4oG HISTORY OF INDIA. [Book III.
AD. 1751 could 110 longer be restrained, and 2500 horse and 1000 infantry went over to
the enemy. Insulting At the time when this reverse was sastained, news arrived that Chunda
proceedings _ i • m • i • i ir
oiDupieix. Sahib was preparing to march from Arcot to besiege Trichinoj)oly. Mahomed Ali's applications to the presidency for aid became more urgent than ever, and he endeavoured to give weight to them by promising not merely to pay all expenses, but to give a grant to the Company of a considerable territory adjoining Macbas. Tempting as the offer was, there is reason to doubt if it would have succeeded had it not found a powerful advocate in a very unex- pected quarter. Dupleix, ostensibly for the purpose of marking the boundaries of his new acquisitions, though probably as much for the purpose of tantahzing his rivals, had caused small white flags to be planted in almost every field. These flags were seen from Fort St. David, which, ever since the capture of Madras, had continued to be the seat of the presidency, and naturally excited mingled feelings of fear and indignation. What was to become of the English Company's trade with the interior if they allowed themselves to be hemmed in by a rival company, whose boundary line would ere long be converted into an impassable barrier by the imposition of heavy, perhaps prohibitive duties? The designs of Dupleix had hitherto been only surmised, but he had now thrown off" the mask and given them warning — the more impressive because of its insolence — of what they must be prepared to expect. It would be madness to hesitate any longer. Their own ruin was involved in that of Mahomed Ali, and their only safety was in supporting him to the utmost of their power. Influenced by such considerations the presidency awoke from their lethargy and resolved on action, still, however, not as principals but mider their old disguise of mercenaries or auxiliaries. Kxi)edition In the beginning of April, 1751, a detachment was provided of 500 Em'o- Voiconda. pcans, fifty of them cavalry, 100 Africans, and 1000 sepoys, with eight field-pieces, and placed under the command of C aptain Gmgen, who was to wait near Fort St. David the arrival of Mahomed Ali's troops from Trichinopoly. After a delay of six weeks he was joined by only 600 horse and 1000 foot, and proceeded south-west to Verdachelum, a large and strong pagoda, garrisoned by 300 of Chunda Sahib's troops, who surrendered after being tlireatened with an assault. Shortly after the army was more than doubled by the arrival of 1 00 Em'opeans, sent by Captain Cope, and 2000 horse and 2000 foot, commanded by Mahomed Ali's brother, and set out to encounter Chunda Sahib in pereon. He was encamped near Volconda, situated thirty-eight miles N.N.W. of Trichinopoly, on the highway from that city to Ai'cot. Its principal defence was a rock 200 feet high, and about a mile in circuit at its base, which was washed by the Valaru. It was inclosed by three walls ; one at the bottom, mostly cut out of the solid rock ; another near, and the third actually on the summit. The governor was summoned by both parties, but answered that he wished to see
