Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/97

Book VI camped within three miles of the city under the rock and fortress of Golcondah, probably with an idea of protection from the guns of the fortress; but Candagla, one of their generals, who commanded 2000 horse, encamped with them at the bank of the river about half way between Golcondah and the city, where they were the next night beaten up by a detachment of 500 Sepoys with the hussars. They fled, leaving many of their horses picqueted in the camp, and even the military drums and cymbals of their commander: but the French detachment did not lose a man.

The rainy weather prevented any more sallies for several days; mean while the numbers of the enemy increased greatly. The Phousdars, or, as they are commonly called, the Nabobs of Kanoul and Condanore, came each with 3000 Pitans well mounted: other chiefs of the same rank, and others of inferior, as well Mahomedan as Indian, brought their troops: for every tributary and dependant in the vast viceroyalty of the Decan had been summoned. But several of these chiefs, especially Kanoul, privately assured Mr. Bussy they did not intend to act effectually against him. On the 10th arrived Jaffier Ally Khan, much exasperated at the death of his nephew, with 3000 horse, 3000 foot, and the first division of artillery, consisting of 20 pieces of cannon. The main body of the army with which Salabadjing and Shanavaze Khan remained, moving only four miles a day, was still at a considerable distance. Jaffier Ally immediately held a council of war, in which it was resolved to straiten the blockade of Charmaul, and to begin by taking possession of the most advantageous posts in the city itself.

Mr. Bussy received immediate intelligence of this council; he had hitherto refrained from distressing the inhabitants; but now, in order to deter the enemy from establishing themselves in the city, he posted a detachment at an edifice standing in the high street, and called Charminarets, or the four towers; it was a square piazza of arches, having at each end a tower 60 feet high, with balconies at the top, from which the Mahomedan priest calls the people to prayers;