invaded Bengal, near the capital of which he was now encamped, whilst Baladji-rao was on the other side; so that the unhappy country was in prey to two armies of freebooters at one and the same time, and seemed to be covered by an inundation. Baladji-rao being yet encamped below Baghalp8r, Aaly-verdy-qhan gave him the meeting there at the head of a numerous army; and on hearing that the Generalissimo was just landed in his quarter, he went to make him a visit. It was on the bank of the Ganga. ### [12.15.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.12.15.4) As soon as he was descried, the Marhatta General advanced to meet him, and having embraced him according to the Hindostanee custom, he brought him by the hand to his tent, where he made him sit close to himself on the same Mesned; so that those mighty personages gave an image of the conjunction of those two celestial bodies, Mars and Jupiter. After the usual compliments, and the customary ceremonies and presents, they parted; and Aaly-verdy-qhan returned to his camp. This ambiguous visit was returned the next day; and the Viceroy of Bengal having advanced a great way to meet his guest, brought him to his tent of audience, where he made him sit on the same Mesned with himself; and Paan (Beetle), and essence of roses having been served, a number of trays were brought in, which contained a variety of the most curious and costly stuffs; and to these were joined a number of plates of gold, strewed with a variety of jewels and gems; after which came a chaplet of pearl and a lofty elephant. Some words were likewise exchanged about the necessity of quieting the country, and opposing Rhago-dji; after which Baladji-rao took his leave and returned to his camp. The next morning the Viceroy sent a message about the propriety of driving Rhago-dji out of Bengal. The other answered the proposal, by bringing forward the ch'dut, or annual tribute, which was these many years due by the province of Azim-abad; and he added some complaints about its not being paid this longwhile. ### [12.15.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.12.15.5) It was Mustapha-qhan, and the Viceroy of Bahar, who were entrusted with the message and answer; and as necessity knows no laws, the total of the outstanding debt was cast up; and although it amounted to a mighty sum, payment was promised. The Viceroy took from thence occasion to propose that the two armies should march jointly against Rhago-dji; and at the same time he beat the General, as if intending to march directly. But this was forbidden by the Generalissimo, who sent a person of consequence to carry the message; and as it became expedient to comply with the injunction, the Viceroy in a few days paid down the whole of the outstanding debt, and took occasion to renew his request of marching against what he called the common enemy, that is, against Rhago-dji. This Marhatta Prince who now lay encamped between Catwa and Bardevan, was soon apprised of this union of concerns, true or apparent; and thinking himself an undermatch for such powerful adversaries, by one of which his troops had been so often conquered, he thought it expedient to march off, taking his route by the western tracts of Bengal. The Viceroy informed of this retreat, crossed the Bagwraty, and pursued vigorously. ### [12.15.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.12.15.6) But after one or two days' march, he received a message from Baladji-rao, which requested "his not parting with him, as he conceived that the Bengal army would not be able to overtake the enemy." He added, "that if he persisted, he would be obliged to take another road, in which case he reckoned that in a few days he would soon overtake the flying enemy, and give a good account of him." And really he marched off the next day, and having soon overtaken Rhago-dji, he gave him a defeat, and forced him to quit the plains, and to retire through the chains of western hills, from whence the latter expected to reach his own frontiers by following certain valleys. This retreat he effected, but it was at the expense of the greatest part of his baggage, which he left by the way. This flight of the master having struck a panic in his Lieutenant, Bhasukur, who was encamped at Midnipûr, he raised his camp immediately, and took to the mountains that border on Oressa, flying all the while in the utmost disorder and consternation. His distress afforded Baladji-rao a full opportunity to retire on his side. This Generalissimo, under pretence of executing the Imperial order, and succouring the Viceroy, had in reality put him under contribution as well as his whole country; and having now received the arrears which he pretended, and carried some other points, he retired to his dominions in Decan. ### [12.15.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.12.15.7) And his camp and equipage were already far off, when his Vekil or agent, who had tarried behind to put the finishing hand to some affairs that had been entrusted to his care and to Mustapha-qhan, presumed so far on the prevalence of the Marhatta power, and the feebleness of the Empire, as to make use of improper expressions, and to talk in a high strain. This being more than could be borne by that General, who was naturally sudden and haughty, he threatened the agent with getting his clothes torn to shivers upon his back; and this order having been put in execution instantly, the agent retired covered with shame and disgrace, but with a quick resentment at the insult that had been offered to his person and character. He talked of breaking the conferences and returning to his master; but as such a step would have produced very heavy consequences the Viceroy sent for him, excused his General's improper behaviour on the natural hastiness of temper incident to a rough soldier, soothed his mind, and then made him a present of a rich Qhylaat, to which was added a horse, and some other articles that disarmed his resentment. By this time Baladji-rao was already at some days' journey; and the agent having been dismissed with high demonstrations of regard and honour, made haste to rejoin his master. ### [12.15.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.12.15.8) When he was gone, the Viceroy sent for Mustapha-qhan, and with a deal of seriousness he informed him that his proceeding might have had very grave consequences, and was of a nature to excite Baladji-rao's resentment. "Pray, my Lord," answered the General, "is it so? Then in such a case your Highness, who is my lord and master, might have taken Rhago to task, and left the other to me; or else, your Highness may give a banging to Baladji-rao, and turn Rhago to me for a hearty flogging." All these events happened about the end of Moharrem and the beginning of Sefer, in the year 1155 of the Hedjra. And now Baladji-rao being gone, and there being no probability of Rhago-dji's recovering so soon from his loss of men and money, the Viceroy satisfied with the success of the campaign, returned to his capital; from whence he soon dismissed his youngest nephew, who was Viceroy of the Bahar; and that nobleman departed in a few days. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.12.15](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.12.15) · Pramāṇa