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 CHAPTER VII

Hastings Agonistes

1775-1777

Foremost among the crows who were now pecking at the wounded eagle was Hastings' old enemy, Nanda-Kumár. That wily Bráhman saw the right moment for taking full revenge on the man who had more than once exposed and thwarted his mischievous intrigues. On the 11th March, 1775, he delivered into Francis' hands a letter which, at Nanda-Kumár's request, was laid next day before the Council. It was handed in unopened, but Francis owned that he had some inkling of its general purport. The writer charged the Governor-General with various acts of fraud, corruption, and oppression. Hastings was openly accused of taking bribes from the Manni Begam, of sharing in the plunder amassed by Raza Khán, and of procuring that officer's acquittal in return for another large bribe. In a second letter, which reached the Council on the 13th, Nanda-Kumár asked leave to be heard in person at the Board, and to bring witnesses forward in support of his charges.

Monson moved that the Rájá should appear before the Board and produce his evidence. Hastings