Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c8.s2.24

v1.c8.s2.24

In the retreat from Bardwān Mir Habib, an officer of the Nawāb, had been captured by the enemy. This man at once transferred his services to them and proved their most useful ally and the greatest scourge of Bengal. His local knowledge, ability and persistence alone gave to the Marātha invasion of these three eastern provinces its long-drawn relentless and desolating character. Mir Habib was a native of Shiraz in Persia. Emigrating to Hughli he at first earned a scanty living by hawking from house to house such goods as he could get on credit from the merchants of his own country settled at that port. Though an absolutely illiterate man, his ready wit, extreme suavity of speech, and perfect command of the Persian language (which was his mother tongue) soon enabled him to make his way into the highest circle of society. The pedlar discarded his original profession and blossomed forth into the chief confidant and deputy (nāib) of Rustam Jang, rising as his master rose in the service of successive Nawābs. When Rustam Jang was appointed governor of Dacca, Habib by his attention to details and strict economy effected large savings in the expenditure of the Government flotilla, artillery and military departments. At the same time he enriched his master by unauthorised encroachment on private trade and a predatory incursion into Tipperā, till he was raised to the peerage. During Rustam Jang's governorship of Orissā, Habib as his agent (nāib) ran the entire administration and distinguished himself by ably managing the public business, keeping the zamindars under control, and greatly increasing his master's income. His ability and tireless activity were only equalled by his boundless ambition, implacable enmity to Alivardi Khān, and utter lack of moral scruple or generous sentiment. [Riyāz, 299-303.]