BATTLES OF PATNA AND BUXAR. 35 



The nabob's only hope henceforth rested on Patna, which 

 was soon after invested. He reinforced the garrison with 

 10,000 men, and supported the defence by strong bodies of 

 irregular cavalry. The resistance was vigorous ; the 

 garrison took one of the English batteries, and blew up 

 their magazine ; yet in eight days a breach was effected, 

 and the place was taken by storm. Cossim Ali then gave 

 up all for lost, and fled into the country of Oude to implore 

 the aid and protection of the Subahdar Sujah Dowlah. 

 That prince had then a still more illustrious refugee in the 

 individual who by legitimate descent bore the mighty name 

 of the Great Mogul. At this court the fugitive viceroy 

 was well received, and Sujah Dowlan, probably with a 

 view to his own aggrandizement, undertook to support his 

 cause ; after which these three distinguished princes 

 marched with their united force to attack the British army. 

 It happened then to be veiy ill prepared to sustain so 

 formidable an encounter. The troops, composed in a great 

 measure of foreigners and sepoys, complained that, after 

 such a series of brilliant victories, they were left, not only 

 without reward, but suffering severely from the climate and 

 scarcity of provisions. Their discontents broke forth into 

 open mutiny, and numbers even separated from the main 

 body. Major Carnac, who in these circumstances assumed 

 the command, did not feel himself in a condition to under- 

 take offensive operations, but waited the attack in his camp 

 near Patna. The soldiers, when engaged in battle, forgot 

 their mutinous propensities, and behaved with the utmost 

 steadiness. After a protracted conflict, they completely 

 repulsed the enemy, though from extreme fatigue they 

 were unfit for any lengthened pursuit. Sujah Dowlah was 

 obliged to retreat into Oude, whither the English commander 

 did not attempt to follow him. 



In May, 1764, the command devolved upon Major Hector 

 Monro, an enterprising officer, who determined to follow 

 up the advantages gained by his predecessors. It appeared 

 indispensable, however, to begin by completely checking 

 the spirit of insubordination, and to employ for this pur- 

 pose measures of imposing rigour. A battalion of sepoys 

 having left the camp, soon after this commander's arrival, 

 was pursued and brought back ; when, selecting twenty- 



