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 440

niSTOIlY OF INDIA.

[Book HI.

A.D. 1749.

Clive's ap- pointment as a writer.

Styclie, situated in the parish of Moreton-Say, near Market-Drayton, in Shrop- shire, His father, Richard Olive, possessed the above estate, and a/lded to the rather scanty income which he derived from it by practising as a lawyer; his mother was Rebecca, daughter of Nathaniel Gaskill, of Manchester. In tljis city he spent his childhood in the family of Mr. Bayley, who had married his

mother's sister. According to this gentleman he was in his seventh year of a fierce and imperious temper, and "out of measure addicted" to fighting. From Manches- ter he was sent while yet very young to a school at Lostocke, in Cheshire, taught by Dr. Eaton, who is said to have predicted, that if 'he lived to be a man, and op- portunity enabled him to exert his talents, few names would be greater than his." From Lostocke he removed, at the age of eleven, to a school at Market -Dra}' ton, where he took a lead among his schoolfellows for mischief and daring, and was one morning seen seated on a stone spout near the top of its lofty steeple. A few years later he attended the Merchant Tailors' School in London. His last school was at Hemel-Hempstead, in Hertfordshire, where he was in 1743, when he was appointed a writer in the service of the East India Company.

His destination was Madras, which he reached late in 1744. The voyage was tedious, but he appears to have turned his time to good account, for dm-ing a nine months' detention of the ship at Brazil he made himself familiar with the Portuguese language. His letters, written to his friends at home shortly after he had entered on the duties of his office, display a kindly, thoughtful, manly spirit, and are so well expressed as to justify a doubt of the accuracy of the statement which has been made, that he idled awav his time at school, and was in consequence very imperfectly educated. To one he says, " I must confess, at intervals, when I think of my dear native England, it affects me in a ver}' par- ticular manner; however, knowing it to be for my own welfare, I rest content

Robert, Lord Olive. — From the picture by Dance, engraved in

Malcolm's Life of Clive.


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 CHAi>. IV.J CLIVE'S EAKLV Jll.STUliV. 4-H

and patient, wishing the views for which my ftither sent me here may, in a.d. 1749. all respects, be fuUy accomplished." To a cousin of his own age he opens his heart more fully, and writes as follows: — " I really think the advantages which accrue to us here are greatly overbalanced by the sacrifices we make of our con- stitutions. I have not been unacquainted with the fickleness of fortune, and may safely say, I have not enjoyed one hapjiy day since I left my native country. I am not acquainted with any one family in the place, and have not assurance enough to introduce myself without being asked. If the state 1 am now in will admit of any happiness, it must be when I am ■vTiting to my friend.s. Letters surely were first invented for the comfort of such solitary wretches as myself."

These extracts have a tinge of the melancholy to which he was constitu- <"J've'8con-

° *' _ Ktitutional

tionally subject, and which wius doubtless aggravated not merely by the loneli- naiunchoiy ness referred to in them, but also by an employment to which he appears from the very first to have had a decided avei"sion. As yet the character of the Company was almost entirely mercantile, and the wi-iter spent his time very nuich as ordinary clerks do in large commercial establishments. While thus employed Olive's temper occasionally gave way, and the secretary imder whom writers wei"e placed on their first airival was so ofl!ended at something he had said or done, that he complained of him to the governor. He was ordered to ask the secretary's pardon, and complied ; but shortly after, when that gentleman with great kindness, wishing to bury the pivst in oblivion, invited him to dinner, he received the ungracious, svn-ly, and half vindictive answer, "No, sir; the governor did not command me to dine with you." Other intemperate acts, hazarding the loss of his situation, are recorded ; and he is even said to liave made an attempt on his own life. The account given is, that an acipiaintsmce calling upon him was asked to take up a pLstol which was lying in the room, and fire it out of the window. On seeing that it went oflf, Clive, who was sitting in a very gloomy mood, started up, as if astonished, and exclaimed, "Well, I am reserved for something! That pistol I have twice snapped at my own head." The last act of his life makes this story not improbable, and yet it cannot be considered js perfectly authenticated.

If want of congenial employment was one of the main causes of this wild "■» '^*«ix'

J 1 1 1 *^ 1 after the

and reckless conduct, the remedy was at hand. Labourdonnais' attack on oai.tureof Madras in IT^G must, for the time at least, have converted every servant of the Company within it into a soldier. No record remains of the manner in which Clive comjwrted himself, but it can scarcely be doubted that had defence been attempted he would have been found among the foremost. As it was, he onl}' shared the fate of his fellows, and was still resident in the town as a piisoner of war, when Dupleix, by gi'ossly violating the terms of caj)itulation, freed him from his parole, and left him at liberty to consult his convenience or safety in any way he pleased. On this occasion he was one of those who escaped, dis- VoL. I. 56

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 442 JlISTOr.V OF INDIA. [Book III.

A.D. 1749. guised as natives, and succeeded in reaching Foii St. David. Here, shortly after his arrival, he became involved in a transaction which gave him more notoriety than fame. Two officers, who had won money at cards, were strongly suspected of having played unfairly, but most of the losers were terrified into payment. Clive, who was one of them, was not to be so bullied, and distinctly declared that he would not pay, simply because the money was not fairly won. The ofiicer whom he thus accused challenged him. The parties met, it is said, without seconds. Clive having fired and missed ; his antagoni.st came up, and holding the pistol to his head, told him to ask his life. He did so, and was then told that he must also retract his charge of unfair play. He refused, and when the pistol was again placed at his head exclaimed, " Fire,

and be. I said you cheated ; I say so still, and I will never pay yoa"

The oflEicer, in astonishment, threw away his pistol, saying that Clive was mad. cuve obtains It is probable that at Fort St. David Clive resumed his occupation as a

commission writcr, but it was only as a temporary expedient. He had found his true voca^- tion, and in 1747 obtained an ensign's commission. The hopes already enter- tained of him appear from the letter of the court of directors of this year to the presidency of Madras. After alluding to the capture by Labourdonnais, they say, " Be sure to encourage Ensign Clive in his martial pursuits, according to his merit: any improvement he shall make therein shall be duly regarded by us." His first recorded service after he obtained his commission was at the mismanaged siege of Pondicherry, where he attracted much notice by activity and gallantry. Strange to say, rumour at this very time charged him with an act of cowardice. While posted at a battery the ammunition failed, and he ran oflf to bring it, instead of sending a sergeant or corporal. An officer maliciously insinuated that it was not zeal but fear that had made him run. Clive, the moment he was made aware of the insinuation, called upon the ofiicer to disavow it, and on receiving only an unsatisfactory explanation chal- lenged him. While they were on the way to the place of meeting, some irritating words passed, and he was struck by his opponent. Their swords were instantly drawn, but some persons present interfered and prevented them from fighting. Their conduct was made the subject of a court of inquiry, and as the falsehood and malignity of the insinuation were easily proved, the author of it was ordered to ask Clive's pardon in front of the battalion to which they both belonged. Here the matter ought to have rested, but as no notice had been taken of the blow, Clive insisted that satisfaction was still due. On its being refused, he waved his cane over the head of his antagonist and branded him as a coward. It would seem that he really was so ; for he submitted to the disgrace, and next day resig-ned his commission

Hispredo- The details now given bring down the narrative of Clive's life to the date

qiuuties. of the sccoud Tanjore campaign, in which he has been seen volunteering to lead the assault on Devicotta, and making a hairbreadth escape with his life during


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 CiiAi'. IV.J THE AFFAIRS OF TANJORE. -ilS

the act of daring. The insight thus far obtained into his character disposes ad. 1749. us to regard him as a man of a gloomy cast of mind, and a hot, irritable temper ; jealous of his honour, and quick to resent an injury; bold even to foolhardiness, yet collected in the midst of danger; never losing his presence of mind, but always performing his part fearlessly, with indomitable energy and perseverance. As yet little opportunity has been given for the display of these qualities, but they will soon find a proper sphere, and make their possessor the hero of great events.

In concluding the account of the Tanjore campaign, it was observed that the succession to

, ., . . . • 1 1 • 1 Nizam-ul-

kmgs submission to the harsh and unjust terms imposed upon him was partly Mooikdis- owing to the danger with which he was threatened from another quarter. The ''^ events in which this danger originated must now be explained. Kizam-ul- Moolk left six sons. At his death Ghazi-u-din, the eldest, was high in office at the court of Delhi, and easily obtained from the emperor, Alimed Shah, a confiiTnation of his succession to the soubah of the Deccan. Other engagements, however, prevented him fi-om attempting immediately to take possession, and rival claimants, takino- advantage of his absence, bejjan to contest the succes- sion. On the one side, Nazir Jung, as the second son of Nizam-ul-Moolk, pre- tended to have become lawful heir by an alleged renunciation of his elder brother ; on the other side, Hedayet Mohy-u-din Khan, afterwards known by his title of Muzzuffer Jung (Victorious in War), though only the son of Nizam-ul- Moolk 's daughter, claimed in virtue of an alleged will, by which his grandfather, with whom he had always been a special favourite, had left him the soubah of the Deccan and the greatest part of his treasures. Nazir Jung had the start of his competitor, and gaining possession of the treasures, possessed the most effectual means of securing the favour of the army. Muzzuffer Jung's cause had in consequence become almost hopeless, when he was unexpectedly joined by Chunda Sahib, who, encouraged by promises of aid from Dupleix, was pre- paring to contest the right to the nabobship of Ai'cot with Anwar-u-din. The union between Muzzuffer Jiuig and Chunda Sahib was founded not only on mutual interests, but also on similarity of fortunes, inasmuch as they were both claiming on a female title.

The combined forces, forming a respectable army, immediately advanced to Defeat and the frontiers of the Carnatic, and were there joined by a powerful reinforcement Anwar-u- from Pondicherry. It consisted of 400 Europeans and 2000 sepoys, under the t?i^^^ command of M. d'Auteuil, who had been allowed by the blundering of the nabob to make their march across the low country without molestation. Seeing the aid given to his enemies by the French, Anwar-u-din's natural course would have been to strengthen himself by an alliance with the English ; but whether

khe was so confident in his own might that he disdained to ask assistance, or the miserable expedition to Tanjore had made them averse, or left them too feeble to afford it, he advanced unaided to the encounter. His armv consisted of I


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 44 1

HISTORY OF INDIA.

