Item CR9/27/43 - Letter from Muhammad Tahir Husain

Date(s) from item: [RabiI]/6 sent; Rabi I 15 received 1180
Thank you for your letter of 15 Safar, 1180 which was delivered to me by Netanand on the night of 5 RabiI, 1180. You have hinted that you are not happy about the delay in my going to see the Nawab. I have sent a number of letters explaining my reasons for doing so. I hope you have received these letters. On the first of this month I went to see the Nawab. I have sent three reports which will give you a detailed account of events. On the fourth a chobdar / guard came to escort me to the Nawab. The Nawab came out of his quarters to examine some official records and then returned to his quarters. He then called Rukn al-Daulah and some other people to come and see him. He also called Lalah Netanand to deliver his message that he had received your messages and letters and that I should go and see Rukn al-Daulah who would send the replies. This I did. On the night of the 5th Rukn al-Daulah called me and I spent three quarters of an hour discussing various issues with him. He told me that he had no ill feelings towards you and that we should go ahead with the agreement. Meanwhile, news of the murder of Rajah Badal Singh and the occupation of his territory by the English reached here. This made the Nawab very angry and agreements made with us were shelved. He mentioned that last year our forces, which were passing near Chinapatan had destroyed the whole countryside and had looted the treasury but because of our coming there he had forgiven that act but now this has happened. After a great effort and long negotiations I was told to arrange a meeting between you and the Nawab to discuss future relations. Meanwhile, a guard of the Nawab brought his order to Rukn al-Daulah that Sultan Muhammad Khan had arrived in the army camp to create mischief and that he should be expelled from there straightaway. Nawab Rukn al-Daulah sent his men to carry out this order. As the Nawab was getting ready to go to sleep I took my leave and went home. It has been reported that he would enter the city after twelfth of Rabi I. The other report claim that he would stay here till the rainy season. From Hayatnagar to the banks of the river Kishna I have posted two harkaras at a distance of every four Karoh. They are keeping an eye on every new development and will report to me at once. I will pass this report to you immediately. Maulavi Abd Allah is a close friend and adviser of Rukn al-Daulah and Sher Jang Bahadur and spends most of his time in their company
Enclosure: On 6th Rabi al-Avval, 1180, I was honoured by the Nawab with a khillat of four pieces of cloth and a crown decorated with jewels. He asked me to return to you at once and inform you that there were only two months left before the rainy season and that the English should prepare their heavy guns as much as they can and that he does not want that a single Englishman is left behind in their fort. The affairs of Chinapatan would be resolved like those of Bahalchari [?] The English have forgotten who is the real King and what authority his orders carry as they have become so haughty; I will make sure that they forget some of their pride