The History of Bengal (Vol. I: Hindu Period; Vol. II: Muslim Period 1200–1757) v2.c44.4

v2.c44.4

When Mir Jumla set out for Kuch Bihar, he left Ihtishām Khan at Dacca in charge of the military defence of Bengal, without formally giving him the office and dignity of deputy subahdār; the revenue administration continued in the hands of Rāi Bhagwati Dās (not to be confounded with the eunuch Khwāja Bhagwān-dās). It took the officers at Dacca seven weeks to report Mir Jumla's death to the Emperor, who was then in far-off Lahore, *en route* to Kashmir, and receive his orders on the vacancy thus created. By these orders Ihtishām Khan was recalled to Court, and Dāud Khan (the subahdār of Bihār) was transferred to Bengal as acting subahdār, while Dilir Khan was nominated to govern Bengal pending the arrival of Dāud Khan. These orders reached Dacca on 17th May 1663, and Dilir Khan held charge of the province from that date up to 27th September, when Dāud Khan relieved him; and finally Dāud Khan was relieved on 8th March next year by Shāista Khan, who was to govern Bengal for nearly a quarter century.