Ten days after the accession of 'Álamgír, the wazír 'Imádu-l Mulk and 'Ákibat Mahmúd Khán caused the deposed Emperor Ahmad and his mother to be blinded. The manner of their con­triving this was, that a forged letter under the seal of Ahmad was addressed to the new Emperor, which excited his appre­hension. On speaking of the matter to 'Imádu-l Mulk, he sug­gested that Ahmad should be deprived of sight, and the Emperor accordingly gave orders for the blinding both of him and his mother. Their emissaries entered the private apartments of the deposed monarch, treated him with indignities which it is unfit to write, and blinded him in a cruel manner. His mother, who had endeavoured to obtain his release, was treated in the same way. 'Ákibat Mahmúd Khán, in the service of 'Imádu-l Mulk, soon afterwards misconducted himself, and his master gave a hint, which was immediately acted upon, and the offender was killed.*

Accession of Siráju-d daula. Taking of Calcutta.

Nawáb Hisámu-d daula Mahábat Jang (Alivardí Khán) died of dropsy near Murshidábád, in the eightieth year of his age, on the 9th Rajab, 1169 A.H. (April 10, 1756 A.D.). From his early youth he had abstained from intoxicating liquors, he had no love for music, and never cohabited with any women except his own wives. * * (His daughter's son), Siráju-d daula, son of Zainu-d dín Ahmad Khán Haibat Jang, succeeded him in his government of Bengal, Bihár and Orissa. * *

Kishan Ballabh, a zamíndár, being in arrears with his revenue, Siráju-d daula gave orders for his imprisonment. But he fled from Dacca, and took refuge in Calcutta, under the protection of Mr. Drake, “the great gentleman” of that place. When Siráju-d daula was informed of this, he proceeded to Murshidábád, and prepared for war. In the month of Ramazán, he started for Calcutta, from a place called Mansúr-ganj, which he had built, and on arriving at Calcutta, he pitched his tents outside. The English gentlemen had but a small number of men, and were in want of implements, so they were unable to face him in the field. They shut themselves up in the old fort, threw up intrenchments, and strengthened the defences. Siráju-d daula had with him plenty of guns and large numbers of men; he gave orders for taking the houses, and in the twinkling of an eye he overpowered the English. Mr. Drake, seeing himself reduced to extremity, went on board ship with several of his people and sailed away. Those who were left behind had no leader, but they advanced to the defence. When the ammunition was exhausted, some died fighting with the utmost bravery; others, with their wives and children, were made prisoners.* All their wealth and property, which exceeded computation, was taken from the officers of the Company and other chiefs, and became the booty of the vagabonds in Siráju-d daula's army. This happened on the 22nd Ramazán, 1169 A.H. (June 20, 1756 A.D.), two months and twelve days after the accession of Siráju-d daula. The factories belonging to the Company at Kásim-bázár, near Murshidábád, were also pillaged by orders of Siráju-d daula, and Mr. Wájh (Watts), the chief of the factory, and some others, were made prisoners.

Recovery of Calcutta. Defeat of Siráju-d daula.

Mr. Drake, the governor of Calcutta, after his defeat from Siráju-d daula, went on board ship with his party, and proceeded to Madras, a large factory belonging to the English Company. Other English officers, who were scattered over Bengal on various commissions, when they heard of the loss of Calcutta, escaped as best they could from the straits in which they were placed, and made their way to Madras. At Madras was Colonel Clive, an officer of the army, and a servant of the King of England, who had command over the factories in the Dakhin. In those days he had fought against the French, and had taken from them some of their possessions in the Dakhin, in recognition of which Muhammad Khán Salábat Jang, son of Ásaf Jáh, had given him the title of Sábit Jang, “Resolute in War.” After consultation, Colonel Clive and the gentlemen from Calcutta embarked in ships, with nearly two regiments of Telingas and four companies of Europeans, and sailed to recover Calcutta.

As soon as they arrived at the port of Falta, they overpowered the men of Siráju-d daula by the fire of their ships, and making their way up to Calcutta, they anchored there near the factory. They sent proposals of peace to Siráju-d daula, asking pardon for Mr. Drake, and offering to pay several lacs of rupees, on condition of being allowed to rebuild their factories in Calcutta. Siráju-d daula rejected the proposal, and did not even write an answer. Colonel Clive then resolved to fight, and placed four guns in position. Nának Chand (the commander of the place) made some show of fighting, but he soon fled. Colonel Clive and his followers then took possession of their old factories.

The receipt of this news awoke Siráju-d daula from his dream of security.* On the 12th Rabí'u-s sání, 1170 A.H. (Jan. 4, 1757 A.D.), he marched from Murshidábád to fight the English with his army and a good complement of artillery. On reaching the place, he encamped in a suitable position, and a war of guns and muskets at once began. The English endeavoured to treat, and sent their wakíls from time to time. They sent a brave and intelligent person to Siráju-d daula, ostensibly to treat with him, but secretly to take notice of the ways and arrangements of the camp. He went there, and after discharging the requirements of etiquette, he made his observations and returned. In the course of a few days, the English prepared their forces, and one morning, before daybreak, fell upon the rear of Siráju-d daula's camp with volleys of musketry, and poured upon it showers of balls. The Nawáb's men were helpless; many were killed, and many were wounded. It is said that the object of the English in this night attack was to seize upon Siráju-d daula, and make him prisoner; but in con­sequence of a thick fog, the way to his tent was missed, and the files of musketeers passed another way. So the Nawáb escaped the danger of being killed or captured. The English returned to their ground in triumph and in joy.

Siráju-d daula was terrified by this attack, and was afraid that it would be followed by another. He felt the difficulty of main­taining his position, and having called a council of war, he pointed out the inutility of continuing the struggle, and the necessity of retreat. The foundations of a peace were soon laid. The English knew of his weakness and discouragement. They de­manded compensation for the plunder of Calcutta, which amounted to a very large sum. After some parley, the terms of peace were settled, and the Nawáb agreed to pay the sum demanded. They required ready money, and Siráju-d daula gave them six parganas near Calcutta to hold until the money was paid. Mr. Watts, the superintendent of the factory at Kásim-bázár, obtained his release on the defeat of Siráju-d daula. He now carried on the negocia-tions and correspondence between the two parties, and earned the thanks of both. Siráju-d daula took his departure for Mur­shidábád, and the English engaged in their commerce at Calcutta as heretofore. * *