90 THE RISE OF THE FRENCH POWER IN INDIA. chap, loss of time, he assembled his forces, made forced IIL marches upon Trichinapalli, and sat down before it, 1740. before Chanda Sahib had taken any steps to replenish his empty stores. Nevertheless, though taken by surprise, Chanda Sahib resolved to defend himself with resolution. He had hopes from his brother, Bara Sahib, and to him accordingly he sent a message urging him to march to his relief. Bara Sahib at once complied, and collecting supplies, escorted them, at the head of three thousand horse and seven thousand foot, towards Trichinapalli. The Marathas, however, had knowledge of all his move- ments, and on his approaching to within about fifteen miles of the city, they detached a superior force — amounting to about 20,000 men — to intercept him. A desperate encounter ensued, Bara Sahib fighting with all the energy of despair. A chance shot, however, hurled him from his elephant, and his followers, missing the inspiration of his presence, at once gave way. The body of Bara Sahib, which was found on the field of battle, was carried to the camp before Trichinapalli, clothed there in rich stuffs, and sent in to Chanda Sahib, to announce to him, as under similar circumstance the head of Hasdrubal had announced to Hannibal, the futility of depending upon his brother for aid. Thus driven to depend upon his own resources, Chanda Sahib continued to display unflinching resolu- tion and determined courage. At last, after defending himself for upwards of three months, having exhausted all his money, stores, almost all his ammunition, and having lost some of his best troops, he had no alternative but to surrender. The terms were hard, his life only being secured to him, but they were the best he could obtain. On the 21st of March, after a siege of more than three months, he opened the gates of the city, and surrendered himself a prisoner. He was at once sent off under a strong guard to Satara, whilst the
