Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.21
A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 12.21
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All these preparatives being made, it was observed likewise that he placed artillery and troops upon the towers and ramparts of the city, with orders not to admit any soldier from the camp. But he had besides a secondary intention in this precaution, which was to provide against any sudden attack from Mustapha-qhan's troops, as such an event would have put in imminent danger both the properties and families of those in the intrenchment. This precaution was also calculated to secure the properties and families of a numerous body of citizens, who had so much murmured against the wall then rising by the Governor's order, and who now acknowledged the benefit they received from it. All these precautions being taken, the Governor resolved to sound Mustapha-qhan's heart, and to ascertain how far he intended to carry hostilities with him; although there was no need indeed of any further enquiry, as he had declared himself openly and amply enough already. Three persons were pitched upon to wait upon him as envoys that had brought a proper message. The first of these was Hadji-aalem, the Cashmirian, who went since by the name of Hadji-mahmed-qhan.
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The second was Tadj-eddin, the divine, a native of Aood, who had been recommended by Emir-qhan, Viceroy of Ilah-abad, to the inspection of the College and Mausoleum of Seif-qhan, a building on the water side westward of the castle of Azim-abad, and a charming spot, so remarkable for its coolness, retirement, salubrity, and umbrage, that it became a general resort for the best company; it was in that delightful spot he enjoyed a large pension. The third person, which I do not exactly remember, I believe to have been the late Aga Azimaig, who had been the eye and the lamp of the family of Mahmed-qhan, once Devan or intendant of the province of Cabool. These three venerable personages were sent to Mustapha-qhan with the following message: "If by your departure from Moorrsフードd-abad you have entirely renounced the service of His Sublime Highness, and you intend absolutely to forget us, and to quit this country, we, out of regard to past friendship and to past times, request that our friends and guests do please to alight at our houses, and to tarry at least two or three days in our habitations, that we may once more enjoy each other's company, and have likewise time to accommodate our guests with such carriages, tents, and necessaries as they may want for their future journey; the more so, as this will likewise put it in our power to say farewell to each other.
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But if the discontent you have conceived against His Sublime Highness is of a nature to admit of a healing hand, and your heart tells you that my mediation might be instrumental in removing the cause of your displeasure, and in taking out the shafts that have wounded two hearts once united by the warmest attachment ; I would be happy to offer my services for so desirable an object. But if on the other hand, it should come out that your Excellency has obtained from the presence the Imperial Patent for the Government of this province, please to let us see it, that we may peaceably quit this country, and deliver it to your Excellency without any fighting and without dispute." The envoys found Mustapha-qhan encamped eastward of the town of Mongyhr, and after having delivered their message, they were immediately dismissed with this answer : — " Gentlemen, my intention is, neither to renew my connections with the majestuous in war, nor to quit this country as a traveller. My intention is to wrest it out of your hands ; and as you seem so solicitous about patents, and about the right of taking possession of this province, I inform you, that I have in my hands, for such a proceeding, the very same patent which your uncle produced when he wrested Bengal from Ser-efraz-qhan." Here he paused, and then added this verse : — " We must see what is the Almighty's pleasure in this affair." After delivering himself in that strain, he put this question to the Moluvy or Doctor of Divinity : Mr.
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Moluvy, suppose that you are surrounded on one side by unconverted Infidels, and on the other by blaspheming Shismaticks ; and suppose I happen to have enough power to destroy either these or those ; which are we, in your opinion, to put to the sabre first ? The Moluvy who comprehended his aim, but thought proper to dissemble, answered with modesty, " That if the Infidels be in arms and in opposition, it is lawful to fall upon them ; but that it was not lawful to kill the Mussulmen, although they should be sectaries and blasphemers. Indeed to point out to them the right way, and to reclaim them from their errors, is amongst the most meritorious actions which man can perform. Mustapha-qhan replied : Say you so Doctor ? Then we differ greatly ; for according to the doctrines of our own teachers, blasphemers are worse than uninformed Infidels, and they must be served first ; after which the others may be minded in their turn. The conversation having taken such a turn, the Moluvy said not a word more, and he took his leave immediately. The envoys, on being returned home, reported word for word what they heard ; and the Governor, who was already disposed for an engagement, now became eager for it. A report was then current that Mustapha-qhan, in the pride of his heart, had distributed amongst his friends and soldiers, the houses of the inhabitants of the city, and especially those of the Governor's friends.
