Another day Mir-maaly-qhan, who was now become Fodj­dar of Siraniah, Navvab-gundj, and other places, having been sent for, to be put at the head of an expedition against Rung­p8r, came and presented a petition, which chanced to commence in these words: Navvab Refuge of the world, greeting. This expression of Aalem-penah having hit his fancy, he sent for Hazyr-aaly-qhan, Superintendent of his hall of audience, and directed that his mace-bearers and ushers should henceforward make use of that title in presenting people*. But there is something still more curious: he sent for his Secretary, and ordered him to write a letter to the Vezir, Umed-el-mulk, to this purport, and nearly in these terms: “As it is customary for people in writing to you, or in introducing any one, to address your Highness by the expression of Navvab, Resource of all the inhabitants of the world, greeting; so I, who am your Highness’s son, have chosen for myself the title of Aalem-penah; and I hope that you shall condescend to make use of it, in writing to me.” After having forwarded this letter, he accompanied it by eleven Esherffies, sent as a nuzur, or homage, for that new-fangled title of his contrivance. But here is more. His protectors at Court were Zya-ed-döulah and Djelal-eddin-mahmed-qhan; and to both he wrote “That whoever should use any other title than that, would receive no answer and would have his letter torn to shreds.” Such was his extent of mind. As to his morals, although he did not seem vicious, yet he dressed and spoke like a woman;* but this did not prevent him from abusing, in a low and obscene language, every one whatever, without distinction, and that too in the fullest hall of audience. So that officers and Commanders, dignified with the titles of Hezarys or Colonels, and Bahadyr or Courageous, submitted to such indignities, and remained silent; and such was the style of the Court, when that senseless Mir-maaly-qhan proposed to take possession of Rangpoor, and requested assistance. The request was immediately complied with, and an order issued accordingly; but no one could obey. The rainy season was at its height, and the whole country under water; nor was any man fool-hardy enough to set out in such weather; so that the mad man, Mir-maaly-qhan, finding so much slowness everywhere, set out himself, and con­trived to advance, little by little, as far as three days’ journey; but after undergoing a deal of fatigue, he was obliged to stay where he was, without being able to advance one step farther.

Such being the state of the Court and of administration, the city of P8raniah could not fail to be full of conventicles. People shocked at Sháocat-djung’s shameful language, and tired to death with his no less shameful behaviour, used to assemble in several houses; and there, in the middle of their friends, they exhaled their complaints. In several of these assemblies, the traitor Habib-beg had found means to introduce himself, as an associate and friend; but under the mask of friendship he listened to whatever was said, and used to report it to his master, whom he informed that the officers of his troops especially, had entered into a confederacy together, with intention to betray him. Nothing could be more false than such a report, and nothing more destitute of any foundation. It is true, that Car-guzar-qhan, the Commander-in-Chief, and many other officers of consequence, like Sheh-abdol-reshid, with many other men of note, had resolved to go to Court in a body, and to request him, with threats, to forbear the infamous language he made use of in speaking to them. It was resolved to inform him “that, if after so fair a warning he trespassed again, it would be at his peril.” The intent of all which, after all, was only to frighten the thoughtless young man into a better behaviour, and into a more decent language; and indeed this resolute proceeding had its full effect. The young Prince, now become sensible of his danger, sent for a number of them, and made publicly some concessions, promising them a better behaviour. All were satisfied by this promise; but the thoughts of betraying him were disclaimed by all; and all turning their eyes upon Habib-beg, on whom they all fixed their suspicions, intreated the Prince to name the man that had given him so false an information; that he might point out his authority, in his and their presence, if he had spoke the truth; and if he had uttered a falsehood, that he might receive at their hands the chastisement he deserved. Habib-beg, confounded and embarrassed at finding all the eyes turned upon him, took the accusation up, and said, “that he had not spoke of any treason, but only had given him to under­stand that he would do well to alter his language and behaviour; as his people were ready to abandon him, and one of the fore­most of those would be himself.” But this construction, which he now put upon his own report, having been reprobated by all, as founded on falsehood, Sháocat-djung himself took a dislike to his new favourite; who finding himself loaded on the very spot with reproaches and taunts, by all his friends and acquaintances, then present; and observing also that he had now become an object of contempt and reproach to both sides, thought that there remained no other party for him, than that of quitting the world, where he had lost his character. Laying down, therefore, both his arms and clothes on the spot, he exclaimed, that, “if there should be a battle, he would stand by them; else he bid them his last farewell. I am now a Fakir, said he; and have done with the world.” And luckily for him that he betook himself to that expedient; else, it was the general intention to chastise him rigorously in full Court.

