CUAV. XII.]
ATTEMPT ON CHUNAR.
681
by extortion and the violent seizure of his treasures. In regard to Sumroo, ad. i764. scruples of honour were not even pretended. Tlie reason assigned for not delivering him was, that being at the head of the battalions of sepox's he was his The negoun-
_ . . tions with
own master, and would resist any attempt to make him a prisoner. The true sujah reason was different. Sumroo, on finding that Meer Cossim was no longer able broke'u'ofl. to be his paymaster, had abandoned him, and was now with his sepoys enlisted in the vizier's service. He was, therefore, unwilling to part with him. At length, however, on finding that the delivery of him was still insisted on as an indispensable pi'eliminary to the conclusion of a treaty, he endeavoured to effect a singular compromise by proposing that, instead of being delivered up, he should be assassinated. The plan was to give an entertainment, and murder him in the midst of its festivities. To make sure of the right man, deputies from the English camp who knew Sumroo's person were to be present and witness the death. It is almost unnecessaiy to say that the proposed compro- mise was at once rejected, and the negotiation was broken off
At the commencement of the necrotiation, the British aiiny had advanced to Fa>i""of
° "^ _ attempt ou
Benares. On its termination it resumed its march in the direction of Allahabad, cinmar. At the same time a strong detachment was .sent into the territories of Oude proper, and succeeded in effect-
ing
■^awe'
Fort ok Chin akohuk— Fmm an original drawing, by Capt. U. Smith, ■)4th Regt.
the capture of Lucknow, the capital. Anotiier enterprise un- dertaken by the main anny was less success- ful. The strong fort of Chunar, or Chunar- ghur, situated on the right bank of the Ganges, lay so near the line of march that it was deemed imprudent to leave it behind in the enemy's possession. Its site was a sandstone rock, rising abruptly from the river to the height of 104; feet, and continuing to ascend till it reached the height of UG feet. The whole area, inclose.l 1)y a rampart, measured 750 yards in length by 300 in breadth. It was supposed that, notwithstanding the strength of its position and its fortifications, it might be carried by a night attack. The attempt was made and failed ; but the place was subsequently carried after a regular breach had been effected. A still more important success was obtained by the capture of Allahabad, which, though strongly fortified, made only a feeble resistance. The emjieror, still excluded from Delhi, immediately took up his residence in Allahabad, which, with a considerable tract of surrounding country, had been guaranteed Vol. I. 86
