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116 CHAPTER VII.

Intrigues in the Court of Meer Jaffier – Invasion of the Shahzada – Repelled by Clive – Dutch invited to Bengal by the Soubahdar – Duplicity of Meer Jaffier – Insolence of the Dutch – Preparations against their Attempts – Attack and Capture of the Dutch Ships – Total Defeat of their Land Forces – Death of Prince Meerun by Lightning – Meer Cossim aspires to the Musnud – Is supported by the Government of Bengal – Meer Jaffier superseded by Meer Cossim – Gratuities to the Governor and Council – The Emperor invades Bengal – Is defeated by the British under Major Carnac – Hostilities with Meer Cossim, and Restoration or Meer Jaffier – Repeated Defeats of Meer Cossim – Massacre of English Prisoners at Patna – Serious Mutiny in the Company's Army – Quelled by Major Munro – Dreadful Punishment of the Mutineers – Battle of Buxar – The Emperor claims the Protection of the English – Conspiracy amongst the Officers of the Army – Put down by Clive.

While these affairs were transacting in the Carnatic, the newly-established Government of Bengal was becoming a prey to discontent, disturbance, and alarm; and the court of Meer Jaffier was a scene of intrigues, in which the sovereign and his son Meerun were no less active than their inferiors. But it is fortunately not incumbent on us to follow these plotters through all the tortuous intricacies of Asiatic policy, which we need only notice so far as they have reference to the military details and transactions that constitute the more immediate subject of the present volumes.

Amongst other causes of internal alarms, a new danger menaced the throne of Meer Jaffier in a threatened invasion of Bahar by the Shahzada, or eldest son of the Emperor of Delhi. This Prince had fled from the capital of his father, who was kept in a state of pupilage by an ambitious and powerful Minister; and, having collected a body of military followers, marched against the dominions of Meer Jaffier, whose troops were in a state of mutiny, and refused to act unless their arrears were paid. In this extremity he had recourse to his great