Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/48

42 The main body of Pitans, crossing the river, joined those in possession of the city, and during three days rioted in massacre and rapine: after the tumult subsided, Sumsheer Khan established officers to govern the city, raised contributions from the neighbouring districts, and levied troops.

The news of these disasters overpowered all the fortitude of Allaverdy, and rendered him for some days incapable of attending to the concerns of his government: his grief was mostly paid to the memory of Zaindee Hamed, who was the only one of his family worthy to succeed him. However, the desire of revenge recalled his wonted firmness, and he appeared again with new vigour, augmenting his army, and improving it by new discipline: he likewise solicitously attached to his person the 4000 Pitans, who had remained with him after the retreat of Mustapha Khan. Thus animated and prepared, he took the field in the month of March with 25,000 horse and 15,000 foot, and proceeded into Behar through the pass of Tacriagully.

In this interval, Sumsheer Khan had likewise levied 5000 horse and 10,000 foot, with which and his 8000 Pitans he took the field, and encamped about 20 miles to the east of Patna, having, concerted with the Morattoes that they should fall upon Allaverdy's rear, whilst the Pitans attacked him in front. In consequence of this agreement Meer-abib and Ragojee had entered the country of Burdawan, waiting the motions of Allaverdy to direct their own: and as soon as he had passed Tacriagully, they, by a shorter route, crossed the mountains, seventy miles to the west, through the passes of Berbohin, and arrived in the middle of Behar almost as soon as the army of Bengal. Allaverdy saw his danger; but nevertheless proceeded, and when near the encampment of Sumsheer Khan, left his own tents and baggage standing on the plain, with only a small force to guard them, and marched on to give the Pitans battle; who met him without hesitation. The Morattoes in the rear were within a march of the battle; but, as he had foreseen, stopped at the camp, and, during the conflict, employed themselves in plundering the spoil, instead of assisting their allies; the battle, nevertheless, was the