So far his calculations had been correct, and the English marched unsuspiciously into the trap laid for them.
The twelve French guns were placed in a grove, round whose sides, facing the point from which Clive was approaching, ran a deep ditch with a high bank forming a regular battery.

A body of French infantry were placed in support of the guns, with some Sepoys in reserve behind the grove.

Parallel with the road on the left ran a deep watercourse, now empty, and in this the rest of the infantry were stationed, at a point near the town of Kavaripak, and about a quarter of a mile further back than the grove.

On either side of this watercourse the enemy had placed his powerful cavalry force.
For a moment, when the guns opened, there was confusion and panic among the British troops.

Clive, however, ever cool and confident in danger, and well seconded by his officers, rallied them at once.