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Rh Soon afterwards, however, relations between Bussy and the Nizam became strained, at last an open breach occurred, and for six weeks in 1756 the former had to entrench himself near Hyderabad against the latter's troops. He was eventually relieved by reinforcements from Masulipatam and taken back into favour, and at the end of 1756 he went to Rajahmundry with a strong force to re-establish his fallen authority in the Circars. Aided by the Rája of Vizianagram, he soon reduced the country to obedience; and a force from Rajahmundry took the three English factories at Madapollam, Bendamúrlanka and lnjaram. Except for twenty men at the last-named, these places had no garrisons, and resistance was out of the question. In January 1758 Bussy returned to Hyderabad, and in July he was summoned by Lally, the new Governor of Pondicherry, to proceed south, with all the troops that could be spared, to assist in the operations against Madras. His departure was a fatal blow to the fortunes of the French, who within ten months were driven out of the Circars. Almost as soon as he had gone, the new Rája of Vizianagram, who was dissatisfied with the arrangements made by the French at the time of his predecessor's decease, seized Vizagapatam, hoisted the English flag there and made overtures to the English in Calcutta and Madras, offering to render them every assistance in his power if they would send an expedition to invade the Northern Circars.* Clive, who was then at Calcutta, determined, despite the unanimous opposition of his Council, to fall in with the Rája's proposals; an expedition was at once arranged; and the command of it was conferred on Colonel Forde. His force consisted of 500 Europeans, including artillerymen, 2,000 sepoys and 100 lascars. It reached Vizagapatam in October 1758, marched thence in November, effected a junction with the levies of the Rája of Vizianagram, and then proceeded southwards into this district.

The French had assembled in force at Rajahmundry and moved thence to Gollaprólu, a few miles north-east of Pithápuram. Their force consisted of 500 Europeans, 6,000 sepoys and a great many local troops, of whom 500 were cavalry. The whole was under the command of the Marquis de Conflans, Bussy's successor. The opposing forces came in sight of each other at Gollaprólu on December 3rd. Nearly a week elapsed before they joined battle; but at length on the 9th a most