The Life of Robert, Lord Clive, Vol. 1 (of 3): Collected from the Family Papers Communicated by the Earl of PowisMalcolm, John
History
The Life of Robert, Lord Clive, Vol. 1 (of 3): Collected from the Family Papers Communicated by the Earl of Powis
Malcolm, John
Clive, Robert Clive, Baron, 1725-1774; India -- History -- British occupation, 1765-1947
"The inhabitants in the fort, satisfied with the treatment they had
received from the garrison, betrayed no symptoms of insurrection during
the attack.
"The acquisition of the fort of Arcot soon produced the effect which
had been expected from it. Chunda Sahib detached 4000 of his troops,
horse and foot, from Trichinopoly, who, in their route, were joined by
his son Rajah Sahib with 150 Europeans from Pondicherry, and, together
with the troops already collected in the neighbourhood of Arcot,
entered the city on the 23d of September, and Rajah Sahib fixed his
head-quarters in the palace of the Nabob.
"Captain Clive, finding himself on the point of being closely besieged,
determined to make one vigorous effort to drive the enemy out of the
town, which, if it did not succeed, might at least produce the good
effect of impressing them with an opinion of the courage of his men.
On the 24th at noon, the greatest part of the garrison, with the four
field-pieces, sallied out of the north-west gate: this faced a street,
which, after continuing about seventy yards in a direct line to the
north, turned off to the east, and formed another street, at the end of
which, on the left hand, was situated the Nabob's palace. This fronted
another street, which, striking to the south, continued on the eastern
side of the fort. The square interval between these three streets and
the northern wall of the fort was filled with buildings and enclosures.
Captain Clive, intending to place the enemy between two fires, ordered
a platoon under the command of Ensign Glass to march up the street
on the eastern side of the fort, which led up to the palace, and
advancing himself, with the main body, along the street leading from
the north-west gate, found the French troops, with four field-pieces,
drawn up at the end of the cross street in front of the palace. Captain
Clive's party no sooner came in sight of them, than a hot cannonade
ensued in the cross street, at the distance of only thirty yards. The
French in a few minutes were driven from their guns, and ran into the
palace; but by this time the troops of Rajah Sahib had taken possession
of all the houses in the street; and secure under this cover, kept up a
continual fire from their musketry, with such good aim, that fourteen
men, who pushed to bring away the French guns, were all either killed
or wounded. There was on one side of the street a large choultry: these
are buildings intended for the reception of travellers, covered, and
enclosed on three sides with walls, but open in front, where, instead
of a wall, the roof is supported by pillars.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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