Mirza Bauker, perceiving that no depen­dence could be placed upon his troops, caused a report to be spread, that he was preparing to march out against Alyvirdy Khan, whilst in his own mind he had determined to retreat to the Dekhan. The baggage and the prisoners he sent across the river Ghenjewry*, to pro­ceed to the Dekhan. At this time Alyvirdy Khan was encamped forty cose from Cutteck, where his spies brought him intelligence of these proceedings, at midnight. He imme­diately sent for Meer Mohammed Jaffer, Mustafa Khan, and some other chiefs, and consulted them on the occasion. It was agreed that Meer Jaffer should immediately march with a detachment, in pursuit of Mirza Bauker; and Alyvirdy Khan follow the next morning, with the rest of the army. When Mirza Bauker received advice that Meer Jaffer was within five cose of Cutteck, he placed Said Ahmed Khan in a covered ruth, along with Hajee Mohammed Ameen*, a servant of Moorshed Kuly Khan; two horsemen armed with spears, guarded the carriage, and had orders to dispatch their prisoner in case the enemy should overtake them. They travelled in this manner from Cutteck, two or three stages. Hajee Ameen, happen­ing to be seized with a shortness of breath, changed seats with Ahmed Khan, to get a little air; all the way he kept his dagger drawn, ready to dispatch his prisoner. At this juncture, Birless Khan*, with fifteen horsemen, hap­pened to enter the jungle, and their flag appearing above the bushes, the spearmen con­cluded that Alyvirdy Khan was arrived; and not having been apprized that Hajee Ameen had changed seats with his prisoner, they drove their spears at him, mistaking him for Said Ahmed Khan; and, thinking they had killed him, took to flight. Hajee Ameen lay welter­ing in his own blood, and cried out that he was murdered. Meer Mohammed Jaffer had just routed the enemy, and his people were calling out for Said Ahmed Khan, imagining that he might be amongst the fugitives; but he, apprehending them to be the enemy, who were enquiring after him to destroy him, durst not speak; till distinguishing the voice of Meer Jaffer, he lifted up the curtains of the ruth, and discovered his friend. Meer Jaffer alighted from his horse, and they embraced with mutual affection. Whilst they were con­gratulating each other on their happy meeting, and asking a number of questions, Hajee Ameen took the opportunity of slipping out of the carriage. When they had finished their con­versation, Meer Jaffer missed his horse; and, not being able to find Hajee Ameen, they con­cluded he must have made his escape upon it.

The Afghans came up with Bauker Khan, and brought him to action, but he, being aided by Morad Khan, the bukhshee of the rajah of Pursotim, penetrated into the jungle; and proceeded to the Dekhan, by the road of Champahghatty*: the Afghans, unwil­ing to lose their bread, by putting an end to the war, gave up the pursuit.

When Alyvirdy Khan returned to Cutteck, he punished the rebels who had joined Mirza Bauker. He appointed to the office of naib soobhadar, Sheikh Maussoom*, a considerable jemidar; and then prepared to return to Ben­gal.

When Alyvirdy Khan arrived at Balasore, he resolved to punish the Moorbunje rajah, for having joined Mirza Bauker. The rajah resided at Hirhirpoor*, and was then celebrating his nuptials, not thinking it possible that Alyvirdy Khan would attempt to molest him, surrounded by jungles and mountains. Aly­virdy Khan advanced, with fire and sword, putting great numbers to death, making prison­ers of women and children, burning the towns and villages, and carrying off the cattle. The rajah, and his family, took refuge in the moun­tains.

But whilst Alyvirdy Khan was gratifying his revenge in desolating the territory of Moor­bunje, his spies brought him intelligence that sixty thousand Mahrattahs*, belonging to Ragoojee Bhoselah*, the nephew of rajah Sahew*, were marching from Nagpoor*, under the command of Bhaskir Pundit*, to invade Bengal. He turned back immediately; but before he got out of the wilds of Moor­bunje, the Mahrattahs had entered the Burd­wan province. He proceeded, by forced marches, till he arrived at Achalun Serai*, within three coss of Burdwan. Here the Mah­rattahs, who were as numerous as locusts, sur­rounded him in all sides: the Bengal troops, unacquainted with their manner of skir­mishing, were under continual apprehension; and lost all their camp equipage and baggage. They were at one time thrown into such disorder, that the Mahrattahs had seized the elephant, upon which the Begum*, Alyvirdy Khan’s wife, was mounted, and were conveying her to their camp; when Mehsaheb Khan made a desparate attack; and, after great slaughter on both sides, recovered her from the enemy; he however, was killed in the action, and buried in the field of battle. At length, they fought their way to Burdwan, amidst incredible hardships and fatigues; the men having hardly slept for three days; and encountered such dis­tress, from the want of provisions, that the men were compelled to feed upon the roots of plan­tain trees, and the cattle upon the leaves of trees; and even of this hard fare there was a scarcity. The Mahrattas set fire to all the neighbouring villages; and the troops, being afraid to go out to forage, were again near perishing by famine. In this situation, Alyvirdy Khan resolved upon fighting his way to Kutuah; where he expected to find plenty of grain. He placed his artillery on his flanks, and marched in this manner during the night. But the Mahrattahs, being mounted on mares that could travel forty cose in a day, got the start of him; and, before his arrival at Kutuah, plundered, burnt, and destroyed, every thing they could find. The troops eagerly devoured the rice which they recovered from the flames; and by the exertions of the Hajee, they were soon supplied, by boats from Moorshedabad, with bread, and other necessaries for themselves; and sufficient fodder for the cattle.