gthened the fortifications of that town, that it
had come to be regarded by the natives as impregnable. During the
Maratha invasion, then, Chanda Sahib {26}had sent thither his family,
and his example had been followed by Safdar Ali. After the
installation of the latter at Arcot, the two princes proceeded to
visit the French governor, who gave them a magnificent reception. On
leaving, Safdar Ali took with him his family, whilst Chanda Sahib,
still suspecting danger, directed his own wives to remain at
Pondicherry until events should more clearly develop themselves.

He had not to wait long. Safdar Ali, jealous of his prosperity, had
induced the Marathas, never unwilling, to make a fresh incursion into
the Karnatik, and to dispose of Chanda Sahib. In December of the same
year then, just four years before Clive landed in India, those
warriors entered the province, so deceived Chanda Sahib as to induce
him to sell them the ample stores of grain he had collected, and, as
soon as they had received them, laid siege to Trichinopoli. Chanda
Sahib sustained a siege of nearly three months with great resolution,
but then, his remaining stores of grain having been exhausted, was
forced to surrender (March 26, 1741). The Marathas, having plundered
the town, departed for Satara, taking with them Chanda Sahib in close
custody, and leaving one of their most famous leaders, of whom we
shall hear further, Morari Rao, with 14,000 of their best troops, to
guard the place, and to act as discretion or greed might suggest.

The events I have recorded had encouraged among the nobles of the
province a spirit of disorder in {27}sympathy with the times. No man
felt quite safe. Safdar Ali himself, but half reassured, sent for
safety his family to the custody of the English at Madras, whilst,
quitting the comparatively defenceless Arcot, he took up his abode in
the strong fortress of Vellore. There his treasures had been stored,
and there Murtiza Ali, who had married his sister, was governor. This
man was treacherous, cowardly, and very ambitious. No sooner had he
understood that his relationship by marriage did not shield him from
the payment of money due to the Nawab, than he proceeded to debauch
the army, and to enlist on his side the neighbouring nobles. He then
poisoned his brother-in-law. The poison not taking immediate effect,
he persuaded a Patan to stab the Nawab to the heart. He then declared
himself Nawab.

He was proclaimed alike at