Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.19.9

12.19.9

This was no other than the Afghan Rehem-qhan, an officer who had always served the General as his standard-bearer, and was reputed his zealous companion. This officer, whether impelled by destiny, or gained over by the Viceroy's winning deportment, changed sides. On the other hand, the General lost also two other Commanders, upon whose national partiality he had reckoned. These were Shimshir-qhan, and Serdar-qhan, two officers of character, who refused to join him, and to follow his fortunes; having to all appearance conceived that his expulsion from Bengal, would at all events promote their own views, by withdrawing a large globe that eclipsed them totally. These defections seemed to have altered the nature of the war. For whether these desertions, by making an impression on the General's mind, rendered him cautious of committing his fortune to the chance of war in an attack on the city of Murshed-abad, or whether the impulse of unavoidable destiny made him alter his mind, it is certain that he turned his views towards Azim-abad, thinking it easier to drive the nephew out of that city, than to fight the uncle in the middle of his capital. He therefore resolved to quit Moorshood-abad; and this resolution, so soon as it became known, was deemed by the Viceroy a Providential interposition in his favour. The General before his departure sent his agent to Court with a paper, containing an account of the arrears due to him, both for his own person and for his brigade;