Rhago-dji-bhosslah was on his side approaching that city. That Prince incited by Bha-sukur, his General, had set up another army, with which he had again invaded Bengal, near the capital of which he was now encamped, whilst Baladji-räo was on the other side; so that the unhappy country was in prey to two armies of freebooters at one and the same time, and seemed to be covered by an inundation. Baladji-räo being yet encamped below Baghal­p8r, Aaly-verdy-qhan gave him the meeting there at the head of a numerous army; and on hearing that the Generalissimo was just landed in his quarter, he went to make him a visit. It was on the Ambiguous meeting of the Viceroy of Bengal with the Marhatta Generalissimo bank of the Ganga. As soon as he was described, the Marhatta General advanced to meet him, and having embraced him accord­ing to the Hindostanee custom, he brought him by the hand to his tent, where he made him sit close to himself on the same Mesned; so that those mighty personages gave an image of the conjunction of those two celestial bodies, Mars and Jupiter. After the usual compliments, and the customary ceremonies and presents, they parted; and Aaly-verdy-qhan returned to his camp. This ambiguous visit was returned the next day; and the Viceroy of Bengal having advanced a great way to meet his guest, brought him to his tont of audience, where he made him sit on the same Mesned with himself; and Paan (Beetle), and essence of roses having been served, a number of trays were brought in, which contained a variety of the most curious and costly stuffs; and to these were joined a number of plates of gold, strewed with a variety of jewels and gems; after which came a chaplet of pearl and a lofty elephant. Some words were likewise exchanged about the necessity of quieting the country, and opposing Rhago-dji; after which Baladji-räo took his leave and returned to his camp. The next morning the Viceroy sent a message about the propriety of driving Rhago-dji out of Bengal. The other answered the proposal, by bringing forward the chöut, or annual tribute, which was these many years due by the province of Azim-abad; and he added some complaints about its not being paid this longwhile. It was Mustapha-qhan, and the Viceroy of Bahar, who were entrusted with the message and answer; and as necessity knows no laws, the total of the outstanding debt was cast up; and although it amounted to a mighty sum, payment was promised. The Viceroy took from thence occasion to propose that the two armies should march jointly against Phago-dji; and at the same time he beat the General, as if intending to march directly. But this was forbidden by the Generalissimo, who sent a person of consequence to carry the message; and as it became expedient to comply with the injunction, the Viceroy in a few days paid down the whole of the outstanding debt, and took occasion to renew his request of marching against what he called the common enemy, that is, against Rhago-dji. This Marhatta Prince who now lay encamped between Catwa and Bardevan, was soon apprised of this union of concerns, true or apparent; and thinking himself an under­match for such powerful adversaries, by one of which his troops had been so often conquered, he thought it expedient to march off, taking his route by the western tracts of Bengal. The Viceroy informed of this retreat, crossed the Bagwraty, and pur­sued vigorously. But after one or two days’ march, he received a message from Baladji-räo, which requested “his not parting with him, as he conceived that the Bengal army would not be able to overtake the enemy.” He added, “that if he persisted, he would be obliged to take another road, in which case he reckoned that in a few days he would soon overtake the flying enemy, and give a good account of him.” And really he marched off the next day, and having soon overtaken Rhago-dji, he gave him a defeat, and forced him to quit the plains, and to retire through the chains of western hills, from whence the latter expected to reach his own frontiers by following certain valleys. This retreat he effected, but it was at the expense of the greatest part of his baggage, which he left by the way. This flight of the master having struck a panic in his Lieutenant, Bha-fukur, who was encamped at Midnip8r, he raised his camp immediately, and took to the mountains that border on Oressa, flying all the while in the utmost disorder and consternation. His distress afforded Baladji-räo a full opportunity to retire on his side. This Generalissimo, under pretence of executing the Imperial order, and succouring the Viceroy, had in reality put him under contribution as well as his whole country; and having now received the arrears which he pretended, and carried some other points, he retired to his dominions in Decan. And his camp and equipage were already far off, when his Vekil or agent, who had tarried behind to put the finishing hand to some affairs that had been entrusted to his care and to Mustapha-qhan, presumed so far on the prevalence of