Nádir Sháh had sent Muhammad Khán Afshár on an embassy to Muhammad Sháh, Emperor of Hindústán. But on account of the difference of opinion that existed among the nobles around that monarch, a long time elapsed, no answer to the letter was forthcoming, and the ambassador himself did not return. When Nádir considered the matter, he came to the conclusion that hostility towards him was intended by the nobles around the throne of Hindústán, and he made up his mind to march against Kábul.
At this time, in consequence of the weakness of His Majesty Muhammad Sháh, and the want of unanimity among his nobles, the armies of the Mahrattas of the south had spread themselves over Bengal; and Húghlí fell into their hands. I had occasion to stop at the city of Firáshdánga (Chandernagore), which is inhabited by a tribe of Frenchmen. The city of Calcutta, which is on the other side of the water, and inhabited by a tribe of English who have settled there, is much more extensive and thickly populated than Firáshdánga. All the different tribes of Europeans have got different names, such as the Fransís (French), Angrez (English), Walandíz (Hollanders), and Partagís (Portuguese). The delightful gardens which the Europeans make, with a number of trees great and small, all cut with large shears and kept in order, as in their own country, are exceedingly pleasing and refreshing. The reason why they have so many gardens is, that a separate family, or one set of inhabitants, lives in a separate house. There is no difference whatever to be observed in any of their manners and customs; indeed, they all live just as they do in their own country. They have churches, too, where they perform Divine service in congregations, and everything else is managed in a similar way according to custom. Many tradesmen and professors of different arts have come from Europe and taken up their abode here, and get occupation in making things, carrying on their trade as they do in their own land. A great many of the Bengalís have become skilful and expert from being with them as apprentices.
As they excel in other arts and sciences, so also in a military point of view are the Europeans distinguished. This the Mahrattas know well; for although there is so much property and merchandize belonging to commercial and wealthy men of these parts in Firáshdánga and Calcutta, and it would only be a journey of two kos from Húghlí to Firáshdánga, and although the Europeans have no fort, and are so few in number while the Mahrattas are as numerous as ants or locusts, yet, in spite of all this, the Mahrattas see the unanimity and concord that exists among the Europeans, and do not attempt to approach them, much less to attack them. The Europeans fight with guns and muskets; but when the time for using the sword comes, they are at a disadvantage.