Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 19.17.9

19.17.9

A few days after my arrival at Banares, I heard that Mahmed-cOli-qhan having applied to the two Radjas for liberty to repair to Shuja-ed-doulah's Court, with only a few servants, they had thought themselves obliged to write for it to their master, who sent his consent. On that single consent he was simple enough to cross the Ganga, with a dozen of troopers and a few servants, and to advance towards that Prince's capital. But at the same time, the two Radjas had received an order to seize his effects, to plunder his camp, and to strip his troops, as soon as he should have proceeded on his journey. The senseless man was hardly gone these three or four days, when the two Radjas mounted, and getting into his camp, they gave the plunder of it to their troops, whilst they proceeded to seize his effects; so that there arose in camp such a scene of confusion, screams and distress, as re-traced to the mind the Day of Judgment. Numbers of soldiers and officers were ill used; and every one of them lost their little all. Those only escaped the general wreck, who having acquaintances in the enemy's army, had the good luck to retire by times thither in the night time. Numbers of others, especially of the Seyds of Barr, who formed a numerous body, threw themselves on the protection of a Seyd who had a command in Beni-bahadyr's army; a man of honour and character, who found means to protect them.