Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.2
A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 12.2
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12.2.1
For Aaly-verdy-qhan was now firmly seated in his Government, he had arranged and settled every branch of the administration; and being now easy on that head, he had prepared an army of victorious troops, and a train of artillery furnished with everything requisite for conquests, after having all this time made it his business to obtain a previous knowledge of the talents and turn of mind of his intended adversary. But M8rsh8d-c8ly-qhan who did not think himself a match for such an enemy, sent one Aga-mahmed-taky, of Surat, to probe Aaly-verdy-qhan's designs, and to manage a treaty with him; and this end was soon obtained, both from a regard to the acquaintance that had once subsisted between the two contractants, and also out of compliment to the envoy's talent, who behaved with great abilities, and was dismissed with honour and distinction. However, these good beginnings were soon marred by the intrigues of Mirza-bakyr-qhan, a nobleman who drew his pedigree from the Royal race of the Sefis of Iran, and was now son-in-law to M8rsh8d-c8ly-qhan, whose consort also joined her son-in-law in pointing out to him the rich prize of Bengal (a conquest, indeed, to which he was far from being equal) and the propriety of shewing a becoming resentment against Ser-efraz-qhan's murderer. These two incensed persons leagued together, found means to manage so well, that the treaty now almost concluded, was put an end to, although M8rsh8d-c8ly-qhan himself had set his heart upon it.
12.2.2
Aaly-verdy-qhan being informed of this alteration in his mind, wrote him word that "he had not in his heart any inclination to offer that illustrious Governor any injury or to bring him to any harm; but however, that his staying any longer at Catec would be far from conducing to the quiet of either party. He therefore hoped, that His Excellency would find it expedient to withdraw his person, family, and effects, and to repair with them into Hindostan, by taking his journey through M8rsh8dabad, unless indeed he would find it more eligible to go at once from Catec to the neighbouring country of Decan." Such a message with any other man might have brought on an immediate rupture; but the Viceroy of Catec who dreaded the military talents, as well as the superior forces, of his adversary, was inclined to put an end to all his uneasiness by giving up the contest, and he had probably effected his purpose, had not his spirits been raised, and his self-love interested, by the repeated suggestions of his son-in-law, who being high spirited, would not bear such haughty language, and was besides spurred on by the prospect of once commanding in such a country as Bengal. These sentiments of resentment and ambition were strongly supported by the Viceroy's consort, a high spirited Princess, who joining reproaches to entreaties, was eternally teasing him on the infamy of suffering her brother's murderer to enjoy quietly both impunity and dominion.
12.2.3
This Princess, who was much more respected in the province than her husband himself, proceeded from entreaties to threats, and she talked of no less than of abandoning so tame a husband, and making over her riches, influence, and pretensions, to her son-in-law, together with the province itself, a young man of a temper equally ardent and intriguing, whom she found perfectly fitted by nature for seconding her hatred to Aaly-verdy-qhan. The Viceroy overcome by the animated instigations of those two persons, altered his mind, and he sent word to his neighbour in Bengal, that he disavowed the preliminaries consented to, against his will, by his Agent; and that the sword only would determine their respective pretensions. The latter fully sensible that nothing was now to be obtained but by war, took his measures accordingly. He recommended the Government of Bengal, and the care of the city to both his brother, Hadji Ahmed, and to his nephew, and having reviewed his army, which amounted to ten or twelve thousand picked troops, he spied in the Stars a favourable moment for quitting the city, and set out for the Oressa. Such a piece of intelligence was soon conveyed to the Court of Catec, and Murshed-culy-qhan, now resolved on war, thought it proper to sound the minds of those about his person. Having assembled his friends and the principal officers of his army, he made his appearance in the hall, and remained silent for a while;
12.2.4
taking then his sabre from his own side, he laid it in the middle of the assembly, and after having represented in lively colours, the crime committed by Aaly-verdy-qhan, he reflected on that insatiable ambition of his, which not contented with impunity, aspired also to despoil the murdered Prince's sister of what little she had left, and talked of nothing but war and of sacrificing every one to his own views. "My cause being as just, as my case is critical," added he, "there remains nothing for me now, but to know your own minds on this iniquitous contest. If you are for standing by me, let us set out together and fight together; but if you are of another mind, then for God's sake explain yourselves early and betimes, that I may act accordingly, and provide betimes for my own safety." This short address having seemed to be received with approbation, the principal officer of his army, Abedaaly-qhan by name, assured him in the name of the assembly, "that he might rely on their fidelity and on their detestation of the murderer;" and having pronounced these few words, he stood up with all those present, and taking up the sabre lying on the ground, he girt it round the Viceroy's loins, and assured him of their attachment and zeal. Such a scene having tranquillised the Governor's mind, he thought only of preparing himself for the contests. Having mustered his army, and taken his son-in-law with him, he quitted Catec, and advanced towards the frontiers of his country.
12.2.5
For this purpose he pushed beyond Balliser-bender (Balassor), crossed the river that flows by that town, and having advanced some miles beyond it, he took post in a spot which he judged capable of great defence. This was almost surrounded by a small river with steep lofty banks, that had within sight a country covered with woods and brambles. Not content with the natural strength of his post, he threw up some intrenchments in the least difficult parts, lined the whole with three hundred pieces of artillery, great and small, and gave his encampment such a menacing posture, that it became very dangerous to dislodge him. Such was the state of things, when Aaly-verdy-qhan moved from Midnapore, and having advanced towards Balliser-bender, he got a full view of a formidable post, of which he had only some idea from report. His natural daringness was at stand; to attack an enemy so incensed and so well intrenched, was impracticable. To entice him out of that strong post was the surest party; but his situation was now become critical. The Zemindars of the frontiers of Bengal became remiss in forwarding convoys to camp, and the few that would approach it, never failed to be intercepted by the Zemindars or great landholders of the Oressa, who seemed to dislike his person, and to look upon his camp as an inimical ground.