But although the breach betwixt the servants and the master seemed made up by this incident, yet the latter, who perceived their being estranged from him, took a dislike to all his officers and troops; and sending for some field-pieces, with some of the men of the artillery, whom he could trust, he planted them at the gates of his palace; and placed a guard at each of them, with orders not to suffer any armed men to enter. As the officers, on their side, conceived a deal of mistrust from this behaviour, every one of them retired to his house, and declined going any more to Court; so that the Prince, finding himself deserted, was fain to give a counter order, and to admit every one, armed or not.

Whilst the Court of P8raniah was a prey to so much mistrust and misintelligence, news came that Lally, the Hezary, or Colonel, had been invited over to M8rsh8d-abad by Seradj-ed-döulah, and that the man, glad of the invitation, had repaired from Bir-nugur, to that capital. Sháocat-djung, on hearing of this, was extremely surprised and astonished; and he said publicly that “if Lally had been capable of such a treason, after all the rights which the deceased Prince, his father, had acquired over that officer’s gratitude, there was no expecting fidelity from any one else.” Strange indeed, that Sháocat-djung should remember so well the favours conferred by his father on that officer, and should forget at the same time the disgraces and injustices he had himself so recently heaped upon him! Strange indeed, that after such a behaviour, he should expect gratitude and fidelity at the man’s hands! But such was his language, and such his turn of mind. To mention all his ridiculous and thoughtless actions would require volumes; and a pity it would be to con­sume ink and paper upon such a subject. Meanwhile Seradj-ed-döulah, informed of his hatred to him, of his impudence, his impatience, and his thoughtlessness; and apprised also of Mir-maaly’s motions, and of the behaviour and turn of mind of all his favourites, had resolved to try his pulse; and although a very strange man himself, he wondered at the strangeness of the report, and thought it better, if possible, to avoid coming to a rupture. But some fresher intelligence which he received, made him determine to put an end to his pretensions as soon as possible. As a prelude, he appointed Ras-beháry, younger brother to Radja D8l8bram, to the Fodjdary of Bir-nugur, and Gondvara, both in P8raniah; gave him the patents of it, and sent him to take possession, entrusting him at the same time with a letter for Sháocat-djung. Ras-beháry advancing as far as the shore opposite to Radjemahl, sent a supplique to Sháocat-djung, which contained his own request, and Seradj-ed-döulah’s letter; and meanwhile he stopped there to wait for Sháocat-djung’s permis­sion to proceed. The purport of the letter was as follows: “That as the two Perganahs or Districts in question were going to be given in Djaghir to another at the Imperial Court, he had thought it improper to suffer the introduction of a stranger in that country, and had rather chosen to assume them himself, as Dissensions between the two Princely cousins. his own Djaghir, after having requested them in his own name; and as there was no difference between them two, and their interests were one and the same, he had sent Ras-beháry to take possession of them; requesting his being pleased to give him possession, and to send to M8rsh8d-abad an act of it.” Such a letter could not but surprise Sháocat-djung. He resolved to ask counsel from his friends; and having assembled them, he also sent for me. These were Mir-maaly-qhan, and the Com­mander-in-Chief, and Habib-beg, and several other Commanders, and Grandees, whose fidelity he trusted. They all assembled, and I found them silent, when I arrived. On arriving, he opened the letter, and asked their advice on this overture. The whole assembly, to a man, turned its eyes upon me, and all asked my opinion; the Prince did the same. But as I was discontented this longwhile, I contented myself with answering, that what­ever His Highness would determine in his own mind, doubtless would prove the best party possible. He was not satisfied with this answer, and he intreated me so strongly, that being unable to resist any more, I answered in these very terms: “That as the rainy season was not yet over, and there was no possibility for horses, or even for infantry to move in the field, so as to excite any apprehensions, I thought it would be proper to pass over with dissimulation and compliance that favourable time of release and safety; that we must therefore send for Ras-beháry to Court, and by fair promises and a