Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.20
A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 12.20
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12.20.1
It may be worth observation that the young man's father, Abdol-nebi-qhan, was of the Shyah sect, and had served Aazem-shah, son to Aoreng-zib. He was a man of a noble descent, and valuable for a number of estimable qualifications. A great friend of his was Mir-abdol-aziz, who was of one of the principal Seid families settled at Samana in the territory of Lahor, as well as one of those who had been left in Oressa at the head of their brigades for the support of Government. This officer told me, that Abdol-nebi-qhan, entangled by the ties which attached him to Mustapha-qhan, whose countryman he was, but whose pretensions he did not approve, being one day alone with him he had disclosed his heart in these very words: "My friend Seid, "you perhaps know not that this boy (meaning Mustapha-qhan,) "pretends to play the ungrateful, and has wrapped about his "head a number of whimseys and strange schemes. I am myself "in a strange perplexity on that head, like a horse urged alternately by two opposed spurs. If I join the boy, I shall incur the "name of an ungrateful fellow, and of a traitor and deserter, an "ugly name which has never been borne by any one of my family; "and if I stick to Aaly-verdy-qhan, I shall not escape the reproaches of my nation, and the hatred of my own clan. They "shall say, look at this man;
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in hopes of much money, and much preferment in Aaly-verdy-qhan's service, he has had the meanness to part with the man that had recommended him to a regiment, and has proved the author of his present welfare. Better then, my friend, better by all means, that God Almighty, by recalling me from this world, vouchsafe to deliver me from a dilemma, the consequences of which cannot but redound to my shame." This worthy man had a particular devotion for a venerable personage buried in the city of Catec; and he used every day to repair thither and to make the above request with a loud voice. At last his prayer was heard. Sometime before Mustapha-qhan's final defection, he felt a slight indisposition, and in three or four days, he was taken to the mansions of eternal mercy. He was buried on that very spot, the object of his devotions. It was on a Thursday; and his monument is resorted to and visited on that day by multitudes of people. To return to our narrative. Mustapha-qhan having renounced Aaly-verdy-qhan's service, and openly professed an enmity to his person, his desertion was followed by that of Abdol-resul-qhan, his nephew, who quitted his charge and went to join him. This young man was reputed to be the best archer in his troops, and one of the most zealous followers of his uncle's fortunes.
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His desertion having left the Oressa without a ruler, the Viceroy conferred that office on Radja Dulubram, whom he had appointed Agent-General to the late Governor, and who was still at Catec. He procured for him at the same time the rank of three thousand horse, and the honour of the kettle-drum, with a fringed Paleky; and after having bestowed upon him a brigade of three thousand horse he sent him the patents of his new office. This arrangement having been brought to bear, he turned his views towards Azim-abad, where commanded his nephew and son-in-law, Zin-eddin-ahmed-qhan, the most beloved of his relations, and who in reality was the candle that enlightened the old age of his uncle, and the taper that blazed out for the glory of his family and race. Fearing, therefore, for that Prince's precious life, he sent him a secret letter by a trusty man, who took a different road from that held by Mustapha-qhan. The letter contained an order to his nephew to come to him by the northern shore of Ganga, and to approach Bengal by the Puraniah side, as he intended to join him on that side of the water, and to consult with him about what was to be done. The order was calculated to prevent in the young man, a temptation to fight Mustapha-qhan, for whose wide mouth, he apprehended, he might prove but one easy morsel. The Governor of Azim-abad was then in the District of Tirhoot, where he received intelligence of what passed at M8rsh8d-abad;
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so that as soon as news came that Mustapha had revolted, and was coming to Azim-abad, (a piece of news since confirmed by the Viceroy's secret letter) he concluded that matters were past remedy; and he held consultations with his best friends, to whom he explained the nature of his situation. Every one gave his opinion, as his abilities or his genius prompted him; but the greatest number were for his obeying punctually the orders of his uncle. They argued on the impropriety of opposing Mustapha-qhan against all the rules of common sense, "a General who was at the head of no less than twelve thousand, and probably fourteen or fifteen thousand horse, all old soldiers, tried in numbers of engagements; and who was himself known, not only for a man of extraordinary prowess, but also of military talents, and these too, strengthened by a number of difficult campaigns, and augmented by a continual experience of extraordinary events. That he had acquired that military character, by fighting only with the sabre and arrows, his method being to fall to without needing or even minding any artillery or firearms; but that his national soldiers were armed with long heavy musquets, of which the troopers themselves made use of advantageously, by jumping down from their horses upon an emergency;
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besides all which national advantages, he had now an artillery of fifty pieces of cannon, with every necessary for its service, and above one hundred and fifty elephants, whether of his own or belonging to his officers. Others added, that every one of his soldiers was mounted on horses, the least of which was worth four or five hundred rupees, with their saddles and arms encrusted with silver and gold; and that himself wore a cuirass of four pieces of steel encrusted in gold, and of so exquisite a workmanship as hardly had its equal in India. That, in short, his army was furnished with everything necessary, and proved so well appointed, that few Generals could flatter themselves with having one equal to it; whereas their Governor could hardly muster about three thousand horse, "and had no more than five or six thousand foot, some of whom, too, were at a distance from him on a variety of services." These were the sentiments of the majority of the council ; but some who were naturally brave, as well as jealous of their honour, argued in a different manner; and such was Medhy-nessar-qhan, my uncle, who for bravery and conduct bore a high character. This last observed, "That the affairs of life and death were unerringly directed by the decrees of an unavoidable Fate ; that to beat the enemy and gain a victory, did not depend on numbers, but only on God's pleasure, as it was announced in the glorious Coran itself, where it was said.
