Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c56.s19.3

v4.c56.s19.3

In fact, the Indian troops in Agra were even more distracted and out of control than the defenders of Delhi on the eve of the battle of 11th September. Roused by the treachery and cowardice of their European officers, they put them in confinement, but had no leader of their own race to lead them in a united and consistent resistance. Lake arriving on the scene on 4th October, at first tried to tempt the garrison to surrender on liberal terms. They long resisted, and Lake decided to apply force. Seven regular battalions of Sindhia, who occupied the town and the glacis of the fort, were attacked on 10th October by a large force of Indian infantry, and dislodged, after a long and bloody fight, in which the British lost 228 in killed and wounded and the campoo about six hundred.* Siege operations were now begun, and the British advanced batteries began to play upon the walls of Agra to effect a breach. Then the garrison cried for terms, and after some delay due to their internal discord, the fort was surrendered to the English on the 18th and all the immense wealth and armament within it fell into the victors’ hands. An ordinary lieutenant’s share of the prize-money here amounted to Rs. 2,000.