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Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 25: SECTION XIII.

A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 25

Language
English

Contents

SECTION XIII.

25.1.1

The three new comers seem to have brought great prejudices against Hushtin and Barwell — A duel between the latter and the General — Governor Hushtin's temperate conduct — Nandcomar, his principal accuser, is himself accused — He is condemned and executed — His immense property — Mahmed-reza-qhan, by the General's influence, is appointed Fodjdar-general all over Bengal, that is, Supreme Criminal Magistrate — Edifying death of Rabiah-begum, the last descendant of Aaly-verdy-qhan's family — A violent earthquake in Bengal — Divisions in the Court of Moorshood-abad — Some strictures on Seyd-mahmed-qhan, favourite of Mahmed-reza-qhan's — Disputes at Calcutta — The general attempts to seize the Government — But retires abashed and confounded — He dies of a broken heart — Mahmed-reza-qhan is disgraced — An old decrepit man appointed in his stead — The author passes to the affairs of Decan — Manner by which the English have found their way in most parts of India — Dark and severe hints against Mahmed-reza-qhan — Some account of Yengbi Dunia, Alias America, and of the new Englanders — The French join the Americans — Project of Governor Hushtin's — Colonel Godard appointed, much against his will, to serve under Colonel Lesley — M.

25.1.2

Elliot, a man of merit, appointed Ambassador at the Court of Nagpoor — Dies in the way — Death of Sadr-el-hac-qhan, Supreme Criminal Judge of Bengal, and some account of him — Aaly-hibrahim-qhan declines that office — His reasons for that refusal — Djan Bristow obtains for the English the sovereignty of the Province of Banaress — A coalition between the Governor and M. Francis — Mahmed-reza-qhan in office again for the third time — Death of Mirza-iredj-qhan, and also of Ahtiram-ed-dowlah — Flagitious conduct of the servants of the English at Azim-abad — The Members of the Council of Azim-abad, accused of enormous infidelities, are all dismissed — Hyahram appointed to the management of the finances of Azim-abad — His character, with an affecting little story, that does him a deal of honor — Lesley suffers a loss for having lo engaged his army in a tract that had no water — He dies suddenly, and is succeeded by Colonel Godard — The latter cuts his way through all Hindostan, and is going to effect a junction with the army from Bombay;

25.1.3

but the latter is defeated — He retires to Surat — The Council of Bengal refuses to ratify the treaty made by the vanquished army — The English acquire in Gadjrat a potent ally — The Radja of Gohud becomes their ally also — The Marhattas join together to make an end of the English — Some account of Haider-naic — He fights the English with advantage, after a variety of success — Sets up a cavalry of Persians and other foreigners which he disciplines after a new method — Provides a numerous artillery well served, and a numerous infantry, well disciplined, after the European manner — Gives the law to the Marhattas with whom he projects to attack the English — He invades the Carnatic, and bears down every thing to the very gate of Mendradj (Madrast) — He beats the English — And pushes them to the very gates of Mendradj — Colonel Godard takes Bessi (Bassain) — Governor Hushtin exerts himself in supporting Mendradj which is going to fall — Opinion of the English on the interference of the Deity in the affairs of this world — The English of Mendradj beaten again — General Monro beaten again — Distracted state of the Council of Bengal — The important fortress of Gvaliar taken by the English — Cheyt-sing, Zemindar of Banaras, being expelled, retires to Scindiah's camp — Governor Hushtin sends by land another army to succour Mendradj — Haughty answer of the Court of Catec — The author quits his subject to give an account of Mubarec-ed-dowlah — His thoughtless character — Some account of Bahbu-begum, his mother — And of Menni-begum, his step-mother — And of Mahmed-reza-qhan's private life and family — Some account of the English East India Company, and of their servants, civil and military — The author commences a critical examination of the English system of Government.

25.1.4

As the three new comers were linked and knit together, they formed a compact body, which being invested with both the King's and the Company's authority, carried a mighty weight, especially when they set up an inquiry into the conduct and principles of the Governor Hushtin, a man against whom they seemed to have formed a confederacy. General Clavering was a man of distinction in that country, and a King's servant; Colonel Monson expected to have the command-in-chief of all the troops, whenever the General should succeed to the chair of Governor; and Mr. Francis aimed at the next rank after the General's. As these three men acted in concert, they bore a mighty sway, made an immense noise, and caused a great disturbance. It was observed, that in receiving visits, they constantly refused the nuzurs presented them in compliance with a custom peculiar to India, and that they returned untouched, even presents of fruits. Their method in their inquiries was to attach to their interests, people whom they found in opposition to the Governor, or who had some discontent against his person. Amongst these Nand-comar cut a conspicuous figure. He had been this longwhile out of office, and lived neglected and forgotten, so early as the times of Governor Vansittart and Lord Clive; nor had Governor Hushtin taken greater notice of him. This man went to General Clavering, and to the others of his party, by whom he was received with honor and regard;

