Tarikh-i Muzaffari 5: Recovery of Calcutta. Defeat of Siraju-d daula.
Táríkh-i Muzaffarí, of Muhammad 'Alí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 5
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- English
Recovery of Calcutta. Defeat of Siraju-d daula.
5.1
Mr. Drake, the governor of Calcutta, after his defeat from Siraju-d daula, went on board ship with his party, and proceeded to Madras, a large factory belonging to the English Company. Other English officers, who were scattered over Bengal on various commissions, when they heard of the loss of Calcutta, escaped as best they could from the straits in which they were placed, and made their way to Madras. At Madras was Colonel Clive, an officer of the army, and a servant of the King of England, who had command over the factories in the Dakhin. In those days he had fought against the French, and had taken from them some of their possessions in the Dakhin, in recognition of which Muhammad Khan Salabat Jang, son of Asaf Jah, had given him the title of Sabit Jang, "Resolute in War." After consultation, Colonel Clive and the gentlemen from Calcutta embarked in ships, with nearly two regiments of Telingas and four companies of Europeans, and sailed to recover Calcutta. As soon as they arrived at the port of Falta, they overpowered the men of Siraju-d daula by the fire of their ships, and making their way up to Calcutta, they anchored there near the factory. They sent proposals of peace to Siraju-d daula, asking pardon for Mr. Drake, and offering to pay several lacs of rupees, on condition of being allowed to rebuild their factories in Calcutta. Siraju-d daula rejected the proposal, and did not even write an answer.
5.2
Colonel Clive then resolved to fight, and placed four guns in position. Nanak Chand (the commander of the place) made some show of fighting, but he soon fled. Colonel Clive and his followers then took possession of their old factories.
5.3
The receipt of this news awoke Siraju-d daula from his dream of security. On the 12th Rabi'u-s sani, 1170 A.H. (Jan. 4, 1757 A.D.), he marched from Murshidabad to fight the English with his army and a good complement of artillery. On reaching the place, he encamped in a suitable position, and a war of guns and muskets at once began. The English endeavoured to treat, and sent their wakíls from time to time. They sent a brave and intelligent person to Siraju-d daula, ostensibly to treat with him, but secretly to take notice of the ways and arrangements of the camp. He went there, and after discharging the requirements of etiquette, he made his observations and returned. In the course of a few days, the English prepared their forces, and one morning, before daybreak, fell upon the rear of Siraju-d daula's camp with volleys of musketry, and poured upon it showers of balls. The Nawab's men were helpless; many were killed, and many were wounded. It is said that the object of the English in this night attack was to seize upon Siraju-d daula, and make him prisoner; but in consequence of a thick fog, the way to his tent was missed, and the files of musketeers passed another way. So the Nawab escaped the danger of being killed or captured. The English returned to their ground in triumph and in joy.
5.4
Siraju-d daula was terrified by this attack, and was afraid that it would be followed by another. He felt the difficulty of maintaining his position, and having called a council of war, he pointed out the inutility of continuing the struggle, and the necessity of retreat. The foundations of a peace were soon laid. The English knew of his weakness and discouragement. They demanded compensation for the plunder of Calcutta, which amounted to a very large sum. After some parley, the terms of peace were settled, and the Nawab agreed to pay the sum demanded. They required ready money, and Siraju-d daula gave them six parganas near Calcutta to hold until the money was paid. Mr. Watts, the superintendent of the factory at Kasim-bazar, obtained his release on the defeat of Siraju-d daula. He now carried on the negociations and correspondence between the two parties, and earned the thanks of both. Siraju-d daula took his departure for Murshidabad, and the English engaged in their commerce at Calcutta as heretofore. * *
5.5
The flames of war now broke out in the Dakhin between the French and English, between whom there has been enmity for five or six hundred years. The English prevailed, and their warships, under the command of Admiral Walker Jang Bahadur, were sent against Faras-danga (Chandernagore), which is near to Hugli. The French had sunk ships in the river, leaving only room for the passage of their own ships one at a time. The English got their ships through that passage, beat the French, and took possession of Faras-danga. They also took the factories near Kasim-bazar. Monsieur Lds, the chief of the French, joined Siraju-d daula, and having collected his followers, he entered into his service with them, and a number of Telingas whom he had drilled.
5.6
The English, being informed of this, sent their wakil to Siraju-d daula, remonstrating that as peace had been made with him, the enemies of one must be looked upon as the enemies of the other, and friends regarded as mutual friends. They were faithful to the agreement they had made, and they required the Nawab to dismiss M. Lds, and give him no support. His neglect to do this would be regarded as a breach of the treaty. Those who were opposed to M. Las, and were well-wishers of the Nawab, earnestly pressed him to comply, to dismiss M. Las, and not to let such a bone of contention put an end to the peace with the English. Siraju-d daula talked and corresponded with M. Lds on the subject, who represented that the Nawab had a large force of his own, and that no harm could come to his authority from accepting the services of a French officer and his men. Siraju-d daula urged this upon the English wakil, but he still strongly insisted upon the removal of M. Las. So Siraju-d daula of necessity sent him away, but told him to proceed to Patna, and make no delay on the road.