civil behaviour, keep him in suspense. But meanwhile that the Prince ought to write to Serádj-ed-döulah a respectful letter, approving what he had done as very proper; but adding at the same time, that as Sháocat-djung thought himself one of those intitled to favour and beneficence from the hem of his Princely robe, he suppli­cated that those two districts might be, in compliance with the custom, left annexed to P8raniah, charging himself with remit­ting to this treasury the Malg8zary or fixed revenue of those lands. I added, that after writing the above letter, he must wait to see what answer Seradj-ed-döulah would make. That meanwhile Ras-beháry was to be used with regard and much civility; but that meanwhile, himself ought to turn to some benefit what remained of the rainy season, so as to assemble his artillery and forces. That after the rainy season should be over, it would be proper to make an alliance with the English, who were reported to intend marching against Seradj-ed-döulah; and then only it would be time to act and advance, as time and occasion should point out.” This advice, thanks be to God, was approved by him; and he ordered the Secretary to draw up the letter in that style, paying me, at the same time, many encomiums; so many indeed that the courtiers, according to their rivetted custom, thought it incumbent upon them to imitate their master, and even to go farther; and they became so profuse in my praise, that he took a disgust at them; and altering his tone of voice, he broke out in these terms: He is a man of sense indeed; but will ever his sense be equal to mine? He has the sense of ten thousand men concentred in his brain; but I have that of several hundred thousands concentred in mine. Nor do I approve of his advice at all. This said, he sent for Ras-beháry’s messenger, and having reprimanded and buffeted the poor man, he sent for the Vezir’s letter, which he looked upon as his patent, and ordered it to be read with a loud voice in full Court; after which he gave a verbal answer in very rough terms to the messengers, and added a letter to Seradj-ed-döulah in the same style. The purport of which was this: “I have Extravagant letter of Sháo­cat-djung’s to Seradj-ed-döulah. received from the Imperial Court the patent of the three provinces of Bengal, Bahar and Oressa, in my own name; but as there subsists a brotherhood and a parentage between us, I forbear meddling with your life, and shall assign for your sub­sistence any part in the province of Djehangir-nugur-dacca, which you shall like, and point out; and the patent of it I shall expedite, whenever you please. Meanwhile do retire into those parts, and leave the palace, treasury, and furniture to my officers; and take care to send me your answer speedily, as I am waiting for it with a foot in the stirrup.” The messenger returned to Ras-beháry, delivered the verbal message, and put the letter in his hand. The Prince shocked at what he called mummery and farce, resolved to march in person, and to chastise Sháocat-djung; and meanwhile he ordered Radja Ram-naráin to fall upon him on his side, with the forces of Azim-abad, and those of the Zemindars under his command. Ram-naráin, in compliance with the order, set out with Radja Sunder-sing, and putting himself at the head of the forces of Azim-abad, which alone could not amount to less than the double of the forces at P8raniah, but which at any rate must have been a great deal more than equal, he marched against the enemy. As to the forces which Seradj-ed-döulah had with himself, part was sent under the command of his Divan, Radja Mohon-lal, with orders to cross the Ganga, and to fall upon the enemy on the side of Samdah, Bessent-p8r-golah, and Haiat-po8r; and with the other part, he advanced to Radj-mahal, resolved to cross the Ganga there, whilst the Governor of Azim-abad being nearer, had already crossed over with his forces. Sháocat-djung, who had always had in his mind some day or other to come to war with Seradj-ed-döulaah, and whose letters and messages to that Prince had He prepares for war. now rendered it unavoidable, ordered his people to look out for a proper camp, where his army might rendezvous. His Ministers, some of whom had belonged to his father, and were not destitute of abilities, pitched upon a spot at the entrance of the province, which was a difficult part, betwixt Maniári and Navvab-gung, as being surrounded everywhere by lakes and morasses, so that there was no approaching it but by a narrow passage, that ended in a narrow causeway. The lakes were everywhere two or three cosses over, and deep; and in some places, where they might be accessible in dry weather, the passage had been