Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 33.1
A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 33.1
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33.1.1
Troubles in Adjmir — Saadat-qhan, appointed to quell those troubles, marches against the Radjpoots of that country, and is worsted — Saadat-qhan's troops perishing with thirst, are generously relieved by the Radjpoots — Saadat-qhan returns to Court, after so disgraceful a campaign, and is dismissed the service — Nasr-ed-dowlah alias Nasr-djung, Viceroy of Decan, overawes the Marhattas by the firmness of his administration — He marches against the French, at Poolchurry, and is slain by a conspiracy — Is succeeded by his cousin, Hedaiet-muhi-eddin-qhan — The French, who cut a great figure in the Decan, set up Selabet-djung, and beat the Marhattas — Ram-doss, Prime Minister of Decan, murdered — Ahmed-shah, the Abdali monarch, marches into Hindostan for the fourth time — Mir-munnoo alias Muain-el-mulk, Viceroy of Punjab, betrayed and defeated — Is well used by the victor — The Court eunuchs submit to an humiliating treaty with the Abdalies — The Vezir, incensed at so shameful a compromise, acts in defiance of his master — Ghazi-eddin-qhan, the Pretender to the Sovereignty of Decan, dies suddenly — Civil War in the middle of the Capital, between the Emperor Ahmed-shah and his Vezir — Mir-sheab-eddin alias Umad-el-mulk is entrusted with the business of pushing the war against the Vezir — Old Delhi plundered by the latter's troops, who at last comes to a compromise with his master — Mir-sheabeddin upon ill terms with his master — He orders the Monarch and his mother to be confined, and afterwards to be blinded — The late Vezir Abool-mansoor-qhan dies — Character and conduct of his son, Shudjah-ed-dowlah — The bad administration of the Viceroy of Mooltan add numbers and unanimity to the Sycs — Troubles in Mooltan and Punjab — The new Vezir Sheab-eddin marches to recover Mooltan — Is insulted by his own troops, so as hardly to escape with his life — Surprises the Governess — Marries her daughter, and carries both the mother and daughter to Delhi — Strange predictions of his mother-in-law — The Abdali-king, incensed at this insult, marches into Hindostan, recovers Lahor, and plunders Delhi—Horrid cruelties of the Abdalies—He returns to his dominions—The French grow powerful in Decan—Nizam-aaly deposes his own brother, Selabut-djung—Troubles in Decan—Daring action of Nizam-aaly—The Marhattas extort fortresses and territories from him—Nizam-aaly, worsted in several engagements, cedes to them a large territory—The fortresses of Bidjapoor, Dowlet-abad, and Assir, ceded to the Marhattas—An historical account of them—War between the English and French—Pondicherry taken by the latter—The Vezir Umad-el-mulk seizes on the Capital, and on the Emperor's person—Some account of Prince Aaly-gohar, now reigning Emperor, under the title of Shah-aalem—His heroical retreat through a whole army—Obliged to fly from the paternal house—He is received everywhere with respect—Umad-el-mulk's intrigues to embroil Shudjah-ed-dowlah and the Rohillas, only serve to bring them to an understanding;
33.1.2
and they both join together and oppose the Marhattas, who had marched a mighty army to achieve the conquest of Hindostan—The Vezir murders both his uncle and the Emperor—Troubles in Mooltan and Punjab, which enable the Marhattas to extend their conquests as far as Lahor—They bring the ferocious Abdalies with their victorious King upon their backs—The Marhattas fight, and are slaughtered everywhere—Battle of Badeli, where they lose seventy thousand men—Another bloody action, in which the Marhattas are destroyed—Shudjah-ed-dowlah waits on the Abdali-monarch—His bold answer to that Prince—The Marhattas, little dismayed, send another mighty army into Hindostan, commanded by one of their Imperial Princes—They take Delhi—Appoint a pageant of an Emperor—Propose an accommodation—Are rejected by Shudjah-ed-dowlah, in an answer full of reproaches—Bloody actions between the Marhattas and Abdalies—The former blockaded in their camp, come to a Pitched battle at Panipoot, where they lose eighty thousand men—The Abdali-monarch returns to his own dominions—Singular appearance of a slain young man—Shudjah-ed-dowlah appointed Vezir to Aali-gohar, now Shah-aalem—Origin of the broils that gave rise to a war between the Marhattas and the English—Nizam-aaly avails himself of them to beat the Marhattas into a very advantageous treaty — Dissensions and several engagements between Maddo-rao, the Marhatta-ruler, and his uncle Ragonat-rao — The latter attempts to take Aoreng-abad, and is vigorously repulsed — Nizam-aaly gives a finishing blow to the Marhatta power — S8r8dj-mull, the Prince Djaat, takes possession of Acbar-abad-agra, with its castle and Royal furniture.