[Book III.

Death of Anwar u 'Un.

Hill-fort or Amboor. — From Gold's Oriental Drawings.

AD. mo 12,000 cavalry and 8000 infantjy, with which he took up a position with one flank resting on the hill-fort of Ainboor, about fifty miles west of Arcot, and the other on a hill bounding one of the passes into the Caniatic. If he chose this

spot under the idea that it commanded the only prac- ticable entrance into his territories, he was mis- taken; but the enemy, though probably aware of his blunder, did not attempt to profit by it. Their num- bers doubled his, and they doubtless deemed it more creditable to force his posi- tion than to evade or turn it. The brunt of the action on their part fell on the French troops, who gallantly carried the position, after they had been twice repulsed. The contest was now hopeless, but Anwar-u-din continued it with great bravery till he was slain. His two sons, Maplmze Khan and Mahomed Ali, were both present. The former was taken prisoner; the latter tied and took refuge in Trichinopoly, nearly 250 miles distant from the scene of action. The victorious army proceeded at once for Arcot, and entered it without opposition. Muzzuffer Jung and Chunda Sahib immediately assumed the dignities which they had claimed ; the one taking the title of soubahdar and the other of nabob. Much time which ought to have been employed in giving a finishing stroke to the war was consumed in childish ceremonials; but, as if this had not been enough, Dupleix thought it right that his own vanity also should be gratified, and the new soubahdar and nabob made a pompous entry into Pondicherry, where they spent some time vpng with their entertainer in senseless extravagance. French interests at the same time were not forgotten, for Chunda Sahib made the company a grant in per- petual sovereignty of eighty-one villages in the neighbom-hood of their capital. Chunda The ccremonials over, Dupleix, fully alive to the danger of further delay.

Sahib's ex- i i i n t • it i • • i i

pedition to iu"ged the departure of his guests, and laboured to impress them with the neces- '^°'^*' sity of proceeding instantly against Trichinopoly. They expressed complete acquiescence in all his views, and set out as if determined forthwith to carry them into effect. No sooner, however, were they beyond the reach of his importunity, than they followed their own course. They did proceed with their army for the south, but suddenly changed the direction and turned from Trichinopoly to make a campaign in Tanjore. Their motive was to replenish the treasury, which was nearly exhausted. Tanjore seemed the far easier conquest of the two, and they had no doubt that, at the very worst, the king would gladly buy them


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 Chap. IV.J 'IHK MADliAS TKESIDENCY. 445

off by a large contribution. Being thus undecided as to the character which they a.d. i74». ought to assume, they acted in the irresokite manner usually exhibited in such circumstances, and allowed themselves to be entrapj^ed into a negotiation which the king skilfully protracted till he knew that Nazir Jung had arrived in Arcot. This was a contingency which, though most probable in itself, had never once occupied their thoughts. Indeed, their first knowledge of it was obtained by a message from Dupleix. It had all the effect of a surprise, and they took the only course open to them, by retreating with precipitation towards Pondi- cheny.

While the Frendi were takinfj a decided part in the great struggle which strange was to determine the future fortunes of the Deccan, the English knew not how the Ma.iriut to act. The presidency had, on their own responsibility, become parties to a war in Tanjore, but the lesult had disappointed them ; and their interference now seemed to them not a precedent which they ought to follow, but a beacon which they ought to avoid. The success which had attended the French arms was as gall and wormwood to them ; and they would fain have employed all their force on the opposite side, especially if they had felt sure that it was to prove tiie winning side. This, however, was very doubtful ; and the result of inter- meddling, therefore, might be to subject themselves to the displeasure, and ultimately call down the vengeance of the successful competitors for the soubah and nabobship. These, and similar considerations, might perhaps have justified them in resolving to remain as mere spectators of the contest, but certainly could not justify the very extraordinary course which they adopted. When Mahomed Ali, who had shut himself up in Trichinopoly and assumed the title of nabob, earnestly implored their assistance, they at fii'st turned a deaf ear, and afterward.s, as if in mockery rather than in earnest, sent him a paltry reinforce- merit of 120 Europeans. By tliis act they committed themselves as much as if they had sent him 1000. They liad chosen their side and must maintain it; and yet, with monstrous and suicidal inconsistency, they at this very time declined Admiral Boscawen's offer to remain, and allowed him to depart with his fleet for Europe. So absurd did the proceeding appear to the French, that for some time they did not believe the departure to be more than a feint ; but at length, when satisfied that it was a reality, could not refrain from openly mani- festing their delight.

After the Briti.sh and French had taken their sides, both were naturally nritisi. an.i anxious to show that they had made the right choice, and given their support to opixisite those who had the best title. On this subject volumes were wi-itten, but to very natTve" little purpose, for two reasons: first, because, were it worth the while, it could i"*™""- • easily be shown that the titles of all the claimants were absolutely bad ; and, secondly, because it was mere hj'pocrisy on the part of the two companies to pre- tend that they were fighting for legitimacy, when it was well understood that the justice of the war was a matter of perfect indifference to them, and that their


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 A.D. 1749. true position was that of mercenaries, intent only on the gain which they stipulated, or might be able to extort, in return for their services. The most favourable view that can be taken of the matter is, that the regular course of government had been completely broken up, and that, in the general scramljle which had ensued, the two companies were as well entitled as any other parties to make the most of it, more especially as it was not impossible that their important commercial interests might be compromised.

When MuzzufFer Jung first took the field, Nazir Jung .seems to have

regarded it as little more than a youtliful outbreak, which, if it did not carry its

■ own punishment along with it, might at any time be easily suppressed. After

the battle of Amboor he saw reason to view it in a very different light, and

made his preparations accordingly. Appointing the celebrated fort of Gin gee.

Nazir Jung at the head of an im- mense army

Gi:f^ G E E

£nirV.<li JunZa

 * oo ^o coj "'"^ "'# ^ j^»

A, The Great Mountain of Gingee, on the top of which is a

small furt situated on an entire rock, and tenable with ten men against any open force which may be brought against it There is very fine water in a cleft of the rock.

B, St. George's Mountain. C, The English Mountain. D, The royal battery. E, The pettah of Gingee.

a, Gate of the second wall

b, Gate of the third wall V leading to the Great Mountain.

c, Gate of the fourth wall '

d, Gate leading to Temamaley. e, Poudicherry gate, f, Port-dn-I)iable, or Devil's gate. g, DevU's tank.

h h h h, Barracks and lodgings of the French garrison, i, A pagoda for travelling Bralmiins.

situated about thirty- five miles north-west of Pondicherry, as the general place of rendezvous, he issued summonses, in his character of Soubahdar of the Deccan, to all its various dependencies, and soon saw himself furnished with contingents from all quarters, to such an amoimt that his whole ai-my was estimated at 300,000. Among these were a contingent of 0000 horse, furnished and commanded by Mahomed Ali, whose hopes of the nabobsliip


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 Chap. IV. ] SUCCESS OF NAZIR JUNG. -^+7

were bound up -with Nazir Jung's establishment as soubalidar; and a contin- a. p. it jo. gent of GOO Europeans, furnished by the Company and commanded by Major Lawrence. The presidency, having satisfied themselves that the man who could muster an army of 300,000 men must be the real soubalidar, had got rid of all their doubts and scruples on the subje-t of his title, and resolved mag- nanimously to share his fortunes. At the same time it was thought jn-udent to feel his pulse, and Major Lawrence, together with Captain Dal ton, and a mem- ber of council who accompanied them, were c< mmissioned to act as a trio, and treat with Nazir Jung on the interests of the Company. He received them with politeness, paid them oriental compliments, and was liberal in his promises.

The French endeavoured to keep up the spirits of their allies, and along with Xazir Jmig

• 11 1 • 1 1 x" "NT • intimidates

them took up an excellent position, from which all the mighty host oi Jazn- an.i ohtnins Jung would have been unable to dislodge them. Tl)e only part of the force sj.'.^.'^^Vmju- really formidable was the detachment under Major Lawrence. M. d'Auteuil ^iitferjung. endeavoured to bribe it into inactivity by sending a messenger to acquaint the major that, though their troops were arrayed on opposite sides, it was his wish that no European blood should be spilled. He therefore asked to know in what part of Nazu- Jung's army the English took post, in order that none of his shot might come that way. Major Lawrence, estimating this communication at its true worth, replied that the English colours were carried on the flag-gun of their artillery, and that, though he too was anxious to spare European blood, he would certainly return any shot that might be sent him. M. d'Auteuil, in pro- posing a kind of neutrality between the French and English, had not given the true reason. His men were in mutiny, and no fewer than thirteen of his officers had thrown up their commissions in presence of the enem}^ This unworthy proceeding was adopted to avenge themselves on the governor, with whom they had had a bitter quarrel before leaving Pondicheny. The cause need not be inquired into, but the effect was important. M. d'Auteuil, con- vinced that his men would not fight, ordered them to quit the field and march home without delay. Muzzutt'or Jung, who had previously begun to despair of his cause, and been attempting to come to an accommodation with his uncle, thought that not a moment was to be lost ; and on receiving a solemn assurance that he would neither be imprisoned nor deprived of the government which he had held during his gi'andfathers lifetime, passed over to the enemy. The pledge given him was violated without scruple. He was immediately thrown into fettei-s, and his troops, attacked and dispersed, were almost cut to pieces. Chunda Sahib behaved with more spirit, and fared better. Accompanying the French at the head of his cavalry, he repeatedly charged the Mahratta.^ who, led by Morari Row, hung upon their flank and rear, and well nigh succeeded in cutting oflf their retreat.

The an-ival of the troops in AVTetched plight threw Pondicheny into conster- Dupieix hiu. nation. Dipleix, though he pretended to make light of it, .saw the full extent ^"^c^


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 reiice m vain warns Nazir Jung.

