But new troubles soon arose; for Bhaskir, despairing of re-conquering Orissa, led the Mah­rattahs through Bhauglepoor* and Rajemahl towards Bahar, and when Alyvirdy Khan went in pursuit of them, turned about, and got before him to Moorshedabad. He pursued them with such haste, that he arrived whilst they were plundering the quarter of Baloocher*; when, upon hearing the sound of his drums, they abandoned their prey, and fled to Ram­gurh; whither also Alyvirdy Khan followed them. For three years the Mahrattahs annually invaded Bengal; but no decisive battle was fought during the whole of that time.

Alyvirdy Khan, having formed an intimacy with Aly Bhiey*, a Mahrattah chief, who was a Mussulman, invited him to Moorsheda­bad; and persuaded him, that being weary of hostilities, he was ready to purchase a peace, by consenting to pay the chowth*. Aly Bhiey, having mediated a treaty upon these terms, with the Mahrattah chiefs at Dungen­gur*, Alyvirdy Khan, at their requisition, sent rajah Jankeeram*, and Mustafa Khan, to ratify the treaty on his part, by the most solemn oaths, according to their respective faiths. At the meeting it was agreed, that the Mahrattah chiefs and Alyvirdy Khan should have an interview; after which, the ambassa­dors took their leave, and returned to Moorshed­ebad. Alyvirdy Khan expressing great satis­faction at the peace, caused it to be proclaimed every where, and gave orders for khelauts, jewels, elephants, and other presents, to be pre­pared, against the arrival of the Mahrattah chiefs.

The place appointed for the interview, was the plain of Munkereh*; where there was pitched for their reception, a magnificent tent, of an immense size, in the lining of which a considerable number of armed men were con­cealed. The Mahrattah army was encamped at some distance, and Bhaskir Pundit, Aly Bhiey, and twenty other chiefs, came to Alyvirdy Khan’s tent, attended by only twelve thousand cavalry. As soon as the Mahrattah chiefs had entered the tent, the doors were secured, so that no one could come in or out. Bhaskir Pun­dit advanced to embrace Alyvirdy Khan, who called out “dispatch this vile infidel!” when the men, who were concealed within the tent, upon hearing this signal, instantly rushed out with their swords drawn, and butchered the defenceless Mahrattahs. During the massacre, Alyvirdy Khan got out of the tent; and mount­ing on an elephant, commanded his troops to fall upon the Mahrattahs, who were standing care­lessly near the tent. Some effected their escape; but the greater part were killed, or taken prisoners. When intelligence of the massacre reached the Mahrattahs who were in Burdwan, and other parts of Bengal, they fled to Nag­poor*; but in their retreat, many were seized, and killed by the zemindars.

After the rains, during the sestival of the Deshereh*, which is the time that the Mah­rattahs always commence their expeditions, Ragoojee Boselah entered Bengal with a mighty army, to revenge the death of Bhaskir, and the other chiefs. They desolated the country wherever they came; and killed or mutilated all who fell into their hands.

Alyvirdy Khan was preparing to march from Moorshedabad, with a powerful army, when Ballajee Row*, another Mahrattah chief, was sent into Bengal by Mahommed Shah to his assistance. Ballajee Row was the son of Bajeerow Pundit Purdhan*, the general of rajah Sahoo*, who was at this time an infant; and Ballajee was at enmity with Ragoojee. Alyvirdy Khan plainly saw, that by continuing the offensive alliance, his country would become the prey of both armies; and therefore sought to be rid of them as soon as possible, availing himself of the enmity between the two chiefs. He sent vakeels, with considerable presents, to Ballajee; and thereby engaging him firmly in his interest, they united their forces in Bheer­bhoom; upon which Ragoojee thought proper to retreat. However Alyvirdy Khan was after­wards obliged to purchase the departure of his ally Ballajee, by the farther payment of a large sum of money.

About this time, a misunderstanding happen­ing between Alyvirdy Khan and Mustafa Khan, the latter rebelled; and, at the head of an army of Afghans, marched into Bahar. Having invested the fort of Mongheer, he sent his nephew, Abdulressool Khan, to force the gate; when the besieged threw down a large stone upon his head, and dashed out his brains. Mustafa Khan raised the siege of Mongheer, and marched to Patna. Near that place he had an engagement with Zeineddeen Ahmed Khan, who was worsted, and driven into the city. After this vic­tory, the Afghans began plundering the country; and Mustafa Khan was left near Patna, with only a small party; which coming to the knowledge of Zeineddeen, he made a sally, and in the engagement Mustafa Khan was deprived of one of his eyes, by a matchlock ball: after having lost many of his men, he retreated to Jugdeespoor*. Mustafa Khan had applied to Ragoojee for an army of Mahrattahs, who gladly embraced the opportunity of invading the provinces.

Alyvirdy Khan marched to Azeemabad, where he gainrd a victoty over Mustafa Khan, who retreated to Ghazipoor*; Alyvirdy Khan then returned to Morshedabad. After his depar­ture, Mustafa Khan again appeared before Patna; where, being killed in battle, Zeineddeen ordered his body to be split in two, and exposed upon an elephant throughout the city.