Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c9.s4.14

v1.c9.s4.14

But a fresh trouble was brewing for Alivardi. His darling grandson and intended heir, Sirājuddaulah, was instigated by Sayyid Mahdi Nisār Khān (the paternal uncle of the historian Ghulām Husain and a discontented ex-officer of the Nawāb’s army), to make a dash on Patna, seize the government of the province from the Nawāb’s agent, and make himself independent. The foolish and capricious lad, took leave from the camp at Medinipur, on the pretext of visiting the palaces and gardens at Murshidābād, and slipped out of that town with his wife. Arrived at Patna, he with Mahdi Nisār Khān delivered an attack on the city. The defenders hesitated to fire on their future master and the apple of the eye of their present sovereign. Some of the assailants got inside through an old drain for rainwater near the western gate, called the khirki of Begampurā, threw the gate open and admitted Sirājuddaulah. In the fighting in the narrow streets of Hājiganj the loyal troops were steadily driven back and Sirāj’s followers seemed to be on the point of capturing the entire city, when first Amānat Khān, then Mirzā Madāri Beg Deccani, and finally Mahdi Nisār were killed. At this fall of their leaders the rebels lost heart and fled out of the city. Sirāj took refuge in a private house safe and sound, to the intense relief of Rājah Jānakirām and the garrison of the city, (c. 27 June, 1750.) [Siyar, ii. 182—185.]