448 HISTORY OF INDIA. [Book III.

A.D. 1750. of the disaster, and, as asual when force failed, had recourse to diplomacy. It was known that there was considerable disaffection in Nazir Jung's camp. Several chiefs, who had pledged themselves for the honourable treatment of Muzzuffer Jung, were indignant at his captivity, and still more at the evasive answers given to themselves when they applied to be confirmed in their govern- ments. Dupleix, having obtained permission, after several rebuffs, to send an embassy to Nazir Jung's camp for the purpose of negotiating a peace, employed his deputies not only in ascertaining the extent of the defection, but in foment- ing it. Their proposals were purposely so framed as to protract the negotiation, which, though it ostensibly failed, gained all that he sought by it. He had secured a party who, from belonging ostensibly to Nazir Jung's camp, would do better service than if they had been ranged under French banners.

Major Law- Major Lawreucc, who had suspicions of the French deputies, endeavoured to put Nazir Jung on his guard, and obtained a personal interview for this pur- pose ; but as he could only communicate by an intei-preter, who feared to give the true meaning of his words, the warning was given in vain. The major then endeavoured, along with the deputies who accompanied him, to obtain a con- firmation of a grant of territory near Madras, which Mahomed Ali, as nabob, had made to the Company in return for the services of their troops. After much prevarication compliance was j^romised, provided he wovJd accom2)any the camp to Arcot, to which the soubahdar was eager to proceed, not for any stra- tigetical purpose, but to indulge his taste for licentioas pleasures. Disgusted at all he saw. Major Lawrence refused; and after speaking his mind fi-eely, returned with his troops to Fort St. David.

Successes of Leaving Nazir Jung^ to his deffradino^ pleasm-es at Ai-cot, we must now

the Frencli.

follow the proceedings of the French, who, having recovered from their conster- nation, not only began to regain theii* lost ground, but were emboldened to make new conquests. In order to avenge an attack which had been made by Nazir Jung's orders on their factory at Masulipatam, situated at the mouths of the Kistna, a detachment of 200 Europeans and 300 sepoys, with several pieces of battering cannon, were embarked at Pondicherry, in two large sliips, in the beginning of July, 1750, and landing in the night, took the city by surpi'ise with almost no loss. It was immediately put in a position of defence, and reserved to become the nucleus of other conquests which were ah-eady meditated in the same quarter. Their next conquest, if not so important in itself, did more to redeem the credit of their arms. About fifteen miles east of Fort St. David stood the town of Trivadi, with a pagoda so strongly fortified as to serve as its citadel. It seemed to the French a desirable possession, both from its proximity to tiie British territory, and as a station which might be turned to good account in a southern campaign. It was taken without resistance, and garrisoned with only fifty Europeans and 100 sepoys. Mahomed Ali, to whom it previously belonged, justly inferring that the capture had been made


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 Chap. IV.] SUCCESSES OF THE FRENCH. 44-9

not for itself but for ulterior objects, took alarm and resolved to make an effort a d. ksj.

to regain it. With this view he raised an army, half of it di-awn from the sou- bahdar's camp at Ai'cot, and by engaging to defray all expenses, induced Major Lawrence, who was acting at Fort St. David as temporary governor, to send him a detachment of 400 Europeans and 1500 sepoys. His whole force mustered 20,000 men, with whom, after encamping for a short time in the plain of Tri- vandiparam, a little west of Fort St. David, from which he was to receive two 24-pounders and military stores, he marched along the south bank of the Pennar, and found the French posted on the opposite bank, about eight miles east of Trivadi. The French were entrenched; and Mahomed All, though strongly urged by Captain Cope, who commanded the Briti.sh detachment, to take up a position which would force an engagement, was too cowardly to comply, and Manome.) contented himself with skirmishes and a distant cannonade. After some time cowaniioe. wasted in this way, Mahomed Ali proposed marching off to the west, but Cajitain Cope refused to accompany him ; and on being refused payment of the expenses which had been promised, was ordered by Major Lawrence to return with his troo})s to Fort St. David. They amved there on the 1 5th of August, and the French lost not a moment in taking advantage of their absence. Mus- tering a force which amounted in all to 1800 Europeans, 2500 sepoys, and 1000 horse, levied by Chunda Sahib, they brought the enemy to action, and gained a complete victory without the loss of a single man. Mahomed Ali escaped with difficulty, and reached Arcot with only two or three attendants.

Notwithstanding the consternation produced by this defeat, Nazir Jung still Biu-sv cip

tiire.** tlie

remained inactive ; and the French, left at full liberty to pursue their victorious foi-t of career, were emboldened to attack Gingee. This celebrated fortress, in which "'"^'*' we have ab-eady seen the Mahrattas resisting, for many years, the whole power of the Mogul empire under Aurungzebe, is situated among the Eastern Ghauts, about thirty-five miles north-west of Pondicheiry, and eighty-five miles south- west of Madras. It consisted of three steep and craggy hills, with an inter- 'vening hollow, the whole suiTOunded by a lofty wall flanked with towers, and inclosing an area nearly three miles in circuit. The town lay in the hollow, and the hills were both crowned on their summits, and along their declivities, with forts and other works, rendering the whole place so strong, at least according to Indian ideas, as to be deemed impregnable. How little it was really so wjis soon made apparent. The main body of the French army was commanded by M. d'Auteuil, but was preceded by a detachment of 250 EuropeaiLs and 1 200 sepoys, with four field-pieces, under M. Bussy, who wa^i rapidly establi.shing the reputation which he ultimately acquired of being the ablest French officer in India. His object probably wiis to take the place by surprise ; but on coming in sight of it he found 5000 of the fugitives from Trivadi encamped under the walls. He waited, therefore, till the main body came in sight, and then attack- ing, drove off the enemy with little difficulty. One of the gates of the outei- Vol. I. 67


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 +50 IJISTOKY Of INDIA. jBooK III.

AD. i7iu. Willi was next driven o[)cn by a petanl, and the whole of the troops, artillery, and baggage were lodged in the town before night, with the loss of only three or four men. The real contest now began: the enemy firing and throwing rockets from their mountain heights, while the French answered them from their guns and mortars. The mischief done in this way by either side was not great, and preparations were made for an assault. This honour was reserved solely for the Europeans, who attacked the three hills at once in separate parties, carried redoubt after redoubt, reached the summits, and had their flags flying triumphantly on them all by daybreak, with the loss of only twenty men. NazirJung If tlic Frencli were astonished at thus easily captvuing what was jastly con-

.aioused too • i i i n

1 ite flow sidered the strongest fortress of the Carnatic, it is easy to conceive what dismay upor. ^j^^ g^^^ intelligence of the event produced in the camp at Arcot. Nazir Jung was at last aroused from his disgi-aceful stupor. In the excess of his confidence he had allowed many of the chiefs to return home with their contingents, and sent back the greater part of his own troops to Golconda. Besides recalling these, he gave a striking proof of his fear by sending two officers to Pondicherry to negotiate. It was now the turn of Dupleix to be imperious, and he set no limits to the extravagance of his terms. He weU knew that they would be rejected, and had proposed them with this very view, for the party which he had secured in the enemy's camp had organized a conspiracy, and Nazir Jungs life was hanging by a thread. Totally unconscious of the danger impending over him, he ceased negotiating, and began his march towards Gingee late in September, 1750. Though many of the troops absent on leave had failed to return, his force still consisted of 60,000 foot, 45,000 horse, 700 elephants, and 300 pieces of cannon. Including camp followers, the whole army was little short of 300,000. This vast and unwieldy body moved so slowly that fifteen days were spent in marching thii'ty miles. It was still sixteen miles from Gingee when its further progress was arrested by the sudden setting in of the rains. Retreat was now the only prudent course, but it was considered disgraceful, and after the lapse of two or three days became impossible. The whole country was flooded, and the camp lay inclosed between two swollen rivers. Provisions began to fail, sickness as usual followed, and the prospect was gloomy in the extreme. Nazir i8 anxious Jung, now as anxious to quit the Carnatic as he had been fond of remaining in Carnatic. it, again made overtures of peace, and expressed a willingness to submit to the terms which lately he would not even entertain. Dupleix was not unwilling to have two strings to his bow, and began to negotiate without losing sight of his conspirators. At the same time he found himself in a kind of dilemma. If he made the treaty he must abandon the conspiracy, and, in all probability, sacri- fice all the chiefs whom he had tempted to join in it ; if he remained true to them they woidd do their bloody deed, and the treaty would be useless. Ulti- mately it was a mere toss which of the two methods of settlement would V e adopted ; for at the very time he was pressing Nazir Jung's deputies to send


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 Chai'. IV.

MUZZUFFER JUNG.

451

back the treaty ratified, he sent orders to M. de la Touclie, who commanded at Gin^ee, to march out to attack the camp whenever the conspirators should intimate to him that they were ready. Tliis intimation reached Gingee before the ratified treaty was returned to Pondicherry, and Nazir Jung's fate was sealed. The French force, consisting of 800 Europeans, 3000 sepoys, and ten field-pieces, arrived within sight of the enemy's camp. It extended eighteen miles, as every chief had a separate quarter. Where the space occupied was no enormous, the French, left to themselves, would have been at a loss to choose their point of attack ; but the conspirators had provided for this by sending a guide, who conducted them to the locality immediately occupied by Nazir Jung. He had ratified the treaty only the day before, and would not at first believe that the French had attacked liim. When convinced of the fact, and asking how the battle went, he was astonished to learn that a large portion of his army remained motion- less as mere spectators. Enraged, he moimted his elephant and hastened ofiT in the direction where they stood. The first troops he came up to were those of Kurpa, and Nazir Jung think- ing, as it was not yet clear daylight, that the nabob who was at their head on his elephant did not recog- nize him, raised liimself up to receive

his sjilutation, when two shots, fired from the nabob's howdah, pierced his heart, and he instantly expired.

Muzzuffer Jung was immediately proclaimed as soubahdar, and, accompanied by a large portion of the amiy which had just belonged to his murdered })rede- cessor, set out in triumph for Pondicherry. The governor and Chunda Sahib received him in a tent without the gates, and a procession took place in which none of the usual accompaniments of oriental ostentation were wanting. No sooner Wcos he seated in the palace than the new soubahdar, opening his heart to Dupleix, made him aware that, along with the honoui"s, he had already began to experience some of the perplexities of sovereignty. The Patau chiefs, to whose treachery he was mainly indebted for his elevation, were determined that he should pay for it liberall}'. How to satisfy them was the puzzle. Their demand was that three years' arreare of tribute, which they owed, should be remitted ; that in future no tribute should be exacted from them, either for the teiTitories which they pos.sessed, or the large additions which they thought

A.D. 1750.