25.1.5

and it was by his management, that numbers of covetous, ambitious men, fond of trouble and dissensions, joined the three Members, on the prospect of being put in office; and they commenced informers in the enquiry set up about the Governor's administration and secrets. Such a conduct having produced a rent and disunion amongst the five Members that composed that Council, the mutual aversion was carried so far, that the partisans of either side became as animated as their principals, and soon extended their principles and animosity throughout the whole kingdom. The fury of both parties rose to such a pitch, that a duel ensued between the General and Mr. Barwell, who fought together with pistols, as is the custom of that nation. One of the two parties consisted of Mr. Barwell, which last continued to have but one mind and one heart with the Governor; whilst, on the other hand, the General was closely linked with the two others. But as these last always agreed in opinion, and stood as three to two, the General's party prevailed almost every day, and almost every public business came to be transacted by his dictate. It was in consequence of this prevalence of the General's that an Englishman, named Goran (Goring), was made Chief of Moorshood-abad, as was Mr. Sage of Azim-abad' and Mr. Fouck of Banares, as well as Mr. Bristow of Aood and Lucknow. These were promoted on the General's recommendation;

25.1.6

and it was by the same dictate that Mubarec-ed-dowlah, who with his mother, Babboo-begum, had fared so hard under Menny-begum's rod, was now emancipated on Mr. Goran's advice, who acted totally under the General's nod. That Prince was left at liberty to dispose of the affairs of the Nizamet, that is, of his own household. It was in the year 1189. Thus these two persons got out of Menny-begum's grasp, and out of the reach of her eunuch, Aitbar-aaly-qhan. But what did they gain by the eunuch's being turned out of his office? Menny-begum continued to sway every thing. For as she had a great deal of money, a great deal of authority, and a great deal of genius; and Mubarec-ed-dowlah, who was used to her sway, expected one day to become heir to her vast wealth, she would sometimes frighten him into compliance, by threatening to squander her riches amongst the poor, or to leave them to strangers and Frenghees (Europeans). In fact Mubarec-ed-dowlah's turn of mind, and his particular temper are such, that neither his resentment is an object of fear, nor his good will an object worth seeking; nor does he himself seem to have a turn for the affairs of this world, so as that people should become anxious about his opinion. Every one, therefore, in his household does as he likes; nor is he inclined to meddle with any one's doings. Let him have his personal pension, and he cares not for the rest. For these reasons Menny-begum's sway is not likely to be at an end yet;

25.1.7

and the affairs of the Nizamet, (and this word signifies now no more than his private household) are in a state of perpetual fluctuation. It was in this same year 1189 that Mir-mahmed-hossein-fazyl, a man of great subtility of mind and great extent of knowledge, took a journey to the country of England in company with Mr. Elliott, an Englishman of much goodness of heart, much uprightness, and great liberality of principles. His intention was to acquire knowledge, to see the world, and to inquire into those discoveries which the learned of those parts had made in the science of astronomy, in the choice of simple medicines, and the art of compound ones; in the qualities of plants, and the functions of heavenly bodies. In these studies he spent his time in his sojourn, which was a short one ; but in which he found means to acquire a variety of knowledge in some arts, especially in that of translating books relative to those sciences, in dissecting bodies, and in such like acquisitions. On his being returned to Moorshood-abad, in the year 1192, he gave the principal men of that city notice of the acquisitions he had brought with him ; but found no favour with a set of Grandees who did not value the opportunity. Nor did any one of them think of setting apart a small sum for this business, which would have published their generosity to the world, insured to his character a lasting life with posterity, and handed down their names to the recording page of history.

25.1.8

Instead of that, all that store of knowledge has remained shut up from the world for ever. But there is no assistance, and no success but from God Almighty.

25.2.1

It must be acknowledged, however, that men's minds were then engrossed by the dissensions in the Council, and by the fate of governor Hushtin. This man, who has been endowed by nature with a keen penetrating genius, and a superior intelligence ; and whose wisdom, in matters of State and in politics, has not been equalled in this age by any one, did not think it consistent with his dignity to dispute upon small matters ; and having thought it decent to adopt a system of difference, he resolved, first of all, to clear himself of the accusations brought against him, and of the infidelities and misdemeanours he was suspected of ; and then to expose to publicity the General's ignorance, together with the grossness of his behaviour and the precipitancy and violence of his temper. He intended afterwards to bring to condign punishment those short-sighted accusers, that had raised such a disturbance in the country, and especially Nand-comar, that man of a wicked disposition, and an infamous character, who had made himself their leader and director. He expected that after having provided for all these matters, and quelled the commotion excited by the General's party, the General himself would become an easy object. With this view he spent a deal of time in confuting the accusations brought against him by that officer on the instigation of Nand-comar and his followers;" and he thoroughly justified his own conduct by exposing the falsehoods of his adversaries.