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The report added, that each particular house was already allotted to each particular man ; and that after the victory, each house would be made over to its new owner, with the furniture, riches, women and children it contained, in full property. But God did not approve the iniquitous scheme ; and as it did not fail to make the deepest impression on my mind, which from that moment became a prey to sorrow and anxiety, I resolved to look out for my destiny in the book of Hafyz of Shiraz, whose verses may be said to be so many unerring oracles of futurity, and the intelligible tongue of the invisible one ; and on opening that book, with the proper rites, the first verses that occurred at the head of the page were these : "Do thou leave that matter to thy God ! and make thyself easy ; " For if thine enemy shall not have pity on thee, thy God will." And thanks be due to God, Almighty, that this oracle came to be verified literally. Mustapha-qhan, on his arrival at Monghyr, had ordered his nephew, Abdol-rassool-qhan, to insult the fort with his brigade, a ruinous fortification, which although quite neglected, had some renown. The Governor and his little garrison put themselves upon their defence; but as that fortification did not seem to deserve much ceremony in that officer's opinion, he alighted, and putting himself at the head of his men, he mounted to the assault. In an instant the besiegers got upon the wall, and seized the fort;
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but such was their leader's destiny that, as he was standing below the second gate, and exhorting his men to be quick, he was killed outright by a stone that fell upon him on its being loosened by one of the garrison who stood above. The place was not such an acquisition as could compensate the loss of so valiant an officer; and Mustapha-qhan severely felt that heavy blow, although for fear of discouraging his people, he thought proper to dissemble; for Abdol-ressool-qhan was his right hand-man and an officer of tried valour and conduct. After having tarried three days there, and complied with the custom of ordering the music to play for this success, he took away some pieces of cannon with some ammunition from the fort, and departed for Azim-abad. His approach redoubled the vigilance of the people within the intrenchment; and the Governor, in particular, gave himself no rest day and night in visiting every part of it. He ordered Mehdy-nessar-qhan to see that the six Commanders, mentioned above, made their rounds in person by day as well as by night. He was himself everywhere, and giving his orders occasionally. On a Thursday, about sunrising, as every one was at his post, and upon his guard, Mustapha-qhan made his appearance; and having examined the intrenchment, he went into some groves of mangoe trees that were close by; and from thence he divided his army in two brigades, one of which he gave in command to Bulend-qhan the Rohilla, whilst he kept the other to himself.
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This disposition being made, he came out of the groves, and ordered Bulend-qhan to wheel round, and to penetrate into the intrenchment by that part that closed with the city wall; by which manoeuvre he would fall on the enemy's rear. He followed himself, and he attacked the intrenchment in front, but at the other extremity of the same, where commanded Radja Sunder-sing, Radja Kyret-chund, and the other Gentoo officers. Bulend-qhan having advanced by the horse-market, and a part of Djaafer-qhan's garden, turned the intrenchment, and fell upon Nassyr-aaly-qhan, and his son, Seyd-aaly, as well as upon Mirza Ramazani, son-in-law to Murtezevi-qhan, all of whom were stationed at that part. On the first onset, Nassyr-aaly-qhan was wounded with a sabre, and fell dead; and he was instantly followed by Seyd-aaly, and Mirza-Ramazani; and Naher-qhan-mevati being wounded, fled for his life; and thus Bolend-qhan got within the intrenchment. Those that defended it, took fright and fled; and his Afghans finding tents and shops, full of effects, fell a plundering without minding anything else. Meanwhile, Mustapha-qhan having on his side turned the intrenchment, attacked and carried it at once, making a great slaughter of its defenders. Ghazi-qhan the Babozeian, and Sunder-sing's son-in-law, with their troops, were there put to the sword; everything was in confusion instantly.
