The 14th of November was a Mohammedan festival, and Riza Sahib determined to utilize the enthusiasm and fanatic zeal, which such an occasion always excites among the followers of the Prophet, to make his grand assault upon Arcot, and to attack at three o'clock in the morning.

Every preparation was made on the preceding day, and four strong columns told off for the assault.

Two of these were to attack by the breaches, the other two at the gates.

Rafts were prepared to enable the party attacking by the new breach to cross the moat, while the columns advancing against the gates were to be preceded by elephants, who, with iron plates on their foreheads, were to charge and batter down the gates.
Clive's spies brought him news of the intended assault, and at midnight he learned full particulars as to the disposition of the enemy.

His force was now reduced to eighty Europeans, and a hundred and twenty Sepoys.