5.7
After this the enemies of Siraju-d daula, that is to say, Nawab Mir Ja'far Khan, Raja Dulabh Ram, Jagat Seth, and some others, who were sorely tried by him, passed their days and nights in fear and hope. They came to an understanding with each other, and schemed for the destruction of his life and authority. His maternal aunt, Ghasiti Begam, daughter of Alivardi Khan, who was incensed against him for his seizure of her cash and household goods, joined his enemies secretly. Siraju-d daula summoned Mir Muhammad Ja'far, one of his old associates, to a private meeting, and gave him instructions for raising forces secretly, upon which he proceeded to engage every unemployed soldier he could find. But afterwards he did his best to thwart Siraju-d daula, and to urge on the English.
5.8
Colonel Clive Sabit-jang, being informed of what was passing, and of the evils meditated, cast aside the treaty of peace and prepared for war. He marched from Calcutta, to the great dismay of Siraju-d daula, who sought to conciliate and encourage his own adherents. He sent Raja Dulabh Ram forward with a force to choose a suitable place for throwing up intrenchments and collecting guns. Rai Dulabh started on his commission. Openly he applied himself to carry out the orders of his master; but in his secret heart he lost no opportunity of scheming for his overthrow. He was careful to observe the conditions of the treaty with the English on his own part and on the part of Nawab Mir Muhammad Ja'far, and he won over the officers of the army of Siraju-d daula by offers of money. Mir Muhammad Ja'far occupied himself continually in the same way. So they gathered large numbers around them, and few were left to Siraju-d daula.
5.9
Colonel Clive now approached, and Siraju-d daula was obliged to move from Mansur-ganj, and proceeded with his officers to Plassy. The Colonel, with a small army, which might number three or four thousand men, advanced with great courage and daring, and encamped opposite the army of the Nawab. On the 5th Shawwal, 1170 A.H. (June 23, 1757 A.D.), fire was opened on every side, and the engagement became warm. Europeans are very skilful in the art of war, and in the use of artillery, and they kept up such an incessant fire that the hearers were deafened, and the beholders blinded. Many were killed, and many wounded. Mir Madan (the commander-in-chief), a brave and resolute man, who was the guiding spirit of Siraju-d daula, received a mortal wound from a cannon-ball. He caused himself to be conveyed to his master, and died after speaking a few words of advice and devotion. Siraju-d daula was greatly moved by his death, and sent to summon Mir Muhammad Ja'far. That officer, having resolved upon an infamous course, went to him, accompanied by some other chiefs. Siraju-d daula was greatly dejected, he apologized to Mir Ja'far for the wrongs he had done him, and asked for his advice. Mir Ja'far advised that as little of the day remained, he should recall his advanced force within the lines, and put off the battle to the next day, adding that he would provide for the safety of the army and the conduct of the battle.
5.10
Siraju-d daula directed his diwan, Mohan Lal, who was eager to fight, to go and stop the fighting until next day, and return to the lines. The diwan replied that it was no time for turning back; upon which Siraju-d daula again conferred with Mir Ja'far, who reiterated his advice. The Nawab was bewildered, and could do nothing but follow the counsel of Mir Ja'far. He sent strict orders recalling Mohan Lal, who was fighting manfully at his post. As soon as the diwan retired, many, who were overmatched, took the alarm, and fled to their defences. A general panic ensued, followed by a signal defeat. On learning the condition of his army, Siraju-d daula was filled with dismay; he feared the enemies in front, and his hostile servants around him, and fled in haste towards Murshidabad. On the 6th Shawwal he reached Mansur-ganj, and looked around for friends and help. But misfortune has no friend. Even Muhammad Iraj Khan, father of his wife, made no effort to help him. To satisfy his soldiers, he opened his treasury, and each man got what was his luck. His followers, seeing him helpless, carried off large sums under various pretences to their homes. After staying a short time at Mansur-ganj, on the 7th Shawwal, he secured plenty of ashrafis, and taking with him his favourite Lutfu-n nissa, his wife and his youngest daughter, and several others, he departed in carts and other vehicles towards Bhagwan-gola.
5.11
When he was near Chaukihath, Mir Muhammad Kasim Khan, son-in-law of Mir Ja'far, having heard of his flight, hastened after him with several men, and demanded money and jewels, and he was obliged to give him a box of jewels belonging to Lutfu-n nissa. Mir Kasim then turned back with his valuable prize. * * On reaching Bhagwan-gola, Siraju-d daula embarked on a boat, and went on his way to Patna. It is said that when Siraju-d daula heard that the English army had marched from Calcutta to make war upon him, he wrote a letter to Monsieur Las, according to promise, and urgently called him to his aid. He directed Raja Ram Narain, governor of Bihar, to supply him with money. The Raja saw that the Nawab's star was on the decline, and purposely made a delay of some days in supplying the money. Meanwhile, Siraju-d daula had been defeated at Plassy, and arrived at Mansur-ganj. M. Las and Muhammad 'Ali Khan, a distinguished cavalry officer, set off in boats from Patna, and went as far as Raj-mahal. There they heard that Siraju-d daula had been made prisoner, and they returned to Patna.