History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c40.33.5

v2.c40.33.5

Mir Ja'afar deputed Mir Isma'il, the son of his maternal uncle, to hold charge of the Bakhshi's office at Murshidabad and sent a Hindu named Sujan Singh as his deputy in the Faujdāri of Hijli. Then he set out for Katak as the head of 7,000 horse and 12,000 foot and defeated a body of Marathas and Afghans near Medinipur. The Marathas fled to Jaleswar where they were persued by Mir Ja'afar, who encamped on the side of the Kehnasa (Kāsā-Bāsā ?) river. There he was frightened out of his wits by the news of the arrival of fresh Maratha troops under Raghuji's son Jānuji and the future victor of Plassey fairly turned tail and ran for his dear life, closely pursued by Maratha horse. The brave Mir did not stop till he reached Burdwan. Every one knew that Mir Ja'afar controlled nearly 20,000 troops and all were surprised. 'Alīwardī sent 'Aṭa-ullah Khān to his succour. Jānujī and Mir Ḥabīb now attacked Burdwan. Mir Ja'afar 'Alī now aspired to follow in the footsteps of his august master by murdering him and succeeding him on the *masnad* of Murshidabad, but the conspiracy leaked out and 'Alīwardī advanced to join the two generals.¹ Severely reprimanded for his cowardice, Mir Ja'afar ceased to attend court and even had the courage of refusing to send for Sujan Singh when 'Alīwardī wanted to check the account of Hijli. 'Alīwardī sent *Jasāwals* to bring Sujan Singh by force.