Alivardi Khan - Campaign Against Bhaskar Pandit

Campaign Against Bhaskar Pandit

in 1741 while Alivardi was coming from Cuttack to Murshidabad by defeating Rustam Jung (the son in low of Sujauddin). Alivardi get the news of the Bargi on Jaigad. Mir Habib who was the Naib of Rustam, joined in the army of Bhaskar Pandit though Alivardi wanted to keep him in his own army because ha was a great warrior. But in a conspiracy eventually he joined to Bhaskar's army. After heard that Roghuji I Bhonsle had sent an army under Bhaskar Pandit. After heard the news Alivardi started to march Murshidabad.

In 1742, Alivari was attacked by the Bargis in night in 15 April. Alivardi had keep his army in Ranir Dighi under his general Mustafa Kahn and Nandalal. The Maratha were 2500 or more than in number. There were 24 generals under Bhaskar Pandit. He sent his 14 generals to attack and kill the people of Bengal. And the other 10 generals were sent to look after Alivardi and his army as they were captive. Bhaskar Pandit claimed to gain 10 lakh from Nawab. Though Alivardi have enough money to give him all at that very time. But he ignored to give the all. He thought that Bhaskar will think that he had so much money and he became very greedy. After two weeks Alivardi became in problem that they did not have enough food to spend the days. While it was raining Alivardi tried to escape but he was again captive. That time Alivardi's elder brother Haji Ahmed helped him by send a huge amount of army and food. Alivardi escaped in eventually. While escape Nandalal was killed by Mir Habib who have now became the right hand of Bhaskar Pandit. First week of march, while Alivardi was in Katwa Mir Habib attacked Murshidabad and burnt the market of Dahabaza which is situated beside the west side of Ganga. Habib also destroyed the house of Mahatabrai Jagatseth in 5th march. In June Habib captured Hoogly and killed there's Fawjdar Muhammad Reja. In 26 September while Bhaskar was arranging to worship of Durgapuja Alivardi attacked them and killed many but the Marathas were successful to disappeared to Ramgad. Alivardi followed them since Chilka Lake. In 1742 while Alivardi was busy to drive out the bargis from Bengal, a friend who is actually enemy came to Bengal. He was the sebedar of Ayodhya, Safdar Jung. He declared that Mughal King Muhammd Shah employed him the king of Bengal. Aliardi tried to driven him out of Bengal but he was unable. This time Pashwa Balaji Rao came to Bengal to rescue Bengal from the fear of Bargis. They were both of Maratha clan. Bengal became the battlefield of Marathas and the Bargi. After driven out the Bargis from Bengal Balaji left Bengal as he had got the news of death of his grandfather. But departure of Balaji the Bargi sardar Bhaskar Pandit appeared again. Alivardi became very angry at the attitude of Bargis. Bengal became in fear of Bargis. in 1744 Alivardi and his general Mustafa Khan planned a conspiracy to kill Bhaskar Pandit. Then Alivardi called the Bhaskar and his 24 generals to Mankara, which is situated in Murshidabad and 29 km from Palashi. Eventually Alivardi killed Bhaskar Pandit. But Raghuji Gaikawad, a general under Bhaskar Pandit and escaped from death. But Bengal can not free from the fear of Bargis.