The descendant of the Moguls had no small reason to rejoice in finding himself under the general's protection, for Scindia had tyrannised over him barbarously, and before that chief obtained possession of his person, another named Gholaum Khadir had, as already related, pricked out one of his eyes with the point of his own dagger. He was now in his eighty-third year. In 1806 he died, and was succeeded by the heir apparent, Prince Mirza Akbar Shah, who ascended the throne without molestation, a circumstance almost without parallel in the history of Hindostan.*

Little could Mirza Akbar foresee where he, in old age, was to end his days, after deeds yet to be related.

Leaving Colonel (afterwards Sir David) Ochterlony, one of the most famous officers in the Indian army, whose name is still borne by the 55th and 56th Bengal Infantry, in command at Delhi, with only one regiment and some recruits, on the 24th of September, 1803, General Lake began his march along the right bank of the Jumna, against Agra, which was held by some of Scindia's forces. By the 7th of October he had invested the place, and two days after concluded a friendly treaty with the Rajah of Bhurtpore, who reinforced him by 5,000 cavalry. The garrison of Agra-a stately and fortified city, which is one of the keys of Western Indiahad, previous to the war, been commanded by British officers in Scindia's service; but these were all now prisoners, and retained in confinement. So completely was the garrison demoralised by the want of leaders, that when Lake's summons arrived, no answer was returned. A resolute defence had been resolved on.

Of Scindia's infantry, seven regular battalions were encamped on the glacis, and held the city and some deep sandy ravines on the south and western faces of the fort, and the dislodgment of these troops was necessary before approaches could be made. They were accordingly attacked on the morning of the roth, and, after a fierce conflict, completely defeated, and the city, with twenty-six beautiful brass guns and as many tumbrils of ammunition, fell into our possession. The survivors of the troops outside the fort, 2,500 strong, surrendered, and after that event, the siege made rapid progress. On the 17th, a battery of eight 18-pounders was brought into play, and a breach would soon have been practicable, but, on the 18th, under the influence of a British officer within, the garrison surrendered, asking only permission to retain their clothing. The Mahrattas, 5,500 strong, marched *Major Thorn.

out prisoners of war. Treasure, equal to the value of £220,000, was found in the treasury, and this money General Perron had the coolness to claim as his personal property, a claim which was rejected by Colonel Hessing, the governor, who affirmed that the money was the property of the State.

There were taken 164 pieces of cannon. "Among these," says Major Thorn, was one enormous brass gun, which, for magnitude and beauty, stands unrivalled. Its length was 14 feet 2 inches, its calibre 23 inches, the weight of its ball, when of cast iron, 1,500 lbs., its whole weight 96,600 lbs., or little above 38 tons."+

It was the intention of General Lake to have sent this gun to London, but proving too heavy for the raft on which it was to be transported to Calcutta, it, unfortunately, sank in the river.

Agra is now the provincial seat of a government. By the Hindoos it is called Parasu Rama, and is held by them in great veneration, as the place of the avatar, or incarnation of Vishnu. It is also famous as the birthplace of Abu Fayal, the prime minister of the Emperor Ackbar. By its capture the navigation of the Jumna was secured to us, and all obstacles to the alliance and co-operation of the independent chiefs in that quarter were removed. But, at an early stage of the campaign, it would seem that Scindia had detached seven of his disciplined battalions from the Deccan under Dudernaigue, a French officer, who was then joined by three of those of Louis Bourquien, which had not been engaged at Delhi. There was also another battalion made up of fugitives from the field and Agra. His whole force amounted to 9,000 infantry and 1,500 excellent cavalry, with a fine train of artillery. All these trained soldiers, with their officers, had their existence and pay to fight for, and were not likely to be dispersed without some trouble, as every hour increased their number.

Dudernaigue, however, lost heart, and surrendered to Lord Lake. He was succeeded by a Mahratta leader, under whom, during the siege of Agra, they had hovered about thirty miles distant from our outposts. On ascertaining that they intended to drive Ochterlony out of Delhi, and recapture that place, General Lake commenced his march against them on the 27th of September.

