Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/615

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CiiAv. X.] THE VICTORY OF PLASSEY. 581

once certain that he could calculate on the neutrality if not the co-operation of ad. itot. a large part of the army opposed to him, determined on a vigorous effoi-t, and carried at once both the redoubt to which Sinfray had retired, and the com- manding hillock immediately to the east of it. By five o'clock the British force was within the entrenchment, and in possession of the camp. The nabob, on being made acquainted with Meer Jaffier's de.sertion and the British advance, mounted a camel, and tied at its utmost i)ace, accompanied by about 2 horsemen. With his departiu^e all idea of resistance ceased, and nothing re- mained but to reap the fruits of the victory. The soldiers who had gained it, seeing the baggage of a whole camp lying before them, were naturally reluc- tant to leave it unplundered, but on being promised a donative, received the order to advance with acclamation. The pursuit, continued for about six The pursuit, miles, brought them in the evening to Daudpore. The loss of the victors in killed and wounded was only seventy-two ; that of the vanquished was also trifling, and is computed by Clive himself at not more than oOO. The victory thus feebly contested on the one hand, and won unexpectedly, almost without im effort, on the other, was in its results the most important that had been gained in India since Europeans first landed on its shores. It founded the British empii'e in the East.

On the evening of the battle Meer Jatfier, who had remained encamped in cuveKUutes the neighbourhood, .sent a mes.sage to Clive, congratulating him on his success, ;',s naixii.. and on the following day met hini by appointment at Daudi)ore. Conscious how dilatory and even suspicious his conduct had been, he was not free from misgivings as to the manner in which he would be received, and hence, when ( >n his approach the guard drew up and rested their arms to pay him the usual honours, he mistook the com})liment, and suppo.sed it to be a signal for his destruction. Clive, seeing his alann, soon reassured him by hastening forward to embrace him, and salute him Nabob of Bengal, Behar, and Oi'issa. But it was no time for idle ceremony, and Meer Jaffier after a short delay proceeded to the capital to complete the ctory by the capture of Surajah Dowlah and his trea.sures. This dastardly prince was still in his palace, and had given out that he intended to defend himself to the last. It was plain, liow- ever, from his conduct, that he was only meditating flight. On the morning after the battle he sent off" the inmates of his seraglio with fifty loaded ele- ])hants, and was only lingering behind till the darkness of night should favour his escape. His preparations were not completed when the news of Meer Jaffier s arrival told him he had not a moment to lose. Hastily assmning the dress of a menial, and canying a casket of liis most valuable jewels, he slipped out at a window, accompanied only by his favourite concubine and an eunuch. At the palace wharf he entered a boat which had been previously prepared, and was carried up the river at a ra])id rate.

^Feer Jatfier was not informed of the nabob's flight till midnight, and imme-

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