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 452 HISTORY OF INDIA. [Book JIL

AD. ivf.i. themselves entitled to expect; and that one-half of the contents of Nazir Jung's

treasury should be distributed among them. Miizziiffer Duplcix undcrtook the office of mediator, and, after several days spent in

.Iiuigconfers ...

oxtensive discussion, concluded an arrangement, which was signed by all the parties, and oiiiLix! " with which all of them declared themselves perfectly satisfied. Business was naturally succeeded by festivities, and Pondicherry assumed the appearance of a gay and luxurious capital The most gorgeous of the ceremonies was the instal- lation of MuzzufFer Jung as soubahdar. His first act, after it was completed, was to declare Dupleix governor for the Mogul of all the countries south of the Kistna. All the revenues due to the Mogul from these countries were, in the first instance, to pass through his hand ; and no coin but what was coined at Pondicherry was to be current in the Camatic. From the terms used it is difficult to say whether it was meant that the soubahdar or Dupleix should in future take precedence ; but in the appointment of Chunda Sahib to the nabob- ship of Arcot and its dependencies, it was expressly stated that he was to hold it under Dupleix, as his superior. To the French East India Company the immediate advantages were the acquisition of tracts of territory near Pondi- cherry, Carrical in Tanjore, and Masulipatam, producing a revenue estimated by themselves at £38,000, but probably not less than £50,000; the indirect advantages were unlimited, inasmuch as, under the titles and powers confen-ed on their governor, they could make them anything they pleased. The treasure taken from Nazir Jung was estimated at £2,000,000 sterling, exclusive of the jewels, worth at least £500,000. Of the treasure, one-half belonged to the Patans, under the agreement ; the other half, and the jewels, were appropriated by the soubahdar, subject, however, to a deduction of £50,000 paid to the com- pany, as the expenses of the war, £50,000 to the officers and troops which gained the battle of Gingee, and a present to Dupleix, consisting, besides many precious jewels, of money fixed at the conjectural amount of £200,000. Is slain. Muzzuffer Jung left Pondicherry for Golconda on the 4th of January, 1751,

accompanied by his own troops, and also a French detachment, commanded by M. Bussy, and consisting of 300 Europeans and 2000 sepoys. On reaching the territory of Kurpa, a quarrel ensued between some of the inhabitants and the 3oldiers, and three villages were set on fire. The nabob, professing great indig- nation at the injury done to his subjects, retaliated by attacking that part of Muzzuffer Jung's division where the women were placed. According to oriental ideas, there could not be a grosser insult ; and he was vowing to take summary vengeance when M. Bussy interposed, and procured the nabob an opportunity of explaining. He did so, but in such terms as only to aggi'avate the insult. It now appeared that the whole affair was concerted. Tlie Patau chiefs had never been satisfied with the arrangement at Pondicherry, and had been on the watch for a favourable opportunity to give effect to their resentment. The army was about to pass to a defile, and foimd it pre-occupied by the Patans, who