After the conclusion of the battle, the Nawaub immediately marched, intending in his mind to attack the army of the General, which was reposing very comfortably at Gunjee. He however encamped at the distance of two fursungs, giving orders to his Kuzzaks, or light cavalry, and Sillah­dárs, to exercise the greatest vigilance, as scouts or picquets, in surrounding the General’s army. When, however, the General heard of the defeat of Colonel Baillie’s force, and his having been taken prisoner, he, being himself full of doubt and anxiety, threw all his heavy guns and heavy baggage into the reservoir, or tank, of the Temple at Gun­jee; and at night took, with his force, the road to Choongul Peeth, (Chingleput). The Nawaub, when aware of his retreat, followed him, in the darkness of the night, to Sewram; but finding that no advantage was to be obtained, he detached his horse to surround the General’s army, and also appointed one of his confidential servants, with a force, to take possession and charge of the fort of Girgut Paleh; then, returning from the pursuit, he that day encamped at Gunjee.

On the following day, the Nawaub again sur­rounded the city and fort of the Dar-ul-Amareh, (Arkat), and issued his orders, to his Risaldárs of the regular and irregular infantry, and the Poligars attending his camp, to attack and take that strong fortress. On all sides, therefore, deep trenches were dug, batteries raised, and approaches by sap pushed on; and, with continual firing, the walls were soon battered down, and breached, and, moreover, by throwing the Colonel’s (Baillie) shot and shells and rockets into the town, the inhabitants were cast into the greatest consternation and confusion. Yet, not­withstanding, all this discomfort and misery, the defenders of the city held out gallantly for three months, and manfully withstood the assaults of the rank breakers* of Hydur’s army. It is proper how­ever, to mention, that the citadel was defended by two companies of Europeans, and three hundred recruits, disciplined after the European fashion, who had lately arrived from Rai Vellore, and were ready for the defence. In short, on both sides, exertions were made to that extent that the son-in-law of the Nawaub, Syud Hafez Alí Khan, was killed, in the western battery, by a cannon ball; and many of the chief officers and men of the victorious army were also slain. On the other side, Syud Fureed-ud-dín Khan, the Kurrooreh of the city, that is, the chief of all the Kotwals of the province, a prudent and a brave man, was likewise slain by a cannon ball. The walls of the city, however, having been battered down, the besieged became very much straight­ened; and, from the loss of the brave Syud, great disorder fell into their discipline and arrangements, in so much that, being terrified, every one kept his house, and cast away his confidence and man­hood.

At the expiration of this time, one night, towards morning, the Nawaub gave orders to assault the works; and his most tried and experienced men having, on all sides, planted their ladders against the walls of the town, they at one assault took the place, and by plundering and slaying their enemies, completed their conquest. Achna Pundit, who was sleeping comfortably in his own house, was taken prisoner with his family, as also were Urshed Beg Khan, Chishti Yar Khan, the Commander of the dismounted men, Syud Humeed, Tumboo Nair, Commandant, &c. Nujeeb Khan, however, crept into the Ark or citadel, and shutting himself up with the English troops, placed himself in secu­rity.

The next morning, the Nawaub visited the city, and, in all the streets and markets, caused safety to be proclaimed to the people, (particularly to the poor and destitute,) that none of his troops might oppress or lay hand on the wealth, or women of the people of the city, and he gave safety of life and property to all the inhabitants. In the course of two or three days, the Nawaub gave orders for the presence of Nujeeb Khan, and of the officer com­manding the English troops, who still firmly main­tained the Ark or citadel; and his ministers accord­ingly, despatched the terms of capitulation, sealed with the seal of the Nawaub; and, manifesting towards them every courtesy and kindness, invited them to the presence, and Nujeeb Khan, reposing confidence in the word of the Nawaub, presented himself to him with his body of regular infantry and the Europeans, and the Nawaub sent him to Cheena Puttun, (Madras,) under the escort of a small party of light cavalry. The Khans above mentioned, with other men of high rank of Arkat, were employed by the Nawaub in suitable offices, according to their degree and ability, and with liberal salaries. They were, moreover, honoured with dresses, and presents of gold and jewels. Syud Humeed, commandant, a man of high reputation, was honoured with a One Munzil Palkee, and four hundred rupees a month, and was appointed to command a body of four thousand matchlock men. To Meer Sadik, (the grandson* of Meer Ahmud Khan, Jageerdár of Wuhul Koor, one of the Munsubdárs of the Souba Sura,) who had been for a long time Kotwal of the Bazar of the Nawaub’s army, and was also intelligencer and coun­sellor to the Nawaub, was given the Soubadári of the city of Arkat.

About this time, the Nawaub’s Hurkaras reported to him, that Abdul Wahab Khan, the brother of Muhammad Alí Khan, had committed the fort of Chitore to the care of his Dewaun, whose name was Rai Bhojung,* and to the Poligars of Mokuli, Vinkut Giri, Mogul, and Bhingari; that he himself had strengthened and repaired the hill fort of Chundur Giri, and was busily occupied in enlisting horse and foot; and that it appeared his intention, after collecting troops, was to march to Cheena Puttun, (Madras), and join the English army, and then attack that of the Nawaub. On hearing this news, the Nawaub determined to march immediately to that quarter. Meer Alí Ruza Khan (who had halted one night at Chitore, when he returned with his troops from Kirpa, and had received the hospitality of Abdul Wahab Khan, and had then acquitted himself of the obligation, by advising and even earnestly soliciting the Khan, by message, if he had any intention of seeking the honour of an introduction to the Nawaub, to join the Nawaub’s army, before any troops were ordered against him: and, if not, that he should fly for refuge where he might be safe, seeing that, if he contemplated opposition to the Nawaub, he might expect his own destruction, and the ruin of his family and children, the Khan, however, being then involved in doubts and uncertainty, left the fort of Chitore to the care of his servants, and made Chundur Giri his residence and refuge, and he remained there, expecting a visit from Hydur,) at this time, therefore, immediately arose, and represented to the Nawaub, that Abdul Wahab Khan had quar­relled with his brother and that although he intended to visit the Nawaub he had been too unwell lately to carry his intention into effect; that at all events, what power had the poor man that he should rise up in opposition to the Nawaub; and that, whenever the Nawaub chose to command him, he would attend without delay.