History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c41.31

v2.c41.31

The arrangements made by the East India Company for the defence of Medinipur were not needless, as Śivarām invaded the Company's territories and on the 28th of December, 1760, the Governor wrote to Nawāb Mīr Qāsim 'Alī Khān requesting him to proceed to Birbhum to oppose the Marathas.² Another officer, named Muṣliḥ-uddīn Muḥammad Khān, states on the 31st of the same month that the revenue of the *parganah* of Tamluk had been paid by him to the Nawāb.³ It is impossible to find out whether this person is the same as Mīrzā Ṣaliḥ, the friend of Mīr Ḥabib, who was created Mīr Muṣliḥ-uddīn by 'Aliwardī Khān at the conclusion of the treaty with the Marathas in 1751. On the 2nd of January, 1761, Nawāb Mīr Qāsim 'Alī was informed that Mahābat Khān had been directed to pay the revenue of Tamluk. A more conciliatory tone was now adopted towards Rājā Nārāyaṇ Deo, as on the 2nd he was informed that his measures against the Marathas were approved by the Governor.⁴ Evidently Nārāyaṇ Deo had to be recognised as an ally of the Company against the Marathas, who had helped Vira Kiśora Deva I to drive him out. In the same breath the Governor orders Rāgmānjī Jāchak to forward the Governor's letter immediately.⁵ It cannot be understood how the officer of an enemy may be ordered not to intercept correspondence. On the 9th Rājā Rāj Nārāyaṇ of Kāśijoṛā was desired to attend on Mr. Johnstone. On the 12th a letter was received from Khūsh-hāl Singh, formerly of Balasore, praying that the allowance formerly given to the Faujdār of Medinipur may be granted to him.¹ On the same date Rāgmānjī or Raghunāthjī was informed by the Governor that the English East India Company were not prepared to pay any duties to the agent of the Marathi governor.² On the 24th of January a complaint was received from Luṭf-ur-rahmān, the Faujdār of Balasore, about the oppression of one Mr. Burdett and his muṭsaddīs on account of which trade had come to a standstill in that port. The position of Balasore is very ambiguous and it appears that the Factor or trade agent in that port possessed considerable powers even during Maratha occupation. Luṭf-ur-rahmān was probably a Musalman in Maratha employ. Two days later a letter was written to Mukund Pandit directing him not to molest the Company's forces and copies of it were sent to Śivarām and Rāgmānjī or Raghunāthjī.³