The flames of war now broke out in the Dakhin between the French and English, between whom there has been enmity for five or six hundred years. The English prevailed, and their war­ships, under the command of Admiral Walker Jang Bahádur, were sent against Farás-dánga (Chandernagore), which is near to Húglí. The French had sunk ships in the river, leaving only room for the passage of their own ships one at a time. The English got their ships through that passage, beat the French, and took possession of Farás-dánga. They also took the factories near Kásim-bázár. Monsieur Lás,* the chief of the French, joined Siráju-d daula, and having collected his followers, he entered into his service with them, and a number of Telingas whom he had drilled.

The English, being informed of this, sent their wakíl to Siráju-d daula, remonstrating that as peace had been made with him, the enemies of one must be looked upon as the enemies of the other, and friends regarded as mutual friends. They were faithful to the agreement they had made, and they required the Nawáb to dismiss M. Lás, and give him no support. His neglect to do this would be regarded as a breach of the treaty. Those who were opposed to M. Lás, and were well-wishers of the Nawáb, earnestly pressed him to comply, to dismiss M. Lás, and not to let such a bone of contention put an end to the peace with the English. Siráju-d daula talked and corresponded with M. Lás on the subject, who represented that the Nawáb had a large force of his own, and that no harm could come to his authority from accepting the services of a French officer and his men. Siráju-d daula urged this upon the English wakíl, but he still strongly insisted upon the removal of M. Lás. So Siráju-d daula of necessity sent him away, but told him to proceed to Patnà, and make no delay on the road.

After this the enemies of Siráju-d daula, that is to say, Nawáb Mír Ja'far Khán, Rajá Dúlabh Rám, Jagat Seth, and some others, who were sorely tried by him, passed their days and nights in fear and hope. They came to an understanding with each other, and schemed for the destruction of his life and authority. His maternal aunt, Ghasítí Begam, daughter of Alivardi Khán, who was incensed against him for his seizure of her cash and house­hold goods, joined his enemies secretly. Siráju-d daula sum­moned Mír Muhammad Ja'far, one of his old associates, to a private meeting, and gave him instructions for raising forces secretly, upon which he proceeded to engage every unemployed soldier he could find. But afterwards he did his best to thwart Siráju-d daula, and to urge on the English.

Colonel Clive Sábit-jang, being informed of what was passing, and of the evils meditated, cast aside the treaty of peace and pre­pared for war. He marched from Calcutta, to the great dismay of Siráju-d daula, who sought to conciliate and encourage his own adherents. He sent Rája Dúlabh Rám forward with a force to choose a suitable place for throwing up intrenchments and collect­ing guns. Raí Dúlabh started on his commission. Openly he applied himself to carry out the orders of his master; but in his secret heart he lost no opportunity of scheming for his overthrow. He was careful to observe the conditions of the treaty with the English on his own part and on the part of Nawáb Mír Mu­hammad Ja'far, and he won over the officers of the army of Siráju-d daula by offers of money. Mír Muhammad Ja'far occupied himself continually in the same way. So they gathered large numbers around them, and few were left to Siráju-d daula.

Colonel Clive now approached, and Siráju-d daula was obliged to move from Mansúr-ganj, and proceeded with his officers to Plassy. The Colonel, with a small army, which might number three or four thousand men, advanced with great courage and daring, and encamped opposite the army of the Nawáb. On the 5th Shawwál, 1170 A.H. (June 23, 1757 A.D.), fire was opened on every side, and the engagement became warm. Europeans are very skilful in the art of war, and in the use of artillery, and they kept up such an incessant fire that the hearers were deafened, and the beholders blinded. Many were killed, and many wounded. Mír Madan (the commander-in-chief), a brave and resolute man, who was the guiding spirit of Siráju-d daula, received a mortal wound from a cannon-ball. He caused himself to be conveyed to his master, and died after speaking a few words of advice and devotion. Siráju-d daula was greatly moved by his death, and sent to summon Mír Muhammad Ja'far. That officer, having resolved upon an infamous course, went to him, accom­panied by some other chiefs. Siráju-d daula was greatly dejected, he apologized to Mír Ja'far for the wrongs he had done him, and asked for his advice. Mír Ja'far advised that as little of the day remained, he should recall his advanced force within the lines, and put off the battle to the next day, adding that he would provide for the safety of the army and the conduct of the battle.

Siráju-d daula directed his díwán, Mohan Lál, who was eager to fight, to go and stop the fighting until next day, and return to the lines. The díwán replied that it was no time for turning back; upon which Siráju-d daula again conferred with Mír Ja'far, who reiterated his advice. The Nawáb was bewildered, and could do nothing but follow the counsel of Mír Ja'far. He sent strict orders recalling Mohan Lál, who was fighting manfully at his post. As soon as the díwán retired, many, who were overmatched, took the alarm, and fled to their defences. A general panic ensued, followed by a signal defeat. On learning the condition of his army, Siráju-d daula was filled with dismay; he feared the enemies in front, and his hostile servants around him, and fled in haste towards Murshidábád. On the 6th Shawwál he reached Mansúr-ganj, and looked around for friends and help. But mis­fortune has no friend. Even Muhammad Íraj Khán, father of his wife, made no effort to help him. To satisfy his soldiers, he opened his treasury, and each man got what was his luck. His followers, seeing him helpless, carried off large sums under various pretences to their homes. After staying a short time at Mansúr-ganj, on the 7th Shawwál, he secured plenty of ashrafís, and taking with him his favourite Lutfu-n nissa, his wife and his youngest daughter, and several others, he departed in carts and other vehicles towards Bhagwán-gola. When he was near Chaukihath, Mír Muhammad Kásim Khán, son-in-law of Mír Ja'far, having heard of his flight, hastened after him with several men, and demanded money and jewels, and he was obliged to give him a box of jewels belonging to Lutfu-n nissa. Mír Kásim then turned back with his valuable prize. ^{* *} On reaching Bhagwán-gola, Siráju-d daula embarked on a boat, and went on his way to Patna.

It is said that when Siráju-d daula heard that the English army had marched from Calcutta to make war upon him, he wrote a letter to Monsieur Lás, according to promise, and urgently called him to his aid. He directed Rája Rám Naráin, governor of Bihár, to supply him with money. The Rája saw that the Nawáb's star was on the decline, and purposely made a delay of some days in supplying the money. Meanwhile, Siráju-d daula had been defeated at Plassy, and arrived at Mansúr-ganj. M. Lás and Muhammad 'Alí Khán, a distinguished cavalry officer, set off in boats from Patna, and went as far as Ráj-mahál. There they heard that Siráju-d daula had been made prisoner, and they returned to Patna.