I remember that once being myself seated within the inner apartment of the Navvab-begum, consort to Aaly-verdy-qhan, he came himself unexpectedly, and having taken his seat, he seemed grieved and thoughful. The Princess having reproached him for that behaviour of his, and asked the meaning of his appearing with so clouded an aspect, he answered in these words: I know not what is the matter; but I find some uncommon appearance amongst my people. The Princess anxious about her consort’s disquietude, pitched upon two men of parts and character, and sent them as from herself, and in her own name, to Rhago-dji. The first was Muzzaffer-aaly-qhan-Bahadyr. The second was Faky-aaly-qhan, son to Hadji-abdollah, called the writer or historian, who had been Divan at B8rhanp8r in the times of the Emperor Aoreng-zib. They had orders to procure a pacification upon an equality, if they saw any overture for it. The envoys having landed at Mir-Habib’s, who was the main supporter of all Rhago-dji’s schemes, were introduced by him, and they delivered their message. The Marhatta, who had been often vanquished, and did not think himself a match for Aaly-verdy-qhan, was glad of such a proposal; but Mir Habib, who was the Viceroy’s mortal enemy, did not consent to it; and he turned Rhago-dji’s mind intirely, advising him to avail himself of his superiority in horse to give the enemy the slip, so as to arrive before him at M8rsh8d-abad, where Nevazish-mahmed-qhan commanded without troops, and where mighty things might be done. Rhago-dji relishing the advice, took to the road of M8rsh8d-abad, and was imme­diately followed by the Bengal army. But as part of the provi­sions that followed it had been forsaken and lost some days ago, and none were procured but by force and with dint of sabre, victuals became dear in camp, and then scarce, and at last invisible; the country round being so ruined, as to furnish none at all. In addition to all those evils, the river Sohon having become fordable, did not afford sufficient security to the boats that might have brought provisions. It was in such a distressed condition that Aaly-verdy-qhan continued his march along the Sohon; and it was in one of these marches, that he was joined by two officers of valour and renown, both in Zin-eddin-ahmed-qhan’s service. They were both covered with wounds. These were Mehta-djes­vent-nagur, and Mir-gh8lam-ashruff. They had both been detained at Azim-abad for some urgent business; and when it was done, they had resolved to join their master, and to prove thereby their zeal and attachment to his service. Athough the roads were scoured day and night by the enemy’s horse, and there was no passing undiscovered, nevertheless without minding the times, they had the imprudence to sally forth from the city, and to advance towards the army with a small number of brave men that chose to stand by them. But they did not go far; the Mar­hattas having overtaken them, wanted to plunder and strip them; and as they refused to submit to that indignity, they were sur­rounded and attacked with spears and long swords; and a sharp engagement took place, in which the enemy mixed contumelious language with heavy blows. At last both those officers were dangerously wounded, and both were felled to the ground; and both were stripped, and their baggage was plundered and rifled. Nor was it but some time after, that they recovered so far their senses, as to arrive at the army, both naked, and both very much wounded; the Gentoo officer in particular, having lost the whole of his nose by a stroke of a sabre. It was over a country so totally ruined that Aaly-verdy-qhan arrived at Azim-abad, where having observed that Rhago-dji was hastening his march, he quitted that city, to follow the enemy to Baghal-p8r, where having advanced towards the river that runs by Champa-nagur, a suburb of that town, he took shelter under some trees, from whence he sent forwards the brigade he had with him, together with most of the officers present; and these had orders to look out for a proper encampment. Rhago-dji who was always well informed, availed himself of that opportunity; and turning the brigade, he suddenly made his appearance at the head of five or six thousand horse. The Viceroy without betraying the least perturbation or fear, assembled those about him, and they did not amount to above six hundred persons of all sorts; and putting himself at their head, he advanced to the enemy, and charged vigorously. He had at that time with him an officer whom he had lately retained in his service, and who in paying his respects, had spoke very advantageously of himself, and required a great deal of distinction. The Viceroy recollecting the circumstance, now sent for Dost-mahmed-qhan, (for such was the man’s name) “and he told him that this was the time to approve himself the man he had pretended to be, and to shew himself worthy of those distinctions, which he had claimed as his due.” The man, without waiting for another word, put his horse on a gallop, and spying a body of men that cut a better figure than the rest, (and, in fact, it was Rhago-dji himself surrounded by his best mounted Another engagement, in which Dost-mahmed-qhan
