Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c8.s3.20

v1.c8.s3.20

Pressed by Zainuddin Ahmad (the *nāib* nāzim of Patna), Alivardi wisely changed his plan, and decided to attack the Marāthas before the drying of the roads and the fall of the river-level would restore to the light Deccani horse its natural advantage. Meantime, Bhāskar, secure in the possession of West Bengal, was celebrating* the Durgā pujā, the greatest festival among the Hindus of Bengal, in the most gorgeous style with forced contributions from all the zamindārs. Here the Nawāb surprised him early in the morning of the third day of the ceremony, the Navami, 27th September, 1742.