25.2.2

But whilst he was exposing to publicity Nand-comar's infamies, and giving proofs of most them, or indeed of all, it came out that this man used to forge bills of exchange under the hands and seals of eminent men; and that after having imitated their seals exactly, he kept them at home, ready at all times for manufacturing, as occasion required, bills of exchange and bonds in any one's name and hand, to be hereafter produced at his pleasure; by which iniquitous practice, he used to keep every one in awe of his displeasure. Amongst these pieces of his manufactury he had forged an obligation bond in favour of Bolakidas, a banker, at all times of much credit, but who had acquired a great name in Mir-cassem-qhan's time. He had presented it to the Company's cash-keeper, and had received the full amount, which he had kept to himself. To enquire into so heinous an offence, and to discern the punishment due by law, it became necessary to have a Grand-jury. A Grand-jury signifies an assembly of twelve creditable Englishmen, chosen by lot, which the culprit may recuse one after another, so far as to get them changed two different times, if he should object to them all; but at the third time he ceases to exercise the right of recusing any of them; and they remain twelve in number. Their duty is to examine what is to be his punishment;

25.2.3

but till they have found out this punishment, they cannot be spoken to by any one, lest they might be influenced to swerve from the dictates of justice and equity. This Grand-jury was made up over and over, and twice changed (the Court of Justice at that time being full of people), until it was proved and determined that Nand-comar was guilty and deserved death; and that his kind of punition ought to be hanging. He was a man of a wicked disposition and a haughty temper, envious to a high degree, and upon bad terms with the greatest part of mankind, although he had conferred favours on two or three men, and was firm in his attachments. The moment he perceived that any one had ceased to pay him his court for a few days, either out of sickness, or because he wanted nothing from him, that instant he became his enimy; nor did he give himself any rest until he had run him down, and demolished him totally. At last he met with what he deserved; and his supplice took place. It is observable that as the General had given him strong assurances that none should ever hurt him, and that were he even to be carried to the foot of the gallows, he never would have any thing to fear, provided he exerted himself strenuously in bringing to light the Governor's misdemeanours, that man predestinated to death, never ceased both out of firmness of temper, and out of hatred to the Governor, to accumulate accusations against him, without ever minding how exposed he was himself to an attack.

25.2.4

That man, advised and instigated by the General, and become bolder and bolder, had of late set up a number of new accusations against the Governor; and in the violence of his wickedness and malice he had never minded that he was left alone, and had remained exposed to an attack. The Governor having refuted all his imputations, brought proofs of Nand-comar's great misdemeanours and crimes; and this affair made so much noise, that questions and answers of these two men were written down in the English language and character; and the whole being bound up together in the form of a book, was sent to England, from which such vast number of copies were drawn out, that this subject is become famous, and an object of much curiosity in that nation. Nevertheless the General's protection having proved of no avail against a crime that had been fully ascertained, Nand-comar underwent his sentence in the manner statued; and on the seventeenth of Djemady, of the year one thousand one hundred and eighty-nine, he was drawn up and hanged by the neck. His money and effects were registered, and then delivered to his son, Radja Goordass. They say that the whole amounted to fifty-two lacs in money, and full as much more in effects and other property in his possession. Amongst other strange things found in his house, there came out a small casket containing the forged seals of a number persons of distinction.

25.2.5

In consequence of this discovery, his malicious arts were dragged to open light, and they met with what they well deserved. This trial which occupied the attention of the public, did not divert it intirely from the manoeuvres of Mahmed-reza-qhan, This man who has a great deal of hastiness as well as inconstance in his composition, no sooner observed the prevalence of General Clavering's party, than he conceived a desire of joining him. Such a step was vigorously opposed by Aaly-hibrahim-qhan, in whose temper, prudence and foresight seem to predominate. This nobleman used often to say: "Let us go on as we have hitherto been going. The Governor has certainly saved your life and honor. Without forgetting such benefits, and becoming ungrateful of such favours, let us wait and see what will become of the two parties. If the Governor holds out, he shall think himself obliged by your firmness of temper, and the steadiness of your friendship and attachment to him; and he shall find means enough to promote your welfare in a manner adequate to your rank; and should the General become absolute, he will not for that bear you any grudge; for you have not done him any wrong, nor have you misbehaved to him; nor have you done any thing to render him your enemy. It is even probable, that pleased with the steadiness of your temper, he shall use you in a manner suitable to your rank and station." This discourse was unquestionably full of sense;

25.2.6

but it was more than could be digested by the proud mind of Mahmed-reza-qhan, who is naturally opinionated in his temper; and who swelled with the remembrance of that degree of power and authority, which accidents of chance had once thrown into his hands, looks upon the predictions of provident men as so many reflections upon his own prudence. Mahmed-reza-qhan not choosing to pay a regard to the Qhan's advice, opened a correspondence with the General, and with his adherents, and shewed a desire of attaching himself to his party. Such a step could not but displease the Governor, who however said nothing, and let him go his ways; meanwhile the General recommended him to the office of Deputy of Mubarec-ed-dowlah in the Nizamet, that is, in the disposal of that Prince's household; and also to the general Fodjdary, which in these days means the preservation of the country from highway-men and house-breakers, and the power of pronouncing final judgment upon the crimes of house-breaking, thieving, murder, and fornication. He added to this a large salary, and prevailed upon the Council to invest him in those offices by a splendid dress of honor, to which were added several others for his children and dependants. After so much success, Mahmed-reza-qhan set out, on the 15th of Ramazan, 1189; and in a few days he arrived at Moorshood-abad, the second of Shevval, where he applied himself closely to the business of his office.

