Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 25.10.2

25.10.2

but in the sequel, they concluded that an intriguing man is always a shrewd man; and that being acquainted with all the chief men of Decan, as well as allied to the family of Nizam-el-mulk, he might be of some use. Accordingly, they ordered the Colonel to have connections with him, in hopes that at some future emergencies, his abilities and knowledge might answer some purpose in their cause. The General upon this letter, admitted him to his friendship, and gave him a pension for his subsistence. Whilst the Bengal army was yet in Surat, the English interest had been recruited by a new ally. This was Rao Fateh-sing-caicvar, one of the principal feudatories of the Marhatta Empire. He had been invited over by Ragonat-rao, who had engaged him to conclude a written engagement with that nation, in which he was promised to have the whole Gudjrat for himself, under condition of his joining the troops to his English, and of his being assisting in their expedition. The Colonel, after that junction, conceived the scheme of taking the city of Azim-abad-Gudjrat; and about the end of the year 1190 of the Hedjra, he marched out of Surat, and presenting himself before that city, he at first offered the Marhatta Commanders terms of capitulation for surrendering the place; but this being rejected, he in a little time ruined the walls, and took the place by mere force and by assault;