While at Moses’ Well, several soldiers died of the plague, when the men’s clothing, bedding, and tents were burnt, and the six companies embarked for India; no other cases of the plague occurring, the companies landed at Bombay on the 4th of July. In November, the three companies arrived from the province of Guzerat, and the regiment was once more united at Bombay. The EIGHTY-SIXTH were only permitted to enjoy a short repose at Bombay: the hostile demonstrations of some of the predatory states composing the Mahratta power, rendering it necessary for the British forces to be held in readiness for active operations, and assembled on the verge of the British territory. The Mahratta states were united by a sentiment of interest founded upon their common origin, civil and religious usages, and habits of conquest and depredation; the chiefs acted as independent sovereigns, but nominally acknowledged the supreme authority of the Peishwah. They, however, viewed with jealousy the treaties between the British and the Peishwah, as tending to restrain their predatory habits, and prevent their acquisition of power; and this acknowledged head of the Mahratta states found his independence controlled, and the existence of his government menaced by the violence and ambition of his feudatory chieftains; at the same time he was unable to fulfil his engagements with the British, the safety of whose possessions was endangered. In consequence of these events, connected with other causes, the EIGHTY-SIXTH left Bombay in the middle of November, for the province of Guzerat, and landed at Cambay, from whence they marched towards the hostile fortress of _Baroda_, in the vicinity of which place they encamped, with several other corps, on the 3rd of December. An enemy’s force was assembled to protect the fortress, and on the 18th of December the British advanced, leaving their tents standing, and engaged their opponents. During the fight the garrison made a sally; but the English proved victorious, routing their adversaries with great slaughter, and capturing a pair of Arab colours and many prisoners. During the night the erection of batteries commenced; on the 21st of December the fire of the artillery was opened, and the flank companies of the EIGHTY-SIXTH stormed an outwork, defended by Arabs, who refused quarter, and were nearly all destroyed, very few escaping. In four days the breach was practicable, and the storming parties were ready; but the garrison surrendered. The EIGHTY-SIXTH had seven men killed, and twenty-three wounded in these services. Captain John Grant distinguished himself during the siege, and at the storming of the outwork. Towards the end of this year, the usurpations of Jeswunt Rao Holkar, one of the Mahratta chiefs, forced the Peishwah to abandon his capital, and to seek British aid, when a treaty was concluded with him; and the refractory chiefs persisting in aggression, hostilities were commenced to reinstate the deposed chieftain.