TREATY OF BHURTPORE. 169 



resolution : the kingdom of the Mahrattas, he observed, 

 was in their saddle ; his was within his ramparts. Hitherto, 

 in general, the reduction even of the strongest forts had 

 proceeded in a sure and regular course ; the trenches were 

 opened, a storming party was selected, who forced their 

 way in with greater or smaller loss, and were masters of the 

 place. But the defenders of Bhurtpore not only fought 

 with the most daring valour, but called into action means 

 of defence and annoyance which the English had never 

 elsewhere encountered, and for which they were wholly 

 unprepared. They rendered the breach impracticable, by 

 raising behind it stockades and other bulwarks ; they made 

 the ditch unfordable, by damming up the waters ; and 

 during the assault logs of wood, pots filled with combus- 

 tibles, and burning cotton-bales steeped in oil, were thrown 

 down upon the soldiers. In short, the British army were re- 

 pulsed in four successive attempts, sustaining in killed and 

 wounded a loss of 3203, — greater than had occurred in 

 any two battles during this obstinately disputed campaign. 

 Even their glory was somewhat tarnished. The 76th, 

 hitherto the bravest among the brave and the foremost in 

 every triumph, along with the 75th, refused on one occasion 

 to follow their officers, after the 12th Bengal sepoys had 

 planted the colours on the top of the rampart. Being 

 bitterly reproached by General Lake for having thus caused 

 the failure of the assault, they were overpowered with 

 shame, and entreated to be led to a last attack, where they 

 displayed a desperate but useless valour. 



It was now necessary to intermit the operations of the 

 siege in order to repair the losses sustained, and to bring 

 forward more adequate means of attack. The rajah, how- 

 ever, apprehensive of the final issue, and seeing that his 

 entire downfall must follow the loss of his capital, made very 

 advantageous overtures, including the payment of twenty 

 lacks of rupees as the price of peace ; while, on the other 

 hand, the situation of affairs was such as induced the 

 English general, on the 10th April, to embrace the con- 

 ditions, and even to promise, in case of a steady adherence 

 to treaty, the restoration of the fortress of Deeg. 



Holkar, during the siege, had made several exertions to 

 interrupt or retard it by movements with his cavalry. He 

 partly supceeded; but a large body under Ameer Khan 



Vol. II.— P 



