They were hardy, industrious, and brave; and had, at one time, taken a prominent share in the wars of that part of India, and had been masters of Agra.

They had lost the city, however, in 1774; and with it a considerable portion of their territory.

Under the present rajah, however, they had regained some of their lost ground and, on his entering into an alliance with the British, he had received a considerable increase of territory.
In these circumstances the defection was wholly unexpected.

The rajah had a standing army of six thousand men; and could, on an emergency, place fifty thousand in the field.

Nevertheless, seeing how other very much more powerful native princes had been unable to withstand the British arms, his conduct was not only ungrateful and treacherous, but wholly unaccountable.
It was necessary for the army to move forward to Deeg with great circumspection.