33.1.3
We have said that the Government of Adjmir had been conferred on the Vezir, as well as that of Acbar-abad, that Minister having expressed a predilection for that of Ilah-abad, which bordered on his hereditary Government of A8d. The Viceroyalties of Acbar-abad and Adjmir were bestowed on Saadat-qhan. It was in the year 1161, answering to the first of Ahmed-shah's reign. This change occasioned some strange events. Radja Baht-sing-Rhator, a Prince who to much merit and great military character, joined so much learning, that he had no equal amongst the Radjpoot Princes, availed himself of that change, to revive his claim upon the Dj8deyp8r and other territories, that constituted a principality which had been in his family from ancient times, and which was now withheld by Radja Ram-sing, son to Abi-sing, his nephew. With this view he came to Court, complained to the Emperor, and insinuated himself so well in Saadat-qhan's mind, as to render him desirous of going into his Government of Adjmir, where the Gentoo Prince offered an accession of revenue, on condition of his being righted. At the same time he set out for Nagor, the capital of his hereditary dominions, and was followed a few days after, by Saadat-qhan himself, who reckoned on his assistance, and brought with him about fifteen thousand horse, commanded by men of great characters; such as Aaly-rustem-qhan, nephew to Mir-mushreff; Hekim-qhan, called the Qhobushki;
33.1.4
Fateh-aaly-qhan alias the Governor of Kevol, who received subsequently the surname of Sabut-djung; Mahmed-shudjah-qhan, and Seyd-abdol-aaly-qhan. This last was my uncle, who having been, as we have said in the First Volume, banished from the dominions of Bengal, had come to the capital, where Saadat-qhan had desired him to be his friend, and to accept the command of a body of four hundred horse; for he had brought with him his own horses, elephants, and equipage. Saadat-qhan had with him also, Mir-aaly-asghar-Cobra, of whom we have spoken much in Aaly-verdy-qhan's history; lastly, Mubariz-qhan, with a number of other persons of distinction. He passed the mourning days of the month of Moharrem at Patody, and on the beginning of the year 1163, he arrived at a place called Nimrani, in the Djatt country, where Radja Sorodj-mull had raised a small mud fort, in which he kept a certain number of men. Some of Saadat-qhan's people having picked up a quarrel with those of the fort, drove them away; and it was upon such a mighty success that the new Viceroy ordered his music to play in token of victory; after which getting into his tent, he resolved to halt there.
33.1.5
In the morning, as every one expected that he would pursue his intended journey to Narnoul, in Adjmir, where he had ordered his equipage to proceed, the thoughtless Viceroy, who carried a head without brains, countermanded it at once, and abandoning the original scheme upon Adjmir, he turned his views wholly upon settling the Government of Acbar-abad, and quarrelling with Sorodj-mull the Djatt; nor would he hear of anything else. Aaly-Rostem-qhan, who had two thousand horse of his own, together with Fateh-aaly-qhan, who had seven hundred, were at the head of his vanguard, and had already proceeded on their march, when they were countermanded, and sent for to a Council of War; to which were likewise summoned Hekim-qhan, who commanded the right wing, at the head of two thousand horse; and Mubariz-qhan, who with an equal number, commanded at the left; and also Seyd-abdol-aaly-qhan, and Mir-aaly-Asghar-Cobra, now styled Mumtaz-djung. All these, surprised at this sudden change, were unanimous in their opinions. "They represented that to pick up a quarrel with the Djatt was improper; but that it would be very proper to go on with the original project of taking, first of all, possession of Adjmir, where Abi-sing had offered his assistance and an addition of revenue, and where he was already arrived, to make his preparatives. That by pursuing that scheme, they would put to a trial the quality of their troops, and would also infuse confidence in them, by such a successful expedition.
