SECTION XI
CONTENTS.

The English commence hostilities, by surprising and plundering Azim-abad—This city lost and recovered for Mir-cassem, in one and the same day—Mir-cassem, forced into a war, resolves to push it with vigour—A fracas in the Council at Calcutta between Hastings and Batson—Battle of Cat8a lost through the misintelligence that reigns amongst Mir-cassem’s Generals—Mir-cassem deposed by the English, who bring back Mir-djaafer-qhan—Mir-cassem’s army defeated at Gheriah— Dissensions in Mir-cassem’s Councils—The strong post at 8d8a forced by the English—Gurghin-qhan, his principal General, murdered—All the English prisoners put to death by Mir-cassem’s orders—Mir-cassem totally ruined, thinks of retiring in the Vezir’s dominions—Strongly dissuaded by Mirza-nedjef-qhan, one of his Commanders—Mir-cassem, surrounded by traitors, is promised an asylum by perfides—Revolution at P8raniah in favour of the English—Infamous hypocrisy of Mir-suléiman, Steward and favourite of Mir-cassem’s—Suc­cessful expedition in the Bundelcund by that fugitive—The Vezir attacks the English with an army utterly ungovernable— The English, in distress, retreat under the cannon of Azim-abad —Battle—The Vezir’s troops vigorously repulsed by Major Carnac—The Emperor’s negotiation with the English, miscarries—Dissensions between Mir-cassem and the Vezir— Mir-cassem, in despair, turns Fakir—He is arrested and stripped—Singular discourse between Aaly-hibrahim-qhan and the Vezir—Odious character of old Mir-djaafer, as well as of Nandecomar, his Minister—Mir-djaafer dies somewhat a Gentoo—Major Monro, General—A regiment of Sipahees mutinies, and is punished—Singular behaviour of one of them condemned to death—Battle of Bacsar, in which Shudja-ed döula is undone—Singular escape of Mir-cassem’s, then a prisoner of State—Shudja-ed-döula wishes for a peace—Pro­posals of the English—His pride greatly humbled, and his ideas greatly altered—Rejects the proposals—The English push on the war—Besiege the fortress of Chennar-gar—Are repulsed— Raise the siege to march up to the enemy—The citadel of Ilah-abad surrenders to the English, who conquer the whole of the Vezir’s dominions—The latter, joined by the Marhatta, Malhar-ráo, advances towards the English, and is worsted after a few skirmishes—Singular speech of Ahmed-qhan-bangash, to Shudjah-ed-döula, highly honourable to the English—The garri­son of Chennar surrenders to the English—The Vezir almost alone and without any safe-conduct, goes to Major Carnac’s camp, where he is received with respect—The Major wins his heart— The Vezir concludes a peace with the English—He applies to all his relations and dependants for some money, and is refused by all, and even by his own mother—But is generously assisted by his consort, whom he henceforward makes depositary of all his savings.