the Marhatta power, and the feebleness of the Empire, as to make use of improper expressions, and to talk in a high strain. This being more than could be borne by that General, who was naturally sudden and haughty, he threatened the agent with getting his clothes torn to shivers upon his back; and this order having been put in execution instantly, the agent retired covered with shame and disgrace, but with a quick resentment at the insult that had been offered to his person and character. He talked of breaking the conferences and returning to his master; but as such a step would have produced very heavy consequences the Viceroy sent for him, excused his General’s improper behaviour on the natural hastiness of temper incident to a rough soldier, soothed his mind, and then made him a present of a rich Qhylaat, to which was added a horse, and some other articles that disarmed his resentment. By this time Baladji-räo was already at some days’ journey; and the agent having been dismissed with high demonstrations of regard and honour, made haste to rejoin his master. When he was gone, the Vice­roy sent for Mustapha-qhan. and with a deal of seriousness he informed him that his proceeding might have had very grave con­sequences, and was of a nature to excite Baladji-räo’s resentment. “Pray, my Lord,” answered the General, “is it so? Then in such a case your Highness, who is my lord and master, might have taken Rhago to talk, and left the other to me; or else, your Highness may give a banging to Baladji-räo, and turn Rhago to me for a hearty flogging.” All these events happened about the end of Moharrem and the beginning of Sefer, in the year 1155 of the Hedjra. And now Baladji-räo being gone, and there being A. D. 1740-41. no probability of Rhago-dji’s recovering so soon from his loss of men and money, the Viceroy satisfied with the success of the campaign, returned to his capital; from whence he soon dismissed his youngest nephew, who was Viceroy of the Bahar; and that nobleman departed in a few days.

This interval of peace was followed by some Court intrigues at M8rsh8d-abad and by some commotions at Djehan-ghir-nagur-Dacca. A financier of eminence, called Goc8l-chund, who was a servant of Hossëin-c8ly-qhan’s, by whofe influence with Nevazish-mahmed-qhan he had been promoted to the office of Collector-General, and Commissary of the province of Dacca, quitted his residence at once, and came to M8rsh8d-abad, with the design of accusing his benefactor and old master, who under the modest title of Deputy to that Prince, governed absolutely that province. An accusation of that importance by a man who of all necessity must have been possessed of the necessary proofs, did a great deal of harm to that nobleman; he was severely reprimanded, lost his office, and fell in disgrace. So that his appointment was bestowed on Yassin-qhan, Fodjdar of the police in that city, which office devolved on Mir-Calender. Hossëin-c8ly-qhan finding himself without office, returned to M8rsh8d-abad, where he gave a close application to all the arts by which he might retrieve his character and his fortune. At last, by means of a fine person and a large sum of money properly placed, he insinuated himself so deeply in Gahassity-Bibi’s* favour, that he soon recovered his former credit. The Princess took upon herself to get him reinstated; and she concerned herself so effectually with both her father and her hushand, that the handsome nobleman’s mis­demeanours were forgiven, his office was restituted, he was taken into favour again, and he received the investiture of his former employment in a Qhylaat that dazzled the eyes. Hossëin-c8ly-qhan finding himself vigorously supported, returned to his former station, stronger than ever; and he set Yassin-qhan afloat; but as the latter was known for a man of abilities, he was invited over by Ata-ollah-qhan, Fodjdar of Baghalp8r, who gave him service. Goc8l-chund was not so lucky. As soon as his old master was firmly established in his office, he took that perfidious servant to task, put him under the lash of the auditing office, and made use of so much chicanery in auditing his accounts, that the man was undone, and totally ruined; he lost every thing with his office, and the latter was given to Radja Bolba. Hossëin-c8ly-qhan having by this act of authority informed the public of the whole extent of his influence, appointed his own nephew, Hassen-eddin-qhan, for his deputy, and then returned to M8rsh8d-abad to keep close to his protectress. His credit henceforward knew no bounds, and his influence seemed of a nature to last for ever; when at last the wind shifted; fortune turned her back upon him; he fell head­long from the summit of power, and was murdered by Seradj-ed-döulah’s order and in his very presence: a cruelty for which the latter was punished in kind, as the murdered man’s blood, like that of Siavosh of old, produced an infinity of troubles, that ended only by the ruin of Bengal, and the dissolution of Aaly-verdy-qhan’s family and sovereignty.