33.1.6
That this project being once accomplished, it would be then time to think of bringing to order the country of Acbar-abad; and likewise, that here too Abi-sing's "assistance and advice would prove useful; after which it would become an easy matter to bring Sorddj-mull himself to order." This advice was good, but the ignorant Governor was inflexible, and he immediately sent dromedaries to bring back his baggage, a counter-order which those officers were obliged to comply with, and also to forward to others; but it was noon-day before they would come back. The army was ordered to proceed to Soba-chund's Caravanserah, where the Viceroy passed the night. The next morning, he commanded the men of his equipage to set out with Fateh aaly-qhan and his corps, and to make a grand forage. The Djatts informed of this, presented themselves in force, and the Radja himself followed with so much expedition that both armies were in sight at noon. By this time Fateh-aaly-qhan had sent word that both forage and grain had been laden in quantities, and were ready; but that bodies of Djatts were making their appearance, and rendering the march of the convoy impracticable, unless some other Commanders were sent to his assistance. Rbstem-aaly-qhan was immediately ordered on that service with his corps. But before he could arrive, the greatest part of the day was already spent;
33.1.7
so that Hekim-qhan-qhoshbuki, who had been all this while desirous of a quarrel with the Djatts, thinking his honour concerned in this delay, followed him immediately, without being ordered. He had with him as many of his cavalry as were at hand, about seven hundred in all; but by this time there remained no more than two hours of day-light. Hekim-qhan seeing this, sent word to Aaly-rbstem-qhan, that night was coming, and that it would be better to return. The latter answered that Fateh-aaly-qhan was more advanced than him, and that if he could prevail upon him to come back, himself (Aaly-rbstem-qhan) would follow. After having said so much, he galloped up to him, and both joining together went to Fateh-aaly-qhan, to whom they proposed a retreat. The other, becoming prouder by the invitation, answered that they might retreat first, and that he would follow. They represented; they entreated; it did not avail. The two Commanders, seeing his obstinacy, resolved to stay likewise, although the sun was setting, and they sent word to the Viceroy, that the Djatt army was in sight, and so near, as to render a retreat dangerous by night; but that they proposed to pass it upon the spot, in expectation that he, their General, would march immediately with the army to their relief. Instead of that, the obstinate, ignorant Saadat-qhan sent them word to retreat and come back. They obeyed. It soon became dark;
33.1.8
and those men that had been exposed to the heat of the whole day, without either victuals or drink, were hastening to their camp, whilst those that were raw troops and had not yet seen any firing, were endeavouring to distance the others. The cannon, moreover, was ordered to march in front, lest it should be set upon in the dark, and fall into the hands of the enemies. The Djatts observing the confusion in which they marched, followed them, and coming close in small distinct bodies, they commenced an incessant fire upon them, without quitting their horses. On this Aaly-roostem-qhan's elephant growing unruly, Hekim-qhan approached him, and after many efforts and repeated attempts, he at last found means to draw him upon his own elephant. He was hardly seated, and the elephant was rising, when Hekim-qhan received a musket-ball in the throat, and fell dead instantly. Another bullet wounded Aaly-roostem-qhan. The flight now became general. Numbers were slain, and numbers being wounded; the survivors reached Saadat-qhan's camp, which they filled with confusion and fear. The General himself became fearful, and was confounded.
33.1.9
And now the advanced troops of the enemy appeared in sight, and setting up a war-cry, they struck up such a panic in Saadat-qhan's breast, that he wanted to get away, and to make his escape, had not Mir-aaly-asgar-cobra and his other Commanders stopped him with threats, and obliged him to stay by main force, keeping so careful an eye upon him, that he could not move. Luckily that the Djatt Prince, having risen only in his own defence, did not choose to abide the consequence of seizing or killing a Lord of Lords, and that he contented himself with besieging the camp for two or three days together; at the end of which he sent proposals by the canal of Fateh-aaly-qhan, an officer with whom he was acquainted. These having been accepted with a great deal of joy, Sooroodj-mull sent his own son, Radja Djevaher-mull, who paid a respectful visit to Saadat-qhan, and concluded an agreement on several conditions, two of which were, that the dependants of the Lord of Lords should not cut any Pipol-tree, nor offer any insult or injury to the temples of the country, or to any object of their worship and veneration. These and some other conditions being agreed to, Saadat-qhan signed the ignominious treaty. Radja Sürüdj-mull added, that should the Viceroy promise upon oath not to advance farther than Narnoul, he would himself follow the army and be assisting in that expedition, with his person and advice;
33.1.10
in which case, he would undertake to bring the Radjpoots of those parts to an accommodation, by which they would oblige themselves to the payment of fifteen lacs, which he would take upon himself.