Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c9.s3.9

v1.c9.s3.9

During the Pathān usurpation of Bihār the news spread over the land that dismemberment had begun in the Nawāb’s dominions, his authority had ceased, and there was none to enforce order or control the realm. Lawless men raised their heads everywhere without any fear of check or punishment. On 15th February the Qāsimbāzār factory of the English despatched a fleet of boats laden with the Company’s goods (mostly raw silk) to the value of Rs. 3,95,031 and private treasure and merchandise worth Rs. 35,000, to proceed to Calcutta in charge of Ensign English and a small party of soldiers. His way lay by Katwā, which was then the chief station of the Marāthas and where Jānoji was present in person. The Marāthas plundered the goods and treasure in the fleet without any opposition from the escort (17th February).