came into Hindostan under the command of Tuckejei Holcar and Mhadgee Scindia, whom, according to my Rohilla papers, he had invited to effect the expulsion of the Sicques from the Duab. Najeb-ud-Dowlah, who had in the latter period of his life fallen into an infirm state of health, was seized with a severe illness in the Marhatta camp. Leaving behind him a part of his army under the command of Zabilah Khan, his eldest son, he proceeded towards Rohilcund; but the disorder became so violent, that he could not proceed farther than Happer, a small town in the Duab, where he died. The body was carried to Najebad, and interred in a tomb that had been erected by his order, in the vicinity of that town. Najeb-ud-Dowlah held in his own right, and in fief of the Empire, a tract of country extending from Panifret eastwards to Najebad; in the Duab, it was confined on the north, by Sarunpour, and on the south, by the suburbs of Delhi; and in Rohilcund, it reached from the mountains of Siringnaghur, to the districts of Moradabad t. THE revenue of this territory in its improved state, was calculated at 100 lacks of rupees; but it was reduced to seventy, it is said, by the * His death happened in October 1770. † A principal town in Rohilcund, standing on the banks of the Ramgunge. See Reunell's map... depredations of the Sicques, within a term of three years; nor would this amount have been preserved, had he not displayed in his operation with those marauders, a distinguished skill in the alternate exercise of arms, and political address. The death of Najeb Khan was lamented by the people whom he governed, and his memory at this day is respected and beloved throughout the upper parts of India. He supported the character of a gallant soldier; he encouraged agriculture, and protected commerce; and he was considered as the only remaining chief of the Empire, capable of opposing any barrier to the. inroads of the Marhatta and Sicque nations. SUCCINCT MEMOIRS OF SHUJAH-UD-DOWLAH. A VARIETY of materials, sup plied by the liberality and investigation of my friends, has enabled me to write an abbreviated history of the family and life of Shujah-ud-Dowlah; a prince who supported a conspicuous cha racter on the theatre of Hindostan, and who, from his transactions with the English nation in India, has founded an important epocha in their annals. Having selected with caution, and unreservedly commented on the documents that have come before me, I firmly trust, that no marks of passion, no design to overcharge, or suppress facts, will appear in the relation. I am desirous also of exhibiting a general outline of the actions of a prince, who stood much above moted to the office of Darogha Khas*, with the titular command of 7000 horse. ABOUT this time, Mahomet Muckeim, afterwards intitled Sufdar Jung, the nephew of Saadut Khan, came into India, and had the daughter of his uncle given to him in marriage; of which, Shudah-ud-Dowlah was, I believe, the only male issue. Sufdar Jung, who was active, and possessed useful abilities, became the deputy of Saadut Khan in the government of Qude. IN the middle periods of Mahomet Shah's t reign, the Marhattas, at the instigation, it is supposed, of the Nizam Ul Mulck, who was then at variance with the court, entered the Emperor's dominions, and committed severe devastations; but in attempting to penetrate into Oude, they were attacked, and after a sharp conflict, completely routed by the troops of Saadut Khan, who commanded in person. This officer afterwards joined the imperial army, which had been collected for the purpose of expelling the enemy; but on a pretence of some disgust, he left the camp and retired into Oude, * Darogha Khas, an officer of nearly the same description with the Master of the King's Household in England. This Prince succeeded to the throne in 1719, and died in 1747. |
