352 BUSSY TO 1754. chap, party to the payment of two lakhs of rupees to Balaji Baji Rao, as the price of his retreat, but solely because 175L he considered, and rightly considered, that the pos- session of the capital, and the peaceful occupation of the country, in the first instance, were objects which could scarcely be purchased too dearly. Arriving at Aurangabad, he so ordered his conduct that, whilst nominally the faithful ally, he might really be the master, of the Subadar. To this end he selected as his own residence, and as the place to be occupied by his troops, a fortress at one of the extremities of the city, and completely commanding it. On the defences of this he mounted his guns, and disposed his detachment in such a manner that it might be ready for immediate service. He established amongst his men the most rigorous discipline. No soldier was permitted to leave the fort but at a fixed hour and at a fixed time, and not even then without the written permission of the com- mandant. Punishments, more or less severe, according to the offence, followed every infraction of discipline. The result was all that could be desired. There were neither bouts of drunkenness amongst the soldiers themselves, nor quarrels or altercations with the towns- people. The richest and most valuable goods were freely displayed under the protection of the French soldiery. Indeed, their conduct at Aurangabad was so exemplary, that the natives soon came to admire them for their courtesy, as much as they had before feared and esteemed them for their valour.* Nor was Bussy for a long time less happy or less successful in his dealings with the Subadar and his courtiers. It was impossible that a man possessing any discrimination of character could be long associated with Salabat Jang, without noticing the weakness of
- The account of the proceedings of Dupleix, the histories of Orme,
of Bussy from 1751 to 1754 is based Wilks, and Grant Dulf, and the upon the memoir and correspondence Seir Mutakherin."