barred by a deep ditch, and a rampart; so that the post had become very strong, and such as would have enabled a sensible Commander to defend himself in it for seasons together, with a small number of troops, against a numerous army; and that too without a possi­bility of his being assaulted, but with the utmost difficulty; for the back part was his own country, from whence supplies might be received with ease and facility. This post was approved of on all hands; but what is singular, the Commanders of the troops, especially of his cavalry, out of disgust against his indecent way of speaking, were desirous of encamping at a distance from him; and himself, out of mistrust to them, was not pleased with having them for his neighbours. So that whilst the cavalry was marching to the rendezvous, orders were sent to the troops to encamp on the shore of the little river, Sonra, which was at about a cosse and-a-half, or even more, from his own tents; and these last had been pitched within the intrenched part. In conse­quence of such a disposition the principal Commanders encamped at too great a distance from each other. These were Car-guzar-qhan, the Commander-in-Chief; Sheh-djehan-yar, his nephew; Sheh-abdol-reshid; Mir-s8ltan-qhalil-qhan; and some other per­sons of consequence. Amongst these was Mahmed-sáyd-qhan, son to that Ab8-t8rab-qhan-t8rani, who had been slain at the battle against the Zemindar Adjadj8, in Saadet-qhan’s service. There were several other Commanders that had served under Séif-qhan; and I was there myself, with my younger brother, Naky-aaly-qhan. All these might be said to be the flower of the army. Shiam-sunder, a Bengaly-cahet, who in fact commanded the artillery, (as there had not been any other Commander of it, even in his father’s life-time, but Sháocat-djung himself), thought proper to encamp within the intrenched part; yet so as to have his station on that narrow tongue of land that ended in a causeway, and was the great passage in and out of camp. In this manner this army of good troops, destitute of a chief and of a head, was encamped in two distinct portions, at about tow cosses distance from each other. News arrived every day of the approach of Seradj-ed-döulah’s army. But on the day before the engagement, intelligence came, that the enemy’s vanguard was coming; and every one in our camp, although without any chief Commander, prepared for defence. Some time after, intelligence came that the enemy had encamped at some distance, but that to-morrow they would come down for an attack. In the evening the spare tents of Sháocat-djung’s were pitched; but without it being known yet when he would come; and we passed the night in that incertitude. The next day, being the twenty-first of Djemadi, in A.D. 1756-7. the year 1170 of the Hedjra, at about two hours after day-break, that Prince made his appearance. His officers and Command­ers immediately crowded around his tent, to pay their respects, and I was of the number; but such was his perverseness, that even at that moment, even at such a time, his front did not open; nor did he unknit his eyebrows; nor did he drop any thing, from whence one might conceive that he had dismissed those suspicions he had so unjustly conceived against his people; even at that time he neither said or did any thing calculated to gain their hearts. He contented himself with commanding his officers to return to their quarters, there to remain encamped as they were. So that those brave men were obliged, with broken hearts and dejected countenances, to repair to their encampment, which was on the right hand, that is, at a full cosse and-a-half from the infantry; and there they remained, waiting for new orders. He remained himself in that spot, within which he had brought a number of gentlemen on horseback, that had no Commander but himself; and also some corps on which he most trusted; such as that of Mir-merdan-aaly, a relation of Qhandö8ran, the Minister of State at Delhi; he commanded the body-guards, and had distinguished himself by an ensign of cloth of gold. The other corps were commanded by Miten-lal, Divan to Sháocat-djung; by Séif-eddin-mahmed-qhan, nephew to Aga-azimai, a gentle­man, who, since Lally’s disgrace, had been invested with the command of that officer’s corps of about a thousand musqueteers; lastly by Sháocat-djung’s own brother, Mirza-ramazani, who went by the title of Hady-aaly-qhan-djessaret-djung, and had four hundred horse under his command. All these were taken within the fortified part of the camp, like a troop of beasts inclosed together in a net for the purpose of being shot at; and in this disposition, Sháocat-djung thought he provided for the safety of