He advanced in a south-westerly direction to Futtehpore, a town once famous for the resort of Mohammedan pilgrims and for an amphitheatre, having high towers, constructed by Ackbar for elephant fights and the game of Chowgong, now all a heap of deserted ruins. There he left his heavy guns and baggage, under care of two battalions of

"Mem. of the War in India."

1803.]

native infantry. On the 31st of October, after wheeling to the westward, he reached Cutumbo, from which the enemy had fallen back on the preceding evening; but, as he was close upon their track, he was determined not to permit them to escape, and pursued them with his cavalry, now consisting of eight regiments, three of which were Europeans-the 8th Royal Irish, 27th and 29th Light Dragoons.

Setting out at eleven at night, and leaving orders for the infantry to push on next morning at three, after riding twenty-five miles over rough ways, in about six hours, on the 1st of November, he came up with the enemy, now mustering 5,000 cavalry and 9,000 infantry, with 72 pieces of cannon. They appeared to be in order of retreat, thus, without waiting for the infantry, General Lake daringly resolved to attack them with the sabre alone. The enemy, by cutting a large tank, had so greatly impeded the progress of his troopers, that the former had time to halt, face about, and take up a position at the village of Laswaree, forty miles westward of Bhurtpore.

Their right flank lay in front of the place, and in their rear was a rivulet, having steep and rugged banks. Their left rested on the village of Mohulpore, and their centre, partly concealed by high grass, was defended by a formidable line of cannon, chained together, the more effectually to prevent the penetration of cavalry. In taking up this position, their movements had been somewhat concealed by the dense clouds of dust raised by the hoofs of Lake's approaching cavalry, till, suddenly, the latter came upon them and beheld the dark columns in their wild Mahratta costumes, their horses and cannon showing darkly in the grey morning and through the eddying dust. "Thus, moving somewhat in the dark, General Lake ordered the 1st brigade of cavalry to push upon a point where the enemy had previously been seen in motion, while the rest of the cavalry were ordered to follow up the attack in succession as fast as they could form after crossing the rivulet. The point thus attacked had, in consequence of their change of position, become their left, and the resistance proved so obstinate that the commander found it necessary, after a heavy loss, to wait the arrival of the infantry."

General Lake posted a portion of his cavalry to watch the movements of the enemy, while the rest were to support the columns of attack. What were wont to be named galloper-guns in those days (pieces of small calibre), were so planted as to cover the advance of the latter. Ere our lines were well in Position, the Mahratta leader, already disconcerted,

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thought of retiring with the loss only of his chained ordnance, and actually made an offer to surrender them, on certain conditions, which were granted, on the proviso that he fulfilled them within an hour. Meanwhile our troops remained steadily on their ground as the morning came in. The 76th Regiment and six battalions of sepoys were close to the village of Laswaree in two brigades; the first formed the right wing, under General Ware; the second formed the left, under General St. John. The hour, which was full of fate to many, having expired, the infantry began to move along the bank of the rivulet nearly at right angles with the position of the enemy, with the object of turning their right flank.

Lake headed one column in person. The sepoys came up confusedly, slowly, and evinced much disposition to leave all the fighting to the Europeans, while the cannonade now opened upon them was coolly and rapidly poured in. "The effect of this fire, which was terrible in the extreme, was felt with peculiar severity by the 76th Regiment, which fine body, by heading the attack, as usual, became the object of direct destruction. So great, indeed, was the loss of this corps, and such was the furious fire of the enemy, that the commander-inchief deemed it more advisable to hasten the attack with that regiment (and the Native Infantry, consisting of the 2nd Regiment, 12th and 6th Companies of the 2nd Battalion of the 16th Regiment, which had closed to the front), than to wait till the remainder of the column should be formed, whose advance had been delayed by unavoidable impediment."

At the head of the 76th, Lake led the way, sword in hand, through the tall feathery grass, which greatly hampered every movement, till the ranks began to waver under the showers of cannistershot which tore through them, and the Mahratta horse attempted to charge, but were gallantly repulsed; and then Lake ordered ours to charge in turn. This service was splendidly performed by the 29th Light Dragoons, who cut a passage through both lines of the enemy's infantry, wheeled round upon their cavalry, drove them from the field in a confused herd, and then attacked the rear of their second line.