Deatlj of N.'Lzir Juuy

Elephant with Howdah.— Major Luard's Views in India.

Muzzuffer Jung iiri>- clainieil miu- luklutir by the French.


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 452 HISTORY OF INDIA. [Book JIL

AD. ivf.i. themselves entitled to expect; and that one-half of the contents of Nazir Jung's

treasury should be distributed among them. Miizziiffer Duplcix undcrtook the office of mediator, and, after several days spent in

.Iiuigconfers ...

oxtensive discussion, concluded an arrangement, which was signed by all the parties, and oiiiLix! " with which all of them declared themselves perfectly satisfied. Business was naturally succeeded by festivities, and Pondicherry assumed the appearance of a gay and luxurious capital The most gorgeous of the ceremonies was the instal- lation of MuzzufFer Jung as soubahdar. His first act, after it was completed, was to declare Dupleix governor for the Mogul of all the countries south of the Kistna. All the revenues due to the Mogul from these countries were, in the first instance, to pass through his hand ; and no coin but what was coined at Pondicherry was to be current in the Camatic. From the terms used it is difficult to say whether it was meant that the soubahdar or Dupleix should in future take precedence ; but in the appointment of Chunda Sahib to the nabob- ship of Arcot and its dependencies, it was expressly stated that he was to hold it under Dupleix, as his superior. To the French East India Company the immediate advantages were the acquisition of tracts of territory near Pondi- cherry, Carrical in Tanjore, and Masulipatam, producing a revenue estimated by themselves at £38,000, but probably not less than £50,000; the indirect advantages were unlimited, inasmuch as, under the titles and powers confen-ed on their governor, they could make them anything they pleased. The treasure taken from Nazir Jung was estimated at £2,000,000 sterling, exclusive of the jewels, worth at least £500,000. Of the treasure, one-half belonged to the Patans, under the agreement ; the other half, and the jewels, were appropriated by the soubahdar, subject, however, to a deduction of £50,000 paid to the com- pany, as the expenses of the war, £50,000 to the officers and troops which gained the battle of Gingee, and a present to Dupleix, consisting, besides many precious jewels, of money fixed at the conjectural amount of £200,000. Is slain. Muzzuffer Jung left Pondicherry for Golconda on the 4th of January, 1751,

accompanied by his own troops, and also a French detachment, commanded by M. Bussy, and consisting of 300 Europeans and 2000 sepoys. On reaching the territory of Kurpa, a quarrel ensued between some of the inhabitants and the 3oldiers, and three villages were set on fire. The nabob, professing great indig- nation at the injury done to his subjects, retaliated by attacking that part of Muzzuffer Jung's division where the women were placed. According to oriental ideas, there could not be a grosser insult ; and he was vowing to take summary vengeance when M. Bussy interposed, and procured the nabob an opportunity of explaining. He did so, but in such terms as only to aggi'avate the insult. It now appeared that the whole affair was concerted. Tlie Patau chiefs had never been satisfied with the arrangement at Pondicherry, and had been on the watch for a favourable opportunity to give effect to their resentment. The army was about to pass to a defile, and foimd it pre-occupied by the Patans, who


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 Chap. V.] MAHOMED ALL 453

had even planted the posts leading to it with cannon, which had been brought a.d. n&i. forward several days before. A battle ensued, which was decided by the fire of the French ai-tillery, but the victory cost Muzzuffer Jung his life. In pursuing the fugitives he came up with the Nabob of Kuniool, who, finding escape im- possible, turned at bay with a handfid of troops. Both instantly prepared for a personal encounter, and drove their elephants right in the face of each other. Muzzuffer Jung had his sword uplifted to strike, but the nabob anticipated him, and drove the point of his javelin through his forehead, into his brain.

The French were returning with the acclamations of victory when the' saiabuuimg

111' 1 1 r» " proclaimed

learned, to their dismay, that they had sustained a worse loss than defeat. Boubahdar. M. Bussy did the best that covdd be done in the circumstances, by urging the immediate appointment of a successor. There was considerable room for choice, for, besides an infant son of Muzzuffer Jimg, three of his uncles, the brothers of Nazir Jung, were in the camp. Necessity dictated the exclusion of the infant, and the choice fell on Salabut Jimg, who, as the eldest of the brothers, had the next best claim. M. Bussy, who had a chief share in his elec- tion, took care that the interests of his company were not forgotten, and procured from him a confirmation of all the grants made to the French by his predecessor, and the promise of still greater advantages. On these conditions Dupleix recognized him as soubahdar, and placed M. Bussy 's detachment at his sei-vice.

CHAPTER V.

Intrigues of Mahomed Ali — Vacillating conduct of the Madras government — Siege of Trichinopoly —

Capture of Arcot.

ii|AHOMED ALI was in the camp when Nazir Jung was renjiexiii™

St 1 111/" 1 11' m-i- 1 ofMiiliomed

B assassniated, and fled for the tlurd time to Trichinopoly. au. W His prospects were now gloomy in the extreme. The Eug- Wi lish, after sending him assistance, had withdrawn in disgust > and left him to his fate, and it was not likely that Chunda Sahib would allow him to escape, as before, by repeating the blunder into whicii he fell when, instead of laying siege to Trichinopoly, he invaded Tanjore. Dupleix could doubtless control his movements, and would tiike care that they were conducted more skilfully. Mahomed Ali, while thus threatened and per- plexed, wjis incapable of coming to any manly decision, and followed the true bent of his nature by weaving an intricate web of policy. While applying to every quarter from which any aid could be anticipated — to the Mahrattas, the Mysoreans, and the British presidency — he entered into secret communications


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 40 !• HISTOJfY OF INDIA. [Hook III.

A.D. 1751. with tlie French, and adjusted, it is said, the terms of a treaty, by which he was to renounce his claims on the nabobship of Arcot, and content liimself with some inferior appointment in the Deccan. Tlie surrender of Trichinopoly, of course, formed a leading stipulation in such a treaty; and, wiien completed, would have formed another most important link in the scheme of French aggrandisement, on which Dupleix was exerting all his energies with every prospect of success.

Wavering Tlic Madras presidency could not but be aware that the ultimate effect of

]><)lirV of tiie

Madras the accomplishment of this scheme would be to drive the British and every presi ency. ^|.|^g^. Europcau rival from the field, and make the French absolute masters of the destinies of India ; but so little were they prepared to take the course which even self-preservation should have dictated, that they voluntarily deprived themselves of the ablest and most experienced officer in their serce, by allowing Major Lawrence to sail for England. When they had thus weakened their hands they began to be alarmed at the consequences of their timorous policy, and wished that they had not so hastily withdrawn their aid from Mahomed Ali. The best reparation they could now make, was to send him a new detachment, and endeavour if possible to dissuade him from the suicidal step which he was understood to be contemplating of making a surrender of Trichinopoly. The aid thus offered consisted only of 280 Europeans and 300 sepoys; but he gladly accepted it, as his fortunes, in consequence of recent events, were assuming a more favourable aspect. He had been a steady adherent of Nazir Jung, and it was not um^easonable to suppose that Salabut Jung would rather confide in his brother's friend than in those who had been the main instruments of his assassination. At all events, as he had removed with his army into the Deccan, it was not likely that he would soon return to the Carnatic. Chunda Sahib would thus be left to fight his own battles, and there seemed no reason to despair of being able to muster a force equal to any which he could bring into the field. Kxpeiiitioti The first campaign in which Mahomed Ali was concerned, after he had

veuy. lenewed his alliance with the British, proved very disastrous. In addition to Trichinopoly, he claimed authority over two temtories or kingdoms; the one, Madui'a, lying immediately south, and the other, Tinnevelly, Ij'ing beyond Ma- dura, and reaching to Cape Comorin. His power in these kingdoms was more nominal than real ; and with the view of establishing it more firmly, he fitted out an expedition, and gave the command of it to his brother, who met with little opposition from the inhabitants, but was paralyzed by a mutinous spirit among his own soldiers. Their sympathies were with Chunda Sahib ; and had not strong measures of repression been used, they would have declared in his favour. In Madura a similar feeling prevailed ; and being fostered by a soldier of fortune, who had once been in the sei'vice, and was still in the interest of Chunda Sahib, gained a complete ascendant in the garrison of the capital.

f


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 ClIAP. V.

MADLIUA BESIEGED.

45")

As the loss of Madiira, by inteirupting the communication with Tinnevelly, ad. 1751. from which Mahomed Ali expected a considerable revenue, greatly crippled his resources, Captain Cope, who commanded the Company's detachment, volun- Failure of an

attempt on

teered to recover it. His means were very inadequate. He had only one Mjuium. battering cannon, three tield-pieces, and two coehorns ; and with these he set out at the head of 1 50 Europeans and 600 native cavalry, to lay siege to a city above two miles in circuit, and fortified with a double wall and a ditch. The deficiency of troops, so far at least as regarded niunbers, was, however, sufficiently supplied, for on coming within sight of Madm-a he was joined by the army of nearly 5000 men which was returning from Tinnevelly ; the artiller}' continued as before, and his whole success depended on the breaching power of a large old native gvm which might at any moment burst in his hands. The enterprise, though little judgment had

been displayed in arranging ^ ""'^

it, seemed favoured by for- tune. Several large breaches already existed in the outer wall, and the gun fired through one of them at the inner wall for two successive days made a breach which was deemed practicable with the aid of fascines. It was now resolved to storm. The reader naturally asks,

Why not continue the firing for another day, and enlarge the breach, so as to make fiiscines unnecessary? The answer is, It was impossible: the old gun had expended all its shot! The storming party passed the first wall witiiout resistance, but at the foot of the breach of the inner wall were enci)untered by a trio of champions; "one of them," says Orme, "a very bulky man, in complete armour," who fought manfully and wounded several of the forlorn hope before they were cut down. Meanwhile, bullets, aiTows, and stones poured thick from above. Nothing daunted, the storming party gained the ])arapet, but there saw a sight which might well have filled them with dismay. On each side of the breach was a mound of earth, with trees laid horizontally ipon it, yet leaving openings through which the enemy thrust their pikes, while at the bottom of the rampai-t a strong entrenchment had been thrown up, and from three to four tliousand men stood ready to defend it. The assault, in capt. o-ik' which it would have been madness to persist, was abandoned, and on the fol- lowing day Captain Cope, after blowing his old gun to pieces, because he had ^'^• not the means to carry it away, returned crest-fallen to Trichinopoly. It was indeed high time to be otf, for the bad spirit of the Tinnevelly army

View in Fort of Madura.— From Dauiell's Oriental Scenery.

returns to Tricliino-


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 4oG HISTORY OF INDIA. [Book III.