distinguishes himself. spearmen) he rushed amongst them, overthrew one man, killed another, wounded a third, and seized a fourth, with which he came back to Aaly-verdy-qhan, to whom he presented his prisoner, and who loaded him with encomiums. By this time assistance had come; and Rhago-dji being surrounded in his turn with this body of horse, was amply regaled with everything which musquets, sabres, and spears could afford; so that finding that he could stand no more, he turned about, and fled. His troops after having plundered some baggage, took to flight also. But this action did not please Rhago-dji at all. Keeping the highroad became unsuitable to his circumstances, as it was impossible but the two armies would meet at last; and being unwilling to engage any more, he gave the enemy the slip, with intention to be beforehand with him about M8rsh8d-abad. The Marhatta there­fore moved from Baghal-p8r, struck to the right, and got into the hilly country; and Aaly-verdy-qhan having wrote to his nephew at the Capital to be upon his guard, advanced by forced marches; and he was so lucky as to arrive at the city one day after the arrival of Rhago-dji’s, who had already burned and sacked the two suburbs of Chapàideh, and that called Mir-djaafer-qhan’s garden. But on the Viceroy’s arrival, he did not think proper to remain so near him. Decamping therefore immediately, he wheeled towards the southern and western suburbs of the city. The Viceroy having given three or four days’ rest to his army, marched on through the outskirts of the city, and went to encamp at Amany-gundj; from whence he advanced on the enemy, and having overtaken him at the Ranie’s reservoir, close to Catwa, there ensued a sharp engagement, in which such a slaughter was made of the Marhattas, that Rhago-dji despaired of success; and fearing the destruction of his whole army, he turned about, and Battle of Catwa, in which the Marhattas are slaughtered. fled so earnestly, that henceforward he avoided the open plain, and availed himself of the skirts of the hilly country on the west­ern back of Bengal. Aaly-verdy-qhan continued pursuing with­out ceasing; and Rhago-dji having consulted his Generals, it was thought proper, as they had lost so many of their men in their last engagement, to make the best of their way to their own country, from whence they had received terrible news a few days ago. Leaving therefore two or three thousand Marhatta horse, and six or seven thousand Afghans, under the command of Mir-Habib, the Marhatta Prince departed, very much humbled by the ill suc­cess of his expedition; and news were coming one after another that he intended to quit Bengal, until at last it was found he had really quitted the very frontiers of it.

This campaign had an advantageous appearnce. The enemy had been beaten and expelled; but the army fatigued by such repeated campaigns, and exceeded with toil in the last, had grown tired of the war; and Aaly-verdy-qhan perceived that officers as well as soldiers were equally weary with himself. He wanted him­self some release from his toils, and wished to enjoy some rest, as having a variety of purposes in view. He intended to marry the sons of his several daughters, and to prepare necessaries for the ceremonies. He wanted to gain the hearts of the soldiery by Aaly-verdy-qhan tired of the war. affording them some release. He had some refractory Zemindars to bring to order. Lastly, the wish of his heart was to enjoy the nuptials of Seradj-ed-döula, and Ecram-ed-döulah, his two darling grandsons. All those objects required his presence in the city, to which he immediately returned; and first of all he applied himself to business, and especially to that of quieting the country, and affording some relief to the wearied husbandman. He next turned his views towards refitting the necessaries of war, and promoting his officers according to their merits. Dost-mahmed-qhan, that officer who had continued to distinguish himself in the late cam­paign, and was now rising up to that favour which he enjoyed in its height some years after, was promoted to the command of a brigade, and complimented with many favours; as did Mir-cazem-qhan, who was also promoted to the command of a brigade; this officer enjoyed already the title of Bahadyr or valiant, and had distinguished himself eminently. These two officers having conceived an affection for each other, marched together, attacked together, and were performing together heroical actions in imitation of each other. Their characters rising daily in the estimation of the public, as well as their mutual attachment to each other, they came at last to be the most renowned Commanders in the Bengal army; and it must be acknowledged, that they were both officers of inestimable merit; and that whenever an opportunity offered, they did not fail to perform such valorous actions, as acquired them the admiration of their brother officers, and the applause of the public, in bestowing which both enemies and friends became unanimous.