Google
This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project
to make the world's books discoverable online.
It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject
to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books
are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover.
Marks, notations and other maiginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the
publisher to a library and finally to you.
Usage guidelines
Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing tliis resource, we liave taken steps to
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying.
We also ask that you:
+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for
personal, non-commercial purposes.
+ Refrain fivm automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help.
+ Maintain attributionTht GoogXt "watermark" you see on each file is essential for in forming people about this project and helping them find
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it.
+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liabili^ can be quite severe.
About Google Book Search
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web
at|http: //books .google .com/I
■ /'Z/^'«
m^£'
'M''-Y*Yf'^- \>^'
mM.
*
■*
1 ^ ''"^ll
' 4 •
*
«
^iTvt,
undci
(ri/K r/tj.YSAi-i
/,\^ — • '' \
Pvoi- A. C. C oudga
I-RiyrEO AT THE AliYLl'M TRESS, MOINT HOAP, BT WILLIAM TlIOMA>.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
OF THE
SOUTH OP INDIA,
IN AN ATTEMPT TO TRACE THE
HISTORY OF MYSOOR;
FROM THE
OBIGm OP THE HINDOO GOVERNMENT OP THAT STATE, TO
THE EXTINCTION OP THE MOHAMMEDAN DYNASTY IN 1799.
VOUHDKD OmEFLT ON INDIAN AXJTHOBITIES COLLECTED BT TBE AUTHOB WHILE
OFncIATINO FOR 8BVEBAL TSABS AS
POLITICAL RESIDENT AT THE COURT OF MYSOOR.
BY LIEUT. COLONEL MARK WILKS.
VOL. I.
SECOND EDITION.
MADRAS:
HIGGINBOTHAM AND Co.,
186 9.
-^
^▼sMrt
r^\i5.'
o^
^^ ' .
— -,
■.^
A'
i
- 1 •
• 1
\
f
—
/
/
X
'^* M
—
,
?r
oi • A.
c. 6.
oiidg®
U
v;***,)
PRINTED AT THE ASYLUM PRESS, MOUNT ROAD, BY WILLIAM TIIOMA'5.
TO
COLONEL BARRY CLOSE,
THf: FRIKNl) WHOSE IXSTRL'CTION
AXF)
AFFKCTIOXATK ATTACIIMKNT
H.VVK BKKX
Tilt: rRlDK AND DKIJlJIlT OK TIIK BKST VKAKS OF HIS Lll* K,
AND TIIK ClIIKF SUlRCE
OF WUATKVKU UK MAY IIAVK IJK.SKKVKD OR ATTAIXKD
OF DISTINCTION IN ITS PKOORKSS.
THIS VOLUME,
THE EXECUTION OF WHICH
NO ONE 18 MORE EMINENTLY QUALIFIED TO ArPUKCIATE,
IS DEDICATED,
AS A TRIBUTE OF GKATITUDK, RKSPECT AND AFFECTION,
BY
TIIK AUTHOR.
Xrw4 SH^«'IO.^
T?::^
/n \
\ J'j'. r? t ;-• I
I
1
Prof. A. C. C. oiidge
PRINTED AT THE A8YLIM PREhS, MOUNT ROAD, BT WILLIAM THOMAS.
ADVERTISEMENT.
IT is diffijcult to devise any plan for live orthography of Asiatic
names that shall be entirely free from objection. Tlw scheme of
Sir William Jones ivould be unexceptioTiable, were it generally
kumtm to the English reader, but mithout this jyrevions knmvledge
its adoption m,ight tend to mislead. The letter u in Hindu, for
erample, would be the correct orthography for Italy ; Imt to convey
the jyi'oper sound to the mere English reader loe must "kvrite Hindoo.
There is a variety of sounds which different persmis, and even the
same person at diffet^nt times, wiU express by different English
letters, and for practical purposes it is unnecessary to be fastidious
in our choice. Whether we write AH, Alee, or Alt/, seems to be
quite iiidifferent ; tlie second syllable will probably be pronounced
the same ma/nner. Where it is to be decided whether errors fami-
liarised to the Englislt ear sliould be rejected or retained, the rule
which I have proposed to myself is to retain the error where it lias
been uniform, a/nd to reject it where the spelling has been various.
An example of each will explain this design. \st. To substitute for
live well known name Seringapatam the true orthography of Sree-
rung-puttoun, would not only liave the appearance of affectation^ but
ivould produce real confusion. There are however some feu) excep-
tions to tlie genend rale of retaining the errm^ where it has been
uniform, Adoni,foi' example, instead of Adwaiue, is so violent a
change, and so absolutely unintelligible to any native of India, tluxt
after having noticed the identity of the name witere it first occurs, I
have geyierally continued the latter spelling. 2d. In tlie various
readings of tJie same capital Visapoor, Visiapore, Viziapoor, Beja-
poor, Beejapoor, Beejapore, iliere is already abundant confusimi,
and this is not increased by restorin/j the true orthography Vijeya-
poor. The same observation applies to Vijeyannggur, and many
other uxnds. Two places named, Balapoor, Balipotyrum, Balaba-
rtim, Balipoor, have been ^vritten (as one or the other of the four
PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.
By this re-print, the Publishers trust they have resuscitated an
old, valuable, and now very scarce Historical Work. This Edition,
offered at a third of the price which the original London Edition
commands, forms two companion -volumes to the Madras re-print of
" Orme*s History of Hindustan," more especially as WiLKS continues
the History of Southern India to 1799, while Orme closes in 1761.
The Publishers have spared no efforts to try and procure a
biography of Colonel Wilks, but there appear to exist no materials
for its formation. The only information they have met with, is the
following extract from the Asiatic JouttuU, — Volume VIII, New
Series. May — Aivguat 1832.
" Colonel Mark Wilks was for some years a vice-president of the
"Society, (Asiatic), until increasing indisposition obliged him to
" resign that office. His works, which are in the hands of every one
" who takes an interest in whatever is connected with the British
" empire, must prove an enduring monument of his fame. One of
" his last efforts in the cause of Oriental literature was a masterly
*' analysis and statement of the contents of the philosophical work
" of Nasir ud din, of T{is, entitled Akhlak i Naseri, a metaphysical
** treatise of great difficulty, and borrowed from the system of Aris-
** totla This essay was printed in the Transactions of the Society.
" Of his ' History of Mysoor' it may be safely asserted that it, in con-
" junction with many other important works, will prove to the world
*' that the East India Company has long possessed, among its most
*' active and laborious servants, men whose genius, talente, and ac-
quirements would confer distinction upon any country, however
enlightened. The ' History of Mysoor' displays a degree of re-
" search, acumen, vigour, and elegance, that must render it a work
" of standard importance in English literature. Colonel Wilks was
" a native of the Isle of Man ; he received a highly classical educa-
" tion, with a view, we believe, of entering the church, from which
" cause he did not proceed to India till he was upwards of twenty
years of age : after filling many distinguished situations as an
officer of the East India Company, in the south of India, he was
appointed Governor of St. Helena, and held this office until the
** imprisonment of the late Emperor Napoleon on that island."
May 1869.
it
i€
it
il
PREFACE
TO
THE FIRST V 0 L U M E.
The first materials of the following work were collected for purposes
connected with my public duties, without the most remote view to
publication. Personal curiosity, and the increasing interest of the
subject, induced me to pursue it, without any definite object, beyond
that of rescuing from oblivion, before it should be lost for ever, the
information possessed by living characters ; and the farther exami-
nation of written authorities followed as a necessary and almost
imperceptible consequence of what had already been done.
The public is little interested to know the gnidation of circum-
stances hy which I have been induced to prepare for publication the
substance of a mass of materials collected with so little of fixed
design, and still less of literary skill : but I may be permitted to
observe, that in their existing state they could have been of little
use if placed in abler hands, and that the task of translating, prepar-
ing, and arranging them for that purpose, would have been infinitely
more labprious than that which I have undeitakon.
Extensive opportunities of observing the charact<irs and man-
ners of the people whose transactions I describe, have aflTorded
advantages wnich may compensate for some defects ; but I am too
well aware, that a j^erson who has paraed all but the earliest period
of his life far removed from the ordinary opportunities of literary
attainment must appear before the public with very humble preten-
sions. In presenting to my country a. narrative of facts, I hope that
T apprehend aright the moral obligations which I incur : and the
errors of defective judgment, inadvertence, or unskilful narrative,
are at the bar of public opinion.
The referemx; to authoritie^s, so rigidly exa<.*ted in the western
world, would l>e useless to the public in an undertaking where few
of these authoriti«\s are befon» it ; and the absence of all fixed design
in writing many of the notes from which the work ha« b<»en (rom-
posed would render it a ta«k of infinite labor, if it were of sulKcii'ut
PRKKAt'K IX
im|MirtAii(X\ t4i nttrait* tlit* iiuuiUM4*riiit authorities lor v\vr\ tact hut
an nuuiy of tlu^Hi* uuuiUHcriptM, aiiu |jartioularly ilumik* «»t* the Mat--
keniJBL* iMlhH*tion. may hereafU*r be (ie|H)tfite<i in Mr>iue puMic imititu-
lion, I have, in mmiv caaofi, where Uio fact ib either n»nmrkable in
itself, or liable to lie (Nintn>verte<i, entleavoure*! to Atati^ the authority
when* either nieinor\' or written reference Ium enable^l me to trace it
For the rvA, it may ^>e Katisfactory to the public to lie furnished
with a curHor}' acomnt <»f the prinoi|)al materiaLn which have been
em ploy wl.
Ist - An luHt^trical memoir, preivued at my rcMpu^Mt, umler the
ilin^ion of P<Miniia, tho preM^nt able and dbttin^inhiHl minister of
Myaiwtr. and bin int(*lli)*i*nt aMHtntant Butchemw. llie >iettt infonno^l
nativ<*fl of Uie countr}* who wen* known to |>o(Me94H family manu-
MTi|i(ii or hiiitorical pi«»cf*H wen* aMM*mbled for thiit pui|>ofie ; and the
memoir %n a compilation framtHl fn>m a a»miiariiMin of theiw
authorities
!2nd - A Pt*nian manuMcript, entithsl An Hiittorical Accnmnt of
the ancient Kajaa of MywK»r. wan found in 171^9 in the {lalace at
Serin^fiatam ; it imqM>rtii to have been " Tranalatcd in 179H, at the
cfimmand of the Sultaun. by Awud Anwar, and Uholaum Huaaein,
witli tile amiiitance (»f Po«>tia Pundit, from tm-o buoka in tho Canara
lani^ia^* :'* thin Pemian manuacript waa conveye<l with other works
to Calcutta, and I had not Uie op|)i»rtunity of |ieruaing it until the
year IM^T, when my friemi Bri^iier-Oeneral Malcolm olitained a
c«>py fn»m B^'npd. A Viook in the Canara language, of which
the c<»nt4«nta were then unknown, waa given in 1799 by Colonel
W. Kirk|MUrick. <meofthe commiaMionem for the afTaire of MyiMjor,
t/> Major, now, Lieutenant-Colonel Colin Mackenae, and han ainoe
bi*en trmnalated under hia direction with iicrupul«>ua cara It in tho
Canara manuacrifit fn>m which the Persian tranalation wan made,
and is entitle«i ** The mitctmium of the kings of Alymt^^r, fn^m an-
eirni Times, as it is in the Cannnt Ctnitiuitums, n^^r %rritUn inUi a
tUnik hy cnmmand h%f Xuatjur Ptmtiia PuwHt, It is divid«*<l into
two |iarta. as notice<l in the Pemian trandation . the firHt contains
the hifittfiricml narrative ; and the iitv^>nd, the f«t*rit*ft of tt*rritorial
aci|uifiition«. In the fimt th<* dat^vi an* n*c«)nlf*<l in thi* y«*ar of the
cycle only ; ami in the ai*o<»nd they an* n*<'kon«*«l by the number of
yearn mhich liail elapai*<i from Uie c«>mpilation of^Uie work, 4>r, in
the languagi* of the original, *> m'ltiy y<*<irit «t^». Tlie ap|4U\*nt
emliarnuMinent of fixing the chn>nol«ig\' wan <«atly Munnounted by
ljieuU*nant t\il<»nel Mackenide. Ry aMcertatning a single date, all
tlie n*«it wen* at offic«* arrangt'il. and thi* manuacri|«t wan provt^il
beyond all contnn'emy t4) have Invn written in the yt«r 1712- Ki
The cirrumstanccM which n*ganl tlie ili4Co%*ery of tliis manu-
acript are well known. On the di^th tif (*ham Raj Waiieyar. the
father of tho |in»ent Raja» in 179^». the family was traa*ffemHl fnmi
the |iala(i*e to the nuaerable Ik>vvI where tliey wen* found on the
capture of HcringapaUm in 1799. Among the |ilamlcr of cverytliing
X PHEFACK.
useful or apparently valuable, which was on that occasion
carried off to the stores of the Sultaun, were accidentally
thrown to Gudduttums* which attracted his attention nearly
two years afterwards, when he ordered them to bo examined
and translated : and two old Cudduttums, which Lieutenant-Colonel
Mackenzie received along with the book in 1799, prove, on examina-
tion, to be the actual originals from which it was copied,
and are probably the two bodks mentioned in the Persian transla-
tion. A short time before the real compilation of this document,
the Raja Chick Deo Raj, who died in 1704, had directed an exten-
sive collection to be made of historical materials, including all
inscriptions then extant within his dominions, which were added to
a library already reported to be voluminous : the abovementioned
work is probably one of the memoirs prepared in conformity to his
directions, but it appears to have been presented to his successor,
and is a brief but correct record of events up to the year 1712. It
ie^ however, to be regretted that the author furnishes no incidents
beyond a mere chronicle of events, after the occupation of Seringa-
patam by Baj Wadeyar in 1610, probably restrained by prudential
motives in respect to living characters. The Sultaun, in removing
the Riga's family from the palace, had intended to destroy the build-
ing altogether ; and gave orders for that purpose, which were after-
wards changed. It was reported to him that several large apart-
ments were full of books, cniefly of palm leaf and Cudduttums, and
he was asked how they were to be disposed of '* Transfer them/'
said he, " to the royal stables, as fuel to boil the cooltee (grain on
which horses are fed) :" and this was accordingly dona A small mis-
cellaneous collection was preserved from this destruction by the
• Cudditttum, currtUtumy or currut, a long slip of cottou cloth, from eight
inches to a foot wide, and from twelve to eighteen feet long. skilfuUy covered
on each side with a compost of paste and powdered charcoal When perfectly
dry, it is neatlv folded up. without cutting, in leaves of ec|ual dimensions ; to
the two end folds are fixed ornamented plates of wood, painted and varnished,
resembling the sides of a book, and tne whole is pat into a case of silk or
cotton, or tied with a tape or ribbon ; those in use with the lower classes
are destitute of these ornaments, and are tied up by a common string : the
book« of course, opens at either side, and if unfolded and drawn out, is still a
long slip of the original length of the cloth. The writing is similar to that
on a slate, and mav be in like manner rubbed out and renewed. It b i>er-
formed by a pencil of the baiapum, or lapis ollaris ; and this mode of writing
was not only in ancient use for records and public documents, but is stiu
aniversally employed in Mysoor by merchants and shopkeepers. I have even
seen a bond, regularly witnessed, entered on the cudduttum of a merchant,
produced and received in evidence.
This is the word* Hrre^, translated (of course conjectu rally) pcUmUapts
in Mr. Crisp's translation of Tippoo's regulations. The Sultaun prohibited
its use in recording the public accounts : but although liable to be expunged.
and affording facihty to fraudulent entries, it is a much more durable material
and record than the best writing on the best paper, or anv other substance
used in India, copper and stoae alone excepted It is probable that this is
the linen or cotton eloth described by Arrian from Nearchus, on which the
Indiana wrote.— Vincent's Nearchus, part 15., Art. 717.
PRIFACX Xi
piouB artifice of a bramin, who bogjiAxl the apartment might bo reepeot-
ed, aa containing tbo penate^ of tlio family. This room was opened
in the confusion of the ith of May 1799, and a large portion of the
contents fell into the hands of a British officer.
I ha%*e reason to lielieve. that throuf^h various channeb I have
had arcesM to 0(»nios of m<Mt of the hiHtorical tracts which tliis col*
lection containe<l.* and amoii^^ these wan the record of a curious
in4|uiry into the Htatt* of the family alxmt the year 17 IG, for tlie pur-
IMise of asct*rtainin^ whirhofthe bmnoheH had prenerved the true
i1o(m1 of the houHe un|i«>llut4*d hy unw(»rthy ct>n inactions ; when, out
of thirtv-om* hmiicheH. thirteen were pnuiounceil to lie legitimate,
and «'ii:hUH)n were i*X(!luded fi*i>m the pri%'ile^ t»f giving wives or
fiuctxriiNi»ni to tiie n*ii:nint; Kiija.
Cinl. — Two niaiiiiH4*ri|itH. oorreMpimdinf; to each other in all
mati>rial rir[*uiit^tanci*H. pnjH«*rved in different branches of the family
c»f tin* anri<*nt l>iilwovs of M VH<M»r +
ith - A &^*at varit*ty of Ntiia)l«.*r uiunuHrnptN and memoirs in
diflr«*rrnt lani^niatfiHi. and of vanoun ih*i,a\*t*M nf iii«*rit. n«laUvi* Ui detach-
<n| f»i*tH : Huch. for <'Xiuu|>li*. as a mrnioir of the amn*Htry of the late
Moh.inim4*«Un dynoKty. |in*|iar<Mi at my n'4|ucHt by the officiating
pri«>*<tH at the maui«<ilfuiii of th«» irn%ndfatht*r of the* late Tip|MM> 8ul-
taun at (*olar; rhanun^TH of Hyd<*r Ali and TimMN) Sultaun, from
tho iN*n of niv valuabit* frt(*nd S<!ye<i Ha**8ein. Persian secretary to
the lUia of SlyvMir kr kc
.'»th — Thf i«xf«iiHivi' an<l valiinblf colltTtion of punts, generally
of a r<'lii:io!i« natun*. in«*riUNl on 4t'»n«* or r4>j»|i«*r, which an* in the
po4v*-i^i<in of my frii*n I Li«Mit4*nant-i*'»lom*| C^iltn Mackenaue of tbo
v*r]^ of vtitrintHTN on thu ••stabli4hni«*nt of Fort St iteorge. Theae
aiK h'tit «iiN*nm«*ntN art' of a •iin^ilarly curi«ius texture ; they almcvi
alwayi fix the rhrotiolo^^y. and fr%*iju<ntly unf«»l«l the gencalocy and
miliUrv hiat^irv iif tin* don'^r and bin ancestiirs. with all that is
r>*niarkabU* ill tlM*ir civd in<ittiti<»ni. or p;liin<>UM refonna ; and the
fartA <b*rivt«<i fn»ni th«*H.> iuM^nptionn an* illuHtnit4*«| by a voluminous
n»ll«rtion <*f nianuikTiptH whtrh <Mti only U* tni*«t4Nl with oonfi«lenoe,
Ml far SA th«*y an- rufitiriiH'*! bv th* •«•• authrntir «i<«*unu*ntA. The
ui.tfnt-H*ript «*f I'o 'tia. wlnrh iM<«*ni«*<«l U» dt«!«M*r\'i' a n%*|iamt4« di*r»i*ripttoil,
)H«|.»n.^ i*» tbt** I •!l4N*ti>»i» wbi«*li at th<* {h*!!***! of my dijiartun* fmm
Ma'im.'i, aiii"iiiit«^l to nrar ••n«' thiunand auvvn bundn?*! v^ranU. and
MIX buii'ln-*! MSS.
Til*' d«*|Hirtm<*nt of .-ttirn^Mt butorv in thr VmI u %i> dvformad
* If thr «*«>|lrcil>»ti •»( ^K tk^tmnmi. **t li.*. ri}>tt«'lM. ItM (»c<rn firr^'TV^^L It
tut) U iittiiitJtrrtl a« ill t.i«!'*n(- J iu\u«iM-r:|«t <iS ^rial %alu« A if c1a|PS
U^tift- uijr «iiktiirkali«*(i (r«'Ui M^IrA* it* |>i.*}>4h> rti<t<iire «ia» uiccfta iiicd,
ami I tr«t«t ilitt It L^* U- II vMol t*> ti.i >! vk«itii« coJrctiuii
t i>*ltr^y, 'j€%f'%ii. tt*>:u \>ii\. %ti \tn.y (C^itrj TIkp fr«>rd u tranalslsd
•onirtimr^ iiiiia«trr, hut iii«*r«- frci'jti tW rrc^fit, m ttiervn»rdi of Madras, sad
Ui Mf t>fmr'« itict4in Nutiicnj. t.r |<crw4) #lu» c^iumamicd tht Myauuf
tmufw \X I nrhino|<c<ly from llS'i t«> 1T'*6. hcM aU* Uir •|»|R4titiu«nt «•! tuuus-
trr of fiuattrc . or ratlit-r. br amf hia bmtb^r bad usurped tbr «bo|c ftcivrf iA
the M^tc in all itA «le|urtiiirfit«
XU PREFACE.
by fable and anachronism, that it may be considered an absolute
blank in Indian literature. There is no hope that this important
defect will ever be supplied, except from an extensive collection of
sucb documents. Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie has devoted to this
pursuit the leisure which he has been enabled to snatch from a long
course of active and meritorious service ; and has formed, under
numerous discouragements, a stupendous and daily increasing collec-
tion of all that is necessary to illustrate the antiquities, the civil,
military and religious institutions, and ancient history, of the south
of India ; and I trust that he will in due time communicate to the
public the result of his extraordinary perseverance.
I am obliged to Lieutenant-C<ilonel Mackenzie for several
valuable communications on particular periods of history, written
expressly for my aid and information in arranging the materials of
the present work : and I cannot acknowledge in terms of too much
gratitude how largely I am indebted to an unlimited access to the
study of the collection which I have described, and to an intercourse
entirely unreserved with its worthy possessor, and his large establish-
ment of learned native assistants, for whatever knowledge I possess
of the ancient history of the south of India : a ground on which I
have but slightly touched for the illustration of later events.
6th. — The fifth chapter of the present work was written at as
early a period as possible, for the pui-pose of subjecting its facts to the
most rigorous test It was accordingly submitted to the examination
of numerous friends, well qualified to correct errors, most of them
holding the highest situations under the Government of Fort St.
Qeorge. Mr. Francis Ellis, a name which it will hereafter be per-
mitted to quote as authority, has furnished me with a learned note,*
on a particular subject of discussion, which will be found in the
Appendix ; and the reader will join with me in regretting the want
of more numerous illustrations from the same pen. Mr. Ellis wrote
in pencil, on blank leaves, which were inserted for the purpose, such
observations as occurred to him on perusing the manuscript of that
chapter, and very kindly gave me discretionary permission to apply
the facts which they contain : this is the foundation of those notes on
that and other parts of the work which refer to his authority.
This profound and ingenious orientalist had in contemplation
a work of great labor and public utility, namely, the translation
into modem Tamul and English of the Sanscrit text of the
ancient law tract, most esteemed in the south, named Vignyan
Ishwar, with notes showing the variations of doctrine exhibited
in the more modem work of Videyarannea ; of which some notices
will be found in the fifth cliapter of this work : and I advert to the
design, in the hope that it may attract the attention of those who
ought to patronize, and promote it
7th. — Notes and extracts from the records of the Qovernment of
* The reader is requested to supply an omission of the printer by refer-
ring to this note from p. 128.
PKETACK. Xlli
Fi>rt St (ji*«»r^\ u> which I luul unlimited ncc(*?w fmni the confi-
ileiitial f%ituAti4>iui which I Imd Uie honor t4> holil under Earl Powin,
and hy the obli^iiff penntiMion of Loni William Bentinck. and of
Mr. IVtrie, during tlieir reM|>eciive (lovenuneutK Theiu: reHuIbi of a
lon^ and lalM»riouM examination have been rendered lea*M KatiHfact«>ry
fn»m the ver\' defective »taU^ of the earlier reconls. Of the labor
itMi*lf, Mr. Onne hait comftiv obstTViNl. that it pndniblv exixniU the
ctin<vi>tion of any of his readers. I'XOfptin^' tlie ktvfHT t>f the n*u«»nlji.
Ihe n^nioval fnmi S^riiiL^iimtAni t4> ('alnittn «»f the otKeial
retMnln of the Inti' dvniistv *»( Mv^^^Hir. hud d»M»nvii| uu* <»f an
autht*ntie K«>utiM* nf infonnnti<>n on n vurifty of .•^ubjtvt^. I hail
h«>|H*«l. thnmi^h the int4*r|K>sitiiin of a friend. an<l the .nanction of
Sir < •«•• iru'f linrlt)W, when (foVfrn«»r-(ieneral, whieh wa.-^ rt*a«lily j»i%*en,
t4i |iriHMire an fXAniinati<»n of tht*st» n^eonU for ivrUtin .H|>iH*ial
ij>ur]MfS4\H. liut I am a ware that tin* laUir in trrt*at«-r than i*an lie
ex|»tvt«*ii fn»m p«ntlemrn fully •nvupifd by tli«-ir «itHrial dulir?*, on
wht>m I havo no |M*rH4iiial rlaitns My « \|«<( tatioii> fr«iiii thin and
Nome othrr MiunvM an* now e\tiii^ui>lii*d . but HltlM*ui:h 1 ha\«* l»it*n
r4im|M*llt*<l by •H^v^n' ill-h«-alth to Iravr ln«lia at an earlier {NTio«l
than wan i**»nMMtent with tho |iUfi whi«*h I hud toriiifij for complrt-
in^ thr Work in that 4N»untry. 1 \u*\n* that 1 havr Urn able to
authfnti4*at4* bv t*ther UKann uuM of thr fart.H tor whieh I wa^
d«**4in»UH t<» n*f«T U* i\u*st* authorities^ and I havr sinr»« niv arrival
in Kn^rland n*ct>ivi<<l from ('ol«»h«<| William Kirk|>atri« k. who lonj;
filltil with diHtih;:uiHhi'«l ability vtTV im|*(»rtant public ••ittiatiotiH in
l{4-n;nd. !w>me unrxiH*<'t4*il li^dit.H on tin* subj««*t of a |Mtrtiori of thit«e
n<«H»nl5i. which will drman4i a nion* fiartieular a4*knowlt^l;^uent in
the M^^mil volum«\ t4> which they chirtly Apply-
Ackn«iwlc<^(incntH t<» all wIhi have aMkint«*«i my n'<wandH*M would
inclu«le a Unii^ and n*M|ii*rtable lint ; but I am fiartirularly imh-bt***!
t4> i%»h>rHd (*tofM*. tMiliti<'al n^nident at the ( ourt of I\h>iui. wh«MM«
olMervationa ^'ive li^^ht and «%tn-n;:th U* what«'\cr th«-y a|i|iroa4*h ; to
the correct ju«l^ii«*nt and c\tonsi\c knowhdi:*' of (\»|ohcl Ac»»**^* ;
to Mr. II<*d^»n. and Mr Tha«*kcr%-. mcinU*rs of the U»anl **( re\i nue.
and U* Mr Hurdin of the Sud<l«'r A>l.iwlut. for th«* liLchtn «leriv«*«|
from their official lalM»n«. and f><r tiin-ctiu;; my att4ritiou U* other
valuable p^i*nU in their n<«|iecti\e d< jmrtUH iit*> ctiiUHH-titl %iith the
di!icuMuon<i of th<* tiflh chat>tt*r
I have iMimc doubt le»w far I am at liU rty to mention my
obli^tiont to Sir Jaineit Ma4'kiiiU»Ah. wh«> waa n** -^umi an to |ieruiie
tlie (ietarlu^l |Mirtion!« <f thin volume which Were %i!itten ill India;*
iKit I tniiit titat he will n'«'ei\e with kiiidn<*vi thi^ public a4*know|ff«<l^-
nient of the in«itnirti'»n which I hj%\e nt-eixe*! fn>m hi** oinervatioiia
Hth Twi» militar} memoirn 4-i>mpile«l in the iVrnian hincuap*
umh r ui\ own tlinvtion. bv Abl^«* Alt. th«* field M*rretar\' of the
• • •
laii* Hyder Ah Klian. from the wntt^ii niemoirn. or oral i%tAteiuentn
of tw<» difitinct AMM mblii't* iif the i.M* ^t and ni«>^t intt'lli;f«*tit military
* Thr fTTritrf ptft WA» wrtrttrn iluriiu; thr %oy»;.«^ fr«>ni Indu to Knf l»iid
XIV PREFACE.
officers of the late dynasty. Over one of these presided Budder u
Zeman Khan, an old officer of distinguished talents and cultivated
understanding, well known to the troops of Bombay by his respect-
able defence of Darwar. The other meeting was directed for a time
by Lutf Ali Beg, one of Tippoo Sultaun's embassadors to Constanti-
nople in 1785, and the defender of Nundidroog in 1791. This
venerable old gentleman terminated his earthly career before he had
finished the compilation, which he had kindly undertaken ; and the
remainder of the narrative was chiefly directed by Jehan Khan, the
officer who repulsed the flower of Sir Eyre Coote's army from the
fortified Piigoda of Chillumbrum in June 1781, and was desperately
wounded in the breach of Seringapatam in 1799 ; a plain, unlettered
old soldier, of clear and distinct understanding, and a memory
uncommonly retentive and correct.
9th. — A history of Coorg, written by the present Raja, whose*
romantic character and adventures are well known in India. Its
pretensions to profound historical research are not extensive, but it
presents some characteristic traits of the mountaineers of thef west
of India, which are singularly curious.
10th. — Desultory memoranda, containing the results of repeated
personal intercourse with every surviving individual, sufficiently
well informed for my purpose, who had been employed under the
late dynasty in civil, military, or diplomatic situations : and written
memoirs from the most intelligent of them on such transactions as
were most interesting or important.
11th. — The last in this enumeration's a work written under the
personal direction of the late Tippoo Sultaun himself; and as this
circumstance will probably excite some curiosity, I shall here sub-
join a short account of this remarkable performance.
The title of the work is Sultaun u Towareekh or the King of
Histories; the substance was dictated by Tippoo Sultaun himself
and the work composed by Zein-ul-ab-u-Deen Shusteree,* brother
of Meer Aalum, the late minister at Hyderabad.
The style of the work is an example of the false taste introduc-
ed into modem works in the Persian language ; but it is the style
of a person well skilled in that sort of composition, and accomplished
in the literature of Persia.
It begins, as is usual, with the praises of God and the prophet,
his descendants and approved associates, in a manner which holds a
middle course between the tenets of the Sultaun and his secre-
tary, who were of opposite sectsf of the Mohammedan religion.
* Shusteree ; his family-Dame being from Shuster ; the Suza of the
i;?estern geographers.
t Tippoo, although educated, and usually classing himself, as a Soonee,
affected a superiority of religious knowledge, which looked down on all the
sects, and aspired to the character of inspiration : but his zeal for holy war
gave him a particular veneration for the character of A li^ the doctrines of
whose sect he seemed on many occasions to patronize more than those of
Oonor (or the Soonee) in which he had been educated.
The uuth4ir I lien |ir«N*t*«His in a dLsserUition uii the ^^(latiotis of
rniition ; the iliiwimiHtudo and intM|uality of men in their mental
qualitieji, aa well an in their exterior a|)|M*uranctv Thia inenuality,
he olaHTveji, \\\\i^ exinte^l even in the a|KMtl«M, nent at different
|ieri<Kljt hy the Almi;:hty t<» enli^diten mankind : it exiKta aluo
anxin;^ the inferior oiders of m4*n : ifovemnit-nt ia ro<{uiMto f<»r tho
pniti^ction of mankin<l. ami kin^'H have exihifd in every af^ : tho
name distinctions are ol^aer^'ahle in the relative characteni of
kiiipi, aM amon^ the a|M»HtIt*ii al>ove them, and the maiis of man-
kin<l Ulow thi*ni . imd th«* pnMif of tliin reUtive iiu|ieri<>rity of one
kin^ over an*ither in exem|»litie*i \n fhr auftt ri.>nty of Ti/^/^oo Nit/-
taun, c»ivr all k'in^jn, ancieui and m*^irrn. Tiie author then ijuoa
on f4»r 'v*v««ral \ui^*s to r4»m|ian* the StilUiun with the nun. thiMnixin,
the fitapi. and the planets ; tht* prophets and A{>'intli*H ; and the moat
cidohratcHl kinir^ and phihviopherM of antiquity . in a ntyle (»f arcom-
plinhi-d extmva^nn* and al«iunlity.
Sueh. he proree«lM. wan Tij»|>«»«» Sultnun. th«' autlmr of inrom-
para!»le inventionn and n*«»ulatit»n» to U» nri»nh»-| in this wnrk ;
whirh i.* int«'nde«l f«>r the rxrhiHiv^* instni(*tioTi of hi?* «»wn d«\*M>»nfl-
ant^4i : and if any 'ithtT ^»v»»p*i;^i h)i«iuM ad«»|»t l»y Ht«*alth any of
thojk* inventionH. " hf muU n»'<i**vs.'irilv !»• rl.xHsi^i anion;: the nnid
de^rt'ndantN .** that in t«» nny. a«Vi»niiiiL; to thf ;fr»»s.s and ol«n*ntj
dial«N't of thin eourt. h«»n»aft«T to U* n'»tii^<<|, of whiidi the Siiltann
rotdd not div«'Ht himvlf evni in hin lit«'n\ry pursuitn. " TipjMio
StiltAun muHt U» ctin^idtri'd t/» have emt»nni^l the moth«-r of the
^ip|Hi«w^l imitator"
Th»* '•■M'n'tary «u«'niH to have Ui«n anhanicMl of thin f*arly «|K»ei-
m<*n : for. in the vrrj* next H«*nt4nr«\ whirh is mon* than usually
involvi^l and inftat< d. appaniitly to roni^al lii^ puquiM*. h»« takes an
op|ii»rtunity of infoniiiii^ th«* readrr. that manv |ia.vui^ii of the
Work ar^* <if the ex|»nt^ ilitiation of thr ^ultiun him'^-if
Thf» w«trk i* pptpiMMNl t*> \t»* •livid*-! iiit** tw«» Vfdum<-s ; firnt,
the p'iirali»'^y and lif«- of thi* Sult.nun s ^randfathiT and father;
Hccond. th«- lifi* of 7*1^ •;*••» S'llf'tun
Tin* limt vitluint> i>rM*i«*dH u«i farther th.-%n tit** earlv vouth of
IIvdiT--a hlank ea^ui-* . an«l thi- «M'r«in«l I'omnienrt**! a>>niptlv with
th«» acri-Ktii.»fi of Ti|>|c»*» Sultiuin m 17V* :iiid !•% tNintihu«'«i to 17H9 ;
aftiT ^im«' Klank li-av«*5%. follitWH a v«<*i»nd «^liti<*n of th«' ;;«-ni'alo^* ;
lj«*t)i <if them are e«|ually n*mot4* fr>tu th«* tnith . ahi! in the nar*
rative of iranaartiotut fnan 17-^^ to 17V^ :iltliou;;h H.inj<* of bia
miCTf^sful military* otwrati'-ns an* r»dat«^l with a p-s|w«etali|e ik^^^nyi
(tf cleam«?M and ppt*iHiMii, th<>«u> in wlu h lii^ anns wen* nnfurtunate
can acaroely U* rt*4H»^uii>*d. in thr tur^'id and f:iLul«>us idia|M« whieb
thv Sultaun tum aafii^ii«*«l to them.
thi the tirtt mention of tb<* Kntrti^h. a«««i s«iiDctiiiieii wber\» th^y
an* not «>pp(K%i<d to him, he is pl«*aj^l to rail tht*m Sityirmrw fliom
NaXi^ritli / ; l*ut on oth«-r oera.sioii.<% th*y air '* niAcall^f injidfls* and
a rvoM t'"* J y r«ce lu iiArTalui(( tlieir altar k^. they ar\: Oim|iar\xl to
XVI PREFACE.
wouiuled vnld'boars, and in other passages they are a race of
demons. Madras h«as the honorable name of the City of HerTna-
phrodites ; and the Nabob Mohammed Ali Khan, the contemptuous
designation of the Christian.
The French officers are treated by the writer without incivility,
until their refusal to continue hostilities at Mangalore, in 1783,
after the conclusion of a peace between their nation and the
English : from that period Mons. Cossigni is called Nau Sirdar (viz.,
the privative nau prefixed to the word ojfficer) ; and the nation
funaamentally faithless.
The character of the Sultaun's literary taste is displayed
throughout the work in a strange selection of terms, and a mis-
spelling of the names of his opponents, for the purpose of giving
them a contemptuous or obscene meaning : a few examples to explain
this species of wit and illustrate the ususd phraseology of the Sultaun,
are thrown into shade at the bottom of the page.*
It was impossible to give any tolerable view of the nature of
the performance, and it wUl be equally impracticable to convey even
a faint idea of the manners of the court during the late dynasty,
without some offence against delicacy ; but the transgressions will,
I trust, be found as few and as slight as the nature of the subject
could possibly admit. I shall conclude this account of the King of
Histories with a specimen of the performance.
When Brigadier-General Macleod appeared the second time
before Mangalore, he is made to address a letterf- to the Sultaun,
challenging a combat between equal numbers, for the purpose of
deciding the war : the following is the Sultaim's reply : —
* Mukaad is the place where any person sits down, it is also the part of
the body on which a person sits. It suited the chosen dialect of the Suhaun
to make use of this t«rra to describe tlie place of encampment of the enemy.
Soherab Jung, a Soherab in war ; the title of the Nizam^s late minister.
Soherah was the son of Jiustum^ the Persian hero ; it is written Shoreab^ which
causes it to signify hracHth water. Tohuwiw Jung^ valiant in war^ is converted
into Teheber Jung^ undermost in war, Oote Naick^ the name of a Coorg insur-
gent, is written Coote Naick, Captain Dog. Appa Bulwunt^ one of the Mab-
ratta chiefs, is written Amma Bulwunt^ Mother Bulwunt : and fintdly, the
word Afakratia, or rather Mharatta, which, when written in the Hindoo-rersic
character, is properly spelled with the aspirate, and sharp Hindoostanee TV
with four points, has always the aspirate omitted, and.tne Hindoostanee is
converted into the thick Persian Te with two points ; Marata ; which new
orthography produces a word signifying Catamite. A copy of the work was in
the house of Zein-ul-ab-u-deen, Sound m a splendid cover with a lock and key
to secure it. A zealous adherent of the late dynasty, of whose veracity in
this instance I cannot doubt, in a visit to Zein-ul-ab-u-deen observed the
book, and asked, as matter of conversation, what it was. Zein-ul-ab-u-deen
excused himself from giving a direct answer, and referred the enauirer to an
endorsement on its cover in the Persian language, of which the following is a
verbal translation. ** Si quis, sine regis imperio, hunc libnun aperiens, in
earn intueator, numims ezecratione, et regis ira implicitus erit, ac miod si
matris in vulvam inspexisset, idem se crimen commiasisse censeat.** It was
generally known that Zetn'ul-ab'H-iieen and the Sultaun were engaged in such
a work, and that no other person was permitted to see it.
t The state of the fact will be discussed in its proper place.
rilKKA* K XVU
' It is ;uliiiitt4M|. Iiy tlir rfiiirurriii;: tost iinoiiy i»t' all rc'liirioiis,
lli;il fi«» u|Mii!«tJ«'. «'Xn»|itiii'4 tin* h<«:iI of iIm» ii|¥istlt**<. has luiMi invi»?*U^I
witli tli«* |M»wrr of tlio swoi'tt : and tli:it tli«* t4*xt of ' Slay th(*iit
wlit»n*AiM*v<*r tlpiii rniist Hii>l tlit'tn,' lui** <l«*M't'ii4)«*<l mmi tlio almighty
Avt»iipT to u** otliiT Tliat Imly |HTsoim^r ili<l, in iMfifonnity to
tlir mnunan*! of th*- l;|'m: < 'irator. I«'l I<hihi» tht* nituUl ile,^fnnfiny
HWonl. without distinction, on t)i«* ilrws. th»* Na/^in*n« h, th«* SnManfi,
and otli«*i' id<»)-it«-p« And tli** vi^'tori^Mi^ lion of tho I>>nl iAli>. who
wan tho ri;:htful hu'iun.* siiid tin* aii<»o|iit«' \itvj^i\'Ut of the* Mfal of
thf pn»|»hi*ts ifin »v«-d tin* darkn«-*> of intidtdity and a.HH04*iatioii
(tlmt in th«» do«*tnii«* of as-si^niinj; to (ind a.HH«H'iat«*s in |Kiw«»r). and
<M*nt ahundan<v of OHMM'tators on the* mml to tin* alNKht of nunc* ry.
" But your n|MMtli*. th*' lM»ly Mi'ssiali. lui^ordin^ to univ«TKal
adniiMHion. wa/i not invt*Ht«*«| hy t}i«* Almighty with tht* iM»wt*rof the
HWoni. an<l n«*Vfr did und«*rtak«' a holy war It is i^vKhMit. nioro-
ovi*r. fnmi auth^ntit* UmjUh. tlmt vou f'tlMtht arr^H^ato to vourM*lvt»H
thf ndi^fion oftlif M«*ssiah : tliat you su|»|»iirt th«* «|i>**trin«* of th<»
triftit*i. a1>s«ihit«*l\ li.s'MM'iatin^' oth«*r j-T«*iins with <I«mI. and th»*ndiy
rnrol \ourHi'|\fs with id"!at»r* . and that you |i«*r|»'tmt«» torhiddi*n
thiuffM. Hurh t%fi tliinkiiii: win«v fatin;^' Hwin*'** tlr<»h. ;^tinin;;. u**ury,
and «*v»Tv oth»*r ai-t whi« h hv th»* univiTsid ri»n-M«nt of mankind w
htdd to U» a viri* Th»r«'ft»n' tf*"l. and th«* a|N»stlr i»f (ii»d. that in
th«' M«-*«^MAh ari«t all Wis ilfi't. aUuninnt** and ahhor you. an^l vou
havf in«timd th«» wrath tif thr thron** of (f<Hl.
*' \Vh«'r»fiir»*. all Ht-^t-* U'in^ U*tin«l hy tin* law^ and |»n»ci»pt« of
thfir n-^iw-^tiv*' a|»»Ht|f^. it fullown. that killiiii; and slayin:;.T and
hravorv and h«*p»i-ni. and h-dy war. and thf d«*stru«*tion of intid«d!i.
and tin' art-4 whiih Ulon^f to th** ;rnll'ttit fttid tin* hmviv havo
df^w't-U'liNl an an hinslitary rl:;lit to u-* (r*»u\ our a|Nr«th»
" If th<>u haAt any d^iuht of all thi**. df-^'-fn*!. as thou hant writ-
ti'n. fn»ni thy ship- with thy f-'n**". and t-i-t«' th«' flavour of tho
MowH inHirt4-<i \'\ tin* hand-* of th*- h-Jy w.ifri«'rs. and U'h«ld iiw
t«*rror of thf ri-liji<*n of M"h.ininH 1 . hut **u th.it «viin** (*«*n<iition
whi«'h th'Mi ha».t writt'-n that s«i|.lii t i.j.jmkm-I t«> s.iMi.t. anj offii'or
to offi.tr. in sin^d*' r.indcit with -'nh w«a|i*iits as th»'y shall tdn»«rM\
shall •{•'t'Tniiti'- whiih i- tin U tt't man
■ f.ik* I n\\n Trrrt't\r it \r frnrti thy imji^rMtion.
Mxkr ti'» m«irr i«Ur r\4.MMn« l»i^ .1 Wiimaii "t
<M-n«Til M.vlf-I is tln'n stat**«l to h.iv»« t1.-l on th»* sani«* nti^ht ;
and th«* Kn^Iish an* jvlnittt*-! a.« sii|.f*li.ints to liU'ral «'«>nditiona
"f |wa''f
• Thi» *»tilt»un inM»? \ih\r \w^n hut 4 I'tkrm irni Swhut U* hA%i- rtincctUd
Co hi* ««*«*? 4^ tJir>' thl* f .i!.iltrnrn*..%l <) s-tntir of thr Mirvs acrt
t Thi M- rf {>rtitt«>n« nf ii^tiotiyui* ATr i-ff-vf^fsl fi.f ihr }iuqHi«4» <»f rrmlvf-
ifitf th«* trftii»l4ttoii a4 t life And a« \«'r:>Al a* the idiumtof the twu Unf(U44(««
will Admit
X Thit aIm) i« «tatnl to br a «pfciirrn (»f thf» tA«t# uf the SultaQn, whicli
rAiiiM»t be ripUiti«il vitbuut thr wnM (;?«*%« indrcmc )r
XVUl PREFACE.
Since my anrival in England I have been indebted to the Court
of Directors for access to the records and library at the India House,
and I have to acknowledge the most obliging attention from every
officer of that house with whom I have had occasion to communicate.
These records are still more imperfect than those at Madras ; but
each contains materials that are wanting in the other. My chief
intercourse has hitherto been with Ittr. Jackson, the register and
keeper of the ancient records, which, although extremely defective,
afford some valuable matter for the general historian, and extensive
materials for a life of Sevajee, which had escaped the researches of
Mr. Orme. It is but common justice to Mr. Jackson to notice liis
clear and intelligent arrangement of these disjointed materials, and
the very laborious process by which he has rendered the reference
to every record, whether in the order of the subject or the date,
perfectly simple and satisfactory.
In a pursuit which from its nature precludes a recourse to the
ordinary means of preventing inaccuracy, I am far from presuming
to expect that an ardent desire for truth has in every instance
attained its object ; and communications, accompanied by the re-
quisite autiborities which may enable me to correct errors, will be
thankfully acknowledged, if tne public should ever call for a second
edition.
It was intended that the design of this work should be com-
pleted by the publication of the whole at this period ; but preca-
rious health has prevented the execution of this intention ; and the
same cause forbids me to speak with confidence of the very early
appearance of a second and last volume. Its preparation, however,
snail not be unnecessarily intermitted ; but the delay will afford me
the opportunity of being governed by public opinion, according to
which I shall be prepared to prosecute the design with spirit, or to
abandon it without severe reluctance.
PREFACE
OF
THE SECOND AND THIRD VOLUMES
{0/ the Original London Edition.)
When an interval of several years has elapsed, between the publi-
cation of a first and second volume, the readers of the work may
think themselves entitled to some explanation of the causes of delay.
There was no affectation in the original announcement, that the
appearance of a second volume, or the entire abandonment of the
design, would depend on the reception of the first ; and I waited
the event with entire resignation. Those periodical publications,
which influence public opinion, and may be deemed its organs, were
not early in their notice of the first volume : but there is, 5" possible,
less affectation in declaring, that their approbation, when it did
appear, exceeded my expectations. The work was resumed, but no
considerable progress had been made, when it was interrupted, by a
call of public duty to a foreign station, from which I only returned
in June 1816 ; and by subsequent causes, improper to be obtruded
on public notice, which unha[)pily fixed my mind on other cares.
Inexperience or unskilfulness have caused this portion of the
work to double the original calculation ; and the second and third
volumes are now presented to the world, with the disadvantage of
unexpected circumstances, which have interfered with a sufliciently
careful revision of a certain portion of their contents. This expla-
nation applies not to the matter, but the manner. If I were aware
of any errors of fact, the work should stop, at whatever stage ; but
I submit to the responsibility of minor faults.
I have received a liberal extension of aid in the researches con-
nected with these volumes, and some, of which I am restrained from
making a particular acknowledgment.
A continuation of access to the records at the India House, was
greatly facilitated by the kind attention of the late Mr. Hudson, to
whose department those records belonged.
XX PREFACE.
I am indebted to the kindness of Sir Henry Cosby, for the
perusal of his accurate journal of the war of 1767-(>9, and for personal
explanations of great value.
To my long-known and cordial friend, Colonel Allan, I am
obliged for his intelligent and interesting journal of the campaigns
of 1790, 1791, 1792 and 1799, with the drawings and plans neces-
sary for their complete illustration ; and for a mass of regularly
arranged historical materials, from 1707 to 1799, which would have
exceedingly abridged my own labors at Madras and at the India
House, if I had known of their existence in sufficient tune.
From my friend, Sir John Kennaway, I have received the com-
munication of numerous and valuable facts, connected with his own
diplomatic services from 1788 till 1792 : and a voluminous collection
of documents in the Persian language, bequeathed to him by the
late Colonel William Kirkpatrick, comprising, among others, a
variety of original compositions, in the hand-writingof the late Tippoo
Sultaun ; and consultations authenticated by the original signatures
of his ministers. Translations of some of these are publisbed in
Kirkpatrick's curious collection of Tippoo's letters, to which my
obligations are acknowledged in the body of the work ; and the un-
published portion has afforded many valuable facts and illustrationa
The delicacy involved in the later periods of this work requires
no explanation : but in these periods, the circle is enlarged of those
friends, who may be enabled, not only to detect inaccuracies, but to
furnish me with the requisite authorities for their correction, in a
future edition, if the Public should demand it.
London, )
2oth June 1817. j
CONTENTS
oi
ft^
r II E FIR ST V () L r M K
CIIAITKU I.
KKFLK(n*I<)NS (»n the imiiKinnr)' lid|>|>iiit*<iii nf the early ai;e4 l*n>frrc!«4 of
ron«|tiv«t^ revolution, aimI litK^y .kuioii 4 tiiici\)luc«l ii.iUi>n<i No pretermiun
to Anti«|Uity amoiifC the ruling f*iiuiiie<t of the IiuIiau |ttiiiii4uU~-St4t« uf
that rt»iititry when the HiinhMi dyn.i^ty of MyMwir U^in to emerge from
oU%curity Sketrh of iii former K<^*Kr-M*hy - Kir^t irrnptmn «»f the .Mobam-
nuNl.inii t4» the jwmiMi of the ri%er Tjptre to the M»uth of the river Kintna —
I'luUiler of the capital «if TiiniatK' -lU uitrn-^tinic ritiii^- hlztetit of that
Empire —lU final tle^tru't ton >OriiCin of the em|ure of Vg0\anuir;(nr- Ita
■ee<»n<i <iynii.«ty (*on«|Ui*t« < atiM*^ f»f it^ rahid incn-aM' Ket^ellutn of the
MuMuliimn rhir!« c»f the Pvekan. an<l e-ta(»li hmvnt of an inde|»rntlent
novcreijnity at < ulburK-i Klforta of the tlethr*>iir<l rrim^e of Waraukul the
ally of Vgt*)4nuKitnr l>i«tniii»n of the Mohammedan^ of I>eckaii, and
He|Miration iiito fi\e diMmrt K'^^^^rnnientA - Pat^in empire of llind«MjaUui
in%a<lr4i hy the Mo^uU at the exact time that VaMoi» de (iama doubled ib«
Tape of <fiHiii llo|>«— (onfetierary of the 6ve princes uf I>c>ckan, and fall of
the empire of Vijeyanuj{«^ur .State of that empire dunng ita decline^
Kdlectiona on ibe despot mm of the Kdui. .... r^ge I
CHAITER II.
Romantic ori^n of the IIindfM> bouse i»f M^'MHvr. an«l rhange of rrliiri«>n ->
Kiiundati«>n of the ramtai of that name— Vgrya Arbiral - ltetA<l i^ham KjJ
— I Wile i* ham Kaj lierra<*ham Kju -lletad Watlr^ar i>e|io«itton of tbia
chief, and election of bu y«iuni^:r hr«ahrr Kjg \\a<levar— Uede«*tion« ««
thu fact, and <m tb« lutereatiux cbaractcra of the orothem— Jncidenta
cbaracteri«tic of tbr time« and oi the hn»ther»- Ar«|ui«iti«*n of HerHiKA|»a-
tam It* annent hi%t«iry - \ii'»ther cbanice of rrli^'ion l.i*t of otntiucata,
and rra.«>n for adoptnu' thi« afran|{*-ment fliam K.ij littuiadee Kaj. uncle
«»f the Utc it^a, and |x**thuiiioua m« of hi« |»rcdrcr»««ir |M*iMintd hv bia
Oiini«tcr *ttccer<!ed by Canty Itrv.i Nar«a lUj aiir«d*>tc «•! hi« i iii%alrou«
•|»tnt K«i«leni-r of iiaurpatioti III the tw«* prtirdnii; rri|pi« Kriian«'ipatifm
««f tb^ prrttrnt Itaja by the a%*a«ii nation «>f thr u^urpir*^ niiiii*trr Nr^e of
.Srnn^a|««lani by a MuK*uli:.an army repuUc of the enemy Arraitfe-
inenL* linanctal ^military ^ the mint 4'iKirt relijctoua eAtabliabment* —
cx»n«|ur*t« iNid 1^1 Haj Uepiilar of tbr IC^a of Itrdiiure and of Madura
"rt'ii.iurtt* of tbl» rei^n i'jMC* *•
CHAITKH III.
rnUcil period in tbtatfairaof Myamir -Xcrc— ity of a retriM|iect to Ibe general
XXll CONTENTS.
state of Deckai) and the south since the battle of Tellicota — Compact of the
victors for separate conquest — their progress in the central and western
provinces — in the eastern — Numerous smaller states rise from the rains of
the late empire— An Abyssinan King in Deckan — The prince Aurungzebe
appointed viceroy of Deckau — Folly of the Mu^ulman chiefs of the
south — Base treachery of the Hindoos themselves — Conquest of Vyeya-
foor — and Golconda— crushed by Aurungzebe, now emperor —Beautiful
lindoo prophecy — applied to Sevajee, the founder of the present Msdiratta
empire— Origin of this family— Ban bajee Bhousla — Maulsgee— Shahjee—
Whimsical affiance of marriage— enforced — Shahjee elevated to the omce of
minister — Mogul invasion— Flight of Shahjee to Vijeyapore— Adventures and
capture of his wife— Birth of Sevajee — Second marriage of Shahjee — anec-
dote of his ingenuity— appointed governor of the conquests in Carnatic and
Drauveda— innovations in his administration — separate provision for his
^ first wife and son at Poona— Vicious habits of Sevajee— The robber becomes
a sovereign— Evidence of Shahjee's intention to establish an independent
government for himself at Bangalore — is seized, and ordered to be executed
— reprieve— restoration to confidence and power — Sevajee takes revenge on
his father's enemies— is visited by hb father — i'iscussion of dates — Con-
quest of Tanjore — Sevajee's wonderful irruption into Drauveda — incidents
of that campaign — meeting with his brother Eccojee for the first time —
undisturbed return to Con can. Page 38
CHAPTER IV.
Former exclusion and present^accession of Chick Deo Raj — Judicial astrology
—means of accomplishing its predictions — New minister— Post-Office —
Spies — Vigorous but unpopular administration— Religion of the Raja — The
minister assassinated by the Jungum — His successor — Policy observed in
the exterior encroachments of tliis reign — Remarkable purchase of Banga-
lore—Farther concjuests— to the north and west— and east — Expedition to
Trichinopoly — False i)olicy of Aurungzebe in the apparent conquest and
real increase of his enemies — Abuses —and financial difficulties— A Mahratta
army invades Mysoor — Recal of the troops from Trichinopoly— Singular vic-
tory— Embas.sy to Aurungzebe— its motives and result— The Rjna assumes
the dignity of being seated on a throne — New arrangement of the depart-
ments of government— Public economy and order — Wealth— Extent of
territory — Necessity of allotting a separate chapter to the question of land-
ed property. Page 54
CHAPTER V.
Preliminary observations— The :term " landed nroperty" not sufficiently dis-
tinguished from the mode of possessing it unaer the feudal law — Objection
to the employment of feudal terms — Origin of " landed property" accord-
ing to Menu — the Mohammedans— the Roman lawyers— meaning attached
to the tenn in this work— Earliest opinions regarding the state of landed
property in India derived from the companions of Alexander— and embassy
of ifle^thenes — collected by Strabo— and Diodorus-their imperfect in-
formation— later voyagers and travellers— Servants of the East India Cora-
pany— authors of " the Husbandry of Bengal" — of ** Plans for British India"
— of Digest of Hindoo law —all deny the existence of private landed pro-
perty— Reasons of dissenting from these authorities — Description of an
Indian village or township— Kingdoms comjwsed of these elements — their
interior constitution and relation to the government liable to no change —
examination of ancient authorities — Menu— digest— contradictions in the
commentary— examination of the text - person designated as proprietor —
limitations regarding hereditary descent — and public contributions-^Proof
of hereditary and entailed landed property as an universal principle of
« oMKN Is Will
lliiitlii«t l.iw iMitlii-i kiK:; iioi /t'liiitul.ir tlu- |Mii)iii«-t«i: AiiiMiint (»| iaiul-
t.i\ iilijiTtb'li'^ Ml, tilK'n titl ll« ^'K«-tili;; ti* i*ultl\.it«' .in«l tlir Ulid ltj44*lf
tfr.iiitt-il liy tin- kiiiK'^-'iii'^^^iMil hy tvivtiucv to tltt* tv\t t»f tlio I.iw aii*! llii*
t«'rrii-« of tlir u'l'kiit^ KcStcim'c t«» the :iih'ii-iit r*Xntv of l.iiiili*«l pro|H'rty
111 iitlitT I'oiiiitrii'i •ImlfM K^ypt S|inrtaii faMri Atlivii^ liiforiikation
«|oii)itfiiI rf^.irilink' lirrnT - iiiMrt* :iiii|>lc ;iii<l |»irfi-rt in It.tly - infrrciit'o
friitii tliU «-\ iiiiiii.itii>ii Atti-iii{'t t«i tiuiftiir f<tat4* «>f l.tii(lr«{ |iro|>rrty in
liidi.k, from tilt* rarlir^t |H'ri«hi<« till tlir proriit il.iy (\in<|Ut'-tA -<if lIiii«i(NiH
lliin^-T«N»rki« AirM'li.iii!««>r IVit ui'* M«*;*iil<. iiit4Tni|>t«-«| liy ii:itur.il iiii|k.*-
ilitiU'ntH riiitril ri*>;intii tin«t o\fr-riiii Hi-'tmi .iial H«-nt4*rii tr^irti M'|Mrat-
mI liy pr(-4'i|*itv<« .iiul a l*uriiitii; oliinutr — K&.iiiiiiiatiMii of tlio l.itttr from
the «-.i^t(*rii ost'^t at l.'i) Doitii I.ttMtiui«'. roiiml i'apf Coiiiorin to 1.* N.
<iti tlir Wi'^t ('iM<«t r.ititra «ti('-<<lXtli ot th«- rr* p tli« alM'unt laiid-t.iX
inrriMM' of H* Jht citit. on it<« roiii|ii««t by a raiMii.in iii \'2'»'2 roiit|iir.Ht hy
tho lioiiM* o{ Viji \4iiu;{M'ur in I'l^i -l.iw tri«'t rMiii|N»<.til hv tlu* niini'^tcT of
tint i*tat«' utill extant lAXv^ rotifurmiMc to .M«'iiu. aii«l tu«> aiuifiit autlio-
riiifi on lliiiil«Ni law that law ilrxtrroii-ly applnil to tin* o:ilrulatii-n!i of
tlif «*on«|urror rauc^ tlu* rr\t'nu«*^ *«> per <riit fartlur a«»'H*-*Hiiu*nt l»y tlll•
rl-U 1 pivtrnur'* in UUH— Katf at w hit h laiul^ wt-rc tl.tii n<»M hi-roiitary
ruht^ 111 lan<i in«I<-S*«i!uhli* in ('anara miKm •(ucnt «'xai'tion<« up to and aft4,T
till- < •>!ii(U('<it by ll\<lrr III 17*^1 un<lrr Tipptm >ultauii pM^privtor.^ U-^nn to
ili«M laiin tlu'ir pfoprrty int« n-iKv fruni tlii« f i<-t - Maltt>ar fa)tulon<* and
r«al lii«t4*ry landi'ti prop«'rt\<>f thM t ••.!•* t {h- r tret t«» a «lrt;rfi' iiiii>\aiiipl«-«l
III any i»tlirr rountry Jiii<*i«-iit or m-tlt-ni Travani'«»rf i i^t«*rn «»».w»t. or
l>riu\«<li lN*«inniii^ with thr ii«irth4rn limit ^<'on*itii utl nv thf Ihmi-c* of
Vn«-> inutTfnir in li:*oto ITil'i h) lUv Mu'^^tnlniin StatrAnt Vij«-ya)««*rf ami
(■ol('t*nila in VMf\ (r»'|Uvni itii ur^io'^ ninh'r Shalnfc — Scvajcv— tir^t fi\«!
Mohamm**^! m »;<'\i rnnu-n*. aU'iit 1»»'.»h it^ dfti'ttahk* rhara'trr th* ••<* har«
torian* a^-kiiowhtl^i* intlir %i-ry t«-rhniral t< rni^ tht-y nnphiy thi- r\i«it«n<*o
of prnatf h«'rrdit«jirv prop* rty in Imd «t that tiniv tliiM'U^iit'nH on thM
niihjft'l i*n the n* oHM .»{ M tdr.i.^— thrtr rr«iilt -•wih* of the land!*- iiiul crv-
atiiifi iif /rmindarit, m the •) u*«'<'r. S.ili*ni. «i'4' — *uiipt*-ion of the pn>|iru'ty of
that nir«.«tirv it* farthi r ••|Ht.it)oii AU«|Hndt'«l —State of property in Tan-
i''»n- \la*lur.i— Tiniit %i i!y, .Vf Ai Infenncet The temt«»ria] |N>lii-y of
ladrui drn\e«l from lU*n^*al— Krrt.r% in the pirinatirn* M'ttleiui-nt of that
roanlry— Infrrcncen from the wln»lr Pa^Ce ti.'
lilAITKH VI.
4'hanffe* intr«Htu<'<-«l hy <*h4«-k Ui*** Uaj int ithe i>>nditii*n iif the landhiddcni
IiliAhilit) i>f hi« rtlit;ittu« prnif ipir* Tlie lind-t.ix .iu!h'>ri/««l hy thellind****
4« n«tt >it t-ii-««-di«i < ••nip iriMiii iif pa.«t .tnd prt *t-nt amount 4*«»nipara
tivr «a!ur i>f the prr<«|oti« nn-t lU « nri*u» fu t* i»h«>«in«? that tlu- \alur h.M
not ( hatu'ol — Vrxati'tcM tate« inti nde«l t-i Ik* •'••niiuiit**! f«ir an int'rea.M' of
the l^id tai ~i ••nM«|U< nt in«iirr«4-tioii trra(h<rous innrdrr of the .liin^iini
(•rir*t»— inMirr«<ti.»n «uppreM4«l I'rrM-nt •tite «•! pro|i«Tty tn M>^Mir-
luttJU*-*Liinie hrhU etrinpt4-d A%rrai:r .uMcMinicnt laml not Raleahir -
infrrrficr^'rirrptlon'k h<>nif firhU tlrM'rnil a* lllheritante in the later
«t»fii|Ur«t4 an«l northern trjii t«~ firoi^rrty aI»« '11114 ly rxtini;uMh««l IS^ith i»f
t'huk IV«' ILg riiii<|ite«t« ttatr of lN<«'kin at.tl th«* iMiutn - Sieo atid «*ap
tur«- of f finji^ hy UatM*! Khxn. ind it* citci«c-,urnre4 - Aunin«;<eU- « •li^tri*
hutiofi «*f riimtiuind -KaAini Khan -K«<ujr«lir lK<wan -NAh*»h Ke«ti|i|.
tii*Q «>f wiifd^ ami thtn,:^^ fun^tir llydrrahtd V|jr>a|M«ir-*|lda«;hiut-
I'avern <ih%ut thiir fe>|>n-ti%r limit* '-net CM) ty fur nplainin^ tht^-
trrhmral dniMon^ U* rrndrr intelliiTihlr tb«* future narratnr nauie« «it
rtiuntrie» Umi «*r rhanipni TrrtciKion* of thr nativrt ah*orUc«l in the
• tHitnitit *»( ftifrtjCfirrB*- UricuUnty ami ^rdrr n^ifinrd t» the |*A^'«a of thi
tw|imal rivi*tcr— Aaftfiliy of th< muntry ah|y tlc«rrilinl hy a ct*uUiu|Mirary
authur .... i*^^ Ijl
XXIV CONTESTS.
CHAPTER VI r.
Canty Reva Kaj, sou of the late Raja, born deaf and dum — succeeds to tbe
throne— military operations — Daood Khan called from the two Carnatics —
leaves Saadut Oolla Khan as his Foujedar and Dewan — his campaign in
Mysoor— Death ot' the dumb Raja — and succession of his sou l>ud Kishen
Raj— Saadat Oolla succeeds to the government of the two Camatics, which
he retains four years — division of this command — Sera — Arcot— Kurpa —
Kurnool — Savanoor Gooti — Contest for the spoils of Mysoor — its result —
Mahratta invasion of Mysoor — conquest of Maagree and Savendroog —
extinction of a dynasty which had ruled two hundred years — character of
this reign belongs to the ministers— contemptible conduct of the Raja — his
death— state of the administration— conditional nomination of Cham Rig as
pageant king— his emancipation — new ministry — their absurd conduct —
concerted revolution— and murder of the Raja— departure from all pretext
to hereditary succession in the choice of the next pageant, the Infant Chick
Kishen Raj— Ministry — singular preparation and death of the minister
Nunjeraj — unfortimate choice of a successor of the same name— Doast All
Khan Nabob of Arcot invades Mysoor — defeat of his army — Campaign of
Nunjer^ in Coimbatore — Nasir Jung sent by his father to levy a contribu-
tion on Mysoor—" Lake of Pearls" — Marriage of the pageant Raja — suspi-
cious motives — Siege of Deonhully — first scene of Hyder*s achievements-
history of his family — Mohammed Bhelole —his sons Mohammed All and
Wellee — remove to Sera and thence to Colar — Futte Mohammed, son of the
former — left destitute and protected by a stranger — early distinction as a
soldier — his first marriage and its issue — circumstances of his second inaur-
hage — he removes to Arcot — declines the service on a point of etiquette —
goes to Chittoor— death of his second wife and marriage with her sister —
returns to Sera— appointed Foujedar of Colar — birth of Shabaz and Hyder—
their fatlier slain at Sera— plunder and destitute condition of the family —
seek tlie protection of their uncle Ibrahim at Bangalore— Shabaz enters the
service of the Raja of Mysoor, and is promoted — early habits of Hyder —
performs his first service at Deonhully— is distinguished and promoted —
Kasir Jung marches to Arcot accompanied by the troops of Mysoor —
circumstances leading to this event — Saadut Oolla — Doast Ali — Sufder Ali
— treacherous seizure of Trichinopoly— dangerous nomination of Chunda
Sahcb to be Governor— desperate intrigue for his removal — Mahratta inva-
sion—Doa^it Ali slain in battle — Farther intrigues of Sufder Ali — Conquest
of Trichinopoly and capture of Chunda Saheb by the Mahrattas — Assassin-
ation of Sufder Ali — temporary appointment of Anwar u Deen— murder of
his reputed successor the son of Sufder Ali— Release of Chunda SiLheb—
Remarkable battle of Myconda and its consequences — Chunda Saheb and
Muzuffer Jung with a French corps invade Arcot — battle of Amboor —
death of Anwar u Deen, and escape of Mohammed Ali to Trichinopoly —
approach of Xasir Jung — review of the pretensions of tlie four rival candi-
dates— English and French support opposite parties — Nasir Jung arrives—
dispersion of his oppcments, and surrender ot Muzuffer Jung— fresh exer-
tions of the Frencii — defeat of Mohammed Ali — conspiracy of the Patan
Nabobs — attack and death of Nasir Jung — reflections on that event —
Desperate fortunes of Mohammed Ali — relieved by another revolution-
State of the English and French interests in India— character of their res-
pective Governors — Chunda Saheb besieges Trichinopoly — Extraordinary
talents and achievements of Mr. Clive. Page 13^
CHAPTER VIII.
Mohammed Ali sends an embassador to the Riga of Mysoor — nature and
result of the negotiation— Army of Mysoor marches to Trichinopoly undter
Nunjeng — Msgor Lawrence assumes the command of the British troops —
relieves Trichmopoly— Talents and conduct of the opponents in this eon-
itiNTr.xrs \xv
ir%i IVUrhmrnt iin<lrr (';i|itaiu (*li\r it4 ••t»jc«-t% uM roii^r^uciir'*^ Ihii
trr<*«i iif tin* KpMK-li ami ('litiini.i S:ihf)i ;it Si-riiiK'haiii — trcin'hrruu- • ipturt*
.Hid niurtitT «•( riiuTnii ^^:llll^ HrHiM-tinii*— SurriMnli-r nf th<* Kr« n- ii — The
Kiu'li«h «li*i<-ii\4r !••! the tir^t tiiiif t)i«- I'r.iiiil iii;i*ii«ii*«) \*y M**]idUiiu*d Aii
nvMnliiii; 'I'rirliiii><|H<ly -^iitK-i (iiiiit ni-;;i>ti.iti* n Kiu'li^li •">•! Mi'h.fcMiiiirii
Ail |»ii"-(*f<t tiiu.iiii^ Arrtit Nuii.irr.ii rrrii.iiiiN lu-i .itt-unl pi"!-* !"i truiiii;
T:ji. hiii'«;'*»ly Kn in ii N.ifNili, .Xliiil.iry -iii • i-iiix <»f l..iHrtiit*«* .iimI ('iivr
M ir.tii K'lW \V.i\r!iM.' •-i>ti<lii« t ••! Niiii|frij lin- Kn^lith .it^«'r loii;; iinic
'■i-:iiu tri I* liiiii i^ I'l i"i»i'!iiy ill <.t«ti>> M •••»:iiiii»'ln"«'llicli' — I*i"!ri %* of
In MiM'j'i'ly ti'tiii I fijiij;-! •. lit- •.! r-« |ir<>v i-iiiii-« rnip h ii|Hr.i^.'ii- iti Um'
I'l'k.in * ••[ iliilii ■ 1.1 ■.* N.iIni\i — IiH !fi .■!m i! I 'ril!^ ••! M i|"r l.tMrrliif
"I ir- !|. • liir '.ill- Ft ..• : '■: 'I'; .. |jifj'»i".;y jiu ■•"•r'.il .»!!!■ k •■u ''i,' tiiMii 4
Ml >• •.'i/li.rii •III- !;•:» I lii.'i v nitS-r-i-i [• i:t:i ;!/• i.ty .iii<l
* 1* ■ .■•■■iiii ir \ vii:ii\ ii! M i|"i: l.i'\ • '.■ • Pi- l!pi\f' •.•■wtfil* I iiijurf
^' . •! . • !!.•■ • 'li.-iv i-\rr t.'i!i* t-i ••■!! »:m "'iji;-!!."* !tii- ft- !• !" 'i i •••^ri !iiii>
i»i;! ••! llii J :.^v:«h |> r !: il:> i:'..i- '.h.;ul ir \ .■ » •♦> 1 . :• '..ii<i|>i>!^
*» I .. ;.i;f •! « :! :. J-I •■ . l -i -Si • M !'■•: I.i'a : • ■. * 'iri^ i ^ :i ' i W . Ii*i i •, i.iltr r^ -
Av. •I.i.irrv Ir. Miiiiiiiv !■) --iri-.-i. iii-l t I'li r k i*'!-- 'r i nil -*..il|i «'i
1*1 • :ii.i:i- i»i i •j"'i ••! i.'i« K • I >: I i!.i :• l-'ii ! • •! i \.^*-
It..-. ;. ij'.-\ lii'iii'- '• U' M "* '.^- .!.■! Il\iir M -.I.' Kv iii-
i' • I ii.< i ..:i<l '. .1 .« > I- r I «? .r. I'l" - I', t iji i ■■ t ' I ' t:. • • • i- • • i : v
■ ! ^l i; <: |.i-.% Ti Ti. • -« iii:t:iii:i: :, ■ :r- :■ . r ill • • • i ;. t v.t
i;. !..;•:■ •• • \i i'«--l N| -. ir: K •'•« il> '. 1 ..i '. : : ■:•...■•■■;.•■.■: i \ j 'i ■ I'l ■»
!■• •!■ |i I'T Mil-: l.iw ii n • * .."••■• *•,':■ \. .* V-iii m. ii-r I' ' » : iii>l
I ■ li , I i I )i. } r« f. *i I'll ! !n ;r .. ■ - .M". . n 'I' :.i.r. ••»•.« — i ■:• •.-■!%
•'.• '\\k* !■: t'r.r I 1-. ir; !"r !•• |-iri ■•■ •' :;.:■ i / I.': • M ij •;
I., % ■. • I • I « • I • ii ■■■ :•:• • \ — M ■ .■ J K "»' • i -r. : : ■ ^I f- r I. (i»
I . : ■ -I ' \ '. 1 1 - K 1 . I • • ■ r ■ I . ■ ' I • \ • • I •;!.'■ r . •■
n. ',• : . i-. ■ I • ■!! ' '! ■ -. . . .V.-- ■ i ! • • I . M! I' '111
:. • ■'■»!. ■ 1. ;i il« !-■■ • • / * ■ 'W ■\ I ?,i } • I- I- • ■. . • I • .Ii !• •!
■; - I "*"!•;• I. . '. ■' I" ■ ,* III I • •' i." . ■' II T I** it J -I . . t ' "' ■ • \|'. I . ■ I III
!'■■ Ii .r .■■.;•. ■ I'l, 7 J
^1.. • I* * •■;•• t!; >«;• :ti t !.■ j.-.; . ■ ■ . ' \r. . I !»• . » ••. I » ■• i /n i. I
! .,• ii'* i-' M !'. !■«>-«: I I '• r ■ • - .. k:. t' .III' ^•- i « ■• ■■■ '. « I ■ i. i. .."
!:.. : 'l.i "I » .f ir- \ .. » . ■■• \! I» :: .. :\ N. .■ * . i* ' ■ I • ." :»ri
■-•.•■ 'I ■ •?■ N ' • • I. . i.i .■• ' .'■ « » I
• ' . •. ;. . * :*•'.'.;■';.. •»■:'.',■■.•. • I i • . ■ . ■ V
1- ". .! ,. I.' • • . 'i " • . ^I..f I'l. :: . -I \ *■' I » • ' ; ' r
t 1. J •■% ^1 • •« ■ !■ ■ ' . .I' •.■,.■:■•'••.''.' ■ • :■■ I • • • ■ . - »i
.'.■.—.*.•. . • t ■.!?.• N ■.;■."••.■ 1
'ii-
^»
I
1 • ... 1 ■ - > •_■•--
».,•••'. \ . . ,
I
■■ ; I
• 1
I . .
Ii ■
N ,
l». I...
»... ■ •- ..
t % ill I ■ . ' • . : . ' 'Ml. ■ ' ■
f.\ •» , ., .•.■:.! L .•# ■ I • 'i ' ^I ■ \* \ \- ! '■■
1 .
.
■ ■
■ . . .
■
1 .
1
■
■ 1 ■ ....
• . •
..••.. • 11%. .
i
1
. f ■ » ■ ..i
•
ji.- » U • Mil I'iii .», • • M • ; .
Ii :i I*. ■
XXVI CONTENTS.
of returning to Madura prevented by the necesaity of proceeding to tlie
capital. - - - - - - Page 20S
CHAPTER X.
Mutiny of the army at the capital — Hyder {>roceeds thither accompanied by
Deo Raj — Reconciliation of the brothers and the ii^a— Hyder's address and
Popularity — pays the arrears — Massacre of Herri Sing — Hyder receives a
ageer and assignment of territory -Mahratta invasion — capture of
Cenapatam — Hyder ai>pointed to command the field army — recapture of
Cenapatam — Military operations — Terms of adju8tuient give the pledged
districts to Hyder — Title of Behauder — Plot fur compelling the retirement
of Nunjeraj — its singular progress and result — Farther assignments to
Hyder--Situation of Kunde Row -Nunjeraj departs to Mysoor — is besieged
there— result — R^a's second marriage — Still farther assignments to Hyder —
A French figent obtains the aid of troops — Retrospect— M. Bussy with
Salabut Jung besieges Savanore— adjustment through Morari Row — made
the pretext for supplanting him — Views of the different powers of the
south — M. Bussy departs — pursued by Salabut Jung — takes post at
Hyderabad— is reinforced — and restored to favor — Situation of Nizam
AU — and Basalut Jung — Dangerous intrigues — suppressed by M. Bussy —
who seizes the fort of Dowlutabad — Murder of Hyder Jung, M. Bossy's
Dewan, by Nizam Ali — Shah Nawaz Khan slain — order restored by M.
Bussy — whose situation becomes perfectly secure and formidable — this
prosperity subverted by the arrogance of M. Lally — who orders M. Bussy to
march to Pondicherry— Evacuation of Dowlutabad — Departure of M. Bussy
— astonishment and grief of Salabut Jung — Minor operations in Coromandel
— Mohammed Ali*s three brothers in open or concealed hostility — French
interests improve— Character of M. Lally — creates universal disgust — Siege
and capture of Fort St. David—of Tanjore— effects of petulance and
mismanagement — the siege raised- M. Bu^sy precedes his troops — who also
arrive— Nijeeb Oolla — Tripettv— Abdul Wahab — Siege of Madras — raised
— Important conseouences of M. Bussy's recal from the Deckan — Capture of
Masuiipatam by Colonel Forde — his treaty with Salabut June— Nizam Ali
supplants Basalut Jung, who moves to the south, accompanied by a French
corps— his views and connexion— with Sunput Row — Mahphuz Khau —
Poligars of Calastri and Vencatigherry— Negotiations with Nizam Ali —
and M. Bussy. ..... Pgge S25
CHAPTER XL
Retrospect continued — Appointment and character of Colonel Coote — his
capture of Wandiwash — Adverse opinions of M. Lally and M. Bushv re-
garding the plan of the compaign — Siege of Wandiwash — raised by a
.splendid victory— M. I^illy, pre.HHea by the vigorous operations of Colonel
('oote, ap])lie.s to Mysoor, as has been related — A detachment of Hyder
under Muckhduom was in the intermediate and recently conquered cqjuintry
of Baramahal— and is ordered to Pondicherry— -terms of his service —
occupation of Thiagar— he defeats an English detachment -Hyder elated
with his success reinforces Muckhdoom — Plan of the Dowager, the Raja, and
Kunde Row, for Hyder's destruction— sint^ular result— flies in the night and
deserts his family— arrives at Bangalore — recals Muckhdoom - Accession of
Fuznil Oolla — who is defeated in attemj)ting to join Muckhdoom —
Desperate state of Hyder's affairs — relieved by an event which he could not
comprehend — its ez)>lanation — once more Uike.s the field — is defeated by
Kunde Row — Effrontery of Hyder's application to Nnnjeiin—who is
deceived, and unites with him — Stratagem practised on Kunde Row — and
consequent dispersion of his army — Hyder descends to (Joimbatore — and
after recovering that province returns to Heringapatam — another
'stratagem completely decisive— Despair of Kunde Row and the Riga—
• tlNTKXTS XXVII
Nei(otiAtiou— t«rmiiiAteii in Hydvr'ii final iimirpatiiNt of tbc <tov«*rniti^ut-*
l>vo4*|ttiun rrffiiniintf the* fato (if Kun<lo Itow ~ llydrr pnM-rcii* t«» Han
Ral(»ri*. ... I'ofrc 3551
CHAITER XII
(*trmtnsUn(*«i which M t4i tlie march of Baaalut Junic U»th«*«»uth — and
indtirrtl llvdcrU* mnvp to lian^^alor^— liaMihit JunKi« foiled in the niegeof
<>t>«r«>tA— S'(v'*>tution by which liyder im invested with the oAicf of Nabob
of Srm . ilA ltidiiTt>ti/« rirriimstanct^— Title of liyder All Khan Hvhutider-
( aptiirr of ()«»<M-«»t4~IIyder'ii re%'eti^ for an oatrap* suiitained in hu infancy
fioui Abban Cotili Khan kindiinu to hiit family —Tnited armicii move to
Srra, and a/trr itn r.ipture Heparate^ their reii|»ective motiven and objeeta—
llydrr movcA to Ijttle liali |m Mir - spirited defrnce^Morari Howmoveat4i
its rrlirt \n defeati*^!— rapituUtion for the ranMim of Hal i|Hior— broken by
the INiliinufi, who rotiren in NiindidrvMti; -Hali|NM»r h |pirri»one<l by Morari
iiow'fi troopn. ND^l rarrie<l by ajiftaiilt- - Hydrr ettenda hm continent n over the
territ4»ry of Morari Kow— returns t«i Srra— receives the subini«kWi>n of the
roliKAm of IUidr«»«i;;. iiiirponelly. and rhitt)iilnHit( -Sin^uUr iii)|>oiitor
Iroiii li4Hlnor«* t-nk'a»;<*)» Hyder to tnvaile that rtiuntry - itt dr«4*rtp(iMn
llydrr** prm'<'4'<ditif:ii and projfTi**!*— mn^iwr't of xhv cipitAl — itiifnvn»«
plunder— rapt tirr and impriM>nniefit f>f the i^ift-n. thr young K.ij^ and
the im|MMtor Ih-^itni <>' niakiiiK linlnore his capital arnrnKerncnt* mith
that virw— 4^»n«ipirary detecte«l>-eharactenstic puni«hnirnt.« ('on«iur4t of
SMinda Am%al of Keta All. the «»n (»f <'hunda Nihrb-- Military impn>%e
mrfit« nublir rti(iuett4» KmbaaMes to l*oona and Hy<ierab(id -objects and
rr«ult i>rMirn4 refcardinir Savanore -invaason of th.it pnivince -defeat of
thf* N.iUib Uiilitary contribution liyder returns to lie«lnore hit ircneral
eit4*n«U ht4CoiiitamtAt4» thr north - Froceediii|{t of the IVshwa Madoo K4>w~
hi«ad\«nrr«l cor^t* defeated— advance of the main itmiy— relative force—
and pUns of oiieration- Action of Kettehiilly entrenched camp at
An4«utty- iVfeat of a detachment comroandnd by llvder in |»ersain.«.
<>|*rr.ition« suMiended by the monsoim — renewed— M»il«>o llow «swuprls
liydt-r to almnibm his entrrnched camp and ftght at a di<wulT«iiit,urc . Aii;nal
drfr«* ami retrrat to the lines of llednorv -di«rover« his itgutlicioui
choii«* for a capital ~ I'eace with Madf«» K«»w- views of the iiarties rejfinl-
inir Its niri«lition« — Insiirrretiotis iu thr eastern t^riimirt-ft -dft.tchntrnts t«*
(lurll thrm -rajitnre of the I'olticar of Ijttlc liali|4Mtr- liyder prt'|».irrA for
thr ri»ti.iur«t of Malaltar -iorotnunications with Ah Kij^. a M«»h.imtnt^Uo
cliK-f -Notirr* of thr«<* MidiaiuniMUns - Military rhar.k4t<r .ind hjl>it* i»f
thr N'sirs — liyder's succemful nnigrrrss NeKoti^lmn with the Ztiniorin
d«v«ption Kitraiinlinary suici«(e~ Arraniremrnts f«*rsrmniiir thr mntiuest
*-niitTr« to ( 4>ifnb4tore .Grneral insurrerti«»n in Malabir llytlrr r«tunis
«i'« kdtul r«r<'iitMns forcible emtirratii»n ap|iamit n *torA*iiifli of tran-
t|uiliit> rrturii* til C'oimbatore— Intclliir^nce of a conff^lcrscy of the
MahraMAA. Ntzjku; \li. aiMi the Kn«luh !«> inta«|r My«oor-- liyder pniceetU
to .Nrrui4a}iatani iNrath of the foriner li^ja and auccrasmo of hisaoa--
llar«h t/vatment and farther rratraint— 4'«UM-ii of th^ «ar of ITt;7 to lir
etpl.i.n«^ Ml the ensuinit chapter l*revi«m« ol»*rr> ittons fti thr treaty
of Taru- l**tfr *»»-
CHAITKU XIII.
CofisequencM M the dipl«miatic err«»r in the treaty of IVi» of drrivitu;
rtfhu fr«>m tha eitioct aQih«»nty of the M'HHil-'^ general (*alhaod's treaty
with Niaam Ab — va^ii^. mmI at vanancr with thr vtew% of l^*rd f live
(%implei rww ul the parties in the war which etisneil- llydrr « i>Un of
ilefeoce by tha daaoUtion of hia own ciMintry-^iiscutsed— IVMnption «»f
rtaafl^roira pae«luir lo tha aovth ol India— Mahrattaa mil arrealed-^caplvrc
of Ifani Imwtllkm of MMf Aobob— llf4«r oOonpu Mfociatmi AiMflUHC
XXVUl CONTENTS.
specimen of Indian diplomacy — ^ducceeds in purchasing tlie retreat of the
Mahrattas — General Smith and Nizam Ali aavance to co-operate with the
Mahrattas against Hyder — find themselves over-reached and ridiculed — con-
tinue to advance — Nizam All's secret negotiations with llyder — Open
mockery of the English — General Smith retires towards his own frontier —
Hyder relieves himself from the domestic danger of the intrigues of
Nunjerfig— 'Singular generosity of Nizam Ali before uniting with Hyder
against the English — Hostile operations of the English in Baramahal —
Capture of numerous places of little importance Page 297
CHAPTER XIV.
Hyder and Nizam Ali descend the ghauts — operations — carry off the cattle of
the armv — Hyder takes Caveripatam — Smith moves to join Wood — followed
by Hyaer — fiattle of Changama — Smith, although victorious, retires to
Trinomalee — Allies recriminate — Smith in distress for food — Council of war
declares the necessity for going into cantonment — prohibited by the govern-
ment— Various manoeuvres — Decisive victory of Trinomalee - - Page 311
CHAPTER XV.
Mutual crimination and reconciliation of the Allies — Smith goes into canton-
ments— Hyder takes the field in consequence — re-takes Tripatore and Vaui-
ambaddy — ^besie^es Amboor — Excellent defence of Captain Calvert — Singu-
lar incident ascribed to supernatural acency — Relievea by Colonel Smith —
who pursues Hyder — Affair of Vaniambaddy — Junction with Colonel Wood
— Hyder occupies a fortified position at Caveripatam — Mahphuz Khan— close
of his political career — Hyder's attack of the convoy under Major Fitzgerald
—^Personal efforts and disappointment — Attack ot Nizam Ali's domiuiona,
by troops from Bengal — detaches him from his alliance with Hyder —
Treaty of 1768, between the English and Nizam Ali — discussed and con-
demned— Hyder, at the same time, moves his whole force to the western
coast to oppose a diversion from Bombay, which takes Mangalore, Honaver,
&c., with the fleet — Hyder 's plan of operation — -Easy re-capture of the
Eiiglish conquests — Punishment of the inhabitants who aided the English
— Deceitful compromise with the chiefs of Malabar — Ueturns to the
eastward Page 3S2
CHAPTER XVI.
Character of General Smith — view of the several plans of military operation,
proposed by him and his government — Success of Colonel Wooa to the
southward — Military faults—General Smith takes Kistnagherry — ^accom-
panied by field deputies— ^Mohammed Ali. and the Chevalier St. Lubin —
Defective intelligence — Ascends the pass of Boodicota — Mulwagul taken by
the bold stratagem of Captain Matthews — Colar surrenders — Bangloor,
Oossoor, &c., — Ignorant plans of Mohammed Ali — Junction of Morari Row
— Scene of operations the former dominions of Shahiee — Hyder's unsuccesa-
ful attack on the camp at Ooscota — Singular defence of Morari Row —
Hyder's plans — ^Approach of Colonel Wood from the southward — Move*
ments in consequence — Designs of Hyder, and Smith's counter-project —
both marred by Wood — Subsequent movements — Hyder to Qoorumconda
— Reconciliation with Meer Sahcb — reviews his own situation — offers peace
— and great sacrifices for its attainment — Failure of the negotiations, from
the unreasonable expectations of the English and Mohammed Ali — ^Battle
of Mulwagul — Remarkable stratagem of Captain Brooke — General Smith at
length speaks out regarding his incumbrances — Mohammed Ali and the field
deputies — who are attacked in Colar — Alarmed, and return to Madraa —
Indirect re-call of General Smith — HLb plan of future operations — Recanta-
tion of the Madras Government, regarding the Nabob and depntii
rONTKXTS. . XXIX
I'oloiiei Wood's division reinforced — moves from the relief of Oossoor,
while the remainder of the army, under Major Fitzgerald, covers the depar-
ture of the deputies — Oossoor imj)erfectly relieved — Disaster at Baugloor —
Retreat of Colonel Wood, attacked by Hyder — relieved by Maior Fitzgerald,
who represents his incapacity — Wood ordered m arrest to Madras - Page 334
CHAPTER XVII.
Hyder'a General, Fuzzul Oolla Khan, descends from Seringapatam to Coimba-
tore— His success over the unmilitary dispositions of the English — Interest-
ing anecdote of Serjeant Hoskan — Giyjelhutty — Orton, provincial command-
er, retires to Erode — Treachery at Coimbatore, <fec., — Captain Johnson at Da-
ra poor— -Bryant at Palghaut-— Singular retreat round Cape Comorin — Faisan
at Caveripoor — holds out — 'The minor posts fall — Hjrder descends the pass of
Policode into Baramahal — and turns towards Coimbatore by the pass of
Topoor — Government of Madras awakes from its dream of conquest— -Corps
of Major Fitzgerald follows Hyder from Mysoor — Places fall to Hyder in
rapid succession — Fitzgerald's reasons for inclining towards Trichinopoly —
Hyder towards Erode — takes Caroor — destroys the corps under Nixon —
appears before Erode — Strange conduct of Orton — Surrender of Erode— «nd
of Caveripooram — Breach of capitulation — justified as retaliation for a
breach of parole — Reflections on that transaction — Hyder desolates the
country to the east — Military contribution on Tanjore — Major Fitzgerald,
as usual, in want of food — Contrasted conduct of the belligerents — Attempt
at negotiation through Captain Brooke — Statesman-like conversation of
Hyder — Mission of Mr. Andrews in consequence — Cessation of hostilities
for twelve days — Resumption of hostilities — Smith in command — Hyder
frequently embarrassed by the superior skill of his opponent — sends to the
westward the mass of his army — ^and suddenly appears at the gates of
Madras with cavalry alone — Mr. Du Pre sent out to negotiate — Smith
orders Lang to attack Hyder's army when entangled in the pass — himself
following Hyder in person — stopped by the positive orders of his Government
—Negotiation and treaty of 1769 — discussedr-Short review of the conduct
of the war ----- Page 357
CHAPTER XVIII.
Hyder, after a short repose at Bangalore, makes a tour, for the purpose of
le^ng contributions to the N. E. N., and N. W.— Beaten off from Bellary
— ^njectures regarding the secret treaty between Hyder and Nizam Ali —
Invasion of Madoo Row--*Hyder retires to Seringapatam— -attempts nego-
tiation without success — Observations on Mahratta claims — Reza Ali — the
destined Nabob of Arcot — ^and one of Ilyder's envoys — abandons his service,
and remains with Madoo Row— Designs of that chief — reduces the range
of N.E. forts— Resistance at the obscure fort of Nidjegul — which is at length
carried — Anecdote of the commandant— 'Madoo Row taken ill, returns to
Poona — leaving the army under Trimbuc Mama — who takes Goorumconda
— and returns to the western part of Mysoor — Destruction of a detachment
from Bangalore — Hyder takes the field — position near Savendy Droog —
Trimbuc Mama declines to attempt it — Moves across his front to the west
— Hyder moves to the strong position of Milgota — in which he is invested
— attempts a retreat to Seringapatam— Drunkenness — savage conduct to his
aon— 'his army entirely destroyed at Chercolee — Escape of Hyder — of Tippoo
in disguise — Curious appendix, illustrative of the characters of Hyder and
Tipped— Curious snrgic«d incident — Conduct of Fuzzul Oolla Khan — Errors
of the Mahrattas — Hyder recovers the panic — ventures on two detach-
ments from Seringapatam — Tippoo to Bednore succeeds — Mohammed Ali to
Periapatam compelled to return after a severe conflict, and murdering his
own prisoners — Minor operations omitted — Peace of 1772 — ^ves to the
English the-contact of a Mahratta frontier, in return for their infraction of
XXX CONTENTS.
their last treaty with Hyder — Murder of the pageant Riga — i _
Horrible exactioos— Base ingratitude to Fuzzul OoUa Khan — Rapacity pro-
portioned to insecurity Page 373
CHAPTER XIX.
Death of Madoo Row — Conjuncture favorable to Hyder — Invasion of Coorg
— Decapitation — Conquest — Detachment descends to Calicut — Rapid restor-
ation of authority in Malabar — ^Tippoo's operations to the north — entirely
successful — recovers all he had lost by the Mahratta treaty — Ragoba moves
against him — met by a negotiator, wlio succeeds in consequence of unex-
pected events at Poona — Treaty with Ragoba —Insurrection in Cooi|[ —
quelled by a movement of his whole army — Death of the pageant Cliam Raj
— Ridiculous ceremonv of choosing a successor — -Embassy to Kurreem Khan
— Obtains a corps of Persians — His opinion of the specimen — Their extinc-
tion— 'Rapid march to Bellary — Its causes and result — Defeats Nizam Ali's
besieging army — and takes the place for himself — Goes against Gooty — Siege
— Obstinate defence of Morari Row — Treaty — broken off by the imprudent
disclosures of the negotiator — Unconditional surrender — plunder — Fate of
Morari Row — Ragoba, a fugitive from the Mahratta territory, concludes a
treaty with Bombay, 1775 — annulled by the Government of Bengal — ^who
conclude a new treaty through Colonel Upton, 1776 — Remarks— Renewed
treaty with Ragoba, in 1778 — In consequence of the first, Ragoba invites
Hyder to advance, and in 1776 he invades Savanore — occupies one-
half — interrupted by the monsoon — returns to Seringapatam — Fiscal
measures -- -- -- -- - Page 388
CHAPTER XX.
Union of Nizam Ali and the ministerial party at Poona, against Ragoba and
Hyder — A corps of Mahrattas invavdes Savanore — is attacked anadefeated
by Hyder's General, Mohammed All — Main armies advance in two separate
bodies, by the distant points of Savanore and Rachore— «first, under Per-
seram Bhow, retires after some timid skirmishing — second, Nizam Ali's
bought off — and Hyder for the present relieved from apprehension — Siege
of Chittledroog— Characteristic defence — Composition settled and partly
paid — when Hyder hears of the advance of the whole Mahratta army,
under Hurry Punt, for the relief of the ))lace — destroys Ids batteries ana
trenches — marches off and orders the Poligar to follow his standard— 'he
hesitates and disobeys — Battle of Raravee— Defection of Manajee Pancria—
Defeat of the Mahrattas — Backwardness of Ibrahim, the General of Nizam
Ali — Hyder pursues the Mahrattas — reduces the whole territory south of the
Kistna, conformably to his arrangements with Ragoba — returns to the soath
— resumes the siege of Chittledroog — Surrender of the place — History and
character of the new Governor — Hyder sweeps off the inhabitants, and
forms the foundation of his Janissaries — Hyder marches against Kurpa —
Retreat and surrender of the Kurpa cavalry — Singular attempt of eighty
prisoners to assassinate Hyder in the midst of his army — Surrender of the
Chief of Kurpa — conditions — subsequent destruction of the males of the
family-— Character of Hyder's amorous propensities — Refusal and subse-
quent assent of the beautiful daughter of this chief — Meer Saheb entrusted
with the new conquest — Hyder returns to the capital — Revision of civil
administration — finance — police — cniel, ignorant, and un^teful exactions
— Apajee Ram — The bankers — Embassy to Delhi — Monsieur Lall^'s corps
— anecidote — system of military payments — Double treaty of marriage with
the Nabob of Savanore — Embassy from Poona — negotiation, explant^ry of
the union of Hyder with the Mahrattas against the English • Page 400
CHAPTER XXL
Retrospect of Hyder*M relations with the English, since 1769— Disgrecefol
iiitru'Mr'* III M<*h:iiiin It'll All in Kii»:l.uitl l>iitit iitjoti.it itiii with tlu*
iiiiiii.^trv uiii> M'litl mit Sir Ji*liii l.iiiiivt\ .la riiitM-H.L«liir I'liitr^ in
Mf!i iiiiiiii i \li'-* vu-w- fur tl.i iiifr.n li«'ii «•: i1iv(m.i!\ %\itii lUili i -lirinr
«•! tlif triMl^ lit 17t^:MiMVi iiT.u tn iliv «il«i-'<\r:< i iii 177i> 1m«<'U-»;ii|1h ri'k'iril
iiu* I Ltii<>ri' -ii .;•• iif ill" I'l. lit- III 1771 rriiii'*!:* M iiii.i tliri- iliii'* Im rti.rM'
tl •}*<'iu-lit ••?!' i>y Mi'.'i iMii.iii Aii .iini ^>'\>i t<> \ "lu | .irlit- M^lr in inul
.\\i I ii>M*M!i •• .1 iK'x'k ^l liir.itT.i iii\.(«.iin l>iiri-iiii: uii\ii.iii >:i iii;^'*'
|it..i • t •iiii^'-. Ill ti.< ji.i i! ii« .' ■• ..k!i': A'-.' * ill :.n:i: i«! tiji* i.ruri* ••! tr;i-
t}.y.i"'i • ••iiiii-M"ii \i:!ii Mi'liiiiir I •! All 1' • i ••- J ••! tiif M il.r iTt.t" in
1 77 I. !■' 111.;:- w »! h l!\.;« r ?■:•;.!•• i>ti.i .. ' ■ : In •..■!.".. n.ii i i! M n.iv
■ ili'l I iiHiM .11 '• 'i i! ' ••' H V •!• : f •• t !.•- I .i> J : •!. u . :• •• ' hI^ .ii' .-• ■ i| « • !lr! <«
Tl ..■■.! !lii-''i,''i ". Hi?'. j«:i«- •■ N|.-Im:!i. ti \ ll\..i '« : ;il i\ i-: ir.ii
:ri ."> « ;■ :» Ml* M ifi-.i" !• .'1 1 :. . • J -ii ■ .. . ■ i.. .'ti * i* : > r *."
• ..t •• ■• . • • .; I 1!.' .:■ ■ - r .'.!•:•■ • .-. • II ■ ;. • .• I .. ■ ". I ', 7.. H '.■:•." -
i'l! I > • " M I ■ I ■ I • I, I ■•» \ fi : ^ I :". 1 ; » ■ : . . » ; . . » . : 1 1 l . • : -* r ■■ ' ■ • t I >
^1 ' »:..:i.i -i \.. ■!;» • l.V. . r ! .-: t ii. .M . "! i • .-. • . . ■ '. .in •: 'I i...-.i
M '■..:;.' •! A J: -!. .' . ». t.i I . . : ■ •. ••..).•■
<!:•.■ '1 11: . 7 7 '• \* . * ' i . . • ■ . ■ i*. :: • . \ • • : ■ : • i . *
\i- . • 1 .1 •! \ II • r • . ' I 1 '. ^ . ■ ■ ■ I • . .1 iM
II \ ;• !i ■ •, I.I •■■j :• ■ ■ ' i: 1- ' • • ■ ' • • ■ • ,■ ■ , i. ■ . :i
• . i • \< ■ • • . . •
••I i.*ti ■■ • I '.•■
I ■ : I . ' :ri ! ■ . .. \ . i ; . . . " ■■ . • . ■ i • t
! t ■ ■ ■ I ■• -•. J •.. . . . .1 • • 1 ' ... I ■. .
!■•.■■: 17 :• l; . . I». ■ : » :..*.:. ii;. .
V. ■ . !'■ ■ ■: I ' • .. , \\: --' i \ , ." r •■! , p'-'i *
■■•■l*> «■• ■•■ii-V*.
II . Vi ■ . . ? . I . : . I \. ■.».'•.• ■ : » u.M
I •*.:.. -.1. . . ;. - !>• .■-■'•■• I .. . i 1
■ . • . 1 I . \ t ; . I « ■ . k ! . • 1 • . ■ ■ "... ... ' ■ ; . i . ■ - \ ■ : \
1 . . I : • !■..'•. I ■;.■.•' ' : . . : \\ , . ■ \- .'.•»•■. ■ i
• ■ ■ . . . \ : :. . \ .!:■.*•■ . . ■ . ■ ' • ^ . ■ " • . . [ • . ' % » ■
1 ■ t : ifc» i«l\ i! • ;■ . !•■ . ■ i 7 . .' . . I .k • .r .. .!.>■* : . i • I ? .:
I. i;"i r ll\ I. • J. I . .■■ i: ., I ■ • .. ■ . .1 « . . , : '.!...■'•,..•
t: '. i;.«l :i, iKi . ri . ■ ■;«..•• •% '. Il^-i-. » .'■ • . i..'i . •!;..»".■• . m ■ 'i
•
\ «; i:.. A .1 * •■ ii!'- r •*.! ■ a . 1 1^ . '. .1 .r . I . • r.t . -j , . .f ,* . .i. •. '.i i ■ ii
!.• \.>li ••! M.i'if.ki « .* I. *: 4! • I .• -^1 1' : . • ■' 1 : . ■ :. r., . : ; ■■ . •! i._\
H\ I« r Kt !iiMi" Ki ■»• I.* .•■.'••; N -■ I . \ . i- • . . : , ■ . .i . : 1 . ..-• .
• ■; Mr ll.i-t.: ^•. -II. "'.rn "?• .. ■:.:-■'■! • .• • . H > :■ : \\ .' U
M »•;:** .r. 17 7* • . i-ii * i.. , ■" . »* :. I : . . :. ' :. tji ..:• . ' i •:■ .• v
H I' .. Il> !• : »...! r : . ; . . .. -1 f I i I . ■ I • | '....: I ' ' >
•' .:•»! ■ ■. I* '■• \!«j.- ir.: ••-.I • [. . 7 . » r i ■. . . • k . ■ . . i-- ^ \ n
• ' .' i ■. ■ :.' \! ,1 « » ■ ! « j ^ .|. • , .1 .* ■ . ■ . . i . I
f . . f [ 1 • J • : " ; • . ■ . ■ • ■ . . ."
\ ■ "• ' r , : .■ 1 ; . . ■ . : . • .-.•■' • • ■
.*•'..* .1.*% , I . • . . ■'
I M \ni i; wii
I
J ■ r , • ■■■•.■! ! } . I
t • ■• > t .}, k I V . . ' I'l « I
\| . . . M . • .■ . ■ i
* ■
I ■ •
\\
I
H ^1 .■. . i. . .!. . . 1: ,.- i i . .. • . • '
t .
•I.' \i... .J • ^i I »i I -. . \! .. . « .. y^ .
XXXU CONTENTS.
Hyder — Retreat of Sir H. Munro — Chingleput and Madras — Emergency
reported to Bengal — Character and measures of Mr. Hastings — calls on Sir
Eyre Coote to vindicate the honor of the British arms — he arrives at
Aladras^ — Suspension of the last Governor, and appointment of Mr. Smith —
Council of War — Hyder takes A rcot — Sir Eyre Coote takes the field---Captare
of Carangooly — Flint's distinguished defence of Wandiwash — relieved by
Sir Eyre Coote — Promotion of Lieutenant Flint — rendered nugatory— his
admirable arrangements for supply — Arrival of the French fleet— Sir Eyre
Coote relieves Perujacoil — moves to Pondicherry — llyder appears — Sir Eyre
Coote moves to Cuddalore — Cannonade by night — French fleet at PoncU-
cherry — Critical and desperate situation of Sir Eyre Coote — relieved by its
depature — Hyder moves to Tanjore — Sir Eyre Coote reinforced with troops
^-but distressed for provisions — Military criticisms of the government of
Madras — treated with asperity by Sir Kyre Coott — who himself condemns,
on views equally limited, the continuance of the Mahratta war-— Just and
manly views of Mr. Hastings— Sir Eyre Coote attacks Chillumbrum — is
repulsed — Arrival of the fleet — Lord Macartney, Governor of Madras — Dutch
war — "Hyder appears — Battle — Imperfect consequences of the victory — 'Fall
of Tia?ar— ^cond relief of Wandiwash — Sir Eyre Coote forms a junction
with the division from Bengal — at Pulicat — Military f>rudence of Sir Eyre
Coote — Faults of Hyder Page 447
CHAPTER XXIIl-
Wretched state of military equipment — Sir Eyre Coote turns his attention to
Trinassore — Hyder attempts to relieve it — withrmt succesf. — ^The place falls
— >Iegotiation regarding prisoners — showed Sir Eyre Coote's imperiect know-
ledge of Hyder's character — Fights Hyder on ground chosen by himself —
Battle of Polliloor described—Dubious victory — does nut improve the aspect
of English afiairs — New means of carrying grain — Western and Chittoor
Poligars — promise supplies — Sir Eyre Coote determines to relinquish the
command—- but is prevailed on by Lord Macartney to resume iton the faith of
these promises — oisappointed — perseveres — Battle of Sholinghur — Poligars
come over from Hyder to Sir Eyre Coote — enters the Pollams — erroneously
supposed to be inexhausted and abundant — reason — Hyder sends a detach-
ment to ruin the Pollams — defeated and dispersed by Sir Eyre Coote in
person — 'Detaches Colonel Owen — Hyder attacks him in person — dangerous
retreat — junction of Sir Eyre Coote — Distress of Vellore — relieved — ^Retros-
Sective account of Hyder's operations against that place — 'and its gallant
efence — Sir Eyre Coote returns to the Pollams — takes Chittoor — Defective
intelligence — looses his depot in the Pollams— distress — necessity of return-
ing to Tripassore — Serious loss from the monso<m — Misconduct of Moham-
med Ali — Assigns the country for the 8Uj)port of the war — Strange misinform-
ation regarding Chandergherry and Mohammed Ali's brother — Facts relat-
ed—*Hyder's brutal outrage — Affairs of Tanjore during this campaign —
Hyder 8 treaty with the Dutch at Negapatam — Colonel Brathwaite's assault
of two successive posts — wounded — succeeded by Colonel Nixon — more suc-
cessful—Colonel Brathwaite resumes the command — defeats Hydcr*s provin-
cial field force — Sir Hector Munro besieges Negapatam — Effective co-opera-
tion of the fleet — Capture of the place — Monsoon — Critical situation oi the
fleet — Capture of Trincomallee — renewed distress of Vellore — Sir Eyre Coote
marches to relieve it — Alarm for his life —recovers and effects the service
-Cannonaded on his approach and return — Ineff*ective attempt to pursue
Hyder — who makes a fresh demonstration near Sholinghur — the English
army returns to Madras Page 484
c-
WILKS'
lllSTOKY OF MYSOOn.
CHAHEH I.
DKSCUIBINU EARLY EVENTS IN THE SOUTH OF INDIA TP TO IMH.
HeJIt^tioHt on tht imatfAUitrtt hft}*}t%Hfn* */ the fftrltj atffi — Pn>t]frr$s **( citn*pifii^
rtrttfuttnn, anJ ihctitt amnmj Miirin/i;#»«/ n*ttv*HJi — So prttfH$tnn t't ttHtn^nitif
tt9n*m*i iftf rnlitiij t\tm%Uf$ *»/ (ftr Indum f*<h%HSti/a — S(4ii4t uj th*i1 cnunttf
whrn the U%Mtl\tit Jymifty #»/* Mt/M-ntr hf«i*tn tn rmenjt fmm ffhicttnttf-^^lrtrh
*'/ %ts J'trmer *j'*'*fnifthy — Fir§i %rruvtton *»/ the MitHtimmttiann tn thf »»»uth
i'f the rtrer Titf»trt-~ tn the $*tHth *>/ the ttrer Ki'tttn — J'iumier nf the cttjnttil
*ij (%trwittr - i/f 9Htrrf»tintj ruin$ A'xtrnt ttf thit rm/nre — it» /iMtii tif.*PiruC'
tt't$t"~t}rtt/m nf th^ emfnre ♦»/' y»J^'t*tnM'jffHr -ItM uc'tml t/yii<ij/i/ — f '•wf/K/'f/j
— t ttutei uf tit ntfmi tnereoM — /O^fthon v/ the M%tji0%tlmttH chirj\ t>i the
/Mmh, «#>i«/ estttUhghiHfnt nf nn intie^^udeut t^trrrtvint^ at dtUmr'j'i hjfnrtt
t,f tf«e flftht "ft ft /'t tmfr of WttrttHinl the tf//y 0/ I'tjri^.inH'/'jur -J/isuhtum
of thr .U'thitMhte^fftmi *>f lhc%iH^iin>i i^i^t ration into J^r4^ th^fturt tj'ttrrtimrtttt^"
}''tt*tH emjnre 0/ /fu9'i"$tttn iiir»wiV./ Ay the .\ff0fu/s nt th^ fjr'Vt tim^ that
VitMcn tie iiitma if**uhir*i the i ttfte of f,'t,*fti //i*!*/ —(*«#!« fir»/rrrl«*y f»f the fire
ftfiHcet of /Pecan, <iii*i fittt *•/ the rm/nre of \ \)e%fiit%HtnjHr — >U\te 0/ thttt
eMf»tte tinrtnj %t» tlfcUne— /tV^/rfioiu <»w the iie$jfK4isui of the Kntt.
Tlir. vri»l«l«*ii ii^i' «»f Irnliit, liko that of oiImt r\*'^ioiiH. U I.irr^'H «»\<*lu.
RiVfly t'» tin* juM't III iIm* hiiUt iiivi«?»ti;^aitioii of fiu'U. thin iiiui;:iii-
9kT\ xvm n'«*«'<li»H Mill fartlHT aixl fartiuT ut evrrv hU'i* of tho
eiK^uiry . aikI nil thut wo tiiid U htill the empty pmiMe of the ageM
whirh haw ict^vM-*!.
It ititiHt not U« <h'ni«Ml, that a diHtatit view of the tniH«>rit*H
attriifiatit «»ii the half-^ava^te ntato in n*Iieve*l on a doner tx.iuiiiia-
tton l»y a niultitti<h* of nuniite tmit#i in th<* niannent aii<l hahitn of a
IM«o|»K*. which hrenk the fonv t»f «l«v*|>i»tiMu. or |Mirtiiilly eoiiij-Mixnte,
ly a Hpirit of nide !»iit manly in«I«*|M-n(leniv. for th<* eviU whnh that
Mpirit miiHt rnn»iint<'r liut if the eoui|»arativ«* happiiH*^H of man-
kind in «lilit*n-nt a4*^H U* ni<*iuiun*<l hy xXh only tru«* and naional
htandanl. nanii'ly. th«* d4"^:n<«* of {ifaif* and Mvnrity Mlii<*h th«*v ^haII
lie fiund in>ll«H'tiveIy and individually to |mi%m.*vi. we nhall ivrt.unlv
di'M'^^vrf. in e\«Tv sij«ti*v»iv«* ht4*p towanlji n*in*te antiipiity. a Ur^i r
hhan* of wn^ti^heiln**^-* U* have Um»h th«* |*i»rtion of thf hniiuiii um***.
If the <yivnp* of (•arly titn«*H ran hdant of any rt^al Mi|i«*nority. it i<« in
hU ex«*niption from tliat (|uerulou<i ^ipirit whieh <li<(tin'^ui<<h«:4
motiern eivilization . it in in the luippy hut univrrxal error |M*«-uItar
Ui htn eliaract^T. tliat hia ntate, and ni«i alone. \% wiMt«t» happit^t. and
Tlie fm*** of the*ii* o>rten'ation<i. p'tieral in their natun*. i«* |«tT-
lia|H tuon* Hinm^lv markinl in the hUt«»r> of India than of any
other n*^'ioi) of thi* rarth At |ierio«K lont^ aiittHX^lent Ui tie*
MohainiiKHhin iii\ai«i«in, war«, nvolutioiu. an«l n>n<|ue3«t5 Mx-fu t«i
XXX CONTENTS.
their last treaty with Hyder — Murder of the pa^eaut Riga — Suceesaor —
Horrible exactions — Base ingratitude to Fuzzul OoUa Khan — Rapacity pro-
portioned to insecurity Page 373
CHAPTER XIX.
Death of Madoo Row — Conjuncture favorable to Hyder — Invasion of Coorg
— Decapitation — Conquest — Detachment descends to Calicut — Rapid restor-
ation of authority in Malabar — ^Tippo'j's operations to the north — entirely
successful — recovers all he had lost by the Mahratta treaty — Ragoba moves
against him — met by a negotiator, who succeeds in consequence of unex-
pected events at Poona — Treaty with Ragoba —Insurrection in Coorff —
quelled by a movement of his whole army — Death of the pageant Cham Raj
— Ridiculous ceremony of choosing a successor — Embassy to Kurreem Khan
— Obtains a corps of Persians — His opinion of the specimen — Their extinc-
tion— 'Rapid march to Bellary — Its causes and result — Defeats Nizam Ali's
besieging army — and takes the place for himself — Goes against Gooty — Siege
—Obstinate defence of Morari Row — Treaty — broken on by the imprudent
disclosures of the negotiator — Unconditional surrender — plunder — Fate of
Morari Row — Ragoba, a fugitive from the Mahratta territory, concludes a
treaty with Bombay, 1775 — annulled by the Government of Bengal — who
conclude a new treaty through Colonel Upton, 1776 — Remarks— Renewed
treaty with Ragoba, in 1778 — In consequence of the first, Ragoba invites
Hyder to advance, and in 1776 he invades Savanore — occupies one-
half — interrupted by the monsoon — returns to Seringapatam — Fiscal
measures -- -- -- -- - Page 368
CHAPTER XX.
Union of Nizam All and the ministerial party at Poona, against Ragoba and
Hyder — A corps of Mahrattas invavdes Savanore — is attacked ana defeated
by Hyder's General, Mohammed Ali — Main armies advance in two separate
bodies, by the distant points of Savanore and Rachore— 'first, under Per-
seram Bhow, retires after some timid skirmishing — second, Nizam All's
bought off — ^and Hyder for the present relieved from apprehension — Siege
of Chittledroog — Characteristic defence — Composition settled and partly
paid — when Hyder hears of the advance of the whole Mahratta army,
imder Hurry Punt, for the relief of the place — destroys his batteries and
trenches — marches off and orders the Poll gar to follow his standard — 'he
hesitates and disobeys — Battle of Raravee— Defection of Manajee Pancria-^
Defeat of the Mahrattas — Backwardness of Ibrahim, the General of Nizam
AU — Hyder pursues the Mahrattas — reduces the whole territory south of the
Kistna, conformably to his arrangements with Ragoba — returns to the south
— resumes the siege of Chittledroog — Surrender of the place — History and
character of the new Governor — Hyder sweeps off the inhabitants, and
forms the foundation of his Janissaries — Hyder marches against Kurpa —
Retreat and surrender of the Kurpa cavalry — Singular attempt of eighty
prisoners to assassinate Hyder in the midst of his army — Surrender of the
Chief of Kurpa — conditions — subsequent destruction of the males of the
family — Character of Hyder's amorous propensities — Refusal and subse-
quent assent of the beautiful daughter of this chief — Meer Saheb entrusted
with the new conquest — Hyder returns to the capital — Revision of civil
administration — finance — police — cniel, ignorant, and un^teful exactions
— Apajee Ram — The bankers — Embassy to Demi — Monsieur Lall^'s corps
— anecdote — system of military payments — Double treaty of mamage with
the Nabob of Savanore — Embassy from Poona — negotiation, explant^ry of
the union of Hyder with the Mahrattas against the English - Page 400
CHAPTER XXL
Retrospect of Hyder*s relations with the English, since 176^— Disgracefol
nttrih">(*4 (il M<i|i:iiiini«(l Ah in Kn^l.iiiti l)iit«t iii\;iiti.itii>ri uith ttu-
ii.iiitHirv utiii Hfini nut Sir tltihii l.iinlviv .i.i i-iiih.i<*'siti<>r I'liitfoi tii
.M«>l, tiiiiiit ■! Air-« \ icwt i'.ir till iitfr.i- iii>ii !•: iiifiii.i:\ ui(ii ll\ilri Krii>r
III tin Irr ii\ lit 17t'>:iii(i\\ i>r.ii li< ili\ •ii-i'>>\i n i in 177i* I'lot'ii-ointi- ri'jiril
iiu' 1 iiijiin- «!!.:•*"{ lii- ]•! li'i iM 1771 rriiii'M:* M iii. i tiirt- i!i n^* :•• r« i.i-vi*
ii •{•••lu-fi! nt!' i>y .Mi>i: iMiii.i-*i Aii iini ■>••!•! :•• i>::. |.i(iit'« M**!. n iiml
.\lt ii^iii-.i!i- .t ii.«--k ^l.t)lr.lI* I iti\.i-<>ii hi'i'iMoi. iiii\M.i<i >:i iii.'i'
!•! •• • f tiiiifc'o lit li.i ni il lii .: * . i;* : A'-i- ' .:• :.ii :,? n! itii> i.i'iirc ••!ttif
I ii.'i.-;i • iiiiMiM'-M \i !Mj Mi'fi.i:i.; 1-1 Ai. Tiit..,! i.; iln- M ii,i i!t i« m
I 7 7 ! . !•' «;i..:» « .: Ij l!\ .[■ r !• : • i !ij .. ' - : I ..i -...i.! ., .ii.ij * i-l M ij.l\
.ii.-i I iriii:«i .i\i'\\ .1 • ••• llv •!• • t.. ! '.•■ I.i! J i-ij h , :■ ■. ■ iii\ .m" .-. ■ ii ^ i *.)%-i -.
T. . . 'i .| rlii"jj!i * ' • 1:!; !. M ■ •■ ^^•}l i:m. . ! \: 1 1> .,• . ■ :i! i". I : \!.li
*:> "V V.::, Mh M.l:;i"i* .:« IT.. .n-' ■• ■ . ' I.,- -.i.i r* : • i- !■•
: ; I I •■■ . • :• »J |- ::i'-::''- • I" .■ : -n " i-. ■ ii ■ ;. ' -■ I ■. ■ ■ 1 '. 7.. 11 '..,•. •
I vi* I > '■• M i.l- I- . ■ 111 w * I.; 1 • I.I ; ■ • : . . i! ., .ih : . i; -• i ' ■ ■! I \
^I •■ .:..iii \.. -lii -. I.'- .1 :.: ■: :i.. M I , v . ■ . : .- . ; ■ :?i .■: 'I .i..-.i
M ' !i.:i.'»I \.: -'1.: '. * — .!■• . ;. . . ■ ■.! i; . ..• •. v.i^ .i■^•
| I ■ • : ■ • I J : I : 7 7 'i \* . ■ ' • ■ . i • 1 ! ■ . \ . . .:.■;:' 1 . ■
M .". ■ .1 -i \.; ■■ r ■ • .1 I" -.I ■ ■ I ' I 1 ■ lU
r \ :• '• ■ 'i .!-• ■ •■■i ri ' i:. l- ' . • ■ • ' i ' ■ .' i \. i . ii
■• -I • ■.'.'It
•
I . *
I I I .••■.: ■ \ . . I .
!.■■.! ••::..'■..-
T -.■.■■ I; :■ l; . .1'.
■ ■ r ■ • M •
• ■ . . .. . !• ■ ■ • .
I : . • I ■ ■ ■ k • 1 I . . *
I • ■.:..... ." . - h.
' . * ■ I I t • • I ■ 1 *'■•.■• 1 ' • ■ ■
...... '. .■ . < : .■ . ■. . \\ . .
• ■ . . \ ; . . \ . : . . « . ■ ' . .
1 ' • ' t • • •• 4 • l! I ' ■ ', ■ • • • . « ■ •» *
I. I.'. • M\ !■ • I I i: .. I • . " .. . I . »
t ■ ■. i:.«: : . IK- • ■ . ..*..» 1 1, ,■ . :. . , .
N . . » ' . . \ . . * I 1 .'•-:" ■■ i : . • : . . ' ' ! . I ■ : . • ■.»..• .^ •. i .:; i i • -i »
r . \ 1 1 ' ■ ' \l I ■ I ; . - w • , ; ; . ■ . ■ ■ • ^ '. « . ■ • i : ■ ■ ■ :. u. ;;.... i J ■ \
H ) : • r I Ii ! M : I • I . . ■ « j ■ • -•,'■■. \ ... \ i . . , • • • ^ ■ i • i • t . ■ • -
." M- II »•'..: .• l:. • .::. ■• ......: ' ■ .. ■ . H . :• . \% .'h
^! »■:: I- 17 7* . . . ii , i . • . .• •. ) . , . .• .• :.-... 'i Ti .'.v
V* 1 r . I i , ;• : I . • • . !•-.;:. > i ,'....•■• I . l . ■ • i : f v
■ ■ • M .f . w • ■ i ' .• • 1 .» . ■ . . ■ i . 1 '!.
1
1
1 '
■1
*
•
t
■
. ■,
. 1
, •
1 '
:. .■■
:
!■■;
■ .■
1'
■t
•
! :
1 • 1
■1
■
■
1
"i
N:
,'
! 1
1
ii
• •
■
• I
■
■
\ '.
\
•
i
1
• "•
•
I
•
t 1
; '■
9 ■
•
•
•
1
«
1 .
•
I •
■
.: .1
«
* .
t
1
■
■. •■
. i'
, 1
» .'
'1
• . t
I
• • .• •
•■■•« -l' i. ■
• i . I. . ■» . ■ i • • .''
I M M'll i; Wil
\ I
•» , ■ . I
■•■••.■.■■•• ■ I; .. !
l! ^1 .:■.:■• I ...■ . i - .. • ^ . '. I '■
» I
XXXIJ CONTENTS.
Hyder — Retreat of Sir H. Munro — Chingleput and Madras — ^Kmergengr
reported to Bengal — Character and measures of Mr. Hastings — calls on Sir
Eyre Coote to vindicate the honor of the British arms — he arrives at
Madras — Suspension of the last Governor, and appointment of Mr. Smith —
Council of War — Hyder takes Arcot — Sir Eyre Coote takes the field — Captaro
of Carangooly — Flint's distinguished defence of Wandiwasb — relieved by
Sir Eyre Coote — Promotion of Lieutenant Flint — rendered nugatory— «his
admirable arrangements for supply — Arrival of the French fleet— Sir Eyre
Coote relieves Pennacoil — moves to Pondicherry — Hyder appears — Sir Eyre
Coote moves to Cuddalore — Cannonade by night — French fleet at Pondi-
cherry— Critical and desperate situatitm of Sir Eyre Coote — relieved by its
depature — Hyder moves to Tanjore — Sir Eyre Coote reiiiforced with troops
—but distressed for provisions — 2kliliiary criticisms of the government of
Madras — treated with asperity by Sir Kyre Coote — who himself condemns,
on views equally limited, the continuance of t)ie Mahratta war— Just and
manly views of Mr. Hastings— Sir Byre Coote attacks Chillumbrum — ^is
repulsed — Arrival of the fleet — Lord Macart!iey,G«>vernor of Madras — Dutch
war — 'Hyder appears — Battle — Imperfect consequences of the victory — -Fall
of Tiagar— ^cond relief of Wandiwash — Sir Eyre Coote forms a junction
with the division from Bengal — at Pulicat — Military prudence of Sir Ejrre
Coote — Faults of Hyder Page 447
CHAPTER XXIIl-
Wretched state of military equipment — Sir Eyre Coote turns his attention to
Tripassore — Hyder attempts to relieve it — witliout success.— The place falls
— >fegotiation regarding prisoners — showed Sir Eyre Coote's imperfect know-
ledge of Hyder's character — Fights Hyder on ground chosen by himself —
Battle of Polliloor described — -Dubious victory — does not improve the aspect
of English afl'airs — New means of carrying grain — Western and Chittoor
Poligars — promise 8upj)lies — Sir Eyre Coote determines to relinquish the
command— -but is prevailed on by Lord Macartney to resume iton the faith of
these promises— disappointed — perseveres — Battle of Sholinglmr — Poligars
come over from Hyder to Sir Eyre Coote — enters the Pollams — erroneously
supposed to be inexhausted and abundant — -reason — Hyder sends a detach-
ment to ruin the Pollams — defeated and dispersed by Sir Eyre Coote in
person — 'Detaches Colonel Owen — Hyder attacks him in person — dangerous
retreat — junction of Sir Eyre Coote — Distress of Vellore — relieved — Retros-
pective account of Hyder's operations against that place— <and its gallant
defence — Sir Eyre Coote returns to the Pollams — takes Chittoor — Defective
intelligence — looses his depot i!i the Pollams— <iistress — necesnity of return-
ing to Tripassore — Serious loss from the monsoon — Misconduct of Moham-
med Ali — Assigns the country for the 8uj)port of the war — Strange misinform-
ation regarding Cliandergherry and Monammcd AH*s brother — Facts relat-
ed—•Hyder's brutal outrage — Affairs of Tanjore during this campaign —
Hyder s treaty with the Dutch at Negapatam — Colonel Brathwaites assault
of two successive posts — wounded — succeeded by Colonel Nixtm — more suc-
cessful— Colonel Bratiiwaite resumes the command — defeats Hyder*s provin-
cial field force — Sir Hector Munro besieges Negapatam — Kffective co-opera-
tion of the fleet— Capture of the place — Monsoon — Critical situation ot the
fleet — Capture of Trincomallee — renewed distress of Vellort — Sir Eyre Coote
njarches to relieve it — Alarm for his life —recovers and efl'ects the service
-Cannonaded on his a])proach and return — Incflfective attempt to pursue
Hyder — who makes a fresh dernonstratio!i near Sholinghur — the English
army returns to Madras Page 484
WILKS'
HISTORY OF MYSOOE,
CHAPTER I.
DESCRIBINO EARLY EVENTS IN THE SOUTH OF INDIA UP TO 1564.
JteJUctions on iJu imxiginary hajypiness of tlie early a^es — Progress of con^xiest,
revolution, and decay among uncivilized , nations — No pretension to antiquity
among the ruling families of tlie Indian peninsula — State of that countru
when the Hindoo dynasty of Mysoor began to emerge from obscurity— Sketch
of its former geography — First irruvtion of tlie Mohammedans to the south
if the river Taptee — to the south of the i^ver Kistnu — Plunder of tlie capital
of Camatic — Us interesting riiins — Extent of that empire — Its final desihtc-
tion — Origin of the empire of Vijeyanuggur — Its second dynasty— Conquests
— Causes of its rapid increase — Rebellion of tJie Mussulman chiefs of the
Decan^ and establishment of an independent sovereignty at Calburga— Efforts
of tlie dethroned Prince of Warankul the ally of Vijeyanuggur — Disunion
of tlie Mohammedans of Decan, and separation into five distinct governments —
Jratan empire of Hindostan invaded by the Moguls at the exact time that
Vasco de Gama doubled the Cape of Good Hope ^Confederacy of the Jive
princes of Decan, and fall of tlie empire of Vijeyanuggur — ^'State of that
empire during its decline — Reflections on tlie despotism of the East,
The golden age of India, like that of other regions, belongs exclu-
sively to the poet. In the sober investigation of facts, this imagin-
ary sera recedes still farther and farther at every stage of the
enquiry : and all that we find is still the empty praise of the ages
which have passed.
It must not be denied, that a distant view of the miseries
attendant on the half-savage state is relieved on a closer examina-
tion by a multitude of minute traits in the manners and habits of a
people, which break the force of despotism, or partially compensate,
Dy a spirit of rude but manly independence, for the evils which that
spirit must encounter. But if the comparative happiness of man-
land in different ages be measured by its only true and rational
standard, namely, the degree of peace and security which they shall
be found collectively and indi^'idually to possess, we shall certainly
discover, in every successive step towards remote antiquity, a larger
share of wretchedness to have been the portion of the human race.
If the savage of early times can boast of any real superiority, it is in
his exemption from that querulous spirit which distinguishes
modem civilization ; it is in the happy but universal error peculiar
to his character, that his state, and his alone, is wisest, happiest, and
best
The force of these observations, general in their nature, is per-
haps more strongly marked in the history of India than of any
other region of the earth. At periods long antecedent to the
Mohammedan invasion, wars, revolutions, and conquests seem to
2 ANCIENT DIVISIONS OF SOUTHERN INDIA. [CHAP. L
have followed each otlier, in a succession moi^e strangely complex,
rapid, and destructive, as the events more deeply recede into the
gloom of antiquity.
The rude valour which had achieved a conquest, was seldom
combined with the sagacity requisite for interior rule; and the
fabric of the conquered state, shaken by the rupture of its ancient
bonds, and the substitution of instruments clumsy, unapt, and
misapplied, either fell to sudden ruin, or gradually dissolved. If
the energies of a new dynasty sometimes preserved, for a few
generations, the semblance of wisdom and vigour, still the imper-
ceptible consequences of wealth, by relaxing its force, subvert-
ing the allegiance of its subjects and dependent chie&, or incit-
ing the cupidity of its neighbours, had already undermined the
tottering state when it appeared to have attained its highest
pr^perity.
Whether these revolutions were produced by a sudden or a
gradual dissolution of the former government, the consequences
were nearly the same. Almost every village became a separate
state, in constant warfare with its neighbours ; the braver and more
fortunate chiefs enlarging their boundaries, and augmenting their
force; and thus proceeding by rapid strides to the erection of
new djmasties.
Fix)m causes resembling those which have been thus slightly
sketched, there is perhaps not one niling family in the south of
India that has the least pretension to any considerable antiquity;
but the difficulty of tracing their origin is not diminished in pro-
portion to its distance from those remote periods which bury all the
tribes of the earth in a common darkness. The insignificance of
the rulcrit contributes in this case equally with the lai)se of time
to that obscurity which hangs over the early history of every
people.
In attein})ting to trace in an intelligible manner the rise and
progi-css of one ol* these dynasties, whose later history, and that of
its Mohammedan subverters, is inseparably connected with the
transactions of the British nation in India ; it will be necessary to
present a sketch, however imperfect, of the state of the south of
India, about the period when that dynasty began to emerge from
obscurity.
The name of Deckan, Detchin, or South, was formerly applied
by Hindoo geogiiiphers to the whole of those countries whicn are
situated to tlie south of the river Nermudda or Nerbudda; but the
fixed pos.sessinns of the Mohammedans having for many centuries
after their iiivsLsion of the Deckan extended no farther south than
the river Kistna, the term Deckan came to signify, in Hindostaii,
the countries situated between those two rivers only : and such is
the popular accepUition of its southern limit at the present day.
For the convenience of distinguishing this tract from the more
southern regions, this is the sense in which it is proposed to Apply
\
aiAP. I.] AvaEirr ditibionh or soirreiRif ixdia. S
th« term Deckan in the course of this work; and whenever " the
ik»uth (»r Indin'* hIiaII be inention«*<l, it in intended (tinlesfl (>tlien»*iito
explained) Ui deficribe Uie rqgionH situated to Uie Houth of the river
KiJitna.
With the exception of the low countriofl forming the mirtheni
extroniity of the lM*kiui, which W(» shall have little fKH*itsion to
dimni-HJi, the p^*at ^ni^rmphical feature of thcMO united n*};ioii.H <if the
iKMith in a ix*ntral eminence, elevateil fnnn 3,<KK) t4> .'>,<HM) f<vt aU»ve
the level of the 9t»a, He|]arate<l by wild, abrupt, and niountainoUH
deClivitieft, fn>m the low Hat countrit*H to the east and went,
which fonn a U*lt of Hinall but une4|ual breadth lietweiMi the hilU
and the ocean. Thin ivntral eniinenee in UHiuUly nanie<l the Lkda-
fvliaut, an<l the lower ))elt tlie Payeen (tliaut: wonU whirh r»M|M*e-
lively nidify the omntrien aUive and Udow the {laivAes of the
mountains.
Idrntity of lanj^ia^ niay safely U* admitted t4> prove identity of
oriipn ; and in tho alt^nce of more dire<'t evident^e con.HtitiitoH a
crit«*non t»f |)i)litirAl union. Icmh lial>le to rlian^* from th«» intht«'n(v
of tinit* than any other U*ni that trail lie pro|MJNe4l.
Tilt* ancirnt <iivif«ion.H of the country' may act*onlin^dy l«e tmce^l
with (H^attT pn>liabilitv by the pn*H4*nt limitH of tlu* Hixiken l.in-
piaji^eH tlian by any other ^litle whirh is caHily acix^sibl*.* ; and the
tianit*?! 4if nMintrif?« have undrrpaie nuehextrmonlinan' clianp>H. that
aonif* tNtnftiMion may lie avoidetl by briefly adverting to their ancient
deMi),^nationM.
The prinriiiality which in later timeit luis U*en name^l from
tho olttcnin* valla(;e of My«uNir, wan the mmth-westeni {Mirtion of tin)
anri«*nt C*afnatic. frr<|uently naine<l aUi the (*ountr}' of C anam, or
the (*f»untr}' in which Uie rmmra lan^iap^ was N|Miken. Ac«^»nlinf^
t4» thi<i crit«*ri«in. the northern limitft of that exteanive n»>n<>H c«»m-
mrniN*«l near the town of lUnirr in the latitude of IS' i'i N.. aUiut
t>0 miltM N. \V. fnim ilyderaliail ; following; the c«iun«e of thii Ian-
guatfi* to the S K it \% found to U* liuiit^Nl by a wavin;; line which
nearly touches Adwane«* !Adotii , wimlji ^» the west of (ff«M»ti. nkirts
Uh* town of AiiAnt|HH»r. ant I {lAs^iii;; exa<*tly thn»u;;h Nunditlroo^,
Uiuch«*4 the rmn;^* <if Kanteni (iliautji. thentv puniuin;; their v^tith-
rni niurm* t«> the ni4*uiitainoti« |iam of (lujjelhuttv. it ciintiiiUt-<« tt>
fijliiw the a)*ru|'t turn «mii«m««| by the ^jnut choAUi **( the wentem
hilU. Iietween the t«»«^'U«i of < *4iimlM*t«Kir. Palatchi. anti Pal;:aut . and
sw<««*pin^ to the N W «ikirt.4i thf e«|;*i'< of the pn'<*ipit<»uf» w«Mem
(ffhautii. nearly as far U'trth as th«* iHiun-«*s nf tiie Kistna; mheiitv
folbiwin;; fimt an ••a-^tmi sni nftiTwanU a n«»r*h-eSHteni imuim\ it
ti*ruiitiat4'<i in rathrr un a«-iiu* aii;^de n«ar iS«-<ler. aln^aily <IeM*ntMHl
as its northern limit.
Fn»m lti<«l«*r th«* Mshnitta Isnuniav^* is npn*ai| over the vihole
country* to thf iiorth-VK'-t^Ard **!' tb** < snam. andtifa line, which
iiajMtn;; coUMdrrably to the fA^twanl **( lK»ult*t«)ia«l. f>»nn<« an
irn*^niur «»wi^*p until it t«»uclM.-A the Ta|*ii, and follows the cour>c t»f
4 ANCIENT DIVISIONS OF SOUTHERN INDIA. [CHAP. I.
that river to the western sea, on which the district of Sedash^nr,
in Noi-th Canara, forms its southern limit
In tlie geogniphical tables of the Hindoos, the name of
Maliarashtra, and, by contracition, Mahratta dasum (or countiy)
seems to have been more pai-ticularly appropriated to the eastern
portion of this <:^reat region, including Baglana, part of Berar
and Candeish : the western was known by its present name of
Concan.
The Telinga,* formerly called the Kalinga, language occupies
the spaoe to the eastward of the Mahratta, from near Cicacole, its
northern, to within a few miles of Pulicat, its southern boundary,
with the intervention, however, in a stripe of small dimension, of
the savage Tongue of the Goands. This space was divided into the
Andra and Kalinga dasums, or countries ; the fonner to the south,
the latter to the north of the river Godaveri ; but at the perio<l of
the Mohammedan conquest, the greater part of these united
provinces seems to have been known to that people by the name of
Telingana, and Warankul as the capital of the whole.
The Tamul language is spoken in the tract extending to the
south of the Telinga as far as Cape Comorin, and from the sea
to the great range of hills, including the greater part of the
Baramahal, and Salem, and the country now called Coimbetoor,
and formerly Kangiam,"!* along which line it is bounded to
the west by the Canara and Malabar. This whole tract had for-
merly the name of Drauveda, and is so distinguished at this day
by its western and northern neighbours ; although in the course of
political events the greater part of it is known to Europeans
exclusively by the name of Caruatic, of which country it never
formc<l a part,* and was comparatively a recently conquered
])rovince : the cause of this misnomer will hereafter be traced ;
first, to the residence in that province of the fugitive king of Car-
natic, after the Mohammedan conquest of the country properly
so called ; and, secondly, to the partition of the dominions of the
Camatic between the Kings of Golconda and Vijeyapoor; who,
in the division of a country of which they were grossly ignorant,
were satisfied with the sweeping designations of Camatic above
and Ik?1ow the ghauts. The subordinate divisions of Drauveda
* That which, apparently by a strange nioditication of the term Geutile»
Europeans have thought proper to name O'entoo, a word unknown to the
Indians.
t In the Routhcrn part of Afysoor the Tarnul language is at this day named
the A'itmjfe^ from being be>t known to them tin tlie language of the people of
Kangiani. In the central porti<»n of Mysoor it in for a similar reason named the
Jji'iuntirr ; farther north, by the Telingjis, and universally by the Mohamme-
<lans, tlic Arnve*\ a tenn of doubtful origin. Here w^e have four Hindoo
appellations for the same language, and Europeans have added a fifth, by
miscalling it the Jfnht^Mtr,
X A P<)ona Mahratta at this day, when soeaking of the Camatic, raeaos
the countries south of the Kistna, which we have described m belonging to
the ancient Camatic, distinctly including .Savanoor and Mysoor.
( IIAI*. I.) AStiKNT DIVISIONS nK SorTIIKKN ISIMA.
.l
\\9-V9* ri:iin«-«l fp«iii tli«- tlipi* rival ♦lyn.istii's of C'holsin*. <*liir:i!i,
fiii'l i'.iii'Ii.iii . till- t'xiiiiit. •'•ivntiiii:; in Tiftiiji^n- aihi ( 'niiiUifM-
iiiiiii. }*.i^^i <>«*>«1 ilti* ii>i!(li<-iii tntrt : l':i!i'li:i!i h;i«l M.'iiiiini aiiil tin*
H.iiiili .iii<l ( '111 ran ni:iti-il Kaif^^iaiii uti«l Sali'iii t<i tin* iltiiiiiiiiitiis
nt' Ki !:ila «*r Mal.il«ar Tli'* fxai't limits of tln'st* kin^iioiiiH
iMiiiiiif \i'*\\ In* tr.n-i-*} .'iii'l witliiMit iliiiilit Wen* ill a stiiti' of iiio*M-
>vuit ili^iiiji- it i^ ••iil\ kfiowii widi I'l-rtaiiitv. that tlii-v iii«'t !ii*ar
f<i <'.i!'H.i .il-iiit P> iiiiji'* \V lit' 'rrit-)iiii<i|Ni|y I a town wliicli
alt«-iii it«l\ |ia--< «1 iiit«i tIm- liaii>U ••t'«'ai')i of* tin* rival ilviia^tii-'^.
K'Mii-liiij lit! -^titir'!. i!i |i|i>iiiMiititr\ ••t*t'a|H' t '••iiinhii, Wi* tiinl
• ill tlii u..tiiii •■.•i«i till- .M.ila->.ii laii'.'uajf. w lii*li f\ti-iiiU ^vt-r
Tr.n 4!.' •I'- aii-l Nftl .''.ir. fonii'tly iiaiii«'l KiTaia. :ls lar inTth
a-i N i;i ^'11 nil"*' !'i-!ii ilii'in-f t*i >«-«la»«lii-/iiiir. nuiiiIi oJ* <iii;i. wi»
tiM-l til |h.|.i\.i l.iMj-ia.'i- :ii; 1 tif i"»iiiliy i»f TtM.LiviL In >*«!nf
i.tMiH T'-'lix.! i. I- •]i-i'l>:i- i .1 • iK -^mI* livi'i'tfi iif K* lala. wliii-h is
•s.ii.1 t« l.i\f i \(> ii<i> 1 li.'iii liH-Miii ii.iiii 1 I'iijH- t '..luiiiin. t*t ill*'
ii\>i 1 iiiil'T i{''iiiii lit I int. i\> il> \ Tit- tia< t •ii-«t!ii^'MiOi*-'l in
M'it li- * .-» t!:-- |'ri-\:i:«' i-l * .niii.i ly a !.iT.ili!\ niii \ani{*li'«l
ifi til* )i t'lN •.! iiit:.-n- h- :t!i- I i* ih-r ••\»i u.i-* kii<\in l-v that
m m
»i III." I - !'(■• I" j!-- ■•! til'- |!"\;M''. "1 "! a:i\ |»ait I't' ln*lia.
\ iiX I ■■ 1 ■ tiTi i.:i ; ! "',.it IT w I . .1 'i. :•■ 'i !■ !!■ \ •!" t li'- kiii^'-l'in "f < '.inara.
p
aiil |- • .'■ V ti I !'■ ■•*. I - ••l'( i •-.• iii:ip it -jN.kf ill il laii^'iMj- t'-ll
iTif • I '. • ! T T \\ III- 'i I li.i '. . til ■'i.:l.t It n« ' •-.iiv t" n-tii •■. an<i ;;a\«'
til I* r. .''i f • f '. . '•r.:'\ • • I ■■ ■! iv.i ;
•< . . . I ".. V. ". ■. f . » • ■ i:i !'. r.. ■••il^ .i! K't! >! tlf.'j. .
ilT.' ! .• • . \ »-;..'• ;•• ■: • : .\ « :.■•'. \. i«r « a-.r i tMliplul >» •■ l!:« f : •!
• ! • . "I \: •• !.\ N» ll Id > in-< fit, ll.i- |-:iiiii'.i^r lt.< tx:!! / ••! thi'
I •::• : *v I . • • ■ I • . .• t '. ■ . ' 1 , :• .■.. ■, .■: 'r |. *. ■ I i.ijfitij " la "r.iitinl,
i: I I •* '■• ■ .-. i I. ' I.- 1. Viria ti.i^ iK'^ril. u^UAlly
i \: •• . 1 . • . I U ; .'i .'.ri rri.. I .'. H. •.:..| I., r wi • ij iln '. tl.i* /^,
I' • . . , ■ • i ■ ■. I ! i : , ::.' !..i „• !• in !!:•• | •• I'l-in
. ■ . ■ . . ■ ■ '. ! r i • .-..I • nil"? ■ i<.i\ )••- fi k' :.i •! i-y
i ' • - .• ; " ' T .' < I !i J." :j ,1 «■■ ;;'i tiiki !l.i i ii • t .iit
. ■". ■ • • ■ *■! . . . t.. u .:i ! :..» !,.i •;. «'.:•. '. .,-!.• i
• r- ■. . •■■: I ;•■■!■.' -, \. .-ill- t... !-■.••: U
• • • . '.*.!•'. i:. i ' r ■•! •;: •;;• r : ji • - ! '|.- /
\\ .'..'I n.ir-l ;.. !..«• ? • ■• \..4'.i- t . . !Jii'
■ V. :• t.« krl;i .i; j :• . : • -i ; • * "• ■ *1 "..• ; '.^- »
■ '. . i '. !i "• ••.-M.)
I •■ !■ Ik * ki. 1 '1 1. l-t •:•■{
Hi
1 t
!'..
. 1
r« •
!••
■ •
.
".
1
:'
■1 •
.'*
.
1
, ■
.
■ ,
•
1.
1
• ■
1-
.
/
■
.1*
I
•
p ■
.
1
*
ii-
k -
1
,
• I
p I
\
. 1
I
• :.. 1, t! .. t
ir •
• I
t- !
\ ■
*' i". : ■
I
«
. !
1.' »
J . .
1'.. /•>
* 7 ■ '
y-i- '
' : : . . . •
• \
• . . f. ■ . .
\ k- •.'.■
■ • . •! ■ •
f 1- : • ^
1 • • • •
1 ■ ■ . ■
P * ■ p . * *
• ! . Kr»' . .
. .i .■■ ■ »■.••.: !•:. I ' I'l • • I ^ I ' ! rt.«!i i:*y
' ' . . . ' # f .. u k' : r ' r : ^ r ■• I ••..r.!: V
■ ■ ■
• • i . • ... "*..'«•*.. ! ■• ■ : 1 / ■ 1 • : 1 .1 t i • y
• •- . ' ■ ' . I • ■ J .'• I !'. ■ I ■,•" j.y
• . . •■ /' 1/ • • J I . : •.!.. r -.
■ \ '. • ...\. .:. I : . .; . »: .'..k! ?:.i .1/ ■ . i » '/i i
• •.- » i . I. • ■ • .. •■! !i"''i ••ii«" "* ll.' I ifiu»"in
,.■1 "*- k
I I: .- '...1 I.. .-I yi.'U ..'. t>f '.rui ll.. UJU* luiuurikA. a.« I'bi^ |.ri>\iii'i i«
G EARLIEST MOHAMMEDAN INVASIONS. [CHAP. L
Of the countries which have been thus briefly noticed, Travan-
core, Malabar, and South Canara alone escajied Mohammedan con-
quest, until the two latter were invaded by Hyder in 1763-6. When-
ever Ferishta mentions expeditions to Malabar, it will be found, on
examining the geographical positions of the places enumerated, that
the operations of the troops were confined to the hilly belt along
the summit of the ghauts from Soonda to Coorg*, and certainly
never descended into the provinces at present designated as South
Canara and Malabar; although their conquests from the side of Conoan
extended as far into North Canara as Mirjan and Ankola, and at one
time even to Honaver (Onore). The ancient history of these regions
may, I trust, be considered as a province already occupied, and the
scope of the present work does not require that we should touch an
earlier period than that of theMohammedan invasion of the Decan.
The firstf Mussulman force which ever crossed the mountains
south of the Tapti was led by Alia u Deen, nephew and afterwards
successor of Feroso the Patau king of Delhi in 1293. The booty
obtained from Deogire, the Tagara of Ptolemy, and the modem
Dowlutabad, in this wonderful predatory achievement, was an in-
centive to future invasion ; tlie place was finally taken, and the Rajah
Ram Deo was carried a prisoner to Delhi, in 1306, by Kafoor, or
Melick Naib, the General of Alia u Deen.
called by the ancient geographers of the west. Captain Wilford, (9th Vol. As.
Res.) conjectures this name to be derived from the kbigs of Muru, mentioned
in the grant from Conjeveram, translated by Sir W. Jones in the third Vol.
of that work, with the Arabic article Al changed into Li : but exclusiveljr oif
this violent deviation from the genius of a language, Sir William Jones, m a
note on tlii^ word, expressly warns us against concluding with certainty that
Muru was the name ot a country. 1 have not had the opportunity of obtain-
ing a copy of the original grant, for the purpose of having it discussed by the
Pundits of the south : but so far as my examination of geo^rapliical lists, and
discussions of the subject with a great variety of learned natives, enables me to
i'udge, 1 am disposed to tliink that no country in the south of India was ever
:nown to the natives by the name of Muru. Lymura, or Lymurika. The latter
Hyllable is considered by Dr. Vincent as tne adjective termination, the name
of the country being Lymura or Lymyra; and in referring to Strabo and Ptolemy
for the description of a town of that name in Lycia, it so exactly corresponds
with the geographical position of most of the towns on the western coast of
India, (*' then follow the mouths of the river Lymyra, and ascending it twenty
stadia the town of Lvmyra.'* Strabo, lib. 14.) that a plausible conjecture
may be indulged of the name having been applied by a Lycian among the
first Greek mariners, from its resemblance to his native iihice, in the same
manner a.s we find the navigators of the wesi giving European names to tmns>
atlantic stations, and as we know to have been the practice of the Greeks in
many remarkable instances recorded by Dr. Vincent ; fmrn whoso Voyage of
Nearchus I transcribe the following example : '* Hence it is that the names of
** Tf/rus and A radiu have been transplanted from Phoenicia on the Mediterra*
'* nean into the (t ulph of Persia, as if mariners brought from thence had carried
*' the names of their country with tliem."
* The Mysoor stated to have been taken, is a place of that name near the
Toombnddra« written Masoor in some of our maps.
t The dates of the accurate Ferishta are verified (with few exceptions) by
inscriptions and manuscripts in the Mackenzie collection.
(CUAP. I. KUBVKBhUiN UF THE UKLLAL DYNAKIT. 7
The carlicHt M<»hanuii<Hlaii nniiv timt ever crowMHi ilie Kintna
wiM led. in KUO-ll. )*y tin* sniue Kal«M>r. npiiiint L)iH)4>niumuuKNler,*
the capital of iiellal LKni. H«»\vn*i};ii of (*4inmtic. The euriouH atiii
itit4*rt*ifttiii^' niiiiM+ of thi^ \*\acc liave rti'ently been diMMvereil by
Major Markeiizie. and identifitMi by inw*riptioiu< near to the modem
villALa* of iialUlM*. uUjut lu.'i niil<-.H N. W. of Serinpifrntain. lk*llal
I>i*o WA.H <li*feat<Hl in a >;n*at UittK\an<l the anny ot Kafoor return-
ed t4> lh*lhi. literally ltiad«*«l with p>ld. An exptNiition, Hent by
Mohainnu**! III. in Hi^ti. finally drntrovcNi the capital of l)oi>rBUin-
uuhmIct^, wh<*n tlit> M«*at of tli«* de<*linin:^ f^ivenmieut was removed
to ToiitMir.^ 12 niili*^ N. fniiii Sfriiipi|»;itanL
Then* is ground for U*lii*vin;C that the liellal clyna^tty extended
itH |NiKM*H*.iiiii» over the central and weAteni |K)rtiona of Uie south,
ineludin;^^ the north«'ni |Mirt of Krrnla. or the modem pn>vince of
( utiani; l*iit then* if* no n*Av»n to ftup|Mi«e tliat, like tlie dynasty of
CailiinilMi. itH riiihpicAtjt li:id fViT extendt*<l t4i the e«st4*m Hra.
