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 Chap. VIII.]

HE VOLT IN OlilSSA.

523

Govenimeiit of All Verdj.

tulate and do homage to the new nabo)). He proved not unworthy of it. a.d. 1741 Contrary to the usual practice of eastern conquei'ors, lie displayed no thirst for blood, and not only spared Serferaz Khan's sons, but pensioned them, and sent them to reside with some degree of state at Dacca. The only quarter in which the new government met with open hostility was in Orissa. Here Moorshad Cooly Khan, a brother-in-law of the late nabob, was governor. Being well aware that it was intended to dispossess him, he at first endeavoured to make terms, but the utmost he could obtain was to quit the province with his pro- perty and ftimily, without being subjected to molestation. As he was not of a warlike temperament, he would probably have submitted, had not a bolder course been almost foi'ced upon him by his wife and the It ading members of his court. Having determined on resistance, he at once rai.'-ed the standard of revolt, and sent Ali Verdy a letter of defiance. The example might soon have spread, and therefore Ali Verdy, without losing a moment, left his brother Haji in charge of the government of Bengal, and hastened forward at the head of his troops to commence the campaign. The ultimate result could hardly be doubtful, though the struggle proved longer and more fcnnidable than had been anticipated. Instead of waiting to be besieged ia Cuttack, his capital,

Revolt of governor of Orissa

Cl'TTACK, .IuMM. MusjfD. — From a drawing in East India House.

Moorshad Cooly moved northwards to Balasore, and a little beyond it occupied a position where his camp, besides being fortified and defended by 300 cannon, was rendered almost inaccessible by a river and suiToxmding forests. Had the same wisdom been displayed in maintaining this position as in selecting it, Ali Verdy would have gained no laurels. The population, attached to their own governor, refused to furnish him with supplies, and his anny began to melt away both by famine and desertion. The impatience and rashness of Mirza Boker Khan, the enemy's general, brought on a battle at the very time when he ought to have avoided it, and the nabob gained a victory so complete that