25.2.7

And as it appears that the inhabitants of that great city, accustomed to him long ago, shewed themselves submissive to his authority, he on his side pleased with a return of good fortune, took care to display broad open the standard of authority and command. On the tenth of Zilhidj of that same year, he married his eldest daughter to Mahmed-zeky-qhan, son to his elder brother, Mahmed-hossein-qhan; and his eldest son, Behram-djung, to the eldest daughter of Hadji Ismail; the two spouses being both children of Rabia-begum's two daughters. But the satisfaction of the two families was damped by the death of Rabia-begum herself, who was daughter to Hadji Ahmed, and consort to Ata-ollah-qhan. She departed this life the 23rd of Djemady, in the year 1189; and by her death she deprived Mahmed-reza-qhan of the only remaining stock by which he held to the family of Aaly-verdy-qhan, the majestuous in war. This Princess, although famous for her vices and debauches, had likewise many good qualities. Long ago she had repented of her past life, and in her last sickness, she had renewed her repentance, had taken witnesses of it, and in her last moments, she had not ceased, in the presence of a number of persons, to pronounce the fine words, which implied her firm belief in the unity of God, and in the ministry of the seal of Prophets, both tenets qualified by a real confession of his successors.

25.2.8

She departed her life in full repentance of her past conduct, and in the full invocation of the Divine forgiveness. O Lord! should you punish her for her misdeeds, you have that right; she is your bond-woman, and your culprit. And should you forgive her, you would not be inconsistent; for You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.

25.3.1

It was in that same year that we were frightened in Bengal by an earthquake. It was so violent, that nothing equal to it can be remembered these forty or fifty years past. It happened on the 27th of Shevval, in the same year that Mahmed-reza-qhan conferred the Divanship of the Nizamet to Aaly-hibrahim-qhan, who had laid him under such a load of essential services and obligations. At the same time, he sent Lieutenants of his Fodjdary office all over Bengal; for instance, Nezer-baki-beg, of Balqh, was appointed to the Lieutenancy of Azim-abad; a man who comported himself with so much moderation and benignity, as to render his person equally agreeable to the English gentlemen, and to the nobles and people of those parts. He even acquired such a good character, that no complaint was ever preferred against him. So careful was he that no injury and no harm should be offered to the people entrusted to his care. It was remarked on this occasion, that Mahmed-reza-qhan, having this year offered some rudeness to many of Mubarec-ed-dowlah's favourites, and disobliged that Prince greatly; the latter so far from affording them assistance and protection, did not even forbid such an incroachment upon his own independence. The Deputy dismissed likewise Qhadum-aaly-qhan, a nobleman in many respects resembling his father, Qhadum-hossein-qhan, and who after the eunuch Aitbar-aaly-qhan's dismission, had for somewhile acted as absolute Director of Mubarec-ed-dowlah's household.

25.3.2

Mahmed-reza-qhan, who had taken umbrage at his influence, had cavalierly dismissed him from his office, without his master's having even attempted to utter a single word in his behalf; although there were promises enough and conventions, and much attachment between the master and the Minister. Mahmed-reza-qhan was likewise guilty of some other stresses of authority, which drew upon him a general blame. It must be observed that the times were now become so corrupt, that every man in Mubarec-ed-dowlah's household was addicted to infidelity and malversation, and had it in custom to reckon as fair booty every rupee which he could embezzle out of his charge. So much liberty could not please Aaly-hibrahim-qhan's reserve and strictness, who being a stranger to the family, would neither plunder himself, nor suffer any others to plunder. This gave a general offence; and people turned Mahmed-reza-qhan's mind so effectually, that those infinite obligations which he had so often acknowledged, slipt out of his memory; and at last a breach took place between them. And as originally there was but little resemblance or similarity between their respective tempers, the instigations of envy were sown in a favourable soil, and soon grew up to a great head, so as soon to effect a lasting breach. "The candle where the wick smokes yet will easily catch fire again."

25.3.3

It was at first a sort of vague insinuations against that honoured Qhan, which being often mentioned amongst his dependants, soon took an air of complaint, and at last degenerated into formal reproaches. Mahmed-reza-qhan was often heard to use these, and the like expressions: "Gentlemen, I have no genius for making verses; nor do I roll my turbant, or wear my clothes as the Hindostanies, that I may pretend to enter into any comparison with them with regard to genius and taste." All these expressions glanced at Aaly-hibrahim-qhan's way of living. Indeed it must be acknowledged that this noble person has received the gift of making his turbant, and of wearing his clothes, with a taste and an elegance peculiar to himself; and in that he has been endowed by nature with a felicity of genius, and an amenity of manners that render him the admiration of the high as well as the low. One of his many talents is the faculty of uttering often extempore verses; and as Mahmed-reza-qhan acknowledges himself destitute of those talents, it follows of course that the equality of temper and the elegance of action and speech, so conspicuous in the Qhan, were taken up as a matter of indirect reproach upon himself. He broke forth at last, and dismissed him from his office.

