Angrian fleet,[3] that had been the terror of the coast for half a century, was in a blaze.  The boats were ordered out, and, as evening came on, Clive was put on shore with the troops, and took up a position a mile and a half from the fort.  The Mahrattas joined him, and Toolajee, from whom the Peishwa’s people had extorted a promise to surrender the fort, found means to send a letter into the place, warning his brother-in-law against surrender to the English.  In the fort all was terror and dismay, though the Governor manfully did his duty.  From the burning shipping the flames spread to the bazaars and warehouses.  All night the bombketches threw in shells, while the conflagration continued.  One square tower in the fort burned with such violence as to resemble a fabric of red-hot iron in a smithy.

Early next morning, Watson sent in a flag of truce again, but surrender was still refused, so the line-of-battle ships were warped in and recommenced firing; while Clive, who had approached the fort, battered it from the land side.  At four in the afternoon a magazine in the fort blew up, and a white flag was hoisted.  An officer was sent on shore, but the Governor still attempted to evade surrender.  He consented to admit five or six men into the fort to hoist English colours, but would not definitely surrender possession till next day.  So fire was reopened, and in twenty minutes more the Angrian flag was hauled down for the last time, and the last shred of Angrian independence had ceased to exist.

Sixty men, under Captains Forbes and Buchanan, were marched up to hold the gate for the night.  A body of the Peishwa’s troops tried to gain admission, and offered the officers a bill on Bombay for a lakh of rupees to allow them to pass in.  The offer was rejected, but the Peishwa’s officer still continued to press in, till Forbes faced his men about, and, drawing his sword, swore he would cut him down if he persisted.

The following morning, the fort was taken possession of by Clive.  The success had been gained at the cost of about twenty men killed and wounded.

Ramajee Punt at once made a formal demand for the fort to be given up to him.  Watson, in return, demanded that Toolajee should be made over into English custody.  Meanwhile, a hunt for the treasure secreted in different places went on.  “Every day hitherto has been productive of some new discoveries of treasure, plate, and jewels, etc.,” wrote Hough three days later.  Altogether about one hundred and thirty thousand pounds’ worth of gold, silver, and jewels were secured, and divided between the land and sea forces.  True to his promise, Watson sent Clive a thousand pounds to make his share equal to Pocock’s.  Clive sent it back again.  He was satisfied with the acknowledgment of his claim, but would not take what came out of Watson’s private purse.  “Thus did these two gallant officers endeavour to outvie each other in mutual proofs of disinterestedness and generosity,”