History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c41.97.1

v2.c41.97.1

When the Hindus and Musalmans of Bengal were expiating for the sins of Nanda Kumār Ray, Durlabhrām Ray and Mīr Ja'afar 'Alī Khān, committed on the field of Plassey (23rd June 1757), and by other Indians on the fields of Katwa, Udhuanala and Munger, British diplomacy and perhaps British gold kept the Bhonsles of Berar from joining hands with Mīr Qāsim 'Alī Khān. A letter from Śivarām Bhaṭṭa received on the 10th of Septembar, 1763, expresses a desire to join the English East India Company in the new war and surprise at the fact that the Governor had not informed him of the victory of Katwa. This was the position on the political stage of north-eastern India when the brave Muḥammad Taqī Khān laid down his life for the cause of Musalman independence in India on the battle field of Katwa. The Dāk Munshis in Orissa served to some extent as political spies and agents. On the 13th of September the Dāk Munshi Ghulām Muṣṭafa was written to and directed to warn the Marathas to abstain from all acts of hostility and to inform Śivarām Bhaṭṭa that the friendship subsisting between the English and the Marathas would be broken off if his people made any disturbances. Orissa was threatened with an invasion by the new Madras army. A politic letter written to Śivarām Bhaṭṭa on the same day informed him of the glorious English victory of Giriyā or Gaṛhiyā, Udhuānālā, Kaṭwā, Murshidābād and Suri (Śiuṛi).