Page:Dupleix and the Struggle for India by the European Nations.djvu/100

Rh present at that interview Dupleix emerged from it the most powerful in influence and prestige.

The battle gained by De la Touche had indeed enormously increased the power of the French. Muzaffar Jang paid to them no less than 1,000,000 rupees in hard cash, one-half of which represented the repayment of sums advanced. The territorial acquisitions represented an income of nearly 400,000 rupees annually. Then a proposal, one for which Dupleix had laid himself open and which he eagerly accepted, came from the Subáhdár, the effect of which was to relieve the strain on the finances of Pondichery, and to give the French a practical preponderance in the counsels of the Subáhdár at his capital.

This proposal took the form of a request that a body of French troops commanded by a capable officer should accompany the Subáhdár to his capital, to be paid from his treasury, and to be always at his disposal. Dupleix, recognising in this action a mode of retaining permanent influence at the Court of the Subáhdár, at once acquiesced, and, De la Touche having been invalided to Europe, nominated Bussy for the post. The result showed that he could not have made a better selection.

All arrangements having been made, Muzaffar Jang prepared to march to Aurangábád, which was at the time the favoured capital of the Subáhdárs. Bussy, commanding 300 Frenchmen and 1500 trained sipáhis, was to accompany him. The Subáhdár set out on the 7th of January,