* Wnt!«ti ix% two wor(l«. !>h4M»r ami SiirntnumL hy the tmnftbtor of
Frri-htA. titi'i a)i|t.%rMit)y mi iiit«'ti4U<«i by ttio atitiior in th<* <*of>y wliirh I rt>n*
»iilt<d. iM MaU*r il oriK"i«dly lutnidol hy tbtj»autb'>r todrM-ribc • pr|iantt«
IC«>\rmnjMit» I |Ni^M.*%A iionk(<*iuiati«Mi. Caiu|>ula, anuth«r capital, u aUo #Aid
to b.i\r U< 11 t.ikrii iMiiin ultrrwardn : it in |*Iacc4i \*y VvtihUia «iii tbe (•aiiiccs
I'fMitik'i . tilt* (ff<»«|ivrri. a4 I rniirlmli*, wbti'h in ii^U-tlly callid tbr (tuiif(a
(•«MU\4fi. but tb<* f;(***Kr.i)'bv of tbi«niitbor i* not \t*ry distinct. AniMtii; noma
rmiit niliii!ii*ii« to tbc Markrn/:4*r«>l!«'riicfti t« i |jf<* of ( amptila Kiga, which
will {'n-lMltly thr>«w ftirtbrr lu'iit '>n tbe history 4»f tbi^ |«€nii«i : and a variety
iif niniiti-M ripti, ii.it yet ikulii<-ii-titly nainitied. will uni|Ue»tiotiabIy iilirw thai
inatiy i*tb« r n»triiit«>r;iry poM rtiiiuntn rxifktcd in tbc wiutb. Tlic (Ijcntra, (»r
brrftit* iM»riii of tbr IWH.il «lyiia»ty. tiicntiotu an alliance hy niarriaire with tbt
lUji of r/iH'/rr. which, tf aiitbcfitic, places tbe orijfin of that guvtruiueni
car 111' r than tbe date a%«)^U'4i %*» it h\ tbe annaU of Vtieysnofraar.
^ Tbr M*til|itiire of tbc«c niin*. aiiboti^'b Mifticientfy defect! Ye, if ccrni pared
With tbf < irtfi-in ^tantUnl, it y« t bi^blv intrrr%tinft. In duinininjc the Indian
brrit and bi* rb^rintcer, luountol <>ti tfieir war chariot, we •eem to be viewing
tbr r.tr of Arbill«« Tbe co«tiiiiir of tbe r<|ue»tnan fiffurea M remarkable ;
tbr hjkir t«i»tft«i tut'* a kii<>; at the top of the bead i« itx only defence orcctYer-
inj? : \»Ui: U-it4 •t'*iii to b.ivr «lrf< tid«^l tbr 1cj;4, and a lari;e net-worV to ha%a
Ih-« ri tbt on .iit!<-tit or <l«*fi ure of tbr bor«e. 'Ilic 6j:ure of the bor»rman (con*
tr.iry t<» r^t rr ti.ii.^' tint I li or o^m.-mciI in any other sculpture or f>riinaftl in
IihIi.1 ii all ri4ioi .« *il ti.i ti.*t«t ifcuiful m- »t of nio«lcm Kiiro|>ean homrmm-
»bit* r.ii't iA* >.ii.ii«-« Iff tiic n.M^t rvniarkable pacta of thia aculpture art
in ihi* M.irkrnilr *•• In ti«'ll
Z Unltrti al**» 1>« &r.t S.imt^^ilrnti:. It fia« huilt in lin3, and liatl only
»til*tiiitni I'.iJ year^ I'ttit tbe A-i^tfii /.'tyti f k^mtm, a |«oetlcal account uf
tiii« tl>i..i>ty. cii<rt««ly Mate* tbai tb<* town »a« built on the atte of a city of
tbe ^atiir li.kiiir. « birh bad lircn ]**ug in ruin.
k Now ^cut-rally lictter knovin by tbe name of Mute^-Talab, or the Laka
of r« irU
It.r radum)»a dyna«ty bail it« rajiital at lUntwanai, near the M>uthcni
eitrrniitr of N«*iHla, where the ruin« may ptill l>e traced. Ita anti«|uity may
\mp r«*iij4^!tirtd fptm the f<iU«»«iiii/ i irninittiiice : ('anara if the |anj(ua|;e of
coh«rrKa!h>ii. of bu«ine4ik antl 4»f nxiJt'rn l«N<kfi. tbroit|thout tbe t*anialic, as
akHi%r 4irM-rit<^l Tbe II alia ( anara. «>r antjent Canara, now nearly (»biii>let«.
i« the Uiij;: lAjce «if ancunt auth<H« : and a atdl more ancirnt lanipiaire aoci
rbaractrr. rfr%a4ia llalla (*anara, may l«e c«ifiaidered on the Terjre of final
estuictjun. Ivinic known at prracnt to very few iicrtobs iadasd, to Mint thai I
8 ORIGIN OF THE VUEYANUGOUR EMPIRE. [CHAP. L
The extravagant fame of the riches of the south, which was
more than verified by tlie spoils of the expedition of 1310-11, seemed
only farther to inflame the cupidity of the northern invaders for the
plunder of other capitals. After an unsuccessful attempt to pene-
trate to Warankul, or Arenkil, the capital of Telingana, by an eastern
route through Bengal, and the vigorous repulse of a second expedi-
tion, which reached it by the western direction of Maharashtra^ the
persevering efibrts of the Patans terminated, in 1323, in the capture
of that capital,* and of the raja and his whole family, and the sub-
version of a dynasty which had lasted 256 years. This disaster led
to the establishment of a more southern Hindoo government, which
was destined for upwards of two centuries more to oppose a farther
barrier to the progress of the Mohammedan arms.
Two illustrious fugitives, Booka and Aka Hurryhur, officers of
the treasury of the detlnroned king of Warankul, warned by one of
those sacred visions which precedes, or is feigned to precede, the
establishment of every Hindoo empire, formed the project of a new
government, to be fixed on the banks of the river Toombuddra, a
southern branch of the Kistna, under the spiritual and temporal
guidance of the sage Videyarannea. This capital, named Videya-
nuggur,f in compliment to their minister and preceptor, was com-
could trace, excepting two persons now in the employment of Msjor Mac-
kenzie : this was the language of Banawassi ; and the extent of country down
to tlie eastern coast, including Mahabalipoor usually named the Seven
Pagodas, in which inscriptions in tliat character are found, seems to evince
the existence of a great and powerful government. It had apparently been
subverted in the second century of the christian aera ; as Ptolemy, who inserts
Banawassi nearly in its proper place, relatively to the coast of Canara, does
not distinguish it as a capital The dynasties already noticed of the lower
country existed about the same period ; but tlie Alexandrian authors, who
probably received their information from commercial travellers, although
extensively acquainted with the names, had but an incorrect knowledge of
the relative positions of places in the south of India. The Modura rrgia
FandiojiiSf and Caroora regia Cerobothri, corres^wnd with what is known of the
Pandian and Cherun dynasties ; and the Arcati regia Sora (see note on
Choramandel, p. 6), although misi)laced, would seem to indicate the modem
capital of that name ; but the identity of the place is not supported by local
investigation, nor has any inscription or authority of any kind yet been dis*
covered to confirm the existence of any capital at the present Arcot previously
to the year 1716 ; the capital of the Sora, Shola or Chola dynasty, having
unqestionably been fizea at least for a considerable period of time at
Combaconum in Taniore.
A dynast>[ namea the CiMlokia was still more ancient than the Cadumba^
and of course its history is more obscure ; the Mackenzie collection, however,
contains many inscriptions belonging to that remote a^ra.
* Warankul was founded in 1067. One of its monarchs, Pertaub Roodroo,
is stated in the manuscript history in the Mackenzie collection to have con-
quered PandordcM^ which is. perhaps, an exaggeration. Some of the dynasties
of Drauveda had, at an earlier period, made extensive con(|uests in what are
now called the northern Sircars, where, Mr. Ellis informs me, he found the
liturgy of some of the temples in the Tamil language and Telinga character.
t Afterwards Vijeyauuggur, as will be presently explained, (often written
BiiHogar, Bejanuggur, ic.) The origin of this dynasty is erroneously narrated
rtlAP. I.) ORM3IN «»F THE VIJKYAKrcMlUR KMPIRK «l
in«*ii(N^l ill V\*Ui, find fiiUMhiHl in 1343. Aka Hurr}'hur nn^^UHl until
13.'>(i. an<i ii^Hikn until 137s.
TliiH ori'^'in of tlio now p»vrnun«»nt at r»nc<* oxplainfi tbo
iuiot»n<lan<*y of tin? Toliii;^ Un^^in^' and nation at thin capital r»f
r«niati<*. Hitd provoM tlu* ^U\U* of anaroliy an<i weaknew which hail
mM*<N'e<hN| tlif mill of tli«» fonii«»r dynasty. The government founde<l
hv f«»nM^ierH waH al?«i mipixirtefl by forvipnerw ; and. in the centre of
(^anara, a Ttdinj^ cMurt wum HUp|M>rte4l ny a Telinga arniy, the dea-
cendantH of wht>in. H|H.*iUcin^ the aame language, are Ui he traced
at thin day ntiirly to C'a|M« Oimorin, in the reinaina of the
nunirnniM <*iHtnl>liHhinentH. reM*nil>ling the Roman c«)loniea, which
wen* H«*nt forth fn»in time Ui time for the puqMiae of conftrm*
ing tht*ir distant ctrnqueitta. and holding the nativea in auhjec-
tion. The ci«ntn» and the west, prolmhly the whole of the
by Fcruihta : the Mackenxic collection aflurdj matehaUfor it« hlttory iu ample
dc'tkil.
If A vrry |>r<K*ij«r c«*inridrnrr of iiatncn and nituationi werr admitted on
cvidriirr, wtt miicbt ccHicludc tlint ViieyimuKiTur and itt nuhurhnf Anairiiond^,
on tlir *ty\> Mutc liaiik of ih«* Tuombuddra, (»r rather the Yalee and moiintaina in
thrir uiiuit<tliat« viciiuty, uerv the anciriit rcAideiice uf So|rrt*eTa, and liaoumao,
hi4 P 11* r.il. tr«iuftf«»riiird by tlio \n*ri into a mimkey, and ny the bramiiu iiiU) a
and/ .14 dcM^riiwil ill the wild bii! lH*At}tiful poem of the riimavan, (which i«
awitimiiiff not a very r4ii>ti\.-itini{ Kngliith drr«i,) hat the miBforttinm of the
captiYi* Mia, and the adventurr* of fUma and I^tchman in their effortJi for
her nvovrry. find in every nart <»! the Mvuth of India ** a local habitation and a
nanir , ' «-vvry fountain aiHl Atreftm ban italricetid. *'and not a mouDtain reara
it4 h(-44l unhung *' but, anli»rtnnatrly. dtfTcrrnt and distant aituationa are made
thr M«-nr of the «amr adventure, and hare evidently been aanctifM by ptotia
fraud Mt |>ert«Hl« com|»anitively modem. The deacnpticw in the Ramairan of
IU%;uia'ii baiit|uel may, without much aid from the imagination, he taken aa
the picture of a drunken Kuropean feaat, at that nehod, if rncb there haa been,
when lA4iif^ indulged in the plcaaurea of the buttle : and b considered by
amie an a faint evidence of the eiiatence of an Kuropean eatabliahment in
(Vyhm and the Miuth at thia unknown poetical ffra. However this may Iw,
Tap*'* h'ttmtmm. the laUnd of IUvana« mav, withtmt any fi»reed interpretation,
be conaidered a« the name from which the (treeka derived their Tnpn>^tm4.
Thia iftland u the I^tmht of the Imlian |M>et«« but not of ita aatronomen
" Valmeek'a de«rripti«m of the foreata of I>unda l^kmonium,** uiy* my
frim<i Mi^or Markeniie, in a note now before me,^ ** the abode of hemiita, of
mooiirea. and rooaheea, appeam lo apply to the wild rtide atate of the liokan
in the time of llama, eitendina at teaiit aa f ar aa the C^tetT* : for thrnce the
Country of Jana«tan aeema U> commeoce ; which, oecupinl by the armiea of
the |i«*»rrful moii.%rrh of L^fmka^ and with the aereral intereatina trace* of a
nation widely differinf in lanfuaira. anna» and eren complcYioQ. aremt slronit-
ly t«» indicate a atate of subjection to aome f«ireian nation, which hail then
Biacie Boch pmcreaa tn tiie aru and aeieocea, that eren their efiemiea acknow-
ledfe their Mtpertority : for to the tnireniiitir (»f the nacAoani, iby a perver«i«<i
tA terma not ujici>mnioQj now aijrnifyini Jfm*ms. the inrentiiin and impnivv
meot «if aome of the moat uteful arte of lift are attributed *
The malifnaot and au per- human rttfkmmu may. I believe, he not tmproner>
It trmnalat«d jnaar«, beina ftuppo^ed by the Hindooa to have been prtwlttced k>y
^ the anna of God ioiaf in unto the daufhtara ol
Obaeare ttacaa may be fonnd, in many parta e4 the Mackaniie collection.
ol an early dynasty ol the YmJama race at Vij|eyanH|vi't unonf the ruim «>f
whuae former crandonr the new capital waa hniH.
B
10 PROGRESS OF THE VIJEYANUQGUR EMPIRE. [CHAP. I.
dominions of the late dynasty, including the greater part of the
modem state of Mysoor, were subdued at an early period ; but
a branch of the family of Belial was permitted to exercise a
nominal authority at Tonoor until 1387, in which year we b^in
to find direct grants from the house of Vijeyanuggur as far south
as Turkanamby beyond the Caveri. The last of thirteen rajas,
or rayeeU of the house of Hurryhur who were followers of
Siva, was succeeded in 1490 by Narsing Baja, of the religious sect
of Vishnoo, the founder of a new dynasty, whose empire appears
to have been called by Europeans Narsinga, a name which, being
no longer in use, has perplexed geographers with regard to its
proper position.
Narsing Baja seems to have been the first king of Vijeyanuggur
who extended his conquests into Drauveda, and erected the strong
forts of Chandragherry and Vellore ; the latter for his occasioniu
residence, and the former as a place of safe deposit for treasure ;
but it was not until about 1509 to 1515 that Kistna Bayeel finally
reduced the whole of Drauveda to real or nominal subjection.
A variety of causes concurred in the establishment and
pid increase of the government of Videyanuggur " the city of
science,"* which, by an easy change, assumed m its more pros-
?8rou8 days the name of Vijeyanuggur, " the city of victory.""|"
he crude attempt of Mohammed III. in 1338 to transfer at
once the seat of empire from Delhi to Deogire by a forced emi-
gration of the mass of the inhabitants, and the rash and ill-con-
certed measures which compelled that prince to direct his sub-
sequent attention to the north, incited the dissatisfaction of the
nobles of the Deckan, and their rebellion terminated in 1347 in
the establishment of an independent Mohammedan ^vemment^
which fixed its capital first at Calburga, and afterwaids at Beder.
Some branches of the royal house of Teligana threw off the Mo-
hammedan yoke about the same period, and renewing with some
eneigy their efforts for independence at Golconda^ and recovering
the seat of their ancestors at Warankul, were the natural allies
of the kings of Videyanuggur.
The early disunion of the Mohammedans of the Deckan gave
farther facilities to the growth of the power of Vijeyanuggur ;
and the successive inroads of the Moguls from the north left to
the Patau kings of Delhi littie power to attend to their rebellioua
subjects in the south, and still less prospect of extending their
conquests in that direction. These two causes contributed more
than any other to the prosperity of the new government The
Mohammedan power between the Tapti and Kistna had, in
1526, separated mto no fewer than five independent principalities ;^
* t ABcertaioed by inscriDtions in the Mackenzie collection.
t First, Adil Shah of y\jeyapoor. Second, Kuttub Shah of GoIooDda,
Third, Ummad Shah of Berar. Fourth, Nixam Shah of Ahmednoggur. Fiflhy
Bereed Shah of Ahmedabad Beder.
CHAP. L] DSCUMB ^ PilLL Of TUB VUKYANUOQUE BMPIHB. 11
and in the short period from 1295 to 1326 the empire of Delhi
experienced four Mogul invaaions ; the Utter of which, savs
Ferithta, waa bought off by nearly the price of the empire. In
the tame year, Mohammed the third, at we have seen, nought to
reimburM himself by the plunder of the capital of the Oamatic ;
and in 1338 to offtabliiih the seat of his cm|iire nearer to the
souroeii of his spoliated wealtli. It is a cunous fact, that the
plunder of the south uf India was thus transferred by a double
process to lie buried in the plains of Tartary, and to be presented
aftA»r an intor\'al of five cunturies to Uie astfmishment of tiie
phtl(iiM»plieni* of F«un)iKj. The Moguls were not less eager for
the second |iart of this process, than the PaUns wero rafiacious
in |H?rfomiing the first ; but althtmgli them* giilden reservoirs
beiTsn now to 1m* exhaunteil. an<l the |Militical hUU* of Deckan and
the H4Hitli interfer«*il with the pn»jtvU of each of the plundt>n*ri,
th«* Mo^ds oontinuiNl U) direct their attention to Hincio(»tan. In
13tl(). tiiv|iaratory to the invasi<in of TimrM>r, thoy established
t)itMnHt*lve!« to the soutli of the Indus , snil tinaily, in 149H, in the
fixt«<l goveninit*nt of Delhi, umler tht* cflebrstiNl Baiter, the
founder of the dytumty usually deaigiiaU'<i nn ** The house of
Timour ;" just three yaars afler VaMn> Do Gania arrive<l on tlio
coast of MaUbar : tlio MofftUs tlius ap|M*arihg on the nortliem
acrne, at the precise nerioa of time that the European intruders
first arrived by sea in Uie south of India.
Tlu* sttcoMs which nwuited from the weakness of the enemiea
of Vijeyanuggur was, in the ordinary course of human arrngance,
attrilKiteil to lis own invincible strength ; and the efforts which
were made for the extension of ita dominions to the north, forced
the divified stales of the Deckan into the confederacy which ac-
celerated ita (alL The dynasty of Naninga continued to govern
* Coxta TniTtU, Vi»L II, aiurto sditioo, ^ lf«— a
" The MarpriMna <|tuuittt j, mf% Mr. Uoxc, ** ci foldsn omamenUi found
la tb« U»m\m o( Hiosns, w«rt th^ nut evidMit to ught, would exceed sU
bslief.** Demiduff** steiHtJit oi one of thsse tombs dombsi tbs body of the
prince In s rtcltninit |MMlure, onon s sheet of pore ipold eiteodinf from head
to foot, sod snother shsst of the like dimensions sprssd orm bim : he wss
wrsfyped %m s rich ouuiUe, hordertd with sold, snd iltidiied with nilses sad
emermkii. The pciaceae had AimiUr sbeete ol goldv and her neck chstna sad
brmreieti were tUU mure •umptaooa The robee of both Umked fair sad com-
plete ; but apoa toachiaf crumbled iato dost Mr. Muller judictouelj SMifns
So the ISlh sad 14th eeataries the sccomolstioa uf these immeiue enotls. by
Chsaaess (2iacis) Khaa sad his •aeesseon , but aettber he nor Mr. (Aise
a^|>esr to eaepsct that say portum of them bed been broocht from Irndtm,
IVe dtscoTeiy of copper only m the sms, utenails, sad unuuaentSj of the
■Kire siirieat tombs of Ktberis, ounirme the dete which hse been seetjpied to
the others. Mr. Cbse obeerree, tbst ** Msnv uf the umsments »te eiecuted
wHh MKh taste sod elecsncc ss u hsnlly to be scooonted for f rum the state of
lbs srto m the fSset* There esa be ao duobt Ibsi some Karufissa srtisU bad
psaeCrsted
Bsreezsmi
to the eoait ol the Tsrtar pnness si ibis period : hot Iboes who
olAii
ITS eismtnii lbs ffuldsa offaaaeoUi of Asia know that some u( them srs not
yet eicesdsd by the srUsU of fiareps.
12 DECLINE & FALL OF THE VIJEYANUGGUJt EMPIRE. [CHAP. L
until 154<2, wlien a short usurpation of eight months was sab-
verted by a collateral branch, who established a second usurpation,
keeping the lineal heir as a i)ageant and prisoner of state ; but at
length, in 15G4, the confederacy to wliich we have adverted, of
the four Mussulman kings of Dowlatiibad, Vijcyapoor, Golconda,
and Beder, defeated the Hindoo army on the plains of Tellicota,
between the Kistna and Toombuddra, in a great Vjattle in which
Ram Raja the seventh prince of the house of Narsinga^ and
almost the whole of his principal offcers, fell The victors
marched in triumph to the capital ; which they plundered with
the most shocking circumstances of cruelty and excess. But
the brother and representative of the late sovereign having opened
a negociation, which terminated in his agreeing to give up the
places which had lately been wrested from the Mohammedans,
the victors were satisfied ; and taking leave of each other at
Rachore, returned to their respective dominions. The places
which on this occasion were ceded to the conqueror may afford
some explanation of the limits which were thenceforth assigned to
Camatio in the transactions of Mohammedan princes. The sovereign
of Vijeyapoor received tlie Doab, generally, or " the country between
the two rivers of Toombuddra and Kistna," Mudcul, Rachoor, Adoni,
Aulungpoor,* and Bagreetal. The king of Golconda received
Kowilleunda, Bankul (Ongole), and KuniXK)r (this may be either
Gunpoor or Guntoor). From this enumeration we may conclude,
generally, that the northern boundary of Carnatic was thenceforth
considered to be the Toombuddra; to the south of which the
Mc»hammedans kept no i)ossession excepting Adoni, and perhaps
Nundial ; a conjecture which is chiefly grounded on finding this place
in a subsequent territorial arrangement excluded from the Carnatic :
to the north of that river it was probably also considered to include
Sanoor Bancapoor, which we find invaded by the troops of Vijeya-
poor some years afterwards.
The ap])arent moderation which we have noticed was the
result of jealousies and fears among the confederates themselves,
and by no means arose from lenity towards the unfortunate
Hindoos. The capital was depopulated by the consequonoee
of the victory : and the successor of Ram Raja deserting the
seat of his ancestors, established at Penconda the ruins of a onoe
}K)werful dynasty, which continued to cast a lingering look at its
ormer greatness, until retiring from thence to the eastern position
of Chandnigeri ; the last branch whose sovereign title was acknow-
ledged, was expelled from this his last fortress in 1G46.
Tlie Imttle of Tellicota brings us <lown rather beyond the
period from which it is proiK>sed to trace the origin of the
dynasty of Mysoor; but it appeared to be most convenient to
continue the sketch to that remarkable {)eriod, as a point to
which we shall again Ix) obliged to revert for the explanation of
* I do not know this pbcc unless it bo Alund.
riur. 1.] STATE CiK THE EMriRF. ni'KIKG ITH DKlXINE. 13
Nii)is4-<(ii4*iit fVuiitn. Tht» wIhiIc of the M4»iith cif Iii<iia liail ff»r n
oiii^iilerablc* |K.*riiMl of time lit*f«»n* the Itattlc of IVIIimta )h*4*ii
i*«ll^||^^•«*<l ill the iioininal «Mii|>in* of VijoyHiiii^n^ir; litit tlic* iiiU*-
ru>ff NVKti'iii of i\*veiiiu* ami p)vt*nitiu*iit. witirh limi U-vii fsta-
liliNli4tl uiid €»iif4>n*t*«l, wliilr ti liiniu*4i i^xU'iit of <|oiiiiniiin ii«iinitu*<l
<if vi;^iliiiit c*«»ntrol. Wiut now rxtHN'iliii^^ly rflaxfil. A proviiifial
vltvp»y lit Si*riii^.i|iiitfiiii nith«'r riiiii|iri>tiiiM*«i lor |NTi(Hli4*nl |irf-
hriitH. tlinti rxiu.*t4*<l u fixiil n-viiiu** from tlir Wjult-yai-K. «»r tfovi-r-
min of nil t4iwitHhi|iH. who now M***m to hu\r U^irim to iLHsumt*
ihf numc* of PoIi;^i>« ; a title whii*h |>ro]MTly U*loiii:«ii in thr
chiff** of Tclin^n n»|onif».. pl.int^-l in th«* n«'i'^hl"»nrinvj ]>iovntri'.H,
for the |»ur|»oMr of ov«-ni\i iiiu' tin- aUiri.:ih»*«» . U* uliirli otiirial
<h*.-«i:^'^nation th<*v mhh**!, wli«-n tht-v <):tn-l. tin* titlt* of liiiia. 'IIh*
fXt«*nial a|i|N*anin<*«* of th«* u''*ii''i"kl u'**vriiimt*nt wa^ hrilliniit an«l
im|Mrtini;; itn iiiU'rnnl op^nihi/^ition iriMr :iii>l irn-^iilai : fi»p-iu'ii
i*«»ii(|nr*«t wa.H n m«>n* fa»hii*h:i)<ii- t limit' than •loint-^tir tinann*
«t th<* roiirt of Vij«'yannLfi:Mr . :iit 1 \Uiit>- tin* tinal fXpulHiiin of
th«« Miin-»tihnan<t fn*m thr l>«i*k.iM u.i> ih.iMii(<*l \»\ lli** K'tnU* iv*
* lUrt, — iMiUt,- llatt. %« It M (lltfrrrialy l*ii>lioiiiif «-•!. m .% ruitiiiM all
prii&iin.il|ii|i to tht* irirur of ttii- %i<<ti-rii '-oi/. .lUtl tititr ollint arc iitMrly
•iiail.tr. Nt> IIiihIimi lUj.i \- uitlfut ])\^^ f-i-^*. lIxtKr. ;iltli*''U'h iH't .i
llili«i«M*. tlrlii;litr«l to Ih- roD^tiiitly )>rri f^loi liy tliriii . .iihI tlity (ire :iii
a|i|irn4iiitfr t<» ttir ntrttn of iii.iny *t\\\*\ Mii^-iilinia i-ltit-t«. Tli< y )i.i\(> a
Wuialt'rful toriltty in itpiMktiu iiiii»r«*\i<^it«*r« , na any •*ur>ji't>t |i|i.|xi>«tl ti»
thrill, n «Iivl.iitinti«*ii lu rit« t^iin «, wliiih tii.ty U- Miii-i>i« n «! .i.^ a -**it of
tiiiiltiirti Ki tv\i t ii Miiik \\ * I'.l itHniiil i!<m1 t . ].•;•?'- !r |»r"THr |.fi.fi'*
•iiifi 14 tl. It tif ill laiititu' tlif • X '.:**'{ fiifft'f I <i ly- m ?fif tri»ii! nI lh« trfj '^
whil«* ni4r^h illitit; liif tMt!l«. .iinl IIP :titj^ tilt tl) t«> fttiul.ttf tin t?l*'i) *'f t)i« ir
■iiccMt«»nk Many iimUuh'c^ -irr kiii*wri «•! I^.toi^ «})«• tia\i* ;:i\rii th«* «'\.irii)*ii\
AM %itil A« tii« |»rtt'r|'t. **{ «i« ^otia^; tin iiiMhi <* t^ir thtir k*i«K'. t*y h\4iliit^ into
the thiikft of till- luttlr.
At thr nupti-iU *.iy* tht- !t^;fli.| ».f .^'ir^r tlir «!i sMU'ti^f IIuIIiUt *'i tli«*
Inili-tn tM.<%ii with /''irr-ttt, t)i«* <i«-itv (JiM-n^frifl (li.-it tit |>lr.i-iiri-« of the
Ivtttvjil wrri* iiir«»tri|lrt«-. Ati«l iii^taiitly crt.kt«4l |Mirt« f^-r tl.r )iir|Mi«4- nt ^iuk
lUg til^ rxi*iit|t« to ttir AAMiiilo) «»! thr ^*n\% tiit y « ••titii«u««l .i!l« r m.ioU l«>
rraitlr at fit« ««*url or p4raiii>t ••/ K)ia*ain. .iifl i« iii.; oih* il.«> ii««i:iil \ty
/'«lrr«ffi t*i •iii«C A/r |>r it*r«. i>ii^fii:««i\« Iv f-i«tl*fil ^Imiimi U «■«. )\ fi ii.;iiil:tit;
li<*r of tin* rirlu4ivr «'l-j«i-t'i tl.iir • r* i!iiii. tiiri.«!y. *•!••• hiiiiit tJ.r j-riJ-t*
of hrr«i«-%.'* r«rTAti, ciir.u*«-<l at tliiir iia< "iirt't'ii* rrfiMal. t r<«ii<>uiii'r«l <>ti tliini
tlir itifM* of *' |4^r|^*tii il |->\«rt> . aii«l flu )'i;«l4 ri*'.«>ii«t: .Tinj hiiIi >i^i
•4;aitt«t thi« uiiin* ritt«l t.i!r. y^»rr iiil>iriii«tl tirit li-t '.1:^: Ku.-n.'ii i>>iiM i\.Mie
tilt- «r.ith of i'.ir^.k!i ir.i! ai'.UoM«*K hr rou!*! ii<! ■ tfi«i!. in woul.l il.«\:att'
ttiriarM- thjt!*.«> -h-'filtl •%• «*«»l'iiTi/Iy !•• j-mmt^.i t.» \:«:t tin- t«rrr»trMl
«orM. «)irrr, Altli'>tu'(i «oni«'tiiti«*« ri* hr« .-iii«t i !<ri*y .tii<l tiw i\ • iii|'roKitii>n.
%lfHll«l )«• •ktiiiwrrrvl f\rT tll>'tll )•¥ tti<< »••%« fi i.'tt* o( t(< «irfh. ttir torilirr ••!
tlir*r t:\\t* %lioulil iir%rr miiJiii n itii tin iii . -iii*l l\. «* '* Wn-l ■« n « ••(•liri«; ti> iUv
tirrrr* of I'ar^ )tl >tii*ul<k )^'«%ir l*>ir '\)iv i.!'..*<il t<ri •il« tl-ili tiirifrt)*«ltr4 to
it<o«tt fiiltilinriit. ami i^t'ii .i{>«*!'>j> **i IIk- lr,<iwii )>-ir<t^ for tio| Uiit^ iiiuiti
»l«ilrt«-<l tt» i^ttllM'tCr o* .11.) kiii'l
The Irtrrriii .vi^rftvt*! t l/<jr« /ru"- l/u' ••/•>. «h<» iti ttit In sritltitriL* of
thr t 'aly y**'^ ititn^turf^l rt rtitti ••; tin xu* «*«, .trn«*ti»; «• hirh « .i« ili** tiniliilatiori
t>f Aiiiti.U f*-"! . .1 rrtonn wIikIi th* l*ri-..it ii^itt«-«l. Kut tti« '•i>'/« n t<i*««l
t«> atlo|.: M.ijor Mo^ktiiii*- f oiij«'«tiirr« t)i«t thr tl %iii« l/i«r ••/•• til iv !•«••
mbly tlcAiiriiAlr the cvmiitry of the ri-fi>riiirf .Vt«r. tv^i t AfA thit thi« «• !'
14 DESPOTISM OF THE EAST. [CHAP. I.
an exploit already achieved ; the disorganized state of the distant
provinces would have announced to a judicious observer the
approaching dissolution of the empire.
In adverting to the incessant revolutions of these countriesy
the mind which has been accustomed to consider the different
frames of polity which have existed in the world as one of the
most interesting objects of intellectual enquiry, will be forcibly
struck with the observation, that no change in the form or prin-
ciples of government was the consequence either of foreign con-
quest, or successful rebellion ; and that in the whole scheme of
polity, whether of the victors or the vanquished, the very idea of
civil liberty had absolutely never entered into their cont^pIaiion«
and is to tliis day without a name in the languages of Asia.
The immemorial* despotism of the East is a fact so familiar
to every reader, that it seems to be received, as we receive the
knowledge of a law of nature, without any troublesome investi-
gation of the causes which produce an effect so wonderful and
mvariable.
The philosophy which refers exclusively to the physical influ-
ence of climate, this most remarkable phssnomenon of the moral
world, is altogether insufficient to satisfy the rational enquirer:
the holy spirit of liberty was cherished in Qreeoe, and its Syrian
colonies, by the same sun which warms the gross and ferocioiu
superstition of the Mohammedan zealot: the conquerars of half
the world issued from the scorching deserts of Arabia, and obtain-
ed some of their earliest triumphs over one of the most gallant
nations of Europe, "f"
A remnant of the disciples of Zoroaster flying from Moham*
medan persecution, carried with them to the western coast of
India the religion, the hardy habits, and athletic forms of the
north of Persia ; and their posterity may at this time be contem-
plated in the Parsoes of the finglish settlement of Bombay, with
mental and bodily powers absoJutelv unimpared, after the re-
sidence of a thousand years in that burning climate. Even the
passive but ill understood character of the Hindoo, exhibiting
few and unimportant shades of distinction, whether placed under
the snows of Imaus, or the vertical sun of the torrid zone, has, in
every part of these diversified climates, been occasionally roused
to achievements of valour, and deeds of desperation, not surpassed
known reform may have been introduced into India by the Egjrptian priert-
hood. Shenker Acharee is mentioned in the legend as reviving, at a period
loDf^ sabeequent. some of the doctrines of Misroodoo ^ and Shenker Acharee
probabhr lived aoout the commencement of the Christian sera.
* The exceptions stated hy Dr. Vincent in his voyage of Nearchmi, p. 69 and
129 can scarcely be received without suspicion, and the doctor observes that one
of these places described as republics by Q. Curtius and Diodoms, is by Arriaa
expressly declared to be a monarchy. See also the description of an Indian
township in the 6th chapter of this work.
t Spain, the AndtUut of Mohammedan historians.
rllAP. l] l>RKH)TISM OF THK RART. l.'i
in the hemic Af^ex of tlu* wtwU>m world.* The retlectioiui niitu*
rally arising fnnii Uichc fiicU are tihviouHly Mufticieiit to extinjiTuiAh
a tliumy ami 8U|jerficial hy{K>Uiefiiii, which would laeajiure the
human mind by the Hcale of a Fahrenheit's thermometer.
Hut if thuH eout|M*lle<l to reject Uie exclusive influence of cli-
mate, shall we arrive at more Mitisfactory cimclusions by referring
to moral causes f In coiiHidmng tlie two great classes of man-
kind with whose tranNa(*tiotui we sludl be chiefly conversant,
namely, the Mnhammeilan.H and the Hindoos, the fixed existence
of d«*ii|MitiiUu among tlu*m mav be accounte'l for on i>rinci|iles
whi(*h would H(*«*m tt> lie entirely conclusive ; but princiim*tt to be
just should lie of universal auplication ; and doubts nave bi*en
sugp'iHUHl whether Uiose to whirJi we ailvert are capable of standing
tills nei*(*ssary test The argument sludl be stated with candor,
and the obje<*tionii to which it seems to be liable sliall be pro|)osc<l
witliout disguise : the subject is of gruat interest, and some indulg-
ence will be allowed to an attempt, however feeble, to funiisli one
ailditional fart c»r n*fltHTtion capable of Uirowing light on a question
so much involved in olrMnirity.
Tlie writings est4H»me<l to be sacred W the Hindoos have
produfXMl as many sectari m as tlie omIcs of other n*ligioiLH ; and
polcmic^al controverxicH, as usual, of greater ai*rimony in pnjiMirtioii
to the minuteness of tlie diflercnce in opinitm ; but these disputes
have generally U*en of a s[HHrulative nature; the diflen*ut parties
have cliargiNl vAch other with falsifying the texts, but the authority
of tlic omIc itM*lf lias seldom lieen a matter of discussion.
The |M>litifml. civil, and criminal code of the Hindoos is
interwoven with their tlieology, and is euually considerwl to lie
derived from divine sutliority. The aflliirs of government of
jodicaturs and of [M>lict\ down to the most minut4« forms of social
and <iomestic interoounie, are all identified with religious ohserv-
ancrs; the whole is sam«d and unchangeable; and. in this ciMe,
the if leas attached ti> imprtivement and profsnation vmn mmnvlv
ba distinguished from each oUier. Monarrhical government la
that whicli is i>raicrilie<l. and the only one which ap|)ear« U> liave
entered into the contemplation of the authors of their sacreil law:
^ Hcd oiBiMS iUsrhmshilcM
l*rfHiUtf, ifnoiai|its looga
Notts. cariKl «|Oia vmte sscro.
Ths tiyariims •y ci thm naropiaa trsvelW nsssss withoat obssnrslion
thoassndt ol moooiasnls, wwmy vbtrs srsetsd to ta« mmmorf ai Indian btross
who bav« falUa la ballls. Ho«n lew ol Umas awmamsaU hsvs tpitaplM. la
gsasral th«]r eoosm ci a sii^ls scmlplarsd slab plaesd psqitadicalarqr ia tha
cronad : ths scolptars is osttally dividsd tnto thrts coipsitaisals : thm lowtsi
dsicnbss tli« bauW in which thm hsro was tlatn ; thm e«ilrs coiparfisat
fipiSiiaU him ia Ihs set ol bsiiy^ ooavs^ad to hsstsa bslwssa two calssi
iqriBphs : IB Ihs aDpsnaQsl hs Ess amvsd si thm f>pDiis ol hbn» sad
dshiMatsd ss •satso bslsta the psciiliar snblsai ol his rttifioB—^MOsfaUy 1
rtiifiua psnwsUy Iha
tac«ai— lor thm pndtkem ol srselaBf mmiaisali sssas dumf to Moag lo thm
ssdolfiiva.
10 DESPOTISM OF THE EAST. [CHAP. L
the notion whicli adulation is so prone to inculcate, Uiat the royal
autliority is an emanation of the divine power, is a doctrine
strictly, emphatically, and perhaps originally, Hindoo :* the Platonic
phil(>s()])hy adopted it without alteration; the opposite sects of
the Mohammedan faith acknow^ledge their Imaum and their Caliph
to be the vicegerents of God upon earth : and even the mild
and unflattering doctrines of the Christian church have modi-
fled and softened the same dogma into the admission of reigning
" by the grace of God :" but the broad and prominent distinction
between the characters of eastern and western polity, between
despotism and regular government, seems to consist in the union,
or the separation, of the divine and the human code ; in connect-
ing in one case by inseparable ties the ideas of change and
profanation, or arlmitting in the other the legal possibility of
improvement; the permission to practice, as well as to learn, the
lessons which are taught by the experience of ages. The sacred
code of the Hindoos, like the Koran of the Mohammedans, is held
to be all-sufficient for temiK)ral as well as religious purposes ;
they have adopted the regal government, because such is the
will of God ; they have been passively obedient to this emanation
of the divine power so long as no competition has appeared ; and
they have embraced with facility the cau.se of rebellion and ci\Tl
war, because, like the Mohammedans, they believe that king-
doms"!" are the immediate gift of the Almighty, and that victory
is a manifestation^ of the divine will.
♦ Menu, 7th chapter, and particularly the 6th verse of that chapter.
t For the injunctionfl to incessant conquest, see Digest of Hindoo Law,
vol. 2d, p. 92 (I quote the London edition of 1801), the general tenor of the
7th chapter of Menu, and particularly the following passages : v. 101. "What
he (the king) has not gained, let him strive to gain by militarv strength : what
he h;is ac^iuired let him [)reserv'e by careful inspection : what he has preserved
let him auf;incnt by legal means of increase, and what he augments let him
dispense with just liberality, v. 102. Let his troops be constantly exercised,
his prowess constantly displayed, what he ought to secure constantly secured,
and the weakness of his foe constantly investigated, v. 103. By a king whose
forces are constantly ready for action, the whole world ma^ be kept m awe ;
let him then by a force always ready, make all creatures living his own.*'
X The doctrine of fatality is not so unqualified among the Hindoos as the
Mohammedans, but may nevertheless be distinctly traced in all their opinions
and modes of action. Victory depends on seizing a fortunate moment offered
by heaven, Menu, chapter 9, verse 107 ; and the conduct of affairs depends on
acts ascribed to the Deity, as well as on acts ascribed to Men : ibia, y. S05.
It is well known that nothing will induce the Hindoo to commence any
matter of importance excepting at the preordained moment determined by
judicial astrolo^^, wliich will be found on examination to be a modified
fatalism : this imaginary science may instruct us to avoid entering on an
undertaking at an unpropitious time, but having once begun, nothing can
prevent the tennination which has been preordained. *' Bboo Letchmee (the
goddess of territorial dominion) has thrown her arms about your neck, yoa
cannot refuse her embraces f is a figure of familiar conversation amonjf the
Hindoos, whicli well describes their modes of thinking on the whole sulitject
CUAF. L] DBSrOTIflM OP TOE BAST. 17
To tbo fiencnJ injunctinntf of the ncroJ codes may bo aacribcd
iho unclvviatini^ cdntitiuaiicu cif rupU [;i»veniinent, and to a sub-
onliiiato branch of the; Haino diN'trino the iucemant revolutions
of the Kant The much <*iiluniniate<i law of priino|«vuituru has
|i«*rhA|iN aintributed nu»n* timn luiy other caune to the ^n»wtli
of civilimtidn in Kun»|M*An nionan*hiei4 — A ruh\ of wliatever
kind, whirh deftnrH the ri^dit of MKHX'SMion. and him Imh^i matured
by tiiiM* and tMipular «i}»iiii«in, |wilsi<H| the ami of fiu'tton, k*aves
to tilt* uioiianMi no iiiotiv«* nf rrii«*lty, and with the ho|»i* (»f {ler-
m:ui«*iHv. j^ivcH til tlur hiibjet't lh«* K-isuru anti tin* iiiritvniriit to
ini|tri»\i.' bin c<>iiditi«>n. In r<>ntriilh'tt«in t^* thr fits<*iii:itiii;^ <1(n*-
triiii* of iiutund i*<)uality, aii*l in d«-tiantv i^f tin* ritliriilc which
IH in\it4*d bv th»' HVj«t**ni of IiM\in;' to ohantv wli»»thiT wv shidl
In* Will or ill piviTiu'd. it iii:iy .naft-ly U* a.M«uni<*>K tli:it whatever
|M*rtitiii i»f tran<|uillity \uv^ 1m«ii riijoy« il by th«' Kiiro|N*i«n uorbl,
ma\ ( liiitly U* a>rriU-d to tlit* ]»r.i<*ti>'al ojnTition of this law.
h«*\»i*v*r sti::niiiti/.* <l in* abMinl nn*! iiniii*«t by all tlio^* stxi ioim
tbi"ii-l- hIm U'HiM i:ovcrn tlu* >*«»rM bv tbc dn-iini?* ot' nuta*
|>h\*«i«'.il -^li* i'uliiti'>ti.
Ain<»ic M")> iiiini*'<la:i*i the t-^tat^**^ of indi\ iduain an* ili\ idc«i
m*ri»r.iiii;; t«» i\\r*\ ml* s, but tbf K*>r:in n*<**»p;ni/^'.H im nib' of
inbt itt.iiKi' to kiii^'doiiu : and altlh'U^li th«' -*nt'«-c-^«i«»ii 4>f th«- first-
Imrii <M*i>iii<« aiii<»n;; tli«*ni, :u« ani«»n;r ni<»«t other M^vtii. to have UfU
roiiHiilrfi-.l 11^ tbf* ordiT *>( nature. th«* swonl in nevertliide^M the
only l« ^.il arbit«:r univeis;i]ly aekniiwhtlp**!.* The Ilinii**** systfUi
of |Hihiy. jotinpriidrtn-e and nlii^ioii. alfivt-* !»till more htron;:ly
than an\ Kui«i|ii*an tMili* the ri;;hti4 of hen*<litary hUe(^*wii«»n ;
but tin* H..IIH ar«* all r-'liMM. an«i the faint dinttnetion in favour
of tlif I'Mfot f«on iN liiiiit«'d by the e\i*r^iM <Mtidition, that he
tihall U- w«trthy of tin- ebar^v .'^ but unlia|»t>ily there in notliin^
so tlitliiiilt t«i ifi'ti niiiiM* iLH tlif relative wortn «*f o|i|H«iiii;; «*laim-
atit^. and in th«> pii'U*nNi'*n4 t*> n»yaity. the double «|Uenti(»n «ifdi\iiie
fa\our aiiil Hii|Mii>ir lot-nt toU'^t. in -pitv t»f rv4iJton. U- dt-eidt^d by
ttie <«v%iird If ill tb** w« >>t< rii u.<ili| We ba\e not e.-M-aiM-*! tbt*
eviU **\ tbin t«rMbl«* :iibit«r, ami if %i itb tli«* |*ro<«|4*4't nf |ii-riiia-
ni'ti«*«' Hbhb. diitiii^' til* ;^r«.it*r |>.iit «•! the l.u»t ttntiiry.at b-.tnt.
nii^bt r**.L^'n.il>l\ b.i\( U«ii iiidiiL'«d b\ ni'*>t Kiir«i|M.iii iiati'*ti*».
IH» iiltit |iio-^'i*«« b.»- U-« 11 iii.i<l«? Ill the imtaMi^biiu-iit **i r;iti*>niil
Iiiiiit-ftti<<ti4 ••ii tli«- .il'ii<M- i>r |«.\%<r. and in tin* |>n \« nti«'ii ^f eivil
and f« \«ili|li>in u v \%.ii<*. Uc ^b.iil tl'^t ff|t|tr<- tbr .lld «»l < blli**|i- to
expLiin ub\ •li^|**iti'*iii b*i.-« «'«iiit)niii d. .i.i<l iiui^t t<*i t\ii ««>iitiiiiie.
t«> JM^^>iM|kiit\ tb«* lliii<:«*i» an>l \b*)t.iiiiiii«*«laii IfaliitH «>t |«i*liiy
* *l III. 4»«irt| i« lii« «h«> • 111 ii*« it. tiiil 4l<*:iiiiii<*ti for liiiii «ilii* i«>fM|ii«f 1 —
K«»f All
t 111 priw .it« lift tilt- «li«t. "•nil 'ii ••• « «S.il« - tiiai*!!.; «i'lti-u* «l« |*« Mii* ill Mtiur
raAr* (Hi thi« % iiir^i* i«iii«ltti>Mi M« i*ii. i i. t|>:< r '». %« !•«• 1 1-%. 'i\ l . jiihI J «..'iiifi4-
llta, «itcr -I liMi^; ui«l «iiWii« iti"-(Ui«i!i<<ii. «l« !• ri.iiiii • tli4t kiii«^l«'iii« fi»>»}. ill iu4»y
anC. km- (iiiri«lft|. .tii«l ih It tilt fit 4iitt ti.»i |ttiiiMV« itilure iMi.;hl Im tUtcruiUR- lli^
•UCcvaiuuci. Ihft'cM of lliii'i'*! I.i«. \*'\ '•*. |«. 1:11 U» I'lX
l8 DESPOTISM OF THE E^ST. [cflAP. I
and religion, of which, if it be not a vittil member, it Is *at lea«t
an inevitable consequence.
An examination of the Jewish history and legislation would
a<ld considenible force to these opinions ; which may be farther
illustnited by ol)serving that the Seiks, when they rejected the
Himloo religion for the doctrines of Nanuck, exhibited ^the first
and only instjince in the history of the East of an ai)i>roach, however
imperfect, to republican principles ; while every previous revolution,
whether leading to the establishment of a great fifoveniment,
or its subdivision into a multitude of smaller states, uniformly
terminated where it began, in principles of pure desjx)tism.
Such a knowledge of China jus can be considered to penetrate
l)encath the surface of tilings, apj)eai'H to be still a desideratum
in literature : and what little is known would seem to afford no
illustration of the hypothesis which has been pro|)Osed.
But it has l>een objected to the argument which would ascribe
such powerful effects to the union of the divine and human codes,
that if 'we turn from the probable causes of eastern despotism
to those which unfolded the sj^irit of freedom in the west, wo
shall seek in vain for any confirmation of the principles which
have been proposed. The substance of this objection may be
Btate<l in the following fonn.
"The earliest examples of a j)eople rejecting despotism, and sub-
stituting in its room a free or a ([ualified govenunent, are presented
in the histories of Gi-eece and Italy. In Greece the human niifid
had at a verj' early period attained a high state of refinement,
and applied mettiphysical reasonings to determine just principles
of gt)vermnent. At the period when an insurrection would
produce a new form of government, or an amended constitu-
tion, philosophy had already l)egun to legislate; and the freest
{Kjople weixi also the most enlightene<l upon earth. But if from
these exami)les we shouhl Ikj disjKwed to infer that liberty is
the offspring of civiliaition and knowledge, we must reject a
dream so flattering to mentid imi)rovement, on remembering that
the Romans, however cultivated in after times, were, at the period
of the exj)ulsion of their kings,* rude, barbarous, unlettei^ed, and
in all respects the reverse of an enlightene<l and philosophising
|)eople. In thes(i git^at examples of anti(j[uity no illustration is
presented of tiie princii)les which have l)een projK)sed ; but on
the contrary, wt' perceive the est'iblishment of civil lilx»rty arising
out of mond cirrumst^inces altogether dissimilar and opposite."
It may ap]M'{ir on a hasty examination of these objections
that we mast surreii'ler our explanation of the prolxible causes
of dus|M>tism in tho Kast, U'cause we have failed m tracing to an
• Tho exi)ulsi()u of the 'run(iiiiis from Ki)mcocourrc<l in the very year sue*
reeding' thill of the rihihtratiihe fruin Athi'us, hut I do not know that any
•mtlior hiUi traced ;i connexion hetwoen thc6c two events either by exaniplo or
"thcrwioc
tilAP. I.] peSPOTIKM or THR tUMT ]i)
o|i|»iiHiUt iMiurce the unifonn fi^iwth fif rivil liUrty in tlit* Winit.
Uiit it muHt U* n«iiiemU*nMl that tli<* ivinovnl of a rjixiM* simply
«*xtin^iiHlK«i« tilt* i*trtH*t whii*h it lin<I pnMlucoil. Imt dtnit not
iHiHtfuiaily pDNiuoi* nn t)|t|Ni»iiU« efTi^c't. TIh* Mlincklrs ini[Mieu«U
t»n tin* liuiuan mind by the union of tho «Iivin«* :in«l human code
hnv«* \ievn ntntCNl nn tin* t*tli(*ii*nt i*aum.*s tif <h*H|MitiHm : hut it in
a fniUry t^i c*<»nduih» that tlieir removal miL^t |»r«Mlu(v frLH<«hiui.
Tho n*moval uf thesi* Mha4*klf*i clearH away tin* ini|Mirtmt>nU t4)
civil lihvrtv. but <hM»i not ncH\*Msarily iidhIuiv it Tht* so|iamtion
«>f thti clivino and human cnmIu ha not in itnclf tlio i*ttii*i(*nt mumt
of fn«(Nhmi ; it moivly ^vi^^t iico|)u fi»r other <<auM'H to o^nthU^ :
it n*ndcn« liU*rty iNKOviblo, but not int*vital»l(*. lK>H|H>tiHni ih
aimph* in itd natun* and o|ier&tionfl; whih* any w^hrme of iinu*ti*
cal lilierty in necunHarilv nmipouude^l of variotia anil t*«>ntiirtin^
|mrtii*h*H : and if we have HattHfac-torily tliewn a hin^Ie c*auMo
unifonnly (not excluiiivcly) (mMhirin^ deft|M)tiHm. our argument
in not W(^ki*ni*«i by tho ailmiHsitin Umt in th«* c«miph*x o|ii*nition
i»f m(»nil i*au.ie9« many nuiy nmcur Uf the pnMhirtion of rivil lilierty.
CHAPTER II.
FROM THE ORIGIN OF THE HINDOO HOUSE OF MYSOOR TO 1672.
Bomantic origin of the Hindoo Aotwe of Ah/ioor, and ehnnqe of rtHgum-^
Ftninddtion of the capital of ttMt name^-Vijeya — Arlfiral — Betad Cham
Itaj — Bolt Cii/im Raj — llttrc Cliam Raj — Bffad Wadeyar — Deposition
of this chiefs and election of his younger brother Raj ncuieycur^-'ReJUc-
iions on this fact^ and. on the interesting characters of the brot/ien — In-
cidents characteristic of tfte times — and of the brothers — Acgnitition ^
Seringapatam — its ancient history — Another change of religwH — Liat ^
conqtusts^ and reason for adopting this arrangement — Cftam Maj — Iwkr
madee Ra^\ uncle of the late Raja^ and posthumous son of hvs vredeceuor
— poisonea by his minister — succeeded by Canty Reva ^arsa Raj-anec-
dote of his chivalrous spirit — Evidence of usurpation in the tfoo preceding
reigns — Emancipation of the present Raja by the assasstnation of the
usurping minister — Siege of Seringapatam hy a J/ussulmari army — repuUe
of tlie enemy — Arrangtments—Jinancial — militai^j — the mint — court —
re(igu)us establishments — conquests^ Dud Deo Raj — Rejmlse of tkt Raja
of Bednore — and of 3Iadura— Conquests of this reign.
The tribe of Yedava, which boasts among its eminent characters
Kristna, tlie colebr.ited Indian Apollo, had its ejirly seats near
to Dwanika in Guzerat, and its pr()l)al)le origin in a more north-
t^m region. Innumerable tnices exist of vast and successive
emigrations of this nice of herdsmen and wan-iors, who caiTie<l
devastation among the agricultural tril)es of the south, and, in
process of time, were incorporated with their opponents, or
assume<l more Hettlo<l habits of life.*
During the i)eriod that the dominion of the Rajahs of Vijey-
anuggur extended really, or nominally, over the greater portion
of tlie south of In<lia, two young men of the tril>e of Yedava,
named Vijeya, and Kristna, deimrted from that court in search
of a l>etter establishment to the south. Tlieir travels carried
tliem to the little ftjrt of Hadana, a few miles from the present
situation of the town of Mysoor ; aji<l having alighted, as is
usual, near the border of a tank, they overheaid some women of
the Jungum sect, who had come for water, l)ewailing the fate of a
young maiden of their tril)e who was alxnit to Ikj married to a
* Among the Mackenzie MSS. is a poem which relates the wars and
negotiations of the herdsmen and the farmers. The rude and uncivilixed
character of the former is strongly depicted in the narrative. The farmon
had agreed to give them the free range of their w(K>ds and pastures, on the
condition that they should keep aloof from the cultivated land. Soon after
the adjustment of this treaty, a young crop of com of vast extent is over-
whelmed by the main herd. The farmers remonstrate on the breach of
compact ; and the herdsmen apologize by affirming, with the utmost simiili*
city and truth, '* that they really thought it had been grass."
I
lilAP. U] OUUIIN OK TIIK MYS<M»R lUJAIIM. tl
«
|v*rH*»ii i»f iiiffrior f|u:*IUy TIm* lirotlirrt ciHiiiinHl into tin* Hr-
i'liinHtninfH of tin* r;iM' ; «lr*»inM| tli«* uofiM«n to \n* f"i»iiifort*'«l ; ami
oft<*n*«l tlicir ?MTvi«*i*.H in ilfffni*<^ of tli«* 4liiniH«*l. Slu* waus tlio
onlv i|jiui'lit«-r of til'- \Val«\:ir (orlonlofrw vill;i::i'M>, who wiw
atHi<-t«*«| with nit'iiUil <h'r:(n*^'i*iiirnt ; iin«l in thi*« <h*.H4i|jit<! tin<l un-
init4Tt«H| Htat«\ ihf rhirf of I'anNimilly. a |H'i>««»n of ni(*an nist**,
m<l |in»|>osc«| Ut th«* family tht* alt4*niativi* of imimHlint*' war. or
tht* |M*:uvHh|f |HiftM*Hsinn of lla^lana )»y his nmrria'^f with tho ilani-
«M*1 : nn«l ti> th«* hitt«T |in*|Misition thry ha<l ;«:iv<*n n forLtn) nnii
n*hi('tnnt fi»ns< lit Th*' otl«T of th** stniiiL^rrH was mail*' known,
ami th«*y wi-n* a«hnitt4* I to rxaniin** th«* ni«*anH whii*h the family
[HMs«*sHt:<| of aviTtin^; tho im|M>n«lin;^ ilis;rnm*. In «-<*nlormity
ii» thfir A«lvi(*i* n<) rhaiivr** ^''^ ma*l«* in tin* |>n*|kitnitions fir tin*
tnnrria<^f fiviMt : iin<l wliih* tho rliii'fn of (*anNH^illy witi* sfat^sl nt
ih«* Kin«in<*t in on«* a|iartnii'nt. an<i tln'ir f<»liowi*i>i in nnotlicr, tli««
ni«*n of llailatui. whi» ha<l U*«*n pn-viously H«*<*n*t«'«l for tin* |>iir-
|i«*H«>. h«*a«hMl hy th«* two )»ri»th«*p«, spntn*^ forth U|ioti thrir jii«*!HtM.
uml h|«*w thoni. man-h«i| instantly to <'anM»;;ullv. whirh th<'V
iiuqiri*M-«|. nnii ri'tnni«-«l in tniini|>h to lla>hina. Tht* iluntM*!. full
of ^'nititmU'. U'«*Anif th** willini: l«ri«lf of Vijrya. who rhan;;tN|
hin r**li;^i«*n. * nn«l U*4*iim« th** lopl of Hmlana an<l i an»o;nillv.
Sut'h i*i till* n«vount ilttail«il in varioun mAnuH<Ti|it/«. anil ar-
km<u 1«*«|<^«>«|. hy p*n«*ml tni«lition. **( thr <»ri^in of tin* mjahs of
Mv'^'-'r It in |»n»|"*M**l to |«iixH r.i|>i«liy o\rr thi.n olrM'un* jHTioil,
aJi<i t" n*Ht liL'titlv on ^urh rin*nmHtanri'*« only a^ ha\4* a tcmlonry
to matk thr manm'm of th<* tinn^s. or tht* pro^rt'^H of the family
to fiitun* ini|»>rtAno*
Manii^H'tiptA an* not a^'<*«l in n^tT'^nl to tin* ilnU* of thin
ry«*nt. m^r ^ith n-f«|if<'t to tht* nnmUT t»f p>n«*nition<« whii*h in-
t4*rvin«'«l liftw«H*n th«* foun^h-r of tht* family ami t*hani lliij. siir-
lluiH*<l " Arhiral." or tht* M\-tin;:i*n-ih fn»m that |ii*«'uliarity in
lii<i [MTHon. 1 1 in mirt*ifuiiMti it tixi*«l in IVC-
A ••iil**M'«|U<*nt mjah. n.im«-<l lU-ta<l t*hani K.ij. niA*l«*. ilurin^
liiH lift'tinif a |<irtiti4»n of hin litth* «ltiniini>>iiH U'tw«-<'n hi^ tlir«*v
•Minn To A|>uui Tim liaj h«> ;^'nyf llrmnnhiilly ; to Ki-thm
Kaj hf piv<* K«*nil4ilA . an<l t«* t *ham ILij. f»nniamt*i| Im*!!* or lUM,
* Krofii a i|ivi|ilfl* «i( Vuliihiii hr )*r«Miiir a Jutu'um i>r l.iti,;>ft iitit llr aji-
•unu^l, «»n tlii« t« r««iiin, tha tiUr til ^ntJt^tr, whii'li irt uiiil«>riiity aiiiirirtl
in tilt* ifiMmwni»t« to thr naaie <»( rtf r) r.ija)i. anci itiil rrtainni hy the
faniily mitet another chxtin^ «t( rrliin«>ii. «»hii h t««>k |>1 1* r a)«>tit thr >t^ if^^T.
Wailryar. i>r l*<r«L in th« Kalia <'atiara. Bniii*. at thi« |>rffi<«|. to hx\e id-
di''atr«| thr cilhrr of |t<*Trrnor i»( * anMll il.»tri<-t . K^'ttc'r^ly ^*( ^> ^itla^cra
Thr trrm u (i>un«l, aUt*, ui nianv afiru-nt inM*ri|>tifii« in l>rau%r«l4. lu th«
Tatntil laiiCfia^rr. 'wr thr fir«l «ii«'umcnt in \|i|4rnilu .Nt» *i t I'vi^mtr u
cirarly * m'-lrrn term nitn«!iirnl hy thr 'Irliii«;a pi^rruuirnt \4 \ ijrya-
nninr^ir . and, m* lair *• thr yrar 17M\ tbr |i«ni«i. uucr nanirti tbr i'*Jt^r of
U'^aliariHiIlani. H W of t'u«ltlali»rv. i« ilcftiirnalcd aa the WaJ^fnr lu thr
rreortla 4>f MailruL It ti th^ title ui rc«|>cct bj vbirb tb« phc*ta %4 tbr
Juh^qui are %Mnmtd At tkia day
Fur the rdi^mi uf Uic Jung^uu, tec Appcodii, No. i.
22 HEEUK CHAM UAJ. * [<iIAP. 11.
»
(an accident said to Inive Ih>oii produced by a stiN)ke o£ Ii<^htiuii<,r)
he ijave Mysoor. Tlie precise? a»ra of this partition is not well
ascertiiined ; bnt it was probably at, or about, this period, that
the permanent residence of this branch of the family was re-
niovtid to Mysoor, then cjilled Pooragiu'r^'. A fort was either
constiiictcd or repaired in the year 1524?, to which the new name
wjts assigned of Mahesh Asoor,* usually pronounced Mahcshoor,
and now contnicted to Mysoor ; and the partition al)Ove noticed
has continued to mark the three principal branches of tlie family,
which have furnished wives for the reigning rajahs, and sue-
cessors to the govenmient, when the direct line has been extinct
A grant is extant, dated in 1548, from Tim Raj, probably the
same to whom Hemanhully was assigned, and the state of the
times is well illustrated by an incident in his life. He was de-
sirous of paying his devotions at the temple of Nunjendgode,
distant about nine miles ; and two wadeyars existed in that short
distance, whose permission to pass through their territories was
regularly asked and obtained. The splendor of his equipage,
and the number of his retinue, not less than three hundred persons,
attracted the envy of the wadeyars, who wore assembled at the
feast ; a quarrel ensued, in which many lives were lost ; Tim
Rjij was victorious ; and he shortly afterwards levied a military
contribution on the wadeyar of Ommatoor, his principal oppo»
ncnt at the feast.
Nothing woithy of notice occurs until 1571, when Heere
Cham Riij succeeded to the govenmient of Mysoor.
The government of Vijeyanuggur, which had held an au-
thority over the south, fluctuating in efficiency with the iieraonal
character of its head, had recently l)een too much occupied in
resisting its northern enemies, to exercise any vigorous rule over
its southern de|)endants : the subversion of that government, in
\3Gif, hy the four Mussulman princes of Dowlutabad, Vijeyapoor,
Oolcon<la, and Bcder; and the relaxed authority of a mgitive
govenunent, which made successive attempts to re-establiah ita
jK)wer at Penconda, Vellore, Chandergherry, and Chingleput ;
i>|>ened an ample field to ambition, and enabled a succession of
rnterjirising j)etty chieftains of Mysoor gnidually to assume a
more res|)e<!table nmk among the j)0wers of the south.
We accordingly find Heere Cham Raj evading the payment
of the revenue or tribute due to the \nceroy of Vijeyanuggur, re-
siding at Seringapat^un, and obtaining {K^nnission to erect some
* Malu'sh Axo4tr, ** the buffallo-headed monster,'* whoso overthrow is the
most noti'd exploit of C*ali, the consort of Siva. This goddess, delighting in
blcMxl, was then, and is now, worshipped under the name of Chamoondee,
(discomfiting enemies,) on the hill of Mysoor, in a temple famed at no very
distant period for human sacrifices. The images of this goddess frequently
represent her with a necklace of human skulls ; and the Mysooreans never
failcil to di*corate their Chamoondee with a wreath composed of the noBea and
^^nrs of their cajitives.
I II \\* II I
liKIAIi VIAli»:\M( K\J U MU.VAi:
%vmiI\» pi'>l>:i(>ly liiiiri<-i^ ••u tin- pnttxt lUni tin* uiM hti;/** •!•■
-tt<<\«<! iIm' I'loj- :iii'l ili-^aM**! liiiii tVi*iii )*iiyitij tli** tnl>iit«' Tip*
W'lk-* u«T»- till •••■••iii'i ipiti'l. tli:tii i!ii- iiiJitTt'M"^ "I ill*' r«»\;il
tliitit H \\. re «*\|M Ijtij . :ii|.l -.ii'-h wa- tli<- iiuU-i ility «•!' tlii-^ i<N*:ii
;;'»\ • iniifiit th.it :i!l» I ;t iMiitl'--* i-tt- iiij ! t« -M-i/i- (In- |nt-v.i|| «•('
t'li.ii!! \{.\\. wjttl- |» ! ti'i'iiiiiij I:!- •!• \ '-t l<<i.*> at tip- 'jiiMit ti-iii{ili- at
Sllfiji!. if.lUi Ij'" •■•!!! :!ii|-l t • 1-^.1 i. .ill l!;. <t"lli:!II>U Mt' til*'
\ ii-' IV \\ it)i !iii|<iinit V
ll'!» I '!:.»iii l!;«| •::• I t)i I *'7*' iM'l w.-^ ..iii'i'.-,*.|. .J |.\ lli-t.nl
\V;. ! \ .; I.i*. i-'M-:n -l' tl.- • ' .■ • * • i-h li •■' I l<-h:>tl:'vMll\
1 ? in !* . !- \^ t- .if ':r •■ « \i Ir;. ii 1. '. • \ • • u | :• •- r \ • -i • t rlii-*
I- 1 'i - I I. i:. . ?■ : I" :::«."!•■ 1 ■ . *.. :i in:! i .1 i i I i.i\ • ^.ii
til I ' •■• • . ;: I II": : '^ i-i- i? ■ ; ■ 1 \\** -lr-.|f |-- li ••[ nl" fu.t
\ • ..! I, i ! f ! |..U II I 'i» !'i ■• • ■ • • . • . 'i 1 - .i.j. • !:; .f li.i- . i-ji !-•
•
• •I t' • ' '. I 1 M*. I l! I ■..-.■ - . ■ .. ; !■■ ;:..;..... f.. Ii.. \.."il,j. I
I'l-f!-: K I W I \ 1 T .■ ' ' !•:•-. VI fv- '■■.■■::•. I. !. I Tl..'
•mm'. .■: :• ■'••!■• 1 .;■: t . '• .• . . ••!:. I ;■ Ui til-'
• •In. !■■'•■*,'! ■ * 1! ' ■ W I V '. • T . 1 •'..-• ■..■ ' . u ■ ■• T\ .1
I *i ! . \ ■ • ■ : \\ .*.''. . .'. •■ • . ! ■ .' '. '..::: ; . ?■ t! ■ ■!?. ..f
\\\' '.]■ . .!i ;■*■ •■ . . \\ I ■. .• ! ■ :':. \ .■ • * \ I ! -.^ -i:.!': i t\
\%a-» I' Til -v. i l\ I ■ •• n ,i.',f 1. •, ,* f»... ti. i.^.ij.l f": .fii t!M-|-il\y
|"i|i . • ■ I f\. t- :ii-.! - ■ ! ?• ■■ • .: .'\ ": ! \\\ ' !!i 'U III I ll.-lll ill-'
i-l.j. t • f tl-. ! 'f i •!; I 1: \\ ■!■ ^ .1 \» r-. :!• t..!!. i
'li..' ■!• ■ - ^r'ti : •".■■ . i« I ..»i-l . ..r-.n ••!" tl.- \-'!iiij'r
I'l- !l" I ' \ f ' • • . i • - . ? tK- • ■ il:t I V 1- f; • ii! 1 'rj- t- .1! if. ■ t .ill* 1- liT
III .'I II. I' •■■ r »• i ."'.••-• T^ • ;■■.■:! I'.? '. .-l" -«!• ■ • -"i-'ll
' • . - • ■ tl . H ■ . . ' ■■„ U . fji. i li . ;. .\\ . : . \. • -
■;' ■■ -• ' • ■ • • ■ ■■!' i- \ ; .! ]|:_: tl 111 lip*
'l!»' ' • ■ 11 -■ ■ ■? . '.• r T :■ : t' . 1} -11 /. : .'J- .jii-i j. •«■ !.ill\
• I- I'l .'. ■ J- Ji; • ■■ ! ..•.■:•!• ' !. ■: w rf* \ ■■: i in i* • '111
I'l: '.! ...•■! -■ 1 • !• ■• ». • ., |., . •'•!. • , -iTii. , 11, i",,-.
till ' I ' ■ I : : ' • • • i I . . ■ • \ ■ : : ;•• i .■!•■, r . • - • i f • | . j ■ • \ • • .
t * I I • I ' . ■ • • ■ • • • ♦ • ! ' I • • 1 • • ■ . I f • • . I ' » • ••.•!••• -t
tl- • • :.i I' .. : -'i f i- ••. ■ t! .• I . ;■ , ;. :.» '• I \ ■■!
tl • •• . 1 I! i I .' • • : ' M ; . : i ' 'i- I
an J ■ ■ ; • . ' ■ • j. " • . ■ • w • ' i- ) : ' ' i
I. I : 1 ■ • • . . . i . ■., ,._. ; i .^ .• .. . . x\ i\
II— I • '\ • \ • * 4I
■ I
r ■
I. :
y
/
• • •
I
- I ■
. ' • . r
I? >
.» • !
: .• - -I It
■. ».. ■ «
■ I I ;i .
2i INCIDENTS cnARACTEEISTlC OF THE TDffiS — [cHAP. U
tbe measure had become necessary from the state of the finances;
but that he might still be usefully and honourably employed, in
representing the family at the court of the viceroy at Serinsa-
patam ; or, if he should prefer independent retirement^ that uso
had been provided for him at Mysoor. " I will reside at neither,''
said he, and de])arted in anger ; but, shortly afberwards, we find
him living ix;aceal)ly at Mysoor.
The chief of Caroogully, whom the manuscripts now de-
scribe as a relation of the family, had formed the design of
seizing Mysoor by suri)rise, and apj>eared suddenly before it
Bctad Wadeyar wjis walking carelessly about, with the air of
leaving to the new raja tlie care of his own defence : " What," said
a woman who met hiiii, " is this a time for the blood of the
Wadeyar to be inactive ?" He instinctively seized a battle-axe,
called to the troops to follow, cut through, at a blow, the simple
bolt of the gate, sallied forth on the enemy, and comjilctely
defeated him ; and thenceforth we find this generous and gallant
soldier leading the forces of his younger brother, and achieving a
variety of petty concpiests.
A sliort time before this incident, a dispute occurred at the
court of the viceroy, which may furnish a ground of amusing
comitarisou between the customs of those days and the m<xleni
etiquette of the eastern or the western world. Raj Wa^leyar, in
jmssing to the court at Seringapatam, accompanied by his usual
retinue and nide music, met the wadeyar of Kembala going to
court, attended also by music. Raj Wmh^yar, on ascertaining
whose retinue it was, ordered his own music to cease. On his
arrival at court, the viceroy asked him why he had not come
into the presence with his usual state ? " Music is no distinction,"
said he, " if my inferiors are also allowed it" The chief of Kem-
l)a]a took firc at this insinuation : " Let us meet," said Raj
Wadeyar, " and determine the superiority ; and with it the right
to the music." The viceroy att(^m])ted to appease them, but the
next day Raj Wadeyar marched to Kemoala,* defeated the
wadeyar, and took the plac»e.
The weakness of the provincial government logins at this
period to <lisplay itsi»lf, not only in the farther encroachmenta of
Raj Wadeyar u\y<m his n(Mghl>ours, but in liis l)eing alternately in
arms against the viceroy, and received with favour at the court,
Tlie town of Kesara, de]M»ndent cm Mysoor, was besieged by tbe
troo|>s of the viceroy: Betjvl Wadeyar attacked and defeated
them : among the plunder was an elephant; but Raj Wadeyar
sagely i-eflecting, as the manuscript stites, that he could main-
t}iin thirty soldiers at the same ex|>eiLso sua one elephant, sent the
animal lus a jK.'ace-otfering to the vian-oy. The next year wc
find him received with pfirticular favour at the court ; and, imme-
* Kenikila, formerly the portion of an elder branch of the family, is
united to Mysoor.
I 1l\l* II 1
\M» «>r Tilt nr.MTiiritv^
!• li t' ^iiitii- •i.ilii.i •«• tj"]!** !•• iri-^ I'l.ilil.il iiiii^ l>\ |)m- I'i •ji'i' ••!
i)i.- \i<i-)'>i\, iiiit ri-ri'i\iii^ :i i.ii tij'-r -^i.iiif •■! Liii*! !•• «' -in]'! •: <. l<-
'ill- jiiWiT :inl iiillii- ih-i- - ?" lit) W.i'i -yar :it tii*- •■■■uit of tj*"
\ i> I \ .;iiil lin- ipi'i' 1m-i< :•*!« ul»!i)ili<- ii.iil I \i-:(i •} Ml tlf inii-!i
i'J" !li«- iijM«l-ti'l - .t **• ! i; ':':«t;ilii. i\\** •villi*'-! \*\ n ^tX.^W'*' :.ifl
• iiiii!".. A*\ t'--"h- ••!" I'-i'^j'M.nii ^ ;i|iil iiiMi."!-'. :iti'l t'\'U :i iliii't
:»♦!• M.j't I • .• -i iii:.t. Iriiii lit hiN i.wn ilwrUin; ;it M\ I, wiiitli
\i . ,\' If. I l-\ t'li i-.iMt 11 "f :l t'.Mtlit'il] :ii|1p li-lit Ti'- • 'lil -■ 'I t llllit \
V. •N.-'T. 1 t' *■• .i^t.i:?!- 'I l'\ til lui •!■ h i.f.i'i ■•:♦;•• I 'ttl"-
*■■::: ! ; 'li'l .^ II- I I l'\ ."' !ii,i' I'lil «i-!» I't i'f'.uii« t"i -^i-iiiilv
.•!'•■ I '< • ;••■!;- 1 1 ; I- -I I "I th> Iiiiii'l* r . .iipi ••<>(• II -ii i\ • '• •< _'i- 1 u i()i ;i
!■ , ■ ! • , I • -ii!!'!- fit :.i} iiii- iji- !i' in fin \ : •I'-v I :■' li.' i«. nii^iii-
|.i- • ! • !• 1- Ijii \ w H ' -lit III it.it hill Mill. I ••! .i!l •Itt j-M. Ill- til
M :! '■ ■' U I- .' .1 Ji.-l'- \ JJli Mit -■! '«• I \i 1 *• "tk I ' ■ l'» !*l» . .|i i.t
•.,!,.!.. 'I 1. !i;'. 1 ■•li. ■ f" l! . |.Ji.i»- ..I rl.- I ■' \ A' r.. ■•
.'• . .'I . ! r. ■■ U-. • I t.i . • . *i. Ii'-. .i.«^--^i-l . II- I... '.t I V I'l ' . f. .|
.■ '-I . ■! ti ■■ :.'• :•'•• ii«i»' I !■ !■ til. K.ii I All.' ti :].' ;•?:!.■;;.■<•
\\ ' . . » • • . .f 1 t • ■ !l ■ t >i I" - • f- li.lj \\ .l«|. \ .1! \'. .■ <• . II- u ;;i. h
|.! ". •■ .V '! :i f ' 1 . )■■. •' . ■ I', •.il II '.:. *k '■■,■!...■» Ml- I!;ii^
\* ' • ■ I i 1 . . 1 1 ! f ' *. : . ■ . t • >' ; ! I . ^ I ' . • . ■ f n . .' • ! . • ; i • ■ j : ■ . i . i ■ • t I j :• ■
« ! ■ . ■ • ■ ' - ' J ' I I I i I - • J . I : . . /.. ■ i t ■ I ■ • • ♦ ' } I • \ • • : ■ \ r . ■ ? ? ■ i • \ • t \"
.' ' .' ■. p.'.M ::n- ii\ III t- r«ii :.:!i./ ' i: ■ '• --iv I. 'i •.■ ■! \ '.^
• ..' 'i ^ li'" !• " ! I'l? ' :■ .i!ii! 11-- .«■ !•■. i'- . •. !• -i I \ ■. ' • ■ J : ii i-l
II \^ ' ■■ it I. \\li-.:ii III \l.t- . ..| .'.li. ?. .{ ;. . .1 j! . I,, t ]{|j
\\ • ■ 1 1 I '.• '•ijlit • ! !■ ■ . i I 't)!' I . .1* t •! I*' 1 \'\ r.i . ; '. »i Mi.|»'il-"
« ' •* • '! • • H. ■ i'f 'I .' «,|. \i .''i ••?'!! : *•! :' •■ '»:•■« h.' 1. 1 i. : I
I .' t I ' . •. T I: !•*♦.!. Ml ; f : > m:j' * |- t •■ | i;; • . i .. ?:» I i . ii
..•'.••• ''i !. ".?■ . \- •••■■i :'m .'U- • !'■!••:• w I. :• I. I.. \* ..•!"■•!■•■ I.
.1. I * • i ' .- ♦<: tl.' ! ♦ ■ t i.- jT":it. I I " • I . -11 • ! ii; • - .' . ■» J. iri
II,.' ; . • I... ■ • . » I. I,. I. • ' } '. . \ ■ J i! . ! ■ • ' . • • I, .1 ; ■: ■ '■ • 'j f .1
!• ' ■ ■ • ' . •• '. J? . ■ • •• I • I . • »'.-.■ I l\ •! ! \ • .1
i:
I • '. • • T-
I 1 . '
• •
• • i
l\
I
I t
I \ ! ■* III t . I u! .• ?• . ■. ^ • V ■ • 'If I • • i I
t
l» I I '.' !. w M \ j. : • ■ ■.■ . ': • U U \.ii
I . ■ I • ' * i II. i':T- !:..•:••••:■ . ■ ■ ■ • •. ).•
iiii-.. . • ! till." ! ' •■ I K 'i • N ■' ■ Ii I • ' *v
M . . n . ■ I 1 1 1 . • I ■ . • . J . ■ ;
I •
» • .
1 I . -
. '• t I J \ i-' ■•.».'■.;. !. . '■ ■ !. i. . ■ .: ". I
, i
II . .
t
\» ■ .
I ■. ' ■•■■ '•' ..: I l.iin I .■ I. • : ! ; , •. ■ .:.. ■ ■■ I ■ I.
!' • ■■■' I" li ! !..■■!.! '.' : • ■ •■ jl ■ . .!. . \ '.
1. ' • . : :•— '.•' i . )-.■.«. • •■•'., ', ' '
I
/ .' : : !. ' :i.i .?'• 1 V "t \
I ■ I • -
t :. J.: !..« -w li -.'.f !\ ;i-. I < i4.! .i! * \ r- !:!ir./ I' i ^^ | •' i.! I: •..
1>
2(1 ACQUISITION OF SEUINGAPATAM. [CHAP. II.
so dani^orous Ji scoikv H(^ aft^^rwards livod ii8 a private poi'son at
thr villa'^e of Riini^ Siiimnooder, in perlcM^t amity with his !>n>ther.
Many inci<hMiis in tlio history of this pericKl, exclusively of
those which have l)een ix»hite<l, clearly evince, that the milil awl
humane conduct of these brothei-s is n^fenible altogether to personal
character, and by no means to the manners of the times.
The acquisition of St»ringJipatani* in 1(510, which is the most
important event, not only in this reign but in the history of the
family, is related in different manuscripts, with a divcrsitj' of
• Seme brief notice of the ancient history of a place, so celebrated in later
times, may perha])s be expected.
Popular tradition, and manuscripts now pn>ved to be of modem fabrication,
relate tiiat Shevensununooder. an island 50 miles east of Serin^apiituni, remark-
able for the much admired falls of the Caveri, and still exhibiting the niinH of
a town and fortress, with two bridcjes over the branches of the river, wa« con-
(piered and utterly destroyed by one of the Bellal or lloisala kin^ ; that the ht-ir
of the vaiKpiished dynasty, named Sref liUttfj Uayel^ after various adventurejs
recovered his patrimony ; and being stnick in ]ULssing Seringapatani with its
resemblance to the seat of his ancestors, determine<l to erect a fort on the s|H>t ;
which he called after his own name. On the approach of his dissolution
he retired to Talcaud, and bequeathed his government to one of his ininistvrM
named l{aj Wadeyar, from whom, after many revolutions, the liajius of Mys(»or
were afterwards descended.
Shevensummooder is the only place of any im])ortance connected with
Mysoor, the history of which has hitherto not l>een ilhistratwl by ancient
inscriptions, although tlie ruins have been frei|uently and minutely explored
for tliat express ]>urpose ; but it is evident from those which nlate to Serin-
gapatam,that the alM)ve i»o])ular and generally credited tale has been confound-
ed with the revolution of 1(5 10.
or
by
establi.Nh the su])erority of Siva over \ ishnoo. This aji
converts in the upper countries, and among them tht» Haia, thenceforth named
Vi.shn(K) Verdana, of the Belial or Hoisala dyniwty, who had before this period
profe.'wed tlie .Tain religion. This royal convert conferred on his aiNMtle and hift
f<»llowera the tract of country on each side of the river at Seringapatani, still
his
a visit to vijeyainipgur, andby the aid of a hi«lden treasure which he had just
discovered, the government of the district, and permission to erect a fort ;
which he called i^rfe-linyitjn-fnittnn^ or the city of the holv liunga, in honour of
that god, to whom also he" erected a temple ; which was afterwanls enlarirwl by
the barbanms demolition of Inl Jain temples at Cahwwadi, a town half-way
between that ]>lace and Mysoor, the materials of which were removed for
the impnnement of the new temple. (Jrants are extant from this Tiiniiiana,
now named Uhanaick, or Lieutenant, in the same year (1451) that he hud the
fcmndation of the fort. The names are mentioned in sub.sequent grants of
M^veral of his lineal successors ; but I cannot ascertain the exact period when
they were displaced by the appointment of a viren)y, with higher i>owens
and a more extensive govenunent, of whom the last waa Treniul K<g. a rela-
tion of the family of Vijeyanuggur. . .
For an explanation of the doctrines of the Jain above-mcntiouca, consult
Appendix, No. 5.
« IIAI* II. I
« iiANia' t»K i:r.i.ii:i<>N.
27
•ol^itt hiriit. wliii'li s<i'iii<4 niily t* ppivr It iiiy*itf'riMiis iiitriiiu'V of
iiitiijiii* fM'\(iiii| tli«.* i*':ii'h *»\ ri>t«*iii)Miniri*"« t'» niim\«*l. Tlii*
|ii* v.iiliii:: tai«' **lati'N tli.it (In- \ii-fii>\ Ti'i'iiiul l«aj, <•! Sr«-i- Kiiii:^
lLi\<-i-l. it-> lii* JM ••iiUK'tiiii*-" <'.-illi-<l. lH-iii,r atMii't*-<l \%itli tilt' nijjioni.
«>i }"\.i\ I"mI. tin* 'li-'i'l' I 111 t«t t':it;ii t<> ••piil<-rit aiiil liixui iuiii
III ii III- ii-tiit «l t*i ill*' li'Iv t*-iiii>l<- «>r r.ili-aii'i. \\ illi titt' \ iiw ••!' U-ini'
<-iii.<i }.\ tin* iiir>i |mi'«i( I'lii •<!' (!:• i-i •!. ••! I'liMtliiit-^' lii«> la«( iH-lurr
IJp- -.ii i> 1 •^iiii> .11:1 tli't {•!• \ i'>ii-!\ t<> III* •!• |Mi(iii*' 111' lia'l
'•!••' -I K.i! \\ ..•ii\ ti <-I M\ -I ! •! til' •-■•liti'li lit i.il ti n<t ••t'ailiiiiiii^-
t<-r ii . t i.- : ix • I tiiii- ' t Mi III .. :.••-. ..ii ! in t li*- '-x « !it «>t lii" «i* at ii
• •t 1 1 ill f- 1 1 i:i_' If t*> ii. 1% " ■ IP .M -iici li- it t !•■- \\ .il> \ .11 « !' ( Miiiii.it'Nii
m
|ii:f -M :ii.'»t:i» !• I'-i iMiin. ;!;•-. ii-i ji i!"i|>«ii-^ ^liiili I-.hI
jj' \ i !..l III li\ \ ■ .1' • I . r ^■. ■ « !i I !i. ■ t vi -■ jM !■•.■•! I ^ .ilnl lli«- I til Ml
iff • .; • > 'f t ••■ \ l« • • x < ■• N t .'■• . . \ I .11 . I« l". ! •■ !«• |i iiiii\ I- Ik 1 1
\\ • .' \ ■ ■ < \ . - ■» • » • ■'. \\ ■■ Il.»l t 1 .!■■!.! . I lilt I.. I \ t*l ; II ll'iUl
• ■l'.' . I " ! •". .-♦ f ■ i! 1 i • r • f . .•! 'i-i. ||> .- .11] Mill li-i Jii|i
I ' ■. V . • '.1 .. -■ I I'.i- ^iii.\. l-^i-.ti . t' llr.-
• ' I ' ■ , I \, .!.■■».■ \ ; ■ ■ . ■. 1 : ' , . . 1 '. : I 1 1 I • . w I I - 'I i . ; ,
M.. ■ If: • ■. . • r ! . i i:. : ' ■ ' : ■? I i I . . -t.J ' i- )| it .
■ • .' I". ■= ■■I J I • -A I. '!■ w, i II « t« • ■•!• . r|..i t . .'.t
t ■■ . f : \ I I \ .i ■ • X • I \" ' \l ■ I M •!■ W II \\ •! Ii :« 'I
■ I : ■■ I-:- ■..'Mi-i.t I n • ■! 'iMilt i.f .fiiijv }j •.!
' ■ ■ ■ ■ T , • ; i .•.;.. I,;. .it: .11 I i. ti..!i. ..|,.i tiii-
» I' !• f .'I tl'.i' I- r»— iMlJ ll-» llll!inll(i.
^ - i t I ■« • t * ■ 1 1 1 ! I • 1 1 1 : ' 111 I » I ^ I - • w • I
' • ! ■ . I •! t 'f I.I ill • . I i]>t ••I N I ^'111
' ■• :.i ■ I t!.. )■. I -.-n ■ j-r-'lM^-U '■! Ill-*
■ I • I ' : ■ ■*..!■ i w 1 1 1 i 1 1 • • I •• : III : - : ■ > 1 1
J .
I .
.. I
I t
.' .• •• \ II \ ■ • ' .* ' T • :i I •!.. i .!» ( li'iii i< r -!:• • I \ t'l
? I . t I ■ . ! ■ ' \ " \ f ■ • I i " ■ i ' - ! 1 1 1 ; ! i . ' 1 w I f • . • . » t . I • . r \
t I • . .! ■ • I •. ; ' K I I i r !• .4 li U ! . ■ . Ii. ' . .11
■i . ■ . ' : ■'
I ; ■ • 1 ' I ' • •. I % ■ 1 \\ ■'■111
• •
I i :. ' '. ■ t ' I ' III" I ' ■ • . I
•
■ 1
I ■
.1
I:
» 1
• M .
l!.
i • I
r
? ■ » ■-
I I •
.• !
. I
• I
.f \
1.
1
•
• 1 . ■
1
1 •
■ ,
■ «
. ,'. ;
I •
1
T ■
1
•
\
•
M
1 1 . \ 1 A
i
■ 1
1
■
• .
! ..
> . »
\
1 .
1
«
■ 1
■
<!■.
f
»
! .
' l.rr
1
1
■
1
■ 1
1
1
• .T. ; ■
.
I 1
\
■
■ .' 1
■
ll
,
•.
.|» • I ■:
■' •
I
! t
i . i
» • I
. i:
I •
t •
\ •
• •
I
I .
1 1-
I I
. r U U.I
: \
28 LIST OF CONQUESTS. [CHAP. IL
and after tFiis important ac(iuisiti<in, pi*escnt little to arrest tlic
attention. The date of these suceessivo events is preserveil in
ilie records of tlie respective vilbv^es or districts, and in the
MSS. of Poomia, and Pootia : aiid a.s an ilhistmtion not alto^ther
uninterestinjjr to tliose wlio may wish to verify the general
progi'ess of Indian revohitii>iis which has been noticed, or to
examine tlie nctu;d t^'owth of the govennnent of Mysoor, lists of
tliese concpiests will \>o suhjoinc^d at the conclusioii of tliia and the
successive reijLpis, addinj^ the names of the lonner possessors,
where they have been aseiTtained.
1'he nde of Raj Wa^lc^yar was TcmarkaTjle for the rigour and
severity which lie exercise*! towards the subordinjitc Wa^le^iiiH,
and his indulgence towards the Ryots. TImj Wadeyars were gene^
i-ally dispossessed, and kej>t in confinement on a scanty allow-
ance at the seat of government ; and it was the policy of Raj
Wadej^ar to reconcile the Ryots to the change, by exacting from
them no larger sums than they Lad formerly i>aid.
A, D. Tlie folloivhuj w a List of his conquestf!.
li)84. — Conquered Auka Hebbal fron\ Narsing Naick of NarsijKJor.
1585. — Rung Summooder from Tim Riij : (it is doubtful whether
it may not be Trenml Riij) ; twelve villages were annexed
to this acquisition.
1590. — Kenibalft by jussiudt ; this is the Wadeyar witli whom Iw fousrht
on the lu(licrou.s contest regarding the more ludicrous music
1 595. — Nurmullee.
Ditto — Kiaroogullee from his relation, imprisoned him, and enriched
Mysoor with the jilundur of the place.
IGOO. — Arrakerra, stated to have been the Jtif/liire of Jugdea Row.
1(>()G. — Sosilla mid Bunnw»r from Nundenij of Talcaud.
Ditto — Canniambaddy from Dudeia Prahhoo,
IGIO.— Accpiired Seringa patam and its de[>eiKlencies, then probably
much reduced in extent
Ditto — Took Seroor, a de])endency of Peria]>atim, which was tio8-
sessed by a relation of the Wadeyar of Coag.
1 ()1 "1. — Sergoor fi'om Sree Kunt Wadeyar.
1G13. — Tun*anandia«ly, a de|xmdency of SeringajKitam, which had been
dissevered from it imderTivuiul Riij, by Nunderaj WaJeyivr.
Ditto— -Oomatoor from the same ]»erson.
I(il4. — Ram iSunnnocnJer and Ifiwlanand from CI lunder Naick, bro-
ther of Nun jeraj.
Ditto — Haroohnlly from Nunjeraj and Sree Kunt Wadeyar.
Ditt^» — IbmlunhuIIy from Nunjc'inj Wadeyar.
UJ15. — Mndgcior fn.m Hiisswan R;\j Wadeyar.
i)itto — Kikary Wuxw Jiigdro Ri»j.— N. B. — This {tei'son waa the
desi-endaiit of tlic^ cclubrat*.:d Jiij Deo.
Ditto — llooshullu! from liie siime.
IG17. — Manuttoni depending on Pcriaputam.
< liAl*. II ]
Ml AM UAJ.
211
(ilAM UAJ
Six «M.|is of tilt* l.'it*' K:ija, wliti wtiiilil sfTia t<* liaVi* anrviil at
Vc'iT-s lit' iitatmilv. all «iitii )vt*on* tl:« ir t'.itlnT. ini«l <>iiK oih- t*\'
tip 111. \ i/. \ tr/i't lin l«'l*l iiial'" i-^Niif, f /.i/.. A*-'/, a \«'iilli •♦!' tilh-fii.
uImi iiiiiMt 'iiati'lv *«iir«'i-. li'tl t«> ))i^ '/iiiiHil.itlicr Tin* sii'iiitit wit'r
• »l* K.ij \\;i'i«'\ai' \v.i»». Iiti\\i\«r |"..iir iii- iiili" atU;ii! I in li«'r |'i«-_j-
Ii;i!h'\ nt tlh* tiliif <*t'}it| Jiii ^mIpI ^ ij. .,•.•.•. aii>l liiT |'"''ll»im!Mii-
••••li >»!« r |r»l t«« < 'liaiii IC, j.
I>iiiiir' a nil'' «»t' tvwhtv \»ai^. in \aliirii tin* <I<>ini:iiiin<> «•!*
M\*...,.t \\.ii- jiivluiilU .^.nl \i r\ I ■■ii-i'l^". *':v I iii;ii ••• I i.«i • \i-ni
• •I iitip>i t.-mi t' tM'riiiiil u Im !i t ilU \\i'!ii:i ih* |i m ••!" llii« ii.ir-
i.ilivi aiil tli«* 'lat' •» .tiii n i; •'• ••t' li-* i 'n-jiit'-l niU'-t r.tni !u»l»*
tlf tiMM.'i"' i'{ii>>ni«'l«- *\ tl.i* iti^ii v.iiii!i uiil lti»\.«\ti- 1 «• iiin-*-
liut<<i \*\ -iil'^i'-jti'-iit «\*rir<* All ini ■•:• :it i'"nii *• i witii tlir
r'i|.Mii« «•!" iii^Mia l>t\;i:- - !.■ .!j hi'JJ -i • n.- »»?i«li,.'. l«' illti-M';itf
tip- » 111! i« t« T lit ll;«' li!iji>« II. * I V li.li ..Uny ii!«.ti^.>i \\\%»
y\ liiiTij ill'- .il'-*»5 ■ ♦•!' i: . • !,. <" * ' ' ,* l{ • I \N.i.i'\ .1 nn a
lii-l.iiit iv; ■■ -III !■ 11 .'«ni • ';•! u .' I .1 .!• 1' »--fv I ill- -iiiiilii i( V
i'l" .1 \ .'.■ I 1 •'; Ji .'■t:..t I I' j-'- — ! \ I'i *\ l!»'i:t...ii w|j...ti f'n'
a;M ! ■' 'I *■! I .\» ..■.«■. • -'i * t • t !•• • * \\\ lu.i-!« I" 'o..l>lli«' r
i . »' ■ : • W iT I I... U
• ^• ''■,.'• \\ .•! '! in- ■!..•%. ;i
1 1. K If • •! i« • i> * III l.-)> 'M . :iii<l
•-.'•• u . ii-i \ .•■■:. \ li!l \ - 'III* I •
'. • ..
iri
]• ■ ' . . I . ; 1 ' : ■ I 1 ! • I , f . . i t ■. . 1 1 » ■ ■ ! • I \\ • • . I .. I ' • •
III
ill. f iii;..!' .If ••M t!'' -".tl.«II» ;»Iil iM'- I'll ■ I •li t ■ • '■♦•III
faii I" *-'lii«- ft -Ml li .1 fiM» i* \i?\ l.i.i'i •• I : !»■! !;•■_. 1,. i .i|-«
h .» I • r » tli.'.t I'll' 11 I ! .i-iu I I liif • \ iiiii'i'- "t III < I'M !• -
i« '•-• I III ].- 'Mhiili^' tin 'iiii-f In. n •. .• ii 'lit »•! tli«- f"h"jipi««|
«l I ! 1 • !'» . in k« • I'll / : 'h" I .i| I i\ i- \\ .fit \ ..!■»• ;il tin •.•■.it - » :^ •\ 1 I ii-
m* lit tin-l' I a ji« .'• 1 «*i !• "• •i'jiti" •! i- M.unt .(••••i*lin; t«*
• ]f • tiii.'*t.irH • •• . :iii ! in i«?j,iiiiinj ti-'in . ii\ .i i-JM ti«ii.il .i*^«-iiii-iit
«n t(i< l%\<>t*« III •i;i<lifi I«i.'i7. 'in*! <itiiin.: Ill 0 I* I. n i'.« I'lt'iwin.
f i«ni|iii >l ■• \« I T< ni,:>!«
I'»JI "^lj»Tj'-'t i'i.:.i .Ii|j'ii.» ll"W
M'l'i i'- .| !;■ i.i \ I I ! Ill I
T.ili.il !:• Ill *^iin ][.%] \\..\-\.\:
l*.'.''l Vii .'! if fi'-if r. , i . . N.«% f.
I•.•J^ '^•i..|ijii! ll'. •. ; .t .1 . ! .I.ij i. ■ 1: A
r«>'kntik> III I- ;■••! .n,' t • tl.- ..ni •
^^.^ttl kj:il ti.» n li." i.ij'itil I'l l\««r.i'' .•• Nmh;«i.i| ••!
Al« iii*>ft'l<i\
l«i-«. Hmij-iI.-- J !i«»t» till- I'l.J.li.-. ..1 N . ■ .. I .. :
K ii't.ili .i}u:i<iil\ lii'lii I in ti K. I \\ . i. \.,f
I • ■ I I - ■? Ti»^iii I ». %•. .11 Pf . I'll. .
||.';M I . I, j..f.,:.i .V. I \ I- ! ^ -I :: 11. ., .j. .iii.l.tlil 1. 1" til'
-•I. 'l !.'l .Ii . i.-' ii-l ii'.t...... f, 1^ nft'f^kU*ls I'.iiiiiL.Oi
I. . .\ .»'.i N,'.iiiii",»il ii'Mi'-i '-.I nil t* r^ n
/»' ' - !t III /*••■• /»• '1
■ I . r ~
30 IMMADEE KAJ — CANTY REVA NAHSA RAJ. [cHAP. tl.
IMllADEE RAJ.
The postliumous son of Riij Wadeyar ascended the Musnud
in his 20th year, on the deatii of his nephew Cham Baj, and
wjis poisoned at the expiration of a year and a half by his
Duhvoy (general and minister) Veeemma Raj. It is probable
that the niwigre annals of the preceding reign would furnish
more of incipient, if we had access to the genuine history of tho
Dulwoys during that period ; but not only tho fact which has
just been stiit'od, iiiid the assassination of Veecrama under the
succeeding Rfija, are altogetlier omitt<;d in the family history of
the Dulwoys, but even the name of this [Hjrsonage has been obU-
terated from their annals.
The ]>receding Rjija had succeeded to tho government at the
eai'ly age »)f fifteen. We may conjecture from subsequent events
that his minister had found him of an easy temper; and in the
mode so familiar to Indian courts of modern and ancient date,
had, by inciting and corrupting his natural propensities, plunged
him into habits of low and licentious imlolence; and thus kept
him tlirougli life in a state of per[>etual tutehige. hnmadee Raj
was probably found tf) ])osses3 too much of the energy of hi*
gmndfather, an<l was therefore speedily removed.
CANTY REVA NARSA RAJ.
This person was son of the gallant and generous Be tad Chum
Raj Wadeyar. The government returned in his jMirson to the
eUler l)ranch, from which it had been wrest<Hl by the de{K>sition
of his fatlier, whose martial spirit he inherited, without his CJireles.s
extnivagance and incajMicity for finance.
An insttince is preserved of his chivalrous spirit, which seems
to be well authentic<ite<l. While living in obscurity in a remote
vilhige, during the former reigns, a travelling bramin from Tri-
chinopoly mentioned in conversation a celrbiuted champion at
that couit, who had defeated all anUigonists from every pjirt ut
India, aiul had now ])roclaimed a geneiiil challenge. Canty
Reva iKiing desirous of seeing this celebmted personage, re-
quested the bramin to be his guide and companion to Triehin(^-
jMily, where, conceaUng his nmk, he ]>resented himself a3 the
antiigonist of the challenger ; and the bn»a<l swoixl having been
determined its the wea}>on, he defeated and slew the chani]>ion,
in presence of the whole court, tuss(?mi>led to witness the contest
Tiie Riija of TrichinoiM)Iy was desirous of distinguishing and
retiiining in his s^'rvice this remarkal>le stranger; but he nl*-
stronded in the night, and returned to his humble habitation,
where the incident was scmhi made public.
Sueh Wits the chanicUM' of the man whom an usuq)ing niiiUH-
tcr had the auilacity to i^elect for his nominal master.
Un his arrival at Mysoor, where it was still the practice to
instal the Riijas, the minister ordered that he should be lodged iu
f|I\l* II I A*i^\ssiN.\T|iiN nr ifir. I^^IKriNCJ MIMSTII!
•I I
:iM • \t< rii>r .'i|i.-ir(iiii*iit . :iii>l :i -^ijiiiiij ¥•» liiiii i\ \'* w {■(•i'^<i|i:i|
il t< ■> l:iiil^. :iiiii<<uih-i-il ill ii III uiii r '•Mliii-ii-iit i\ ii!t*-lliL,'it'i>'. l)i>'
i-iii.'iir I'lii t • \\ ii)<'M 111* u .!■« <l<-^li!ii'l liv ili-|i:irl ill .: itn :i (•Mir nt
flit ri'i jliUtiii III.: lii^iiii-iv ui'iIi-imI U""*^ tiiiiiu^'li lln- t''»riii ••!'
i?i~!-Jliiij iiiiii. Ill i-\i'ii !!»•• ilii-iii ii)>*"i \ iiii f |i.i\ 1:1/ lii-« |nt-
• >ii il ii .}••■•-(•« hiiiiii.; tip* toiii it u:i-< i> |>'iit< •! !•• till inihiHdi
til .t llii- lLi|i .-i|i|M ;iri-<l (•• U- •li'«^.it i^ti'-i. aii'l \\>iiil>l )ir<<iMlilv
.ilf-'ii;.t t.i|i-. i\i| III- iii-ji |hTi-1> ii> • . L- I li.iii l.iki* r.in".*^.ii<l
tin- !iiMil I*!. Ip/li/i iit|\ ;ili>l !• iii<-lii'< I- tli.it 1 li.l\«lft \'-t ill
l" r:i:'iii ■'!' Ili!|ii i<ti<- It.i;.i ; ii<i I':- Jii.t- wlii-li l.ixi* pit
I- ■ 11 • .»• 1 I -h t il iiti- t 'n* •_•? .'^j!;l- ■ ■•' 1 'i. I- 'III- « • ':!•• \i ]ij<-|i li;i^
I"'', i.. . 'i-i'-l !■. ii'lin^ tl..- I .'ii-in M'li !■!' tli»- \\\* ]>!ii*<l!iij
Ii I . mI !l;i- i'j- Il .ili'l I lift lii|? !j.i!|- ..11. ..tlj t" t!if |tillil<«-
t- : •■• '! ■ 'T I I'll l!ii- ]»•• ■ lit i '• I .i-i««ii •• • ill'. • I (miiiI-Ii ."I'lili
• 1.1' ' 1 ; ■■! • ! . M .i^«-. 'lilt*' u^ii; |n! ;"ii
[•i-. tv- .i'l 'I f;i •• III iIm- iiiiiii-fii. l\\«i ■■!' ?!i«' :if I'll i.iiif 1
:•! • .' ■ I • .% Ill . ii ll,.- Ii iM • !- ■ • -1.1. r'\ ii'iJ.; : -i t" l.iln I lif
lij ■ • » ■ f ! !i ■II-:- i i-! Ill- j ?■ ii ■ • »-.. I. ,:ii>l "*.': '• i tl" :? • »
\ i' ■ • I ■ -.1 j ' il tin- ij-'Mij"! l^:-. W.v- .ii'"!"l.l .!\ • !!• • I' •! I'll
I I.' V ■ \ 1 • ■ ' i! • 'lUt MT r.. IiIh .1: 1 : \ .ll .11 M \ ...... I .iMi I 111- li.iil
■•?.' • ■ i .. • !i' I 1 1 I .1 1 .i\ Hi • .1 \ i-.i .ll I . 1. p. "x r > (Im- li.ii I.
I • .• • f * Il = ■ T 1 Jill' ■.! ! : Il I .!■« 1-1 • II J'! \ • i Ml '•1 \ • l.il
1 . :. . ■• I ■.■ !\\ .. .iTI* !i i.ilif ^ r> ■ Ji -. 'I t'- t • Ii."'- -..il'-l
'*.■ •■: \'' . !i.:i: -!. I * . .i;il \.i|.l ittti ! »..%}'< ili'l i.i\ III W.ill
I ■• » • \'\" r f .« :» \ !■ • •!!«.• 1 Ip .1 |''M | **i ■ 1 1 1\ .itt« 1 w .ii>i^
I I . ' . ' '• I .•:■>«!•! p. . j. -i \\ II I' III It I- •■ I . |..i^'.ii»j I •■
■»* r : . .1 .j. • .. .. I .i;...: t ti.i M I li. .iH-...« i.itt < Iii^t klll»'l tli.'
f'-l .. '- i''i .tl. i ti.' !:.iit li.il-|* !f.i til l» iMilt \ « \( ili.-iii-ii> •!.
\N !■ .ii. \ I -. I'l lij. iii;'.i-ri » N«"ji » in iii\ It |. In. I
• I ■ ••? I li. I'. ■ '.- .irt i In I- i.' il r-i-.w "I j.« II' .'ll ■!• 1 . Il -w • \ • t
• • ■ i \\ *\i \ :'. , .I'l i 1^ t- ; !li»- l!. |. j '.W • • !'i! Il- 1 1 t^'li \* lt:|i' • .
?!.. .'.I • : i ■ i !i ».. i\ tl.' t"'-i'-.it. ::i vw ;• li ^.ili.iti-.Tj li*-
1 ' ,« I ■ ' ■• !« • I I !■• Ii: .i.r W ... '. . \ I I \ -ink (liat f • 1 « li.J. i-
I. ■ \' . •: ' • -••:'k. •••:■-, \ • \ •! iij.j ' : ::i'"»f .-r
l-'i i l" • • I . [. r ! • . 1:. i •: . l.i ; -fl lijj. i pi -'11 ^\.•i
(i.: ■ : • '. . '. .; •-. I . I* - • < iiT. f.. «f I :k. I ' • till iM ! v^
' ' .'• /,' - u I ■ Ti.-r i.|. ,1 . 1, ij,.- i- .11. \% i»i. .; »\ .ir».|
.Il • • ■ .\ .!!••• w .:!■:?-.. -j. i •.. f !;•■.-• it . I ^'"^ • I •!::• 'it -it
S' • • J I V.I.I III • .' i T • \ \ .If . t i.:- il. • • — I- Il i.«- I .•'! t't ■!• •
•■ :. 1 •.';■ ■ i| :T.i! . I iiJi : :..::. • - n.'-i*!,*? m ! Mmi-Iji) .« iiix.i-. -:i -I
t!.. ! • ■ • t! • M ■■ : ?.»• i -M K ?'^' ' f \ '. ]• \ i| ■-■» MlrJ. f Jl
■:.■:... f" !' ; -i*..: ii 1 \:.. : /.' ' /• i» A'' ' •\*l.-« It-i. j».|
I
>■ : • . ; 1! : . n:. i Im*. .:^' • ll- '.* 1 n |:.i«!ii.il •• ):i .i« li. li..»'l" .%
.'• !i' I I »-■ I'l.! iri \* Il !' 1.1 u ■.- •• : 1 *• ■! With i.'ii it H!.mj|it» I .
i\:. ' * '. ■ \ i III- lli-i t I !.-• •'.■ "»■.:•■ l-'il li/irM-*-i»'l in hi-^
■
' ii ::.!•." ■ : if t:.i ' . I • r I !«r*i«- lUm u lIu- 1^1. ly Mud tiMit.c^ -.11
il\ I. .;.<>: \ i:. it J k\v llii.(lM\iH ti!.t t 111 jiUfitl Klitv air ixduiivcS Ai.ti t>
:j2 ARRANGEMENTS — FINANCIAL, &C. [CHAP. H.
rotroat* l)y 8uccossive ntbicks, in which the Kaja obtained con-
sirlcnihlo l)(K>ty.
After a numl>cr of couqnests, which will be Btated in tlio asi]«i]
manner, Canterava Nai'sa I^iij retunietl in 1054- to Seringsipatain,
wliere lie instituted a deliberate incjuiry into the condition of all
his <lependants, an<l 8u])jects of every description. It was his first
object to reduce to entire subjection the remnant of refraet**!^'
Poligai-s and Wadeyars which still exi«t<3d : and it may be infer-
red that he assumed the direet government of the whole of his
dominions, from the fartlier nittisures which he is recorded to have
pursued. He made a detiiiled and particular scmtiny into the con-
<liti(m of the (joinh, or heads of villages, ami principal farmers
throughout his dominions, whom he had found to be the most
turbulent of all his subjects : and ingeniously attributing their
refi-act^)ry disjM»sition to a purse-proud aiTogancc, arising from the
excessive accumulation of wealth, he detennined to apply a ven*
summary and direct remedy, by seizing at once on the supixtse«l
source of the evil.
He accordingly levied on the whole of this desci'iption of ])erRons
such contributions a«, according to the manuscripts, left them only
a sufficient capital for the uses of agriculture, and nothing for the
purposes of commotion : it does not, however, appear that he ventur-
ed t-o auinnent the fixe<l assessment of the Ryots.
He im[>rovtMl and enlarged the foi tifications of Seringajiatani ;
and l)i*ing (?nrichod by his various foreign comjuests and domestic
plunder, sui)i)lied it with provisions and militiuy stores, in a stj'le of
<:omj)lete equijnnent which had hitherto been unknowiL
H(^ was tlie first Rija of Mysoor who est^iblished a mint. The
cantyrai hoonsi* and fanams, calle<l after his name, c<mtinued to be
th(* sole national coin until the Mohamme<lan usurpation; and at
this time form a considerable portion of the cunvncy of the conntiy.
He is also n(»ted as the author of a new an<l more respectful
eti<|uette at his court, and for having fii*st celebrated with suitable
8ph*ndour the feast of tlie Maha-Noumi,+ or Dessiira ; for hav-
* In the H.inio year wo find IU>ud Dlioola Klian uniting \inth a multitude
of rcbolli(ais WadeyarA dopondin;; <>n Hedaorc. and boHicxiaj? the \id\fk of that
country in Cowlidmojir. TIio Kajii hought oif tho MohaniTnedim gcueral, who
left tlio Wadeyars to tlio coii.sO((iit'nces of the Kaja*M indignation.
t The coin which Kiiropemis call a PtigiHltt,
X Malia-Xoutni, the (iron! Ninth, the feast bcinj:: cclebrntedon the 0th day
of the increaninK iaiH>n ; it is tho HUi)fw>^'<l ainiiversary of a f;rcat event in the
history of the celebrated Pandoos. Dio feast in kept with a cretlitable dcf^ree
of s|ilen<loiir by tlie present Kiija of My.soor, and atliletic contcsU and viiriuiu
AIHirts are exliihited before hiia daring nine »«u<resHive dayn. Mysoor. I bcHovev
is tho only e(»iiiitry in tho south of Jiidia in whieh the institution of tlieathletas
(•[etti) hafl been {ireserved on its ancient f(H>tinii;. These j)erM»nH couiititute a
distinct caste, trained frtnn their infancy in daily exorcises for tlto exnrefm pur-
pose c»f tliesiocxhibitionM ; and i^erhaps the whole world does not iiroauce mora
perfect formu than those which are ex}iihite<l at thcAo iatcrestuig but cruel
aportd. Tho combatants, clod in a sin^dc giuiueut of hght orange-coloared
C'llAF. It.] 0>N<^rKKT>i S3
ill;; |in-*MMit4Hj t4> the i«|ol Sn*<* Killi;^* ii rmwii ut' vnluahli* ji*Wtflii .
Biiil for Imviii;; twtalilislifil iiiuiiitur«*iii rnil«»wiiH*iitM for tlie KiipiKirt
«>f till tli«« |iniK*i|Hd tpiii|>li*A. Hi* i.s of cMume the i<lol of hm brm*
mill hiHtnriiiiiH. wiiiMio hVNt4*iii «>f ethioM i8 not diflturbed hy any
troll hltiMiiiio n'titHTtiotij* oil thr Hiinph^ tnuuifer of profierty, by
whirh thi* fruitM <if iridustr)' are trBiiHfonuiNl into piouA |ihiiidi*r.
It n*niiiin.s to tK*tnil thi* i*onun(*MtM of Uiih roi^.
hiil.-- H«* fh*»c«i*iidL*«| the ( Aven|M>oruiii \vum, and took JaniUdly.
and m'Vfral othrr pUoiii dc|M5ii«ling on Ciootti*e Moodelarve,
nf (*jiVrri|MMinillL
|t»4i. - T<»ok lliiniiMi|MMir fmni Nfrainir Nairk.
liftAd|MMir fnun Ntiiijt*iid Kiij, Wjuh-yar of ('o«ny.
IVria|infAni fn»ni Nuiijfiid Kaj. whom* win, V(*«*r Raj, Ml in
tht* dffriiit* of th(* phiri* ; pHtAhlinhtHl tht*ro hiH own ^^arrifion,
anil (*arri«M| iitfthi* phindcr to »S«niipi|ifitaiii.
dr.iutr^. ritrfidiiii; hdf m.iy diiwn thr thi>;h, h:ivc their nfiht hand funiin|ir«l
with A wrifktti. wliirh, (nr W4i.t <if a uifiri* a|i|»ni|>ri:ite trnn. wc tihall name a
nr*tiM. .iltltoiitfh liiffrrrtit fnun the Ui>in.in iii%tniiiicnt of thit naim*. It i»
roiii|H..M,| if liiitTili* horn, fittnl to th<* h.iiitl, and |Miint««i with (our knolw,
rrviiihUiia; «rry %liar|» ktiurkJr^. and riirrv«|»oudiiii; ti» tiu-ir atituathin, with a
fifth of trrratrr |)r<iininrnr<», at th«* rnil iKMrftit thr littlr fitiffrr, and at riifbt
aiit;lr« mith thr oth« r f«iiir Thi» ni«truiiirnt, pntficrljr plarrtl, wtnild coahla a
m«ii i>f i*r«linarv •tn*nirth t«i rlravp <»|irn thr hrad of hM advrrtarv at a hhiw :
IhiI the fiiiirfr«\»riiiff liitnMliirrd thnmj;h the wca|xiii, it m f nAtrncd arroMi them
at itn r-)ii il tli«tAnrr lirtwrrn thr tir^t and urouid lowrr jointa, in amtuathm, it
will U> •i'(i«rr%i^l. which iUn-n not aiimit f>f attrni|>tini( a arvrrr blow, without
thr rMk Iff ilMlorAtinit thr tirmt j«antii of all thr fin»;rrii.
IhiM arninl. and adoiUMl with ft^Undaof tlowrni, thr turrraairr fmira of
f^inihit.iiitA, prr\iiiudv matrhoii hjr the mantcrs of thr fraat, arc led into tho
ari'ii.1 . thf'ir n.imra and ahodra arr tinicl.uuii*t| . and after niakina their | TiMt ra-
tion«. tirflt to thr lUja ncatni on hi* ivory throne, in a halrvmj which oTrr-
h«ik« thi arrna, and thrn to thr lattirra hahind which t)i« ladira of thr rourt
arr •rit4<«l. tbry |>r<irr<>d t^i thr Ci»nik«t, firat dirrntiiur thrtiiaclTaa of the gar*
Uiidtt, and AtrrwinK thr dowrm irnrefully over thr arma
Thr c^mihat i«a miiturr of wrr«tiinff ami Uivina. if thr latter may In* ao
naintMl the hr4il l» thrrirlunivr (»hjrrt |»rnuittrd to )»r alnirk Tlir irivda
Uw firfrnrf. th«iii|{h •kilful. arr ii«it nuinrnm* : thr hhiWH arr marr rut» iiiriictrd
hy thr «'a««tu« . anil Itrforr thr rnd tif thr c^inlfNit, kiotb of thr c«iink*atAiita uiny
fnN|Ui-ntiy l*r itlMrrvnl atrrjiniih|( with hlood fri*fn thr crown of thr ht«d down
iu thf BAiitl I if thr ar^-na
'Hir wrntlintf i« truly admirahir , anil thr rtrrtMn* of thr rMindwtanta to
ditrncir^ thrmM*l\«4 fmui unfavtiuraHr fmaitioiu, in which thr \ivm\ would
Itr rtt*«M««| to thr cjfjitiia. arr, aa niarr ft|irciiiirn« o( activity, ii«»t rxcredad by
any riirrr«|H>ndini( eihihttion «« aa Kuropean »taa<*
Whm tirtory Mrma to havr cIrrUrrd liaHf. **r thr contest i« loitaevcrrly
maitiiainni. tha ni«idrrmt4ir» in attendance on thr Uaja in thr Kalr<iny make a
aiatkd fi»r it« oiaaaiifia. by thniwina «iown turlian* and ri>h«a, t4f lie prearcitrd
iu the c«Mttbalanta, who before rcunnit rr|i«nt their pruaraltuna to the l^|
and the UlUrea.
A wisifttl look towarda the balcony i« the itnul pyni|4aai of arknuwled^ed
infmonty, or of bcint, in the |ihraae of >lncU«h pttfiliala, mut gamt and the
▼irt«ir frail uently fnaa off the arena in four or 6ve m>mfrwms, to denote that he
fvtirai f raah from the eonleaiL A liair of frtah comhatanU ta ininaiuecd with
ike aaiue f unat, and of aoek paua anont two haadrtd are t jUuUled diirinf t he
nine d^yt of Ike gmt fntiraL
34 CX)NQUESTS. [chap. IL
1646. — Curb-Culloor, and Miasumniooder, from Bhcirapa Naick.
1647. — Arkulgoor, depending on Bullum.
Ditto — CoondguU from Kimpe Gour of Maagry.
1652. — Rettingherry from Eitebal Row.
Veerabuddra Droog, Kingeri Cotta, Penagra, and Damn-
poory, depending on Vijeyapoor, and established his own
authority in these four talooks. Fourteen years before
this period the Ciipital ia besieged by the army of Vijeya-
poor, the scries of conquests begins now to be reversed,
and that once powerful monarchy, threatened from the
noi-th and undermined within, now verges towards its
close.
Took Dankanicotta from Eitebal Row, and carried a large
booty from thence to Seringapatum.
1653. — Descended the Guyelhutty ])ass, took Denaikaneotia, Satti-
mungul, and other places from Vencjitadry Naick, brother
of the Rjija of Aladuni,* and l»rought liome an immense
booty ; he also took many talooks from Veerapa, Naick of
Madura,
The Jctti of Mysoor are divided into five classes, and the ordinary prize of
victory is promotion to a higher chis.s. There are di.stinct rewards for those of
the first cla.HS, and in tlieir old a.i?e they are promoted to bo masters of the
feast. During three years tliat I attended the Raja at this feast there was
one champion who remained unmatched ; un the fourth a stripling offered to
engage, and was merely permitted to spar with him, and on tlie fifth year
this youth was victorious.
♦Nagana Naid, described to be head of tlie bulh)ck department to Acheta
Deva Rayecl of Vijeyanuirsjur, founded the dynasty of tlie Naicks of Madura
about the year 1532, with the aid of a co/on}/ oi Telingas, which seems to have
been planted in that country some; time before by the government of Vyeya-
nuggur. Tljc persons known by the general designation of southern Poligarsy
who have so otten resisted the authority of the English government, are the
descendants of these foreigners, and preserve the language of their ancestors dis-
tinct from that of the alK>rigines ; although tlie Tamul is so generally spoken by
them all as to render the existeiK'c of a separate language (now verging to extinc-
tion) not very obvious to common observation. The fact is known to me not
only from personal communication, but from several domestic memoirs preserv-
ed m the Mackenzie collection. I believe that the only genuine Tamul of any
conseoucnce ctmcenied in the rebellion ot IS(M)-2 was ('henna J/urd!oo,whoi,
from tne mean situation of dog-boy, had sup]>lanted the Poligar, properly the
Wadeyar, his master, and usurped the government. The most daring of these
Poligars are of the Totit-r caste, among whom may be obser\'ed the singular and
economical custom which isgenend throughout Coorg, and maybe traced in
several other countries from Tibet to (ape (.\»nu>rin, of having but one wife for
a family of several brother.*!. The elder brother is first married, and the lady
is reguLarly asked whether she con.Hents to be also the spouse of the younger
brothers. When the means of the family enable them to afford another wife,
the Becx>nd and successively the other brothers marry, and their spouses are
eooally accommodating. This custom is traced by tradition to the five sons
ot Pandoo, the heroes of the Mahabarut During their ezplusion from tbe
ffovernment their sister Draupeda went to seek and comfort them in the
forests where they secreted themselves. The brother who first met her wrote
to hu mother in these words. ** I have found a treasure, what shall I do
with it 7" '' Share it with your brethren; and exyoy it equaUy," was the
CHIP. IL] dud DEO EAJ. SJ
1654. —Took Ooaiioor from Chender Set Jeer, and obtained a valuable
UK>ty.
Ill tlif Name year he vri^M^ the army of Kempe-Uoud* of
Maa^^ at Yt^lavaiK^ PUIkmI a complt^io victory, with a large
lio^iiv. pumtKHl tht' fu|^tivi*A t4> Maafuy. and levied a contribution
on tiuN |K>Wfrful Goud, now ri.sen to Uie rank of Raja.
l)i:iH- DKO RAJ.
TIm* lnt«* R:iJH «lii-<i witliout ihhik*. It )k*en).H to liavi* \)een a
prinri]i|«* «in mi«Ii <H*f;i.HinHH to n-wrt t«» winir di*H(x*n<lHnt of an
fhiiT liniiirti . Init U-vt»ii«| tliin ^in;^!** omHidomtion wt* fihall m*I-
doll) tin«t an u<llicniirt* to nnv tixini nilo of Htitn^'H^toii The
«|U*«-ii i|o\\iii:»r all' I lli»* L''n«TaI of th«» font"* Hn; stiit^Hl to have
«i**<'i<tt«l oi) iIiIh «M-iaNiiin . Imt it h*miii«% difKrult to nNHmfih* their
d«'<i'»i"ii to uny iiiia:;iriaK|o Mil*' of ilrs4'vnt
M'f»f*iit Ihi /^r;, ili«» «*lttf ^t son of /^»/#» (7f«rm A«r/ h'ft four
st^w- "t uliMt!i it Ih kif'un uith r*Ttnintv thiit th<* rl<h'Ht nn<l
\i»iin^'. -T aii'l i'i"UiMv tin- k.*',.h.1 ;it|.l tliinl filH<i, wrn* at tliin tiui«*
Ah\«- 111* • ! !• ->! H.,11 iMhl |>fvaia w;ih nn old ninn, and had a
%t*u /'•', ..^ Ih., li.tf ixj^k'*\ V\'l Tilt' vouni^T «»r fourth hn»tht'r of
1>ip1 1^'v.iia UMs al^i no nion< than IM, th«» Ham<* a;^* hs his
Hii^\*i t >lii- .1 ••>t<lMtfe:i> Ki. t!iu- their rtitiitn<»n wife ; ami in Hindoo |Mwtry
(4 f • r:i.v\ iit*^n<^'«nM.«<l l> .in r|>ithct M^ifyilig, ** odonii^i with fi\e
tint-! I <• ' U. !. •
' It.. i*i' • *'-r >•! K- :i ' (- (;.>t«l wax II rommon farnirr. or Kvf»t. in the
\\\\ ••'• <t \.-«*r 114 .«r ( '•*%%)% M t I'll in l>fAiivr(|ji, and euiit;nt<^l with hu t4inily
tti I-. -.t ■; t .f|.| -. <.|-i!i (.1 I'll U •'(•'lAf of that I'lare, who wished t«> M:ur the
d4ii.-li'« ''^ ti.* ! i-i: « r. ■ •.«'<( .!t.i for hfr )>«»4Uty. lie M*ttlcd on .i «a.4t<*
• IH.! .i)M-*it tfi)it«-«ii II li* « I 'rth «if H«injnlon*, and founded the vill^^r of
Vrli.tv till I. «if«hl4 h h«- !•«• iM!*' thr (M»lld or Pftt^ul.
I h«- tir«l ripliMt tif th<' f.irnirr for in hu day« all farmera were (Mildirm)
naji 4 >i« t«<r\ M>vr tht \V.i.li'\.ir i*l lUniphire. '1 hr fouiulatiuti of the pr^^^wnl
f«<itrr-«. .lid 111 thkt i»ii ttif t:t inctidiHia ntcL t»f S.i\riidrtM»i;. i» thf wurk
• •: tii:* il^i ri!tir"'.M Mn.'I^ .«t»;.h i it<'ii(li-«l iti d>»ii)inii>n4 uttT th<' ii'^nly
»«»tiii!r\ -^fiti hill/ ••'•5*11 !■■» »r'i* th«* <"4%rry. Aii'l ti» a •■•i|i*iiirraMf* <li**. inr«
f*n tiir \ \\\\\ 111 4 v« ry «ti;t- ti«>ri. foriiuni; u|nhi the whole a linri*. « ihia^'i* . md
ft*rtui.U' h |»>«M OMii I»r.! •; tfir i;««%rnimrtit i»( the* Mh in hnral «uf4«i>«i«Hn
fl*t|n I ' ri '*•>•« ' tt.f fi.<ii <!• : i.f the faiiii«\. Kvlid l>h>«ola KIaAU. the «;• i>c*r aJ
iif th** liii..: I'? \ iji \ *;-> r. %iri*!c-«| ffMii) huii r»4ii/t!<«ri* 4iid lii'i«t *A hl«
|4MM «■•!.« Ill ! r^ \'\\'U I til« lliU«t hA%e hr4<|l lirtWi-«-|| thr )r.it4 \'f*i\ \l\t\
|i»5.t, » iiirti «o,ij«l |>. f « thr rtutirratii»n of the family fn*ni l^aurida aUnit
thr mi'i'li* •>: tiie i-tff^t-i.ii*; rrulury. Tba family «xa e%tini(UHheil iti 17^
by />.•«/ A o4 N /• 1^ •■! M% '••i^-i •
>\\\r.. 4r t«* tt.i* »a« tli« "ru*;n*»f « far more ft«rmidjl>lr and ia| id |<io««rrMi
in the I. 'ft ri of Ii.dia It «tii kir ot<acnrrd that thr nnfthrrn nr« * |rtt«-ra
lOMrrtnt 111 tlir .\|>)«<iidil to t hr rr|Mif t« of the riimnilttcr td thr h< il*r of
ctiii.iitoii* /iiitr^l.^ "Kik oi M^ilajre ^uidia a« the i'utte^t or i'^inj tkc
ian.r »« 1 • i;.| . Ai,<i hr hail u iTi«lr Ml im^iUii ••• addrr^v-^l \*y hi> aiirieut a^^fiitea
lu bi» |» !'• i- l>u'ii4.' %t i*«.iii . aft< r ha^tuic ii%crtnru«n Ihr hotuc of fimour
t Piid «/r#«tr . i hitk- ttttit or Mtot«r and junit*r h ««« •■n the
arreaatoii o| I hii'k lN^> K^ that thr di*linrtion waa made to m%tk thr fint
and •roaiti in the «if«ief of auccrjAioti The nam* f *l lHi«i |lr» Kaj prcVtottUy
to hu aiceMii*o, waa A'rw/» /Arm i<j, or iWiai, ill* fair ur rtd.
36 REPULSE OF BEDNORE AND MADURA RAJAHS. [CHAP. fl.
nephew. This is the person who was selected, to the exclusion of
the three elder brothel's, and their male issue ; although after his
decease they tigain revcitcd to the same son of the elder brother
at 45, whom they had passed over at 32.* Dud Deo Raj sus-
tained, during the first year of his reign, a formidable invasion by
the troops of Seoi)ha Naickf the R:ijah of Bednore^ sanctioned
by the name and pei^sonal influence of the last of the race uf
Vijeyanuggur.
In consequence of a succession of revolutions and misfor-
tunes in Drauveda, Sre^ Rung Ray eel, the representative of the
house of Vijeyanuggur, fled from that country in the year 164C,
and took refuge with the Raja of Bednore, formerly a servant of
his family, who availed himself of this useful pageant to extend
his own dominions under the semblance of re-establishing the
royal house of his liege lord : and now appeared before Seringa-
patam with an army sufficiently powerful to invest the place.
Dud Deo Raj is accused by the historians of Bednore of
having employed bribery as well as military prowess for the pur-
pose of inducing this army to raise the siege, and retreat in con-
fusion and dismay to Bednore. The Mysooreans extended their
conquests to the west, and appeai*ed to have received from the
royiJ pageant forced grants of conquered districtsS during this and
the four subsequent years, after which we hear no more of Srtt
Rung Ray eel, or the house of Vijeyanuggur.
This reign is also distinguished by a serious although less
formidable attack from another power, which had arisen on the
ruins of the house of Vijeyanuggur. Chuckapa, Naick of Ma-
dura, had meditated the entire c<mquest of Mysoor ; but the
events of the war reversed his expectations, and left the districts
of Erroor and Darapoor as fixed conquests in the {)ossession of
Deo Raj, after he had urged his success to the extent of levying
large contributions on Trichino|)oly, and other places of im-
portance.
This Raja does not appear to have conducted in person the
military oi)erations of his reign ; and although he attended with
diligence and ability to the administration of aflTairs, he is less
^ The.se dctaiLs, clearly deduced from the genealogical manuacript, are
involved in great ob.scuritv in all the liistorical pieccH, from the confused and
loose practice of frequently making no distinction between 8on and fraternal
nephew ; brother, and cousin-geiruan ; and other eonally puzzling inaccura-
cies, resulting from the domestic practices and haoits of thinkuig of the
Hindoos : those details also explain witli sufficient clearness the reason of a
fact incidcnt'illy noticed, that Chick Deo Wb^ with his father were kept
as prisoners at Turkanamby during this reign.
t About the middle of the Ifith century the ancestor of this Riga from the
the situation of an opulent fanner was niised to the rank of govemor of
Bednore. In process of time he threw off his allegiance, and by farther con-
quests had now become a powerful and independent prince. Th^ practice of
a Naih, Naboh or deputy, setting up for himself, is far from being a Moham-
medan invention.
fHilF. II.] Ct>KQUBmi OP THIH llElON. 37
oelehrmteti by hU bnunin hinturianii fur kiii civil or iniliUry UletiU,
and |M>litic!al nkill, tiuin for hiii excftwive devutioii ahd ruli^oun
inuiiitirfiiov. A i*t>ltNMal ti^rv of tli«* Buhwh. Nuudi,* or holy
bull, on Ua* liill <»f Mynoor, in tlit* most n*nuirkablf monument of
hill n*li^ouii seal, lieinf( pmljablv the lar^«sit and moMt HkilfuUy
excvutinl fi^re of thin kind in tlit* siiuth t»f India : but Iw in uumi
vxUAM ftir ha>nn^ n»niitt4*d t4i tiie bniniins a ivrtain aM!H.*Hftmt*nt
on tht* iMNHH^tiHioiut iif tlu* 4*hun*h ; and having \kh.'U prufuiio in Win
ifraiitji otUnd and tlifttributitm of nif»nev ti» that holv onlor.
In a pn>j(rf«w tiinm^di hin eoiintry f'»r rivil jinqMi?***?*. h«* was
takrn ill nntl dit*d at ChirkannirkiMiliiillv. whirh is Htitol (•» havr
iMM'n r<mt|uerLMl «lurinf; hin n'i'^n from the Mav«ulman Mat** of
(Kih*«in«la. although oMiHidfrabiy n*movt««l fn»ni the mi|i|mim-41
lMmndarii*H of that |»(iwfr.
Thf con<|m*fiirt of thii« n-i^n wm* hh fnUow :
Hi<i2. (*ht*yloor and Bid«lrry fn»m th«* iNili^ar of T4^»ni(*«Kir.
KitKi — «Sumi»af;a from tin* lUja of iitilanri*.
UfM. — rhi«*kaiuurkt*nhullv fn»ni Um* sUiti* i*f (i.iU*4in<la.
10U7 - llaiMan. inrhidin^ SmTuiiuttun an*l f>th«T di*<trit*tA, fn>m Sni*
Kun^ Kavifl, tho rnVHl ikii;;«'ant aU>v«-nu*ntioni*d.
Sanjrkvi*lly, «lt*|M'ndiii;; *ti\ Mi*iiiivuliy.
Ii<Mtli Naniii|Hior fn»ni tht* Wa^icyar i»f that |»hiiv.
KrriMir nr Km>ail. fn*m tin* Nuirk of Machmt
IhtraiMMif fri»ni tht* Minii*.
Il<Hili(MinlnN>i; ami KiHinipill fniui K«'m|«' (niud of Maagixn-
Waunavloiir fn»m (jaut*' MiioiK'lair.
* Th# aainal m mkkk .H%mi% u looaaUH tfi tW njUiolnglfal butrnM mi
•calpiarM M %hm lluklooii
CHAPTER III.
GENEllAL RETROSPECT FROM 1564 TO 1677.
Cnticul period in (he affairs of Mysoor—Necemty of a retrospect to the ffemer^
state of Dcckan and tlie south since the battle of Tellicota^-Cowspaet qf tke wif
tors for separate conquest — their proaress in the cent^-al ana western pf^
vinces — in the eastern — yumerous smaller states rise from the ruins qftke l^te
empire — An Abyssinian kinrf in Deckan—TIie prince Aurungj^ebe appoinUi
vicfnroy of Dechxn — Folly of the Mussulman chiefs of tlu south — Iktm trtm-
eatery of (he Hindoos thetnse/ces — Conquests of Vijeyapoor — and Golcomda—
crushed by J urunf/zebe, now emperor— Beautiful Hindoo prophecf^ — applied to
IStva^ii^ (he founder 0/ the present MaJiratta empire — Origin of this jamily'^
Baubajee Bhousla—Maulajee—^hahjee— Whimsical affiance of marriages-
enforced — Shahjee elevated (o the office of minister — Mogul invasion — Fligkt
of Shahjee (0 Vijeyapoor — Adven(ures and capture of his wife — Birth ofSewa-
jee — Second marriage of Sfuihjee — anecdote of his ingenuity — appointeS gover-
nor of the conquests in i arnatic and Urauveda — innovations inhis administtV"
tion — separate proinsionfor hisjirst wife and son at Poona — Vicious hcUnis of
ISei*ajee — The r(Mer becomes a sovereign — Evidence of Shahjee^ s intetitiom to
es(ablish an indtrj>enden( government for himself at Bangalore — is sei^gd, and
incidents of that cojnpaign — merdng with his brotlier Eccqjee for tJufirA
time — undisturbed re(um to Concan,
The period at wlucli we are now arrived presented a combination of
circumstances peculiarly favourable to the {jrowth of the rising state
of Mysoor, and its councils were now to be dii-ected by the degree of
ambition, enterprise, and prudence, which was suited to its actual
situation. But some retrosjxjct will be necessary for the purpose of
enabling us to understand the scene by which it was surrounded, and
to follow more distinctly the thread of our future naiTative.
After the fatal blow sustained by the empire of Vijeyauuggur in
1564 at the dreadful field of Tellicota, we have seen the con^erate
Mussulman kings diverted by their own dissentions from following
up that decisive action by the conquest of the rest of its dominions ;
and the representative of the house of Vijeyanugmir establishing
himself at Penconda or Bilconda^ about 140 miles STE. of the former
capital. The design of farther conquest was not, however, entirely
relinquished ;* for, taking advantage of a favourable juncture of
affairs, the two Mussulman kin^ of^ Vijeyapoor and Ahmednuggur
held a personal conference, in wnich it was agreed that they should
pursue lines of conquest so distinct, as to j>reclude interference or
* These transactions are stated from a comparison of the authoritieB in
8cott*s two volumes of the Deckan, and in the Historical Memoira of the Adil
Shahce, and Kootub Shahee dynasties, and the various local memoirs in the
Mackenzie collection, but chiefly those of Condavir, Adoni and BeUary, m
digested by Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie himself.
rllAP. HI.] rRITlCAL PRRIOD IN MYMOOR APFAIRS. 39
j<*aloUKy ; tiio latter U> tiio N. K. in the (iin*<*tii>n of Berar, and the
kin^ «»f Vijfya|nMir U> the S. \V. ov«t tiie «h»jii»n«lenrie}i o( Vijey-
anti^'<^Mir. AA4*r the captiin* of Adoni. an arhievenient whirh p^ve
re|)Utiitifm to hin amis, his coiH|Ut>HtH wen* extended to the S. W.
down t4> the m.«MN»if«t fn>ui near (loa to iian^ahin*. ineiiidiu^ the
in«Mieni |imvinreH of Savanitn*. »SM»ndA, and North lanara. TheHe
iiUiHVHHt^ KnI t4> farther etfort^s towanlN the S. K., and an attempt wan
nuuh* on PeneuntU, whent*«* Tininia liaja iiail, iiowever. trannferreti
the chief re»u«len<v of hin tr**vemuient wune yean* U»fi»re to Chander-
giierrk' Hie attju*k on IVn< onila waM hUftvsHfully re|)elh*d by the
hentie «»frortf» of Juj; lK»«i KayiM*|, a n-lNti(»n «»f th«» Iliija, whof*^
M*r>'ietw Wen* n*wani«Ml hy the (^)Vi*rnuient of an extensive domain.
stn*t4*hin^ a4*r<»«M a htrire tM»rtion of the |M.*ninHiiU. from iiaramahal
ineluMve, nearly t** the UmlerH of the we«»tern mountains ;* thift
domain, with Mime tiurtuati<inH. n*miuntNl in the same family, until
finally al^MirUsl in the in^»wini; fttrtunen «»f the Wadoyan* of
llyiwMir The eheck thiist fiUMtain(*<l hy Vijeya|M»or wa.s ai^^rnivat^sl
bv the deAvtitin of M»me of its otKivrn. Antl by a Hub«MH|iient minority :
at int^TvaU, howe\rr. wr find the j:eneniU «»f that ntat** levying
tribnt«* in two rx|ie4litionH alon^^ the wikmIv and mountaimntM tract
(if SMin<la. li(*4lnore. Hulitim and (*«Nir;f
Ihiriiu; tluH ntatt* of ih«* t nniati«* rni|M*r. the eaitt4*m ami Houth-
eni |»nivin«'«'H «»f the late p»v«*nim«»nt did not pn-M'nt a much more
M*ttl4*«l ar«|if<*t A Unit the year I'llC thr laMt di»?MH'n<lant of the
anci«*tit ltAV«w*U a«% the KaiuM of tliJit h<iUH4> an* alwavn tnilltnl i who
nianif«*At«*«l any •lymptom.** of |M»wer. ruhnl with H«>me ih^^n^s*
4»f mavniiti«*«'ti<*i' at ( 'handt-r/livrr)' and Velhire; when* he ntili hehl
a nominal nway ovrr the |»nnri|ial p»vemopi or Naickn ; th««
miMt Ciinjii4ienible of whom a|i|H*ar ti» liave U*4*ii, at thin time,
Naick «*f Ciin;:**«* Ki«tna|iA.
of Taiiji^n-
of Madura.
of < *h«'ntia|iatAiti Jui* I>«*<i Havtvl
of S«*rni»^ikatAni. Tn»mul Kaj
4»f PrUi'^-nda
Of the f«^*blrn«*'» <«f hi-* >j«»\«'riiment. and the p*nenil mn-
Ui^mpt of hi« authority. w«* ha\«« tie* «*viil«ti«f of Kun>|ii>an miiu
tionarieii. who i^xiin-Nk^lv f»tnt«* tliat the Naick (»f Mailura wan at
o|ien war with him lndu<>Ml h^ the mUtritatton i*f the mrn-hnnts
of his ctpuntry. he aeem***! €1i««|«»^«n1 to ^rant a «rttlemfnt t** the
ftfT'*'^^ of ^^^ KnglUh FlaAt-India CV»m|iAny . but wan diMuad««l
ihrtHiKh the induence of the Dutch, who IumI aln*a4ly ratabliahed
tbemaelveii at Pulicat In their com*^« »ntlence they cdtfienre
that bui d««thf " without male iaeue waa existed t4> be fol-
lowed b^ gremi troublea," aa. in fact, it waa in the mi<>mMliiif( year.
While in thU interval of forty -thrhe yean the |irOfsrTeMi of the
* AaeertaUMd by iafteriptieot and local OMaeira.
t MSb. tranaUtioa oi HaTtrt't CbfooMiidei b the Mackemt eoUectioa.
40 AN ABYSSINIAN KINO IN DECKAN. [CHAP. UL
Mohammedan arms had been retarded by the causes \rhich have
^>eeii noticed, and by other events in the Dcckan, which cannot
ronvenieutly be embraced by a retrospective sketch ; a few aspir-
ing individuals laid the foundation of an intennediate order of
things, which in the central districts occupied the place of the
late government, composing a series of smaller states, which in-
creased or diminished in power and territory as they succeeded
or failed in their alternate usurpations. To the northward of
Jug Deo's domain already noticed, the most remarkable of these
new stiites wei-e the Poligars of Chittledroog,* Raidroog, Hw-
ponnelly, Tarikera, with many others of inferior note, whose
united efiorts might have opposed a respectable barrier to Mo-
hammedan encroachment, if united efforts could be expected
from restless savages, per()etually occupied by intestine quarrels;
for most of them were of the lower and hardier cast of the Beder,
a race of herdsmen and hunters, who, in their earliest accession to
power, exhibited all the ferocious symptoms of their savage origin.
The family of Bednore, also, in this interval of confusion extended
their possessions, from their first small establishment at Calaflee
in 1499, down to the sea-coast of Honaver (Onore,) and south,
to the limits of Malabar, over the dominions of the former queens
of Garsojia pf" while on the noith they successfully op]x>8ed the
farther advance of the forces of Vijeyapoor along the sea-coast
To this |>eriod of nearly fifty years of general confusion, through
which we are now making a hasty progress, may be assigned the
origin or the improvement of most of the droogs or fortified rocks
of the Camatic Proper, and of Baramahal.
Of the causes which, in the complicated events of the Deckan,
im|>e<lcd the general progi*ess of the Mohammedan arms, one is
too remarkable to be altogether unnoticed ; namely, the tempo-
niry government est^iblished by an Abyssinian (Mallick Amber,)
who not only resisted the progress of the Mogul arms, but ren-
dered tributiiry the kings of Vijeyapoor and Golconda, choosing
as the c^ji]iit;il of his new state the town of Ghurka, afterwards
Ixjtter known by the name of Aurungaba^l. The death of bis
Hucctissor in IG'lil extinguished the hope of a happier order of
things, which might reasonably have l)eeu indulged from the
high <;hanicter for moilenition and policy which is universally
allowed to this warrior an<l stitesman.
In }t)*H the strong fortress of Dowlatabad fell into the pos-
session of the Moguls, and a regular government was established
in the Deckan, of which, under the prince Aurungzebe, the
neighl>ouring town of Ghurka, now named Aurungabad, became
the provincial capitiU. Every measure of this pnnce indicated
his determination to sulxluc the Patau kingdoms of Vgeyapoor
* Family annalH, and local nieiuoire of those soveral places in the
Mackenzie* collection.
f Th4 pepper queen of tbe Portuguese authors.
nWV. Ill] M^NQUESTS c»F VIJEYAPtM>R. 41
ail' I U«iIrMii<|.i itH :i iuM»i»xsar\' |in*|ttiniliv«' U* tin* LfiMionil siiliju-
^iili'iii of till* stMitti. Tli(*s(» priiHVs iiiiil tirrivtMl nt tliiit hUi;^*
nf i'i\ ilixiitiuii ill wliirli •^»r;^*<Miri ninl uwkwanl M|iIi*iit|or c«>vonN|
till* tiitist *fpr**s.^ iNilitiral t|}irkiu*sH. Itist4Niii of ilinvtiii;; tlivir
iiiiit«'il fon*o ii;^uriMt iliin |Miniiii(>iiiit mkI uhvioiM dAii^r, Ui€*y
WfH' riiirii!^*<| ill if lit* |Kiiiiji Aiiii |iHifr*niitn\ aixi in mi nmi^miii
niiti sh(»i1-Hii^'lit4*«| iirojtN't for tlit* imrtition <»f th<* (lominiorui of
ili«* HfMith. whirli liV it(4 MitN*t*«iH only U*ii«l<*4i to ai*ct*lerHio thn
niin <»f \lH luitliorH. It was n^^tNl thnt i^m*Ii hIiouM extend hi.H
ri»ii«|u«*HtH ov«*r till* (*4»tiiitri«*»i oftlio t^mhifian oftlio (Uiniatic, ii8
tlM'V jdr«*4*t4N| t«» mil tlii*in. wlit> wi«n; nrAn-*«t in tlH*ir nM|MM*tivn
tiTrit«iii«»H Tlif p'licnil imtHvility of tin* lliii«liMi piwmiiumt
o|i|M»H«*«i hut littli* n^sisUiiKv to iliotr anu.4;aii<l it h evoii fitatt*<|
in liiii«i(M> inAnuM*ni»tM* thnt tliov wen* inviu*<l hy ii€*vt*ml of
th** iiHtiqNTH. who, uii<lt*r tht* tith* of NaicIch, Rajns, Wailuyani,
INtlipir*. nml rv«»ii <j«mi<N nf Hintjl'* vilU»fHH. ha<l <*rocioil m^]H^
mti* |inii<'t|knlitit"«. iifi<l fooli<«hly h«i|t(Hl to |»n»fti*rvt* «»r GXten<i thi*ni
l»V lh«* iii«l •»t*n f«»n'i:'ii fonv
lO'fi'l I>Ii<mi1m Khun. i:fn««nil of tlio foitn^ of Vijoyajionr. over-
raii. ill l«i.1«J. tin* ^ih.ilf ii|H*ii r.iuntr\* of iknkaiHM>r. Hum'hur,
KnH\%:t]i;itafi an*! Tiirrik»'ni. np t'» thi* w«mi«U nf Ht«<inoro ; ami
in lii.HH wo liaxf -«i-n him ri*|»flhH| fnun S*rinpi|iatAin. Tho lino
nf f*i>ii«)ii«M in %%hirh Im* m':i.4 ni4»n* |icniinn<*ntly niicivwful pamwHl
to thr ti«*rth <»f th*' hiili of Mil;^^»tJi Hn<i Saven«InM»<^. t4»wanLi
Itnii'^'alor**. uhtrh h«* r«iiit|ii«*n^| in thin yt*ar. aiiti n*ntlenNi his
rhi« f !• Hiili'iiif . thi* <iiiu«l TM^apin^ ti> th«* n»rk of SavoiidriM)^,
th«-!i •lt«-iiii*«l iinpn*;pi.iM(* S*ra wn^ o>nt|nfiv«l in 1G44, an«l
U*«*ntn4* nn^^rwnriU th«* <7ipital of a Inrj^ pniviiicial ^ovoniiniMit.
Fn»ni StTti, riaiit:nh>n* an«l ('••lar. th«» roii#jiieata of Vij*»yapoar
**nihni4**^l t'iwnrtU t* th«* ^tiMith-oaMt tho iin|M»rtant fortfvasoH of
V«*llor»* nii'l (iiiii«*«*.'^ an«l tln^^ of <H>h*<»ii4U tlio poiiM«Hionii situ-
nU**\ to tht* N K of th.1t lin**. in*'lti(iin^ nmn«lt*ivhfrn' an<l
* Thr I'ltliftr ni Ttnk«*r« an*! Aniriil in (*«matir IVi)p«*f, an«l in
prui%i«l.i. thr Sill k« ••( Tri|*.4*M«ir. Tiniour, «im1 MacIufa, ar* cUivty arroned
<*f tht« iMt *»i a.ili-M'i/ tf*sfkrrjf. Till* I'lTcurr, My* iiiy (ric-ml Majtir
M^ L. ii/:r. liki |Mirri< fir .iiiiiitii( thri-.uly lliiiniui, w4Ji«^iiiii«lrrv<l aa unkiiMwn,
« rriMr w%tk •# if ■.!•<. tbry hiviitj; iii» pArtirulAT trrui t«i (luAcrtlw It, like
Xtt t-iii «<Aiii%t « litnirmM «|iiritiijil |»r^fl*|»t«ir iff (SwAinrji t«tu|K*ral ni^tcfi
chiri «*r kiiif Hut «brii «• reoiilltrt tiial inuiMrrhy wm tb« univofMU (una
«if e«ai<Mitiiriit. It «aA ■TArcH'ly no<*n«Huy to duttuipiub l>«twM'n ti-cMuuo
AiCAiitAt tht* ii^tinfi. *i*<l tr«kAH»o o^Aiiuit \hm rrprr«riitAtivv uf tb« uatiuii.
t Siiiir «»{ tbv MArkrniAr liiAUQarnptB ftAiftl nuitu l«i Jouhl wbrthor
t Miijrv «lii| iit»t Ml to tlA« iJt.irr uf tiulcncidA, ttit 1 imA|pne It Ml an error uf tba
tr4nM-riUr. <iinjr« hir t«uu)««>*oiit4 «iti thr unrtbrrn IVnuar, tli« Utter wuffil
iiil(iul>tiiic (t»rtrv«M It it rvid^iit lr«»sii II. t>nBr'» Kraffnrtita* i». S3I. that it
\\^*.*\ t«» Vo«'ya|"*Ar. Aiid K«v^ce crrt4«aly foiaaJ it, iii 167 «, m tLe |iut-
•fii «if t fnrrua4i hrlouiCiiiK iu tlut xtomct
Till- Kii^M d#«.rilM«l in Scot* UUu*ryof the Dtckan (r<il %, p^ ^4-(*5) ii
€\iiUnt4y KaiKbte, the <^llg•%•raat of our ma|ie , «ad the (Uecriptitio uf the
r«iut<- III p M is rriiurkihly accurate at t hie day.
r
42 HINDOO PROPHECY APPLIED TO SEVAJEE. [CHAP. IIL
Chingleput, the occasional places of residence and nominal capi-
tals of the last nominal Bayeel ; who, after long secreting him-
self in Drauveda, escaped in 1G4G across the peninsula to claim
the protection of the chief of Bednore. These conquests occu-
pied tlie arms of the Patan kings for a lengthened period of time :
tlie march of Aurungzel)e with his best officers and troops into
Hindostan for the purpose of asserting his pretensions to the
throne relieved them for a time from the serious pi-essure of the
Mogul arms, and nearly 48 years were allowed to elapse after the
first plan of pai-tition, before their ancient and modem {lossessions
wei*e crushed in one common ruin bj*^ the arms of the emperor
Aurungzebe.*
Such was the state of the times when a Hindoo author, con-
cluding a succinct chronological account of ancient kings, con-
veyed under the disguise of a prophecy,"!" ^^^^s denounces the
evils which were to ensue : " Omens and Prodigies shall appear.