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Sunder-sing with a few persons who stood by him, mixed with the six or seven thousand Afghan horse that thronged in, and was lost amongst them; nor did Mustapha-qhan mind him any more, but went forwards, where his people making a slight discharge of arrows, Zulficar-qhan-mevati, and Kyret-chund, the Gentoo, who chanced to be stationed there, were both wounded, and fled with as many of their people as could escape the sabre. On sight of this, the brigades and Commanders appointed to defend that part of the intrenchment, lost courage, and fled on all sides; and there remained before the Governor, only an empty space of ground, over which Mustapha-qhan was advancing with a thick body of men, on one side, whilst the Governor was advancing on his elephant, on the other. He looked neither confounded, nor dismayed, although he had by this time no more than two hundred horse, and one hundred and fifty musqueteers about his person. Cam-car-qhan, and Zen-mest-qhan, were amongst those two hundred horse, as were about eight more from several corps, and mostly from Mir bedr-el Dehi's, an officer usually called Seyedet-aaly-qhan; there were some few men of note more. Mehdy-nessar-qhan, with Naky-aaly-qhan and Mir-ecram, and five or six others more, were upon the intrenchment and speaking to Sheh-hamid-eddin, the Lucnovian, when that sudden revolution happened. This man was at the head of seven hundred men, as well as Sheh-amrollah, another Commander of seven hundred men more;
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and he exhorted them both to march to their master's assistance ; but no one would move. So that with the five or six men that stuck to him he ran forwards, and closed with the Governor's elephant. By this time Mustapha-qhan being near, was seen making signs with both hands to his people to surround him. He was also heard to cry out : This is Haibet Djung; take care to bring him alive. Hekim-shah being the foremost of the enemies, jumped from his horse, and was making to him with two or three more, when he was encountered by three or four, of the six that were with Mehdy-nessar-qhan ; and they engaged sharply. The Governor by this time was advancing with a firm countenance, and shooting arrows incessantly ; at the same time he dispatched a man to Abdol-aaly-qhan, to order him to come immediately to his assistance with his whole brigade. This officer, as well as two or three other Commanders more of that part of the intrenchment, knew nothing of the works having been carried with slaughter and destruction ; and he answered that it was improper in people upon an intrenchment, to mount a horse ; that he was at his post with his brigade ; and that if the enemy should break in, he would not fail to do his duty. Whilst he was speaking, another man came with this message : Whenever my business shall be effectually done, and myself shall be amongst the slain, of what use can your coming be to me then ?
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On hearing these words, he mounted immediately, and with a small number of men that followed him, he went towards the Governor. I was one of that small number, and a few horsemen more ; and as we were advancing, we discovered Mustapha-qhan retreating, his people in confusion flying out of the intrenchment, and Zin-eddin-qhan standing on the parapet, and making a great fire of musquetry and rockets upon a body of Rohillas, who with their Commander mounted on an elephant, were in confusion, and flying on all sides. Abdol-aaly-qhan on sight of this, guessed what must have happened ; and he said aloud : Our master has fought such a battle, and we, his soldiers, have been idle this while ! Having said these few words, he with the few that stood by him, ran towards a spot out of the reach of the fire of the intrenchment, where Mustapha-qhan with those about him, was making a stand, and rallying his people with the hand and voice. But the Governor perceiving Abdol-aaly-qhan's precipitation from the parapet, sent him an absolute command to come to him immediately ; and the messenger asked him what he meant by exposing himself and the few brave men that stood by him to a certain death, with no prospect of advantage at all. "Come to me," says your master, "assemble your dispersed "people, and see what the Lord of victory shall perform for us "to-day." Abdol-aaly-qhan's friends had been already intreating him to forbear ;
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but he was so ashamed to have done nothing, and so angry and passionate, that instead of listening to what they said, he put his horse on a gallop ; when at that very moment he was overtaken by the messenger, and brought back. By this time the sun was in the meridian ; and the heat had become so insufferable, that Mustapha-qhan who felt the consequences of it, having considered that numbers of his people were wounded, numbers of his bravest friends killed, the rest disheartened, and fainting with heat, did not think proper to renew the attack ; but retired at a slow pace to his camp, which was upon the little Pûn-pûn at less than a cosse distance from the enemy. Arrived there, he ordered cannon to be planted in the mango-groves, and an incessant fire to be made on the intrenchment.