25.3.4

It happened at that time that Banny-begum, third daughter of Rabia-begum, and a woman of a vicious life and shameful inclinations, having in imitation of the great folks of Hindostan, formed into a band, some of her slave girls, joined to a number of other loose women, which she had taken in her pay, she got them instructed in the arts of dancing and singing, and often amused herself with their performances. This woman, who was of a shrewd and intriguing turn of mind, undertook to seduce Aaly-hibrahim-qhan ; so that she laid a snare to bring him into disrepute. Under pretence of making him some return for the obligations under which he had laid Mahmed-reza-qhan, her brother-in-law, she adopted him for her brother, and as she was not restrained by those scruples which always have their weight with women accustomed to live veiled and immured ; and she had never made any difficulty of shewing herself to most people, unveiled ; she commenced giving entertainments to Aaly-hibrahim-qhan, and appearing always in his presence, and that too unveiled. As there were always in these entertainments some particular favourites of Mahmed-reza-qhan's, as fully envious of that nobleman's reputation, as their master himself, every thing was straight reported to him ; and matters went no further for a time ;

25.3.5

when the Princess observing that one of her girls had made an impression on the Qhan's heart, offered her to him, adding that she was a girl of her's, and that she made him a present of her person. The other guests, as well as the favourites of that artful woman, who were all of the complot against the Qhan, having observed scruples in him, made it a point to encourage his timidity. "What harm is in that?" said they. "Is not the girl her property? Her mistress transfers it to you. What can be then the cause of so much precaution and so many denials?" It must be observed that in those days Moorshood-abad wore very much the appearance of one of Loth's towns; and it is still pretty much the same to-day, few people caring to look at their honour, or at that of others. Nay, the wealthy and powerful having set apart sums of money for these sorts of amours, used to shew the way, and to entrap and seduce the unwary, the poor, and the feeble; and as the proverb says: So is the King, so becomes his people; these amours got into fashion. Doubtless some poor and virtuous people must have preserved vestiges of modesty, and must have resisted the general corruption of manners; but most of the Grandees and rich men, on whom you could cast your eyes, were enslaved by this vice. "Every hem on which I could thrust my hand, proved soiled with dirt. "Do you see that lofty mountain yonder? Behind it is a desert plain."

25.3.6

Although the Qhan was a man of great sense, and naturally averse to such kinds of intrigues, yet he lent a willing ear to the devil's suggestions, that enemy of mankind; and on the intreaties of the Princess, he sent (at least so it is reported) two or three times for the girl, on her mistress's repeated intreaties, or at least, they imputed that foible to him. This was soon known, and soon was laid hold of, as a sufficient cause for a breach. The Navvab parted with him; and in public Derbar, or in full Court, he drew up narratives of that proceeding, as having dishonoured his house and family, and rent the veil that covered their chastity; although in reality such a publication tended only to dishonour it still further; but he had his motives in that. For he was fearful, lest the English should find fault with him for parting, on so easy terms, with a man to whom he confessedly owed the highest obligations. This at least is what occurs to feeble minds like mine; for otherwise such a conduct is incomprehensible. Be it as it will, the Navvab having introduced the subject more than once at his levee, and always with a deal of acrimony, he at last (this was the 16th Sufur, in the year 1191) dismissed Aaly-hibrahim-qhan from his office; and the same day he carried his eldest son, Behram-djung to the palace, and got him installed in that office by Mubarec-ed-dowlah, who honoured him with a rich dress of honour, called Qhylaat.

25.3.7

Aaly-hibrahim-qhan, on this intelligence, which he received with a deal of ease and tranquillity, retired to a corner of his house, and from that time intirely abstained from going to Court or making visits. But notwithstanding that retreat, such was the opinion entertained of his probity and disinterestedness, that although his revenue was but small, and his usual temper seemed altered by his disgrace, yet he lived in the utmost honor and estimation; and the public opinion on his account ran so strong, that his house became a rendezvous for the high and low.

25.4.1

It was in those times of Mahmed-reza-qhan's prevalence, that his favourite, Seyd-mahmed-qhan, a Persian by birth, but a man shrewd and wary to a high degree, who had got such an ascendant over his master, as to govern him intirely, married one of the relicts of Rezy-eddin-mahmed-qhan, and got by that means possession of his estate. The matter came to pass in a pretty strange manner. It appears that Rezy-eddin-mahmed-qhan, intending many years ago to perform a pilgrimage to the glorious Mecca, had given him a paper by which he appointed him his executor in his absence; and that although the testator had long ago altered his resolution, and many years had elapsed since that transaction, he had departed this life without minding the paper. He left a great estate in money and jewels, with a very noble palace, and a fine bath. After his decease Seyd-mahmed-qhan, armed with that paper, which had been all this while forgotten in his hands, took possession of the deceased's estate, brought his wives and son under his controul, and some time after, he managed so dexterously, and interposed the mediation of so many proper persons, that he espoused one of the deceased's consorts, but a different one from the lady that had a son (altho' still the person most beloved of the deceased's three consorts, and likewise the person which proved the richest in money and precious effects). He bound her by the formality of a marriage, and took possession of both her charms and wealth.

