Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.17
A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 12.17
- Language
- English
12.17.1
On the Governor's arrival at Azim-abad, the rumour of the approach of the Marhattas became stronger; and as it produced a general consternation, he thought that the only method that could be devised to quiet the minds of all the inhabitants, and to secure their persons and properties, would be to raise a wall round the city. There was already such a wall; but so neglected and decayed, and withal, so beset by houses, that it could hardly be distinguished from them. He therefore ordered that a deep ditch should be sunk round, and that the earth dug from it should be thrown behind and upon the old wall, so as both to raise and strengthen the same. But as this was not to be done without ruining the houses already built on the side of the old wall or close to it, it did not fail to occasion much murmuring and much discontent among the owners, who could not see in that inconveniency and in the loss they underwent as individuals, the safety and welfare which they acquired upon the whole ; they could not forbear exhaling themselves in sobs and complaints. But the utility of the undertaking was so apparent, that no regard could be paid to their complaints ; and in a little time the wall rising gradually from the ground, afforded an insurance of future safety. In process of time, whenever the country came to be overrun by Marhattas, (and it has been so several times) not only vast numbers of people used to retire within the walls, and to find their safety there ;
12.17.2
but even the numerous houses and habitations which remained without, were effectually protected from plunder by the cannon of the rampart ; so that those very people that had murmured so openly, were the foremost to acknowledge the propriety of what was done, and to load their Governor with due praises. This work being at last finished, the Governor commenced to live easy in his palace, from whence to relax his mind, he used sometimes to come to our lodgings and to make a visit to the poor man's mother, to whom he always made some presents. As he had received from his uncle the whole Pergunnah or District of Tirroot in Djaghir to his ownself that is, in appanage, and he was intent on bringing that country into cultivation, he resolved to cross the Ganga, and to see it by himself, intending to sojourn some time in the same ; and as he had a great attachment to Mehdi-nessar-qhan, the poor man's uncle, and he always expressed a concern at his resignation, he on the day of his departure, went to make him a visit, and he insisted on his coming with him immediately. From thence he proceeded on his journey, and took up his residence in the District of Benvar, which was inhabited by a race of ancient Radjas, settled this long series of years in that country, which he now put under the direction of his friend, Mehdi-nessar-qhan, in hopes that it would by his means become thoroughly peopled and cultivated.
12.17.3
He likewise distributed some other parts of the country on the same intent, and with the same injunction to his other friends ; and this was done with so much discernment, that people soon perceived a difference in its population and revenues. As he thought proper to make a long sojourn in that country, he sent for his consort, Amna-begum, who was daughter to Aaly-verdy-qhan, and for most of the ladies and women of his Seraglio; and he wrote likewise to the poor man's mother to request her attendance, as a great favour, adding that if she had no money to pay her charges, she might apply to his treasurer, such being the attachment he bore to that worthy lady, and the high opinion he had conceived of her personal merit; else, such warm attachment is seldom the result of parentage or relationship; nor is so much respect and regard paid to ties of blood in similar cases. As to the poor man himself and his younger brother, Aaly-naki-qhan-Bahadyr, we were both in Shah-djehan-abad, at that time with our illustrious progenitor, Sayd-hedaiet-aaly-qhan. But as we have more than once spoke of Mustapha-qhan's person, and the boundless authority which he had acquired, it is needless we should enlarge on the heroical valour that distinguished his character, and the many important services he had rendered the State. Unfortunately for him, these very qualifications contributed to his ruin.
12.17.4
They had raised his credit to such a height in Aaly-verdy-qhan's mind, and his influence all over the country had become so very extensive, that there was no man in the service who could go on a par with him. The Viceroy's gratitude became boundless likewise; he was loading him every day with immense presents, and accumulating the highest honours upon his head. At one time he presented him with twelve lacs of rupees; and he augmented his brigade to seven thousand effectual troopers; and that of his uncle, who governed the Oressa, was augmented to five thousand; and as a further favour, his post and brigade passed to that Governor's son, Abdol-resol-qhan, who on his father's demise, went in great pomp, and took possession of his Government. Mustapha-qhan himself, over and above his brevet of five thousand, and his brigade of seven thousand horse, his fringed Paleky, and his other honours and insignia, enjoyed so many emoluments besides that he lived in great state. He had fifty elephants in his stables; and his influence in every affair of either Government or revenue, as well as in all military matters, was so great, that the very relations of Aaly-verdy-qhan, when they had a point to carry, used to apply to him for his interest, at the very time it was filling the Court with jealousy and detraction.
