32 HOW I KILLED THE TIGER. 



only one thousand European troops, two thousand 

 Sepoys, and eight field-pieces, he completely de- 

 feated the army of Surajah Dowlah, consisting of 

 fifty-thousand foot, eighteen-thousand horse, and 

 fifty heavy cannon. By this victory Bengal, Behar, 

 and Orissa, were thrown into British hands. 



The great East India Company continued to 

 thrive and grow in power till its dissolution in 

 1858, when all its rights passed to the British 

 Government. In its wars of conquest the Com- 

 pany had been almost continuously successful. A 

 severe reverse was sustained, however, in Afghan- 

 istan in 1841, when many thousands of soldiers 

 perished in the retreat. But their severest trial 

 occurred in 1857-8, in which years the native 

 army revolted, and many of the native races both 

 Hindu and Mahommedan rebelled. In 1857 the 

 number of British soldiers in India had been 

 allowed to fall very low, and it was supposed 

 that the disaffected soldiery of the Bengal Army 

 took that opportunity to mutiny. Various causes 

 have been suggested to account for that dis- 

 affection ; but there is a general impression that 

 our defeats in Afghanistan had made the native 

 troops think slightingly of British power and 

 prowess. Undoubtedly a great change had been 

 taking place in the temper of a naturally arrogant 

 oriental race, who respect (almost worship) might, 



