<P> At daybreak on 23 June, the Nawab's army emerged from their camp and started advancing towards the grove . Their army consisted of 30,000 infantry of all sorts, armed with matchlocks, swords, pikes and rockets and 20,000 cavalry, armed with swords or long spears, interspersed by 300 pieces of artillery, mostly 32, 24 and 18 - pounders . The army also included a detachment of about 50 French artillerymen under de St. Frais directing their own field pieces . The French took up positions at the larger tank with four light pieces advanced by two larger pieces, within a mile of the grove . Behind them were a body of 5,000 cavalry and 7,000 infantry commanded by the Nawab's faithful general Mir madan Khan and Diwan Mohanlal . The rest of the army numbering 45,000 formed an arc from the small hill to a position 800 yards (730 m) east of the southern angle of the grove, threatening to surround Clive's relatively smaller army . The right arm of their army was commanded by Rai Durlabh, the centre by Yar Lutuf Khan and the left arm closest to the British by Mir Jafar . </P> <P> Clive watched the situation unfolding from the roof of the hunting lodge, anticipating news from Mir Jafar . He ordered his troops to advance from the grove and line up facing the larger tank . His army consisted of 750 European infantry with 100 Topasses, 2100 sepoys (dusadhs) and 100 artillery - men assisted by 50 sailors . The artillery consisted of eight 6 - pounders and two howitzers . The Europeans and Topasses were placed in the centre of the line in four divisions, flanked on both sides by three 6 - pounders . The sepoys were placed on the right and left in equal divisions . Clive posted two 6 - pounders and two howitzers behind some brick - kilns 200 yards (180 m) north of the left division of his army to oppose the French fire . </P> <P> At 8: 00, the French artillery at the larger tank fired the first shot, killing one and wounding another from the grenadier company of the 39th Regiment . This, as a signal, the rest of the Nawab's artillery started a heavy and continuous fire . The advanced field pieces of the British opposed the French fire, while those with the battalion opposed the rest of the Nawab's artillery . Their shots did not serve to immobilize the artillery but hit the infantry and cavalry divisions . By 8: 30, the British had lost 10 Europeans and 20 sepoys . Leaving the advanced artillery at the brick kilns, Clive ordered the army to retreat back to relative shelter of the grove . The rate of casualties of the British dropped substantially due to the protection of the embankment . </P> <P> At the end of three hours, there was no substantial progress and the positions of both sides had not changed . Clive called a meeting of his staff to discuss the way ahead . It was concluded that the present position would be maintained till after nightfall, and an attack on the Nawab's camp should be attempted at midnight . Soon after the conference, a heavy rainstorm occurred . The British used tarpaulins to protect their ammunition, while the Nawab's army took no such precautions . As a result, their gunpowder got drenched and their rate of fire slackened, while Clive's artillery kept up a continuous fire . As the rain began to subside, Mir Madan Khan, assuming that the British guns were rendered ineffective by the rain, led his cavalry to a charge . However, the British countered the charge with heavy grape shot, mortally wounding Mir Madan Khan and driving back his men . </P>

What were the causes and effect of battle of plassey and battle of buxar