[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Mughals (1526–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal) › [Later Mughals (1707–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later) › [Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirīn](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin) › [A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa) › 19.21 # Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 19.21 A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 19.21 - **Language:** English ### [19.21.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.19.21.1) Had the victorious followed their blow, and pursued the vanquished, they would have mastered the city of Azim-abad at once, as there did not remain in it so much as a single soldier; they would have plundered it, and would have finished Ram-narain, who could not move. But as it was ordered by fate that the city should be saved, and the honour of so many noble families preserved, Cam-car-qhan contented himself with plundering the flat country, and laying it under contribution, without it having once come into his head to rush at once into a city that would have cost him no trouble at all, as it was totally undefended. I was talking with my friends in Doctor Fullerton's bangla, when news came of Ram-narain's being defeated. It was not believed at first; but the intelligence being repeated in several places, and some known persons returning wounded, news came at last that Ram-narain and Mir-abdollah were coming, both very much wounded. On hearing this, I went to see and to console that officer, who was extremely my friend. Meanwhile the inhabitants were seized with a general consternation, especially the rich ones; so that Mustapha-cöli-qhan, brother to Mirza-iredj-qhan, put his family and wealth in a number of boats, and brought them under the windows of the English factory, ready to cross the river, whilst he repaired to Mirza-abdollah's lodgings, which were close to that factory, on the outside of the city walls. ### [19.21.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.19.21.2) For my own part, as I had neither family nor money in the city, I was easy enough, and could not help reprimanding Mustapha-cöli-qhan for his hastiness; but he made no account of the admonition, and leaving his family in the boats, he took up his abode elsewhere. Mr. Amyatt hearing of Ram-narain's being come, went to see him, and to administer some consolation to his mind; but finding every thing in confusion in that family, he appointed some of his own people for the safety of that Governor's person and house, and went away. Ram-narain asked him, what was to be done? The other answered, "That it was not customary in his nation to give groundless hopes, or to write falsehoods. That as matters stood now, he ought to take such measures as might secure his person, by acting according "to the complexion of the times, until an army should come from Bengal." This undisguised advice engaged Ram-naräin to write a letter to the Emperor, in which he excused himself on the pains he suffered from his wounds, for not paying him his respects, as it was his duty to do; and this correspondence having taken up two or three days, in which time the enemy neglected to push on to the city, which was incapable of making any defence, this interval afforded the runaways time to return thither in greater numbers, and to fill all the parts with armed men. ### [19.21.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.19.21.3) News coming at the same time to the Emperor and to Cam-car-qhan, that the Bengal army was on its march, with the Colonel and the English at its head, they raised their camp and marched forward to meet the enemy. And here it will not be improper to remark that Miren, who was the General of that army, having never been in any engagement, or chanced to be fixed by the piercing eye of a warrior accustomed to quench his thirst in hostile blood, he was inclined to entertain so very high notions of his own prowess, that he thought himself the most valorous man in the world; insomuch, that with his own troops only (and on those he reposed the greatest confidence) he intended to give the enemy battle, and to gain the victory, without the assistance of the English. Now it must be remembered, that the English in an engagement, always fight apart, never mixing with any auxiliaries or confederates, lest these last should disturb their order of battle; only, if some man of consequence should choose, for his own safety, to take shelter within their ranks with a small number of guards and friends, he is always welcome. In consequence of this disposition, the two armies of the Colonel's, and of Miren's, approached the enemy asunder from each other; and this was in an open plain, where the eye could reach every object from afar. Miren on descrying the enemy, mounted his elephant, and ranged his troops apart from the English. ### [19.21.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.19.21.4) The English ranged themselves in their customary order, with their artillery in front, and their Talingas on the wings. As to the Emperor's army, where there was not a man capable of equalling Dilir-qhan, it was divided by Cam-car-qhan in two parts: the first, being his first line, he put under the orders of two Commanders of character, namely, Cadyr-dad-qhan, son to Qhalyc-dad-qhan, the Tirinian and Ghulam-shah, the Lucnovian. At the same time he took charge of the other, with which he formed the second line. The Emperor himself, with his household, took his post in the rear, and became an uncommon spectacle for both friends and foes. The armies having approached each other, Cadyr-dad-qhan, and Ghulam-shah left the English army at their right, and falling at once upon Miren's troops, they afforded him a specimen of a furious attack, rendered dreadful by a promiscuous slaughter. On the first onset, numbers of Miren's troops were so appalled, as to confound their ranks. Miren himself, without minding his high rank and conspicuous station, was struck with a panic, and turned about; he fled for sometime, followed reluctantly by some of his Commanders, who in vain called on him to return; some even chided him; but the cowards who were flying with him, finding that his flight went so much to their own discharge, thought only of mending their pace. It was at that time that the English having commenced firing, the battle blazed out; ### [19.21.