the intrenchment, although he thereby put a distance of full two cosses betwixt one part of his army and the other. Whilst he was giving such senseless orders with a peevish tone of voice, there happened to be close to him an old Afghan officer, Omer-qhan by name, who had been introduced into the service by Mir-so8ltan-qhalil-qhan, where he commanded a body of four hundred horse; he was an old officer, and an old warrior, who had seen a variety of services. On observing the Prince draw near, he had turned out his troop, in compliment to him; but even such a mark of respect did not soften his mind; nor would he abate anything of his wonted peevishness of expression, and severity of looks; he only took care, by the harshness of his language, to disgust all those brave soldiers, to a man. By this time the two-thirds of the day being spent, Seradj-ed-döulah’s army, under the command of Mohon-lal, his Divan, was making its appear­ance, betwixt Abari and Maniáry; and its standards, planted on a high ground were descried from afar; nor was the distance betwixt the two armies in any sense more than two cosses. As every one was doing as he pleased in our army, Shiam-sunder, the Comptroller of the Artillery, who wished to shew his courage and zeal, but who in reality betrayed only his ignorance and inexperience, quitted at once the post where he was within the intrenchment, and going out of the neck of land, he planted his artillery at about half a cosse farther, and of course at about one cosse and-a-half from the enemy, which latter shewed themselves from the south and west. By taking that position, Shiam-sunder deprived himself of the protection of the intrenchment, and of the benefit of the lake; for he had advanced beyond the lake. However, on the other side, where the main body of the Bengal army was showing itself northward and southward, there remained still a broad lake, of about two cosses over, between them and Sháocat-djung’s army; but Mohon-lal having advanced with the principal officers of his army, amongst whom were Mir-djaafer-qhan, and the two friends, Dost-mahmed-qhan, and Mir-cazem-qhan, with the two brothers, Dilir-qhan, and Assalet-qhan, both sons to Omer-qhan, pitched his tents on an eminence upon the shore of the Ganga, where he stopped, out of precaution, ordering his light artillery to be placed in front, and to fire on the enemy; but the distance was so great that most of the balls fell in the lake. This was not the case with the large artillery, which being by this time come up, its ball went beyond the lake, and one or two of them fell within the intrenchment. Sháocat-djung, on observing that the balls could reach him, ordered the insignia of his dignity, that is, the Mahi*, to be lowered down, and carried at some distance; and he reprimanded the servants that stood round him, as if those traitorous fellows, by thronging round his person, had wanted to render him as conspicuous as a mark to fire at. The poor people immediately dispersed, and went at some distance; still he was not satisfied, and could not abide in one place. Umer-qhan, the old officer above spoken of, happening to be near, could not help expressing himself in these terms: “My Lord and Master (said he), what kind of battle is this? I can make nothing of it; nor did I ever see any such thing in all my wars in Decan, nor under Nizam-el-mulk. This is not the way. Here every one does as he likes. The troops must be assembled in one place, and ranged in battle array; and the artillery must be stationed in front; and the men must march together, and in a compact body, and stand their ground with firmness; and then only victory and success my be expected.” Sháocat-djung took the remonstrance ill, gave abusive language to Nizam-el-mulk, and said: “I have no occasin to be taught what I am to do; for I have fought myself three hundred battles.” The old officer, after this rebuke, hung his head; but added not a word. It was after giving this rebuke, that he remembered of the Commander, Car-guzar-qhan, and of the other officers whom he had placed at such a distance with their cavalry; and he sent a trooper to ask them, why they remained motionless, as so many marks for the enemy’s balls? Doubtless you have not the heart to fall upon them, I suppose. The trooper went, delivered his message, and brought this answer: “To attack so superior an enemy with our small force, would be highly imprudent; and were we ever so well inclined the lake and its miry borders would effectually prevent us. Let the enemy advance themselves, as they do actually. After they shall have fatigued themselves in emerging from the mire, and shall then have received some discharges