Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/15

 Contents.

CHAPTER I.

Singular Phenomenon of British Power in India – The Anglo-Indian Army the Instrument by which it was attained – Summary View of our Indian Possessions – Popular Feeling against the Company's Government – Real Improvements effected in India – Present Anomalous Position of the Company – The Morale of our Anglo-Indian Army – Its first faint Dawn and present Magnitude – Its numerical Strength and respective Establishments – Present Rate of Officers' Pay and Allowances – Peculiar Advantages of the Company's Service – Character of its Native Troops – Interior Economy in Cantonments and in the Field – Concise View of the Indian Navy 1

CHAPTER II.

Summary Glance at the Military History of India prior to the Arrival of the English – Early Wealth and Civilisation of India – Invasions of the Persians and Greeks – The Mahomedan Dynasties – Mahmood of Ghuzni – Conquest of Delhi by Tamerlane – Baber establishes the Mogul Dynasty in India – Conquests of Akbar and Shah Jehan – Discoveries and Conquests of the Portuguese – Early Settlements of the Dutch, English, and French – Successful Intrigues of Aurungzebe – Rise of the Mahratta State – Character and Adventures of its Founder – Terrible Incursion of Nadir Shah – Massacre at Delhi – Dismemberment of the Mogul Empire – Divisions in the Mahratta States – Position of the different Indian Powers when the English first appear upon the Scene 28

CHAPTER III.

Origin of the East India Company – First Establishments in India – Madras taken by the French – Presidency transferred to Fort St. David – Madras restored to the English – English Expedition to Tanjore – Clive first distinguishes himself at Deir Cottah – Contests for Supremacy in the Deccan – Rival Candidates for the Musnud of the Carnatic – The English embrace the Cause of Mahomed Ali; the French that of Chunda Sahib – Gloomy Prospects of the English – Revived by Clive, who captures Arcot – Gallant Defence of Arcot by Clive – Terms of Surrender offered to and rejected by him – Storming of Arcot – Signal Defeat of the Enemy – Raising of the Siege-Successful Operations of Clive – Battle of Canverypank – The English march to relieve Trichinopoly – Desperate Attack on Clive's Position – His singular Escape – Surrender of Chunda Sahib – Surrender of the French Troops – Successful Termination of the War 42