The goddess Calee shall descend on earth, in all her wrathful
fonns ; the proprietors, occupiers, nobles, and all the children of
the south shall perish : mankind shall be engaged in incessant
war ; the demons everywhere exciting to strife, and arms, in
every town and every street : the nol)les shall be compelled to
olK»y the command of the Toorks,J and be led like sheep to the
shiughter." The prophecy concludes with the animating pre-
diction of a deliverer and comjueror, who should relieve the
Hindoos from these horrible oppressions : " Then the divine Veera
Vasunta shall appear ; virgins shall announce his approach with
songs of joy : the skies shall shower down flowers, &c." Such a
deliverer in the jHjrson of the celebiuted Sevajee was shortly after-
wards supposed to have ap|>cared ; and there is abundant evi-
dence that both he and his a<lherents directly countenanced the
idea of his being under the immediiite protection of a deity, by
whose inspiration he professed himself to be directed. We shall
not jMirmit ourselves to be seduced by the adventures of this
extraordinary man far beyond the limits which connect them
with the direct object of our work.
We have already had occasion to descriln) the limito of the
* To prevent cnibarraHsmont to tlie KngHsh reader this name (the orna-
ment of the tliroiiL*) will be coiitinnod iiistoa<l of Anlnmget^r (the conqueror of
the world) nssuniod on liis iicc(\s8ion, and universally employed by Indian
authors.
t From the CSutpurtie mainiscript in the ^fackenzie collection, supposed
to have been written about 1H4(), vncli prophmoH have frequently appeared
in fluh.seqnent times, and one of tliem had a wide circulation in the south in
the year IhOr).
{ J/uuuhnans- Toork is the name by which they are distinguished in tU
the Lin^uages of the south, written or vernacular, at this day. The earliett
Mussulman invasion was of Afghans or Patans, from the Indian Caucasnt.
and the name seems to point to invasions from Toorkoraania at more remote
periods. The '' kine-shiying" is the epithet usually prefixed to the name of
Toork in most of the manuscripts.
niAP. Ill] cmicjis (»F niH faiiilv. 43
MftlinitU oHiiitry and ikmiiiIc. For upwonlM of tlireo IiuihlnHl
yfaip« it Imd Uvii hu))jtH*U*«l to tho iloniiiuitioii of Mtniii;^*rH : tli«)
iiiiiHt fihvioiis iimxiiiiH of |N»Iiry. nml rvt'n of iio<*eHMity, nt finit
«*«)iii|H*||f<l tlit*?«i' fon*i)^ii4TH to ^Vi> otnjiioyineiit Ut i\u* iniliUir}*
rliiM>««**t of tilt* ("oiHiUfn**! |Hii|il«' : aikI thry (*oiitiiiutH| iti nft4*r-
tiiiK'H to till in 4iiHff*n*iit iin>|Nirti(fns th«* ranks of tli<' MfilmninitN
ditii kin^ of iNi'kan. 1 h«: (*xt.Ht4*n(*e. tli«* nnni<*. and alnii»*«t tht'
n*nii-nil>r.int*i\ ^f » Mahnittii p)Vcnini«*nt had fallt-n into oli|ivii»n :
l»ut a Umd of union nintinii«-<i to «*\ist. wliirli tinu* and n>ti()U«*st
hail fiiit U-i-n ali|f t«» *iiH.Ni»lv«» : tlir rfli;^Mon of tin* van*pii*«li(*i|
u»«» Htill «litr«*n<nt fnmi tliut of tli«* (ttniiut'nkn ; Imt aUiVf all, th**
Malinitta lani^nia'^r rontiniKHi t*» U» s|Mik<*n o\«t tlir wh«t|i' t-x-
tt-nt ff th«* nn<-i«'nt ImhihiN 4»f MalianLHlitni . and d«*MTil*«*«l. |»y
an iiifailililv rrit^-rioii. wlii» Wfn* to U» followers iif a ht^f»«'n»
itf^t. r*i Malinittii |irin«'»'.
" TIh- fir^t* n*niarkaMt' |»»'r^iin of tliin I'oiiru. wan llfuhhtjrr
lOfiff-t Vi%Ut'\ I if I III' \ill;i'^-^ of lHi\ul;::iw. Hf::aii. •' and Tutni-
d«'- iV'- . l"-l"iiu'in*,; to tli*' an<'i*-iit Tal«H.k of I'.-'jri'" lli* had
i-.".!!'' lw«» s. iris. MaiiJoj*'' }||it| Vc«*n:iiii«*«-. ulin i|ijam»llini^ with
th*- (-iilti\at"rH ainiitt tfif Iati«N. r«-nio\ft fimn tlii-nt'f t«» tip* vil-
lii^.- i.f Vuroiila. nt-ar I>«»wl.i!ali,'id. wIhti* tli* y tii^l tmIiIimI ;fi
farni- r-» . and snl»s«Nj!|i nf ly •■nt^-nd ;i.«» fn.! •..•)iiii>is jntii th** |»»*r-
•wiiiil ^j'l.if'l "f .I.id'-» K-'W . :i < hi* ! wh'i h«M a ri»nsidi*ral»l«»
roiiiiii I'.d niid> r th«- •l\iii'«'v Iif NiAitn Sfia In thin ^itti.itii*n
M.oil I- •■ \ia-» 'jridiially |'r«iiii'»t« d to an mIKii •• of' ifntidttMi* ah iiit
t!j« j"!-"!! «'l* hi-' [uilpin Maul"JA* tiiil itit»- --tn. >7i#iA/»»' + ainl
lii^ ni i-'t. r J.id«N» Hi'W a ilau-'ht-r. ./••/•"^•" ^ >n«- dav uIhii
th' - t'liiMn II. U in.' !• -.jHi'iiitly of tin* a;;i*H i.f tivt* and thn-«-
V'-ai-* w«n- inlr»*iiii • d i-n iIm' •••••:i-i«»n of a in"»"at f«-»lival. at
uhi'h all tli<* rtlati>*ii'' "f t\i- family and |irin<'i|itd otlitir<i witi*
aH-inh'^-d. .fad'*"* piniik* I that In- ]ia«l n^'ViT v**n rliiMr-n •-•
K.iMtif'd '-r -♦ Will -Mit' •! til I'iirh »ith«r ' Th«' ••K-'Tvati-n u;l«*
•Ml.-. .{ )\ N!.i»il ;«• .ii.d !mj!.!|\ ii-^. nt« I f'» )•%■ i1ad'"i K««w, a**
an ;»'fi.iii« ■ "f njiiti.iji* *•»! tht m ifi- "f th- litt^-r i^a^* • uru;;"*!
at th« |<ti>i»'t i't' ■-•» Mfk* ,ik il iin allun- • . :ifi 1 MimI-'Ii-'* in^i^t-
in.' ••!! th'- I" ! J -rnj »!.« • t .* phd.'-- tlm* i-mMi' N .m\»!i. wa**
nltiin.it«!v 'li^hii.'' I !i 'Hi tlif -^iixp-i 1*1.' hr-ttlp r-* t>tMini-d
til tl.' ;l r»inn f !• 'id' n- •■ .*t Viii'-'l.i . uh'Ii th*' .*• ■ J !■ ht.il •li'»-
rii\»fv it" a hid h II tn i-ii.- fn.it*hd th" ni t>* • !•' irj*- tip ii \ i.-w*.
• >jj" h I* tin • I ^' *. I '.n.i • . • Ml* n! I'! t L: "••-r\ <t ! 'i* Ii'-i-m ••rlUi>>ii4i
m
III till M li.r I*.: I t I:', i u'' ■ ■'..'. ft.. i*«'l t-* :. > rXill'i.t I'm;:! «'. l.iinl
I'.i*.-. «i;r;.>.i:! ^iiy .li- . ;• .. t"*?.» If.'i'.*-! ili- •!.•.■■• t^ii* t itiiil) lt**m tin*
Khj|"-'t pii.'rt if < '-I'l , •• r 1 r.< fft a« *' ttv-^l in thi tt&t,ar% ihsilly
IaI* II trof.i !ti:-> I • ■ *"r?!. 411-1
♦ M;.- »j!r .f \|. I. .!■>«■ »i»».' • 'U< 'I !•♦.,• ■ !i:!li< ««. Ill llf l.«T *••• • It*
M'lA Vrf.r » l..:> rr.iii" .•. \fi' . lua/. .: «■ '. ' *• i* K^i.fiN.l |.-r p:r UilMU'
thr |*r.i>c r* ••!*';• Il %"t.irii • i H:- ••'■•• i' k ^l . '.l.iukI iii «l.i'iii« . atiit 1 > !!i it
rilriit It 11 ii<it liu* ijiii.i i««l iifi t-« : M-' ^il^l i* ot^ttU ni the iu.u*UM:ri|>t
V* li«%i )*cvfl t*4U.(«l Mi^li j« I lit ^r t*.;:ii<l« *.<• li.r &BlUt
44 STIAHJEf APPOINTED MINIST£K. [cHAP. lit.
and to rctalijite tlio iiiHult sustained by tlieir disinissaL For this
purix)sc tlioy raised banditti, with whicli they secretly plundered
the districts committed to the charge of Jadoo Row ; and after-
wards procoedeil to a more direct suid successful system of pre-
(hitory war. These disturbances attracted the atteutiou of
]Siz<am Sha* who, on hearing the representation of both parties.
declai-ed the daught^jr of JjuIik) Kow to l)c didy betrothed to
Shahjee, and the tbnuer wtu^ reluctantly com]X)lIed to permit the
solemnization of the maiTiage, of which, Sumbajee, afberwanb
killed on service in the south, was the lii^st offspring.
Shahjeo had attained Uie age of twenty-tive years when his
father died : and having acquired rank and influence by the
reputation of superior talents, on the occasion of a minority in
the house of Nizam Sha was chosen by the family to be the
guardian and muiister of the minor. A Mogul invasion imuie*
diately succce<led this event ; and Jad(X) Row, never riHX>nciled
to Shahjee, joined the invadei-s ; whom he is accused of having
invited for the express purpose of supi)lanting his son-in-law.
Sh.ahjee found it iniident to retire with his cliargc to the Concan,
where he wjus shoitly afterwards besieged, in tlie fort of Maliooly,
by a superior force ; chiefly composed of the troojw of his father-
in-law. Finding it impossible to defend the phice, he made
overtures of service itj Ibmliim Adil Sha of Vijeyajioor, which
were accepted ; and embracing a favourable opi>ortunity, he
left the minor 1>ehind in the fort of Mahooly, and, accompanied
by his wiie and son Sumbajee, cut through the troops of Uie
U'sir;^^!^^, and pnjceeded by forced man-hes to gjiin the territory of
VijeyajK)or. He was clostjly and rancoi*ously pui'sued by the trouiw
of his father-in-law for several succ^'ssive days : and his wife being
advanced seven m<mtlis in a second ]iregnancy, wjis unable any
longer to endure the fatigue. Shahjee in this extremity left her,
with a few tmsty attendants, to fall into the hands of her father;
escaping himself with the infant Sumbajee. She was kindly received,
and ]JacL'd in st?curity in the hill fort of Sc»evanai-ce, where she was
delivered of the famous Sevajee on the I7th of May lG2G^^and
Shahjee, now finally semrateil from his flrst wife, arrived in safety
at VijeyajHMjr, where lie was honourably received; and having
* The manuscript stateA tlie iiuhIo adopted of roiupolliiiji^ him tu do
justice. Two hoizA were .sliuj^litered, and in the deatl of ni^lit nilently depOAit-
ed in the ^ent nm. que, with labels tied to their neck.s explaining the demand,
and threatening the .same pollution to all the other moMtiucJi if justice should
be witlilieid.
tTlie liirth of Sevajee ia placed hy several authorities, and in the **Not«»
on Maliratt.i allairs/' in lf»2S : tliere is an apparent mistake in my copy of the
m.inusrript, as the year of the <'>clc ]>hi(vsit in 1020, andtheycarof SSalivahan
in I*»27, l»nt [ adhere l(» the former as hiist likely to he crroneoUH ; the object
is not ot import anco, hut I ipiotc; the woid.-^of the nianuscript, iu order that if
1 ha\e comiuittcd an inor, it may Ik* (htLrtLfl. *Mn Shakum (year of Sail*
vah \u.) l.'it!). in the veai i»f the cyclt Csfioya in the month Vyciaukum on tkt
fith (Liy ul tJi" Im idit nioon. *
MIAI*. Ill] AN'HliMiTK or IIIN IN«:KNnTY W*
iiit<tlii-lii;i]]v fiiilt-jiviiiiri'ti t<» uKtaiii (Im- ri'*«littitiiiii nf lii*^ uift* nihl
•Mill, iiiaiii'*! :irii'tli*'r \% itr, itiiiiu-il TnkaUiVi-. !•%' \ili<iiii hi.* Iwni i>^iii*
All iii-taiH'i- **\' (iir ill 'i-iiiiit\ ••! SIkiIiJiv i*« I'l-l-itfl in tin*
iiiiiiiiixii i)it , tii'iii uiilt'ii -.•iiic t-iiiij» it iiri- liny Im* tM|-iiiii| nt' tin*
;ji iH i.il "(.ii*- ft* (lit ;ii (x aii'l *>t ii IP i o 111 ilii* 1 '• • i\ ft 'I'lii iiiinUtt'i
tlil,M*ir\.i K**\% Ii.kI lil^i«i>' l\ \i<U (•• lii-^tl k^'ilt'- illiii.llllV tin* \\i-i.,')it
lit lii-< I iipliMiir III -IK • r . Mli'l ::iltiM !• .11 iH- i iiii II «*t'liii- •■•iiitt ):.i<i
Htihilt«l. iiix.iiii til' lii< •II ••?' « -'I 'tl :ii t ;ti / .1 In 1.! :',i- • t -iitlii i- lif
|i..\\.i t'> wijli tlti il. j.'li.inl >Ii •)••■■• h •■-.j*- I •»• u:!*- ii;r iril\
■ llii{i!i JHil III • lil>'t|« ITi .lit « t|iMt< lit •!■ -t- • li> !• ' t' • .kicli • . ! -'t
II ^t I •■ I -li ji iH .| t<'l I l|i j.iil JH i •• . I- .1 ll..f '" 'M-Mli- I '- • !l. ill-i 111 ■ K
lll_ t!i> W.ili I IllM f IM-'Xi •! rll«- I i> jill. Ill .it<'i I M -. I xl.'lK I I )•
I'i I' ■ 'i l»i I !■• l--.»f -.iitli. '. Ill t" :■•■• I t! I" t ':•■ '.'ll « i ri Tin -f- »!• .
I * I n ' I • I • • ■ 1 • 1 1 1 -"I'll ! • ! \ t . ■ I i n • ■ '. - ■ .1 1 1 . 1 i I !• • I t : ■ • 1 1 ' : ■ ■ V • : J ' ! t
!•! (:••■' ^ 'i.i !•• i).i . :. ii. -i-iiM '.: t' t ;• r>-<ia ■ i -.• \\ ••!:-! in I
\i\i* III ■ •■1 '^li 'li'i •
111 !'.• I \j.. .il ■ •! !-.| •!.. • :,'■.' ' ■ t I • I I 'if: I I l^.!»^ |.i
U 1 ■ ; ' 1 1 \K • I \ • lit I \ . I 1 ■• I I t i ■ i ** ' : . 1 1 . |i ■ \ . . ■ ■ I J ! I ■ t « • ! : i 1 ■ I • 1
t'l li- ;i 1 I »' ••■ ■ . I\ ■ • 1 1 • ji 1.. I II ■ ? 1 1 • ' ■ • ' .■ 'I i "'I ! ! It t i! II
• •t r ' f .•'..' ;• • • .! • T ,* ■ I I I ■• \ ' ..t . . ti- t \* .» \\ . '. ;• !• I
li| V",.M .■.;■?: : ■! .1 !!■• • li,;:.-T- .1 \i..\.i-. ■ ! ii l". •: '
iiti I I *i i\ I • I . '• ii 'v^ fi- » ' ii i»n- : < II ii <• ■ • \*.
ll,. < ij . ■ ' 1 1 - ! I ? '• ■ -Ii I . •■ \\.». i! I .:. ■ •■ •■ : I ■ /r : .. : .
• • • 1 1 1 -^ I ■ I ■ . • . '. . ■ ■ i ! . - I ■ I . ■ • J ■• ! w 1 i 1 1 I ■ 1 ■ I • I . . ■ 11" \\ ■ •
ii- >: • • i i-i ii .if .!> \ I - • .t !••! * h \^ - •' 1 1 ' < I II • : I ' ,1
\k . ' r 1 1 ■ ! N! I • ' . I M I '• ! • 1 1 ■ • ■ ■.»..> 1 1 1 T 1 • I f • — i I- i i 1 1 • : ■ ■ l ' i ■ - ■ ■ ■ ; i ' ■ t ■ . i
I ti« j .1 : ■ -■ ■ • • -I i'- ; !ij ii'i i' I I li< •; ii i« ' '■ -Ji ' 1 >1 .J.;- i . .1 !.• ^*
■ \ t. I.. ■ I ii \ • ii'i' :..:ii •■ -I ! . r :■ 'ii niil • t ""iii;-!! - • u .' ii l xiii v t in
l|!ii\'l il .11. it' ii\ U i.i- '. t'-'lt I'll \ i ) Ml Witli It litx^l •! ()f
ti. f t' • l-iiin r ■II- I • I i: ■'..■' V'.i 'II • ■■?'•■ i:iii-v.if. Il . tin
• •f!,' . ^ ii. I M ',r I ■ ■ •■ ii,i . ■! I • i.j- ■ . i. 1- I >■ ii.i. ■ '•. K ' i. :ii II- •■
|.■ ■ I 'i. • VI • '. t .1' !'• ■ I'll* "I • . !i ' t I I. ■ ■'. ■■ •* I • i. 1 .' •!
1 1 1 J I . I « r • . . f I • I I \ • , t • •. v>L • I • I ' • • I J ; ' ' ■ i ■■ I • • ! I.I 1 : ■ I • i 1 1 1 ■
.|. '.. ■ t I ; . I. V ■!,...:. I • r .. \^ i.-- . ■ . i .. I,. ■.:■.! m .t| ti .
I »■ •. Ill t !■! I '1' ! , . .'.••...!■». I ' , ;..-,.l . ! ! I. 'i'. 1 * it
V* ».■ '■ \« ■ I • .. '■ ■■ s '. '. ■ .■ .1 I ■ : !• ■ ■ 'I .. ■.. ■ -l .
i
•11.'' I . .!• . \- ■ • ■» |! • I. t I . .• .. . 'I . ! 411 III-
• 1 . .• . • I ■■. : I • ■ f :•..!»
• !r ' . 1 ■ : » ' * % ' .■•■■■■.■■■*« • •■ • ■ 'I •' iM
.ti,.t I .' -■ • ;■ r • ■ • • • . I" ■ ■ ■ .-'.:..»
:■ . ■.■■•. ■ . ; . •■..■■■::
W I . ■ . ■ • ■ - ■ ' 1 . I • •
. ■ • ' .. ■ I - • ' 1 ■ - I k ' ' . ' I f , ■ • • I
» \ I'.. ' • ' . ■ 1 . • • .. ■ . • • I '. »» • -I • • .'I
l» . ■ . • i • . ■ . . * • .J ' ." Ill .. »
»• ■ ». - . r . 1 ■ . .-! n •...!■■.' I.
• •■ : / ■ ■•'..■..'! .. . . , I- I -il . .,^. .?i.| • '^' li j. » I! fc I.* .1- f
V* .' .• .1 I. k* I * • at «. Il «•!
46 VICIOUS HABITS OF 8EVAJKE. [cHAP. IH.
Mohammedan tribes, and reflect on the numberless revolutions of that
terrible period, we shall not be prepared to expect a system of
government distinguished for mildness and forbearance. Shahjee
w.as, without doubt, a man of considerable talents ; and having^ formed,
as we sliall presentlj'^ see, the design of establishing an independent
government, would be desirous of conciliating his Hindoo subjects;
and coi*tainly observed in his new system as much moderation as
was consistent with the indispensable object of collecting a lai^
and regular surplus i-evenue ; one jnirt of which must necessarily be
remitted to coui-t, and the reinaindt?r fonn an accumulating fund to
support the charges of future rebellion. Among the more brilliant
objects of Shahjee's ambition, he remembered the patrimony from
which his grandfather had been ex] idled, an<l had obtained in jageer
a considerable district, including Poona, where he erccte<l a res[>ect-
able residence ; and when dotache<l to the south, left these }>os.s(.^sions
in the charge of a confidential dependant, named Dadajee Punt; with
directions to procure, if pos.sil»le, the rol<;ase of his first wife and her
son Sevajee, and establish them, with a suitable provision, in the
dwelling which he had prepared ; whirh object was soon afterwanis
accomplished. The conduct of Dadajee Punt in this delicate chargv
appeai-s to have been most exemplary : hf remitted to VijuyajKHir
Jie stipulated amount of revenue; and altlnMi.rl] it is stated, a.s a
compliment to his modenition, that he n»vive<l the system of Maleek
Amber the Abyssinian, lu» realiztMl a cor.sidcrable annual surplus.
which Wits faithfully reserved fur his master. For SevajcH? he
procured all the advantaLC<*s uf civil and military education whieh
the stjite of the times could afi'ord ; but at the age of st'venteen the
young man brgjin to disregard the admonitions of his guardian,
collected a banditti, with which Ik^ ravage<l all the neighbouring
districts, and applied the plunder to the daily augmentation of his
biind. Dadajee Punt was so deeply aft'ectetl at this disgraceful
conduct, that he put an end to his own <»xisten<'e. St»vajee instantly
seized the treasures (»f his father, which had accumulated by the
pnident management of his deceased guardian, and incretising his
followers to an extraordinary number, l)egan that career of plundei
on a larger scale which induce<l th«» Kun»j)ean settlers of the time to
distinguish him by the ap])ellati(»n of the rohhrr Sevajee; and the
Moliamm(?dans, by the corn»sponding tenn Ghunaeem, a title ti
which his descendants and folio Wei's have not lost their preten-
sion. It is not our intention to follow this extraordinaiy conqueror
through a series of adventuiTS, which are searcrly t«) l>e paralleled
in the history <»f the buccaneers; but some of his most remarkable
exploits have a dire<*t relation t(» the obje<*t of our narrative.
When the predattu'V incursions of Sevajee lu'came of so seriouii
a natun; lus to foil the anns of Vijeyapi)or, and even to bid
<lefiance to the power of the Mogul, Shahjee was called upon by
his <*ourt, to restniin the licentious conduct of his son; and
♦liix'ct susj»i<'io!i> were avowc<l, by some of the courtiers, of a fsecret
< iiAi*. Ill] iiiN vKi/rttK. si:n TKNt'i: ani» nirrniEVK. 47
4-«iiiiiiiiitiii*ntit»ii U*twiM'ii tin* S4iii :iii*l tlio fatluT. SliiUijtH* nut
only «lisclainu*<l thin mi|i|m)hih| «Ninn«H*ti(»n. Imt iitlinmMl that In*
hail tlivon*«Mi \i\% tirst wift* and Iht laaixv in <iut* form, pri'vioiislv
to hi*^ •M>('f»n<i niarriit'^*' ; and that hr rontiniKMl to rvnouncv all
i^*latiiin*«hi|i with <*ith«*r. Sutlit*ii*nt i*vi(h*n«v however a|iiM«Ani
to fXiHt. nt*t I inly of th«* iniiiuU^i int4*n'ourH4% Init of tht* (k*lil)er-
at«* int«*ntion of Shahj«v t^i (**^t4iMiHh an in<lo|N*n<li*nt p*wm-
in«'nt ThiH i'vi'l«'n<*«* it chirtiv to U* foun<l in two n*niarka)ile
an*! notoriou*^ fartv Kirnt. th«» fxiHt«*n*v of jn^^ntA* an«I othrr
|>uMi«- «l4M*unii-iits isHUc^l l»y Shahj«H\ which U*ar noiu* of the
iM'Nf/ f*irniiiliti«-H nf arknowlislpn;; a sn|N*riiir ;;*»Vfrnni4'nt ; and
MN'tiiid. tht* f<illo\iin^ inridt'nt. whirh is ndat^l at h'ni^h in the
nmhii*MTi|»t hi-^C^iry. Thr omrt of Vij(*ya|NNir wilh s«i cntii^dy ^atin-
Htnl I if tilt* int4'ntionH and fonnidabh* nimnH of Shahjtv. that a
|ilan wiiH HtTn'tly fonntni for M^'iirini; hi^ jntmhi ; and was rxe-
rnt«-«l hy lijuijit* <ton*|»iira «»f *W«»**/ii/,+ a rhiefof tivo thonnand
undiT hit riininiatiil. who tn'a4*hfr«in!«lv Nc'izi*^! him at an fnter-
tAinni«'tit t<i whii'h h«* vriis invit<M|. The nmrt wtui n<>t ai^'f**!
with n-^ird U* th«* tiiH|MiHiil of tliin daii;:«'n»iiH |iriHiin(*r. It wilh at
first nii;i;;int<«i that hy H|ianni; his hf«- S«*vaJ4««* mi;^ht fith<T U»
n*«*htiiiii«l. «>r «'ntii*t-<i to rourt ; )>ut the di*MMi.viiiin nidiil )iv d«*s-
|int< hiniX an «'rd«'r fur th«* ex<*«Mitiiin of Shahjt^* ; whi«'h <ton*|koni
Witt I'll tli«* |Mirnt of oU'vin;;. with t*ircnmHUin«t*<« of wanton )«ar-
Vmrity whru th«* int«*n*i**«Mii»n of Shahji«<*'H frifml and |intn»n, th«»
p'n« nil Kriid l)h<**>la Khan. j»nHMin»«l a n»|»riev«». Hi* was ai*-
i'ordiii:/lv I'Mfivrviti to oiiirt. and v»on f<iun«i m«-atiH to n^niin th<*
* 'I'hi -i < iiri<m« »rrAiit« Arr rxrltuivrly in thcMahmttA rh.iriictvr, aiiil in a
•>tr.iii».*r til I It 111 r I if x\iv l*rr%i.in atiil Mahratt.i l.tn^'tuv*'*^ whirh fthcw« hrnr
iiitifiitrly ihr fi»rni« and I'-^-hniml trrin* ««f thr r^iiitpii nirn hjui U<«n rnrivtMl
iiit«>tlii* Mti«;ii«4;i* i*i hii«iiiri.« Kvcn thr Miih.iiumnLui ar.i tif thi* Hijrni
iiii'lrr till It mil* «'f '*^mtr\t .nioi. a t<'rni of whiih 1 • .iiiii«tt ;i«4-('rtuiii xUt* urii^in,
iiii!i«* i( h i« » ri)itt"ii ti» NHir.&Mii.t in the i;«*i*k'rj|ihit-.il li«ti! i» niMrtt-ti. an
Will It tlii- \9.kr of .^ih\.i)i III. kii'l rr«it4«l. tint in h«;iiri «, hut in tht- Ar^Kir
iiiiiii« I'f tKi* tiMnirri!*. «r*.tt«ti it hnji^th in thr tiitniKr wiihli i« u^nal in
)ii*t«ini il w«ifk« in thi* l'rr*i.-tn Uii^isirr Thr intK^liirtMrjr ('art «>f thr ,rr«iit
I* iHirl)' |*uri 1'i-r^i.iM. «ilh tlir |>rM|Mirti«iii of .\'i&hu tmiially iiiri»r|<«kr«!««l into
that Iiii.:;ta^i' . t'lit with thr irri>r« « hn h nii«;ht U* rv|>4vtrd fmni Mthratta
tr.iii-' :i^-« r* lit- u<|U.iititr^l Mith thr iVr-un ).tiii;uji«ct-. I hr fi'll('«iii|( i« the
ftiriii of t.'Mifni n« < tumt " Xt. rvkht-khmi, K-iujoinr. >hah i«^- iLij ih. liam.
I |»i>«l*t ^h<«*' (hir*if thr irrnlita «%• Arnt t«i tiiy Irirlul I '«ihini*l ( !«•««• at
l*iH*rti. f<ir thr |iur|HMr n( i'^M^ituniT a trthniral rtfilanatinn uf thr vccfnii and
thiol •i»ril* , tiMt thr fiirni wa«alt4>i?f'th«r unknuwn t«Mi|liri.ilnitn at Piaiua ;
and a(t«>rdiiit; t«> thrir AtAtcnimt omld lift \^ Uut%\ m any part of th«
Mthritt.i d'<ntini«*ni. Heiht Aj^niffr« thr ati|-4ratii«, t-r r«(Ui|>mrntA, of an
indiudui). a h«MiM>. f*r an army . and may thu* ttr tranfthtnl. drraa, fumiturr.
or nuhtirv r«)iii|»nirnta In th» Utter •rUm' thr term rriht ikttnn may ho
tran«litMl. ar«^nal. |«rk «•! mthta/y ttAffr*. or army . and waa |<niti«)ily
intmih^l to tnt4i« th* aaiatiif f«»WFr. the r«iurt, aa all the Mahmttaa uf TiMiua
mnrrt^f The tranalation of thr iDtroilttrtory w«irda cited vtU then ftaiid
tlia« " Fnmi ike court of the illa«tni*ua kinir ^hal^•«. may hu •npirc \m
|ief |*etuat<<d. ' The rrant from vbicli 1 take thia iiol# u dated in It^t
t IVobably MttdkiU, betwmi lilt Toombwldni and Kiitoa.
l-S DATE OF SHAIIJEE'S DEATH. [CHAP. IR
confidence of tlie ministers, and an order to return with renewed
sj)Icndoiir to his foiiner f^overnmcnt ; from whence his sutisoquent
me.sHn<^^e to Scvajce an<l its consequences shall be exactly stated
from the manuscript. " If you are ray sou you must punL<)h
JJjuijee G()rcj)ora of ifoodul. Sevajee Kaja accordingly as-
semi)lcd an army, attiu-ked Mrxxlul, and put to death Iiaaj«^
(}on'jM)ra, with his followers of the family of Qorepora, to the
nnmbor of thive thousand ; one pf?rson only, named Accojee,
makin;^ his escape to Annola : with this single exception, Sevajee
liiija destroyed the whole of them, even the infants in the womb:
in this manner did tlie Raja retaliate." Shahjeo on hearing of
this ex])loit was nmch delighted, and exclaimed, '' This is in truth
a Vijr-ya-pootra, the olispring of victory, I must visit him ;" and
the circumst'uiccs of tlie sul>sequent interview are relate«l with
grciit ujinutciuss. Sevajee went out to receive his father with all
the exUjnial marks of allegiance from a subject to his sovereign,
insisting on attending him on foot for nearly twelve miles till
their airival at l^oona ; and the state and splendour of Shalijee
18 said to have aj)|>ro}iche<l royal magnificence. Wlien he en-
tered the hall of public audience, after visiting his family, Seva-
jee took his father's slippci's from his servant, and stood 8ubmi»-
Hively behind him until compelle<l by Shahjeo to be seated by
liis side with suitable <lemonstrati(ms of affection and respect.
I liave omittetl to a.seertain the date of the death of Shahjee*
and of his son Sambajee,f the elder brother of Sevajee by the
.same mother. A charitable grant from Sambajeo in the district
of l>;ing:dore is dated in KmO; and it is understood that Shahjee,
on the occasion of his visit to court, with the double object of
strengthening his interests, and vLsiting his jageer at Poena for
the express purjK)sc of meeting his son, made a pnmsional distri-
]>ution of his southern i)ossessions among his other sons and chief
minister. This event, in a note in the Mackenzie collection, ex-
tnicted from a manuscript of the late Colonel Read, is stated to
have 4»ccunxMl in Ki?-^: and if that date 1)e cori'ect, it unfolds the
fart of his liaving adopted at this pericKl the singular ()olicy of af-
fcrting submissi<m in his f»wn jwrson, while his sons were assuming
on o|)|M>site sides of the ]x*ninsula the rank of soveroignsw The
latt'st gnint which I have s(H;n from Shahjee himself is dated 1642 :
according to the above date, his death could not have oocurred
before late in H>74 ; anrl in the intennediate i)eriod wo find
S;uiibajce in 1050, and Eccojee from UiU'l to 1070, at Bangalore,
assuming in their grants fiuins and demonstrations of royalty,
still more direct and |)om|K)UH than those ado|)te<l by their mther.
Tliere are also two small religious grants fn>m Soorut Sing, the
* it ciin easily ho iiMccrtuined in India by reference to the records of soy
<ine of the dintricu which he possoHscd. i did not notice tiiis blank in my
niateriaU until it wag too hite tu repair theoiiiiHHion.
t He was killed in the attack uf a place called Kanulaglicrry.
(*iiAr. 111. J cx>Ngrt«T m tanj<irk. 4H
mm c»f SiiiiiliiiJ4H\ ill 1<Um an«l HUiG ;* but I can traiv no farther
tliiH <»l«l(wt limncti <»f tilt* fiunily.
I lu«iftitAti» t(> foliciw Uio maniiBrri|>t which ansignH to Shahjct*
Uif* CDnfiiifMt of Tmnjore, which ho Icfl under the cliar^ of
Kci*«»JM« ; hut fnnn a com|iariflon of authoritiea I am diapoHetl to
NUf«|HH't that the auth«>r confounds thin event with Home former
invaNion for the |»uqMMe of levyini^ contributiona, one of which
we know to have occurred in Hi56. The terma of the aubmiaaion
of Tanjore <»n that occaaion may have been conaidered aa equi*
valent to an a<*tual con(|ut«tt; but tlie final (KTU|iation of Uiat
country waa |»robnl>ly atrhieved by Eccojce after thr death of
hia father. Tnia event ia pboed by a manuacript hiatory of
Tanjore in tlie Tamil Un^^iai;;^, belon^ng to the Mackenzie
ci>llection, and by several ooncurrinf( teatimoniea, in 1675 ; and
the following ia an alaitract (»f the narrative of thia conqueat aa
stated in the maiiUHcri|)t ti* which we liavo adverted.
Tlie Naicka <if Tanjore. and Madura (or Trichinopoly, aa he
b aoni<*time»i calltHl, for they were boUi aubject to Uie aame
Naick) werr at war. and the former lieing presfted by au|ierior
fom\ nent Vakt*ela Ui the king of Vijeya{KX>r to aolicit protec-
tion and aid aa hia vaaaal. Ttie government of V^jeyaiioor waa
too much <KX*upie«l bv tlie invaaion of the Mogula, ana by tlie
rvU'llion of 4»tner ofliceni, to atteml in a din.*ct manner to thia
compUint ; but U^ pn^>r\'e the amiearauce of authority, diamiaae^l
the moMaenger. attendee! by two Hohamme<Un Vakeehi or agt*nta,
with an onhir adtlrt«M*«l to Eccojoi^ at Bangalore, directing him to
man*h f«>r the rt*lief of Taiyore. In tlie actual aUte of the timea
thin order might Iw conaideruil ratlier aa a letter uf recommendation :
but on due rufloction. EccK»jev undertook the expedition, pruljably
witli a'view U» oooqueat on hia own account, but under tlie oatenaiblo
autliorttv of the government of Vijeyapoor. On hia arrival at the
•rene of action tlie Naick of Madura waa attacked and completely
defrateil. axitl EocoJ4<« niaile Uie cuatomary demand of the ex|ienaai
of Uie ex|ioilition ; the account of which, aa uaual. «loubled the actual
amiHint, and the Tai\jorean waa unable or unwilling to defray it
Mutual a<Yuaationa ariM*, which the Vakei^la of Vijt*ya|ioc»r in vain
en«leavourv<l t/» ailjuat : Eccojee complained of an attempt to cinnim-
vent him. which, in hia (»wn defence, cioin|icUed him to guanl againat
the trrachery of the Naick. and in the end U> take iMjaaeaaion of tho
government " for the gotid of the atate. to pn>tei*t the giMid, and
to |Kiniali tha wickeil." according ti> the uaual pbrmMx>logj' of
cooqueroni, an<l to eatabliah hia own inde|»endeot authority in tliat
fertile countr)*.
An officer of five hundred borao. mimeil Ragonad Narrain.
diflMtiafied with the aervic« of Eccojee, marched acrcMM the peuinnula.
* 1 mml not, liow«v«r. kava tba f^liftb raifar to oudia wnmf eoo*
elttMfliia r« tKii iaMael : aoM are fragailly ailoved lo sake rd^pmu graota
dariac tba ble of tMr fitbifa
50 SEVAJEE'S irruption into DRAUVEDA. [chap. III.
negotiating, according to the custom of those d{i3's, for iithei
emplojTnent, and wa« received into the service of Sevajec.
This person gave the firat hint of tlie i)racticability of the ccleiiratiHl
irruption of Sevajee into Drauveda, and furnished the information
requisite for carrying it into execution.
Sevajee, who in 1672 had exacted a contrihutioii of nine lacs of
pagodas from the king of Golconda, liad sliortly attern-ards, hy
means of an understanding with Madena Pundit, his Hindoo minister,
formed an offensive alliance witli that prince against the Mo^l, and
the natural ally of Golconda, the king of VijeyaiK>or. The ultimate
and secret object of tliis treaty is said to have been the final expul-
sion of all the Mussulman iwwei-s from the Deckan, including the
prince who was j)ai-ty to the alliance : but we are not told what
situation Madena Pundit was to occupy as the price of his treaoheiy.
Sevajee having made all his arrangements to guard against the in-
convenience of a long al)sence, directed his march towards Golconda
early in 1677, at the head (as stated in the MS.) of forty thousand
horse, and an equal numl^er of foot, with a tmin of artilleiy. Hav-
ing arrived in the neighbourhood of Bhagnagur, now called Hydein^
bad, early in 1677, a month was there consumerl in interviews of
state with the king, in consultations with the minister Madena
Pundit, and in receiving, with a heav)' equipment of onlnance and
stores, a small auxiliary force, and a pecuniary aid for the pre.sent
support of the army, of about ten lacs of ] )ago<las in ra^h and valu-
ables. It is difficidt, without the explanations which will ensue, to
give a proper designation to the trencherous combination of open
and secret compact which, for want of a better term, I have named
an offensive alliance. Such was the civdulity of the unfortunate
prince of Golconda, that he was in<Uiced seriously to believe that
Sevajee, who five years before had given abundant piXH)f of snperi*^
rity at the gates of his cjipital, was now to undertake an offenaive
war, not merely as a subsidiary ally, but in the direct and avowed
capacity of an obedient officer of th(^ state of Golconda ; and this
deception he continue<l to practise for several months, until it could
be no longer concealed by Madena Pundit an<l his associates, that
instead of the host of Mohammedan dej)endants who were sent with
the army to bo provided for, Sevajee unifonnly placed his own
confidential Mahrattas in the chargt^ of all the conquered plncea
From HydcraKod he <lirectcd his man^h t^) Kumool on the Toom-
bud<lra, where he levied a contribution of five lacs on Anund Row.
who is named in the manuscript the Deshinook of that place. From
Kumool he ordered the Inxly of his anny to move by easy marches
in a southeim direction to Hundi Ananti)oor, while he himself,
attended by a .*?oloct corjw, proceede<l to the eastward for the purpose
of {K^rfonning his devotions at the celebrated tem])le of Purwattum,
situated in the wild mountains through which the river Kistna
forces its passage from the up(»er countries to the sea. At this
temple he is statoil by the auth(»r of the manuscript to liave perfiMVi-
ruAP. til] iNdDEim or the campaion. .il
inI tilt* tmmt AUHtero iionancos; and to have been seised with a tem*
iMirary tit of n.»morHc, in which he adopted tlie habit of a penitent,
and profcfMMl his doti*nnination to renounce the workl. Naked and
covitihI with aiftheit, ht) aicHuinod tlie frealcA of one of tboiie Indian
dcvot4'<*<4. who, by the Ap|M*nranct* or n'ality of mental dcran^*uiout,
attmrt the vrn«*nitinn of tho nuiltitiide throuj^h tlie Htranjje belief
that tilt* Willi hah U?t*n aliHiirUMl in tho Dtnty an a |icH*uliar mark of
divino favour; and in thin ni'W chanu*ter St*vajeo exhibitol various
actrt of fully and a|»|Nin*nt insanity, whirh «Him{N»lle4l his ntU'ndHntfi
to htAtiim (^mnU in (iilfcnMit dinvtionn to watch hin iinN:«*t*<linLrH.
A(U*r a<*tin^ tliiH fiinv for aUuit nine tlayn. ht» Huffcn**! himself to
Im* pn'vuihsl on to j<»in bin annv iit AnAnt|>«M»r. and pro(*t*c*«h*il
throui^di iIm* ^nm-at |inH.H of 1 >Aiiialrh4*rri« by tlie n»ute of the holy
ti*ni|ili* of Tri|iety. inU» the i'ave«>n ^huut
Th«' whoir r«iu!*try, full «if ihiimternKtinn at the unexpe<'t4»«l vi^it
of a mamu'l^'r. wh«i<«i* fani** al«»n«* had hithert4» intliMtinetly n*Arlit^l
it fp*iii a distant and «>|»|Mr4ite (*iiaj«t nf the |it»ninHnla, wait***! for
evi'iit«% to I'Xplain the «»bj<n*t.H of thin extraonlinary imiption.
Rapidly tr.iM-rsini* the r«iuiitrj' within thnv l#*a'^ie*» t»f MadniM in
till' fiist wi*«k of M.iy 1077. h«» appnmeht**! tiinje** with all the
«|i-ni«»n-!niti"nH of |ia.vsin;; thn»u;;h a friendly t4*rritory : and. a.M«ur-
in^ tlif ••tTi<N*r M-nt to f*i>nitnuniente with liini by th«* KilNdai
And>« t KImfi. that h«» \%:u\ n"«i«iiri|f«| bin diH*en*iH*«fi with th»»ir i^ini-
ni«iii iii:i-t' r. til*' kin;; of Vif»ya|»oor. wIh»h4» «*r^*ant he prof«-«*H»^|
hiiii'W'lf t'» \m', ht* pn-vail«*«l on th** oH man. an*om|tani«'<l !»%• hi** --in-
nnil pl:iti«.iiH. to |*iy a vi«»it of frii*ndHhip at hi^ teiit?« . wlien* they
w«*ri- all tna4*heri«u««|y M.-i»*4t. and the fort «if (•inj«*4* fell intti hia
haieU uith'iiit a blow.
Thi«* im|ii>rtant < Vf*nt «xptain«*«l in the numt uner|uiv(iral
maiin< r hi^ int4*ntion^ with n*«/anl t4i the kiii^ «»f Vii4>yA|ioor; and
the oth»T fMrtn'<t«e^ Ihih-m-^^^I in prauveda by the tn«»|H of tliai
|io%iir wt'n- tliUH wanH*«l t«» pri*|i«rf* for a vi^»n»ua di'femv. The
Wrak* r pl.'ir* H fill rapidly into hi* h:indH ; and tin* kinj; 'if tio|ei»nda.
nw.ikitiin:: fi»'ni hi> MtHM»r. di^^-tiven"*! the >^i*hii ini|tiMtun* of
whl<'li li«* Ii.kI Iiith*-rt4i U'fft tbo «lu|«i*. In the r«*4*«inU of Madrid
S\nji*«' !•» r* pr* %i iiti^l. %o lato an the Mh »»fJune. aa " wrviiij;
th«* kin;/ ff (f«»Ki.fii|n a;;niitat Vijeya|wN»r ; ' " \fry ht»n**Mly
hitlirrto •« 'tit* lit III;; )i!in*M-lf with hi«i {lay ;" but on the 7ird of
July hf* II •«tiit«'i| til U* '* baHlin;^ Cfi»|oinda. and puttiiii; lii*« «»wn
|«*i»p|f (\«-r\ulMn* in |iON^*v«iiin Clol<*«Hida fit«»|iA |iayiiit>iiU ainl
SfVaj'-f U-jiu^ t«» i^aat al«»ut fnr plun<lt*r «»%rr th** wh«»h' i>»iin-
try . ^hi-h, on tlie i.%1 of lK«tjiU*r. ia •li-^rnl»e«l. in th** «piaint
lan^^na;;*- ••! th«iM* tiini**!. a« " ptfletl t** the Imne^* S»%'ajf»»n *y*-
ti'in «»f «*«>!<I-Mimh|«^| plundfr wa< i>*;^ilat««l with a d«xre«' of akill
and vi;;iLunN« which prnfT-n-'l not the ni«»t minute article of theA
or n*bU ry t'» <*9ica|«* hi% t*li>M*r\iUion anil t*ontr«»l Hi** exUMiMw
e^lMTitiKv in Hh» diarovery itt hidtkn trvanur^*. aitle«l. wilhuut
doulii in ini|MirtAnt OMen liy went int(dli|;ence. eiialJetl hiui !•*
52 sevajee's meetino with ecxx)jee. [chap. m.
direct bis detached officers to the most probable places of con-
cealment. The general correctness of his conjectures (readilv
ascribed by the Hindoos to the 8Uj)ematural aid Which they sen*
ously believed him to possess), was transformed into the belief of
his being able to give in all cases an unerring direction to every
treasure of every private family ; and this tale of wonder has been
presented, with little variation, to the credulity of Europe.
After the capture of Qinjee, the object of next imporiance
was the siege of Vellore, which made a respectable defence from
the middle of May until the end of September ;* and in the
details of the siege, which are preserved in the manuscript liistoiy,
it is observable that the fortified posts on the adjacent hills are
distinguished by the Mahratta names which they at present bear,
and had probably received from his fatlier Shahjee.
In tne intermediate period, however, the conquests of Seviyee
did not respect the territories of his brother Eccojee, who, aware
of the danger at a very early period, had prepared for defence,
by alliances with the Naick of Mudura and Uie Raja of Mjrsoor ;
and with their aid opposed an active resistance to tne progress of
his brother's arms. But Ragonaut Narrain, the guide and coun-
sellor of Sevajee in this expedition, having been sent as an am-
bassador to the Naick of Madura, succe^ed in detaching him
from the alliance, and obtaining the i)ayment of a considerable
military contribution* It was immediately after this defection,
viz., in July 1677, that an interview was proposed and effected
between the half-brothel's Sevajee and Eccojee for the first and
only time in their lives. The conference related chiefly to their
respective claims in the division of their father s conquests ; and
the discussions, although obscurelv stated both in the historical
manuscript, and in the corresponaence of the native agent of the
government of Madras, seem to favour the supposition that the
conquest of Tanjore was considered to have been effected dnxiiig
the life of Shahjee. However this may be, it is certain that Ecco-
jee was so little satisfied with the apparent intentions of his bro-
ther, that he escaped during the succeeding night to Tanjore, and
recommenced hostilities. But after the lapse of a few months^
and the conquest of every thing north oi the river Coleroon,
the presence of Sevajee was demanded in another quarter. He
appointed a stn)ng force for the protection of his new conquests.
and prejMired to de|)art at the head of a select corps of no more
than four thousand horse ; leaving directions with his generals to
embrace the earliest oj)portunity of suii)rising the Dutch and
English settlements of Paliacate, Sadras, and Madras :f but
confinning to the French their possession of Pondicherry, as stated
by Am^uetil du Perron,^ who nowevcr dates the letter of Seva-
• 1 can only ascertain that it fell sometime between the S4th of Angust
and 8th of October, and apparently nearer to the latter than the former mc.
t Madras Records. t L'lude en rapport avoc Europe, VoL I, p. 190.
CBAP. III.] lUBTURN TO CONCAK. 53
r,
in July 1C30, a time when Sovajee was onl^ four years okL
do not regard Uiis error with any suspicion of intentional misro-
|)resentation in that auUior, whom I have generally found to be
scru|mlously accurate in his facts, however I may dissent from
his oniniona
i>urin|^ the absence of Sevajee in Drauve<ia, Uie Mojpl army had
invailed Vijeya|M)or, and the king of Uolcomla, awaking fnmi his
dream of conquest, and roused at length 14) tlie oon%'iction of tlieir
oomni«»n interest, sent an aid which enabled tlie state of Vijeyaimor
to make a fi>rmi«lable resistance in ttie field. Tli«*Me o|wrations,
which Suvaiee liad [mibably fonsseen, prevented tliat state from
Bucc«iuriiig its distant |Kissessions in DrauvtHhi, aiitl eiuiblo<l him,
by making a circuit nmntl Uie greater iNirt of itn fn»iitier, to fall
unexi>ecU*dly on its must remot4) d'»minu»ns ; and afU*r deireiving
ei|uaJly his friends an<l his enuinies, and inv«>lviiig lM»th in m^rioiiH
hostility, to return undifiturUHl and liglitly atU^mled to the iVm-
can ; vij%iting in his way the iMisMeAsionH hold by the <liff(*rL'iit
branches of his family in ihc direct mail from Vellore, by C«»lar,
OmM^»ta, liangalon*. and (inrat lWla|iiM>r. t(» Sera, and tlieiM'o
pnK>'«*<ling by the aAxniMU^nnl nmte «>f Hurryhur. tlin»ugh the
pn>viiicc of 8avatio«»r, to Ids faMtm*3M4^ in tho wt*?it(*ni miigt*.
The de|tartun* of »S*vaj«*e was the signal ftir rviiewiNl exerticm
on the |Mirt of his bmUicr at TanJ4ire, wh(» in the month «»f l>e-
oerobur obtaiiii!«l a ct»iiiplcte vicU»ry t»vvr SaiitHJ4*c,* the ct>m-
man<ler in chief of «Suvajcv n fonxss in l>niuvi*«la. Uut this gviirral,
stung Willi the ilisgraiv, amembled his otiitvrs on the Manic night,
ami pn»|iom««l a pUii for retri<*viiig tlie fortune of llie day, which
was unanimously aminivctl ; iho troo|)ii were acd>nliiigiy onlereil
under anus aArr a slii^ rvfresliment, and retuniing to tlie fit«ld.
whcrv Eocojee ivposc«l in tlie security «ff victor}*, comidetely
suqiriscd his army, and maile a «lruidful carnage. A small rem-
nant cwcaped with Erc^ijtHs across the river ; iumI early in 1G7H
a \irmns wan <»nc*ludc«l, which n^»reil U* him a small |Mirtioii of
Ui« trrriUtry ho luwl UmU on Uie |Miyment of a a>iuiitlt*nibti« {itvu-
niary aid. which was cwr a |ifvmiueiit condition in all tlie treaties
uf Sevajee.
* In lbs reconli oi Hmitmrn bs u dmcribed s# ths hn>ther of 80vig«s»
wkicb mtaaC \m sa srrur. l*b« ttsms id HstiUgc« Giirr|»tt«lfia» t«f OurttMirs,
siipQsni in ibc rcoinU cil lbs muuc moA Milit«>|Urnl year, «« lb« lc«dsr (if iJu
V^;#ri, m» tbc MsbraltsA src frr«|snilljr tuuoed at thai period. H tbii br
Ibe ftAmr Hauit^iee, Ibc i^kiiUtHul nmmt •bswf bus to bsTs been Ibc soocilof
(4 lbs ccUbraUd Meran flow ol GeoU.
CHAPTER IV.
FKOM 1672 TO 1704
Ponner eurclnsion and prrsent accession of Chick Deo Saj — Judiciai astrology
— means of accom2>lishing its predictions — Neto minuter — i^ott-offUt^
tuples — Vigorous but unpopular acfministration — Religion of the R^fa — Tke
minister assamnated by the Jungum — His successor — Folicy observed im tke
exte^^ior encroachments of this reign — Remarkable purchase qf JBangalart
— Farther conquests — to the north and west — and east — Expedition to Tri'
thinopoly — Fiuse ]>oHcy of Aurungzebe in the apparent conquest and real
increase of his enemies — Abuses — and financial difficnlties—A Mahraiia
army intntdes Mysoor — Recall of tfie troojts from Trichinopoly^tSingHlar
victory — h'mbasity to Aurungzebe — its motives and resu/t-^The Rajs
assumes the dignity of being seated on a throne — N^ew arrangememt of
the departments of government--^ Ptiblic (wconomy and onler — Wealth—
Extent if territory — Necessity of allotting a separate diapter to the
question of latiiled property,
CHICK DEO RAJ.
The rcmiirkable irruption of Sevajeo into the countries of Dnia-
vc<1ji, wliicli closed our last chapter, cames u» to a )ieriod six
ywii-s later than tht3 connnentiement of the reij^n of Chick De*»
Rjij ; but no material event occun-ed within that Hhort |)criod to
require an interruption in our retrospective naiTativc.
We have already noticed that this Raja and his father were
passed over in the order of lineal descent in 1G59; and he now
succeeded to the throne at the mature age of forty-five. His
early youth had btjen passed at the remote town of Yellanrloor,
where he had fomie<l an intimacy with Viahn Laekska I\indit^ of
the sect of Jain, who was afterwards more generally known by the
appellation oiiheJa'ni Pundttt or YellandrM>r Pundit When, in
the preceding reign, Chick Deo Raj nnd his father had been placed
under restraint at the more ol>»cure fort of Hemnil, in the distrifi
of Uocmdul, the Pundit continued his atUichment, and followed hn
friend to the place of his confinement. Among the various brancheit
of literature in which the Pundit was emim^ntly accomplishes!, he
ha<I the reputation of profound knowledge in astrology ; an ima-
ginary science, which continues to the present day to bo an
object of serious study and universal delusion in every part of
India ; and by the aspect of the stiirs he had discovered that
Chick Deo Raj would certaiidy succeed to the throne. This
prc<liction had, in their hours of confidence, boon frequentiy
repeated ; and Chick Deo liaj had been induced to declare, that
in such event Visha Ijacksha should beconui his prime minister.
Fortified with this assunince, the Pundit set al>out the acconi-
pli.shment of his | prediction by going to the capital, and secretly
i HAP IV.) tilM'K MC«» liAJ
ii.i
aniHiutit'iii;^ b* tlif |ierN4»iih |mihni'nh«*«I of tlu* rliirf iiifluetici* in tlio
tfnviTiiiiM'iit. tlic* fiitun* HUi*ft*Hsioii of ( 'liirk IU*«> KiiJ, as nti event
wliich uji.H writt4*n in tht* dts'nvH of fute. iin<l miiM nt»t immhiMv
U* iiv«*rU?«i. Ttir rt*|>uUtl lt«»niin;( of tin* Piuiflit piincd iin eany
ami ^'noinl oriMlcmv t4> Uie tlecision of HiMiv«*n ; Hn«l when I>u<l
I Km I |{jij <litHl, ev««r)' one wai* |in»|«nHl U^ nnrwive Inn inevit-
aIiIi* huc(^*MHor. The Pundit luul carefullv alMtAintni fniin
unfi»l<iin^ that |Mi^ of the UkiIc of fate in which h in own elevs-
tit »n wan |»riNiniain<Hl, nn event whieh At firnt |»ro<hiee«l c«»nMi«ler-
ahK* HiirnriHi* An<i nnirmuni; hut the Mt^^mly and d«*tennined elm-
nu'ter ot the haja. Aid«Ml \.y the vi^mniH mletitA of hin new mi-
nister. «juiekly HU|niif?«HtMl ev«n* ojH*n Hvniptoni t»f tiJMN intent.
Ani«»n^ tht* («nrlie«4t nieaHun.^ of the new n*i^i wiui tin* ««Hta-
hiifthnient for the tirKt time of a n*^lar |MH%t thn»uuhout Iiih dt>nu-
nionn. The |Mmt-4»tfi<t» waa not (»nly. aH in Kn:;land, the imMiive
inHtniinent fur «*«»nveyin^ inteilik'^*n<v, hut the ai*tive ap^nt for
oIkUiinin:; it* The |M«itmaMterH at the aeverai nUitioan wen\ in
ad<lition t4» their |iaa#»ive duties, what in the ni«Mh*ni vomhulary
of Kurt»|H* Would U* iiame<i eitntidrutial a'^i'nta of |Miiii>* ; aiul
all the inferior Ner\'atiUi of Uie <lt*|iiirtm<*iit wrn* |iri>f«*»M*«l t*\*u^,
uho nui'le n^^dar n*|Mirtii «if th«* fMvn*t trannai'tionri of tiie din-
triet. wliieh wen* aa r^n^larly tranKiuitt<<<i to i*ourt : whatev<T
Uien*fon* mi^ht liave lieeii the viewa of tin* fonner niiniMtern, they
wrn* e(r«<('ttudly tleterriMl fmiu (iirr\'in^ them inti» exivution hy
tlie a4*ti%ity. nuriHjMely exa^p'raUnl. of thin nt*w and t«*rrihle in-
atnini«*nt t»f dtifk|N»tiniu. whieh we mIiaII hen^f^T tin<l im|irov«sl,
and jwtuall) or){auijoiMl, under the (vlehrat^^l liyder, to a dt*)^*e
whieh wmn^dy a<lmitU*<l of farther ri|:tiur.
The ehief ttiianeial m««aun« of tliia i\»i^i will \^ nvn^r^'erl for
a M*|«iraU* clia|»ter. in «>nier U> avoiil an unnetM-«*iar>' int4*rru|»ti«>o
U* tht* narrative of inditu^l evenia ; and tin* «Mn(|U(<f4H. whit*h
|in-nent litUi* intere»it, «»r demand im» iMUticular explAiiation. will lio
nvit4«*i aa UiiuaJ at tin* en*! tif the r\*i|;n.
The tir^t fourti<«*n yimm t»f tlita jv'n^ wt*n* ocru|>i<<il in thi«o
financial uieAaarea, int^*rior n*fonn*«. and minor oinqutwtn ; hut
tlifw* refoniiM IumI n*nd«'nni uti un|K»|»ular Um* a«lminiHtrmiion of the
Jain Pundit, to fihom they werv cliielly attrihuU**!. tJiat a nhui
wan aecretly iH»noertc*«l ftir hia aaaiiaainati«m. Lliick iK^i Kaj )ia«l.
witht»ut «loulit. in tlie t«rlv |«n tif hi«i life, Iteen etiumtoil
in the diictrinea of the Juiipim,* which waa the reli^poii
of hia anecaUini : ho ha<l liitlierto, ainnu hi» aceenhion to the
throne. Uiewn no very inarkcil attachment U> any form <»f wor*
Uii|», but waa auppoaiHl, fnim [aurtiruUr hahila wliicli ho had
adopt4Ml, and from the p'vat inducnci* of tiio Jain iHuulit.f to
have ounoei\ud tbo intention of rvvivinj; tlie doctrioea uf tluii
ancient tmxU Tlio Pundit waa attacked and mortally wutmded,
^ For an aoouopt of iLia ft«rt tee Apptwlii, Ka 4
t tim Apfnadu, Ka ft.
iiii PURCHASE OF BANGALORE. [CHAP. IV.
while retnniing at ni<;ht, in the usual manner, from court to his
own dwell in<j[ ; and as, in addition to religious motives, the Jun-
<Xum had a deep account of revenge to retaliate, for the murder
of their priests ; an event which will be related in the financial nar-
ration to which it belongs ; the suspicion of this assassination fell
chiefly upon that people, and tendeni to coitfirm the alienation of
the Baja s mind from the doctrines of their sect. He "was much
affected at the intelligence of this event, and immediately pn>-
ceeded to the house of the minister to console him in ms list
moments, and to receive his advice regarding the choice of a suc-
cessor. The advice was entirely unprejudiced, and he recom-
mended, as the most able and honourable man of the court, a pezsoo
of adverse religion, namely, Tremalayangar, a bramin of the sect
of Vishnoo. To him the Raja gave his whole confidence; and,
in conformity to his advice, soon afterwards made an open pro-
fession of the doctrines of that prevailing religion. In other
respects, the new administration was conductea on the same
principles as the preceding, and with an equal degree of pru-
dence and vigour.
In the first years of this reign, the enterprizes of Sevajee
and the pressure of the Mogul arms occupied tno kings of Gol-
conda and Vijeyapoor. The conquests of^ Sevajee in Drauvedi
in the year 1G77 had established him in front and rear of his
former sovereign of Vijeyai>oor ; and the communication between
those distant possessions was kept up by means of the branches
of his family possessing Bangalore and the other south-eaatem
provinces of Camatic Proper, and by a good understanding with
the potty states which formed a chain across the peninsula im-
me<liately to the northward of the territory then possessed by
Mysoor. This state was thus placed, as it were, in an anm
removed from the line of general military operations ; and while
the transiictions in Deckan and Drauveda became more com-
plicate<], the greater powers, namely the Mogul lieutenants, the
two Mohamme^lan kings of Deckan, and Sevajee, found in each
other opiK)nentA too powerful to admit of their attending, in the
manner that their im|)ortance required, to the gradual and akilfiil
encroachments of ChicK Deo Raj.
Sevajee died in 1G80 ; and in 1G84 Aurungzebe returned to
tlie Deckan with an immense army, determined to crush the
formidable [>ower of the Mahrattas, and to subjugate the Mo-
hammedan states of Vijeyapoor and Oolconda, which two latter
states he finally reduced from 1086 to 1C88. Eccojee in Tan-
jore finding his distant dominion of Bangalore to be an expenrive
and precarious possession, insulated in a great decree by the con-
tending armies which constantly ranged over Uie intermediate
country, wisely determined to sell it to the highest bidder.
Cliick Deo Raj finally agreed to be the purchaser ; at a price
{tlvi'ee lacs of i^vpeef) which sufficiently marics the public opmkn
CHAP, nr.] FAKTHER CONQUfism 67
of iho instability of all possessions in those days of general con*
volsion : a detachment was accordingly sent to occupy the new
purchase, and to pay the consideration. But the negotiation
naving been long protracted had become a matter of notoriety,
and attracted the^ attention of Harjee Raja the Mahratta com-
mander in chief at Ginjee, and of Aurungzebe, who had just
raised the siege of Golconda on the condition of receiving a mi-
litary contribution of two millions sterling. These powers en-
tertaining a high opinion of the importance of Bangalore, sent
each a detachment from those distant and opposite stations to
anticipate the Raja of Mysoor, and endeavour to seize Bangalore
for themselves* Kasim Khan, the officer of Aurungzebe, making
forced marches to the westward of the range of ghauts, arrived
first, and the place being in the dismantled state which may be
imagined when about to be sold, was incapable of making a
proper defence, and yielded to Kasim Khan without material
opposition. The detachment of Harjee Raja finding itself anti-
cipated, returned without much effort to the lower country.
The imperial colours, however, were only hoisted for four days on
the ramparts of Bangalore ; for Kasim Khan, who had more im-
pcHiant objects in view, found that by accepting the price which
the Raja was still willing to pay, he should, exclusively of a pecu-
niary aid, be relieved from the necessity of making a large de-
tachment for the occupation of the place, while its use as a point
of communication would still be preserved ; it was accordingly
delivered in July 1687 to the troops of Cliick Deo Raj. It was
obviously prudent in the state of Mysoor to abstain from any
encroachments which should attract the particular attention of
the greater powers : and although Chick Deo Raj observed the
general policy of enlai-ging his dominions in the more unobserved
directions, yet as he acquired more confidence in his strength
and political address, we find him venturing across the line of
general operation which has been des<!ribed So early as 1676
and 1677 he engaged in the eon([uest of the territories of the
Hindoo chief of Mudgerry ; and previously to the arrival of
Kasim Khan in 1687, he had seized most of the principal places
necessary for connecting his former frontier with this more north-
em acquisition. The amicable arrangement by which he ob-
tained possession of Bangalore would render it incumbent on
Kasim Khan to represent Mysoor to Aurungzebe as a state
which ought to be encouraged as a counterpoise in the south to
the dangerous power of the Mahrattas ; and although it is
known that the conquest of Mysoor was in the direct contem-
plation of that emperor, it was obviously his interest to post-
pone it so long as the Raja could be of use by being placed
on the flank and rear of his actual enemies. We may on the
whole infer, with great probability, the establishment and c.on-
tinuanco of a friendly intercourse between Kasim Khan and the
H
58 EXPEDITION TO TRICHINOPOLY. [CHAP. IV.
Raja, who skilfully availed himself of the confusioti of the timesi
and continued to propitiate, in whatever manner, the court of
Aurungzebe. In the succeeding year we accordingly find him
wresting Ooscota and some places of minor importance from tho
connections of the Mahrattas,* and pusliing his conquests to
the eastward, below the gliauts, in that and tho following year
over a considerable portion of the Baramahal, and of Salem, as
far south as Pennetti on the Caveri. In 1090 he turned his arms
to the opposite direction ; and in the four following years had
extended his dominion to the verge of the western hills of Bed-
nore, with which power he seems to have concluded in the year
1694 an advantageous peace, which left him in possession of
most of his conquests. Thus relieved from hostility on the west^
his increasing power and resources encouraged him, after a few
years of repose, to turn again his attention to the S. E., and to plan
the conquest of the dominions of the Naick of Madura, com-
mencing his operations with the siege of the important town of
Trichinopoly. In the intermediate period, since the acquisition
of Bangalore in 1687, Aurungzebe had found sufficient occupa-
tion in the conquest of the Deckan. Neither the destruction of
the monarchies of Vijeyapoor and Golconda, the death of Seva-
jee, nor the capture and cruel murder of Sambajee his son, in
1691, seemed to improve the prospects of that emperor for the
general subjugation of the south. From the first appearance of
Sevajee as an independent leader, his armies had been recruited
with the troops of all castes, which the gorgeous improvidence of
the Mohammedan kings of Deckan had compelled them to dis-
charge ; or by the direct defection of those in actual employ who
were chiefly Mahrattas. The destruction of the two last of these
Mohammedan states left two considerable^ armies disbanded,
unemployed, and seeking for employment. The policy of Au-
rungzebe, however sagacious in many instances, could not
descend to the contemplation of peril from the dregs of a van-
quished people : tlie abuses, now grown too dangerous to be at
once reformed, which had crept into the payment and mustering of
his armies^ added to tho overwhelming expenses of his splendour
and state, deprived him of the means of preventing these armies
from being again marshalled against him. The necessity of attend-
ing to this pregnant source of danger was accordingly merged in
the greater necessities of disordered finance ; and the whole or the
greater part of the armies which had recently been opposed to him
were, in a short period of time, united to different bands of Mahratta
* Ooscota had been assigned by Shahjce, when Huminoned to court, to
Jns minister Ishwunt Kow. I cannot trace with certainty in whose poases*
sion it was at this time. Pootia*s manuscript says the house of Eccojee.
t " In the countries dependent on Hyderabad and Vijeyapoor, which
before their conquest maintained above two hundred thousand oorse, there
were not now stationed above thirty-four thousand/' says the Bondela officer,
when narrating the events of a few years afterwards. Scott, vol. ii, p. I07«
CHAP. IV.] MAHRATTA ARMY INVADES MYSOOT^. 59
marauders, who at this period began to swarm in greater numbers
than had ever before appeared in almost every part of India ; thus
presenting to the power of Aurungzebe opposition more abundant,
diversified and perplexing, at the very time that he had flattered
himself with the destruction of the last of his enemies in the person
of Sambajee. On the capture of this chief, Bama, the second son of
Sevajee, escaped after many perils across the peninsula, and assumed
the direction of the Mahratta powers at Ginjeo. Zulfecar Khan,
with a large portion of the imperial army, had been employed since
1693 in feeble and ineffectual attempts to reduce that strong fortress ;
although he had extended his conquests over the open country with
some d^ree of vigour, and with fluctuating success ; and had exacted
contributions from the Zemindars* (as they are uniformly named) of
Tanjore and Trichinopoly. It was probably one of the auxiliary
Mahratta armies, or reinforcenmets, under the command of Jugdeo
Ohautkee, and Nimbajee Ghautkee, which, passing from the western
country for the support of Ginjee and Drauveda, and provoked by
the aggressions of Cnick Deo Raj, or incited by the hope of plunder,
suddenly appeared before Seringapatam, while the strength of the
army was employed in the siege of Trichinopoly. An express was
instantly sent to the Dulwoy Comareia, directing him to return for
the protection of the capitaLf He is stated in the family manuscript
• See Scott, vol. ii. p. 81.
^ t This is one of the few dates which I nave failed in arranging to my
satisfaction. Neither the records of districts, nor the otherwise very correct
M8. of Pootia, are careful in recording the date of an event, exceptingwhen it
has been followed by a change of possession. The memoirs of the Dulwoys
have few dates : they place tma Mahratta invasion next in the order of events
to the occupation of Bangalore. Poomia's compilation, formed on a discussion
of authorities, places it after the western conq^uests from Bednoor ; but all are
agreed that the Mysoorean army was at the time before Trichinopoly. If we
should adopt the former, and conjecture the Mahratta force io question to be
that which is disonssed by Mr Orme in 165 to 158 of his Historical Fragments,
namely, that which marched for the occupation of Bangalore in 1687, we must
eoncluae that this Mahratta force watched the passage of the Mysoorean army
through the pass of Tapoor towards Trichinopoly, and moved rapidly across
its rear by ChanganSf Wodiardrooff, and Kaunkanhully, to Seringapatam. The
objections to the adoption of this date seem to be nearly insuperable. Accord-
ing to Pootia's manuscript, the flag of Mysoor was hoisted at Bangalore on the
mb of July 1687 ; the Mahratta troops did not leave Qinjee till August ; on the
10th of November they are stated by Mr. Orme to be again at Trinomalce, and
they had probably been there for some time before the intelligence reached
Madras : a conjecture which is founded on the usual severity of the season,
and the ordinary habit of the Mahrattas to be hutted by the 15th of October,
when within the influence of the N. £. monsoons. Calculating the longest
period that can be embraced between these probable extremes, and adverting
to the nature of the country to be passed by these two armies respectively
sncurobered with the equipments olf a siege, it can scarcely be considered
possible that the Mysooreans could make their arrangements for the occu^
potion of their new possessions, receive equipments for the siege of Trichino-
poly, march to that place, be engaged in the siege, and return to Seringapatam ;
and that the -Mahratta army could have invested Seringapatam and have
msrohed idfter their defeat to Trinomalee within the supposed period, But
00 SINQULAR VICTORY. [CHAP. IV.
" to have made a vow not to appear before Iiis Raja until he had taken
Trichinopoly : in consequence of which he permitted his son Dudoia
to take the command, and reserving with himself a small force,
went' afterwards to Ginjee ;" a determination which seems to afford
strong evidence of treachery, and of some secret intrigues wliich
prevent our having I'eceived a more distinct account of this material
transaction. Authorities are, however, agreed in stating that his
son did proceed by rapid marches for the relief of the capital, and
defeated the enemy by means of a most unmilitary practice, which
we find to have been peculiar to the army of Mysoor so long after-
wards as 1751 ; namely, that of always performing their night
marches by the light of numerous torches.* It was impracticable
to conceal altogether from the Mahratta army the approach of this
relief, and this peculiar practice was made the foundation of a
stratagem, which was effected in the following manner. In the
evening the Dulwoy sent a small detachment in the direction
opposite to that on which he had planned his attack ; and in the
probable line by which he would move to throw his force into the
capital. This detachment was furnished with the requisite number
of torches and an equal number of oxen, which were arranged at
independently of the shortness of time, and the disagreement in the names of
the leaders, it places the expedition at a time of the year when the river
Caveri is full, and \vhen it would be scarcely practicablo to undertake the
siege of Trichinopoly from the north.
The grounds (wliich I ofifer without any positive confidence) for adopting
the order of time stated in Poomia's MS. are the following. I find in a generiu
letter from Madras in 1695>6 that Zulfecar Khan is outnumbered by the Mah-
rattas, of whom more were expelled from Concon, and, if not supported, must
(in their opinion) either join with the Mabrattas or submit ; but that an army
was reported to be coming to his assistance. Tliis army under Ihinn^ee Jadoo
Row we know to have arrived in 1696. On the 19th of January 1696-7 in a
mutilated paragraph, of which the worms hod become the chief poasessorSy
I find the following.
" 11th. Nabob Zulphecar Cawn is gone into the Misore cautUrp rafter
the Mahratta army (whether to join them or fight them uncertain) and hath
left a very small part of his army in these parts."
The blanks are filled in Italics, and may be varied according to the imagin-
ation of the reader : but my inference is, that finding on his arrival in or near
Mysoor that the Mahratta army was already defeated and dispersed, he returned
immediately into the lower country, from which it is certain that he was not
long absent : according to the journal of the Bondela officer, translated by
Captain Scott, Zoolfecar Khan received a large reinforcement in 1696, but was
compelled to raise the siege of Ginjee in the same year. This expedition to
M^8oor is not specified in the narrative of the Bondela officer among the oper-
ations of the year 1697 ; probablv from being reUnouished almost as soon as
undertaken ; but the conjecture here submitted is farther strengthened by a
paragraph from Madras dated the 7th of August 1697, which states that ^'ihsre
IS now no army of Mahrattas in these parts," and 1 should rather infer an
omission in the narrative of the Bondela officer than a misstatement in the
letter from Madras, where at this time the transactions around them are gene-
r^dly stated with a decree of accuracy which doubles our regret at the destmo-
tion of so large a portion of the records. — N. B. I have been enabled to correct
the above blanks m the Madras copy from the records at the IncUa-house.
* See Mr. Orme's account, vol i, p. 5^11.
CHAP. IV.] EMBASSY TO AURUNGZEBE. 61
proper distances, with a flambeau tied to the horns of each, in a
sitaiEU^ion where they could not be observed by the enemy. At
an appointed signal the torches were lighted and the oxen driven
in the concerted direction, so as to indicate the march of the
army, attempting to force its way through the besiegers by an
attack on the flaiik of their position. So soon as it was perceived
that the enemy were making a disposition to receive the army
of torches, Dudeia silently approached their rear, and obtained
an easy but most sanguinary victory. The two Ghautkees and
most of their officers were killed, and the action terminated in
the capture of the whole of their ordnance, baggage, and mili-
tary stores of every description ; and the disorder and flight of
the remnant of their army. The Raja on the following day
ordered his general and principal officer^ to be presented to him
in public durbar, in the same military habits in which they had
fought, " covered with the blood of his enemies ;" and in this
state rewarded them with dresses and ornaments of honour, and
munificent presents proportioned to their respective rank and exploits.
Kasim Khan, the friend and protector of the Raja at the
court of Aurungzebe, who had for many years held some of the
highest offices of the state, died in the following year ; and this
event had probably a considerable influence in determining
Chick Deo Raj to Bend a splendid embassy with valuable pre-
sents to the impeiial court. His various conquests had excited
combinations against him among his powerful neighbours, and a
certain degree of jealousy in the mind of the emperor himself.
It was necessary that he should establish a fresh interest at court,
and, if possible, obtained the recognition of his authority in its pre-
Bent enlarged extent. Some motives of vanity were probably
also mixed with those of policy, and his late signal victory over
the Mahratta enemies of the emprie aflfoixled solid ground for
expecting a favourable reception. The splendour of the em-
bassy does not, however, appear to have made much impression
at the imperial court ; and if we may judge from the trifling sum*
recorded to have been expended in the entertainment of the am-
bassadors, the Zemindar of Mysoor (as he is called) was not held
to be a person of very high consideration. Whether Aurungzebo
actually conferred the high honours which were pretended to be
received, would perhaps bo a balanced question if it were of suf-
ficient importance to merit a separate discussion. It is sufficient
to our present purpose to state that they were publiclv as-
sumed, and as far as is known were never questioned ; altnough
a similar assumption on the part of the Raja or Zemindar of
Bednore (namely, that of sitting on a throne), attracted the ven-
geance of Aurungzebe some years afberwarda The embassy
which departed in the year 1699 found the imperial court at
* Two hundred rupees. Notes on the Asophia Dufter, communicated by
Cdonel W. KirkpatricK to Msgor Mackenzie.
02 NEW ARRANGEMENT OF GOVT. DEPARTMENTS. [CHAP. IV.
Ahmednugjjfur, and returned in the year 1700. The Dulwoy and
other great officers of state were sent out in due form to receive
the supposed letter, j)resents, aud insignia of honour despatched
by the emperor, which were carried in solemn procession tlirou^^h
the town ; and after being exhibited in the great temple at the
feet of the idol Sree Run^ja, were brought in similar state to the
palace. Among the presents was a new signet prepared by the
emperor s direction, bearing the title of Jug Deo Raj, which was
thenceforth em]>loyed ; and part of the ceremonial was the new
dignity alleged to have been conferred by the emperor of being
seated on an ivory throne. This was aferwards used by his sue*
cessors, and is the same which, in tlie year 1799, was mund in a
lumber-room of Tippoo Sultaun s j)aIaco ; was employed in the
installation of the present Raja ; and is always used by him on
occasions of public ceremony.
It was soon after the return of this emlmssy that he is also
stated, in some manuscripts, to have distributed the business of
the government into eighteen cutcheries or departments, in con-
sequence of learning from the ambassadors that such was the
practice of the imperial government, and consequently fit to be
arlopted by so great a prince as Jug Deo Raj (the sovereign of
the world) ; but this arrangement is referred by others to an
earlier period. I incline to the former supposition, from being
unable to trace any good reasons for the establishment of so many
departments for the transaction of business, which might wida
greater simplicity and convenience be allotted to less than half
that number : the reader who has sufficient curiosity to form his
own judgment on a subject of so little importance, will find these
depjirtments detailed in the subjoined note.*
• 1. Nerooj) Chaouree cutchery or department, or the secretary's depart*
ment, to which he appointed one IJaroga or superintendent, and three Dutters,
registers or books ot record (N. B. every tlimg was recorded in eacli of the
three in exactly the same manner) ; all letters or orders despatch^ to be
previously read to the Bs^a. 2. Eikut Chaouree, whose business it was to
keep the general accounts of revenue, treasury, and disbursements civil and
military ; this seems to approach our ofBce of accountant generid. 3 and 4.
Obeik Vichar, or two^fola enquiry. He divided his whole possessions into
two portions ; that north of the Cavery he called the Puitun JIMy ; that
south of the Cavery was named the Mynoor Hobly : to each of these cutcheries
lie appointed one Dewan and three Dufters. 5. Seerac Cundachar : it was
the duty of this cutchery to keep the accounts of provisions and military
stores, and all expenses of the provincial troops, including those connected
with the maintenance of the garrisons : one Buckshee and three Dufters. 6L
Bakul Cundachar (bakul, a gate or portal) : it was the duty of this depart-
ment to keep the accounts of the troops attending at the porte^ that is to say,
the army, or disposable force. 7. Soonka D6 Chaouree, or duties and eustona :
it was their duty to keep the general accounts of customs levied within his
dominions, 8. Pom Chaouree : in every talook where the soonka was taken
there was another or second station, where a farther sum equal to half the
former amount was levied ; for this duty he established a separate cutchery.
9. Tundaia Chaouree ; tundaia, half, t. 0., half of the pom : this was a farther
fourth of the first duty, levied in Seringapatam only. 10 and 11. In the
CHAP. IV.] WEALTH AND EXTENT OP TERRITORY. 68
It is certain that the revenues were realized with great regU'
larity and preciaion, and this Raja is stated to have established a
separate treasury to provide for extraordinary and unexpected
disbursements, of which he himself assumed the direct custody.
It was his fixed practice, after the performance of his morning
ablutions, and marking his forehead with the upright insignia of
Vishnoo, to deposit two bags (thousands) of pagodas in this trea-
sury from the cash despatched from the districts, before he pro-
ceeded to break his fast. If there were any delay in bringing the
money he also delayed his breakfast, and it was well known that
this previous operation was indispensable. By a course of rigid
economy and order, and by a widely extended and well or-
ganized system of securing for himself the groat m^ws of plunder
obtained by his conquests, he had accumulated a treasure, from
which he obtained the designation of Nou-kote-Narrain, or the
lord of nine crores (of pagodas), and a territory producing a re-
venue calculated on the estimate of the schedules annexed to the
treaties of 1792 and 1799, of Canterai pagodas 1,323,571 ; a sum
which is no farther remarkable than in its near coincidence with
the value of territory assigned to the revived state of Mysoor after
the lapse of another century in 1799, when the minister of one of
the confederates objected to its amount, as being (notoriously, ac-
cording to him) much greater than the Hindoo state of Mysoor
had even possessed. The curiosity of many of my readers may be
gratified by referring to the annexed map descriptive of the actual
extent of Mysoor at this period, and noting the powers by which
it was surroimded. Sucn of them as may desire to investigate
the valuation to which I have adverted, will find it detailed in a
convenient form in Appendix, No. 6.
Before proceeding to relate the remarkable change in the
actual condition of the landholders of Mysoor, which was intro-
Obeik Vichar was not included the Sree Bung Puttun and Mysoor A staarams,
id^t townships) : for each of these he had a separate cutcheiy ; besides the
cosiness of revenue they were charged with the provisions and necessaries of
the garrison and palace. 12. Bennea Chaouree : benn6, butter (the butter
depigment) : the estabUshment of cows, both as a breeding stud, and to
foniish milk and batter for the palace : the name was changed b^ Tippoo to
ArnnU MahcUf and then to Keren Barick, Amnit, the Indian nectar.
Kerenbarick, an Arabic term, may be translated almost verbally Comu Copia,
13. Puttun Chaouree : this cutchery was charged with the poUce of the
metropolis, the repairs of the fortifications and public buildings. 14. Beakiu
Chaoaree (the department of expedition), or the post-office : the business
of espionage belonged also to this department. 15. Sammooka Chaouree :
the officers of the palace, domestics, and personal servants of every descrip-
tion belonged to the charge of this cutchery. 16. Deostan Chaouree kept
^e accounts of the lands allotted to the support of rehgious establishments,
the daily rations of food to the bramins, Ughting the pagodas, <&c. 17. Cubbin
chaouree, iron cutchery : this article was made a monopoly, and its manage-
ment was committed to a separate cutcherv. 18. Hooge Suppm ; the smok-
ing leaf or tobacco (in Telinga it is Pookakoo), another monopoly by the
gOYemment, which in Seriogapatam was the cxcluaivo tobacco merchant.
02 NEW ARRANGEMENT OF GOVT. DEPARTMENTS. [CHAP. IV.
Ahmednuggur, and returned in the year 1700. The Dulwoy and
other great officers of state were sent out in due fonn to receive
the supposed letter, j)resents, aud insignia of honour desimtched
by the emperor, which were carried in solemn j)roce8sion throu^'h
the town ; and after being exhibited in the great temple at the
feet of the idol Sree Runz/a, were brought in similar state to the
palace. Among the presents was a new signet prepared by the
emperor 8 direction, bearing the title of Jug Deo Raj, which was
thenceforth emj)loyed ; and part of the ceremonial was the new
dignity alleged to have been conferred by the emperor of being
seated on an ivory throne. This was aferwards used by his sue*
cessors, and is the same which, in the year 1799, was K)und in a
lumber-room of Tippoo Sultaun's palace ; was employed in the
installation of the present Raja ; and is always used by him on
occasions of public ceremony.
It was soon after the return of this embassy that he is also
stated, in some manu8crij)t8, to have distributed the business of
the government into eighteen cutcheries or departments, in con-
sequence of learning from the ambassadors that such was the
practice of the imperial government, and consequently fit to be
arlopted by so great a prince as Jug Deo Raj (the sovereign of
the world) ; but this arrangement is referred by others to an
earlier period. I incline to the former 8upT)oeition, from being
unable to trace any good reaaons for the establishment of so many
departments for tlie transaction of business, which might with
greater simplicity and convenience be allotted to less than half
that number : the reader who has sufficient curiosity to form his
own judgment on a subject of so little importance, will find these
departments detailed in the subjoined note.*
• 1. Nerooi) Chaouree cutchery or department, or the secretary's depart*
ment, to which he appointed one Daroga or superintendent, and three Dufters,
registers or books of record (N. B. every thing was recorded in each of the
three in exactly the same manner) ; all letters or orders despatched to be
previously read to the ilaja. 2. Eikut Chaouree, whose business it was to
keep the general accounts of revenue, treasury, and disbursements civil and
military ; this seems to approach our ofBce of accountant generid. 3 and 4.
Obeik Vichar, or two'fola enquiry. He divided his whole possessions into
two portions ; that north of the Cavery he called tiie PiUtun HMy ; that
south of the Cavery was named the My^oor Jlobiy : to each of these cutcheries
lie appointed one Dewan and three Dufters. 5. Seeme Cundacbar : it was
the duty of this cutchery to keep the accounts of provisions and military
stores, and all expenses of the provincial troops, including those connected
with the maintenance of the garrisons : one Buckshee and tlu*ee Dufters, 6L
Bakul Cundachar (bakul, a gate or portal) : it was the duty of this depart-
ment to keep the accounts of the troops attending at the parte, that is to say,
the army, or disposable force. 7. Soonka D6 Chaouree, or duties andetutomt :
it was their duty to keep the general accounts of customs levied within his
dominions, 8. Pom Chaouree : in every talook where the soonka was taken
there was another or second station, where a farther sum equal to half the
former amount was levied ; for this duty he established a separate cutchery.
9. Tundaia Chaouree ; tundaia, half , t. 0., half of the pom : this was a farther
fourth of the first duty, levied in Seringapatam only. 10 and 11. In the
CHAP. IV.] WEALTH AND EXTENT OP TERRITORY. 63
It is certain that the revenues were realized with great regU'
larity and precision, and this Raja is stated to have established a
separate treasury to provide for extraordinary and unexpected
disbursements, of which he himself assumed the direct custody.
It was his fixed practice, afber the performance of his morning
ablutions, and marking his forehead with the upright insignia of
Vishnoo, to deposit two bags (thousands) of pagodas in this trea-
sury from the cash despatched from the districts, before he pro-
ceeded to break his fast. If there were any delay in bringing the
money he also delayed his breakfast, and it was well known that
this previous operation was indispensable. By a course of rigid
economy and order, and by a widely extended and well or-
ganized system of securing for himself the great m-iss of plunder
obtained by his conquests, he had accumulated a treasure, from
which he obtained the designation of Nou-kote-Narrain, or the
lord of nine crores (of pagodas), and a territory producing a re-
venue calculated on the estimate of the schedules annexed to the
treaties of 1792 and 1799, of Canterai pagodas 1,323,571 ; a sum
which is no farther remarkable than in its near coincidence with
the value of territory assigned to the revived state of Mysoor after
the lapse of another century in 1799, when the minister of one of
the confederates objected to its amount, as being (notoriously, ac-
cording to him) much greater than the Hindoo state of Mysoor
had even possessed. The curiosity of many of my reader's may bo
gratified by referring to the annexed map descriptive of the actual
extent of Mysoor at this period, and noting the powers by which
it was surroimded. Such of them as may desire to investigate
the valuation to which I have adverted, will find it detailed in a
convenient form in Appendix, No. 6.
Before proceeding to relate the remarkable change in the
actual condition of the landholders of Mysoor, which was intro-
Obeik Vichar was not included the Sree Rung Puttun and Mysoor A staarams,
i eight townships) : for each of these he had a separate cutcheiy ; besides the
cosiness of revenue they were charged with the provisions and necessaries of
the garrison and palace. 12. Bennea Chaouree : benni, butter (the butter
department) : the establishment of cows, both as a breeding stud, and to
famish milk and butter for the pcdace : the name was changed b^ Tippoo to
AmnU MahcUf and then to Keren BaricL Amrut, the Indian nectar.
Kerenbarick, an Arabic term, may be translated almost verbally Comtt, Copia,
13. Puttun Chaouree : this cutchery was charged with the police of the
metropolis, the repairs of the fortifications and public buildings. 14. Beakin
Chaouree (the department of expedition), or the post-office : the business
of espionage belonged also to this department. 15. Sammooka Chaouree :
the officers of the palace, domestics, and personal servants of every descrip-
tion belonged to the charge of this cutchery. 16. Deostan Chaouree kept
the accounts of the lands dotted to the support of religious establishments,
the daily rations of food to the bramins, lighting the pagodas, &c. 17. Cubbin
chaouree, iron cutchery : this article was made a monopoly, and its manage-
ment was committed to a separate cutcherv. 18. Hooge Suppin ; the smok-
ing leaf or tobacco (in Telinga it is Fookakoo), another monopoly by the
gOYemment, which in Seriogapatam was the cxcluaivo tobacco merchant.
t
56 PURCHASE OF BANGALORE. [CHAP. IV.
wliile returning at night, in the usual manner, from court to his
own dwelling ; and as, in addition to religious motives, the Jun-
gum had a deep account of revenge to retaliate, for the murder
of their priests ; an event which will be related in the financial nar-
ration to which it belongs ; the suspicion of this assassination fell
chiefly upon that people, and tended to cotifirm the alienation of
the Kaja s mind from the doctrines of their sect. He was much
affected at the intelligence of this event, and immediately pro*
ceeded to the house of the minister to console him in his last
moments, and to receive his advice regarding the choice of a suc-
cessor. The advice was entirely unprejudiced, and he recom-
mended, as the most able and honourable man of the court, a person
of adverse religion, namely, Tremalayangar, a bramin of the sect
of Vishnoo. To him the Raja gave his whole confidence; and,
in conformity to his advice, soon afterwards made an open pro-
fession of the doctrines of that prevailing religion, in other
respects, the new administration was conducted on the same
principles as the preceding, and with an equal degree of pru-
dence and vigour.
In the first years of this reign, the enterprizes of Sevajee
and the pressure of the Mogul arms occupied the kings of Grol-
conda and Vijeyapoor. The conquests of Sevajee in Drauveda
in the year 1677 had established him in front and rear of his
former sovereign of Vijeyapoor ; and the communication between
those distant possessions was kept up by means of the branches
of his family possessing Bangalore and the other south-eastern
provinces of Camatic Proper, and by a good understanding witii
the petty states which formed a chain across the peninsula im-
mediately to the northward of the territory then possessed by
Mysoor. This state was thus placed, as it were, in an an^le
removed from the line of general military operations ; and while
the transactions in Deckan and Drauveda became more com-
plicated, the greater powers, namely the Mogul lieutenants, iiie
two Mohammedan kings of Deckan, and Sevajee, found in each
other opponents too powerful to admit of their attending, in the
manner that their importance required, to the gradual and skilful
encroachments of Chick Deo Saj.
Sevajee died in 1680 ; and in 1684 Aurungzebe returned to
the Deckan with an immense army, determined to crush the
formidable power of the Mahrattas, and to subjugate the Mo-
hammedan states of Vijeyapoor and Golconda, which two latter
states he finally reduced from 1686 to 1688. Eccqjee in Taa-
jore finding his distant dominion of Bangalore to be an expensive
and precarious possession, insulated in a great degree by the con-
tending armies which constantly ranged over uie intermediate
country, widely determined to sell it to the highest bidder.
Chick Deo Baj finally agreed to be the purchaser ; at a price
{three lacs of rupees) which sufficiently marks Uie public opinion
I i
«
III' till iii'-l;ilij|itv n|' all |mvM<.s>iiiii-« 111 (liiisf ilav*' ••! «jtii. m) nm
\iiltiitii a tlilJU'liiiii'iit w:l*4 ju'i*iiriliii;;ly "H'lit in *<k'M\»\ iln- iii-\i
|Miri-)ia>i'. ami t«i |i:iy tin* i'ii|i'^i«li*r:itiMii. ISiit tin- in-julialitiir
lia\iiiL: l'«vii li'ii'.; |iiiitiai't4-i| lia<l U*<'tiijii- a liiatti-i nf ii<<t«iiiit\
:ili«l :ittr:ii't«*<l (In- a(t«'litiiiii ••!' Ilaijit' lliija tin- Mil)l^.lt^l ii>iit-
lii.-iii'liT ill 4*liirt* at Ciiiiii-i- aii'l ^t' Auiillii:/^*U'. wim li,i.| Mi>.f
ni'M'l till- *»irtji- III' t tiili'iirtij.i mi lli«- i'i>iiilitiiiii ••! n i-i'ivi*i'.' n ini-
lit.tiA rfiitiiliiitiiili ••!' t\%«i iiiilli«>ii'« ^li'lliii;.' I'lit-f |>iv.ip in
t«-rt.iiiiiii^' :i III ')i ••}>iPii<:i I't th> iiii|>tiil.iiii'<- **) l»;iii. il •: -. - m
•-:ii'}| a •li'l:i« liiiii Ttt tiniii tli^-^t ih^t.iiit .iii>l ••[•{•••'-it ->t.i*i"!io I-
aiifi<i|i.if< tilt' IC.i|.i ••! M\ r aipl •!■•)• .i\<mii (•• ^-i •.. i ..ii .«!••■.
fill til* iifi-Ki <- K.t^iiii Kii:iii ill' 4>:iii-« 1 l Auimt ■ > i. ikiit •
fi'fii'i lll.lir}|i<« t'i til'- Wi-tV\.l|.| ..f fill I .IlL''" "l -■' '• ! .\»'l
til*<t. :ili-l tin- |i|:ii-i- Im irrf m lie • ii-iii.ilitii'^i **t.it i ■ '. t-
iliia^-in* 1 \% In II .it">!it i" '•• - !•] u.L^ 11" >)• ' I. . :i '
|i|<'*«i •jit'iiiii- aii'i \i'.i<i t> K I Mil Kloiii •; .. .t i.il
|.|.. .«l1 lii|i Tilt •|«-1:ti iilii' 111 ••! Il!l,>> U:ii.i f 'I if • !? :ni\,
■Iji.itt I. !• tllllh •! W .*), ii» l! »h li « !■ • t I ■ t ■ ' • i;l.' ■ \
11. • iiii|<«i i.il •••{••ur- ii<ui-«tr \\':< '■u\\ I -i i * ';• • -^ ii
tin r.irii|>;ii t < ••!* lim.-.i"! l-i Ki .iii Kl-.f i
|N.I t.ilif ..l.|i .-|i Ml \ |i \» !■ ■ .!i ! 1 • • i '. .1' I • , • ' : • , . I \. ' ■ I-
tip Kim \%;l. •«( ill \% til.i* f • ;• i\ '■ -{•■■ill i • * ■ . ! v. i\ ..' •• |m • n
III ii \ .• r- j i- ii ill \ • ■ I f • I » . ' ■ • .1 \ •} .' I ■ :■
f.i* l-lii. 'it !'-l ill »r' -f t ■ . ■ ' I ■ ■ j ■! .• . A 5:' .■ t ■ I I ' ' '
"I I -inr -II..! I*' -fi w.'=ili » ' * i'». ''i\. 1 -■ •■!. \
il'i!\.|.<| III .Im1\ I*^**? «.I'- t ■ ■; . !" I I :» . 1". ii.: If .. .•
' '. : M .\ pruli hf III I '■ ■•' t f M \ • ■■ : ♦ ' ■i»'-t.i.' '■ ii n\
• M- I- • 11 t lilt lit ^ \» l|l'-l| '. ■ I ' ■ • r i .1. ? f Ii. I it t •• "! II ,M. -.r •■ .»■ • .1
i!i' jr..ii«r |-'vi.r-^ i* I »'ii. ■• i- « •■«• V^ lii.i K.i] ■' i\i.l t*,.
,'« fi- r il |"-!ii-\ ••!" I III .■ ". ■ •-! I ..'i ' - ir- t;.. i,. !• u* 1 - . .• I
■Ii:- i 1 1- 'Ii"* \il .!■• In i- |Mm 1 "• »•■ • .-i'Mi i:i !... 'tr.:i,'lli
-ifil :-!iti< il .i'Mt> ^ \^^ Ii* : '- • \>iii«i' -. . > • ('i> Ir* i
-. ■• f • r . : ■ ■ } - T I ? I ■ ■ ! I ^% : ■ • ' »..»..' . i , - : ."* • . : , . . I ■ T ■
. I.I l».77 I ' ' ri • «.-■ ! • • ■ . 1 I .. ■ I ■ .. (• ■ : • I '• ] : ■
ll.ii i •• • lilt f' t ^Imi ■ -^ "I J. *.■■•;. \ t -i .:i . '
K »-■!!. K'lip i'l l«»'^7 '• Ii -I - !.•• i : r ■: ' , ! ■ :: I I ■
III • ■ N<. ■ r \ I- r • '■• t ! . '. « I • II'- T II ' t .• ; .. ' • \* i. «. . *
• 1*1 .*. j'l. .!:■ •• I I • '. i' .*• I- i:r. •• :■•■ fi' ' . .■ . ■ ' • • '
t.ii:>^ >l {•• ■ .« -^^ii 'ti • t i ■ «' •! • »» 'Mi : I ■ T. :• r f . i i' . ■ i-' ii
K I MM K*. «'t I- !• J'l- • » * ^1 V -• ■ I I \i : . /" •■ ' (•
\% III. |i ..•! 'l-l |. . im • J.. ■{■ . . i t ■ «,Ji*. : j . ■ ■■ 'i' * ! ■
f I • -III ^-i !• 11 • |--Wi r • I'.. \! '■ 'I. . i li- r. I ? I
khiuii II it li • i •li<| !• * t \|\ -I w :.'.'• : • ' < •1. -
|'|:iti"Ii • I 1 1- tl • III I" I I i» w I ■ . I v I ■! •. I ■ * » I *l
l»-li- it - • i -I./ I- !'.• K I I ^ • I - j ". ' • I I I' I
I'll 1 1.. l! »: • ;iiil r« u l' ' i- • I i: ■ \^ » " li
^« I- !■ I'll, r \ii(i. /r«.il |; '»..' .» . »' • ■ * '■
'iriM III' f ffP •: ii\ .1.'. I- <ij - • • ■ K » ; Kl ■:. '. ; »
38 EXPEDITION TO TRICHINOPOLY. [CHAP. IV.
Raja, wIlo skilfully a vailod himself of the confusion of the times,
and continued to propitiate, in whatever manner, the court of
Aurungzelic. In the succeeding year we accordingly find him
wresting Ooscobi and some j>Laces of minor importance froui the
connections of the MahratUis* and pusliing his conquests io
the ejistward, below the ghauts, in that and tho following year
over a considenible poi-ti(»n of the Baramahal, and of Salein, m
far south as Pennetti on the Caveri. In 1090 he turned his arms
to the o})posite direction ; and in the four following years had
extended his dominion to the verge of the western hULs of BeJ-
nore, with which {x>wer he seems to have concluded in the year
1G94 an advantageous i>eacc, which left him in possession of
most of his conquests. Thus relieved from hostility on the west
his increasing power and resources encouraged him, after a few
years of repose, to turn again his attention to the S. E., and to plan
the conquest of the dominions of the Naick of Madura, oom-
mencing his operations with the siege of the important town uf
Trichinopoly. In tho intermediate T)eriod, since the acquisition
of Bangalore in 1C87, Aurungzebe had found sufficient occupa-
tion in the conquest of the Deckan. Neither the destruction of
the monarchies of Vijeyapoor and Golconda, tho death of Seva-
jee, nor the capture and cruel murder of Sambajee his son, in
1G91, seemed to improve the prospects of that emperor for the
general subjugation of tho south. From the first appearance of
Sevajee as an independent leader, his armies htvd been recruited
with the troops of all castes, which the gorgeous improvidence of
the ^loliammedan kings of Deckan had com]:)elled them to dis-
charge ; or by the direct defection of those in actual employ who
were cliiefly Mahmttas. The destruction of the two last of these
Mohammedan states left two considerable^ armies disbanded,
unemplt>ye<l, and seeking for employment. Tho policy of Au-
rungzel)e, however sagacious in many instances, could not
descend to the contemplation of peril from the dregs of a van-
quished i>eople : the abuses, now grown t(M> dangerous to be at
once reformed, which had crept into tlie [viyment ami inusterinir of
his armies, added to the ovei*whe]ming expenses of his splendour
and state, deprived him of the means of preventing these armies
from being again mai-shalled against him. The ne<H!issity of attend-
ing to this ]>regnant .source of <langer was acconlingly merged in
the greater necessities of di.sonlure«l finanrr ; and tlie whole or the
greatiT part of tlie armies which hiul rectMiUy Uien opposed to him
were, in a short i>oriod of time, unittnl toditferiMit Kinds of Maliratta
* Ooscota had hv.an ixst^fniad by Shalijce, wUvn siiinmoned to court, to
his minister iHhwiint How. I cannot trace with certuinty in whose poaaet-
sion it was at this time. Pootia^s niamiMcript mxyn the houHO of Kccojce.
t *' In the c<mntrie« dependent on Hyderabad and Vijeyamxir, which
bcfoH! tlicir conquest maintained above two hundred thon8aiid iiorsc, there
were not now stationed alM>vc thirty-four thon.sand,*' Hay.s the Bondda officer.
when narrating tlic events uf a few yearri afterwards. Scott, voL ii. p. 107.
CHAP. IV) M.UIKATTA AllMY INV\hF> \IYs«m»I 5ll
iii.initi'liTH. wlio At this |H*ri<N| )n*'^iii in swanii in Lr«'.il«T iiuiiiU>ri
tli.'iii \i:o\ vwr )i«*r«in' a|>|M«:iriH| in hIiihM I'Vciy |i:iii nt' liitlia ; tlitiH
|>p-Ni iitiiiif to till* |H)\i'iT t»f Aiinifi;;X4'U' fi|i|Hisitiiiii iiion' iiliiiiiiiiint,
ili\<'p«iti«'«i iiii«i |M*r|ilrxifiL:, at tin* xtTV liiiit' tliat li«' liail tlatt4*ri*i|
iinii**i'lf with tlio •li«^tnii*tiiiii t>f tin* la^t Mfliis uin'iiiitiH in tin* |N*rs<in
of'S'inikiji'**. On tlh* «*a|itun* <if tliis rliirf. llama. tli«* M*4Mn«l ^nn of
Si* \. I !«•«•. f.H«M|M-i| aft4'r many |N*riN n«Ti»SN tlh* |H;ninsulfi. an<i assunu'il
tlii> •linN-tion of tin* MalirattA iniwith at (tin jet.*. /iilf«'«*ar Klian,
with a lur^i* |>**rtiiin i»f th** im|N*rial army, hail Un^n c*m|tloy(*4l Hino*
\^'t*X\ in fi-^'I'h* an<l in«'tr**('tiial a(t«'ni|i!.H to rvhiro that btri»ii;; fortn-.^n ;
alth«»ii::h he hail f\t4'n«h*<| hin mmini-Nts mmt th<> o|M.*n «N»nntrv with
Hi inn* iIi^^Tii* of vivTijur. an«l with thiftiiatin;; •*^l«•^•^'^^^ ; an*! ha«l f\art4il
mntrihiitionfi fn>m th<* Z«*miti<lars* ':v% tht-y an* unifttnnly nami*«li of
Tanj^n* Hnil Trirhin<>|MiIy. It wa.*i |iniUiMy oiu* Cif th«' auxihary
MahnittA nnnii**«. or n'infiinM*mn<'tH. un<h'r tlu* (*i>mmaii*l **( Jiv^ilv*^
lfhautk«*«*. anil Nim(cij«i* Cthaiitki***. whi<*li. |i.ixsin:^ from thr wr-^toni
rtiuntry for th«« KU|i|«iirt **{ (linji-i.* an*l Unuivi-ila. an«l j*ri»\»»ki**| hy
tilt* aL:L:r«**M«ionH ftf liiirk iK**! Itjij. nr in('it«*i| hy thi* ht»|io of |»Iuntlt*r,
fiuiMi*nly a|i)«4'an**l lM>f.ir«i S*rini^i|katAm. whih* thi **tn'n^th of thr
Anny wan ••m|iii>yi*<l in lln» Hif;^* nf Trii'liintiiMily. An i*x|in'«« wa.H
instantly fM-nt u* tin* l>ulw<*y t*<.marL*iA. «iirivtin^^ him ti> rvtiini for
th«* |irot«Ttiiin «if th** I'npital '^ lit* it htati^l in thi* family m:inuscri|it
• Srt- N-.iit, \**\ n y-^l-
^ Till* i^ una* tif till* fi'«' «Lit«« whiih I iiiVf f itleil in Arr.insini{ t«> my
Mtitfa''(i«*ii Ni'ittx-r thi* nviiriK *A *\\^Uu-\m, imr thr tithvrwiM' Vi'ty rorri^t
M^ «tf l*'N>ti I. nrr r ifrful iti r«oinliii»c thi* ilit«* of iin fvi nt. I'XrrptniiC wh«*n it
liM K-ipn (•»l)ii«rr«i hy n rhanffc* of iMmMw«ioii. Tho mi'tiiiiir« nf tlu* Ihilwnyn
ha%ti frw «l.it«« - thry pUrr thu MiilirntlA luvtiiiifn next in thi- nnUr !•( vvvnlM
to ihf tM*«MifMtii*n m( IUiitril**r«*- l't«*ruu'« i-*ini|iil.ttiuti, fitriiitil on .i diM'Uaj»iiin
«»f AtiiK«iri1ii*^ |iLi<>r4 It after the «i**ti.>m r«ih<(ui-«t« (ri'Ui l(e«la«**>r . hut all arv
ajTrr^i ihit tli» MyMrtirt-an «rniy «iuat th<* time Uf<irr Trirhtii«i|**'Iy. If wi*
iih«'iiM .vl'ift thr fiirinrr. niirl miiji rturr the MihrnttA fnrrr in <|UrMit>n to he
th«t whi« h U diwiiftwd hy Mr < )rnif in l.'»<i t«* \^^ of hi« lli«ti*rii' i\ Kni4;ni«iitd,
n«iiirly, til a wtiii'ti niarrh«^l f^r thi« •■• i-uf^tiMii i>f r»iii,: il>irr in I*--*, m r niu»t
<fii< !ii<li' thill till* M:khr»tt.i fxrer ».it« h««l t)<v | iavi^i «'I the M)M>irt.tn ^rii.y
thri>ii«;h ll.i- |*«Mi iif 'l'i|Hii'r t.>w«:iU Tri.l.iK •; !y, iij'i n:«*\iHi r.i{ iill> u-r«>»4
it« r«- ir fiv i*!i4ni;^ii%. Wi«ii ir«iri»>.:. .iip! K iui:k inhnllv. t^Sriiu'ii i!.ini Thr*
(ihjflr!i>>ii« t'lthr ail<i|t*.iiin wf lKi*iit;** M-«-r:i !'• !•«■ in irly in«n|-t riti«i- Ac^<»rt|>
liitf t«i r'*i*ti4« iuAiiu*tn|*t. tSf t\^ ••( My^-<r ii ii }ii!<!fi i! jlitu* i!>'ri-«'ii tho
IKlitli ..t J'li) l«'-*i7 . thi Miihritt k Irip )•« itiil !.• ! It i\i (iinjh l:\\ Ai«k": 't . « n tho
|( Ih «•! Ni'«iiul>«-r lilt) Atv ■titttil) Mr Orn.i- 1' )•«. k*:t:n a*. I riiii':!..4!< t , Ami
tht-y liii«l ]'fttlia)ily Ut-ii thtfi- f*'r •••ini* tim* )nf<ri t^i u.t* llu't ti'*«- ri t' hi«i
Mtt«lr%A « rt-n;i rturr wl.lch i« f>*uii.liil *u th* 'I'^uil ««^irit> • f tfir ma*«i||,
Mill thr ••nItiMry ha^lt uf thv Mihittt^i.* t«i U l.';;u>l \ \ tLt IV^ "f (K*t* Ur,
vht-n «ithiu I hi* in{!iiriir«' ^'f t:.i N K i..- ij *•••!.< i .ilkuUtin.; it.* I 'iii;i-«t
l»t*riiiil th^i cAii t<r i-ii.hr4r«<.l Uttt.iii ti.i«« I : ^.^ !« ix'.rtu.\.«, .kiiil «iMrtins
t«i thr nature «-f th« omntry t-i U t>t««««i t> Mt< -m- tw-» VTuira r«-«; utivtly
•nc*)it)!«vrt«l with thr r>('-iil'i!krMt« ••< n kI'Vi . i*. i' ui ft^.ir>t.) U o>ii*iklrml
|MA*it|c thu the M>ftui»riMii« rtuM n..ikr t:.<ir wr.iiii;tr..iiiU f.^r the kcu-
p4tt<*ii tif Ihrir n^v iH^Hmui'h*. rri-iitc c*|-..ij i.iU't.^ ft-r the »i«irr of 'lri^hiii«*-
|Hil>'. iiiftfrh to that I-IaTc, l<v riu^'i*! Iti tit <«;• ..« . ai.i1 rrturn tu Si ru.f^.\\ it aui ,
aikS th*t thr M*iir«tt4 Aruiy ci'Ul*! iik^ it.vi«tcd >«.*rtiiirt|'«taiii iiiJ hAV«
BMfthcd after Ihcir defeat to YruiuiuAkY «ilhiu ll.r «u|'|'*«>ctl |«ri«^l itut
()0 SINQITLAU VKTORV. [CHAP. IV
** to liJivc injule a vow not to apixjar before his Raja until ho luul taken
Tri(Jiinopoly : in consequence of which ho permitted his son Dudeia
to take the command, and reserving witii himself a small force.
went' aflcrwanls to Ginjoe ;* a determination which seoms to afford
strong evidence of trc.icher}'^, and of some secret intrigiies which
prevent our having i*eceived a more distinct account of this material
transaction. Authorities are, however, agreed in stating tliat hin
son did proceed by rapid marches for the relief of the capital, and
defeated the enemy by means of a most unmilitary practice, which
we find to have been peculiar to tlie army of Mysoor so long after-
wards as I?-')! ; namely, that of always performing their night
marches by the light of numerous torches.* It was impracticable
to conceal altogether fix>m the Mahiutta anny the approach of this
relief, and titis peculiar practice w^s made the foundation of a
stratagem, which was effected in the following manner. In the
evening the Dulwoy sent a small detachment in the direction
o[)j>osite to that on which ho had planned his attack ; and in the
pn)l)able line by which ho would move to throw his force into the
capitiil. Tins detachment was furnished with the requisite number
of torches an<l an equal numlxir of oxen, which were arranged at
iudeiK'ndently of the shortness of time, and tlic disa^eement in the names of
the leaders, it places tlic expedition at a time of the year when the rixtr
Cnvcri is full, and \^'hcn it would he scarcely practicable to undlertake the
siei;c of Tricliinopoly from the north.
The grounds (which 1 offer without any iiositivc confidence) for adopting
the order of time stateil in Pooniia's MS. are tne following. I find in a genenu
letter from Madras in 1695-G that Zulfecar Khan is outnumhered by the Mah-
rnttas, of whom more were exi^ellod from Concan, and, if not supported, must
mutilated paragraph, of which the worms had become the cluef possesaoni
I Hud the follo\\in^.
'' 11th. Nabrih Zulphecar Cawn is gone into the Misore country afttr
the Malirattn arm}' (whether to join tht^tn or Jight them uncertain) and halh
left a i*t^ry small part of his army in these parts.'*
The blanks arc filled in Italics, and may be varied according to the imagin-
ation of the reader : but my inference is, that finding <m his arrival in or near
My.suor that the Maliratta army was :dready defeated and dispersed, he returned
immediately inti> the lower couTitry, from which it is certain that he was nol
loii.'^ abs(>nt : according to the journal of tlie Hondela officer, translated bf
(•aptain Scott, Zoolfecar Khan received a large reinft tree meat in 1096, but was
fiompelK'd to raist! the siege of (jinjee in the Ktnne year. This expedition to
M^snor is nut spi-eified in the narrative of the I^nidela officer among the oper-
;iUons of tlu^ year 1HU7 ; jirobablv fnun being relinquished almost aa ■oonaa
undertiiken ; but the conjceture here hubmitte<l is i art hnr strengthened bja
paragraph from Madras dated tlui 7tli of August 1007, which states that ^'then
IS now no army of Mahrattas in thestr t>arts*' and I should rather infer aa
omission in the narrative of the HrHideia olliccr than a misstatomont in the
It'tter from Madras, wlicre at this time the transactions an)und them are gene-
rally .stated with a degree of accuracy which doubles our regret at the destmc^
tion of so large a ()ortir)n of the reconls. — N. H. I have been enabled to eonect
the above blanks m the Madras copy from the records at the luctia-honac.
• Sec Mr. Orme's account, vol. i, p. 211.
< ilAP. IV I KMHASSY 1<» Al UirMiZKUK Gl
|in»|i«*r ilisUit.ix-f*. Willi n llaJiilH-au tit?4l to the liurit** of ca4*Ii, in a
Hitimtiuii wlirn* tlu*v o»iilii iit»t U* uljHerviMl liy tlie eiifiay. At
All np|Miiiit(*<i HJ^niiil tlir t'*n*hc'.«k won* li;;lite<l iiiid tlic* oxcii <lrivvii
ill tli«* f*<iiin«rl4il ilirLvtiivii. ^M> ah ti» imlicnto tlu* iiuuvh of tlio
nniiy. utti*iii|itiii^ t4i fonv itH uuy tlin»u^h tlio 1ieHii*<^*ni liy nil
Attnrk on tin* Hank of their |M»siti4»ii. So h4M»n ah it wiui intlvIvchI
Uint th«* c'iH*niy Wi*n* nmkin;; a 4lis|MHition Ui rcHvivt* tiu* Aiiiiy
of t«*n*h«-H. l>ii«l«'iii Milently ii|»pri»iu*hi*<l tlicir n*ar. aikI ohtainc^l
All t*jiMy hut iiioMt HAiipiinan' vi«*tory. Th** two (ihautkctM aihI
iiKiHt tit* th«*ir ot)i(*rrH wt*iH* killiMl. iin«l iUv lu'tion t4*niiinuU«<l in
tht* raptiin* of tilt* w'holi* of tlirir onhuinrc. Ui;Oin^j^\ an<l mill-
tnn' Htori-H of «'V«'n' (lt^*ri|>tion ; iiii«l thu tliMinli^r an«l fli*;ht of
tilt* n-iiinant of thi*ir Aniiy. Tht* lUja tm tlic followin;^ «lay
cinlcn**! hJH p*iM*nil Anil |>rin<*i|ial tittitvrs to U* |in*H(*nt4*«l t4> him
in |»iiMii< thirUir. in th<* Mim«* iiiilitiiry luihiu in wrhirh tliey hml
foiii^'lit. " <'ovt*n*«l with tlie l*lt*tMl tif hin c-n(*mitt« ;*' ami in tliia
fitat4* n*wnnh*«l tlH^iii with (in<»v<4*H an*! «)niAm«'nt/» <»f h<*noiir, ami
niunitit^-iit |»n-^*ntf« |ini|ioiii<*ni'«i t4» thrir tvr*|M'^-tiv«* nink an«l4'X|il«iiti«.
Kiutini Kiian. tlu* fririMl aiitl |in>t4H*tor of tlu* Raja at tho
rtiiirt iif Aiinin^iU'U*. wIki IumI for iimiiy y«'arM lifM •M»nu* of tho
hi;4h«-Mt otlio** of tli4* f«tAto. 4li4il in tht* ftJlowin^ yi*ar ; an«l thin
t*%'riit hail |in»lial»ly a mnsitlrmhlo intliu*n4V in «l«*ti*nainin|^
rhit-k l>i*«» iUj t4i iw-ml A f«|ih*n4liil fiiiUuiny with valiiaMt* tin.*-
wilt/* 1*1 tlif tiii|M*rijil (*iiiirt lliji \iiri<»iiH (*«»iii|iic*9%tn luul fxt'iti**!
ciiiiiliinatiotiH n^^iiint him Anit>ii&( Uih |iow«*i-ful m;i;;hlH»iin«, aji<I a
r«*rtaiii (jr^^^* of j«*al«aiHy in the mintl «if th«* t'iii|N'n»r himself.
it wiiA iio^T^nan* tJiAt Im* iihtiiiltl t<Ktiil>lij«h a frx^h int4*rtatt at (*oiirt,
ami. if |ioM<«ibli*, ol^aim^l tin* n^i'vn^nititiii «if hiH aiitiit»rity in itH |»r«*-
m^fit fiiiar^tNl rxti-nt. Sim*' niotivt^ of vanity wi-n* pntlmKly
alH4i niixt'tl with thtvM* itf |H»li4*y, aivI hin laU* Hii^nml vi(*t4irv ovvr
till' MahrattA cnfniitTt t*f tht* 4*iii|iri<* affi»nlt*<l noliil ^iiiml for
t*X|Mvtin;; A fnvotirahh* rt^fjititin. llif N|i|i«iit|otir t»f tin* ••ni-
Iaviv ihifn not, how«'V4*r. a|>|«'ar t^i lirnvt* nuith* niiirh im|iri**«si<in
At tht- iiii|«-hal r«»iirt ; aiitl if wi* may jmlp* fn>iii tht* tritlini; hiuii*
n^N.nh^l t<i havi* ln-i'ii rx|M*h<h-«l in tht* t-nt'^rCAininrnt i>f the* am-
l«i#uii|«ii^, tht* Ziinintbir «if MyMH»r (a^ ht* i^ rallt*<l) wan n<»t ht*|i|
it» Im- a |n pw*n i*f vfiy hi:^'h t>«*iiMi|i>rutii>ii. WlH'tht*r Atinin^*ti«f
ATliially miiffm<<l tin* hi;;h hoiMtum which wi*n* itn-tinnlnl t4> lio
rt^*< tvi'«i. w«»til*| |it*r{ia|»H U* a lAlafin*^! «|mv%ti4»n il it Wi*rv t*f mif-
fit'ifiit ini|iiirLai4x* tit iiifrit a w'|4uiit4* tliMniiMitin. It it Huffit*ii*nt
Up Miir |iru««.*nt |Miq«»i4* l^i iitati* tliat th«*y wen* pulilirly aa-
Aum«*«l. Aiit| AA br aa i<» kn<»wn wrn* n4*\«*r 4|ui«ti4>nnl ; Altmiu^h
A nimtlar Awiiim|ttt4iti on tht* |aut t»f tho lUJA or Zt'tnimlar of
Itutliittn' ^nanifly. tluit (if Mttiii^ on a thp»n««). Attnirii^tl tin* Tttti-
f{uim^r of Aurut^;zt'lx* wiuii* y%rtkt^ afU'rwArla Tht* f*tiil«Ar«y
which 4ie|iiutA«l in tln^ yvtur IQiK^ fiiuml tho iiii|ii*riAl o»urt At
* T«o httmlrrd nit««ft N<ii«tt ••» the .l«i»|aluA Ditficr, oucnmoiucatcd hy
Culuitl H KifkfiAtrtck U» Mi\m Mickctirir
02 NEW ARRANGEMENT OF GOVT. DEPARTMENTS. [CHAP. IV.
Alimofln\i][jji:ur, nnd returned in the year 1700. The Dulwoy toA
other ffreafc officers of state were sent out in due fonn to receive
the supposed letter, presents, and insi«]ruia of honour de8|>atcheti
l>y tlie emj)er()r, which were earned in solemn procession throuirh
the town ; and after being exhibited in the great temple at tlie
feet of the idol Sree Run{/a, were brought in similar state to the
palace. Among the ]^resents was a new signet {)i'eparecl by the
emperor's direction, bejiring the title of Jug Deo Raj, which was
thenceforth emj)loyed ; and part of the ceremonial was the new
dignity alleged to have been conferred by the emperor of being
seated on an ivoiy throne. This wa.s aferwards used by his .sue-
cessoi-s, and is the same which, in the year 1799, was found in a
luml>er-room of Tipj)oo Sultauns pahico ; was employed in the
instidlation of the present Riija ; and is always used by him on
occasions of public ceremony.
It was soon after the return of this embassy that he is also
stated, in some manuscri]>is, to have distributed the business of
the government into eighteen cutcheries or departments, in con^
Be(]uence of learning from the ambas-sadors that such was the
{ir.ictice of the imj>erial government, and consequently fit to be
c-vlopted l)y so great a prince as Jug Deo Raj (the sovereign of
the world) ; but this arrangement is referred by others to an
oarlicT {)eri(Kl. I incline to the former sup]>06ition, from being
unable to trace any good reasons for the establishment of so many
departments for the trsmsiiction of business, which might with
greater simjjlicity and crmvenience Ihj allotted to less than half
that niniibor : the reader who has sufficient curiosity to form hifl
own judgment on a subject of so little importance, will find these
dejwirtments detailed in the subjoined not<.».*
• 1. Ner<x»|) Cliaouree cutchcry or department, or the secretary's deparU
meiit, to which he appointed one DarfKja or superintendent, and tliree Duftera,
^o;ri^*te^s or hmiks <»f record (N. H. every tlang was recorded in each of Uw
three in exactly the same manner); all letters or orders despatched to be
previnusly read to the Ilaja. 2. Kikut Chaourec, whose business it was to
keep the geni'ral accounts of revenue, treasury, and disbursements civil and
military ; this seems to an])roach our ofTico of a(;countant general. 3 and 4.
Obeik Vichar, or two-fnlt) enaninj. He divided his whole possesions into
two jJortitaiH ; that north «>f the Cavory he called the J-uthtn lIMy ; thit
south of the (*avt'r>' wits named the Mfn(»**r Jlotfhf : to each of these cutcheries
he api^ointed one Dewan and three Dufters. &. Seeme Cundncbar : it was
the duty of this cutdiery to keep the accounts of ])roviHions and militaiy
stores, and all expenses of the jirovinciid tnstps, including those connected
with the maintenance of the garrisons : (mo Buckshce and three Duften, 6L
liaknl Cundachar (>)akul, a gate or i>ortal) : it was the duty of this depart-
ment to kee]» the accounts of the trooos attending at the porte^ that is to aaj^
the army, or disposable force. 7. Soonka Do Chaoureo, or duties andcuMiomf :
it WAS their duty to keep tho general accounts of customs levied within his
dominions. H. Pom Chaoureo : in every tahx)k wbero the 9oonka was takaa
there was another or second staticm, where a farther sum cqnal to half tlie
former amount Wiw leviisl ; for this duty he established a separate cutoheiy.
9. Tundda Chaoureo ; tundaia, half, t. r., half of tho pom : this was a farther
fourth of the first duty, levied in Seringapatam only. 10 and 11, In the
tllAr IV.J WKAI.TII XSU KXTKNT OK TRKKtTi>llY OS
II i- i-i-iL'iiii th:it till" n-winii"4 wrii- n'iili/dtl witli ;;ri*;it rrLTU-
Iniiu :iiii| |in-<'i*«hiii. :iii'l tlii-^ i^vi'^ i^ **Uit<'<l !•• Iia\f ••■«l.-iMi*«)ii-«| .1
•M'|^'ll.lt«' lii;L^iirv t'l |iiii\i<l*' \'**r i'\ti';ii*i'<iiii:iry iiii'l iiiir\|N-t't«i|
ili*«)iui*>i-iiii iit^. mI' wliii-li )i*- hiiiiM'ir :ii«<»iiiiii'il tin- ilii'i«'t i-iiHt«Nlv.
it w.i-^ Ills ti\t'<l j>i:iftiri-. iift«-r tli«' ]N-ifi>iiii;iii<-«' I't III** iihiniiiiL;
nMuti'ii^. :iii'l liiniUiii/ liis f iiiiii'.-i'l with t!i>- iipii^lit iii^i^'iii:i I't'
\ i^iiii>-i (•• il. j it tw" i'.ij'' tliiii-^ih.l^ lit' I'll.:- "Ian ill tlii'^ lit-a-
siiM li'iiii till' I' i^li «li-^|i i{<'ih«l tV-iiii till' •ii^triit-^ )i«t'.>ri- III- )ii'ii-
rii<li-l t'l }•!•■. ik }ii'« I'a^t It' tlh-ii- \^iri- :iiiv 'li i.iV ill I'liii^^iiij tin*
iii-'ih-v II* .iI>-> •i«!.i\«<l iii^ l>it .iLl'.i^t :i!i<l It \^.i^ \\*-'i\ kii>i\iii til. it
till- I't. i"U' ••}- I .itioii x^.i"* iipii^jM Ti-ai-i«- l'*\ .\ •i'li I ii_:i'l
!■• • •ii>'iii\ .ill 1 "I'l* I .iifi \t\ .1 \N I'!' 1\ i-\f« I. i' i ^'ii'i uill ••!
;^.il.:.'l '•\ -fi III . f '»i'IIIIIi^' f' •! lilMl-M It til'' L.'l''il llii«- «t |'!»m i. I
I'i'f .' .ti- i \'\ \i\^ • ••Ifjtii -t^ 111- h il :*• • mil ii..;« 1 :i fl-.i il< ti 'III
will '1 I- •ItliM- 1 t'p 'I' •! . Il it . -Il t'l" %•■ I-'s •!• -\ iM i;ii ■■! tin-
i-'I 1 • t liiii« I 1 > !• * «tt I ;ij' •ill" all- 1 II t« 1 1 it< I \ {!• ->:'.• :h_ :i T*
\< ri<i< • i!< m! if' i "Il tli« • -tilii.iTt' •■! til* *" !•• •.>:!• - :.r '.• \* I !■• tin
ll« I* .. ■ ■ t 17 •-' •»'' 1 17!'!* ■ t * ' i!it' 111 j» i» • !.i • I ■»■.'■•"'"' I . .1 -iilii
\iii: !i .« Il" !;itifi I* ill kik .'ii< til. Ill III il^ ic .11 I -■•:.- I !• Ik < uitli
til- V nM- ot t' ! 1 it-'f \ .i--ij'ii'-i t«' t !•' r« \ i\ • I -tat- .•: Nl\ -'i .iH. 1
ill' i ■]" 'l r. ■! Il" r I I iit'ir \ in 17'***. ^^ •'■ !• t 'f I'-iiti ■'■ 1 • t "H' nt
til' ■■ 1. 1- i- : it- • ■ ■ ,• • t- 1 t-» it«« .iMi'-Miit .IS *- .'!.' h- '■•:. ■'i»«i\ ;i.-
• ■•I i.i» • ?■• I..:u ui'ii-li ji- it- f tfi.iii til- ll-rr ; ■ -Vit. .t M\ ■ •.
li.ii i ■.• "I ; 1 I lii i 'ir:-'>it\ «■! Ill i!i\ ■ I iii\ I' >•!• • ' iij.i\ !-•
;ji I* !*■• 1 J \ !• f- ? : iTi,' t'l tli» aiiii* \i 'I iii:i)< 'i -• 1 iplJM* ■ t t *.•■ .f i n I
I \t' '.t ■ f ^! \ I if tl. ^ pi r i> I Ti I ii-t III.' 1 1.' j ■'« ■ 1 - ' \ \\ liii II
It ^k »- ■ if! il. ji 1 >-.»■ ii •■!" til- III a- lii.i\ •!•'•:!• t" iii\« -l-jat'
til' V li 1 t? Il t • u liii il I l> i\i- ii'i\ I Iff •!. M 111 liii'i :t ii<-t.i:l> •! Ill a
• ■ -iiv- • .• I ! I Mil ih Aj'j « i.ii\ N' ••
li'j !• I r*- i • •isTi.: t.i ii! '.•.■ till !• Ill »i V.il'l'" I'll 111. 'I' ill tli«-
•ii-»«iii i ?iiit: u i't' til'- l.iii 11. •[ !• I < ■•! M\- 1 wl:i«ii %%.i- iiitfi'
0-. K V. ■. .r k. ., .. • .'. : . I 1 V . N /; //'■•..■- 1 </ . I-
• .. • ! .1. ■ .: . ! r . I 1 . • !■ . - l.i )i\\ i •• ; i- .'• * t ■ :\ .*...:.. •).,
i . ■•:....;.••.•)%*■: '. .rj I m .T '.!:•; : • . ' ■ ; ■ . . i l ■ ■ I
l\ ' . r: ■. .! I J .: I . ; , i- -.■ . . I ■ . :-. . - .' . ' .V. • . • . ■ ir'i r
■1- ; .:• . ■ • ■ !■.. .■•»•:.•■..■.•..!■■.%». I- '.'..•»■ n ■ : .■ ' : I - 1 t -
f ... I.. ■. • .. .■ I * .'•.. t : : \., ; 4" I . :' . I .: .1 ** -. .■..:-. I . , . *.>
I • V ■• . i; I !■ . I. •,. A . / : » A ■ .' • 1 .:.:■• It.
K T. -■ f »...-. \; 1 : :. :i 1 . ,. •- !r .1 -I .^ 1 .1 •* . ■ ; • . v « • ' i 1 1
I.; I ••.'.•■ k .rii !»:'..•♦. ry \% . - J .*, i-l ' < J * tJ .
II.. •■ • .- r n ; •:!•■: •'.. * '*.*. .'.. t.- i:. I \ .- ' i ■ ; * l» .^.l.
« . ■'•••; '■'•■5'' '■• • ' • » |-»'i*i ! . -I • ■ : - * '* •..».;■..
■ . •.-'•. !..'i >l i^*- •!■':• «li ; If?'. •■ ' i ' ^ • * i ' . .n •
!' " . •:. I ..I. .. .1 :...-'■....:. 1 I . .'•.,•'' • . . :> -1. r-.i
» '. i..J» • .*.»•. .♦■*«. ■■•• !• I». •• *• 'ii ..i'*
?• .■ • !•.'.' If. l« .!••' i •■!:..;: . ■■ ; r. ... .• I ■.■;:'?.•■. I r.*
!■ . .. ^ r .■; :.• •:-■ I I ■ t... • r .:..;.■. .;^-' !.!■.■ ' . . -! . .; I .' < ..I ♦ in
■-..:■• .1 r .'. ^1 r\ ll .••..•". .i*«.:. " . ■ ■ * • I ;*. ■ r. .:. •/.
•*' vc.'ii:..! :.! k I..* :■ 11. Xfiii/ i|'At tUi « hi t.Vi t s< tu .1%^ I'-^i^^- n.> f' t **-\
Qi CONCLUDING REMARKS. [CHAP. f\'
duccd by Chick Deo Raj, and forms the chief feaiare of hb inte-
rior administration, it Reems neceasary to take an extended viev
of tho (juestion of proprietary right, in order that these changw
may bo nioro eloiirly understood. The local regulation alone mi^
be comprised, or nither dismissed, in a short superficial narratiTe;
but the subject involves considerations which I am unwilling
to {Xiss over in that manner: I shall, therefore, in a sepanie
chapter, discuss the natui*e, and, as far as is practicable, tnioe tlw
histf^ry of landed property in India ; and as in the investigation of
this subject I have arrived at conclusions materially differing fin)B
those which have hithurto been receiveil as authentic, it is neees-
saiy that I should submit to my readers the grounds firom wbidi
those conclusions are ilerived.
^^^~-9 -~
CHAPTER V.
ON TIIB LANDED fROPRRTY OF INDIA.
iVWi«ia«ry oUfrfMhoma—Tke term ** iamded prv^terty* mot tuJ/icunUjf da*
Ht^tsktdfrom ike tmode of poMtutng il um/er ikr j'rmdai Itnt-^fPhjediam Id
CA# fmpttmtment oj /nuUU lrrm§'^f}rtgim of ^ Umlrd property" rnnordtmft ^
Mtnm'-Tht MokammtdamM—tkt Homam Uapffers^meamtm^ aiUtcked to tki term
ta /Atf Mtork-~Kariust tPfHrnmnu rtgardimg tkf §Utie o/ tatuUd ftroprrt^ m /«6tf
dert9f4 from Uke compamu>ms of Aiextuid£r^4md embtuMy of A/r^a^Amci—
flUtttd hjf Sir0bo-^<imd Dutditrms -their iwkper/eci imfiPnmahoH— Uitr t<o^ai(tr$
mmd tmrelUv—^erramU of the Snai'Imlt^ (hmtpmmf^Htmthtfrt of **71l« Husbamdrf
of Hr^^fuT -e^f ^ rUmt for Bntuh irndtoT—of diffr»i t*f litmdoo Utw^uii drmf
iike exuirmee of prinUe UtmUd prttprrty - HeumfUM f\w dts$rMttm[ from tkeot
mmikortiwa—' lieMTtphom oJ am Imdmm rtlhge or tttmHMhip^^Ktm^domu €tnmpo$ed
of tketr eUmrmis — tketr tmtmar cimMtUmtum amd relmttom to tie gfittermwumi hahU
t4$ mo change- -eMmmtmaium of mmcttmi omtktir%i%e»-^Mrwm dtgesi^comiradictmmi
Iff the cum^memimry ' - ■ eiaattmaimm of the tert -prrt^m drn^pmied ag proprteti*r ^
inm$$mhomM rtiforitu^ hereditary deeeemt'-'amd pml^ltc cffmirthmtnfms^i*roi*f of
heredUarf amd rmUnled Lmded proprrtjf as am mmirrrml prtmctfde ofj/t$tdoo laar —
meUher hmg mar temtmdar the pntpneior—Amummi uf lumU lax ^ ifhfrctmmM - rti.
Jimae f»r megUrhmft '• ntthemie^^trnd the tamd it»rlf grttmirti Ay Iht ktm^^^-amttrrred
hp rtferrmte to the trsi of the Imw amd the terms <•/ the ^jramU^-- Hefrrrmre tu the
mmetemi eiaie of lamded property %m other nmminee'^mdea 'Kgypi — Saartam
fahUe- Athena it^nnmmitam doahifiU rr^ardtm^ Grtere-^ atore ample amd
perfeei \m Italy nmjeremte frtnm this ejomtmaittm^AUemfd to truce the »fatr oJ
lamded prtHteriy la tmi^a^from the earhrti prrwds till the preeemi day'^^tffpieMii
<—<>/ litmdnoe^Iimme^Totirke -AjTlfhams itr l^aiamS'^XI'^raU — %mierrmf4*d hy
mtimrai tautedMOirwda — cemtrai rejftume flr$i orer^rmm^ KnaUrm amd H^eei^rm fnarfl
•eparaUd hy praripteet amd a hmrmmK cUmmte^^^smm^mahom of the latter from tha
eoMterm comei at 13) morlh lahiO'le, rommd Ca^te Cmi>nm to IS S, om the a^ti
euaai-^ i *mmarm -owr-^iifA *fth*c9^ip the amrtemt lamd'iaX'^tmertnee nf\ttper
eemi om tts ramtpitU hya Parndtam i« Xi^'l — etmtftteti hy the htmee of V^eyntku^^ffmr
la ISSS— >/Mr tract a»mpi»ee*l hy th^ mttmtMer of that state ttUl estamt '^oMes
eemforwmhle to Memm^ amd the amc%emt amthontyte om Utmdoo latt'-that Una
desterwmtiy applied to the calemlatkomt oJ the etm»purifr - rauee the rerrmmee :t* » per
remt '--farther a»ee»Bwyrmt hy the rebel g;ifrermue9 ivi KilH - Hote nt trktek Utmds
were them mUd heretiitary n^hte f« tn—t »$tdeJe»utMe la t 'amitro -- amh§f*ftiemt
eeaetwome mp tn amd mfler tke fwfmtpte^ hy ify*ler la 17«»3 — umder Ttppy^ Snlttmm
prttpneiitri heytm lb» dttclttm thetr nr\-f*erty- tuferemee Jn^m this fut —
MalaLitr ■-faheU»me -^amd real kuti*ey immJed property nf tktt t-iOAt perfect to a
decree mmei^trnpied la emy other exmmtry om-temt «'f ati»/rr» - Trttentmrxtf e easterm
f^fOet^ or JhyearetLt hetttmmtmK ^*tk Ike mk>etkte% /»aii/- cirmptered fy tk* kimm of
Vi^eymmmgx^r la |4!M> ft* ISI^ ky tkf Mmstmlmim etatet **f \ tjeyaft^tt^ ami
I
iiote^etmta %m \f^4f^- frnfmemi %mmr%^*nM mm*!er Skaktee — See»^ee' /tin fixed
le rAtf I
M**hammedam foe%rmmemt ttlmtmt \*V $t» tUte§tak!e rkararter ihe§e kmrkffHtmi
aehmmeled^e la tke aery teehmcul terms they empL^ the eeutemce %*f prttuie
keredUary peaptrfy ta lamd u/ tkmt time d$Mm.ti»^>m§ *>a thu §ukff%rt i>a the
reeaedt of kiadrae-'-tketr re rait melt f the lam* I* ^amd creah*m wf JTriiMrfm ■,
la tke Jm$terr Salrm^ ^e ««jy*tr«"M ^f the p$e%*pe%etmof thai a^eneute ili farther
mperatmm emepemded^ikatt **f f-r.ff^rf^ i« Tamptet ^yadmra-^Timmewellv. i'<* 4*r.->
n^'remcee-^ihe terrtk^rtal p^duy **f .Wmir*is Herte^d frt*m itemgai^ i^rt^o't nmtke
pttwmmmt •etttemumi oftkat ck'mmtry l%ftrtmce% fr\^ak the wktde
Thr llirv*** |ienif>nii wh«Mi* tvlntioriH u* <*3u*li otlicr, mitl Ut tlir |ir«»-
perty of thr «iil in ln*liA li.-%\i Uvii «tw-iivitU in f«iniRr puK
I
66 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [cHAP. t.
lications, are, the Sovereign, the Zemhidar (a proprietor accord*
ing to some, aud an ofiicer of revenue according to others,) and
the Ryot, or cultivator of the ground : and it has been objected
to the whole discussion, that as tlie relative claims of each of these
persons on the produce of the soil, and the extent of certain prv*
scriptive rights wliich cannot be infringer! without the imputa-
tion of injustice, are admitted without much yariation by all
paities ; the argument for determining who is the actual proprietor
of the soil is rather a dispute about words than a diseussioD
concerning things. This objection would indeed be fatal to any
farther agitation of the question, if the premises from which it is
derived were fully admitted : it is therefore indispensable to the
hope of obtaining a patient perusal of the following observations
that I should jprotest in limine against the definition, in substance
as well as in ^rm, of the whole of these claims and rights, r^anl-
ing which the contending parties are supposed to be agreed.
** Landed property' is a form of speech so familiar to the
English ear, that the ideas annexed to it would seem to require
but little explanation : and yet the very word tenure, by wliich
we express tne manner of possessing the right to such pro|)erty,
not only intimates a divei-sity in tlie meanings attached to the
term " landed property," but also conveys the direct admission
of holding such property from a su{)erior on certain conditiona
It is natural that an idea so entirely identified with the received
notions of landed j>ossessIon in England, should introduce itself
with facility into all our discussions on the same subject in other
countries ; but those authors who have found in the incidents of
landed i)roperty in India the whole system of the west, to the
extent of applying the technical terms of the feudal law indiscri-
minately to lK)th, ap[)ear to me to have made the same approach
to correct investigation as the ]K>et, who, in a happy simQc,
has discovered a fanciful and unexi>ected resemblance between
things really tmlike. I refrain for the present from the proof of
this position, because I think it will abundantly unfold itself in
the course of the investigiition. An elabomte comparison of these
two systi^ms would lea<l to discussions of great length, and perh^is
of little impoi-biiice ; and I am neither qualified nor disposed to
enter the lists with those learned men who have investigated the
origin <»fth(> fe(HlaI institutions; who are not agreed whether fcoJ
Ixi a sti|)endiary pro|M;rty,* or siniply glel)e or land; whetlier the
system of allotting landed property, in tlu; descending scale of mill-
tiiry sul)ordi nation, as a payment for militiiry service, was imported
fn)m the woods of (ieiTuany by a peopK* ani(»ng whom no landed
property had previously"!' existed ; or wliotlmr the highest of autho-
rities^ has solved the difliculty, by making the feoffs of the Oormaii
• Blackstonc, Vol. II, c. •!, and the authoriticH there quoto<l.
t TacitUH dc Mor Gor. m. c. 20. Cajsar de hello CSall. b. vi, c. 21.
t Spirit of LuwH, b. xxx, c. 3.
THAK v.] I.ANDCI) FROPRRTT IN INDIA. C?
rlii«*fH to cviiiHi^t in nntiH, liori<es. dinnerH, or otht*r valunblo
tiling, Ai\*«iniiii|; to which explaiuition ever)* ^ivcrniiiont on
enrth in ftMMlal.
Th«*s«> 4livi*rHitit*N of «i«iririno m*<>ni t4> show, that a fixed ohji»rt
of riini|ifiriHi»n will not cajiiiy U* (iimMvmMl in the ffHwial riyHt(*m ;
IhjI in tin* invfntipition of tht* Ktatt* (»f landcHl |>n){)erty in India, I
ol>J4*<*t to thf» 4*ni|iloynit*nt of fiMidal ti*niiH, liecaum? they Ih*^ tho
i|Ut*Hti(»n. by ini|>lvin;^ u rliain of fa4*tH which, at leaHt, n*inain Ui Ins
pMVfNl : mid I nliall avi>id tlu* c<ituiiariH«in alto^*ther, Un'mufiti I
ah<»uM only cx|KM«t to \n* Uh\ hy it to the dLnoover}', not of wiiat tliat
pn>iii*rty in. hut of wliut it in like: a nxnle of itMiMonin^ which haii,
norliaiwi. Uvn th«* miun*e (»f inoht of the erroni on tliia Huhjet*t which
nave nitherti» lie<*n {in»niuipitA*<l.
The explanation of the orif^n of lan<Io«I pro|)orty which ia
deliveriNl hy Menu* Lh not exceiMJe«d in oirrectneaH by any of the
writ4TK+ of the went *' Cultivate<l Und in the jin>porty of him who
rut away the woimI, or who firht cli^nHi and tille<l it;" and the exact
ci>inei«l«*n<v of thin d«M*trine with that of tlie t*ariy Moliainine<laiLH ia
worthy of |inrtirular n*niark. ** Wlmaoever* cultivatt* ^TiMte landM
ilin.'H thendiy aiH|tnri* the j»n>perty of thein ; a ZininitM^ (infidel)
biHNinifH |»Mi»rietor of them in the name manner aa a MuNNulmaiL"
Thf p*neml idea of pn»jw'rty, deliven^l by the K^mian Iawyeni.§ and
aiiopte<i int4» all the mtU^a of Kun>tM\ ia tiiat of aimple, uniform, and
aimiJuU dominion ; but it Lh manifiwt tliat the notion of alionluti^
dominion in to U* underntiMMl with rofiaiderable limitationa The
idea of ahmtJuU dominion over anythinj^ which we |HMm*9W. ia
alti»pr>*th<*r incomiMtible with the existence of aociety, which neceM-
wirily ri*nd«TH all our |M»«i«*^ioa<i omtlitiomtl : pn){wrty, whether
mov««iible or immoveable. evt*n tlio diaiMiaal of our time, and of our
|MTHonal laltour, the m«i9t valuable of our |in»|)erty. and tlie m^ist
un<pi«*f«ti«»nably our own. an* all of them liable to the conditiona and
reMtn<*tioa<« prearriUNi by the community to which we U*lon^. or by
the tM*r«on *»r iHTHonn mmi^'ntiii^ <»r p»vemin>c that (Himmunity.
At th«* very |H*nod when Juntinian waa employml in the omipiUtion
of the lawA (41 which wi* have a«lvertt*«l, many of theai» {lentona
deMi^nUtl AA |MM«M<«««iinif immovi^ble pni|>erty in abnoluti* dominion
Were c<im|irll«N| to n-lini|ui«ih their lamia. ta«cau^* they wert* insuffi-
cient to Miti^fy tin* detnaiid<i of the treaaury. Thf piveniinent muat
nc»t only have alwwirUMl the ahare of the pro«luoi* la*loni^u;; t*) the
pniprict^ir. but the profit derivable by a tenant UTon* tlie pn»priet«>ni
* Mrnu. c. 0, V 41. This ta th« alloiital |iru|iertj i4 iht weal, or what may
nnl laatitly hv t«niMd protwrty m/A^iir Uumrt.
t mark»tona. Vid- If . c I, and the authohtioi there qaoU<d«lncvther with
the ctriliaa« «iuM4«l h^ Otbhun. r 41, aiid AjrUtft* paMim.
! An oru aalbnnty ol MohamiiKvl. qutifcd 10 th« llcdaya
f Oibboa. cha|i 44 AfUfft iHuwtm.
I IVonipiua, «)uiil«d by UthUm m chap. 40. Tbarv la rMaiici tofuapact
atacxvcmticm la tha ■tatawaat <«( Pnieopitu in all that ouaU eoovay a aatire ua
JaaUaun ; bal th^ (acl« thoog b hifhljr culuarod, it tUU cnitlkd U> credit
08 TJLNDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V
could have been driven to relinquish Uieir lands. This ease of
extreme oppression more than extinguished the property : but if we
deny the existence of property merely because it is subject to
contributions for the service of the state, we shall search in vain for
its existence in any ago or nation. In England a proprietor of land
who farms it out to another, is generally supposed to reoeive as rent a
value equal to about one-third of the gross of produce ; this proportion
will vaiy in diffei*ent countries according to circumstances; bat
whatever it may be, the portion of it which remains, after the pay-
ment of the demands of the public, may safely be described as the
proprietors share of the produce of his own land: that which
remains to him, after defraying all public taxes, and all charges
of management Wlierever we can find this share, and the person
entitled to receive it, him we may, without the risk of error, consider
as the proprietor ; and if this right has descended to him by fixed
rules from his ancestors, as the hereditary proprietor. Property may
bo limited bv many other conditions ; but " dominion so far absolute
as to exclude all claims, excepting those of the community wbidi
protects it," conveys a general idea of the most perfect kind of
property that Ls consistent with the restrictions incident to a r^ga-
lated society : always supposing, in the case of land, the existence of
the proprietor's share which has been described. There is perhaps no
single criterion by which the existence of such share is so distinctly
ascertained as by the fact of land being saleable. When unoccupied
land is abundant (as it is in most parts of India,) and all lands are
taxed in pro{K>rtion to their value, we do not hear of men purchasiiig
the ])rivilego to become tenants ; to obtain that which is open to all,
and even courts the acceptance of all : men do not give a valuable
consi<lcration for a thing of no value ; the fact of purchase shows
that there is something to sell, that there is a proprietor's share. If
the demands of the government become so heavy as to leave no sudi
share, the sovereign may then be named the proprietor, or the
usurper, or any other more imposing or more gentle term whick
eastern courtesy shall invent : it is plain that the former proprietor
is reduced to the condition of a tenant ; he may cling for a tune to
the possession of his fathers, and this attachment may survive the
existence of that which created it ; but he is in effect no longer a
propriot()r of land, it is no hmger saleable ; there is no proprietoi^i
share, the; value and the property have ceased together ; and there is
no longer a question about exclusive dominion, because no penoB
will contend for that to which no value is attached.
Refoi-o dismissing this ))ranch of the subject, it is worthy of
reniJirk, that acconling to the Roman lawyers* the power of
* AdamsM Antiqiiitios, p. /»6. AylifTc, p. 282. It is trae that the BoaaiaB
lawyrrA somotimeA conHider usufruct as **a ^f^den of dominum or properip
(Ayliff, p. 315.) Dominium, according to this ezplanatioa, is to be eonnderadas
a tntum^ or aenvs, containing under it as two tpecie$^ a nvde proper^, and an
usufruct ; tlio plenum dominium being the union of both these cpaeiea of pn^
perty. But this mode of conaideriDg umfruct Beems to be scarcely oompaub
rflAP. v.] LAKDEh ntOPKHTY IN INDIA. 09
nlietintiiif^ inii<l woh the mtorinii tif |in>{icrty ; pcMicHHion without
Hurh |Miw<T iM'inj* <k»?nTiUM| iih inen*ly th« UHufnirt The infer-
onof a|»|M«rs t«» Ik* im*Hiicti)»h\ tliat the fact of buid being nale-
ahk* AMvrtaiiiH tlie exij»U*iu*«' of pra|ierty» and that the right to
tmll ideiitififA Uie |>n»(irietiir. The roller ih nH|ueate(l to bear in
mind the deKiiition which haH tiet^n offered of property, and of
th<* €*in*umHtaju\9« whirh fiiu^erUin itn oxiittence or extinc?tion in
Uh^ f'AMe of Und ; lMH^iuHt\ without aNpiring to deliver almtrart
d«*tinitioiiH not liahh* t«> ohj(H*tion, thtwe are the meanings which
will U» iinifonniy iittA4*ht*d t4» the t4«na whenever it Hhall lje found
in thf (^lurne of thin diM*UHHi«»iL It '\h ho|)eii tliat theiiu preliini-
nar}' evplanntionH will enable uh t«) enter m'ilh Bonie advantago
int'» th<* natun* c»f UuidtHl pn»|)erty in India.