Meantime, the first had been hurled back upon the latter by Lake's steady advance. Both lines were thus huddled together and attacked in front and rear; but on this occasion, Scindia's trained brigades showed themselves worthy of the high reputation they had won under Perron and Bourquien, and, scorning to yield, continued the conflict with resolute valour, till-with the exception of about 2,000 who were broken up and captured

The right attack-where the 76th, then a Scotch regiment, was secured the victory; but Lake's loss was heavy. "In killed and wounded it amounted to 1,006," says Major Hough; "of these the cavalry lost 528, H. M. 76th Regiment 213, the 2nd Battalion, 12, and a company of the 16th lost 188, leaving the remainder-sixty-fiveto be divided among all the other corps, and 553 horses killed, wounded, and missing. The guns captured were seventy-one in number." *

Of the enemy, 7,000 lay dead upon the field; their bazaars, equipage, elephants and camels were taken, together with 1,500 bullocks, 5,000 stand of arms, forty-four standards, three tumbrils laden with treasure, and sixty-four with ammunition, fifty-seven carts with stores; and the effect of this victory was to give us undisputed possession of all Scindia's territories north of the Chumbul.

Writing of the destroyed battalions-the famous "Deccan Invincibles," as they boasted themselves -General Lake affirmed that they were "uncommonly well appointed, had a most numerous artillery, as well served as they could possibly be, the gunners standing to their guns until killed by the bayonet; all the sepoys of the enemy behaved exceedingly well, and if they had (still) been commanded by French officers, the event would have been, I fear, extremely doubtful. I never was in so severe a business in my life, and pray to God I may never be in such a situation again. Their

spared whatever. They have three times the num ber of men to a gun that we have; their bullocks

of which they have many more than we have— are of a very superior sort; all their knapsacks and baggage are carried upon camels, by which means they can march double the distance." Lake took into the British service all Scindia's gunners who were willing to enlist, so greatly did he appreciate their conduct at Laswaree. Among the most distinguished officers who fell here, was LieutenantColonel T. Pakenham Vandeleur, of the 8th Royal Irish. This field, called by the natives the battle of Putpurgunj, was long remembered with triumph, and is thus referred to in the spirited old "Song of the Soubahdar : "

"But Agra, Delhi, Allyghur, and Coel's deeds were vain,
Without the crowning victory upon Laswaree's plain ;
The flower of Scindia's chivalry-the Invincible Brigade-
To make one furious struggle yet, were for the strife arrayed.

"Upon our rear they hung, and watched our gallant chief's success,

In hope some chance of war might rise, their bold designs to bless ;

The royal city we had won they hungered to retake,
But they little knew the prompt resolve – the active mind of
Lake!

"Of Holkar and his false allies—their treachery, intrigue, How retribution reached them soon, before the walls of Deeg; How, with every kindly wish, and prayer of every heart, Our loved old leader, Lake, was doomed at last from us to part."

THE atmosphere about Laswaree having become tainted by the number of dead, the army, on the 8th of November, began to retrace its route eastward in the direction of Agra, to which city the sick, wounded, and captured guns were sent on the 14th, while the troops halted at Paiashur, where a fortnight was passed by General Lake in receiving various native princes, whom the event of the 1st of November had considerably impressed. Among those with whom he formed treaties of

* Hist. of Mil. Exploits and Pol. Events in India."

alliance were the Rajah of Machery, in the principality of Alwar; the Rajah of Jeypore, a powerful Rajpoot; and the Rajah of Joudpore, in the district called the Marwar; and also with the widow, the Begum Sumroo. Among other ambassadors came one from the blind Emperor of Delhi, clad in a khelat, or gorgeous dress of honour, to congratulate the victor of Laswaree, who received him with the highest military honours.†

After this the army marched on the 27th, and + Major Thorn, 25th Light Dragoons.

1803.]

took up a position at Biana, a town situated at the base of a hill, fifty-four miles distant from Agra, whereon are the ruins of the former town of the same name, which was the capital of a province in the days of the Emperor Baber.