25.4.2

But this marriage became so very odious to the public, and it excited such a detestation in all ranks against the word executor, that Sadr-el-hac-qhan, the first Magistrate of the Province, being then upon his death-bed; and his physician, Ased-ollah-qhan, who had an unlimited influence over his patient's mind, having introduced a certain pretended Arabian, one Seyd-mahmed (who by-the-bye is indeed a strange fellow likewise) for a very proper man to be made his executor; this word was no sooner pronounced, than the dying man's consort, who actually was at hand behind a veil, fell a-crying; and she exclaimed as loud as she could, that she was an old woman, that needed neither an "executor nor a husband," and that she would suffer none at all. The sick man overcome by her intreaties and tears, retracted his word, although accustomed to obey implicitly his physician's nod; and he died without appointing any executor at all; nor is there any thing so strange in that. What is really very strange, is that the physician, ruffled by this refusal of appointing that man of an ambiguous character for an executor, quitted the house exceeding discontented, and never returned since. Whilst this singular affair was a subject of general animadversion, Mahmed-reza-qhan thought proper to marry Mahmed-aaly-qhan, his brother's relict, a nobleman who had been successively Governor of Islam-abad, Hûgly, and Pooraniah, at which last place he had departed this life.

25.4.3

This lady had two sons from her late husband, who had left her a great fortune in money and jewels; nor would she hear of a second marriage. But by a proper mediation, and the use of proper means, she was after a deal of trouble and intreaties, prevailed upon to yield her consent. It is said that at the period when Mahmed-reza-qhan was a Naib or Deputy-governor of all Bengal, he had already conceived an attachment to this lady (which of course must have been of old standing; for he had already had a glimpse of her charms some years before, when in the height of his power). His house was necessarily resorted to by both the women, his relations, and those of many other persons of distinction; at which time he had often opportunities of taking a peep at them, and as often conceived the desire of enjoying their company; for which purpose he used to employ a variety of means to overcome the reluctance of some fair ones that rejected his proposals. Although there was then a great deal of talk about these matters (which somehow never failed to become public), and a great deal of slander, about the answers of some of those women, which were always given at length, and in the very words, yet it would be improper to mention them here; and it would be a pity to spend any time in relating such subjects.

25.4.4

It was in those times that Mahmed-aaly-qhan's consort, frequenting her brother-in-law's seraglio, on account of her near relation to the family, he found means to see her once, and conceived for her person an inclination which he could not satisfy, but some years after, when the lady becoming a widow, was prevailed upon to consent to a marriage, and was married in all the forms prescribed by law; and let the credit of this story stand upon the faith of the reporters and memorialists. By this time the dispute between the Governor and the General having risen to the utmost height, each of them used to write his complaints to the King of England, and to the Company, and each of them received yearly answers. The third year after the General's arrival, by which time Colonel Monson was already dead, there came a letter from home, mentioning the Governor's intended departure, and that in that case, he must place the General in his stead. The General was likewise wrote to by his friends, that as the Governor was coming home, he, the General, had been appointed to the Government of Bengal. On this surmise the General, without waiting for the opening of the dispatches to the Governor, concluded that he had been in fact appointed to that high office ; and coming into the Council-room, he took his seat where the Governor used to sit, as President of the assembly. The latter reprimanded him for such a precipitation and want of sense ;

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but the General, naturally violent, becoming still more violent on what was just passing, uttered a number of inconsiderate words, and a quantity of unworthy expressions. On which the Governor, according to the custom of his nation, submitted the whole of the dispute, with its questions and answers, to the decision of the Supreme Royal Court of Justice ; and those Magistrates on mature examination adjudged the cause to the Governor ; moreover, they reprimanded the General for his hastiness in such terms, as affected the credit of his assertion. In this manner the Governor kept his station and rank ; but the General, unable to digest the shame he had undergone, retired extremely ruffled to his house ; and a sense of his disgrace pressing incessantly upon his lofty mind, he became so deeply affected, as to fall sick. He was an old man ; and his sorrow and resentment preyed so much upon his constitution, that he soon appeared to be quite dispirited and sunk. It happened that in those very letters from home, that had caused so much ill blood, the Governor had received a license to marry a Lady to which he was greatly attached; and having on that account given a great entertainment, he, first of all others, invited the General to honour it with his presence. The latter excused himself on his sickness, and on the weakness of his body;

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but the Governor himself having repaired to his house, and by dint of entreaties prevailed upon him to come with him to the assembly, the General made such a long stay there, that on his return home, he found himself much worse. Unhappily the physician whom out of precaution, he had brought from home, and who was particularly attached to him, having mistaken his case, so as to order a clyster against the General's intreaties and inclination, the remedy as soon as it was received, brought on a Syncope; and the General surrendered his soul to his Maker. From this time Mr. Francis suffered a diminution in his influence, whilst there accrued to the Governor an accession of power; and although Mr. Wheeler, who had succeeded Colonel Monson, sided with Mr. Francis, and became his friend, yet the latter's party benefited nothing by it, being overborne by the Governor's high station, and overawed by his superior genius and superior knowledge. The fact is, that the Governor's influence had already taken the upper hand; and soon after Colonel Monson's death, the General's party had lost much of its energy, insomuch that those English rulers and others, who had been appointed by his interest against the Governor's mind, now lost their usual support; but after the demise of the General himself, their fate could not long remain in suspense. Mr. Bristow was recalled from Lucknow; Mr. Sage from Azim-abad; Mr. Fouk from Banares, as well as Mr. Goran from Moorshood-abad;