Thf earlimt opinioiui on Uuh Hubjix't rereive«i by thi^ weHtt*m
world iiiav rhieflv, if not wholly, \n* traci^tl to tlic narmtivcH of
• • •
tii<M*« |«i*nwiiM who m^eiimiianicMl the ex|M«<liti<ui of Alexander, and
of till* einliii«i*iy of Mef^Uient*H, wh(» nhortly aiU'rwanlH fienetrated
Ntill ffirthi*r into India hh the anil^iNMulor of SeleucuM ; tlio
NulvttAnrt* of thrir iiifornmtion, an m-ell aa of all tliat hiul Wn^n
€>l»tAin«'<l in tht* inU*rnMMliaU* |ieriiMla, haa he<*n colhvte^l in tiie
work?! of I>i<idonifi. a native of Sicily, who ttourialK**! at Itoino
alMiut 41 y<«n» U*fon* tlie chriiitian em, ainl of Stralio, an Aaia-
tic <tn^*k. who livi*ii in th«* iiulMM*<(uent ci*ntur>' : Uith of them au-
tlMim of d<**M«r\'<«l «*<*li*bnty, who an* naid to have viaited m<iat of
tht* c«intitrii*< whirh they d«^*rilM*d, witli tlie exci*|ition, howeviT,
of India. aM in i*vidf-nt fmm their workn. StraU» complaina that
tlie m<Mlini voyag«*rH whom he liaii tHinKult»I, who nailed fnmi tho
RiNl Si<ft Ui India (wmie ffw of them even to the Oangea). wem
ao nid«« and ignorant aa to be inca|mble of making or c^vmimuni-
rating uv>ful olwcrvat iona. The c«>m|ianinna of Alesuiniler aru
atAt««(| by the name author to lia%*e given ditferrnt and op|MMito
vttb thtf hn^l duitinrtii»ti ctififttantlj |»ri«rnrfd lirtwem U and yrnfteii^hy
llirintrlvm, and u lublr to thr ■rrion* objection of unnervwianlj rmployiuK ^h^
Minr won! (%ijL. |>n»|>rny) to fticrnify two dinttnrt and ditferrnt ttiinit*. than
wkirh nivthinf can \^ morr f At%] t4i prrrtiiiiin in rx|irr«aini oar thnof hta. Thua
in thr rery rxplanati'm of thia fanrtful tfrnu* and uperira, ** a nnde pmpcrty
(aajr they^ la 0110 tbinff, and a filrnnin d^iminitim i« an«iChrr ; for a nud^
pnifirrly i« when the itmfmeinr kaa the pn*pertv of a thing the tuafruct
tiring in an*ither. an«i tnita Htufmei u d%M%mtt ttmf »ef^mU /ntm ik^ frfffirfi^
0/ n iAtm^" fAyhffe, |l 31ft. > It ia firulMihly tbia appliratioa fW the aame
|«nn to diaaimilar tbuij^ vbieh baa fiven riae to the indiatinrt notiona t<» h*
found on the reevirtb m Madraa of two pn>fiertie« in «ine tbing Nt^bing can
b* more atmple and inteihgihle than the cxplanatt«i of naofnict fiveti by tba
Human lawyrrm, witb«Hit rrferrnre to thi« ronfuaion i*f two tbinga derlami to
ha diilinrt and aafiarala, ni., ** tb« ngbt of luing the profita ariatng froQ
m iA»ma Mamjjitm^ #0 mtnoikfr permm^ witboot any |«viiidira or diaitDUtimi |o
tha anl«taiie# or pmperty tbaranl.'' 'Ayttffe, p. )IX) I acrardiagipr adhere
to tbU dafinitmn nif oanfriiet, ta tba pmiiaatna thai ao eoafMioo of idoaa eaa
pnaaihiv ariaa fmoi difltiaguiabing in all raata wbaU?«r, b«lwr«i Iba rifbt lo
IIm auMaaca of a Ibiag. aad tba right to \Xt^ laatnararj aaa. or ffo«i alwaja
•mpluying dilTcrail wordi to axpfMi \hmm vary dnfanBl thaafi.
70 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V.
accounts of what they had seen ; ** and if (adds he) they difler
thus rcganling what they saw, what opinion shall we form of what
they only heard V* The means of communication which were
Eosse&sed by the philosophers who accompanied Alexander are
appily described in the quaint but acute answer of Mandanis
the sophist, to Onesicritus, when sent by the conqueror to be in-
structed in the philosophy of India : '' I may well be excused
(said Mandanis), if conversing with you through the medium of
three interpreters, ignorant of every language but that of the vul-
gar, I should find it impossible to unfold the principles of our
philosophy. To form such an expectation would be as unrea-
sonable as to demand that I should transmit water in a limpid
state through a medium of mud.'' The imposing reputation of
antiquity has, however, given great weight to the information de-
rived from these sourcea It seems to have been scarcely noticed,
that Strabo, on the authority of Nearcbus, assures us,* that the
husbandman of India carried home just as much of his crop as
was sufficient for the subsistence of the year, and burned all
the real, in order that he might have an incentive to labour in the
succeeding year ; that Diodorus affirms famine to be unknown in
In<lia ; that Arrian and Strabo affirm slavery, which is universal
in every part of India, to have no existence there pf" and, finally,
that Strabo himself stigmatizes as retailers of fables Nearchus,
Onesicritus, and Megasthenes, whom in other places he cites as
his authorities : while Diodorus and Strabo are carefully quoted
to show that the wholej property of the soil was vested in
the king, who received as proprietor a fourth part of the produce.
With the aid of more direct and perfect modes of interpreting the
pompous phraseology of the east, which styles its monarehs the
lords, and its priests the gods of the earth, the inference of these
authors, whether strictly correct or otherwise, was very fairly de-
tflucible from the translations which they would probably receive
of these terms ; and a stranger who should receive from an Eng-
lish lawyer an explanation of the king's fictitious rights under the
feudal system, without enquiry into the substantial fact^ would
probably receive a similar impression regarding the property of
land in Engiand.§ It will be seen hereafter, that in conformity
* Strabo, Book 15. ^
t '^ncent'e Nearchus, PreL Dis., page 16 : ibid. p. 67.
X Diodorus, book ii. Btrubo, book xv. — In this, however, they are not
eonsistent with each other, for Strabo affirms that the cultivators pay a foarth
of the produce at rent^ while Diodorus states that they pay a fourth of tht
produce besides the rent.
§ The reader who has not perused the observations of Algernon Sydnij
on this subject (ehap. 3, sect. 29), will be amused and instructed by referring
to them, and to the doctrines of his opponents, very similar indeed to tiie
doctrines now held regarding landed property of India ; and he will natumlfar
be led to conjecture what the practical doctrines regarding the propertv of
land in England might have been at this day, if such men as Algernon Syon^
Lad not dared and died for the benefit of posterity.
aikP, v.] LANDED FKOPCRTY IN INDIA. 71
tf> wliat is MUted t>y Stmlio and Diddumn, the kiiif^ wan really
ctititlMl Ui exiu*i one-fourtli of tlio crop in tiincti of imblk* di»-
tn-MA. The voyntfiTH* and travel Uth of later times, witlitmt any
exception, that liaai fallen within the iio«i|k* of my limitANl reailing,
and the auth(»rM fwhen tiiey have ct>n<te?«(*en4U*4l to noticv teni|M>-
ml alfairM) of that ver\' Ntran^^e (*<»ll<H;tion the '* Iit*ttn*H Kditiant«*M,"
have all ec'liotnl the miuk* d<H*tnne : an<t'^ th<* Kun>|K*mi travellen*
who vinitetl the €*«mrt of Aiinin;:74'U* in the IuU^t |«irt of the 17tli
i*i*ntury are unanimous in denyin;; the existent^e of private landcHl
pnijiertv in Indiii. The wht»le of Ai*iA, indetMl, H«N-niH to U» iN»n-
denined t«* th(* name inti*nlii*t : and a lut*** author hn*fidly pm*
noiiiK^'H that in Syriii there is n<» pn»pi*rty. niil or |M*r>4iMuil ; an
AMfto*rtion whirh h<* mi^ht nt any time have diniNivertNi to |je
ernnHHiiw, hy tlie pun*h:im.* of a fart hi n;;'H- wort li of in^t-enH in the
hazar. It IH thuM that men of i^rt'nius o)nft»und tin* n*al with
tilt* ima^finary oi>nm*ipieniH**« of de<i)M»tiHni ; an«l lHH*:itj<4«* then' in
no efiieioiit an<l iNjtml pn»tivtioti for pro|ierty, e«in«*liiiie at onct*
oil it«4 aliH4»ltJt4* extinetioii.
\Vh«'n the Kn^^linh ;:«»venuii«*nt Um^hh** th«» iovi'n»i'/ii of n vaMt
tiTriti»r\* in India, the iphMtioti «if Innd***! pn»|»«Tty wa** inventi-
piU**! witli waniith. and twt» op|kii^it4* ikirtirn an>s«*. n*^|«««*tively
atlirinin^ tin* rij^ht of the novmiu'^n lUhl of the Zt*niind»r. to the
pni|ierly of tli«« H»»il. Tht» riQk<*>inin.^ on this Huhji^'t wen* not
only n«<*oni«»«| on xUt* ottirial pPM*»f«hiii^ «if the oiuiihuiv h p»v«*ni-
nieiit. hut wvn* Hiilimitt«**i to the jud;^m«*nt of th«* puhlie hy mm of
n-ntkN'tahility and talt*nt, |»i*rH4»ii:illy eii»nverHant with the tlr|iartiiH*nt
«if tndiiui n*venu«* : and a «itviMit>n on the whf»le eaM* hnn U*en pn>*
n<>un<*«*«l hy the hiL;h auth«>rity of a lawy*T. a Htat<*f(man. and a
miniHt4»r ; afiil p*nenilly r«»ntinne>ii in an an<inynMniH work§ of merit
on the hufilnndr^' of lk*n^l. attrihntetl t^i an author of ntill p>*ater
antliority on iiuhjt*ctf« of thi^ natunv An thin d<*<*i'«i«>n ap|*«*am at
pn*rtt*ut V* ^iveni the puhlie opinion. I ?«hall fju*»te it at len;:th.
! *'thi th<* mihjcct of thi' ri^ditM of Zi*iiiin<Un« tli«' n'ii.«*iininpi
t*«intinut*<i for VfuirH in <*\treme«i. Ihi one lianil it was aAwrt*-*! that
the Z«*min«Ur ha^i U*«*n m<'n'lv an otiiet*r or ro|K«'t«>r of n*v< nu«* ; on
till* oth«T. tliat he* had U*«'n a f«*utiatory prim^* iif tli«< I'Uipirv. It
h.-wi n««piin*«i th** m«»<«t laUiriiniH invt.-?tti^itii»n to di<«i*t*\« r tie* fat^t,
\ijL. tliat tilt* M^i^i^ul w:ii« tht* lonl f*U|N*ri«»r or pri»prit*t«ir <t«-nnH5
t*«iuival«*nt in their m*-anini;) «if the M>tl . th;it tin- A«-min*iani werr
<»mef rt of revenue, juitiii* and |ii»li<x* in tln-ir ♦littrift-*, wlim* tlify
* I havr iiot Ue>cn aMr t** pmrurr tbc wnrk <•( ('«»«iiivi 1im1ici>|>K'U«Ica,
who wr«itc III thr tk$t9 *^ Jtt«tiiiuii.
♦ IW-niirf, Thrvtfnut, l*li inltri. T*vcfnirf. ui«i I lulirvc M«ti«Hir)ii
; V«lticy. VmI li, t» A»r* I .|i|«itc- thr l».urr fr«»iii p4tt«*li
4 llu^lk^itlry of IW-nci*l. |> ''>^ IIaik (or Hnti^li IihIia. |i. 47o
%Tlil)i 11 » noiilUc in»laii<v t*i tlir rtii|>lit)fiuii( of ft^nUl tenDH., «hirK,
with due 4ul>iiii%iii«iii, a|*tKiif l*» rii« !«• Ih- r«iHii*ri«l f^fmtrtUHl b> nififi»uii(lini:
fi'ti^m with MiUtLuiti^i i*ri .vini At ill i^ciitt cAiuiut, witbuut hiiOni'K ^bv
wIm4c <|Uc«tAun. ^K (Mj a|>pli«il m ludu
72 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V.
cklso commanded a kind of irregular body of ndlitia ; that ibis office
was frequently hereditary, but not necessarily so; that on the fiulure
of payment of the rents, or of fulfilling the other duties of his office,
he could be suspended or removed from his situation at the pleasure
of the prince ; that the rents to be paid to him Irere not fixed, but
assessea, at the will of the sovereign : and that the Byot or cultiva-
tor of the soil, though attached to nis possession, and with the right
to cultivate it, yet was subjected to payments, varying according to
particular agreements and local customs ; that, in general, he continu-
ed on the spot on which his labours were directed to raise the meana
for his own subsistence, but that the proportion to be paid to the
state was to be judged of by the Zemindar ; that the rights of the
Ryot had been gmdually abridged, and the proportions he paid
increased, during the successive revolutions through which his
country bad to {mss before and after the fall of the Mogul empira"
I shall close this formidable list of authorities in favour of the
proprietary right of the sovereign, with a reference to a Di^jest
of Hindoo Laio* The ingenious author Jagganathay-f with a
courtesy and consideration for opinions established by authority
which IS peculiar to the natives of India, has, in his Commentary,
pronounced the earth to be the " protective property of powerful
conquerors, and not of subjects cultivating the soil :" tney are,
however, admitted to acquire an annual property^ on payment of
annual revenue, until a greater revenue be ofi'ered by another
person ! The general object of a commentary is supposed to be the
elucidation of the text ; and as a curious and instructive example of
inference, the reader is here presented with the text from which this
conclusion is drawn.
" Thrice seven times exterminating the military iaibe, Parowu
i2ama gave the earth to Casyapa as a gratuity for the sacrifice of a
horse." I feel it necessary to assure the reader that this is a serious
quotation of the whole text : to which is prefixed a short introduc-
tion by the commentator, intimating, not inelegantly, if fsJblb alone
were intended, that " this earth, created by God, bec»jne the wife of
Prithu (the Cecrops of India, who first invented agriculture,)
and by 'marriage and otherwise became the property of seveiml
princes.'' The learned and highly enlightened translator of this
work truly informs us, *' that^ much of the commentary might have
been omitted without injury to the context,'' but that he undertook
a verbal translation as a public duty, and could take no freedoms
* London Edition, vol. i. p. 460.
1 1 am aware that some other commentators have maintained the aame
doctrine before Jagganatha, influence, without doubt, by the same coartenr :
but thev have produced no text that any man of plain understandisff woiua
acknowledge as authority. Jagganatha, as will presently be seen, oombats the
opinion of a large cIcm of commenkUars, who affirm the htubandman to be the
Eroprictor. It will bo seen hereafter that the word Cshetra-Carta, translaled
usbandman, is literally landlord,
t Preface, p. 24.
rilAI*. v.] I.ANI>Kli ritorKKTY IN INDIA. 73
witli «-itli>-r a I'fst rift inn wliii-li |inili:i)»ly iii:uiy ri-i<l«'i-« will reffmt.
ulitii a|>{>ii/.*'I 'til tilt' .s;iiii«* t4-H|ii-4 t:ilt]i' aiitli>»rity tli:it llit* work U
ill! ii-l'- 1 I • sirvr " a>«* .i NUii|i|:ir<l tor iIm* :Hliiiiiiistr.'iti<iii ••!' jii^tu*««
aiiiMii^ (Ir- IliiuI'Mi Mjl»jii*ts nt lirrat Hritaiii. "
1 li.ivi* t ii-li aviiiiri'>l !•> iiiaislial, witli«Mit any (lisi^ti'M'. tin*
iiii^iilv )ili.il.iii\ t»r •i|»iiii«»ii wliirli i^ r<»iin'ntnitril a;^iiii.*«l iiif. ami
I sli:ill n>iu )»i>H-«ti| to t'xaiiiiiii' thf ntttlioritir.s wliii-li liaw Ini nii-
t<» a 'litiVii'Ul •-••ii«-hi'*iiin.
Kvi-ry III iLiii vill;i;;r is, ainl a)>|K;arH ul\va\<« to liavi* Invii. in
f.K I a Ni |i.ir.tt<- • >*iiiiiiiiiiity i»r ri'piililii* ; au«l i*\hil*it.N a livin;; pii'tun*
• •t'tiiit ^t.it<- of tiuh^'t witii'li tliriii'i'«t'« li.ivr iiiia^^iiiiil in t)i<* «-:irlifr
M.i^'* ^ *>i «'i\ .it/.-itii>ii. \i )ii-h nii*n liavf iifiM*niM«-tl in ('•■iiininnitii'N tor
til'- {•iii|»<^>' *»\ I* • ipi'H'.illv ailniiiii<«ti-riii:^' l** f.-K-lt iitluT** uants : I.
til*' (i><ii-i, I'ot.iil. MiiriMi<Miiii. iir Mmrlil a^ Ih- i> nain^ I in •litrnrnt
laujii.i::*--.. \^ tli*' iu>l;;i' an>l ni.iji-^trati* . - th*- <*iiriiiini, SlianUkiiir.
HI l'iit\%.ii> ••. i-» iIm- It ■ji'lttr . *• till' Taliarv •»!' Stlinluar. aiitl. V tlm
Tilth- .11 •■ '"I* I ally ill'" wati'lihii'n tif iht- vill.iL^'f an«l ••I'iIh' «'i«^|i'« ; .V
ill.- N« • I jiiiiti I- iji^triliiit*'^ t!i«- \i'al4*r <•(' ih*- s(i«-anit or n-Hi-rvMirH
in pi^t I'loji ii t I'lh \'» tlif '^•'ViT.il tii-M*» : i». tin* tliiti**!!!'**. «<r J«i^liit\
1*1 .I'tr il-i^'-i. |i« rririiit t)if i-^<>t iitial MTvii'i* iif anniMuiiMii;^ tli«*
Hi.t-oiiN •>! H'i'l liiiif an*l li.ii\« -*t. aipl the iniai^nnarv U n«-tit nf
m
iiiit-! iiii^ tii« iihk\ "t tiiiliii kv <l.iV'« anil Ii->up4 tor all tip* i»iK*ni-
tfiii "I tiriiiiiij. 7 til** •«iii:tli. aiitj s rarfHiit«'r. fninii* tlit* riiiit*
iioti iiiii> ii! « 'I IninlMtiiirv. aiiil tin' DhiiT >l\i«-liini; **f tK«* tanner;
*l till- |»>I(«l t'.illi- ati's tilt' only !it«'nnilH lit' till* villa;^!*. III. till?
^ft.fli- iiii.iii k< • ji-* I i>-.in till- f-w :,^irinfntA wliirli an- ^i]!!!!!. uiid
Hi.in. •suii , w..\rM in iIm' family *»t' iIm* faiiniT, or pnnha>t*<l ut
tie- ii<.ii>--t mark* t , II iIp- liarlM-r r«inTril>ut«*N to till' rli-anliiit-NS,
all! a— 1 ii in tlii* t-i:]i't ••!* tin* villai:i*ri. Il2 tl»«' •*il\i-r'niiili.+
iii.iikiiij l!tf a)>]in»ai-li of luxury. niaiiufai'titn*H tin- -tiniiili* iini;i-
iii*!i(« Mitli will! ii th< V •!• liijlit to U<li'«-k tlifir wixri an«i tln-ir
ila i^iii* r-* .iii'l tli«— • lw»l\i' ••triii-p* 'l»:irni l»iil|.iwutt«-«*. or Av-
ail^.ii<,) • -! !• •|Mi'*ilf mMiilNr^t ••!* (lit* (-••iiinmiiity. ii-i'*'i\i- tlif
• i.i;- I. ,kti<n '•! tip II I.i)-'iir, « it)i<-r in al!«>tiji«'iit> of Lin- 1 fp-ni tin*
I'-ijririt. ■»!— k "t 111 I- ' < «' -n^i-tin^* 'if li\i"l |'ro|i irti-'n- of tin*
< i> |> it •v>i\ tiiiifi III t}i>' \ ii! iji' In -^--iiif iiitt.iii-t-^ t!i«' laii'U
• ■I I \:..\'- ir* • r!!\.it«-l in « •inni iii. aii-l tip' < r"|> 'lixi-i'-'l in
t! ' j! ; rri.i,-. ..f lip- i.i*-.iir •-• iili:l-ult^l. I'Ut l:« i>' i:i>l> « arli
• -■ ijiiil till* 111- o\in tit ii . tlii- wa.it«- l.iii'i it a fianniitn |i;t*i-
till' t<<r t ijf i-atlif "f til*' \:ll.iji* . it-i • \t« riial Uunlaii*** ni<' iv*
« i:-l-il!v iiiiikfl a-* tli'>*M' if tlii- iirlit«( tif-M. uhI tli'V ar* m.iin-
t -»■■!. i« .1 4--t|iiiir.!i iijlii I f till- \ illaj'- • r ntli«r tijf '■'".-'' y 1 .1
t« rm \*l.! !i ni'-n- liTii'tlv •!• n* nUn il.,- thiiip: in oiir r-ni* iii)>I.i-
* Tri'ii*-. \> «*'>. I.* !.i It f^i;;ii>ii
t III -• t:.«- \ \f\^ oM!.!- «<<.iiitr} ill ot'.^i r*it.i!h M n>>l f •uml itilinif ti in
Oil' < it'in.i r tt:> it -f t »*« Ui . l.j • (-!>>• tx t;.^' ,, . >i|ii,l ).y tl.r ;-<'. t !• -^ • \\nU
«!%• iiiii:i^.«r it !.'.! 1 -rMuiiiii!). nif In ,uriii:y LiU a1»i tkv i»ltii « • I «I>'-1-
11. k.«t«r.
74 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V.
/lion), t<) tho exclusion of others, with as much jealousy and ran-
. cour as the frontiei-s of the most potent kingdoms. Such aro
/ the primitive component parts of all the kingdoms of India.
' Tlieir teclniical <;ombination to comix)se districts, provinces, or
/ nrincij)a]itie8, of from ten to a hundred thousand villages, has
/ been infinitely diversified at different periods by the wisdom
' or caprice of the chief ruler, or by the vigour and resistance of
those who, in every age, coimtry, and condition, have coveted
independence for themselves, and the power to govern tho greatest
possible numl)er of their fellow-ci*eatures. Menus* arrangement
places a lord over one town with its district (which is precisely
the township above described); a lonl often, of twenty, of a hun-
dred, and of a thousand, in a scale of regular subordination, reporting
and receiving commands successively from the next in gradation ;
and fixes with precision tlie salaries and perquisites of each. HLs
scheme of government recognizes none of those persons who, in tlieso
days, are known by tho several designations of Wadeyars, Poligars,
Zemindiir8,+ Deshayes, &c. all in their resijectivo jurisdictioas
assuming, when they dare, the title of Raja or Icing : all the ofKeers
enumerated by Menu have, in their several scales, at different
periods, simply acted as agents of the sovereign ; an farmers of
revenue contracting with the sovereign for a certain sum, and
levj'^ing what they can, as partisans or chiefs of troops, receiving
an assignment on revenues managed by another, or the direct
management themselves, for the puipose of defi-Jiying the pay of
the troops. In thase several capacities tliey may have continued
olK'dient to the sovereign who deputed them ; they may have
obtaineil from his favour, or from his fears, a remission of a part
of the sum to be accounted for ; they may have rebelled and
usnrjKjd the whole government, or have established a small
independent principality, or a larger : but with regard to the villages
or ti)wnships of which the principjility is composed, they have
appeared but in one character, viz., tho government, the sovereign :
a person exercising the sovereign authority on his own account, or
by delegation on account of another. The interior constitution
and condition of each sejmrate township remains unchangtKl ; no
revolutions affect it; no c<mqiu^t reaches it. It is not intended to
itKH(Tt that the village in our contemplation may not have produced
tho Ctesar of his little world ; the rights of the inhabitants may
have l)een invade<l by the Potail, by the Poligar ruling over
twenty, by the Wa(ie\'ar ruling ov<^r thirty-three, by tlie collector
♦ Chap. 7, p. 115, etc.
t In the work of Tippoo SultAun, who affeotfd new names for all ol]J6Ct%
tliey are called Hoomfenny the plural of a Persian word nearlv B3monyinoiiA
with Zemindar. He. however, applieH it not only to the Indian Chief of a
district which he is reducing to subiection, but frequently (and with more pro*
priety) to the inhabitants of the district generally ; apparently intending to
convey the idea of their being the aborigines. Baorn^ country, region, ftooiiff,
belonging to a region ; a person who has never left home.
i:iUP. v.] LAKDm> I^ROPEKTY IN INDIA. 7.^
ovrr two liuiKlreil, or hy the sowrei^i of twenty thoiuuiiid town-
Hhi|m : tBa(*h or either of UieHc* iienuum iiuiy have utteiupteii. or
huvf Mihxxxnloii, <»r have fiule<l, in |M*rHUAdinf; or forcing un lui^-
mentation of the {>n»|Mirtion of money or of ^rain \m*\ by the
ti»wnshi|> to the i«tiite ; hut n»n«|ue>U«, usurfMitionH, or n*volutioas,
mnNidered an mieh, hnve ulM4»hit4*lv no induen<v on iu« roniii-
tion. The eontjuenir, or UMnr|K;r, ^lirertly or thn>ui;h his :i;^*htA,
A«liin*?v4i-H himH4-lf iirt Hovetviijn or n*|ir%.»H«»nUitivr of ih** HM\«-iei;;n
t4> tht* h«*a«l of th«!i t«»wiiHht|»; it*« ollio*rH. itn Uiun«hiri«'s. :tii>i thr
whi»l«* fninn* of it** int4Tiiir ni;inn;^«-nicnt r^*niain iiniiiti-mMv (he
Kini«* .* uii<i it i*4 i»f ini|Mirtan<*<* t«» n'nifni)H.-r that r\fr\ st:it«' in
ln<liii in li eon;^:rit•^ «if th«*M' litth* rt*|>n)»lio
Tht* iiio<«t iiiii*i«-nt 'Mi*l atitht'iitit* :iiithoritii*H ;ii*i*i-o<^i}>li< t'» thr
Kii;;]iHh n*iiili"r an* tin- in-^titnt*"* **t' Mfini tr:iii*4l:it«*'l l»\ Sir \V
•I»»n»i ; unit the t«'\tn fimn a ''n-iil v:irii-t\ of UHik-* "t -:n if«l law.
which an* o«»l!t*«'t4'«l nn<l arr.in.;i'«l in thf i>i-^i-^t of MlU'I'mi hiw
tih«'a«lv ni<'ntion*-«i. Tlu* aiith^r of that \%«*tk inftinit^*^ n- in lii*»
('••iiini«*ntArv, that i%n**i^nf''t§ i ^itiJ t»tl,0 r^ •xpiiiii tfi»* \%Mnl
hu^Uni'hiniit s\H if^f tit t' 'tf (ht /!*•''/, an* I i'n«hM\«'U* <» !«• n iii-i\ «* the
•iitlii'iilty of n-<*i»iii'iliii^ thf-M- auth«»ritii*« %iith hi« ''wn itiiirtly
o|iinii»n, aln*a«ly ni«titi<»niNi. hy a ^Tit'<« t>f i|iiihMr*« v%hi«h I will
n«it att4^nii»t t*i ♦li-U'^'*, U««-jiii»M- 1 ]tri*f«*N<« iii\<««'lf iinahlt* •JiNtinrtly
to «*<«iii|ii« fi«*n*l th«iu. Thi-* author ha^ iiiit tlpHi^^'ht |in*)H>r to
ijlHtti' n t« \l ft' Mlhii'h \\r I'luM H*;in«Iy If l;.n»"»Jinl. vi/.. • [ I'XlU
ti\ik(4*'l lao'l i"« till* |iiii|M'rty <*f hini %ih«i «'Mt a\%:ty th«- win».1, or
who tir*t t'lian**! hihI tiil«*<l it; a |i:c«^i::e wliit-h «liNtiiittly
I nIjiMi-Ih'^ th«* rviM^'n* f f*ii\a(«- |»i«»|i»*rty in lan«l in tlif liiiyn
of Menu. It may |»«»--ihly !••• t.hj.it*''! that tlii** |m-<i:^»» <MrnrM
nt»t in a <li«|ni**iti«'n ri»n«-i rnin^ iiii'l. hut t'*ir thf iitii|m-M' if il.
liiHtmtin;; a (|Ue<«tii»n **i tiliation \*y • i.|ii|tfiriti:^ tin r«"*|N t'ti\«'
rlainiH «iftlit* i»wn«*r Mf-<«-««i an*i tin- *»wntr of thr l;in*l in uhiih
it iH Miwn . ^nt thiH ;«p)i.iit nt i*h|t i-(i>ti. a** I «'«iii«*i i\f, tuatf-iialK
''tn n;;tlHn'» tin- aiitli<Mit\ \\i i!!ii-<t i.iti l.nt uhiili .ti« i.l.^ un*.
h\ ri ft-ii*n* «• t«i f.ii tA ff ^'« fii t.tl n<'tiii ii'tv , Mini if i^ nLiiiil'i -^t
that tlii>« «MI;:ill «>t I.kli'h i ■•{••l-lf\ •%•• • ••{■•■•lialil t'» tie- «ili t.iti***
Mm
of rt-.(**>n. an*l to th** ^'t m r.ij «<|>iiit*in ^'f in.inkiini. niu-l h.txi Ufn
f.iniiiiarlv klt>*WM airl .i< kti •» [••{■^'•-•l a<« .« |*r.i*f'«.ii iii!'->f -oixntV
• " y.\rry \ili ««;i . u jM. it ^ t •*• v. \\ 41.^ i.;, , . • ♦ ..; ■ ... -l. j , t l.atl
<<( liltjr r» :<mMii . «.!}i tl.t !*• * ; k! r* . 1,. i«| . ' * . 1 1; .; • 1 ■ 1 [• .-• iif
innh r« t^il'Ii'-. Tilt- iiiii iHt-k.-'* V -1 u.'i,: « w. I---^ ■:: •*> !•» » .».. .-mm I'l-tail
'1 ht-y fTnr t}irni*ci\( * !»•» tr--ii •• .'"'iit tlit !• • »k:i..' '-i.' tt.>l tM :-:<'ii ••! Litif;-
tl 'la* . »l..lr thr \iil.V' »• " ->• ■ « n*iir. l..f> • i-«' !.••! t>< « i it | < m t r i! %%
traii*(«'rr»l « iir r t- % rr it ^'ti* « t.*.- :ii*.* 'it.it.it i,.-* • -.it !• -i. li. « m. t !• r«-| . *|u-
!•..! Ill !• -till iJ.* ■..Ili-i?*.! I'-l .- -• i*« .'. t *. .1 « ir»ii, f l;..:i;tl.* t^i-
o' Mi-iia viitil tt)i« i)i> :i.i' -4 ** . • • t '•:..-.• r i« ;. :• • if ! 1 1 %%-!K i 1 ttir"iu'li
tlir |*«ilalU ■ iMtx'r: tri.iu Ai \:.',{ ■■ 1 i' S •■• ^1 i> l**»"'. *•> ny iMiinl
I«lrUtrtiJUit t *i»l« 'fill Matt n*. t>* H * •■« •%.••..• 1! r« (<•■.:- liii f« »i t.u« I itn I fi*a«l
t«» AcklMiwIc^l^r \Uv ni*»«l t-ttcii'iM- • 1'*:^ it I •
t Vol I. |> pi. I>>rri -r- \','\\U -ii
: Ml nil. i '.• \ 11
76 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V.
at the |xjriod* when the code of Menu was compiled (for it pro-
fesses to be a compilation), viz,, about 880 years before the
Cliristian era, and 553 before the expedition of Alexander.
The passages from the Di(j€st itself, which prove beyond Uie
possibility of cavil the existence of private property in land,
crowd u|)on me in such numbei*8 that I am only at a loss which
of them to select ; but in order that we may not be disturbed by
the claims of the fabulous husband of the earth, in the form of
Raja or Zemindar, it may be proper to commence with showing
that the laws of Menu, and of the Digest, with regard to the sale,
the gift, the hereditary descent, and other incidents of land, can
by no possibility be forced to apply to either Raja or Zemindar,
or any other person than the individual occupant and proprietor.
"fSix formalities for the conveyance of land are enumerated in
the Digest, viz. 1. the assent of townsmen ; 2. of kindred ; 3. of
neighbours ; 4. of heirs ; 5. the delivery of gold ; and 6 of water :*
to which six formalities the commentator is pleased to add a
seventh, not mentioned in the text, the assent of the king, or the
officer of the king residing in the town. 1 shall, however, be
satisfied with his own explanation of this veiy passage in another
place, when he had probably suffered his recollection and his
courtesy to be off their guard. " § The assent of townsmen, of
heirs, and of kindred, is there required for the publicity of the
gift ; the asvsent of neighbours for the sake of preventing disputes
concerning the boundaries. Publicity is required that the towns-
man and tlie givers own kinsmen may be witnessea" The land
which is here given or conveyed as private pro|)erty is a por-
tion, and apparently a small portion, of one of the townshi{Mi,
which we have described; townsmen, neighbours, and kindred,
assemble not only on account of the publicity of the gift, but to
ascertain how tnuch is given. ||Menu prescribes the mode of
adjusting disputes concerning boundaries, not only between two
villages, but between twolF fields, and determines that in the
latter case the testimony of next neighbours on every side must
Ikj considered as the best means of decisioiL " ** Let the owner
of a field enclose it witli a he<lge. Whatciver man owiis a field,
if seed conveyed into it should germinate," &c. &c. These aiB
but a few of very many texts which might, if necessary, be ad-
duced to prove a fact no longer to be deemed doubtful ; namely,
that the land intended is neither a province, nor a kingdom, nor
• Preface to the Translation. t Vol. ii, p. 161. ^
X The sale of immoveable property cannot be eflfected without the
formalities of donation, vol. iii, p. 432. The delivery of gold and water
(which ia the usual formality of a gift) is on this account necessary to
conveyances of every description.
§ Vol. lii, I). 432. II C. 8, v. 243.
t C. 8, v. 262.— '< The bounds of arable fields.''—'* Should the ndghboufB
»ay aiivthing untrue vihcn two men dispute about a landmark," ^c
♦» Ibid. v. 239.
CHAP, v.] LANDED PRi)PERTY IN INDIA. 77
All fiii|iinr; liiit Hiiniily n Ht4<l, (»r nii eMUiU*. u |Mirticm of tli<* UimIm
«if* II tiiwiislii|i. TliiH fiict will U; fiirtlivr illiistniUii in tiv:iiiii;^ of
ilir n*HtrirtioiiH un<Icr wliirli tlu* IuikI was ii«isr4i*?vMHi ; tirht with
n»;r.inl to hiTi'^litHrv •It'Htvnt, }iti«l h4*«* m Hv witn n»^:irii in UiXi**^ t»r
piihlir o>iitril»utioiLH, or, in oth«*r wonN. t«> iUv «*J:uiii<« nf tin* kiii:'.
A <Iii«tiiictinii is iuimIo U*twivii tin** titli- to liiii'l wliirh a man
luLs n«*«|uiiV4l liinisi*lf. nnil tliat whif*ii li:t^ drM'fniitMl t«> liini Tpini
nil ano'Htor. A iimn may *zi\'v <»r h'-il at lii** |»l«iiHurf wl»..t liihiNflf
liaH aiH|uin.*<l, ovon tliotiirli In* sK.miM 1«m\v Iiih family ilr-iimu*:
•* +A niaiiH own pft in \ali<l. InvaUM- lu- lias |»ni]itrt\ uliirli i-* tin*
t*HtaMi<^lifl 1*3111*44* ot' valiilitr. l*ut it !•« U'lt a-lniiiti-*! tli.it tii«- i* li-
^ii»U'* iiiir|»iiM» |H attaini*«l/ \t. \'i'. '" ^ /'r^'y****/-/ i^i ry*'**//*/ i/r-
in'titrntt hti Htlt^'i (t in* t t N /»/••'. /ii#'. luit uliat lias <l»'.'»'-»ii:i"l tit^iii
nil an<*«**«t<ir raiuiot tri* alii*tiatt-*l \\i()i»wt tin* «-i>iiH4>iii ni' tin* li«-ii.
f»r li«*ip« 'that i-^. all th** **»>u^ o}ii.ill\ . w im li.i\« j;^a li>ii ii|ii.iliy in
thf imm*»v<*ahl«* ln*ritai:»*. vili«tli«r tlM*y )*■ "iix i-i^* 1 «»i un-iu il« I, '
I. ' . \%h«*thtr th«v li\i' iin«i«'i iIm* |'at<iiial n^.f i.| li:i\. i'iiii*\fl to
otlit-r hahit;itii»iiH. " Lm i I'l i>(tit-i iniiii*>\i-.<Mi- |'i>-{*-it\. an^l
hlav«*H rin|>l<»Vi*4| ill tin' «'iilti\.it nil i>t it. .i man •^liail ti< itini ,:i\r
a%iav n«*r m'11, i*v«*ii t}i<*ii-/}i In- li.i-« atiiiiiii>i fii«m iiiiii>«i It iiiil<-<%-« In*
riiiivi'tit* all hi*« N<in*«. 1 li** autii«»i ilK - aii* n<(t .i Mi i-l witli !i-:^.iiil t^i
in*l*')»«*n h'lit |»>>\v«'r ox^T wii it ii<- Iiin .ii- ^uii. [ iniii^'jt' TIh* \ali-
flitv (s.'iv*« •la_'::ali.ith:i I «t a -'it't «>| l:iti<i, uIkIIh! iiiltriit'J tl«>m all-
ii'«*tt»t's. or a<*«|Uirt*«l hv th** iii»ii'»r liiiii-i'lf. U'ln^ a'imitt' <1. U i-ans**
tilt* innimlM'iit h;t*« nwii<'r-*lii|i iji<- ^un** ui>iiM li** r^t.il>li-lif«l in n*-
pinl fVi'ii t«» thf wlii'li* «<t a mans ftat**. r«»r th<* i«uiii i^lii|i in nut
«litri*n*iit :" ami a..niiii 'In- it an\h"U in n-i^'upl to tho whuh- of
II mAii'*« t-Ht^it** nopiiri^l hy liini*«''if. tli** '.'ift «»f vi liat ha^ ili-M-i-n*!***!
frt*m nil nii4*«-*it4ir, hv a in. in wh«> lia-^ a *««*ii liviiiLT. i^* ^^i'l Uiait'M*
III* linM not in*l«'|M'ii«l«-nt iM'Wir i»\ir that profH-rty. * Sik h an*
th«* f*<»iiiiii<'iitait«**« <«fa ni.ittwh'* Ii:lx |i|i*ii*>iin<-t'*l in an<»tlH i |il:iii*
that nnhji'* t<« ha\i' Ih> l.tii'lfl |>i«>|«rty at a!) tin- ii a*i« t \%ill.
h«*Wt'VtT. UlPpI* *«t l<>n.lM\' h.t\i- ••h«fl\««l. that \M' lil\' lit !• Ili't
only «*v«Tv i»*«|m*»itf i hat i« r« r "f h^ :i--ijt.ii\ l.u:'h-l |»i'j»«it\ hut
th«* ni'tiial i*'«-i';jniti«'n *\ **t,f>'./t * liinii •! {•i<i|>«it\ ;"» .in uiii-
%• !>^ll |>riliri|i!« I't illli'!-' Ia\% Without f .1^1.' I Wot* ••! tlllii*
ill a«-i'iiniiilatin;j tl.i \>Itnjk< •■!' auth<«nt:«'- \« hi* h i< ii.a;ii u« i^fv^
t^i tlir rt;:liti of thf kin^'
I'.^-t *t. \.il Ml. !■ IJl
♦ V. : ;:l, I* Mi
• \ «»l 111, |» !'»•. I la >»»'r'i« 'jiii't**! iri tIi'»M- «-f iK^ ' 't;trui:t t.
\ Vol n. I' i;u. t« It \..! :i. 1 111. u w
* I'r- %\\^ tJ.d hi ir ' lii^» I ii* t-
** It !•• iM*t lilt* iiili«i tt> iht.ii itt t)i i: I .ii«l* <i I r< |4 rt> :» r* ii«I« mi ni<»r«'
.kt.Mtlntc l>\ rlitail Hi- wl-'i.kli Mil.ilil 'Uift WithiMit ft ^llli tli'll lit^ flu
iii<»«t .iK--i.it« |*i«<|'**t\ 111 I it.'l III tlii> I v* lit |ir«*t^'it) t^ in>>ri i^fStt i-*
k» it rt/i'«t< till iii>ii«itiu.ftl Hi tli^ (acft iiit.iil It I* iui*ci iirUit a< it
78 LANDED PROP£KTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V.
The author of the Digest* cites an authority for the suoces*
sion to kii)gdoms in favor of one son, who must be " consecrated
to the empire," in opposition to the rule of equal division to all
the sons'f, cw in (lie case of private landed property ; but he
affirms the text to relate to the i-ule in a i)articular family. The
commentator is of opinion that kingdoms may be divided ; be-
cause they have not been pronounced indivisible by direct sacred
authority. It is of little importan(ie to examine the force of this
negative argument, because he a<lmits the king " mayj give the
ivlwle to oney and that this is in conformity with the practice
of former kings." This fact alone, which is of too much noto-
riety to require illustration, as it regards Rajas and Zemindar8§
equally would be sufficient, if others were wanting, to pn)ve that
the king, although the || " regent of the waters, and the lord of the
fiimament," and " a |K)werful divinity who appears in a human
shape," never was, in the contemplation of Hindoo law, the pro-
I>rietor, whose land laast be divided 0(|ually among all the sons,
n the fonner case it may be given to one, in the latter it luiuii
descend in equal shares to all.
The taxes of various kinds which may be levied by the king
are detailed by Menu^ with great minuteness. Of the proilu(« of
land a sixth is the largest share which can be tsiken in ordinary
circumstances, and a** fourth in times of urgent distress ; but tlie
whole tenorf^ of the institutes and the digest show that the sixth
part of the crop is the king's share, which is constantly in the
contemplation of all Hindoo lawyers. This shai'e is confimicd
by the elegant Hindoo drama of SacinUala^^ written,§§ pi'obably,
two centuries after the exi)editi()n of Alexander; it is universally
recognized in all writings, and of geneml notoriety among Hin-
doos of every description : in one word, I have never met with a
Hindoo fanner of ordinary capacity that waa ignomnt of the
fact;|||| and we shall hereafter find that it was pr(»muig3ited as the
law of the south of India in the sixteenth century.
•V^L ii,p^ll97
t The gift of a kingdom is valid, vm it is of landed property. Commeu-
tary, vol. ii, p. 126.
X Vol. ii, p. lis.
§ We have already taken occasion to remark that it in the character of
all Hindoo institutions to render oj/icfn as well as property the objects of
inheritance. The reader has had the opportunity of understandmg the
nature and origin of the Zemindars of the south. I am entirely aatiafied
that those of Bengal were not diiTerent, and incidental illustrations of this
opinion will be found in the seciuel.
II Menu, cap. 7, v. 7 and 8. f Can. 7, v. 127 to 132. •• Cap. 10, v. 118.
ft Cap. 8, V. 304, 308. Digest, vol. ii, p. 168, passim.
tt Act V.
§§ I state this from memory. I think this is the era assigned to it by the
learned and accompHahed translator. 1 know that there is reason for placing
the age of Calidas considenibly later.
||l| I dissent absolutely from the opinion of those who describe the Indian
husbandman as destitute of knowledge, observation, and understanding. I
CHAI*. V) LANI>RI» mnPFRTY IX INDIA. 711
Till* |iiiMi«* oftioT \ili<». in a ItiiniiioiiH and moHt nhli* mjM>rt.
Iia-H a.HMun*«l uh* that " tin* lnn«U of (Vinani liavo fur iif(t»?i Ihh?h
|»rivnt«» |«n»|MTty. and that th«* landtMl |ini|M*rty of that |»n)vin«M» w
inith niop* atif*i(«T!t and iiii>n* |i4'rfi*i*t than that of Kn^land, hiui
Htat^^l with <N|nal <N»ntidfnof tluit+ *' |irivat«* pn»|¥Tty huft n<»vr
«*\iHt4H| ill In<iia. (*x<*«')»tiiii; on th«« Mahiliar mtuit." Th«« n*iiMinH
apply itiif to anrit-nt authoriti«*s on whicli thi!« opinion is foundt*<l
Hp|*i*ar to \n*, l^t, that if only a *<ixtli w«T»» taken hh tin* sharv of
tli«* '^'ov»Ttini«*ht. tin* pn»|»«»rty would \m m% |MTfift that tin* tino
pn*«MTiU*«l hy M«*nu for a pn»pri«'t*»r n«»«xhftinj; t4i rultivat4* hia
land WMidd U* nnnf4*('HS]irv and alxxiinl, and that tht*n*fon* tho
^i\th was till* nominal and not th«^ n%'d fihan* ; .lul, that in ancient
n»yal irtatitH of land in ianani and Mahiliar. thn n*v«*nu«\ or
kinL:"s shan«. is N|H'rifi«*<l u* U* tlif tiling inv»»n ; in «»th««r imrtK of
ln<iin ffn* f'lttJ If^ff'ts '^xt^u, I am |MTf«H-tly awan» h«»w ;^Mit an
antliMrity I havt* ht*n* to fn<'<oiifit«*r : and tii«* ohjin^tionn whirh \w
liaH iir^'til shall U* i|i*uMiHMs| with t*v<*ry ronnidi'mtion of |M*rsonal
i(H|M-«*( and pnhltr d«'f4*n*n(V !«» hin emiin'iit taltMit^ and 4*\t4*nhivu
kii«.w|i«l;:»- 1
1st It is nisvHHJiry to a«ldiu>* tho wholt* t4«xt t-o which thin
MKjtH'tiotl nfiTM
j$ "If land U* injunsl >iy tin* fault of the fanner hiinm'If. ri#»
if' hf I'iIIm tn m»%r if in titii* ttln0, hc *»hal| U» tlUt**l t«*n linn's AH
mu«*h an th»» Littfi'm shan* o/* thf rt>tn thttt utli/ht uth^mrtM^ A«i»v»
f^rn r*f «"/ . hut oidv tivo tini4«« ai« much if it waa the fault of hin
Mr\aiit^ uith'Mit his kn«>wli*4t;fi* "
1'h • MwiHT of tlif thdd. who U cnjfiinotl Jiix vor^t**! lM*fon* t4»
(•rif*h*si- if. Would ap|>«*nr from tli«* translation t'l U* a distim^t |i«*nuiii
fr«Hu thf hiriH^r nM*ntion«si in this t4»xt. The n*|M»rt adniilM that
Ky*>(.^. nciNinlin;; to M«'nu. p-nt4««l their laiuU t4» untler-trnantM ;
and I will ol>«*r\'i* in ikassin?. that thin wry a4imi*e«ion n«H*«*<iMirilv
in\«»lv»*H the fxistoiMt* of a pn»pnt»t4»r"M shaiv, iinti c«»ns«s|ut»ntly of
privat'* pp»|"Tty I iiotir** thi* distinction. howev«'r. of i»»/*/iri* and
f'irn,r,- iiiois' «iri ar<v.urit of a ditKcuItv whii'h will pn*wntly U»
iioti<N'<| 111 isimpndi*'hdiri;; th«» t«'Xt. than of uny n-al ini|iortAn(^>
wliiih I a«M'nU« to any iiit«rpr»»tAti«»n of mdiith it is nuMS'ptiMi*.
\i t\t« iitDliiriii!) fijiu.d thrm tta* luo^t o)«!krr\.iht iiul Uit^llu^ritl of all tbcrh
With «ih>*fii I \i4\r rii|i%rrMsl, «nd f<iiitl of di^'U^MriK th# rati(>ii*l«- of aJI tb#
i>(Tr^tii*n« of tlutr htuUiiidry. In thr (pir«tii»ii wlirthrr tht« >ir\i4<l-riMt or tb#
«lrdl hti*ttAiidry rriiiilrnl tli«* irr«sit4Mt |ini|M»rtion (»f mmsI, « tmrtu^r «•! Mjraoor
»ntwi«ri*«l inr tti«t hci cimld lint fttAl* fnmi artuAl cii««rimvitt, f^r that h« bad
lit w>r Will mt *Jo%«iil]r A f^rnivr a« U* try tht* tjnMui*«'A»t, m muut of hu mat%
iiktiiilriit ami |«i»>rt»r iiri^liUiurt had done, but dMaludcii that a large tanog
n)U*t tir tu*«iv \*y th^ drill
• f.iriitrn%iit^%iltit}el Muiifo't Frisift, dat«d 9th NoTembar \H*\
t iMttii. Uth Aucn«t. lao;.
I My vftluahU fn«iid Colonol Munro haa Mnitad in Rnflaod lb# maa»*
M-rs|it (if thi« Aiiii the ftaccrcvhiii; chapter . ainl 1 liave llie ialiafactioQ tu knuw
thAt uur difTcrviice of oiiifiioii U nuw but aiifbl and Qiiiiu|kurtaiit.
{ Mtuu, cap §• T. lU.
80 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V.
The worcln printed in* Italics are the gloss of Culluca^ a com-
mentator companitively modern, whose exact era is unknown;
ftnd according to the text (including tliat gloss,) the fine paid to
the king for neglecting to sow, is ten times the king s share ;
or, as the reader will perceive by the most simple calculation,
G6§ per cent, more tfuxn the whole crop which could have
been produced on the field. The text without the gloss merely
states that he shall be fined ten times as much as the share^
without s])ecifying whose or what share, and is absolutely silent
with regard to the condition on which the whole objection is
founde<l, namely, that he is fined for "failing to sow it in doe
time." The naked text, however, merely states, that " if land be
injured by the fault of the farmer, he shall pay ten times as much
as the shire :'' what this share may be I do not pretend to decide ;
and will only venture to conclude, that the commentator must
necessarily have erred in explaining it to be the kiiig's share : for
it is manifestly absiird to have recourse to the monstrous supposi-
tion of a tenant's being fined for any neglect whatever, 66§ per
cent, more than the possible gross produce of his farm. However
this may be, the naked text df the passage does not justify the
assertion that a Ryot is fined for neglecting to sow : but admit-
ting the whole gloss and translation, we proceed to examine
whether the fact of being so fined disproves the existence of private
property in the land.
The existence of private landed property under the govern-
ment of Rome, from the earliest periods of its history, will
scarcely Ikj questioned ; and yet f " Numa Pompilius appointed
magistrates over the pagi, or villages, whose Dusiness it was
to inspect the lands, and to take an account of those which
were well or ill cultivated, and the king reprimanded and
FINED the slothful, and excited them to cultivate their lands." —
The lands in question were not the public domains cultivated by
captives, in wliich case we should not have heard of the mild
punishment by fine ; but are distinctly stated to have been the
allotment of land made to the people by tribes and curifla as
private proiwrty. From this apparent reluctance to cultivate,
an<l the punishment which it incurred, I perceive no grounds for
denying the existence of private ])roi>erty, but abundant ground
to conclude that a pro])ortion of the crop was {)aid to the king
as a bmnch of public revenue ; and this fiict we shall afterwarda
find confirmed. This mode of raising a revenue for the service of
the state, would most obviously present itself to all nations in
the early stages of civilization : in a small and simple society it is
ap{)arently the most equitable rule of public contribution: and
some progress must have been made in the study of government
before its gross injustice, as a tax on industry, should be aacer-
* Preface to the Institntes, p. 13.
t Dionysius lialicaraaas, Lib. 2.
CHAP, v.] I.ANDKU PROPKRTY IN IXDIA. 81
UiiiiHl an<l a4linitte4l When thf atiuiunt of the Aovoreign'ii reve-
nue d<*i)en<lM on the amount of the Undii which hIiaII be culti-
vaUhI, he will un(|ueMtional)lv exert all the noweni which ho poe*
•enMeii to (*oin|M)l the extension of culture; out if hin revenue is
not to be increanetl by Huch extenMion, hin fines and puniMhments
are without an objei*t. We fthall |)n)bably find no one instance
in hiator}', of a ^tAenitnent puniHhing or reprimanding hunband-
men for negIi*otin^ to cultivate, without finding a revenue rained
from a uliari' iif the cn>p ; nor any inAtance of a revenue so raised
without fin<ling the hunliandman g«Mwle<l to extend his cultivation.
It is not my intention to aliirm. Uiat in the agt* of Menu, under
a govenmient unifonnly cK*M[M>tic, the pn>prietor of the land
never Muffen^^I oppn*i«i(iii. Menu himself decider thin question in
a remarkable injunction.* *' Siiict* the movants of the king, whom
be has ap|M»itit4Nl gtianliaiui of diMricts, are generally kiuives,
who seixe what l»elongH U» other men ; fn»m such kiiavt*s let him
d<*feud his {M*<)ple :" and an autluirf cite«l in the I>igi*Ht clasMc's very
quaintly togetlier. as ol»j«vt^ of a similar nature, the danger to
lie appn*hetidod fmni firr, fn>m fyJ^fterit, and fn>m the hintj : but
I inter on tlio gn*un«l i»f the authorities whirh I have quoted,
that the nixth |iiirt of the emp waM the n*gulat4Nl Nhan* |iayable
to the Hoven'igii ; and tliat the proiH*rty expressly imi»lied by the
right to Ui<* n*iiuiiniiig five-sixtliH in not invalidat^nl by the exist*
ene« of a fine for negle<*ting to rultivat4\ even if the existence of
such a fine haii UH*n iiion> clearly nwle out
tiL In the rtiyal grants of Canara the revenue is given : in all
Othem the Itud it net f.
An exsminatitm, mon« or lem rjiMe or cursory as the subject
attracted my att4«ution. of nearly aeventeen hundrc«l grants of land
in the Maikenxie cf>lle<*tion. enabli*<l me to observe tlmt their
forms differ very iiiateriaJly. in varii»us pArt^ of the countrj* : those
in the <H«ntnil |iarts of Uie {lenintuU corres|iond pretty exactly
with th4M4* r*und in HiiuhMaii ; pn»l«bly lMH*aus<* Utth countries
were »ubj4<tiNl to tlie same tx»nquen*rH fnmi the nortli U*fore the
Moliammtnlan invaai(»n. and at |)eri«MlH ant4«ce<Ient U\ the con-
qufifft of the eaiit4*m and Wf«iti*ni tnM*tA Throughout I>muveda»
or the i*ast4*m e«»untr>* Udow Uie (fliautn, now erroiieou?Jv named
th«« Camatii*. abumlaiKv of ancient inHcri|*tions exUt. in which
rerrnue in UN»t4jwwl by the king ; and vrrj* nuiny. indt«e<l. in
which land i*i lirstowe«l on a t4*mple by the iwliriilwd jn^tfrrieiOT,
In fM»vrral n*markable dmnimentji. which will hereaAer l>e {suti-
cularly descriU*^!. the whf»le dtitail in rehite<l «if the purchase of
land at a public auction from a pn>prit«tor who is namiyl ; and
acroniing to Ui«« exact iniun<nion of the institutes and dii{«st« of
aasembling the whole of the towtuhio to nrcviguiiDe the validity of
the laie. and the amount «»f tiie tiling sold. I shall be ready
* Msnu, csp TU. ? Ita
t Vol li. p U
82 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA — [CHAP. V.
to admit that the royal grants in Hiudostan and the centre of
the southern peninsula confer the land, whenever the advocates
of regal propnctary right shall be prepared to concede that they
confer the sky also, for both are specially given in a hundred
instances ; to one of which, as bein.; open to public reference, I shall
confine my observations.* " I give the eai*th and the eky as long
as the sun and the moon shall last :" but the very same grant, in
the precedii^ part of that paragittph, details the things given
to be, as I conceive, the rights which the king derives from the
village or townsliip described ; closing the enumeration with
the words, and " all that has been possessed by the servanta of
the Raja." In a succeeding paragraph the thing given is placed
beyond all doubt. '' Let all his neighbours^ and all who till the
land, be obedient to my commands. Wliat you have formerly
been accustomed to perform and pay, do it unto him in au
thinga" The thing alienated was the revenue, or the royalties ;
nothing else could be alienated by the king. In the grant which
we have noticed, he alienates the revenues of a townsldp ; and I
have never seen an ancient royal grant (which are always for
religious purposes), excepting of one or more townships, or of a
portion of a township, whose limits on every side are exactly
described : in short, of land already in culture, and paying revenue.
The Bramin grantee would reject as a meagre compliment the
gift of waste land, destitute of inhabitants to till it, of which
abundance may be procured without obligation : he would aooept
what we see given in this instrument, the right to a revenue
already existing, payable by the inhabitants of a township or part
of a township ; and indeed, on a close examination of all the
possible beginnings of regal proprietary light, we shall find it
not only difficult to prove, but equally perplexing distinctly to
imagine, the existence of landed property in a king, that bad not
previously been the landed property of a subject I shall conclude
this branch of the subject with an extract from a Mohammedaii
law authority, which shall be Iiereafler quoted at greater length.
" Inheritance is annexed to property ; and he who has the tribute
* from the land has no property in the land : hence it is known
that the king has no right to grant the land which pajrs tribute^
but that he may grant the tribute arising from it"
Before proceeding to trace what can yet be discovered of the
history of landed property in India from the ^e of Menu to the
pre.sent day, m which the invalidity of these two objectioiis will
DO farther illustrated, it may be useful in a rapia sketch to
examine whether anything exists relative to the condition of the
occupants of land, in the early hi^^tory of other countries, so
materially differins^ from that described in the institutes and the
^, as to justify the conclusions which have been drawn, indi-
* Asiatic Researches, vol. i, p. 157.
« <^ Omnia tenes Cesar imperio 8«d non dosodnio," say the Roman lswyen»
CRAP, v.] IN JUDEA— IN BOTFr. 8t
oaUng the nature of landed property in India to be distinct from
that of all other regions of the earth.
In the nio<d ancient and authentic of all historie^i, although
we find distinct* re«N>rJfl of the sale and purchase of the lanri of
individuals in Jud(*a, and of thff iwrtition of the lands of a
oonquerrxl [people an th** private pn){»crty of tii<> \nct4>ni. I have not
been able tf> trac^t with any rorUiinty the natun^ and amount of
the contrihutioiui whirh wnv jmid for the service of the state,
unlHw we are t«) (*onsidt*r the int4*re*<Ui of the priesthtx^I and of the
sovereign to hi* unit«*«i, and a |H>rtion of th<*^ tith*^ in pnce. and
of tho nlaves^ and oattlt* Uiken in war, wliioh was pi id to the
Leviten, sh int**ni«Ml t» he n{ipli(<<l to the puhiic exiM^ii-k^M of the
statti i Tlie tithi» itsi'lf i«* of tin* exart natun* of tho Indian <'on-
trihution ; and the inf(*r(*n(*t» tinit thi.H <»r j^miv tn^panit^* |>ortion of
the crtnt wnn {iAyuhI«* in kind t«» the H^i/oni^'u, apiieiuH to lie nup-
porteil liy tlio exi>it4*n4v of u .H|KH'i:il oiHcer for KU|M*rinU'nding the
trihuti'.^ and An'itlM<r f«»r " th«? «t<>n'!n»u«ios in the fields,** in the
riti(*H. in tht* vili.np^fi. and in th*' nixti^H ," an enutnr^nititm which
mH«ui<i t*> Miow that II |M»rtion «»f thi' cM»»p wan laid up for the .ore-
reiijn in #»vi»ry tlcM, villup*. and rjty.
In K;^vpt w«« have the n»«»'*t di*Mnct evidcnct» that one-tifUi
waK the land-t.ix. i»r thi» jt^ivonMi^nH •«!i in» of the crop •♦^Pharaoh
took up *• the fiAh |iart of the land <»f Ktjj'pt in tlie neven plente-
ous yearn." The tiftli inu*(t ron«Ms|uentlv have Uvn hin ej^tahlisihed
share ' and aAvr the ttup{M»<M^| pun*ha.*(o by Flianu»li of all the
landpi and all the |MH»p|e of K^pt. in r<*ttim for f(MMi during the
famine, the fifth only waM the nhan* which he continued to exart
I lit>pe to lie jiarloiie^i by biMieal mticji for the t»rwMinption
of otTering a nhort 4»l«M»r%*ation on thi<i traaiartion The learned
Blacki«t'>n4«*^ \n of opinion that lliara^ih in this in^tam^e. like the
feucUl wivereigin of lat4*rday<i, a*H|uir«N| the alh>tiutl rights, and
grantefi Imrk the land a* a '><fi*;ff* . "m or t>ud : and the very
arut4» inv«*Mti^^tor of the prineiple**^ of AHiatic monan^hies
think*, that l»y the latter (art of th** tran«at*tion. Jom^ph liad
only iMiund the hu^Utndaivn m<*n* iitn>ngly to the obligation of
• (}«ri<>iu, rhif> \ini. V IS and 17
♦ Ji>«hua, «ii»fi. XII, \ 51
X l^tlliru", rbA|» nvii, %. 3t»
\ NuOihT*. rhip. sii, %. *e to 30
J Thi^ fnppo^itmn i* at* n^-hf-nnniy oWr\inic th»t Mohammad, who
bormweH m% imirh fr.>m the J« • .h iii»ti!iiMMiis \tr\^\ a t^oth •• biad oi tbt
ebarrb* hut apphni a la'^itr \ irtt<in of ti * » the krr^icet «i( the atat* ; ami tt
wifuld alai) m^ih that tlii« fia.4 the |-'»iU«»o rt.ti*tMi front JuJr* al'«r ita coo*
quest hy the Kotuaiit. >«< huriujui 1^ %evU|;ahbu» pi>|iuh lU*iiiaiii, p. fS
aad ta.
^ 1 KtiM(<i. rhap n, > f
•• 1 C'ttroiiirU* h»p KXTn, r. f5
♦t lf««e%u, rUap ihii. %. li tu 17
;; (:«i:n fio..k :. rhip i
t4 P«tti»ii. p tj
84 LANDED PROPERTY IN EGYPT— [CHilP. T.
paying the established tax to the sovereign. If the passage is to
be li^rally interpreted, the people of E^pt were free men and
proprietor of the land : by this transaction they divested them-
selves of their property and became slaves to the king. Can any
man seriously believe, that so fatal a revolution had taken place
in the personal liberty and fixed property of a whole people, and
yet that their relation towards the sovereign remained unaltered
m aU its essential characters ? They i)aid the same taxes as
before ; and as far as the sacred text informs us, possessed their
land virtually on the same conditions as before. Sovereigns da
not usually enslave their subjects, and acquire their property, with-
out a more substantial object in view than to restore their liberty
and property. The chief difficulty appears to me to be solved,
by adverting to the figurative language in which the most fiuni-
liar, as well as the most important, ideas are conveyed in holy
writ, and in all the dialects of the eastern world. " You have
purchased me as a slave,'' is the most common form of speech
throughout the peninsula of India at this day, to express perma-
nent gratitude for an important favour ; " You have purcliased my
house, my faTnily, my lands, myjlesh,'^ is a form of speech which I
have recently heard applied with gi'eat warmth, and I believe
with perfect sincerity, by a man who meant exactly to say, " I am
for ever obliged and devoted to you ;" and however strong the
expressions may appear in the biblical history of this transaction,
all difficulty vanisnes if we may be permitted to suppose that
Joseph only inculcates, and the people only admit, in figurative
language, the important benefits conferred hy Pharaoh, and tiie
consequent gratitude due by his subjects. It must however be
admitted that the fact of the fifth having been the previous land*
tax, as stated by Blackstone, is only inferred from the context^
and not positively asserted in the biblical history. At that period
the lands of the priests were alone exempted, but in the time (tf
Herodotus and Diodorus the allotments to the military were alao
free lands : and many other changes had taken place, which fiw-
bid any inference being drawn from their works regarding the
actual state of more ancient institutions. Egypt was subjugated
by the Romans about the time that their own republican goyem-
ment was finally extinguished ; and we find the emperors retain-
ing the direct management of Egypt as one of their own provinces,
and restraining the access of tneir subjects : the former dream-
stance indicating a prosperous revenue ; and the latter, that there
was something to conceal. It is certain, that in the other portkmi
of the Roman empire, one-tenth of the crop of com was the moal
tax, and that one-fifth was absolutely unlaiown in any other pro^
vince, A tax is seldom lowered under a despotism, and not veiy
often under any government ; and all these circumstances com-
bined give some color to the hypothesis, that the fifth may have
been exacted for the first time under the plea of an eiq>ected
CHAP, v.] IN GREECE— SPARTA. 85
famine, and thai Joseph, like a skilful flnancier, availed himself
of the means which ailerwardn ocrurred to penietiute the tax.
In attempting to trare the state of Undcti proj>crty in Ureece,
a ^lund to which I return hh a stranger, after a long and
unbroken alienee, 1 ran dis4M>ver n(»tliing but the features of
splendid fable in many <>f tliom* inHtituti«»ns which liistoriaaH and
philo*Hipheni have held up hm soUt truths t4> the admiration of
posterity. TImt the lands of Simrta wen* (Hjually divified among
tlie citijsens. and wen' fnn* troiii all public im|K)sitioiiH, is the
only law of Lvcur;nis whirh neenm to have a dinvt n^Ution to the
staU* i»f InndtHl pniperty in thiit n»public : ixud it will Ih» nec*es-
sar}'. liow(*ver iKlventunniH the attempt, to otter a few shiirt
n^marks on tin* p-nenil nutun* of tlit**«e in<ititution.H. fur tlit* pur«
txiM* of showing that this n*pn*>t*ntation of the furt is alis«>lutely
mcnHlible. The S|wrtan leginUtor himsc*lf never |H»nnitte»l hin
laws t4) U* (*«)mmitU*<| to writing : and it canti«>t Ih» surprising if
nothin;; dintinct or certain Imn descvndcd to |MiHt<*rity n»^^inling
thst which never hail a di^tint^t or hxe^l exint* iice. SiiliH4.*4|uent
writers H»»4»m to have Uhmi cliietly guided by tin- auth<»nty of
Xenophon ; but whether hi.H treatin** on the LwHlrniotiian
It4*put»lic (a Work whieli I ba\e only *MH*n in (piotation, t>ught.
lik»» tht? ( VriJiwi^iin, simply to l>e o»n»<idi*nHl ns an elixpient |>«»li-
tit*al mmsna*. i^ a ()u<Mi«»ii which I only vt*ntiin* to suggest on
armiint of tin* in*iunnoiintAble o»ntra«lictionH to lie fotuul in those
authorn who ap)H*ar t4» have foUowe^l its authority.
llie state of S|wirta ha^l no tix»iu%un» ,* th«» lands an well as
the other pnuMTty «>f the S|iartans Wing fn»i» fn>m all im|)oai-
tions. One t>f thi* means i»f iNX^si<»iuil i*ontnbutitin evini*e<l their
extn*me tMiverty ; a gi ti«*nil fast of all the citi2i*ns savtsl a small
sum, which the stati* <*«>nfem*<t on an ally in distn*ss : vet the
ingvmious and leanM^t author wlii» asMun^s us of this fact, ami every-
where cites his antliorities. infonns us'f tliat the king or gi*neral
apiieannl in the anny with i^*At splen«lour : that the stnto i»n>^
vi(i«*«l for his nmiiitenane**. and that of his lioUM*ho|fl. cunsintmg»
U*sid<*M his ii*«unl guanl.* of nn«* hnntln-^l m-lect mm. of the two
pythians or augurs, tli** |i«>l**iiifirrhs or prinei|ial otfieerH. and three
mf«'ri«»r <»t!i<'«TH who ntt«*nd<H| nii hi^ |MT«on n'»t a \«'ry mean
staff in i\u**»* day«« of Himplieity. e«piHlit\. and piM-rty . The
state, it M<«*ms, pn»vidf*«t for all tliest* ex|ii*nseH, and nt^ccusarily
for wry much mon*. without taxe<«. \iithout n*Vf>nufs. and
witlumt tn*aiiun*$ If th** land alKHt^ni to th«* king during \n*met
couhi by any \iolenee of ronstni«*tion U* fon^^l t4> signify the
•TmrrU of An^irhamiv \o| i\, \t 157 t Ibtil toL iv, p. ISS.
I IUroa<»(u«. II C.C M.
^The imci ni tb<» silotmeot of land I t>S«pnre it fntm Xrno|»hon the
bcrcMs of tli« lliAdbaii tbcir tcpArstc citvtiimttiA, sod m> miut tbc kmft ul Sparta :
Jet shiihaIs mr^J, and «u«r, werr icnt to tbcm periodicslly by tbe stats
wheoct did tbcw tuppUss cjoic '
86 SPABTAN FABLBS. [CHAP. V.
fund provided by the state for the exigencies of war ; if the state
might be said to have no treasure, although it existed in the
hands of their principal officer ; and if we should consent to paas^
without observation, the express evidence of public revenue in-
volved in the demand of tribute* from Heloa ; and, without com-
ment, the brutal and unmanly conduct of these admired repub-
licans towards its unhappy citizens, and to the slaves who, in after
times, were named Helots as a term of ignominy ; still it will be
altogether impossible to reconcile to the supposed prohibition
of money, and equal division of land, a few facts incidentally
related by Herodotus, who wrote near a century before Xenophon»
and was not composing a political romance. In speaking of a
female infant of plain and disagreeable features, he simply nar-
rates that it Wiis a source of great affliction to her parents,
who were people of "(• great affluence in Sparta. A Milesian
deposited a large sum of money with a Spartan, exacting an
oath for its restitution when demanded : the ^Spartan, it
appears, found that the precious metals were more valuable than
the iron currency of Lacedemon in a state of perfect equality;
and refused to return it, until he should consult the oracle whe-
ther he might avail himself of a quibble of the law to cheat the
man who had reposed confidence in him. The king, on a
march,§ might take for his own use as many sheep as he thought
proper. || Notwithstanding the celebrated obligation of dining at
the frugal table, to which every citizen subscribed his twelve
medimni, private entertainments did exLst ; and persons were
found sufficiently affluent to invite the king to partake of them.
ITThemistocles paid a visit to Sparta, where he was splendidly
entertained ; on hi? departure they gave him the handsomest
chariot in Sparta (is it possible that there were handsome chariots
in this land of poverty 0 ^^id three hundred knights escorted him
t/O the frontier, reganiing whose particular quality the annotatore
seem only to be so far agreed, that none but those who wen
wealthy possessed, harses.** The very fact, indeed, which has been
so often adduced to illustrate the perfect equality of the dtixens
of Sparta; namely, that thase wno had no chariots or hoxses
were entitled to demand the use of these conveniences from such
of their neighbours as possessed them ; is in itself an incontro-
vertible proof of open and distinguished inequality. That
Lycurgus, like other enthusiasts, may have indulged in the dream of
perfect and permanent equality; that, aided by a faction of
armed adherents, heff accomplished the forcible plunder of hia
respectable fellow-citizens for the purpose of dividing the spoil
among the needy ; and even that all this may have becm honestly
intended, is not absolutely incredible ; but those who believe in the
* Lempriere in Tocem. i Book 6, c. 61. X Ibid., c. 86.
§ Herodotus, book 6, c. 56. | Ibid., c. 57. f Book 8, c. Ifi.
•• Beloe, vol iv, p. 439. ft Anacharsis, vol. iv, p. 119.
f-HAf. v.] LANDRD PRiirKRTV IN ATHKN8 AND ITALY. 87
reality and Uiu {)oniiiaieni!e of institutions m> evidently contrary
to the nature o( thingn, and, aM I think, to a fair examination of
hiKtorical facOi. muHt [ioMfu*iiii either a gira^p (if couiprehenaion, or
an exU«nt of rriMlnlity. which I am altogether unable to reach.
The uuiiatixfurtory rv^ult of our euquiri(*8 regarding the state
of landi*d pro|M*rty in S[»artJi \h not much relieved by a superior
degree of infonaati(»n with n*s|KHrt to Athens. Sohm found it
necessar>' by Hundry f*<Hcts to fon*e* the {)eople to till and cultivate
their lands which lay negle<*tiMi. For the reasons which have,
formerly \nH*u iixHigiiiMl. it in pn»l>2ible that the state received a
tin»{x>rti4>n of the cn»p; but the fact is not |»OHitively continued
>y anything whi(*h 1 luive Uvn able to di.*>cover in tiio sulme-
quent plan of taxation, which, as Athens became a commercial
and maritime state, would chiefly de|»end u|ion its duties and
exci-ie, and Iatt4»rly u|ii»n a »M»rt of pri»|>erty-tAX for the constnic-
tioh of shi|M of wnr. levit^i on the {MMwrMiors c»f land and other
ur^>iierty intliscriminat4*ly. We inuiM to nion* dii»tinct infonuation
in ItJily.
Untler the Roman enipin*. through every changi^ of govem-
mimt, a [iorti«»n of the product* of the Uiids was |mid in kimL
Tlii* titles ini|M>H(*«l by Nunm PompiiiuH fur neglecting to iniltivate
aru the esrlit^t evid«*m>* <»f tliis iju:i : by su^vMMpient n*gulati<»ns,
whoever n(«gltH't4Mi U\ till the gnMind was liable to the aniinad-
vertion <»f the ci*nM«ini ;+ and Uie im|ieriAl* magajdnes for the
reception of a fwirti«»n of the priMluce in the various articles of
wtn«' «ir oil. wheat or l4irl**v, wimkI or in»n, c«»ntinucNl to the
Iat4**«t |M-riiMlH of the empire to be the deixmit of this branch of
the pubhc Uiiation.
In the hisU»r%* of s |»eoph* who rrise from the ci>ndition of a
hand of nibl««rs without territiir^*, U^ Iw the coni|uen»ni of the
world, the incidental of landed protierty must he tnire<i in that
branch of the anc i«*nt int4*ntati« ami law of (tn*ece and Italy, by
wht«*h ill** vaiH|uiHhtil |«»«»i»le not tmly forfeitiMl their t«*rritory
ami iimonal pn»|>«'rty. but UNmine the pmlial or di>m<*stic slaven
of tlie ci»n4pieri»ni I'nder thi<i principle the coixpieretl IaihIs
wtm-, of c«»ur»e. difi}KM*«l of mi* apii^arfd to \m* numt for tlw* int«*n*At
of the c«in<|U«*rt»ni WhiUt th** territ^irv' was verj* limittnl. the
lands reiit*r\'e«l f**r the utat^* aflmitt^**! tif the name nuiiuigt*ment
as tin* lan«ls of an indiviilual. an«l wtmld pndsibly be rtdtivated
by pulUc fklavi^ : Imt as the »tatc* extendi itji bi»un<ls, this mod^
would U*c«»me axtravaifant or impructicab|i\ Th<» whole con*
quen^d territory was si»mrtim#«i ronfiM*at4««l. as in the case of
ruti./KiniiJ, which was rtM-rviti cxclusivf-ly for the exigi.*ncies of
the statt*. and became the great gTaaar)'§ of the city during a
conaiderabU period of ita history.
* bskie't N<>lr« fiti llertiduitu, rol. it, p^ 16a.
t AtUm't Aatiquitiem &13 J Oibmi, duifi. 17.
f pQkhfmms popah Rfliaaai p<^iMMo. aobiidiam aaadov, korrtoai
btlU. tuhsigao dawtriaqQc rstpubho» puMluai vectigaL— CMfr»
88 LANDED PROPERTY IN ITALY. [CHAP. V.
Sometimes the conquered people submitted under a sort of
capitulation* to pay an aggregate fixed tribute (stipendium or
tributum) ; and others, as in the case of Sicily, were confirmed
in their ancient privileges, or were fined in a certain'f' portion of
their land. As the Roman territory farther enlarged, colonies
were frequently sent out, as well to provide for distinguished
soldiers, as to form a sort of garrison to keep the vanquished in
subjection. The conditions of these establushments necessarily
.varied with circumstances; but the lands allotted to the colonil
generally paid as a tax a certain portion of the produce, which
never exceeded one-tenth§ of the crop of grain, and one-fifth of
the produce of trees. The conquered people were usually ad*
mitted to rent the lands rejected by the coloni ; and the remainder
of the land fit for cultivation, which was left unoccupied (probably
by the slain and hy the slaves carried off to the old territory, or
appropriated by the coloni on the spot) was either rented for a
share of the crop, or converted into public pasture (scriptura),
which formed a separate branch of revenue. In many cases
these lands were sold (redeemable by the state) for a period of
one hundred years ;|| a practice which was supposed to have
produced many irregular and corrupt alienations.
The farmers of revenue, generally of the equestrian order,
formed a very remarkai)le corporation, governed by partieuhtf
laws ; and, as far as regarded their influence in the state, may
in many respects be compared to the monied interest of England.
In the collection of the revenue it must be concluded, that
exclusively of the important difference of pronrietor and
tenant, (which however seems to liave been obliterated in
Italy when the cities were admitted to the privileges of Roman
citizens) a distinction was made between the coloni and common
husbandmen (aratores) in the amount of their payments. One
material preference consisted in the selection of the best landa
One-tenth of the crop was the tax usually exacted from both ;5 a
proportion which is obviously a much heavier tax on poor than
on rich land. The farmers of revenue (publicani or socu) divided
the business of their department into three branches, correspond-
* Inter Siciliam csterasque provincias hoc interent, quod ceteris ant
impodituni ent vectigal certum^ quod stipendiarium dicitur, nt Hispanis et
plerisquc Pffinonim quaai victorue pnemium et iKBna belli, ant cenaoiia loeatio
constituta est, ut Asia lege Sempronia : Siciliffi civitates aic in amidtiaai
fidemqne recepimas, ut eodem jure essent, quo fuisaent, eadem conditiona
populo Romano parereut qua suis ante paruiaaent. Cic. 6. Verr.
t Burman, p. 8.
X I use the term colonuit as I find it nniformly emplojred by Barman, p.
10, 12, 19, «fec. &c., a proprietor cultivating the fand$ asiigrnea to him m a
new eMtahliihment : the term coloni conduetores and partianL appanntiy
itewardi and tenants joorking for a ihare of the crop^ are aofficientlj dis-
tinguiahed by those epithets.
§ Hvffinaa et Appian, apud Barman, p. 20.
\\ Hyginaa apud Burm., p. 14. ^ Barman, p. 3X
ritAI>. V.) LAKDLD PROPERTY IN ITALY. K9
iii^ with tlio tliriH* |irinriiiiil Iu*a<ls o{ Ritiiuiii rovoniie ; tho ruM-
idiiiH (|M>rt4iriuiii;. Uk* pulilit* |iiiritiin>s. (wTiiituni). niitl tli«» IhikIihI
rt*vi'iitii? ; aikI the wry nnuu* iirrumnai,* liy whif*ii thi* |MTH<mH
t*iii|il(iy<*<l in thiH hitt4*r 4h*|iiiKiiH*iit wvnt uiiivfrsiilly (iiMlin^uishiHl
(tht* two iithrrs U*iii^ nilltHi |i<irtit<»rvs niiil iNN'imrii). funiishw*
iihmithiiit rviih'iin* thnt oii«»-t4'iith |i»rt wiw the iiitiHt ciniiiiioii
|Nlrti«>ll'^ i»r th<* rn>|> rxarttnl us a tiix. S|iHiii paiii «»iii*-twriitit*th
only of oim, un«l im«»-t«»iith of tho |iriH|u«-«* of tnt's ; whether hy
<*oiii|i.'u*t or ill riiiiHii|*niti<>ii **f it*^ inferior fertility. «i<N*^ not)
Mfni to In* i*ntin*lv <'ert:iiii. Hut th«' ili.HtinrCiiai U-twti'ti tho
iNtloni iuiil iiniti»ri"i. S't Htn'Ui^lv niarkeil in their first «*>tjihli^h-
nt»'nt. eviileiitly varieil in !4uh«M*.|n<*tii |»«Mi«»«U ; ai^l w«» even tin«l
titt* wliiiJi* iif the puhlir Ian<N I'f Italv ni>t «>tilv tMnlirnn'*! to (lieir
Ui'tuul jN»s.H*'?s,.»P*. HH i:.Nw| |Ni|ii*y ni"*t Htr«»n:/ly «ienian<ii*<i, hut
alt«»;;*-ther e\-nipte.t fii-m tax. '< hy the law nf the trihniie Thoriun,
»•! j'l-tly repn»ha(»'«l hy ('!•■. nr l*ie\i«Hisly t«» that i>erii»i|. it
iMN-iiiH |ii.iKih|<* that a ili-tinetiffi fviste.t •ilmilar ti> that **( tli«*
fi\<-«l n*ht wlinh i*« n<>ti*^'-l hv ('i«'er<» in hi*« aei*.itint of the Sieilian
n*\i niie. whip* hi* atliihtite-^ t*i \ ern--*. a.*« an ini<|uit«»iiH inni»vati«i|i.
till* i|ivii-e hy whi'-h hi' reijiiip'tl i-;n'h fiiiin« r ti» n';;iHter the mini-
Iter t*\' at-ies wlijeh li*' annuall\ «'iilti\:itol : a «let*ree ^%hii'h w:tH
«ili\iiiii^lv ti<> i>tlierwi<M« iiiiipiit'ius tlian :i.s it w.-lh runtnirT to th«*
• 1 ■
hi^^ i'f lliept, (he |»reH< 1 Natiiiii of >% hii'h iMn*«titiit«'<l the main
«*i»n*!iti<in of tin nipaet I'V whiili tin* Sji-jliMn'^ Huhniitte*! to tho
U'ltxernnieiit of Koni**. fin<l thi *•- l.iw- r\aet***i not the actual t^iith.
httt :i tl\i-'l l:in*i*t.iv e<>tiiii.ite.I to !*•• otie-t« nth . thu*« we tin«l.
tint ^••nie itf th** ritit"« whieh liaij U-t n diHtninchisiMi n.H the |»un-
i-hiiif lit Iff n'\o|t wi p' '•i»l.ji'«*t to oih*r eouilitionKJl} The |»iih-
III iini. uli*» piiteii the p'\iriu< 4 of :i |ipi\inee hy |inhlie Hn«*tii»n
at tlie ^i" .ir I'f tht' iin-^'r f'l.r a fi\i«i Knm Uin'pVN ), wePv in or.|i.
ti.ir\ e:i<M %. at |>* rf«'<*t liU-rty to m.iki- their own Uirjain** with thi*
hti-Kiii>itii« n. -iiKii* I i»iilv to thi- «'.i||iiitioiiH nn<i ieHirieti'»iiH
prt \ i«.ii-»lv |'ioiiiiilj;it«'«l iti lie (ahiiia- ^'r h'je-* i-in-*. ir::i'. ptiMie
iii|\< Hi • til* lit** **( the I'l-hsoi , nti*l the «|ei-uniani mail*- thtp :iii
nui! ^< tit« lie iit^ uitli tli< hM^)*.iri<lnit It |or a ••■it.iin •juuititx **(
■jron '■; "I III *fi''V. "it * "A •'.,,• to !••• i'i;ii\.iti •! . imI 'tl.ifir^
III tlf foTlle r i-ii«e til*' iin •.lilt I'f tie- l*l«-itiit' .ili-l :<.'•• :lij l-*l
• 'pM tt 'in IK )• t!«« r, ; ' • 1 !•• *r-. tf %i L ■ ;-ii f t tt I.:. . u.l tf* iii-!.!!.
ttoti fini**. }*•• ilfti niicml l«y thi «<iiS i*.
♦ A t< i.'tK i« ttii- rr-i/ffi ■■I : m | ti<l ii. jieiii. It ;• ri t'.i u -•ii/i'-n ••!
tJi« •.»!•» I*. M till- |*ir!i..ti \ I. i :•! !i.. !.!•!• j r»i. ..•>••! 1 *<n.i^* .»: •f,M
iliy. Kil!;.i l>!i!<-K ii>-iii<i .i.'l -i.t.i. .< •! !l. i! : .( :i. « • . • '.
I I- :r!.. . |. ■.*•'. (Ill) r*. iii<i • 1- I "i rit 1 ^ I i*\. ■! I M. I l. . ■.* uhM t. . r .
^ liir-.i 111, ■•f'\%«i;ii. ' i* I i,T«-* I ' . ■ ■1 ir ill*.. I . rtuiii r*' ,.|i.| t i
I* 4,-. < « •.«- r I il III- ill i. iii» I ir i;. .( .: i . i:-i pr t S r^ t t\ il:-' »■ rii »• nii
|'«:.»\.'; \' ;l 1 •.■•. ii 1 • I .ir. I :..! 1 :.t :. I -.r ./.li i^ li- i i:;i i* i i li ^i II.- r»i
ni» A 'It "••!;••• , \ • f ;
r.'iri;i I' 1 i'\ I .| ■ ii .* fc» H w i:. •' . xt \ I.* !l,. ! i' -lit ■ . t. -ri • I. i».
I •< II I *•«<.'• I -1 . t )if \ «• lint ] ( ■ ' ' I • • *i'. • \ I In< It* iiil(i!),Kl4 kti"M |i il.i «•!
I*.«- «'<*iJi-«i«l \%*t '.fi It *. I !.':• !•»!' ■ i'l (•^- ••I't nil' il ffotii 4I\ •■th«l -■•'If' •■
I
90 LANDED PROPERTY IN ITALV. [CHAF. V.
the cstiinated tenth, generally at the rate of one mediniziiis for
an acre of good land, which was supposed to produce ten me-
dimnL The coloni, if this explanation be correct, held tiieir lands
at a fixed estimate of the probable tenth, and the aratores w^ne
subject, like the Ryots of India, to an annual settlement, increas-
ing with the augmentation of their industry. The coloni (or
decumani, from whatever cause,) were the proprietors at a fixed
land-tax ; the aratores were (where the distinction continued) the
tenants of lands which were the [)roperty of the state, paying in
pro[>ortion to the quantity of laud which was annually tiUed.
The object of the Agrarian laws, which so much agitated the
public mind at different perio'Js of the republic, was not a seue«
ral division of all the lands, but of those confiscated (pubhcati)
which in Italy were afterwards, by the confii(rting meanness and
ambition of plebeian and imperial demagogues, not only rendered
private pn>perty, but with the whole territory of that countiy
exemptea trom all taxes whatever ; leaving to the unfortunate
pTx>vinces the whole burden of the rec^uisite ex{)cn8e8 of the state,
and of an institution* which is entitled to hold a more distin-
guished place than has usually been assigned to it among the
causes of the decline of the Roman empire, i&amely, the gratuitous
distribution, first of com, and afterwards of porky-f* bread, and
oil, to the licentious and depraved po]>ulace of the city. After
the impolitic and unjust exemption which has been noticed, the
means of making these distributions were necessarily drawn firom
the provinces ; an<l the i<lleness and poverty which so high a
premium encouraged and ensured, naturally augmented the evil ;
until, after ttie lapse of a century and a half from the period
of the exemption, Augustus and his successors were obliged to
restore the ri^venues of Italy, tiirough the medium of a complex
system of customs, excise, and income-tax ; and to revive neg-
lected agriculture by restricting the culturej of the ^'ine.
The history of the details of revenue under the emperors
cannot lx> easily traced. The canon Frumentarius, which is
ascribo<l to Augustus, seems to have fixed the proportion8§ of corp
* Tliis institution Ih rivalled by the EngliMh poor lawn alone. To the
advocates of this syntcm may bo recommended the grave conaidaratiofi of the
humonnis answer of a Praetorian prefect to the emperor Aurelian (A. D. S76),
when he w:is (l(*flirous of adding wine to the other gratuitous distrihatioas ;
** Si et vinum (Hipulo damu.s, auperest at et pullun at aiiHerctt demus." Vopiae^
c. 47, Burm. p. 53.
t l>urmnn, p. 53.
X Italy was covered with pleasure fprounds and vineyards, and Domitisny in
the early and promising part of his reign, was elegantly complimented as the
person,
Qui caste Cereri diu negata
Ueddit jugeni 9obria*(pie trrrat.
§ When these were not nutlicient for the supniy of the citv and the snny,
the provinces were comncllcil to afll at rate* iixeu by the fiscal oflS^ra, whidi
ratet«, the exemptions allowed to aged persons and men of large families provs
to have been considered as oppressive. Burmau, p. 42.
CHAP, v.] AN INFERRNCR 91
mnd othrr KiipnlieH in kind to.be fumishcHl hy the nevenU pro-
vin<Hw ; antl tne mode in which thiMC proiKirtionA and oUier iwy-
menU wt*n% diKtrihuted into capiUt in amply and doarly dencnbed
by Mr. (HbUiii^ without enablinfr un to jud|fe by farther detail
whether any material cliangen were intrvMluoud in the Uter periodii
cif the Roman empire with re^^ard to the pn)portionii of tlie crop
|iaid by tht* individual huiibandinan. It is mit credible that the
payment of no nmall a {N^rtion aH one-tentii of the cnm could
have excite*! the ^evoufl complaints of op;in5«uon whicn were
n>-echoed frnm all the pn>vincoif : tlie ri^it of imipoction and
inti»rferenoe ti awM^rtain the extent t>f culti\*ation which the
decunmnuM un()Ut«itionably {KMen^med, involved, un<l<*r tlio looee
^>venuii<«nt of the Rtmian provinceB, the [lower to do more ; and
tlie direct interest of tlio farmer or officer of the revenue to une
oompuliKiry meanji for the extemtion of culture, in a Hource of
oppn*MUon which, exrluitively of other exactionm* muftt every-
wlu*n; pnMluc«« iiiniilar etfectit. The huiibandman of Italy or Indj%
wlM*ther pn»iirietor or fanner, whether, like the Ronmn. |)ayin^ a
tenth, or, lik«* Uie Indian, a hixUi, would >«» inoiMKantly piailed
to cultivate, no Ion}; an the {lower and the intereiit were united
which we have (lew'riU^l to exint We And the En^linh bunbami-
man, whether proprietor or fanner, fre<|u«mtly dec*linin|( to mite
com on bin tithtvible land : he would be c^>m|>eUed to <io thia
if the |ienM»tt entitk^l tii rt^eive tin* tithe {Mm[K«»d the power and
influence of tlie decumanun. Fim« for iw^lectin^ to cultivate
can only illuHtrate the niinou« principle of the tax, without fur-
ninliinj^ any ctmolunive inf<*renci^ for or a|^nat tlie exii^tenoe of
private pro|M*rty in tb^ land
The liarbanmii principle of international law. whicii hM )ie»i
atiore demTilM^i, menm to lun'e continueil during e\iiry period of
the R4»man hint^iry ; ami a nmuirkable example ocrum under the
eaiitem empire no late an A. I>. a«V), when the aokliem of Afriea»
uniler S»lomon th<* (general «»f JuMtinian. having marrie<l tlie wi\-ea
and flau^4iti*ni of the vanf|ui<ih«<(l Vanilalr olaime<l the lan«lji alao
which fonnerly U*|4m)*efl to their new M|ioum«i, anil mutinie<i to
oUitiii tht^uL S»lomon n*(»lie<l, ** that Ik* diil not ntfiim^ niavet
aivl mttveaUm an M|iuiU ti> the n>iil«lier ; l»ut the lantN be alleifed
t4i U'loni; t(» tlie (>m|ieror ami tlie Plate i»hi<*h fml th«*m. ami gave
them the quality of fir»ldi(*ni ; m»t t«) compter fi>r theinnelvee the
lafidn tak<*n by liarbariann fnim the eni|»in). but to recover them
f«»r tlM» tmanun* from which they were |iaid.""f'
It may hence be fairly ri^kf^l. ai an aiiology for the ermn
of t hone ancient^ aut bom who alRrm all Uml in Imlia to be the
En>pertv <»ftiie ntate. that they came In th«* con^idenUion of the
* The cMm, % Xmk Vy f umtAb pn*n<ii«ns« /•»€ thn laUte vi the prmtort aatl
pfo-ernMala w«i«kl m rtnnirtijr in^ulTe itr«nt nimta
t IVDcnptUA. liK 1*, cbnp. lo.
t It in <|uit« una > Citify to f(aule csani|4ce la Gfecot ; Ihn kiilorf of thn
Heleti u nli-ftuAcicut
92 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V.
subject with minds familiarized and predisposed to the doctrine,
and only found in the supposed institutions of that oountiy an
extension of the principle long established in their own. A con-
jecture may be supjwiied by some traditionary traces, Uiat it
was an ancient practice of India to reduce the vanquished to the
condition of slaves, and to confiscate their lands ; but without
discussing the wild chronology of that country, we have abun-
dant evidence that the principle, as well as the practice, if they
ever did exist, had ceased many centuries before the expedition
of Alexander ; that private property in land was then distinctly
recognized by law, and that the conqueror was enjoined to
respect and maintain the rights and customs of the vanquished.
In other respects we find the ancient principle of taxation,
namely, the payment of a portion of the crop, to have been the
same in every country upon earth ; and we may now proceed to
examine the few faint traces of its history which exist in India
fh)m that period to the present day.
Hindoo conquerors are enjoined* to confirm the established
laws and customs of the conquered nation ; but thev are too good
casuists not to discover that any additional taxj, however re-
cently imposed by the former sovereign, is, relatively to the period
of conquest, an established thing; and conse<|uently to be con-
firmed. The more northern barbarians, imdcr the designation of
Huns,J Toorks, Afghans, or Patans, who followed in the same
career, where in this single respect certainly more unmerciful tlian
their Hindoo predecessors. In India, as in Europe, the conquerors
and the conquered, successively impelling and impelled, rolled
forward, wave after wave, in a southern direction ; and whoever
will attentively examine the structure and the geography of that
portion of India usually called the Southern Peninsula, may infer,
a 'priori, that the countries below the ghauts, separated by a
harrier scarcely penetrable fix)m the central regions, and foroid-
ding approach by a burning climate, always formidable to the
natives of the north, will have been the last visited by those in-
vaders, and will have retained a larger portion of their primitive
institutions. We shall accordingly find, that in the central re-
gions the existence, and with it the remembrance, of private
property in land has been nearly obliterated ; while throughout
the lower countries it can everywhere be distinctly proved, and
in many places in as perfect a state and as fondly cherished as
• Menu, chap. 7, v. 203.
t The Shosters, however, commend as a meritorious act the redaction to
one-sixth of the taxes of a conquered country which may have been higher.
{ Toork is the name by which a Mussulman is known in all the varna-
cular dialects of the south of India at this time. Hun or hoon is a term
chiefly confined to inscriptions and bookn. The white Huns of Bochaim had
extended their conauests to the Penjab, and probably farther, and were
expelled by a king of Gour in Bengal. Vide Asiatic BesMrches, voL 1« p. IM.
Europeans are named Uoom at this time.
CHAP, v.] L.\XDED PROPERTY IJI INDIA. 93
in any lArt of Kiiri»|R\ I hIiaU nmtiiie my fitiHon'ationH on thiH
milijift til the tnu*t wliirli, n»uum*nrin^ nt*Hr Ui Mmlmii in the
Intitutit* of nUiiit thirU'cn Mn<l a lialf n«»rtii, <*ompriK(*fi the extent
U»twe«*n the tM*a an«l the hillH fn>m thenee to (*aiN* (Vimorin, and
n>iin<i that pnuuont4>ry, ext4*n(lin^ noKh to tlie latitude of nearly
tiftt'en N. a U*lt of various hrt'adth. of fn»ui sixty Ui an huuilnxl
and nixty niileK, an«l in len^h nt*ar nine hundriM] Knglinli niiluK.
Fn»ni tiio eHum*M whieh iiave heen notice* 1, and from eircum-
iitanci*!t whi<*h th«* liniitM of this diHeusnion do not iM'miit um to
examine, the (*«>untry known in <»ur nm|m by Uie tmme of
C.\uuini* hiiM |in*j«(*rvcHl a lnr^*r |»i»rti4in of its ancient inntitutionM
and hiHtori«*jil n^i^onU than any other re>nt>n of India. An 4«ariy
evi«nt nM*iinlt*fl in tMN*tic numU^rn may in India well Ih) clasmNl
ail a tniilitionary tale; and I «»nly ailwrt to the nuiqut^t of thia
ciMintr\* l»v f>ne of a dviuuitv of M«*V(•ntv•^i4«ven kin;r* who ruliHl at
V ■ mm m C^
KanAwa>Me«*'f* aUiut liod yearn U»f<»ru Oirisl. f«»r the |»uqMim» o{
f»)iM*rvin;;. that a4*e<inlin;; U» the tn^lition. Im* n*ilu<*t*il HtntUiMica,
a Hull in* or Puriar kinif. and all hin Mihjectii. t** a stute of slavery,
in which their tl«*mvndantM (^»ntinue U* thi^ tlav. The fai^t ia
Wtirthy of note from the ^»und which it alTttnlH for a oinj(M*turt5
which many cin*umHtan<x*fi will MUp|iort. that th<«M* unhap|iy
out4*nHti« wen* th«* alMiri^int^ of India; and th:it the efitahlinlmient
of 4«nMtM waa not the 4«tfort of a nin^le mind, hut the result <»f nuc-
<Vf^Hiv«» i*xiH*«lif*ntM for n*tainin^ in Huhj««4*tion the ntnquejitit of tlio
north«>ni tlindiM«H; for they. al«w». arv <*<inft*iiii4*4lly fnun the nortii.
Am<iiiLC the variouH li<«ts of dyniuiti(*!i and kin;:H. n*Al fir inm^nrmr)',
whieh I hav«« exainim*d in the Mai*ken/.it« c«>lle<*tion. im one
whioli nvonU tho nameii of the monan*h<i who fiuc<^«*if»ively OMta-
l»li««h«*il the dijitinrtion<« of Uie |»rie.*«Ui<MMj, the militar)*. the agri-
cultural, and iM*r\'ile claa^^a.
Withiiut further noticing evt*nta which lia%'o no imm<r<liati«
relation tit our ffuhje<«t. it i% only nt^^v-^^ar)' t*> utate. tliat one-
nixth lif the rri»p ii th«« ^han* which in wild to hav«» h««en exart^Nl
l»v the ''overnment fn>m time immemorial until A. I>. 1 :!•*>•. when
a nephew of th«* Pandian.^ taking ailvantag«« of a civil war.
* I 4l«-rir<» my infonnAtt«m on this auhject from ilit* aM<« r«*|iitrt« aU>v«
alltiilM to. fnim the M«rkrnii«* tiiifiii«cripti. and from tlit* |>«r«**ital aud in
i»i«miiiinic th^n'of a miMt mtdhi^etit ainl leamrtl uativv n( that country
tiaaM«<l Kamapa.
t N«>t#«l by PtiJem^, wb«i baa a wonderful prt>pi«rti«)ti of th« n.%m«i nf pUfca
in tbt Ai'atb t»f loilia, bat, aa might ba aupiKMc-d, little infurouUiuo reganluif
tbcir latitutlf* am! loti^tutlr^.
! The nam« by which th«y ar« kuovn in ( Vtiiara and in My«onr at thit tim^
I The PandiJUi ra£« bm^r ha^l their ca|iitAl at Madura 'the Paudiociia
MMliterrania* and Madura mifia Pandioni* «if lt«ilemy > Thia tnrader. fruoi
bu «r«>fid«rful «ucc4«m. it fabled to ha%e be<en attended by an army (*f demuoa,
iUm^mm, tani ««a th«fiee called hs^4 l*amU Hajd : ha waa aoo ol th« kinjr «
ata«r, and from that cimimaauc« U taid to hAva eataldiabed th« hna of hcredi-
lary daaA-eut in th« cunqurml ctmntry in nephtwa by tli« »Ul«r*i iide Th«
raudian Jyuaity rniiftl have uud« cucaiiia«l« uo thai ooail al an early period ;
94 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDJA. [CHAP. V.
inva«lcd the country in 8liij>s, and ('ontjuered it. Before hia time
the sixth had heen" received in the rough grain ; but he inipofled
on his subjects the task of delivering it deprived of ita husks*
in a state fit for food, thereby increasing the revenue about ten per
cent, which is the estimated expense of this operation. This mode
of payment continued until the establishment of a new govern-
ment at Videyanuggur or Vijeyanuggur, founded by f^LgitiTes
from the subverted government of Warangul when the Pandian
dynasty of Canam, having already reached the period of ita de-
cline, readily yielded to the rising state in 1386. The minister
and spiritual preceptor Ve(h/ara)iya,f under whose auspioes the
new dynasty was erected, composed a work on law ana govern-
ment, which is still extant in many hands, and easily procurable :
it was intended as a manual for the officers of state; is founded
on the text of Parasara, with a copious commentary by Videy-
aranyu, assigning as usual to the king one-sixth, as the royal share
of the cwp, and very rudely pronouncing the king who takes
more to be infamous in this world, and consigned to (Nareka)
the infernal regions in the next This share he was desirous d
converting from a grain to a money payment, and established
fixed rules for the conversion, founded on the quantity of land,
tlie requisite seed, the average increase, and the value of grain.
The result literally conforms to the law of the Digest; viz., one-
sixth to the king, one-thirtieth to the bramins, one-twentieth
to the gods, the rest to the proprietor. It is unnecessary to
for at the era, whatever it may be, of the " Periplos of the EiTthreaQ
Nelcynda (Nelisuram,) was subjected to that dynasty : Mfmrii to Cqnvifotuip
written by Ptolemy Cerahothtu, nerhaps Cerun or Cherun Puttri or Gkera
Puttri, thp Progeny of Cherun^ tne dynasty which long ruled over Malabar.
Tlie ChaMest to which, accordmg to Mr. Duncan's paper in the fifth volume
of the Asiatic Researches, Malabar was afterwards snoject, is no doubt Choi or
Chofa DeMh (as I since find it was written by Mr. Duncan, the present reading
being an error of the press) ; the latter syllable being a termination siflnufyinf
country or region ^ the third of the rival dynasties of the lower south* The
remains of an ancient fortress close to the temple of Calliarooil in the woods
of Shevagunga, or the lesser Marawar country, as it is sometimes caUed, still
bear the name of Pandian Kota, Pandian caidlf ; and a family claiming s
direct descent from tlie house of Pandian is still said to exist in the neigh-
bouring country.
* The calculation of increase stated in the Shasters is* twelve-fold ; the
former rulers of course received as revenue Uoo measure* for every measure
sown. To reduce T>addy to rice, it loses exactly one-half its bulk ; the rate of
the Pandian accordingly was one measure of rice for eveiy measare of fwddly
sown.
t Fortnt of Science f a new title ; his former name was JiitadaiM Aekareep
and the title of the work to which I particularly allude is Patruara Miida9eem^
sometimes also called Videyamaya Smirii. He also composed another wotlt,
sometimes known by the latter title, but generally called Vidieuarcm^a Smug'
roAam, which treats exclusively of religious duties. The Pmioit of the oonit
of Seringapatam informs me that he considers the text of Parasara as the moit
clear and comprehensive, and the commentary of Videyaranya the mostsmpis
and satisfactory, o! all the authorities which he possesses.
CHAP, v.] LAVOED PROPEBTY IM IHDU. 93
•oter fkrther into thin detiui, Uuin to state that thirty in the
whole number on which the diMtribution in made : of which it
in calcuhUMl tiuit tifWn, or one-luUf» ih coiuiume<l in the
ex{K*niMri of n^culturc, ami the nuuuti*iianoe o( the faruier'tft
fiuiiily. Tlie dintribution t>f tlu? remaining fifteen atandn
tlimi : —
T<» tilt? wiviTi'i^i one*MXtii of the gnu** priMluce ... f*
T«» the braining oni'-tWfiiUeth 1}
Ti» the giMU one-thirtifth I
Ilemainrt |iroL»rieti»r'M Hlian*. wliieh in exactly one-
i<'Ul\ll ••• ..« •«, ,,, ,, ,a* ••• ••• tj
T)m* nhan* |Miyable t4i the* Ivramitm and tlie ^hIh wan n*ecived
by the wiven'ign, and by him diHtributi*il ; m> that the nuni
actually nHvi%'v«l by tin* n« ivt*rfi|^i and by tin* |>nii»rieU»r wem
•({iial. InntAmd of natinfyin^ hiui*M*ir with k*avin;; thmpi txn they
went, aiul taking fn>ni thi.«t |»n»vinct* a KtimlJcr r\*Vf*niR* on »«*•
count of ilH remote nit nation, an nu>Q<ent4*<l in iUv iv|M»rt tit in, in
fart, not retuoti* oominin««l with many other inirt/i of tin* domi-
nitin,* it in evidrnt tliat Ilurr\'hur Ri»v calU<«i in the aid <»f the
Shantem for tlie |iuqMini* of nui«in)r tin* n*%enue; aiul did atrtuuUy
raine it exactly tw«*nty |it*r cnt. by hift nkill in applying that
auUiority to hin calruUtioiut ; th«* nt^ult of the whoU* ilrtail U'in^
tliat he reci*iveil one f^htftti |«if^Mla for two kautit^ and ii half of
land, the nam** num only iiavin|r fonncrly l<ei*ii |Miid for thn*e
kautien. Vnnn \XU\ until U*l\ uhen the h«*r\*«litan' p>%vni«»rM
of the pn»vinfH« U^gnn to aim at indt*|tendt*n(v. this rate t^niti-
nmnl unalti*n*«l, Init mnfU aA<T thiM latter |i«*rio<l an tidditioual
anwewnmejit^ t>f fiAy |ier (*i*nL wan Ifvieil on the wh«de n*veiiue,
with MHne exce|»tJ«>nn, in uliirli tUv UMiqMT wan o|i|mi»h*«I by
minor unnqMUitmn ; but <*v«*n :tt thin |M'n«M| Und** wen* hah'ablc
at ti*n Vt^rn* |iun*luu«**. and. in **'ini«* inntann-N «»«i lti<^li am tu« nty-
five nnd thirty. The here^litniy ri^ht U* landnl |»r»»|»eiiy ni t '«-
nam and MaUl^ir wjii«. aimI «Mtitinite» to U*. indffeH.sibl<-. ev«*n
by the lon^fMt |»n.-%i*n|»tive •Mn-iiiiiUH \ . the heir nia\ at uny
dtfitamv of time hh laim hi** |iiittnnon> . on |ia>ui;; tin* « x|H'a4r
<if HiH:h jM*nnaii«*nt im|»n»venifnt/« a.*« nmv liii^t- U^n nia«le in the
cwtnte. it in unm*nY^viry t«> p» thr«*ti;;ii the •bull *>( the i%ul>-
i*i«|tu*nt awH^nnnientn «>n the n*veniie of thi^ |>n»\iiitv iit> t'» the
in*n<nl of it^ coiH|ueHt by Hvder in ITf^i . tb* v Hire eliietly in
tlio natun* of t«'m|ii»mr>' nid% whi«'h the e\i;;eii« if?« of the tiimvi
n*n<len*<l it nt*(*%*Miar>' to «*«»iitinue tv*ui \iar t<i %'var : the i*id»lic
riiilitnl»ution*« were ntill eoui|4initi\ely luoib^rati*. and tlu* i>>ndi«
* Th« nit4* eaUblulMii by Scufia N«ik it •ttll oi«j«<lrml U* br llm liti;bM>l
ftxnd rmU, nnd by ntatiy iM tht» uihaUutiti (»f the iirinhU Marine f%>uiitriv» t<» k«c
tim nriin&al tax. 1 wm kd laiii the UlUf rm»r. aiul Mitiic <»lli«r« rdUtt\c to
IkdiMjr« (Which I had out %uiUd; id my rrfxirt 141 Mynoiif.
c
9G LANDED PROPERTT IN INDIA* [CBAP. V.
tioii of the people comfortable and affluent *' The whole conxae
of Hyder's adminintration was (in the forcible language of the re-
port already alluded to) nothing but a serieR of experiments for the
))iir|)oso of discovering the utmost extent to which the land*rent
could be carrietl, or how much it was possible to extort from the
farmer without <Uminishing cultivation. The increase of assess-
ment of Hyder and Tii)iKK) Sulbiun has, in some places, anni-
liilate<l the old proprietors, and it has everywhere diminished the
quantity, but not altered the nature, of the property. If, after
paying the Sircar retit> and what is due to himself for his labour,
there remain the most trifling surplus, he will almost as soon part
with his life as with his estate." A subsequent collector informs
us, that under Tipj>oo\s government the proprietors had actually
l)egim to disavow their ])roj)erty ; but in the very second year of
Knglisli management, they claimed as their own, what the year
before had been held in the names of their tenants. The de*
mauds of the govennnent had, from their excessive amount, iu
some cases annihilated the pro{)erty, in others it was on the very
verge of extinction : and there can l)e no question that another
century of similar exaction would have extinguished private pro-
)erty in land altogether : and, in conformity to the fact Ktated
y the collector, by Wing constantly denied, it would soon have
l>een forgotten. The whole syBtem has been revised by the judi-
cious and able hand which has descril)ed it : property lias been
restored by diminishing the exactions of the government, and
Icavhvj a proprietor's sluirc ; and the reporter observes, that ** in
reforming the revenue system of that province, government has
no new rights to private property in land to create ; they may
augment the value of the proi)erty by diminishing tlie assessment^
but the right itself is already as strong as jnirehase or prescrip-
tion can make it, and is as well understood as it is in Great
Britain." We pass to Malaliar.
According to a tnulition common to Canara and Malabar,
but more anxiously preserved in the latter, the royalties of both
countries were formerly vested in the priesthoo<l ; but I am dis-
rK>sed to consider the historical conqueror and the fabulous Parasa
Kama, who create<l and gave them to the Bramins, as one and
the same persoiL If it might he i)ennitte<l to risk a conjectural
statement of the facts on which these extravagant fables are
founded, I should consider Parasa Rama as a mighty conqueror,
who, struck with re»morse for the injuries which he had inflicted
on m^mkind, endeavoured to expiate his ofrem*es by resigning
the greater [virt of his revenues to tlie priesthood. The* insa-
tiable Bramins thus })ecome possessed of all that he had the
power to bestow, beg}in artfully ami incessantly to ui^ the best
possible reasons for new conquests, in order that they might have
* This interpretation of the fable was chiefly suggested to me by ths
present minister of Mysoor.
I HAIV V J
I.A.NUKD ntoi-KIMV IN iNhlA.
:»;
h-*w ::i.iiitN :iii>I tin* *»■•%• •••iirn. •li-.M^t'-l ;il llp-ir uiiri-lin:^ la-
|ii«!l\. Ulil« rl "iJv tlii' i-'ilr jil'-^! "t K'l.iii* .ill'i 1 'mIii .i!i fi-r ill'!
lirniiiii I'll |i MM lit ii«- .'ii ti> !.i r>i!<i\\iiu' liiiii in: • tlm^i- iiHintiics.
![»■• ij» w li'-iuifii'i;" I- .u ' ]>: '\\\t •[ witli ii-i ^••i'."ii:il»' i»r'!» r nf
I'lp hIIi-hnI I'.ii.i-i li'.v..i I ■'.ii.'l- 1 !!.•' 1 «-••• •■!" til" ("■•#♦! ■f/i"{"
//r;#. ..» ^vll•^ ;ii.' ti t :.. • 'i.'* "i:-- .:i;:ii- 1 ;is -Mfli i \ I !.«"«•• nl' tin*
r«*i "I In ]i:i I'll* \ «■ -M!' - ■■ :i I L« .' ■ i»'i!iii I't" ill" lulin^' tha
r.i«l"r'» ill I'l'- M I'l.iti.i "i.\:* . :.ii'i iii i}i:r \.-iri<>ii» pri -lal'-ry in
• 'ir-i-'M'- iiiVi •■'.!• I • iMil^ :.]•• -!,tt* 'i •.#-. .Jv uilli ^iviilitv t'nr
m
tli j I'-i i! .1 W'llx « . j.T .:i:::i ^ " tip- lii-I -lA I'f' l)nir i.ii.'in. fur
t!i>' I'lii; I >;• !:••;> -!i: it .i:. : i!.< • . iiin lii.dnin- .-illirni thiit
tl.'- "!i:-. : I I'l:. i-'ii,-' ,i-.i:i rilii-;i sllit* i':i(<- ti'-ij-* Imvij
j-r-'ii"' i a III ■ iv ! •.:..:...:■• ♦. i:T!.i'..n i-f ni:inii><'n)>ts.
In t!i« •!• ■ .ill ■ •" i' . 11 .'.,.< u \.-." i \'\ pni-Wfil <iin-
I'lT.'Ti !!• .■!. 1 .. : • 1 : .' I ■! ixi'i.ili-n in a f'lnii'It i.* sur-
I ■ a
!• .. I'l ■■? 1..-^ r A I.. ..I .: I ■ !.j^ n \v I'M- -ill" • I I n-jt r llii.^
Ill- : i: "i ■» 5 t .
• ■
1
I'
!. n ■ t «'i." ';\'ili •■!' iIj-' J«i'"iu
ii»
w.' .. . •'• J : ■ T i: ; T • I i?.- l"'- ii»ni« Tit N.t liiiifM't
ni -'i • ;■•■• ] .i' j .■ ■ • t ' • ■- . * •■!* t:.i. ii.j t!i- :.: «t-i y i l' tins
« !i?'\ I: :.. •' ' ;. :. 1 uii?.! t!.- \'-.!i !»7** u !»• n ;i - '\ "f ■ i jn of
t:.«- ■ Mii"\ . ..■ ■ . i il..- M .j. ;iiiiLii i ■?! i.j'i.. ;::\\ i Mnnj Im
M ■■ I. -i:^.!- i j. ■.■!..:.: :.. .»i.i ■:;« |ji- i-;:l- ■ i ' -r ^ui»'i'<lin:ito
* ■ ■ ■
• * I .
» •
• •
III". r • *' ] 'i '.i:. : ;.f . [v :i! \ ir u : ii • i. !i ''li'T. an' I
|i • ■. :. . ii' !.' • 1 ii- \ ■ \ t ■ : ' • . ! ■ • . .■ I -i:- II.-. Ill- )iwl lii.it i»r
• I-"? :.• :i.i. ;.i: . I .■• K ■■: l!.-\ ■ ••- v^i- i-ii.- «i|'
■ •'■ ...• .1 ;.i.;T ',.
* I-.. • • •* ri. :i
t J.' V i: . .• . ..'i . ..; .
: 1 ".-
.!•. i T !•■ .1 ■ : ■! "t I'." In .: Ill li- r-i ••!'
• . ■ ■ .■ . I .f 1.' '.. ■ r I W ilh
: :.. ]•• . -• • . l-\ till*
:•!
• .
ff
■i
r
i
• •
■
■
•
1
>
•
■v
. t
■ «
y
•
•
■
■ «
\
.'. .
:i
.
«
•
■
• •
ri:
\\
1 •
'.T
i:
• ■ •
• ■ ■ ••
• > .
1 • • ■ • • • • I . r tl t«
.-■•.■ I, •■!■•
1 ■■•'•: .'. « . .! il. . I'al.-I III.
OS LANDED PROPERTY IX INDIA. [CHAP. V.
subjugjitioii of others, Malabar was found nearly in the state
which ha^s been lightly sketched, when subdued by Hyder.
Under that dynasty the efforts of the government were constantly
directed to tJie forcible reduction of these chiefs, and to the in-
troduction of the same system of revenue which prevailed in the
rest of the dominions of llyder. The northern and more inac-
cessible parts of ilalabar continued to oppose a successful resist-
ance ; but the more open southern districts, where armies could
act with eftect, would (iu the opinion of a *member of the
board of revenue, vrho has lately visited the province) •* in a
few yeai*s have paid the whole rent to the Circar; they would
have lost their property in the land, and have virtually become
farmers like the Ravets in the ceded districts : but Cotiote and
the northern districts of Malabar were never thoroughly subdued
by the Mysoor government, and it is only now that we are
be<jinnincr to establish our authoritv there. The strength of the
country has enabled the people to defend their rent and remain
landlords. Perhaps the strength of the country along he ghauts
is the true cause of the existence of j)rivate property in the soil,
which the inhabitants of Bednore, Canara, Malabar, and Tra van-
core, not only claim, but have been generally ready to support by
force of arms. It would most likely have existed everj' where,
but in othrr parts of India armies of horse could carry into
execution the immediate orlers of a despot, who never admitted of
private ]>ro])erty, because his wants incited, and his power enabled,
him to draw the whole landlord's rent."
Private projHMty in Malabar and Travancore is distinguished
by tluj emphatical word Junmum^f "a term bearing the express
sign i ilea t ion of hi rlli right.'* The various gnidations of mortgage,
temj>oraiy transfer, and conditional possession (as ^described in
the sevend olHcial rejK)rts from Malabar) which are all requisite,
btifore a deed of complete and final «ile can be etfected, mark m
stronger reluctance to alienation, and a more anxious attachment
to land(vj ]>roperty than can be found in the institutions of any
other p(»oj>le ancient or modern : and the high selling price of
twenty}} years' purchase, reckoning on the clear rent or pro-
prietor's siiare, in a country where the legjil interest of money is
mr»re than double that of Britiin, testifies the undiminished preserv-
ation of this Sentiment to the present day.
• Mr. Tliarkray's report on a personal inspection of Malabar^ Canara^
and the ceihul dint rids in 1806-7 ; a performance of great force, and full of
clear viows and ju^t thinking.
t Ct)lt)ni'l Macaulay\s excellent report on the lands of Travancore.
1 A v«Ty satisfactory nnd clear ;:cneral account of Junmum may be
foiin«l ill Mr. Stracliry'jj report, I think in ISoo (for 1 state from memory K
.-^nd in those of Major Wulkcr, and the commissioncr», a complete detail
of the f;»rn»H adhered to.
§ AdviTtin^ to the respective rates of interest, it will be recollected that
this is as Jiigh oa forty years' purchase iu England.
• »I\I' V I
I \Ni»i:h i!:i»rr-iiTV in im»ia.
!('!
Tl-' riiii-f i.f a rl III. \\ 1; -■• iiiiljtirv ••\-Jir-i'»ii'i Hi-Mfin fiinv
* *
li. !" -l.-iM "I ^ :iI»-»\ • ;i •! .\ '» in.iirii ti«iin tli-ir ImiIii* -.. Ii..«. i:ii:i'
II'. I ».f" i.\iiiii'. :.:i 1 tir- I .11 i' J |'i"j' -I.' uiii«ii. Ill ;iiji\iir,' ni
ji.u.r r.\ \\ ii.it. %•: ! r;ii:- ir \. ill li- I l.tJ I'l lit\ • .'tiij'iii ••i. lui -
iii<>ij- -I ill M.- It !.'.:' i)]' ]•!!!:• ;i -1 t'i:ii-i I"!' lu^ i->|n>.:' «I.«i.iu>'--
Ii. ■:!!■« i !.■• Ki.i (I i: '•■.;. 'J' w.'^ ••:.»• •■! tin- i.i"-l -ihi i ^-juj
«•!! !.••■• I ^j. N 14 f ■ • '■ .' . •:! ' r Ir- !:- . ,ri'. ■■.!» ■<• " ' I i.i- l"-i| -
!• :P:i ■•••:' t :.■■.• ' : . .-l I • ■ .■-:.■:!! l fi '■■:■■;:;. ;i!i'l lii' . - 'iiu:!-
■
v."U . r ! .. I • ■ . . : I! ■ I : | • 1:. ; •. /. .i : v w ! -i \.i i-*
t" r .'Iv •.. ■■ '" I' ■ ; I'.' • ^ ; • . fi 'A." :»'i\i-
! til }• I : u !,. ;i : !■ '. ■ I . i:.i.. ■ . .• j i ».•;. !■ ■. 'I i.. ^.»
• II IM-^T .||. . ; .. I : "'.■ ; : ■ ! t v. -I * '.' ■■ !«ili i V ill '.;•■. I
• •:ii:i V !i ■'»■ \ ' ■ i ii t ■ '» :i 1.' ■ " :.' -f' •:.:•''" I M-I. 1
|r , • •: \ . 1 ■. ..: ■: 1 i- . I •»• : • . ■ . • ' • I ;i: ;. Ii\
;i!i-i :it* ■♦.-. •.. ! I. - • •■ n • i • ;' ,. ' ■ . \. = . ; ■• . ] |.; ,
m: . " - r. •■ t i. , • ■ i ? . ! ■ .' .:..-: l i . :. i i.. . i .».■ • \
•<''r\ 1 I :. ■■: ■.. " " a i .-.■ r ..: ; ■■ . .: M .'i i- . *
ifi^' aiiv i • ■ .■ : • ■•■!?. I. •. I ; .. . '...■. ' t ' J •...■:■ n
t I .i!' .1-. ■ ! .' ••..";• r. : •
U « ii 111 j. • ! • \» . I
• •I aiiv I; ■ . :. . !
\v lii.li :^ f :: : . • ■ '■'■■:: . ■ ! T •. . : I : . •. I. .
ui, ii m ; • ■• ■ ■ t ■ • • *. : .■■..' i ji.-
ill :i.- -•!■:.'.■ ; . . ■ • ■ ; • ■. ; . - ■ . . • ; .■..•: t ■
• ■iii 'i i!? ■?•■.■.■•■ : . • . ■ r . . t.,
n j ! .i?i w : . . • ■ • •■•:.... - i :."ii
II ,! it\ ..•;•■ \ : ■ :■■.■• .■..:.:::. j ■ ■ • ■ • .
l"-r l!ji« . M . ii ^ . r . • • . : • . 1 ... \ \ ■ \ ..- . * • . l"
■•i:.! ...r Ij'i '- :. 1. '. 'i '
"I III t ■. .• '. ■. ■ "i • :' !' : )• i p ;■ ■' : 1 • '^^
• V'T l.iri:' ! • i' ; , .■ • . • 1 i. ■ . -j \ 1 , t ■•■ j ! i ■'. \ • \ > l
li,- I i\v. ■ ■? 1 ■ \- I i I ? \\ .•- ' \' \. ■ ■ : !•
ir . • I'l :!■■•■ • : !• . ■ .' . • ■. «;
Hi.; ':•. ^ ■ • ■ ■ ■ '. . ■ • '■ I ■. I \ •. ■ ■ . •■
I- ■■'.■ ."
' ■ i ■
■
. t. ■.:. i'...i»
I • 4
• • ,
!
; 11
t 1
4
. I
I •
• I ' !
t
/ • I \ ■ • i
■ i •
• 1.
t
I
. .. -r .
.■. ! . i!
■ ■ . ■ •
v.i.
• • . ■ • ■
■ ' / ■ '
li. 1 i •
■ • ■ ■
1 . . . ■
•
.; ; . \'l
100 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. v/
lands, thus merging the features of sovereignty in the more pro-
iitable character of fanner, merchant, and monopolist.
In passing to the eastern coast we shall commence with the
northern part of the tract which has been described ; that being
the point at which it first sustained the impure contact of the
northern invaders. The territories of the three contemporaiy
dynasties of the Chola, the Chara, and the Pandian, which con-
tended with various success for the northern, the south western
(including Malabar,) and the south-eastern portions of this exten-
sive region, under its general name of Drauveda, met near to
Caroor, a town situated about thirty miles west of Trichinopoly,
which appears to have passed alternately into the possession of
each of the opponents : they were all conquered by Narsin^ Raja
and Crishna Raja of Vijeyanuggur* in the period between^ 1490
and 1515. Over the whole extent of this country, as in every
other in which the authority of the Shatters was acknowledged,
one-sixth was the legitimate share of the crop payable to the
sovereign. Before and after the period at which we are arrived,
the evidence of private property in land is so abundant, that I
will spare the reader the ample detail which might easily be pre-
sented to him of public recorded gifts of land from individuab
to the temples, and of the constant transfer of lands by sale and
mortgaijje, in spite of all the oppressions which the proprietors had
sustained, even after that period when the pestilent doctrine of
the sovereign being the actual, instead of the figurative, proprie-
tor of the soil, began to be promulgated by the British govern-
ment. The historical documents of the Mackenzie collection aie
not yet so numerous as to afford the means of following with
precision the effect of successive revolutions on the state of pro-
perty in this part of India. Nearly eighty years after the sub-
version of the Hindoo government at Vijeyanuggur, seven years
after the grant of territory by the descendant of that house
reigning at Chandergherry for the erection of the first English
fort at Madras,^ the dissensions of the Hindoos had brought
* It was first called Videyi^ and afterwards Vijfi/anuffgur, the city of
science, then of victory. This is ascertained hy the prants.
t Cherun had long before been absorbed in the domiaions of the
other two, and chiefly of llie Chola.
X The Englisii founded an e:>ta>ilishment at Armagon, about thirty-siK
miles north of Puliacate, in ]Gi26; and on receiving on the 1st March,
1639, the ^rant alluded to in the text, they coniiu«;nced the fortress oo
the 1st March, 1640, finally removed to it front Armagon on the 24tk
September 10 tl, and finished it in 1613, at the expense of nine thonsaad
two hundred and fifty pagcxias, or three tlKMisand five hundred pounds
sterling ! abandoning altogether the old establishment at Armagon. The
grant from Sree liung llayeel expressly enjoins, that the town and fort to
he erected at Madras shall be called after his own name, Sree^Runga^Rmfa"
patam ; but the local governor or Naick, Damerla Veneatadrtt^ who first
invited Mr. Francis Day, the chief of Armagon, to remove to Madras, and
engaged to procure the grant of hia sovereign, had previously intimat-
ed that he would have the new English cstablitthment founded in the
I IIAIV V.|
i.\Ni)ri> rr.Mi'iiKTY in ist>i\.
h»l
il'iuii twii •lUtiii«-t :iniil«-N tViMii t))«* .M'l-^^Mini in -t.i(<'<i «■!' (t'-Ir iiiii.i
:i:i i \ iii-\.i|i" -r. \\ liii-li ii-| ti\rlv p •.-.-•.i .1 tin iii<>'i\i'. mI tin-
str iij iM-i- of < "liMTiii r..lii'ny :iii i \ill'ii' in hiSi) il:i\iiivr
«1 l>rii.iii> ii ]*\' III! :iiii:m'''!i- i' •ii\i nt :«>!i {\i*- liii< ^ witMii \\*<ili*U
tfj'V -li 'wl'l ri -'iH-i livi'ly I:iiii( tImJi i:.- mt-:'!i- •- • :i> n><; it iht.-r-
(*:r \\i\\i I'. I'll I'll.'-i" M« i'Mi,i!i li, ■ <iii.-i.tl I'l" ( ( >!• >ii<i:).
4 •■: •111 i!i<li i. Ill lij-- I. \t \i lt :iri .siiiV I: ■: i Vr.\.tt» i. :l "iivi-
• ■ ■ ■
.sj III I'!* v\ii:«li W.I- I !uii..iM'i' -1 I". >. . •■. I.':i.r i • >\.t .■• tin?
f i'l: i'l -ti' iii.- M.i',1 i:' I i-Mii-ii ■ . \: •. ; i ;• . ••■:.;■:■ -t ^ :- - I ir :ls
'I III, ■! • ii\.\ \'i >'.'.'\-.\ l.ulii"-! i/:! |';'.i . : :. ' --r . - ■ - ■ 1= j lli-si«
• ■ iiiT:!!'' in ■■ w:.ii |. riM ii' t! \.i-!. n-i'.l ]•.'■». \;..'':» 4i:t.'.- I'.-il
int > t.Jii liiii' ;iii i i: i\'*' !;»•... .« I.. •• • ?[.:ii !• ■•' -.-ii '■: tin-
i.'»:!iTi\. 'I I.:-! l" It W;!-. .! I' . : v, ..r-i * - : *■ i i\ tip- w Tii- i lul
S- ■..!;• ■■ \\\ * • ■;■■ -nri j»- I \\ i:p- i -:.i'!. ■:.r.:'-n* ni" •!.;■ : in
I.:.. I. !«■ . ■ i" !».-« • w !i ! th.i.\ ,.: \\ .*. I. '.' . i.'i |. :.*i\ ;.t I. in
} ■!• lit I :• .11 »'•• \' ii 1''77 ! * -i"' '. -iiij: ;i: i: ': :: •; ' ■ lip*
Iv. .r •■■■ii.?!\ . !■ i! I''- ••' ni!;.- t,. •■:!:?:■ :; : i\\- \ M ■'•. iii-
I..' 1 I'l j»\i::iiu-nl ih iv \ - -it i .i" :.' r . ,. ij- I-..'! w ii- n
/ :.:• .»• K.'i.iii tl,.' Ml.; ■ s: .1 _•■ '■■ ■ . *'.{• :• I ' :i .1 . '• ;.. .:.- j . :ii
t'.i !?..• 1- .i|.;i. •• ,iii 1 !i\i j -.;;■.:. :i ■ : f'- i ■ i'l:- » :■.:;■ i •ii-
tin.' J |. .- ■ •'! ■ ! :r ^ i i-* -* ■.■;•'! < - t. j:i \'*^ '1 ii-*
u \
I
f.i!..?.. 1 li ] • 'i 't ;i M'- ■ ■ .' : M .■■'»
:. • ■.' • \ I' . •• I
• \ ■ r :'.!i 1 ■ ' !- • •:•:•* • I i!i lli ■ I • •«:::_• -:. : ' ■•."•. " I: •in
t'.- .1 II. ' r •• . . lA ?•. . ; • /' • ' .' .
ti .♦ : :.■ ■;•• . • . ^ • r." • :' !i f M.- I- . ■ . ! : . t i ■• ■ • . .1
]•:•.:• 1 ! ;^ :! -■".■« f' .■■ t •■•.■ ' i:\ : ;■ ?' ■■ " ••. ■ • ■ . .i
I. I ? I ?. • : • ■• f ii I'l ■•: . r .i ^ •■ ■ •'' i » ' '■ " * w.:.' i . ' -i-"
:. ' .r : . ; k A !' i; ?.?!.. ! .• \\ i ■ . I ! : : - *■ . \ i ; ; ; • ' \ .1"
.Tifi i« .' ..■. : !■■!.• • ;'- : ■ ■ :.i ;... . ! ■ '•! . .; . •: .• ! ". '\i -
li. I*, t.ik .;. J Ii lil 1 .4- ii .:. ■..■ . '.^ *
\\ ■ •■ .■ r ■ ;. i :. • .
• . •
I . r •.\
• 1 • • I .
• • • •
• •!
■ •
I .- . • I
■ ■ V
i . ■ . . .
, ■ .
t. .-.
■
■ •
I . . ■ .'■ • ■ •
I. ■ . • .■•■
• :..
/'• •■ ..!•■•:•
:i
I •■■.... ... i
• . I . -•
:■■*■. . : I ■ . . ■ ■ ■.»•
■ • . •
■ •
. ■ ! »
: .1-
■ ' ■•
»•!
■ .'.. II,
V . . . • ; '. : ' • 1 1 J I : i.
• i :. I . :. »•
102 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V.
proprietors received from Mohammedan farmers or tenants culti-
vating their lands, and defraying the expenses of agriculture ; and
if this fifty per cent, remaining to the fanner or tenant for defray-
ing the charges of agriculture and maintaining his family be
taken, as I believe it may, as the most general average* in those
parts of India which have been conquered by strangers, it is
obvious, and the first Mussulman invaders must have known it^
that the owner of land from whom the remaining fifty is exacted
is at once reduced to the actual condition of a tenant; and that
instead of one-half, they were taking the whole income of the
ancient proprietors. Those who contend for the proprietary right
of the sovereign will, at this stage of oppression, certainly find
him to possess one-half of the produce, as a barbarous remunera-
tion for not having murdered tiie original proprietor : but I will
not insult my countrymen by supposing that an individual can
be found among them, who, knowing the nature of the right (if
right it may be called), would desire to succeed to it These Mo-
hammedan rulers combining, in a character full of extravagant
contradiction, the worst extremes of the savage, with some pro-
minent features of civilized man, did not efiect at one blow tiie
extinction of the ancient proprietors; these unfortunate persons
resisted, in their way, the successive exactions which were im-
posed, by flyingf to the woods, from whence they were recalled
by persuasion, b}' false promises, by hunger, or by force, to renew
the culture of their lands : but the plain and undeviating prin-
ciple of the government was to extort the utmost sum that could
be levied, without the certainty of thereby diminishing the reve-
nue of the succeeding year. These polished bcirbarians, bringing
along with them a compound of the system of revenue estabU^ed
by Tooril MulJ under the emperor Acber,§ and of that introduced
* The amount varies according to climate, soil, and facility of irrigation,
from about thirty-five per cent., which I believe is the lowest, to fifty-five,
and perhaps in some few cases to sixty per cent. There are certain general
charges, from ten to eighteen per csut., which are deducted previously to
the division, excepting where lands liave been allotted to defray them.
t Some of these scenes have been acted within my own time, and under
my personal oKnervation.
X Tlie introduction to the Asopkia Du/ter, or financial register of the
Deckan and south, in the Mackenzie collection, which 1 translated at his
request, shows that the system of Tooril Mul accompanied the southern
conquests of the imperial forces.
§ Ayeen k Acberi, translated by Mr. Gladwin. It is difficult to discover
from this strange and desultory work of Abui Fuzzul the actual intentions
of Acher with regard to the character of the government which he meant
to establish. In his collection of letters is one of considerable merit and
eloquence addressed to the viceroy of Goa, desiring to be furnished with a
Scrson capable of unfolding to him the principles of the Christian religion,
[is adoration of the sun is at direct variance with the fundamental dogmas
of the Mohammedan r^^ligion ; and it would seem, from many insinnatioiis of
Abul Fuzzul, and particularly by the sort of Masonic parole and coanterugn
(Alia Acber ; Jil e Jolldlehoo), of the new light (Jillal u Deen was his name
before his accession), that he had determined to be not only the prophet bnt
IIIAT. V 1
i.AMiKD ri:«»i*!:inv in imwa.
ion
1'V t!i*' III li-; • ii'l* tit Miiliriiiiiiii <l:iTi {•lilii'i*-* of tin* h: iknii. :i]i!>Iiiii
til'- !••• li!.S'- il I ili;j'l;i'_'" »»t" til*--*' >\^t-lii» t» ih'* ii*lU;ii "t.il*' t»t*
Ai'' •' . I'l.! lli'-v 1'iiij'l ;i -•■it t't" fM-< ii'':iiii wl.'i liaij » itiit-r W;*
/..■••,. . ,• I ■'■;••«' / /. »-*i / iMf/' III tili'-^f sVst^'IH-. /'i/i'iM'i/
.1' '.' / ill I'.imui. 1*1- \«rii p'llrir l.iTiji!ri_:i' ••!' tip- ••• -mtrv. i^ :i
r..:, ■ lit i ti:ii i- ■.■■!i IimmI r i.l" w'liili ^i 'iiitl» ■% " i /» /« i.. m /• n/
/i» .-r • • ■,-/ /-,- I...'; ;•••.•. .vl 5i_; !•• !l:«' l'''1i»'I- "f tin* l.ill:Jilir^'i',
uii:-! • ■: • A ♦ v\ ■ I !• t-l' -^iiii.litr iim •il l«» iiii-ii-r tin lui-.iiiiu'
:ii!« 'i -■ VHt. ■ ;J 't '\ t.i'* aii'l I'.i- r -u.; -iin«l \\..|i!. :ii pliiii;
III' ■ • •■'!.■ t.i A :•. •: ■ ; M-: i li i' i » ■ ii 'a rjtv :i i«f t hi- ^:.ir:t »f w :-i".i.;;i
.*: ! .. ; i' '. \^ il :.
fi ■»'■!. i!i . !■ ;• .
'i:.." r. . V.i '. II. I'
i .!i.t - ! jr.. ;. '1 r ':f . :;i : .rii'i - A- ;m ; lift i:iji> U in
■ :ii r .1 f \ '.■•■! i*. -'i ! • I r.«' IT :••:;■•; I i-f i imri rJii.^
!■ .: ! Ill : .' -r-^ ....::•/.! i*i-»iji I'l i! I !■■■ >!••;. i;;*
Jill ■ 'I t . I.' ' -t ■■* :i III.-; .t > ..". !■;•: 1 . .ti:.--! ..' | ■ i- » t-.! i- '• r !■• tin*
\i'M' \ ■■ ! J::.v;i: f: --.»:;• t: ki:-' /•-■•i. AJ-il lu/.'':!
'...•■■. . • !)i • • .. \ . ,*. \\ I' :.' • « I \ :••':.. 1 I r '•■••, iiil
I •*. ; ' .. -".^ .t 'i ■'::.*■ .' '•■••■ :':.!• I I I »: I • ii-t
■ I . ^1 .1. ■■•. .- 1 • I ■ ■ i ■. M. ■-•;:■••'!■ :ii:'
1 . k. : .1 . - •.!•■•:....!.: r... •■ 1 i : . i .y -' i*. I
11' • .
< •
• ■ ■
I •
t..
V ' •
I
II ■ . .
I
1. .
I'
i
. 1. .
• : I
• . •. ' » . ■ ■ . • . '
. I
■
I • • i :■■•■■. K :.».■■ -r :•:•■.'• .-. . \ ■ .•■ ••: ..
'■ ■ • • f .' '. I' f ^ ; •,. i : . ;■ ■ 1 ;..•
I ■ . .; ■ r . , :•;»'.,■■ : ■ . : i. -.v
■■:.. . ■ " . i . :•!
I • r \ . ■. i. • r ;<
.: ;• -■ ■. ::.. ■ * u!. »:
.■ K . .
: I ■: : ■■ t-: v..- » :■ i
. . I.
• ■ . -t
■ . ■ . : •;.•■ I • -i ; ■■«.'!■ ! .^••.. -i
.: . ;'i i! ■■• : . ■. : i* ?■.■!;■!. \i it
^ i '. ; .'•* I !•' T •!• I ■.*'.>■.*••.! :ii»
A • : . ;■ . ' • t il) « : 1 « . ■ . \r... '.o
■' ■(■ ■'•■••.. .-■ ..I
■ ■ . ■ '.* ■ .•.•.;•
. 1 I ■ .' %* ■ .1 ■ • . :
•■•■■•"..'•'.. . ■ ^\ . «
'■ . ■ • . . ■ ■ .- r . ■ , \
I • • -I I
■ • • ■■■•_
. I
!" ■• . !■ . n--
: • ■ ■.•■■■••.:.■..(
: . • . : .:. I :•■- .
.1 !:'■•• .Ti
■ . . . ■•.:..«
. . -I
i . .. .k
.* !■
104 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [cHAP. V.
to tliat interpretation, will signify imlepefulent hereditary laruied
property : there is no third meaning of which the words are sus-
ceptible. This word even these unfeeling barbarians translated
in their records of revenue by the Arabic word Meerass, inherit'
atice ; and its possessor by the Persian inflection MeeruBsdar,
hereditary lyroprietor (or possessor of inheritance). The terms
Meerass and Meerassdar have since been continued under tbe
British administration, but for the purpose of assimilating every-
thing to the system of Bengal, where a proprietor, unknown to
the history of India, had for some years been created under the
modem name of Zemindar ; these occupants of absolute dominion
in landed property were declared to possess merely the " heredi-
tary right of cultivation."
The first discussions of importance on this subject that I have
been able to trace on the Records of Madras, occurred in the year
1795-6,* when the inhabitants of Trimashy, a village in the district
of Poonamallce, firmly refused to accede to the terms demanded
by the Collector ; and that oificer, considering the refusal to pro-
ceed from a refractory disposition incited by the intrigues of the
dubashea of Madras (viz., native interpreters and agents to gentle-
men in office who wcire not conversant with the languages of the
country,) proposed, that " the Meerassy inhabitants of that village
should be deprived of their Meerass, and that it should be trans-
ferred to others who are willing to cultivate on the proposed terms."
The Board of Revenue oj>posed, and the Governor in Council
supported, the expediency of this measure, and the discussions
means t(» rule, to govern, to jiosscss in permanent authority ; whence, by the
usual adjunct, is fonnod the abstract term, u 1 c clii» Atchi, dominion. C^l, in
high Tainul, is property generally, but in low Taniul, is in this sense applied
to landed property only : the compound therefore signifies literally, abiolttU
domiiiwn in landed propfrttj. VellaUn is the name of the caste wliich«
throughout tlie Tamul principalities, were the aboriginal holders of C^i-
yatchi ; and the "word is comjjounded of tlie superlative or corroboratiTe
particle Tt//, and alen from the root abovementioued : Jle who w Jixed tn
dominion.
1 observe in a report from the collector of the Jaghirc, dated in I7ft5 a
rus^oom (custom. Pers.) of tiie Meerassdar ; i. f., a certain share of the gross
pn>dure whpu cultivated by Tyacaroes (tenants hereafter to be described}!*
termed Cfinl Sfftna, which siKuities literally, ** property of the country, land,
soil, district ;" and, by context. ])roprietor\s share or due ; which CiknX Mara^
another name for the same thing, literally signifies. But I do not claims
critical knowledge of the 'I'amul or Sanscrit languages, and write this noie
where T cannot refer to better authority (rm the Stmth Atlantic ocean). This
share had been reduced by successive exactions so low as two and a naif per
rent; in some cases even to less than (me j)er cent : amone other remaining
rights, they still possessed a small mnniiim free from all taxes ; tundw-
frrirKw, literally a ?r'iri/7Ai [nhtiva) comjht^ed uf ncra}>A (Ellis) and other trifling
<lues. These were the sad remnants of pro|>rietary riglit.
♦ The Indian year of revenue;, whicli begins in July and embraces por-
tions of two of the Julian calendar, is here adverted to. The English nare
adopted fn)m the MohamnuMlans the term ^fusMilee, for this description of year,
viz. the year of (he seasons, to distinguish it from the lunar, which oonfouds
•ill scorns.
f.nxv \ j KANUEit ri{iiPi:iiTV in in. ia. U».'>
• •II the siilijrrt viiTt* pnitnirtriJ to a vi> iiiiiinDiis Irn^^h. Tlir
Ii<t:ipl ivf llfWIiUi' «ii*frlii|(Mi till- li^iitN tit' til** m'ciiliillit.** Ullik*r
til*- v:iric«i ili*^icniiti<>iis **( " Mi*i*rii>sv ri;;lit, ' " wliii-li iin|ilii'*« iii-
lit'iitaiirr. )»ri»|M-iiy . ' '" pr"|iri«-lJirv n;;lit ;'" "' Mi-t-ni-ssy |»rivil* ::••« ;"'
" ri::liCs tif iiihtTitaiir*' in n-jarJ !•• tin* •n«»il." iVliV : liiit, iiii-»Ii«l l^y
sii|.|M.^* i| Iii>.(4i|-ir:il f.u'to. ^\ili•'il iirnl hut tli<'ii iM-tii -«iitli<-i*'iitly
t\:iiiiiti*'<i. tlnv Uli:t*l\ [M •llv aJiiiitd"! :t ixi'^itiiili wiiitli li:ti| Imi-ii
n*««iiiii< •! ' a^ a fiiii>i.iiii>-iit;il* a\i 'lii ' hv tli*- L:MVtiiiiiii'i]t, \i/.,
"tii.tt i)m* ai'tiial |iri>]M-ifv 111 l!ii' 'xiil is vi<.t*'I iit :^'<<\«'iiiin**rit. u)ii»
al"ip- li.i\«" till" |fiwii »il iii,';»iii^' an .•Ji^iiliiii- N.ilf-*- iif till' lan«l.'
iiii'l tli< 11 >i> t'-iM • i-t' iijiiio .in I |i!i\i!'j'-^ in>-'nipaii}'!i' uitli tlii^
ai|iiii--:->ii -'-irik )it"i«' l!it- •>!]•• ii>>i t.il< iit» •■! lln'ii ••{■["•ni nl It
1^ •'•■It. tin li lit tie k!. >\\n I !i.ii '.I't* T - >>i fin* nil II tlial i-.h'Ii )>.itlv
sifl-l-iX li!l-\i'| !f ' il t'l I~- 'i' !• n il?..' tl»»- IMMs. i.f" |ij'»ti''
J'.i* f ^ aj j".ii I • li.«\>- ^-t n •■!! til* ^li- ••! i!ii r»«i.iil t'\ K' \ I m.'
m Mt.ii ]■ *\K* I .'.ri-i i •.■>> il ^kiii ••n t!.>- \ !•- "\ tii-- j>*\«-iiin.' :ii : u 1
i!i •■■ siini- ii» .ii.' .ini ■»«.' ••til'' •\{'!- -: n- ••'! tin- |'iii ••• I'lt :n
• i- liri- I n.l.'- .i!i 1 I'l j\ !:■ ,■•■ ■ t' I'l- M- i'-i i-. l'i-\ .ini\^- it
ill' Iiil-.\.:i; • •'.■ i-i-..-'H IIm" 'i-tiiiili'ii l!.* .n ■! lii*- ■' /■ ■'
ii.lt •la M' • I ■ - : II. u III. 1 1 I. t , i>- . II a-l •!•'• -1 ..'« I •!• !• n i- 1 ' V
til- I'^ii-l ■! K'\!i-ti' ;ii\<^i\^ ■ a ■ 'iiM-i-ii- t : 'M •'! ( :Iji« I--; .'
• I ■ I i ! I ' ' 1 1 t . • • .. . , : I . .■ . . ■'» '. f, ..#''.'/• /''lilt'.- I ■ ' I i u \ . I f . n
•■? llf- ^'il ill- I r •;■!:. '.iTV i: lit ■! wii ■ '» -';i !- ' ^', -. \. ■?•■! 'i
ill' > : .1 . I L . 1 :? . t !• •'.■!•!• !:!|i i !.• I-.- ;i •!• tihi:.- li li?
till ;■ ■ iTi iti i- !! •■ . - •■ ■ 1 ■ 't I I \% .H' I I'j lii :• ; • :■ 1' lit i ^ .'
• !• ; :,'.•■'..' ■! ;: ! '•■ ^^ • . ■ I in . ' :' \\ •% • 1 1 i -ii "I ir '^ i; i »
ti 1- • t ! ■ .!*• ■ I »i r -l !»• -It' .J-;- 't.'ii I'll if -ji' -r : :. ' •!
til.' I- it ir. VI. :• !■ ]'■ .■!-.i!i.-i i i.\ i.i- • i;'li\ ■»:■ ..1 .-^ -.*]..' i,
It In: 1/ v\ •'» . J . i! 11 ?..•■■ '.. ai ;•;. I liiat i i\v I- iIm 'lii'l •!
I»! ■}• !'"i Hi I It •! 1!" j' '■ ■'* I I i! jil I" il\ ni'l-l « M-t t- I'll- 1 u .
;s?- .:.\ 'i* 1 t" j'!"» • ' !• i' ;V...i'i*«- ili'ii |» li-i^ 111 »- I- in.- r\
If i' ii- •! t'l' iM.t ■'. n iV I • '. w .'i- i| ;•■ nl« •■• .'tn 1 m I
I ■ :.»•■* \i i . ■ • I • r . I ; I \ • \ ! ■ ■ ■ t . - t ! . ■ ■ , . . I ■ < • t j ■ j • ' ' \
• ■ I I : .' ■ !' t • • I'. • : . :» I- -1 i. ■ ■ • i.- ? -.v . ■■ r . :i n. i ■ . v
I • •. : ■ I ..: 1 ! • ■ • ; • ♦: . '..•■,.• I .■• i t l"' . j-:
I . . ; ■ ^ • ! ' u I . • • , ■ . . * • .' ' J • 1 I . » in .11 • . 1 1 \ ^ ■ \ ■ ; • 1
W '. k'. ■ ■. -A ■ \. • ', ^v ■, • ' , X .'.;.. r. t -'I.'-. ! • : 1 '. •• • ..t
I . • 1 . ' ■ • ■ . . ' ■ •;■?.•■.• I \-. ■ ! J • . \ ■ ■ : • : I
: ■■ . j ■'.■;•■• *\ • ■ :.: -.; .- M ■:. t-.m. : " j ■ : " *
I ■ . . . ; • . . . I ■ ;■ ■ .• ?i I' I -■ .. ■ . r W ^
t). i.i .-, I- I . -i" •! .11 .. r :.:•!!•,' .■ «. vi ■ :.• a -. \
t
\ ' .1 « .. 1 ^ ' 1 A :•■
•.■ . -r' i: . . I. • . j;
V ' . i . 1 •
• \!
•
' ■. !■ .'
\ . ;•■
• . 1 ■ .
■
» .» .. ,
• ■ ■ .
*» .■
• ■
'. 1 .
f
1
■
• ■ ■ ■ .
•
1
■
I'
;i.
106 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V.
in tho affirmative ; viz., that the occupants of land in India " can*
establish no more right of inheritance in respect to the soil, than
tenantry upon an estate in England can establish a right to the
land V>y hereditary residence ;" and the Meerasa of a villager was
defined to be "a preference of cultivation derived from hereditary
residence."
This decision necessarily became the rule of conduct to all
subordinate boards and ofiicers: and in 1799 we find the Board
of iJevenue in a report ]>repaniU^ry to the introduction of the
system of Bengal, afH ruling for the government, and denying to
the inhabitants, all property in the soil ; and unfolding a slight
glance at the difficulties with Avhich they were surrounded in the
remarkable phraseology of " proprietaryf- indefeasible fees of
hereditary cultivators/'
Early in 18(K) orders were issued to the Collectors to make
the requisite prejmratory arrangements for dividing the country
into estates, for the purjxise of being sold to persons to be deno-
minated Zemindars: and some of these officers had the courage
to plead anew the caase of the actual proprietors. The Collector
of DindegulJ obser\'es that the sale will be "genei-ally imprac-
ticable from the poverty of the people, who were expected to
Ixicome the purcluusers, jls well as from the objection these very
people would have to purchase a proprietary right in what prescrip-
tion had already made their own."
