526
HLSTUltV OF I.M>JA.
[Book III
A.D. 1742.
All Venly iissuiiies tliu offensive, ami is vic- turious.
Mahratta disunion.
when the ditch was begun, penni.ssioii was obtained from the nabob to fortify the Coni|)any'fs factory- at Cossinibaziir, by suiTOUuding it with a briok wall flanked with ba-stioas at the angles
As soon as the dry season commenced, Aii Verdy boldly assumed the offf.Mi- sive by crossing the Bhagaruttee on a bridge of boats. Another stream, which it was still necessary to cross in order to come to close quarters with the enemy, was bridged in the same manner ; and though a serious loss was sustained by the sinking of a boat near the centre, when scarcely a half of the troo[>s had pa-ssed, the Mahrattas were so intimidated on seeing them.sdves about to be attacked, that they fled with the utmost precipitation, seeking to gain the passes which led through the forests of Pachete into Behar. The rapidity of the pursuit having frustrated this intention, they suddenly douljjed upon their track, passed eastward through the forests of Bishenpore, and gained the open country'. The nabob, thus out-manoeuvred, retraced his steps. From some cau.se not easily explained, Bosker Punt changed his tactics, and instead of continuing his flight, advanced to offer battle. The encounter took place at Midnapore, and resulted in the complete defeat of the Mahrattas, who at once evacuated Bengal, and made the best of their way back to Berar.
Ali Yerdy returned in triumph to his capital, but not to enjoy a long repose Kagojee Bhonsla, disappointed and enraged at the defeat of his general, deter- mined to take the field in person. Fortunately for the nabob the Mahrattas were at this time divided into two powerful factions. The oVjject of contention was the office of Peishwa, who, as the rajah had leen reduced to a mere cipher, was to all intents the real head of the Mahratta confederacy. The rival claim- ants were Ragojee Bhonsla and Balajee Rao. The latter proved successful, Init the strife was not ended, and Ragojee no sooner entered Bengal in one direction than Balajee made his appearance in another. Ali Verdy 's course of policy was plain, and he lost no time in purchasing the alliance of Balajee, who at once took the burden of the war upon himself, and drove his rival countr^nnan before him without being obliged to strike a blow. Ragojee Bhonsla, notwith- standing this second failure, clung tenaciousl}^ to his purpose, and the very next year after he had been ignominioasly chased from Bengal, sent Bosker Punt once more into it at the head of 20,000 cavahy. His aims, however, v.ere somewhat lowered. He had once been sanguine of conquest, but he would now be satisfied with money. Bosker was accordingly instructed to offer peace in return for such a contribution as Balajee was suj^posed to have received. Ali Verdy had hitherto been contented to meet his enemies in the open field, but as defeat after defeat appeared to have no effect, he resolved to get rid of them at all events, though it should be by means of an atrocity. Taking advantage of the mercenary spirit which had been so unequivocally displayed, he professed to be extremely anxious for a termination of hostilities, and sent two of his principal officers to the IMahratta camp, with instructions to tempt Bo.sker Punt
