Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c9.s4.15

v1.c9.s4.15

Meantime, immediately on hearing of Sirāj’s flight from Murshidābād towards Patna, Alivardi had started from Medinipur after him, though the rainy season had begun and the roads were becoming impassable. Halting only one day at Murshidābād, he hastened to Bihār, and when arrived at Ghiyāspur (midway between Bārh and Fatuā) heard of the attack on Patna and Sirāj’s lefeat. With infinite tenderness he soothed the mind of the young rebel and restored him to all his favour, and then set off with him back to Murshidābād. At Patna the old Nawāb was seized with a high burning fever, but he could not stop there, in view of the threat of the Marāthas to Medinipur and the incompetence and cowardice of the agents left by the Nawāb there. So, the sick Alivardi glided down the Ganges in a boat, attended by physicians, and after reaching Murshidābād and undergoing further treatment recovered (in September.)