" The Nautumears," a local name for the same description <rf
persons, " certiinly consider the fann they cultivate as tlieir otm
{Jivperty, and no government, wive the Mussulman, appears to
lave considered the soil as its own. In forming the present
benevolent system, this solit^iry precedent surely will not operate
as an example to act upon; but where no written document is
found, wluit has been known a.s usage will be established as law;
this would confirm the prescriptive right of many industrious
natives to the lands they have long occupied, and be the certain
means of making them com])rehend whence their advantages are
derive<l."
The Collectors of Tinnevelly,§ and of Salem and Coimbatore;
suggested objections of a similar tendency ; and the very oolIector||
* Consultation, January 8th, 1796. f September 3rd, 1799.
J Mr. Hurdis, March 1, 1800.
§ Mr. LuHhington of the former ; Major Maclcod of the latter. I cannot
recover tho notes wliich I made from the able and intelligent report of the
former, and 1 atate the fact from memory. Salem was the portion of the
latter collectoratc to be prepared. It is known that the local inatitationi of
that district and the Baramaiial do not materially differ, and had been entirelT
assimilated by Colonel Uead, who, in spite of a speculative tendency which
18 too often the ashiociate of ijenius, and the acknowledged error of over-assMft-
ing the Lmds, may be considered as the joumhr of all correct knowledge
of revenue in the south, and perhaps of a more correct and detailed know-
Icilge than had previously existed in any part of India.
" Mr. Place.
niAP. v.] LAXDKJ) PRofEllTY IN 1M>IA. I<»7
of tiio JAtr(*<*r. who lui«l formerly |im|Mis4*<l tin* cliftfinnchiflemeiit
of til** Sli-ri'^iAthiiivM of Triiua>hy, upiH^an* t4i lia%'0 U*«*ri now aatiH-
li«'«l " tlml tin* Mrri-tififtihtr m thf urttmi pn>ifn^h>r,*' aikI the t4*nant
A vtTV tliHtiiirt iH.'rsoii, ihf Pi^itnur^, wlio <*iiltivatoi4 i\w land «>f
anothrr <»n <*«*ntlition of nxvivin;; a iMirtion of the iiroduiv. '* IF'
MaVM the mllf^'ti'r. " h«* (tfi^ MfrniMttJ^tr) hiul only a ri^^ht to cul-
tivate. «ir only a |irefen*nn» in tin* etiltivation. it would )>o iH|ually
to him a.H to tht* /'i/onfyvr a thin^ nf no n*iLl value ; whereaii tho
Merro-vMlur m*I1s, inort^iffeH, ^iv«*H away, or leav<*» hin lantLt to his
|M»Mt4>nty. whi«'h th** otlirr <*:inn4»t.'' *' MtvninH then/' ho addn in
an(»th«*r |ihu*f. " ih th«* ultimate an^l thr lar^rMt interest that they
can rnv«*t «>r hav«* in iImmt lands ; and if it U*arx a e* instruction
ditfrn^nt fn^m that \ihich I have always pven it, an«l which it huH
in thf tirrfjtttitt*»n nj the U'tfifrM (h*'in/^lrrM, I ran <»nly ho|M» to Im
excuH«*«| from having' mi.'«tjik«*n the ri;:htA of pivernnient by the
U*n<*ticinl efff^'tM iif the illusion. " Tnder a f^oveniment (vrtainly
(»r ai% mtieh purity as eviT direct4*4| the alTairs of any Ntiit**. it in
truly wi»nd«*rf*ul that n<» etft-i't what4'V(*r Nh«»uld have Uvn |>n>-
du<*«*d hy thf.^M* |N*wt*rful and eliMiuent a|»|M*alsL In this latter
n*|»<»rt, hoUfVtT, and in Ht'VtTil <»tli«'rH on the mndition of the
C*«>m|wtn\ H ja^^iM r. I rt«*it^ni/A* the .Htat4* of thinj^ which haM al really
Un*n niitii^til in i'anani. the mvu|iantM clun^ t4i the (>ri»|ii*rty an
hin;: UH jiny |intiin«t«*r s ^^han* was |<*ft ; and at l«*n^h« stranp* mn
it m:iy up|M-.ir. tiir /'v-Nvinr*.-* jin* stJtt^'*! ^'n^nilly to have re<t*ivcH|
a laru'*-r .-Ii.ip' nf th** cp>|> in n-tuni f«*r their lalMiur than the
in>|>ri«t*»t^ uli'» eultivat4-tl th«*ir own lands. The latUT wm* i»n»-
liihly ra|»:iM«* **( U'urin;; lar.^* exa4*ti<»ns, nither than d«*S4>rt tlieir
|iatrim<'ny ; th«»y ilis«'«»Vfn'<l tht« distinction, and U«pin t«i disavow
their .V' ♦/"•»•«'• or ^'ui 7'i/*/i/#*. an«l to ent4*r themselves on the UmiIch
as /'//.i^.irrr-, who «n» fnf to IalM>ur where thi*y pleiiM*. rmjs'rty,
it Would M«4*ni. had U'v^n a1»H4»rU*4| in tht* exai'tions of tht* i^tveni*
nit'nt : and und*'r a (^iHitinuani^t* of th«« sann* onler of thinc^. then)
ejin U» no d«<til>t that th»» ri^ditM whieli Vkrtv svstematicallv d**nitsi
Wituld ••{-•••'IjIv ha\** l^«n f«»ru'ott4n.
Th«- ■'X -^l* ni lioWi'Vt-r pr»«'i-<df«| , th«« land** wen* »»«ild* ill
•-•\iTnl ih-trirt^. an>l on tie* Ut •lanuarv l^O:!. lawn+ and r^i^u-
iAti'>ns \i'»r»' «*iiai*t«-«l f'r pr«»t«N-tin;; th** pn»|»«Tty thun rn»at<'*l
• •• *I ri^ S.kl«-n r«ti!«*^ ••••^Miiilly juM f«»r \*J l»rr rriit. i»ii thr ;iiinual
^'tiriinii ^^^..t k-nd of an t■«^»!r ii th^it «hirh m^IU U*t PJ |irr mit of the
iij.l tAi i.f i.rir )r.ir I Jii f'tiK'lAiul wlirri* thr rmtil i* •*.'•■»' the Utiil tAl. ill
fiittr iihul.ii;.*^ in thr (oiuiiil, i« 4>*>/ What wotiM Im* «aj«| t«i a n.nti who Mild
• Uih .ui r'!»!«' f'-r 76/ whi«hii \'J \*cr crnt. i>ii 4411k/ f Mr Th^trltrayi
^ In 4>r«lfr \\xy\ I m\\ not iiia«lTrrtrntlv mi*r4»iirMriit tK:« final and
#iilrfr.ti ii«' .•: 'f . !^r «<>rti« i-f t)«r jr^ iUfl«<i)« «h»Il \^ ••'rupil^ '\\*\y i^uotc^.
TticpffprirtAry t\^\i\ of thr ^'•)vrru:il'*t)! i« litirmeil ui the foU*'Wui|; tcriua :
UEiit LATlolV llJLI
I
mrtit
** Whrreai the ruhni; power (»f thr tinAtnrc* dow tub)ert to the fOTfru-
t uf Kort M (^ir(€ haa, in rouhirmitj to tb« aociciit uifti^ of tbv
U)H LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V.
Suspicions however arose, and Ixjgan to acquire strength, that
there hail been s«)me error in these proceedings; an J in Ii!k0.j>lj,
CMimtry, ru:*erved to itself and h:id exercised the actuai pt-oprittari/ right uf
hitiiU f*f tvtry dt$cr'\p{vm^^ Ac. »i:c.
The ]»reaniV)le of Ke?. xxv. detenu ines " to ffrant to Zemindars and other
iand-liolilers, their heirs and suoces:>4irs, a ])ermaneut property in their land in
all time to come,*" «\:i.'. iVc.
And the ii. (i>r first enacting;) clause of the same regulation thus proceeds :
'* fn c<jnformity to these ]irinciple.s an assessment shall be fixed on all
lands liable to pay revenue to the pnvenunent ; and in cctnsciiuence of such
as>essment the proj»ri*tartf ri'iht nf tht foil shall become vested in the JSemin-
ilnr$ or other proprietors of laud, and in their heirs and lawful succe&Bors
for ever.*'
The condition of the M*>ra$$tlars or Canyafchikar$ (under- farm ert^ or
Ryots, as they are named) is determined in the following clauses :
UE<;rLATioy xxx.
IX.' ** Where disputes may arise respecting rates of assefisment in money
or of division in kind, the rates shall be determined according to the rates
prevailing in the ciiltivateii lands, in tlie year preceding the asseasnient of
the permanent jumma on such lands : or where that mav not be ascertainable!
according to the rates establi.-ihed for lands of the same description and quality
as those respecting which tlie dispute may arise.
X. Where under farmers or Ryots may refuse to excliange mutual engage-
ments in writing \^-ith proprietors or farmers of land, defining the ternii
on which such under-farmers or Ryots are to hold their lands, and may
persist in such refusal for the space of one mouth after the prescribed pottalu
may have been offered in presence of witne.v<es by the proprietors or farmers
of land, or may refuse to fulfil those engagements when entered into ; such
proprietors or farmers of lanrl sliall have }»ower to grant the lands of the
under- f an nerfi or Ryots so ri-fu:?ini: to other persons."
The few public offi<'ers on the establishment of Fort St. George, who,
having the means of examining the question, continue to be the advocates of
this system, cive to these clauses the 'distinction of being the hill of rights of
the Ryots. The nuMlern Arabic term ** Ryot,'* is in these regidations made
to be synoniinous with '* under- farmer'' or *' tenant ;" and considering him
in that capacity, his rights are res]iectab]y protected : but believing, and
having, as I think, pro veil that the t'^ttn/atchil-arg are the proprietors of the
soil, it is unnecessary to give a name to tlie act which vests ** the proprietaiy
right of that .soil" in other perscms. and only secures to them the rights
incident to the condition of a tenant. An able and respectable member* of
the BiKird of Revenue in a note on a re]K^irt of inspection of the southern
provinces observes, that *' Zeniindars, Riijas, Polipirs, Jagiredars, are the
representatives of the goveniment to whom the collecticm of the government
rent has been transferred, not the absolute property in the land, and right to
demand any rent.*' If this definition be correct, and I object to no one word
of it, rtut alone exccpto<l, it only shows that the government intended to
create JfrtiUftinj pruj^ritttfrs of tht suil, and have onl^' made htrrftUtarjf
fanrtnxff rn^ttu* : that a great error has been committed ; and that the
tittributes an well nH tlie idt-an of pro|»erty have \)Otn so mistaken, confounded,
and ili>i*iTse(l, that it will be a work of no ordinary difficulty to replace them
whor»' tiiey oiij:ht t«i hv found.
Til*- .sune ^i nth ni.iii aflirms that the Mttra^ffnrf or Canyafchilan have
every wIhtc "the ri^^ht t«> .^iJl or tran.^fer bv <lec-<l. ;:i ft, or otherwise, the
land thf-y occupy, subject always t«» the contrition of paying the ttaudanl
Ttnf" viz.. the payment namecl**' a.^^sessnient" and *' revenue," in Keg. xxv.
r. II. above ijuoted ; and in other places ** fHTmanent assessment," "moderate
* Mr. Uodgtoo. March 38. 1808.
I IIAr V I hANIlKI) I'HortiiTY I.N ISVIX. 1011
Li»r<l Williiun iii'titiiick. then pivcrmir of Mit«im.H. on wIiimh* tniml
tlifM* sii^jiirioiis litui iniult* a «kf|) iiii|in*HHi<m, pn*|ianNl nn*! cir-
ciiIiiNmI a !i«*t of (|iifrK's f«»r tlit* |iur|Mis4* (»f ohtniiiiii;; fnitlior iii-
fonuiitiiiti for liiH ;(ui«laiiru in the N«*ttK*iiielit of thtiHt* diMtrirtH not
yt't tilitiuit4<<l ; till* ri»>iilt of tliin invrstipitioh, aft4*n»'iinlii nvtml^l
on the |)r«M'4*t*4iin«:s of tli<^ p»vrriiiiient. Ktn*n;;thont*<l the oiiinioii«i
i^hich h«* hii<I |»i*i*vioiisly fnnnei), an<l iniini****! Iiis lonUhi|> U^
uuikf n journey to ('aletittJi for th** expresn |iuqMi?H* of ohtainin^
the ?iiin«'tion of the ;{overnor ;^eu«*nil for HUH|K*n<lin;^ the farther
o|H*r:ition of the Zeniin<hiry Hyst4>ni. Thi* aiiHwern t4i tlie^* (|UerieH,
an<l the HiM*ntiineiiUH n*|*ortn of rolh-etoi-n aUmt thLs |it*rioil
of time, will euahh* ilh to diM'tisM the eon«lition of the remaining
|iro\iu4-i>^ whith we ha*! i»ri>|i«ieM?«l t4i examine.
I*jtv«in;; Mtutli t4» re;^i4»nn M4imewhat ui«»r«* n*mot4* fnmi the tirnt
ini|»r«*HHi<»iiH nf tli«) n4irthern eMni|iien»p«, we arrive at Trichino|M)|y
all*! Tanjore, HonieUnu'H nnit4M| and MimetimeM N«*|i:irati* : tho
Iatt4:r |»riiiei|iiility mntainin;^ the town «if i.\»mUu*«)num, the
ancjriit 4'a|iit^tl (»f th** i^h^ln ru*i*. on«* of tin* «il<leHt liinihio
4lvna>ti«*n i»f whi4*li any tni«*«*74 lm\e hith«*rt4) U*en disiNiyrnil in
till"-- |iiw«-r n';;it»nH, and fn»ni whieh iIm* whole <*»iaHt* in Iat4'r
tinier han Uikt-n it.n nam«* Tanjon* in 1(>7'» f**ll into the liandn
4if hl4*<*iijo\ th«* l»nilh«*r t»f th** i*«'l«*l*nit4*«l founder 4if the Malinitta
enihiie Tlir>>u;:hout all it.** n*\olutit»nfi this <*tiuntry hail remain***!
uiiiitT a lliiitli*4»-f ^oxi-nimi-nt. with the «'X(**'|»tion «»f tlu* ver>'
kh<*rt |M*n<Ml that it wa-^ |h »<%*«• hwmiI hy M«ilianini«'«i Aly ; and it ia
of ti<» niiit' rial ini|M*rtaiirr \»» nur preM-nt |iur|>ik*<«* t4» tnut* tho
ani*i4iit hiHt«>r\- of itF« privat** Iand4*4| |»ri>|*n«*t<'rH, sinn* tlu* whohi
iirovine** eontinu«>H at thi<« «iay to exhihit ev«*ry eh.'Uiu'ter that
con*>tttut4*.H a hi;;hly n'*»|M*«*tahlt* |ir«*|iri4tary r\\i\\X I cannot
des«TiU> tli«' st.'iti* tif landed |in>|MTty in thin |iiirt of India niorif
ftm il»ly than hy adopting th** \fry wopIh iif a Iat4* r\*|»«»rt *
*' Without ent4'rin;r <»n tin* «|UfHtion 4if wlio in |iro|int-tor of tho
^•il. i will o>nt4-nt ni\**«-If with *«tatiii:; that ininn-tu'irial u*%:i;^e
h;f« «'-»taMi<ih«-d l"*tli in Tarip*!** at>d Ti ii-liiii«*|»i*ly. that th** ih-i*u-
«^tiii« itt <<f p't^lii- r«>«Mif " I'll it tK«v ^trr«'i<M« the ri^rtit ntMi^r vt.itrd
«)i«rr%ir tlir At.iii<ltrtl ri-iit r«-\iii«i«- h i« ii*'t \n-9\\ inrrriM'*! wi .-%« tit .iImufU
all tlir |>rofit «iii i-ulti\ati<tii, tir oraliit* Itiid. ti f«u:!it-iMitl} ■4.iri>i' ti* lir nf %.\liio
Ui th*- •»« <|iii«iUi*ri
It i« iMtt«f t4 t«ir>- to itK^rtriiii thr ».%nir iitith«»rit)-, thtt < « iiliiin* «if
Itm-it** |'ri<t'<n) "utit .ilMHirlNnl r%i«t« at thr pn-Miit titiir in thr «.il«' «>f UimI
m til*' t'til"»ir..: iti^triM*! tN'«iilr4 C'lH'ir'i luiil %i*U'»^m»r MtL, y-*'tk .1 n*»i#,
tS -ufk A K' /, J-i'ffrr^ lii<« J^t^i't '/ t Kt$,*f/rt ml, T*iut *r*. J'rtf^tmifimJ^^ //iMf/l-
#;i#', 1/ . /*r 1 A' I'. 1*1 I /. Ttumrt i*u iSilily I.Uiil« Ui«li»il!« Ki »i|«U .414 tr.lll«-
frfri^l )•)- «.\i«- in ' ''I ■•/«/• j««r. .iti*! KirlU • f Uli«l« iti » lil« li lirlNhi%« Uvn
ftutik f<*f tit! |>ur]iii««^ (if irn«:»tii*ii in Sairm ^u<'h UimU I U-lir%f t4» lie
Mkh .%\Av I \« 11 Ifi thr Ilr< k^lli
•N.'*" I hi" li«»?i «»ll |« &.
t It «»!%« ttiUitary. <«r .tt lr<Mt pud orrxiMiial ri4itnl»uti«*n ti» the
S4<<htmiii««i ui aUtr i*i Vij4).t|«4B»r, aii<l at an i^arlicr fivnuil to the HtiMl«M»
iLijo* of ^ ij* ) 'Uiuififiir
: Krt* 'rt. *itli 4Sc|«tcuiU:f l^i, by Mr. WalUcr
110 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V.
pants, wliether (listingiiishcJ by the names of Meerassdar or
Mahajfinuins* have the rit^ht of selling, bestowing, devising
and bequeath ingf their lands in the manner which to them is
most agreeable. Whether this right was granted originally by
the ancient constitution of the country, appears to me not worth
considering at the present day. I think it a fortunate circum-
stance that the right does at present exist, whether it originated
in encroachment on tlie sovereign's right, in a wise and formal
abrogation of those rights, or in institutions coeval with the
remotest antiquity. It is fortunate that at a moment when we
are consulting on the means of establishing the property and
welfare of the numerous people of these provinces, we find the
lands of the country in the hands of men who feel and under-
stand the full rights and advantages of possession, who have
enjoyed them in a degree more or less secure before the British
name wa^s known in India, and who, in consequence of them,
have rendered populous and fertile the extensive provinces of
Tanjore and Trichinopoly.J
The class of proprietors to whom I allude are not to be con-
sidered a.s the actual cultivators of the soil ; the far greater mass
of them till their lands by the means of hired labourers, or by a
class of people termed Pullers, who are of the lowest caste, and who
may be considered as the slaves of the soil. The landed property
of these provinces is divided and subdivided in every possible
degree ; there are proprietors of four thousand § acres, of four
Imndred acres, of fc^rty acres, and of one acre.
The occupants and Meerassdars above described are far from
being mere nominal proprietors ; they have a clear, ample, and
unquestioned proprietor's share, amounting, according to the
* Mahajeiium— this is not the ai)pcl]ation usually given by the nativet
themselves, hut a Sanscrit term {Mana magnntJenam gen*, persons of conse-
quence) introduced ])rohahly by the Mahratta Bramins. Canyatchikap it
unquestionably the name universally known to the proprietors oi Tanjore- —
mis,
t The bequest wlion a man dies or becomes an anchoret mast of coarse be
eonformable to tlie restrictions of the Hindoo law, and can only be re^ointe
in the latter ca-se to announce the fact of divesting the property ; in tha
former, the law.s determine, and the testator cannot change the rule of
8ucces>ion. Since writing this note, I have observed in the public papers the
report of a decision in the supreme court at Calcutta, which affirms the power
of be<iue.Ht by a Hindoo in unequal portions ; I have also been assured on good
authority, that this power had been denied in the decision of a learned Judge
of the supreme court at Madras, in conformity to the explanation of the
Hindoo law stated in the first part of this note.
X I conclude that Tricliinopoly is indebted for this advantage to its
contiguity to Tanjore— tlie Mussulman rulers of the former could not, with*
out a revolution involving the loss of the whole revenue, place their hosband*
men on a footing materially differing from that of their immediate neiffhbonrs.
§ The authors of the Zemindary system in Bengal rested mucn on the
expediency of gradations in society. He must be a strenuous disciple of
aristocracy who does not recognize in this and the subsequent paaaagea an
abundant gradation in property, distinction, privilege, and power.
CHAP, v.] LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. Ill
same authority, to the respectable proportion of twenty-seven*
per cent, of the gross produce, a larger rent than remained to an
English proprietor of land who had tithes and land-tax to pay,
even before the establishment of the income-tax. The report of
a most respectable committee on the affairs of Tanjore in 1807,
gives a very clear detail of the distribution of property over tlie
whole province, which consists of five thousand eight hundred
and seventy-three townships : of this number there are one thou-
sand eight hundred and seven townships, in which one individual
holds the whole undivided lands : there are two thousand two
hundred and two, of which the property in each is held by several
persons having their distinct and separate estates : and one thou-
sand seven hundred and seventy-four, the landed property in
which is held in common by all tiie Meerassdars or proprietors of
the village, who contribute labor and receive a share of the
crop in the proportion of their respective properties. The same
report states that the number of Meerassdars who are Bramins is
computed to be .* 17,149
Of Soodras, including native Christians .. . 42,442
Mohammedans 1,457
C 1,048
The fact of the existence of so considerable a number of
Mobammedanf proprietors is a curious and conclusive proof of
the unrestrained facility of alienating landed property in Tanjore ;
• One hundred and fifty is the wliole produce of a fixed portion of land
on which the calculation is made ; of which eighteen coes to general charges,
and one hundred and thirty-two remains to be divided between the govern-
ment and the proprietor. The government receives oQyV^, or 45 per cent, and
the proprietor 72^^^, or fifty-five per cent. : this latter amount is again to be
diviaed between the proprietor and his Paragoodie, the same person as the
Pyacaree of the vicinity of Madras ; an independent laborer, who receives a
fixed share of the produce, and out of it defrays the expenses of Cultivation his
share of the above seventy-two is thirty-eight, and the proprietor's thirty-four
the former being twenty-eight per cent, and the latter twenty-seven per cent.
upon the whole sum to be divided, viz., one hundred and thirty-two. The
difference is remarkable (as it necessarily must from the facility of cultiire)
between the expenses of cultivation and maintenance of the farmer's family iu
this province and in Canara, viz., twenty-eight per cent, and fifty per cent. ;
but I am not certain of the exact nature of the eighteen for general charges
excluded in the first instance in the above calculation. If the greater portion of
this sum should be chargeable as expenses of husbandry, and consequently be
added to the farmer's share, he would have near thirty-seven per cent, instead
of twenty-eight, which is still a wonderfully small proportion. When Auquetil
du Perron informs us that the government of Tanjore exacted from sixty to
seventy per cent, the nature of this error is explained by supposing that he
had conversed with Paragoodies, who informea him of the share, tokich t/iey
did not receive; and he, following the prevalent doctrine that no private j»ro-
perty existed in the land, concluded that the whole share not received by the
larmer must necessarily go to the government.
t They are all Lubbics (Ellis) : the descendants of ^lohammcdans who
emigrated from Arabia during the tyrannical rule of Hijaj bcu Yusuf, in the
early part of the eighth century.
112 LANDED PBOPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V.
but I do not observe tlie rate or number of vears' purchase at
which land is usually sold, to be stated in any oi the reports which
I have perused.
Passing south to the provinces of Madura and Tixmevelly,
portions of the iincient Ptuidian region ; the Collector of the
former^, with an able and honest simplicity which is altogether
admirable, enumei-ates among the impediments to the free sale
of landed property " the regulations of government declaring the
])roi)erty of the soil to be vested solely in them :*' previously to
thiit regulation he intimates that " this was not the case, the
inha))itants considering the ground attached to their villages, their
own property, and the Circar entitled to receive the tax, should
it be )>rought under cultivation." Land however continues to be
sold and mortgaged"!* in that province, but I cannot extract the
number of years' purchtise from the rates described by the Collector,
from not Kung sufiieiently ac<piainted with the local coins and
standards of measure which are |>eculiar to that province.
The roi)oi't to which I have Ixjfore adverted, of a respectable
member of the Board of Revenue of Madras,^ who made a per-
sonal inspection of Tinnevelly in 1807, informs us, that Caumey
Atchey or Meeniss (the tiling as well as the word), is familiarly
known throughout the Province : and discusses with great ability
the (piestion of the property in uncultivated land, which he
detennines to Ihj the right of the Meentssdars of the village, or, in
other words, the corporate proix^rty of the township, to the
exclusion of the claim of the newly-invented jMirsonage named
Zeminilar or Mootfidsir, ahxMuly introduced into some ])rovinces
under the government of Fort St. George. With regard to the
actual limits of the individual Meerass, " eacli Meerassdar con-
hiders himself proprietor (I here, says the rei)orter, use the won!
proprietor in a limite<l§ sense to describe the Meerassee propert}'^
of all the land of his Meerass, whether it be cultivated or not"
If from misfiirtuiie or other ciivmnstances another person eulti-
tivates any part of his land, he is entitleil to receive a share of the
gross produce, amounting to about 13 J ])er cent which in that
• Mr. Parish.
t The same forms of sale, mortgage and redemption, and the very same
technical tcrnis, are in nne in Taigorc and the southern provinces, as are
employed in Malabar. Tlic niodt important of tliese tcclinical terms are
common to Canara also, and to tlic rest of the eiustern and wcsteni low
country, over the greater part of the tract wliich I tiave proposed to examine.
'* Tlie terms are all of Tamui origin ; tlie few Sanscrit tenns to be found in
the reports probably have been iidopted by the Collectors from converaatiun
with their omcial servants, many of ^^hom are Mahratta Bnimins. — EUU.
1 Mr. Ilodgs<m.
\ Everywhere 1 trace the doubts, or resenations, regarding the existence
of landed pro|>ertv in the lower countries, to the limitations oil af»$olmif
dnininiotif although absolute and unlimited dominion over any kind vi
pn)perty is nowhere on earth to be found.
CHAP, v.] lJiyi»EI> I*1U>I>KKTY IN INIMA. 113
pnivincc Is oalltHl Sttsuny Wi«»j/Mni,* Iit4»mlly. lonlrt (l'in«ll<»nl*H)
lilinn'. On tho lanks of tin* ii«»vrr-fHiliiii( Tniiiljni|»nniy rivtT, a
f*»niMT Hin«i«M» prin<i\ in tin* I'XtN'^is nf his pifty, tlisiMissi-sMNl iin<|
cx|iotriiit4*«l the fonntT |ir«»|trif(4irs. t4» ninkt* wny f«ir a <*«»I<my i»f
northern Hmniins. wIi<>m< jH^strrity, or (Imt of snlisi*«|iu*nt pur-
rlifuk^rx, hoM tti4*s<' ian«U on nion* fnvor:i)*l«* tmn^, )»nt Vt what
c*xt4*nt Wi» an* not i»x:i«-»lv inft»rnnH|. Th«*^** IiuhIs, ns wrll an tho
othrr*, an* «-vi»rywh««n* thn'U;:hf»ut thi* pn>vin<'o a transffrnhle
an<i Halrahlc pro|Krtv : thr l4»\ii*^t oininnitatinn r«ir a proprii*tor'8
Khart\ an may ^♦«' «»o^TVril, li»*in;^ only alMnit (»nt*-lialt' tlio vahio
of Himihir pnijwrty in Tanj^n*, an<l of rourM* whon uiaiia'jiMl hy
i)w pn»pni't«»r hini«M-lf it in ron»*i«lfnihly irri'at«T. Hut Maihira
an<l rinn«'Vfllv. cxrhi^'iNrlv of iinni«r«iiiH n'Vohiti<»ns un«hT tho
Hin<h»*» pivrmnH'iit, h;i«l \hh'u s\ihjiM»t««l to n wotin^* wliirh
Tanjon* ha<l fH«»a|Ki| liurin:: a t«-'!i«»us tyraiiTiv of iipwarN of
tixtv vrapi of «iir«*«'t MohmiiiiK ilan nih* ; in %\hi«'Ii it can onlv \w
attrihut<*«l to tho plain fut of t!M-ir n«-v»-r h.-iviiii,' i««'«n t'lunphrtely
milMliiiNi. that the «*xi>t^tic«* "f a lan<lli>i<rs slian* ha4 .Hurvivol to
th«' pri'*<«*nt tini**
For th«' •witinfartion of tlins«« who nmy <l*'sin' to in^jwrt tho
fortn.H of alii*nati<in. nii aliHtr.i- 1 in suhjuintMl-f (pr»->«Tviii«^ tho
vt*rl«al trnnnhitioti of what ni:iv !•«* ri*nNi<|«Ti-«l n> th^* t*nartin;;
rhiiiM'n. of tw«> <i<M'nni* nt.H fr.»nj th«» Mji«k«n/i«» r»ill«*<*ti«»n. ono
of thi-ni «lat*-«i UlMri', a!i«l tli** <»th«r aft*-!. th»* rMn«ph"*t of tho
|iiw«T iN»untiii"» hy thr K.ij.LH *>( \ ij« vanu^-nir. f«T t!.«* ptirj^f^r of
i'&hihititi:^ th*' prartir** \v!»i.h pp-\;iilf«l in th«' Kih» «if privato
lan<h*<l pr«»j»«'rty n«»rtli «f tin* (*««I«'p»«»ii at tli-'^' n-«»[--*tiv«' |wri«»«|H;
and a tr.in«thitii»n in »•)•!« 1 of a Mil «>f vilt* fir th<* ali«Tiati<in
4if lan<l«*«l pn»|-Tty. a«*.»»pliii.; t«» tin* f'lins t.f th«» pn'-^-!it «lay,
to tin* Houth of that rivt-r S|»-<*iiiitii"i an- n«"t offfn-*! of similar
inHtrunu-ntM in t*anara anil M .t.ilMr. U-iauM* thrir rxi^ttiK'r in
notori«*uH an*l a<*kn<»wli*l :i*<l.
\Vf hav*- n«»w piH- .| I.Mr th«- trft w!ji.-]i I hi*! pr«i|-»s«»il
to tmi'i*. an«l. a>i 1 h •[■* . Ii.i\i- pi«i\..l t-» t*p- ^.tti-fa»ti«in iJ' « \»Ty
ini)<iiti:il mitpl th** p'<iri\<- an-l ni:<|U< -t*- u.il'.i' r\i-^t*nri* •»(
pn\at«- Lui'lf 1 pt«>|i*ft\ lU In :!.i Aft* r pi •\ir^' it-* ili'^titut tir>vni-
li«»n in th«* an* !• nt >i«t«i>« i>r .s.><-t* 1 l.iwo <•!' tip- llin'h**i*<. wi*
ha\o cl«*arlv •h"iii««" I It** ihrivati II h«»iii th.it •-.»Mirr. an I iti
• TliM %% tKi' ttftu thi'-u'lfi.iT t'n- wK -i* ••: ll.'f I *^ « r r-tui.tr) III the ra*!.
iih"fum. III it.« |*riiiiiti%r •u'ii;t.« att-iti, i« «fij<>ym- ••/, uiui ly an la^ji tr^uatluu
t .Sir .\]'] « i.iin. Nn i
* It ti. ly Im* <i>:i\rii}riit to rrv*i|»i*iil4tr t):r ^TTi'TiniN f»f thi« drrivAtii'ii in
i'ViafA. 1*1. ti. I*, kiirll \% til** tt nh* "U . .M. t.ii! t!i«- |t*«i|>lr \rr Hl!.<i«^i«, Ati«l
»urli l« t.^r H11..I. Ml Iah , :*;. t* ♦• ?1 • .j.m: , •. •• • 1 /i.i.tt !•• -l ti "lit v r« tit
hy HarryLur K.ty i« iiri'tr-M*^) !• m ;i«1 • n tUr ti.i.dK^i Uw . at.*! cufituiunl
UUtil. f«:^t. ii«tiiri-4-tly. )>y t^<• |<:i <«ii:« « 1 .1 M"Ki::;t;.ril.iii Att^-'k. Aiiil after -
«afdft. tiif<<tl\. friiia .\|i • ti. 1:11 in i-^i.ui • i.'.^'.u »r. X\ r j.f j-rfly ha*! i.tviriy Ikthih*
ritiai:u:*i.i'l It i« inriiii.Unt in tf.>>*4* ;f «*ii h Xlutv lir «kh<> Ui.iy uti^l
i|Uc«ti"ti tai» iliinatMli. t«f ili'iw an"*.I«ir, ur V> ivlutc tluAc fact*
I)
114 LANDED PKOPEUTY IN INDIA. [OHAP. V.
present existence in a i)erfect fonn in the provinces of Canan
and Malalwir, and the principalities of Coorg and Travancore,
which ha<l loiii^est evaded the sword of the northern barbarians:
we have found it preserved in <*onsiderable purity under Hindoo
dynasties, and coiiijiaratively few revolutions in Tanjore* until the
present day : we liave traced its existence entire, but its value
diminished, in Madura and*f- Tinnevelly, which had experienced
numerous revolutions, and had long groaned under the Moham-
medan yoke. In the provinces adjacent and west of Madras^
which had sustained the close and i nun ediate gripe of these invaders,
we liave shown by ancient documents its immemorial existence
in former times, and even at the present day the right, in
quality, clear and distinct, but in value ap]>roaching to extinc-
tion : and we have observed in the latter years of the dynasty of
Hyder, the i)erfect landed property of Canara approaching the
same unhappy stato in which the proprietor from fear disowned
his proi)erty, and a small interval remained before its very exist-
ence would l>e buried in oblivion. The enquiiy has led us over
a large portion of tlie provinces subject to the govemmeut of
Fort St. George, and a necessity has occurred for touching lightly
on its territorial jiolicy. Before this branch of the siibjcct be
dismissed, it may be useful to take a rapid glance, imperfect firom
the nature of my materials, over the provinces subject to Bengal,
whence this policy has been received.
It is to be ri*gn;tted that the long and uninterrupted subju-
gation of Hindoostan by Mohammedan princes had so far obliter-
at-ed the best characUirs of the ancient Hindoo constitution, as
to present to the fii'st English observers nothing but Moham-
inetlan institutions and edicts, as the earliest documents which it
was necessiuy to consider. Institutions derived from the best
practices of a code which inculcates war against infidels as a religious
• Tanjore was under Molinminedan rule (Mobammed Ali) no longer
tlian the pcri<><l noccssary for referring' the question to England, and receiving
an answer. Short, however, ns it was, large strides were made towards the
extinction of l;in<kd ]»n»perty l»y tlie removal of considerable numbera of the
ancient proprietors. On the restoration of the country : the ezigenciea
of govcrnnielit, and the distre-^ses of tlie people, caused the iutrodnction of a
new order of persons naiucd ruttucktlar.s, men of wealth, a aort of middle-
man or contractiir )»ctween the proprietors and the ;;overnment, who by autho-
rity, inliuenoe. and chiv-aucry, contrived to ^et passession of a large ahare of
the landed property in their resi»ective riittuckcams, or, as the Tai^joreana
cmphaiirally expn.s.'s it, thoy swallowed up their neiKlilxmra as the large fish
swallow the les.^er ones. The Piittuckdars were abolished in 1801-2 ; but the
Eii;;lish ;:oveinnu'nt has iiitroduceil and ^/tna/t/M to extend a ayatem essen-
tially tlie same, suottitutin;;; for the word rutiuckdar the word Zemiwiar,
Chi rf {///'" ui Mr. Ellii.
t in the report of the Ceylon ('onmussioners I trace a close reaemhlance
to the Hindoo initiations of the continent at the traditionary period when
the .vh.'ire of the ^'ovclL•i;;n was one-tenth of the produce, as it ia (or was in
ITN.-K ill Ceyh»n ; and private proj>erty (Sahapcrveuy) unquestioned and
nni|Ui'-tiona1>Ie.
aiAP. v.] LANDED l*ltOPCRTY IN INDIA. 115
duty, omdcmna tlio woiiu*n ami cliildreii i>f tlie v.iikiuisImmI
i«> filiiV4*ry. nml tiie men* Ut dt'atli, iiiid c?<>niIt*JMHriuN t» ai*c<t»|it
mihmifisioii nnti tlie hight^t tHWHiltle triluiU* iu4 n iiierviftil rutiiiiiii-
tAti<>ii<f* for IiU»rty an«l lifi\ <!«> not wcmui to Iw wry pn>|>iT tilj«x*t6
of iinitiition for nn Kn^^lisli pivrrnuicnt
But the oxAUiplfH nlrL*o«ly |in'Sfnto<l to tln» n»a«Ifr. tif the
rirruniHtAntVH whirh hav«« ninvliTiit^Mj the iKiiiy (»f hiii«lf*«l pni-
{H^rty in the w>uth. Affiini MiHi<*ii*nt ^iun<l to (*<»hj(vtun.* that the
aanii* f*auH«^ uiav liaw etft-ctA^l its rutin* extin<'tiou in m:inv jmrUi
of l^'nutil. Tlif jHilitiral an«i offifial n*ln(ii»iis nf thi- Kn^lish
pwrrumrnt wrn? lon^ and 'pTijnerttUy routined (•» intvi*i'i»uiM«* with
m<>hnnun<*<ian »\ithoritii»H ; tho few HiiidiHis uf ooii.v.i|ti(>iic«* with
whom th«»y nimnninieat**<l wt-n* eithiT UMir|»frs or titlio.nl ser-
vant.4. hnMi;^ht u|i in tlit* tmmm<*N of MohiininitHlan |tnnri|il«»9
and fonn^. whirh had lon;^ sutH*rs«'ih*d tht* am*it*iit eoiHtitution
of th«» i*i»untn'. Our first inipn-^Hions and itrijuditT-* wore
riTfiviil fmm thi"*e im|>un* Houn*»*H. nnd th«* nn<'it*iit ilithI«Hi law
wan n>n< «*;ilt*<| h\' an imiM'tit'tnihlo veil whiidi ha^ n<»t vit U*i*n
entiniv n i»i*»vtil.
The |>»'q'h»xitv and. without mi*aiiiiv^ disn»«*|w'<'t. it I"* not of
•innll nTiioiint i wliii-h |mrvndr4 th«* i*t)irinl di-^oiKsJMrm of th'»s*»
pn-at |««TMina;;<-H who «'Htii!iliHh«iJ wh.it in <Tillf«| th*» |H.*nnanrnt
M*ttl<*tiit*r)t of ItfiiiTTil. M'«inH rhirtlv ti» havi» nri'wn fn»iji vi«win;;
thf «N»!iiiti«»ii of ih«» |M»o|iK» throU'^h th** ni«*dium i»f M'Jnin-
m«**iaM inHtitntiMim A)th«>u«^'h thr n»vnltir'* of tin* \rrv i:p»Mntl
on which th«*H«* rniiiifut nion r.»ndurt4*«l thin itii|Mirtiiiit rontn^-
Vrr^y*. w«r\« ^Tnut***! hy a Mohamniotlan |irin»'i», on th«' f\|»r»»^
c«ifiditi«»ii that till* Knu'linh (Mni|iany hhfuld |iun*lia.M* thr tliiily-
ri;jht \ill.iv:»*^ of whirh thr '^uit wa5 o»m|»«>H<Hl. fr«tni the /<#t*5}
(n«»t thi* «»wnrr. I n«'ith»r *»f ihr-u? jw*rN*»nnj«'H rouM |H'n«i\t' any
riaini to tlir |in>|M>rty of thr ^«lil. ••\r«*|tii:j^' in thr s«»\iTii:;n or
th«' Z<*iniiidar . and U.th wit»- a^^'n^^-d in nHM/ni/iir^' th** li'ht- «»f
tli«' Iiitt«T It is nallv ruri«»u-* t*» «»K^':vo tlif iu-vf? »•• i^le
t Tii-i^..! tir«*iti!jr i\«»»ii tin* {-rr •*;{!•• ;ti I.m .i-i-'iunt ^f iln- n« ;. "* ,,{
f#lii«) ( !..'!••.! tlii til U- fofi* ' 'v r.!.\i'»t.! t>l ? I \| •} .1iU.iil.ll ot .. u.
T Ih ir !:\i* Hi r«- f"f f« i:« I ti'-.k.-i i' . :i Ml* TiHi \.tii ij- ti.-r ifit ■.* witU
I«l%'i .X f»\nf N«» fi'llt :' »:.p!!«i. rx*-. I«ti:.«' t!.«ir U ll:»' i \ l«!llfit.
>M^r-iMt u I'U'tr^fkh .Sr al^o IKda):i. (it^.k l». chip. 7. Xi <i'i« U«i in
J Thr t.^ji-ri urnli-r il:*.!--- ti t* i« «)ir*k)cr t' « «'.« imihI «•( ;;<\« rtiiM nl
on ti.*- I »!.•! "!. »viM iIm u U n» '•. r i* \ f:\. .| . .r "••■.. r .* •\«:nr. .-fit ■I'litd
|...<»*. fd.f.i- t*.,* ii.i &.«uri ui.'.I if.« I -.'i ila 'i*- i« :•« i i.'-.n. 1 ' I., r t i'-rti-
«4ill« *i|';*'rlol ihr fif^l. Wi-l Mr J-.?.*! >fi«.ri tSr •* •!. I « ? tin '•• tiO>} «»*r>i**ti4.
\ 1 ., J-.*.*- </«»r!i •■ t'.i*t"ii « rr.nr:|Ui ..f At.jln M'ti.uihiw' p. 147 I
I I (if t itr "f l*ii« t*! titioli I*>;:j.').w I Pit i^iui ti.crc M li*>w Dot •he
lu.kii 111 K.i-^'.iii>l iir in Ill-ill »ii«i «'«*ii»« :t iiti«'ii«!) U li«*M ^ tli.il li.r |tr*>n
(lr>i.'rt«tt^l r> lilt' tn««lrrn t*rm i^':iri.<lir t-wt ^ t% { *i<|<iutor 1 ••( i*<<«ir^*
m* ««i t!.« /f .-ititi'l ir in thf* (.•'-*! •-.|!kti<'ri i-MKi«c ihjt>tit.iiitN f«'r, in tin.*
luuUcru tvcliuical Lui^^c m( Ucu^'ii. tLc Wi^rd lucotu V|iully llicdcj«.vud
lie LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V.
puzzle in which they are reciprocally involved by this admissioD.
Sir John Shore* observes that " it is equally a contradiction in
terms to say that the ])roperty of the soil is vested in the Zemin*
dar, and that we have a i'i<rlit to regulate the terms by which he
is to let his lands to the Ryots, as it is to connect that avowal
with discretionary and arbitrary claims."'!' They had here dis-
covered a proprietor, whom it was found necessary to deprive of
the first characteristic of proiKJity, the right to manage it in his
own way (a ward of chancery, or a ]>roprietor under a statute of
lunacy.) JLord Coniwallis had observed that " the numerous
prohibitory orders against the levying new taxes^ accompanied
with threats of fine and im]:>risonnicnt for the disobedience of
them, have proved ineftl'ctual," but neveitheless tliinks that the
Zemindars must and can in future be restrained. His lordship,
however, comfoits himself by ix^flecting, that if they do levy new
impositions, the rents will, in the end, thereby bo lowered ; be-
cause, " when the rent l>ecomes so high as to be oppressive and
intolenible to the Ryot (what inference <locs the reader expect ?)
he nuist at length desert the land !'* the veiy land, the rents,
taxes, or impositioiis on which the Zemindar ought to he punished
fur attempting to raise ; and yet in a document selected, stinngely
enough, as an Appendix to such a Alinute, §a Collector, after
giving an account of certiiin Ikihoos who had obtained by fraud
and mi.srej)resontation a grant of home villjiges, and now, in the
exi)Ortation of tlie i>ropriutary right in land Vicing vested in Ze-
mindars, claimed to Ik; considered in that capacity, goes on to
stit^ that this i)ropcrty was in the same exi>ectation claimed by
the heads of village's as Mdlnks \\ or pro^triefors. These unfor-
tunate men are <lescribed to have arrived at a state nearly re-
sembling that which has already beru noticed in Canara and
Arcot ; they had bei'U (.*oniin.lled to disavow their pro{)erty, and
had placed their villages under the |»rotection of a Zemindar, as
l)eing more abk' to screen them fn>ni the vexatious interferenos
of the provincial oilicer Ifakini. " Thest* pei'S(ms (continues the
Collector) have occasionally disposed ('f the whtde or a part of
such villagi-s, and the pnn:lnf.9(rr< {.'Wun to be MdlU^ks ov proprietor$.
Some of tlhsi? purchasitrs of |;iii«l hiivc sold their land to others,
and it is pos.Ml»lc that such sales may have been variously multi-
plied. The oA/ ifnfjn'irfttr/i ag;iiii represent, that the sale was
ant of i\n' oiViciT who o»lKit« «l tlir nm.-.^ of ;;ovirFiiiitnt from the proprietors,
tinil tlu" yrnprirtin' )iiin.^*ll wlur*' In- lias ln-in {MTiiiittcd to cxisit.
* Ntiw LtrM T.i..riiiiinutli. Miiiiitc, Die. l'I, IT^^ik
t Wh.il wniiM tlic iinMo liinl hiy to lii.s ]-]ii;:li.sii tonnnt who nhonld
8tiu'niati/(.' as an .irhitrary chiini, lii.s lorJ.-tljip^s ri;^lil to get the beat rent ko
can for lii^ I.ukI ?
Z Minuto, l'Vl)nnry .1, I7m>.
5 < )f Miav»Ml».i«l. S.-|'irii;l.. r l'I), IT^-'.i.
■ Araliic, and a«Iii)>t('il in iV-r.si.in 1 tiu<] tli(...o i n oiler n terms exclusiTeiy
UoL'il in tlic whuli" "f llu. u iliiCUo^rion?.
CHAP, v.] ULNDED l*IK)l>KRTY IN INDIA. 117
mmlo ii> aiuiwcT opprensive <>Xiictii»ns, aiid ou^lit to lie dvclan.Hl
vuiii.** The* C<»llc'OtA»r coiicluiloH with the following rviuarkablo
Won 1a : ** In truth, gentloiiieii, tlivse old Mdlick/t liave iir;;^! tlu*ir
cIaiiiih with uiiirb anxiety and iui|K)rt unity ; they nl«olutely
refu}ii!<«i Ui enter into any en^i;^*nientji but ah Mulickd (|>ro-
|>rieU»rH,) dei'lnriu;^ they wt»uM nither hm" their lives tlian oc-
c|ui«'!k*o in a n.*Iin(|ui.Hhnit'nt 4>r their heretlitary rights.'* I Imvo
aaid tlmt the |>eq>lexity iil»s4T%'ahlc on this eontroversy Ln curiouA ;
mod 1 will n4iw aiM that it is ii.Ht4»nishin;^, becaune the hiuiplc rc-
eo^iititm ttf |irivate* |ini)MTty in land, so hroa^lly announcinl
luid fM> un«jUi«^tt4»nahly |»n»ved l>y this oaitt^t of the new and
tile old |in>|»riet4»rH, ^h(» rt*i-i|iriN*uliy adniitud the faet of re-
|ieiit4Hl f^iU\ w«»nl(l lm\e hi>lvid evtry dilHeulty. and Her\<*«i ah a
f^ide tlin>ii;;h tht* tui^fhtv nuixe in whirh thc*?^* noble |M*rsonaireH
r«intinu«'*l to involve theniM.*hen and tlit-ir re:Klfri to the end of
ilie r»»ntp»versv.
In the A|i)N*ndix t** a Mintit*' by Sir J(»lin Shore, the dat«* of
which I eaniiot n-envi-r. two \.ry singular «h»«*uiiMntH are rxhi-
biti'«l : on«\ th«* «'\tra<'t of a ie}Mirt (a)i|UD'!i(Iy from the H'lanl
of lu*v«-nu«*,) uhirh, aft< r ronrlusivily |in'\inLr that the Z4*niin<lar
ia A nHT»* «»tfi.ial •<»rva»iT. >»t.'»t«*N that ** th«' rtltiiiii:hu-f- Sunnnd
ia all Mitlii i**nt t«» «-*tal'Ii^}i. !h v..iid riiiitp»vir--y, lliat the |»n»-
|icny of land in tlit-^o t^uTitri*^ in i\rliisi\«|v vrit*-*! in the
cn»wn: anl tie* ntli*i, a M«>haiiin:t dan law aiitli«*ritv whieli
aitiibii*>hi*H. U\ohd I'i'htr'VtT^v. tliiU tie* fart i*i n'»t h«i. Tho
dintinrtiiiii has .Mli»M«ly U • :i n«»tif'l Uiw.fn thf pni4ti»f of
3Io|iaiiiiii*-daTi Mii< rs t-'Waid-^ eon'^u* i<-d iiitidrl -. and a r«>untry
inhabited by th** f.iitiihd . aiid tie d'N tinit-nt whi4-li I n<>w sub>
niit to till* r«%»'l<T in a i*:;ri<*ti'» anl ini|M>iiant nlutation «*f tho
d«M'tnie» ••f Knr'«j"vin ti.i\ill-r** nli«:ily allu'lnl t««. whirli df-niei
the « \i*.t«iiei' «.f |iii\at- {.r-jHity in I.rid. in t!.«' M<>lianunf<lan
rouhtrii<% «.f ihr « .i-.t It i-» •iil.tiid. lixtr.ut fi'»ni ihr Muhani*
He 1 II l/iw oil L'iiil« i rpi'itv \«ib.4l tnitislati«'ii fnni the
Anil'h'
III th<- bl A'' T • . '' ' /;. • ' ■ 'It i. %\ritf.'ii * ' Tribtitarv
land is li« 1 I 111 full )•: j-tt\ \\ it* la^ifT . and vt i^ tith«d or
« ••
tn iti y ( ' i M « <•! t'i« ll\ '* )>: •; : • !•• % «•; \i.v .ti i:i-l tt.i )'«it«ti*« to \m
!«».». it i ■: *t«'"i < I- 'I I I..' . <itt ; ir I \i t . >t t ti'tM- %i«* r III •;« : i%r !r«*iti tliAt of
<1* < I .r.r..' • . f /> "iij'l i*« *:. I » !i ■ I . •-•k'i.*:*. *i • «-i.i\ pr*! r !• •♦•! ** - tirilit,
.!« •iii'S.i t;i ' r. i!. »i li. i.i .'. \f\ n |< i^** 1 li .Ti ! t h it I r«iuld
ii<'t I !•- .1 t ■■ : > i! t.'.' 1 1!' M* t •- *.* « %i<»rk. » i.;i !i. i> \ uifh r»t.iii4|. «aj|
|»foi!<<i. I' .: t ■ : I 'if t ^:i« 1 . i! t i :i i I >«•• r< /^i *. t.'i .t « ::• am^t.ttiO % havo
|»ii % • lift i i:j> h t. .' ^ II ■ • « t*> ! t « I . . ir !•- • •..• L. 11 «■! in ttiii'H'f i|'l4 la iha
|«i>«*i \«i-.ti * ! r..^ i • :'. u«,t '..< ? 1 M < ' \ (•' .i.v i<» It It |irol-jt>lc tIjAt ihtj
Y liM I i: • If. •ill..' II. « : . ...• t • i« • f V|**t.4tiiir.t^Un oriifin.
|jiii«i A •** ■ ' A' .A f ii/-<il h i« .k'l • i I'-ir jir AU*i, A« I lliiiik. till. ati*tiA«l«iry
«!*.«. u»«« •It f« -*;t.«j(.' tLt U.lutc mA \jtxf^ i*( Muliamtuidaiu iii tub i. ul lliv
118 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V.
decimated) land : a sale, a gift, or a charitable devise of it is
lawful, and it will be inherited like otlier property. Thus in the
Book MohoileyaJi, in a passage quoted from Almohit (a work of
the lawyer Mohammed,) lands are held in fuU property by them,
they shall inherit those lands, and shall pay the tribute out of
them ;" and in the book AlkJvanujah it is written, " The sovereign
has a right of property in the tribute or rent ;" so in the book
Modena Sluirhi Baaz it is written, " A town and the district* an-
nexed to it shall not be sold by the sovereign, if it pay tribute or
rent to the crown, nor shall it be given nor inherited, nor shall it
belong to the royal domains ; for inheritance is annexed to pro-
perty, and he who has the tribute from the land has no property
m the land : hence it is known that the kingf luia 'no rigid to grant
the laml which pays tribute, hut that he Tnay giunt the tribuU
arising from it"
Ayeen e Acberie. I understand the A shtree^ or tenth, to be the Zecat or A Iwa
first levied by Mohammed^ ostensibly for cliaritable purposes, and afterwards
much modified for political objects by himself, and more by his successora ;
and Kherai to have been originally the larger tribute, or fifth, exacted from
a conquered country (the exaction of one-half being a more modem invention,
see p. 164). The former was the distinction of the faithful, and the latter of
the mfidels. inhabiting one and the same country. Many of the countries now
entirely inhabited by Mohammedans submitted on condition of paving the
Kheraj : which imposition on the infidel has contimied to be leviea on his
Mohammedan successor, although, on embracing the faith, he was strictly
entitled to exemption on paying Zecat * but as this latter was properly an
apostolical, and Khrraj a royal right, the comiueror, who had no claim to
direct divine mission, found it more ])rofitablc to exercise the rights of royalty.
Persia originally paid Kheraj, but there arc some lands (perhaps occupied at
first by the faithful) which continue to pay but a tenth of the produce.
While on the subject of Persia 1 will add, that unless all the intelligent
natives of that country with whom 1 have conversed have, without comniuni-
cation with each other, accidentaliv united to deceive me, private hereditary
rropcrty in land now exists, and alway.s lias existed, in Persia. The Atherte^
understand to be the fixed land-tax oi the Ottoman government at this time.
^ The township which we have so often had occasitm to notice.
t Sir Williani Jones, in his preface to the Translation of Alsirajey^ak^
has the following passages : — ^' Notliing can be more certain than that land^
renU, and fjotnls arc, in the language of all Malionimedan lawyers, jfrop^rty
alike !ilic]i:ible and inheriUible ;**anil again, '' 'i'he old Hindoos most assuredly
were ahmlnte proprietors of thfir la»d^ although they called their sovereigns
Lords of tlie earth," &c. : the passage is 4iuotcd by the anonymous author of
a work called British India analyzed, who proceeds to express his chagrin,
'* to find, nn Sir W. Jones's authority, that reference to iidditional Mohamme-
dan autliority is yet nccessarv to decide tvh ether any species of pro|)erty was
compatible with tiie Koran. ' Where has the author found the necessity on
the authority of Sir William Jones, or on any other authority 1 And has the
Koran in esUiblLsliing minute and distinct rules for the descent and partition
of estates, and the alienation by sale, mortgage, or gift, of moveable and
immoveable property, onlv deci<ied the incidents of a nonenity ) The author of
the present work may well despair of being heard where the authority of Sir
William Jones has been condemned to neglect an<l oblivion. Sir Williano, how-
ever, had apparently gone no farther than to a.sccrtain that there was a pro-
pritttor distinct from the sovereign, and seenu to have taken the authority
of the rulers of the day in supposing this proprietor to bo the Zemindar,
CIIAF. v.] UUIDID PROPCBTT IN DCDIA. 119
Utnler tbo only doctrine which waa rocogniacd in this dia-
cumiion, Uio iitxx>f, and it is abundantly aati^actory, that the land
ia ntit the king*a, leaves no alternative but to consign it to the
Zemindar. The author of ** Ttie Principles of Asiatic Mo-
narch itw," arji^es with gr^^t force, that the claim of the Zemin-
dar U*iti^ limitcNl to one-tentli of the sum collecteil for the kinff,
it is aWurd U) distin^uinh as |»n>|>rietor the |H*rMm entitled tc» one
ientli * while thu rt*mainin^ nine-t4*nths are called a duty, a tax,
a i|uit-reiit The ar^iniont is amclusive : but tlie ingenious
autluir has not unf(»ld«*<l the whole of the alisunlity. Under the
utni«iHt limit of cxiiotion reconliNi in the nuKieni histor}* of India,
thti m»vorfi^i ha-H receiveil one- half of the cnjp. The real sliare of
the crop, which, even under such exaction, would go to thui
redonbtiible pmprietiir, W4»uld be one-twcnti(*th, or five |)er cent ;
acconlin^ to the laws of Mi*nu and the other 8asti*rH, his sluure
would U) <me-sixtieth. i»r one and two-thinls per cent ; and this
is tlie tiling which a Hritish government has nameii proprietor of
the Utnti, In the <**»ntroverHy tt* «let4»nnine whetiier the sovereign
or the Ztfiuindar were the proprietor, each mrty apfiean to mo
to have reeipnH*ally refuted the pn»|n>sition of his adversarj', with-
out c^tAbli^hiiig hin own : tlicy Imve fieverally proved tliat neither
the king nor the Zi*mindnr in tiie pn>prietor.
At a verj' early |»erio«l of the t*om|inny'i« g«>vemmcnt in Ben-
gklf Mr. VoA'bit. when clmr^l with the o>lle<*tiims of the pr>
vin<v «if i'hittAi:<»ng, h Hiking at the condition of the jioople, with
that fKuind plain common !M.*nse which 4liHtinguishe«l his cliarac-
ter, anti not thr<»ugh the medium (»f Moliammedan institutions,
eootirmeil thu righu whieh ht* found the |ii«oiile actually to |»os-
sesH. of transmitting and nli«»nsting their lande<l pro|M»rty hv inhe-
ritAncf». mortgage, sale or gifl+ Tlie recognition of tiiat nght (in
the Wi>nU of the Judgi* and Miifn^tnite of tliat pnnince in 1H(U)
** has fixed a value on mad pn>|M*rty here which Lh not attache^l U^ it
in othor |»artM «»f li^'ti'/nl. unil Iism givi»n ••xinti^nce in a numenml
bo*lv of IsnddioMrrs unknown elM*wh**n*." who are afU'rwards
stAti*<l to c«»n>ider th«*mjH-l\*«s, antl Ut W rv<i»gninHl by tlu- ct>urt as
"/A/ (irfu'i/ pn»priri*>rw o/ f/i< mfii," In a Hu(Mt*i|U<'nt {lajwagi^ wo
find tht.*m' rv^markablr w<inU : ** If ci»mfortiblv luibitstioim atid a
num«*n»u^ and lirAllhy pr«»*4»-ny \n* pDwifn <»f a happy t>«nditi«>n. tlio
Ryot •• in tliii provinei* riiji.y it in a high dignt- . and Uir laiudl
4iitst4'% i?! tlii«i diviM4»n imvi* eniitributiNl Ui inereajw* |M»piUaiion,
and to i\-Ar a tiMn|«*niU* and ndiunt h|M*«*i«*s 4if man Ht for f*vrry
aort of Ulxir" The optni«»n<« nt>*iv«M| on the Mime <Kva/«ii»n fn»m
other pntvinr*-^ an* uniforui in stating thai tlie oi»nditi(»n of tiio
* Thr technittl munr of thi« |>r<ft«*>rtinii iri the MoKAmmrdAO Hccord* is
Nsiikar. 1 (Uv Hot kti«}w thr tticimt lltmldo trmi in the tn^rtb : thii 1 Mip-
pfMH" to \w m*^\rn%, athI ati irrrifiilir rcfnii«*uud frum the I'efiOAti viord «V<f«,
brvAil. mini (u^nifirint: •uH%i»trnrr. yt**M*um, or ial:ii7 ; hot I hsvr otdy accti
Ikt word m tLe kn'jitak Ke^»nU of iW-nical . it ii not in tt«« ia the «eutb.
r An»titrt to i)Qritiucit circubt<^ in lK*l
120 LANDED PROPERTY IN INDIA. [CHAP. V.
cultivators has been meliorated (slender melioration if they ought
to be the pr()priet<:)i's :) by the establishment of courts to which
they Ciin apply for redress agjiinst great oppressions : but I find
nothing from the Zemindaries resembling or approaching the
delightful picture which has l>een drawn of the condition of these
rUjIdfal proprietors confirmed in the possession of their estates.
About the same time that Mr. Verelst confirmed in Chitta-
gong the rights which he found establishcfl, Bulwunt Sing, the
Zemindar of Benares, then subject to the Vizier of Oude, found
the same rights in that province ; but instead of confirming, he
invaded and usuq)ed them : forcibly subverting the rights of the
landliolJers, he reduced them from the condition of proprietors to
that of mere tenant^. This nsurpati<m continued until the
S3'stem of considering the Zemindar as the proprietor of the soil
ha<l been for some time established, and the courts of the English
government had been erected at Benares. The usurpation had
not Ixjen of suificient standing to obliterate the knowledi^e and
the remembnincc of the ancient proprietjiry rights; and, after
due investigation, the present Zemindar was prevailed on by the
British government formally to recognize these rights, and they
have accordingly been restored.*
I observe that a similar question was depending before the
* I am indebted for this fact to verbal information from a gentleman
now holdin<,' a very hi;;;li oflicu in India, and officially cunvcfbant with the
wliolc liistory of revenue in licn^'al. The restoration occurred during the
perio«l that Mr. Duncan, now governor of l»onibay, presided over the tmain
of tliat province ; and I have also tlic ol)li|L,'ing pennissi<m of that gentleman to
state that he considors tlie accouFit here ;j:ivcn to be ;»enerally correct: but I
do not know the exact extent to which liulwunt iSinghad proceeded in hiacx-
actions. Tlie present settlement is made with the actual occupants (whether in-
dividually or collectively }>y vi]lap:es is virtually the same) ; and according to
the nomenclature of Benj^il as applied to Chittagong ; we have here the ffreai
Zemindar of HenareA, ami a multitude of «m(r// Zemindars payingtcn ortwenty
Kupces of revenue throui^h tlie medium or on account of the ffreat Zemindar,
who retains one Rupee in ten of the nett collections as his commission. It
will scarcely be denied that the Zemindars of Iiunares and Hurdwan, when we
first became ac<iuainted with them, were considered to be the same description
of persons, and to bear the same relation to the inhabitants of their res]Wctiva
provinces. Yet in one the occupants of the lands have been made proprieton,
m tiie other they arc tenant.'^.
I have observed in the Minutes of Sir John Sh(»rc an account of two
descriptions of Hyots in Hen^al, which seem to correspond with theCaay-
atckikar and i^at/aearte <if the stmth ; and, I have no doubt, were originally
]>osse.sse<l of tlie same rights, namely, Kh'tdkaaht and Payhaiht^ modern Per-
sian terms translated from Hindoo appellati(ms, which it would he natisfactoiy
to asrortain. In the copy which I tirst saw, the words were written without
the letter^ in the last syllabic ; and I had no conjecture what they were
until a few days before I left Madras. 1 found them on Wking over a Persian
copy of the h»cal reirnlation for Benares ; which, however, savours more of the
general system of l>en;,'al than I had been induced to expect from what is
alM»\c stated. It is not always safe to interpret technical terms according
ti> their .strict ;L;ramuiatiral import; and these i*ersian componuds are too
r<|ui vocally composed to have any positive import. The fullowiug is a verbal
\
iliW. v)
INIKKKNrt>i.
121
|nMviiifi:iI riiiirt in ISDl. U't\vi''*ii tli«* ZtMiiiii^lirs ati.l Murkihl*
<liiiii'« ,lii:i.U ni' villa:^'**'*'. in •l>li:ui,:nl|Miri' ; l.iu I am n-il in-
r**iniii| whrtliiT any ntlirr uttt*Mi|it«< h.iVf Uvit iniiilr hy tlio
iniialiitaiit.'^ (if lk.*iiL::il f'*ir ihr ri:ciiVi*ry <>t' tliuir aiti'iL'iit rii^liLs.
'Mil* rmlrr will pruli.'iMy Im> of opinhMi that cnoU'^h lias li<.M*n
iKMih'f^l t'» r<^tali|i^)i til'* f\i<<ti'n<-i* in that r*>iintiy of tht* ^'iinc
ri'^'hl"*. anl tin- tra<*"«> «»!' a Ljr.i«iaJi«>n similar to tlial tiftlp; Hnutli.
hv \%lii»*h thi-v havr U-i-n iMrtiallv ••h!il*-rat*' I, ur fnlip-lv «1«'-
Nlr«iy«-I. Ila|i|iily. in a l.ir^i* |i ulititi af tin* tiTrit'iry snhjii't to
th»" Lr'tM-rnm-'iif «»f K'»rl St. If.-.ir^'.'. tli»» •ni«*-li««n is *<till hinmi tn
('■•ii'<i<l*-rati«*ii . tip' riL:lit^ whiih **till i'\i< aif ii]if r«>r i'i*ntirm-
ati'ifi . an<i tlni^*' \\hii h havi* 1 n |i:ii'tially **t wh"lly Uniii-|n*i| nr
<h-«iii»\ i-l nM\ \.'i In- ri'N!"i "I lii'.t'-a'l ••!' IP alinj. Iiv tin* ni«»'*t
ali^M I '•! all ini*<h<(iii« !-« a t'-'W nimin-il**" |«i-»j»ri*'t"r-». \vln». with-
• •nl I.iithi-r n-ni |Mti<iii. *.\\i l»v ii«i |mi^siMi» f\rrti*in nt'jN.wrr !»•
rt-nli-ii-il ••iilni iijiiii' iir |i '•'» thin larm-TN "j- i'<iiiti:ii-t iin •»!' n*-
\«mi«- * ih" liiiti^h L'itx ft iiiip lit iii.iV -till ii-l.»ii- iipi'i itv aii«l
1*^11. i-I. r \'l i-i.'it it \! I ii I. •; ■ . ■•:.■ •■: :■■ m i:!i ■ ■ "f t'l i* « "'ir*.
/' f -kfUt 1-% I i-i:i I- iji.il w.if'l f I.. I. ^- '■ .:. I % !•■". • l"li»' III* J.MI : •>(
r ' • I/. . /■ ). !fi 1! I : . i\ '. ' •• • f '\ t . ' ' t . • ' • ' /'■''. ■ .
A '. ■" »•'. ' ; i li".. . I . . ..1 .. 1:1 4 I . . . . ■' f I iii'ii-' i". i.. . ■ ^* ;i. A ■ . !:. i' I' •••
• v /.' ' •' '' ■'..«,;. ..',.; .! .| I .M .::!.. I u :•■.!:,:- i. ■ HI
1 1'".. ? T \* •.r.\ 1.1 . •■■M "!. i ■■■i.'i '.ii !;. •! • • •■ "' ' : .• . • .V 11. • it: • i \* i - >'i
» fi I i'.:..-i !' . \ -.:.•■> .!• ,. I . , w .* .1 i[. • 1.-.% !i I. ill I ■. I.I 111 'I-', k* ^1- 'i;' i.i -i.rK :i ?i« 1*
In ! * « I :j I.. .4 i.. J ■ I). /' , |. .'. \% I . I : • I...;/ il •• -> ! .,• ->.kiiii-. .ili 1 •!• :i V ll.i?
i!iii- : ' .' \ ■:.'.'.. ■ . i\ ■ . ; i • r I i. -'.I 'i .!• til! ri ,"ii k*i 'ii. 1. \\u* \\ , \\. i*. \..v
\v\*i !: i) .:. I r ;,i- *.i ■ ii r . .•.!• •*., i- ij^'t l.i'. } li i^'ifi. f r<':a I. ;<>:.»; m .1'.
till • ' ' :i .*. ■:. > f t > 1 • ■? I ■ : !■ . •
I ■ •: !■ . ■■ -ii I w f 1- I ;• \\ . . 1 ; • !• «i.' : ^ I- ■ »h«';i'-. »"!;i»' i-f t '•••!*! .i!^ nf
Ui If. \^* lilt :.! ill I ... • ] . > . ;:i • !;•; < ir l-* ! •• t ■ 1 • •!.. I ••' ;• • !.••:. ii<,>
• It I.J i;. h •.;.;..;■,!■ 1. .■••.• r .:.■■?:. T- ■! « !!r. t.'ir / lijiii ; iry
^\ S ?.. ! .' 'i. !■ .. . .. ■!!... •-..■.■ !.". I. 1*1 !;••:. t ."•■!':.:. t-:;; '>'
>■ I' . J .«.!*:. 1 . I ' I U i;i • .1 ; * ♦! 1 t" li* :: 1 • « I ii,::."' • ■ \i. -.n : * ;••
t Jf' -r '^i • •. '. ; .
• I ? 1 i r- I .' • . : ••! • . ! .•■.'.••• v. ;. -i. ■ ir* -.•• •• n M i-i- i«. i"' i*.
»i!--. *..•.■•. i» ••■•■■ ■•■•.»«. ■•t'l-
'•■,.ii'.i|i>t .1 •'... • •". •• •.••■..kill
}■■■•. . ■ !"•. •.■•■. 1- ' . ■' !' •'■ ■• ■ !• . i "• I;. ..•■■. •
• •f ! . ! ■..•..■■• .....'. . ■ .! ■ I- ; . . • .■ .• ■■ . 1 »-. I .- I- :i I '.-I
I •«■ . . r • ■ I :■.'•» . ' ■ . • , ! ' '..';:.•..• ■ 1 ■ ! ! r ••»«:,.' 1 I • ■. i-
• «. I ■ i : / ■ . i > ;. •. -.1 I . . ; : ■■ !. - ■■, ; ■: !\f..:> • ! j-i r .i«.*i^' tin-
«!• I . i- .! :. !• • :• . ' ■ > f . • k t '.;..: *. t.i v .1:1 u • . .»•!•; '.i d t" ;»« 1 % i i.« .1
!«■ .n ; i I • \ . I i '■•• r «:.:■' '. '..•
\ \" : . .. I « I- .1 : I • • ....•'. ' * i. ^ !■.. h r ■ • f ■ i.!r i-
t-r ■ I I. I r. . . !'.. ^ ! ... ■ r . ■ • 1 :,■!.•'<: /. ■%*'.* \\ -f i. ,1
I . . .■ 1 t .«::.•.! 1 • i •. I ,•'.'..! . - ■ . • I ti ■._%•: ■ . '. • . j . r '. .;■■*! ■ 1 i •• • ■ I ! . 1 I •^■
tl i . ■ , ••■ iI- (• ..:•;..': I I- .* ! .'.M- I:. • : .i f . ;.!.•••♦»■ i.i i! - :;i 1 tii-1
f I.! T.I ".' iL ti.' . .'!..!■, I ■ ! ; :.: . !< • i f ,- •■ ■ .-ji!!.! r.!. f > » !.; ii
• . ' •. I
I' • •! ...»
I' • ■ ■ ■. • M 'i .■•■•:.. I » r .'T \ . 1 ■. J r ■ t • /• ■••: !.•• J! .Ii
I >;■■■• 1 1 . ; ■ .!» :•.:■.••;■ • • .' .' ' .r ^ • ; • r li | r..|« •■ v i. ** .
I I ' • I . ■ - ' • . ■ ■ . . ♦.■•.!■. ! * I . • . . j . . I • . « I •
.1! .. •■ Ii .' ■ ■ ".:■.: i ...; . i !• '. i*ll.i «.'!^-'fili I'l't-iitv
• •1 *'. . ! \ *.i*. f ru. -1 .1 ik.i.i . L>wi.»(.r, kU i &>. « I'll- Ii W :.» :i
r
122 INFERKXCES. [CUAP. T,
its concomitant blessings to the ^a-oat mass of ita subjects. In
tills portion of India its ancient constitution may yet be revived.
A comi>any of nierchant8 may conier a more solid benefit than
wiis announced in the splendid j^roclamation of the Bomaii con-
8ul to the cities of Greece : freedom, in its most rational, safe,
and acceptable form, may bo proclaimed to the little republics of
India, by declaring the fixed and moderate revenue that each shall
pay, and leaving the interior distribution to themselves, inter-
fering only on appeal from their own little magistrate, either in
matters of revenue, or of landed, or of jxji'sonal property. Under
such a system, varying only from their ancient constitution in
substituting for the tax on industry, involved in the exaction of
a pro[)ortion of the crop, a fixed money payment, which is also
of grejit anti(piity in India ; the waste would quickly be covered
with luxuriant crops, l>ecausc eveiy extension of culture would
be a clear profit to the proprietor ; and without running into the
wild fancies of a golden age, the mass of the people would be
int(.'rcstc»d in tlie iKTniaiicncy of a government which had essen-
tially improved their condition, and, with the religion and law*
of their fathers*, ha<l revived their long forgotten proprietary
rights. But the British government will only deceive itself, and
hiiniss the i)eoi)le, in the vain att<.'mi)t to improve their condition
V>y mere theories and innovations, while they continue to exact
the whtile landlord's rent, as is done in some districts and the
greater i>jui; of it as in othci-s : they must not expect to create
pn»p(n*ty in land by a certain nunilxT of magi«il words inscribed
on pa|K.»r or i)archment : the only oiKiration l>y which property
in land can f>e restored is simply to leave to tlie farmer that
which constitutes jn-ojHJi-ty, a i*unt, a pro])riet<)r s share ; and this
may be etft;cted without any material diminution of that re-
venue which the exigencies ot the time so im|)eriouHly demand,
by conceding to the proprietor the abatement which has, in all
cjuses, been made to the newly invented Zemindar.
In a4^1 veiling, however, to a jlxrd revenue, I l)end to received
opinions, without absolutely acquiescing in them. With the
most \infcigned <leference for the su|>erior talents and knowledge
of some of those gieat men who applau<l the jH>rmanent and un-
idicrahU landed (t^wfit^iiieiit. (»f Bengal, I must still be permitted
to doubt the oxpedioncy of the irrevocable i>ledgc WDich has
been given. It is not intended here to examine whether those
j»n>vinces have flourished in consiKpieiKie (»f the present system, or
in spite of it I admit, without re,serve, that almost anything
was 1 setter than the inct^sHiint Ihictuation of our former plans ;
but there is an inlinite distance between condemning capricious
innovation, and ai)[)roving that political nullity, an irrevocable
ns vry luive hccii to be tlie oasc iti Tjinjorr. a whole township belongs to
individual, tho c*iH:hi;«At will tiili to the s(»vcmj:;n.
• JScc Appendix, No. 3.
CHAP, v.] INFBKENCKS. HVb
law. To ienninaie abuMM by •hutting out improvemont ; to
n*n«ler it imiMNwiblo for the land tax to incrcaM', aiid proluible,
iiay ix*rtain. tliat it will diiniuiiili ; in the HyHU*ui o{ revenue which
luui Auccoedtfd to our former em>rH. An Kn^litih Chanc*t*llor of
Uie Exchequer who iihould propose to plodt^i* the natiotud faith to
an unalterable tax, tnif^ht cautivaU* the multitude, but would be
«milt?<l at by the tinanciem oi Euro|M* : ami yet principles do not
alter in traveniing the ocean. If the facility mo coniidently al-
lepmi by the authoni of this plan, of ruiftinj^ in India tlie re<{uisite
revenue from other sourom. hail any ri*al foumlntion, wo should
not now hear of the fleficit of Indian n*venue : and it may be
Iiennitttnl more than to doubt whetlier we shouM not at this ilay
lave witaeMe<l li^hU*r taxes ami mon* ample revenue, if a leas
raah and ambitiouH haste for umittaiiiable perfe<*tion luul lefl
improvement to be the offspring of knowlinlge, and the landlord's
rvnt ti» liave enrich<Hl the n^al pn)priet4ir of the soil, instead of
pamptrriu^ the hcrutlitar)' fiirmer of revenue
"» ■— ■—
CHAPTER VI.
FKOM 1672 TO 1704.
Vhanfjes introduced by Chick Deo Baj into the condition of the landkoider*^-
pliahility of his relig^iovg principles — 7'A« land tax authorized by the Hindoo iaw
not yet erceedcd-^comparison of past ami present amount — Comparative raime of
the precious metals — curious facts showinff that the value has not ckaitged — IVx-
ations taxes intended to be commuted for an increase of the land tax — catue*
quent insurrection — treacherous murder of the Junf^um priests— intmrrecHom
suppressed — Present state of property in Mysoor — Buttai — home fields exempted
— average assessment^ Umd not saleable — inference — exceptiotu — komte jUidM
descewl as inheritance — in the later conquests and northern tracts property
absolutely extinguished — Death of Chick Deo Rcff — conquestS'-^Staie of DtehoL
and the South-^ Siege and capture of Gingee by Daood Khan^and it* comtC"
quences — Aurungzebe*s distribution of command — Kasim Khan ^ Fomjidar
— Dewan — Xaf^tb-^ Revolution of words and things — Canuitic Hyderabad —
ViJeyaj)oor — Balaghaut — Fayeen Ghaut — their respective limits — necestittffor
explaining these technical divisions to render intelligible the future narrative —
names of countries lost or cliangcd^' Pretensions of the natives abiorbed iu the
contests of foreigners — Reguhrity and order confined to the pages of the imperial
register — Anarchy of the country ably described by a cotemporary author.
We return to the changes introduced by Cliick Deo Raj Wade-
yar into the condition of the landholders of Mysoor. The reli-
*fumH princii)les of the Raja seem to have been sufficiently flexible
U) adapt themselves without difficulty to the circumstances of
the times. There is little doubt that he wa.s educated in the
principh'S of the Jungum ;* but he openly conformed to the
ceremonial of the Vishnoo, which was the ruling religion. His
early and long intimacy with VLsha Lac8ha,*f the Jain Pundit^
whom on his elevation ho had appointed his first minister, created
a general belief that he was secretly converted to that persuasion,
and an expectiition that he would openly profess it; and this
circumstance was supposed chiefly to have influenced the Jungum to
a.ss<assinate that minister. When Tremalayangar, a Visbnavite,
l>ecame afterwanls the confldential minister, the Raja evinced as
strong an attacliment to that ])ersuasion : but political consider-
ations alone woidd have rendered him the decided enemy of the
religion in which he was supposed to have been e<Iucated The
contempt and abhorrence in which the Jungum hold the bramina
(wliom they stigmatize with the opprobrious appellation of dogs)
is adverse to despotism in a country where any considerable
|M)rtion of the i)eoi)le is subject to the braminical code, by its
tond(;ney to subvert the subordination which arises from the
♦ For the tenct« of the Jungum, see Appendix, No. 4.
t lie was usually called by no other name than the Yellandoor Pundit,
from the place of his birth.
t Jain. See Appendix, No. 5.
fiUP. VI.) MrS4>OR IJIKD TAX UNDRR CniCK I)R«> RAJ. ll'i
artifirini ilistitirtion of cii8tL*s or mnlcH in MM*ii*ty, mid U^ Hhnko
tlio oUh1u*iuv which the Raja UHiuilly M*<*un*s. hy oiiliHtinj:r tho
|irt«'Hth(MMl oil tho Hide of tho tliroiie ; and tho hontility an«l hatrinl
of tho iUja waH farther inrreaM*<l liy the opiMMition which the
Jun|<fiini inoite<l apuiuit hin financial nioaiiureA.
A.H far an the moHt MoruiHilous on<|uiry haH cnahlo<l ino to
jiid^^*. then* \h no reaMon to think that any Ilaja of M>'Ko«>r luul
hithrrto tiniA*HM«*4lly doviatcNl fri»in tho Hiiid4M) lawH on ttie aKHOMH-
nit*iit of lan<l. as taii«^ht in all tho (Miila SinirtiH) SaKt(*rs or t4*xt
ImmiUh. and |Nirttciilurly inciilratt*t| in tho tn*atim** l«M*ally in umc,
whirh rondriiiii.H tho t^ija who Hhall au^iont tho aMM^tmnirnt to
** infamy in this wurld. ami tho |»aiiiH of hoU in tho no\t'* The
nn(*i«*iit Ctimiiiiain or iiion«*y n*nt of tho land, proluihly (*MtabliHho€l
in thin |iiirt <»f tho o<»untr\' at a |)i*ri«Hl anti*<i(H|t*nt to the pivom-
nivnt of Vijoyanupntr, U w«'ll known at thin day. and in Nonio of
thi* iJiHtrirts ct»ntinu4*M t4i In* «li«>tiiipiiKiMHl in the villa;;o a<*«*oiintii ;
although. fri»iii tho iiuvAsaiit (*«>nvulsion.H of tho c«Mintrv. tho HMNtnl
of th«* details of the original M*ttloniont in |KTha]i'*« imH^ivomhlv
hkHt It in (vrtJiin that tho t^tt'il amount of tho iinr tiii|Miftiti(»nM in
iHinsidfn-^i. at thin time. ;;i>n«*nilly to tH|iial tho anct«*nt (\in*hiittm ;
and althou:^h in idl ^rn«*nd im|MV«trt ^larin^ im*;nih^t*iti<^ will lie
f«Mind t«» |trfvail. tho avcra;^* a*«>M*sMnont of landn |wiyin^ a tixo<l
m«»n«*y n nt in n<tw n*«*k«>n«««l on«*-thini'f (»f tho proiluct*. and the
unrii'iit < andiiiam ont*-Hi\tli *
Altlioii;/ii pMiffiil opinion may U* n»nMdcn'i|, in thin <•»*««». to
r<»n<^titiit«* iL-^ i^«mm| cviilfiK't* an any that cjin U» ohtain«*ii from
r.tl<*iilati<<n** d«*|i«*ndinv; on tdommtn in their natiin*' h«» Hiictuatin;^
and iMH-crtain a** tho mon«-y |»ri«v of ^lin. tho var^in^ i*x|>in}M'n
of n.rr!rii)tiin*. and tht* averai^e int*n*aM* on tin* mh^^I, 1 am awani
that |Hilitii*al (^'itiiomiHtA will ex|M*4*t ^v»nl«* attempt to disin»vor
wIiHt allowan**!* nhoiild U» nia<l«* for thi* HUp|MiM*<l dc4*n'a^«* in the
vnliii* of th«* pro* ioiiH m«taN. I have attrmpt^il to ohtain from
x\\f p-.*iirdH #if t«-m[»l«*H -t** whirh I had fn»«* aiii'Hs), and hy r\«'r)'
othi-r n'-^-Mfi'li wlii«li li.tH «Nvum««l to inr. a tal»l«' <»f tin* S4«lliii^
pri«-»-H i»f i^niin f«»r a l»»n«^ iMTi«*H of yrar-* , hut 1 dan* not pla<*«^
r«li.ihr«* «*n tli4« fi*w Auth«*ntii* fat^tn which have U*«n pro«*unNl,
)«•-«. iu*M*. ill tht* pl:i4-** wli«*n* I am now wiitin;;.§ 1 kn<*w that
within tht* latt ludit yt-ar^ tho pn«N* of pruin Iiua tlurtunt«-«l t4i
th«> a>t«ini-*hin;; nni<Mint of tm-o hiindn*«l |mt r<*iit U>tw«'«*n iti«
• r.tra«.u4 Mitlavcruiii.
t ( »! titr ii-itir.wy o( tlaiJi pn»piMiiti<in ihr fttljitvinj; f.irt a|iii<.ini t«i ho
r«*lii I.i«t%r. '1 iif l>r»iAfi l« At thi« tunc rtij^aiTid Ul a Mir^ry of tlic UluU,
fi if tilt' {•urfM>«c* of drtrrtiiu tr4U«U <*ti th«* rr^rliuc l»y (aI^t rlitrie« nf tll0
i|ii.ifitily «>f Ikihl. 1'«» |>« r*<iii« i»Im* III I) lir ili«4-»tuh<^| with th« •M'UjMrrm^ttl
t-t fAr idtit'i^ tfi«- ••|*ti<<n %I1.1 Ih- ^|\rn fi( mr*l»tirtitg tAr rrv'/t Aiitl tM>lli^ «i|IC-
third a« thf fit<*l .iM<-w»mriit, at tli«* lit*ml oai%cr»i«»ti of •c%r4ttyti%r Mt-mof
* I \i\y%- tn iitinirn>ii« ui«taftr«-« r Jt-uUttd thv |»r4»|>«irti<»ti 4if tli4P 4»)d
I'aiitLiiam i«> thi |>r« •• lit %.il«ifl- i»( tli** «'r««p. and iim/«jrtialjr fuundit aU*ut aaiitli.
§ 1 (tc Utnu ul M)au«ir.
120 PAST AND rUESENT AMOUNT. [CHAP. VL
extremes, and I should incur the same risk of error in arguing on
the insulated facts to which I have adverte<l, as in taking one of
these extremes as the money price of the nineteenth centur}'.
We have, however, within our reach two curious facts of unques-
tionable authenticity, namely, the rates at which grain was c<hi-
verted into money in the payment of revenue in Canara, before
and after the year 1336. The rate of conversion which Hurryhur
lioy found established at that period was thirty seers for a Rupee ;
and there is no reason to suppose that this rate had been altered
from its reputed establishment by Bootfe Pand^ Roy, in 1252,
until 1336, at which latter period the existence of this rate in
perfectly authenticated. We have before observed thj.t Hurry-
hur called in the aid of the Sasters to increase his revenue ; and,
for the purpose of qualifying the increased demand by a rate of
conversion more favomble to the husbandman, calculated its
price at 33§ for the Ru])ee. The settlement of Hurryhur Roy
frovided for his being paid always in money, and never in grain,
n the ancient settlement, the government reserved the option of
being paid in money or in kind. The rate of conversion esita-
blished by the government therefore could not have materially
varied from the real average; but we may be tolerably certain
that it was rather dearer ; and this circumstance, joined to Hurry-
hur Roy's having c'vdopted a more popular rate of conversion, affords
evidence as convincing as can reasonably be required, that the
average j)rice of rice in 1336 waa not far removed from thirty-
five seers the Rupee, which we know to be pretty nearly the aver-
age rate in th<5se countries at the present time :* and, by aiuklogy,
we are justified in concluding that the difference of the money
price in Mysoor at the present period, and about one century ago,
could not be material. The sLxth was accordingly the lawful
share of the crop for which the Raja received his equivalent in
money ; and, from previous reasoning and subsequent fact, we
have every cause to believe that he was unwilling to risk the
o<lium of increasing this proportion in a direct manner. He
therefore had rccoui-se to the law of the Sasters, which autho-
rized him, by no ver}' forced construction, to attack the husband-
* I leave this fact to be accounted for by more skilful political eoono-
mists, observing only, that tlie money price of f;frain may be permanently
alTcrteil in two ways : 1st. It is supposed to be rendered really dearer, by the
natural increase of population being very much greater than the natural
increase of food ; and 2d, it is rendered apparently dearer, by the increased
amount of the precious metals in circulation. The quantities of the nreciooi
metals which in India are secreted under ground, and by unexpected deaths
are for ever removed from circulation, may in some degree explain why the
money prices of food do not increase so rapidlv in India as in Europe ; and a
decrease of po)iulation niay, plausibly enough, be added to this cause : but
the ))nM)f of this decrease is far from s;itisfactor>% or rather, there is stronie
rea.s<m t<» distrust the fact altogether ; and the proportion which the increase
of i)f)pulation really bears to the increase of ffxxi in India is a Hithjcct which
well merits u H(']iarate and ample discussion.
• II \l' VI I
VKXAThas TA\h>.
\'S
111:111 )*v .'I \nii<'ty fit' Vr\:itii>iH taXis. uliidi hIhuiIiI •'•ttii|<«*| hiiu t<*
•MM-k ii-lii-l' l>v ili.**iiriiiv: t«» I'diiiiMiiiiiil liir tlirir :ilM>|iiiiiii hv a
VMlniiiaiv iiiiTi'.'tMr 111' tin* liiiiiliil ii.s<M->«<^iiiriii : :(iiil this is tin* urnuiL'i'-
lll« lit M iib li L'< lH*l:ilIv «-liHtii «1 ; Jilt III •ilL'li tViiiii tlif ;;rf;it ilist'iiiitrlit
i-\i iti-«l \*\ llir tn\i'4. till- i-iiiiilin«iiii'*(' was friifnillv iiiatir nil tli«*
riiniliii4«ii lit' «-\ri'|iiiiiif ••iiiiH' Mill" 111' iii«»ri* «»t tlif iiiii'ii titli'iisivi*.
iiii'l |>ri>]Niiti>iii;iliy iiii*ii*a'«iir^ tliiisi* uliii li nMiiaiiii'ii : )uit tiit.' Kjija,
uilli llial pnit-Miii'l kiiiiu I«Mi<ji> .if liinii;iii iiatun* i^liirli disliii-
;;iiis|ji-il ;ill liiN iiirasmi'<. r\iiii|it<''i t'l'tin tlii->-* ii«-U' iiii|iiisis al) tlit*
Ijiii'is whirii ui-rr :iili>tt«-<i t** (In- f iM\i!ii-ial >*<*I<lii'ry in li«'u •>!' |»^iy.
ai'i'i ■•iiiij t" tli«> t>iiiiiiaiy |>i;ii(ii I tin* Niii.illtr lliiiii>"t stati-s.
itii<l tlius ii)-iiti.iii'«> •!. Ill s-.n)!- flr-jri-i'. tin' ••)«)HiNitiiiii !•■ iIm* iin'a*
Hiiif jiifi «-ii>»iiii'>i till' li|i-ali'> «•!* i-\ i-lit ii:il i-i'lit)>ul>iii|i 'I'lii'of \%iii(
iii.iv U- ■i«--ii«i'i«» o|' r>>iii|i.iniiL: till' ii»L'«-Tiiiil V «•!' an ••a-l«Tii aiiil
fi ui-^t'-Mi tiiiain !*r. iiiiiv i-\.iiiiiii<* tin* Mit*|iiiii«-«l «l«*tail **( tli«-M*
la\i s • Tin* w!i"li" •»\-tt*lii i^ H|:iti.| to li;i\r l-^-i'll at nlli"*'
• I .1/ '. If ^ . : 1 .-I. . • \ •: I! ■ //.i. . *. t II. .T. 1.1. I'.i .f . . IImI.
ft . I ! i\ >■.' 'I • 1 -Vi*.. ; i-i-.iil ill \\.\ «;i':i.«i \ ' !i if- Ij. ] .i:il
A •■ ■■ ■ •■ » •■•■•'• • I • IX. iTi ! •:• i-n t«?i' «• til i! .1 "f iTi «■! •'■■ •! : • * t • w» II
.I* r !!■• . ' »:ii. It ..?/.. I t'» .'•■\i rij'tji ij! .T /'« • A'r- M'"» li .-r'-r i-i
l.N : i.i\ > ' •, I I.I *\ '.'.' • I ■ « I r f \< li iiiajt •>!! :i lii :« I *!• t I ><.:■ 1 ■! ■■ Ik ij. i-ii tlif
t-i- '• :.■ •• • : !■ . • . ,. : .1 . . ii 1.1 :• ■ : ■•■ 1 ;!.-.• \ ■ !• i *;.. • t .\ i- i !• i:ll■
. . • . ■.• •■ . V . 1 *:?...■.■.*:> .1 !. ! ' . T • l:> !. ! i\ : :■ ? tv It
V 1 • li •'.!■• * -i •. ■ I . 1 •■ I "i .'i V -■ vi T i.t *r ^ I r r. 1. ■' :• t '. 'iini
.i\ ■ T I/, -i V* . ■.* t \' .. • . ' I . • : I /; » i. . \ I •■• I i ;<ir I \ 1:1 I'll !.i: m- i l.i-*
\ 1:. •. I . !'• ' r. .1 i :■ r ! ' ! .\ n I ii! #•: .1 * • 1 I ■ •.••1 l-i tit ^-.-xt :• t:,i 1 : . Iii^
. • ' \\\' ' :i I ...t! ■■;•." » : ' . it. .1:: i :.' w. \\ • \ '.:.ti!i
, ■■ I. .i I i.t; .' 1.! I . • :. ii .1 ■ ! ' . ' i • Si*. i :
• ,
I • ' ■
• ■ ■ I K •
I
.-! :■ -I ■ ;■:'•■.'• !i iT ■?•!!■• K ■■■ I I - ••• II !i l!\ • ! '• )'■•• S ■■ I
> • 'I I • ; • ■ i\ I -i I' \ ■■! ? ■ II.*.: ' !i .•..■ .1- i-r ^'i i.ii ) ■ " ■. .k |-. ■• jli
J . ■ W ■ * 1 ■■■.:.! I .• ; « »■ : 4 . 1 ! ? ■ . \* I : • i r : . 'i < . ' i i . ' v : ^ i • » i : . • .
f* . ; : . . . w ; . \ . . • i ', ) ." . ■ . ! i \ • : • • ' • > ! t* • .. • • I
'. . . ■ . I ' , ■ . . . . ■ ■ ■ r ' 1 • 1 \* ! - ' I A ■ . ' • ■■ I ' • ■ ! I
• / .■ I'. . •. I • .-^ -i! M : f 1 .t «
; - r ! ' ■ . ! ■ .■ ■ • .1 ■ ! i ■
1 ■ '. ' •
I- • .■
■.s' ,
. M
t
I '
I
I;
I
I'
|.. I
/
»•
I . ..r
1 • f I
I k ■ .
: . I
T ..»
I • • • '
. • \
• t
! * . r . ■.•■•.. ? • . w ..:..>
• ' I . .... - • ■ ':;.:: ' ' ! ; . \*
■■ . • •■■■.■■■'• I
. . ■ i\ • \ : . • ■ • ' I i . • • I
• •. 1 ' . . • ■ • 1 . ■ ? . ■ ' • f
.'■ I / •• ■ . • .» II.
.... I •;.«'. .•••■•.■..■ !v ,Ii
.'I / . I » ■ • M I . • . . :
..■..'■■■. V
■ . ■ • . I i » ' • ■ 1/ 1 ' 'I ' • •
. ; ■.'.., : * : • ■■ . I'! ! - I '•
■ • • .• '. • • ■ \ ^* » :.t ' :.• II
! V . k. ■.• ■ ;•.«....
' ' . . , ■ , • . t J ■ /'. ■ • ,1 - - •!
I - • .1 : I . • I • ■ ' . :. II . ! :. . i.. «••
>.
. I '
*
■ I
I
■ I *• .nil !i'r
I • <. ■
/ 1
•■ I V ' I • .' ;• ':.•■••
( III , «
i ■
128 CONSEQUENT INSURRECTION. [CHAP. VI.
unfolded, with intimation that it would be gradually introduced
a<;cording to circumstances ; but the commotions which it pro-
duced, by leading to measures of extreme severity, precipitated
its total and abrupt introduction.
One of the earliest measures of this Raja's reign had been to
compel the dependent Wadeyars and Poligars, who, like his own
fincestors, had commenced the career of ambition by affecting in
their resi>ective districts to be addressed by the title of Bkja,
publicly to renounce tliat assumption of independence, to dis-
claim the local prerogatives of punishment and confiscation
without previous authority from the Raja, and to revert to their
original character of obedient officers of the government. This
object was aided by first inviting, and then compelling them to
fix their residence at Seringapatam ; by assigning to them offices
of honor about the Raja's person, and gradually converting them
from robellious chiefhiins to obsequious courtiers. The insurgents
in the districts were lefl, in consequence, destitute of the direc-
tion of their accustomed leaders, and the Jungum priests^
deprived of their lociil im}X)rtance, and much of their pecuniaxy
receipts, by the removal of these mock courts from the provinces,
were foremost in expressing their detestation of this new and
unheard-of meiusure of finance, and in exliorting their disciples to
rosistmce. Every-where tlie inverted j)lough, susj)ended from
the tree at the gate of the village, whose shade forms the coffee-
house or the exchange of its inh.ibitants, announced a state of
insurrection. Having determined not to till tlie land, the husband-
men deseited their villages, and assembled in some places like
fugitives seeking a distant settlement ; in others, as rebels breath-
ing revenge. Chick Deo Raj, however, was too prompt in his
mea.sures to admit of any very formidable combination. Before
I)rocecding to measures of oi>en violence, he adopted a plan of
{)erfidy and horror, yielding in infamy to nothing which we find
recorded in the annals of the most sanguinary {>eople. An invi-
tation was sent to all the priests of the Jungum to meet the Raja
at the great temple of Nunjendgode, al)Out fourteen miles south
of Mysoor, ostensibly to convei-se with him on tlie subject of the
refnictory con<luct of their followers. Treachery was apprehended,
and tliti number which assembled was estimated at about four
hun<lred only. A large pit had been previously prepared in a
w^alled iiielosure, connected by a series of squares composed
of tent walls, with the amopy of audience, at which they were
successively received one at a time, and after making their
olKjisjince were desired to retire to a place, where, according to
aliciiatioii of ^niiii. '20. TtarM Baguloo (opening a door.) In a country and a
litato of Hocioty wlicre window-fi^liLSii is unknown, this is a most iDgisuioQs
Fuhstitutu fitr tho window tax. The husbandman paid it, as expressed by the
iiiiino, for the i>ermi.s.si<»n to ())>on his duDr. It was^ hiiwever, levied only on
those made of plauks, and nut on the common bamboo door of tho iKlorar
viilagcrb.
•
niAP. Vl] MURDER OP TlIK JrNUUM PRIRSTS. l*Jd
riist4iiii, tliry cxitectcil to fiiiil rofreHliiuentA pn»|»rv<l nt tlie ex-
|M*iiM* i>f ill*) Kajo. ExiK.*rt exccutioiierH were in waiting in tiio
iit|tmn*. an«l i*very in<Iivi<liial in NUcxvHsion whm s«> hkilfully
lifhriuitMi, An«l tiinil»l(*(l iiiUi tli<* pit. iim to pvv no alAriu t'» tli«M4*
wild IoIIuwihI. jukI tht* liiiHincfM of tho puMir nutliirniv wmt ^n
witli'iiit int«*mipti(»n <ir suspirion. i'in*ulur onl<*ni IijmI Ihmmi M>iit
for till* (if^trurtion, on tin* Hiun«* <lav. of all tlit* Jun;:tim utnti
(plaix*** of rt^^iiltMiinj an<l Worship) in lii*^ doniinions ; an<l tin* num-
Ut n*|Hirt4««l to liavt* lMM*n in ri>nMi|ii**ni*«* (I(*^tniy(*4l mils upwanU
u\' M'Vcn linn<ln*4l. Th«* «li-«ap|H*antiH'<' <»f tlu* totir linn«ln*«l •lnn;4uni
iirii*'»t.H wiL> til*' Miilv intimation of* tlirir fixU' rii-ri\»«l Kv tln-ir
ni'Uirnt'lil «ii?u*ipl>*H . Imt tin* tni«iiti«»narv ati-nnnt uliili 1 ha\4*
hInixi* (li*liv(*ri*«l has U*fn tiai'f<l thii»u;;li .•M-vrnil < hann* N to
fiiiur(*«-H of tli«* iwM n***|Mi*taM • inririnatiMn, an«l 1 pr^fr-^^ my
rntin* l*i*lirf in th«* rt*alitv of tin* f.irt. Tlii*^ itotaMi* aiMi \tiiniit
WiLH fo|)iiwc)| hy tin* o|NT:iti«»liH nf tin* tr<it>pN, wliirli inn I ai-M* iNt-u
prrviMii^ly ronihini**!. \Vln*n*vrr a nn*h lunl a^s«>nil*I' <1, a <I«-tai-)i-
nniit i«f tn"»|w. rhiftiv nivalrv, was titlltH-UMl in thi* n'-iiili'-'ur
h«H»|. jiiifl pn*|i.in*<i to a<'t on on«* an«l (In* "^mn* «l:i\ TIk* ••pli-rs
Wfti* ili-^tini't an*! *»impl«* ; to rliar;:i' without |ij«il«-y iiit" tin*
miiiHt *»f tin* nn»l* : t<» 4*iit «|owii in tin* tir^t s4-l<'«-tt«>M « \it\ m.in
w»ariii;; an «»niii:;»--«N»Ii.n-«l r*tl** (tin* iM^-uliar ;^irl» *'i tin* Jiiii-
pim piifst'i . ;ini| in»t t*» tt-.-tM* aitiii;; until tln»»rou.|N h.;.| rvrry-
wlnTf <ii'»jnr'»-l It may U* ii-inlu'l'-l that tin* 'lirii-^ of tjii^
H\<^t«'m iif t4*rror h-ft in» niat*rial )iitiiiMilti«**% to th«* tinal * Ht:i).ii*<h-
nn-nt Iif tin* n^-w h\«t«-ni f^f r>-\«'nu** : an<l thri<* is n iraiiti«>ii \%liii*li
I hii\i' n«>t U^ii ah!*' t** a\itln'iiti< jiti*. that th«* Itjija i'\a«'t«-<l frfiu
r\irv \illa;/i' a written rt-nuin'i.itiou. ii«t<'iinililv \«iluntan. «»f iirixat*'
pri»)N'r1y ni tin* lan<l. an<l ai. arkrn>\vliii;^in'nt th.it it wa-* ihi*
ri^'ht ««f tin* Htjitt*. If HUi'h ihN-unniit'* cvi-r «'\i-t«'l. th«*v w«-;
|in*lialilv il«-HtroVf<l in I7^«». a*. n«»ti«'»'«l in tin* Pn-fm-r
It iiiiiniii'* to sk' till t'l" pn •»• 1;! -tat«' "f pr-'j-i-V in ^!\-'<'i.
i""iiii» ••t«'l uilhtli'' \i«*\v\\|jiili |i.i>» 1 « • :i t.ik- ii « f .(-« • uli'-n in
til*' -^'ii i><uii«iinj iitiintrn-^ I i-:inh<>t ti.ii*- th |'i; •; ;tf u'..ih
th" '«\ ^C«ni «»f y^#/^rl•..| .III •••jiril 'ii\ i-i'»n «•! t*.*- ■ : •!• u.i-. iTifpi-
ilu»'-i in!'» ^!\ -••<•» it' 4'itl -I" I'l ■.*..»>':v f«-nij i i* i .■ * • yj-*
ili'fit .lU'i pi"tit.J!i- t'l I i\f liut'Mii h< I t!.'" .'.!;■■;• Ti '.• \ ■•:?
i»f \%li.ii III i\ i-' ».»M.'l t^• ^ li In*' li- M^ .11 -i • . ., r ' :?.ii
on tin* I !■ «• iin;;at« •! Iixiit .n t itn ..4I i* ^> i \ 'M « .t*i ■ • n • L- • • | ■ :i-
Mv«' ikii'l n»"ii* -{..v. iii\ t.iiinn.^ *'( tin- -i.-ri** •: ■ ■ • •: j- !
liii;^' th«- pi>i'M-^i*..r iif th'- I in»« ! t-* ■■•i!ti\ »' \ *.-. i ; : j- '. :i • f
tin- lu.» l.itt«r. ;in-l tin i *\ 10 'lij l?i« t..;*. j: • :: if
tin* <l'»p pi;! !•• th'- :;' \ < j itti»' '.! l-* i»- • .t ^O ; -i . t,\ . . j !..»\«-
i«t.kt«l 111 .Hi'.tli- r p!.i« » * ) .T i»il..i',' • \' • i : _• t)»if .iviiiji-
• ti't ll.t !i * ft kill I., r.. « :■.-•. . I !'.. fi -i • .- : • • 1 • . i tj. I "3
♦ 'llij' I* •.:4' Kk.\u i f If t ■. i IX ...■I,*' [.1 1... t.*. I III 'l':i>| «• «
llr^vil itl«>lM, \i! (. tii<| 111 ••! .• . |-. i • 1 • i' • :.*. . T:«« ^ ,1 V :• • !• I i:. v
Coti4iilt Mr rri*{i « tr kiiU.tt.xii
130 PRESENT STATE OF MYSOOR PROPERTY. [CHAP. Vt
from Olio to three i)er cent. Following the prevalent doctrines, I
at tliat time considered the husbandman of Mysoor simply as
the tenant: and to that situation he has cei'tainJy been redaoed,
with the exce])tion before exj)lained, of Bednore, which fol-
lows the flystem of Canara; and of ])lantations of cocoa-nut,
areca, and other perennial trees, which in eveiy part of My-
Boor are a tmnsfenible and sjileable property. From 57 to 60
per cent, of the amount of the croj) appears to be a large propor-
tion in India for rephicing the charges of agriculture and the
maintenance and ])roiit of the farmer: the proi)ortions, however,
will not seem so enormous on considering tne details of culture
sketched in the subjoined note* and I rest the conclusion of
these proportions being necessary on the broad fact of the land not
being saleable. That a liberal tenant's sliare generally remains, is,
however, rendered probable by the fact that the home fields have
continued to descend as heritage to all the sons equaUy, accord-
ing to the Hindoo law. I Iiave obHer\'^ed sevei'al gradatioDS in
the affection and attachment with which the husbandmen in dif-
ferent districts adhere to their {matrimony ; and in some few places
they appear to consider it with an indifference which seems to
indicate an unfavorable tenant's share. With sutticient leisure
the QoverDor-Oeneral in Couucil, and jmblished (tnih whose permUiion ike
author does not know) in the Asiatic Annual Register for 1805.
* The whole world docs not, pcr]iai>s, exhibit a cleaner system of
husbandry than that of the cultivatiun of Kagee (Cynosurus Corocanofl of
Linnaeus) in the home fields of Mysoor. On the first shower of rain after
harvest the home fields are again turned up with the plough, and this opera-
tion, a.s showers occur, is repeated six successive times during the dry season,
at once destroying the weeds and oi)ening tlie ground to the influence of the
sun, the decomi>o.sition of water and air, and the formation of new compounds.
The manure of the village, which is carefullv and skilfully prepared, is then
spread out on the land^ and incori)orated with it by a seventn ploughing, and
a harrowing with an instrument nearly^ resembling a large rake, drawn bv
oxen and guided by a btiy : when tlie field is coni])Ietely pulverized, a diill
plough, of admirable and sim]tlo oniitrivance, performs the operation ot sow-
ing twelve rows at once by means of twelve hollow bamboos (reeds) at the
lower end. ])ior<*ing a transverse beam at equal intcrvaLs and united at the top
in aw<MMU>n Imav], whirli receives the seed and feeds the twelve drills : a pole
at right an^los with this lieam (introduced hotween two oxen) is connected
with the yoke ; the bambtHis project below about three inches beyond the
transverse heatii, bein^ jointi'd at their insertion for the puriMme ofgivinga
true direction to the projecting parts, \yhich l>eing cut diagonally at the end,
serve, when the niadiiiie is put in motion, at once to make the little furrow
and introduce the sce<l : a tlat l)oar<l, placed edgewise and annexed to the
machine, cl:>ses the process ; levelling the furrows and covering the seed.
If the crop threatens to 1>e t(M> early or tf)(> luxuriant, it is fed down with
sheep. Two operations of a wei^ling plough of very sini))le construction, at
proper intervals of time, hstsens the earth abfint the roots and destroys the
wee<ls ; and afterwards, during the growtli of the croj), at least three hand
wee<lings are a^>plie<l. Tliis laborious i)r«>cess rewards the hasbaiidmaD in
good seasons with a cn)p of eighty fola from the best land. The period
lietween seed-time and liar\*e8t is five month.s. Tliere is another kind ot raff
which requires but three months. It is sown at a dilTerent season in
ground, and re(iuires diiFcrent treatment.
CHAP. VI.] DEATH OP CHK^K DfiO RAJ. 131
an<l health for the invcfttigaUon, Uicho variationH might probably
be IractMl t4) tiie Htate (»f the public lUMcmmenUi at the period of
tlieir con(|iicMt by the fieveral ILijoh of Mymior It is not intended
here to lulvert to the later conquestii, in whidi the Huwiulnuui
rule IumI long been eHtabliMhed. Tlicy» with some gradationii
abi>, and Hoveral exivptionit, ariiuiig from imperfect coiiouest,
may U* included in the ^nerul nketch of the condition or the
countrie5« mirtli of tlie pretient territory of Mynoor, and chiefly
Ukmo H4)utli f)f the Toombudra, now usually termed tlie Ceded
DiHtrirtA, lon>;, ver)' 1*»^(> tlie neat of incetiHant revolutions. Tlie
oondili(»n of tlu-s^^* c^iuntrittn with regard to pn)prietary or here-
diUr)' rigbt in the land hIuiII l>e given in the wonls (»f tlie flnal
refiort «>n th<^' provirnxjiH, tlcliven)d in August 1H07, by Lieute-
nant-ColonrI Munm. " In the celled district^ and throughout
the iKvkan, the Kvot lias little or no pro|wrty in land; he has no
poH.S(*Mi4i>r>' right ; he doi^ not even claim it He is so far from
aMMertiiig (*itlier a t»r<»prietiiry or a |xiMHOttsory right, tlmt he is
always n*a4ly t^) n*liii«|uihh htn hind, and take some other which
he HUp|MiHi*M in light4T aKsi*«M(*<l."* The com&exion (»f this fact
with thorn* which hnvo Wn^n noticed in the {Mvoeding clui|)ter,
rw^uin*** no farther (^>mment It is apfiarently the extn»me limit
<if df«Mviit in A la|M«» fmni long- forgo tU*n pniprietary right, and
conip)«a4*H the ItiHt Ht<*p of the gradation which I ha^l pro|KMied to
di*H<TiU'
17(»i -Chirk IhH^ Rjij diiMl on the 12U& Deoi^mber 1704, aAer a
nign of tiiirtv-^ine yean* and twenty days, and hiii ct»n-
(|ii«-stH conclu4le, in our ai^customed onlcr, the narrative of
hi«« reigiL
lfi7.'> — ('hickAdavan>y<ln>og from Narasaiia \Vade\*ar.
lG7ti. — llonovflly frt»m Ismaul Cawn, an officer of Hand Dho^)la KIuul
K<»n«UMuni>odnmi. U*longing to the Hobly of Ctiickailavroy-
tlroog. from liu?<M*in Khan.
rA^lnnaud. fn»m H<»«ijan^a. si»n of th«' Wa«leyar of Vooma-
ttxir.
AunfiiM»r fn»ni PatailonxMlrlanv
Mud^TT}'. Mi*n^ytiv. and U«n oth«T forts and di.Htri«'ti« de-
|irnding (»n th«in. <'aptunHl fn»ni thin yrar to lt>7H
10^7. T<'<»m<'«»«»r
* Tbi* mlixlitrtini ami cxcrllctit fmbli<* avrrant Mtimatoi the avrrai|«
awfinient i-mU u> ndvrminrnt in th^t <h«trict mi «Uiut iS |icr rent- of tn«
crup. bimI fttatcM ati (»|)tai<*o in which I tii<Mt <Ninh.%ll3r c«»iirur, that |>hv»U>
tif«>lMTty in \xiu\ CAn nrvrr (h* c*%tA)>IiAhi<d in th«Mr r«>tintnr« until it u re«ltir«d
to nni^'thini I will not drny mrwrlf th<« pIcJMiun* ul AtJitinic sn incidmt
r»lAi4'«l Ut me by s r«ip<«tahlr puhlir ft^rvant <>( the leiiVfrumrot iA Myaour,
wko WMi trfit in IH17 to amut in ihr ««^u*tmrnt t*/ a disputed hnuwisry
bi4wr«n that territory siid the di«trirt in cbArfpt* of thiA collector A violent
dftipute occurrrti in hU prMrnce Wtwrni A<»m«* TiUa^ceri. sad the party tf*
grieved thrr^tmed to j(i> t4> An«nt|H*or and cttnipUin to their /i/Vr. H« per-
crivc^l that (*«>tonrl Mnnm wa/i meant, and found u|kcifi imioiry, Ihsl hs was
^•fmlly dUlinipuib«d Ihroiif beul lh« diitnci by tlul sppaUatkw.
132 CONQUESTS OF CHICK DEO RAJ. [CHAP. VI.
Chickanaikhiilly from the house of Eccojee.
Coiidccara from the same.
1087. — Tamagondala, by the treaty of Causim Khan, from Eccojco.
Bangalore was captured in the year Prabava on the 11th Au-
sliadum, by Causim Khan from the liouse of Eccojee, and on the
15th of tlie same month it was occupied by the people of the
Raja. (The original date is here inserted for the purpose of afford-
ing the means of examining the note to which it refers.)
1088. — Auvamparoor, Auraseraumany, and Oscotta.
Darmapoory from the people of Aura.
Manoogonda from the same.
Ponara Goodai from Saulyada.
Waumaloor from the people of Aura
1689. — Parametty from the same.
Kauvarypatam, by treaty with Coyamatoor.
Coontoordroog.
Aununtagerry ; these three by the treaty concluded by Lingu-
rajayah with the Aurachee.
1G90. — Baugadee by capitulation.
Hauranhully by ditto.
Baunavaram by assault in the night.
Caaloor by capitulation.
Sakarapatam by ditU).
Baloor by ditto.
Waustaura by assault.
Chicka Mogooloor by capitulation,
Maharajdroog by ditto.
Ausana (Hassan) by ditto.
Grauma by ditto.
1694. — Aurkalagodoo by siege.
Igoor by capitulation.
Salaswerpoora by ditto.
Codalepata.
Of fifteen districts conquered by the Mysooreans from the state
of Ekare»5 or Bednore, two, namely, Igoor and Wastara, were re-
turned by treaty, and the remaining 18 districts were retained.
We Imve had occasion to trace in the progress of this reign
some of the heading circumstances which enabled the Raja of
MyvSoor not only to secure the calm and tranquil establishment of
his little stiite, but to enlarge it* boundaries in every direction,
during political convulsions which shook the whole of Deckan
in its larg(\st acceptation, and expose<l it to calamities which are
felt at this day in their direct conse(iuences. But before we pro-
ceed in our narrative, it may l>e useful once more to look around
us. for the purpose of endeavouring to understand the actual
situation of those unhappy countries at the period of the death
of Chick Deo Raj.
The capture of Ginjec had been a special object of the onpe*
< HAP. VI.) KlKfSK AND rAPTI'RK oK GISJER IM
n>r's \i;;iiaiirr :iii<l ntU*tition. fn»iii thr rx|MN*tAti(»n that in itn
fall til*' liLHt ]i(»|N* nftiio MahnitU tintioii wuiiM lie rnish('<l. aikI
nil iiii|«n*;;iiiiM«* H4*At of pntvinriiil p»vrrniii<*iit 1h* ohtiuiKnl, wliirli
fsliMiiJil iiisiin* tlio futun* tnui(|uillity of the iiutst mmthvni ixm-
H«**vHiotiH of ih«' rm|»in\ The t4Hliourt and ill-mn<hn*te<| hIc^* of
this eanN'ni Tmy wiui prnlon^i**! for ninny yenrs, hy the treo-
rhiTV. rnUiln. nni| intrii;ut»s of the rhiefs. nnd hy a stn'ret stnij^jjlo
U*t\%trn n |>niir«* tif th«* IiIimmI an*! Znlfeeur Khnii, the (Ninnnan«ier-
iii-«liirf, fill ilh' in4iei»en«h*nt sijverfijxnty. whieh eaeh of thetn
hn<l <lr^i.:ni'«l t<> fstahlish in his own |»ers4»n in the future f*a[>ital
of (iinjfi* Tie* nttaek an<l «hfrn«v wm* <N|ually n theatri«'nl «*xhi-
hiti«»ii. in whirli th«« ehief ai'tors |>erfonne<l their eoncvrt4»<l
iMirts . I»nt till* sta-^i* etr<»<'l was (Mvasidiiallv nuim*<l l»v a «lrunken
nianairiT or ilI-inHtniet4'«i jHTfonnrr. Th«' |>rin<t\ aiijiris*"*! of the
MMTit.H of thf Mi'ii*', wnit4* an exnianator}' ii*tt4*r to hin father, tho
eni|wror Anninvr/jeU' : Ziilf**<'ar Khan. <hily infonnc*^! hy his «|»itfsi,
h«m/«h1 the |irint*«* U'fon* the |ett«*r wjim tliHiiat4*h<'<l. and M*nt him in
nilvi*r f«tt«TH to hin father, with a h'tu-r full of re;,'n*t at haviri;; tlin-
efiv« timI till* Ims** anil undutiful dt-ni^i of thf )*rin(*4». t4» thn»w off
hi"* allf;^Manf*«* and to niihvert th** eni|M*n>r'H authority. It wits the
rhi«f o!ij«i't «if tie* p-nrml in protraetin}; tie* M»i;;e Ui kt-ep the
aniiy t*»t:«th«T. in onh-r that In* njiijht |»n»tit hy evt-nts on the
d«ath *'( Aunii»;;z«'U'. whieh wa** daily ••X|»4«-t4'd Hut to |»n»-
MTN** »|'j"Mnin« •s. it was n»'<'«*'»sarv to n'|»«»rt fn^^iuent attaekn
and P|«ul-»-«* lliuna. tie- s«»ii of SfVaj«»«\ who 4Niiinnand«*«l at Ctin-
{'«••• Was ( MiiHtaiitly into\irat4>d hy the hahitual um» of pmi^n : hmip
• ax I"* and *i)iiuin . and his oflinTH. tindin<; his arran;^'«'ni**nts insiit-
ti«'i*rit t<» ;:uard a;:ainst tli«* •ian;^*r even of a •»hani attark. Indd
e«»n-tultati«>ns to dt-liU-mt«* n*;^plini? his ti«*|Mf«itioii . hut on n*-
H««*ti«in. tleir |H*rft-ft undiTstainlin;; with Zulftuiir Khan, and a
m-w distril'Utii'ii «>f tin* siilMipiinat** ominiands. S4>««in to aMonI
an adis|ii.it«* *us*itrity tin th*- ««thfr sid**. UaiMMl Khan. s«>4-iind
in « •ninririd i«f th** M«»'jul aniiv. dnink lapj»l\ of th** l^'^t Kun»-
|M'an li«|ij«T«. and \% hiti full «*f tli*' ;;<*<| umiM |»«T|H-tu.dly \«*!nn-
li««T tie* «'\tir|i:ith»n «.f thf iiitii|tds. /ulfii'ar Khan iif«*»'H'*jinlv
a^»»'iit*-d t'» tips*' I iit'Tpn/jH hot aluaxs i^^axi- s«-i*n*t int«-ni;^'»*n«'»»
t«» titi* •rii'tiiy lit till- tun*' atid |ila«*i* ofntt^uk . and tin* tPM^ps of
I>a«H-l Kl»an Ui-n- a^ «>fl« n t« |*iils4^i \»ith -lau;;hti r I !►•• )irtne««
at hnjth airivisj nt rmirt his tnlr, whieli utifolihsl tlif truth,
hut n"t tip' ulmh* tnith. waj* Udi«'V«Ml . mid Zulf«M*iir Khan
nHi't\*d ««iTi-t intunatioii fr<*ni his fri*-nds. that n**ihini; hut
tie* uiine*diat«* <*a|»tur«* **( tiinJ4^> i-nuM *gi\f hini fruui di!«-
jfm**«* and • lisle i||«itir. llama A|i|in?M-4l of this Ud-v'ssitv. n'tin**!
t'l Vell>»ri* wliK'h was «»till in th** |iir%i«i><vsioti «if tie* Malinttt.p»,
and Zulfts.ir was a«ljustin;; uith him a ti.iuMi* n<*;:o«*iatioii fur
thi' raptun* «'f tiinj<'«*. and tin* nd*'asi* of ILuiia'^ wixen and fa*
mil} \»h*» had Us-ti •.tiqihsM-*! at an «'iirly |«*ri«xl of the sii'^».
wh«*n out* of l>tk0mmi Kliau s drunken fn»li**>« at-tuallv cnrrie^l th«*
134* AURUNGZEBE'S distribution of OOlUfAND. [chap. VI.
place early in 1G98, and Rama proceeded in haste to the western
coast. But the capture of this post, which was of more reputa-
tion than real importance, disappointed tlie expectations of Uie
Moguls ; for the nanie of »Sevajee, and the ties of common interest,
niilied around Ktima and his son the whole resources of the
Mahratta people ; and Ginjee was found to be so extremely un-
healthy, that some years afterwards the Mogul armies wero
obliged to canton on the plains of Arcot, which led to the esta-
blishment of that capital of the lower province (in 1716).
One of the first measures of Aurungzebe, after ike conquest
of the Mohammedan states of Vijeyapoor and Qolconda in 1690,
was the appointment of Kasim Khan as Foujedar over the pro-
vinces of Oamatic, lately dependant upon those two kingdoms.
We shall presently have occasion to describe the provinces into
which this extensive command were afterwards divided ; and, as
they did not materially vary from those adopted in the first ar-
rangement under Kasim Khan, it will only be necessary in this
place to observe, that the province of Camatic Vijeyapoor con-
sisted chietiy of the settled districts of Sera and Bangalore ; and
the forced tribute exacted from the chiefs of Harponelly^ Con-
derpee, Anagoondy,* Bednore, Chittledroog, and Mysoor, and
some others of smaller importance. The reader has bad some
oppoi-t unity of understanding the nature and origin of these
smaller powei-s ; and he is requested to remember, as an illustra-
tion of the manner in which the term Zemindar was understood
by the Mogulsf themselves, that these chiefs (and all others of
a similar descripti(m) are entered in the imperial records as the
Zemimlara of these rospective places. In this, as in the subse-
(|uent arrangement, the administration of each of the divisions
to which we have adverted was committed to an officer pos-
sessed of civil and military powers, under the designation of
Foiije^hir and Deivaii, officers which were sometimes divided, but
more fre((uent]y united, in the south ; sometimes subordinate to a
provincial governor, and sometimes Iiolding their appointments
direct from the Soukidar of the Deckan ; or the provincial govern-
ment was exercised by the officer al)ove adverted to, under
the designation of Nawanh, or Xabobyl a term conveying the
direct recognition of <lependenee, which, in Uie revolution of
words and things, nften\'ar<ls became the title under which these
officers maintiiined their right to in<lej)endent sovereign authority.
Kasim Khan was suri)rised in 1<)98 by the Mahrattaa, aided
by the chief of Chittledroog. at Dodawc, about thirty milea east
of the latter ])la<'e. where he either put an end to liis own exiat-
* A 8up)>osed demieiidiiut of the toruier KayecU, who had now seltied at
this suburb of the former capital.
t They are al^o uiiifurmlv so named by the Hindoo author of the trana-
actions of Aurungzebe in the Deckan. See Scott's Deckan, passim ; and par-
ticularly the journal of the Roudela officer.
\ The plural of Naib (a deputy,) to render the term more oonrteout.
CHAP. VI.] OUUfATlC HTDBRABAD BALAQHAUT. 135
ence, ur wan Hecretlj iiMifififtitiat4ML Ho was Hucceedt^d by Zul-
fei«r Khan, whose conitnand in tlie Camatic Payeon Ghaut,
■iiine years liefore the death of Kaaiin Khan, bein^ (Micnmbly
dirvct(*«l by Uio prcsunce f»f a priuoe of the bltxid (and the ml-
vice <»f hin fathor Aiwtid Khan), mtint be c<»nMidere«l to liave been
then M*|ianiUHl from the pmenii eoninianfl of the Oamaticii. He
wan eninloye^l in a ('tnirnf of in<N*KMant an<l <h*strurtive wiirfan\
for nearly nineU^n yt'iirs, until tlie <ii^th of the em|>en»r in 1707.
Tlie exi»n*H!i Ktiit4*nient of nin<*UH'n HCti'>iLH foni^ht. and three
thoiuuaul wins niiin'htNl, !»v tlii*^ oftiriT in thf <*ours«' of six months
€»nlv, lUJiv atlonl hohh* faint hlvn of th«* wret4*he<liu»MH in whirh
Uie unfortuimt<<' inha)»it:ints w^n* involved duriiii; that |MTi<Ml ;
and th«-^ miM'rifs «if war, in th«« ordinary nnirv of huninn rahi-
mitv. were netM-xHiirilv f»»ll«»W(i| l»v u ioni; and d«'?»tnietive famine*
an<l |ii*HtiK«n(v. Within thr |Kri«xl whi<*h hits Urn thus hrieHy
diwMiHjMNl, Zulftt^ir Khun n|>|»«-ar^ to havo mad«* thn*t* ditfrri*nt
exiM'ilitionH to tho sinith **( th«* ( avfri. h'vyinij heavy eimtribu-
ti4»n.H oil Tiini<»n» antl Tri<*hino|M»ly.
The sul^Ht-^iiifnl ilivi-Hioii of ih«' l><H*kan ( n«»w i'xtend<*d over
the whole •<outh) int«» nix s* mi! nan or viivrovalti****. in no farther
connit^tc^l witli our |>uqMr^> than tis it relators U* tho two Lust in
tlie official enunii*nition ; vi/.
1. ( nnd«'i>h ((*n|>itai) Hurlmn|>o(»r.
i. Aunin!^ni)iA«l. hit^ly the ni{>ital of tin* Nizam Shaheo
dviuuttv.
l\. lU'*\rr, the anricfit (npitiil of thr ilahmine 8ultAun«<c
4. IVrnr.
5 Hyd«*mliiul. C3i|iitiil of the late (fole<m«Li. or K«N»tub SluUioo
dynanty.
•» Vijfvafioor. capital of the Adil Shaluv dynasty.
iH thf Hfth and nixth in this «Mumfniti<*n. w«« «%hali only have
otn^iAion to mlvi-rt to tin* |H»rtiMnH d«*Hi^'nat«'d in tin* |>uhlic
iX'iN.nl^ an (*'irittttit\ nann-d ti«»m tin* ra]iit.iU V* uhi«li iIh*v for-
nMTJy U*lMn;r.*d. «»r Wfn* i.«»\% a'*Hi;^'n.i| ; viz.. f'timtfit' Htf<lf t^iimiil^
and (*tirn*tt*t V t jfftft'utr ; nuUiividoI a'^itn int*» H*tln*fhinit and
i'iiy**n iilutut, t«» di'*t!h'/ui'»h thf ftintii'^ •*itiiat«'d aU»Vf and
Im'1«»w thr i^iH-M-H of ih«* ino'iiitaiii"!. Tin- Cfi,',*'ifir //»/•/* oi /*•!</
Ii>ii*i*fh*t*tf «>«'ni|'i« f:« ii*ii 1 ihi- pioNlntt** r-niiiti^'. u!».l.r a latcT
arran^'i-nn-nt. tii«- ti\«- nnfiir* *>f. I. Sidh«*tit -. toinji«<ti»l--i. S,
t ••«•(% V <i«»«iunitiiiid.r .'i. t 'unuiium TIm- !ip*t, •M«c»in<l,
fourth and fifth «»f th***'- |»r«»\in«*«-H. aft-nnunU fi»nn«««l thr {•••ttv
stilt'* of thr P.ttan NaUJm ..f Kuqia who « <^ial>li-«h4^1 thrm*M*iveH
thrn* aU»ut thi-» |i»'ri«Ki. and within a frw vt*s*r* extendi^! thrir
iii*H*M*^<«ion<« al«»ni; thr liark '-I th«« t-aHt-Tn ( thatitA. iMwrlv U* the
lA\«*n. in«-lti«iin;^' in«»-%t of' th*- lUiania)i.il. whi<*li n<'W liel«mi^l
• 11m- hofTt.r^ *tt « f tiiitiK*. »hirh i-'Hirut tirf«| m Mi«*7» .ttki ttn cmui^
<|U«itrr^« (I'r A )<»ii«: |«*ri4«l oIvi-atn atv .1t^<':lti^»i> li^MMTilicti la msiiy f>f the
Birtii«rir» 111 ttir MvkcuiiL' cuUt-<tiuu. 4IhJ iu4y l*c Iracod in acvctai |*a<ias(cr!»
<»f Snitt*» lK-ck.\li
13C CARNATIC HYDERABAD PATEEN OHAUT. [CHAP. VI.
to M}'soor. Tho third of these^ namely, Qooti, fell afterwards
into tlie possession of the Mahratta house of Gorepora^ which
was distinguished in the wars of the south under Morari Bow.
The Cainiati^ Hyderaba/l Payeen Ohaut was composed of the
whole country extending from Guntoor to the Coleroon, along
the sea-coast of Goromandel ; afterwards better known as the
province of Arcot. Carnatic Vijeyapoor seems to have been all
considered as Balaghaut ; for its Payeen Ghaut, including Vel-
lore, Ginjee, Tanjore, still held by the descendant of one of its
officers, and Trichinopoly, so far as it might be deemed a de-
pendoucy, seems to have been included in the Hyderabad Car-
natic Payeen Ghaut. In other resj)ects its Balaghaut did not
materially differ from the former distribution, namely, the whole
of the conquered provinces, and the forced tribute from the Zemin-
dars of the Balaghaut south of the Toombuddra, and west of
Carnatic Ilyfhrabad as above described. The two eircars of
Adoni and Ghazipoor, or Nundial, situated south of the Toom-
buddra, were excluded from the Cainatics in this arrangement;
the first certainly, and the second probably, because they had
been so excluded by the Mussulman ix)wers after the battle of
Tellicota in 1504. They were now rated as distinct Circars in
the Souba of Vijeyaj)oor (not Caniatic,) and this separation cod-
tinued seventy-three years afler\vards, when the Carnatic Bala-
ghaut fell under the dominion of Hyder. The important frontier
province of Savanoor Bimcapoor, which had been conquered by
Vijeyapoor shortly after the battle of Tellicota, was also excluded
from tliis arrangement, although distinctly a jmrt of the ancient
Carnatic. It was now j)osses8ed by one of the Patau officers
of Vijeyapoor, who opportunely embnxcing the jwrty of the
conquerors, was continued in its command a.s a militar}' dq)eud-
cnt> defraying the expenvses of his (piota of troops from the
revenues of the province, and remitting a stipuhited sum to tlie
imjKirial treasury.
The two Patiin families of K-ivamxir and Kurim, and a third at
Kumool, began about this time to rally around them the remains
of the genuine Patans, or feRnrious bands of the sjune tribe, who
were [Kjrpetually descending from the Indian Caucjisus to improve
their fortunes in the south. The power of these {letty states
was yet in embiyo, but was destined to make a considerable
figure in events ciiunected with AIys(K)r.
These enumerati(ms, however, aj)parently te<liouH, will save to
the reader the trouble of frefjuently returning to um7ivel the .same
dry intricacies, and were indispensable for enabling us to travel
together, with any tolenible precision, over the narrative of future
events. A genenil recollection of thes<! territorial divisions vrill
enable us to understiind, without much farther reference, the
substH|uent iM>litieal contests of the south, in which tho Camatir
itself lost its original <lesigmition, and liy a strange misnomer, that
CHAP. VI.] ANASCUT OF TllK CX)1:NTRY DEHCRIBKD. l.V
a|>|M*lliition wnj« in European inHinimcntH of hi^ im|iort4ine«*
iipplit*^! t*xrlu)iivc*ly Ui n |K>rtion of />nii/r^&i; a niuno which is
not to U« foun<l in tlic* Kiin)|)eiui Kt*«>j]rniphy of Ahia. Thcuo rvcol-
lectif >hH will also «*nahlo u.h to conqirchond how the righUi of
ih«) unhappy nntivon of thorn* rountriuH wero conHignc<l to iho
Kiini<> pnieral <»hlivion ; aliH(irlie<i in tho amtlicting pretenAionH
of fon*i;^i«»n«. n';^nlinj^ the res|>ective ranges of military com-
inantl of tin* «li*piitieM of a ch*puty ; or of |)erHon.H who, in tho
iliMturlNHl sUiU* of the tinicH, liad purvhaMMl or Hoixcd their titlea
and auth(iriti«^'H.
The n*a'lt?r will ncan'ely liave infrmNl, fn>in the technical
divinion and MilMlivision of thrne rxti'nsivo ti*rritorieH, on which hin
{iatirn4v han )it*en ex«*n*iM*«l. that th«*y wort* organize<i and govcrneil
witli tin* luunr rrgularity and onier which they exliibit on tho
|iag«*ii of tht* in)|M<rial n'gister : the Htate of thu* fact in hi> ahly
Aii«l faithfully dt*H«*riU*4l hy a ninteni|M>rar}' author, tiut I Hhall
antici|iat4* th«* appn»l4ition of hin lcanu*<l translator, in transcribing,
without alt(Tati«»n. the Knglinh tratiMlation of this vcr^* inti*resting
ftk«*t4*h. art th«f ni(Mt uiialf(M*te<l aii«l intelligent picture of the tiiuea
that ran U* (»frfn*«l t^i the puhlic.
" Thr g«»vcnnn««nt of pmvinctM was now held by new nobli»*i
of infiTi«»r rank, |MMir and rufiacious, who negle<*te4l tr> maintain
!in»|«-r tnwipH, nntl at the Ham** time oppn-JwcMl the |n»<»ple. The
Si*niindiirH wouM not i»U'y FoujinUp* without troops, antl biTame
reU'lIii'UH an«l n'mi*vH in thrir iisyments. An tiie Fouji»«larH could
not forrr thrni. tlivv Were glail to content th«*mmdvvs with what
thry roiild p't ; and in onirr t4» Icail a quiet life, cnU^n^l into
mvna agn*«*nicntH with tlii*m. and winked at their disobedienci\
which nia^lr thcni tit ill nion* in«»lrnt
" In tli«* coiintri«*s d«*|H.*ni|cnt on Hydernliail and IWja|M>n*,
whirh. U'fore their ronipient, maintaine«l aUivc two hundrcfl
thou>and hop«*. thrn^ wen* not now Htatiom^l aboTe thirtv-f<»ur
thoii<iiii|. Tli«* •lu^hiriNLirM ronld not g«-t |MiHH4*iuiioii of thoir
Jagliin*^ r*r wimt of tnNi|iH ; and if th<*y did. thfir holding theni
for any lini«* \»fi/« <v> un«*trtaiii. that th«'V diil n«>l mUHider the eaM)
of thf faniitTH, but oppr«*xM-«i them hir nionry by evrry ni<"le
avnri<i' eould d<'\i«w. m» that thev enten*<I int«» cHinibiiiationn with
th*» ••iH*niv Whil*' tin' iH'wly-«*»»n«|UenN| rntintrii-A wen* thun
uiiN* ttlcd. ihi' an« 1* lit t^rTit«»ii«-i of Ihn'kan w«-n* not le?in tniubhsl
by lilt' tvmnny of govrrn-irs, and the fn*«|uent rhanpvn of them
and the «)A^'hin*<larH ; who ui-n* obligi^l not only t4» supply their
own iitMNxiiin*^, but funiinh lar^* bnU'i* to th»* ci\il ortiivrs al«»ut
the eiiurt It waM n*pre^'nt«'«l to the emiN-nT, that the Z«*min-
(1am wi-n* in oinf«tleni4*v nith th«* en«'niy , U|»iin which he onlenNl
all their w«'a{»>iiH of d4'f« m*' t«> U* Mi£e«| ; mid thin left them an
easy i>n*v to inv4«lt-rs. %»hom at lant thev join«*«l for •M*lf-He4*untv.
Omtributioii^ mi*n? then rt»IlfH*t4-«l in liru of n*gular n*Vfnue-<«,
aii«l th« |iartie-« <«*nt fverywherv to collect •upplie*« fur the grand
U
138 \ ANARCHY OP THE COUNTRY DESCRIBED. [CHAP. VI.
ramp, were guilty of every sort of excess. Added to this, the
collectors of the odioua religious capitation forced millions firom
the farmers, and accounted but for small sums with the royal
treasury. Wli£n£}}€r the 'emperor appointed a Jaghiredar, the
Muhrattas appointed another to tJie same district, and both col-
lected as they found oppoHunity ; so that, infojctj every place had
tux) Tiiastera. The farmers, thus oppressed, left off cultivating
more ground than would bai^cly subsist them, and in their turns
became plunderers for want of employment.
" The emperor having taken most of the Mahratta fortresses,
they were leifc without any resource but plunder, out of which
they paid a share to their chief, the son of Rama. Many of
the powerful disaffected Zemindars joined them, so that they
amounted to above one hundred thousand horse. The imperial
amras, deprived of their revenues from the Jaghires, had reoonrse
to false musters, and did not keep up above half their comple-
ments of men ; so that detachments could not be sent eveiy-
whero to punish the invaders, and the grand army was always
employed m sieges, which left the Mahrattas at liberty to plun-
der almost without molestation. But particularly during the
siege of Khalneh their excesses were unbounded ; they stopped
every communication of supply to the imperial camp, where num-
bers perished by famine; and their insolence grew to such a
pitch, that they once a week offered up mock prayers for the long
life of Aurungzebe, whose mo<le of making war was so favorable
to their invasions and depredations."
CUAFTEK VII.
FROM 1704 TO 1751.
OuU^ Herrn Rt^ torn pf ik§ /«■/# Baja bom deaf amd dmmb^ ncceeds lo Ike
ikrvn* —miUtarf optraitoms- - iJoatid Kkam culUdfrom the two Carmiltcs^iearts
Sttadmi OolUi Kkam as kin Fomitdar ami Dntam — his campaifpi i« My»oor —
lyratk of the dumb Jiaju-and tmecrutom of kU §(m Dmd iCuAem h'tfj—Saadrnt
(MU tmcc^tdM lo the /furtmment of tke two CamaticM^ ttktck kerrtaitujour
ptar$^d»v%*9om of lAu cumimamd'-'Sera'^Arcoi—Kurpa — KmrmiHU — Saramaor
(fxtoh —Comiesi Jur Ike $fio%U of MgMuvr — 1/« result -^Xfakraitu tnroMtom of
Mjtsaor — <v%tfue*toJ Maa^r^r ami Sattmtrvog'- titimttwm of a dymuiy ttktck kmi
ruled two kmmlrtd yntri-^kanuler of tktt rti^ belom(^a to tke mittistrra — <^ii-
tempttbU extmhwt of the Haja-^ki* Death — ttate of tke admimistrmtton — nwi-
tlthomal momtrntttttm of Ckam Hti^ a$ pageamt kimf(~-ktM emmnnpatwn — mew
mtmttr^ 4kev mlumrd c^tmdmet^cifmterte%l rtmlmtum^amd murder of tke Haja
'-departmre frtnm aii ftretrit lit kereilttaty Muccesnitm tm tke cho%ce of tke mtJi
pOfjeaml, tke tmfamt Chick Kukem Haj-^ Mtmntry ^§imf^lar prtparatiom amd deatk
itf tke mtmtMtrr Smnjerai - mnftrtumoie ckotte of a amere$sar tftke tame mamte —
/htaat Aif/ Kkam yJ^>b tf Arcot tmrades Jiljf soar —defeat of kts armjf —
i*atmftau:m of Smm/ertij tm CtnmtmitKW — Sastr J mm^ semt by kis fatker t»t iety a
contrtkmttitm om *l/y*i>«»r— ** Jjtke itf f»earlM*^ — Marriage of tke ftageamt Ha^ —
tm/iiric'ifj m,»ttrr» Stef^e of Drttrnkmlly—^rtt tcene of liydrr* ockteremeHts^^
kttti>rjf iff ktt fttmtljf MfkammeH llkrlole — Aif ufms Sfokammed Ah amt H'eiUt
- tewutre to tSerti ami tkemre to i'tdar — Fmtte Miokammutl^ torn of tke farmer —
lett de§tttmte and f*n,trcted by a stranf^er — early dtsttmctmm as a mJdier -■ kis
frU mturrMoee ami %t» utii^ — etrrmwuiamtei of ku seettmd uuMmoffe — A« rrmmret to
• In-til dri-itmei the Btrrtce om a »*tmi of etufmette i^tpet to i'kitUtor — ^leatk of kts
irti'iii/ iri/V ami marruij^e wtik ker nsler — retmnu to Siera — app*Hmttd Femjt*lar
of (*iil'tr- htrik of Skahaz amd llyder — tkrtr ftilker ttaim at Sera—fdumder ami
dettttmie <^*mUtu*m of the family --seek tke proteetiim nj tkeir mmele tbrakim *d
Ii*tm;alorr —.^kahtts enter* tke terrtce of tke Haja of Stymtor^ amd i« prvmu»ted'^
early kalttU of llyder fterfirmM ku Jirtt semes at Dettnkmlly —ti i/if/ia-
l^ukfd amd pr%»tm*ted-^ Sasir Jamg muvrkes to Ara*t aeetampOHitd bm tke lr*Htpi
tf Miytotfr - ctrrmmttamret leotUmg to tku rrr«/<— •»Ka^«/ tPidla— fknut Aly
Smfdrr All treaeker%m» seizure of Trwktm^poly -dami^erous m^mtmittou of
( kumla Sukeb to he c**^rrm*r -deMperate imtry^e ftr kis rewHtral — Makratia
i»r«««ii>fi --l^iatt AU •lam i« baitfe ~ Farlker tntry^e» uf Sufder Ait - ( ont/meU
if Truktm*'f'd*f omf cofitmrf >J Chuifla Sakfh h*f tke Makrattai - A»9i:t^tH'*tu»m
if Smfdrr Ait trmfmrrary uppumtmemt **f Amwttr u Ihem munUr of hit repwtni
turret*' *r the »»m of Smjder All lleleiite «./ Ckmmd i Sakrh rrmtirkti^'h Imtltle
of MyC'-wla amd it$ cim»eipiem-e§ t kmmla Satkth ami Mmi:mjfer Jmn't tettk
a Frrmch cttrp§ imi'a»le A rmt hatsie of Ambi*»r^-~4lri$lh of Amtrar m Ihrm, ami
etrape **f M'dk^mmed Alt t* T^trkimioft,Uy^apprnaek **f \tuir ./«H4»— rni^w tf
tke prrtrmiffmt i»f the f*mr rirai ram^lid*ites - Kmaluk ami Feemrh §mpf*i*rt oppottts
partir§ \atir Jmmf arrief»-^dupertu>m of ku optutmrmls amd tmrremler of
fft
\ims:mffer Jmmt^^^frtgk exfrfu*ms itf tke Feemek-^-^ft^ *'f Mokammrd All -
r^mtpirary <>/ tke Fatam «V«k»At — attaek amd dealk if Sattr Jmrng'-^rejltetrntms
«»■ fA'i/ eeemi - i>e»peraie ftrimmet »f JiokammeJ Aii~-^eliered ky um^tthrr renu
Imtntm — Stair tf tke Kmglisk amd Fremek imlerett$ i« tmlia ^^karmter uftketr
re»p^tire /p'f»r#'rnr>r# — t 'kmmtLi Sakeb besu^es Teiekim^p^dy • Kstroktrdimary
lalemts oW aekierewumit tf Mr. iSlire.
CANTY KKVA RAJ
Tlir. Niiri **i tho Utr RjiJA wa-H )»»ni «l«*af Jiii«i «lutiil» '.iml
iIk n« •* i'all<-«l MiH»k Ktm>*, tlir litimh M»\tnrip]; an itii*:i|Mrity
14fO CANTY REVA RAJ. [CHAP. VIL
which under a less settled government would have excluded him
from the throne ; but he succeeded without opposition through
tlic influence of the minister Tremalaj'-engar, who survived his old
mjister no more than a year and a hall'. The vigour and r^ru-
larity of the late long reign continued for seveiil years to be
perceptible in the administration. The Dulwoy (commander-in-
chief), Canty Raj, attempted the reduction of little Balapoor, the
|)Ossession of a warlike roligar close to the hill of Nundydroog,
and was killed l>efore the place ; but his son Biiaoo Raj^ a man of
talent and enterprize, continued tlie siege and reduced the
Poligar to become a tributary of Mysoor : and the state of the
Mohammedan government being favorable to his views, he still
farther attempted to extend his exactions westward towards
Mergazee and great Balipoor. During the short civil war between
tlie comi>etitors for the imperial crown after the death* of
Aurungzebe, Daood Khan, the conqueror of Oinjee, already
noticed, and now the successor of Zulfecar Khan in the govern-
ment of the two Camatics, was called to take the command of
the anny, wliicli ultimately placed Shah Alum, or Behauder Shah,
on the throne. He left Sjuidut"f" Oolla Khan (afterwards Nabob)
as his Foujedar and Dewan to manage those ])osse8sions during
his absence. Sjiadut Oolla having ascended to the upper country
in the jnosccution of what, in the English records of those days,
wius not improperly called a " contributicm war," was opposed by
the Mysoor anny in a skirmishing wimpaign of various success
in the tract of country between Bangalore and Sera, and the
service tenninated in the partial accomplishmeut of its object^
namely, a very moderate contribution. J
* Of l)ao<Kl Khan I fin<i tlie following brief, homely, and very intelligible
nrcount in the Records of Madras 17(M). ** Very precarious in his temper
when sober, free and generous when supiilied with the liquors he nsks, which
we always take care to supply him with ;" " a great favorite with the lata
and present kin^ a-s n soldier fit for rough work/' In the Kecordu of 1701 a
curious account is inserted of a dinner given to this Nabob in tlie Goundl
Chamber : the number of dislies is detailed, and the toasts drank accom-
panied by the discharge of cannon : the Nabob pledges the guvemor lai^y
in cordial waters and French hrandy, and afteni^'ards mounts his lioree Tery
steadily and returns home. A few mornings afterwards a message is brought
t<» the governor that the Nabob at t/i*' fnftd nfhis nrvuf^ to etmance tAe com-
jtfiment, is on his way to ])ay him a visit at his country house. The bent
possible preparations are made with great bustle, as well for the reception
• >f the great man, as to guard against treachery ; but before they are con-
cluded, intelligence is bn)ught that the NalM)b has reeled deud drunk
into a Portuguese chapel, where he has fallen asleep. His own army on the
spot, and the governor and council at the house of the former, continae to
wait his ple:usurc until four o'clock, when he awakes ; and without apology
or explanation marches his army about eight miles in a westerly direction,
and tliere encnmi>s.
t His oriizinal name was Mohammed Saccd, and his subsequent title
Sawtut thdhi Kh'Ui.
1 The amount is not mcntionwl. Thr Saaffut Xnnw, a manuscript hiftoty
of Saadut OuUa Khan, states that while cncamiH.tl at Dconhnlly wait-
CHAP. VIL] DVn KISHEN RiU. 141
DUD KISHEN RAJ
iiut^*t*<Mioil on tlie cloath of Iuh fatluT the duml) Riija in 1714.
We Imve fonnerly noiictnl in Homo detail the exU*nt of tho
ditfen*nt oimniandii in the CaniaticH, aUive An<i liclow the
(IhAut*. in which, iftc<*onlin^ to the InNt dirttrilmtion which we
dij4c*UKm*<l, (^iimiitic Vijevii|MH>r wa^ all Biilaj^haut, an<i Canmtie
HythTaWi U^th lUla^^'fiatit and Piiveen (iliaut At the |)eri(M|
at which we are now arrivwl, only six year* fnan the death of
j(tirifii#/;W< the whole f»fi'anmtic ll%'d<*ndvui Bala^hatit enlaiyed
to the tunith waa imish«\h.s4m1 )iy tlit* ratan chief of Kur]ia, and by
SiddoJ4><* (h)n*|M»ra tht* Mahratta: tht* latt4T, fn>m the cnnvulKionit
which have UM*n dt^tsc^riU**!. eHt:i!>ii»<|iin^ a Mahmtta |Miwer at
Clfioti, far lM*V(>n«l the )M»tindii of Mahara^^htra. The nunniand of
tile two (^aniatica therefon* now omsiHt^Nl of Vij<*yn]MM»r liala-
f^hatit and Hyderal«iil l*a%-eeii (ihaut. ti>j;ftlHT with the territ^ny
of the Patan of Kur]ia, who waM |»n»|HTly Huhj*»ct t<> tli«» authority
of tht* ortic^T holding thift j<»int iNiniinand, hut M»nietinif^ refrmHi
diriH-tlv to Ilvd('ntlia4|, mvonlin;; aM the int4*ri*?*tM or iiitltirno* of
th«» fM'Vfnil jiartieH di't^'nnintil tin* d«»;n^»<'s of thrir ronnt'xion.
