Meer Hubeeb, who had been taken prisoner by the Mahrattahs at Burdwan, now entered into their service; and became their principal agent. His family and property were at Moor­shedabad, under the care of his brother, Meer Shereef*. He marched all night with seven hundred Mahrattahs, and at day break arrived at Dehpareh; set fire to the Gunge, and then crossed the Bhagrutty, to his own house in Moorshedabad, which was about an arrow shot from the Kellah*. The Hajee, after bar­ricading the streets, and firing two or three guns, shut himself up in the Kellah, along with Nowazish Ahmed Khan, and Hussein Kuly Khan; no one daring to face the Mahrat­tahs. After plundering Jugget Seat’s factory, and other capital houses, they took prisoners Morad Aly Khan, rajah Doolebhram*, and Meer Shuja eddeen, darogha of the Patchow­terah, and carried them to their encampment, at Teeretkoneh*, two cose from Moorsheda­bad, on the western side of the river; intending to plunder the city again the next day. But Alyvirdy Khan, with his whole army, arrived at Moorshedabad in the night; when the Mah­rattahs, disappointed in their intention, burnt all the villages near Teeretkoneh, and retreated to Kutuah.

The Mahrattahs continued at Kutuah during the rains, having placed garrisons all over the country. Meer Hubeeb, who had many acquaintances at Hooghly, having entered into a confederacy with Meer Abulhassan*, of that place, marched, with Seessrow*, and two thousand Mahrattahs, and arrived there at night. Abulhassan went to Mohammed Reza,* who was carousing at a nautch*, and told him that his old friend Meer Hubeeb, who had come alone to see him, was waiting for admittance. Mohammed Reza, being intoxicated with liquor, had no suspicion of treachery, and ordered the gate of the fort to be opened; when Meer Hubeeb, with the Mah­rattahs, rushed in, and, securing Mohammed Reza, and Mirza Peyaren*, the foujdar, got possession of the fort. Many of the principal inhabitants of Hooghly took refuge in the European settlements. The Moghuls, who were in the interest of Meer Hubeeb, were, by him, introduced to Seessrow, who, contrary to the general character of his nation, was a very worthy man, and took great pains to conciliate the minds of the conquered, by his mild and equitable government: the zemindars, encouraged by his conduct, readily settled with him for the revenues. He also kept upon good terms with the Europeans. He appointed Abulhassan foujdar of Hooghly, who administered justice, with the assistance of the cazees, and other officers.

Meer Hubeeb, who had the entire manage­ment of the revenues, returned to Bhaskir at Kutuah, carrying with him a few guns. The vakeels of the zemindars came and paid him sums of money, to save their country from the depredations of the Mahrattahs; and he gave them guards to protect and encourage the ryotts*. Many of the principal people fled to the eastern end of the Ganges, and settled in those provinces, with their families. All the country, from Akbernagur to Midnapoor, and Jeleysir, was over-run with the invaders; who committed unparallelled acts of cruelty and extortion.

Alyvirdy Khan was all this time meditating revenge, and making preparations to strike a decisive blow. Whilst the Mahrattahs were dis­persed all over the country, collecting the reve­nues, free from all apprehension of being attacked; he suddenly marched from Moorshedabad, and crossed the river, opposite to Kutuah, over a bridge of boats, which had been constructed during the night. The Mahrattahs being entirely off their guard, were slaughtered like sheep; and Bhaskir Pundit, with all the troops he could collect, retreated to Ram­gurh*; and from thence passed through the jungles to Orissa. Sheikh Moassoom, the naib soobahdar of Orissa, having only a small force, and being deserted by the zemindars, fell a victim to the Mahrattahs, who became entire masters of that province.

When Alyvirdy Khan arrived at Burdwan, he paid the arrears due to his troops, besides a gratuity of two months pay; and promoted such of the officers as had distinguished themselves in the action at Kutuah. He then proceeded to Cutteck; and, after several skir­mishes, drove the Mahrattahs out of Orissa. He appointed for his naib in Orissa, Abdulrus­sool Khan*, the nephew of Mustafa Khan; and leaving him in Cutteck, with five or six thousand cavalry and infantry, returned to Bengal.

Upon the defeat of Bhaskir Pundit at Kutuah, Seessrow evacuated Hooghly, and retreated to Bishenpoor. The other Mahrattahs, who were dispersed over the country, also fled.