The History of Bengal (Vol. I: Hindu Period; Vol. II: Muslim Period 1200–1757) v2.c48.3

v2.c48.3

On his return journey from Katak, Alivardi Khan learned at Mubārak Manzil (now called *Shāhin-bāndi*) in the Ārāmbāgh subdivision of the Hughli district, and some 15 miles south of Bardwan, that a Maratha army from Nagpur had passed through Pachet and was raiding the Bardwan district. By a forced march he arrived at Bardwan, on the 15th April, 1742. Here, next morning he found himself encircled by the myriads of Deccan light horse. The Nawab’s position was very critical, as he had only three thousand horsemen and a thousand foot-musketeers with him, but was encumbered with all his baggage, camp followers and family, the main portion of his army having been earlier sent back to his capital. He was forced to halt a week in Bardwan. The Marathas cut off his grain supply, one party of them under Bhāskar Pandit keeping up the investment and another party plundering the country for forty miles around.