The thnn* Patann of Savanon*. Kuni<M»i an<l KuqMi. In-iiiix aUmt
tluH tinit* d«*««i^mt4N| Aii'^^^'m*,* th«* Iatt4»r nii;:lit U* conHidrn**! aa
the MiUiniinatt* NaU^h for deputy of a deputy *h deputy) of the
^<iriJ4f/i<* lltfilmifmitl Hnhtijhiiut, of which h«' |i«»srtf.«*m'<l the whole
exn*|»tin;; (iiH^ti. and hail a4*«|tiin*<i t^i tin* south nion* than an
tvpiivalfnt for that |Mivs4*v>iion. Saiulut <)<»lla Khan'^ n*t.'iinfHi
fi»r four y«-arH thr united i;ovrnun»*iit« «»f tin* two ( ani.iticj* aa
tliUH flrHi^rilnHl, wIh'Ii it witH d«*4'nii*«i rxiM«tiicnt t') ap|Miint a h«<|«%.
nit4» otfittT. naiii«dy. Amrrn Khan, t4> tho ptyeninifnt of t nninti**
VijoynpiNir, and th«*n<'»*ft»rwanl it U»<-ani«» nion* unual t-i di^ni^-
naU« lho?M» h«*\eral otfioTH an the Nalwdis of S'ra, Arc<»t. and
Kunwt, fn»ni tli«* nani**H of th«*ir capitnln. Saa«lut <K»lhi, nwan*
of tor n«'hf'H |MiNM*s.<M*<| hy th«* Raja «»f Myn-Hir. and jrnloun of th«»
iliMiP-hiU'nii' lit i'f lii"* ••wii r>iiiiTirihd. •■nt«*n**l into a M-^Ti-t «*t«ni-
Wxii (or till* |>i\ir.iiit <»f t))<- i*i>tttrih(iti>>ti a^ri **«i u|h>ii. )ii' r<*<'i'i\Ml ti;f .i|>|««>iiit-
Iiirtil nf \ •>-.»• ol \\.r tm<» r»ri»i!:<^ fr fii \:.'iiii ul Mulk. imtimluti Iv .ift« r
lh«* •ii«-«r*«i.in nf Knrrih k*« f»-. ti/ . \1\'A X\\v H»^*i»f«l«» of .Ma<lr u fii thin
f%riit in \\\v ■ii!>r yr.ir Mr OrtiM* ptirm it m iTIo
• In \h*' SntJni .V'iMM, .% r«r*j.iii lii^:«>r}* t»f tlio liuti«c i*f HoAiIut (VtlU
Kli.iii. tliiy arr u»'X •>• lir^i^nat*^! In ril.itin^ thr fittifolrrai*)' .w-iiaRt
M)«i«ir '!».»! i-iartly a^ *t it«i| iti th*- trxt,^ thiy arr called the F"»j<'i-tr$ umii
//rir<fH*<>f Kiir|*«, Srf.i aimI Arntt
♦ TliM I lift of thr clrt.til, .iti<l tint wliirh rrUtr^ t«> tlte fm'id in llio
«im*i"ii *»t ihr »{M*t!. t^ »;i^<ti to tor \*y r*u<i«lrr u iC<-ni.in Khm. a^rti «-i«;hty-
Iwm. I • •■•<fi«-ii>*n of till- f.iMuly TIji- .i|>|i*iiiitnirnt ••( T.ihir Kh4U ■« drtirml-
a»it of >ii'li: o.Jli ni*fiv yrir« .».'l«rw.ir,lv ^ i* tht* t.4xdy rr«Uit «»f hm
itii-« ^« nt I im|. H'Mir-^ iljfn tly of iii«lirc« t!y t«» n I ••* I r tht ;^>%rrtini« lit «>f *Srni.
1 h«' in *'' h o? th»' I ••tift'^1* r itf-^. *!aT«-»i Ml tht- ti't!. i4 rrl^teil in thr S.tMlttt
N.%nM. with !)•> «*hrr rf-ff*rin<v to il.ttr thin thr tliinl \r%r «»f thr kini? I'ht*
M%«««ir III .iiU" f .!'t ••f l*«ii>rni I plat-t « .in iii\.i«iott of Ni.'Mlut <>^i)I t Khan in
I7*M I. Hhi U )Mr;!i^' tiic third )i-4i of iWrh iJt-r >lu, fixc^ the date, ami idtn-
tibr^ tht i\tl)t«
142 CONTEMPTIBLE CONDUCT OF THE RAJA. [CHAP. VIL
bination with the Patan Nabobs of Kurpa, Kumool and Sav»-
norc, and Siddojee Gorcpora the Mahratta chief of Gooti, to
wrest tliis rich prey from Ameen Klian of Sera^ to whom the
tribute or plunder of Mysoor, according to the distribaiioii of
their respective commands, regularly belonged. Ameen KhAn,
being apprised of the design, resolved to anticipate their project :
and marched with a small but select force, with which be had
just attacked the army of Mysoor and sustained a slight check,
when the forces of the confederates appeared. Ameen Khan, a
rough and impetuous soldier, exasperated at this illiberal inter-
ference, drew out to offer them battle with about a tenth part of
their numbers ; but he was ultimately reconciled to the plan <^a
joint operation by the address of Saadut OoUa Khan, who was
also nominated by the confederates to conduct the negociation,
the forces of Mysoor not daring to move from the protection of
the Fort of Seringapatam before so superior a force. The amomit
ostensibly levied was twelve lacs of Rupees for each, amounting
to seventy-two lacs ; a crore was the sum secretly stipulated, and
aflcrwards discovered by the confederates : the remaining twenty-
eight lacs being a simple fraud of Saadut Oolla Khan, with the
secret consent of the Patan Nabobs, in return for past and
expected alienations of the imperial revenua The other con-
federates being deterred from attempting forcible means to
exact their just proportions, Saadut Oolla with his forty lacs, and
his five associates with twelve each, returned to their respective
homes.
The success of this predatory expedition was but an invitation
to other freebooters ; and the Peshwa (the designation of a Mah-
ratta officer or minister, who in the reign of the second only in
lineal descent from Sovajee had already in a great degree usurped
tlie powers of the govciTiment) in two years afterwiutls levied a
contribution, the amount of wliich is not stated, at the gates of
Seringapatam.
These drains on the treasury were in part replenished by the
con(|uest of Mmigree, under the conduct of Deo Raj, recently
apjx minted Dulwoy.* Kempe Goud, the chief, having been so im-
prudent as to suffer himself to be surrounded in this weak foTtress
the bl<x;kade and siege were pressed with such vigour as to compel
him to surrender at discretion. The rock of Saven Droog, then
justly deemed impregnable, containing the accumulated plunder
of near two hundred ywirs, fell also by this event into the hand.^
of the victor ; and the power of this formidable chief was finally
extinguished in the state prison of Seringapatam.
Wliatever portion of vigour or of wisdom appeared in the
conduct of this reign, Iwlonged exclusively to the ministers, who
wM-ui-otl th(»ir own authority by appearing with affected humility
to study in all tilings the inclinations and wishes of Uio ~
• For the origin of this family, »cc p 36.
CHAP. TIL] C*HAM RAJ. liS
Weak Mill canricioua in Im temper, he coinmitte<l the rooftt cruel
excemes on too personn and nrorierty of thow* who apnrcMu*hud
him. and an quickly restoreu tnem to hin favor. >\hile no
op|Mmition wan made to an establishment of almost incredible
alMunlity, amounting to a lac of Ku{)ce« annually, for tlie main*
tenanoe of an aim h houMe to feed lieaAtH of prey, reptiles, and
iniKHlM, he )jelit*vtMl himjtvlf to lie an unlimite<i di«[Mit ; and whilo
amply iiupplie<l with tlie mcaiw of M*nHual ploaaure, to which ho
devote<l tiie hir^^t {Mirtion of bin time, he thought hinuielf the
greatent ami liappic^t of mornin^liH, without under8tan<iing, or
caring to und<*rMtaiid. during a n?ign of nineteen yc^TH, the troQ«
ble«(>uio detaiU Uirough which he waa MU|»{iIied with all tliat is
ueoeiMary for animal gratification.
CHAM RAJ.
It ia acarrely ncccaaarj' U) n'p<'at. that (luring Uie twenty -seven
yeani which compriaLMl tht* reigiia of auch |H*niona aa iiw two last
Rajaa, the whole ixjwer and iuHumce of the atatt* muat neceaaariiy
have fallen into tlie luinda of the miniHt4*rH : ami titat thev would
be tliH|Mims| ti> regulaU* the Hunx*9<aion in audi a manner aa ahould
■ocure to themm*iv(*M the nmtinuanct* of unlimite<l authority.
The division of public buHiiieHri waa diHtrilHiU^l in the offices of
Ihilwuy, Serv Adikar. and IVrdhan ; the firat of tlnsM*. aa the name
imp(»rta. waa commander-in-chief of the forty's, and dirtH*tor of
all de|iartinenta (Niumn-ttMl nnth militarv o|ienui«rtia; the wvoml
pn^MidiHl over n*ventH* an«l fiiumce ; and the thinl waa a H4>rt of
privy e«»unrillor phuvil m^ar the |ienion (»f the Kaja for the general
puqMJHca of the government; but the two latter officea apfiear to
have lie<*n fn^piently uniu*<l, an<l at thia |a*ri«Ml were poaM*a.<^
by Nunirraj.* a man of vigrmr, auj>erior talenta and exfierience.
Tlie I>ulwov\ biA nmsiii p*niian, l>e<i I^j. waa of a li4»ld and
ambiticma, but cool and d(*li)N*niti* charaet4;r. He hail n.s'tf^titlv
»ucif»**ded to bin n*lation (*lie|e\ i*-*, of the h«>UHf of the Wade%'ar
of <'tilleUa, ill whieh family the otii(*i* c»f Ihilwov ha^l Unfime
bervNlitar^' . by ancient ciiiii|iart, aa ia utiiniu^l in the inanuMTri|>ta
of that boUM*. but pnilttbly by the g«-iiiu«» ait<l t«*tideiiry of all
Hiiid«Mi inatitutiitfia to n*iider offieea aa w«*U an pn>|MTty the
obji*<'ta of itdieritan<Hv In |M>iiit of faet. h<>wev<T. the whole
power of thi' hiAU* in all ita defiartmenta wai^ already |io<iaeiiM<«l by
the varioiiH bran(*h«*M of thin family. It <*aiiiH>t \n^ iMiaitively
aai*«*rtAirii'4l. altli«»ugh then* in proliabb* gn»utitt t«i ixineluoe. tliat a
nearer claimant to the thit>iie tliaii (liain Raj waa then in exiat-
eiict* ; but it i«i pcrft^y ci*rtAin that lie^ waa tH>miiiatetl aa a
* The unclr iA NuDJrr^ «bo uodcrtuuk the €X(«cditioo to Tricluaopalj
ta I7&1.
t He WM fif the cldf r brvn^h <»! llemanhiilljr. but, aa far at I raa Jodca
(fuoi a coai|iAffiai« u( authoniiM» wbirii now htiomm eKoaadinaly <UfccUve«
■MTV dirrcrt liuc»l detcctMiabt*! laiut have caiilsd : ba livad at Um tima ia
KAnM>gull>
144 REVOLUTION AND MURDER OF THE RAJA. [CHAP. VII
{Kjrson Rupposcd to bo every way qualified for the Offfioe of
pagcaiit king, to which he was destined ; and the usurpation of
the ministers was farther secured by a previous compact, exacted
before he was a<lmitted to cross the bridge at Pechum* Wahi-
nee, to undergo the requisite ceremony of adoption by tJie widow
of the late Kaja, binding himself to conform m all things to their
counsel, and that of his adoptive mother.
The contempt of the ministers for the intellectual powers cS
their nominal master, who had scarcely attained Ids eighteenth
year, rendered them careless and unsuspicious in the arrangements
of the palace ; and Cham Raj, little disposed to observe the
compulsory conditions of his elevation, had, in three months,
secretly completed all the arrangements for a new^ administia-
tion, whicli were contrived with such skill and address, as sud-
denly to displace the former ministers without opposition or
difficulty.
The new administration began the exercise of their authority
with the unsettled mixture of rigour and moderation which usu-
ally marks a feeble character. While the former ministers were,
after a short period, incautiously released, and imprudently lefk
at large at the seat of government, the most rigid and iU-con-
certed economy in every department, from the measure of dis-
banding a large portion of the troops, and reducing the allow-
ances of the remainder down to an inquisition into the kitchen
(»f the dowager, created a grarlual disgust, and a general dispo-
sition to regret the former liberal administration. The dowager
and Deo Raj found means of communicating to each other their
sentiments and views, and after the lapse of two years and a
half, the plan of a counter-revolution, more fatal in its conse-
quences than tliat by which tliey had been displaced, was com-
pletely organized.
The Jemmadars of two thousand horse, and the chie& or
^Naicks of six thousand peons, affecting to be disgusted with
the service, demanded and received their discharge ; and
encamping at the distance of three miles from the fort, seemed i9
be making arrangements for their final departure to seek for
service) elsewhere ; and i)assed without observation in small partieB
bax!kwards and forwards from the camp to the town : the loose
habits of the time not requiring tliat they should deposit their
arms at the giitcs.
* The bridge over the little Caveri, now called the second Periapatam
bridge : Pkchuni Wahinee flowing to the west. The river at that pbee
makes a sweep towards the west, and wherever a stream is foand to mn
opposite to the general direction of the river, it is considered holy hj the
Hindoos.
t Devoia (a bramin) Dolwoy ; Veer Settee Scrv Adikaar ; Gopweninii,
Perdhan.
X Among these I find the name of Ilyder Naik ; he was a distant rslstion
of the celebrated person of the same name, afterwards so well known ai
Hydcr Ally.
I*8JLP. VIl] CHICK KmnKN RAJ. Ii5
It vu the cuftom of iIioho ilavfi for thf Dulwoy on evoiy
Friday to make a march of nix c»r noveii tiiih«H» artHimpaiiieil by
the forceii which werv prene nt at Uie <*A|>ital, ns a Hort of military
•xeroiae, but fre<|uently aa a men* OHt^Mitatioiifi |m>rtMHii>n ; and
to complete waa the extinction, nt)t only of all HUMpicion, but of
ordinary precaution and C4»mMon pnulence, that the |iera(»nal
guard of the R^ija aooom|)auifHl the L>ulwi>y on tliis ixvaaiuu for
tlie punMMo of Hwellin^ a nlentltT train retiuct*;}! I»y the late
improvident ecun<»my. L>tH> Ilaj hiul now obtained tlie li»ntf
expected op|M)rtunitv : tin.* Huiiill iiartieti which hacl |NiaH«d aa uauai
into the town, at an aj>|M>inteU ai^ial ro-united within the pite ;
while the main ImmIv from without, headeil by IXh> im, ruahed
through withc»ut (»p|MMiition, diaarminc tli<* pianla, and proctn^imr
direct to the fialaru. In tlie find impulne of aaU»niahni«*nt and
suqiriae, the unliappy Raja sent an humble meHsia^ ackliowledg*
iag hia breach of mmpact, ami pnimi^in)^ a U»tt«*r obm*nrance if
hia aervant and ronoueror would for^ft tiio fnuit. and accept tlie
office of Dulwoy. l>eo Kaj wa.<« not to l»e ensnaAnl a aecond
time : but in the bitter remembramx* (»f hia former crvnlulity,
paancd to the op|M«iit4* extreme ; and. after aecurin^ Uie ni^et
and sword (»f atate. ai*i2**<l tlie liiija and bin wife, and diapat^die^l
them to the widl kti«»wn hill of f\i}Mit l>nnnj (an imprim^nment
at all times e(|uivalent t«» N'iiU*ni*t) of dttitli.) where the drt*aiiful
inaalulirity of the climate* wan mercifully aided by unwholosame
food to shorten tlie Mufferinp« of tlie victims.
A y<»unjij<»r •bmthrr of the de|»i»*«*<l Kajn waA |)aAHe<l over
in tlie next succeattion, lit^*aus<f {NH«at*Hm*«l of pn>niiMin(f talent/* ; and
the son of a y«»untfer and mon^ dintant branch, a child <»f five
yearn old, waa aek*ct4Hl an a luon* naf*^ and cNinvenient ituitniment
We may ci>nHi(ler the lineal nuivoMiion <if the Raja/i of
llysfior ti> liave ci*aiie4| at thin |M*n<M). if it«»t in 17'U ; for what-
ever ftlender |rr«iund may lie o»iiJ4M*tunNi to exint for acctHliniJ to the
re^ilarity of the sur(^?%Hi«iii in the f^THiin of Cham Uaj ; the
munier «»f tliat priiuv. the rt*j«««'tion of bin lineal lieir. ami the
eli^ction of «n infant of a yiHin^*r branch, extinpiiMlien all
imaipnable pretext U* hereditary claim in Ui«* |H*rH4in now electi^l
to tlie rank of |a^r««llt Hiija, from whudi lie m«ver eminv«*«l • ^^nd
from ttiia perio«i forward, tlie mo<*k nii<'<ei«aniiHis to a fiiult\ title
determineil by Hindoo and MtihammtNian u^^uqwrs, will iKii
lie entatk««l to octnipv anv cijnii«ierable Hhart* iif our attention.
Tbe name of the infant now elevat^*^! to this daiigenius and
httfluliating atalioii waa
• t:HICK KISHKX RAJ.
The arlminifitnition waa iv|>la4M*«l •« itM former fo(4in|r. witli
* Hit flams w»i ftmcut Kr$ I>b«-rn4ii thr f7</ Jain Hmuiit knew him
well at KaronffaHy msaj rear* aft«rwAnU. wbeo bs wm aa old man, and
l>lMnma jntX rt«if)|r to mtuilKVKl.
* Ckick /iMir. jumof ; the furmcr Maja U t^ same name bsiflf diStio*
foiahcd by the prc£x, DtU yrtat^ or scoiur.
146 MINISTRY. [chap. VII.
tlie addition of Vencataputty of Caniambaddy as nominal
Perdhan, on condition of being in all things sulwervient to the
will of the Serv Adikaar Nunjeraj. Tliis intelligent minister
conducted the civil deimrtments of the government "with hin
usual ability during the six years which succeeded this event
He was still in the vigour of middle life, but having been reduced
by a fit of sickness, and being sensible of the approach of his
dissolution, ho determined to adjust his worldly affairs, and, as
far as he was able, the concerns of his conscience, before his de-
parture to render a final account. He deposited in the trea-
sury the sum which he supposed himself to have improperly ac-
quired in the public service, amounting to about eighty thou-
sand pounds : he had no issue, and to his wife be presented
twenty thousand, the remainder of his property being distributed
in rewards to his domestics, and in chariUible and religions
donations, with the hope of expiating his former crimes, he
quietly expired at the very moment that he had finished the ad-
justment of his temporal concerns ; his last words conveying a
testamentary warning against the employment of the person who
became his actual successor.
This person was his cousin-german of the same name, the
younger brother of Deo Raj, and sumamed *Kerachoorv, a
brave, but violent, presumptuous, and improvident man of about
thirty years of age. His elder brother Deo Raj being upwards
of fifty, vainly exi)ecte(l, that in conferring upon this person an
equal share of the government, he should be able to regulate his
public conduct with the same facility that, in the days of child-
liood, he had controlled his private education. The internal
quarrels or external wars of all the neighbouring powers rendered
this a period of comparative tninquillity to Mysoor : and the
profligacy of Nunjeraj made a sliameless job of the revenue ;
appointing his own menial servants to the nominal office of An-
mildar, and still retaining them about his person ; leaving to
themselves, or to the Perdhan, to provide deputies, but prodigal
at once and rapacious, exactinLC ^ certsiin proportion of the pub-
lic plunder as a joint fund for himself and his brother. The rerd-
han appears to have been equally attentive to his own interests ;
for in ten years after the revolution we find him imprisoned in
the fort of Ossoor. aft^T rtifun<ling three lacs of Pagodas of idiicfa
he had defrauded the treasury, and succeeded by a superan-
nuated and incompetent {)erson named Chinnapeia. It was
a few years before this chang<^ in the general administration that
an attiick of serious and threatcnin«j^ aspect was rendered abortive
by the skill antl energy of the elder bn)ther.
The reputed riches of the tre;u)ury of Seringapatam continued
to attract the attention of the Nabobs of Arcot ; and the pvtH
* /Tero, the hand, Choory^ a dagger^ or, according to the English pro-
verbial idiom, a word and a blow.
CHAP, vil] nabob op aroot ikvaois mtbooh. 147
digal conduct of Tahir Khan, the Nabob of Sera» to whoae goyern*
ment the tributo (when he could obtain it) of Mj'soor was
oonaidered to belouf^, left the field oficn for this irregular object
of ambition and cupidity. I>oa8t AJy Khan prefiared a power*
All and woll appointt^l army, and fiolected for the ixwta of first
and second in comtuand two bnjthem. otfieem of courage and ex*
perienoe, named KaHim Khan ami *Morad Khan, who marched
witli the confidence of ivrtAin viot4)ry to exact the larratt amtri-
bution that had ever been rtHX*iv(Nl fnmi tliiH isup|KMed depoiut of
inexhaustible wealth. l>ts> Kaj. altliou^h no l<»n^*r young, [nis-
seiwed a vip>rouH <N>nHtitutit»n, mental fai*ultieH in full eneru;)', and
the |N*rfi«ct nttiu*linient and i*i»ntidence (»f hin army. He a^lvanced
witliout dijtniay U* uu*i*i thin formi(Ul>le lumt aliout forty milen to
the N. K of »S«*hn^|iatani. At a village naimnl Keilenchee
near Clieniia|iatam. th«* li^lit tnM>|iH of the MuHsulman army
nifMirtAii the appnMu*h of a UMly c»f the enemy towards the en*
campment. and the two ehiefH pnxM*e«li*d witli the UMual detail
of tnK>|m on <luty to retv>nnoitn*. Ihs^ Itaj IumI come f(»rward
for a similar pur|Mif«4* with a H«»l«vt Unly f»f horse, leaving the
rent of his aruiy iip^iwin^l t** f«illow or to encamp. A Huiall liody
only wA!i ^hown l»v l^i» lUj of the stren;;th of an onliiuirj* rec«m-
noivring |»*^rty. and the MuHMulnian ehii*fM U^ng indui>'«l to push
forwar«l f»r th* piir|i*kM* of examining tlu' main iMxly, wen* sud-
denly atta«'k«*ii l>y Hii|»«Tior numU'Di. nnd. afirr a bmve resistance,
Wen* lM»th nLiiii . tht* Adviuir(*ii tn)0|M of I>i»o HaJ, sup|M>rte4i by
his wlioh* iiniiy. fMllowiii up the blow ; the MuHrtulman camp
wan (^inipl«*t4*iy MirpriMNl and overthn»wn ; the n^mains of tliis
mighty «*X|i«*«lition t!f*<i in dinmay ami confusion U^ the lower
<*f>untr\'. and Ihtt ILij retuni(*«l in triumph tc» Seringa[Mitam.
The v«Mr I7**» ^ii-** di>tin;^iiHlMHl by the fir^t militarr eoni*
inami of Nunjemj in an cxiMiiitinn a^innt the PolipirH of I>ara-
poor, in the tntrt now l»*ttfr known by the general name of the
diatriet «»f (*<>inilMt«»re ; tli«* />»//»!>'»»/. hiH bn>th«'r l>«'o IC'ij, U*ing
m* far a^lvam****! in \«Hr'« ii<« to vi«'M without n>lueUuitv to hit
youngiT bn*th«>r tlu* f.ttu'u** :itid di^tUK'tion of military o|K*niti«mN,
and t4) und««rt.ik«*. ilunn;; Inn iil»<M*iit^*, th«* mon* M*<ifiitary oceu*
|iati(»n of till* t*-m}»*niry din-^tioti iif th«* n*\<'nui* and Hnant*f*A ;
an arnin;;«*ment uhi<h pr<-iu<*«*«l tin* (NiiifuHi«iti «»f authority
during the qiiiirri'l and Ht-iianitittn <»f th«*M* broth«-rH. Hhieh we
ahall hen*afl4T hav«» ix-i-a-i-ifi to oli^tt-rve Ihirin;; tht* alwiem-e
fvf tlie army in th** df«tn«'t of <*oin)l«iton*. NaAir^ Jung waa
^ Tlii* «ia« the f^thrr nf Huiiilcr u Zcinlti Kh*n. Tlir Madras lUctirds
uetiticm thi« (Iff fat, and »a> th4t thr artnj wa« romroandcd by the Nabob's
aooa, which li Z Khftii c«»ii«ui«r^ to Ik* » ttiutakr
t Serr i wlai/, • «urk riMu|»i>*ol hy Mfm tikuiam AU AM^ a philosonlMr,
a fakir, and a V***^* the ctitiAdruual frtrnd and oumuafiiuii of Naair Janf . aia*
■aif a poet, i he wurk cotuinta in biMortcal aad cuofrspbical *kctcbts and
aOMMdoiss of kinft or rnUri wbo were aUo poeta, with speoneos ol Ihsir par-
formaaess. Niiam al Moolk, the father of Ksstr Jaaf, has also a nicha
148 SI ROE OF DEONHULLT. [CBAP. VIL
detachod by bis fkthcr Nizam ul Moolk, now Soubadar of tbt
whole Deckan and the soutli, to levy a contribution on Um Bi^ of
Mysoor. He advanced to the vicinity of the capital without appoti^
tion, and was met by a deputation tendering alleriaiioe and
tribute, but to what amount I have not discovered. Ihiiiiiff the
period which passed in tlie adjustment of pa3rment, this mmtaij
expedition was converted into a party of ])lea8ure. Nasir Jong
encamped in the vicinity of the lake of Tonoor, amused liiwuMJf
with sailing on that clear and beautiful water, and gave it the
fanciful name of Moteo Talab, the *' lake of pearls^" which it still
retains.
The serWco under Nunjeraj was successfully conducted, and
on his return, the brothers, with the view of more effectually secur-
ing in their own family the usurpation of the throne, married
the nominal Raja, who had now attained his seventeenth 3rear, to
the daughter of Nunjeraj ; a connection, according to Indiaa
habits, not altogether usual ; Nunjeraj being one of the most nal-
oas sectaries of Siva, and the family of the Raja (ostensibly it
least) of the most inveterate subdivision of the followers of
Vishnoo : the marriage, besides, was so late* as in itself to furnish
suspicion regarding the proWous views of the brothers : and the
eventual use to bo mode of this connection will be hereafter unfolded
In the year 1749, the ardour of Nunjemj in his new profes-
sion required fi-esh emplovineut ; and he undertook the siege of
Deonhully, twenty-four milos north-east from Bangalore, then
considereil a pbici^, of some strength, and hel<l by a Poligar, who,
Eartly by vigorous resistance, and ])iirtly by address, had rendered
imself for many j'-ears in a great degree independent of the
powc'i*s an>und him, and had at no period been subordinate to
the house of Alysoor.
An unknown volunteer in this obscure service was destined
in after times to l)ecome tlie head of a mighty empire ; to
blish a reputation in amis, whirli, fairly viewing the
which ho nioveil, and the instruments lie was able to employ,
has seldom bi^on excctMh'd, and to threaUMi with no ideal tarroB
tlie extinction of tlio Kritish }>ower in India. As no statement of
tolerable aoounu-y lias yet been [»resented to the public of the
origin and rist> of this niii]fhty a<lvL*ntiirer, a sliort account may
be aoceptaMe of the genealogy and history of the house of Hyder.^
in this cle^^ant little temple of fame. Tiie author relates that Nizsm al
Moolk at nn early pericMl of \\in political life retind in disgust, and assumed tht
khrka, or habit of a (Irrveisli who h.'is rciiouiiccMl the world ; and that after-
wards when he beoauie reconciled to public station, he was constantly i^ffffg^
at by that fraternity, who ever afterwards continued to decline his bouBtf.
The author lua^- Lu thi.s case be excused for a little exaggeration ; ho was
himaelf a dcrveish, althou^'h not of the particular order wmch his hoio Iwd
forsaken ; for he acknowledges that he had personoUy benefitted 1^ tllS
muiiificeace of Nizam ul Muolk.
* According to Indian habita.
t This account is chiefly extracted from a written memoir, prepared fey
CUJLP. VII.] IIYDBR'8 PAMaY— MORAIOnCD BUELOLE. 149
The flr«t c»f th« fimuly of whom any tmdiiioii is piwerved wm
Mohmmmed Bhel<»le, a rbli^oiiH {wmon, who came from the
Punjab to tho aouUi, aaxtmi^anieci hy two ftons, Mohammed KM,
and Mohammt^l Welleo, and m*ttle«l at the town of AJund in tha
ditftrict of ralhiii^pi, ahoiit ono IiuihIiv<1 an<i tvn milua weat^
aini hy north, from HyiioralMul. He in mid t<> have foundc<i a small
m^M^ine, and fakirH nmlcnn/ hy oharitAMe omtrihutions, and
in htivo luvumulatfd m>m«) |ini|M*rty hy thin n*li^iouH K|KH?ulation.
Hi* nmm«'«i hm Min Mohrtniiiu*il Ali to the daii^ht^r ofoneoftiie
servants of th«* i>*li*hrHt4.*«i niatifM>k*iitn at Calhtin^, and Molinm-
wmhX W«*IKt* int4) nnotlicr fatiiily in th«* Kann* neiLrhU»urbood«
Aft«T H«»ui«* tiuH*. th<* <'\|>t*n-^H f*f thin nuinn4*nt4*<i family lieing
(pni«t4*r than thr *«iiit wan al*l«* t4» dffniy. th«* tw(» Konn |»n»cesded
lo the HiMith in wnn'h of any wrvio^ hy which they nudil |iro-
cure a Mdini-itt^niv ; and wiTf ••nirav**''! at S4»ni. in the t«|iacity of
revonuf Pi'4inH, in tho d«*|)artin«»iit of the (*«»lkH*ti4>ii of tliu towo
ciiMt4>ni.H Futte Mnhanini«*«l. th<* fii>n of Mohamnie<i Ali, and tha
fath«*r iif HydiT. wa-n l»*»ni at Seni.
In tli«* <N»tipM* of duty, or for aome rau<H! n«»t ex|>lnine<l, the
two hmtherH rniiu* to (*oUr. wImti* M«»hnnun4*«i Ali di(*4i,'^ and
lf4»hAniin«N| Wtillit*. Nuixin:; <tn all th«» <loni4»*(tic |>n»|ivrty, turned
FulU* MohanmHNl itn4l hin ni<»ther 4»nt <»f d«»«ir«.
A N«i4*k* 4«f IVniiih in folar. comniiMTatini: tlu-ir «leHtitute c<»n-
ditit»n. nK*t>tVi*<i th«'ni itit4> hia hou«H*. hnuitrht up Futt4* Moham*
m«N|. An«i at a |»n»|ii*r a<e enndk**! him an a Ii*4>n in birt own
c<iimman«i
Whilftt lK»iva{|i K«H>li Kluin was Soulmdar j of .Sera^ or af*
the rrluiout offirtTn at the iiin«*|Ui' iiiti tmiiK of Futti M*'liAmtiirti« tht father
of ll)'<lrr, at t*oUr, ami ch«:<*kr«l. \*y .\ variety uf rro»riU an<i ural infi>rrnatiiin.
A(T<»niitii; til aniith<*r utatrturnt. thr fitshcr 4if Fiitt** .Mohaiiiinc-il. htre iiamc4t
M"haiani«-«1 All. M CAllnl Shrickh Alt (nainr^ fn'tjiuiitly ti«<- 1 itHiifft*rmtly by
thr iL&tno )H r« >n.. an<i m •%\'\ t«> ht^r h.i<i (<Mir «»tlifr ^«*ti«, a <lt»<«<*cnilatit (if oim
nf wh«»tii w.i» iiiarrii*^! !«» 'Ii|i|hi.» Sujt.i-m t'o* *t »?.'inf nt I hrlH*t4» t«i ♦»*• r»irrert ;
but thf .■ml}.'»r* «•! •\.v Nfitiu '!;;.! ^i rin»'ih»ti»|y • .ntiiir thein*el%e« !•» the
fa4:t« wliii'h :irr ]|Mt).« iit!r.t!r<t )«y lln* ht^t>>ry i*f t'.r :u itl«<i|riltli .in't it 14
fiirriin* t4i otir I uri"'*' !••:•.*•<• t|f *■• '..-r hriiih*'
• M»hatiriH'»i.'in trax « . • r». .ii ii. A* '.iS- \\:\' iMi^?.irir»'«. /rrir»illy p'l? nj» at
•tirh I'Ia*!** \\u fiLir .'.A !..!»tMi." \-*i»t th**- ;u i-t^h tir.n^ »!i.it \*f%\*
Tt«:"fi% th' V r-.|'ii:f. ••! w.'u *• . |m:h.. i \% u-u \.\ x'.Vi'* I t»» the : ikif,
t«»^i thf r w j!h \ -tr.JJi I •« M f • . r. t fit •!• T I- 'It r «»f t.: ■ , ;. it
♦ IIm *:vnr I* «hi'wii*> ih- r«i:wi«u^ attiini.nt*. a* thf ••Jiir^t n^ the
family h>ir.«>l \\ th<- mri*' !• m ri
* Suit, thr f rMM-r lit' ,:i »t:»»h nf A {r«tMn<!tl r»»trrTn*f, waa now
dri;ra«lni ti- •.^•n-') :'n r.'tnii ."ii»«i«f *'i lrf>ii> lnf!i»\ t<i \m*\ htitiflrr«i or imire
P«,-^»ti«. <i !r i.ii.ic "fli.* «. titi.nl mitti n«at* ttittf-k*. pikrv cw ii«f«nl« aad
tar^Crt* . %M*-\\ it.:jii!ry vr i;. th« \l>-haiiitii4>«i4a^ p%ii4ii]r nanitd tWnatiea. I
ha%r i.'t Uf?i %h\m to rr4*4)vcr thr name of tLia Nairk, or the •iteiil si
bia r«mii:iaiHi
5 Hr wti av}- intrt! m WS"*
u UV h%\t f-vrTnerty arrn the 4ir-ai;n>attMn r4 Hunha to be sn sArer si
•Kteii4i%r cururnin'l, haviuK VaUih^ unilrr him. Stim thai tesry deysty wsa
mf^htAtia^' in<ir|ictulnic«, trtfy NaUib bccans gpsbsdar as tbs asit sisfi m
lbs Mais of amrfisiioo.
150 FUTTE MOHAMMED— [CHAP. TU
fected to be so named, Futtfe Mohammed had an opportunity of
attracting his attention. The service was the si^e of Ghnjeoot-
tah, near to Balipoor, then the stronghold of a refractoiy Poli-
gar. The troops were repulsed in a general assault, when FuUk
Moliammed seized a standard, and planted it once more on the
breach : the assailants rallied, and the place was taken ; and the
young man, who liad so gallantly restored the fortune of the day.
was brought before the Soubadar, and rewarded with the oom-
mand of twenty Peons as a Isaick.
Futt^ Mohammed, now Futtfe Naick, continued to diatingoish
himself in the service of the Soubadar, and was gradually ad-
vanced in rank and consequence. His first wife was Seydanee
Saheba, the daughter of Burra Saheb, a religious person at Colar,
who bore him three sons, Wellee Saheb, Ali Saheb, and Bhelale
Saheb. It was on the death of this lady at an early age that he
began the mausoleum, mosque, tank, and gardens, at which th^
authors of the manuscript, which is cliiefly followed in this state-
ment, now officiate : the buildings are said to have been finished
several years afterwards, when he was appointed Foujedar of tb«*
district; but in whatever manner these dates may be arranped,
the buildings themselves, although far removed from architeotu-
ral grandeur, exhibit unc^uestionable evidence, that the founder,
at the time of their erection, had attained a very respectable degree
of i-ank, proi)orty, and consideration. Of the second mar-
riage of Futtb Naick the following account lias been communi-
cated to me by several authorities, and confirmed by the written
narrative of Budr ti Zeman Khan, for one of whose relations the
lady was intended. A Nevayet* of respectable family, from the
• Nevayet^ generally supposed to be a corruption of tbe Hindoostenee
and Mahrattii terms for nnv comfr. Tlie following account of their oriizin in
taken from the iSacului Sama^ and from conversations with many iuteUicent
individuals of the two cla.Hses into which they arc now found to be divid^
About the end of the firrit century of the Ilejira, or tiie earl^ part of the
eighth century of the Christian era, Ii/jnj Bin Yiuuj\ governor of Irak oa the
part of the KhalK A bd, af^ Mdik bin Mertpan, a monator abhorred for his
cruelties even among Mussulmans, drove some respectable and opulent
persons of the house of Ilashein to the desperate resolution of abandoning for
ever their native country. Aided by the good ofiices of the inhahitnnto of
Kufa, a town of celebrity in those days« situated near to the tomb of AU, west
of the Euphrates, they departed with tlieir families, dependants, and effeeti,
and embarked on ships prepared for their reception in the Persian Galph.
Some of these landed on that ))art of the western coast of India called the
Concan ; the others to the eastward of Cape Coniorin : the deacendanta of
the former are the Nevayets ; of the latter the Lubb^ ; a name probaUy
given to them by the natives, from that Arabic particle (a modification of
of Lubbeik) corresponding with the English ^lere /am, indicatin||^ attention
on being spoken to. The Lubbe pretend to one common origm with the
Nevayets, and attribute their black complexion to intermarriage with the
natives ; but the Nevayets affirm that the Lubbd are the descendlanta of their
domestic slaves ; and there is certainly, in the physiognomy of this wj
numerous class, and in their stature and form, a strong reaembhnce to the
natives of Abyssinia. The Nevayets of the western coast preeenre the pnii^
CHAF. VIL] HIH THIRD MARRIAOK. li>l
(*onc4n, wan iravellinf^ across tlic iionitunib with his wife, one sou
(Ihiutiiin Salifh), and two (lau<^ntcrM. to Areot At Tarrikfni^
n<4ir tlu'^ lionlorH of Btnlnons lit* was ro^itieii and nitirdervd ; and
his family, in the p'eaU^t niiHi*n'. begg(^<i thrir way to the eaNt-
ward, until their arri\al at (\ilttr, when* their distresses induced
the widtfW t4) linten to the prottosal of Futt^ Naiek to Ite united
to one of her dau^hU*rH. AftiT thin niarriaf^'. tlie ri'st of the family,
relievtvi fn>m their diflicultios, pHK^etnltril to Annit
I>t*r^ K«M»li Klian t»f S«*ra funm afiorwanlM died, and was huc-
ceetleni by hU mm AUIul Huim4m»1 KIiail The new Soubadar or
NaKih, and Futti* Naiek. for some reawm not mentione<l, were
unfavorably di.H|MiS4Hl t4i eac^h t»ther ; and the Naiek accordingly
prt*|iafv<t to se4*k anoUier mastt^r. the NaKjb Saailut (X>IU Khan,
at ArcNit The t^^nnn of hin iierviiH\ with tifty home and fourteen
hun«irL*tl Ptsinii, by whom he was aiXH>ni|Ninie<i. were nearly ad-
just4Hl, when a difficulty arom* with n*ganl t<i his being received
with the Uizf^m, or the oiniplinient of other oAicers rising to sa-
luU* him when he appnutclKHl them in tin* Durliar : a mark of
deference which is usual towAnin |M*rH4mH of rank, but at tliat
period was n*f«»r\*i«<l for ofliivrs of horw*. whi>. like the ancient cav-
alier* of Kun»iM«. l<N>ke<i down on the pn*t4MiHions of an officer
of infant r\'. Ihe Naiek could not pnnnire the tAZi*<*m, and being
roMtlvtHi not t4> scTve with«mt it. de|iarte<I to i*hitt4>or, where he
was U*tt4*r nHt'ivwl by the Fouje<lsr, or provincial commander,
Taliir Khan.
The ni<>th«*rin-law «»f FutU"* Naiek ha^l UfU ill n^ceiveil at
An*ot. on a4*«N»unt of her conn«H*tion with the Naiek ; and the
faniilv int4) which iihe e\|M*4*t4Hi to nuirry her other dua^hter de-
clint*<l the alliant^* f«*r the same enuM* Sh«* tlien*fore joituHi her
son-in-Uw at ('hittiMir. an«l he having in the meantime lost hi<i
second wife with«iut is*ue, took to hinim^lf* her young*»r sisttT as
a tbini
Taliir M«»haniin«*«l Khan wa.*t HiM»n nfliTwimlH nN^alltN] to eourt
oC their oniTHiAl M^kmI by ny^trmr.tK'ally ixoitbrif; iritrrinarri^,;r fiith thr
In<liftti«, aiitl rvrti with the hu'(i(*%t M«*h4riimrtUii fjitiulir^, for many
cent linen after the r<t.itMi«hiurtit «if th<* Mu«<iiinitii <iyii.i*tir« «»f the l>eckaii.
Crcn at thi^ tunc thtr«* »rr ati:!.*' NoayrtA whi*Mr rtini|'l€ii«*it« tpitrikich the
KuriifK'an frr*hnrvi Tiinr .vlltcrrnrr ti» txfh nthrr *« tJirtnlM-r« of th«* «aiiir
family pn m r«<-«i thrir rr«pi<-ta(>.li!y . .iti«l thry wrte ftmol at the M<»bam-
Bicdan c«iurt« **i the IWkaii f**r tiiDtiiii; the rate i|uahtir« of tiir w»Mier, the
scholar, ati«l the trnitlrxoan I liatr M>rti n«>th:M|( in In<lia to at>|in>a4-h the
diiniiti««l matiiirr*. the icrarrful. An«l alnto«t 9tfr«-ti<iuatr |«'htetir%«, of aii oM
gentleman of thi« family. «ht> rr^itlrtl at A\i]< un<l4, aU»ut thirty niile« n<>rth
of Arc«»t I U«-ame accidrnt il y kn«>«in t<» him a*, an early |»eri«j«t of my
reai(ietire in In«ti4. (^>m ha^iiiir 1 »«t !i.y way in a ilark nicht. aiiti wamlered
tato a %illai|e «ini;tt a mile fri»m hu huhitaliou, whence 1 received an imme
dials iD%iUtiou. r«iciveyed by t«i» of hia ioaa, sod a rsc«pUuci srhicb nitf(ht
fraos a caatle uf r«>maoca
* Tbia u not couirary to tbe M ohaiumedaa lav, and msay ttmtlar tiaaplea
kavt (aUco under mj (htd obssrYatioo.
152 BIRTH OF SHABAZ AND HTBER. [CHAP. TTL
at Arcot ; but the Naick, still remembering the tazeem, decUned
to accompany hinL He negociated for the service 'which he Iiad
formerly rejected, and was received by Abdul Russool Khan of
Sera as Foujedar or provincial commandant of Colar, -with Boo-
dicota as his Jageer, and the title of Futt^ Mohammed Khatu
EUs two sons by the Nevayet lady, the younger of the aistezv,
were both bom at Boodicota ; viz., 1, Shabaz Saheb* ; 2, Hyder
Saheb.
When Nizam ul Moolk formed the design of establishing a
separate and independent empire in the souui, the removal from
subordinate commands of all persons who either retained any
principle of fidelity to the house of Timour, or had indulged in
views of independent authority for themselves, waa essential to
his success. The money and influence of Saadut OoUa Khan
had long been employed to obtain the office of Soubadar of Sen
for a dependant of his own ; and it was chiefly through his inter*
eat that Tahir Khan was appointed to that office, and aided Ij
Saadut Oolla to fight for its possession. He found the standard
of his former Naick marshalled on the side of his opponent
Abdul Russool, who was slain in a well contested battle,
most of his officers of rank. Futtfe Mohammed, and his
Welleef Saheb, fell on this sanguinary field ; and the bodies
being removed by the pious care of their attendants, their tomfa8
are now shown in the mausoleum of the family at Ck>lar.
Great Balipoor was the Jagecr of the deceased Abdul Rus-
sool, and previously to the battle, the families of all his principal
officers, and among the rest that of Futt^ Mohammed were, ac-
cording to the routine of suspicion customary in timilar caaes,
thrown into that fort
Abbas Kooli Khan, the son of the deceased, was not disturbed
in the personal Jageer of his father : maternal feeling, oombined
with good sense, suggested to his mother, who in a few short yean
had seen the mangled corpses of her husband and father-in-law,
the expedient of securing the Jageer on the condition of a fonnal
renunciation of the office of Soubadar or Nabob, and a aolemn
promise to exert the influence of the family at court for the con*
firmation of Tahir Mohammed : and Saadut Oolla Khan, who
directed in all things the proceedings of Sera, readily perceived
the policy of acceding to this moderate proposition.
Abbas Kooli Khan, however, did not neglect to avail himself
of the circumstances in which he was placed, to plunder to the
extent that he durst the families deposited in the tort ; and that
of Futti» Mohammed was not among those which escaped He
pretext was a balance due from the deceased while Foujedar of
* It may be proper to state for the information of the Bwgli>li
that ScJUb annexed to a Mohammedan name has nearly the same mnaiag as
Mr. prefixed to an English one.
t He died witnout issQc, as did his brothers Ali asd Blnisls,
CHAP. VII.] BTOBRH KARLY HABITS— 15$
Colar. The soiui, Shubaz Saheb. aiid Hyder Saheb, the former
about iiine. the hitter flevon yean of a^, were called upon for
nayiuent Tlie UMual methodii were re»ortod to anil succoetled ;
Init iii»t liefore the torture, in ita moet cruel and ignominioua
fomiM. had lieen applied to both the lx>yH, and proljablv to their
ntothor. Thiji inhuman conduct was not fofj^itten ; and it will be
men in tlio Hequel tliat Hyder» in bin pnN4|H«n»UH furtunt*, iHMi^ht
hilt n»vi*nj^* afUT the U|mo of thirty-tw<» v«in*. with all the viru-
Ivtxcvi lN*lon^in^ to the nieni<»r>' of a reiH^nt injur}'.
The fnjnily. pluiKlertnl of itn pn>|KTty. wvm |M*nnitU.*«l to dt*|iart>
and thr mt»ther,* after thf Iom tfj rt^rythiu/j hut hrr rhihlmi aiul
ktr hoHifT, priMXMNlt»<l to I^n^alore to s«»vk i\\v pnit4H*ti<>ii uf her
brother Ibmhini Saliels+ who waa in thi» MTvici« of the Kitla-
liar of that plact*, with a Mnall conuiinnd of Pinuis. When the
eldtT bmthiT Shaliaz Saheb had att4un<*<| a NutKrifht ff^\ bin uiiele
prfM'uriMl f<»r him a riH^immendution t4> u liind<K» oth«vr (if iiuik
at S*nnca|Mitajn. and he wa^ rK't'ivt'^l into the MT\i«*»» jts ^a
iiulM»nlinat<c otfifx*r of PtsmH. in whirh ^itUflti<>Il hi* di.*«tin;/uii«hed
hini*M*lf, nnd ^Mlually n»^* ti> tht» <*ouuuAnd of two hundred
hopM* and one thousand IVyiiH. which h«* now hi-M in tlu* anny
U»fon» iHNiiihullv. HvliT. nlth«Mi;;h t\v«*iitv-H*»Vfn yearn of a;je.
waM n«>i in th«* Hi^n'itv ; an<l an h«* n*ui:iintN| thn>n^h lif** unnc-
qufiiiit«Mi with the first eK^ment^ of n*a<liti^ or writing, it may Iw
inf«'rn*d that thr niinfortunt**! «»f bin family pri*vrnt«'d an iitt^'Otion
t4i this olijtH-t during his mHv ^\Z*\ ftnd thiit hi-* suli^^t'iiiient
t4*ni|M*r was tmt f»tind fitt^**! t«» U'ar th«' «N»ntrol of a jHHhip»j^ue,
\Vh«-n appntfiehini; maturity «>l a^t\ \iv hn«l t»hown a ^*at4T ili^u
|MMitioii u% thi* pursuit of p|i«ii%un* nn<l the H|Mirtii of th«* ehac'e
than to th«* n*ntraints of a military lif<* , and W(»ul<l fn^fiUfUtly
aliM'tit himsftf for wei»k«» toir»'tli«*r. Hwn'tly immenk'«l in volun-
tuouH riot, or iiaanin^ with faf*ihty. as wan tin* habit of his whole
itf<*. to th«' (»|i|M»«it«t extnMu** of alrttinrmv and 4>\e«*fi«%i\i* i'Xrrtii>n ;
wan<l«*nni^ in tli«* w<io«I.h wliil«* pur^uiu;,'. not witlitnit dan^i-r. hit
fa\orit«* nniuv)m<*ntA. in tb»* *^w;^%* %*\ lK,-<>iiliuily In* U-ifan to
|iay att^^iition to th<* pn*f«*viioii of anus, first a|i|H*ariii^ as a volun-
%*H'T hop««>inan in his brr>tht*r*« <*«»rpH. an<l afl«ruards «M*4*a.siiihally
ff*ntnist«*«i with till' I'ltrnmarfl of |iartif« of infantry in thi* tniirhf^^
!!♦• w.LH o|i^»rV(*«l on evtTV M»r\ iit» of danger ti» lisid tin* wa\ and
to «*«iniiiii't himsi'If witli a CMiliiftwi and s<*lf-|Mi%"M<«u»i**n s«-l«|ifiii
found in a youn^ fM»i'li«*r This bun^lin;; and unskilful **i*'fc^*.
dinH*t**«l by a man wb«» liad n«'ithfr s#fn ii«»r Mnt|i.*«| tho |»n»ff»-
fiioti of artn^. and |iomi«*^<m'«| no «|ualit\ of a •M»l«|i«-r but h4.uil«»n^
coura^^'. wan |vrotnu*ti-4l for niiM* nionthn. whtn th«' l'oli;;nr om-
Nmt«*«l to fVAt-uatr th«* pla«^* i»n tbf rondition of U-ini* jn-nuitteii
• I hr ei4«l phraAr ••! tin <»n,;iiiAl Smtlaftn m F'tf'trftik hy Tip|¥io
t^ilt«un
t Thf vouth fortn«rljr tiirnti<>nnl. m\v> wju ibc r«iui|t4tiiiia of b«f
ualuriuaatc joumcjr arruM the fvcmiuuU
T
154 Hrs PROBfOTION. [CHAP. Va
to retire unmolested with his fiunily to his relation the Poligar of
little Balipoor. In the course of this service Hyder waa distin-
guished by the particular favor of Nunjeraj ; and, at its dose,
was rained at once to the command of fifty horse and t'wro bSD-
dred infantry, with orders to recruit and augment his corps, and
to the charge of one of the gates of tlwrf frontier fortress.
Tlie army had scarcely returned from this siege to the capital
when a mandate was received from Nasir Jung, as Soubadar of
the Deckan, demanding the attendance of the troops of Mysoor.
The arrangements for this purpose were quickly adjusted, and a
body of the forces of Mysoor, consisting of five thousand hone
and ten thousand Peons, in which 'were included the conMnands
of Shabaz and Hydcr, under the command of Bcrki Vencat Row,
joining the army at Mudgery, accompanied the numerous host of
Nasir Jung for the prosecution of his designs in the province isl
Arcot For some years after the ])eriod at which we are nov
arrived, the transactions of the government of Mysoor are m>
much interwoven with the impoi*tant operations of the war of
Coromandel, that the narrative can scarcely be rendered intelli-
gible without attempting a short retrospect of the circumstances
which led to those events.
Saadut Oolla Khan, of the respectable race of tlio Nevayeti,
who has already been introduced to the passing notice of the
reader as tlie Foujidar and Dcwan of Daood Klian, and the suc-
cessor of that officer as Nabob of Arcot, died in 1732, and was
succeeded by his nephew Doast Ali Khan^ according to the
previous dispositions of his unele, but without the sanction of
Nizam ul Moolk, who was then the nominal Soubadar or vice-
roy of the south, but actually independent of the throne of
Delhi, from which he affected to derive his authority.
Doast Ali ha<l given one of his daughters in marriage to a
distant relation, named Hussein Doast Khan, better known by
the name of Chunda Saheb, a man of talents and military ardour.
whose daughter, by a former marriage, was the wife of Oholam
Hussein, the Dewan or minister lussigned to Doast Ali by the
dispositions of his uncle. This double connection offered to the
enterprizing spirit of Chunda Saheb all the opportunities and
allurement^ that can be presented to an ambitious mind. Under
the cloak of aiding his son-in-law in the duties of a laborious
office, he gradually obtained the chiof direction of the civil
affairs of the government, and at length the formal appointment
of Dewan ; and by mixing in every military expedition with the
spirit of a volunteer, and the libenility of a prince, the hearts of
the soldiers were entirely his own.
The Naiek, or Kaja, of Trichinopoly and Madura died with-
out issue in 17i*^2; his second and third wives burned with the
body, but in conformity t(» the alleged desire of the deceased.
communicated to his confidential minister, his first wife sucoeoded
THAr. VII.J HUFDRR ALL 155
ti) tlio ^)vemtnetit Wnmtniya Acliaruv, the attuiiuinJer-iu-chief
of th(* fnrt*t*!i, mipporiiMl tiie ;irt*toUHi<>iiH of a e«ilUteral malt* heir:
lt« Ntuvt'iHlfNl in f(>n*il)ly entering the fortrenH, aii<l wm near de-
utmyintr tbe Kam*** ((|uceii,) when the op|Mmite party goIIooUmI
tht^ir forcTA and ex|M>lle<l him. The deaili <if »Saa<iut Oolla Khan.
an<l the arran]^«ni<»ntM of the micreiiHion whirh happentnl in the
came year with thifi evi^nt, prttvenUNi tbe MuMulman {Kiwcr fnim
taking ailvauta^? of th<*Mt» coufusioniL The Reemin^ suhuiiHtiion
of the late couiniiai<l4T-in-<*hi«*r pnMiuoed a reconciliation, and
the authority of the Kan(*e np|H*ared to be fully establi.Hhe<l ; but
tim oftirer. with the <*<»n(*fAltMl aid of the Mahratta Kaja of Tan-
ion*. Iia<l ^n^Iually orj^nijMsl m» |iowerful a |Mirty. that thin unhappy
lady wan driven to the deM|ierat(^ reiumroe of nolicitin^ the aid of
tlie Nalioh of Arcot An annv under the command of SuhUr
Ali, the eldent non and heir ap|iarent of the Nabob, with (*hun<hi
Satieb an hiji civil I>«*wan and military iiiH.*t>nd in command,
moired over the pnmnoe, oKtenftiUy fi>r the ordinary pur]M»He of
enfrirrin^ the ct»Ile<*tionii of the revenue, and approached Trichi-
no|M»ly to aflTonl the prttmiiMNl aid. The ne^^*iatitmfi were of
coume conducOetfl by Chunda Salieb ; and the darinif pre|»arations
of the o[>|MiHite party within the fort of Triehin<)|M»ly n*ndi«ritif;
thi* fiern*t intn*<lurtitin of a Uwly of auxiliary tr(M>|ftH a uieaHuro
of fMN*min;: urp-nry. the Ranee wan induce<l to jjive h«*r o»nHc*nt
to thin fatal pme(*4Miinfir. on receiving:: the nolemn aiwuran<v of
cniundn Siili«*b. ciintimicti bv a fnlne (Mith on a faliH* Koran,* that
th«* tpM>|»^ nhouM lie emplityt**! for no other puqx<k* than the
ronfmimtion of h«*r authority, aft4*r whieh th«»v Miould U* faith-
fully withdrawn T\u* iirmnt^*m<*ntH tliun nMiden^l nei*e!>wiar>' for
thr f^itAbli.^hmrnt of tht* Kan<N*'fi authority pUuv^l th«* ai'tual
|»ow«T in tht* handii of the Mohainme«lan tnwiiM. nf»t only at Trirhi-
no|Mi|y. but at th«* prinri|inl provincial Htationn; nn<i tlu-m* nu^-
•un*<i U»ini: ••rt«'«'t4*«l. ("htinda Snliob thn*w off the niank. inipri-
mm*-*! th«* IL'intM*, iind lioiHt^Hl in the fortn*KN the tU^ of Nhun.
Sufd«T All »**»«in nA'-rwanlfi n*tunied to tlir capital. l*avinf*
uhil«T th<* t^*v«•^lInt•nt of (IiuimU Siihrb thin im|M»rtant ('*»n<iu(*flt,
wliirh ••xt^'iidnl. with th«« nihijlf i>xr«-pti«in of Tanj«»n* iivit all the
pn»\in«*«»H «Miuth i»f th«» rivrr (\ivt«ry and ea^t of <'»r'»«»r. Tbe
otfi«'f* of l^'Wiiii wa^ in €Mn<M*4|ueniv of thiji arrani^'mmt n>n-
ft*rT««l on M««»r Awud. the pn*«***|>t4ir of thi* heir ap|4irt*tit. who
<pii«*kly ii-TiM'ive*! the frrfir whirh ha<l Ui-n ci»iiunitt4'«l bv hia
piijiil. and P*pn*««4*nt«'«l to tin* N^Uib the rf*rtain diMnemlK*nueiit
of provmo*^ formerly tributar}'. a^ thf loaHt dan;,'«>n»iLH oin^ie-
4|U«-n«v whif'h rmdil i'Ilhu*' fnini l<*avin;; a man of (*)iunda Salieb'i
prtn«*tpl«-A and talrnti in tht* |Htn«u-i«iion of nurh r^vit»ure«^
Thi* NaU»b. h<*Wf%*i'r. who at thi* {leritMi in n*preiiente<l by the
pivi*nim«'nt of Madras an *' n<*^li'jrnt of aiTaim. deiipi«v«l bv his
* It WM Artnally % ^r%^k mn\*\*tA ruuad with the aame tiklmdid cuvcnog
in wbicb a Kitrui it uraally eiiTc loped
150 MAllHATTA INVASION. [CRAP. VIL
siihjoots, and '^iiffeiiiig roblxTy, exaction, and oppression on tlic
part of his offieci-s in all quaiters," could not be prcvaile<l upoD
to risk the oonsecjiiences of recalling Chunda Saheb, or to believe
in the reality of his treasonable views. The new Dewan and
heir apparent, who clearly perceived their danger, and the impos-
sibility of moving the Nabob to vigorous measures, determined
on averting the impending {x^ril by a measure of dangerous
policy ; namely, a nogociation, to bo concealed from the ^abob,
for the purpose of introducing a body of Mahratta* troops.
ostensibly to invade the province, but actually to unite with
Sufder Ali in destroying Chunda Saheb, who was of course
expected to take the field in the general cause of Islam. The
great Inxly of the army under Sufder Ali was placed with this
view to the southwaixl, in the expectation that the aged Nabt>b
would, on the approach of tlie Mahrattas, finding himself with-
out suflicient force to oppose them in the field, simt himself up
in Arcot or Vellore, when the Mahrattas would pass, according
to previous compact, to the pretended attack of Sufder Ali and
Chunda Saheb, and leave the former free to regulate his con-
certed plan. But the old man, roused by this imminent danger
from the lethargy in which he had long reposed, resolved not to
sur\nve the disgrace of suffering the infidels to ravage without
resistance the very precincts of his capital ; and took the field
with the handful of men which he could collect, sending orden
to Chunda Saheb, and to his son, to join him without delay.
Chunda Saheb ol)cyed the onler with alacrity; and Sufder Ali,
finding one psirt of his project defeated, had no alternative but
t<:) proctH.'d by forced marches to join his father. Before the
arrival of either, Doast Ali, who hail tiiken a ]K)sition in the
•Torge n( the pass of Damalcherri expecting, in the prevalent
but ernmeous opinion that this was the only pass through that
|>art of the range of mountains, that he should be enabled there
to arrest the pi\)gress of the MiUirattas, was surrounded and
defeated, himself biding slain in the action, and the Dewan, Meer
As.su<l, being made prisoner. Sufder Ali, who had advanced as
far as Arcot, when ho heard this intelligence, fearing with reason
that the change of circumstinces might alter the measures of the
Mahrattas, placed his army under the protection of tlie fort of
V^ellore, negociating with them throut'h the medium of their
Crisoner Meer Assud ; and Chunda Sidieb returned to the care of
is own interests at Trichino|>oly.
* This invasion is stated by Mr. Orme to have been incited by Niiam ul
Mooik. I have given the relation of facts ns they arc stated to me by the
Nrvnvfts, and ns seems consistent witli probability. Nizam ul MooUc was at
this tiinr nt Deliii, too deeply engaged in the intrigues which led to the ioTa-
sion of Nadir Siiah to he able to give attention to those affairs, if the fact were
otherwise pr<ihabl(!. But wherever I dissent, with or without a apecific notice
of this nature, from the statements of Mr. Ornie, 1 desire to be undentood
9.) doing so with the utmost deference for his authority.
C7HAP. VII.] ASSASSINATION OF SUFDER ALL 157
The Mahraitasy. as Sufder Ali foresaw, had completely changed
their tone, and converted a mock invasion into that system of
desolation which everywhere marks the course of these cool and
insatiable robbers* They perceived that any price might be
exacted from Snfder Ali by the simple threat of selling themselves
to Chnnda Saheb : and the treaty was soon concluded by which
they evacuated the province, on the secret condition of hereafter
receiving a large portion of the provinces in the possession of
Chunda Saheb as the price of his effectual removal The Mah-
lattas quitted the province, the rivals were apparently reconciled,
and Chunda Saheb, completely deceived by these demonstrations,
sold off the provisions with which he had stored his fortress on
the alarm of invasion. In December the Mahratta army, which
on various pretences had proceeded no farther than Sevagunga,
about 250 miles N. W. from Trichinopoly, suddenly returned and
invested the place. After a gallant resistance of three months,
Chunda Saheb, reduced by famine alone, surrendered at discre-
tion ; and, with his eldest son, was sent a prisoner to Sittara, now
the declared capital of the Mahratta empire, and the prison of
its prince, whose authority his minister had usurped. Morari
Row was left as the Mahratta governor of the conquered pro-
vince ; the whole of the lower countries south of the Coleroon
being thus placed under the dominion of that people.
Sufder Ali was soon aft^er assassinated by bis relation Murteza
Khan,*!' who was compelled to fly from an insurrection of the
* They are well characterized by the Persian compound Muft-Khoor^
eating at other people's expense. A modem Mahratta is utterly destitute of
the generosity and point of honor which belongs to a bold robber. Ifwe-
should attempt to describe him by English terms, we must draw a character
eombined of the plausible and gentle manners of a swindler, the dexterity of
a pickpocket, and the meanness of a pedlar : equally destitute of mercy and
of ahame, he will higgle in selling the rags of a beggar whom he has plundered
or overreached : and is versatile, ;ts occasi(»i offers, to swagger as a bully, or
to cringe as a mendicant when he dares not rob. Of his acknowledged and
unblushing treachery, the reader may take the following anecdote. A Vakeel
oi the M^ratta chief Gockla, conversing with me on the events of the late
war, stated among other topics, as an example at once of Lard Wellington'a
contempt of danger and confidence in his roaster, *' that he had driven Qockla
in an open carriage irora his own to the Mahratta camp without a single at->
tendant." I affected not entirely to comprehend him, and asked what the
general had to fear on that occasion. *' You know what he had to feac^'*
replied the Vakeel, "/or after all ue are but Mdhrattcu,^'
t Written Mortiz Ali in most English prints. The Nevayets palliate
this crime by asserting, what I believe to be true without adopting a favor-
able opinion of his general character, namelv. that he had oeen made to
believe that Sufder Ah had applied to Nizam ul Moolk to reverse his appoint-
ment of Eolledar. When after the murder his writing desk was examined, the
draft was found of a letter from Sufder Ali to the Nizam soliciting his con-
firmation. Murteza was overwhelmed with sorrow and remorse, from which
he never effectually recovered Sender Ali had gone to Vellore, not from any
apprehension, but to paas the festival at the house of hia sister, hia own
family being at Madras.
156 MAHRATTA INVASION. [CHAP. VIL
subjects, and siifteiiiig robb<'ry, exaction, and oppression on the
part of his officers in all quaiters," could not he prevaile<l upon
to risk the consecjuences of recalling Chunda Saheb, or to believe
in the reality of his treasonable views. The new Dewan and
heir apparent, who clearly perceived their danger, and the impoB-
sibility of moving the Nabob to vigorous measures, determined
on averting the impending peril by a measure of dangerous
policy ; namely, a negociation, to be concealed from the Nabob,
for the purpose of introducing a body of Mahratta* troops,
ostensibly to invade the province, but actually to unite with
Sufder Ali in destroying Chunda Saheb, who was of course
expected to take the field in the general cause of Islam. The
great l)ody of the army under Sufder Ali was placed with this
view to the southward, in the expectation that the aged Nabob
would, on the approach of the Mahrattos, finding himself with-
out sufficient force to oppose them in the iiold^ shut himself up
in Arcot or Vellore, wlien the Mahrattas would pass, according
to previous compact, to the pretended attack of Sufder Ali and
Chunda Saheb, and leave the former free to regulate Iiis con-
certed plan. But the old man, roused by this imminent danger
from the lethargy in which he had long reposed, resolved not to
sur^'ive the disgrace of suffering the infidels to ravage without
resistance the very precincts of his capital ; and took the field
with the handful of men which he could collect, sending orders
to Chunda Saheb, and to his son, to join him without delay.
Chunda Saheb obeved the order with alacrity; and Sufder An,
finding one part of his project defeated, had no alternative but
to proceed by forced marches to join his father. Before the
arrival of either, Doast Ali, who had taken a iK>sition in the
gorge of the pass of Damalcherri expecting, in the prevalent
but erroneous opinion that this was the only pass through that
part of the range of mountains, that he should be enabled there
to arrest the progress of the Mahrattas, was surrounded and
defeated, himself being slain in the action, and the Dewan, Meer
Assud, being made prisoner. Sufder Ali, who had advanced as
far as Arcot, when ho heard this intelligence, fearing with reason
that the change of circumstances might alter the measures of the
Mahrattas, placed his army under the protection of the fort of
Vellore, negociating with them through the medium of their
Erisoner Meer Assud ; and Chunda Saheb returned to the care of
is own interests at Trichinopoly.
* This invasion is stated by Mr. Orme to have been incited by Nizam qI'
Moolk. I have given the relation of facts as they are stated to me by the
Nevayets, and as seems consistent with probability. Nizam ul Moolk was at
this time at Delhi, too deeply engaged in the intrigues which led to the inva-
sion of Nadir Shah to be able to give attention to those affairs, if the fact were
otherwise prc>bab1c. But wherever I dissent, with or without a specific notice
of this nature, from the statements of Mr. Orme, I desire to be undentood
as doing so with the utmost deference for his authority.
ClIAP. VII.] AKHAKHIKATION OF KUFDF.R AU. I.*i7
Tilt* MalimtUHy an Sufiler Ali ftireHaw, luul rompleU*ly clianj^
tlifir totir. nti«l convorU^l a iiuick invaHioti inU} tliat HViitc*!!! of
«l<*Hiilnti«>n whirh ovtsn^wlivre umrkii the cournt* of tlicHe omiI and
iiisTitiiiblt* n>hU*rK* riioy i>erc«ive<l that any (trii'O might \te
exart4*«l fn»ni Suftler Ali hv tiM* flimple tlin*at of Helling themselves
to i *hun<la Sahoh : and the treaty waa iicM>n «^oncludetl hv which
Uh'V evaeuato^l the pmvincv. on the aecret condition of Fieruader
HH-fivin^ a lar^'e |Nirti(in of the (irovinceM in the poHMeiuiion of
("htmda Sah«*h aji the |iric*e of hin effectual n*Dioval. The Mah-
ratta.H quitt^Nl tht» |»nivin<v. the rivalM wen* amiarc^ntly reconciled,
and i*hundu Sah<*h. et)ni|>leU*ly dwviviNl liy tliene demonHtratictna^
Hold off tli«* |»n»viMf?n^ with whieh he hail }«t4»re«l hiH ftirtrenH on
till* aUnn of invasion. In lK>renil»t*r Uie Mahratta armv, which
on varioiiH iin*U*n<va hail |»n»ctH.NU*<l no farther than St*vapm^,
aUnjt •J.'iO miU*»i N. W. from Trichino|M»ly, nuddenly retume«l and
invfittNl thi* \t\ticv. Aft4*r a pillani n<iiiHtAn<*e of ttiree months,
diiinda Saheli. n*<lur«>d hv famine alone. Hum*fidert*d at diMcre-
tion ; and. with his eltleM fM>n. waa itent a prinoner t<i SitUtra, now
tht* i|iM*lan*«| (*a|>ital of tiie Maliratta empin*. and the prinon of
itM pnn«*f. wh«ifM* authority hia ininintt^r had UHuqKMl. Morari
Kow waa left t%s th«* Maliratta p»venior of tlie <'«»n(|uen.Ml pro-
ving* : the whole of the lower otuntriea tuuith of the (V)lenM>n
In-Iiil; thuH plaoni uinlfT the dominion 4kf that ]KN>pUv
Sulder Ali waM HiM»n afl4»r aaManainateit hy bia relatii»n Murt4^2a
Khatt.'f' wIh> WIU4 ri»m|a«lliHl to tly from an inHurrecti«>n of tho
• Thry ft re mvW r La racte riled hy the iVmiaii Oiin|Miun(l Mufi-Khnnr^
r»tiii«; .it ••tiii-r |K^»)»lf'% i x|<«>ii«r. A iiiiKiem MalirAtta ia utterly dtiititiitc* of
th* tfrrif n*«ity and inuiit <*f hniior mhifh lir!<»iit(« to a ImiM p'hUT. If wc
iih«'iiM -itfrTiipt t4> (U*«rrilM* him hr Kiifrli"h tentiK, nc niimt draw a rhnmrtrr
r<tiiJiiii<<<i <if the |tUii**ihlr niol fratlr matinrm \A a ««iiMilrr. the (Uxtrrity <tC
a iii<-k|»iM'k<*L .iikI th«* tii4Mnn<*4« of it iHsil.-ir - r«|iiilly (ir»titutr of mrrry and
vi %\\M%M\ lir Will hiintlr in M-llini: thr ri^ni of a Un;«rkr whom Ik* h.ui |»ltin<lrr<*«l
or o>rrrt jrhnl aii«I i^ ^crvitili*. im imtauimi ofTrr*. to ^wajfjrvr a;* a Uilly. or
U* 4 ruu'r .»• I mrndiraiit whrn lir «lArt-« niit n*b <>f hi« .v^knowl«<(i^r«l and
ui)^>l>i«hniir trr.irhrrr. thf* r«'»ii«-r miy tJtkf thr follow ini; arir4nl<»ie A V«kfr&
o( iiir M.ikirnttA rhi«f (M*''kl.i, ron%rr»iii|C with nir «>n the rVrnU of thr Ufa
W4r. *t.i!«i| anions' otln r to}'ic«, :m «n c*Kjnii»lf .U ocKc of I^trti Wrlhnirt«*a*ft
roiit«ni|»t of «l.iii^rr .in«l (tititiiU-rtfv in \\\% niki^trr. ** thtt hr ha«l ilrivni (SiM^kla
in \i\ ot^ri rnrri4«i*i' from hm i»w-n ti»thr Maliritti ranif» without a uniflr al-
lrn<luit. ' I AlT«vlr«I n«4 rntirrly to roni|irrhrtiii him, ami AJtkrvl what tbo
arnt^ral h»«l tofrarott that «irraiiaia. )*••« iriM«tr what hr h^d to frar/*
rrplif^i Ihr Vak««4, "/"^ »i/>/r a// nt airt fmi i/'iAm/Mj
t \Vntt«n Mortii Ah in moMt Fjiiclidi printii Thr Nt-^ayrta |»alliat«
thi« rnmr hy aa*rrlinir. what 1 lirltmr t4> W Inir without Atkiplinjt a favor-
ahlr o|.ini<<i (if hi* grneral rharartrr. namrlv. that hr ha«l brrn made to
brlir^r ihil S<if«irr Ah hail ap|>lir<l to Niiam a( )l«i«*Ik X** rr^rra* hit a|»|««aiil*
nrnt of Killr«iar When aftrr th« intirilrr hi* writinc tir»k wa« riaiainnl. tha
draft waA f(»untl of a Irttrr from SuMrr Ah t4» the Ni^aui it4cMin|{ hi* cow-
finnati«>n. Murtrxa waa oTrrmhtlmcd liith M»rrow and remona, fix>m wbicb
be nrvrr rffrrtually rvciivered Suldrr Ali bad tftme to Vrllorr. not from any
apiirrbrfiutm. but ti> |jaM tbe featiral at the buaac i4 hia aiaUr, bu owii
f amUy hciai^ at Madraa
15H ANWAR U DEEN. [CHAP. VIL
army ; and* Moliammcd Saced, the infant son of Sufder Ali, was
announced a^ successor to the office of his father by Nizam ul
Moolk, who, about this period, found leisure to march to ArcoL
He found the province in that state which illustrates the series of
Indian revolutions to which we have so often referred : the Moham-
medan deuuties, of every deputy's deputy, and the officer of
every mud fort, or town, affected the fashionable designation of
Nabob as the first step towards independence; and so many of
those important personages were announced at his first public
levee, that he is said to have threatened with personal flageUation
his Clivbdara (or gold sticks in waiting) if they should dare
thenceforth to announce any person by the title of NaboiK In
appointing Khajah Alxiulla to be a temporary deputy, and
declaring his intention of conferring the office on Mohajnmed
Saeed when he should attain a proper age, Nizam ul Moolk
recognised the principle of hereditary descent, which, however
dangerous in his own subordinate officers, he was desirous of
recommending to public estimation, for the purpose of strengthen-
ing and perpetuating in his own £a,mily the mighty empire which
he had usurped ; and having recovered Trichinopoly and its
dependencies from the Mahrattas, he returned to Golconda, accom-
panied by Khajah AbduUa, who did not live to return to the
possession of his government
Anwar u Deen arrived at Arcot in April 1744, tainted with
the suspicion of ha>'ing poisoned his predecessor ; and as he was
the guardian of Mohammed Saeed, his reputed successor, his
character did not exempt him from the imputation of beingf
secretly concerned in the murder of that unfortunate youth.
In the same year he was confirmed as Nabob by Nixam ul
Moolk, and continued for a few years to exercise the govem-
* Mohammed Saeed, in Orme Seid Mohammed : the former word Se^ed^
prefixe<i to a name, always indicates the person to be a descendant of the pro-
phet, which the NevayetA are not. 1 observe the same error in the Records
of Madras with regard to the former name (»f Soadut Dolla Khan, who is
sometinieA called Seid Mokammrd, his real name being Mokanmed Sattd.
The words Stayed and Saeed are from different roots.
t The adherents of the family of Anwar u Deen actiuit him of the murder ;
the Nevayets ac(|nit both him and Mnrteza Khan, ana transfer the suspicicm
to Moliammed Jlussvin Khan Taliir, and Gholam Imaum Hussein Khan. Ob
the murder of Sufder Ali these persons are stated to have appropriated the
treasure <»f the state at Arcot. The young man had heard tbia, and had bees
so imprudent as to hint that he would hereafter look t4» it. The partiiani
of eacli may be expected in all such cases to give to tlie transaction the
colors mast favorable to their own cause ; but I incline to the statcmeBt
of a sensible old man, with whom I lately conversed, who was present at Um
murder, as a personal attendant of the young prince : ** People of diffmnt
parties (said he) invented different tales; but according to the generml
opinion, those persons were engaged in the murder who were most ioterettcd
in effecting it ; namely, Murteza Khan, who . knew that Mohammed Sttsed
would retaliate for the murder of his father, and Anwar u Deen, who wanted
to be Nalx)b without a future rival.''
CHAP. VIL] BATTLS OF MYCONDA— i:»9
ment withoot any nmterud iiitemipUon from foreiign or donicstir
bostility.
S(> lon^ Ail Sufder All liveil, hifl kiu>wlc<lge of the (laiif^vr to
bo appreheiiilcd from the releam) of C'liuiida SAheb rv^ndvriHi liim
Bjni'tual in the rej^lar diiudiarge of the Kum exArU^l hy tlie
ahraiiwi. aa the price <»f hin |M*r|»i*tunl impristmmeiit : hut
An war ti l)tH*n, fnuu uvarii*!*, from contidrnce. ov |HTha|M fri>m
want of n>4«anH, di*rlim'il U^ continue th<* accuHtonied |iaynient
The cehd»rHt4Hl Monn. DuphMX hftd arriviil at Pnutliclierry s4H>n
mfU'T thr cHptun* of l^hunda Snheh. and found in that fortn-NH hia
wife an«l youiijjtT *»n, Ili'za Siiheh. who had l«i-<»n H4«iit thither fur
iMMnirity on the tirnt alanii of the MahnittJi inva^ion. Th«* saLja-
ciiiUH aikI iN*netnitin^ mind of thi;« state,*4nuiu wa.s n^t ^low in
IH*nvivinjf tin? iMlviinta;^»» whieh he mi;;)it j»nM-un* for hin eounlry
ly the liUnrmtion f»f i^lninihi Snh«'h. wh<»M* ndations and eon-
nexioiui lijul lH*l<i under the former ndf tli«' p>venin)i*iit <»f ni<»8t
of tin* Htron^ pla4i«»« in t-lie province of An-ot ; and wm* n«»t yet
di?«|MiK<w*?vie<l l»y Anwar u l>ifii. onlv liecaune the ent«'r|»ri7je waa
too tlai^ffnniH U» In* yet und<*rtAken. A r^nnniiniieation wan
an*«»rlin);ly o|MMinl with thf prifM»ner at Sjittara. through the
medium «if hi.H family At Fondi< hi-rrv. anil a ne.:oriatioii with the
Mahrattaa en.HU<N|, whieh terminated in tin* n-lea.H« of C'hunda
Hah«h
Attend*-«l hy hin eMcnt !H»n, Aal»id S;dndi. aivi ei^dit or tell
finithful friendn. who hat! followed hin denpfrate fortuni***. with a
d<'Ci'nt hut ii«»t tninirr«*u«« tmiii. h«* dfjuirt^-il fM»m Sattara early
in th(» y«*ar 17^. an*! ivroi*e<N|fHl nlowly t^i the south, waiting tho
ei>mmuni(*ati4inH (»f hU frimdn. <hi hU Arrival At the river Ki.ntna
he wan met hy the VAk«*«'U of the Polipir of i'hittlcilrooif. And
the Kaiks* of li«*«lnon\ th«Mi ••njnc*' i" <»I»«'n WAr, who Hf\t»rally
•olicit4*4i tin* AilvAntAi^* of hin ^i-nt nani<* at th«* ht*ad of tli«*ir
n'^|i«'<-tiv«« tnioiiM A N»*vay«t nani*-^! Mt»h»-«» u iK^en, who «*«im-
Uiandi*<| the fopT** «if lH'«ii!ori» \\i\% tiiti«»i«l.T»*«i tie* ni**-*! pT«»|>«T
{••rvin to din*rt tin* nf^'<-*iation and dietat*- thf lHt*'r t'» a !»«'r-
HitnA^^n* i»f hi«t own tnU- TIh* •li!!«TiTH-»' U't\\i«-n * y«»ur humi»le*
and "\*Kir fiH»*»t humhlf ' *4'r\.int w«>ull «oiitid (i) an Kn^'li*«li «-Ar
Wfh a ni«»^t ndieul'MM i.hj..'l ».f |-<htiral di"*'!-*-*!"!! h:»t tlie Ne-
VAV«*l kn«*w tin* ni«iiHriti»UH r'.u—'«j«H nrvs • f •ii^tiiet-onH 4i|<ially
futili* . and fenrim; that thi- pn-si'inv t-f diunhi Sah* h \ii»uM
ilit4«rf«*n» m'ith hi** own \i«-w«». diriAt«*<l the f»iriiiili(i«'> of th« iul-
dn^n in a inAnraT whi« h h<- kn«'W m'oidd L'i\t* ittft'iio* ; and did
ai*tindly d«'t«-rmin«' tU* ijih-*t!»»n in f;iv.»r *^ th** I^ja **f t'hittle-
dro*iif A f«*w fUvn aAer tin* iMieiiiin Mfl'hundA Sah« h, thr rival
armi«*^ met at Mv(*«inda. •w»uth %*( th<* T<*'*nihnddni The c«»nt4-iit
waA i4»<«tjnat«' and ^an^^uinAnk* . An«l thr tr*«i|M «>f |i«H|u«in*. U*in)^
An|«*nor in numU*rH wen* «^inin;^ ^'nie ;^ri>und. when the PiJi^^r
of (liittl«**lriMi^ onlrrf*! hiii t'lfphant to im' pi«*ket4-«l i»n tin* ^|Mit.
Ihereli^' itH heating; to hin tr«>|A hi<« tixid detrnniuation not to
I GO ITS CONSEQU£KCfiS. [COAP. VIL
retreat Chunda Saheb 'directed the operations in another part
of the line, having his son on the same elephant ; and attempting
to restore the fortune of the day bv a forward movement^ he
encountered the elephant of the Bednore general, who did not
shun the distinction of meeting him. They discharged at the
same instant their respective pistols. Mohy ii Deen was killed,
and Chunda Salieb, in the fall of his son Aabid by his side, felt
for a moment a pang more grievous than the loss of victoiy ; his
exertions were enfeebled, antl tlie day was lost The Poligar was
slain, surrounded by a heap of his faithful adherents, the bravest
troops of the Houth ; and Chunda Saheb was taken and conducted
in triumph to Bednore. The Bsmue was desirous of detaining
him as a [triHoner, but he was stilt in the custo<ly of the MilssuI-
man troops, to whom he had surrendered ; and having opened his
views to their Jemadars,* they not only resisted the orders of the
Ranee, hut marched off under the command of their prisoner, tn
whom a recent event htid opened new and unexi>ected means uf
pursuing his objects nt Arcot
The de«ath of Nizam ul Mo<ilk,"f" and the luittle of Myconda,
happened on one and the same day ; and the news of the former
event Wjus accomimnied with intelligence tliat Heilayet )f«»hy ik
Deen Khan, the son of his favourite daugliter, strong in the pos-
session of the celehrated fortress of Adwanee* (Adoni) claimed
the succession to the i>rejudice of six legitimate soils.§ What-
ever hereditary prettjnsions (,^hunda Siiheb might offer wore also
derived from the female line, and this siinitarity in tluiir fortunes
detennined him to sei»k thr court of this young atlviiiiturer ; ^>
whom he explaintM] the UK'niis of acquiring tln» servie^s of a
French corps, and th«j strength and rest)urci»s which, liy fixifig at
Arcot a Nabob entirely drvoted to his siMvice, he would sioquirc.
in the arduous entt'rprize o{ estaldishiiig his own i>aramount
authority in the Deckan.
The negociations with Mr. Dupleix were condiietcd withnut
interruption, and a hody of French trooj)s, consisting of four
hundred Euroj)ean and two thousand di*<cipliiiod native infantry,
under the command of Mons. D'AuUMiil, and accompanied
* Meer Shcreef u Dccn, and Nobhce Var Khan : their whole command
did not exceed one thousand five hundred horse. This transaction is differ-
ently related by Mr. Or me. The narrative Htate<l in the text in taken from
the local mcmoirn of Chittledroo;? and lie<lnore. from a eoniimriran of differ*
ent authorities, Hindoo and MolKinunedan, and from tlie information of Budr
u Zeman Khau, who has fre(|ueiitly heard Chunda Saheb relate the circnm-
BtanccA.
t Nizam ul Moolk died 24th March 1748 : the battle of ^lyconda wm
fought on the very Kiune day. Local memoir in the Mackenzie collcctiun.
t Adoni and Uacbore were his personal JaKhire.
$ first, Oliazee u Deen, wb(» held an office at Delhi. Second, Naair Juni;,
the next in succession, vrho obtained the treasures and commanded the mmir.
Third, Salabnt Jung. Fourth. Nizam Ali Khan. Fifth, Kaaalut Jung. Sixtli,
Moghul Ali Khan.
irHAP. vil] battle of AMBOOR. Kil
by Reat Saheb» tbo sou uf Chiin<la Salicb, were permiUod, by the
igiiorant and unmilitar)' coiubitiatioiiH (if Anwar u Dt*<*u, t4>
travenw tlic lower country without ni(»li\stati(»n, and join liin ad-
voniary ms he approached. ThuH btn*ugth«*niMl, HtMhiyet Mohy il
IXvn Khan, who ha^l rcceiveil or asAuniod the title of MtusufTer
Jung (victoriouji in war.) de!H*cnde<l at th«* hrad cf forty thoUNand
mun into the pn»vince of AnMit Anwar u IK*4Mi with twenty thou-
sand men liad ft>rtitie«l a ixkhition witli one Hank re^tin;; on tlio
hill fort of AuilN>or, and tlie other extcndin;^ t(»wanlii a hill which
b<»undM (»ne of the valleys or |»jwsh4*s h^idin*; int4> the lower Car-
natic. If this |>o!«ition (aN is *;«*ncrully sjii^l) was tak(»n up with
the view of prevmting the fnlnimv of ihf fnt»niy into the pn>-
vince, it 'w a ^tranf^i* oxaniph* of militiir}' in('a|iiu*ity, as the iMnsi--
tion may Im* cither tununl or alt4»;^'fth«T iklks^nI !<» the north or the
Mouth 4ivcr a countr}* Mutticicntly pniriinihK* for ever)' di'*4<Tiption
of troopH. It cannot l>e mi]»|h>him1 th:it a s4iMier of Oiuiida
Saluh'ii reputation was i^^nnraiit of thin f M*t ; hut the cause
in which he waH enga^**! n*<|uin*<| u hrilliant oiM'nin^. The
entrenrhnientH were m*«'onlinu'ly **t«'run*'l and curriiNl iift4T a rcH-
{M'ctiihlM n'sistantv, chirlly thniui^h th«» ai«l of ili«« Fn iich tnH»im.
Although this aA*hi«*veni«*nt evith ntly diM-ideti th«* fortune of tne
day, Anwar u iKtrn continu(*«i with ;;nal j>«PM«nal hmvery to
ajiiiuaU* his triM>i»t, antl wjim at ]«*Ti;^h nlain. in im'^liin;: forwartl
his elephant to eline with the hL'tiidapU of his rival, on tin* twenty-
thinl Julv 174'J. Of th«- twt» H»riN «»f Anwar u I)«-«-n who were
in thi* motion, thr eldest, Maphu/. Kluui. wxh tak«n pr!H4»tifr. the
joiiiii^fAt, MohainnitNl Ali. ^aved hini-^'lf hy titu^ly t!ii:ht. and
r«*4M hoi in Hafvtv the fort «»f Trirliino|N»|y, of whieh h»' hml U-en
govrnior under liin father, di-^tant near tw<i huiidn*«l and liAy tnilt*s
fn»ni the field of Ijattle. ThtTe he pPN*|;i!ui«*il hilUM-lf th«* lawful
NaUih. and for a time M>liciu*d in vain the aNsistiineo of the
Knglish.
Muzuffer Jung and Cliunda S«'difh fnan*h<*d without f.irther
(»p|»(»itioti to Amit ; wli«*ri'. in aKsuniiu'^ th<* ntxit'*. and n*«^*i\iiig
tin* oU*i*^n(V due Ui th**ir ii*'W di:^Miiti4*««. th*'V Hf«iii to h:i\««
wastiNi ill puffilf <vn*nioiiiiiU iU** pn-^-i'-ii-* tinif, ulii«h ou^dit to
hii\f eonvi'Ve*! thrni without a h:ill to thf ^-.it«'«» of 'rri«hiu"|Hi|y.
Thi<« f-hildi'»)i vnnity wa/« ««till f;irth«'r e\inr«-d in a |»*»ni|MMin pn»-
r»i%niMn to Pondirherrj', wht-n* Moii<«ii*ur Ihiphix, natunilly dis-
|M»<M*«i to magiiitiivno* and ^pli*n<iour. ^T)ititif«i his gUf^ttn with a
nio^t 4«it4'ntiitiou% nM^*ption ; hut urg»-<l th«-iii to |i«*rniit no olijf*«-t
h»nL:*'r to tii*lnv th«*ir tnini«*diat«* ninnYi t<» Triehinoiiolv. TIns
• • •
Mplrndid ot*n*nioniAlA of Ari*i*t nn<l Pt»ndi«-ht rry lui^l not niueh
n»i»leni?»h«^l th«* niilitar%- ehest. nnd th«« n«'OH-.uv of thrir Hituatiou
ohli;ri*<l them to deviate* to 'r.ihj'»n' uith tht* hi»|M* of h'wing a
hkrii^* mntnhutioiL Oiunda Sahrh pup*t|«<«| the meajm whieh in
«'nliiiar\' rin*umstanrefl would h.ivr tt!'«*«-t«^l his puqMjm* . hut
vtni€«l from the first to havt utt«*rly for^'i»ttcn the value of time,
V
1G2 THE FOUR RIVAL CANDIDATES. [CBAP. VIL
and suifcred himself to be amused before Tanjore by absurd and
inefficient milittiry measures and negociations, which the Mahratta^
who knew that Nazir Jung was approaching from Golconda, and
had alrctidy an-ivcd in the territories of Mysoor, broke off, renewed,
and skilfully protracted till that chief had actually entered the
province of Arcot. Such was the security and improvidenoe
of Muzuflfer Jung and Cliunda Saheb, that this inteUigenoe wai
fii*st conveyed to them by Monsieur Dupleix, and the oontenip-
tible proceedings before Tanjore ended in a still more dLsgraceful
retreat towards Pondicherry.
Before we proceed to sketch the conduct of these mighty
opponents, it may be useful to review the actual pretensions of
the four rival candidates. The authority of the Mogul, although
nominally resorted to when convenient, had positively no ex-
istence in the south. Nizam ul Moolk had been avowedly inde-
pendent of tlie court of Delhi; neither tribute, nor obedience^
were rendered by him, nor by any of the officers really or nomi-
nally deixiudeut on him ; and it was puerile to claim the exercise
of })ower under an authority with wnich none of the parties had
any other relation but tliat of rebellion. With r^ard to here-
dititr}' riglit, or a modification of that right, by the dispositioiis
of tlie former possessor; where the whole was usurpation, and
tlie line of hereditary descent had not yet begun, the pretensions
on this head seemed to have as weak a foundation as the mock
mandates of the Mogul On grounds, however, such as these,
I^asir Jung claimed to succeed to the general government of the
Deitkan, on the false pretence that his elder brother had resigned
his ri;^^]it. Muzuffer Jung claimed the same authority on the
])ivt.'n(led will of his reljcl grandfather. Mohammed Ali claimed
to tiie preju<lice of liis elder brother Maphuz Khan (the only
K'gitiiiiate son of Anwar u Deen,) a patrimony which had been
in his family ju^t Jive years, because Nizam ul Moolk had pro-
ini.s(!(l, and Nasir Jung would confirm to him, the soccession.
Chunda Saheb did not put hereditary right into the front of his
pii'ti'Hsions, but rested his claims and fortunes on the authority
of Muzutior Jung. On pi*etensions futile and absurd as these,
two oiili^j^htened European nations wasted their ingenuity in
vohimus of political controversy; rendering homage to virtue
and justice, in respectively claiming the reputation of supporting
the ri;;,'htful cause ; but adding to the numerous examples ^
faihire in attemi)ting to reconcile the discordant elements of
]>o]ities and morals; without daring to avow the plain and bar-
barous truth, tliat tlie wliole was a trial of strength among bands
of forci^^n usiiriK*rs, in which the English and French had ss
much ri^dit to l)o prineii^iils as any one of the pageants whom
tht^y supported : ])ut these nations were at peace, and they could
only appear in the contest .as the mercenary troops of these poliah-
cd barbarians.
CHAP. Vft] HAsm juva 1C3
Namr Jang hnviiig been protent and without a ri\'ml when hin
frnthcr died at Boorhiunpoor m 1748, was arknowlc^lgcd by the
anny without any oppuaition ; obtained po<i8eif8ion of the public
treanuroM ; and employed himself for some time in adjusting tlio
bujiinem of revenue in theae northern parts of bin dominionH;
when a mandate from the emfieror Ahme<l Shaw announcc<l iho
appniach of the Alxlaleoft, and summoned him to join the im-
perial army with his forces. Ho obeyed with alacrity, not for
the purtmse of figliting the Abdalecs, but because the removal
of luH elder brntlier could only lie accomplishcHl by such an npiMir-
tunity as hail now presented itsel£ He bail reacluHl the nver
Nerbudda, when hearing that Hedayet Moliy u IXvn Klian,
whom ho hail hitherto treated as a childiiU) pretender, hud actu-
ally gaintNl the battle of Amboor; he retraced his Nti*|M with
8|Mi*<l, and deMcen<lc<i into the plains of Arcot, atU'udtnl by tho
fon^*s of all the Mussulman and Hiniloo oflicers an«l thiffs wIiomo
SfMmwsioaH wore ailjac(*nt to his route. Among thoM' Ufi\' tlio
atAU NnlMdM of Sa%*anore, Kumool. and Kuqia, Moniri liow
tlie Maliratta chief of UiM>ti, ami the tn¥>ns of MyM»<»r under
one of tho licst officers of that staU\ IWki Veii(*nt IC4»w , tho
whole comprising an army rated at thnn* liundn'<l thoujuind
fighting men. and which might |K)iMibly havr muHt<'n*<l iit%'ir one-
ibinl of tiiat numU*r. (>n entering the pntvimv of An*ot, ho
summoncnl Mohammed Ali to join \\'\h ?4tfintianl, and ni|tie.Hted
tin* Knglinh to m*nd him a body of Kiiro|»eans. MohamtntHl Alt
join«*<l witli a nominal six thousand h(»rHt'; and six InmdrtHl
English under the cutimiand of MaM»r ljawn*nce n*|viiri*4l U» his
standnnl. Tlit* Fn*nch lia^l iiuu^tudleif tlifir own fon^**<, nnd th<MO
of their aili«*s, in an exc(*llent {Mmition ; in which thfn* mtn litth*
doubt of tlioir n*|it»lling witli heavy Urns the uttnrk whirli NaMr
Jun;: IumI determine<l to rink; tmt a diHitint'tit auioiii^ the
French oJlitvpi, whi^^h induo**! thirt#««»n of th«» n»inil-r to adopt
thr unworthy «'XinH|i,. lit of n^ni^nun;? thrir roiiinii-'*ion-i in t!ii» f:tii»
<if an rnfmv, nuii«"«l for tho tiiti«» tli«» mus** in whioh tinir ii:iti<»n
was rngag»*<l- Moijx U'Aut^'uil. justly itlnniu**! at tin' roiiH«»-
ipn»nc»*n of A i^^iH-ml fi4*tioti whilf bin in«n w«ti» in th«' •»tAt«* of
in««iil*ordinntioii |iro*iiirf<l by that evi-nt. «Kt«nnin« «i to nmrrh by
ni;:bt Ut PohdirhiTrv' MuxutfiT JunL^ hIio had for «Minif dav^
U'^'U rngn^xl in a m-rn^t ne;^«t<*ijition with bi*» unrl*', with a virw
of pn*{iaring f»»r thr won»t, diiitin(*tly hjiw that tlnTi' wa-* not a
mouirnt to U* liwt , and having nHvi\«il th«* ni'^t s<»lrnin iiR<«ur-
aj)(*«<n of iH*rM»nal ^t^curitv. thn-w liini.«M If i.n tht» nim-y of Nsi*ir
Jung, tlmnda Salieb anM»m|Ant€^ tli<* Kn>rirh )«uttilion to Pondi-
(*h(*iT>'. and U*lmvf<l with di^t 1 11:^1 ihIunI ^•^illantr}* ibiriiig a <liffirult
retn^at Tho (-ainp of Muzutfrr Jiin^'. di*H«n«-*l by it-* rhirf. m*as
Muqiri'4^1. plundt'rvd. and deKtn«yf«l . and on thr exmin^; of Uio
rn^uing day not a man n-niain«^l in tht* tit Id. of th«* foniiidablo
**oufolcni'\ \*hirb luftfl (X*nt<iide«l f'.-r the inipiix* of th« l^vluui
1G4 DEFEAT OF MOHAMMED ALL [CHAP. Va
Tho character of Mons. Duplcix was of that elastic frame
which disaster only stimulates to increased exertion ; and firm in
the resources of }iis own mind, he immediatdy entered on the
course of measures necessary to retrieve his affidrs. An attempt
at ne^ociation, through the medium of a mission to the camp of
Nasir Jung, was intended for the sole purpose of gaining intelli-
gence, and opening a communication with the (usaifected. It
failetl of course hi its ostensible object ; and Nasir Jung, impatient
at being detained from the sensual delights which awaited him
at Arcot, broke up his camp about the end of April, higfalv
incensed by the conduct of Major Lawrence, who, fieitigued witn
the duplicity which he exi)erienced in his negociations, retired to
Fort St. David in complete disgust.
About the beginning of July, Mohammed Ali obtained the
permission of Nasir Jung, and the aid of some of his troops, to
take tho field for the purpose of defending the territories of
which he wa^j declared to be Nabob; and he received from the
English the aid of a body of four hundred Europeans and one
thousand five hundred Sepoys, on the express condition of punc-
tually <lofiuying their expenses. The experience of a single
month was sulHcicnt to show the military pretensions, as well ai
tho punctuality, of their new ally ; who, disheartened by a trifling
loss, hiul no money to pay the English troops, unless they shouM
consent Ui dografle their ivi)iitiition, and sacrifice their own pos-
sessions, by maivhing away from the enemy to a distant part of
tlie ]>rovince : and Major L'lwrenco, provoked by this absurd and
])revarieiitin^ <!()n<liict, onlered the troops to return to Fort St
David about the middle of August.
Molianuncil Ali, with the same military inconsistency, main-
tiiined, after tho dopailuro of his allies, the ground which he had
ccnisidered it necessary to desert while he possessed their aid
His forces were still four times the number of the French and
their allies ; and altliou^^h the c(m<luct of the latter in the attack
which they made was perfi.^ctly steady and s[>irited, it was scaroely
possible to liave failed in overcoming the unsoldier>like disposition
and feeble resistiinco of Mohammed Ali, who fled almost alone
to Arcot.
Mons. Du])leix followed up the blow with his usual spirit and
<lecision, and by a daring enUnprise led by Mr. Bussy obtained
]»ossession of the stupendous rock of Oinjee, a fortress literally
impregnable Ity the ordinaiy m(Mh?s (»f attack, which is situated
jibout ibrtv niiltis N. \V. from Pondicherrv. This fortress was
(rither built or impnived on an old foundation of the Chola kings
by the son of Vijeya llunfrsi Naick, governor of Tanjore, an
otiieer of the «:oveniment of Vije\Tinu<jf^ir in A. D. 1442 ; it was
Huerrssively streiijLTtln'neil by the Mussulmans of Vijeyapoor, who
posst'ssrd it from HXI!) until l(i77; by the Mahrattas, who held it
iVoni P»77 tolOD'S; l»y the imperial gcniMal Zulfecar Khan, and
CHAP. VIL] COKSPIRACT op THK PATAU NABOBS. I<M
the dyruufty of htn Rajpoot Killedani become RaJM ; and lastly,
by Saa4itit Oiilla Khan, who, on the conqiimit of tlio pUce fnim
the NfH*iin<l lUjpoot Raja in 1715, liaii cHmtributed more tlian
any cif hiii priMiecetiiiore to render it unamaiiahle.
Najiir Jun^, nmm*^! by thiN event fraui bin voluptuous slum-
lieri at AnTot, marched exRArtly at the seaA4>n of the year which
he oui^ht to liavo devoU^I to pn*paration, and wan subjected to
the preateMt 4liMtn"HA by the fitonns and HimmIh of the monsoon,
whirh bunit uiMin hi.H army beftin* he nppn)a<*lR*<l (}iniee.
Th(* brilliant exploit at (tinj«N* hail low«*n*<l the tone of this
Iin*MuniptU(»UH and ini*<)ni|N*t4.*nt ehicf, and he iiail condesrendeti*
H*fon* ho led Arrot, U* m*nd dt^putir.H to Mr. Duiileix. whose
intuitivo knowlrdp* cif ea^t«•nl rhamrter wan aide<l by the ex|)e-
rit«ncv anil {M*mrtmtion of rhumia »Siht*)i in the arduous rin*um-
stAn<n*H whirh aillt*<i for hi^ dtH'iHJdU. lit* luid f(»r aUmt S4«ven
montli!! rarrifHl on a M*cn*t in)m*s|M>ndt*ntH* with the Fatan
NbImi)«« of Kur|in. KunHMil and Savanon*. who had iibtaimnl fnim
fonn«T NimniH or SiuImM Htir«'«»AMivf i^rants fn>m the im|»erial
|w>^Ht»<wiMiiM : find who, |wni»iviii«» in Na^ir Jun^ a diH|w»?*Uion rather
to MTiitini/>' thfSi* nlirnntions than t4i evmiply with new and
iiiHolfiit d«*niand^. wrn* (*on.<M*«|u«'ntly n*a«Iy to indulp* tlie ehanuv
trri-^tH* tn*a«*li»'ry of thrir nwn^ in tin* mt*anM of rfft<<*tin^ a revo-
lution iiitir»* fiiviirabji* to th«'ir vi««ws. A wifct lio<lv of three
thou*wtnd ♦•i;;ht Inindnil mt-n and t«*n firM [litN^fN. undrr M. de
la Tourh**. w:ts kfpt n-ndy at (linjtv to oU*y at a moments
waniiiii; tin* f<unini«*nH of th«* inHuivi'nt/4 ; an*! M. Ihipleix con-
tiniH^I. without a)«itainin^ fn»m hoMtilttii*?«. ti> n4*triM*tate the tenus
of nf*«*«>iiini'*(lntion : Ifavin;; th#» ultimate quention <»f |wan* <ir
war to U» d«'ti'nnin««*l bv the omdurt of hi< adviTsarv. in c<m-
eluding or |»(»Ht|M>nin;; the tn*aty U*fori* or afU'r tht* measures of
thr in««uivntH wrn* niatiire«l. Tht» nittti«*ation of the tn«ty by
Nsj«ir Jnh'j. and th«* MinuiKMi*! of tht* inHun^'nt«. w<»n* di*t4«rmin4*<l
on om* and th«' shux** day . but tin- laltiT arrivin;* at ^linjo* iH^fon^
tlif fonn« r b.id n-n<'li#'«i l*ondi«li«*rry, M. «lf hi T«»urh«* instantly
man'lHHi. tiipl U'fon* d.iy-liirht tb** OfXt morning, nanirly. the
Ath i»f INm^'uiUt. riit«-r»»«l tlif Htra;:i;lin;^ eii(*ampnient of Nasir
Jufi;:. wliii'h li«' |>»'ii«*tnit«««l in linn and omiiiart onli»r. nur-
r»Mmt!«^l !»y li«»^t.H of rnfnii<-H. ndvaii«*in;; ••louly thn»uj;h the
n-it«*mt4*4| but uii'tkilful <*p|io*«ition whiidi h«* sa*«tainc«l. Amouf(
th«* tnMi|Hi who n'mainol faithful to NaMir Jun^ werv th(«u« of
Mv<wMir:* aii'i Hv<i«*r wan f<»rwiini in an un^mi^i^^^^ful atti*mi>t on
thf flank of cKe Kn-n«*h ei*lumn : but tln» din^cOir of the i*lrphant
of lU*rki Vi*nrAt R4»w having U*«*n kill«*<l by a cannon iJiot. the
t4*m|»onr\' ap|«*aran<^* of flight «*auM*«l thr tnM»|m to pvr way;
ami althi>tii;h thi^ aividrnt m-as «{ui«*kly rr|iairoil. and the ele*
phant n*«oini«'»l lii«^ pn»|wr plari*. th«» rlmri^r was n<»t rrm^we*!.
Th«» inHut;:«-fit.^ «ln'W up in onb-r of Ittttb* ; and although, ai--
* Tb<y oiv ttAtid t*y Mr iUmc U* lu%c joined the ituurgcDtf.
1G6 DEATH OF NASIR JUNO. [CKAP. TIL
cording to the practice of undisciplined troopfl, ihey were not
sufficiently alert in moving to the support of their friends, and
thereby exposed the whole enterprise to the imminent risk of
failure, there is no positive evidence that any other plan had been
concerted than that of open attack, until Nasir Jun^^ tmsusjH-
cious of treason, directed his elephant to that part of Ids anny
with the intention of giving orders. Apnroachmg the elephant
of the Nabob of Kurpa, he anticipated nis salutation by fint
raising his hand ; it was not yet clear day-light, and thinlriiig the
Nabob did not recognize him, he raised himself up in the honda
and repeated the salutation, when two carbine shots from the
opposite elephant pierced his body, and he instantly expired*
The Patans cutting off the head, and fixing it on the end of a
spear, exhibited to their associates in the conspiracy this ultimale
* I tako this part of the narrative almost verbally from the Serve i AM
(sec p. 237.) The author was in the tent of Nasir Jung when the alana wu
given, and assisted him to dress for the field. He relates with simplicity sad
truth the irregular life of Nasir Jung at Arcot, his own respectfhl ana repcrted
admonitions, and the vow which his patron made after his departure from that
city, and kept, until the dav of his death, to renounce all practice! thai wen
inconsistent with the sacrea law ; that fortified with these fruits of repentanee^
and confident in the protection of heaven, he prepared with cheerftilBeaaftrtlie
combat, and as he approached the mirror to adjust his dress, and peroeiTad the
reflection of his own n^re, he addressed it in the following; words :— ^ O JVier
Mohammed" (his origmal name ; Nasir Jung^ victorious tn toar, being a title),
** the Almighty is thy protector;'* and proceeded to mount his elef^baol
without being induced by the hurry of the moment to omit any one of the reli*
gious observances prescribed by the sacred law : that it was his general pnctiee
on the day of battle to be clothed in armour from head to foot, but, on this
occasion, he put on a simple muslin robe ; and in this state fulfilled his destuij;
and attained the crown of martyrdom. This narrative discredits the pnbliaa-
ed reports of Nasir Jung having deceived his nephew,^ who was aUowed a
degree of liberty, and treated with a consideration, a^nst which the best
friends of Nasir Jung strongly remonstrated, and advised his being put to
death. The reason for dissenting from this advice is not stated in the Senr ^
Azud, but is very generally known. When Nasir Jung several years before
rebelled against liis father and attempted to cut him off near Aurungiebadi
the father of Iledaytt Mohy u Dten (Muzuffcr Jung) was ordered to meet the
elephant of Xasir Jung, who, after the battle was lost, rushed on in a fit off
desperation against the standard of his fatlier. Nasir Jung waa wounded*
and his opponent was about to transfix him with a spear, when Uedaycl
Mohy u Dccn, then a boy, who was on the elcphiuit with mA father, seised hii
ann, crying ** spare my uncle !" and lie was accordingly saved. IVhen Naar
Jung was afterwards pressed to put him to death, on suspicion of the intrignt
with M. Dupleix, he answered, ** I will never take the life of the man who
saved mine." The character given of him in the Serv ^ Azid would juatiflf
the opinion of his being capable of such a sentiment. I add an incidMt
relative to the battle between Nasir Jung and his father Nizam ul lIuDc as
highly characteristic of the bright side of the Mussulman portrait. The LrtUr*
sitting as usual in state after the battle, announced that he would reoehre
throe successive nezer$ of congratulation,which were accordinaly pniaontid
without enquiry ; and at the conclusion of the ceremony he tnua explained
them : of these three nntrs of congratulation, the first was intended to
announce victory : the second that my sou is safe : the third that he did
not fly.
CHAP. VIL] HTDEE'S BEDIE PlOMa. 167
and direct evidence of complete succens ; and it is only uaeful to
adti. an a feature of tlio manneni of the |)eo|)lo, Uiat aftiT Uie
ounfuMion of the day, the troo|Ni reunited* the head and tlie trunk
of the corpee, and pre!ier>'inc tliem with piou.H care in a cheHt or
tfiacious coffin filleu with Aoeer, a |iowder formed of varioua per-
futtM9i» and the tilingH of odorifeniUM woodM, dis|)atchcd tlietie
reniainv of their late cliief ti> bo deposited in the tomb of hie
anceHtora. The intelli^uce of the death of Naair Jung was
quickly conveyed to the French column; tlie insuifi^^nts had
taken their measures for the preservation of Muzutfer Jung,
during this confusion, by contiding his guard to one of their ac-
ctnupiicvii ; and by nine o'clock in tlie morning he was quietly
acknowKrdgetl by tlie whole army as Souliadar of the Deckan,
although four brothers of Uie deceased were present in the camp.
llohammiMi Ali, now for tlie third time flying singly from a field
of a4*tion, rearhe<l the fort of Trichinopoly. Scenes of this nature
are iiarticuUrly favourable to private plunder. Hyder had
aln^sdy i>n*|iart*«l tlie means of availing liimself of such oppor-
iunitieM, by krrping in {lay a boily of tiiree hundred select lirtUr
PeifUJi, who may well bo cliaracterised as brave and faithful
thirvcji In the ordinary' circumstances of a campaign they more
tlian realijBetl the charges of Uieir i^tablisliment by a variety of
plundtT aiMl Himple theil, from friends when tlie enemy did not
ofl^iT i*<invt*ni«*nt luranH. During the amfusion of this dav they
mixiNl with tho cniwti near the tivasure of Nasir Jung. whi<*h. as
usual, tilt* tri'^ii^urei luul liegun to loa«l at tlie first alarm ; and
Uie*»u ex|K-rt marauders, exclusively of minor tliefbi, st*|Mirated
fn»m thtt iT«>wd two caiiw*ls huien with L'tild coiiui. ami l»efon« the
C(»nfiL4ion luwl ceased, wen; clear of all the outiMints, atifl well ad-
vanci«<l on their nmte towanln lleonhully (HycWr's fixed homo
and htation). whither, during this M*r\'i(*e, aliout thnn} hundred
h«»rM¥i and five hundre<l mufM|ueU <»ccafiionally picke«l up u|M»n
th«* ti«*ld. or Ht<»li»ii in the quiet of night. liHil ali*«» U*4*ii o>n\t«y«Ml.
11it« ipMitiH of My*MM»r obtainnl |ienniMon t^> n*tnni ti» tht*ir «»wn
ciMiiitry iiiin)t-«)iAt«*ly aftt*r thin ev'entful day. and a Iap^* |*i*rtion
of the n-iiuiui'irr of the annv movini t<»wardi» runditlicrrw In
tlii' roii'itiet «*| thi4 <Niiiipli«:at4*«l Mtme o{ diplomatic di'Xt«'rity and
miiiLary Uildiii*%%. .M. l>upleix lia«i ivrtainly nicrit«^l c\rry mark
uf i:^,%Ui\ui** that Could |M«v«ibly U* «H)nfcn\<«l by Mu/iiir«*r Jung ;
* 1 tin frr«MMou« ruit<Hn of exlnhitiiiit or tii<iultinff the be od^ ol the •ban
Mrm^ti h4vr b««n univcraal in all pjiru of the wurld. An ciutaikh «>n the
Unt «»f :b« >c4juck dyaasty »1aiii by the kiaj^ of KbAiiuu it iic Axly thu« :
** Vratertij) Lm hcAii .in iiiia«;uiAtiiiu) tuurhini; tbc akir*, to-day diitalit a
Iraicuc fnini hi« trunk. " I'bi*. li I rm>llrrt ari^cbt, i» tbe same kintf of
Kbaftim wbuvc hi^titry cncitaiot intrmml rvtdrnrc uf bia bartnff eiteudtd bis
eimi|ucau licjrocitl tb« arctic arclr. *i'o iht aslocuabmml of th« tmr b^lirvcts.
the Min |krr(i*ruic«i hit c«itir»e aUtve lb« boriicm . an aiMaaiUy uf tbe Iraracd
wan dfuvriird t*> a«lvu# tb« kiuic rvcardiug tbe |ircttcnbrd buurt of |fra>cr ; and
tbii ciicirla^r fery ^ra^ely drcidc«l« that as tbe mui nsitbcr ivss bur set, the
kmg cuttld pcrfgna acitbrf morawf nor cTcaing finiycr.
1G8 DESPERATE FORTUNES OF MOHAMMED ALI — [CHAP. VIL
an<l }ic was declared governor^ on the part of the Mogal^ of all
the provinces south of the Kistna. His address in oompio-
mising the extravagant pretensions of the insui^nents entitled Dim
to a liberal consideration in the distribution of the treasure which
was saved ; and the new Soubadar of the Deckan, accompanied
by a select body of three hundred French and two thouBud
sepoys under Mr. Bussy, proceeded early in Januaxy 1751 to-
wards Oolconda by a north-western route. A great d^ree of
obloquy has been attached to the conduct of M. Dupleix in thii
transaction, and much demerit may justly be imputed to thit
and to many other political transactions, if we examine them by
the laws of private morals exclusively: nothing, however, is
proved but that he had negotiated for dividing his eneroys
force, and attacking him by surprise; means of hostility which
are at least sanctioned by universal practice : and whatever may
be the state of the other facts, it is certain that the forces imder
Mr. de la Touche performed a service of noble daring, and amply
merited their success.
During the period that the fortunes of the French and their
allies seemed to be phiced above the reach of any intemiptioii
from Mohammed Ali« and he had reason to tremble for his exist-
ence in the fort of Trichinoply, he is said, with a sti-ong dq;ree
of probability, to have finally concluded with M. Dupleix the
terms of an agreement by which he was to renounce his claims
on Arcot, and to be ])rovided for by an inferior appointment ; and
it is affirmed that nothing remained to be adjusted but tlie minor
arrangements for the evacuation of the fort of Trichinopoly. It
is not probable that M. Dupleix would have permitted tne army
of Muzuffer Jung to leave the province without deciding this
question by the sword, if he had not confided in the comj^etioD
of the arrangement settled with Mohammed AIL The stranfie
error of reposing this confidence is only to be accounted rar
from the contempt in which Chunda Saheb held the prowesB
and military skill of his rival, without sufiiciently appred-
ating his talents for dissimulation and intrigue. During the
whole period of these minor discussions, Mohammed All wu
actively engaged in negotiations with tlie English, with Morui
Row the Mahratta chief of Gooti, and with the government of
Mysoor, for aid, not only to defend Trichinopoly, but to engage
in offensive operations whenever the suspect of affairs should
admit of his breaking off the treaty of capitulation with IL
Dupleix : and with the semblance of sincerity which he could at sU
times n£isume, he had the address to protract the negotiation,
feeding his ovm expiring hopes with the pnantoms, of unknown and
half- imagined events, according to the practice of fatalislih*
until one of these events did actually occur.
* Thin seems to be univcrftal in the cofit : the first and fundamental
maxim in the Pancha tantnf, probably the oldeat book of apologues in the
CttAP. VIL] MOJKVEO BT AN'OTHKR RKVOLrriON. 169
MiuEufler Jung luul only rencluHl Raii^houU^, or a)M>iit half hiii
ioumey to (lolconda, when a ainnnirary <»f tho Haine Fatan
Naliohi who bad effected his elevation i»y the death of Naair
Junf^, accomplialied hia destruction ; two nf this number, the
Naboba of Kumool and Kavanore, being alno slain in the contest
This new scene of confusion of blood was o>nit)<)!w*d by the
address of M. Bussy. whom H. Dupleix hsfl judioi<His!y
selected for the command of the troops, and the chaive of the
political interests of his nation at the c<»urt of the S<>u)iadar.
Salabut Jung, the eldest of tlie imprisone<l bnUhers of Nasir
Jung, then in tin* cauip. was proclaimed Souliadar by gf*n(*nil
coniit*nt. and the anny omtinue<l its march.
Thin new n*vo|ution revivtMl tlie fainting hopp« of Mohammed
Ali Th<* branch of the family by whi(*h he hn4i lM*en ap|H>inte«l
NalMib of An*ot was now i-h>vat«*<i to tln» Smbadsn"^* of the
I>e<*kan. and th<*re was n^anon to ho|>e that Snhibut Jung w«)uld
be favournbly diHjMwiNl to the atlhcn'ntM c»f bin d«s*«<AN«Hl Itrnther.
His army was at nil fv^ntn far n'm«»vi»<l from tin* |in»\in«N*!«. and
was |iur4uifi;: it.«* march to th»» north war!. wh«»n» itM [»p'si'n«H» was
demandt^L M<*hnnHn«*4i Ali |x»s^«w»m1 a i>la<^» of H»ini«» stn*nirth.
and its dr|>«»ndi*nri«*H. if w«*ll manai:v*«l. atTonitHi n>n^idt*nibli*
resoun*fs ; nnd tb** l«M*3ii nlliant**^ in tin* n<*;r(N*iAtii»n of which he
was enin»g«**l ^'*'V^ nurh a**, if »ucrt»!wfully HfiM't^Ml. would «*njible
bim to c<>nt«'nd with ("bunds Sahi*b. at IcaMt on i*t|iuLl tenuN for
the NaUdmhip of AnN»t
Th«* Kn^li<«b int4*n*«tts on the c<iast of (\)n^mand«'l hail nutfcnNl
niat««nal d«'|in*vii«»n fn»m tin* capture of Ma«lra.s in 174*». when
the si*at of ihc p»vcmment was n*movtN| to F'ort Si. I>avid ; anil
althoucli it^ n««it oration in 17il). in c<mm.«<pi<*nci* <tf th«* |M»a4Hi
with Franci». had fnablfHl the Knglinh nation to n^pair in a <'«»n-
aidorabb* d«*t^*«* tlit* tinanciiU injuries which it hail mittain***!. the
afiairt of tin* r«»m|mny continu«'d t*» In* n^nilat***! on the princi-
ples iif a oiinincrcini ni'»n'»|»«»ly. wbib* tb«'ir "MTvantH vi»*w»-l. with
a niittun*> of A|iatliy nnd a<.totii%bin«'nt. the nii'^ditv mnr|iiii«-rv of
|)olitical iiitn:^uc and nnhtarv •••npii'^t l»y w)ii«li M l>ii|i|i*i\
waA {in*|»arin;; f**T bin nati«in t)if <**il«|(i;^aiti«>n of all lii<li:i. and thr
oin-MNHji'iii <«t|»uUi'»n «•!" rvi ry K'" •{•••an rival 'I'Ih-** \i«'ws
wcr«* **** (klkviiitiH and proniui«*iit a<» t'» hiiv«* c\cit«**l on tli** |iiirt of
the Kn^li^b ai^nie desultory att«*ni)ftK« which wen* aU'intli>ntMl
almoat as fi«M»n a.*i undertaken ; ).ut no |>t*PMiti ^'-en** -1 to liavi^
virwofl the utatr of public alfiiirH with a Hutlicimt unra.«p of mind
until the arrival of Mr. Thotii:i.«. Saundfp». a man inferior {>irli4i|is
to M. Ihipb-iv in tplendour of talenU. and in ali that ci»tiHti-
iut4^ the decoration of rliamct«T. but n«*t \ i«d«liiig to that liis
iinguisbed stat«*«man in th«* |io-«*M«v»ion of a sound and \i^in»u
workL iaculratr» the atniiKl wimI'^iu <•! i>r<H-r.v»tiiiat«<ici. whether «ith <*r witl
oat a rtsBooable hope, m all csM-t oi ditfirulty bciaujc hy i;AUun^ time v
§un the cbaace of •access-
170 CHUMDA SAHEB BESIEGES TRICfllKOPOLT. [CHAP. VIL
judgment, a clear and quick perception, a constancy of mind
not to be disturbed by danger, and a devotion to the caose of
bis country no less ardent and sincere than that of M.
Dupleix.
Mr. Saunders was altogether without instructions for the
regulation of his conduct in so difficult an emergency^ but the
resources of his own judgment supplied what was defective ia
the views of his employers. The first object was to enaUe
Mohammed Ali to defend Trichinopoly against any sudden
attack ; and the next, to prepare the means of meeting hie ene-
mies in the field. The former was effected by sending a detadi-
ment of about six hundred men to his aid early in Februaiy.
Mohammed Ali possessed not a single post north of the Coleroon ;
and Chunda Sahebs acquisition of Madura by a dexterous
intrigue, deprived him not only of the resources of that district,
but, by its intermediate position between Ti'ichinopoly and Tinne-
velly, rendered the revenues of the latter unproductive, and ill
possession precarious. The Officer commanding the Englkk
reinforcement failed in an attempt to retake Madura ; and the
cause of Mohammed Ali became still more desperate from the
defection of a considerable proportion of his troops in conie-
quence of that repulse.
Chunda S&heb, after going through the usual formalities of
receiving the homage of his subjects at Arcot, had prepared fiv
the siege of Trichinopoly : his force, besides the French battalioB,
ronsisting of twelve thousand horse and five thousand sepoji
The exertions of Mr. Saunders had not been able to oppose hun
to the north of the Coleroon ^ath a larger force than six hundred
Europeans and one thousand sepoj's ; which, ailded to two thoa-
sand six hundred horse, and three thousand regular and irregular
foot, of Mohammed Ali, did not ccjual one-half of the enemy*
force : and this actual inferiority was farther increased by a panic
in the English ranks in one of their earliest encounters ; which,
although afterwai-ds relieved by one or two examples of steauly
ronduct, {)revented their attfinj)ting nnytliing of importance in
a series of intleeisive operations, which terminated in their
retivating under tlie walls of Trichinopoly in the montli of July.
Mr. Clive, bom, if ever hiinian bring was bom, a soldier and
a statesman, hiui alreadv assumed alternately the civil and mili-
tary character as the interests of his country seemed to require
In the former capacity he had witnessed the discreditable retreat
to Trii^hinopoly ; in the latter, promoted to the rank of captain,
I Hi had afterwanls successfully aide<l in conducting a reinforce-
liiciit to that pla<*e from Fort St 1 >avi«l ; and now offered Mnth a
hun<iful of men (two hundred Europeans and three hundred
native; infautr}-) to make a diversion in favor of Trichinopoly by
n diri'i't attem[)t on the capital. In this he succeeded, without
tho n*'<'e.ssity of executing the daring enterprise in hia contMH-
THAP. VIl.] MR. CUVE. 171
put ion. by one of those aixidente, which, outatripping the ordi*
nary n>utine of Induui superstition, induced eleven hundred men
to evacuate the fort of Aroot without firing a shot; because,
whilt* coniulting the astrologers regarding the aspect of the celes-
tial bodies, a rt»port was brought that the enemy, careless of the
thunder of heaven and the rage of the element!, was marching
through a droaiiful storm direct to his obiect This diversion
was attendiwl with all the advantage which Osptain Clive had
foreseen, and sfTonlcNl oiniiiderable relief to Trichlnopoly, by
compelling the enemy to detach upwards of eig^t thousand men
to toe northward for the purpose of attempting to recover the
fort of Arvot In a siege of fifty days, which terminated on the
14th NovemU»r. Ca{vtain Clive, infusing his own spirit into the
remnant of htn little party, diMplayed in the defence of this place
that ready {H^nv ption of the b**si possible resources, under every
varied emerp*nry. which men of ordinary talentii are contented
to acquire rm the rr^iult of study, long experience, and attentive
obser%-ation. The aid of rtne thousand of the Mahrattas of Mo-
rari Row, detached from the main body which was on its march
to join the army of MyNO(»r. and of a small detachment sent
from Msilraa, had contribute*! to compel the enemy abruptly
to raise the siege ; and Captain Clive. thus reinforced, in a snort
and active course of operation, completely cleared the province
of Arcot of all that had opposed him in the field, the places of
strength being, however, stul in the possession or in the interests
of Chunda Sabeb
CHAPTEU VIIL
FROM 1751 TO 1754.
Mohammed Ali sends an embassador to the Raja of Mtfsoor — mahtrt and rmmk sf
the nrgociation — Army of Mysoor marches to Truhiaopoly under AaoMry—
Major Lawrence assumes the command of the BritUh troopit — rrZ&evet IVidb-
nnpoty — Talents and conduct of the opponents in this contest — Deiackmemi uaier
Captain CHve — its objects and consequences — Distress of the French and Ckmnde
Saheb at Seringham — treacherous capture and murder of Cksmda Seksk
Reflexions — Surrender of the French — The English discover far ike Jh^ time
the fraud intended by Mohammed Ali regarding Trichinopofy^^euUegueM
negociation^- English and Mohammed Ali proceed towards Areoi — Numrsj
remains — his absurd plots Jop seizing Trichinopoly — French Nabobe — MilUmy
successes of Lawrence and Clive-^Morari Bow — Wavering conduct of Nmvjers^
— The English after long indecision treat him as an enemy — disastrome commeete-
meni — Distress of Trichinopolif Jrom a corrupt sale of its provisione — Frewek
operations in the Dechan — Coromandel — rtew Xaboo — Ineffectual efihrts cf
Major Lawrence^^marches for the relief of Trichinopoly — unsuceeseful
on the troops in Seringham — the French largely reinforced'^ fearfisl infe
and extraordinary victory of Major Lawrence— he moves towards Tan
returns with a large convoy -^another victory — strange deception regarding the
convoy — exertions to obtain supplies — the French powerfully reii^areed -tke
English partially —another singular victory — Trichinopoly well stored with prom'
sions — Major Lawrence moves into winter quarters — Attempt to carry Triekinepoh
by surprise, and remarhable circumstances in its failure^Defectiom oftke tt^
ofTanjore — Total loss of a large English convoy— Incident of Iferi
Hyder — Maphuz Khan*s appearance and views — procrastinates and
Dangerous treachery of Major Lawrence* s interpreter— its eircumu
result— the interpreter executed — Morari Row detached from the confederacy
prepares to depart— Major Lawrence's illness — Critical action under Polier
and Calliaud — The French and their allies invade Tondiman*s woods detttey
the Dyhe of the Careri for the purpose of ruining Tanjore — Major Ijemreeee
moves to that Country — Morari Row" s conduct — Major Lawrence joined bg the
Rfija's troops and a respectable English reinforcement is in a condition /or qffem-
sirtf operations — returns to Trichinopoly — successful action in depoeiUng his
convoy — The French assume the defensive — Suspension of arms and conditional
treaty — causes to be explained in the ensuing chapter.
SHi':s(iEER Pundit, the embassador of Mohammed Ali to Hy«
soor, oTi Ills arrival at the capital towards the close of 1750 or
oarly in 17*^1, found the Raja a pageant, the Dulwoy Deo Raj
ailvanced in years and interfering but little in the active adiniiii»-
tration of ])ul)Iic affairs, and the conduct of the government
dii'ected chiefly by Nunjei-aj, the young Dulwoy, as he was usnaUy
called. Deo Riij was at first dcci<ledly adverse to engaging in a
field of action, to wliii-h they could not even bring the reqniaile
previous information ; but the Vakeel addressed himself with so
much success to the inconsiderate ambition of Nunjeraj, that he
was soon made to consider as already accomplished, engagements
whii'h. from their ver}* absurdity, a man of sober thinking would
ha\e rejected without discussion. The cession of Trichinopoly
f HAP. VIII.] ARMT or MTROOR MAHCHIS TO TEICHDfOPOLT. 173
an<i of nil iU di*|)endenciefi, down to Cape Comorin, contiituting
a dominitut little inferior to that which he already poaacaned, wan
t\w MtipuUtfd price of his aucccaaful aaaiHtance; and an a refwe
a^iiHt ultiniat4' failure, ami an intermediate aecurity for Um u-
niily «>f Moliaiiimed All, the fort and district of ArdenhuUy» half
way lM«tm*een the head of the paaa leading from Trichinopoly to
S(»rin^paUm, wen* to Iw aaaigned to him in personal Jaceer.
It would seem to have been the intention of Mohammed AJi to
depoait hiii family in this place, in the deaperate state of his
aflaim, which imme<liately followed the death of Nasir Jung : but
this pn)jtH"t WAN reliiujuished when the English discovered a dis-
pofiition to aid in the defence of Trichinopoly. Mohammed Ali
luul alifo the addrr^is to rvnder the important aid of Morari Row,
and of counie tlie jiaymeDt of his sulisidy, the immetliate act of
Nui^jeraj. Morari Row had been practised in an extensive school
of warfare ; his troops were the most select, the most faithful,
and the best organiaed of any in the south, being com|K)se<l of a
iudicious mixture of Mohammedans, Mahrattas, and Kajfioota,
with an ample accompaniment of Be<ler Peons alreatly mentioned.
Although ex|iert in tne national tactics of plunder. Morari Row
was alsi> a ^nuine aoldier where the occasion demanded ; and he
eni;agf*«l with more fiurility in this cause, from the hope of being
abl<\ in the c«ianie of events, to seiae the place for nimself and
re-as!irrt hi;* fonner prrtensiona
AlMMit the name time that Mr. Clivo undertook the rr)inantic
enti*rprii»* a^nnt Arrot, Morari How lirgan his march fmm
G^Miti. and Nunjeraj fmm Seringapatam : the force of the fonner
WAA efttimAt4Hl at six thoa^and ni«»n, and of tlie latter, five thousand
homr and ten thmisand infantry*, of which the only regular troops
Wfre a small body in tlie coqis of Hyder Naick ; who. with tne
five hiiniin^d stand of amis ar«|uin.Ml in the mannrr aln^a^ly notiixnl,
and a ft^w Fn*nrh M*|Miy dt*M*rt4*ni U> <lrill his nH*niitM. had assi-
duously att4*ndr<i to thin oKji^^t. and was much advant^**! in the
fivor of Nunjeraj by cxhibitin^^ t^i him thtiie invint*iblcs who
wrre tc> conquer Trichinopidv. The tn>o|M arrives! in the
district of (*anx»r towanis the latter end of the year, and early
III tho nrxt nH>ve<l to form the junction. The second in com-
mand to Nunjeraj was Veerana, a man resembling himself in
arn»^nce and military incapacity, but suspected of being
destitute, in those situations which most demanded it^ of tba
steailiness and preaence of mind which Nunjeraj was generally
allowed to posaesa But there were not wanting in the army
other officers capable of directing its operations, with the degrea
* Mstcbl«k muftkttj wsr« before this period the ooljr ifs-arms Qicd in
Mrsunr, and it is relslsd, perhaps with sooie eia|gtfatioii, that th« ilrsi
•smbHioii was afiok^Q el. sad Darticolarty in the Riga's palacs, as a
fal ** h'cut pocaa, ' b)r waick avs Imndrsd aiQaqosIs wers daackargsd at oaca
by r«|*«atitta cMtaui wsjnwil words . il kaum aacsftaiasd br previuaa iaspsc-
tiuB that out oos vt tks Dvt ktuidrsdasa was urorided witk a match.
174 MAJOR LAWRENCE COMMANDS BRITISH TROOPS. [CHAP. VOI.
of knowledge and skill then possessed by the native chiefs of
India. The English had sent a detachment to join this chieftain,
for the express purpose of quieting his alarms in passing a French
post established to interrupt his progress ; and Nanjeraj, too
arrogant to be guided, and too ignorant to direct, presented the
singularly ludicrous spectacle of a night march intended to be
secret, guided by the lights of innumerable torches. We have
formerly* adverted to an ancient practice of this nature in the
armies of Mysoor ; and the present exhibition may either be as-
cribed to that abundant source of wisdom, and equal sanction
for absurdity, the custom of his forefathers, or to the desire of
impressing his new allies with an exalted opinion of his splendour
and magnificenca Fortunately, this invitation to attack was not
accepted, and he arrived in safety at Trichinopoly early in
February. In conformity to the uniform principle of Indian
policy, as the affairs of Mohammed Ali appeifitred to improve, he
acquired more friends. Monaiee, the general of the Rafa of
Tanjore, with three thousand horse and two thousand foot^ and
the Poligar Tondiman with four hundred horse and three thon-
sand irremilar foot, soon afterwards joined him. The forces
marshalled on his side became accordingly more numerous than
those by which he had been for some months blockaded ; but
Chunda Saheb and the French, who had established themselves in
several strong posts near to the fortress, were still decidedly sa-
perior in regular troops : Captain Oingen, therefore, the officer
commanding, very properly resisted the repeated applications of
his allies, convin<^ that in such a service they would unques-
tionably have left the English troops without support^ to be
crippled in the desperate attempt of forcing strong posts with
inferior numbers : and knowing that a reinforcement murht soon
be expected from Fort St David, he reserved his men for better
purposes.
The enemy had again appeared in some force in the province
of Arcot ; and Captain Clive, with a body of one thousand seven
hundred men against five thousand, after completelv dispersing
his opponents, and capturing the whole of their orcumnce, con-
sisting of twelve pieces, had now returned to Fort St David for
the purpose of taking the command of the reinforcement for
Trichmopoly, which was to consist of such of the troops then
under his orders as could be spared for that servica Major
Lawrence, however, arrived from England on the fifteenth of
March, and assumed the command of this detachment* consisting
of four hundred Europeans, one thousand one hunchned sepo]fs»
and eight guns ; and Captain Clive marched under his orden
towards Trichinopoly by tne route of Tanjore. The &te of this
reinforcement was of the utmost importance, and IL Dupleix
had given the most peremptory orders that it should be inter*
* Page 60.
CHAP, vol] DRAcmnDnr ukder cimxH clivb. 175
oepied at all liaki ; but Mr. Law, the officer who oommanded
the troops before IVichinojioly, tuul not discovered much enter-
prise in the operations which he had hitherto coDducted at that
place ; and be was now to be oppoHed by military talents of the
hif(hfst order. He committed the great error of leaving this
contest to be decided within si^ht, and almost within shot» of
Trichinopoly ; which enabled Major Lawrence to obtain rein-
forcements of regular troops from that place, and to arrive in
safety with the valuable convoy of military stores which had
accompanied him, marching clear of the injudicious position
which Mr. Law had assumed, and foiling his subseouent move-
ments and ineffectual cannonade. The troops of Mysoor and
Mi»rari Row performed no other part than that of s{iectatorB of
tho o{)erations of thb day, and their inaction was supposed to
prfx*tsHl from Morari Row s being in treaty to change sides ; a
tart, which, if founded, rendered the error which has been noticed
still mon* unpardonable.
Mr. Law. after remaining for a few dajrs in bis former position
south of tho river, adopted the sudden and precipitate deter-
mination of alisndoning hb posts, and assuming a defensive
position on the island of Senngham, which is ft^rmifHl )»y two
oranches of tlie (^Averi opposite to Trichinopoly ; Uisving U*hind
him on tht> M>iitli side the single untenable iimtt of Klemiwrum,
which ft*ll (»f rounte on the second dsy. Chunda Sshoh is said
to have n*m<»iiHtnit4*d in the strongest terms againnt this ft'«*ble
and most unai^xiuntable measure ; and the wb«»lo of the suhse-
qurnt o|)erations evinced a distraction of counoiln spprtuu*hing
to absolute infatuation. The Magasines which th<*y liad r«>llected
to the south of the river were lost or destroyed in the disorderly
retreat of the army, which now became dependant for subsistence
ami stores on the country to the northward. Ilie position which
Mr. I^w had sssumed on the Uland was too strong to U* st*
t4*mptiNl by main force, without batt«*ring cannon, with which
Ma]*ir I^wr«*urt* waM n(»t pn^vided ; while the obvious measure of
artiti^ on th** enemy 4 (Mtnmunicationn with F(»ndicherr^'. and the
CMiintry in t)i<«ir rear, uiiiiit. if judi<*iously conducted, necessarily
eith«*r di««l<»ii;^* <»r ntArve them, (^iptain C^live. although the
junior of all the captain*!, was nclected by the general voice of
the alli«<!ii t4> conduct this difficult servict*. A small but select
detArhm«*nt of regular tnMips, added to one half of the corps of
Morari liow under bis U*st general Yoonas Khan, together with
one tliiMi^jind Tsnjom lioffMr. were plsre«l under his unk*ni ; and
the villa^'<* of S«miaveniiu. a fon^l march from the head quarters
of the aniiy. wsm ft>rme«l into a \itM of Nupnort for his operations,
and rvnd«*n«<i rApahle of nustainin^ a sudden attack fn>m the
whole (urce of Mr. Iaw. ifauoh a meAMure shouM be attempted.
M Ihipleix Mw. when it was Um\ Ute, that be had made an
unfortuiutf selection of an f>tBcrr to co-operate with Cliunda
176 DISTRESS OF THE FRENCH AND CHUNDA SAHE& [CHAP. VUL
Saheb ; and M. D'Aut3uil was detached from Pondicheny with
six hundred and twenty men, the largest reinforcement which
could be spared, with directions to throw himself into the ialaad
of Seringham, and supersede Mr. Law in the command. Consi-
derable activity and military enterprise were displayed by M.
D'Auteuil in his repeated attempts to accomplish his object ; and
in one of these the post of Captain Clive was completely surprised,
in consequence of a mistake of one of the outposts, but instantly
recovered by an exertion of that admirable spirit and presence
of mind which distinguished this officer on every occasion. The
efforts of the enemy were effectually foiled by the able combina-
tions of the two English divisions, and M. D'Auteuil was at length
compelled to surrender to Captain Clive.
The effects of these judicious operations soon began to unfold
themselves on the island of Seringham : the scarcity of food.
added to the constant annoyance sustained from the posts which
the English had gradually established in all directions around,
induced the greater part of the chiefe commanding the troops of
Chunda Saheb to demand their dismission from his servioeL
Despondency had succeeded to chagrin in the mind of this chief,
on finding his repeated exhortations to vigorous action treated
with neglect; he no longer confided in his allies or in himself; his
health declined; and his bodily strength became unequal to the
only determination worthy of his former character, that of cutting
his way with a select body to the numerous places of safety which
still remained to him : he mildly acquiesced m the demands of his
ofhcers, and apparently resigned himself to his fate. These cfaiefr^
on receiving assurances of safe conduct, passed with facility into
the service of their late enemies ; and in a few days, not more
than two thousand horse and three thousand foot remainded to
Chunda Saheb, of the mighty host with which but a few months
before he threatened the extinction of his rival In the choics
of difficulties which opposed themselves to a selection of the per-
son among his enemies to whose faith he should confide, the
national prejudice which has been ascribed to Mr. Law, in dis-
trusting the protection of Major Lawrence, does not appear to be
a liberal construction of his conduct It is incredible that Mr.
Law should have thought a British officer of high honor and
established reputation capable, under any circumstances, of per-
mitting the murder of a prisoner who should throw himself on hii
special mercy; but it is obvious that by surrendering his person
to the English, the cause of Chunda Saheb would be more
permanently and irretrievably ruined, than by an imprisonment
under the capricious counsels of any other of the confederates
who should consent to spare his life. Mr. Law was aoooidingly
justified by the fairest considerations of the national interests
committed to his charge, in recommending to Chunda Saheb to
incur any risk rather than surrender to the English ; and he
nur viii] TRKAriiutoirs Mi'KOKi: itv ( iH'NPA s\iirn. 177
illiltn|i)iily trusli-d l.> I'.i* iI'-^^im-!?!!'' I'.iilh of ;i M .lir;tft:i Mi'ii;- '•■•»,
ill** I iiiijitri'nn ltiht.*!. |ili.:)ili'l tin- iii«»st n.iIimhh i'mIn in r. nxi-v
liiiii ill %:it*«'tv t«i oiii* ft' tfi<> Frt-iK li >i ttli'iip hl<> ; i>ut li<- )ia<l imt
n-arlif*! tfi>' |»I.'i«*i* »)>|Niiiitr-l f><r liis n i-i |>tt«>M. wlii-nlir wuh >.t !/•••!
aii'i |iul ill imiis. It i.** iiiL|HiH,-<ii<lr. at this •:iNt;iiii*i* nf tiinc, tn
iitini\i-l iIm" ••••••n-l hi-t««rv •f lli«- iii«Mii i.'iili p i.r«' p j;ir«iiii^ xU**.
tlis{i.>>:il til' (IiIn uiiii:ij<p\ )<iis.iiii r. ]iril nu (in* iii.iiii:i,' il;iy. in
thi' iirt -I ii r Maj •! L:iwii !:• I-. •! iiili/liii; Iri»m lin- «'rliii:irv
r<iii(iiic lit' liiTijitiMii III siiiiiiar r.-iNi^. t)it-ii> i-^ ii.-i^'-n ri i- iiii-|ii<lo
Cli:i( tl.i* ii:iti\i> I !.!• N W'lf -iiiiilv :i:i<*<i. :Lii'i iliitt Mrij'ir
l«tun'iiri> \\;i^ !•• if •!• !• I'll I ti'ii I iiii' ill :iii ' iy ^inx^iii..' il.at in-
W'liiM iliiiiKv ill! If til'* ii ^ : :i:. .»( I't' .11 iii< i-xhti a- litti--^ l>ul
i( i-i ;iU.\i' 'ill ,!!,. 1 i-i ., •! .n- n:.-L Jlul'P'i ..' I*. (h:il M'-tJiiiM:
iiiiiri'Ti •! Iii*. jTi-'i.ii -^iin; ly I.I i!ii* |..iij'i** it |ri-\iiiliii:; Un-
tl»ii •ii-'jt'i!« ^ I li:it !.'■ ^ii'i'.? I III- .1 il.i- t!:^^! I- • ••! »»| i n |- isj.ly
witii ml an nlijii f i^ if<t \ • i'\ } rul ..': ■• rxiii in a M.ii.i.kf :.t )>.it
tliat. I'Mlaiti «•! a I i!-,'i' PW.i ' |..|- I.u 'I>!a»iii:,' I i^ ••* .»[••■. lii»
sli'.iil'l tljil- •{;. !-.-•• • t" .1 \i!iji'!i' j.T •?•• r Wi!l. -it -■ •••llil'.' Iii*
lifii •• !-• .iK-'-ijt .\ II.- ii 'i:! !•■ 1 • ' ,«\ i.l«i^iii\ lii'iii iiiv i.iah'i-
•M'rijif 111 '•ta'iii/ t'.al * liciili >..» '■ " V. iiH i.HifUii •! at llif
iii"*ti, Mil Ti .! M . . 1.1 .) \1' Ii i- .1 1 1# : • !' j-i.i »i.- i. s.i '*%,
tliat lti"» lit I 1 \. .. ::..i..- i.'*ily -• n*. X * ti..'» j- i -» i .'>« . aSi 1 ■'•:! r
Iwilij -j'i't'i 1 •• i.'Jii !,i\ iii-iiil \\ 1^ ili-M'.'-i I'- N^i'iaj.
nii'i 1-v liMii -• :»' I '^•'!!. ,ki;.i:ii . i\ !..!■• :t \^ . - '•■i |'«i.*«'i i:i ;i
••h'l Ilk I* i.^if fi -...itii::! !•! M.'- J ..»?•■ t.i ^1- ^a." -l a» iy
tip- li.iJit If :.!■■ ij .1 !! • i: 1. ■ •: i\ . ji - .1 I li'.i ■ : !■ ;ii.\ i.f t ii-- \ h : I •'■'•
ill U Ii.- Ij ll:t tfi !•* .-t" M\ -.■ t 1 .'I •• ! i.l' !■ I \ .' \. I I- Ml-' I. ■ \» * V
iiiNt:it ; i.-'i' •! |i.i:t lli- ■'•.•tli . f « iiiii ! .*- I- '• • )-.?:'y •. r
111' rifi'i; >i I \ n Mh'mIi! i:: ui;i, -if n.iti. ii/ ;.- a ^l-.'! i....iiit' *-
t.hti'*ii .«!' Aiiiii.'liTv \. II :i .tj.-.- till' Ii" .v..* tv. i.ii, r«a; iv i:iniii-r-
9-*\ ill tif N.IIIII* i)i.tlrr\ 111 >»)ji<ii -wi xiai 1 1>>>
h.'iii {'I'lf^iiifi till' li 'Iv K--r.i;i Iv a tii<* an*! ti' i< :• i -:-< >.i'li
I*. X\i- K..II.-.-*- ■ t' ill. 'i:. -. !\ ' 'I' ■ !■■: i:.- - t i ••■ j\ ' • ' *
ill It T.I Ilk. ill. •• i\.*.*. 1'..- lii,., -11 »••■ ::i». 1 ..■■■:' -n . l' :;i h-.'v.
ii|i}*« .11 « !•• .i: I - ii. i. I: a .i t.i '•■ I • :; ii..!«^ .'■.■• i.i'i !; n\
UU\ jHirt • ai.. r •:• ■. !;..i • i i r.. \\ r..i:ii-i.i ■:.• :. 1 .it n t • '. i.i -i.i . 'j •
I'l.' • .1 l! 1- -I «'i 1 ' I i\ ?:■ .i:, i ;;, ■ i- . ■ ii ■ -t |.k.:.- ;..r
pii .vii- I.* - .1 ■:• \ ' 1* . a !• M • -I '. .11 \ • • :• •• . t t ; .-. ; • .»• in
•
•»• ii-.i .•■ \\\* ''Jill, a . •■*. I . • ■! t i i.i t li.i* li ! * •. '• :ii I...-* .%
t- III I ■ V u'.f i\ '..' .' t.i i:. ■ . 1 :•■ . : III- : '^ |- :i.r;:» ' t i
t» !:.!• •: il t \l- I • it, i:* aiii ;;:.•:!::!.• !.. : i \ I: ■, • I* 1 .! i:*}
P ll:«- i' • Ii
I'll*- •»:rr»hi'r * I xK li.::. ir ■: <- vi'i: ?:?'\ 'w • j. •» •■!"
<ir iii.iii •- u.!-.!'.- ia.'..« ii k!« ?i*-,!''i' -It: • •. :.:- .i::i lim
• A - •' ■ ■ .. I • r •».:* . . ■ . I .. ■..•.!. • - ■ i !• --I
t<. piM-.. I '* .. • •.'. . M: <•:« .1- • •• • .i.ii!.-:
i ir.;L.la >**.• t I. • I '.i •«.; i« ii « •' ' •" • ' • ' ' i • •rj. .*. 1 .. . .■ a *
• I ., . . '■
178 SUBSEQUENT NEOCXTATION. [CHAP. VIIL
war scorned to 1x5 concliuled. Bub the English, in discovering
for the fii-st time the state of the discussion between Nunjenj
and Mohjunnied All rej^rding the i)ossession of Trichinopcdy,
had the nioi-titicatiou to learn that the splendour of their militanr
achiovenionts was associated with the cause of fraud and dis-
lionor. The treaty, attested witli all the accustomed formalitiea;
preehided a recourse to the usual arts of prevarication ; and
Mohammed AH, when pressed by Major Lawrence, plainly
avowed, that he executed that solemn instrument, and confirmed
it with the stmction of a reliijious oath, without any intention of
observing its eni^agements. The stale pretext of the authority of
the Mogid being necessjiry, was too ludicrous for serious discis-
sion ; but the }Lssoi*tion, certainly most true, that the My^oorean
ouf/ld to have Iniovni that Mohammed Ali could not, or would
not, i)erform the stipulations, was the lowest point of moial
degi'adation, and a foi-mal avowal that he had been enabled to
defraud his friend, because tiiat friend was so weak and absurd
as to tnist to his honor. Such was the cause in support of
which the British arms were now to bo engaged ; and such the
disgi-aceful conse(|nence of the alternative imposed by the neces*
sity of their atl'aii-s, when they fallowed the example of their
European opponents, and engsiged tts mercenaries in the service
of barbarians, rather than ac(piiesce at once in the ruin of the
national inteivsts C(»mniitted U) their charge. The spirit of the
negociations which ensued may be descrioed in a few words.
M<»hammed Ali eudcii voinvd to deceive Nunjeraj with new pro-
mises : and this person.nge, wht), in addition to his other follies^
had at diifereiit periods lent to his dear ally a sum now amounting
to trn lacs of Pagotlas, was conij)letoly undeceived ; and sought
with his inferior powers of sinnilation, to retort the deception rf
a master in the art. Morari Bow, as an impartial umpire, medi-
tated to seize the objeet of discussion for himself, liohammed
Ali ongagetl anew to cede the fort and de])endencies of Trichi-
nopoly at the expinition of two months, when he should have
ac(piired another ])Iace of safe deposit for his family; and in the
mean time n^linquished t^) Nunjeraj the revenues of the island of
Seringham and of the adjacent distrietH, and admitted into the
fort, as an acknowledgment of his ri;rht of ]x>s.session, a body of
seven hunilred Mysooreans und(*r CJo|)aul* Kauze. Each party
was now perfe«rtly aware of the insincerity of the other ; and
although Nunjeraj, in consecpienco of these concessions, engaged
to march with his ally to the n<»ithward, it was ]>erfectly unmr-
stood that he ha<l no such intention. An English garrison of
two hundn^d Kurf»|>eans, and one thousand five hundred sepoys
undt'r Cnptain l)a}ton. with i\ numerous rabble in the pay of
M'ilianinied Ali, was left to guard against surprise; and the
* The f.ithrr ot Letoliiiio Ainmah, the venerable dowager still alive of
tlic tliLii iiuiiiiiul K;ij:i ut Mvbuur.
niAP. VIII.) Nr.NJKRAj's n.or^ i-i: ^iiziMi ti:ii himt'-i ^ IT:*
wli'ili* fnriN* wliirli n-allv lii:irrl:i I r I l'i. lf!!!iM.iii \\:in ::?i Kj-j-
li-^li riir|i'« lit* ti\(* liUI|ill>'<l K>>: -J i):- ;•'■ i I \ • t <:••!.>. I', i ti\i-
li'iii<ir>-'l iiiitivi* inf:iiitrv. aii<i u n iiiin.il lu • tli ii .tiii ii'ii'*!- witli
.Mi'liaiiiiiif'l Aii.
Tip- .Mv»"H»n-;iii-» iiii'l Mall lilt' I -I r''iir.iiii'l witli ^'i- :jt fiiiij.-. M'*
iiii'lf-r till* wali-i <•!' rii>-}iiii«i(i<i>\ , .miiI .\iir;i' i-ij \i i^ nut -l^w r.i
niit'-l'iiii ' lii-* rliiiM^v •I'-'ijii-. II'- •■.i-M'I'l i 11 ;•• ^siirj^ in L':»in-
in^' ii\f'i mit' iif Mi>)i;tniiiii-<i .\\i -* • -ij". \vlii>}i ('.i|<t.iin |)iii'*ii
ill I"!!!!--!!!!!!! Ift.iiip''! !■• |'':i It- in ■-!• I I'l llii- ii'-rfJiW .inl.
Ml* iiUii «in)il>«y>'<i :i^^a-»-iri-. t • -i. ••■! *'i;*;.:'i I', 'f-iii. nU'l Kliiir
II |)i-«-n till l>n«tlp I -111 i lu lit' M •:. :M.-.i' 'i Aii wii-i v.:i< !• It t«i
rf|i|i-> iiT liilii .it I'l h lilli'ip 'U l!.< . vv-.>- «i \<:< i. :ili'i t •II*
i|iiiiii'*i t'l In- i'I>A%ii a\%;i\ !i*]ii .( .:::i. i 'it \ii\ U!. « • ••uni.il'K
|i:il'i<>lr -i iit tl»«- lli!«l-' -^-: It ■■! M f :'i II w Hi' Ii« \t 'X!.''!!