of artillery and musquetry, it will be time then to fall upon an enemy so weakened and disordered; and if the case happens as we conjecture, we shall then do as we shall be able to afford; and such an advantage is all that our small numbers can pretend to.” This answer raised his anger; he dropped some coarse, abusive language, and sent back the man with this message: Do not talk like so many cowards; a Gentoo, such as Shiam-sunder, has advanced out of the intrenchment with my artillery, and is now pouring his balls amongst the enemy; and you that pretend to be such mighty Commanders, stay behind to talk of prudence and caution. By this time it was already noon; and until the horseman might carry this rebuke and bring an answer, more time would be spent; and in fact, there remained now but one-third part of the day; but Sháocat-djung, who had already taken his dose of bang, was by this time inclined to give vent to the fumes of it*, and to amuse himself with listening to the songs of his women; for being now incapable to hold up his head, he alighted from his elephant, and went into his sanctuary. On seeing this I retired with some other officers into the audience tent, where on sitting down, I could not help saying these words: “The day is now far spent, and there remains no more now than one-third part of it; if we can pass over that space of time, without any accident, we must sleep as we can to-night; and to-morrow, after having taught common sense to this blockhead, we shall join together, and march out in a body to fight together; and then happen what it will, but fight we shall in a body at least.” After having said these few words, I got up, with intention to go over to the cavalry, encamped at a cosse and-a-half distance, in which was my brother, Naky-aaly-qhan. But on coming out of the intrenchment, in my way thither, I perceived that Car-guzar-qhan, with Habib-beg, and Mir-So8ltan-qhalil-qhan, unable to put up with the taunts conveyed by the horseman in his third trip, had put themselves at the head of the cavalry, and were crossing the lake with all the pains imaginable; and they had only the other half to wade through, and would soon be engaged. This sight struck me; I stopped, and said to myself: “I am too far off; nor can I pretend to join them in time. Unhappily our troops are strangely dispersed. Our best Commanders with their cavalry are wading through mud and water, while the enemy is end­lessly firing upon them with their rockets and artillery; and if they be able to cross over at all, it shall be after they shall have been thoroughly thinned in their numbers, and spent with fatigue; if they be not, they shall to a man perish in the lake. As to Shiam-sunder with his musqueteers, he is at a great distance from them. God only knows whether he has a mind to join and support them; and if he does, whether he shall have it in his power; and if he has it, whether he shall arrive betimes. Our two armies will be beaten then, one after another, and without being able to effect a junction. Better to return back, and to advise this thoughtless youth. If I can get him upon his elephant, and with what troops are here, he make haste to join his cavalry, I am not without some hopes.” After this soliloquy, I came back, and having advanced close to his quarters, I found that he was listening to songs, and amusing himself with dances; but on being informed that his cavalry and Shiam-sunder’s musqueteers being joined, were advancing towards the enemy; he got, half drunk, upon his elephant, where I saw that he could hardly support himself. Already the troops encamped with him, and which had retired to their tents, were assembling from all parts round his person; but meanwhile a whole hour was lost in these motions; and meanwhile the troops that were crossing the lake, were already engaged, but in a dis­orderly, confused manner. I was urging Sháocat-djung to advance to support his men; but he could not support himself; he was out of his senses; and at every tenth step, he would lay his hand on the driver’s shoulder, to make him stop. I urged still, without being discouraged, as his presence alone would be of some use, and his people were hastening about him. But already as we were getting out of camp, I could observe that the cavalry, having at last crossed the lake, under the enemy’s fire, were now engaged with a stiff mud and dangerous mire, from whence few could get out; and meanwhile they were shot at like so many marks. So that most of them being killed or wounded, before they could join the enemy, and the others being unable to stand their ground even there, they gained the firm land, but it was to fly at a distance.