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After their victory at Bahour, the troops of British East India Company entered the city of Trichinopoly and took position there. Opposite to the order from Dupleix to fall back on Puducherry, French troops under the Scotsman Law retreated at once to the island of Srirangam to the north of Trichinopoly and planned to attack and oust the British from Trichinopoly. On 12th of April 1753, Lawrence sent a detachment of 400 men under Captain Dalton to attack Chanda Sahib's troops and drive them out. But with little knowledge of the place and terrain, Dalton and his men were caught unawares by Law who, however, panicked and allowed them to retreat safely. It was then decided by Lawrence to implement his strategy of retreating to Seringham, also known as Srirangam. Description of the Events Soon after the retreat of the French forces, the British troops advanced and on April 17, 1753, captured Samayapuram to the north of Srirangam. The French troops were now completely encircled. On April 10, 1753, D'Auteil set up at the head of 620 troops to relieve Law. On April 25, he reached Utatur, 50 miles north of Samayapuram. D'Auteil proceeded to the Coleroon River avoiding Clive's army and sent a messenger to inform Law of his movements but the messenger was captured by Clive who forced him to retreat to Utatur. Taking advantage of Clive's departure from Samayapuram, Law sent a force of 80 Europeans and 700 Sepoys to take Samayapuram but was repulsed. Following this incident, the Thanjavur Maratha allies of the British East India Company took Coiladdy on May 7, 1753. On May 20, 1753, Stinger Lawrence sent an army of 1050 troops under Captain Dalton to Utatur forcing D'Auteil at fall back on Puducherry. Law attacked Dalton's troops but was repulsed and retreated to Srirangam once again. On June 8, 1753, Clive attacked D'Auteil at Volcondah and forced him to surrender along with his army. With the situation turning desperate, Law entered into negotiations with the Thanjavur Maratha general Manokji for a safe passage for Chanda Sahib. However, immediately upon on reaching the Maratha camp, Chanda Sahib was seized and taken prisoner. Manokji had him stabbed and sent his decapitated head to the Law. On the morning of June 13, 1753, Law surrendered along with 35 officers, 785 European soldiers and 2,000 sepoys. |
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