AD. 1751 could 110 longer be restrained, and 2500 horse and 1000 infantry went over to

the enemy. Insulting At the time when this reverse was sastained, news arrived that Chunda

proceedings _ i • m • i • i ir

oiDupieix. Sahib was preparing to march from Arcot to besiege Trichinoj)oly. Mahomed Ali's applications to the presidency for aid became more urgent than ever, and he endeavoured to give weight to them by promising not merely to pay all expenses, but to give a grant to the Company of a considerable territory adjoining Macbas. Tempting as the offer was, there is reason to doubt if it would have succeeded had it not found a powerful advocate in a very unex- pected quarter. Dupleix, ostensibly for the purpose of marking the boundaries of his new acquisitions, though probably as much for the purpose of tantahzing his rivals, had caused small white flags to be planted in almost every field. These flags were seen from Fort St. David, which, ever since the capture of Madras, had continued to be the seat of the presidency, and naturally excited mingled feelings of fear and indignation. What was to become of the English Company's trade with the interior if they allowed themselves to be hemmed in by a rival company, whose boundary line would ere long be converted into an impassable barrier by the imposition of heavy, perhaps prohibitive duties? The designs of Dupleix had hitherto been only surmised, but he had now thrown off" the mask and given them warning — the more impressive because of its insolence — of what they must be prepared to expect. It would be madness to hesitate any longer. Their own ruin was involved in that of Mahomed Ali, and their only safety was in supporting him to the utmost of their power. Influenced by such considerations the presidency awoke from their lethargy and resolved on action, still, however, not as principals but mider their old disguise of mercenaries or auxiliaries. Kxi)edition In the beginning of April, 1751, a detachment was provided of 500 Em'o- Voiconda. pcans, fifty of them cavalry, 100 Africans, and 1000 sepoys, with eight field-pieces, and placed under the command of C aptain Gmgen, who was to wait near Fort St. David the arrival of Mahomed Ali's troops from Trichinopoly. After a delay of six weeks he was joined by only 600 horse and 1000 foot, and proceeded south-west to Verdachelum, a large and strong pagoda, garrisoned by 300 of Chunda Sahib's troops, who surrendered after being tlireatened with an assault. Shortly after the army was more than doubled by the arrival of 1 00 Em'opeans, sent by Captain Cope, and 2000 horse and 2000 foot, commanded by Mahomed Ali's brother, and set out to encounter Chunda Sahib in pereon. He was encamped near Volconda, situated thirty-eight miles N.N.W. of Trichinopoly, on the highway from that city to Ai'cot. Its principal defence was a rock 200 feet high, and about a mile in circuit at its base, which was washed by the Valaru. It was inclosed by three walls ; one at the bottom, mostly cut out of the solid rock ; another near, and the third actually on the summit. The governor was summoned by both parties, but answered that he wished to see


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 Chap. V.] EXPEDITION AGAINST VOLUONDA. 457

the issue of a battle before he would yield it up to either. Captain Gingen, a.d. nai. becoming impatient, determined to force a surrender; and after posting his army so as to intercept the approach of Chunda Sahib, should he attempt to interfere, sent a strong detachment to attempt the ca})ture. The town, inclosed only by a mud wall, was easily gained ; but the rock, as should have been fore- seen, could not be assaulted till a breach was made, and the detachment returned to the camp.

Captain Gingen, while thus assuming the offensive, seems to have been nisgnu^fiu

1 1 (» • 1 defeat

ignorant or regardless of the fact, that he was opposed by far superior numbers. Chunda Sahib had an arm}'^ of 12,000 hoi"se and 5000 sepoys, and was l)esides suppoited by a strong battalion of French. These at break of day next morning were seen approaching along the bed of the river, which was nearly dry. Instead of attempting to intercept their progress, Captain Gingen and his officers were deliberating in a council of war whether they should fight or retreat. It was resolved to fight ; but meanwhile the French were near the foot of the rock, and the resolution came too late. The troops, aware of the hesitations of the council of war, had no hope of victory ; and, seeing some of their officers betraying symj)- toras of fear when the guns of the fort oi)ened on them, were seized with panic. Strange to say, it was at fii-st begun and for some time confined to the Company's battahon, for not only did their own officers — Clive, now a lieutenant, among the number — endeavour to rally them, but Abdul Wahab Khan, Mahomed Ali's brother, riding up to them, and pointing to his own men, who still kept their ground, upbraided them for their cowardice. It was all in vain, and the day wis lost. Even after the danger was over, the fear was so unequivoc;dl}' declared, that Captain Gingen, to free them even from the sight of the enemy, commenced his retreat at midnight, on the road leading to Trichinopoly, and did not venture to halt till he had reached the pass or straits of Ootatoor. Chunda Saliib followed slowly by the same route. When he ajipeared in sight some skirmishing took place, and even a regular battle was talked of, but the sj)irit of the troops was still such that Captain Gingen was afraid to risk it, and stole away with them in the silence of the night. So eager were they to place themselves beyond the reach of pursuit, that they marched eighteen hours without refreshment in the hottest season. Chunda Sahib following leisurely found them encjvmped on the northern bank of the Coleroon, within sight of Trichinopoly. The site of the encampment was now the only spot of ground beyond the Coleroon which Mahomed Ali could call his own.

About five miles north-west of Trichinopoly, the Cauvery, after a somewhat Tiie ixian.i of circuitous south-easterly coui-se of 380 miles from its source in the Western «itii it. Ghauts, divides into two principal anns, the northern of which is called the '"*^'* Coleroon, while the southern retains its own name. For the fii-st fifteen miles, as far as the fort of Coilady, the two anns nin nearly parallel to each other, and again approach so near that they are only prevented from uniting by means of Vol. I. 58


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 t.">8 HISTORY OF INDIA. [Book fll.

A.D. ivii. an artificial mound. The long and naiTOW .slip of land thas incloned between the arm.s form.s what i.s called the island of Seringham. Near its western extremity, where the fork begins, and at a short di.stance from the Coleroon side, stood one of tlie most famous {)agodas, or Hindoo temples, in Hindoostan. It consisted of seven squares, one within the other, each surrounded by a wall twenty- five feet high and fom- thick, and entered by four lofty tun-eted gates, facing the cardinal points. The wall of the outermo.st s([uare is about four miles in circuit. The pagoda owed its celebrity to the supposed possession of the very image of Vishnu which Brahma used to worship ; and the myriads of pilgrims flocking to it sufficed at one time to maintain -iO^OOO Brahmins in voluptuous idleness. About half a mile east of this pagoda, and near the Cauvery side, stood another, also of large dimensions, but with one inclo-siu-e only. Kncamp- The encampment on the noiih bank of the Coleroon was inconvenient for

chinopoiy. obtaining supplies, and for this reason, and also no doubt because it was deemed safer to have a river between them and the enemy, Mahomed All's army crossed over into the island of Seringham. The whole, including the English battalion, took up their quarters within the three first inclosui-e.s, and abstained at the earnest solicitations of the })riests from approaching nearer to the sanctuary of the idol. The post was admirably adapted for defence, but a cowardly spirit still prevailed among the troops, and they would not believe themselves safe till they had taken the last retrograde step now possible, and place themselves under the walls of Trichinopoly. Chunda Sahib gladly occupied the island thus evacuated. It was not, however, with the intention of remaining in it. The great prize for which he was contending was now full in his view, and leaving only a garrison in Seringham, he crossed the Cauvery, and encamped on the east of Trichinopoly. The main body of Mahomed Ali's troops were stationed on the south side, and the English battalion under Captain Gingen on the west. Captain Cope, with 100 Europeans, remained within the walls. The fortifica- TrichinoDolv, situated within half a mile of the south or right bank of the

tionsofthat,. ..

city. Cauvery, is in the form of a parallelogram, of which the east and west sides

have each a length of 2000, and the north and south a breadth of 1200 yards. It is inclosed by a ditch, 30 feet wide, and 1 2 deep, supplied with water more or less copiously according to the season, but never dry, and two walls flanked at regular intervals by round towers. The outer wall, only 18 feet high, and about 5 thick, has neither rampart nor parapet; the inner waU, 30 feet high, and 25 feet apart from the other, is much stronger in every respect, having a rampart and a parapet both of stone, the former rising from a broad base by large decreasing steps, so as to be only 10 feet broad at the top, and the latter about 7 feet high, loopholed for musketry. Within the walls in the north part of the city is a lofty precipitous rock of sienite, commanding an extensive view of the surrounding country.

Such was the only place of strength now belonging to Mahomed Ali; and on


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 CUAP. V ]

nUUHINOPOLY.

