Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/702

 6(i8

HISTORY OF INDIA.

[Book III

vaiicea to Putua.

AD. 1700, tlie plains only thirty miles west of Moorshedabad. Had he executed his jilan with tlie same boldness with which he had conceived it, he might have made a

si.ah Alum succcssful dasli at the capital, and even taken Meer Jaffier himself prisoner. But he lingered till Calliaud, who had been following on his track, was again within reach of him. Thus frustrated in his object, he profited by the obstructions which Calliaud experienced from the refusal of the nabob to furnish him with cavalry, and retraced his steps to Patna. Here he was joined by M. Law, with his French party; and though repulsed in two assaults, was preparing for a third, which promised to be successful, when the arrival of a detachment .sent forward by Calliaud, under Captain Knox, proved the death-blow to all his hopes. This officer, who had made a flying march, remarkable for its rapidity, arrived unseen by the enemy, took them by surprise, and compelled them pre- cipitately to raise the siege.

The only chief who now remained zealous in Shah Alum's service was the governor of Purneah, who had collected an army and was on the march to join him. Calliaud, accompanied as before by Meerun, set out from Rajamahal to give him battle ; and while oh the march received intelligence that it liad been fought and won by Captain Knox. This gallant officer having been ordered to harass the enemy's rear, crossed from Patna to the other side of the Ganges with only 200 Eiu-opeans, a battalion of sepoys, and about 300 horse. He had determined to surprise the enemy's camp during the night, but mis.sed his way. and when morning dawned, found himself in presence of a force of 12,000. Being nearly surrounded, he could scarcely have made his escape. Nor did he attempt it. With his mere handful of troops, he boldly risked the encounter, and after a conflict of six hours proved victorious. The governor of Purneah, thus unable t(3 cope with a small detachment, had no inclination to face the main army under Calliaud and Meerun; who, following up the pursuit, overtook him and cap- tured his heavy baggage and artillery. In the hope of gaining the large trea- sures which he was reported to have with him, he was still pursued, though the rains had set in with unusual violence. This pu.'suit proved fatal to Meerun. After it had continued four days, his tent was struck by lightning on the 2d of July, 17G0. It contained, beside himself, a story-teller, and a servant employed in patting his feet. They all perished. Meerun, who by his crimes had merited this awful end, left none to regret him ; but to prevent the confusion and ])ro- bable disbanding of his army, the fatality was concealed for several days, and Calliaud succeeded in reaching Patna in safety.

When Meerun's death became known at Moorshedabad, the troops broke out in mutiny, and surrounding the palace threatened the nabob with instant death, if he did not immediately satisfy their arrears of pay. His treasury was empty, and peace was only restored by the interposition of Meer Cossim, the nabob's son-in-law, who advanced a present sum of three lacs of rupees, and became security for the payment of the rest of the aiTears within a specified

Death of Meer Jaf fiei's son, Meerun.

K vents on Meerun's death.