Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c9.s2.9

v1.c9.s2.9

The news of the tragic death of his son-in-law and brother, the widowhood and humiliation of his daughter, and the loss of the entire province of Bihār threw Alivardi into the deepest grief and depression of spirit. The Nawāb held a council and offered everyone of his followers a free choice between staying at home or accompanying him in that dangerous enterprise. As for himself, he told them, his heart was set on death in honourable fight rather than bearing such sorrow and humiliation any longer. They all vowed to follow him to the death. Loans were hastily raised from far and near, and the soldiers’ dues were cleared in part. Efficient arrangements were made for the protection of Murshidābād during his absence. (Siyar ii. 164-165.) Fifteen hundred men from Purniā joined him on the way. In the meantime the Peshwā Bālāji Rāo had been appealed to for aid and was reported to be approaching Patna from the west.