459

Roc-K AND Temple of Trichinoihu.y, with Urahnuiiri ciinying water iiito the Temple

From pftinting in Ltbrary of East India House.

the issue of the siege about to be commenced, de[)euded not only his t'ate, in which, from the worthlessness of his character, no great interest could be felt, but the decision of the momentous question, whether a French or a British enipiie was to be established in India. The presidency at Fort St. David, now fully committed to the war, were gi'iev- ously disappointed at the series of dis- graces and defeats which had been sus- tained, and coulil not look forward to the siege of Triclii- nopoly, without the gloomiest forebod- ings. They had no

idea, however, of abandoning the contest in despair, and began to display a firm- ness and decision of which, it must be confessed, they had previously- given few examples. Mr. Saunders, the governor, though devoid of the versatility and showy talents of Dupleix, surpassed him in more solid qualities; and having now no doubt as to the course which the interests of the Company dictated, pursued it with judgment and perseverance. His means, however, were very limited, and his first reinforcement for Trichinopoly consisted of only eighty Em'opeans and 300 sepoys, cumbered 'with a large convoy of stores. The conducting of such a body through a ho.stile country was a matter of no small difficulty, more especially, as Verdachelum which lay in the line of route, though it still held out against Cimnda Sahib, was at this very time besieged by a j)olyg(ir in his interest. The removal of this obstruction was therefore the first object to be accomplished. The charge of the reinforcement was given to Mr. Pigot, a mem- ber of council. He wsvs accompanied, it would seem not ofticially, but rather as a volunteer, by Clive, who, after the cjipture of Devicotta, had resumed his ])osition sw a civil servant of the Company, though still closely connected with the army, by holding the appointment of commissary for supi>lying the Eurojwan troops with provisions. It was in this capacity that he wjus present at Volconda when the ignominious fiight took place ; and hence, though he is mentioned as liaving been jiresent at the council of war which preceded, and was one main cause of that fiight, he did not share in the disgi-ace of it, but returned to Fort St David,

Pigot and Clive, after reaching Verdachelum, niid relieving it by surprising

.V D. 1751.

Piei>;irati<)iia fill- the de- fence of Tri- clunoiioly.


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 l'('0 JIISTOKY OF INDIA. [Book III.

AD. 1751. and defeating the troops of the polygar, sent the reinforcement forward to its destination through the kingdom of Tanjore, and were on their return to Pjrt St. David with twenty-four attendants, twelve of them sepoys, when they were NaiTow surrounded by the polygar's troops, and after losing the greater number ol" (•live. their attendants, only escaped by the fleetness of their horses. Not long after, another reinforcement was despatched to Trichinopoly. Affairs there were still in a most unsatisfactory state. The British officers were quarrelling among themselves instead of thinking how they might best sustain the honour of their country; and it seemed absolutely necessary to make an example of several of them by dismissing them at a time when their places could hardly be supplied. To meet the difficulty in part, Clive returned to his true vocation, and set out His expedi- for Trichinopoly in command of the reinforcement. It proceeded through the ihinopoiy. territory of Tanjore, the king of which still professed neutrality, and received from Devicotta a small accession under Captain Clarke, who, as senior officer, assumed the command. The whole united mustered only 100 Europeans and fifty sepoys, with a field-piece. The French, who were in possession of the fort of Coilady, detached a body of thirty Europeans and 500 sepoys to intercept them. A skirmish ensued greatly to the disadvantage of the French, and the detachment reached Trichinopoly in safety. The superiority of the enemy was still very decided. Chunda Sahib's troops were ten times more numerous than those of Mahomed Ali; and while the French battalion mustered 900, the English did not exceed 600 men. In pecuniary resources, also, the enemy had decidedly the advantage. The whole country either acknowledged their author- ity, or was subject to their exactions, while almost all the usual soiu'ces of Mahomed Ah's revenues were dried up. The only thing to balance these advan- tages of the besiegers was the strength of the place. He attacks Captain Clive returned to Fort St. David in the beginning of August, 1751,

and after representing the fatal issue to which afiairs at Trichinopoly were evidently tending, suggested as a last resource to attempt a diversion by an attack on Arcot. The bold proposal was accepted, and he was requested, or volunteered to undertake the execution of it. After stripping Fort St. David and Madras so as to leave only 100 men in the one and fifty in the other, the whole force that could be mustered for the expedition, amounted to 200 Euro- peans and 300 sepoys, with three field-pieces. Of the officers, eight in number, six had never seen service, and of these six four were civilians, who, animated by Clive's example, quitted the desk for the sword. Starting fi-om Madras on the 2C)th of August, they proceeded south-east to Conjeveram, where they arrived on the 29th, and learned that the fort of Arcot was garrisoned by 1100 men. From Conjeveram they continued their march nearly due west, not far from the northern bank of the Paliar, and on the 31st were within ten miles of Arcot. Their approach was made known by spies, who had seen the detachment marching with unconcern in a violent storm of thunder and rain. The garrison

and cap tiires Arcot


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on hearing this report lost all heart, and under the combined influence of super- a.d. 1751. stition and cowardice, abandoned the place a few hours before the detachment arrived. The city being without walls or defences was immediately entered, and Clive and his 500 men, marching in triumph under the gaze of 100,000 specta- tors, took possession of the fort. It was inhabited by 3000 or 4000 persons, who were permitted to remain, and contained goods which had been deposited in it for security to the value of £50,000. The goods were judiciously and generously restored to the owners without ransom ; the artillery, consisting of eight pieces of cannon, from four to eight pounders, and a large (quantity of lead and gun- powder, were all that remained to the captors.

Clive anticipating a siege made it his first business to provide the necessary ciive pur- stores, and then, m order to strike new terror into the garrison, set out in quest garriaon of of them with the greatest part of his men and four field- pieces. They were ^^ ' found about six miles to the south-west, near the fort of Timery, but though drawn up as if they meant to make a stand, they only continued firing a single field-piece, managed by two or three Europeans, and made off" for the hills before they could be brought within musket-shot. Two days after Clive again marched out of the fort, and, as before, found the enemy, now increased to 2000, within gun- shot of Timery. They were posted in a grove inclosed by a ditch and a bank, and having about fifty yards in front a large tank almost choked up and dry, with a bank much higher than that of the grove. As the detachment advanced, the enemy fired smai-tly from two field-pieces, and killed three Europeans. On this the detachment advanced rapidly, and the enemy, leaving the gi'ove, hurried into the tank, where they were so well sheltered, that they inflicted some loss with- out sustaining any. Clive removed his troops behind some buildings, and sent out two platoons to attack two sides of the tank. Both gained the banks, and at the same instant let fly a double volley among the crowds within. They made no attempt to retm-n, and fled, while Clive gained possession of the pettah or village under the walls of the fort. This he immediately summoned to sur- render, but the garrison, discovering that he had no battering cannon, refu.sed, and he had no alternative but to retreat, the enemy's cavalry hovering around him at a siife distance till he reached Arcot.

The next ten days were employed on necessary works within the fort ; and Prepamtion« the enemy, increased to 3000 men, acquired new courage and began to talk of fence of besieging. They were allowed to lull themselves into security, and on the 14th "*"**■ of September, two hours after midnight, were surprised in their sleep. Clive, with the gi-eater part of his troop.s, beat up their camp from end to end without the I0.SS of a man, while they fled on all sides with slu'ieks and confusion. When day broke, not a man of them was to be seen.

Two eighteen- poimders with some military stores had been asked from The siege. Matlras, and were on the way escorted only by a few sepoys. In hope of intercepting them, a large detachment of the enemy occupied the pagoda of


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 4i

HISTORY OF INDIA.

(li<JOK III.

A.D. 1761.

I'rooee liii'js during the

Pagoda at Conjeveram.— From Viscount Valentias Travels

Conjeverain ; and, on being expelled by thirty liluropean.s and fifty sepoys from Arcot, withdrew to a neigldjouring fort. Here their numbers were continualh augmented. The convoy being thus endangered, Clive, reserving only thirty

Europeans and fifty sepoys, sent out all the rest of hiw troops to insure its safety. On this, the enemy with considerable dexterity .sud- denly changed their tactics, and hastening to Arcot, sui-- rounded the fort with their whole force as soon as it was (lark. A fire of musketry was immediately opened upon the ramparts from the adjacent buildings, while a large body, horse and foot promiscuously, rushed towards the principal gates with loud outcries and the noise of martial music. A few hand-gi-enades thrown into the ma&s so frightened the horses, that they galloped off, trampling the foot beneath them ; a second assault made in the same manner was repulsed by the same means. The fire against the ramparts was still kept up and continued till daybreak, when the assailants fled precipitately on seeing the approach of the detachment and con- voy. It is rathor singular, that during the attack on the fort, the inhabitants within it expressed no sympathy with their countrymen outside. Some may see in this nothing but Olive's good fortune, but others with more justice will see in it the due reward of the kindness and generosity which he h.ad displayed in allowing them both to occupy their dwellings and retain possession of then- goods.

The capture of Arcot produced the effect which had been anticipated ; and the pressure on Trichinopoly was considerably relieved by the withdi'awal of 4000 of Ohunda Sahib's troops. These, joined on their route by his son Rajah Sahib, with 1 50 Eiu-opeans from Pondicheny, and the other troops preousl3- collected in the neighbourhood, entered Arcot on the 23d of September. Clive, unwilling to be cooped up within the fort, determined to take the initiative, and try whether he could not, by a vigorous effort, rid himself of the enemy altogether. Facing the north-west gate of the fort was a street, which, after running north for 70 yards, turned east to the nabob's palace, where Rajah Sahib had fixed his head- quarters. From the palace another street ran south, and was continued along the east side of the fort. The space thus bounded by streets on the west, north, and east, and by the north wall of the fort on the south, fonned a squai-e occupied by buildings and inclosures. With the


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intention of placing the enemy between two fires, Clive sallied out from the a.d. itsl north-west gate with the greatest part of his troops and the fom- field-pieces, and advanced along the street leading north and east ; while Ensign Glass was ordered to proceed from the east gate up the street leading north to the palace, which W518 thus the common point at which the two detachments, if they removed the obstacles in their way, would meet. On turning east, Clive saw the French troops, with four field-pieces, drawn up at the palace, and a can- Procoediiigs nonade commenced at the distance of only 30 yards. A few minutes cleared Bieg«. tlie street of the French, and obliged them to take lefuge in the palace. Mean- while, Rajah Sahib's troops occupying the liouses in the street, and sheltered by them, kept up a contiiuial fire, with so good an aim that fourteen men sent to capture and bring away the French guns were all killed or wounded. To escape this murderous fire, Clive took advantage of a large choultry or building for the reception of travellers. It was situated on one side of tlie street, and having an open front supported by pillars, wliile its otlier three sides were inclosed, afforded good cover; and at the same time, giving free ingress and egi-ess, enabled the artillerymen to load and fij-e without much danger. In this way the guns were gradually withdrawn into the north street ; and the whole party wiiich had sallied from the north-west gate were able to return by it into the fort. The platoon under Ensign Glass returned about the same time, after encountering similar difficulties. The whole attack was a decided failure, and gave Clive a lesson of caution which seems to have been, at this early stage of his military experience, by no means unnecessary. It cost him the lives of fifteen Europeans, who were killed on the spot or mortally wounded ; and the services of sixteen more of his party, who were disabled. Among the latter was Lieutenant Revel, the only artillery officer; among the former was Lieutenant Trenwith, who, by pulling Clive aside when he saw a sepoy aiming at him, ssived his commanding officer's life and lost his own, as the sepoy immediately changed the aim, and shot him through the body.

