Clive led his men to the attack, but so well did the French defend themselves that, after losing an officer and fifteen men, Clive determined to wait till morning.
The French officer, knowing that he was surrounded, and beyond the reach of all assistance, resolved upon cutting a way through, and at daylight his men sallied out from the temple.

So fierce, however, was the fire with which the English received him, that twelve of his men were instantly killed, and the rest ran back into the temple.
Clive, hoping that their commander would now surrender without further effusion of blood, advanced to the gateway and entered the porch to offer terms.

He was himself so faint, from the loss of blood from his wounds, that he could not stand alone, but leaned against a wall, supported by two sergeants.

The officer commanding the deserters came out to parley, but, after heaping abuse upon Clive, levelled his musket and discharged it at him.

He missed Clive, but killed the two sergeants who were supporting him.
The French officer in command, indignant at this conduct, rushed forward at once to disavow it; and stated that he had determined to defend the post to the last, solely for the sake of the deserters, but that the conduct of their officer had released him from that obligation, and he now therefore surrendered at once.
The instant day broke, and Clive saw that Law was not, as he expected, at hand, he despatched the Mahratta horse in pursuit of the French Sepoys.