\i.i-« ti — n-l -.-■■I'l iiiii^^iiii ^ !• I :ii:T t'l- »:.i|r« tl-iiiv !'i:-
iii-*)^--! Mitii \\Mtt'-ii i-ii:::i^'i-iiii-ii(^ ti.. \ :!•: it> - ••{ (ii ni^<lv«*« i**
It t.iiilitiil .!• lii.KJ.ii . \\*i»' ^i.'- i ..*.>! {-i'>^l\ • \' Mr* >i .III!
Null]*:. I] i"ilil J»I«H 'ilf III lii'<l> " ,•• ■ • •. i. ||.- 1. :.l U • It
•mi iiii)i.kf i> lit I-'i lijt" jM>-t--.;.i|i .t li :• i.::i •■. " \ l!: » ;■!! lii'-i«
att'iii[it« !'"ii"W«-'l iMi li "lip I wii'i {!.• II. •■:■»..--' •! ■! • 'i!v .« t- w
ii:i\ lif ii* \l [•.iM^i* \i.i^ ii< ! «t n. •• }i ! 'iij* I liiiL.t!"!! A
Nt- ii-'litan ntiiH'l I'iiXi-M'. .Ill • .1-1 .1 Mi !* • -■ I \ : t M-'lnm-
iii'-'i \!i uii'i •••-• .i-]<<n.iii\ ti.i'l i m t}:> M\^"<i' i!i •.iIhIv \i.in
Ip'x! ;i<l'ii< <"*• -i. uitii ]'l> liii^^ "I .iiii.'it" i-u.ii i ll> ll't'-lpij
uitli r III)'! I* • If V t*i tip' |-i>*|»i^a! ■ .'i-i ti.i' will* ;•! n u^-* ^tniii
ti\'-l l'\ w ill' Ii tl»«" Kp ti- ii I'li-'ii'*^ \\'ii- t-i I.- iil-i.i*«'l aii'l
iiiiip- 1 !:.' W''t«iii ;/ it»» -«■;/•■ I. iiniti." M\ ^ • i«mii .iiiii\ .p|n.it|.i
iiii" til'* * .w I'i'Viih' li'»\\t\t! i. I i .ii i.ir: ... -i .«il !*':•-.■ ]i i-.is
in ••♦Ml • >'niiMnii:'Mti>.:i witii «*.ij'i..:i l'.!:»:i .•:.•! ♦•• ^lir. n
\i.L» j"!!'«ti\ I'll {'.iifl t-i iiiflht a'l I '. .11 I ii' ;:» ■! 1 . i-u -ii
iii> nt •Ml t)i:<> null ir\ |i!> t« ii'l< i . u ! • -. t !.' '. ni. -.Tii-. '-;•:.•:. <.>i. .
"I Mili.inii:i' 1 Ail 'i \ 1- • J' I' !.t I .-■ i t u . I ' ■ . * i i ! :»
H" !• !!• ■! ? !.■ I- ••. ■' I']' r I ■ • ■ ■ ' • '.' I I
f«:r.i. It Nifi-r.; w.tf.-i... l:..i. I..:\ .1 I i .' ;i : ' ' ?■■■
;; .: r .' -ii w I • i ■ .i-:\ !.i j. ■ . , \ . !. m \ ■: . : . < i i. • r . ■ ■. ; • ■
I-* r ;• It. I ! i.. ■!. ■.■-'.! ■ !•■ r- :.. ■.:li •.■..■ ' ' ■.■ . ' ' " : "i
■it 11. A. -l t !.•' ' li...' . !■■ t : ■ \*. ' ■• : u :» '. t -■ :■•'•.' ■. 'l
-. 1 .■ i !. J .1 u . I ►.;..■.■!..•;:•.. s . • \\ ■ ■ , . • ■ j ■ • J -a • ■. I , ■ ■
t I !.i !■'.:•■ J -■!• 1 I., -v i '. • i ! ' ■ '. ■ 1 .^. }. I » .rifl^•
:ll. tf..' t .!. :.■ W.I- « i; •.I.I I » • '. \. I ■. • ' : I i - ':'
*ii..\ II.' • ■ J- ■ •■! ' -Jii)'..:!!' ri' w.?!* r ■ ■.;-.% ' . . : . ■ •■
I'M' lt-i!iif \ • I "^ni'ii^ilij i. ;;i i'l i . • ! ■ , . ■ 1 • \\ 1 ■•; u
i-t Iw.. ii. i.tf,- s. I,! -I .(. ...:r -r. I !:.!•: I ■ ■.. :. 1 ti.- ^. .ri- t» i- r
i-t" XI.'' • .'.\ 1 !.'■ Kr.j.i-ii ■: r] . . . ' 1? •■ : ■ • i! • .'■■: ;. .i_\
a'.l:« !•!■ M' i i..';i t- ^I '...•■• i v.. : . ■.'»•.. Ki .i u
1». « :. u : ■ !. II. :i*:i\ | i - r. • i :..■ '. :• < • ■ . ■ .« ji- • :..■ :it ••!
N'lti;* r'»i u .• '. r \'fi. .%• a !■ :!' .• .:■ i! .■.. • ..u:.. \» J:. ;» i.' iiii^Kl
i't|.« : w :-' .1 1\ .tf.' 1
180 MILITARY SUCI:ESSES OF LAWRENCE AND CLIVE. [CHAP. Vm.
In the mean while M. Du]>Ieix, roused to fresh exertion by
the disaster at Serin^hani, produced abundance of viceroyil
mandates, which Mr. iiu.s.sy\s intlueuce \i4th Salabut Jung had
obtained, iii*st api>oiutini( himself Nabob, and ftfterwards confer-
ring the oltice on Keza Sidieb, the 8on of the deceased Chunda
iSalieb ; and these pretensions he prepai*ed to sustain "with fresh
levies of ti'oops, and new negociations with the M^'sooieana and
Mahmttas. His fii*st attempts against some English detachmenii
in Uie central parts of the pi*ovince were successful ; bat being
too much elated by these advantages, and deceived by a retio-
grade movement of Major Lawrence for the express purpoM of
drawing the troops to a distance from Pondicherry, tne French
detachment was completely defeated at Bahoor, with the loss of
all its artillery and stores, at the very moment that his negock-
tions had Ruccee<led in detaching from the confederacy the corps
of Morari Row. A detachment of that force under the command
of Yoonas Khan was actually on the march to ioin the French ;
and in consecjuence of their defeat very gravely directed their
route to the cam]) of Mohammed Ali; lamenting that they had
not come up in time to share with him in the glories of the dav !
Durin^^ the sulisequent operations of Major Lawrence for the
pur[)ose of establishing the authority of Mohammed Ali in the
centre of the pix>vince, Captain Clive reduced the posts of Cove^
long, and Cliingleput, between thirty and forty miles south and
RDutli-west of Madras, regularly garrisoned by French troops,
European and native. For the {lerformance of this service ne
marclied with the oidy troo|>s which could be spared, conaisting
of two hundred raw Euroj)ean recruits just lauded, and five
hundred newly raised sejxn's, with a few heavy guns ; evincing, in
the promptitude with which he reclaimed this disorderly vabUe
from a state of ]>;inic and insu])ordination to the character of
steady and forward troo])s, that distuiguished mental ascendancy
which ]>laced him so much above the level of ordinaiy men. Hn
health, however, had been so much impaired in the course of
the late service^ that he was compelle<l to return to Ei^and
for its re-est^ibli.shmtfnt : and Major Lawrence, a chief woitby
of such a sccon<l, had the mortification to lose his aid at the
Deriod when new and incix3asing ])erils were gathering aronnd
him.
The su(^cess of M.ijor Lawrence at Bahoor, in the rednoed
state of the ivsoun*os of M. Dupleix, ought to have been prodnc^
tive of tlie most extensive advantagas; but the total absence of
military talciiU or resource in Mohammed Ali, who was permitted
to aiTange the whole plan of the subsequent campaign, rendered
all its tiperati(ms s])iritless, inetlicient, .and undecisive. Nunjen^
on tilt; tirst intelligtnrc of the defeat at Bahoor, which occnmd
in August, gave up the design of executing his engagements with
M. Dupleix, regarding tiie connexion as desperate. But the
UIAI*. VIll] TUP. RNUl.mil TKKAT NLNJkRAJ AS AN RNRMY. iHi
ff<*Mi» 4*<>ii«lurt i»f Mi»liHinnifi| Ali in falliiii; X*> ili-rivi* aiiv nint«*ri:ti
iiil\:iiitii'.'«* tViiiii till* rvfiits fit* tlir (*iiiii|»:iiL;ii. «'\<*i*ptiii'^ tlntso
nt-)iii'\t-*l lit tilt* |Niiiit lit* till* Kii-.'li^Ii )M\<>iii'tj4. natunilly riiniMl
till* **|*irit'4 i»t' liiH utlvrrsiiricN ; iui>l mi the ri'tiirii V* iipih^imih i|ii;ir-
t«'iN I if till* Kiiu'li^li tPMiji-* ill Nii\i-iiiU*r. Nil up- raj. iii tlif ntjnrst
of M. iMijilrix. i|*'t:ir)ii'i| t'i*^\u S*riir^liMiii tin* iviii»ili«lri' ut' the*
M.'iliiattJi*>. t'i \f' ii>iiii-«i iiiMir I'lifulii'lii'iTV liv tlinsi* iiii<|rr Yinuiim
Kliun ^li<> }i:mI •■)>t.'iiiii'il tVtiiii Moiiaiiiiuril AH |M*niii<«>iiin to mvIc
rniiviiiii'iit r«»vi*r t'lr liin nwii wiiit«*r ijiiiirt«-i"s. Tli.' MyM>iin*aii
i*x|M*i*(«-'l II Ihi-Iv lit' K<ir>i{M-aiis fpiiii I'liiitlii'tii rry tii ynix him at
STiii.:hniii , :iiil until thi-ir :irriv:il hr tliMUL'ht it r\|N'ilifiit to vi*ii
hi-^ h'"-!jiity ill ••\:i:;u'»'r:ii«-l jip-li-'^^iini'* <•!* fri>'iiil^hi|>. ji*»iMi)iiiiLr the
liiaii-li "t .Nl>ir:iri K*iw t<i n iliNjuiti* Mhi'li Ini'l nriM'ti in thi* M'ttlo-
iiii-iit "t thi-ir iii**'>iunt'«.
Till* Knu'li'*h L'"^*'ninii-nt h:i*l rn>li-:iViiui-i^I t>i rv:iil«» the
i;'ii"niiiiV «•! Ih'IIi.' aN<»H i:iti'il in tin* tV:iu*l nl' riii*liin>iiHilv, hy
rfj'n-«'iit»ii-: thfiii-'lvi's un iiiip- itiixiliari'-".* wli-i t^.-k im |i:irt
ill tli"' |><lili<':il •liP" li'ii i"f tin- w.ir I'll*' •li'*^'!-.ii-«* nf ai-tiii^ in
Mil !i H i.ni-*.- whii'- t!i'* iiiij»fi—"»ii^i'» W'Ti* t*r»-'»h li.i«i |H"^Ml'iy re-
htr.niH- 1 tii'-iii ti'>iii an imiIiit •i«-tiT!iiiiiati'>ri . Imt \\i*' r •iitiurt nf
til*- .M\ ^^ •!* .Ill 1. 1 i •-!i:tiij' •! tip* •■(•■•■«*t ••!' «ii'i*:>.|iin. aipi f*uiiii^li>*«l
til' III \\:\\i :if jiiijuiit- li I'liv IIP-. If I'lu'ii'. till- ••ri:::n.il ijUf'^li •ii,
\\ P I -M fi : I'l- r..i)ii";.i:'i! i*!* j»«nt«'f aii«l lii'-n* Iim-i iil inJMMi*H.
In r.pt. ;i • I* : ■ .if' 1 ii.:i iii:ia!i<'iis ••!' N'liii'-iAt. rtn<l th** iii'iiptt
|i'f'ii:U •■! ii.'- i'*»;ii iiij ;it a 'h-!a!ji'«' .ili ppivi-i -n- |«:i->'*iiij {•*-
V O'i- l:i*iiiii •.►'iv. \'\ \* iii'li ilrit jirn-^-:! w.i-* ri«iw i-xti-i-h i.ii>iv
i ■
lii-Tp-^ I l-'ii't'i till- ijil*--!!*':! f.i till' -ilii|»ii' :ilt*-i riati\i* i»f
ti'.itiiij ii'iiii iio an •ii*iiiv i-r ot I'l.ii'in;^ U't'.if.' .M.tli.iiinntil
All !!:•' ■t'ti* ii I'l* |-rt" iniin.' liM •■ii.M^'"iij* lit-. v\ t" ■rl'itiii^' th»'
Kn.'li-li .iiiian< !■ . !f:i\iii,. .» tin* r'-»iiit i«l' i nli«f •'li-ii'i' an i»|«'ii
li-il t ■: li '■ ■l»'»l.Tl* i| M hl||l-l\. W ill! Il ^iTi* l"\ Ihi Ill*-.1UH
il"\i)>(! il 111 \ il* t* f in:' • •! Ill I>>«tnii»r t<» ti-.tt liini :i< tkU
I If l:i\
I ..■■ i-.;ii:- ■■! N'i'ii'!. ! «.»■» Piti )i'-*l t'i t'f ii'iTT ii\* .11 1 ••! thi*
t'Ti "it r,i • ■ S I I >• I ::i ;i. . Ml an-l iii- nun «j'in:t--i's \ii|f witliifl
t^' \\:\ ■>•'■? \\\.\ i.f' tl. ( iii;*|i- \% ill h u..- Iiiii4-li'>i \«ith
t'l.ij* • I I il. .- i !i\ tli' j:it« -» i-'in* r-vii- 1 i\ t'Hii- 'nirv
iiiitwTK- < .ij • till i»i:t'ii u 1. i «•■]!, iii.iii-Li>i (!.•• Jill -'fi iif
'III ?.!!. ;-i;;. ri ii.-:\ii.j iii.- •!• t* riuiri:iM"ii ••! Li-* ,;«\' i nnirnt
!• j:i; ::!. ; N ri:- rn| i lui.,' Ti- ■ I Ir.-^ ..[- !n» j--!.* •■ii ti.«' lii;^"!il ul*
til" U'^ I •! i**<'-iiii'*i i'\ ;\'. .i!t.ii k ••ii 1:'.^ •.«:!.;> Hiii*->i, iiki- tlmt
«l III- 't III iiitii nriiiM I \itit it*-'l .\ 111 -tl- V I'ii'iti'iii ••! !-••%•«€
fr<"iii tl.'* -^-'P iiiiij *»iri mil th.' ij.u* i.l' iii;^*lil . \ .iiii-;.itt«-il
III-' 'iliri^' !-• tl:i' t.i-*«- •! t^'- II .i?f« I't i:i'll lll'ii\l<luikJ.
l-v t\f.!i>.\i- !;i :■•.!. r- •• •! • •. ■'.f'-i i*:ui«'i Min^i tihiiii;,,' Mi|M*rki
•iiiHi-^ i? i. lit ■ l\ in.V'i •! 'li ' '■ l-..nik't* »:rri«-iii-«i oxi-r ^lirkb
• ^ .. ■'.• '..i ?:'.! W. »: '^ I ■■ fr kuifc' uf M>K'or liiAl %ie wcr«
i::«ri :ifth*. • liaut !•> llii ri:cA.' Lo*. |'|.:il.( xU.
182 DISASTROUS COMMENCEMENT. [CQAP. VHl
or branches ; palm leaves luistily spread over similar supports ;
handsome tents and s])lendid canopies ; horses, oxen, elephants
and camels ; all intcnnixed without any exterior mark of order
or design, except the flags of the chiefs which usually marie the
centres of a congeries of these masses ; the only regular part of
the encampment being the streets of shops, each of which is
constructed nearly in the manner of a booth at an English fkir.
He reached it undiscovered by a circuitous route ; and, after
striking the panic, and doing the degree of mischief "which such
attacks, without a farther object, are intended to accomplish, re-
turned to tlic fort without attempting the Pagoda, or sustaining
any material loss. The distress of the garrison for provisions
could not, however, be effectually relieved while Nunjcraj main-
tained a position so near to the fort, with others at greater
distances in different directions intercepting the supplies ; and
on the following night. Captain Dalton established a post on the
island, a few paces beyond the northern bank of the Caveri
or southern branch of the river, and ^vithin thirteen hundred vards
of the Pagoda, which it was intended to bombard. A second
post on the southern bank commanded the passage of the river to
the first ; and was itself protected by the cannon of the fort. In
a consultation of the officers of Nunjemj it was determined that
they must either dislodge the enemy from this post, or evacuate
their own ; and on the following day about noon they began to
marshal tlioir troops in their iiTOgular way for carrying it by
assault. This attempt must have been repulsed, with a severe
chastisement for its rashness, if the Englisn troops had behaved
with common sti*adincss ; for the post was nearly finished, had two
field pieces mounted in a connnauding situation, and was oc-
cupied by about four hundred men, of whom near one hundred
were Europeans ; a force abun<lantly sufficient for its dimensions :
but one of those unaccountable panics to which the best troops
are sometimes liable, wiid to have l)een occasioned by mistaking
the intention of an oflicer who, after the repulse of one attack,
was crossing the river with a message to Captain Dalton, induced
the whole party suddenly to evacuate the place in the utmost
confusion ; and Heri Sing, a liajei^ot Jamedar of cavalry in the
service of Mysoor, and the rival of Hyder for military distinction,
seizing the moment of action, charged, without hesitation, among
the fugitives, who were nearly all cut to pieces before they could
cross the river to the inteiuiediate post. This misfortune com-
pelled Captain Dalton in his turn to act on the defensive. As a
measure of necessary precaution, the seven hundred Mysooreana
under Gopaul Rauze were turned out of the fort ; but this chief
was detained as a prisoner of stiitc, under the erroneous supposi-
tion that he was the brother* of Nunjcraj. A more successful
* Tlie native.s of India employ the term '* brother of attachment.'* where
in the west we should say " i>articular friend,"* and this term probably led to
illAI'. VIII.) lUSTKL^S OK TRU HINMINH.Y FOR PROVISIONS. \^:\
iiiL'ht-.-itt.i.'k «ni n Ninrillrr |mi,i ;ii Vi-ll-iri* iii» n-ly ti ii'lf«l \*t rrli»\v
til" •!• ;tri-«-i"ii •-!' x\iv ;;;iiri-. in. Tlj.- M v<>.mim':iiis m tip* iii'-aii
wliil>- •i:ii>ti-l ihi-ir \\li«]'- •ti'-it'* ti till' iiit«-r< I'liti'iii ••!' sii|i|.lii-4,
t«'ii ii\ :'i' t'n' I-- ■I'll- •■!' tip* i-iiiiiitT\ I'V iMitliii' iiff* tlif iiiiNi-s iif
;tll u!j>i \m\'' il>Ti-''ri''l ill tip' :itti-iii|>t X** iiilii"liti'i' tln-iii : in •'••ii-
t''!Miit\ ! I ll.'- .'iii"ii'ht Mh-i I'.ii l';ii'"is |-r:p-tirf nf' Mv^imr. Nun-
• la
ji i.«j wiUi I'l" -^-iiiP- \ i' w «li\i'ii'«l 111-* t«'i«i - : ;i'»»«i jiiiii:: t'» Vi'»'r;in;i
(I.I- • - iiiiii.ii. i ••t';i l.ij.:<' <!•■!. I'-iiiin iiT \iiii>li ("^t.'il'ii-lp •! :i t*'rtifii'«l
r.'imii '■■« t' |.|...-.i.- '■i'lf .ll" 'in. liitT-'i"I\ Tip- l'l'M'k;p|i* ini:^'Iit
1»' ' ii . ;■ :• I ■'« • ■ 111!-!' t»" :il« ■':? M.iI-!j IT"** :iH'i |1"\ i"«ii»liN **f
i-\'l\ •.■■•■ :::? 'Ii i'i-/.i!i (.1 -. 11 .it :ili • li- -t in<iil-* j-rii'- : ( \i|it:iill
l^'li'i ill !i jii'iiti\ • •liiiiiKiii' it. i \ii()i kl.'ir It l^*-'!i "ll tilt*
Mil'-! I t'.'- jlili!iTli^ III -t'!'-. iiii.i \*.»» jslu.ix-* :i-^iili-I tliat
t!.« \ Will" .li" ::: i.i!it : I :( ii"\i !!i .t fli-^*- t-.i- - \\ii«- t-* !■«■ Iiis
i.ii.\ I < -IT' •■ !.• ]i ':•!• ht i\ III-! t< i • n • \.iii!iiiii:ii.; tlHiii liiiii^^i'If.
nii 1 •-•.:' 1. !i;!i/ -'!■ ll :ii i.iit ji III- lit " t"i tli- ii i-^Ui- :iIp1 i x]- ipii-
!•;: :■•••.■ =:;■! <i'.-t\ Itii llill: i Wlfli lij.njt" ]. : - .i<-f M:il sit U it lull.
lir. i lii< iJi' ■! -^ ; •l.illiiJt J Ml" II ■• K.i ii- Kii'li M I *■ • II. ;.> rur-
r';: ! i • li w .» • iii- ■•u i- '-iit in ■ \ • :\ put ■■! Ii.' i li.ir'.' t» r. Ij:p1
III- if.jx - I-l til- :'!• it- I \.i'.' .■! fi.. |.T..\ -l-'!... riT.il tl.» • \-
»!.. ' 1? 'i •■fi-l- -I III .1- ■!* ■' !. • ti.-.f ♦!.■ Mil. In:.* m -li'if was
sriv. . :■ I-l tK- « n - I'm;.' ! ■!! ■!' !;:•.• ri ii.i\- "rU' ' lu/Nt :il
li.i\.' • f ■ 1 !j." I"'; ■:.■ 1 tl..- • ^ijt.jl t ri-,«Lrv u.i* n-w tin-
I ■ ■ •
;i\ .'. ' :i. ; . i * :■*;'» I ' * 'i fi."l li-i - -f ii- i i ■ • "ii ' ■ !■';• t.i i*- iiii-
liri:.-- iI* ! - * 1 ti -fi ..' 11 I \ i \: !• — !-■ M ■ '••? l-iw ii ip'i'.
t'l wi. • ' kt . :• Hi t !.■- ji -i .!» ■ • !" A:- '. i? will ip-w I-- ii.-ii«..
I' : ...!...{ .!*!'- It:, r j.'.' :■ . ■».•. « t* \ i ir Jniij. :<ii-|
tl;- 1' ■■ . .■ :.t .-I •!• '» ■! *^ ..'Mt .^■.!i/ u.'ii !• . !T I I' t:..- |.«-
-1^' •■ *! ! !!.. .!i;?i.' ■: «.!.«.■•■ ■! !». .'i tl- -.1 . . i- -r l-r-tlp-r.
u • . ■• -' ■'■I I 'I «»! 'I 17 '"J Iv ••• .i; :- iT.iti ■■ it tli:it
■ ■ f ■ \ ■: ■ : . ii. ■•'•-' -1 ::i ■ t Vi'i- iii'l
■ t , ■ I
• ■ t I
I ■ '.. '. .. :• ' ^ : : ! " I » ".. -i hi- ! .* . ■ ir.j- -
t ' • • • • •■' ■ • ■ .! \ .,:,, ■.; \I--;». *.\ ■!:•;.:» lit
I: ' ■ r ■ 1 "^ • .' .1 . . • \- i . ll .-. . ■:.■ 'I .1/' r.'V
t . ' • . : ■ . . ■ ■ ■ '. i ? . • :: I . •■ I \ii: =.11-
; • • 1 ! '■ ■ ■.. ' i- . : \. .' ' -.f ^j j'i-
. . ' • w ■ :. .-. ■ '. .'-.■- ■ ! I «i!Mi.-r
I I
i I
I ■ : : ■ : ■.»-,.■ • • 1 ■!■•■!< .1..1.-. U
I • ■ .". • . . I • \ ! ■ -.-.-: -.•'!..'! Ill \.
> • . I.I!: .* . • ' • . -. ■ • . \' ' .'. i till*
i!. . ■ ■ : ' . \I- . , . • ■ : -.1 ^ .•■■..■■ T Ml. i». . k.ih ,
.•-.:■ ' ; • - : '. : ■ - 1 . 1% .' H..:».. ;. y,»Iv
I . . . . • I ■-;:■; Ii .! T.'l.ip. Ii.'f
. ....•••- ..,.-. .::.:» Ai.!'. i:i tl.f
.1. •• • r •■•»..'•.. ■ . • ! S .. ■ r.i5 Lt li.^:;;'. >1 iLc
■ I. . • ■ i. .
184 NEW NABOB OF ARCX)T. [CRAP. TIIL
established by the late events, and tlie son of his muxdered
brother was suppoi-ted at court by a powerful party, mo^
missions and mandates fix>m Delhi were again exhibited with
that unblushing falsehood which is indifferent to the expectation
of Ixjlief
M. Dupleix, who, on the murder of Chunda Saheb^ had first
proclauned himself, and afterwards the son of the deceased, as
Nabob of Arcot, found that neither of tliese arrangements had
supplied his most urgent political want by filling his militaiy
cliest ; and ho had now recourse to the farther experiment of
conferring the appointment on Murteza Khan of Yellore, who
was sup{x>sed to possess considerable treasures. After soma
hesitation this new Kalx)b marched, under the protection of the
corps of Morari Row, to Pondicherry, where he was proclaimed
with the usual formalities ; but, on discussing with M. Danleix
the slender resources of the province, and the means irhicn ha
was expected to supply from his own treasures, together "with his
personal efforts in the field, he discovered, after his first advanoa
of a kc of Pagodas, that he had made a very improvident bar-
gain; and that his most prudent course was to secure his own
person, and preserve the remainder of his wealth in his stronic
fortress of \ellore. The pretence of his departure was the ne-
cessity of his presence in the neighbourhood of that fortress, for
tlie purpose of protecting and endeavouring to extend the re-
venue which ho already possessed ; and the European and
Indian Nabobs parted apparently on excellent terms, but matnally
dissiitisfied, and jwrfectly understanding each other.
These unsuccessful ]K)Htical manoeuvres did not, however,
prevent M. Dunleix from <lirerting in the meantime, with his
usual energy, the resources which he actually possessed, to the
extent of disbursing on the public account nearly the whole of
his i)rivate fortune.
Early in January 17o3 he was enabled to equip for the field
a body of five hundre<I European infantry, and a troop of sixty
horso, two thousand sepoys, and the excellent corns of foor
thoustind horse under Morari Row. The English force under
Major Lawrence consistt^l of seven hundred European infantiy,
two thousand sepoys, and fifteen hundred wi-etched horse belong-
ing to Mohaniin<»d AH. The French force was obviously snperior
for the general purjtoses of a cam])2iign ; and the troops of
Morari Row distinguished themselves in a variety of small a&inL
Major Lawrence felt the confidence of su])eriority in a close
conHict, but the Fn^nch were prudently directed to avoid afford-
ing him the opportunity of decisive a<'tion ; )x*causc, by protract-
ing the cam])aign in that part of the province, they prevented
the relief of Trichino{)oly, and hoped tliat Nunieraj might
succeed in stir\'ing it into surrender. The caution of the Frcndi
was so decided as to induce them to fortify their position on the
rilAr. VIII] MAJOR LAWIIKMK MAIt('IU:s To TIlKllINolNtlV. l^'i
hunk (»r tlic IViiiiHr. wliilo Mai<ir I^wrt*n<*(*. h:ini*^sfHl dv tlio
MalimttA oavulry. Iiiilin:f in nil lii^ utt<in|>t«i to «lrA\v t)ii> Fp-iu'Ii
fn>iii tlifir wtirk**. uii«l liii'iiii;: flit-ni ton sirniiu' <*> 1*<* f**i' 1. ^vhh
Hati^tiftl of the ikccfvsity i>t' t'li.'iiiL^iii:; hi^ pl:in nf o|ii'nitiMiiN, uiid
riii)>:irniMH*«l in tin* m liM-tiiiii ut' a iN-tti-r , ulii-ii. iMi tlif .Oth «it'
A|iril. tht' fX|in'N>4 t*n>iii ('.t|«taiii haltnii. n'|M»rtiii:^ tin* st.-it** i»f
Trii*liiti<i|Nilv lii'trriiiiiii*'! Iii*« i-lii.ii-i* llf arriv^'il at tliat plaint
i>ii tlif *itli fit' Mav. aii<l r>uh>l tliat Caiitaiii l>alti>n. dv rt*u-
iiUuitly iliHtiirliiii:; tli** famp ut' Vi-i-nuia liiirin:^ tlif iiii:lit. hihI
aniMviii;; il t*n>iii an a'lvanri-il imst ilurin;^ tin* dav. }i.i«l U'i*n
riinltlfl t«> t>tN*r:i(«' »• rlli-'tuilly «>ii t)i«- hi ivin ut' tliat rliii-t*. that
ht* ha«I Hiitltlrnly i'vai-iiat'-<l lii^ |H«si(iitii au tip- ITitii ••!* April,
An<l i»n the iiit«-ihL:''n>'i* "t NLij>>r l«:i'.vn-ii<'t- n a|>|ir<*a4-h. n-ji'iui'il
Nuiiji-nij «l S-nn^jhaiij. If-aviii^' tiii* ai-f'-*'% o|i.ij i.» Mippiii-^ t*n»ni
till* H.iiith
M l)iipN-ix till ji-aniiii.; t)i4' i->>iit«* iif Majiir l^awn-nr**. th*-
tAt*hi'<l tWn hlUlillfi Kui-ijM-.iUN iiliij fi\i' liUll>lri-'i >«'|it«y'« ti> n<I|I-
|Hirt NiirijiT.ij . aii'l iIiIn t<iit-f. r.iiuiiiaii'iitl l-y M. A^trtii*. an
othtvr lit (a;^^]'-!!)**- aini talrii(« aiTi\<'<l hv a ihtr-rcnt ("'it*' at
S«'rinchaia lip* *U\y at'l«T Map-r I-aw nti*'*' •'ni«-r»'i Ti i'-liini'*Ni|y
Till' Kiiu'linh t*.»ri-" !»;il ^'ifrtit«t| iicit'ii.iily <ii tin* in.iii'h t*n»!n
thi' •i«*'*i'rli"ii I't I'lri'iijin r- l'*il -fill iii«ir» fii-ni iln* tliMt)i*» an<l
Rirkn«"*n iH*r.'i.-l»ii.i -1 \*\' flu* h« at •■! tin* •«'M'*'ili . aii-1 M.iinr I^IW-
n*n4'«*. «in nii'iiii:^ (■• hi'* ii\%ii «-<ii|>^ t!i<' |>i<i|>i-itiiiri \\!ii>-}i i-uiill In*
^|Mirt*«l lr<in) tli*- •iiiti*-o ••! tin* ^'air:^"ii. l'"nii*i that tip- wliuji*
rffi'i-tivi* t' ifi •■ \\hi« )i h'- • '-'ilii nri'i!* i t-r a :^*i !i» ml H«'ti«tn ani'*iniT«Hl
tiiilv t'» ti\t- litiiiiiri'i Kiui<i-an- aid (!%•• thmKiipi hi|hi\h f, if
thrt-i* t}i<iiiH.in>l h'i>«' ill tli ■ -■n:.- >•( M-iliMiinit-l A!i. ai\va\<i ill
|Mii<t. ill i'i*niniairli-*i. '•[•iiit!''^<> a::'l iiiWtiii"U-*. r*'t'iiM-.i t.i iit*i\i>
wlini th«-y t-iuii'l tli* r>- u.tt t*» !-• an a<-ti"n Major l.ix^ii iii*i*
4l«'|i nniip-«l. *tu th-- I'mIi •tf' M tv. Mitlp'iit tii^'ir ai-l t'» i-|i*xh itiIh
tip* iilnihi ««f S«f Mi^'li.iMi i'\ tl-f >. .iitliw • 'ti-ni t'»p|. l'»iir inili-t
lli*-i\i* thi* t'lUn al.l ' lY'l t!i'- • !p Tii\ t i*f!>' 11 liilip'li'-i-ii
hi^ iiiii«h rarlv 111 t!.'- isi-M."i. II. i .it •! i\ ijjlit 'I- Itli- ii\«r.
t-i t-'Hii 111 "r'!' r tit I'.M .■ . li t'..- . :.j- :i. h; i, I i., inirij at lh»'
ftir-l fcra\»» t!j« !ir-t n :.-•■ x> Nur-?.!' -f th-- m; r'>.p li i-l' tin*
i-lp-lny aitj Ip- Ii.p1. >'U !!i.^ •- 'Mo. 'i .it !•.»<( tii>- pi 'pi< ip •• tii
U- ^ui*i'-'l l'\ I" it'-r t.ii- i.t • tli.iii 111- -wii rip* 1- -ijl'i-p-n tif
nil Iiiiiaii ufiiix h-Lit* :iiiij ii an a! irin tl.r"'i«'li an :ri<.:iilar <-ii-
raiiipnp'nt U* thi'ir •»t.iii'ii< turiifh* •* tli>- i.t ^t ta\"i.%)U- np»'
HP-lit V'T tki{A*\ , .iipl in • I :• r tL.it M i; r Ijiui'Ip^- niU'iil imt
avnil hiin<f-It' i-t* thi-* "pp rr ii.in M A^ii p- :pI\:^-1 tiiat hi^ Iftt.
Ipit vi-t I'l'ini'l't^lv I'liip-i -}. 'id U- :ii>(antiv • !.Ari:i-«l Iv ^hat-
rviT rjivnlrv u.i-* na-ix H-m >n.;: aii i )•:■» lt.ij|--'lA %kfri' lint
abriAil. nn<l n.Ailf a m^-T'-i- •}i.ir/i f.^irlv thtK'U'h tip- fir^t lino.
Imt Wfp' i'h»-«W»-'l hy « r-rv-- •!' Kiir'-j^-.iii^ .iIpI h\ tip* si*|ii»yN,
%kh«i nillp«l wjlli -pir:' ti t ••■ni)-ii'>! tl>* K.ii|*i*i*t'« l*i ntip*
18G UNSI'CCESSFUL ITTICK ON SERINQHAM. [CHAP. TUL
with great loss, sustaining in their precipitate retreat the fixe of
tea pieces of cannon. The object, however, was gained, for time
wQvS affonled to M. Astruc to make his dispositions ; his own
troops were advanced to a water-course within musquet-shot of
the English line, which served every purpose of a regular work,
by enabling him to annoy the enemy while his own troops were
under cover; and his field pieces (four only in number) wore
placed in an elevated and commanding situation, while those of
l^unjeraj kept up a distant and ill-directed fire. The csvmliy
hovered on Ccoch flank, witli directions to charge the instant thai
the English should make a forward movement; and Major Lsw-
rence, finding such a movement to be too haamlous, placed lot
troops under the cover of a bank, until he should examine the
means of forcing the excellent position assumed by the enemy.
M. Astruc meanwhile occupied with native infant^ a boildiw
which imperfectly enfiladed the left flank of the Enf^lish, snd
compelled Major Lawrence to risk a detachment of Europessi
for dislod^Tig them : the service was performed with celerity and
spirit, and the pursuit led the detachment so near to the li^
flank of M. Astruc, that, supposing it to be supported, and his
position to be turned, he commenced his retieat to the pro-
tection of his second line, which was formed of the infiemtry of
Mysoor. The return of the detachment undeceived him ; he re^
occupied the wat^r-course, and made the requisite arranffementi
for the safety of his flank, which was not again attempted. The
cannonade cimtinued throughout the day; and in the evening
^lajor Lawrence re-crossed the river, disappointed, but maintain-
ing a countenance and order which deterred the enemy fiem
molesting his march. All the dispositions of M. Astruc througb-
out the day were made ^dth a degree of promptitude and mili-
tary skill which commanded the respect of tne Kngliah ; and
Major Lawrence, finding the attempt to force the position on
the island l»eyond the strength which he possessed, airected his
whole attention to replacing the provisions of the nrrison. ftr
which ]mrpose he moved into the former camp of Veeran% m
tile uKist favonible position for covering supplies from the
S. £., chiefly fi\>iu Tanjore, and from the woods of Tondimaa io
the westward of that country, and south of Trichinopoly.
The Raja of Tanjore, who, in a contest which appeared lo
precarious, very naturally wished to avoid the resentoient ot the
eventual con(pioror, gave no public support to either paitjp ex-
cept when induced by money or compelled by fear; but mm
genenilly di.s]N»stt4l fntm national considenitions to sustain tbe
cause supportoil by Morari Row, with whom he always preserved
a srrivt connnunication, although his territoiy was not always
resiKH^ted by [his brother Mahrattas. Tondiman, from the begin-
ning, had evinced a partiality to the English ; but the un&Tor-
able a^sitect of their ailairs, and the threats of futare
CHAI*. Via] THE FRENCH LARfSF.I.Y KEINFORCF.D. 1S7
frniii Nunj«*nij, n*HtraintNl him nt this tiiiu* fn»in nny nrtiw fUisisU
Aiicr. Hi'iirt* Mnjor Ijnwri-ii«*e. sn fur fr«>iii U-iii;^ a^lf• tn iic{HiHit
a |iri»|H;r Huitply in tin* htnp's t»f TrirliiiR»|HiI\, ul.t lini-*! wiiU tlio
^ri*«tt«-Ht tlithtMiIty iinivi.sioiiH fur thi* rurn*iit ii>t* it' tli*' <lav. iliiriiiL^
nUiiit tiv«* WivIch tliiit hr was mviipirtl hy (hi:^ miIi- iihjrit. wiilhtut
AtU-iii|itiii^ Hiiythiii;; a>;aiiiHt thi- iiiftiiv ; wh>». i>ii tlirir part, n-iii.iiii-
e<l nlMi nil tlif* iif*ffii>iv(\ M. A.Ntnit* lia\iii;; *•!••. ;i i-ihm^Ii mI* Wm
ftllii's to ih-riiiii* Mtfi-ii'^ive it|H'nitiuii<4 until '«ii|i|iiirt' •! iy )>• \i r (r*">pH.
Thi' Kn-iirh triMips in (lie |ir>i\ini'i' of \\i**\ \\*r»' lilt. I ■\ lltt*
ilfjuirtun* tif Majnr L:i\in-ni*t\ willmul an <{tiHiiifiit in that
ifu:irt*-r. liwl \%«'ri' t-nalilfil to tarry Nt'\«-i.il Kn;.:li li |x"<t^ if uun<*i
ijii{iiiitani-i*. Miipaii U<iW nn siiili 4H*r:i^iMiis \i.i.-i ul\\:i\-« f«>i-\\ani
ah'l • nt«:r|iri'«iiiLr. •^n*! at litlirr tiiii«"« ri>anii'<l at I ir_:>* ••\tr tlio
|>ii>\in(-i- K\fry tliirf at tin* hra<l ufa tVw nii-n U-.'an. a.^ ii'^iial
111 ^iiailar M-riii't tit' riMit'ii<«iiin. t«i *>'!• ii^th'ii hiiii^*!f ainl |'!uii<lrr
on lii-« nwii ai't'Miint ; an*l i-xi-ii Mi2it«'/Ji Khan ff \i*li<iii' \iTitiirt-«l
al>i»>ii'l. aii-l -*fi'ni*-il !•» tiiink a:^ain nf )ji*< <»f!',.'f nf Nil*- ii. M.
l»Li|iIii\. Iitiwrvi-i. jn'»ily I' •iiNiili-iiiij till* «li i*i-.it ••!" M.LJ.'i- L'im-
pMi' •■ a- till* |iriniaiy ulijiit nt' tin- w.ir. ili't.n iii •! tlip'>* tii-n an>l
1*1 tip' riirpH nf M'liari l{*>w uirlii \iH*n:f« Kli.in, ti.ii->' lii:ii<lii-<l
K>ii"|"'aii'« aiiil tiiH- tliitii*stii<l p-jiil.ir ^•(]Ni\•*, t*i ii intOrr.- tliu
iinii\ at S«*iiiiL'li:int
1 lit- iliM'iiifl sti|H'iiiiUty ai'i|uirt'ii ).y tlii- ri-i!il"ri-rin' nt HitHiiiI
til !• iw I'lit Iiitl'* ii'iuitt iif nn <'ai]v li'-i i"*!'*!! «'t' tii'- t'>>nti-st. I-'nr
m
till- I'liihii li i«i ifiw in till* liiM. i>i<*i>ii'« t'iMir liii.iiiM-<i Kiti"{'« -.m^
nu'l "It" tii'tii^iii'l ti\i' Inni'lri'il »i'Imi\^ nf tiitir I'Wn. i ijlit tii->)i-
Niii'l M\»iH.i liMp^'. tlinv tliiiu>;in*] tivi* huniitnl M.ihr.ii (..'•, Knt*
tii'tii^ui'i t\«ii hiin>iri*«l MvMHir ***'1m>\'« nnii*r t)i nm.in'i nf
ll\>Iir. ah*i tilt' t'n th'ni^ui'l irp.:(ii:ir infintrx : x^liil" .Mainr
I«:i\» ri III •*. Iiiiviii;^' ill tarlifii M-\f'n liiin«iri-il it|Ni\^ t 'i |>ii'\ i*>i<<jit.
ha<l n*i lifif tii.in ti\«* liiui'li*-'! Kiiii>|H a:i<-. «>im* i:.i>ii'.inil tlmi;
h'lnlii'i -M'j-.v. an-l i.n- }iiiii<ifi<l ln'r^^i t!if i.i»!\ iifUVi iii:.l« uiio.
nt all till* mi'l'l*' I'f M>'liatiinii-'l Al: i ■ii-^i nt* 'i t-\<Ti (•• • ni':'i.t|i
l>i-\>iiii| ilif i'i\ii' I't til*- u.ti.-* ••! i'l :>'ii.;i'{<"i \ Wit. I ti..« nil-
III' ti^'- lii^pio^ixtf i'>Ti •! t"ii>' tl.i* hi< It'll aii'i .N ii),* i.i| ii. \' i (n
till- •*' It'll %%;iii I't tl.f ii\ir^. .iii'i iTi .1 !• \% iLi\ < * >iit;-*il''i M.ii<T
|»t\%i':t • 1*1 Wkfliiii.iw ill-* I .ihi|i t" a |M.iiti -n latin i ii' .iii : t'l tip*
Ii?'' •■ I xl» ij'i.ii.; t fjifii-. 1\ ■ 1 |ii'i;'Mi\ )-iUi«:t }.ini .i:i«i tip?
I !»• ■•! Ill* •«:j«;'l;'"» ■ • it-* t»i t> rui .iii ifii'tii.i. jii'-ria !'. ."^'i? ii.ii^
fi' u 'i..ii t-i ri-ni:iiii I'^i' t'< I'M^^'i'T til*' (iini^ i-t • .i; .'ii.it -ii.
ail 1 l."' ^*':i«i.il '|i '•i-iii-lt h' \ \» .L* ini:-.!**. i \>\ x\ >• -«\.i- ».iiii m
i! Mi; I I«.i\« fi III-'- 111- Uxiiil Ii -t. li<ui\ir. iir.:.I t).'- \.\< • \-
trir...'\ 'I'i.t tl.'- ^'iMiijil Iji- al J'H ■»• i.t •-■'ij;. .| w;tii l.i- i.aii'iliil
I't I..' r. i\:i\ 111 '-ri- r t-* iil! r-i • 'in* • li.ir.' ' i-l • i !.i;!. i*^' -• i{<;*i:t-'*
)\ li..'!.! •: tl.' • J')- it'illtlV I'T -tl.K.t:' -.'liii- lil.i \|-. t* I i 1'<W
)\ 'i'v )••- iii.iiiil..iiii •! a |->>! i-t t i\ " li>ii<iii-l <w!»>\.« I'll .1 r'i'k
li-.iri\ .1 liilii' .III i a ii.ilt l> • tit'- -* ' itii H'-«t • S iiii • .iMji '!!.:> Ill
• I
Ii - - •!• I*- rat*- t 111 iiiii->ijiJirr^. nnjlil I"* iin^'irL^I tt^ .iii nupiMi'^i
188 EXTRAORDINARY VICTORY OF KAJOR LAWRENCE. [CHAP. VOL
disposition, the post being considerably farther from his own
camp than from the superior force of his enemy : but their pos-
session of the rock would have compelled him to retire under
the walls of Trichinopoly. Without great risk, and the oppor-
tunit}"^ for some extraordinary effort, he knew that he most in a
few days surrender at discretion for want of food ; and the won-
derful achievement which followed this dangerous disposition
deserves a more detailed narrative than we are accustomed to
give. M. Astruc was not slow in i)erceiving the advantage and
the necessity of forcing this post, and he attacked it on the
morning of the 26th of June with a select body, supported at a
distance by the whole of his force. A portion of the KngliA
sepoys had just gone into the fort to receive their rations; and
when Major Lawrence perceived the attack, which he did not so
soon expect, he found that leaving the requisite guard for his
camp, he could muster for the support of his advanced post no
more than three hundred and forty Europeans, five hundred
sepoys, and eight field pieces with their complement of artilleiy-
mcn ; and with these he hastened at a quick pace to reach the
rock before the main body of the enemy. The post made a
respectable resistance ; but M. Astruc perceiving this movement^
made a vigorous effort, and carried it just as Major Lawrence had
reached half way, and was thus in a position in which the attempt
to advance or retreat was equally desperate. He instantly maoe
the decision which was worthy of himself, and the soldiers received
his orders with three cheers. The grenadiers, supported by an
equal number of select sepoys, were directed to carry the rock at
the point of the bayonet ; and literally obeyed their orders, not
firing a shot till they had reached its summit and driven its recent
captors down the opposite side. Major Lawrence with the remain-
der of his force moved at the same time round the foot of
the rock, where the main body of the French had just arrived,
in the hope of ))eing sufficiently rapid in his movement to fiJl
upon the flank which it seemed to present to his attack. IL
Astruc, however, placed the right flank of the French battalion
against the rock, and quickly formed with his front towards the
British column, which, equally rapid and precise in its evolution,
formed in a line at the same moment within twenty yards of the
enemy. M. Astruc had reckoned with confidence on the support
which he had chosen for his right, and the rest of his troops were
moving up to deploy and encompass this handful of men, when
at the instant that the English battalion gave its first diachai^
in front, a heavy fire on his right flank from the troops which had
carried the hill, caused his men to waver, and the mstantaneous
charge of the English liayonets threw them into inextricable
confusion ; the most gallant eflbrts to n^ston? order were of no
avail, an<l the wliolo hurried oft' in com jileto clismay, leaving three
field pieces in the hands of the English. The cavalry of Morari
C'llAlV VIII.] HE MOVKS TnWAIlDS rANJOltH 18*J
Riiw. witli tlii-ir iisii:il pdlaiitry. iiit«*r|MisiM| to mvrr the n*tix*at of
till* Frfip'li iiifriiitrv. nn<i i*vi'ii mm If im i*H'urt ti» n'cnvfr tin* iivhl
|iii*ivi«. lull \n»n* ri'i»ulsiMl with m-vi-p' Ih^s ; liiila^^i, tin* mlnpUMl
ii«>ii tif Mitr.iri U«»w. a man nf ilistiiiLMiiNht-iI niiimi^i.', ln'iu^ anions
th«* ■*Iiiiii. .MiiJMi- Ij»\vn*iir«\ wli«i Wii> lictvriiiiiiol iinl t4i ri'liiit|iiish
till* trii|ilii'-*« lit' liiH virfiirv. ii\\*'i mnaiiiiii:; t'i«r stnw liniirs at tlju
fiMit nt'tiii* riN'k. Iiaii Mill tiir niiluoiis mt\ ii-f t^i |N'rtoriii nf n*turii-
ifi<^ uitli thrill ii\i'r the plain in tin* tai'i* of tli«* ulmlt* IhnIv of
tin* •■nt'iiiy <« i*n\.ilty. wiiii-h was ilniwn ii|i ju^t In-vou*! thi* nin^u
of hin slmt nailv ti» f]iar:;i' in i-vitv iiii«-fti<>ii thf instant h«
hhixiM att'-inpt thi* nii*Vtiii«-nt. 'I'hi* •iis|HiHiti'in> wi-n* math* with
riMTi-**)Niii<inu' r.iri' : his httl<- *M|iiari' ii:ilt«-«l an*! f<>ruir<i ; niiil tho
skill ah<l i-iN.liiis-. i.f til*' aitilliTy, whit'h ('•tn)ini-ii>'i-*l its tin« Ht
till' pi*')Mr iii-ijp'iit. nii<l riihtinin->i it with iiiiii:nirfit ami \i\arity,
m.i*i'' siirti |i:t\.N' III tlii<* •li^««nii*iiy i'r>>\vij. that aft«T tli*- n|i{kan'nt
»tti{>«'f.i<'ti<>ii "f a few iiioiih-iit'*. tlii\ hpikr aii'l !!• •! in all ilinv-
ti-'ii**. aii'i l*ti thi- littlf haul ff hi'r»r<« t<i |iUMiif* their march
witli^Mt f:irth<r ni-!> -^taiixn
lilt' 'ii-L'r.i- ' ■•! ipai thirty th«>ii^.iii*l ni> ii l-iii;^ •i«f»atf'l antl
r*ih>l )iv ••[!•■ th<iii**.in<i aii'l r>itv i iii*'l>i>liiij twn hinpiivi who
hik<i 1n-iii ii>-.tr\i-l 111 th- t-arlx |iiir! i-f thf 'lav. |ip*«Iu«'fil thi*
iiHiial i-ti''<-''* ••! liiiiri.i] ii|iT.>a<ii ;iii i •ii<i:jri-« ni'-:;t . an>l in tiiin
t»iiij»r ill'- \i li- !•■ K.iy w.i, -*■• :i.:i.ti\i- a-* lii |ii'niiit thf si-xi-n
hiiiiiii 1 ii!-ii "ii •!• (.!• Mi!' :it t'» )"iii III a t- w ni:jhto aftt-rwanli
witii af'i»\'\ 'f |ii.'\ i-'.'-:n «*iitfii-i<itt t'-r lilty -laX"* •-•■n^uni|>titiii
fitr th* • .iiii{> :iiii j.iii: -ii Tlii^ h"\\t-\i-t. w.is khIv a tfnii^irarv
r»if r. ^-it :t u.i- f\|NiT«'i tlitt thf ft pMLitiiiii n'''|Min««i hy tin?
irttf mi . -«, if" ^<||i|p ifti' I \-\ thf j'l« -■ Iff nf thi" tn»'ps. iriijilt
• !• tt"iiiiii" \\}*' *]."] •■ «'f tlii l»..|ii t.f r.»ii|i.i»'. wh'i ha-l thixiii^htiiit
ths"* • ■.:ii|».«ijri ^- - !i i-<|-: )!v !.ivis)i i.f h;^ pii ini^i* <« t" jniii • ai'li
li'iitv aril (i.i« iii"\ • ill* iiT Mtiii-ii \i"!i!'l il^f t.M'ilif.iti ihi- luni'tinn
■ ■
!■! a -iii.iil r';ril": • :iit-nt i xj-i - i* i li -in !h«- ■*• i i''«;i'»C. was if^t»Ivf'l
• ■n T: '• pt- •■ !i . f M inn. rip I \.\ w.i-* ■ •■ii'i-i'Tfl lii !-■ ux«'lui
f'-r ill** I ;•; f !.■ J • :it:'ri i^r. i li.- p:<]^i!'ii t» n»"\t- inl«i
I- iMi|i :< rii }.-. * t • !• • :ii f !• 1- x^ n 1' .* llf III •:>• lit lh:-« llif • lit lti||
w .* Ill !•.> l.r.'Uii (■• )ii<. (T ■' ■•« ( .> \ .1-^ i.ii:*-i Ml :iiiiit ]ri thf
I. ,f. r . -.iir' II. ii .'11.. .11.' ti,. ' ■!■ •. M.-ir!: I i-i4 i.- ! !•• p» iii»;l }i;Mi to
ii' : lit is» • ! '.•■ i. V 1 ;.i. i r.'|.:r ;•!!•. irs .i:..| ii i.- in.- n* ■ • -^^arv
t.-itil »• .\ ' f K'l' |-;ii..!.i J I •■ . I l.iiii fr*iii !lit 1! thr« .itf n»-«l
\1'-.' Ii • .'. I ■ « -rl ii.Tli ! ■ i lli.p If Pi tip" lJiI'!»! •■! lU'tl- ^'lUV*'
I- h*; i" r it .- "» "iij'- 11 :i «ii' f.i* )- • u p: ■%• r." i li\ xu»- ipii« n sm*-
«■■ • I -rj .i". i ii!it-'\.il '!• J" ' till- :.t •■! th- hi'-Ti-h N.il«'l»s «•! M.
I*<i:-!'.-. \« ■ • iiiii t iriii> Iff : t:.\ !• l-i^- .i -.i..i'- t" tl iiti-mtila-
i ■
ti-M -■! 'i- l!:i.' .-Ii N .K •. i-i.;!!.- t. ?lf fi- ! i fr 'in hi-* nwn
ti»:' ■• .■ : ? • I' ••.'! Ti .! K'.-..-i ii\-nt!' f.'ii--wi-l hy
• \i. t'v • " / \. ■ !'..■ i. -r J -.1: • . ?! i:i a I. \ft ii.i\^ aft''ru.iiiU to
■ •
til* •»«r\' • -'ftii M\---.'f«i!i
J" av •{ i ! .• • ..• Iii\ t i.ii.ill^ M.i'xl L*1\»Iv!lO'J liil^itol hi**
190 ANOTHER VICTORY. [CHAP. VUL
march through the woods which approacli within a few miles cf
Trichinopoly on the S. B., and encamped about half way between
that town and Tanjore (distant thirty-two miles from each otherj
a position in which be was conveniently situated for all the objecU
of his attention. At the expiration of a month he was actually
joined by the army of Taniore, under the command of Monajee^
consisting of three thousand horse and two thousand irregiikr
infantry ; and by the expected reinforcement of one hundred and
seventy English, and three hundred native infantry. On hii
approaching Trichinopoly from the southward early in Augoat^
accompanied by a cumbrous convoy, he perceived the whole of
the enemVs force drawn up on the plain to intercept him : and
when arrived within a proper distance, he halted to examine their
position. Wevconda, a tolerably defensible post on a rock,
about two miles and a half to the west of rrichinopoly, had
formerly been occupied by a detachment from the garrison; but
Captain Dalton had, in the state of his force, found it prudent to
withdraw this detachment and destroy the post His mines having
failed in their object^ the post was now occupied and strength-
ened by the enemy. Two rocky eminences, each of them about
the same distance as Weyconda, south of the fort, distant from
each other about a mile, and the nearest of them not three miles
S. E. of Weyconda, were the chief supporting points to the pasi-
tion of the French, now commanded by M. Brennier : a strong
corps was on the westernmost of tlicse rocks, and the main budj
occupied a position on and near the eastern rock ; their allies to
the left and N. E. of the latter fonned a sweep which approached
tlie river, and extended also to the ri^ht along the rear of the
whole position. The first object of Major Lawrence was to
deposit nis convoy in safety; and he determined to seize the strong
rocky eminence on the enemy's right, as a point which wooU
enable him to pass round that flank without approaching too
near to Weyconda For this purpose ho made a demonstratian
of attacking the main body near the n>ck on their left, while a
select detachment, making a concealed and circuitous roaie^
should carry his real object This dLK]>osition had the intended
effect of inducing M. Brennier to strengthen the point whidi
seemed to be threatened, by withdrawing a part of the troops
from liLs right : the rock was carried, and the army and oonvoj
moved on. M. Brennier perceived his error when too late, and
sent a detachment to preserve or recover the rock, which halted
when they perceived it was lost, but l)eing reinforced, seised sa
advantageous ground, and commenced a cannonade which severe-
ly annoyed the English troops, and comi)elIed them to retnm
it with disadvantage. The main body being still staticmsiT;
Major Lawrence conceived the idea of cutting off this detam-
ment by the rapid movement of a 1)ody of five hundred in&ntrjTt
European and native, without guns. The officer conunanding
CHAP. TIIL] 8TRA1CQS DBCBmOX BICURDIira THE COWOT. 191
thiB deiachmeni hesitAtocl m bo ap|mMiched the enemy, and
Major Lawronct*. galloping up and uiBmounting, placed himaelf
at the head of the givniuliora, and puahed under a severe fire
round thvir left They did not stand the charoe of the bayonet ;
Imt, cut otf from their main body, ran with precipitation for
thtsar post of Weyconda, leaving three field pieces behind them.
Captain Dalton, who luul now sallied from Uie fort with a small
bouy and two field picHx>s. annoyed tliem in their retreat, and
Uien dire<*te«l his fins a;;aiu.st the enemy's rear, particularly the
cavalry uf MyH(M»r. which was sheltering itself m large groups
from tlie tire of the Kn^^lisli artiller}*, and was driven by tliis fire
in n'verM* entirely otf the phuit 11. Brennier moved when it
was to(» late tn sustain his |Muty ; but on seeing Uieir precipitate
flight, and the Unly of the Kuglisli moving to support their de-
ta4*hnient, his tnN>|M gave way liefore the main bodies had ez-
change<l a shut, aiitl retireti in confusion, undisturl)ed by the
Tanjtirvan honM\ whti hml an o|M*n field in conseauenoe of the
distHTsion of the enemy's cavalr}*. On the same niglit the enemy
t4w>k up A iMMition which was t4M» strong to be attempted, under
their f(irtitii*«l rock of Weyt^inda. The Tanjoruan unuertook and
■oiin accvihiplisheil the n^luction of Klemisuraro, a piat alxmt
four miles t4i tlie .S. M of TrirhinoiMily, which covereu the com-
muniimtion with 1*anjon* ; and Major Lawn*nce prepare<l to de-
1M»it in Ht'ire the ti»Mr thtaisand buUtx-k loads provided by Mo*
lauiiutMl Ali for thi* garrison of Trichinonoly, whioh compiled
Uiis i-aliiablo con%'oy : but the example of Kheir u l>een hail not
yet taught the Knglish the pro|»er limits of belief Thejd^liiiury
or the cn*«lulity of Major I^wrence hml restrained him iRn any
cxpn«i 4 heck o\*er the mass of loade^l cattle, public and private,
whii*h this ally was please<l Ui denominate the defiartiiient of
pri»vi4iiinji ; au«l he htui now the mortification to learn that he
natl forf*-ittMl the o|»|M>rtunity of fallowing up his vict4iry. for the
pn«i*r\'Bti«»ii i»f a ciinvoy whii'h. on examiimtion. de|MMiit«Ml in his
st<in*H junt tJtret humirtd bulhrk loa«ls of grain, not ten t lays'
I>urin;; the Al«4'ni*4* of Major Lawrence from Trichino|)o|y,
the town iiAil U'en c«»niplet«*ly deiM>pulaU««l by the n*moviU of
the wh«i|e Wul^a* to m^k ft>r fiMMi eli««*wh«*rp ; and the enemy
* Ill't^tr^Untia itf the insimrni and immemonsi bahits ofspe<i|*le
simirtimr« uhriit-tfully (Irrnrd fnun s careful sttciitinu to th« clrnicutA or
tbr «tnirUirr of thrir luifniv^- ^^ the s|»|>roarh cif an hoiCile amy, the
enffirtunau itihahitaiit« of India baiy nailrr rr«iunil tbrir nHMt cumbrutis
eflrctn. aiM carh in<iivifliiml man, W4iman, and cbiM abt»«e six f ram of sft
(the infant rhildrru brtns camcil \*y their motbcrB, witb a luad of grain pfo>
porthmni til tbnr «trttii:tb. iwue from tbrir hrbfired bumes, and take the
dirrrtion of • r.iuntrjr if inrb ran \>t found' exempted from tbs miseries of
war . otymrtimrt uf a »troA£ ffirtreaa, Uit mi*rt itenerally of tbe moat uafre-
auentrd biiU aifi wimkIb, wbere Xhrj f«rf>loog a miaerahls cxiateace until tbe
eparture (*f the enfwj ; and if tbu abould be prolrscted btjrood tbt time
fur wbicb tbry La%e pruridcd food, a larff poctioa neeesaanly dies of knagtr.
192 EXERTIONS TO OBTAIN SUPPLIES. [CHAP. YIIL
had been earnestly occupied in designs for surprising tlie sanuon.
An officer, named Do Cattans, had been engaged by M. J)apleiz
to desert to the English at Trichinopoly, and from thence to in-
dicate to M. Brennier the proper time and place for an escalide ;
while the French prisoners within were to oe liberated, and anned
to attack the defenders in the rear. This person "was siiapectedy
but the suspicion was concealed ; he was permitted to examine
every thing, and prepare his report and project ; which wbs aeind
on the person of his messengt^r. On this discovery Captain
Dalton promised to intercede for his life, provided he would
write in his presence another report and project for an attack on
a part which he, Captain Dalton, should describe. A letter so
prepared was accordingly dispatched by a native messenger ; M.
Brennier's answer acquiesced in the plan, and the garrison wu
prepared for his reception for several successive ni^ts, bnt no
attempt was made : Major Lawrence concluding from that cir*
cumstance that De Cattans had virtually broken the conditions
on which Captain Dalton had promised his intercession, ordered
him to be hanged in sight of the enemy's position.
A fortnight was employed in making arrangements to remedy
the serious disappointment in the amount of expected supply, I7
means of a succession of smaller convoys. The enemy still re-
mained under cover of their strong position of Weyoonda, and
Major Lawrence on the 23rd of August moved towards them for
the purpose of examining it more closely. The object of this
movement was misapprehended ; a large reinforcement dispatched
by M.^upleix was expected on the next morning, and the
French, supposing the dispositions of the English to oe directed
to intercept this body, of whose march they were really ignorant^
moved off with precipitation from Weyconda, and took a strong
position on the southern bank of the river. The appearance of
this reinforcement on the following morning on the northern
bank explained the mutual error, and increased the spirits of
the allies ; while it gave to the English the mortification of
knowing that their inferiority of numbers was again as decided
as it had ))een at any period of the war : for the reinforcement
consisted of three thousand Mahratta horse and some infimtiy
under Morari Row, with four hundred Europeans and two thou-
sand native infantry with six guns under M. Astruc, who was n-
Tho people of a district thua deserting their bomea are called tkt
WuUa of the district. A 8tatc of hahitual misery, involving prrnntiwi
against incessant war, and unnitying depredations of so peculiar a descripCiaB
as to remiire in any of the language:} of Europe a long circumlocntioBt ■
expressed in all the languages of Deckan and the south of India by a nrnglm wm^
No proofs can be accumulated from the most profound research, which
shall describe the immemorial condition of the people of India with mon
authentic precision than this single word.
It is a proud distinction that the WuUa never departs on the i^pnaA
of a British army when unaccompanied by Indian allies.
aiAP. VUL] the FRSNCII ANIi ENHLISII REiNrouci:!). 193
inKUtevl in liU former cotiitnaii<l ; while Nunjrmj wits al^o rcin-
fon?e«l fnmi Mymior by n Inrj;^* niblile of all tlcHcrriptionft Major
liawrenn*, wiio alno ex]iecU'<I a Hiiuill reiiifonn*iiioiit, now niove<l
to tilt* MMith-i*«iiitwanl of the town U) fm^ilitato iU junrtitm and
cover Ilia mii>i»liei«, deteniiinin^ in n^niain on the defensive until
itA arrival, flio aatne n*as<»nH wlii(*li induced thi.H detennination
on liirt |mrt, ou^lit to have divided \m o|i]N>nentM in nmkin|^ a
vi^troan ctTDrt a^iiuit him, or his deUu^hnient. previounly to tbo
{'unii.i(»ii ; but there was little haniiony in thrir naincilH : an<l
lajor Lawn*ri(v, by ninkiii;^ drniiiiiHtnitton.H whirh ou^ht nt>t to
have dtH*«*iviHl tlu*in. miiaiiitHl untiiiiturlH*«l ; and i>n the Hixte«*nth
8i*iit4'mlM»r tlu* i*xiH»t-t4»«| n*iiif(in^'iiu*nt, cHinsisiinij of two hundred
and thirty-!<«'Vi*ti Kun»|N*anH aiul thniv hundre<l Ni'{N)yH, marched
without niole>t:iti«»ii \uUt his ennuiipnient
Tho <liH]iri»|>«irtii»n w:l>4 still i'h<*nnouH; luit Major I^wrenco
had no furtli(*r rx|M>ctntioii4, an«I bin Nituation nN^iiiriHl the most
daring etr»rt«i. Thv military di-^jw nit ions of the {lartie^ were mado
in thr niiivrrs.* otih-r f»f tln'ir ^t^t■n^th ; the Kn^liMh «*n(ram|N*ti on
th<2 o]N*ii Hold; wliilr the Kn*nrh ami their host of allirM fortified
th«'ir ramp. Tlifir j>o^itill|| w;w exaetly on tlie ;^»und of tlio
foniHT arti'tii ; th<* front i»nly U'in«; rrvfrs«s|. Thr Kn^neh tn»0|M
had tlifir ri^dit on the i-a-^trrn n^'k ; rt»pilar worlcA for the |»n»tec-
tion i»fth«* fn»iit i'Xt«*ndiNl alN>nt five laindre<l vanl.s in the direc-
tion of th<» WfM<*rn pM-k ; and another lino |»ointing MouthwanI to
rovcr thfir !«'ft tlank Wiw U»;^in at its southern extn*mity. but
n«it yt't «N»n!i«*«*ti-*l with tht* wi-st^-ni an^de of the fn»nt line. To
tin* ri;:ht i»( th«' sanio pn-k tin* Myf«H»rean anil Mahratta infantry
hati rxt«*ndtH| a lint* of Works to the caht an<l tht^n to the Houtn,
for tlh* |»r»ttvtion i>( tln-ir fn»nt and ri^'ht The wi»Ht« ni nick
waa iNvti|»ii»d bv a iN«r|rt of c»nr liuniln.*<i F'n'nrh infantr>% tino
hundn*<i| and fifty t*i|<i.s«M'H, nnd six hnndri'^l fu»|K»yM. witli two
piisvH «if r.'%niiiin : tin* ^p.-nv t»f ab>iit on*- thousand two hundred
y.inN U*twi-«-fi this i^-k Jin<i th«* l«ft of th«' Fnnrh iiitn-n«*hinfnt»
and th»* wh'»|i» ff thi* r«-:ir. fr ini tin* Miihntta works i»n tin* ri;^ht
t«> thin wt-Ht«-ni r'»*'k ««ii tip* l«t"t. w:li r«i\t ml with tin* r.iv.ilrv and
irn*-4ii1art in tin ir u^ual di -'i-hrly ir.ri^-^. ('•»l««in'l Liwrfiicu
dnw out on tli«» "\m'U plain on tin* twrntit-tli of S'pt*'iidM r to
otfi-r Kitll'* to thin nunn-totis h"*«t : but tlu* in\itati'>n wan di-rlinetl,
ami In* foiitinU'd during tin* day to instill tin* fiurainpincnt by m
nind'ifn t':iiin"ii:idf*. with tin* \ if*w «if I'oin'i-.ilin^ hi*< ninn* *««Ttiiiii
iiit« iiti«»fi'« ilin plan wan to t-irry tin* ui >t«-rn rotk U-forv thiy*
li;:hi. and from Uifiift* t«» fall U|Hin tin* unfininhid Irfl flank tif tlio
Kn-rn'h I* "nit ion. Tin* ;;n"ninlifii min* ?-i firtunate mn !•> rvneb
tin* f<»»t tif thf* vhi*nt«Tn nwk l«-f<»rr tln-y Hon* |n'nvivisl : tho
Mirpri— w:iH j-rf'.ft ; miil tin* |n«nt ^fcan «*2irrii*«i U-fon* iti* dfffndcr*
b.id tirn<* to •lt<*<-har^i* tin-ir eaiin<>n Thr fu;;itiv(*a. while tht*y
;ravv tin* aUnn. inili«*ati'«l al***i tht* ti**int of nttJU'k, aii«I t^un|ielle«l
t!i« Fi»inh t> rhan^'ir tlit.- dit|p»>iiti.iii of their main ljo«ly. ati«l
Y
194 ANOTHER SINGULAR VICTORY. [CSAP. TIIL
draw up fronting the west ; the finished works now serving no
other purpose but that of a support to their right. Their Euro*
peans occupied the ground from the south-west angle to the efld
of the unfinished work; and their left, consisting of sepon
extended farther south. After carrying the western rode, the
disposition of Major Lawrence placed his Europeans in the
centre, and his sepoys on each flank ; and the aay b^gan to
da\\rn when they received the orders for the attack of the miiii
body with a general shout, and moved on to the sound of the
military music of the parade. Tlie sepoys of the TCnglish right
first reached their destination, and had caused those of the Frendi
line to waver and retreat, at the instant that the European psit
of the attack in three divisions approached the French iniantiy,
whose left was thus uncovered. The officer commanding the
right division of English Europeans seized the opportunity with
promptitude ; and by a rapid evolution turned the French left^
and charging it >vith the bayonet drove it in confusion oa their
centre and right, which was at the same moment sustaining a heavy
fire in front The sepoys of the English left meantime pushed on the
outside of the works, and carried the eastern rock. The disorder
and panic were irretrievable ; and the result was an indiscriminate
flight, of which the English could not avail themselves : for
although the Mahrattas of Tanjore had moved on the left of the
whole attack for the express purpose of seizing such an occasion,
they were deaf to all tne exhoiiations of Major Lawrence, and
could not be restrained from the national tactic of plundering
the enemy's camp ; while the English were collecting and arrang-
ing the trophies of tlieir victory, consisting of eleven pieces of
cannon, one hundred French prisoners, with eleven offioen^
among whom was M. Astruc,* with the whole of their tents and
stores of every description. The killed, wounded, and stxagi^eis
aftenvanls taken amounted to two hundred more : while the
English killed, wounde<I, and missing, amounted to forty only.
The fugitives covering the whole plain took the route of the south-
western ford to the island of Seiingham ; and on the same even-
ing Major Jjawrcnce moved to dislodge the enemy from Wqroond%
wliich was effecteil in the course of a few days» although the
|M)st had been consideriibly strcngtheneA
From W(^ycon(la Major Lawrence moved for the ccnveniency
of suppl}' to the south-east of the fort ; and after the expiration
* The o])inion of this ofHccr's talents among ths EngUah was sot
imifonn. Mr. Saunders and the govcmuient of Madras held thsm in the
]ii(;liost eat i mat ion. Major Lawrence gave the most decided ^ proof of s
(litfVront jiidgiiicnt. On the occasion of an exchange of prisoners* it happeaed
to 1h) optional with the English to retain or exchange M. Astruc. The
{(ovcrnnient considered it an object of importance to avoid his ezchaiigs :
Major L'iwrence thought it deserving of no consideration ; and distinctly
5tntr4 th.it h<' riinsi<l«T«:d M. INisco (whom I can nowhere else trace) as the
mo.st inteliijs'i'iil uf the French otiiccni then in CoromaudcL
CRAP. VIII.] ATTnfFT To CARRY TRICHIXOPOLY. 1115
of a fow cUyfi. provUioDii of ovory description were brought in
without interni[»tion. and in stioh Hlnindaui-o aa enabltxl liiiu to
lay in a six monthii' Hton) for tlio puTiN(»n.
Thin object \niitm pnivideil for, it l)ecHino mn^ivsAary to think
of quartern for the truopti during' the heavy miuM of tho appnMch-
iii|^ inonikx>D. where they could \m} hui»|»Iie<l without tho hanuisin^
duty of coiuitant oonvoys in that inrlenifiit H^Misim : antl thi* place
•ekwted waa Coihuly on tiie fmntier <»f Tanjon\ alniut iill4«'n
miloa to Uie eaatwanl of Trichino|Nily, thither he niovcHl, a«*coni*
panied by Moliamnio<l Ali, on the twvnty-thinl of Oi*tolier; the
Tanjoroaiui having; |>roct.*«tie4l u* tla-ir c*apitiU Hotne davH heforv, for
the puqMMio of celebrating the foa^t of the DotMora, or Malia Noumi.
hi the be^nniiij; of Nownilier the French at Seringliam
reeeiYefl a faitber reiniorcement of thret* hundred Eun>|M*anH, two
hundretl io|MuneA. and one thuiiMind fte{M»V(i ; but ctmtinutrii in
their quaiten withcnit ev(«n interrupting tlu* aavm of nuppliea,
» order that the puriaon uii>;ht U* lulltHl into a negligt*ncc and
•ecurity. favonble to tiieir iiitA^ndtnl i>n>jei*t, of carrying the
plare by a coup de ma in. This operation wan attempted on the
llif(ht ik the twenty •eev^ntli <»f Noveudjer. The place !M.*lected
for the main attack waa one (»f those wrak and awkwanl pro-
jectinf( worka which a»ver tlit* ^t^^way of all Indian f<>rtilii^ition.%
And are by them ct>UHiderv«l to W itntiif^ in pro|»ortion t4> the
number ol travepH^a to Im* paiMe«l fn»m the outer U* the inner
Eta. (>f tfae^e there were two ; on**, projecting considerably
yond th«> exterior line of defence, wiu intended to ci*ver the
gate of a sort of faune^-braye ; and the oUht, retired from it>
€overe<l the pite of the InnIv of the phuv. The out4*r projetaion
of thin work ha^l, without much alteration c»f extent or fonn,
been converte«l by the Kn;;li<ih int«» a Uderably stnmg outuork ;
and cut off, aomewhat ini|iKrfnHly. from Uie inner work of the
•amo kiml, which still rrtaine<l it4 fonner travemea, ftir the pur-
pnee of ronimunicatin^ with th«» outwork. The excavnti<jn t>f
tlie ditrh of thin outwork wa** ini|M*rf<^*t in ono |Mrt, whvn* a
amtHith nN*k interiwne«l, and now M*rvi*«l the FdmicIi to place
tlteir ladtlen on. Th** hei;;ht to U* a<M*«ndi^il at tint pl.i<v \kaa
ei^htern fi-et ; Uiat of tin* inUTit»r work^i uas M>nieuhat i^n-ater ;
but exrluAiv<*ly of the chants of fiuciv«'iliii;r by f<i^*Ala'lt% th«*y
exp«Hrt«*d, on carrying the tirtt. to be able Ui |iaMi thn»u^h the
IrmvrrNea of th«i Mi-iHid, and apply a |M*tanl to the '^U\ Six
hundnst Fn*nrhm««n were appunt^-d fur tht? ai^HHult . the n*main*
der. with the M*|MiVfi, wen* ki*|»t in n-*ervr on the i;lai'i%, an«l tlie
allien wen* to nuuce fal<««* atta«*k*» in a variety of phuvn. The
kin^ imM-ti«in of the enemy hul ivrtuinly iini*iui^*<l it*i i-tfrrt on
the puTi'«on . for the outwork wan ram«-il by ci»mplfte iiur]iriae;
and if tb«* (tnier* pn>hibitin^ tiring Iih«I U-en obeyeil, tlie j>laco
mitiit in a frw minuttn mora have Uvn in poMieMUon ol the
Krem:h. llie 6r%t mu«|uet ih<»t. howe\er. Iiruugbt the whole
196 ITS FAILURE. [CHAP. VIIL
garrison to their appointed posts, and a reserve was instantly
moved to sustain the point of real attack. Captain Dalton had
resigned the command, and was succeeded by Captain Kilpairick,
who had been severely wounded in the late action, and was now
unable to leave his bed ; he, however, gave his orders to the
second in command with coolness and precision ; but with the
requisite discretionary power to act for himself. It was now
between three and four o'clock of a very dark morning ; and
while the French had descended from the outwork, and parties
were pressing forward to escalade the inner wall, and to apply
the petard to the gate, the garrison commenced a vigorous fire
of musquetry on the outwork, and on every return of the traverses
leading to the gate, while the cannon opened on the points of
approach which they respectively flanked, and were answered by
the French from the English cannon on the outwork, which they
turned against the body of the place. Although nothing was
seen in the traverses, the fire of the small detachments stationed
for that purpose was ordered to be kept up without the least
intermission, and destroyed two parties who successively at-
tempted to apply the petard. The escalade was not more
successful An officer and one man had ascended before the
point was discovered ; but they were quickly disposed of,
and the ladders overset ; more were called for, but none could
be found. In fact, they had all been broken, some in the act of
being overset by the gairison, and others by the flanking fire of
the cannon. The most obvious of all precautions had been
omitted ; that of providing the requisite means of forming a
lodgment, or eflecting a retreat in the event of discomfiture ; for
not only had the ladders with which they ascended the outwork
been drawn up and sent forward, but not even a rope had been
provided or reserved, nor the turband of a native, by which they
might have been let down one after another to the rock in the
ditch. The assailants accordingly found themselves in the sin-
gular predicament of possessing an exposed work from which
they could neither advance nor retreat, nor form a lodgment.
To call for quarter was unavailing amidst the roai* of musquetiy
and cannon : and the French, as their only resource, be^in to
conceal themselves within the embrasures of the outwork, at the
foot of the inner wall, and behind every object that offered cover.
Day-light, long and anxiously expected by both parties, but with
feelings very dissimilar, enabled the English to comprehend that
quarter was demanded ; the firing of course ceased, and the
prisoners were collected and secured. On the first conviction
that the enterprise had failed, about one hundred men had at-
tempted the desperate resource of leaping down to the rock in
the ditcli ; few of them escaped without fractures or severe
wounds, but they wenj carried ofi* by their associates from with*
out ; and the intimations from below discouraged the rest firom
CUAP. Till.] DKFBCnON OF THE TAKJORE RAJA. 197
rcpoaiinf^ iho oxporimont Tlio number actually found within
tho wtirlcH was tnruo liun<lre(l and ninty-Hcvon Eunnteann, of
whom one hundru<l ami four were killo<l and woun<le<l : and tho
whole caHualtieH of tlie ni^lit may fairly l>c statcHl at five hundred
Eun>|N)anH ; a Mevcro hwH, conHidcrin^ its ]>n){H)rtion to their total
Htrvuf^. Nunjeraj. diHapiMnntiMl in all Iuh lio|)eH, now concx'ived
tho idea of ai*hievinf^ with hi.s dL<mounted eavalry what tho
Frvnch infantr}* had biH.»n unable 14) accomplinh ; and on making
the im>|MMiitiiin, ei^lit thousand volunteers were nrofiiso in their
amuninceH of deU^nninalion to carry the place at ail eventa They
movetl acntsH the river for that puqMMc on the thinl ni^ht after
tlie f«)nnt?r att«*mpt ; hut fuidin^ the ^rriaon alert, they 4uietly
rvtumiNl, without n>memU*rinK the hluHteringM of the mornin;^.
Tho tiring of the tirfft assault wan heanl at Coilaiiy, and a
detachment waa fient to reinforce the ^rriiuin ; while Mnior
LAwrenc(% infunneil fif tho m^ooml project, and uneasy fn>m hia
knowkvipj of tho real woakne^w of the jdact* a<^inst a judicioua
and tletenniniMl attai*k, folldwtNi in a few tlavs, and arrivetl at
Trichinopiily on tlie tliinl of l>e<vnd)er.
On the Hi*|iaratiiin f»f the tnM)|M of Tanjnn* from the English
for the pur]*wu» o( n*turnin^ into wint4*r quarters, everv en^fino
of threats and i»n>nils«'<i, l>ni»i*s and intrij^^'s, waM empIoye<l by
Nunjeraj and M. l>iipl«*ix, effivtually to tli*tarh the Kaja from
that alliance*. Mnnaji*t« was oinsiiiiTLNl to lie jtartial to tho
English, and tht* n*niovul of this orticer from the command of the
tnMi|ifi was a mx^essary j)reliminarj' t4» their sm^ct^ss. SmiNijeo
was the Kaja's minister f>l finance ; an <1 Nunjeraj applie«l his pdd
with Hiirh effet*!. as U) induce this ]H*niim Ui excite tho f«*apt and
iiUHpi(*ions of tho Ilaja by tales of alle;^.vl intri^<*a and con-
npiracit*^ of Monajei*, to the extent of tiet4*nninin;^ to remove him
fn»m the commami. This was a<*c<inliiiv;ly aivomplinhcil : and
the Tanj«in*ans. under a new <^»neral namo«l (faud«*row, were
prt*|iarin;: t4i rhnni^* sidf*. and join th«* alli(*s at S4*rin;^hnni. when
the int4*lli«,:fnt*i* of th«* failure and serious 1i>hs of tht* Fn-nrh in
the attempt on Tri«*hini>|M»ly induix**! the Itija to juiUHr in his
deiennination. Aft^T a fniitlrvs m^M*iation. the rn-nrh found
it mHN'nsnr)* to rufonv tli«»ir ar^mients by the pn-H^'Uiv of a Uwly
f>f out* tltoiis:ini| two huntlriNl MalirattiLH inTanlMtt*: u-lm rviulisl
the unskilful dis|N»MtioiiH of (laudeniw, and uismnI to his n«r,
down to th«* vrrv s«*a ciutst, ext*rcijiinir th«*ir u-^ual svstfm of
depn-datioii mi all that w.ts m«»vi*abli«. and <lcv«itini^ th** n-st to
tin* an«l HWnni. with m«*r«*ilf%n in<iiH«Tiniination. Innt^'ad of pn>-
<luein^ th«* int4*nd<sl «ti'i*«'t, tliis nut rap* h«*«-iii«>41 for the momvnt
to drt4*nnini> the Kiija in favi»r of tin* op|MiHite |iarty : autl li«
liej^^l^'i**! of till* Kn«:lith to manh to his a*fc*«istAni*e. whirh Maj<ir
Ijiwnjii'ti a.sHiiri**l him he hIh^uM do as Mmn as the st£it«* of tho
nMid*« nh«»uld |MTmit . for at thi'^ ni>tuirnt thr whole eountn* was
iuuudatt-d bv tin* ram^ of the uioiLSiM^n. In the meanwhile he
198 LOSS OF A LABGB ENGLISH CONTOT. [CHAP. YIIL
ventured to impute the success of the Mahrattas to the incapacity
of Oauderow, and to suggest that Monajee might be restored to
the command ; but this suggestion only increased the Raja's
suspicions; and it was not until the whole of the eastern tract
was converted into a waste, that he saw the necessity of again
employing that general, who gave early and decided proofs of his
capacity, when seriously determined to exert himself One of
those sudden floods which sometimes fill the Caveri and Coleroon
for a few days, in the north-east monsoon, had occurred, when
he moved against the Mahrattas with three thousand horse.
His intimatelaiowledge of the country enabled him to pa« over
to an island, between- the branches of the rivers on which the
Mahrattas were encamped, where their retreat was cut off by the
rise of the waters ; and after a gallant and obstinate defence, to
destroy them to a man. His rancour was the more excited from
the consideration that these cruel ravages had been committed
by his countrymen, and he disgraced his victory by empaliiig or
hanging all his prisoners.
The suspicions of the Raja» and the jealousy of his minister, had
however been too deeply rooted ; and it was determined to revert to
the former policy of joining neither party, and giving assurances to
both. On the return of Monajee, therefore, he was complimented
and dismissed, and the army for the present was oisbanded*
The number of French prisoners in Trichinopoly had obliged
Major Lawrence to augment the garrison ; and the amount of
his sick was considerabla His disposable force was accordingly
reduced to six hundred Europeans, including artilleiymen, and
one thousand eight hundred sepoys. The French, again rein-
forced, were exactly equal in Europeans ; but they had four
hundred topasses and six thousand sepoys : while the Mysoorean
and Mahratta force remained unimpaired, with the exception of
the late loss in Tanjore ; for although Nunjeraj had, on the
requisition of his brother Deo Raj, made a detachment to leinferoe
Serineapatam against an expected attack of the Poena Mahrattaa,
this decrease mui been more than compensated by a reinforce-
ment received by Morari Row. The defection of the late aUiea
of Major Lawrence had increased all his difficulties with re^;ard
to provisions ; and he was once moi*e left to the efforts of his kttle
corps, and the resources of his own great mind. The possession
of Trichinopoly was considered bv both parties as the chief
object of the war ; and in order to be able to maintain his posi-
tion in its vicinity, he was obliged to have recourse for suppliea
to large and frequent convoys ; some from Tanjore, but generaUj
frx)m Tondiman's woods, whidi extended to within seven
of the camp. Several of these had arrived in safety, and one
lajqfirer was prepared to march from the country of Tanjore in the
middle of February. The long inactivity of the enemy had
lulled even Major Lawrence into security ; and instead of moving
CHAP. VUL] INCIDKXT OP HERRI SING AND ETDER. 199
hifl whole force to cover the approach of this important supply,
he maile a laq^ detachment, aimmntin^ to more than one-third
of liiH force, conAiHling of one hundred and eighty-eight Eurofieana,
eight hundrv«i fle{K>}'8, and four pieces of cannon. The approach
of the convoy was frt>m the ea«t, and along the river : and at the
distance of from eight to eleven miles to the eastward of Trichi-
no|K)ly its route |iajise<l through tlio skirt of Tondiman's woods,
where thvy were sutKciently o{>«*n to admit the movement of
tnNi[Mi. The allies, apprised of these circumstances, moved on the
night of the fourtet*ntli of February a cuqis ainsisting of twelve
tht>usaiid horne. MahrsttA, and Mysoorean, six tliousand seiioys,
fuur huhtln.Hl Kuropimns. and seven pieces of cannon. llie
infantr}' an<l guns took futht in an advantageous and concealed
{Mmition juMt to the westwanl of the wood : the ca\'alry was
iilaa'd within it, in equal numbers on each side of the nmd ; and
It was concerted that tiiey wen) to cliarge botli Hanks of the
c«)lumn <if nian*h, if a favorable opiMrtunity should occur in
the WfMxl ; and if n4»t. that they nhouU seixe the moment of con-
funion on itA U'ing afterwanls attacketl by tlie infantr}'. In this
onler tliey waitecl the apnruach of tlie convuy. which appeared
aUnit an h(»ur after day-fight ; but the officer c«>mnian«ling, con-
si«lerin^ the cavalry which he |ierci*ived in tlie woods to be
mithing nion^ tliaii a |>arty of plunderers, was negligent in hia
di5|Mwition«« ; and an aondent detentiinetl that destruction in the
wimmI, which w«>uld pmliably liave U'en only pnitracted for a
short time by jiaming ti> the phun. Herri Sing was not t>nly
the rival, but the |N*nional enemy of Hyder ; whom he considered
as an U|Mtart, indebte«l for his success in life more to fawning
and ttatt«*r^' than to militarv im*rit ; and would never condescend
to a«Mn*sA him. or s|ieak of him, by any other chjaignation than
tlif Xit it'k The luime of Meer Aly Ktixa, tlie bn»ther-in-law of
Hyder. liap|i«»niNl u* U* n-Htive. and on l>eing cum.*cU*«i. became
uniiiAiiagfabie. an«l ran off at s|mmhI towanls the eiH*my's mnka.
Hrrri Sing. Mvin^ thpiii::h th«* oiMMiiiig^i of the woui the bn»ther-
iu-law fif liy«l«*r pnrii*it.'it4* hitn.'wif t«)WAriU t lie enemy, concluded
tlmt he UM.H f.ill>iw«N| by bin tnN>|M ; iui«l calling (Hit tluit the
Nait'k Would hu\«* till* cmiit of the day. cave the won! ainl the
e\Aiii|il«* ti> < hnrgtv A nIioI had n^t yi*t betMi tinil. wlh-n tin* nbuui
of th«* ILi]|NM>ti4 wan h**.-inl . and tiie tnio|M on both sides of the niad,
dt'|ii-iidiii^ t»u the judgiu«*nt of Herri Siiiir. wh«» wan divme«i tiieir
U*il i»tKi'<-r. rhargitl at tin* •iaiii«* i mutant in all dinvti«infi . and the
Kn^li^h tn«*|ifH iiiarrhin;; in plat^Mni*. with(»ut aiiv exfu'OtAtitin of
such an atUnk, wrn* cut d<>wn U-fon* th«*v ctml*! make a srcuiid
di-H-liJir^'f Whrn th«* lnirr>* of the acti«*n mas over, Hvder,
alwa\ ^ attrifli.i by bin lit«li-r |^Nl||J|. u-.xi f«iuii(l to lie in [KMm'saioo
uf ail th<* c^iii^ and tumbnii and Hrrri Sing, who m>w under* *
ftt«ioil t)i«* tiatiiri* "f \ii% tir^t irritr. cUiint^l them as his own rigbi
from lia\ ing artiLilly carridi ihetu , and such was the sUtv of %hm
200 BfAHPHUZ KHAK« [CRAP. VIIL
fact. The honor of the day properly belonged to Herri Sin^, but
the guns were in possession of his rival ; and after a long discus-
sion, he was obligea to compound for one, and to leave the remain-
ing three to Hyder, as the substantial trophies of a victory
which he had not gained. The French troops came up in time
to save the lives of a few of the English. Of a hundred and
eighty-eight, thirty-eight were without wounds, fifty were killed,
and one hundrea desperately wounded. The whole of those
invaluable grenadiers who had on all occasions led the way in
the extraordinary victories which had been achieved, were unfortu-
nately included in this disaster, the most serious which the English
had sustained in the whole course of the war.
Mr. Saunders made the best efforts in his power to remedy
this misfortune, by sending from Madras all the Europeans he
could possibly spare, amounting to a hundred and eighty men,
by sea to Devicota, tliere to wait for an opportunity to join : but
Major Lawrence, convinced that the French were now com-
manded by a man (M Maissin) who would lose no &vorable
opportunity of attacking his detachments, or attempting the
garrison in his absence, was particularly anxious that a body of
horse should, if possible, be obtained to accompany this small
reinforcement in its approach ; and some hope seemed to present
itself by the appearance of Mahphuz Khan at the head of two
thousand horse, and the same number of irregular infantry, in the
north-western frontier of the province of Arcot; ostensibly to
support his brother. This man, the eldest and only Intimate
son of Anwar u Been, had been taken prisoner at the battle of
Amboor in 1749, and carried to Popdicherry : and Mohammed
Ali, alarmed lest the French in the course of events might select
him as their Nabob, had prevailed on Nasir Jung, when negcy-
dating with M. Dupleix in 1750, to request tiie release of
Mahphuz Khan, wliich was granted as a matter of courtesy.
He remained with that army throughout the revolutions which
caused the successive deaths of Nasir Jung and Muzuffer Jung,
and the accession of Salabut Jung, until its arrival at Hvderabaa,
where he lived for some time, supported by a pension from that
prince ; but was unable, from the ascendancy of M. Bussy, to
disturb the arrangement then established in favor of Chunda
Saheb. Tired of a fruitless attendance at Hyderabad, he went
to reside with the Nabob of Kurpa, with wnom he had made
acquaintance ; and was now privately encouraged by him, and
furnished with the means of trying his fortune among the rival
Nalx)b-makcrs. Mohammed Ali, who did not misapprehend the
views of Mahphuz Khan, made great efforts to emcMU*k him in
hostility with the French, and thus increase the difficulties of a
communication which he dreaded. Mahphuz Klian had reasons
equally strong for procrastination ; and at every successive
march was unable to move without fresh pecuniary supplies;
CHAP. Till] MAJOR LAWRENrB'B INTERPRETER Ml
giving little hope that ho Hhoiild ever l»e moved no far fiouth as
the CulenMm. Major LAwn^nco, Uiou^^li ahiifist <ieH|iairin^, hh his
letteni evince, of tlie catiso of hiH o>untr}\ aiitl opprosNocl with
soriouH ilhiefls, which coiii|)cllud him U> make fny|uent applica-
tions to lie relieviHl hy un officer ca|ml>lo of imsuminf^ the com-
nian<l, was imiuceil, hy th<* ur^»nt solicitatioiiH of liis ^>vcm-
ment, to continu«) hin vnhiiiMe Hi*r\'icoH with the feiufully-insuf-
licient nieanH whicli \iv |KiH}u*.H.H«*4i.
It wiiH nt>w impmctii-aMi* t^i risk disUmt (\>nv(iyM, ami the
W(mm1h 4>f TiMi<liniaii wrn.* Iiin only n***i»nni'. His Hnuill mnvovs
Were i^i*tirnilly coiiiiii:iiuli'>l )»y Mithiiiiniircl I s^ih if; a nmn who
hail i«nU*nMi th«' Kiiirlinh sir\io» a-» a SuUKular under Mr. (live,
and wa.s a wnrthy diH4'i|*l«' uf tlie •m*Iii»«»I in whirli he waH renre<l.
His iM*rfi*<*t tith^lity. intelliL^^'nc**. nn<l militjin* talrntK, hml do-
ser\'tHily i*htain<»<l thf fontjdi»n»>* nf Major Ijawrcnct*. and hv was
pniniot«*«l ti) thi* nink tif (\>niniHnd:int <»f nil tlt«* Kiii^lish M*|HiyM,
aiitl (Nintinufl l«» |H«rf«inu thf n^-rviiv of tho «N»nvoys with nd-
niimhK* vii^i!:in«'<' and al'ln-'*** M.ij«»r |jjiwn*n«'4* had no Kn-
n»|M*an orti«*«'r r.i|i;iMi* «»t* tiliin:,' tin* oHirf nf tnt«q»nt*T in his
iHininiuni<Mti<>ns with tin* n:itivi"« ; and tlii*^ dut\ wii** jKrfi»nned
liy a Y'raTnin nnin"d t*>ni:i]ia. wli<i was n**4*rHKirily admitted to a
larpi |Mirti<>n *»( liin ri»nlidi!n'«» in all tli:it n*latv«l to i\ut^»} mm-
niiini<Mti«'iiv This wr. t'*li. tiri«l of tin* dani:«Pi «»f a military
lifi\ di'sp'iirin,' '»f tl*- Kit \\Ai «"ium* nn^l dr^in*!!** of |iartakin;r of
tlic in«»\li.iuitiMf tri'M'iiris of Nunjmij. ^n^'^i'st*-*! t<i him. I»v a
HtH'n»t iih''%'*aL;i*. t'> d'-nian 1 i»f Major L'lwrvTnv that pMniaiia
ahould In* M-nt t'> S4»rin;«diam. in hear sonii* |>rii|M)saU wliicli he
hml to ni,ik«» r»r ih«- t« nniiiati-n "f t!i«* war Thin was niM'iiPi!-
in^ly d'ti!*' . aii'l. on his n-nnn. li«' mad** t«» Major Lnwrenn* a
|)lauMihh* H'ji^rl of tin- siil»-4tan«H* of tin* ronf«'n-n«i» ; whirh had
actually tLTniin:it'*t| in hi* ♦ii^ti riiiir. «»» tli<' jtr-nii-'e **{ a Inr^j
rewani. to l-tny tli** ran-*. <•! t!;r Kn^di^li. Hi* mM-orilinvjIy
rvv««h««l i't Niinj.T j tli- .i-tMal .t-.?-- of tli«ir pr-visjon-* and
thir wIj««I-' d«*.nl • !' l!j« ir a^-'iTij- i-.i !.t » f-r |»ro«*urit:^ sii|.|ilii-H
Tlit» a«-*-ii*'nt.il I- •iiti:i- nil ■• -if t|.. -- im« t m ■"iH.'M^ir of P-'niajia
<:aUH<N| H..i;j.» d'l.iv ill tln'ir -^ui -^-'j'lt itt ••'•nii:i'iiii«'.iti'»iis , I tit hi?*
ni'Xl nif - 1 ••' •*!'.'- 't* d. til it ij'-tltin : fiuM !■•• •I'-n** towanls
Htarvin*,^ *rn«liiii.«ji*»ly uitli-'it th*- r ni«»\jil "f M*'h.inini*d Ksoof
who w.ii t! u\\' \»"T^'*t\ in tin- army ■ a|<'.l'l» nf «• ndui-fin.; the
c«invov» , that his Mjii.m." !i.! -lit ?• n !« r it ditfi-'ult t** <nt him
off, hut that th*» ■•arni- » !i'l ir:* dit !•• ;i'' • •iM|'!l'»li«»d hv ni'*anH ctf
a h'tt-T to U> niti'P'i-pti 'i .idir* ■<• I hy N«iiij»r»j to Mi'haninu'<l
I<Uiiof r'>Tiia|ri |i:i<l in this |.l<>t a •h*iihli' nl'jt-^-t if th<' Kn-^diMl
ahould U' I- tr.iv*s|. Im -* iMin d hi* i» w:irl tr«tni Niliij«iai if lhi*y
ali«iuld ultini.itt'Jv <«urnM»unt tit*' tlini* ..tii-<> uith uhiidi thfV %i«-n«
m m
(«umKinih«l, h >Aould ha\r tr!iio\ii| a ri\ai <'fwhi#%f inl!ui'n*t In-
wan j^mloii^, and wIi«»m v\ttii>ivi ir^.^t in tin di*|iartiti*'tit *•!
HU|i|>ly intiiKivd uilh his ov%ii \\,iu <<f iiids.//hjii«iit Tlr itt-
CSAP. Vni.] ACTION UNDER POLIER AND CALUAUD. 203
bed. A detachment mai*ehed under Captain Calliaud, accom-
panied by Mohammed Issoof, on the momin$; of the 12th, con-
Biflting of a hundred and twenty Europeans, five hundred sepoys,
and two field pieces, with the intention of proceeding about two
miles to the southward of the rocks, which were the scene of the
late actions, to a post affording some cover, consisting of the ex-
cavation and bank of an old reservoir, where the convoy was
appointed to meet him. Nunjeraj obtained intelligence of this
design, and of the illness of Major Lawrence; and, on commu-
nicatiiiff with M. Maissin, the oppoi-tunity was judged to be
&voraUe for striking a decisive blow. A detachment was ac-
cordingly made, consisting of two hundred and fifty Europeans,
one thousand sepoys, four thousand select horse of Mjrsoor, and
four field pieces ; who moved by a circuitous route at an earlier
hour, and occupied the post to which Captain Calliaud was
marching. Mohammed Issoof reconnoitring in front ascertained
the fiBbct ; and it was determined that it was most safe, whatever
was their force, instantly to attack them before the day should
dawn and discover their own. The alarm was taken on both
sides; a mere demonstration was made of a scattered fire in
front, while the English party in separate divisions fell on both
iknks with perfect spirit, and fairly dislodged them with con-
siderable loss : but they quickly rallied, and when the day ap-
peared, commenced a cannonade, which was answered with the
oisparity of two to four. Captain Polier, who commanded in
camp, no sooner heard the firing than he marched with his re-
aminiTig force to their support The remainder of the confede-
iites had also crossed the river ready to act as drcimistances
should re(j[uire ; and, on perceiving this movement, marched to
intercept it : but no time had been lost, and the junction was
ibrmed. The united force of the English now consisted of three
hundred and sixty Europeans, and fifteen hundred sepoys, eleven
troopers, and three field pieces : but the confederates drew up
fleiermined to intercept their return to the garrison, with seven
hundred Europeans, fifty dragoons, five thousand sepoys, ten
thousand Mysoorean horse, and seven guns. The English corps
moved for about a mile with great steadiness, but considerable
loss, under a heavy fire of cannon and musketry, and took post
mt another bank and excavation of the same kind. Captain
I^olier had received two wounds, and the command devolved on
CSaptain Calliaud, who now perceived the enemy making a dis-
position for a general and close assault. He judiciously turned
wna whole attention te the French battalion, which, in advancing,
veceived a quick and well-directed fire of grape from the thr^
field pieces on the flanks of the English, which materially
^thinned their ranks : he perceived them te waver, rushed for-
*ward, and, when close to their bayonets, poured in a volley of
musketry, which threw them inte a disorder that all the efibits of
204 THE CAVERI DYKE DESTROYED. [CHAP. VIII.
their officers could not remedy. The sepoys and Mysooreans
followed the example ; and Captain Calliaud was happy to pursue
his march without farther molestation, with the loss of six officers
out of nine, fifty-five soldiers, and a hundred and fifty sepoys
killed and woimded : the enemy's casualties amounting to about
double that number. The convoy, which, on the first alarm,
had retreated into the woods, on receiving information of this events
proceeded on the same night, and arrived without interruption.
Nunjeraj and M. Maissin, irritated b^ this fresh disgrace,
resolved to pursue another plan of operations, and destroy the
coimtry from which the supplies were received : for which pur-
pose they moved with the whole of the Europeans and the greater
part of the French sepoys and Mysoorean horse. Tondiman had
made his previous dispositions for such a visit ; and on the ap-
proach of the confederates, three nights afterwards, his cordon of
matchlocks gave the alarm : the inhabitants quitting their vil-
lages, and dnving off their cattle to the depth of the woods, left
the roofs of their houses, composed of bamboo and dry grass, to
be burned by the enemy : the only injury (easily replaced in a
single day) which they efifected in this expedition, besides ihe
destruction of a few bags of rice in the English depdt Before
their return, however, they determined to wteak their vengeance
on the Raja of Tanjore.
The river Caveri is separated into two branches by what ia
usually named the Island of Seringham, opposite to Trichino-
polv. About thirteen miles to the eastward of the point of sepa-
ration the branches again approach ; but the northern branch
has at this place obtained a level about twenty feet lower than
the southern. The northern branch, named the Goleroon, is
permitted to run waste and unproductive to the sea; but the
southern, which retains the name of the Caveri, has been led in
a variety of channels by the skill and industry of the early Hin-
doos to irrigate the whole province of Tanjore, and is the cause
of its extraordinary fertility. At the point of approach of the
two branches, which has been described, the floods had, at some
remote period, burst through the narrow intervening neck; and
it had become necessary to construct a mound of masoniy, ot
considerable dimensions, to prevent the Caveri, during the an-
nual floods, from descending into the Coleroon, aad to pve-
serve it in its higher level to fertilize the province of Tanjoare.
The exploit of the confbderates was the destruction of this
mound ; an operation which could, by no construction, be con-
sidered to have a military object, and must therefore be ezda-
sively referred to political viewa But if the destmction of a
whole unarmed and unoffending people for the purpose of
chanmng the political conduct of its prince be really authoriaed
by the rules of war, it is time for every soldier to be heartily
ashamed of his trade ; and we should be disposed to hope, for tlie
CHAP VIII.] MAJOR LAWRENce MOVEH TO TAHJORE^ SOS
ht»iior of i*ivili2e<l iiatioiiH, timt M. Maiiwin wah not implicAted
ill tliiM 04*t <»f IiIh ally, if the HupiMMition (Hnihl \m rwtmvilisd with
tlie fact of tlu* workiiu-ii Hulih4<«iuciitly i*inployo4l in tlio n*|iair of
till* (Ivkv having lH.*on mnniinailiHl liy tlit* Fnrncli tnMijM.
Major LawnMux) |in»|kaiXHl U^ avail hiuiM^lf of tiio iiniireatiion
whirli wouM |»ro1ial>ly l»o uimlo <m tlic* Itajan mind ny tliiM
<iiH^n%<vfuI nutrnp.* : an<l iimn-lit*<i on the tM in the* fIii\*<*tion of
Tanjon*. having; pn^vioimly withilmwn lUI tht* ^liHtant oiU|toHtrt for
thu n*infor(*oniiMit of tlu* pirrtHiin (»f Tri(*liino|M)lv. Hu wa^ mot
on tho Hot^md (hiy liy thi* faithful TonJimaii, who was n^ixrivod
with Nuitahle drmonKtrationH of ivH|H.*rt : and on tht* Manie flay
hy li'tU*rH fn»m tho IL-ija, full nf ^aitmlo for hin iimnipt aMiUt-
aniv. Mi'aiiwhilo (laudrrow htul U*fn (lt*H|iatchiHl witli tiflecn
hundn<<l honu* U» i»nrvfnt, i\s far an jMisHihli*, tho oxtenHi(»n of tho
enomya rava^^^M. Tliu Kn*nrh and Sl^'rMMiruan.H luul n*iunitNl to
Sorin>;hain ; hut Morari K<»w. mcHliUitinf^ tho meanii of ^tting
roonoy fnun all fjartioH U*fon* hia do|iartuiv, aaw, in tho a{^
pniAon of UuH c*«ir|iH, th<* pPMiHTt of at (»noo ]»n»motinf{ that
ohjivt, ami rvvoii^nf: tho laU* doHtniction of hi^ dotaohniont m
Tanion\ Hu aooi»niinuly on»sMN| tlio rivor* hy ni;;ht. with
douhlo tho nuniU*r «>f i»aud«*n*w'H tn)o{M ; and at daydi^^ht <l<s
Htroyo«l hbt wlmlo dilJU'huiont, with the oxct'ption of thn<o hun-
dn*«I. who. with their ^'noral. hiivomI theniMdvcs l»y a timely
flight Two fiavH after tliia di-foat MaJ«ir Ijiwroncv arrivoil at
Tanjiirv, and wan joint**! bv tho ex|i«x*ti«d roinfonvmont fn>m tlio
roMit. iNiiLMHtin;: of a humln^i and fifty KuniiH*aiu4 and five hun-
dreil t«-|N»yH. Major Ijiwnaico i»'aa too niuen in<li!(iMK<4-«| Ut at-
tend |>erHonidly the ne^iciation with the Kaja ; Imt it tenninatod
y in Uio all
oooiuuinder-in-chi«*f and jniniitter «»f tituinre« witli authority to
bvoraMy in Uio at)|iointment of Monnjee to tho d«»uhlo \*^t of
•
prt*}An* the tntopa for imnie^liate fM*r\-i«^ Mr. SnunderH IumI
Xipfiod a m*|iarati» eoriiH U* a<*<*«in)|«uiy Mali|»lnu Khan, who
T nonie timid Mkiniit^iiiti;; witli the tn^iM-h |itirtii*tt aUmt (tin-
jeo. and ahuinhuit pn'Varimtion. hail ai*tually lioi*n nio\«^l hy tho
forro of nion««y nnd n*infi»i-ivnient«« ak far miuth aa Fort St iHtvid,
where he made a htaiid f«*r nion* m<»ney. The Irvy of the Tan-
jon«iui pnM*i<«<<hN| hut nlowly ; tlie cr»ndu<*t of ^fahphux Kluui
umI t%hf»wn that he wan rntitlt**! to little rt**|Hvt an a ln**nd or an
an onemy. and that it wan a hoi^*h^i«i wantt; «if Um«' to wait his
arrival. Major I^Aii'n'no* an^inlin^^iy onlen^l the Kn;;li<*h do-
tju:hment to nHi%e witlii»ut him, and they j«>int<«l him on the 14ih
«»f Au^iHt. Thua reinfofvt^l. he fotniil hini«wlf at tin* head of
twelve hundn«fl Kn^linh aii«l l^*|iai»ien ; thn^* thoiunuMl Kii|(liah
M*|Hiyiit and fourteen ti«*M pi«tx*« ; two thou««nd fivv hunJrvd
Tanjon-nn twain*, and thrive thi>u.Haiid infantry : and tlio fifty
home of Mohamnh'd Ali. Th«* etiufetlomt^M at Si'rin^luun now
GutuU5»t«'*l of tiio Frvneh r\fiiifonN*«l hy twi» hunilrv*! KuruiwAiiafe
and the My«ioorvaiui at tli«ir fonuer ntrcu^ ; for they luul tuudly
206 RETURNS TO TRICHINOPOLY. [CHAP. Vm.
lost the services of Morari Row, who (allowing for the exhausted
finances of the contonding parties) had levied a tolerably suc-
cessful contribution previously to his departure. After the affiur
of Grauderow he wrote to Mohammed Ali, that on receiving good
security for three lacs of Rupees, he was willing to depart, never
again to return to the Payeen ghaut Mohammea Ali had
neither money nor credit ; but the Raja of Tanjore had both :
and was finally prevailed on to furnish the sum by instalments ;
viz., half a lac on the arrival of Morari Row, two marches north
of Trichinopoly ; a lac on his ascending the ghauts ; and the re-
maining lac and a half on his arrival at OootL As soon as he
found that this project would succeed, he unfolded the state of
the negociation, with an air of entire frankness, but suitable exag-
geration, to Nunjeraj ; professing his regret that the necessity
of his afiairs required that he should raise money by whatever
means; and offering to break off the negociation, ana return to
Nunjeraj, on a fair adjustment of his balance by instalmenta
The terms were soon concluded ; and the first instaunent of Nun-
jeraj, consisting of half a lac, had no sooner reached his camp,
than he marched to receive the first instalment of the other
Earty ; and moving at his ease over the province, levying oontri-
utions without the appearance of direct hostility, he finally
ascended the ghauts about the beginning of July.
Major Lawrence entered the plams of Trichinopoly on the
17th of August, accompanied by a considerable convoy; and
found the confederates in motion to interrupt his approach.
Observing that the French had neglected to occupy a water-
course and bank in the direct route, which would have com-
pelled him to engage at a disadvantage, or make a oonsideraUe
detour, he moved directly to his object, securing the bank as he
approached. The enemy formed in order of battle to the left of
his principal column of march ; and as he did not think proper to
refuse the invitation, he wheeled into line and made his dispo-
sitions for their reception. They advanced deliberately, and at
first with a good countenance ; but the number of tiie English
artillery was now superior, and before they had arrived at the
proper distance for musketry, the French went suddenly about^
with the appearance at first of some confusion, but afterwaxds
retreated in good order towards their camp. This retrograde
movement was in reality a feint Hyder, at the head of a meet
body of Mysooreans, had engaged to fall upon the baggue and
provisions, protected by the Tanjoreans and the usuiT I&igliah
ffuard, as soon as he should perceive Major Lawrence to advance
m pursuit of the French infantry. This attack of the convoy it
was expected would either be completely succeosfal, br if
Major Lawrence should return for its support, the French were
prepared to fall on his rear ; while a reserve from the island
was to cross and cover Hyder's retreat with his booty. Bat
CUAF. VUI.] 8UKFKNSION OF ARMS. 20?
Ilyder moved (ajo noon ; Major Lawrviicc wan actually nreparing
for the puniuit, when be rtn^eived tlic rv|M>rt of an attacic on the
Ingljaf^' and convoy, which the Knglinh detachment, fonning
the uiiual guanl, luul very inii>n»iierlv Icfl, without onleni, for
the puqKMe of {lartaking in tiie IniHineMH of the ailvnn<x*. The
licMt diii{¥MitionH were imnaHiiatelv onlercd hy M2ij<»r Ijawn^nce :
a aally from the garrison croniiiclieil thtr n*M*rve from the inland
to rvtum ; ami Ilyder hail only time to Hccunr nlNiut thiKy-tive
carts hulen. Home with puhlio. and mmie with {irivate HUiren,
which he i*arrii*4l off Ui the inbind. Tht* Kn^^linh iiiMUHlties on
thin tlay were triHin<^ : hut M. MniHsin hiul lost <»ne hundreil
£uro{H*anM in |»t*rformin^ a fi*int whirh failt*<l in its ohjtvt.
After dejMwitin;; hU pniviiiioaH in the .Htort*s of tlu* ;^iirrif44m^
Major Lawreni*e pre|iArod to fon-t* the mmiy Ut a dfiiMVo notion ;
hut their movements Iteing i*ntin*ly defonMvt*, nothin^^ s«*rious
oo(*umN| : and h(* ])la(H*«l hin nrniy in eiint<iiuiientM, |»n*|mnit4»r}* to
tlie raina, on the 23«1 of S4*[>teniU*r ; dl•til^hiIl^^ aivonlin'C to his
promi.Hi*. the tnM>|iH of Tanj«>n\ ait*«im|i«inii*il l*y a hninll Kn^liith
eoriM, t4» |initec*t tin* workni«*n em|>li»yi<<l in th«» ri*|MiirH of the
4*miiankment TIk* Knglinh and Freneh hnd nt thi^ tiuit* n*H|)ec-
tively receivwl laiye n-infon^t-mentA fri>m Kiin>|N* ; ntid the fonner
would luive taken tli«* H«*ld in tht* enniiin;; eHm|4iign with«n|uul num-
ht»ni and nion* Mint^iine ho|M*H. hut on tli«* 11th «>f (K*t4>U*r n HtiK|K*n-
aion of annn for thnt* nittntlm t4TminHt4^l in a r«in<litional tn*atv.
The extnionliiuir}' eharaeti'r of the war of (.*or«»miindt'l. in
which th<* ti|H*nitionN of a handful of tr<Mi|iH axHum<*<l tht* |M»litit*al
im|Mirtaniv. and out/«trii>i>e<I the military gl«»ry. of tin* mightieitt
inniH.*"
|itihly
aniii<% haa im|ien*e|itihly Inl to a more dt*tache«l* deH«*ri|»tion
tluin UdongH to the genrral pur|MH«e of thin work ; ai:i| it an-
|iean*<l to bo numt iH»nvenit*nt to continue until thin [»orio«l. witii-
out interruption from other matter, the narrative of military
o|M*nitiona m which the tnMi|M of MvHiNir were engaged. Hut it
will now l»o n<*<*«*<4Nar}* t«» n'Vrrt to thr cinMiniHtann^H which l«*«| to
tlie ctvtMatiim «»f annn U-tw<*en th«* Kuni|M*an nationn who have
neceftaarily M^^^upi^Hl th«* ftii«*gn»und'^ in that narrative, nnd v^hich
orcaaionetl the rt*tuni of Nunjfnij t«» My^^'r
* Thr rrailrr who dr^irr^ t<i riAiiniir thrtii in i:rr«trr «lrt.iil tii.iv rmitult
with advantA^ the ju«tlr r^tmueil mirk f>f Mr. <httir. Ha\iii»? «uliK<*ntl]r
•laniined thr rcronlw of Fort M tir<iff:« for the puriMkM* **( wtiiyitm larta
and cUte*. I am ciiablrtl to tuUi tny htitnhlr tenttiumiy to th<* ritremo
mccmwy of that authcir ni d«-«rrif>itij; thr rvrnt.* rrrortlrtl in thi« «-h«|>trr :
and fniin hu tiithority, whrn- it a|*|*lim, 1 ht%r •rhlom %rnttirrd !•! di«»«nt,
cxcrfil un the itrinind of informntion t«* whirh hf hod no arr««%.
t A grn«nd letter fn>ni M««lrmji. tUtcvi thr *iVth 4»i-t4il»rr IT^T diM-uMM
the lucnta «i( thr nativr alhm. Thr triHi|>« •»( MitiJai H«iw ait* |*U'r«l firat,
neit t«» thrill th« Taiijorranii. Thr Irtter thu« |ir«M*rr«la. ** TImmt •»! thr Sahoh
iMuhamiurd Ah and thr kiiiff of MywHir. fill a lifitr »|ia(r of KtiHind. hut it
muvl he to thrir fiitiirr omra^r Ihjt thr> will owe anyihtUj; that ran lie
mhI in thrir f i«of
• «>' •
CHAPTER IX.
FROM 1754 TO 1758.
Military operations in the province of Arcot — in Der.han — Distintfuuhed talitdi
of J/. linsxif — Character of JSalabut Jung — Ce^xion to the French of ike norikerm
Circars^^ Views of M. Dupleix — N^f^ociatiun with the English — hroketi ^-^
Nunjeraj also nrgociates irith the English— examination of the terms which tktg
propose — Of the nature of Indian tribute — unJHstifiable concealment of the termu
from Mohammed Ali — J/. Dupleix superseded by J/. Godeheu in consequemce of
nei^ociatiojis in Europe —Cessation of arms — Conditional treoty^^its migatorg
conditions — Autijerry offend fd — but recaUetl by Deo Raj on the invoMum of
J/t/sot}r by Sulabnt Jnng^ accompanied by J/. Bnssy — embarrassment of thai
officer in discriminating friends ami enemies — besieges Seringapatam — ttibut&
exacted — hostages —applictttiou of these facts to the previous description of
tribute — Nunjeraj arrioes too late — reduction of his army — acguisitiom of
Dinditjnl — Hyder appoitded Foujedar — his proceedings become more iuterestii^
from this period — his system of warfare and plunder — Kundi RoW'—Hffdef't
conduct in his new government —ludicrous deceptions — address and talents ■
affairs at thu capital — aimrt ice designs of the jHigcatU Itaja-^plan for removu^
him by poison — Dissension of the usurpers Dao Raj and Nui^eraj — ouirageosu
Jlyder returns to Dindigul — invades the province oj Aladura^-^s deftated and
retires^^iiUention oJ' returning to Madura prevented by the necessity of proceed^
ing to the capital.
The militjiry efforts of the Freneh and English and their res-
pective allies in the jn'ovince of Arcot ha<l produced no decided
advantiige to eitlier party; and the surplus revenues received by
Mahommed Ali, after the defalcations and prodigsil incapacity
of his brother Abd-ul-Wahab at Arcot, and his other rcpresentii-
tives, were stsited to bo little more than sufficient to defray his
personal expenses. But during four camimigns, in which the
BUfKirior numbei*s of the French and Mysooreans to the south of
the Coleroon so little coiTosjionded with the energy of their
cabinet, the operations of the Fren(;h in the Deckan were direct-
ed by a man whose military talents and political address were
fitted to execute, and even to outmarch, the gigantic schemes of
M. Dupleix.
Salabut Jung, the Soubadar of the Deckan created by H.
Bussy on the fall of Muziiffer Jung in 1751, would, in oommon
life, have been reckoned a man of moderate talents; but he
wanted the firmness, as well as the grasp of mind, which were
necessary in the situation to which he was elevated : sometimes
treating M. Bussy with the gratitude and coasideration due to
the author of his ]K)litical existence, at others, suspecting him of
direct intcntioiLs to usuq) his authority. The latter sentiment
WcOs inflamed by a numerous party at his court, whose views were
CHAP. IX.] NUKJeiUJ NEGOaATES WITH THE ENGLISH. 209
ohRtnirUvl by the penonal influence of M. Bumy, and by tho
ementiid tervicoB 8ucceswiv«*ly |ierfonne<l by Uie conw undfr bU
command. In Uie \'ariouB pcihtical inAi*hiimtioiiA wiiich ciLsue<l.
that officer e%*inced a saf^anty and a4ldrcsM which foiled tlie niiMt
•zperienoed adepts in oriental intrigue, and a boMnewi which
commanded Uieir rcMpert The exiHU*nco of tho French corpa
waa, however, held by a precarious tenure, no lon^ aH itd reiw>ui<!eH
of every deecription di*|)enile4l on tlie punctuality of an Indian
court ; and M. nujMy luul found it no<\sHMary to insist on a per-
manent appropriation of territorial revenue, by the abrtoluta
eeaiiion of tlie whole of thoHe pn>vinc<« now denominated the
noKhem (.'in^m : wln<*h nt»t only aflfonled the rcciuisito pecuniary
reaourcen, but fumish«*<l the convenient mmns or receivini^ rein-
foroementa of men and military' storea from Pondicherry and
Mauritius ; and thus enabliMl him t4i exU*nd his iMilitical views to
the indirect or absolut4« empire of all l>(*rkan anci the south. The
oeesion of these province's whs conclude*! in Novemlter 17-S3;
and M. Dunleix, who was pn»l«ibly a wan' that the ten«l«*nry of
opinion in France was unfavorable, not t4) the ext«*nt, but to the
practicability o( his pUns, was liivsirouH of trj'in;; the efft^rt of
nef{«>ciation witli tbeae |>owerful meaiiH of drti'rrin;: Mr. Saunders
from a cmtinuation of th«$ war. In Janunr}* 17**SI. the deputies
a|>point4Hl by Uith jMirti(*M mot at the inU*nne<liato and neutral
Dutch settlement oi SailraA. The diH4Mi<isinnH comnienri'd with
unfoklini; tlieir mutual pn»j«vtM : the Kn;:lish omtendin^ fur the
acknowleil(rTn<*nt of MolianimiNl Ali an Naliob of Anrot. and the
ffuarantee of the Raja of Tanjore : and the French, for the ac-
knowliNlpnent of Salabut Jun^ as Soubndar of the I>tH*kun. and
the rejeetion of Mohanime^l Ali a.i Nalio}} of An*ot. It was
plain from this c«»nim<*nct-mcnt. that tli<* viows of the ikirtiea
could never bo bmu^ht tn c*t»inritle ; but tht*y U*pin ui«Mt ;n^vely
Ui di<«cuss the le^ titlt-s of th«*ir Hev«*ral S»u}«iilArs an>l NalM»lM
on which theiw rtfsiwTtivr pn»ji.*ctH wm' f»»innlfd. and to ppulm^o
Uie authenticatiNl instnimfntii of inv**stituri* ; all «if thi*ni NUp-
portrd, as uiual, by tht* nianilat«*H of tho Mi»;rtil. INiMic dis-
cussion (N»uld .H(-am*ly linvi' axminird nion* ItiilirrotiH Hha|N*H than
arose from thr vnitiny of m-aU, r>tficia! f»nnH, Hi*^atun'H antl
daten, and n.vipr«M*al ai'tMixiitionn t»f f »r^rry : and tho oiiifironiHss
broke up in eleven days from thoir «*ommoncfm«'Ul. after th«* fX|ii*n-
dituro of murh {Ki|>er. intinitu rancour, and vvr}* dijitin^uislioil
inf^nuity on Utth Hidef«.
During thene diiuniwiitMiA Wta'ei*n the En;^'lL4h and Fn«nch,
Nunieraj thought proper to oiien a w{iarat4f n«*p»riation with Uie
Knijlish. for tlie |iur|ioiw* i»f indnrin;; tht-m to withdraw their
sanction fmm thr fraudul<*ut d**t4*ntion of Trichini»|)idy. Voncat
Row R«*rkii*. th«* offii*rr who hail f«»rin«-rly i*omiuaiidc?«i the tnM»pa
of Ifysoor in th«! caju|*i^ii <»f Nanir Jun^;. was iieI«H-te«l fur Uiia
purpuat*, from hi» having funue<i. during tin* aervict* against
210 TERMS OF NEGOC'IATION. [CHAP. IX.
Chunda Saheb, a particular intimacy with an English officer,*
whose introduction and aid at Mmlras were expected to be uaefuL
The Company's commercial concerns had been thrown into
the greatest embarrassment by a war, supported ahnost exclu-
sively from their own treasury, which haa already cost them
thirty-five lacs of Pago<las for Trichinopoly only : and in what-
ever manner the political questions might be disposed of, the
relief from this embarrassment appeared to Mr. Saunders to be
of paramount considcnition. After a variety of discussions, the
propositions stated in the following abstract api)eared to approadi
sufficiently near to the views of both parties^ to be subnutted to
Nunjeraj as the basis of adjustment.
1— The Raja of Mysoor shall renounce the French connexion,
and aid in the esttiblishment of Mohammed AIL 2 — He shall
induce Morari How to do the same. 3 — Until Mohammed AK
bo established, Nunjeraj shall defray the expenses of his own
anny, and that of Morari Bow. 4 — He shall give soucar security
for the whole .amount expended by the Company in the war of
Trichinopoly, to be paid on the actual delivery of that place;
which, however, shall pay the usual tribute to the Camatic.
He shall pay ten lacs to Mohammed Ali, and shall cede to
a district and fort in Mysoor equal to two lacs a year. It does
not appear whether these ten lacs were intended for the extinc-
tion of the debt due by Mohammed Ali to Nunjeraj, or as a
farther payment. The other articles relate to exclusive trade
with Mysoor; the time of delivering the fort of Trichinopoly rh
the arrangements regarding stores, &c. ; an eventual invitation
to the Raja of Tanjore to accede ; and a reciprocal guarantee of
the two Rajas, the English, and Mohammed Ali. It also ap-
pears in the course of the discussion, that Nunjeraj expected
the English to assist him in the conqiiest of Madura, TinneTeUy,
and the southern dependencies ; an obligation which would have
involved them in a long, unprofitable, and sanguinary warfare.
But the article which would seem to have been least conaideredp
was the payment of the usvxd tribute, without fixing a specific aum.
* The Hindoos distort our names as much as we do theirs, and I caimot
conjecture that which is intended by Klee» (it cannot be Clive, for he waaia
England,) as it is written in Poomia's MSS. from domestic memoranda in tha
family of Vencat How. I cannot ascertain the date of his arrival at Madiai.
In the discussions between the French and English deputies, the forflMr
accuse Mr. Saunders of forcibly detaining Vencat Row, and Nuigeng makM
the same representation to Migor Lawrence, who repeats it to the gOTemor*
The fact, as will be supposed, was absolutely unfounded, and was a "implff
invention of Xunjeraj to justify his disa vowing the acts of his agent
t It was to remain in possession of the English until all the other artichi
should be fulfilled : and for the purpose of cmolifying this detention to
Nunjeraj, the government suggested to Major Lawrence to admit a certain
propiirtion of Mysoorean troops. His answer to this unmilitanr proposition
IS somewhat abrupt. '* Give me leave to teU you the proposal la abaord and
imiiracticable." Letter, May 15, 1754.
CHAP. IX.] NATURE OP INDIAN TRIBUTK. 211
When an Indian conqueror leaves to a chief of any consi-
derable power the interior inanaijement of hiA country on the
condition of pajrin;; an annual Hum as tribute, it iM tolerably well
undemtMid by the parUes tliat it will not be |muJ witliout, at
least» the pretence of an army to demand it; which usually oc-
curs after an interval of some yeani. Exclusively of the habit
and the views to fartlier [Kiwer and independence which such a
dependant generally entertains as a point of honor, and in some
degree as a religious injunction,* he would be unwise to make
regular payments, because tliey would be considertNl as evidence
of treasures worth plundering. The army a4*cordingly arrives.
It is |ierha{Mi repelleu ; or a htout resistance is made ; or efforts
more feeble ; and the o{)eration terminates either in receiving
nothing, or a sum as arrears of tribute calculateil at an annual
value, greater or less than the hist amount paid, to which the
ex{M*nses of the ex|ie<liti«iu real or pretendt^l are or are not atlde«l,
according to the degrei^i of success or of failure. In all questions
of tribute, therofon*, the |virty of whom it is deman<UN|, if he
aoknowle«lge the claim at all, ratios it at the lowest, and the I>artv
demanding, at tlie highest sum. which has ev<T lieen paid. This
claim tlie iiaKies in this oxm^ (as in all Indian no;^K*iatioiis with-
out exct»ption) would for them^ ver}' n*asons Hevendly desire to
leave as indertniu* as {MMiiblt% or exsA^tly in the manner stated
in tliest* pro|Mtniti<»nH ; whi«*li would have lx*en to the English, as
guarante<«, a S4>unv of endliMs emIiarraKsment
It was sup|>oHo«l that the n«»<^M*tation could (test lie cimducted
by Major Ijawrenci* ; but he cxcumsI himH4*lf on the plea of ill*
health : in S4mie (»f his letU*rs ap|H.*aring to hesitate in hu opinion,
and in otliem t4) dUapprove the pn)|Mise«l condiUtms, but uni-
formly expressing his regret *'that tlie att4*mpt hml U*en mailo
to keep lrichino|ioly afliT promising to cvilo it" My materials
do not enable me t4> imc%} with prfH*i?«ion the future pn»'^*Hs of
this n(^K*iation. Nunj«'mj and Wncat It«>w iU*rki«* U»tli n*tumod
to Uysoor. without atiytliing haviu«^ Uvn aiVompli%h«*il ; uiii| I
can only find that in Fohniary 17'>(» the ilin<ct4)n of the C*oin|iany
in England or^i<*n*«l tin* gov«Tiiin«*iit of Mailnvs ti» n*ii4*w the
agitatifin of a tn*aty on tho Istsim alnive rxplaini*«l ; and fartli«T
dirvrtnl that Mr. Onne (th«* hiHt4)rian.) thm a nu*niU*r t»froun<*il,
sh4»uld In* empl«»y(*«l to conduct the nt*go(*iatioiL The pnqiosals
hail been communicatiNl ^l Mo|iamm«*«l Ali in 17'>^. and the
belief that this ct>mmunication ha«l <M*i*aAi«in<s| th«*ir failun*. ha<i
probably suggested to the dinvtors in En;^hind an injunction of
secrvry on tiie preat*nt ocrajiion ; for the ^iv«*niment tif Ma^iraa
in replying to the lott^*r fn>m England tilMi*rve, tluit thrv deem
it im|irudcnt U) make any puUic ailvanm-n t4> tho lUja of Mysoor,
because of the alarm it might unavoithihly give t^i Mohamme^l
Ali ami the Kaja of Tanjore ; but they investe<l Mr. (>rme witli
• iic« note to p. ItiL
212 DUPLEIX SUPERSEDED BY GODEHEC. [CHAP.
tlie prescribed authority. A correspondence ensued between that
gentleman and Yencat Row; and the negociation* appean to
nave been secretly continued by him, and successively reported
by the government at different periods, until October 1758, after
which time I find on the records no farther mention of tlieae
transactions.
Viewing the general objects of these propositions, if ihey had
been made and enforced at the period wnen the shameful fnnd
practised on Nunjeraj was first discovered, the act would have
claimed our admiration, as the indignant resolve of a generous
people, who acknowledged " justice" alone " as the standing
S)licy of nations," and spumed at association with dishonor.
ut after carrying on a long and sanguinary war ostensibly as
auxiliaries in defence of that breach of treaty, to make these
{>ropositions as principals without the concurrence or the know-
edge of Mohammed Ali, materially changes the color of the
transaction; the slender praise of tardy conviction is not even
claimed upon the record, and the whole is referred to that eom-
manding plea of necessity and self-preservation, which so often
ovemiles whatever of morals is mixed with political discussion. •
The apprehensions of a change of politics in Europe, which
had induced M. Dupleix to try the efiect of n^ociation in
Januaiy, were verified on the second of August l>y the airival of
M. (jodeheu to supersede his authority.
The directors of the English East India Company had in the
preceding year made urgent representations to their ministfy^
regarding the ruinous war in which, during a period of piofounl
tranquillity in Europe, they were involved vnth the French in
India, as ostensible auxiliaries to native chiefs ; and demanded
either that national support, which they represented the French
company to receive ; or the interposition of their govenuneni
with that of France, to put an end to the war. The Britiah
ministry accordingly began a negociation on that subject^ and
supported their arguments by dispatching the reinforcements d
troops, whose arrival we have noticed, and preparing jGuther Bai>
cours. The discussion terminated in Europe in the appointment
of commissioners, empowered to investigate in India toe state d
public afiairs; and to adjust a conditional treaty to be ratified
m Europe, on grounds of perfect equality, without refersnoi
to the advantages which either party might have acquired
* Notices of these negociations are to be found in the general lettsn
from Madras, 20th November 175G ; 28th February and 10th November 1757 ;
and 13th March and 10th October 1758. References are made in these lettsn
to the proceedings of what are named " private committees," not one ol
which lias been preserved either at Madras or the India House in IVmdft^
althouii^h the other records of the same period are tolerably completa^ par
ticnlarly at Madras. I can trace no notice direct or indirect of these tramao
tion.H in the work of Mr. Orme, which is brought down three yean latsr thai
the dute of these records).
CBAP. IX.] OOKDinONAL TREATT. 213
The French were aware that IL Dupleix, the author of the
policy which had produced these hostiiitien, would be objected
to as iheir commiflmoner ; and considering his schemes to be more
visionary and impracticable than peniaps they really were,
spontaneously superseded him by the appointment of IL
Uodehue, with absolute powers over all their possessions in India.
Mr. Saunders (aided bv certain members of his council) was
named on the part of the English : and they entered on the
duties of their appointment with mutual demonstrations of good
will, witiiout reUkxing in their efforts for the prosecution oi the
war while the negociations were pending. But after the arrival
of the reinforcements, Mr. Uodenue pressed the necessity of
suspending fartiier hostility, and Mr. naunders consented to the
cessation of arms for three months, from tlie eleventh of October,
which has already been mentioned
The object of the conditional treaty appears to have been
the concluiuou of hostilities in the Carnatic (Drauveda) alone;
for in no other respect was the basis of perfeci tqualiiy at all
perceptible. It stipulated that the two companies should for
ever renounce all Moorish government and dignity, and should
never interfere in any diflTerences that might arii^e between the
princes of the conntr}*, while M. Bussy continued to fight the
Datties of Salabut Jung against tlio poweni of the country of every
description ; and to immiscss the substantial Moorish sovemment
and dignity of the extensive and Mduablo provinces of tne nortliem
Circars, not notiitxl in the treaty. The |M>ssessions to be held in
the (^amatic (Drauve<la) by the parties, during the reference to
Euro|ie, and the establishment of their several factories, were
equitably fixed as far as regarded those exclusive objects. Lhar-
iiLg the interval, neither party was to procure new cessions, and in
all other respects tlie principle of uti |)oflsidetis was recognized until
a definitive treaty sliould tie atljustod in Eumpe. A cartel was
e«tahlishe<l. wliirli left a balance of nix hundred and fifty French
prisoners in the KngltHli prisons : and fiiwlly, Uie allit*s of each
were inrlude<l in a tni«*«* (*orres|)i aiding with the conditions of
the proviMinnal tri'aty. and if they should attempt to break it, were
to be c«M»nii*<(i by both |*rtit*fi.
Tho t«-niui of thin tnice were publi.Hhe<l on the eleventh of
Jantuu^* 17*V*> ; but Nunjeraj did not reeogniae the right of the
Freneh ti> make a treaty for him, or to prevent his cummittinsr
hostilities against the knglish and their allies. He requestsd
that the Fn*nch might lie pleased to retire with their troops to
Pondirherry, if they, like Moliamme<l AH, and the taigliah
thought pmp^r to reorNle from the tibligations of their ^M*^^n5^L
He |iomp(iu<uy declared, tliat whether with them or without then
he was determineil never to leave the lower country until he
should take Trichinopuly ; and ar«x>itlingly reoommeneed his
blundering o|icrationM for endeavouring to obtain posMssion of
214 MYSOOR INVADED BY SALABUT JUNG. [CHAP. U.
it by treachery, which were continued until the fourteenth of
April ; when the positive injunctions of his brother Deo Rajp
founded on the most imminent domestic danger, induced him to
depart, probably without much regret, at the necessity of relin-
quishing a service which had become absolutely hopeless ; siiioep
according to his own statements, he had long since diacovered
the determination of the French to keep the place for themselves
if they should succeed in its conquest.
On the departure of Nunjeraj from a scene in which he had
only covered liimself with ridicule and disgrace, the French
detachment was left in possession of the island of Seringhaniy
the revenues of which, it will be recollected, had been formally
given up by Mohammed Ali to Nunjeraj.
The danger which called for the return of the troops under
Nunjeraj was the approach of Salabut Jung with a laige army,
accompanied by the efficient corps of M. Bussy, to exacts as
Soubadar of the Deckan, the arrears of tribute due by Mysoor;
a demand which Deo Raj had absolutely no means of paying,
and therefore determined to resist The French were by treaty
in strict alliance with Mysoor; but they were also bound by
treaty to fight all the battles of Salabut Jung; and consequently
to treat as enemies their allies of Mysoor. The embarrassment
was felt by M. Bussy, and he used slU his influence to prevent
hostility ; but finding his efforts unavailing, he determined to
execute the treaty which he himself had concluded. Few of
the fortresses of Mysoor which they passed in their approach
attempted to resist; amon^ those which were so imprudent was
the weak fort of Koongul, fifby-four miles north by east from
Seringapatam, which stood the assault of the French troops, and
suffered severely for its rashness. On their arrival before Sieringa-
patam, Deo Raj quickly found that he had miscalculated in
supposing that he could hold out until the arrival of his brother.
The operations were carried on with a rapidity of which he had
formed no previous conception, by regular approaches against
the north-eastern angle, wliich would in a few days have bioueht
the contest to the issue of an assault M. Buasy repeated lus
admonitions and entreaties that this crisis should be averted;
and, among other arguments, represented the approach of the
Foona Mahrattas under Balajee Bow, who would plunder the
open country if Deo Raj should continue to occupy the armv of
Salabut Jung before Seringapatam ; whereas if he would suDmit
to the terms prescribed, M. Bussy engaged by n^ociation, or
force, to avert the Mahratta invasion. The sum fintJly adjusted
was fifty-six lacs of Rupees ; but the treasuiy was entirely
exhausted by the enormous expenses of the long service at Trichi-
nopoly, aggravated by the subsidy paid during most of thai
period to Morari Row, and by the loss of ten lacs of Pafiodas
lent to Mohammed Ali. The revenues had also been diminished
CHAP. IX.] XUKJKKAJ ARRIVD TOO LATE. 215
in the prooeding jrear by tlie contribuiioiui levied by Balmjeo Row
in his route from a campaign in Uie Deckan along the northern
bonleni of Mysoor: and it waa neceeaaiy to deviie some extra-
ordinary moans of paying, or satiHfying, Salabut Jung and If.
Bussy. In this extremity tlie whole of the pUte and jeweb
belonging to the Hindoo temples in the town were put in ret^ui-
aition. Uigether with the jewt^ls and precious metals, constituting
Uie immtMliate pro|)erty or {^enonal omamenU of the Raja and
his family : but tlio total sum which could thus be realiied
amounted to no more tlian one-third of what was stipulated.
For the iviiiainder IXh> Raj prfvailod on ilw S»ucani, or bankers^
of the capital to give secunty, and to deliver as hostages their
princi|ial Uianashtaii, or conHtleutial agenta : but as he was never
ailenft'anls enabled to satisfy the Soucan, thcv left the Uomaahtaa
to their fate : and of tlie two-thinhi for which security was given,
not one Rupee was ever realized Of the unha^>py hostages some
<lic<l in prison, others esca|ied, and after a fwnod the remainder
were n^leascd.
Before dismissing this transaction, it may gratify the curiosity
of si>me of mv rvailorH to rxainmc it in refervnce to the practical
divicription of Indian tribute which has alruuly be<*n oflTerad.
We have the authority of a ftinnal public instrument,* to which
the ci»urt of Hyderaliail was a |iarty. for stating, that the annual
sum receivtNl. or estiniatcHl to be h*<vive<l, as revenue, or tribute,
or lioth, from (\inuitir lUilatjhaut ViiryagMXpr, was, " seven lacs of
Rufiees, including ilurliar cliaip*M.** KHtimating Mysoor in 1755
at one-half of CWnatic Balagliaut Vijeyafioor, which is consider-
ably moro than its actual value, its annual payment wr>uld be
thrut* Ucs and a Iwlf. Tlic last tribute formally exacte<l was by
Nasir Jung in 174«i: but on settling for the ser\*ices of the c«irpii
which attended tluit prini*e in the expedition which terminated
his life, the MysoorvanH would claim to have liqui«iated the
demand up t(» the year 17/»0 inrlusivc. If this claim wen* ailmitted,
the whole deiiuuitl wouM lie fourteen lacs; if it wer\* even totally
rrjecteil, tli«» whole of th«^ snrt)an would be twenty-eight lacs ; the
sum ailjuMtt'tl was ttfty-Nix laca
Nunjerai. pn>rf««Hiiug by force«l marches for the rrlief of the
capital. rt*ceive«i inudlip*nce of this arrangement while he waa
aiin?nding the ghaut . ami halte<l at the distance of twenty-five
miles to the fniuth of Seringa{iatam. f*»r the |mqMMe of reducing
tlie diA{»o*rfilile anny to the st^e of the artual fiiuuices of the
Slate by diH«*liarging ont^-thinl of iin number : an o|ienititin whieh
waa aAXN»niplijih«««l with the utmost dilliculty fnmi the necessity
of |iaving tlifir arrears.
Tlie cuupn* n( our narrative has not rrndere*! it necessaiy,
until ni»w. t* Silvert to an a4>|uUition which had been made by
tlie Stat4* of My«K)r, ten year^ l*efore the |teritid at which we
• Tenth srticlt of tbsirsstj of 176S.
216 ACQUISITION OF DIHDIQUL. [CHAP. IZ.
now arrived. The fort of Dindigul, about sixty-five miles soatb-
east of Trichinopoly, and forty-seven miles nortb by west of
Madura, is situated on a strong rock in the midst of a plain, or
rather valley, which forms its (ustrict, bounded to the west by the
great range of mountains which separates it firom the coast of
Ifalabar, and on the east by a lower ranee which runs between
it and the province of Madura. During the period that Chund*
Saheb possessed Trichinopoly and its dependencies, he had placed
his brother Sadick Saheb in Dindigul, as one of the most import-
ant of his possessiona Nizam ul Moolk obtained Trichinopoly
and its dependencies firom Morari Bow in Aimist 1744, and
shortly afterwards left the lower countries. The revolutions
which succeeded have been already explained; and during the
confusion and interregnum which ensued before the arrival of
Anwar u Deen. in April 1745, Ram Naick, the insignificant
Foligar of Ootem PalUam, had found means to surprise the fort
of Dindigul ; and the ministry of Mysoor seeing no symptoms of
a regular government, sent a respectable force under Venoat
Bow Berkie, which added this fort and district to their former
possessions in that quarter. During the short government of
Anwar u Deen, he had never found himself sufficiently unoc-
cupied to attend to this object : and when Mohanmied All, in
1751, applied to Mysoor for aid, there was no questicm made
regarding the possession of Dindigul, since Trichinopoly and all
its dependencies were to be ceded to that power : and Mohammed
Ali did not think proper, in the courre of subsequent discusrionsy
to agitate a question of right, which would retort so severely on
himself But at this time the presence of an English force on
some magnitude in that vicinitv, for the purpose of establishing?
the authority of Mohammed Au in the distncts of Madura and
Tinnevelly, rendered it necessary to look with a jealous eye to-
wards DindiguL The Poligars^ also, of that neighbourhood,
headed by those of Pylny and Veerapatchy, situated on the skirts
of the western hills between Dindigul and the former possessions
of Mysoor, had formed a confederacy to resist the payment of
tribute. These imited considerations rendered it necessary to
appoint a respectable force for the service of that quarter; and
Hyder, who had continued to recommend himself to the increas-
ing favor of Nunjeraj, was selected for the command This
may, perhaps, be considered as the epoch at which the gsrm of
that ambition began to unfold which terminated in Hyder^s
usurpation of the government of Mysoor ; and it will aoooroinriy
be necessary that we should henceforth trace with more attention
the proceedings of this extraordinary man.
In the course of the operations before Trichinopoly, the Beder
peons, in the service of Hyder, were gradually augmented, and
exercised their usual industry ; and a body of select Pindaries, or
Beid, was also gradually raised for similar purposes. This de-
cuAP. IX.] nmsB appointrd foujedar. 217
ncriiition of hone receive no pay in the 8ervi(*e of many of tbo
SUtiM of IndiA, but live on the devaKtation of the enemy h coun-
try. Hy«ler, on hifl first nomination to a commanfl, had engn^^
in hiA 8er\'i<*e a hramin mutti'Ae<ldy named Rundi? Row, who will
cHxnipy a prominent place in our future narrative. To the cool
and calculating^ mind of a hramin accountant, tluH man mlue<l
fprcai Hagacity an<l ori^nal thinking; a boMne^w which did not
hcMitate n^i^irdiu}:^ mesuiH ; ami a iNimbination of iileax which
eimhled him t«i cimv^Tt the unprntitable huniness of war into a
re^ilar Ky.HtiMu of tinann*. Hvd«*r, who couhl neither re:ul nor
writi\ n*nu*ilii*<l tliin dcftn-t of' e<lumti(m }»y truHtin*^ to a most
extmonlinary mi*mory ; and vahusl liiniHidr at this early |>t*ri(Ml
of hiH |Nilitind lift*, dii ^oini^ through arithmetical ciUculatioiiH of
H«»me Icnj^h, with c«pml arrunu'V, and more ipiickneHs, than the
most ex|H*rt ai*t*ount4inU The ctmsultatittus of these two [H*rsi»na
pniiiu(*ii( a HV-u^m. r«*^ilarly or^niz«»<l, by which the plunderers
HMvivc*!, Itc^idc.H their dinvt |Miy, i>nc-half of the InMity which was
n*Alixi««l : the othi*r half was appn>priattMl by liydcr, under a
f'ombiiuitioii iif rlict'kn which rt'iidcrc*! it nearly im|N»s.si}»l«* t*)
fM^^'D't^' any |M»rtiiiii of the plunder. Moveal»h» pn»iHTty of every
d4*M*ription was their iibj<^*t : funl, as alnuidy noticiil. they did not
h«*Mitate to iu**piir«* it by Kimpje th<*lY, fn»m friends, when that
n»uid U* dttne without Minpieion. and with more convenienco
than fn>m enemies. Notliin^ was unM*.'LHi»iml»h* or unncceptalile ;
fn»m omvoy- of L;niin. down U* the rli»theH, turlmndH, ami ear*
rihiT*. of tmvejlers, or villa;^*rH. whi-ther men. women, or child n»n.
(*Attli* and Hht«ep wen* amoti^ tht* m«»st pn>titable hea4lH of plumler:
mu.sketH An«l liorM*s wen* soinetim**s obUiine<l in Unity, Hometimos
by pun*lias«*. The numU'rs under his ci»mmanrl incn'aM*^! with
his n-H«iunvs: ami U-fon* he left Triehinu|><dy, lwjiid«»?« the usual
Ap|N*ndap*s of n chief of nmk. in elepluintj«. camels, tents, ami
nia^iittci*nt ap|M»intment.s, he w;i.s rat4*«l on the n*tunis and n*-
ci*ivtN| |«iy fur one thi»u><ind five hundn-il h«»tH4*, thnv thi>usand
rv^^ihir infantry. tWi» thousand iMMin<«. and four ^inn, with their
cvjuipmentN. iif the h«TM*H. tivehundre«l wen* his own |»n»i>erty ;
and the ditfereiiti' U^twe«*n th«* siuu all<iwe«l by ptvenunetit, and
that di'tbupMtl in the |giy of the ni:in. and the pn>vender of the
liiifHi*. uas Hyiler'n profit. In etin^idenition of his funiinhin^
the cnnnon and their dniu;;ht. the mu-ski*t.s ami a«x*«iutn*mentrt
ctf ni^ilar infantr%', he was alloweil a «'ert«iiti muu for cai'h pin
with its eipiipnifnts. and for evi-ry hundred nieii , and w.is jn-r-
mitt«*<l t(» make his own a:;ni'ment<t uith the indixidu^dn At
inferior rnt^-s ; they al-**». as well iia the re»*t i»f his tPMij^, n*;:ularly
A<^*i»untinj* for on^dialf of the plunder tiny aopiin-^l. Simv
{Nirtion of thi'« •ies4-ri|ition U'lon^^n to th** •*y'«t4-m of niiist native
annien. an«i uouM enter into tht- hi'«ti<r> of m«i*«t MUcivsAful
Indian rhii fs , liiit notit* evt-r « i*tiibin«-«l with mi much ^kiU tlie
|K-rfect attaihmcut «»f lii!i men. with the cuuveniion Uj his own
h
218 KUKDi ROW. [chap. IX.
use of so large a portion of what was issued for their payment :
and Sevajeo alono could be brought into competition with Hyder
for the regular organization of a system of plunder.
The designation of Hyder's new appointment was that of
Foujedar of Dindigul; and having recruited his corps with the
most select of the men discharged by Nunjer^j, he marched at
the head of five thousand regular infantry, two thousand five
hundred horse, two thousand peons, and six guns. The depart-
ment of accounts under Kund^ Row had necessarily been aug-
mented, and furnished emplojinent for several clerks, who were
well versed in his system ; and on the departure of Hyder to a
distant station, it was considered expedient that his confidential
friend and servant Kund^ Row should remidn at courts to watch
over his interests. On approaching Pylney and Veerapatchey,
he lulled those Poligars* mto security by offering to exert his
influence at court to obtain a remission of their tribute, on con-
dition of their consenting to serve with his army ; and was thus
permitted to pursue his route as a friend until be had reached
the proper position ; when, the distribution of troops being pre«
viously made, he swept off the whole of the cattle of the open
country, and drove them rapidly to Darapoor; where they were
divided according to compact, and sold at high prices, generally
to their former proprietors. He now commenced his operations
against the Poligars, in which, after an obstinate and protracted
contest, he was ultimately successful Among the deceptions
which he practised on the government in the course of this service,
some were so ludicrously gross that I should hesitate to state
them, if they had not been related to me by more than one eye-
witnesa Kunjcraj on the receipt of Hyder's dispatches with a
long list of killed and wounded, sent a special commissioner with
rich presents for Hyder and the officers who were represented to
have distinguished themselves, and Zuckhum puttee for the
wounded. This officer was soon made to understand his business^
Zucklium puttee is an allowance to wounded men, as some
compensation for their sufferings, and for the purpose of eoabliDg
them to defray the expenses of their cure; for an T'l'l'^^" army
has neither hospitals, nor sm^eons, provided by the State. The
allowance on tliis occasion was fourteen Rupees a montii, until
the cure sliould be completed. Hyder marsnalled his wounded
men, to be inspected by the commissioner: sixty-seven was the
true number; out about seven hundred had their legs or aims
bound up with yellow^ bandages, and acted their parts with
entire succ^sa The money was paid to Hyder accoroing to the
muster, and to the probable time of cure reported by the attend-
iTig surgeons, at the rate of fourteen Rupees per man per month.
^ These are among the Tdinga Poligars formerly noticed, as I knew
from personal communication.
t Turmeric is an invariable ingredient in all their BOigicsl appliesiioos.
