Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/682

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648
HISTORY OF INDIA

648 HISTOUY OF INDIA. [Book 11 J

A.D. 1767. on foot to proclaim Mirza Mundee, the infjint son of Surajali Dowlah's brother, as

nabob. This latter rumour was traced to Meerun, Meer Jafiier's eldest son, and

Atrocious with what wicked intention soon appeared; for on the morning of the 10th

conduct of 1 1 •

Meenin, tiie November, 1/57, Moorshedabad was thrown mto con.stemation by the announce- "on"'** ment that a band of ruffians, hired by Meerun, had broken into the palace of Ali Verdy's widow, where the infant was living under the charge of his grand- mother, the widow of Zaindee Ahmed, and murdered liim. It was added that both the widows had shared the same fate. They had only been seized and sent off in boats to Dacca, the rumour of their murder having been circulated, and even their fictitious funeral perfbirned, to prevent any attempt that might have been made for their rescue, had it been known that they were still alive. The one murder, however, was barbarity enough to make both the nabob and his son generally detested, though the former declared that he neither sanc- tioned it nor knew of it till it was perpetrated. If credit was given to this declaration, it was surely a dismal reflection for the inhabitants of Bengal that they were already under a government which cormived at such crimes, and ha«l the prospect of being, sooner or later, subjected to the government of the ver' wretch who perpetrated them. Happily, however, as will be seen, this prospect was never realized. Rebellion of On the 25th of November, 1757, Clive arrived with liis troops at Moor-

Ogul Sing

suppressed, shedabad, and on the 30th set out at the head of 550 Europeans and 1500 sepoys to join the nabob's army, which had advanced on the expedition to Pur- neah, as far as Raj amah al. Clives presence alone sufficed to put down the rebellion. In less than a week after his arrival Ogul Sing was taken prisoner, and all the chiefs in league with him submitted or fled the country. The threatened rebellion in Behar still remained ; and the nabob, who was bent on removing Ramnarain, urged an immediate advance on Patna. Clive saw liis advantage, and refused to move until all the pecuniary claims and stipulations of the treaty should be satisfactorily arranged. This was impossible without the assistance of RoyduUub, through whose office as dewan all money bills and patents behoved to pass. The nabob was thus in a dilemma. He mu.st either forego the expedition to Patna, or effect a reconciliation with RoyduUub under such conditions as would not allow him afterwards to recede. The latter course, which was indeed the only rational one, was strongly advocated by Clive. Through his mediation, and with the security of his guarantee, RoyduUub, who had previously refused to quit Moorshedabad, arrived in the camp, and the nabob and dewan once more made a solemn renunciation of their suspicions and animosities. The preliminary obstacle being thus removed, the parts of the treaty still remaining unfulfilled were easily aiTanged. The payment of twenty- three lacs of rupees, actually due, was provided for by order on the treasmy at Moorshedabad for one-half of the amount, and by tuncaws or orders, payable as the revenues should be realized, by the Phousdar of Hooghly and the Rajahs of