Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c9.s1.15

v1.c9.s1.15

Mir Jafar, the *Bakhshi* or Army Chief of the Nawāb, though appointed deputy governor of Orissa, could not march out in the middle of 1746 for expelling the Marāthas from that province, as he was forced to halt near the capital for strengthening his army with the new levies ordered by the Nawāb to replace the recently dismissed Afghān contigents of Shamshir Khān and Sardār Khān. At last, his ranks having been brought up to the necessary strength (about 7,500 men) and properly equipped, Mir Jafar marched into the Medinipur district in November, and after one or two minor skirmishes fought a decisive battle with Mir Habib's lieutenant Sayyid Nur, near Medinipur about 12th December 1746. The Sayyid, though reported as killed in an English letter from Balesar written four days after the battle, escaped towards Katak with the broken remnant of his army, but two of his head officers were killed. South of Balesar they were met and rallied by Mir Habib, who was returning after conquering Kanikā and dragging the Rājah of that place and his family into captivity. The general now hastened northwards to retrieve the situation. Arriving at Balesar, about 20th January 1747, Habib encamped two miles from the town, with 8,000 horse and 20,000 foot, and raised batteries along the Barā Bālang river to oppose the advance of the Bengal army. Jānoji, who had just reached Katak with his own army, started northwards in order to reinforce Mir Habib. [Bengal let. 22 Feb. 1747; letter from Pondichery, 31 Jan. 1747 (N.S.) S. P. D., xx. 29.]