The conquest of Bundelcund was now the object in view. It is a mountainous, and was, then, an imperfectly-cultivated country, lying between the 24th and 26th degrees of northern latitude, and though frequently over-run by the Mohammedans, it is easily defended. It took its name from its inhabitants, the Bundela race, and though nominally belonging to the Peishwa, in virtue of a treaty made with him in August, 1803, he had ceded the greater part of his claim to it to the Company, receiving in lieu Savanore and Benkapore, in the South Mahratta country, and some lands in the neighbourhood of Surat. As usual, the Company were the gainers: the territories ceded yielded them upwards of thirty-six lacs of rupees; those given in exchange barely yielded nineteen lacs. The treaty was finally concluded on the 16th of December, 1803, and was deemed but a supplement to that of Bassein.

Now it came to pass that, not unnaturally, the Bundela chiefs resented this assignment of their lands and persons. Among these was Shamsheer Bahadur, who claimed-by lineal descent from Bajee Rao, the first Peishwa, and by grants made to his ancestors-the lands he owned, and resolved to defend them by the sword against all comers. The Marquis of Wellesley was equally determined to enforce the treaty; thus war became inevitable.

On the 6th of September, 1803, Colonel Powell, at the head of a body of troops, marched from Allahabad into Bundelcund, where his small force was joined by a Bundela chief, named Hemmat Bahadur, with 8,000 irregular foot, 4,000 horse, three sepoy battalions, and twenty-five guns. Hemmat was a Gosain, or a religious character, and was also a somewhat reckless military adventurer, who had deserted the cause of his own country and given his adhesion to the British Government. On the 23rd of the month they reached the Ken or Cane, which comes from the Vindhya Mountains, and the bed of which teems with fine agates and jasper; and, at a point where it flows past Kallinger, a stone fortress which crowns the summit of a lofty mountain, and is so ancient that Mahmoud of Ghizni vainly besieged it in 1024, they found Shamsheer Bahadur strongly posted on the opposite bank. After capturing several fortlets in his vicinity, on the 10th of October they crossed the river, and after a toilsome six hours' march through a wild and mountainous country, they came upon the forces of Shamsheer drawn up in

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battle array. After showing a resolute front for a short space, they gave way, and Shamsheer's men being well mounted, escaped with little loss; and seeing, perhaps, the futility of resistance, he began to negotiate for peace, but after procrastinating for two months, he suddenly took the field again.

On this the colonel resumed the offensive, and laid siege to Calpee, on the right bank of the Jumna. The fort occupies a strong position, and commands the passage of the river; but Powell captured it on the 4th December. Then the luckless Shamsheer threw himself on the mercy of the colonel, to whom several other Bundela chiefs now gave their enforced adherence, and who treated them with generosity.

Among these, the most important was Ambajee Inglia, who had acted as Scindia's minister, and under him held vast territories, including those of the Rana of Gohud. In the October of 1803, he offered to renounce Scindia, and become a tributary of the Company, on certain conditions; and by the 16th December a treaty was concluded with him, by which he resigned to them the great fortress of Gwalior and all his territories north of it, and was recognised as independent sovereign of all the rest, save those of the Rana of Gohud, to whom a previous treaty had guaranteed them. But when Colonel White, on the 21st December, arrived at the head of a force, with General Lake's orders to take possession, the killedar of Gwalior declined to obey either him or Ambajee, until the place was breached, and about to be stormed, when the garrison capitulated.

In its place we have narrated the dissolution of the alliance between Scindia and Ragojee Bhonsla of Berar, when General Wellesley's truce deprived the latter of any participation or benefit in the armistice, and left him to contend with us singlehanded. Scindia had stipulated to march his forces eastward of Ellichpoor, yet on the 28th of November, three days after, a great force of his cavalry was seen united with those of the Rajah of Berar, and acting in concert with the latter's infantry and artillery.

Viewing this as a direct violation of truce, General Wellesley was prompt in action, and despite the remonstrances of Scindia's vakeel, who was still in our camp, resolved to attack them all. He accordingly marched with his division of the army, and after pursuing a long and fatiguing route, came up with them near the little village of Argaum, in the province of Berar, thirty-five miles distant from Ellichpoor.

General Wellesley, in his report to the Governor