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.19.21.5) and Miren chided by his Commanders, plucked up some courage, and resolved to return to the field of battle. A number of braves took him in the middle of their ranks, and returned to the charge, where they behaved so as to be remarked from both sides. This was no sooner observed by Cadyr-dad-qhan, than he advanced, and let fly a shower of arrows; the very first of which having lodged in the breast of Mahmed-amin-qhan, who had espoused Miren's aunt, and was mounted on an elephant close to him, it killed him outright, and dispatched him to the other world. Another arrow hit Miren himself, and broke one of his teeth; and whilst he was carrying his hand thither, another arrow lodged itself in his neck, without finishing him, however; for his last hour was not yet come. After this flight of arrows, Cadyr-dad-qhan's men falling upon the braves that surrounded Miren, came to hand-blows with them; and being warmly received, the business of wounding and killing with sabre, and arrow, and spear, went on briskly; and numbers on both sides being wounded and slain, the engagement became hearty and warm. In a little time the ground was strewed with a vast number of bodies. But Miren had lost his presence of mind; he held his empty bow in his hand, without once remembering to put the other into his quiver; shook his head to and fro, like the flame of a burning taper, for fear, doubtless, of being hit again by some other arrow; and he was ready to turn about a second time. ### [19.21.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.19.21.6) At this critical moment, the English army moving forward, took Cadyr-dad-qhan's people in flank and rear; and a ball hitting that Commander, killed him on the spot. Cam-car-qhan, who had advanced to that General's support, having had a full view of the small number of his troops, and of the havoc which the English fire was making everywhere, did not think it prudent to stand his ground; and he turned about and retreated. Qhulam-shah, the second Commander, was wounded, as well as Aziz-ollah-qhan, Comptroller of the Emperor's household; and both being surrounded by Miren's people, were mercilessly hacked to pieces; so that victory remained to that Prince. Cam-car-qhan, who had quitted the field of battle, thought proper to carry the Emperor to Bahar; whilst Miren returned to his quarters, where having ordered the music to play in token of rejoicing on this victory, he spent his time in providing for his wounds, and those of his people, as well as in purifying and inhuming the remains of the late Mahmed-amin-qhan. He also took care to render the last duties to the slain that covered the ground; and some days were spent on that spot; where meanwhile he was visited by every person in town, myself only excepted, every one striving to gain his favour. But Ram-narain and Mir-abdollah were retained at home by their wounds. We have said that Cam-car-qhan had carried the Emperor to Bahar. He tarried there no more than two or three days; ### [19.21.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.19.21.7) for as he expected nothing now but from his alertness, he resolved to leave the enemy behind, and by cutting his way through the hills and mountains, to be beforehand with them at Mbrshbd-abad, where he would possess himself of Mir-djaafer-qhan's person, and of the wealth of so rich a capital. With this view, he made every preparative which his time would permit; and throwing away, or possibly putting into some castle, his artillery and carriages, (articles which might prove so many incumbrances in his passage through the hills and in a warfare of expedition) he set out with a disincumbered body of troops; and turning to the right, he struck into the hilly country, from whence he marched straight to Mbrshbd-abad. Miren being informed of this, dispatched a letter by the post to his father, and taking with himself most of Ram-narain's troops, which the latter had put under the command of his own brother, Dvr-narain, he in a few days set out for M8rsh8d-abad, by the very road by which Cam-car-qhan had proceeded. Such an intelligence could not but astonish the old Navvab; but nevertheless he put himself at the head of what troops he could assemble, and of a body which he obtained from the English rulers of Calcutta; and quitting M8rsh8d-abad in a favourable moment, he marched out at the head of a respectable force. ### [19.21.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.19.21.8) He was mounted on an elephant, and surrounded by his household and women, but always took care to move betwixt the lines of the European English, who marched, as usual, with their artillery in front, and their Indian soldiers, so famous under the name of Talingas, on their wings and flanks. The Navvab's own troops marched in front of these, and to the right and left, but at a great distance. He also encamped in the same manner, and always in the middle of the European English; and this disposition continued, until his son came up, and their two armies joined. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.19.21](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.19.21) · Pramāṇa