Tlie day after this affjiir Rajah Sahib was reinforced b}' 2000 men from state of for-

tificiitiniis

Vellore, commanded by Mortiz Ali in person, and commenced the siege by ofAwot. occupying all the avenues leading to the fort. Its defence must have been regarded, both by besiegers and besieged, as all but impossible. Its walls, about a mile in circuit, and several of the towers flanking them, were in many places ruinous ; the rampart, surmounted by a low and slightly built parapet, was too narrow to admit the firing of artillery; and the ditch, choked up in some places and dry in othei-s, was generally, even when it contained water, so shallow as to be fordable. The only two gates — the north-west and east, already mentioned — were large piles of masonry projecting 40 feet beyond the walls, and the entrance to each of them Avas not by a drawbridge, but a broad ctiuseway. 'i'his large, decayed, and ill-constructed fort had an efficient garrison of otdy 120 Europeans and 200 sepoys: n!i(l was besieged by an army


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JIISIVJIIY OF INDIA.

[Book III.

A.D. 1761.

Small inun ber of de- fenders.

Activity and stratagem of the be-

. practica- ble breach.

of above 10,000, composed as follows — 150 Europeans, 2000 sepoys, 5000 peons or undisciplined native infantry, and 3000 cavalry. As it was provisioned only for forty days, it was necessary to send away all the inhabitants except a few artificers, one of them, a mason, who most fortunately knew of a secret subter- raneous aqueduct, by which, if it had not been choked up in consequence of his information, the only reservorr within the fort might have been drained of its water. As many of the houses of the town were within musket- shot, and would give great facilities to the besiegers, an attempt was made to buiTi several of them. It failed, because they were almost entirely of stone ; and it was resolved to get rid of the two which threatened to be mo.st annoying by employing more destructive means. Accordingly, at midnight. Ensign Glass and ten men, with several barrels of gunpowder, were let down from the wall by a rope. They got into the houses without being dLscovered, but made the explosion so unskilfully that the efiect intended was not produced. Nor was this the only misfortune. The rope broke while Ensign Glass was ascending by it, and the fall unfitted him for further duty.

For a fortnight the besiegers, while waiting for the battering cannon, kept up a bombardment with four mortars, which did little damage. The fire of musketry from the houses was more effective ; indeed, the aim was so sure that a man could scarcely show liis head above the parapet without being hit. In this way three sergeants, accompanying Clive while he visited the works, were picked off, and several other persons were killed or wounded. Before the siege began in earnest, Mortiz Ali was tempted to try a stratagem. Pretending to be dissatisfied with Rajah Sahib, he withdrew with his troops to a different quarter of the city, and sent a secret messenger to acquaint CHve with his feelings, and assure him that if he would make a sally, he would support liim with all his force. Clive was not to be thus caught, and cleverly foiled Mortiz Ali with his own weapons. Instead of giving a refusal, he pretended to approve of the scheme ; and by maintaining the correspondence for several days, induced a large portion of the enemy to remain inactive. Mortiz Ali, percei'ing at last that he was outwitted, returned to his former place in the camp.

On the 24!th of October, two eighteen -pounders and seven smaller pieces airived from Pondicherry. With these the French opened a battery to the north- west, and served it so weU that the very first shot dismounted, and the second entirely disabled one of the eighteen-pounders in the fort. The other eighteen- pounder there was also soon dismounted, and removed to a spot not exposed to the fire from the battery, which, being thus scarcely answered at aU, succeeded in six days in beating down all the wall between two towers, and making a practicable breach. The ganison, meantime, spared no exertion. Immediately under the rampart opposite t(i the breach two trenches were dug, leaving a considerable space between them, which was covered with crows'- feet; and still farther back, a house was pidled down to the height of a breastwork, from


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CuAK V.J THE SIEGE OF ARCOT. 465

which palisades were carried along the ends of the trenches up to the parapet, ad. ivsi. One field-piece was placed on one of the towers flanking the breach, and two on the flat roof of a house opposite to it. The enemy, aware of the reception prepared for them, did not yet venture to storm, and proceeded to erect another battery on the south-west.

The garrison, in the meantime, more in the spirit of bravado than the Aneuomioiw anticipation of any important result, thickened the highest tower of the ramparts, and crowned it with a momd of earth. On the top of this mound, which commanded the palace, as it towered above the intervening houses, they hoisted up an enormous gun, said to have been sent from Delhi by Aurungzebe, and transported by 1000 yoke of oxen. The iron balls belonging to it weighed seventy-two pounds. The very first of these, fired from it with a charge of thirty pounds of gunpowder, went right through the palace, to the no small terror of Riijah Sahib and his stafl". It was fired only once a-day, and after four discharges burst. The besiegers, wishing to retaliate in similar style, filled up the interior of a large house with earth well rammed down ; and having thus formed a scjiuire mound, and raised it so high as to overlook every part of the fort, intended it for two small cannon and musketry. The garrison allowed the works to proceed till the cannon were actually mounted, and then opened upon it with their reserved eighteen-pounder, and with such good effect, that in less than an liour it tumbled down with the fifty men stationed upon it.

The perilous position of the garrison being well known at the presidency, Att^mjitto

relieve

it was resolved to reinforce it; and, with this view, a party of 100 Europeans Arwt. and 200 sepoys left Madras under Lieutenant Innes. After a considerable part of the journey was accomplished, they were sm-rounded by 2000 of the enemy, and were only able, after serious loss, to retreat to the fort of Ponamalee, fifteen miles west of Madras. Relief from the presidency having thus become apparently hopeless, Clive opened a communication with Morari Row, the Mahratta chief of Gootee, who had been encamped for some time with GOOO men among the moimtains, thirty miles west of Arcot. He had come as the hired ally of Mahomed Ali, but had remained inactive on seeing the desperate state of his affairs. Olive's name, however, was now beginning to carry a charm along with it ; and Morari Row's answer was, that he would lose not a moment in coming to the assistance of such brave men as the defenders of Arcot, " whose behaviour had now first convinced him that the Engli.sh could fight. " This intelligence alarmed Rajah Sahib, who endeavoured to anticipate the arrival of the Mahrattas by sending a flag of truce to the fort, offering honoimible terms to the garrison, and a large sum of money to Clive, and threatening, if his offers were not accepted, to storm immediately and put every man to the .sword. Olive oidy disdained his bribe, and laughed at his threats.

The reinforcement from Madras, .slightly increa.sed, and commanded by Oaptain Kilpatrick, was again attempting to advance; and a detachment of Vol. I. 59


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loss of the enemy was computed at -iOO men, almost all natives ; for the French, a.d. itsi. as if unwilling to encounter the Enghsh in the deadly breach while the two governments were actually at peace, had kept aloof, and been only spectators of the assault. The loss of the garrison amounted only to four Europeans killed, and two sepoys wounded. When the assault took place, so many of tlie garrison were disabled by wounds or sickness, that the whole number engaged mustered only eighty Europeans, officers included, and 120 sepoys. These, during the attack, served five pieces of carmon, and expended 12,000 musket- cartridges.

Two hours after their repulse, the enemy renewed their fire both with The siege cannon and musketry ; and with the exception of two hours, dming which they were allowed, at their own request, a truce to bury their dead, maintained it till two in the following morning, when it suddenly ceased. When the day dawned the garrison were overjoyed to learn the cause. The enemy had evacuated the town ; and the siege, after lasting fifty days, was finally raised. In the camp were found four pieces of artillery, four mortars, and a large quan- tity of ammunition, showing how precipitate the depai-tm'e of the enemy nmst have been. In the evening, Captain Kilpatrick arrived with his detachment.

Rajah Sahib's repulse had been the signal for the departure of all his ciive auxiliary chiefs, and he was left only with the troops which his father had ximenT sent from Trichinopoly. With these and the French he moved west to Vellore, close to the eastern side of which he inclosed himself within strong intrench- ments. Clive, being now free to act, left Captain Kilpatrick in command of the fort, and proceeded with 200 Europeans, 700 sepoys, and three field -pieces, south to Timery, which suirendered on the first summons. His next move- ments depended on the Mahrattjis, who had })romised to join him, but as usual employed themselves in plundering the surrounding country. Bjisin Bow, whom his uncle, Morari Row, had left in command of 1000 horse, conducted himself so negligently when in the vicinity of Vellore that he exposed himself to a night attack, and was obliged to leave his camp to the enemy. Anxious to repair the loss he applied to Clive, who set out with him, and was thus engaged when he learned that a party of Europeans from Pondicherr}- were on the way to Arnee, a strong fort on the road between Arcot and Gingee. He proposed to intercept them, and succeeded, after some difficulty, in obtaining the consent of Basin Row, whose objections were not overcome till he learned that the French were carrying a large sum of money to Rajah Sahib. Even after he gave his consent, he was unable to muster more than GOO horse. These, when added to Clive's original force, left him far inferior to the enemy, whom he discovered after a forced march of twenty miles, preparing to cross the river immediately to the north of Arnee with :> Europeans, 2000 horse, and 2500 sepoys.

The enemy, perceiving their superiority, wheeled round and determined to


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 468 HISTORY OF INDIA. [Book ITI.

