CAPTURE OF AHMEDNUGGER. 157 



Bassein, but declared that their troops were in their own 

 territory without any hostile intention. At length the 

 remonstrances of Colonel Collins, seconded by a letter from 

 General Wellesley, procured for him an audience on the 

 25th July ; though he obtained nothing beyond shifts and 

 excuses till the 31st, when he threatened an immediate 

 departure. He was then invited to the rajah's tent, and a 

 proposal was made that the allies should 'retire to Burhan- 

 poor, fifty-eight miles in their rear, provided the English 

 commander would withdraw histroopS to their usual stations 

 at Madras and Bombay. This arrangement, which would 

 have left the Mahratta territory entirely at the disposal of 

 the confederates, was at once rejected ; and they at length 

 offered to march back to their respective capitals, provided 

 the British army should commence a retrograde movement 

 on the very same day. This proposition was judged worthy 

 of being transmitted to the general. The letter, however, 

 purporting to convey it, on being delivered, was found to 

 contain no such offer, but merely the first and rejected 

 proposition. The resident, then concluding that the sole 

 object of the confederates was to gain time, at once quitted 

 the camp, and the war immediately commenced. 



General Wellesley, with characteristic promptitude, 

 marched upon Ahmednugger, and on the 8th August, 1803, 

 summoned that fortress, which was considered one of the 

 bulwarks of the Deccan. On the first day the town was 

 stormed, and on the 10th a battery was opened against the 

 fort, which on the 12th was evacuated by the garrison. He 

 then proceeded to the city of Aurungabad. Meantime, 

 however, the confederates with their numerous cavalry had 

 passed Colonel Stevenson, and appeared resolved to cross 

 the Godavery and make a rapid march against Hydrabad, 

 the capital of the nizam. Wellesley, however, by a judicious 

 movement, obliged them to return northwards. But as the 

 flying warfare, which they seemed inclined to pursue, would 

 have been exceedingly harassing, his grand object was to 

 bring them, almost on any terms, to close combat. The 

 two English commanders with this view marched separately, 

 though at a small distance, along the two toads by which 

 the enemy was expected to pass. General Wellesley, having 

 learned that their infantry was encamped in his vicinity, 

 hastened forward; when, on reaching the plain contiguous 

 Vol.II.-O 



