GA NOETIC HINDOOSTAN. 



StrabOy Jrriafi, and Pliny, drew their knowlege refpedting the 

 hiil:ory of India. Strabo, lib. ii. p. 121, fpeaks of this writer 

 with very nnjuftifiable feverities. Arrian-i Exped. Alex. lib. vi. 

 p. 321, fpeaks of him and Eratofthenes, the great Alexandrian 

 librarian, as authors of moft approved authority. Fliny proba- 

 bly made his extracts from Strabo. 



Its fucceffor Fatna, the capital of Bahar, with the fuburbs, Patna. 

 extends five miles along the banks of the rivers, but is often in 

 depth not more than a fingle ftreet. It is built with the fame 

 inequality as other Indian cities, magnificent ftone buildings, 

 difgraced by multitudes of miferable mud and ftraw cottages ; 

 the whole is fortified. Mr. Daniell, N" X, gives a view of part, 

 impending over the Ganges. In 1763, we had a fadory in this 

 city, defended by fortifications, and garrifoned. A war, the 

 caufe to be mentioned in its place, had happened in Bengal, and 

 fpread far to the weft; the parties the Englijlj Company, and 

 its renewed Nabob Meer Jaffier ; and on the other fide Sujah 

 ul Dozvlab, and his ally Mir Cqffitn, our depofed Nabob, who, 

 at that time, pofieffed Fatna. The members of the facStory 

 took it in their heads to make themfelves mafters of the place, 

 and, notwithftanding it was powerfully provided with troops, 

 they fncceeded in their defign. The governor and his garrifon 

 fled, but recovering their fpirits, returned and retook Patna 

 within four hours after they had fliamefully deferted theii' 

 charge. The Englijlj were foon obliged to evacuate the fort; 

 they were overtaken in their retreat, ftood two engagements, 

 in the laft of which they were totally defeated. Some deputies 

 we had fent to treat about the releafe of the prifoners were 



Vol. IL G g murdered, 



--:> 



War with 



MiK CoasiM. 