A.u. 17.11. give battle. Clive on liis part did not decline it, and awaited the attsick in an advantageous position — the Mahrattas occupying a grove of palm trees on the left, the sepoys a village on the right, and the Europeans an open ground in the ciive'8 centre between the two. In front were swampy rice fields, with a cau.seway Aiiiee. leading through them to the village. The French, with about 1 500 of theii- sepoys and their artillery, advanced along the causeway, while the horse, with the remaining sepoys interspersed with them, moved forward on the grove. Here a spirited action commenced, and the Mahrattas displayed much gallantry, making five successive charges, though only to be repulsed. The division advancing along the causeway were more successfully opposed, and were so galled and enfiladed by the English field-pieces that all but the artillerymen with the cannon quitted the causeway and made for the rice fields. Their position was not thereby improved, and a general alarm spreading over their whole ranks they commenced a retreat. Clive followed close in pursuit, but night coming on they made their escape with comparatively little loss, crossed tlie river and entered Arnee. So much, however, were they dispirited that they did not venture to remain, and quitted it in disorder, followed by the Mahrattas, who, now entirely in their element, overtook them, and captured Rajah Sahib's military chest, containing 100,000 nipees. In consequence of this defeat, many of the enemy's sepoys deserted and offered their serdces to Clive, who enlisted 600 of those who were best armed. He captures DuHng the sicge of Arcot, the French, by occupying Conjeveram, had inter- rupted the communication with Madras, and captured a party of disabled men who were proceeding thither. Some of them they are said to have atrociously murdered in their litters, but Lieutenant Revel and Ensign Glass, ah'eady men- tioned, obtained quarter, and were living as prisoners in Conjeveram when Clive appeared before it and summoned it to surrender. The French comman- der so far forgot himself as to threaten that, if he were attacked, he would expose these English officers on the walls. Clive paid no regard to this unworthy menace ; and on receiving two eighteen-poiuiders from Madras, began to batter in breach at the distance of 200 yards. On this occasion he made another of those remarkable hairbreadth escapes, of which we have already seen several instances, an officer who accompanied him while i-econnoitring being shot dead by his side. The breach would soon have been rendered practicable, but the French commander, dreading the resentment which he knew he must have provoked, did not venture to stand an assault, and abandoned the place in the night, leaving his two prisoners behind. After ruining the defences of Conjeve- ram, Clive sent 200 Eviropeans and 500 sepoys to Arcot, and returned with the rest to tlie presidency, to give an account of his triumphant campaign. stratagem of Rajah Saliib's scattered troops, seeing the field again clear by the departure torarpHse ^^^ ^.lie British, re-assembled, and moving down toward the coast, ravaged part Arcot. ^-^^ ^1^^ Company's territory around Madras and in the vicinit}' of St. Thom^.


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 Chap. V.] FRENCH ATTEMPT TO SURPRISE ARCOT. 4G9

They next returned to Conjeveram, repaired the defences of the pagoda, garri- ad. 1752 soned it with 300 sepoys, and kept possession of the open country as far east as Ponamalee. The presidency, who had been employed in preparing a reinforce- ment for Tricliinopoly, determined to employ it, in the first instance, in expel- ling these dangerous and troublesome intruders. Clive, appointed to this task, marched from Madras in February, 17")-, with a detacinnent which, when augmented by a reinforcement from Arcot, consisted of 380 Europeans and 1300 sepoys, with six field-pieces. The enemy, though mustering -iOO Euro- Attempt

to siri)risc

peans, 2000 sepoys, and 2500 hoi"se, with a large train of aitillery, did not Arwt. venture to risk an encounter, and removed south to Vandaloor, where, as they strongly intrenched themselves, they seemed determined on a stand. On Olive's appi'oach it looked as if their courage had again failed them, for they had not only abandoned their camp, but dispei"sed as if some sudden terror had struck them. It soon appeared, however, that they were not obeying their feai"s, but following out a dee})-laid scheme. When again heard of they were united at Oonjeverani, and preparing to move west on Arcot. Aware that it had been almost entirel}' stripped of its gairison to furnish the above reinforcement, they had deter- mined to fall upon it suddenly, after they had tempted Olive so far away as to make it difficult for him to advance to its relief The stratagem nearly suc- ceeded, not merely in consequence of the feebleness of the garrison, but of treachery within it. Two native sepoy officers had been gained over, and were to have opened the gates. Fortunately the plot was discovered, and the enemy, finding that the signals agreed upon were not answered, went off as suddenly as the)' had appeared.

Notwithstanding intelligence of their departure, Olive continued his march Aflfair of westward, and at sunset had come within sight of Ooverypauk, when the van, advancing without suspicion, were fired upon from nine pieces of c<annon at the distance of only 250 yards. The whole enemy were here lying in ambascade, and the cannons were the French aitillery posted in a gi-ove, with a ditch and bank in front. Olive made his arrangements hastily, but with the greatest coolness. Ordering the infantry to take shelter in a water-course innnediately on the left, and the baggage to be moved back half a mile, under the guard of a platoon and one of the field-pieces, he sent a detachment, with two field-pieces, to oppose Rajah Sahib's cavalry, who were spreading out on the plain, and employed his other three remaining pieces to answer the fire fi-om the grove. The French infjintry advanced along the water-coui-se in a column of six men abreast, and were met by the English inf try in the same order. Neither ventured to come to the bayonet, and an indecisive fire of musketry was kept up for two houi-s by moonlight. The enemy's cavahy were also kept at bay, and failed in several attempts on the baggage. So far the fight was equal. It was otherwise with the artillery. Olive's three pieces were no match for the French nine, and so many of his gunnei-s were killed or di.sabled, that he saw no


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 "^'^^ HISTORY OF INDIA. [Book III.

AP- 1752. alternative but to take the enemy '.s battery or to retreat. The former, if prac- ticable, was of course the more desirable, and was at once adopted, when a sergeant, who had been sent to reconnoitre, returned with the infoiTnation that the enemy had left the rear of the grove without any guard A strong detach- ment was immediately despatched towards the enemy's rear by a long circuit. Clive himself accompanied it half-way, and returned only in time to find the troops he had left in the water-course on the point of giving way. He succeeded with some difficulty in rallying them, and had renewed the fight, when all at once the enemy's artillery ceased to fire. The attack on the rear had been completely successful. The detachment reached the grove unperceived, and gave a general volley at the distance of only thirty yards. The panic was instantan- eous, and the enemy fled without firing another shot. Many of the Frenchmen who had crowded into a choultry in the grove gladly accepted of quarter, and became prisoners of war. Among the immediate fruits of the victory were nine field-pieces, three coehorn mortars, and the surrender of the fort of Cover}'pauk. Clive continued his march to Arcot, and was next day on his way to Vel- lore, in the hopes of inducing Mortiz Ali to piy a contribution, or at least deliver up the elephants and baggage which Rajah Saliib had deposited with him, when he received an order to repair with all his force to Fort St. David, from which it was determined to despatch him, in command of a reinforcement, to Trichino- A memorial poly. In marcliiug south across the country in obedience to this order, he

of Dupi^rx.^ passed the spot where Nazir Jung had lost his life, and where Dupleix, to com- memorate the very detestable action whic'.i he heralded as a victory, had foimded a city under the name of Dupleix- Fateabad, or the City of Dupleix's Victory. In its centre a column, with a pompous inscription in French, Persian, and several Indian languages, was to have been erected. Clive did an act of jus- tice, as well as sound policy, by levelling the whole with the ground. Though his route lay tlirough a country still nominally in the hands of the enemy, no obstruction was offered. Their spirits and their force were equally broken ; and Mahomed Ali, who lately did not possess any spot north of the Coleroon, was, ^ mainly by Clive's exploits, put in virtual possession, as nabob, of a territory sixty miles long by thirty broad, and yielding an annual revenue of £150,000. Three days after Clive's arrival at Fort St. David, Major Lawrence returned from England and again assumed the chief military command.


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 Chap. VI.] SIEGE OF TRICHINOPOLY. 471

CHAPTER VI.

Continuation of the siege of Trichinopoly — Anival of Major Lawrence with a reinforcement — Mahomed All's tortuous proceedings — Discontent of his allies — Attempts of the French to recover their lost ground — Clive sails for England — Successes of Major Lawrence — New intrigues of Dupleix.

^SSp^.^^S!vs^ ^^-^^ Clive was gaining his successes in Arcot, Chunda a.d. ivsi. I, 'W ! 1^ !^||; I^ahib continued to beleaguer Trichinopoly. The chief bur- SBpy : '' l^j^r^ ' i' .^^W^^ '^ train of battering artillery from their settlement of Carrical, !^?!^*?^y?^'^^ erected their principal battery at the distance of 1 200 yards fiuni the iiorLli-ea-st angle of the fortress. Their head-quai"ters were fixed at sieg« »f
 * a : A, V ^f|' den of the siege fell upon the French, who, having obtained

^ . Trichino-

some distance eastwiird, near the south bank of the Cauvery ; and in order to iK.iy con save the trouble of connecting them by trenches, they converted the battery into a regular redoubt by inclosing the flanks and rear with a parapet and a ditch. The battery was mounted with three eighteen-pounders and three mortai-s ; and on a rock, afterwards known as the French Rock, situated nearly due south of the battery and about 2000 yards from the south-east angle of the fortress, two eighteen-pounders were placed. Two gims were also posted on the north bank of the Cauvery, within the island of Seringham, opposite to the northern gate. These arrangements indicated a great lack of engineering skill and enter[)rise, as ■ both of the two gun-batteries were far too distant to make any impression on the walls. Accordingly, after they had continued for several days wasting their ammunition to no purpose, the troops under Captain Gingen not only got rid of their former fears, but ran to the opposite extreme, and blamed him for not alh)wing them to be foolhardy. All his caution, though it had formerly been excessive, was now necessary to prevent them from exposing themselves to disaster.

To meet the enemy's attack the defenders raised up a glacis, leaving nothing Nature

A ■. • ^^ the de-

but the parapet of the wall visible, ojiposite to the principal battery, flung up fences.

an entrenchment opposite to the French Rock, and mounted two guns close to

the south bank of the Cauvery, to answer those on the opposite side in the

island of Senngham. A constant firing was now kept up on both sides without

any result. The time wasted, however, began to tell severely against Mahomed

Ali, whose resources were much more limited than those of the besiegers.

Besides maintaining his own troops he was expected to subsidize the Company's

k troops. This he feared would soon become impossible, and the consequence might be that these troops would withdraw and leave him to his fate. Very naturally, therefore, he looked about for new allies, and found one in My.sore,