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That often small numbers have prevailed upon large ones by God's permission ; that in this emergency, to avoid the sight of the enemy, although even in compliance with their Sovereign's positive orders, would not bear a good construction in the world, and at any rate would not bear the examination of their friends and relations ; and that it was such a party, as would in the sequel produce dishonour and real loss." This officer after having spoke so much with some warmth, made a pause, and then added "That this was his private opinion ; but as to the rest, he would readily submit to the opinion of his more clear-sighted superiors, and would be commanded by their pleasure." This latter advice having been approved by the Governor, who was himself extremely brave, and had a nice sense of honour and a great deal of discernment, he moved immediately from Tirhoot, and by incessant marches, he arrived at Azim-abad ; from whence without alighting at his palace, he went and encamped at Djaafer-qhan's garden, at the eastern extremity of the city. There he was met by Abdol-aaly-qhan, and by the principal noblemen of Azim-abad, such as Akydet-mend-qhan, brother to Emir-qhan, and some others, who were also the principal persons of the province, and had made haste to pay him their respects. The young Governor, having set open the door of modesty and civility, received them with an air of equality and brotherly attention (neither of which were in his style, nor in his usual humour) ;
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and by this well-timed familiarity and these unusual marks of regard, he so gained upon their hearts, that they all resolved to follow his fortunes. After so good a beginning, he applied himself to the business of assembling his forces, and of raising new ones ; and as Faïz-aaly-qhan had the title of Paymaster, both Mehdy-nessar-qhan and Abdol-aaly-qhan were appointed to confer with the chiefs of the forces and with disbanded officers, for new levies. Orders were given at the same time to a number of persons of note, to raise forces. Such were Ahmed-qhan-coreishy, grandson to Daüd-qhan-péni, Shah-djehan-yar, Sheh-ahmed-eddin, and Sheh-amrollah, as well as Kerem-qhan, Gholam-aaly-qhan, and Qhadum-hassen-qhan; and the same commands were issued to Mahta-djesvent and Radja Kyret-chund, and Radja Ram-narain, as well as to the other Gentoo Commanders. They were directed at first to pick and choose the best mounted and the best armed, after which they might inlist every able-bodied man that should present. The Zemindars of the province likewise were sent for, and those that had connections with the Governor, or were attached to his person, were ordered to attend with their troops. These were Radja Sunder-sing, Namdar-qhan of Narhut and Semai, and Serdar-qhan, as well as Camcar-qhan, and some others, as powerful as Sunder-sing himself.
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Similar orders were sent to Beshin-sing, Zemindar of Seress Cotumbah, to Pahluvan-sing, and Surtur-sing, his brother, Zemindars of the country of Saharseram and Cheinpûr, and to Buhrut-sing, Zemindar of Arvul. All these came, and offered their services, and desired to share whatever fate might befall their Governor; and the crowds that presented continually were so great, that for a month together the business of inlisting went on day and night; so that a horse that had already been marked, that is, had already been in the service, was sure of being inlisted. In that short space of time, there appeared to be borne upon the registers no less than fourteen thousand horse, over and above the infantry, which taking together the old troops and the new ones, may have amounted to as much more; but their arms did not meet with approbation; and it was concluded that new levies indifferently armed, would never bear the brunt of Mustapha-qhan's soldiers, who were all resolute veterans, and all well mounted and well armed, unless indeed when placed behind an intrenchment. A vast number, therefore, of pioneers and labourers was sent for from all parts of the province, and an intrenchment was soon thrown up, that encompassed all the grounds between the tower of Djaafer-qhan's garden and the dyke or wall raised for the security of the suburbs against the waters of a neighbouring lake.
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A deep ditch was added to the intrenchment, and the earth dug from it proving somewhat humid, served to form a very good rampart, without needing any mortar or brickwork. Towers were also raised at proper distances, and cannon placed; and everyone of them with part of the intervening curtain, was entrusted to an officer at the head of his corps The command of the army was divided into several brigades, and every one of them put under the orders of a Commander that could be depended upon. The first was Abdol-aaly-qhan, the poor man's uncle; the second, Ahmed-qhan-coreishy; the third, Radja Kyret-chund, son to the Prime Minister, Ray-rayan-aalem-chund; the fourth, Radja-ram-narain; the fifth, Qhadum-hussein-qhan; and the sixth, Nassyr-aaly-qhan. All these were placed with their brigades at the foot of the intrenchment or rampart, which they watched day and night. The markets, sutlers, and the other camp-followers were ordered to attend behind the tents of each brigade with every necessary ready at hand. Each Commander had his tents pitched at the head of his troops, with his standard planted before his tent, and his insignia and colours pitched on the rampart; and every one was ready to give a good reception to the enemy. As for me, the most inconsiderable of mankind, who was stationed with my younger brother, Naki-aaly-qhan, I had, five months ago, quitted Shah-djehan-abad by my father's consent (on whom be mercy for ever!) It was in the month of Zilcaad, in the year 1157;
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and I had come to Azim-abad, to marry in a family which had long ago agreed to the alliance. So that in the month of Moharrem, in the year 1158, I espoused the daughter of Abdol-aaly-qhan, my own grand-uncle; after which, on the 14th of the next month, I took up my post in the Governor's intrenchments, and joined my own destiny to that of my uncle's, who was the principal Commander; whilst my younger brother, Naky-aaly-qhan, chose to serve under the orders of his paternal-uncle, Mehdy-nessar-qhan, on whom he was ordered to attend with about a hundred horse, which he had brought with him. As to me, the least of men, although I was without command, and without pay, I chose out of a point of honour to serve that campaign, intending thereby to shew my gratitude for the favours received from the Governor.