£84 



PINDARKE WAR. 



fire of the garrison again baffled every effort. The bat- 

 teries, however, continued to play till the walls, which were 

 by no means lofty, were reduced almost to a heap of ruins ; 

 and the natives then evacuated the place which they had so 

 gallantly defended. General Martindale, who now took the 

 command, advanced to attack the enemy stationed at the 

 strong fort of Jytuk ; but here again the British troops, 

 through their too impetuous valour, were thrown into confu- 

 sion, and obliged to fall back with considerable loss. At 

 the same time, the army which was attempting to penetrate 

 direct into Nepaul through the district of Sarun had two of 

 its detachments surrounded and cut off; so that operations 

 on that side were completely paralyzed. 



These events produced an alarming sensation at Calcutta, 

 while they were received with the highest exultation in 

 all the native courts, which were watching for an opportu- 

 nity to effect the downfall of British power in India. Move- 

 ments were made by Sindia and other princes, which seemed 

 to call for an increase of the corps of observation stationed 

 in their territories. Yet the Marquis of Hastings judiciously 

 considered, that to obtain some decisive success over the 

 Nepaulese, and compel them to sue for peace, was the only 

 mode by which the evil could be remedied. He therefore 

 augmented and concentrated his force on the theatre of 

 war. General Ochterlony, hitherto checked by the losses 

 of the division that was to act in combination with him, be- 

 gan vigorous operations on the offensive. He had already 

 compelled Ameer Sing to retire from the heights of Ramghur 

 to those of Malown, which were also exceedingly strong. 

 He had likewise reduced Ramyrhur, Bellaspore, and the 

 other fastnesses which commanded this mountain-region. 

 At the same time (he province of Kemaoon being left un- 

 protected, a detachment was sent under Colonel Nicolls, 

 who besieged, and on the 25th April, L815, took Almora, its 

 capital. Ameer, being now closely confinod to his fortified 

 post at Malown, was obliged to capitulate, though on hon- 

 ourable terms, being allowed to join the main army with the 

 troops under his charge. 



The government of Nepaul were so deeply discouraged 

 by these reverses, that notwithstanding the opposition of 

 several chiefs, and particularly of Ameer Sing, who pro- 

 posed even to seek support from the Emperor of China, 



