 But the British left them under the administration of the Nizam, with the exception of Masulipatnam, which was retained by the British.In 1765 Lord Robert Clive obtained from the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II a grant of the five Circars.Hereupon the fort of Kondapalli was seized by the British, and on 12 November 1766 a treaty of alliance was signed with Nizam Ali Khan by which the Company, in return for the grant of the Circars, undertook to maintain troops for the Nizam's assistance.