The Governor bore no goodwill to Nuncomar.  Many years before, they had known each other at Moorshedabad; and then a quarrel had arisen between them which all the authority of their superiors could hardly compose.  Widely as they differed in most points, they resembled each other in this, that both were men of unforgiving natures.  To Mahommed Reza Khan, on the other hand, Hastings had no feelings of hostility.  Nevertheless he proceeded to execute the instructions of the Company with an alacrity which he never showed, except when instructions were in perfect conformity with his own views.  He had, wisely as we think, determined to get rid of the system of double government in Bengal.  The orders of the Directors furnished him with the means of effecting his purpose, and dispensed him from the necessity of discussing the matter with his Council.  He took his measures with his usual vigour and dexterity.  At midnight, the palace of Mahommed Reza Khan at Moorshedabad was surrounded by a battalion of sepoys.  The Minister was roused from his slumbers and informed that he was a prisoner.  With the Mussulman gravity, he bent his head and submitted himself to the will of God.  He fell not alone.  A chief named Schitab Roy had been intrusted with the government of Bahar.  His valour and his attachment to the English had more than once been signally proved.  On that memorable day on which the people of Patna saw from their walls the whole army of the Mogul scattered by the little band of Captain Knox, the voice of the British conquerors assigned the palm of gallantry to the brave Asiatic.  “I never,” said Knox, when he introduced Schitab Roy, covered with blood and dust, to the English functionaries assembled in the factory, “I never saw a native fight so before.”  Schitab Roy was involved in the ruin of Mahommed Reza Khan, was removed from office, and was placed under arrest.  The members of the Council received no intimation of these measures till the prisoners were on their road to Calcutta.

The inquiry into the conduct of the minister was postponed on different pretences.  He was detained in an easy confinement during many months.  In the meantime, the great revolution which Hastings had planned was carried into effect.  The office of minister was abolished.  The internal administration was transferred to the servants of the Company.  A system, a very imperfect system, it is true, of civil and criminal justice, under English superintendence, was established.  The nabob was no longer to have even an ostensible share in the government; but he was still to receive a considerable annual allowance, and to be surrounded with the state of sovereignty.  As he was an infant, it was necessary to provide guardians for his person and property.  His person was intrusted to a lady of his father’s harem, known by the name of the Munny Begum.  The office of treasurer of the household was bestowed on a son of Nuncomar, named Goordas.  Nuncomar’s services were wanted; yet he could not safely be trusted with power; and Hastings thought it a masterstroke of policy to reward the able and unprincipled parent by promoting the inoffensive child.