12.17.5
Even Hadji-ahmed, elder brother to Aaly-verdy-qhan, and father to three sons who had married the Viceroy's three daughters, and enjoyed the highest honours and dignities of the State — Hadji-ahmed took umbrage at the General's boundless influence. Finding himself eclipsed by his personal character, and overborne by his weight, he rather than endure it any more, resolved to live deprived of his brother's society, to exile himself from his home, and to leave a city to which he was accustomed so early as the times of Shudjah-qhan. He abandoned his own habitation, and went far off to live with his younger son, Zin-eddin-ahmed-qhan, Governor of Azim-abad. The subject of discontent proved to be the Government of H0ogly, which the Hadji wanted for himself, and which Aaly-verdy-qhan bestowed on the Hadji's second son, Sayed-ahmed-qhan, who after the loss of his Government of Oressa, lived at Court like a private man, almost without income, as well as without office. Aaly-verdy-qhan thought the Hadji, his brother, sufficiently provided for, by the Sair of M0ursh0ud-abad, that is all the duties, customs and receipts, different from the Land Tax. The old man unable to brook such a refusal, asked and obtained leave to go for his health to Azim-abad. It was about the year 1157. About the same time, (the rainy season being already over), the Marhattas made their appearance again.
12.17.6
Bha-sukur who had attached to himself Aly-caraol, a famous General of the Decan, to whom he had given the command of six or seven thousand horse, now thought of putting his talents to a trial; for he presented himself on the confines of Oressa and Bengal at the head of twenty thousand horse. His intention was to retrieve his character, either by giving a defeat to Aaly-verdy-qhan, or by putting him under contribution. But the Viceroy, who tired with such a continual state of warfare, and with so many consecutive campaigns, felt himself sinking under a perpetual labour of body and mind, that had no end; and who over and above that consideration, had also contracted some infirmities, that weighed down and impeded his natural activity; had now resolved on getting rid of such an importune enemy by some stroke of policy. He therefore gave it out that he wanted to afford some release to his own body, and some rest to his troops; and at the same time, he held frequent consultations with Mustapha-qhan about the manner of destroying the invaders, and of entrapping the Marhatta General and his principal officers in such a manner, as that the whole of them, officers and troops and all, should take a journey to the kingdoms of Nothingness. As Bha-sukur's power and vigilance, as well as the want of energy in the Mussulmans of Bengal, rendered such a scheme perilous, if not wholly impracticable;
12.17.7
and Mustapha-qhan, on the other hand, declined the service, and seemed averse from performing his part; the Viceroy excited his cupidity by pointing out honours and rich presents to his mind; and he fired his ambition by promising him the government of the province of Azim-abad, if he could bring within his net, both Bha-sukur and his principal Commanders. Mustapha-qhan, who was a man of design and contrivance as well as of prowess and execution, and who to those advantages joined the talent of speaking as well as he acted, could not resist so many temptations. Resolved to perform the service expected from him, he commenced a negotiation with Bha-sukur; and as if his master, tired of war, wanted only peace and tranquillity, he proffered his services for bringing about an accommodation between the two parties. The first effect of those proffers was, to render the Marhatta General less attentive to war matters, and more inclined to come to an interview, which was the very thing aimed at; and as Bha-sukur on these overtures had shewed a pacific disposition, and had expressed an inclination to meet Mustapha-qhan, the latter was sent to him together with Radja Djanki-ram, Divan to Aaly-verdy-qhan, and of course a Minister of the highest trust and credit with his master, who imparted to him alone his real scheme: and this was to contrive some expedient by which Bha-sukur and his principal Commanders, under cover of an interview, might be dispatched to the deserts of non-existence.
