Part II.—History of the Muhammadan Emperors, from the reign of Shahábu-d dín Ghorí, who first ruled in Hindústán, to the thirteenth year of Sháh 'Álam's reign, A.H. 1187 (1773 A.D.), a period of 635 years. This part is divided into nine Sections. [The author continues his list of contents in great detail.]
In 1160 A.H. (1747 A.D.) Áppájí, Malhár Ráo, and other Mah-
After the death of this chief, the Mahrattas, finding themselves unable to stand against the Játs, turned their arms towards the country of Rája Bakht Singh and other Ráthor chiefs, and demanded a contribution from the Rája, who, immediately on receiving the message, assembled a council of war, and thus resolutely addressed all his chiefs: “Alas! how deplorable is the condition of Rájpúts, that a mean and contemptible tribe from the Dakhin demands tribute from them! Where are those Rájpúts gone who were so brave, that only ten of them could oppose a thousand of the enemy, and who once with the edge of their sword not only punished the rebels who occupied the most secure and impenetrable valleys of Kábul, but drove them out and became masters of their strongholds? While the Rájpúts occupied the road between Kábul and India, no power could force its way into this country from that direction, nor did any people there dare to disturb the peace of the subjects or rise in rebellion against the throne. Surely, the blood of true Rájpúts is altogether extinct.” He uttered many such inflammatory sentences before the assembly, and a Rájpút, roused by his speech, broke silence and said, “The Rájpúts of this time possess more courage than those of former ages; but the Rájas of the present time are not so brave or so judicious in command as they were of old.” “Of course,” replied the Rája, “if the soldiers of an army be cowards, blame is thrown upon the weakness and inability of its leader.”
In short, after a long discussion, the Rájpút rose up with six other persons, two of whom were his sons, two his nephews, and two his friends. They all mounted their horses, and spurring them on, proceeded direct to Áppájí's camp, which was at the distance of thirty kos from that of Rája Bakht Singh. They alighted from their horses, and at once entered the tent of Áppájí, turning a deaf ear to the guards who stood at the door and tried to prevent them from going in. The chief of these brave Rájpúts, dauntlessly approaching the Mahratta chief, sat close to his cushion, and freely entered into a conversation with him. He asked him, in the name of his Rája, what he meant by coming into this territory, and demanding contribution from the Ráthor chief. “I came here,” replied Áppájí, “by the force of my arms, and I demand the tribute by right of might. If God pleases, I will penetrate in a few days to the very palaces of your Rája.” “No, no,” said the Rájpút, “you must not be too sure of your bravery and power. God has made other men stronger than you.”
On hearing these words, Áppájí's indignation knew no bounds, and at once breaking out into passion, he began to abuse him and the Rája. The Rájpút could not restrain himself, and, inflamed with anger, drew out his dagger, and stabbing the Mahratta chief, put an end to his existence with one blow. Having severed his head from his body, he made off with it, and took it to Rája Bakht Singh, while his other companions engaged with the Mahrattas, who, with loud shouts, ran towards them, to avenge the death of their chief. Three of these Rájpúts were slain, and three, though much wounded, escaped from the hands of the enemy. After the death of Áppájí, the Mahrattas were obliged to decamp, and return to their country.
'Aliwardí Khán, the Governor of Bengal, Maksúdábád and Patna, having no son, and seeing that his end was fast approaching, appointed his daughter's son as his successor, and enjoined on him the observance of two precepts. First, that he should never enter into hostilities with the English. Secondly, that he should never exalt Ja'far 'Alí Khán to any great rank, or entrust him with such power as to involve himself in difficulty, in case of his revolt.
Siráju-d daula, however, soon forgot these precepts, and when, after the death of 'Aliwardí Khán, he succeeded to power, he took Ja'far 'Alí Khán into his favour, and conferred on him a jágír, to which he also attached a troop of horse and foot, and placed his whole army under his command. The English at Calcutta punctually paid their annual tribute, according to the fixed rate. But Siráju-d daula, through his covetousness and pride of power, demanded an increase of tribute from them, and became openly hostile towards them. Actuated by his vanity and presumption, he suddenly attacked them in Calcutta, and having plundered their property and cash, put several of their officers to death, and returned to Murshidábád.
As the English had taken no heed of his movements, they could not oppose him at the time with success; but afterwards they collected a large army, and marched boldly towards Murshidábád. They also brought over Ja'far 'Alí Khán to their interest, upon the promise of making over the province of Bengal to him. When their army reached within one or two marches from Murshidábád, Siráju-d daula advanced to oppose them. Ja'far 'Alí Khán, who had the command of all his forces, wished to capture and surrender him to the English without any battle being fought; but Siráju-d daula soon became acquainted with his intentions, and seeing himself in a helpless situation, secretly embarked alone in a boat and fled.
After his flight the English assigned the province of Bengal to Ja'far 'Alí Khán, who established his rule there, and appointed his deputies in all its districts. All the property of Siráju-d daula was taken and divided between him and the English. When Siráju-d daula had gone thirty kos from Murshidábád, he stopped for a while, and ordered his servant to land in the jungle, and try to get some fire for his hukka. Accordingly the servant disembarked, and seeing the cottage of a darwesh, he approached it, and asked the occupant for some fire.
It is said that the darwesh had been a servant of Siráju-d daula, and, being ignominiously turned out by him for some fault, he had become a fakír, and taken up his abode in this jungle. When he saw the servant of Siráju-d daula, with a chillam in his hand studded with gems, he instantly recognized him, and asked him how he happened to be there. The servant, who was a simpleton, discovered the whole matter to him; and the darwesh, quietly leaving him there, went with all speed to the governor of the neighbouring town, and informed him of Siráju-d daula's arrival. As orders for capturing the Nawáb had been issued by Ja'far 'Alí Khán and the English, and the governor had received them on the same day, he immediately embarked on a boat, and, having seized the Nawáb, sent him under the custody of some trusty servants to Ja'far 'Alí Khán, who put him to death in A.H. 1160 (1747 A.D.).
Having so far gratified his ambition, Ja'far 'Alí Khán with a settled mind devoted his attention to the management of Bengal, and took possession of all the wealth and royal equipage of Siráju-d daula, who had involved himself in this danger by not observing the wise advice of his grandfather.