CAPTURE OF BHURTPORE. 207 



a great scale was the arduous but finally successful one 

 with the Birman empire, by which the company gained a 

 considerable territory along the Bay of Bengal. There 

 occurred, however, one hostile movement, the narrative of 

 which must not be omitted. After the death of the Rajah 

 of Bhurtpore in 1825, his legitimate heir, Bulwunt Singh, 

 being dethroned by Doorjun Sal, his cousin, applied for aid 

 to Sir David Ochterlony, then resident at Delhi. That 

 officer embraced the prince's cause ; but his conduct in 

 doing so was disavowed by the governor-general, Lord 

 Amherst, who showed a disposition to proceed upon the old 

 principle of non-interference. Further information, how- 

 ever, induced him to change this intention, and Lord Com- 

 bermere was ordered to march upon the city and expel the 

 usurper. This able commander accordingly, with 25,000 

 men and an ample train of artillery, proceeded to attack 

 that celebrated fortress. The siege was begun on the 23d 

 December ; but it was soon found that cannon-shot could 

 not penetrate mud-walls sixty feet thick, and that it would 

 be necessary to employ mining operations. By means of 

 these a breach was effected on the 17th January, 1826 ; the 

 assault was given next morning, and after a gallant defence 

 of two hours, in which many veterans who had triumph- 

 antly fought in the former siege took an active part, the 

 place was carried ; Doorjun was made prisoner ; and there 

 remained no longer in Hindostan a fortress that had success- 

 fully defied the British arms. While this conflict lasted a 

 general ferment was observable among the surrounding 

 principalities ; and Bishop Heber doubts not, that had the 

 attack failed, the whole country westward of the Jumna 

 would have risen in arms, at least so far as to resume the 

 predatory system of warfare. This triumph, however, 

 checked the disposition to revolt, and completely confirmed 

 the supremacy of Britain over the whole of India, 