12.17.8
The two envoys having learned their lesson thoroughly, went to Catwa, where Bha-sukur was arrived lately; whilst the Viceroy to give more probability to his proposal, quitted Morshod-abad, and went to Mancara, at about one day's journey to the south, where he encamped on the banks of the river Bagwraty. The two negotiators were then in conference with Bha-sukur; and they turned him so many ways, fascinated his understanding so effectually, and made use of such solemn promises, which they supported by the most sacred oaths, that the Marhatta General was prevailed upon to make a visit to the Viceroy of Bengal, as a step necessary to his sealing the mutual agreement which was to be concluded. But as he harboured still some doubts, and he wished to sound the ford, he dispatched Aaly-bha-caraol, in appearance to pay his respects to Aaly-verdy-qhan, but in reality to make his observations on what he would see at Court, and throughout the army; and as he reposed the greatest confidence in that Commander, he was resolved to trust to his report only, and then to make himself a visit to the Viceroy in company with all his Commanders. The two negotiators finding that the scheme they had laid down, had taken effect, carried Aaly-bha with them, on returning to their master.
12.17.9
Mustapha-qhan in particular, who was a proficient in that duplicity which seems essential to the character of an Afghan, spoke by the way so artfully, and he made such an impression on the heart of Aaly-bha, as induced him to expect the most flattering reception. These sentiments were seconded by Aaly-verdy-qhan himself, who in his speech and manners was at all times the most winning of men; and he worked so effectually upon that officer's mind, by his gracious deportment, and his bewitching way of expressing himself, that he made an entire conquest of his heart. Rich presents perfected what sweet words had commenced; and finding now that the man was persuaded, he sent him back to his master, in company with Mustapha-qhan; and both these officers so effectually beset Bha-sukur, and so strongly exhorted him to shake off the suspicions he had harboured in his mind, that the man became a convert, as was already his envoy. Whilst the negotiation was going on, and ingredients were throwing in the river to disguise the colour of its water, Aaly-verdy-qhan did not cease to cultivate the Marhatta's good disposition by plying him incessantly with everything curious, costly, or delicious, either in stuffs or in fruits, whether of the growth of Bengal, or imported from abroad;
12.17.10
and all that was done in so conciliating and elegant a manner, that it entirely eradicated the aversion which the other had conceived against his person, and totally subdued and rooted the mistrust he had harboured in his mind. In one word, the Marhatta's mind was entirely changed; he became fond of Aaly-verdy-qhan, and his heart was so thoroughly conquered, that there is no doubt, but that he would have gone over to him and attached himself to his service, had he not been already at the head of so much power, and had not his thoughts been totally engrossed by his expedition. Radja Djanki-ram, as being himself an Hindoo as well as the Marhatta, passed whole days in his company, and by that very reason proved greatly instrumental in this affair. At last after many reciprocal oaths had been exchanged, it was agreed that Bha-sukur with all his general officers should make a visit to the Viceroy of Bengal, in the plain of Mancarah. The latter was then encamped at Amani-gundj, as was Bha-sukur at Catwa, which was ten cosses farther : Mancarah having been agreed to by both parties as being at a middle distance from the two camps. So soon as the day of interview became known, a magnificent tent of large dimensions was pitched there in the open plain ; and a quantity of ground was enclosed by Canats, or high walls of cloth, to form before it a yard of a vast compass. On the morning of the interview the Viceroy advanced with his whole army ;
12.17.11
and leaving his troops at a distance, he went into the tent, and took his seat on the Mesned that had been placed for him there. He had with him some persons of distinction, and a few trusty officers, such as his own nephew, Sayd-ahmed-qhan, Ata-ollah-qhan, and Mir-cazem-qhan ; and not a soul besides Djanki-ram, and Mustapha-qhan, and Mirza-hekim-beg-qhan, knew anything of the secret. So that an infinity of persons of distinction from all ranks had flocked to the plain from the city, to see the spectacle of such an interview, and by their peaceful looks were of very great resource for making the deception. A moment after the two negotiators, who were the managers of the interview, and who, as pledges, had obliged themselves by the most sacred oaths, went forward to bring the Marhatta General ; and meanwhile the Commanders and principal officers of the Bengal army, all armed and mounted, took their post behind the tent, but at a reasonable distance ; every one with his men ready at all points. Some others likewise, whether as men of distinction, or as officers of character, took post about the pillars of the tent, whilst many more stood behind the Viceroy, ready to execute any commands they might receive. It was at this time only that he thought it proper to inform both his nephew, and Ata-ollah-qhan, of the design, as it became high time to put them upon their own guard ;
12.17.12
and this delicate commission was given to Mirza-hekim-beg in these very words : Mirza, has Sayd-ahmed-qhan and Ata-ollah-qhan looked at the tent ? No !