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and others were appointed in their stead, that is, Mr. Middleton and Mr. Law, and Mr. Gram; but Mr. Baber was sent to Moorshood-abad, to be the hinge and centre of all business there. As to Radja Goordass, son of the deceased Nand-comar, the Governor both to condole with him, and likewise to oblige the General, promoted him to the Divanship of Mubarec-ed-dowlah's house; and after that, still out of regard to the General, he appointed him to the Divanship of the Khalissah of Bengal, although he was little capable of such an office. But he did not enjoy it long, and on the General's demise, or even after Colonel Monson's demise, he lost that appointment, and remained shut up in his house for a long time; when by Menny-begum's interest, he was appointed a second time to the superintendence of Mobarec-ed-dowlah's house; and he arrived at the city about the middle of the second Djemady, of the year 1192. As to Mahmed-reza-qhan, he lost by the General's demise, much of his strength. His influence grew daily feebler, and at last it was reduced to nothing. They add that the Governor struck with some particulars of his conduct, did not trust him altogether; so that he was dismissed from the office of General Fodjdar and principal Magistrate of Bengal; and he lost also his appointment of Deputy to Mubare-ed-dowlah.

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Sadr-el-hac-qhan was appointed to succeed him in those two offices, although the Governor himself must have been sensible, that so much business was by all means above the old man's capacity and strength. Nevertheless, as he had become one of the Governor's acquaintances, so early as the latter's first appearance in Bengal; and at his second coming he had proved himself an assiduous worshipper at the altar of his power, without ever relaxing in the revolutions that had followed; and as great men with much tenderness of heart, are apt to prefer a personal attachment to any public qualification; the Governor devised those two offices for him as a reward for his attachment, although they seemed to be so much above his desert. The man was at once raised to the summit of honour and power. Radja Goordass, who had preceded him by some time, brought an order for Mahmed-reza-qhan's dismission, and a letter to Mubarec-ed-dowlah, requesting that until Sadr-el-hac-qhan's arrival, he should continue all the officers of the Fodjdary as they stood with Mahmed-reza-qhan, but under his own order. Such a revolution could not but please Menny-begum, who had been all this while putting up fervent prayers for such a return of happy days as these. She assumed a new life, but became desirous of keeping from the old man the office of Mubarec-ed-dowlah's Deputy; and she even carried her views so far as to endeavour to wrest also the Fodjdary and the Divanship from his hands, if possible.

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Full of this scheme, she dispatched her household Divan to Calcutta, to lay her requests before the Governor, especially about wresting the Deputyship from the old man's hands. The Governor, to humour her, promised wonders; and some days were spent in conference with the two parties; but at last the matter ended just as the Governor had determined at first, with some slight alterations, however, to oblige Mubarec-ed-dowlah and Menny-begum. At last, on the second of Djemady, Sadr-el-hac-qhan arrived at Moorshood-abad. As he was a man of much simplicity of manners, and had become decrepit with old age, it happened that in transacting business, and even in going to or coming from Court, and in presenting himself before Mubarec-ed-dowlah, he was unadvertently guilty of some actions that discovered the debility of his body, and not only detracted much from his weight, but also rendered his person ridiculous. He had appointed (for a sum of money, they say) one Aga-mahmed-aaly, a Persian born, to the Fodjdary of Azim-abad, the magistrature of which city, he gave at the same time to Aga-abdol-raheem. But as this Mahmed-aaly, who was a man of narrow principles, came soon to behave very ill, he soon lost his command, which lasted but little, and he acquired the aversion of all the inhabitants of that city, which he filled with discontents and heart-burnings.

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But it is time for us now to take our leave of these transactions of interior police all over Bengal, in order to turn our eyes upon those events in which that country has cut so great a figure in the Indian world, and especially in those southern parts of it known under the name of Decan.

25.5.1

The Marhatta Empire which has still its two seats or Capitals in those southern regions, had been for a length of time governed by Baladji-rao, who on the demise of Saho-radja, had assumed the administration, and become Sovereign of the Marhatta dominions, where he cut so great a figure, that we shall be obliged to make full mention of him in the sections relative to Decan, as much at least, as his affairs are come to our knowledge. On his demise, his son succeeded him of course. But the deceased had also a brother, and it was Ragonat-rao; who thinking his pretensions much superior to those of the young Prince, his nephew, undertook to support them. This produced some civil dissensions, which ended by putting the uncle under some confinement; and he was thought well secured, when he found means to gain his guards, and by treason and artifice, to kill his nephew, after which he took possession of the administration, and sate in his stead. But as a great difference of sentiments prevailed amongst the Grandees of that Empire, whilst several of them took party with Ragonat-rao, the greatest number, however, sided with the relict of Baladji-rao's son, who was left pregnant. Her party raised the Princess to the supreme command, displayed the standard of contention, and having vanquished Ragonat-rao in battle, they confined him again. Nevertheless, after some time, they concluded a treaty of friendship and union between the Princess and the uncle;

