Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c30.s3.20

v2.c30.s3.20

The new Emperor whiled away precious days in holding grand ceremonies and coronation rejoicings and lavishly bestowing hyperbolical titles and inflated *mansabs* which had not the remotest chance of ever being translated into reality by the engagement of any corresponding military force or grant of fiefs capable of maintaining them. Ram Narayan used this respite in completing his defence, summoned the local zamindars to his aid, and assembled a body of 40,000 men, according to rumour. These were untrained rustics, without the backbone of some expert squadrons and several experienced captains that stiffened the Emperor's army. Lord Clive sailed for Home on 5th February 1760, but he had already despatched to Bihar two complete battalions of sepoys, 300 European infantry and 6 field pieces (served by 50 European gunners) under Major Caillaud, backed by 15,000 indigenous horse and foot and 25 guns under the Nawab's son Sādiq Ali Khan (populary called Miran.) This force started from Murshidabad on 18th January, and after crossing the Sakrigali pass resumed its march on Patna on 7th February.