Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c8.s3.1

v1.c8.s3.1

Hughli was the most important station of the Mughal Government on the west bank of the Ganges in Lower Bengal. Within its jurisdiction lay Calcutta, Chandarnagar and Chinsurā, the chief factories of the English, the French and the Dutch respectively, and all ocean-going trade-vessels in Bengal had to do the necessary official business with it. It was also the seat of the Mughal naval power in West Bengal and the chief centre of foreign commerce to the subjects of the Nawāb. The commandant (*faujdār*) of Hughli at this time was Muhammad Razā who used to pass his nights in drinking deep and making merry with dancing-girls and singers, to the total neglect of his duties.* Mir Habib had many old friends among the Persian merchants here, their leader being one Abul Hasan. He sent secret emissaries to them, and these traitors formed a conspiracy to deliver the fort up to the enemy. On the appointed night, Mir Habib with 2,000 Marāthas under Shesh Rāo arrived silently outside the fort. According to their plot, Abul Hasan reported to Muhammad Razā, "Your old friend Mir Habib is standing at the gate begging for a private interview with you." The drunken *faujdār* ordered the gate to be opened without making any inquiry or taking the usual precautions. As Habib passed into the gateway, a number of Marāthas suddenly rushed in with him, overpowered the guards, occupied the fort, and made the Nawāb's officers prisoners (early in July).