150 Nooks and Comers of Bengal. [No. 2. 



by Sooraj-ood-Dowlah, from amongst the companions of his pleasures 

 for the important post of Commander-in-chief of his forces ; to the 

 exclusion and supercession of the old officers under the late govern- 

 ment of Ali Verdi Khan. 



There can be little doubt but that Meer Muddan commanded in all 

 the eventful operations, which marked the short reign of the vicious 

 and depraved Nuwab, so much despised for his crimes and his cow- 

 ardice. Orme* describes Meer Muddan as one of the best and most 

 faithful of the Nuwab's Generals. 



Stewart in his account of the Battle of Plassy, when describing the 

 suspicions of Clive as to the intentions of the traitor Meer Jaffier, 

 states that the agent, one Ameer Beg, on being sent for and questioned 

 as to what troops were opposed to the English, replied, those under 

 Meer Muddan and Raja Mohun Lall, consisting of 5000 Horse and 

 7000 Foot. 



Sooraj-ood-Dowlah with his accustomed cowardice remained out of 

 danger in his tent, which must have been pitched near the village of 

 Mungunpara, distant a little more than a mile north of the field of 

 battle. There he sat, listening to the continual flatteries of his cour- 

 tiers, who were assuring him of victory, until the mutilated body of 

 his faithful General was carried into his presence. The dying man 

 lived but to utter a few words expressive of his own loyalty and the 

 want of it in others, and died at the feet of his unworthy master. 



The sketchf heading this short notice of one of the interesting 

 " Nooks and Corners'* of Bengal was taken during the cold weather of 

 1851-52. The modest brick grave of the brave soldier is fast falling 

 to decay, whilst at Khooshbagh near Moorshedabad the tomb of the 

 vicious and cowardly Nuwab Sooraj-ood-Dowlah, renowned for his 

 atrocities, and whose memory is held in universal detestation, in con- 

 nection with the fearful tragedy of the " Black-hole" of Calcutta, is 

 repaired and kept up at the expense of Government, with a most 

 liberal establishment of Moollahs, Gardeners, Masons, &c. &c. ! 



Would not a few Rupees be sanctioned to save this little spot, 



sacred in Indian history, from speedily becoming a ruin and a mass of 



rubbish ? J 



* Orrae's Hist, of Hindostan, Vol. 2, page 175. 

 f It was not found feasible to print the sketch. — Ed. 



% Since the above was written the tomb has been repaired at the expense of 

 Henry Torrens, Esq. Agent to the Governor General, at Moorshedabad. 