12.2.6
Some provisions sent by the Governor of Narkin-gur were intercepted likewise, and his sutlers being at a loss how to supply themselves, provisions became very dear, and at last scarce and bad. Such a state of things required only patience in the Governor of Oressa, and it was his intention to let the enemy consume himself. But such a delay was more than could be brooked by his son-in-law, who inflamed by the sight of the enemy, and informed of his distress, wanted absolutely to sally forth and to fall upon him. The Governor made many objections, but he was overborne at last by the impetuosity of Mirza-bakyr; and about the end of Zilcaad in the same year, he quitted his strong post, and advanced towards the enemy. This was precisely what Aaly-verdy-qhan had wished, and a blunder having been this very moment committed by the enemy, he availed himself of it to the utmost. Mirza-bakyr, in pushing blindly forwards, had unfurnished that part of his retrenchment, where was posted the greatest part of his artillery, and this having been soon perceived by the enemy, Aaly-verdy-qhan sent a party of troops, who pushed on a gallop, and seized the whole of it. The engagement commenced, of course, and it was continued with musquetry and rockets. Vast numbers of brave men were falling on both sides, and yet the action bore a doubtful aspect, Murshed-culi-qhan standing his ground bravely.
12.2.7
In this critical moment that same Abed-qhan, who had cut so conspicuous a figure in the assembly at Catec, and owed his fortune to his Governor, but had too much Afghan blood in his veins not to long after some signal perfidy; Abed-qhan, I say, was seen to move from his post. He had already made his bargain with the famous Mustapha-qhan, who was his countryman, and a favourite General of the enemy's. The perfide Abed-qhan having advanced, as to an attack, with his whole corps, struck to the left where he perceived the signal agreed to, and having ranged his whole brigade close to Mustapha-qhan, he stood stock-still, like one that should have come to see the fight as a common spectator. But even this defection did not appal Murshed-culi-qhan; his troops stood their ground, and he seemed to be everywhere, being followed by a body of Seids of Barr, long ago attached to his person, and who being desirous to shew their zeal, as well as jealous of their national character, advanced the feet of daringness and made so vigorous an attack, that the enemy unable to stand their impetuosity, commenced giving way, and even some of the Bengal troops fled openly. The moment was come when Aaly-verdy-qhan was to forfeit his character and to be covered with eternal disgrace.
12.2.8
Luckily for him that Mirza-bakyr, having just quitted his post at the right, and attacked the left wing of the enemies, which he threw into so much disorder that the troops were actually giving way, was himself disordered by his very attack. This wing was composed of the flower of the enemy's army. Mir-djaafer-qhan, who commanded there, seeing how matters went, jumped down from his horse, and putting himself at the head of a strong body, he advanced to the assistance of the discomfited troops, where Musahab-qhan, as well as Dilir-qhan and Assalet-qhan, both Afghans, and both intrepid sons of the valorous Umer-qhan, were making a stand. Mir-djaafer exerted himself so manfully in that trying moment, that he on that day acquired high character for military conduct and soldier-like prowess. The combat became warm and bloody, and Mir-muhabbet-aaly, with Mir-acber-aaly, the two Commanders of the Seids, having received several mortal wounds, which made them drink to the dregs the cup of bitter potion presented them by inexorable fate, whilst Mirza-bakyr himself was receiving several dangerous wounds on the neck, head and breast, their troops were appalled and gave way. Mirza-bakyr, unable to support himself, was carried out of the field, and the troops being deprived of such valorous Commanders, took fright, dispersed, and fought only how to escape the slaughter.
12.2.9
Mursliud-culy-qhan, finding now that fortune had turned her back upon him, thought only how to secure a retreat, and taking his wounded son-in-law in a Paleky he turned towards Balisser-bender, in which he took shelter with about three thousand men that still stood by him ; not that he expected any thing from that handful, he was only intent on giving them the slip. Under pretence that he intended to intrench himself there, he marched them out of the town, where he threw up some earth on the outskirts of it, and turning at the same time towards the river, he alighted from his elephant, as if intending to take some refreshment. There happened to be then in the river, but close to the shore, a ship ready to sail, which belonged to an ancient friend, and ancient companion of his, being a native of Soret-bender (Surat) as well as himself. This friend had this long while enriched himself by fitting out vessels for several parts of India, and he was just close by him ; and the ship full of goods and grain, was unfurling her sails. Hadji-mahsen had fought by his side, and had his full share of the perils of the day. Now it must be observed that ships have always a vessel called feness (Pinnace), this is the young one of a ship and this serves for the purpose of going ashore ;
12.2.10
so that the people in the ship seeing on land a great concourse of people, sent their feness to inquire after M&rsh&d-cl&y-qhan's affairs, without suspecting all this while that their owner had been in the battle. This sight of the feness entirely altered the ideas of both the Governor, and the ship's owner. The latter pointed to the vessel with the finger, and after a pause, he observed, that the sending down such a vessel looked very much like a special interposition of Providence in their behalf. In an instant the Governor was of his opinion, and without consulting any one, or giving the smallest hint of his design to any one of the by-standers, he proposed to go on board as on a party of pleasure, and only to see a ship ; and without taking any thing with him, he carried his son-in-law, and a few of the most necessary servants, and getting into the feness, he reached the ship, which immediately drew up her anchor and made sail. In six days more she reached Machli-bender (Masulipatam).