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but the latter dissatisfied with the terms imposed upon him, found an opportunity of escaping again; and he fled to the English of the factory of Bombay, where he entered into an agreement with them, and was received under their protection. Nor is this a novel event. It is in consequence of such and the like divisions that most of the strongholds, nay, almost the whole of Hindostan, have come into the possession of the English. For instance, two Princes contend for the same country, and one of them applies to the English, and informs them of the way and method of becoming masters of it. By his insinuations and by their assistance, he draws to himself some of the leading men of the country, who being his friends, are already fast attached to his person; and meanwhile the English having concluded to their own mind some treaty and agreement with him, they for some time abide by those terms, until they have acquired a good insight into the government and customs of the country, as well as a thorough acquaintance with the several parties in it; and then they discipline an army, and getting themselves supported by one party, they soon overcome the other, and little by little introduce themselves into the country, and make a conquest of it. And although their introductor should prove too shrewd for them, and should give them the slip, still they never dispute with him;

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but being a set of men always wise and always in temper, they patiently wait until by his death some unworthy son comes to succeed him; at which time under his name and without opening any dispute with him, or creating any ill renown to themselves, they complete the conquest, and have the art to finish their business in such a sly manner, that no reproach can be made to them. By which means the downfall of the people of those parts, especially of the great and powerful ones, is soon obtained by the hands of one another; and all this is brought about so artfully, that the idiots set up by them, unaware of the above management, do of their own accord and motion work at the ruin of their equals; and meanwhile the English who seem quite passive, as if suffering themselves to be lead, are in fact giving motion to the machine, and turning those sots into so many objects of endless contempt and raillery, both in Hindostan and in Europe. Meanwhile those fools fancying themselves shrewd in business, plume themselves and strut about, until the seeds of mischief planted by them, coming to shoot up, the day of retribution and vengeance comes with them, and they pay and smart in their turn for having squandered away the little money they had scraped together in working themselves into those honours and those stations they so little deserved. They seem to be the centre of a mighty bustle, but in fact do nothing more than ruin still more, a country already ruined;

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fall at last under the lash of outstanding ballances; and after paying into the treasury of the English as an equivalent, all the money they have before hoarded, they are now obliged to sit down with the odious character of having been the carriers and porters of exaction and tyranny. So that those glorious rulers, after ruining all the world, and burrving their own feathers, now become sensible of their losses, turn repentants; but it is only at a time when repentance cannot mend their circumstances, and when they have become already so infamous and so odious, that this distich becomes quite applicable to their case: "Have you seen what has done that jackass of a little man? "He has borne all the odium of the exaction, and another has run "away with all the profit." To return to our narrative, the Governor of Bombay gave notice of all these troubles to Governor Hushtin; and it was at a time when the disputes between the French and English, disputes which were of old standing, were revived again on account of the assistance which the former had given to the men of America. These men, who are of the same race with the English, had these two or three hundred years past settled in America, which is a New-found-land called Yengbi-Dunia, much resembling England, and where those men lived, bred children, spent their lives, and died. Only they were under the jurisdiction of the King of England, and yielded obedience to his orders.

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These men since some time, (which cannot be more than four or five years ago) had revolted from their King, on account of his demanding more of them than was customary. They had fought his troops; and having killed the people that had exercised in the King's name the power of binding and loosing, that is, the members of the Council of that land, they had set up of themselves a government like a Council. Not content with all that, they had more than once given battle to the King's troops, had come off victorious, and had occasioned to the King and Company losses to the amount of corors. The French, at all times sworn enemies to the English, resolved to ingratiate themselves with the Americans, and to turn their revolt to some account for themselves; and with that view they furnished them with cannon, muskets, powder and ball, and all the necessaries for warfare. The King of England, incensed at such an assistance given at a time, when the term of peace between two nations was not yet expired, declared war against the King of the French also. It was at a time when the English nation secure on every side in Hindostan, felt some inquietude on the side of the Marhattas and from Haider-naik. This Haider-naik had, ten or twelve years ago, waged war with the English in such a manner as to come off victorious, and to make some advantage of it. The Marhattas were full as dangerous;

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as they have a way of fighting of their own, and will ten times a day attack, and as many times again retreat or take to flight; and they are accustomed to reduce to great straits, for want of water and necessaries, such troops as are less handy than themselves at this work of plundering and running away. The English on those accounts reckoned a war with them to be a difficult piece of work; and they knew very well that Haider-naic was in correspondence with the French. On those two considerations Governor Hushtin who is by excellence the man of genius of his nation, and who displays everywhere a consummate skill and wisdom, thought it expedient to close with Ragonat-rao's proposals, an ally that put in his hands the great advantage of fighting the Marhattas in their own country; so great was his foresight. His project was to send an army into Decan, on pretence of assisting Ragonat-rao whom the English were to bring over to their camp; and by his means to engage the Marhatta nation to a peace and an alliance with them; which alliance would have put it in his power to grant Ragonat-rao the completion of his fondest wishes. After having brought the Marhatta rulers to submit and agree, he intended to draw both Ragonat-rao and his adversaries into such an alliance, as should bind them to a pact of never joining the French;

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