CHAP. IX.] HTDBK'H AnDR£S» AND TAI^NTH. 219
To tlif ri»AlIy woiimltMl lio g:ive seven : An«l of tin* prcsonU l)nui;jht
for tlio otKivm of tho anny ho iiia<l<* a ilistriKuti«)ti iH|ii:i|}y skiirnl.
U'liilf* viu^h i>tIitHT WAS iiiAtle to lH*lievu tint lie was (li** jM-i-siiti
in«wt [lArtuMilAriy favoreil by Hy<Ior. l>uriii;; tliivv <>{i('nitiniH
Ktiii4i«* Riiw vmn |H»qWually s«ninilinj^ tlif fX|»l«»its <»f liis iii:»st4.r
t** Nunjrrnj ; I'XAj^mtiii;^ th*» «listiirl*«Ml stair f»f iIh» omiitry,
Ainl tlif ntivMsity of iiii^mMitin^ tho fonvs ; which w»ih ium. »ri|.
irit^ly authorizml fnnii tiim- t^i titiu*, An«i itssi;:iiinenlrt «*ii tho
n»vviiui»H of tithtT ilUtriots wrn» H'McmI for tlmt |»ur|Njsr t<i liin uthor
riHUHirrN-H. SjNviul ntiiiinUsii>ii«*rs were alwnys f|e|»uUMl to iimst4*r
the n«*w Ifvies ; Aiitl on one <Mv;iHion, Jehuii Khan saw f'xhilfiti'*!
the iimno'uvn* whi(*h he calls a rirrul^ir »#l»M^•r. hy which ton
thotiHauil ni**n were munt'^i An«l passiHl as t*ii;ht'*cn thousan*!.
In tho interiitr nmnAirfiiient <>f tli** district (*<»niniitt«'ii ti> his
rlmnri*. Ilyder evin<vti tlit* sanit* [H*netniti(>ii an«l skill which
(li^timrnishfNi him tm aII (MH*asions; And. in a ^hort time. <siiil«l
vie with the ni'tst e\|ii>rien«*«s| AniiiiMar in vahiinir the n*^)imv.H
of a villain*, in «lf»t4*<*tin<^ the niisstJitementA *»\' a fi-au<lul«-nt lu*-
Count, fn»m menOy h«»arin;» it n-ii*! ; and in •Irvi-.in^' tli«* U"»t
nietans of irien*aMnL: tho n*vrnue It was at I)indi;r^il that ho
also first o)itiiini-d fmm STin^ham. Triehin«»ji-.|y. nn<l iNmdi-
eherry, skilful artifii^^'rH. din*t't«*il hy Fn*nch nutst* r^, and lN';»aii
to orpini^i* a n';rdar artilli*rj', arsenal, nnd laUu*:it'»ry. Mfan-
while the can* *>( Kundi* l^»w i»n*si»ivis| tin* aMi'n«lancy which
Hyder had "pp^n***! '»ver the mind «»f Nunjen«j ; and whih* elaim-
in« merit f«»r ptihlie it^tu^my in Uin:; ahl^ t*» ilefray tlie ex-
t)i*nH«> of th«* aui^ii«*nte<l fonvs fn>m the al lulled funds, he wa.s,
in faet. ais'umulntini; an imniens«* treiLsure.
The t>|MTiiii»ii^ n«*«*essAry f»r th«* Ci>m|t|rt4* c^^Uihli^^hmrnt of
Hy»|iT's authority in thf |»n«vinei* **( I>indi;;nl iNvui»i»'d thf
^*aU^t |ii»rtii»n of the years 17'*>'» iinti 17'>ti : and. in tli«» tii**an-
while, thf atlairs nf tht» ;;imi«t.iI uttVi'riiUH'iit w«'n* i''tndu«t«d as
usual hv th«* !»r'»th«*rs Ik*.* Itnj jiipI Nnfii'Tii : wh'-M- u^'iruitiuii,
alth'(U;;h rMm|»l«t«' iii rvirytiiifi;; ••-••— utial. lift t** tin* jM^''Miit
Kaja a r-^h'^idi raM** nliari' "f tli«- •■\t«'ri"i apinMid. !.;•■•» '•! ii»\.illy.
This v*»un-' ni*iii had ii-iw ntt.iiie-l tin* a;;!* **t i\vtui\-'^-\*'U x-a?-^;
and liad mniiir«"»t«-d *»u •k-um- •Ni-jt'ii'His •*yiiipt«>ni'« ««f iiujkitit n-i*
at th«* i'^e*tiiifU"tM t'.nild 'in in wliirh he \i.i-« k^pt hi? ie* h.-i<l
Im^'Ii t'Mi tiiu* h **'^'!udi*d fri>m th«* wtirld l> U* ra|>:iM4* **i t'lriniii:^
a •»kilf<il |i!.in for lii^ ••iiiarii'i|i.'iti<in . and - .mt* if hi* att'ipUnt*.
whii wtT- «*<pially iu'*a|k.i)»h' «»f ;:iviii;» |irt»j« r rnii;-!. h«id i»n^-
pM«**l til liini th»» |»niir«t ••!' s-'i/in;; and i''»ii?iiiin4 tie* u-^uri-iH.
Tli«» «'»»nfi*r**inN*n i>n thi-* •iuhi««'l wen* r»-."iLi:ly r» |»"itol ti» the
l#r'th»TH . and at th«* mi;^'!;* >«ti'»n «"f l^^* ICij a mild ni»-*vi;;«' ys*vi
M-iit. r»*moii-tnitih^ n,::(jiii»t th*—* •h-Mirn- .ii: 1 r»-»|U' ••tin^ that tho
rvil 4'«Miri««'ll<>rH miu'lit !•■• di^in !'«"*•« I '!• i.i !.!• jin'-^t-mv. *l ho
ItAJa. iii«t«-ad *•( d:H^ iiihlihu' hM iiit« iitioii'* ;!.«: 'i*;*^! in a hur>t (»f
rivii'ntui* tit and indi;;iuitiMii. and r« tumid a har^h and con-
220 DISSENaiON OF DEO RAJ AND NUNJERAJ. [CHAP. IX.
temptuous answer. He had already gained the ordinary ^ard
of the palace ; and his adherents gradually obtained fled and intro-
duced additional numbers of troops.
It will be recollected that the daughter of Nunjeraj had been
given in marriage to the pageant Raja. This lady had been
brought up in the house of her uncle Deo Raj : she was pregnant
of her first child at this period ; and the usual Hindoo ceremo-
nials required that she should, on her pregnancy being ascer-
tained, pass a certain time under the paternal roof. Deo Raj
continued to send conciliatory messages to the Raja, whicli were
answered by outrages and puerile threats : and it was proposed
in consultation, that instead of open violence, this lady should be
induced to remove him by poison, on the condition that the
throne should descend to her future offspring, his posthumous
issue, under her own guardianship. The particulars of this ne-
gociation cannot be positively ascertained : some accounts state
that Deo Raj united with his brother in making this proposition,
but the progress of these transactions seems to disprove that opi-
nion : the fate of the last Raja hung heavy on nis mind, and
his subsequent conduct seems to evince that he had determined
not to incur the guilt of a second murder. It is also stated in
some accounts, that the proposition extended only to making the
Raja a close prisoner ; but this statement refutes itself, because it
was obviously unnecessary to consult the lady on a plan which
in no respect required her concurrence. Whatever the propo-
sitions were, it is universally admitted that she received them with
abhorrence ; and that, during her subsequent detention, she re-
fused to partake of food until restored to the dwelling of her
husband.
The brothers were entirely disagreed in the measures to be
pursued regarding the Raja. Deo Raj argued, that his whole
project and the cx)uncils by wliich it was guided were puerile,
and the means which he could possibly command undeserving of
serious alarm ; that on proper precautions being adopted, a lew
days must convince the projectors themselves of their inability
even to obtain the requisite provisions for the palace; and that
measures of violence were equally unnecessary and disreputabla
Nunjeraj was of a different opinion; and having arranged his
plan, moved a column of troops, attended by four guna, to the
exterior gate of the palace, accompanied by Veerana, his seoond
in command, who had the reputation of instigating upon all
occasions the violent proceedings of his principal. All the
avenues were barricaded, and the walls lined vritn troops; and
Nunjeraj wished, before proceeding farther, to commence a
parley. Tliis, however, was rejected ; and on a declaration of
his intention to employ force, a heavy fire was opened finom the
Ealace which did considerable execution : but the guna having
y this time been brought up near to the gate, it was quickly
CUAP. I\.J IIAUURB ROW BESIEGKS KRRIMSAPATAM. 2^1
hlowii ()|M'n ; and the (Icfi'iuivrH, on An<lin^ timi tlio colunm wom
niH)iin|{ in, nt ontH* almndimtsl tht* wnlls. nn<l fl<*il fnr mntvnlment
t4i till* oMirts of tli«* wt»nH*TrH n|Hirtm4*ntH. Niinjrrnj, Iravin^
Wvmnii wttli a |M»rtion of tlu* tnMi|M in rharp* of tht* pito. pro-
iMNNh**! witli the n*t{ui.sit4« att4*n<hintH into the inU*n<»r <»f the |a»
Imv. Tlie Kajii wiiH re<|Uest4*ti t^i M*:it liiniself in the uhuuI liall
of autlienr«*. while all the a|iartiuentH wen* M»ari*liiHi. an<l every
nuile |iriMl(ii*«*<l. A eertain nunilNT, on whttsi? (iis|MMal he ha<l
not <|eteniiine<l. Were put in irons; an<l all the reniainthT ha<l
their n«K>MrH aii«l ears rut t»M in the Haja'n prtvM*niv. and in thin
htatt* Were tiirnrd dut into the htnvt Th«* en*atures in hLs own
imy, ih*>tin(*«l to rcphuv th«* f«*nner att4*niiantH of the Haja, wen'
thi*n pn*-«vnt4*«l t4i him with an insulting ni«»eki*ry of n*<«|>i*et : and
afi^'r pkM'in^ guards of hi.s most eonfidential tnMips in th** usual
stations. III* de|iHtt4Ml fn»m the hall of audiencv. makin;; th** euti-
toniarv oU*iHjine«> to the liiiia, wh«> had witnt*HM*4l this extraor-
dinarv S4*«iie in an a^ony of ^ilmt t4'm»r and a>tonishni<'nt.
(>«'o ILij. who hail priit«-Hted in tin* m<»^t solrtiin anil im-
pn^xHivr mniinrr a^iinst thi<« oiitra;^'iHiUH pr«>e«-<*<IinL;. wa^ mi
defply otriMiih^l at this o|M'n ei>iiti'inpt of hi-^ ailni«»nitionH. thai
he d<'t«*niiin«*4l to retiounte all futun* int4*nH»upM* with hin hntther.
It is ditiii'ult t4» a^tN'rtain the pns'iM* ni**tivi*H or ultim:ite ohjert
of luH pri-*««*nt eondu«*t : hut ap|ian*ntly not rhtNisin;; to rnter
into a ilip-el e«int4*Ht, and di*Hin»UH nf n*tirini; fn»ni vi disj^istin^
a serni', h«* aetuallv deiiiirtvd fioni S'rinpi|»atam in Ffhruary
17**7, a4 <*<*iiiiiaiiitd oy his whole family and iN-rs**nal ndh<*n*ntH,
with ooi' tliouHiind hor<^^ and two thousand iii'ons ; and do-
M-t'hdin;; the iMt-^^ «»f t lujjilhutty. Iix«'<l his ri"*idfn«'«* at Sitti-
iiiun;:iil. on till* lia:ik of tin? river Hhavany V**r hit sup|«irt,
howrver. anil tluit i»f his military eH«*iirt. In* had nei-*l of fumlH.
ami Hi*nt onlm to the AumiU of M*veral distriet/i on whirh ilvder
*
hail axsi;riimfntM. n«vokin^ that appropriati«in of th** rev«'nu<*ii.
anil ord«*iin;; thmi to U- |ifiit| to hini-M-lf Kiiieh* it'W «*iiuld
padily ha\f* pr<**-un-l fr<im Nunirmj a ri*|N-titii>n of tin* luo^i^i*
m<-iit'» . hut in thf di»*trai*tion of authority «-ans4-d h\ th«* s«*|ia-
nttioii *»( th«* hn'tht't-s. tin* AumiU. i*n n-<«i\in^ i-futnidirtor)*
onh rs. \»<iul<l of t-iiiip^* ha\r nfus«-d ti» |«y ti» litln-r ; ^r if a
>ri f« n-ini- •*h*>uld U- ^'iv« ii. it Woidd et-rt^iidy U* in faxor (»f
Utt iijij. I ndt-r tln*M< rin'Um^tAin*«-s. h«* r«vomiin'hdt«l to
ll\di'r to it\ tin* •■tr**«'t of his |N'P«ijnal Ap|N*anintv at S*riiipi-
Ikatam. f<*r uhndi hr ai*i ordin^Iy pif|ianMl. iitt«*ndisl nn-ndy hy
ii?i onlinarv n*tiiim* . hut Ufop* hit ani\al. a new dan^^er luui
thn*At4*n«^l tin* eapiial. and had U^fU avrrt***! hy fri-!^h saiTttiixr^t
iUIaji-*' U«*w un«'\|i«*«-t4*<lly ent^-n-^l M\«i«Mir in Manh 17*>7 ;
and Ap|N-.intl m th** n**i;;hU»iirh<MMi nf Sriii;^|iatam ilt-manditi^
a rotiiiihiitifit Nuiijinij ill \.(in n*pn*s«'nt«sl his al>s«iluta* in-
ahilit\ the ih niaml mas in n ni|>t«<iy, and tin* pbuv was l«i-sie|^*«l
Nunjrnij nuide a -piritcl dthn*^-. and l»sl in iiep'itn M'VcrmI
1
222 COMPROMISE BY THE PLEDGE OF TERRTTORT. [CHAP. DL
sallies upon the enemy's trenches ; but their artillery being
respectable, and the operations of the siege directed by Euro-
peans, the place was reduced to extremity; and Nunjeraj was
compelled to make a hasty compromise for thirty-two lacs of
Rupees. The cash and jewels which could be produced amount-
ed to no more than five lacs : and for the liquidation of the remain-
der, he was compelled to surrender in pledge a lai'ge and valuable
extent of territory*
These transactions had been completed, and the Mahrattas
had departed, after leaving their agents for the collection of
revenue, and a body of six thousand horse in the pledged dis-
tricts, before Hyder's arrival at Seringapatam : when, on inspect*
ing, in company with Nunjeiuj, the approaches and bat-
teries of the Manrattas, he ventured to remonstrate agidnst the
omission of not ocdering up the troops of Dindigul on so great
an emergency: intimati^, perhaps truly, that if they had been
present, the service would have terminated in a very different
manner. He strongly recommended to Nunjeraj to cause the
revenues to be withheld from the Mahratta agents, and to expel
their troops on the approach of the rains ; at which period the
swell of the rivers would secure the country against Mahratta
invasion for another season, when he hoped his services would
be called for : and this advice was accordingly foUowed.
Hyder's consultations with Nunjeraj regarding the resumed
revenues ended in his determining to wait on Deo Kaj at Satti-
mungul ; but as he had no personal influence over the elder bro-
ther, Kund^ Row accompanied him for the purpose of aiding in
the negociation. Before Hyder's departure from Dindigul, he
had received a deputation from the Nair Raja of Palghaut, situat-
ed on the eastern frontier of Malabar, opposite to the groat
chasm in the range of western mountains, which leaves a com-
munication between the two coasts of the peninsula, covered
only with forests of the stately teak, without the intervention of
a hill. This chief was at war with the Rajas of Cochin and
Calicut; and being hard-pressed by his enemies, the object of his
deputation was to desire succour from Hyder, who, at the time
of his journey to the capital, had detached his brother-in-law
Muckhdoom Salieb with two thousand horse, five thousand in-
fantry, and five guns (the first Mohammedan corps that had ever
entered Malabar) to his assistance. This chief, in conjunction
with the Nairs of Palghaut, carried his arms to the sea coast ; and
the enemy finding resistance to be unavailing, had compromised
for the restitution of their conquests from Palghaut^ and a mi«
litary contribution of twelve lacs of Rupees to be paid by in-
stalments : but finding the presence of the strangers while waitmg
* The diatricta pledged were Nagamongul, Beloor, Kickery, Chenroy-
patam. Cudoor, Banaver, Harunhully. Honavelly, Toorikera, Eondikera,
^h naickanhnlly, Kurb, CuUoor, ana Hoolioordroog.
rilAP. IX.] UYDKK INVADflS MAOUKA— 2:!.1
fur tli«* iii<>Ti«*v to l»i' liiinlcTis4iiiii\ niiil in«*4litatin*; to cva<Io the
|illVIllf|lt ull«»;^«"llliT. tlh'V lili'l IM'W M-Iit Si»<ri't a^rtlt.M ti» hiMi llftj,
otlV'iiii;^ t«> ]':iy till- iiii'iM'V t«» liiiii. proviiltil In* w«iiilil ri*l t]it*iii
of tlic Mii<^Miliiiati triNi|i<« of liyilcr. uii«l s«'ii«i HiiitiiMis to ifivive
it. Tlii'« tiiiiiHjiftiitii furiii^tii'tl tlir iiiruus nf iirniii;;iiii; tin* iirp>-
nalioti 1*rtwi'<'h !>«'•• \iii\ aiitl IIv'1«t Tlir n*Huiiiril n*vt'iimfi
uiiv n-^i-'n-'l i** him. top-ilii-r with S»urar MTiiiity f«tr thn**.* Im'H
,i.s a n-iiiihur«' iihiit \*i rxtraoriliiiarv <*\|»fiis<*.H inriirn*i! in the
i-\|HMliti*>ii to Maial>:ir: aii<l on th«'M* «*itiiiiititins Mtn-khiliMiUi wan
iiMjilliMi llv«li-r ii-hn'iui>«hr«l hi^ rlaitn to t!;«* iniiitjirv cuntri-
hntii'ii «'f lwil\i' l.iis ; mill ihf im|MNii inrj-' of Hi-rri Sin;;, the
nio><t /<'h1i*ii<< :i«lhrr* lit of |)fii liny \%iLS M-nt to i)-«-i*ivc it.
TliiM* ainiii;^')-ini'nt*« U'iii;^ roiiipl'-t*'*!, Ilytlcr n»tunn'*l t«>
l>iii*lu'!il. aii'l \i\^ iioiips iH-in;^ how uniH-i'U|iii*il, an «>|»|Mirtunity
MN'Ui)-<l to |*p"Miit it^-lf «>f fiii|ili>_\ ill:; tlirni t'l a«lvanta;;i*. MaIi-
|»liii/. Kliiiii. \ih"iii i*r l»fi at Fort Si Ihiviil in Aui^nnt I7"»4.
i;ul. oil iIji- 1 1 -.H.ntio!! of liii«^ttliti< H It-twii-n tli*' Fp*ni'h an*!
KiiL:li-h ill lln- f'II»»\\i!i:; OitoU-r. f-i*ni|>ronii***-il \»ith \ii^ y»»nn;;»T
1i|i»th> I Moli.tliifiit •! All f<i| till- ;:i>\rniMh-!it of (hf >ollthiTn
|iti>\ ili<-i-« of M;i«lili:i ali'i Tllili' \ i-llv. Witli tin* vii>\V of tlitTi!
I -t.il'ii-hiii^' fi»r l.:in-« If an inli|»»!i«l'iit kiiiLT'lom 'Di.. Kn^Iish
ati'l Ki'iii h \v»ii iiou .it oj- II war ; tin ir tnN.ji-, wi-p* aliiiii'Liiitly
o«iu|>ii'l i?i all •ini>*i"iiH llyili-r hail ri'i'«M\«*<l P-|ifat«*il invita-
ti«in<t tii'iii t}i<- I'liiirti .iii'i Mali]ihn/. Khan t<i ai^l in r\|M'llin;;
tin" Kiijli-»li alt"jitlit I tViini th»"*'' |Hi»\ inris . an«l tin* iliMrai'tiiUiH
iNi-.t-i-iii.-ii |.y M.ilijliii/ Kh.in'«« in'-aui-ity -•••»nit»<l to atfopl u
t.i\<>t.t)!<* •>p|iiitunit\ ••!' ^i/Aii^ tht' Y**iX an<l «li'«trii't of Mailura
!••! Iiiiit^' if
Hi- I ••iiiiiH IK •-•! Iii'i oTM-r:iti<<n>» I'V •^■i/in:; tin* iH»«»t »"f Sho-
■ • I
l.i\.iii>l>ii *>!tii.it<-<i III til*- ]wi*^o lii'twti'ii lhii<ii;;nl aihl Ma<iiira ;
ari'l iiiuiii*-! witli'Mt "III ••-itioii to tli<* xirjntv of tin* latt4*r
I l.f ■ uiiiili oil • \ iiiiiiii!!^' Ii<- liiij ift think |>tf{M-r to ntt«-Mi|it
l-v .1 •' ■»• •'• " .' *■'!? •■■•:i!iiii 1 him-- If f-r th»' j-p— fiit to
■ ■.\- • j-.hj "•?! til- \^ li .1. if til'- i.itt'i- aril inovr.iMf-, ,,|* th««
• ':i!.!i\ .III! "i- ■ iT l.iiij t!i» III f-i Ihitli/nl Mf \».i> f.irthrr
III I i • 1 t • ■ I- • 'I 1 iii\ s. ri II » ••■•«■?. it I- iiiH a-Min^t tin* firt
• I M ^ ill I !: : J l.T •\^.uj th it M.'li.iliiliH'l l>-..it'. tin* ii»in-
iui..i'iT •! I.i .. !i •. ■..\'. u.is i>ri lii<4 !i.:ifi li (*'M:ir<iH that
J ! •• !i M I'l . liiii ■ '\ u;ih A -.riMlI l".it \i'Srin •"r:-* Thin
'- • ^* \'!> iii I .'. II,!. Ti'! ill Ti'ii^fl-T- !• th.it ••t' ii><h*r.
\* ;. "I i' H'pi".. Ii u I- ::>n.!\ ••!" tif i:i.-t.is>* i.f' t.ik;iu' |-»^t
i:i * ■' N I'll "I 1*1- iiiri 'V% jn*-* ii" Nit nil, .iiil thtM P U'lrrin^
!'■' ^ i' * \ . ' iriiiiU:>» •! Ill .i\.iii ji^'i.n-.! M'<hai:inirtl It^'Mnif.
1 ii • • ' ' . ■ !.t .'ill. if u.i« ii«it -ii\* in |t !i i-ii ;ii^» till' A'lvnntA^*
tii i< • i! : i ;•> hiiii .ill I iii.i'h- a \i.' r-'Mt aii*! ilt-t«*nniiic«l
;iM.i K ^*."i «J.- \» Ii ■!.• ..I f,j"» l."l r; - *\ whii'h llv'Jfr wjtt
« :i.: -v.; r .* I II'- r-?.?' i \»itl .;! faitfnr tlfort t.i I>in-
• 1 ^'ii in N .'.i. •: hi'.'liUiiin.' h'Mikir. t-i rvtuin. iviuforvtd
224 PROCEEDS TO THE CAPITAL. [CHAP. IX.
by a body of French troops. The corps at Seringham, which
was most conveniently placed for the purpose, could not be
diminished without danger from the garrison of Trichinopoly :
and the difficulty of finding troops for a great variety of services
prevented M. Soupire, who now directed the French opera-
tions, from sending from Pondicherry more than three hundred
sepoys and seventy-five Europeans; who arrived at Dindigul
in January 1758, under the command of M. Astruc. The
smallness of this force would alone have determined Hyder
to evade the proposed service, but other considerations of real
moment demanded his presence at the capital He accordingly
made the requisite explanations of the necessity for his imme-
diate departure, and excused himself to M. Astruc, who shortly
afterwards returned to Seringham.
CHAITKR X.
FROM 17.KS Tii 17GU.
Mmhmp of Ike Arm^ at the ctunlal—Uffder pntceetU tkiikrr acrtimpanied Ay Dto
Hitf -HeamrHtahoH oj the hrvtkrra amd the Ruja — Hyi/er's addrru ami pttpmiu*
ntff^-'paffM ike arrtar§ -- Situaacrr uf Hem •Siiy^<— //y</rr recetres a Jof^eer amd
asMtfpumrni 0/ terrUury — Alahratta mrcaitfii— r«i/*f«rr 0/ {"enapatam — liyder
apptnnied iu cummamd tke field armjf — re-raftfrnre of CenafMtiitm — Mditary
oueraiutuM — Terms 0/ adjutimrui f^ire ike pfetlji^rti dinlnt'U io liydfr'^ Title of
iiekamder'-'i^int fur cttmf*elhmf^ ike reiiremeni if Sunjerttj^iiM tim^Mlar pro*
/Crtu and ream/i—Fariker auif^mmemU io Hjfder — Stihutttm of Kmmde Jiotr^^
Smmjeraj defmtris io MjfgiMfr^ts beMet^nl ikere—resuli — liojiia ieatkd marriage
-^ t^ill Jariker aiayfrnmenis it* liydef — A Fnmck Of^eni oUatms ike aid of inwp^-^
/leinitpeei -.1/. limtty tctik Sidabmi ./mvf l*etie^eM Santmitre —adjusimeni Iknrtigk
Mormrt /foir - made ike vreieii for »mpplanttnfC ktm ~ VtetTM tf tke dtfferml
fmtteera of ik^ «f#ii/A— J/. //«J«y departs — puraued by Saiahmi Jm/tfC — take a poat ai
Hprierahad -ta rrtmfou'ed — atul reaittred to faror- -Sktuatum of Aimni Alt ^
ami /iaaalmi Jung — Ikxixf^entu* tmtriguea—aupprtaaedltjf M . /iiuay - uko aetiet
ike fort of iMtM-luialnui Murtier of iiyder Jmnf^, M. Jimaay'a Dewan^ by Sisaam
Alt -Sk^k \airtta Kkan alatn order reatortd by <ll. /ima*y~trkote attuaittm
becomea f*erfeetly aermre amd f*rmtdabU- ikta pn*after%iy aubreried by ikg
arrogance of .1/. iMlly — trkt onlrra M. Hmaay to man'k to Pimdtt'ktrry^'
J^rarttatutn of I^ot/mtabad DrjjHirfure of \l. Htiaty- aatomakmeni anti grtefof
Salabui Jung-- Mtnor oprrationa la i'fn»maikdel — Mokammed Alia ikrtt
bntikera m oftrn or coneraled hoaitltiy— Frenvk tntereaia tmpntre - Ckaracter of
M. Lally createi mntrertttl dttfm»t — Stej^e and cafttnrr of Fort H^, Dand-^tff
Tamj*tre effrria of petulance anl mumanagemeni—ike ainferatarti—M, Hmsty
preretira kta iriMtpa - trko aUt» arrtre — .VifrrA (hdla — Trtf»eit\ Abti-ul- W'ahiA
-^Mege of Matitas rat*eti imptfriant ronae^paentra vj M. Jimaay's redd from
ike I)e%-kan Capiure of MaKuli/ntiam by Colonel Forde ~ kta trruty trtik
Salabtti Jmny — Stsam Alt ampplania Haaaimi Jmmg, trko m«tre» to tke smtk, atrom-
pamteii by a Frenck corj%a -kta rtetr* and comnecittma -trtik Sunpui Uotr —
Makpktaz Kkan -Foltgart of Calatirt and I'ematijkerry — Segt^'tottOHa trttk
Stiam Alt^ami M. Hnaty.
I.N roiLH<.H|uriu*«» of tin* puMi** iiiisforttitu's an«l ••it«»p» uliitli lirivo
bifii r«*Iiit4i|. tlu* tr<»<»|is at S'iiti'^:i|i;iLun li;t<l fallrii iitt^i a loiij^
arrvar of imy. aii«l tlii-y lia<l iii>\v inutiiiii^I t<» ol'tain it . ptixM^-il-
itif;. lUH'oniin^ to tli** <-UNt4itii nf Imlia. ii<»t «>tily U* tht* 4-<i«inniiy
€»f inU'nlirtiti;; tilfir cliiif l»y r»li;:i'»U'» ••\i*iialiMii«* fi«>iii iiuat nn<l
drink until tli«* ari**ar hIkmiIiI l.t- {ai*! . a |>i>«<'i'«'« Hlii<li is ii<>tmlly
cmlltNl Hitting ill hhrmn ; ^tit t<» tli«« M*«-itIar i')Mniti«»ii nf |»n*v«'nt-
in^ any Mat^-r or |»ri»visii»ij^ U in;; rani***! int.* Iii-* Ipiu***-. hi tliiJi
rxtivniity Nunj«*rHJ wit** nii<ltrlhir ni«i*H-ity «.f HiHin^Ml;!* j-nivi-
Mn»n !itoiv<i (»f tne raiiital. fi»r tip* |>tir|ii»'*r «>! a|>{H.L<%ink'. tft '^.itiify-
iiig, tlio <li.*mun<U (•! tlir iiiutiti*'* rv
Hv'Irr, oil nM-ri\iii;' tin-* iii!'«»rniali»-n ti- sirv^i Kun<li* !t»w
Ain u> nitct him at Saitinitin/ul. an*l }«i>«'. f<l«*«| uith lii<* wli«iltf
in hU <liH|iitHiil»l«* tpH»|»<^ in tli«* -sinir (lip-i'ti<>n tl** hail \%ritt<*n
tu IXo li'ij )R*ftirc hi» «li-|siiturv tn^n I^tnii^'ul. an<l u<nl f^'t-
5
226 MUTINY OF THE ARMT. [CHAP. X.
ward unattended to represent to him personally the evils arising
from the disunion of ttie brothers, and the absolute necessity of
a reconciliation to prevent the entire dissolution of the govern-
ment. The personal influence of Kundfe Row, added to the
arguments of Hyder, prevailed on Deo Raj, although much
indisposed, to accompany them ; and they ascended the pass of
Gujjelhutty in the month of March. On their arrival at Hurdan-
hully, the increased indisposition of Deo Raj compelled them
to halt for fifteen days, aSfiber which they proceeded to Mysoor;
where Deo Raj remained, while Hyder and Kund^ Row proceeded
to Seringapatam. Deo Raj insisted, as a preliminary to all terms
of reconcihation with his brother, that he should make atonement
for the violation of public decorum in his conduct at the palace ;
and the terms being easily adjusted by Kundfe Row, Nunjeraj,
on the 23rd of Apnl, made his humiliations to the Raja, whom
he had not visited since the former outrage; and a salute was
fired from all the gims of Uie garrison to announce the Raja's
forgiveness and favor.
The next object was the public reconciliation of the brothers.
Nunjeraj and Hyder, accompanied by all the chiefis, public
officers, and principal inhabitants of Uie capital, went in pro-
cession to conduct Deo Raj from Mysoor. On the meeting of
the brothers, Nunjeraj made the most abject i^logies, and Deo
Raj consented to be conducted to Seringapatam ; where he died
on the 19th of June, six days after his arrival His death was,
as usual, ascribed by the vulgar to poison, and the crime was
attributed to his brother ; but, exclusively of the absence of any
adequate motive, I am satisfied, from the examination of persons
who saw him about this j)eriod, that fatal symptoms of dropsy
had api^eared before his departure from Sattimungul.
The army was still clamorous for the remaining arrears ; and
Nunjeraj, who had been disgusted with the difficulties and insults
which he had experienced in the adjustment of their former
claims, and was now unaffectedly depressed in spirits by the
death of his brother, requested of Kundfe Row and Hyder to
take the troublesome charge of making the best airaagement in
their power.
Hyder throughout all these transactions had been enabled
to a^ssume the character of a general benefactor. The gratitade
of Nunjeraj was due for his conduct in effecting the reconcilia-
tion, and for the zeal and exertion which relieved him from moch
embamLssment : the troops considered him as their only hope for
a liquidation of arrears ; tlie Raja beheld as yet only his preserver
and i)rotector from the violence of Nunjeraj ; and all orders of
men began to look up to Hyder for the rc^ration of public
prosi)erity. He proceeded, with constant demonstrations of
deference to tlic Raja's onlers, to distribute, in lieu of money, all
nublic propci*ty that could be so applied, down to the elepnaote
CHAP. X.] UTDSE PAYS THE ARRIUIIS. 2^7
ami honen of the Raju's rotinue ; ami knowiiif^ fmm bU own ex-
perience the probable amount of ini|iuHititin in the cIuip/oh uf
arreant, aeijcd on all tlie aitx^untanU, and by tbroatH an<l Uuturu
oumi wiled them tu prtxluce Uio tiiiu acct»unU. liy tbuse mtiaiui
be was enabled in Uio ctrnnie of a few d:iyi« to dijM:liarge four
tbouiiand homo, and a iiirj^u amount of other nibbla
The confuHion, ebiuiour, un«i irro^Iarity whicli suth u process
nooeflsarily createti in a |M»puIou.s town, rendere<l it exiHMlient
tliat tlio wcll-|)aid and o1»tMlicnt tnN>|isi of IIy.K*r Hbould Uikc all
tlie ^^uardA of the f^iiU'.H and interior of tlu* tort ; an arran^^fuirnt
involving the |>oH*H9iHion of actual |M)Wfr. wliirh ^ni;4ht bavi* suj;-
ge«t4*<i anibitiouji vifWH to a mind lrs.H stspiriri;^; but tht* pre.sent
moment waH obviously prematun\ and tht* 4»i»|»ortunity w;ls not
embrareil. The oiMration re»|NM*tin;^ the mutiiii*t*r^ Wiis not yut
Hui>hed ; for an tne det-iiln of the adjustment, iidtlod t<* IIydt;r'ii
previou-^i ain|uaintaiK>*. vimbK-d him t4» judi^o who were th«* m<«st
wealthy anion;; the ehirfs he cuuhihI all Irit th«' mo^t rxtr.i\M;^:int
and indi^*nt Ut Ik3 ik.*iz«Nl aftrr tlu^r dcikirttirr ns the riii^k-adem
of the laU* mutiny, and plundered of all ih<ir property luy a for-
feiture; to tlie StAt4*.
Herri Sin^. who had UH»n M.*x\i to rv*vivf t!n» militAry contri-
bution of Malabar, f«'und himtiilf unabli* t4» n:di/* any |iart of
it; and on bearing <»f the death of bin p:itn»n l)**) ILij. m.nn^hetl,
during th«» Uin\'nti» «>f th«» S. W. motisi»«in. t» tl»«* proviiuv of
(Aiiml»aton* ; when* a diiit:uu*e of Hiran^-lv thirty niilon fr*>m tho
peritnlical raiiLH of M:iliib:ir always pn\H**ntA f.iir wr.it ht*r :in«l thr mo -it
atrikin^ chan^* of climate. In thin pmvint'o h<* «n<\im|Mv| at the
villa;;!* of AouiuiiMe<\ <xU*nHibIy to refn*-»li bin tn^'pn. but in
reality ni*g<iciating for the M*rvice of the liiija of T.inj »nv
Hrrri Sinp. wh»iH«» |M*rH«»iial enmity to llyd»T wo have aln^ady
bail oocaaion to notiiv, ha«l Ui^n imrtieuLu iy pn*t<H't4*<l bv I Km*
Raj. an Hydcr had U*«*n by Nunj«*rAJ ; and wiu«, n«*\l to f{yiler«
the ni«mt opulont |iarti/:in in tli*' >4rviii* ff tli*- Sta^* wf M\^'M»r.
I)i*o Kaj liail alwavH op|M»M-«l bi.H bntthiT** r:ipid udvani^m.-tit of
Hvder. a«b»ptin;; th«* opiiii«in tif lI*Tri Sin: ^^ii 1 <dl t!if «'!d liiirfH,
who attributt9*l that a<lvaiHvmi*nt nitin- t<» bin uitri;:ui"i :t>% a
Courtier, tlian hi!i mt*rit an a Ht»ldi«*r tlrrri Sin/, in |Mirtii*ul:ir,
tiiiMle no iu:nipl«* <»t' avowin*^ on all in'^'.i.-^i*u'% bin «- mt'iiipt fir
ili« Naii'k. Tb«*ir hatn-«i. in nbort. w;im mutual and o|nu. and
till* ttui«* IumI now arrivv«l whi*n Hyd*r w.iH eiLiblol t«» Uik<^ a
couipb'te n»Vf'n^».
ihi tb<* pr«*tenci* of returnin;; a |(i*rtiMii t»f bi-» tnM»|M t<> Hin-
«ii;nil. ho detAche«l Muekhd«H»iii Sahvb with «in«* tliou^and borv*.
and two ihoufianil infantry, by whom llrrri Siui;. ran^b-^nly i-n-
cani|H*<i at AounaMM*** ^ivin^ p'piM* t«i bit niiii. naturally uuHua-
ptctiiun aa be waa bra\i\ and i;^Mioiunt v\*'U **( th«* nittVi-mcnt of
thill driacbmont, waa »uq>ri/4*«l and maMita'-nNl in tbc dead of the
ni^bt, to^luT with a iar>;e |*oiti**n t^f lii» t4«^•i■».
228 MAHRATTA INVASION.] [CHAP. X.
Amonff the pinnder acquired by this infamous exploit were
three hundred horses, one thousand muskets, and three guns,
which were brought in triumph to the capital To the Raia,
Hyder presented in form the three guns for the service of tne
State, and fifteen beautiful horses for the royal stables : the re-
mainder of the horses and military stores, together with tiie
money and property, found their accustomed appropriation.
During the absence of the force under Muckhdoom Saheb,
Hyder revived the subject of the Soucar security for three lacs,
which had been^given by the late Deo Raj. The claim was re-
cognized without diificulty by Nunjeraj, and approved by the
Raja; and an assignment on the revenues of Coimbatore was
appropriated for its liquidation. It was also proper and decorous
to reward by some public mark of confidence and distinction
the fidelity and zeal of so excellent a servant ; and the fort and
district of Bangalore were conferred on him as a personal
jageer.
The Mahrattas, as had been foreseen, did not tamely accede
to the expulsion of their troops and agents from the pledged
districts ; and early in 1759 a large force under Gopaul Heri and
Anund Row Rasteia invaded Mysoor. They began with resuming
the possession of all the pledged districts, and then passed to the
northward of Savendy Droog, as if they had some farther object
in view to the N. E. of Mysoor : but on arriving near to Banga-
lore they invested that place, and sent back a detachment, con-
sisting of their best infantry, who, by a concealed march through
the thick intervening woods to the westward, surprized and took
the fort of Cenapatam, situated thirty-five miles from Bangalore
and forty from Seringapatam, where the woods cease and an open
plain commences.
The arrangements which had lately been made for paying and
dismissing the most mutinous of the troops had left some arrears
still due to those who remained in the service ; which had gene-
rally been adjusted by prevailing on the chiefs to make advances
from their own fimds : and on orders of march being issued for
the purpose of opposing this danger, most of the chiefs of rank
made excuses of inability without a previous liquidation of
arrears. Hyder volunteered the service, and ofifered nis personal
responsibility for any arrears due to the men, of which he knew
there was little ; but the offer increased his popularity, and he
was appointed to the chief command of the field army ; on which
occasion many of the most ancient military servants of the State
resigned, ratlier than servo under the Naick. Hyder's first care
was to place respectable detachments at the intermediate forta of
Madoor and Malavilly; places situated on the two principal
ni)proaehes to the capital, at the distance of twenty-seven ud
twenty-two miles, and distant from each other about seventeen.
That at Malavilly was under his maternal uncle Meer IbimhinL
CrUAP. X.] mUTARY uPCRATlilNS. i29
Madoor was commitUsI to Lutf Ali Beg. who had orden, if ha
should Hod the project feaMible, to attempt the recovery of Cena-
|iatain by surprupe, the distance being only thirteen miles. That
officer, a gallant and hardy Mogul, prepared fot the enterprise
by shutting up his troops in the fort of Madoor, with every de*
rooattration or being hiniHelf in ex{»ectation of attack, and suffer-
ing the Mahratta h<irse even to insult his outguards with impu-
nity. His Kpii*H having brought him satiMfactory intelligence of
the diK|KisitionH of the enemy, he movml by a circuitous route,
and carricHl tho plart* by (^mmhide just before daylight, without
any h<*nvy l<iwi un either Hiiie.
Hydcr. on n*tviving thin intelligence, nuut*he<l without a
moment's delay, and conrt^ntratcd his fonx' near to Cenapatam :
and (to)iAul itrri. on his |Mirt. niiiit*<l tlie blockaile of Bangalore,
and nuuvhetl with a verj' su|M*rior ft»rce U} opjiose him.
All eyes wen) Axed ni\ the conduct of Hyder in his present
important clmrgi* : his friends anticiiiating c<»mplete succeM
fmni liiM eminent talentit. nn*! his nvalit pnxlirting that he
would now f'vintv tlio military inca|Mu*ity wlih-li th<*y had always
ascrilMMl to him. He <*«»mnH*nc(*«l with fn'iiurntly pnirti»ing on
C}o|Miul H«'ri th«* leAMonn whifh he had lt»ani<*«l at Trichiiio|)oly,
of th«* advantiip*M of a wrII>onlen*d night attack againnt an
irregular enemy. His own c'amp was p»nenilly^ fortifi«*d ; and as
lit* hnnlly eviT made a movement by day. hi.i inU*ntions c^mld
sa*Mom U* ronj«*i*turi*<l. At the cxpimtion of a various warfare
€if thn^' month\ in whit-h hi^ incfH*uint activity and unexiMH*ted
atta4*k4 foili-«l and endiarraHMHi all the pn>j<rts of the Maiiratta,
straiti*nt*i| his HUppIirs ami. what w;iM mon* im|Mirtant. int^^nvpt-
c<l bin jiluniirr. tto|HUiI H«*ri. wraritnl with an unpn>titable
contc*Mt, in which h«« wil<< p*n«*nilly wor(t4Hl. pro|xiMHl a m^K^ia*
ti«»n, whirh t4*niiinat4il in th«* fidlowing arningi*m«*nt :- I. That
the MahrattaA nhtmld n*Jin<|ui««h th«'ir claim on th«' tli^itricts for-
merly ci'dinl in pli-^lp' X'* tiulajtt* Itiiw ; and 1*. That in full of
all «l«'nmtidH. |ifi.Ht anil |»n**u'nt. thirty-two la4*M Hhould now be
iMiid. HvdtT. in coniniuni(*atin;; th<* MilMtaniv of thi^ airree-
mciit. ur;^'»d th«» m*«'«*N?»ity <if making rvrry |H»viib|i* oxt-rtion to
nii*««* til*' nionry ■ ami tli«* fxhauiit«Nl public trraAury waA n*<'ruit-
eil on thin oi^^aiiion bv a n«*JBfraiia a fm^^l |Mivm«*nt under
th«* nam«* of a fn*<* git'tt on all th«« pnnci|Mil public iit*r\'antii and
moni«H| inhiibitantjv Kundt* Kow. who wa^ char>»f«l with the
whoh* of th«"M* arran^i-nK-nt^, nWiz«'«l tlu* "lum of nivt^'^'n lacs,
with which he pnH>*«M|i<«| to «mmp, authoriAi'il U* approvt*. in the
name of th«* iUja and Nunj^Taj. th«* nit-ana t»f liquiilmting the
Isilaiio*. whirh haii prvvioimly Ut«n <*«»nf^*rt4^1 U*tw«<«*n him ainl
hi« prihrii«il Such wan H\dcr'fi intlui-mv and cre<lit. tluit bo
was ciiablt'«l Xa makt* an anang«-met;t with tiie Siucan (or
liank«*n», (»f the fm*m\ 'n camp . by which, on taking his personal
sivuhty. thry n.iidcn<«i themncht^ft rvi»[Hin4ible for the remainder.
230 hyder's title of behauder. [chap. X.
on an understanding between all the parties interested in the
transaction that Hyder was to have the direct management of
the pledged districts, as the fund from which that remainder
was to be liquidated. He accordingly despatched without delay
his own agents and aumildars to these restored districts : and
after concluding the requisite arrangements for their future man-
agement, and seeing the Mahrattas in full march for their own
country, he returned in triiunph to Seringapatam, where the
Raja received him in the most splendid Durbar which had been
held since the days of Chick Deo Raj ; and on his approach
welcomed him by the name of Futtk Hyder BeJiauder* a title
which Hyder had long affected, and henceforth received from all
descriptions of persons. Nunjeraj, who was of course present on
the occasion, paid him the novel compliment of rising on his
approach, and embracing him ; apparently proud of this public
justification of his own discernment in the elevation of Hyder.
The large appropriation of revenue for liquidating the Mah-
ratta debt, added to the previous assignments in Uie hands of
Hyder for the payment of nis own corps, and the discharge of the
bonds of Deo Raj, left but slender means for the other expenses
of the State ; and in a few months considerable arrears were again
due to the army. Hyder, from the course of events which has
been described, had become commander-in-chief. Nunjeraj exer-
cised the whole power of the State, without any farther control
than the mere show of royalty, which it had been concerted to
allow to the Raja. He had hitherto seen in Hyder an obedient
and zealous adherent ; and in his rise, the acquisition of a pow-
erful instrument, of which he held in his own hand the exclusive
direction. He was now to view him in another character.
It will readily be imagined that the remembrance of the
injuries and personal insults which the Raja had suffered from
Nunjeraj, was too deeply impressed to admit of sincere recon-
ciliation. Late events iiad given to Kundfe Row a more frequent
access to the palace ; where the old dowager of the late Dud
Deo Raj seems to have been the only person of sufRcient capacity
and knowledge to communicate with nim on so deUcate a subject
* Nunieraj and Deo Raj had been in the babit of addressing Hyder in
public Durbar, by the name of Naiekt Beimee Nakk rd ; came kitker Naiek,
As Hyder's fortunes began to unfold, he thousht this appellation not
sufficiently respectful ; and by means of a third person, prevailed OD
Nuf^enu to address him by the name of Bahauder : Jacnnee Bakemder ; come
hilher ilero. For many years afterwards Deo Raj continued the appellation
of Naick : and Hyder, when accompanying him from SattimungaJ, rMnoB-
strated in a friendlv manner. Deo Baj excused thimself by pretendins thai
the mistake was of habit and not of intention ; and gave orders in Jv|N<tr't
presence that all letters to him should be in future addressed Bahauder.
Hyder was always more gratified by the single appellation of Bahauder than
by any other title. His original signet was Futti Hyder, the former being
the name of his father ; ana this he never changed, except on thote €rtni*
ordinary occasions which required the great official seaL
CBAP. X.] PLOT FOR KUNJCRAJ'S RETIREXCXT— SSI
M tlio fi'elinpi And winhcfl of the fnniily : luid by hor means it
wiM NCMin miicerUHl that the liquiilati«»n of the am*an of the
tro(i)w waA t() lie ina<le tlio nicHiiH of t^oiniN^llini,^ Nunjoraj to
n*tire fmni puhlic life. Si>uio ixintiilcutial ciiieb of the tnN>|Mi
were aci'onlin^Iy iniitni(*ted by Kuiule Itow in the |«rt M'hich
they wore to )M*rfunn. without Ufiuir uware of itis ultimate object
They came U> tlie <|uurti*P( of Hydt*r. demanding, in a niiMlerate
Umv, tin* |Niymont of their arream. He n^|)reiH*nt<.\l, in terms
e4|iinlly mil«l, that liU own eor)»H, for tho |iayment of which be
|MiKH«*KM.'<l tixinl n*s(»tinvH. wiui n*^ularly imid, but timt fundH for
th«» |Niymeht of thr ri*.tt i>f the army were nta under hi.s direction.
ThfT tnMi|M thfu d«*maiid«*d that h«* Hliould obtain iiaynient from
th<* |H*nMiii wh<» ha4l tlivir dinH*ti<*n. luuncly. Nunjeraj ; and he
)>r<>mi<UMl to u»«» his U'bt olliivH. Thrst» vi^it*** wen* liaily r«'|K*atiHl,
and with ailditioiud ur;^*nrv ; until the tn>«>|iH at K*n«:th [Kwitively
inMst^^i oil llyilfr'M ;:oin^ at thfir head t4> itit in i^h^rna at the
pit«» of Nunj«*mj ; and this wait done, with every demon«(tration
on thi* |iart of llydcr of (*oni]iulHion and re|»u^iam*e. Nunjeraj
ha^l reo*iv<i| M«»nie oblii|U«' iiitinuitionn (»f the mibject of the
di I waiji-r'n |»iivat«' otnwr^jitioHH with Kund<* Rtiw ; the terrom of
th«» fonntT httt I'ntt wrn* -till fn^nli in hw n»<N»lloction ; and |M»r-
tvivin^ by Hydi-rK {>n*si*n<v the full ext<*nt of tlie |»lot. he nuule
hiH «i«*4'iHion. and ]»n*{iiin*«l U\ put tlie Iwi^t face he ctmld un his
n-tin*nK*nt fioui |iuMi<' lif«\ Aft«r a M*|iarate inten'iew with
11 y dor. in wlii«li th<* |in*liniiiian«*H wen* a«ijuHt4^|. he came out to
thr pit4*, and ri*|in'*i*nt4«l to the tnM»|«i that the miHfortum*H of
bin ailniinlNtnitiou liiil drt4Tmin«*4i him t4> U»w to the di'crues of
f»t4* ; antl tli.it the lUju liu^l a4XHinliit);ly afMume«l the princiiial
dins-tion of hin own atfairn. with the <'X|»n'iiH view of |M'nnittm^
him to n-tin* ; that all hi% arrani^enifnta wen* made for n*ndi-niiK
bin aiNNiuntH and n"«i;:nin;; bin otfi«f ; and that undor th«'St< cir-
riini*«Lin<*fM. it wah uiijn«*t t^i lH»ld him n'rt|N>n«iibl4» f«>r th«*ir arreaiH.
Thi-* rontin^iMi'N li:id aI^>U*in |»fovi«l»'«l j*or ; a fi-w M>Iili«'rH calleil
t»ut t'> p-niM\i- (III hhtr.ttt to till* pit«* «»f tbo ICaja ; th<* nu-anure
w.-tH a}«|»i<i\«-d by L'ttit r.d a«^*Liniati<>n, and Hyder waa a|^n
t* iniiN-ll***! to If ad tip in to tlit* |>iilai*<-
At till-* in«'a*'Uri- li.id U«'n fX|»n».H«ly |in«4*«»n«vrt«'*l. it otva-
^ion•'d n>> alarm . and a m«'H<«i*n;;rr t*am«' out to ii«-<«ir«* that
Kuntli* ll<*w nii^dit U* *^*nt tn riiinmuni(*at4« with the* Kaja.
Kniiiji- Iti'W n-turiH<«l, aA'T a •^bort int4*r\Al. with a il<*manti from
th*' iLij-i tliat ll\fliT •should tak<» a fiol«*mn onth in tin* |irr>M*nce
of tbf tt>H.|fs t«» iiU'v bit onb*r«. an«l r«*nountv bi*i oinn«*xion with
th** u^«ir|»T \uni«Tttj. for wlMt%-* n-tin*mi*nt a mimitit<«*nt jinkviMoii
hb'iuid U' inKlf nnd on tb**^* (^mditionn tin* Itaja intimated
that b*' uoiiM find iii«Mn*« of satt^ifyin^ tin* ilfinand of the tTuo|ia
H\d*r t'M'k tl)*- i«atb. with Htiitablt* t|i'iiiiin*«tniti<in<i of reluctance;
wan ■«iitiitn"tH i til thf |tfiLu^*, and n-tum«*<i U\ inform the* troo|iii
tlut tlu* aiian^'t in. ut« ord«'rvd by tht? Kaja wuubl rv()iiins a few
232 HE DEPARTS TO MYSOOR. [CHAP. X.
days to be completed; and that in the meantime he rendered
himself personally responsible for the liquidation of their arrears ;
an assurance which was received with confidence and satasfactioiL
For the purpose of enabling Hyder to dischar^ the arrears,
and provide in future for the regular pay of tne troops, an
addition was made to his assignments of revenue, which caused
the districts in his direct possession to exceed one-half of the
Raja's whole territory. Kundfe Row received from the Raja the
formal appointment of Predaun, or Dewan, as he was more
generally called (for the nominal title of Serv Adikar was re-
served to Nunjeraj ;) and in his double capacity of Dewan to the
Raja and to Hyder he exercised the revenue administration of
the whole country; with the single exception of the provision
settled for Nunjeraj, which was a jageer producing three lacs of
Pagodas. From this sum Nunjeraj was to maintain for the
service of the State one thousand horse, and three thousand
infantry, regular, and irregular, but was exempted from personal
service, and permitted to retire altogether to his jageer; an
arrangement which, according to the pay of those times, and
supposing the troops to be actually maintained, would leave a
surplus of about one lac of Pagodas for his personal expenses.
He accordingly departed from the capital in June 1759, with the
whole of his family, adherents, and troops, with the professed
intention of first paying his devotions at the great temple of
Nunjendgode, twenty-five miles south of Seringapatam ; but on
the first day afiected to be taken ill at Mysoor. It is not quite
certain whether a residence at this place had been stipulated
in the terms ; but at the expiration of a few months, it was dis-
covered to be extremely indecorous that a servant of the State
should fix his abode at the seat of the ancient government^ fit)m
which the whole country took its name; and unsafe to permit
such a person as Nunjeraj to be strengthening himself, as be
really was, at the distance of only nine miles from the capitaL It
was accordingly resolved, in conformity to the calculation above
adverted to, that districts to the amount of two lacs should be
resumed from his jageer and added to the assignments of Hyder^
which were still found to be too small ; that he should be absolved
from the maintenance of the troops, and be compelled to depart
from Mysoor. The districts were accordingly resumed ; and a
letter was written intimating the pleasure of the Raja^ that he
should fix his residence at some other placa The answer of
Nunjeraj to Hyder was in the following terms : — ** I have made
you what you are, and now you refuse me a place in which to
hide my head. Do what you please ; or what you can. I move
not from Mysoor." Hyder was accordingly ordered in due form
to enforce the Raja's commands, and sat down to the regular
siege of Mysoor. The troops which had accompanied Nunjeng
to that place were some of the best in the service; but JBfyder
CHAP. X.] liAJAS SRi1)NI> MARRIAOE. SS3
oominaiidM tlie whole n*A(»un*t*H of the capital Few of the
nativivi of India Autiiciently uii«lerHtan<l tlie |irini*iplfH on which
the operationA of a Hiepj are condiirtiNl to lie able U^ reUte them
iiitelli^bly ; but if I have coiupi\*hen«lo<l ari;;ht the (leM(*ription
which has lieen pven tf> nie <»n the f*]M»t of tlie oiierationa of
liyder. they do little rnnlit t(» the U^nctit which at that time he
had derivetl fmm ex|N*rit*ncv in that |MUticular branch of the
military pnife^iion ; an«l niny |M»rha|is U* attribute*! to an under-
plot, of pnitractin;^ the niep*. with the view of renderin<( it, an he
afierwaruii did, the f^round of farther encnmchment However
ihiH may \h\ at tli«* expiration of thn*e ni«»nths a nej^iciatiun was
o|iene<l, and Nunjenij capitulattNl un the c*onditionM ori^nally
(in*fM*ril)e<l. He wan |»ennitt4*<l to Helect the dintrirtd coni|KMiiim;
lis |K.*rional ja^rer which wun* iiitiiateil near the wuatem frontier^
and hill rvHidenc*** waM tixtHl at i*unn(Hir, aiwiut twenty -five milea
wefit from MymMir.
For the piiq>ofte «if deluding the Raja and the public with
the Hhort-livtHl Htju^»-trirk of a happy chan;:e in liiH Hituation, ha
wiiH invit4*<l by Hyd«*r to vinit, for the tirst time in bin life, tlie
n^idenci^ of the ancient llaja:* ; and he in*^|)tH*te4l the appniachea
and liatterie*!. which wen* re.s4*r>rd entin* for tliat iiuqiooe;
in onler that he iiiit;ht l»c Miiuibly impn*AH(*4l with the aaill and
|>roWi*MH of bin nominal H4*r>'ant, and n^al maift<.*r.
Shortly liefon* thi.n |M*riiM|, namely. February 17G0, the Raja'i
wife, the <iati;;hler of Nunjeraj, ditsl. having lj<»me liim two aona,
nami*«l Nunjemj an«l Cham llaj : and he now <^|Miune<l two
wivr^ at oniv ; one of wh«»m. lid^hmee (the daughter of (loiiaul
Kaj. formerly nominat4*<l KilltNlar of Trichino|)olv), baa Hur\*ived
the whtde of the !4ulrM*<|uent n*V(»lution.H, and in Au^iit IHOH
waN in tlie |M.*rfi*<*t |H»?«Mw.Mon of her faculties; a neniiible and
amiable old hMlv. whosi? olM«*r>*atton«i on the incidentn of her
m
eventful life an* highly iiiU*n*<«tin;^^ an«l intelli;^ent
HythT. not sati-tied with netually |Mi^<M*HMin^ coniiderably
mon* than one-lmlf of tb«- doniinioiiH of tli«* State, Uttik a^lvantap)
of Uie ex|M*n<M*H inrum-d in the h'u-'^* of My<««N»r, and in the aug-
mentation <»f thn tr<Mi|kH f»r tli«* pur|M»He of U*in'^ pn*|ianNl for
ext4*nial enewiien, to n'i»n'f*«'nt the n«*«*i^ty of a farther awiijipi-
ment of n'V«'iiue Kunde ll'iw Htn*nu«»U4ly op|Hi*M*t| thin imUnvnt
<lemand. whi«*h ultimately, however, he found hiniMdf unable to
nwint, and fi»ur fliiitri<'t/« M'lt^t^il bv Hv«b*r wen* aildt^l tt> hia
fonner |M»<%<%fAHion*«. Hut tht* di>4MiMion«« which pnMvd«*<l ihii
arTan;:«*ment pn^liircHi a i*«inHiil«*mble di*«,^*«* i>f irritation lietweeu
Hvder and Kund«i Itiw. and l«-ft on the mind of tlie latter ao
iinpn*«Mi<»n of |iennaiient divii**t.
A Fn*neb emtMAr^* arrive*! nUiut thin |H*rioil at SeringapatJUii,
with pn»|««HaU which in>lu4-e«l Hyder ti» detach a mi|irctable
oiqvi for the puqMMw* of iN>-o|H-nitin^ with that nation a^oat
Uie Kn^li%h in the pmviuce uf Arc«H: theac |»ropuHahi aroM from
d
234 RETROSPECT. [CHAP. X.
.events which had occurred since the conclusion of the convention
of January 1755 ; and although it does not enter into the design
of tliis work to relate those operations in detail, a brief retrospect
will enable us better to comprehend the general state of Dockan
and the south, and to proceed with greater clearness in the more
immediate purpose of our narrative.
Both parties seem to have distinctly understood that the
convention of January 1755 was a mere truce, and both proposed
to themselves separate advantages from acceding to it The
French expected the consolidation of the power which they had
acquired in the Deckan, exclusively of the alleged equality in the
province of Arcot. The English hoped, without a rupture of the
truce, to confirm the power of their Nabob in the province of
Arcot, and to extend it over Tinnevelly and Madura.
The course of our narrative has enabled the reader to perceive
that whatever of military operations should be required to estab-
lish the nominal power of Mohammed Ali, must be performed by
English troops, or not performed at all ; for although a large rabble
was maintained for the purpose of enforcing the collection of
revenue, and aiding, as far as such troops could aid, in the
general scope of military operation ; the whole circle of his family
and adherents during the fourteen years of revolutionary war
which terminated in 1763 had not produced a single man fit to
command an army or govern a province. The auxiliaiy opera-
tions of the English troops were accordingly complained of, and
retaliated by the French, who put their troops in motion to mo-
vent the important measure of the reduction of Vellore. The
correspondence on these subjects unfolded to both parties what
it would have been more convenient to discover at an earlier
period ; namely, that the conditions of the armistice and con-
ditional treaty were absolutely nugatory. The governor of
Madras, in defending the aid afibrded to Mohammed Alj, le-
proached the French for the expedition of M. Bussy jto Mysoor,
and distinguished the cases by affirming that '' he had never
opposed the French in collecting tribute from Poligars, Killedara^
and others of their dependance." M. Deleyrit the French eover-
nor seized on the contradiction, by referring to the acknowfedged
dependance of Mj^oor on Salabut Jung, and affirmed, ** that it was
not stipulated by treaty that the troops of M. Bussy should be
withdrawn ;" but in the triumph of superiority incautiously
on to observe that the " principal view of the treaty was to
establish a state of tranquillity in the province of Arcot" This
concession was assumed by the government of Madras as a plain
avowal that the convention was not considered to ftpply to the
operations of M. Bussy in the Deckan, and justified the project
of counteracting them from the side of Bombay; and the
indirect warfare of Coromandel would necessarily have terminated
in more open measures, if the parties had not been relieved finom
CBAP. Z.] BUSSY UCSIKQES KAVAKORE— 235
all doubt re^nlin^ their future prucoedings by tho direct docbi-
ratiun uf iiatioiml wur in 17«'>6.
The MUccuKiHini (»f M. Dupleix cuiitiuued to IL Buany the
Muno liu^t* fMiwuro and unlinuUMJ ct)nlidvia*(^ which hia conduct
hail m> amply dv.ser\'tnl. Karly in 17*'>0 ho nuircht*!! with Salabut
Jung to enforce the tributo due fn»ni the Patau Nal»ob of SSava-
nore : a countr\' HitiuiUHi between tiie rivem Toonibuddra and
Malpurljii, in the din*ct route of id! Midiratta annioa pro«!tHHiing
to the oiuntriei* of ^ivMxir or Arix>U Tinj weak to reniMt the
MnhrattAH, Uie i(H*ai |m tuition of thin chief let! him to adopt the
|M>liey of aidiut; them, on the c*onditi«m <>f being KUp|Mirtod
agniiuit the Sou)Mid:ir of the i>t*i'kan, who claimed hLs Hubniijnion
aa an otiitvr «>f the fi inner State of Vijeyn|NNir. M4»rari Kow,
when negtwiatin:; with Niziim ul M<M»lk previously to the evacu-
ation of Tririiin<i|M»ly in 1744. h:Ml obtuine*! his recognition of
the State of iionti as a d«*|pendfiu*y of the Siiubudan* i»f the
l>ei*kan ; and wiicn i^alliMi on fur tribute fn»ni lNN>na, evadtnl the
demand un«ler that pn'tfxt : the Mu^iMihnan thun ahelteriHl himself
behind the tlinil<»ii. ami the liind«K» U*hind the MuHHulman.
But Sidabut Jun^ and Kitlaji*^* ll«iw had now Acveniliy agreini to
withhuM their %up|»*'rt from th«* de|M*ndantH of the other, ami to
unite in «*nfon-iiiu' their tiU'djcntN* : and for thin puriMiie moved
from their re*«|M<«'tive capitals to eommen«re with the Hiege of
Savaiiorv. Thi* pie.<^^tin* of a i*«immoii dan:^er uniti^l the ctiuncila
of the two 4'hieN t-* lie attncktMl. and Morari ilow. with a nelect
biMly (»f liJH oun tr^Nipn. hail thrown hinisolf int^i Savaiittre. But
be wa.M ipiirkly tNiiiviiii*«*il *»( bin ermr in nupiMining the \i\ixcv to be
tenable at^iiinnt the ^kill an*l H4*ience of M. liuany. During the war
of Cor<»mandel. when deUiehv^l from Nunjerai to Pundiiherry*
a debt of K4»me nn/iiitU'le hail lieen contra4*teif for the |»aymoiit
of hiJi tnMi|M. whi< li M l>upleix. utui)*le t(» diiichargf* in ni«>ney,
had iwkmiuh'^L'i •! in a pui>;ie \**-u*\ <if the i;o\fniment <»f
Pt»ndicherr}' ; M*>niii U<>w a\.iil<-«l liims(*lf of tliin instrument in
o|)ening a ne:;>N lation with M nils'*)', and otten'd t4» canerl tho
blind on iN*uditi"n tli.it lni ;;<m> 1 utlii^ ^ *«lii»iild U* H*icf x<«ful in
tho ii«ljUHtment •>!' tin' di*iil*i«> il*-iiianil whieh li.ui bci-n e\plaine<l.
M liutH\. wh-i. «\riti%i\rly of liie liipii-iatiou of tlif ilebt,
attaches 1 s*>me nii)»-*tt:int-i- t'> the fiitun* enmity ur frien<Uliip of
thi«i enteqirisin^^' ciiief. undert*M>k the ••iliee iff niediatifr ; a n*con-
cdiation wax rtfe«*t<*«l on m< iterate tenns. ami the ren|it*ctive
armies pre|>;ire«l to de|<ait. l»ut tin* {icirty in tlie e«iurt ^f Siilabut
Jun^ wliii'h s\sti-mati<-.kl!y « }<)n>h4i| the ihtn-ltirti<>ii of foreign
intiu<'n«*e into his C'«un* iN. liid n«>t luu^s o\er %■» fair an op|Nir-
tunity of exritiii;; las jealousy Nhalinowaz Khan, wiio ha<l been
n.*mov«M| from tlte i^ilire fl' iK wan by the iiiiiui*ni*e t>f M Buwiy,
and ha«l l^een rt*ftt'«rv«l on tL>- piomiv.* uf cu-o|KTiiting in hia
vieWH. wa.s •4s*r**tlv the ihiit «rt' thti tiartv. and communi(*mttfd
hiJi prt*ject-f to Uaiijcc ilow , who fruui dufvivnt iuoIivca,
236 DEPARTS— [CHAP« X.
equally anxious for tbe expulsion of M. Bussy. Deprived of
the aid of his regular troops, Salabut Jung could oppose but a
feeble resistance to the designs of Balajee Row, who meditated
the entire conauest of the Deckan, and was making advances to
M. Bussy, with promises of a magnificent establishment, if he
would leave Salabut Jung and enter the Mahratta service : and
was negociating also with the English for a corps to aid in the
expulsion of tlie French from the Deckan. The suggestions of
Shahnowaz Khan appeared to open a less expensive project for
obtaining their services or their removal ; ana the discovery of
M. Bussy's motives for mediation was easily converted into a
charge of treachery to the interests of his principal, Salabut
Jung. It does not appear whether M. Bussy was charaed with
concealing from Salabut Jung the transaction of cancelling the
French bond ; but it was sufficient for all the purposes of the
party to prove, or attempt to prove, that the exertion of his usual
skill and energy would nave carried the fort of Savanore in half
the time that the united armies had been before it if his own
national objects had not interposed. Salabut Jun^ was accord-
ingly induced to issue explicit orders, dismissing M. Bussy and
his corps from the service of the State, and directing them to
retire crom his territory without delay; but adding a condition
which was not intended to be kept, that he should receive no
molestation if he refrained from hostility in his retreat The
party was well aware that such a man as M. Bussy, at the head
of two hundred European cavalry, six hundred European
infantry, five thousand re^lar sepoys, and an excellent train of
artillery, must be expelled by other instruments than the broad
seal of the Soubadar of the Deckan : and an embassy, preceded
by urgent letters, was immediately dispatched to MadraSy
demanding the services of an English corps to aid in the expul-
sion of the French.
M. Bussv, at a distance from all his fixed resources, per-
ceived that the confederacy was too strong to be openly resisted ;
and determined to move in the direction of the ceded provinces^
and be governed bv events ; despatching at the same time to Pon-
dicherry urgent demands for eveiy possible reinforcement to be
sent to Masulipatam. He quitted the army of Salabut Jung
late in the month of May, without any demonstrations of resent-
ment, and with the appearance of being disgusted with a soene^
from which he was finally to retire, and to embark at Masuli-
patam.
Balajee Row, aware of the demand for English troops, per-
ceived that all his objects would be ecmally thwarted bv toeir
presence as by the continuance of the French ; and on the day
of M. Bussy s separation sent an ambassador to renew his pro-
posals for the service of that corps ; or if that object could not be
cficctod, the ambassador was followed by a body of select cavaliy»
CHAP. X.] TAKB POST AT UTDERABAD^ 237
who were diroctod to accompeny and protect M. Busw no long
an ho nhouid deem their iier\'ioeii to lie necoftiian' : for if ao
Engliiih cor|Mi nhould en^pip5 in the ftervicu of Sahibiit Jung,
Balajoe Row'n negociation for a Miuiilar puqMMe rouKt neceaaarily
fiul, and he would in that (*aiie liave iitHMi t>f M. Bumy, whose
efforts from the ceded provinc*es he knew that a fM^nw* of com-
mon interest would ensure, wiienever he might find it convenient
to attack SaUhut Jung and hiH KnglLsh auxiliarieft. M. Buasy,
perceiving no symptoms <»f hostility, dismisses! his MalirattA
friends at an earlier ]H*riod timn might luive been exi)et*ted from
his acrustouKMl |M*iu*trati«>n ; and inuneiliiit<»ly after tlieir de)iar*
ture found the whole i^mntrv iiuitruct^Nl Ui treat him as an
enemy, and the advanced giuunl of Salabut Jungs anny in full
puniuit Sickness among the Kun»iM»ajiH, desertion of the sepoys,
and a scarcity of footl and KU>n^, o»ni|M*Iled M. BusHy to liaJt at
Hyderalsul, when? hin influence htill eiuibkni him to o»mmand
nwources ; and althf>ugh the aimual swell of tin* waters had for-
tunately inteq>oK(«<l for a time tlie river Kistna l>etwt*en him and
tlie gn*at botly (»f IiLh enemien, the arrang«*mentM for phu*ing hia
corps in a iHindition t4» pursue itM man*li wen* n«>t iNiuipleted
bt*fore he f(»und himm*lf trn(^»m|iassiHl by the whole anny of Sala-
lait Jung To n*tn*at under Nurli circumstanci^H a diAtan(*e of
two hundnnl miles t4i Masulifiatam. pn*M«nt(*«l. as its most favor-
able r4»nMNnuMi(VH. the deM*rtion of a Inrge {M)rtion of ttie
se|M>ys, the 1<mh of Iuh nirk. and the escaiM* of a shatt4*red n*mnant
of his C4»q)r« within tlie wmILh of MAMiili|intAin ; while a pursuing
enemy wouM \n* (lentn>ying all his nvM»un*t*A. He detennineu
to tAKe iHHt when* he was, and U> abide tlie result of his militAry
eff«irts, his intriguer nmon;^ tlie ehiefs, an«i the n*infonvmentfi
ex|w*ct4Nl fmm Fondicherry. Tlie^c* n*infon*emeiits eiuibkHl
M. MonM*in. the Fnui(*h rhirf at Maf4uli|iatam. t4> tN|iiip a fun^e of
nearly live hundn^il KuntiieJin**. elevt*n hundnnl m»|MiyH, ami eleven
field piiven. whi<*li mar«*li<-«l fi»r HytlfniUMl under the onleni of
Mr. Iwiw. (fn*At efi'i»rt/i w«ti* made to rut off tliin detAi'hnient :
an«l althon^h M. l>ii^.**y liii«l pur«*hiiM»4l the iiuu*ti«»n 4»f s«>nie of
tli«* rIii«*fH M*nt npiioHt it. tli«* dithriiltieH wliich op|MMi*<l itii |»n»-
gniv* w«*n* Htich AH rniild only hAV«« U-t'n hurmoiint4*<l by the
utiiiofit rtMiIiu-HM. drteniiiii:iti«>fi. and niilitAr\' hkill ; AUtl if tliiH be
th«* Mime Mr Iaw who ri»iiimnjid«*«l tht* Kn'urh tnMi|«i at S*ring-
liAui in 17''*i. it 14 junt to hii rliAnii't4*r to «^»nrlude. tliAt hiit ci»n<*
duet on tluit s«'r\ie«' niunt have U«en gi»veme«l by t*in*um4tAn<^m
mhirh br Iia*! not th<* imMrr to rontpJ. The aMi* di*«|MMitions
<»f M. liu%Hy kt'pt the ^r«*A( Unly (»f SAUbtit Jung's Anny in his
own pn^*n4v. while he niaile a ^nuill but eftirient detarhment to
aid thiK n-infon^nient on its nenr Appmrn-h, when the enemy's
efforts UN<Anie niik^t M*rious . fhi tlist Mr Ijkw fomie«l the junc-
tiim. with ronsi*l«'rable liriiH it in tni«\ but mueh liiis thAU might
have Uvu cxfiivtcd from the tH:r\it*e fierfurmcd, and with all Lis
S38 IS RESTORED TO FAVOR. [cHAP. X.
equipments in a perfoct state of efficiency. The party at court
was appalled by this unexpected success ; and the junction was
scarcely formed, when a messenger arrived from Salabut Jung
proposing a reconciliation. M. Bussy was too prudent to be
difficult in his terms, and on the 20th of August, not three
months after his expulsion, he was received by Salabut Jung in
public Durbar with all the marks of distinction and confidence
that ho had formerly enjoyed.
In the meanwhile, the troops which had been sent from
England for the purpose of uniting with Balajee Bow in the
expulsion of the French from the Deckan had arrived at Bombay ;
and while waiting the result of his double negociations, that chief
had the address to procure their employment in the destruction
of the piratical state of Angria, on the coast of Malabar; a
service certainly of some utility to both parties, but altogether
foreign to the great national object for wnich these troops had
been sent to India ; of which, from the loss of some despatches,
the Indian governments seem not to have been apprized m suffix
cient time ; and aflerwards they disagreed in their opinion of the
expediency and justice of the measure.* The operations against
Angria employed the troops until the approacn of the south-
west monsoon, when the expulsion of M. Bussy and Salabut
Jung's embassy to Madras left Balajee Row still more undecided
in his views.'!'
The propositions of Salabut Jung opened to the government
of Madras the most favorable prospect of accomplishing all
their objects in Deckan and the south ; and, as Balajee Row had
foreseen, completely changed their policy with regard to a con-
nection with the Mahrattas. The relative force of the French
and English in Coromandel was so nearly equal as to justify their
making a detachment, which was accordingly prepared, when
misfortunes of the greatest urgency required 9ie service of every
disposable soldier in a distant quarter. The loss of Calcutta»
aggravated by the horrible massacre of the black hole, demanded
every effort that national indignation could suggest ; and it
* The plan of sending out these troops was formed in England while the
Directors were still ignorant of the truce and conditional treaty. On their
arrival, the governments of Madras and Bombay discussed the possibility of
employing them consistently with the terms of those public uistrameDta
On the avowal of Mr. Deleyrit, mentioned in p. 234, the gOTemment of
Madras decided that they ought, and that of Bomoav that they ought not, to
be employed. It does not appear that the specific plan of employing them in
the Deckan was ever proposed to Halajee Kow : out the general object of
obtaining the aid of an English corps was in his direct oontempli^on, and 1m
made an earnest request to that effect when approaching Savanorey before il
was certain that he would be joined by Salabut Jung and Biusy-
t His real views in the late service had. however, been entu^f rostrated.
He expected the whole of Angria*s wealth, the accumulated piimder of a
lengtli of years ; and, in a letter to Madras, complains grievoualy that Us
good friends had taken the prize to thomseives as the real captoriw
CHAP. X.] NUBAM AU AHD BAiiALUT JUNG. 2S9
dciennined to apply to thai purpoae Uia troops
which had boen deBtincd for the lieoknn. M. BiiHsy'rt rvcdiici*
liaiion with imlabut Jung hail lieuii ciitirvly niaturvd befon* Uioae
reiiiforceiuuiilM could be n*ady for their new deHiination ; and he
cunsidered hia intereiita at court U» be Hiifliciently cuntinniMl to
admit of hia proceeding wiUi the gruater |iart of hiM force to regu-
late the ceded diHtricta ; leaving with Salabut Jung, who nro*
ot*eded to Auningalvid, a guard of no more tliaii two hunarcd
•elect Euntpeansand five hundn*«l Hefxij-H.
Nixam Ali Klian, and UaMilut Jung. Uie younger biothera
of SalabuU were thought t(» |mm«i*»8 mime tnJenU, and abun-
dant ambition. According Ui the UJinid p(»licy of c«MU$ni r<»urtii,
tht*y luid been kept abitut the tienuin of tlieir elder bmther
witliout any cmpluyment. until ttie dc|Mirture of tlie French
troo|w at Sav'anons at whi<*h |K*riod they haul nvspectively at*
taine«l the aged of twenty-two and twenty-three yean. Whore
tlie fiwonl IN not only in pnu'tiet;, but in grave thiM>r>\ the arbiter
of |N>litic*al right, |M*nionA no cirruniNtancv<l almavH find a |«irty
attaA^btnl to tlieir fortuncH ; an<l on thin ocvaMoii. Shahni»was
Khan had found it ox|»e<lient to 8t*cure thes«' |knrtieH by yielding
to the Aolicitationii of the y«mng iii«*n f^r a nuittble eKtabli.Hhiiienk
Nijuuii AJi Khan was act*onliiigIy entni«it4*<I with the gi»vem-
ment of lierar ; and iiii.-<alut Jung with tliat of Adwanoe (Ailoni)
and lUt^hore. with miitablt* iH^rHniial jaLpH^rb ; aiifl the old Htat««i«
man wan ftupfwiHe*! t«i have tlie farther view of atfonling an op|Mir-
tuiiity fi»r the «li.^play of their nr9«|M*etive talents, f(»r tlio
puquMe of enabling him to make a pro|ier hehHTti«»n of a suc-
C(Miii»r to Salalnit Jung, who ha«l Umi niiieh anil too little ca|kaeity
to be a vigon>ua master, or a |ia;;«'Ant entirely |nfMive.
It IM difficult to tnM^». and for our iinni«*«iiate pur]MMe it ifi not
of mueh iiniM»rtanct* to a^'i^rtain, tin* tM««*n«t hiHti»ri' t*f thr iN»m-
biiiation Iwtwei^n thin mini^trr and the vi»un::»'r brr»th«»rH, by
which a mutiny <if th«» tnN»|m nt Auniii'/niaiil in I7*»7 ^*aM n*n-
dere«i th«* pr«*t4'Xt of ooiiti«liiig the m*.'iI of Sin t** to liannliit Jung;
a«viirdiiig t^i f«<»me iu*iMunt.<«. )M«fon* th<* arriv.il of Ninim Ali,
wh«i aA«*rwanlH o)ilain«-<l it ; and m^iNtnlin^^ ti» ottirr ••tntetiifntM,
firnt to Ni/.im Ali, who n'««ii,ii«»«l it un*l«'r a HtM'n»t <N»ui|«ii*t to
hi^ br>»tlii*r : and it !>« «^iually ditlimlt to rxtmrt luiythin;; dintinH
nr int>*lli^ible fnini the hi>4tor\' «>f iiioek or n*al luntility and \mei*
firation with |iAlai<*«* Row. aUiut th<* Hatiie tini«* T\\o runfusinn
w*cin<vi to )m* ili<«tin4*tly uini«^i nt th«* lift* of Salnbut Jun;^. which
wan i»n»liftMy Have«| by tin* prf*M*no» of th** Kn^ncli tpiani alone:
and M. Kuhm'. f>n n*<*t'iviti:; th«* int«-Ilii^*nc«*. nuirrhi*il with tlie
wholt* of hi*i tDMipii fur Aunin'^l«i«l. whiTf* he arrivt*<i «<arly in
Fcliniary IT-VS. ni\*l fMUtid the anuit^ ♦•nmmiw'*! withnut any
a\'miitoiim of artual or r«*«^*nt h«iHtility : lUlaji'** liow at the hrml
of tlie Malimtto^. Nlicaiii Ali rtniiii.'Uidin;^ n^t only the tnM»|H
of IWmr but the army of Uio SouU^lar; and Uaaalut Jung the
240 BUSST SEIZES DOWLUTABAD. [CHIP. X.
troops of Adwanee. The presence of M. Bussy's army, and his
personal influence and address, fixed his wavering friends, and
deterred his enemies from executing the plan of revolution which
had unquestionably been formed ; but tne danger to which his
interests had now for a second time been exp^ from the de-
fective arrangement of hazarding a corps in the midst of open or
concealed enemies, without a depot or point of support within
the distance of four hundred miles, suggested to him the neces-
sity of possessing some place of strength in the neighbourhood of
Aurungabad, which Salabut Jung seems at this time to have in-
tended as his principal residence. He fixed on the impregnable
rock of Dowlutabad; and having bought the place frx)m the
governor, it was concerted that it should appear to be taken by
surprise, while M. Bussy, attended by a strong guard of Euro-
peans (which the known projects of treachery had rendered not
unusual at that period), shoiild be on a visit to the governor at
the summit of the rock; and the object was accomimshed with
little bloodshed, and without the loss of a single Frenchman.
The Killedar or governor was a dependant of Shumowaz Khan ;
the garrison was in his immediate pay; and accoiding to the
usual custom, the fortress was considered to belong more to the
chief whose troops possessed it, than to the State of which he
was the servant. This was consequently an impardonable insult
to Shahnowaz Khan; and as his removal from office was indis-
pensable to the plan of administration in M. Bust's contempla-
tion, he was arrested^ in camp by the troops of Salabut Jxma, who
was privy to the whole transaction, at the same time that IL
Bussy seized the fortress. Until this period Nizam Ali con-
tinued to be refractory, and to express his open discontent at the
arrangement suggested by M. Bussy, and announced by Salabut
Jung, of removing him from Berar to the less extensive govern-
ment of Hyderabad ; but these decisive measures, of which he
did not clearly perceive the ultimate object, induced him to dis-
semble compliance, and he prepared to depart with apparent
good wiU to his new government
M. Bussy had selected for his Dewan a person named Hyder
Jung, who had first recommended himself to notice by his seal
and intelligence as an officer of sepoys. Being a man of edu-
cation and good connections, of great sagacity and exoelleni
address, and possessing a subtlety of character which naturalhf
fitted him for intrigues, he became the confidential agent of iL
Bussy in all the secret machinations which he was obliged to
adopt, and was in consequence elevated to high dignities and
suitable jageers by M. Bussy's influence, for the purpose of fiid-
litating his access in every direction. Shahnowaz Khan and
Nizam Ali, whose interests the course of events had entirely
* These arrests, usually named nezerbuncUe, do not in common remore the
ordinary guards by which a chief is surrounded.
niAP. X.] KVAiTATluN or iMiWUTAIlAlK *J41
illiit«>«i. <iot4'nniiH-ii tli:it his i-i iiniv.'i! \v:i^ :in f<«s -nti.-il ]iri-liiiiin:ir\'
to tin* ii«-«'iiiii|ilis|iiiii lit ft' t)i< ir M\\ II \ :• w- Tlir <I:iv nn wliiiii
S;ilal>ut tliiiii: \v:i> t » ii:(\ \i\^ il \ ••ti<iiis jit \\i»- \'*ui\» nt lii^ t.-tltir.
HiniH- iiiili •» fiitiii A<niin^:il ii! w.js fi\i-.! i>ii I \ NIaiiii Aii fir
li«>Iiliii^ II piiMii' l\ii\ t'* i>-i\** til*- r..!ii]i!iiiii iits tif til' |:iii-
I'ilkfiJ ofl'ifiT^ of tlti- l:'»\' iMii!«!il. I'px i- u Ix t" lii"* <!i|»:tituri- . :'!pl
iiViliT Jilli:;, \\li>* \\:i^ iii\ rfi 'I (•• :• ]>i i\ :•(•■ I'lhiii itii- in :i >• { ::i:it«*
t«*nt, i»ii tli-* pnl' \l i»r •^■•liiilin^ lii«» hi a* li'-ii J«r lli ■ fVit:iN of
Ni»iiii All at i-*>uit. u:i^ tip !•- iiiMiilt !• .) Iiv iii^ liiii i-ti'iii. M.
m
HiiHsy sjiw :it t'liff tin- |'|.'l';jlili" f\!« lit if tin- |»I"l ; :iip| «M tli»»
first alAnii. m-ii! :i ii.iMj •!• r.u Iimi* tii to -»iim«- iIj«* riliii!» of
S:ihi)oit •Iiihl;. aii'l :ini>iif 1 t«» i> in -\i' >!j;i)iii<>\\j.' Kli: ii ti> tl.i- fmt
iif l^•w|llt:tUt•i. 'I'li.s I'li--!.. :; ^.ij.ji .-i'l.; 1.1-. il'ittli {•* !»••
hit«'ii«Icil. Ill iili- .1 «!• -j'«:.it- ii '^•^t '•:■■•■ .I'l'l w.i'Kili- 1 \i:tli iii'-^t **(
lii-^ ii'llnTi-iiti . ;iiii Ni/.iM All V.:.* I \]< •t'l :i i!]!!'!' lit ii^iilt
fn»fii tlif r-'iilii i"h •■! f!. *\ \ l! 1 ••:« lli-- 'in'- nijl.f. :i!t- n ii*'l
)<v a »iii:ill •■'.I-..I! .!'i 1 liil ii- : ■• ji ti'l I- :ii:i\« I ;it lJ«iii.:iii: r,
itii thf Tai'ti :i -ii ;.iiii ' iif .ti-<:it •'!.•' )iii:i::> i ;!ii<i ^i\i\ h.iii -.
llUiIlt tlir Il.il>i!> "\ M:i\
S.il.il>iit .Iujj |.|«]'»: -1 t ' |':;i^i«-. ;<?:'l i.i !•• a fw iiMli!n'^
fur lli.it |iiii|»"-'' t • l!.' h-it'f'W "1. ^ ;T .. * N;. iMi A!i \*«''ll'l
In i-f>.<ii ilv pTui' .1 « \i» -ii<>.!'l .. :-i.,iir-. l!.' ]>i:r^ .;t • ! . ti iKiiti-
«Miiii)*i ii->l I'lijitivi u.'. ji\''i "111 r.'-ni :i •■■'ii\ 1 ?■.' ri • t' it. iiiuti-
lilV . .111'! til"- :ilMi\ I. ••:•'■ i l\ 1 \ -: ._ * .Mil :i w :i;-L?i.: I "'Itr
t«» tli»" t.itu.iT-l r A .! i! .' • :i'l. 1 •! !..■ }'•!{ !* t -I .1. . '.lli'^
till- iiut;i'i:T\ ..f t; ■ ■» ■!:.!:.• »it, M Ii > \ - i :: :■ .^ -iii -s t.»
utt.i' h r»n-.4!:iT .liiii; ?■ ?;.■ I :i' »•-:•* i^f I,.- • ! •■ i I 'tli-j ■ - :».«••!
til )-■ «.ii< ■ • ^ -III. .I'll .» •!■ !■ ■ •! «i!»i iiiil -^it :-I.i- !i- h I- ,.m t«»
a|»|H:ii iiit\ir\ -!• I I ti;r :.: ' I i:.' >!..!«
Tl» i«'l I'l ■. :i! ■ • \ ■ ! 1- I ^ I'l l.''iT f. ..ii!.i r.rt!.' j.'V-
III' lit if M r»u--\ ■ fr ; •. II- I i . ■ . ..r- i 1 •» t' ■ |- 'i..!!
i»f l»-i\\ iMt.tl'.nl. ;i |-'.i- • ■? ■■»;:.'v : : ?'.■ 1.:.:: <• \\ !. m I., .'iji-
|N.rfi •{. :iii-i .iM iin; I •= ■ • ■ ) * t . ' • !.:.■■•.' !■:•!•• ■ }■• i-.i-
li-.fiN t.i .;!i\ • \!' Ii! l. i" . ■ .' ' ••« «l«l '.• ■. • •■ \\ i. . ! r i til--
ilit«l-.t. •!']:■.* 1; .« M -.1: 1'' ■! ••. .1 ? il. I.'; !| I. ? ! . U«
sh.ikt II 1 \ i:U\ I I ..:.»■ \ ■ :.'•.' . u !i. !i r ,.■ \ ..!i:» \ i vi-i-
mtiri' :i:i'l .tir-'i'i •? ■ • i.i-' -1 ?i'\« i J-v i -Ti.!- •: i Ii ttf
tli»- |i' ri. :»!' t'i'* I \ * ■•. .• ■! ^I !•:;.% ir. i lli.*
i'-i!i-iifnii .V /• !ii'i •! M \' . \ i.i it'--:- i ! : ii...! \ \..i!-* t<i
n.i\.irp .- t t!.! ■ -'.it. . I : ■ ■ : .v.
M L- !\ } i-i ;iii r. • : ' ■ ■ i . .«. i t ' Ti- :;• !. ::...■ ii. Iij-l: i .
:iiil \ :- « ! i- ; •li:i • !iii • NI !• *•. \\ .* .... \ f • ;■« t f:.ir •■ nl-l
\m' «.ji.4r« •! I: •111 T If •.■*■:<■ ■ ! * . • ■ « . i ; . \ .:. • • t • i-t - • • «l
Vlltli 'Mt •!• !.t\ ?'• I* i.-ii' ■ \ V. '. !■■..■! ..i :i..- I !>;. ■;ii i» i.f .1
N-'l'l.i I. ul. ..?.:;'■■"■ ■ ' :. : * . .'\ I i. . \|- i-ta-
ti"ij if iV* ■■• •■•■I' : ' I ! .' . ^! I- »■.?•.. I'l s,,; ji. ^l .l»iii •
l'»w .11 i ■ < I ■ '. : I 1 : ! . ' I • ■.. .f.4' . i \% .\' \v it }tii-.i\« II .
.ilfl "Ii t'' I '^i!i ' f .' ii!\ >..;...'. •' i;i • V.',. \\A. nil iKt I'll -III-
242 MINOE OPERATIONS IN COBOMANDEL. [CHAP. X.
])rchcnd these strange orders, took his last leave of M. Bussy in an
a^oTiy of the deo{)est grief, astonishment, and despair. With
tiie departure of M. Bussy our retrospect must return to Coit>-
mandel.
The year 1757, although full of minor incidents, produced no
event in Coromandel that had any decisive influence on the fate
of the war. In the centre of the province the chief strength of
the French and English troops manoeuvred in each other's pre-
sence, without coming to serious action ; and M. D'Autueil, by a
well-concerted movement to the south, attempted to acquire
Trichinopoly, which was weakly garrisoned, while the English
troops were engaged in distant operations in Tinnevelly. In this
he was foiled by the superior address of Captain Calliaud, who,
with a small corps, of whose approach M. D'Autueil was per-
fectly apprised, threw himself into the place, in the face of num-
bers which he was unable to meet in action, and compelled the
French force to retire to Pondicherry without a farther effort
In the northern and southern extremities of the province, two
brothers of Mohammed Ali, Nejeeb Oolla at Vellore, and Mah-
phuz Khan in Tinnevelly, were in open hostility. Nejeeb Oolla,
in close alliance with the French at Masnlipatam, kept a respect-
ful distance from Nellore, his own capital, when an armament
sent imder Colonel Forde besieged the place, and was repulsed by
the officer left in command. Mahphuz KJian, sometimes affect-
ing obedience, at others avowing hostility, was alternately a
puppet in the hands of his own officers, or of the Poligara, who
sheltered their own views of independence under the pretext of
adliereilce to his cause ; and this capricious and incompetent man
was one day elated with dreams of sovereignty, and on the next
reduced to the want of the common necessaries of life. In the
centre, in the meantime, the improvidence and profligacy of
another brother, Abdul Wahab Khan, when a friend, was equi-
valent in its consequences to the presence of another enemy; a
chanicter which for some time he also assumed. The EngHsli
officer commanding the garrison of Arcot had imprudently mani-
fested some suspicions, which his government seems to have
considered groundless : but they had induced Abdol Wahab to
fly in the night to Cliittoor, from whence he seized and impTOved
Cliandergherry, the ancient capital of the fugitive kings of
Camatic, a citadel built on the summit of a stapendoas rock,
with a fortified town at its foot, which he intended to render
the seat of a s<ipai'ate government The French had acquired Chit*
tapet and other less important places, and on the whole, their
interests in the centre of the province had been materially
improved.
On the 28th of April 17o8, M. Lally arrived with a powerfol
annament, which rendered the French force so decidedly supe*
rior to that of the English, as to leave little doubt of the
niAP. X.] I.ALLY rAITl'UKS Ki»UT ST. I>AVIIv
2 i:i
f>f t)i«*ir fiitiiri' fi|H>niti'iiis ; :ini| t)i«* iiistnirtiniis frum Fr:ini*t> |iri*-
Mi-rilh'.| tlnir i'i>iiiiih-iii-iii'^ with tli«* sit-i^r Mt" I'.. it St l»..\i.l. M,
l-illy w.-i-* :in oIHi-it nf xtiiM* «*\|M'iii ihi* .mimI ;»iih :it riMii.i^-i-. niiil
iM'tt'iM'tlv Vrl'M''! ill :ill t1i:tt ]n:iV Ih* ri.lisi<Ii|-, 1 ;i.« tli«' lili-«-li:ilii(*al
|».i!-t «it' tilt' iiiilit.irv |>ri>t'i-*<<«iiiii. ilt> lia<l li\iil iiiii«'}i in o>iirt-s,
atiil t«» tlif i-\l«riiir Miiiiin'i-^ <•!' tip- lH-.t s.N-i. ty Ji'l«l''l ;t «jiii«k-
iirss, |ii>iiit, iiii'l t'.trility «ii'<-\|ir>-^<<i<*ii : :iii>I mIi^m «Mr>it«lrii. a \ iiii-
|i-li«-i' niii| a>«{Hrity •>!* rri!i:<ik uhii'li aiii<>uiit«'i| t'> uit *v ua.H
iiii^t:ik«ii riT it. Iiiit iitr.rti\i* in t4-ni|'- r ii!i'l '>>i'-I <!i ^| •• 1:1 'U.
tlii^*' >^ii)" iti«-i;il .'!• - 'niitii-liiu'-nl^ P-n<l>i>>I lii!ii i:)-**!!* nt ati<l
\.iin ; an*l wliili- ari<>j.itiii.. rptni 1.:^ «\|-Mii:f :ii. I l.ii>\si •i.:«*
111* t)i>* W'lil'l, a *«u]i«-i i'liity nVir all ni.itiki;> I. if \\:i- al- 'Iim* )y
ili-'tif ntf 111' till- I ii li lit niin«l ni • i^-.iiy \ r i- iinjiiiin iiijih j nr
♦ lii'ittin,' ::!''it all'iir-. Tin- praili-'- t.i" Kniij.i-.'n w.iir.n.- was
with luin ill" l» -I •-!* I*i<>« iis{. .. t" uiiii-li ali liiiiin h.iMl < an-l
|»ri jn-li» • ■' niM t I ■■ I'-'P il !\ ;.• i ':;.iiii«l.il« I ; :-.n'l tli<' r-inn- ^.i-ns
uillj In li.i!i .Ni..! V : "il til..! 'iM III' y in j nti- n'.ii li ir- tiil
;l% \i i'»ni!vi''" |i'i?r» i jnti i!:i]'"!f .i!.- \'\ i!i mti :-!'•! tli- m?
\iliii ti..iii> 'i i!.- Ill < hi t Ir \> I \ • \> !iin : it' (!.*<! •\ ••n \» !.i> 'i M.
\.\t\\ aii:\il ..; I* -Il i: !i> ii\ • n*- tliM:«i!il lin-j' >?.^ .i! i a.s
ni 'iiv ^ )• ■> ' III II' I.' I 1 I J ■'• >t. I>.i\il I': j'- * n V. ' -» n
np !•■ iii>f \i I't Iiiiim .ii.rliV. .>'i<I !.<■ w •lii t< !i :;n-'!iir
t.uti*' I'll' \ m.i-'i- i ui:!i. -i: j-i-jii j':' !• imJ .-.t? . a v..iiir-
iii ' in ilii- li'ik .iiiixi'l l- I.J. I -r >• hi*. ii - » 'H : ?• r •! \I.lit,
ii'in'i\ .mi V. it!.. Ill jii-.\ i-i -n •. wii:. Ii ii;l u >{ !• iXf !'■'?. ;.■ Ii iry
niilil tli<- l".!'i». :i : <i.<\ ;.:iii l!.>- iii> !i ^! (I . i'l : : !.'i \v ■'.'.!> I :;i^' ill
i|'i' ! 'I I" ■ I. iiii :!.' ii.i\i- l-'ii 'lit ..?r ill •';. ♦.Ill it* tii»- I!:. -Ii'li
ir.i! I ; '.n 1 1 pi I" ■ r» lii!- :• i l«\ a |i! ;- I •!■ .i •• i t Hit- !ti • ■■ .iipI
\ij'»'ii. N'» 11-^ I li I lit r;v ^^.■.'» •!.i:n«'l in •■ "hi;:..' H.. :• ;•; p'-
tli I'-I" ••nil-' I'l ^I l*ii.\ . l-'it t!;-- f •% ■ inni- !it •■! I' :• s !. rrv
ill I n'lt |> ••-•• -^ .1 ti.iin •'! ••! in.ii.' •• i 'r'< . t!;i- f -i • .iii i • ■( ;::i-
lll- !it - I ■! til" l» •• •'•nil li't i- I'; .'. . I \ \ j»[i !■ • Il ■• i: .1 !..■ .■n-' .
:i:ii ill." \\ I. ■: ■ il t^ r. • \- ini i • ? V • f i' i i' : r \ I'l i-t
111 i^i il u ii il I < • i > • -1 t (.- I !. . i < ! :. 'i. I !• ' 1 r w . ■ : i • .i\ ul
I'll t If I v }'-!.■ ■ ■ i I'. 1 r ' i"" ! i;4 I .'■< : it ill • ■ .1 ! • .ii- il
aii'i iici.t..! ^ - ! iii r • I ■ : ' * f !. ■? t n. • ni ■...:.'. . < .: r ■ u .. a
\i-...[i. n •■! .'Ii l'.' V. i in ui.:..- i-. i. f ■♦ .? i i* Ii-
: . ■ I ; . I i ;. i ..'i ■'•■■!.: ■: - • !. : v I- :;i jh
i I .» WW •• I' •; . Hi. ill I. i: -J;.; ;i in':* ' ■ ? I i »• I" ?lii»
i: !: • • I ,1 "I'lii ill! I' u. I- t }.. • ! I ;■ ! ..■••:!.. . \\ li.i
i J I i I i . • I '■•ill. u : . ; . ■ I V. i . • ". . ; i 1 : ■ . 1 . ■ . • ■ ' 5 • I -
{ I- ' i .i*».i''i\ Il ti. • -I i'--' • •. i !■ !. ■ 1-. i . v- ■•
• I ti.- ill I. 'I I! ." '. ■ I r • I I :t ^* \» .\ I u : . • ». I -
tj.. . ' ' .;.■:.■•■ : \% ii'! ' i, .. .• I ' :: * . \ \ :.. • ■:■ : :.. *-.-.■ t.ir
f: -ni 1 ■:■■•■ •:•■ |-. . ■ : .. ■» l\- I ' ! •' .
K ■? » f.- ;■ 1' ■ ■ ! « * •. ' f'\ h • • ' • .\ ?' I ! '■. .•••.
••I.I I'l I ■■.•l"l -I.-. ' » » 1., ,1-
li irii w'l • Il I'll- i^.i •.< i\i' i I" .1 •:• ;. i.:..- :.'. •■! li-» . :
244 MARCHES AGAINST TANJORE — [CJHAP. X.
troops sent from Dindigul in May 1758. But the vigour and
decision of Captain Calliaud's operations, the instant that the
French troops had departed, induced the Mysooreans to abandon
it precipitately on the same niglit ; leaving behind some valuable
military stores, and eight pieces of French artillery.
The English, concluding from tlie superior force of M. Lally,
that his next operation would be the siege of Madras, which had
lately undergone some reforms, and was in a weak and unfinished
state, had been early in their arrangements for withdrawing all
their stx)res and troops from the centml stations of Carangooly,
Chingleput, Conjeveram, and Arcot, which were consigned to the
charge of a provincial rabble, for the purpose of strengthening
the garrison of Madras : adverting to the condition of that
place, it might be doubted whether M. Lally ought not to have
attacked it in its dismantled state with his actual force, rather
than wait for reinforcements, and thus give time for complet-
ing the unfinished works and augmenting the garrison : but the
opposite opinion prevailed : the troops of M. Bussy had not
yet arrived, and M. Lally had the choice of two intermediate
operations until he should be in strength to undertake the siege
of- Madras. The whole centre and west of the province was at
his mercy, and its conquest would enlarge his fixed resources :
but he was in want of large and immediate supplies of money.
The general detestation wliich his conduct haa excited in all
descriptions of men, European and native, deprived him of the
resources of public or personal credit, which better measures
would have insured ; and in concuiTcnce w4th the advice of his
council he marched against Tanjore. When the Raja of that
place was besieged in 1750 by MuzufFer Jung and Chunda
Saheb, he amused them by various j)retences for the purpose of
protracting their opemtions, in the expectation of the arrival of
Nasir Jung; and, among other means, had executed a bond to
Chunda Saheb for fifty-six lacs of Rupees, which remained in the
possession of the government of Pondicherry. A competitor for
the Raj of Tanjore, who had been supported by the English in
1749, had also been found at Fort St. David, and the apprehen-
sion of being supplanted by this person might add to the other
fears of the Raja.
About the middle of June the army marched towards Tan-
jore ; but such was the abhon-ence of the natives for M. LaUy,
that few could be induced to engine with draught or carriage
cattle for the service of the army. The only routine of supiNy
which experience had shown to be practicable was still held in
contempt ; and the soldiers, hungry, indignant, and scrambling
for a precarious sup]>ly in the villages, marched one hundred
miles to Kari(*al, whither supplies and stores had been sent by sea^
Inifiire tliey obtaint^d a rot^ilar meal ; and the numl)er of sick was
imiportioual'ly incrufused by theijo wanton i\nd unncoessaxy priv»>
niAi'. x.J
IIAWI-S ITS sIKt;K—
^Wi
tii'iiv (hi ntlv.'iiifiiiu' rp*iii iH'iii'f. M. L'lllv fuiiKl at Triv:iliNtr
al>iiii<i:iiii-i' of ]ia*lil\, or ricr in tin* liu^lv : liiit from tlii< t'>tal want
i»r r«ill'i\. ir"* it r iiil'l not |i.' ilijiiivi-il i»i'it-* lni'«k'». I»y wliirli i»|ht-
nti«>ii aloiH* it fan I'l* r'-ii<li-ii-<l tit t>>r liuiiiaii f*****\. < '••iitia«-t.s
tor t)ii> |>|iiiiilfr ainl random nf towns, an^l h\vi*c|iln:; ««trtli«* i-attlo
(o U" »»oM on tltf v.-i-i-. M -t . ••aii'»'i| III-"* niaii-li tt» rr^iiililf mi
In'iian |irr>l.it«ir\ iaih •iition i.itln-r tli.in tin* wart'ii*- ot' a i-ivil-
i/j''\ jittij'!'-. Tiji- I'aiiiMia-i wiir \i.i!:it.l to M-anli I'lr imai^'inary
i<l>>!% i>t' L' 'I'i . aiii ^i\ iiiir<>itiiii:it'' 1 r:ii:tiM-«. \\\i** ii-tiirni-il to linu'rr
all tilt tin* t'nt|>Ii-*« •>!' iImii |i Ii_'i<<n. \v« ir l*l>iviii aw.iv a< *<|ii('H
l'i>>ni tlf- niii//i> ^ •>!' lii< i-i!iip>n < hi )ii- :i:ii\:il )•• t'l'ii- Taniiiir,
with :i ti:iiii :iii 1 • 'iMii'iif !ii iii-u:!!- !• lit ti HI t)i«' wjint of mn-
\t\.iiii»- t'l*' li.ij.i In _•"• i.ilt 1. :t;i I «»'i ni«ii 'li-i' '-• '1 at •■M»' tiiiio
t nt;>i'!iii-^" wiiii M l«.iliy . I>ut on th*- nii-.iii tiiii.it, it* h<- «Iii|
h"t itiiiiit •li.ifi !v <'>nii'K <•! 1 • ;]i J r.>til>'I with hi* t'liiiilv i\s
>!.i\i*« t> till 1^1 iii'l •! NI.iMiitiii- h>- il* t' iniiii' •! t<» t|.t'*-ii'l him-
^>h' X'» t!i'- 1 i-t ixti'm^lN < '. I !.iin < ';i;!:.iM'l at 'ri:'iiiM"|Hily,
who. iiM th'- ni*v< iif Ml '•! M I.i!U I • tie- >« -nth ii.il It* n i 'IMi*!
\.\ ill. •-••i|.. •! M>}i.>:iti.ii I i- ■ t ti'iii linipXiIU. wa^ I'lit'.oiis
ill iiio .III t> t..- I^i;' •'! ri!i]"r<- ••• I'lij .1^ .iiiN |ii I't-.tl'iiit \ ail-
I" III I ft I.:- li'.Iiii^ w.f'i l!i- I'll :• !i ti |«; 1. .i. i.'iihnj tn
^I l*il!\ ■ ;•! Ill I • il.' -■•_■• "t Ti i' iniii'ii'U . l-.tt .» » '.■H.n as ht»
w.i^ ^iii'ii' i !■ .Ill h . iii:'-i!:_:' 'I' • til it th<- iC.ti.i ■« iniii:jn.itioii
w< ill ii i 1 I. :.i -!• ii\ 1 • 111- ii • '\' . hi- w.i« m !• Iili i.il ah'!
I lh> i>-:i: iiiii. i>.:il : > in .* < In t'l- nii iriw jiili- t!i'- i'li-nih aiii|
Knjii^li ' I I I'i: ri- h.i'l I u.'iT tw-i li.ixiij .•• ?i -n". iii !■ • i'-jx f with
I- .■ 'I i t I ■ ;;■: ••- V liiit i. :i 111'!- it n-it .i«l\.i!tt.i^'« "K-* to tli«*
li**'i .M. I M i-ilix u!..ri til' "I" i.iti n-* •! tl.i- <-:•:;•• wi-ri'
ij: .i".\ ,!. .: ft .1 .■:-.. ..!i i ii. . .iNiti.'init I >ii t • a • j.i-i- |. . i\ • -I int**!-
]i.« :i ' ti. • t'l' L:ij'>i( -".'ii'ii "ii .iI:* i tla- s.,-,.ii.l a« U-n. Iiail
ai j- !• i '- ! •!• K i! :• tl .i;. ! I ' ! »'•:;■ i •■ -I'-i 'fit .
I i ;'ii. i I . r t!.- ■ ,\':\ I'i'T- il oj' I :i-!ii iiij ;!ri?\. h.iil
I'l- l-i- . •[ j: . i- ■. • ■■ . ■' • ■ l' \ •".}i ' I \-j \ •■■ -i ! .J ?: n ••t'
■' i:-. ■. - I' .' \ "I I .; •: -» ji- ■■ • ■ i :?i tl.- • ■.ii.:i .i i -'jii" il
• 't' -.^ i: ■!■ • • : \ I • " • t!. : ' \ I.. ; * p !:• \ ■ :! •• !l .i? I K .rii .il
l'\ .'i ;?i.:. ■ :. ' I •• .• ! • I i . . • .iTi i ti- ■ \; • liti :i tf-r-
n. 'I ■'• 1 :!j I .■ ' t; . . ; ...:. • ,;; j ..'■»:. i ■!..':.' f'.. 1 itli r-
11. '
• I
•; I i. •' r. • u • ." -.• '. . I!., r : I t! .n ;• 1'.-
w
I 1
i ! • III W !' I W !(!■ :i t -■■ <"■. II' I .. l\-
1. . »■ i • ;. !.■ i iv I ''.. . . t- I .'!..,*;■ i I:!. 'i:.!.i !..'\.i hy
1! • I, t K .!.• il
« ■ ' -I « . .■ ■ 1 i . :. •■ .:■;■' ■ .. ', ( M l..!!\ !. • ! . H' i n-
t ' 1*' ! ■ ! ■■ hv W I ' ;: .\ .}. • I ■ . . • : . -i ■ 1 >• ' !?i^ I ilr. 'I h«*
ti ■ ■;■- ■ *. H \ !■ r ti-iii I ».•.:..■ ii I •.••.- i • '.I t-.i..- ? • upv
ti<^ ; ■ i \*-'. .1 . ? I ! ■. ■.. -t..' 1 w:t;: •■jii.i) I i> liity.
a ■ ' ?■ '• »:•!.. I :. : : '. . ■ :;.i.!i. 1
M I. • : . : • .. :i ! • 1' :. . . ::v '..i..!.-! hi^ at»» iti-.ti
I • l";.- • :.::.' .i.. i u. : :u j^. •. . ^ .. ,.,♦ -i l.\ i!.. hn^*li-li . aii-l
246 BESIEGES MADRAS — [CHAP. X.
in September was joined at Wandiwash by M. Bussy, who had
left the command of the troops to M. Moracm, and proceeded
without an escort under the safeguard of a passport, which, in
respect for his personal character, had been readily granted by
the government of Madras. On the 4th of October, M. Lallys
public entry into Arcot, the capital of the province, was an-
nounced by salutes from all the French garrisons, and he now
only waited the arrival of the northern troops; but neglecting
the capture of Chingleput, reinforcements from England enabled
the government of Madras to re-occupy that important post, in
such a manner as to place it beyond his reach without the delays
of a regular siege.
M. Moracin on passing Vellore was joined by Nejeeb Oolla
and his troops ; and leaving on his left the eastern range of hills
which approach the sea near to Paliacate, proceeded through the
valley of Calastri and Tripeti, and was met at the latter place,
which is only ten miles from Chandergherry, by Abdul Wahab.
The Pagoda of Tripeti, the resort of pilgrims from the farthest
limits of the Hindoo religion, is situated in an elevated bason
surrounded by a circular crest of hills ; and during the successive
revolutions of the country, these sacred precincts, guarded by
four Poligars, or Cawilkars, who are its hereditary watchmen,
had not only never been profaned by Mohammedan or Christian
feet, but even the exterior of the temple has never been seen* by
any but a genuine Hindoo. The reciprocal interests of the
})ramins and the successive governments had compromised this
forbearance by the payment of a large revenue, which the
bramins exacted from the pilgrims; and at this time the stipu-
lated annual snm paid to the government was thirty thousand
f)ounds. As this was a certain source of revenue, generally col-
ectod without trouble, and conveniently situated for the purposes
of Abdul Wahab, he strenuously urged its being ceded to him
as the price of uniting permanently with the French, against the
English and his brother : but M. Moracin. who was instructed to
reiiUze as much money as jKxssible, rented out the collections Jof
the Pagoda for the current year on receiving a considerable por-
tion in advance ; and Abdul Wahab, disappointed in this object,
left the French on the next day's march, and made a merit of
this defection in net'ociatini' a reconciliation with Mohammed
AIL °
M. Lally, on receiving all the reinforcements that ho expected,
moved against Madras, where he arrived on the 14th of
December, and broke ground against the place on the ITth*
The relative numbers of the l>esiegers and besieged were pretty
nearly projiortioned to tlieir res|)ective situations; but M. Lallys
• The author was formerly on duty for eighteen months in the woods of
that neiglibourlMKKl, and frequently climbed to tlie summits of the nctichboor*
iiig Lilld without being able to get even a distant glimpse of the Pagoda.
riiAi*. x]
UAISKS Till: siKtu:.
i**7
!in':ii»s of i'iiiiv«'yan«v f^r tlif iiniiiriis<> i}ii;iiitity nf stnn -^ r»M|nip«l
1''»r :i riL.Mil.ir -»ir'_'»' citiitiDUfl !i U* il*t*«'i'!ivi'. Tlii- Kn^'li^li *saT'
ri--'^II W;t>. rii!il|» I-".!'-! lit' '*«Ii'rt M|li«"« T" :\\v\ i\fi-I|i lit trmiji'-. Till'
t><rni^ iif till' <'>>iiip:iii\ ^ '.'••^<'riiiii(*ii( at l)i:il tiiiu* n-iiUMi-'l tli.'it the
«'i\il :;ii\iniiir siimihl rxi-rri'x' tin* i>Iiii-t* riiiiiiiatiil . )<ilt t'li'tntnti'-
Iv. Mr I*i:»i I -s.-i :i!] t!|.- /-il aii-l niin-li «•!' tin* kii>\i)i il.:<',
i'i-i{iiiii-il ill tli.it :iiiiiM'i'* "-itiKitioii aiiii all tip' ii)N>ritiiiii-^ Wi-ii*
ill I tl'i-i't r>!i lift il liV lii-* -I -oil 1 I'-il'ilii-l I«:nvii'lli-i'. i>Iii' lit' till*
\**''X •^•ii'liiT^. •'!* Jii ;u''- Tin- pi'ii- iiiti«'ii li.cl I ii tak<-ii «'t* i>i>li-riir^
Mi'liaiiiiMi -1 I >.■•.. I' uitli ill- Il L'iil.4r ti-'Hi].^ i.f lii^ i-i>iiiiii:iihi. ainl
II « iii:iii\ iii>irr : •> ill' (- inl'i r i^i-. t>i iit<>\i- ti<>iii t)i«' ^x'litliwapl :
nii>l In* u.>^ i<>itii 1 l<\ a >«]ii.ill •!• til )i!iii lit tV'Mi 1 'liiiiu:l'-j'nt iiiii|«-r
• '.■.]•» in I'll --t- III I'N a I. .'In I't' it ^i^'- |«i'i«iiii- 1 li\ t'lptaiii t'allianil
ill raiij-iM-. ail! i'V Ai'iul W.ili.Ji \\it!i i':i' tli*ii>«.iii I \i >!>*- 'I'lii-*
riiij.<. ;ii;t'l Willi •* ■•ji«- 1:1.. •■!» t';'- !!!»■■ "1 tii«' ill- Iil\ '^ r»|||-
iiiiiiii< .iti'ii-> u illi r<'ii>iii !f ri\ ani tii*- <*>iMiif ri< ^ ti'*iiii w iii< ii tiiiv
(•I't.iili ti • il ><>l}i|i]|'--. aii'l liKit* l'::i!l\ iM-ti f'! tin- <lit!i<-iill irS
<«l*t!l'- '.;■;.• wi.i'Il. .-.t'ti r til' M! — t \ l.;«T.| » .ill I -klll'ill I tl'xit^ on
l-itii • I 1' - w. i;i:'.l I !i t'.' I7ll> 'J I'll-rM.iA 17'»-*. • \:ntlv
•
tW'i ll|.]lt!i» j!. :!l til- li l\ '-t If- ir.!'' ' JT'lll.i . ^1 . I.'IU i«.l\lll'»
*
!■• Itl!i-i lillM t'''l!V ti.!' ■ li t' I ■'• !'.M' •■»ll'l-M. a't-i lillH ti't-M
I'l" -^iit I*!' I I ..'■•.- Nl- ' .'iLiii. 1 \.i li I 1 t.i'... n i;;i ill* ii-iii«in*»*
ill ill- t -It "Il t^i ..;:!■' li •■: ti- !'• .■.'••. I it U :f ,' 1 t' ii" ti-M*.
a!i i III*!- !i « :n'- Il .. ip.* \\ ^ » -lit ..rt" l\ - .t ?•• tfi'- -"-.It liiTII
1 I I 1i.-i \. ■.. :i- ' .■ ;i-'t.lt.i l-i 'I? •• I 'M- ■; "iv '11. ■ -'• ii'iiT
1 ■ •
«.. I \ .. -t . f A . .' V\ .1 ■• w-ii- I ■. .• i- 1 1\ .It ''til ii,.«t i-.T, ,,f
ii:. J- ■ . 'I- :i' <;i':i:. ; li."v .^'i I <:..••■':■ \. i. . I. < » =|U
li.i'i .• ii ■ i If'- I !• •.' :i .-'SiiV II NI.ii:.t». Int ll.-- i]-r.i-
f,- »i- '1 1 . ;•■ W'!'- ? *. "lit. j J., }.,. T.i-?t . ;i' 1 .1- ^■■11 a. In-
I- M ti -I : .f till* ^l . II.' 1 i '1? [I t I • t lU. II lii- 'i-i'tit. •!
\^ I'll t !.■■ I 'I* !i" I .1,- 'i: :. : . -t' ^I I, '..■. . \v I. • t 'M! I Ii1l:i .ilil liis
li ' ■• • '1 !■ i"i M • '. . :'. "Jii. '••:;' ■ I ! '• I! t- ' '■ -I- • « !* tin-
• : I- ■. I ■ ! ;• . • •] ■ t' 1? t '.■ Iv : '1 I . • • 1:1 ti.. ir
I I • : I • .■■:■: ■ : ' ■ ' : J . • ' 1 I ■ i 1 1 1 t ■ • • ■ • ■ ■ ; . - . . = i . i | 'i . ■ •
iiii,;? .1! \ I ' :■ ■ . ' ' r : . :!.f iiii- 1 . w I ' fi :• f :- Tr '. i ?:. t' 'm!
lii'i!-.' : ■ ! ' . ■ f ■» 1 I :. • . .'i .'I I : ■ ■ 1 \ i ■■■.■■ ■ .'. ? .! ;■ • ■•. •■■!•■' 1
1 ■■. v.-. '■: ■ :i \ t r. t» ' ?;. ! i t': T 1 Xi :• ■. ■ "i . tt.T
I.
'■'..: ■! ' • ■ ■ r.. '•■ . u ;! i I ■ : : • ^ .
• ?' ■ ■ ;- 1:1-
t
t • T . 1 • 1 • ' ''. \ .• ■ ■ ! A • ! w . ; ■ I . • I ■•■■':■•■% ' • * ' \ \ ■ r V
.|. . . ■ . ■. • • I-i r' ■!■•.• .\ '.!■■ t'.- . •■ ' : w '*h
ill lu • • ^1 l'':-\ !'t • -. •'• |» V M \N ? f i.\ :: :•'.•• V)i**
Uti •': '. \ • • ■.■!;' ■♦ ' f f '•■
■ ! ?■ I
• \
: !. •• ! l!.- ir
:• t' • I ?■•»•
■ • :- -L •• •!:. i'-r
r. • •). If. ii-ii
■ • -1 'A II *- !' 'r'*
M I i..: • ■! ^1 .• .1 .: .' t . I I • • ■. :• i : I i \ v.»ii -'i »
I. .1'..;. :. t-> lii.i:' i. I I t:i< i« .:ct I't li.i ii'liiii .1:1 1 •li lii-i
V'»T • ! I ! ■ • !'.• • l'.- I: •''• r*i * ■ 1" .
I ' ' ' ' Y • : \^'' . • •*» • T . • I • '. ' . ■■ ■ • . _ • , .
t'---- ■■!'■.■< •'. j ■ \ :i .■ . • \\ I • •* !•
248 MASULIPATAM TAKEN BY COLONEL FORDE. [CHAP. X.
approach Colonel Forde achieved, on the seventh of April, the
capture of Masulipatam by the daring enterprize of storming in
the night a breach scarcely practicable, and across a ditch
fordable with difficulty at ebb tide, defended by a garrison more
numerous than the assailants, and possessing one hundred and
twenty pieces of cannon. This brilliant exploit, and the advance
towards Hyderabad of Nizam Ali, who had collected an army
to supplant his brother, or, in the Indian phrase, " to r^ulate
the affairs of the State," induced Salabut Jung to negociate with
Colonel Forde. The treaty executed in consequence was entirely
in favor of the English, without any reciprocal obligation. A
territory was ceded of the annual value of four lacs of Rupees.
The French were to be entirely expelled from the Deckan,* and
each party was merely not to support the enemies or refhustory
subjects of the other.
This instrument was scarcely executed, when Salabut Jung
was urgent for the aid of Colonel Forde against Nizam Ali : an
object which might probably have been secured, if he had ren-
dered it a condition of the treaty. Bui Colonel Forde was still
more anxious for the destruction of a French corps of observation
which had kept the field, and was now under the declared pro-
tection of Basalut Jung. Etich considered his own object to be
of primary importance ; neither would jdeld ; and Salabut Jung,
accompanied by the French corps which he had agreed to expel,
marched towards Hyderabad. When arrived near to that city,
a negociation ensued, which replaced Nizam Ali in the exact
position from which he h.ad been removed in the preceding year
oy the address of M. Bussy ; and Basalut Jung, who in his
office of Dewan had really exercised the chief power of the State,
finding himself thus supplanted in the Deckan, marched for the
estiiblishment of an empire of his own in the south, accompanied
by the French corps of observation, in which were two hundred
Europeans only, and which, added to his own troops, formed a
body of about two thousand horse, and eight thousand infantry,
with a tolerably good train of artillery. He gave out that he
was merely proceeding to his government at Adwanee, but soon
directed his march to the south-east, levying contributions as he
proceeded ; and in the month of July approached Nellore, from
whence Nejeeb Oolla, full of terror and conscious guilt, sent
incessant dispatches to Madras supplicating assistance : but
Basalut Jung was satisfied with a contribution, and crossed the
river Pcnnar to the westward of that town. Ho now publicly
gave out that he was on his march to join the French in the
province of Arcot ; but in the uncertainty of the times he did not
neglect to provide himself with eventual resources, if their cause
should become desperate.
* This treaty defines the Deckan to be bounded on the south by the Kistna,
according to the popular acceptation which has been noticed.
CHAF. X.] SrSPl'T ROW. 241*
A Hiiifloo nametl Siinptit I^tw hn<l ItoiMi the IX*wAn or miiiiH-
tor of linniKH* of AnwHf u lk*v\\ : ntid n% «liiriii^ liis lif<*-tiiii<\
Ik* liaii hIiowii a diN|Mmitioii U) HUii|MYrt tla* vi«*ws of the 4*M<*r anil
onlv It^tiiuaUf aoii, Miilipliuz Khan, hi* hail Uvii (IiM-anliHi |iy
MttlmiiiituHl All, and nuitiniiiMl to pivMerve a Nucn't r<»m*^|t<»n«l-
i*nce with Ma)i|»buz Khan ; hut had not yot rnUHiiK'nii the
protiiwctM of that rhii'f HtitKrit*ntly pronuMin;:, to ju-Htify tlif lisk
«f the f^at wealth which ho jM»»wfH!«t»il liy ojM^nly rsjM>u.sin;: his
raune. He waM now, fi>r the pnr|HMe of enciipin;^ t»l»s<*rv.ition,
reitidin^ at Calaatri ; and o|M*n<Nl a ni*;^H*iatit»n with ikisjdut
Jun^;. who Miw in Mahphuz Khan a |»a;:i*ant sutiiriently apt ti>
U> oniployiHl under any rin*uniHtanrt*H whirh nii;;lit tH*i*iir. as a
FnMich or an Kn^^linh Nabdh: for the lant f»f tlie Fn*nrli NaUtlM,
Murieza Khan, fii.vnu5<i tu have tacitly relintpiished his ap|Miint-
inent
The Irttem of lUMihit Jun&; t«> Mahphii7« Khan, asHiMitini^ to
the plaiui c*«Mnmiinicat4-<l throu;;h Siinput Itiw. found him in hin
arcn.stonuMl Htatc* of Honlid hplend«>ur, l»ut nn«h*r dillit-tdty to
ohtain the onlinarv meal of the ilav ; and th«* Iii>|h*s \% hirli had
!•*» ofi(*n KH»n rni*»he<l were <iiuv nion» n^vivi**!, pnxioiiHly U>
their entin» extinetii»n. Stinput Row o|M>n«'d hi** «»wn tr«*;i>»in'«,
and pn'vailM on the Poli;pin4 of rnlastri and Ven«';iti;;frri to
afiMHi with money and tnMi|is ; an«l iia.Hahit Junif was eipially,
l»ut with ilitfereiit views, M>lii*it4vl \>y the Freneh. and l»y th«»
|iarty of Mahjihiiz Khan. t<» a4lvan«*e into the e«*ntn* of th«* pn>-
vinet* : wliil«* Sirjini Ali, who dn*a(le<l in liin ronni'xii'U with the
Fn»nrh the r«*tum i»f M. liii«i*«y to the Ikfkan. and wa^i di-sironH
<}f indiiein;^ him t'l relimpiinh everv* plan of an)hiti<*n. and n-tuni
to a private* citation at hin jai^*««r. had •^t-nt an a^^*nt tt» liin ramp,
who wan pn»fiiJM» in hin otfiTH of additioiml jnT*"t."* of i«Tril«'ry to
ohtain a re<*i»nriliation. Itanalut Juni; wan thus e<|ti;illy n-ady
i»i wide witli either of the |iartieH in the pMvin**** t»f An-.»t. a^riin-^t
that whi(*h Klmuld pro\e to In* tin* wt>ak«'xt : or t«i n-tuni V* liin
ja'^ttT. if th«» iNMirsi' of rvrntn «»ht»nld n-n«li*r that tie* n»«i-t pnid«*nt
nit'artun* An Kni^linh riir|M of oliH«*rvatioii whirh hail 1<^'n M'nt
to ai*t Ufion hin r»'ar if h** hIpmiM di*t«'niiiie* t*» Ad\an«'i* w.tH nnw
in th«* rh*i::hUiurh<»**>| f>f (':tl:t<«tri: an*l M Ihii^v w.i.<« in ni<>ti«>n
Mith a Fnn<Ii riirpM, w)ii<-h, a<N*«inlin'.X to nl. il.it i.n an I n*-
|i«*ati*il aniunUH*!*^, <>ii;;ht IoM:^ •tin**' V* havf j«>ifi4->l hiiii l*ut an
alarm in;; nniiiny «tf tlif Fn*n«-h tr"»jw f^r want *»( jwiy had
d«'lnv«'d M Hii<^«v'«» adv.4n>*i* . and Iwi-^iiiit •Tun/, %%ho li.iti n^w
olttaintnt fptm Sun put Ittw and th«* I'uli/.ir^ .-ill tti** iii>*ii« v that
lit* t'\|M*<*t<-«l. an*! did iiitt lik«' th«« \i<ihity«>r lli«' Kn.:ii<«h tiiNi|iH,
on riMiivin;; ai*»*ounLH nf th** •li'w.r liflv •»t.il«- i-f thf Frturli aniiv.
iitni«*k off I** thr Wi -it ••!! tie* iiin* (••<nth t.fO. t..|-'r an i int^Mnij
th<* hilU. t iit«n-<i th«* r*iunti\ **( KurjKi, ^ti!l a<-i i'm)i.uii*- 1 )y the
Fnneh «'i»qii and l»y Sunput ll^m-
A*t Hi Mill ai the a^^tation «'t* t!ie Frenili tn**} <> i \ I ^ul-idt-d.
I
250 BUSSY RETURNS TO ARCOT. [CHAP. X.
M. Bussy pursued his inarch by a different loute, and arrived at
Kurpa ou the tenth of November. Basalut Jung, who foresaw
the fate that awaited his elder brother, in all his negoeiations witii
M. Bussy stipulated for the aid of French troops against Nizam
Ali ; and distinctly unfolded the extent of his own views, and of
those which Sunput Row continued to indulge. He demanded
" that he sliould be recognized by the French as sovereign of the
whole Carnatie, meaning tliereby all the countries south of the
Kistna : that the government of the province of Arcot should be
regulated in whatever manner he should hereafter determine,
without any interference of the French, who should give up
whatever territory they possessed, and receive from him a pecu-
niary remuneration equal to one-third of the revenues ; and that
their auxiliary troops, which he might require in offensive or
defensive war with Nizam Ali, should be entirely paid by himself:
on the adjustment of which conditions, and the advance of four
lacs of Rupees for his troops, he would instantly accompany
M. Bussy to Arcot." These were rather the terms of an esta-
blished sovereign, than of a person subsisting from day to day :
but in the judgment of Sunput Row, they were the only con-
ditions on which he could safely break altogether with Nizam
Ali, or form a reasonable hope of establishing a real sovereignty
independant of European control The negociation accordinsly
broke off; but he gratified M. Bussy with an instrument which
it seemed of little utility to solicit, namely, a sunnud, enjoining
all officers in the province of Arcot to pay obedience to M. LaUy,
wlio had lately, of his own authority, made a fifth change since
the beginning of the war, in the office of French Nabob, by tiie
re-appointment of Reza Saheb. M. Bussy found the French
corps with Salabut Jung in distress, even for their daily food ; but
his personal credit everywhere commanded money, of which he
raised at Kurpa enough, not only to satisfy the immediate want
of these troops, whom he now incorporated with his own, but to
engage a body of four hundred good horse, with which on the
tenth of December he returned to Arcot
CHAPTER XI.
i^WHu/MW eimiimUHl'^Appoimtment amd character of Cohncl Cihtie^kia cnf*hire of
WmmHiwm»k — Adcfrae optmtnna of M. iMiljf ami M. Jftusjf r^i^ardim^ the ptam
of tkt Campaifpk— Stegc of \Vamiiw<ttk — raitrti by a »pUmUti ru-tory — ^f. lAitly^
preased kf Ike nffontUM operationM of Colonel Ctnite, applirn to MyMo**r^ as has
been relatetl — Adetnckment of ilyder umtrr Mut'kkdttom tent tn the intrrmc'ltate
mmd rttemtty amquered cmintry of Haramakal — and ia ortirrrd tn JStmiickrrry ^
terwu of kis §errice — oecmfHttiom of Tkiaf^ar^^ke defruta am Ktti^liak deUtckment'-^
Hffder elated wUk tkis imrcesa re'cnforcei il/arAAf/fMVM— /Van of Ike howufser^
tke Ht^^ amd Kmmde How ^ for ilydrra deatnwtwm — ttttf^ular rramlt—jttrt m Ike
mif^kt amd deaerta kis family — arrirea at Jianealorr — rccah M%n'kfoi4*ttm —
Acceaewuof Fkrrml Ooila—wko ia defeated in aitrmfttini*lnJ4nn J/iit'IW».»m -
ifeeperate §tate of Uyder*a affuira — relirred by an errnt wktrk ke c*ttiM not
romtpr^kemd — its explunntton -^onre mtire takes tke field --is d-featni by Kumde
Hott ^ h^rt^niery of Jtyder's appltralton to Smnjmij — trko ta d^rtml, and
unites wrtik kim^^Straltifcem praiii*rd on KnmU Hour- and fOitrifHrht Jt%j>rraHm
of k\M army - tly^ter deareutls Ut ioimbtitorr^^and aftrr rrcttrrttPtc tf^uf j n-rtnt-e
reimrns to JSertnfgispaiam — anotker atrata^^rm compUtely dff**tr^ l>e*!»*nr of
Kumde Ham ami tke Haja — SnCH-iatntn- - terminate* m fiifder*a^*ml mjinrfHition
of tke ifoeemmieni'^ Deneptwn reffardtmg tke fate of KnntU Hov-^iiyder prt*ceed»
to Hmngalore,
The French ami Kn^^lish p>vi*nimi»tibt lm<l. aft-r tin* iruri' of
17u5, Imx*!! <N>ui|H;tit4>rs f«»r tlit* faiiu* <»f iin|Mi|iry aii'l injiiHtio'. in
fiU|MsniiHlin^ two Miirli men i\a M. Itusny an<l i.*4*l«>iH'l l^iw p-iuh?.
Fivo Fn'Uch 4»rtiivr>i of sii|K>ri«»r nmk lin^l tl«»m» si ill ^'nat«T
honor to thoniMrlvfH than to M. 15u**Hy, in siiniiii;^ a n«|ih-^t to
M. linlly tliat he niiv^ht l*c |»la4'«Ml a)M»\<* th«*ni. (*oloni*i I^iw-
r\*ncu had in 17'>7 ^nvm his H'.T>'i«vH a.n a vohinto r to tht* •.. «s»n«l
ortior hy whom Ijo lia<i Um'h sii|K.'rs4H|c«l, hiu tin* n-ral of Colonel
Acih'fcom k*ft him in 4*«»nimano of the tnM»t*s uliioh il«*t'« ii«h*<l
MiuiniA. The futi^ie.H of that trviii:; M-rxiiv had a;:uiii iinfiairiil
hiM health, and he liail lat<-ly ranie*! with him t'» Kn-^i.in*l tho
iiif«*<*tioiiate n*^«'t «>fall hi<« ei»iititr\ iiH*ti. aii<i th<* ;^'* ri« r.J ii-jM-^t
uf the nativrri of India. (*<>loiiil )**n*nt«'ii. «>ii v%lfin tii*- cim-
niand deVol\»i|. einitluit' d iIm* «»|«Tatiiiiis of tli*- r.tiiij iii.:!i i»f
17*»l^ in the ei'iitn* of the |«r«»\ inrr. \iith int«-lli;;i tn i* lUfi \jj»»ur;
l»ut naturally >%i<«liin^ t«» urlii* \«* vm** di'^tnuMii^li* d • \)>l*'it )" |on«
the arrival of hin Hueiv-w^^.r. h.id in S«'jii«-iiiU r loi'l uitli .:P*at
h«HM in an att^inpt on \Vaiili\»;i<«h ; and tli«* Kn^iinli ;;«>\i ii.hh nt
ha<i now n*<li'.'m«'d all tlo*ir •>iTor««. hy th<- apjNtiutni'iit of i'«>|iiii«d
C*«»ol4» t*» thi- r«>iiiiiiitiid of tie- ariiiN ofMiiilni^ Ih- .ni t i\i- 1 i>ii tho
twentv-i«*v«'hlh of t MoU r : and ioim-*! th«- h* .oi •.uait'i-^ *{ iho
triM^iM eant<*nt'«l f^r the niinn at i'onj< \er«im on tiu* lui ntx -tir^t
of N«»vi-ndier 17'**».
The t-arli' •%i m**a.siires of tliin oth«i r •^-♦•rn««l t*» infu^» nrw
inti*lli:^*n4^* and d«-t'i<«ion into all tii** ti|Mniti>»nt < f tli** tMM.|«^
Nattirr had ;fiv«*n ti» (*oloncl (*o«>t«' all th:it nafiin- ran eoiift-r in
the foruiati'^n of a *>oldier . and tin u^'ulai r>tudv 1 t.\ii\ liaieh
252 COLONEL C?OOTE— [CHAP. XL
of his profession, and experience in most of them, had formed an
accomplished otiicer. A bodily frame of unusual vigour and
activity, and mental energy always awake, were restramed from
excessive action by a patience and temper which never allowed
the spirit of enterprize to outmarch tne dictates of prudence.
Daring valour and cool reflexion strove for the mastery in the
composition of this great man. The conception and execution
of his designs equally commanded the confidence of his officers ;
and a master at once of human nature, and of the science of
war, his rigid discipline was tempered with an unaffected kind-
ness, and consideration for the wants and even the prejudices of
tliose whom he commanded, which won the affections of the
European soldiers, and rendered him the idol* of the native troops.
Hia first act w^as to assemble a council of war, for the purpose
of hearing and discussing the opinions of his principal officers
regarding the operations of the ensuing campaign. A detach-
ment of the French army had re-occupied Seringham, and oUier
divisions were employed in distant parts of the province : it was
accordingly resolved to open the campaign by attacking Wandi-
wash. The first movements were ostensibly directed against
Arcot; but the preparations were so skilfully combined, that
Waudiwash was carried on the twenty-ninth of November before
it was possible for the French to move a sufficient body of troops
for its relief : and Carangooly was reduced in a few days after-
wards. The distant detachments made by M. Lally were partly
occasioned by the urgency of his affairs ; but the loss of these
two places showed liim the necessity of concentrating his fotce.
The two armies arrived in each other s presence in the neighbour-
hood of Arcot early in January 1760. Colonel Coote's inferiority
in cavalry determined him to avoid a general action imder any
circumstances of disadvantage. M. Bussy*s conception of the
campaign was to make use of this superiority, to act on the
communications of the English army, and thus compel it to
fight at a disadvantage, or retire to Madras for supplies ; and in
either case the recovery of Wandiwash and Carangooly would
be easy and certain. M. Lally was of a different opinion, and
expected to bo able, under circumstances entirely dissimilar, to
re-takc Wandiwiish, with a select corps, while the rest of his
army should occupy the attention of the English. Colonel Coote
wfus not to be so amused, but approached within two easy marches
of Wandiwash : and M. Lally, finding his original intention
frusti-jittKl, was also obliged to concentrate his forca Colonel
Coote lijul entire confidence in the garrison ; they reciprocally
trusted to the wisdom and energy of nis measures, and prepared
to sustain the attack with perfect coolness and decision ; he
* II Im iH)rtrait is hung up in the exchange at Madras ^ and no sepoy who
hns served tinder him ever enters the room without making his obeisance %o
L'ou(c bahnudcr.
rilAP. XI.J HIS SPLCSIHD VKTORV. S.W
thrn*f«in* fli*t4.'niiin(*il u* Ituivi* M. Lilly to wuhIi^ Iiih Htrrtii^th in
Mil uiitin»(itiil»li* Kir;;ts until tlu* lin'm*li kIioiiIiI lie |>nu*iicaMt%
wlit*n lit* lin|iiMi to rirliwr tlu* pliuv by Htrikiii«^ a decuiivi* lil(»w
i'itlirr at tilt* tr<*rii*lii*H an<l Imttt^rh's, or tlu* army wliioli |>rotiH*U*<l
tlu*iii, a4*ronliii;x t«) tlu* <»|i|Nirt unity whii'li nii;^iit lie iilfonleil by
tlu* iimiui*u\n*H i»r tlu* riu*iny. (Mi tlit* tweiitii*tli of January the
n'|M»rt of tlu* otlirrr r«iiiiiiihniliii;; in WandiwaHli (li'i(*nuiiu*«i liiui
t4i nuivr : uii<l c»n tin* twi*nty-*^*«*oiiii lie o1itniiie<l a tUviMive
vii'torv oviT M. liSillvH nrinv. wliii-li retn*uti*il with tlie h»sA of
ii|ivi-aril.s of onr ft Mirth of his Kuro|M'an tnMipH, tweiity-foiir pieceH
of i-aiiiion. antJ all it.s i-<|iii|inu*iitH aiul militant' HtA>n*tt. M. Lally
hnti ri»iiiniitt4*«l ;:n*at i-rnirn in tlu* plan of bin cHfU|iai^i ; ami ill
tin* f-rirly ojMTntionn 4if tlu* twriity-84*<'on<I hail lii*<*ii 4*«iiiiplt*tely
oiit-iiiaiui'ii\n*«I by (\il«iiu*l t*iM»t4* ; ulio. )iy a lut^t juuirioiiH
luoVi'iiu'nt. ha<l |iLu*inI hin litth* army in a |N»Mition when* he hiul
a fn*<* <'oniinuiii«-ation with th<* f Tt. aiul a flank iin»t4*t*t<*«l by ita
fin*: with tlu* ailvatitn^i'ous «'hoi«v of att^irkiii;; tiu* liattericA and
tn*iii-li**H. or thi' Kn'iK'h ram|i. Althoii;,^h M. Ijallv tliil nut
|M tiitr:it4* ill siitliririit tiiiu* t*» pn'Vrnt it, the int«ntu>ii of thuH
al«l<* iiHiVi-itu'iit. it iiiuh( In- iiilmitt«*4l that he I'Xerti**! him*«4'lf witli
jutl^^nu-iit aii«i **kiil t«> nnirtly tlu* «»ven«iL;ht : but the hU|N*rior
iiiin<l iif t*'i|Mh«l ('•H>t**. \^}|ii |in>\ i«l«M| with eHUtii»ii upiinnt every
eiiiitin.'t III V. !• Htriiin-.l hi^ tnHt|n« until ho naw tlu* o|t|N>rtunity of
tuniiii;^ a tl.ink. an*l «h'ri«iin^ bv iMrn*H|M)iuliiii; etf«>rti< the ft>rtuiHS
i»f thi* *\%\ W. Jmi-^sv \\;f* :tin«*ii:; the j»ri*»nerH ; an«l ('«ih»nel
I'-Nii*' <it'i h..iii.i;ji» til hi-* eli:inui«r. !»y inniu*<liAtA'ly it»m|»lyiii;{
with [ii'« p*|nf-^t f>r a p:i-<^|Hiit to Pontlii*lierry. Tlu* jutl^meiit
««r t '. il. .ii. 1 t '.Nit*', in availiu:^ liim*H*If of the oiHM'^jiU'ni'e* of thw
biilli.iTit \ii-t«irv. wa><, if {fi^-ibli*. nion* e(»n**i»ieu4Uii« than the iikill
bv\%liii-ii hi* h.ul :u 111* \«*i| it. M Liilv in liin n*tn*at ooiiiiiiitt4*<i
ihr fiith'T frp»r ••lii'ti r»*-» iifin-lii^ ('hittiiin^t. whieli wan taken
oil tlu'tuiiitv ninth, oil tilt' t4-iitli iif Kelmiarv' the eni»ital wmm
I'lti'i iii'«fi< ill |» ■-■••-«.i..!i Iif ilif Kfi^^'linh : an«l the iiuh'fati^bh*
:i*-ti\it\ iif ( 'l**! • 1 ( '.»- t*' !• t't '.iit^-lv a <iav i»f the eti<«uinL; rain-
• • •
Imi^ii With 'Ml ■« •III*- .!< I hhii i.iii A Unlv of thn*e thou*«in«l lutnie
«>t Nbi.iii K-iu u}i-* 1. 1 I ^'i\* 1 \iitli M l^llv. IfA him on the
i.\»r-.- i.f }i<< t-iiMif -. tin* I •>ii<N'«|iii lit •»utH*riority of the KiiL;li<«li
I i\ i!i\ t<itt.|i.i tin III t" iini'*>\i- «-\frv a«i\antiij«* aihI bv <lailv
<ii- till •• I i-'iii J iii>ii ;iifl iiti>!«' tilt' i*'>Miiiri't"« of th«' Kn-ni'li. Ui
I'-'k w.Tii -•III'* li. •t.iiit j-.j-' t«i til*- niptun' of piin*iu*h«*rr%'«
I III I t'.i^i- I :i. tifii^t iti< • N M Lilly UiLH iiubu***«l to turn hi4
.»M. Ill; :i I .u-ii'l-* M\-»'!. With a \ i«'W t.f nbtAiiiifi;; lie* i*»»ojn»r-
;»( > 'II «t i). it iN.Wif I'll** ii« j>i«'i:iti"h UA.*t ••p«'n«*«l bv a rhun'li
III. .(t. tilt pt . it ' t.f* •liii|t'f till lu^l'iiA whu raih-il hllii^-ll tlu* binhoji
I'l il.il:i vi».i -'i.* aii«l *'U l.!» p |-«ft. two nlfiifpi i»f rank wen*
• 'i! f • «■ It ■ t'l* I' rni'i w it*i Hv'I'f. wh>i |ipitrartt'<l tlu* Anal
a b'l^ti' ' 'I* .,'(1 li t.f !.«'l 111- I f' tli« rill Liw Miu-kh«bMim All,
wu!i |->W' f t ii ill !• th* tpatx
254 MUCKHDOOM ALT. [CHAP. XI.
Muckhdoom Ali was already in the field, for the conquest of
the Baramahal ; a province situated on an intermediate level,
between the first and second ranges of hills which separate the
higher from the lower countries, and taking its name from the
twelve fortresses built chiefly on rockv summits, which protected
an equal number of subordinate divisions. This province, for-
merly part of the domain of the celebrated Jug Deo, had been
conquered from Mysoor by the Patau Nabob of Kurpa; but in
the year 1758 Kurpa was invaded by the Mahrattas, and re-
ducea to the necessity of ceding one-half of its possessions.
Assud Khan Mehteree, governor of the Baramahal on the part
of Kurpa, a brave but improvident man, was superseded about
this time by another ofiicer; and came over to Hyder, repre-
senting the racility of seizing the province, and offering the aid
of his own local information. This advantage, and the reduced
strength of Kurpa, induced Hyder to undertake the conquest of
Baramahal ; but it was first expedient to reduce the intermediate
fort and country of the Poligar of Anicul, situated on the
eastern verge of the tract of woody hills extending from Savendy
Droog to the Caveri, twenty-three miles south of Bangalore, and
in the most direct road from Seringapatam to Baramahal ; throudi
which province also runs the best and most direct road to Pondi-
cherry. Hyder had received a mission of similar import from
Pondicherry in March 1759 : and ho availed himself of the first
convenient opportunity to occupy those intermediate territories ;
and thus obtained a safe and uninterrupted communication with
the centre of the province of Arcot.
As soon as Muckhdoom had accomplished these two objects,
he proceeded, in conformity to Hyder s orders, to Pondicheny.
The following were the general objects of the treaty which Muckh-
doom was empowered to ratify. ** That a corps of three thousand
select horse and five thousand sepoys, with a due proportion of
artillery, should be furnished by Hyder to serve with the French,
and to be paid by them in the war of Coromandel : and that the
fort of Thiagar, which had been taken by the French in Septem-
ber, should be permanently ceded to Mysoor, as a post of deposit
and communication." This place is most commodiously situated
for the purposes which have been stated ; being about twenty
miles from Ahtoor, which commands the pass leading from the
districts of Salem and Shenkerrydroog, long in the possession of
Mysoor ; thirty-five miles from the gorge of the pass of Tingrecota,
or Changama;* an easy and convenient access from the recent
acquisition of Baramahal, and about fifty miles K S. E. fnun
-■■--■ ■ ■ - - - - - . ,
* Towns situated at the western and eastern extremities of the paM,
which in Baramahal is named the pass uf Tingreoota, and in Arcot the pan
of Cbangama. Most passes in India take their names from the towns at their
entrance, and are thus differently colled by the people at their diffntnt
extremities.
CHAP. XL] HE DEFfiATO AN ENUUSH DETACIIXEKT. &S3 '
Pondiclierr}'. *' On iho favorablo conduHion of the w»r of
AitNit, TricliinoiM »!>•,• Miuliira, and Tiiuievelly, were to Iw veAwi
U> My.HtMir : aufl tlii' Kri*ncli n^^n^d to abiUHl in tlieir nxluctioiL
In till* nu'AnwIiile the MyHcHireHiiii were to retain wliatever tliey
ah(»nld th(*nii4*lve4 i*on4|uer in Arcut, but return thtwe eou(|ueHtii,
on the ixnitM'Hhion of etpiivalent t«*rnU>ry in Mailura or Tinuevelly."
MurkhdtMini arrived at Thiu^ar with the Ani diviaion of hia
tnNi|iK on the -Itii of June 17U0; and Hinm afler at Pundicherry,
where lie nitifiiHl the treatv on the :i7th ; and evading the Kng-
lish tn«o|»H. n*tunu*<l on the followini^ da}* to bring up the ru-
niainder of hin ror|tH, ami a eonvoy of {iroviaioiui, for the supply of
which h«* made a niont iinitituhle contract
(*o|onel r(Hit4* hail bv this time captured every Fnairh |KNii
of ini|Mirtan<v in the pn»vuuv. Tliiagar and Ginjec exceptoil ; and
had rirrums<-ri)»iMl thfir fi>n*e within the limita of a few miles
niund Pondii'herry. Fur tiio purfMise of confronting thin new
dang«T, he 4h-tfirhe«I a cor|«i under Major Moon\ to which, hold-
ing Umi chtMply the niiliUiry prowess of the Mym>on*ana, he ap-
|Miiiit(.Ml no umrxi than (»ne hundriNl and eighty Kun)|iean in-
fantry, thirty AiiVMiinianH. fifty husnars, eleven hundroil He|H>y8,
anil sixteen hiindn*<I inx*gular honta ThU cor|«i wan met on tlie
17th of July n<*iir t^> Triviuii hy the whole Uidy of MymM»re4UUi
in)i*i*«*4lin^ to Piind idle fry. an«I c<»ninlet(*ly muted : the nati%'0
iitpM' anil f<N»t w«-n* entin*ly di^iiHTH**! ; the European tnio|i«i en*
ea|M*d into Trivadi ; th«» infautr}'. with the Iom ol one-thin I. and
the cavalrv, of on<*-lmlf of their numlierH. Hyder waa much
elat«*d with the intelligence* of thii« MUtn^^ns ; and mint reinfortv-
menti% coUHidiTably eXfX*t*«Ung the btipulat«d number, who were
t4i act aivonling to i-in*umj»tAniVA, and at all eventa to lie eui*
»l(>y«>l ill tHHTuring territ4>r)'. which Nhouhl be the ple«Ig«; of hia
utur\^ fN>n(iiimts» to the Miuth of the laveri. He pn*|ian*il to
au;nnent still farther the tnM>|»H in Ann>t. by dinvting iM*veraJ de-
tA«*ltm«*nts fmni ditri*n-nt Ntations t4» aMM*mble in lianimahal : and
th**-^* iiirn'a.Hiiig «-tr«»rtH mi^ht have given a ditlVn-nt as|ie<^ t^i the
war, whii'h was t**nitiiiat4'd by the «rapture «»f Pondichfny in Ja-
nuary 17<»1. if tJn- gr« al^M <laiigi*r t** which Hyder wa.H v\tf
t'\|M>i4.-d Ii.mI not ciini|n'llnl him to luuk exclusively U> hia «>wn
pn*MT\ali«»ti
Tli«' ««ld dMwa;^T. iwTivi^iiig by tJie laie iiid««ci»nt emToaoh-
m«*nt*t of llyilf r. that tho n*mo\al of Nunj«*raj lui<l f»nly nulHli-
tutcMl ani»th<*r m«»r«* daii::ep*iis u^ur|««T. who waa gradually pre-
|iaring th«* (Nittipli-to HtibviTKioii of tbo govenunetit. oiieni'«l her
vieWH t4> Kuiitle I{«tw. iindiT a pn*viMus tiatii of invif»lable !Hvn*ry.
She oliM«r\i-ii ti» him, and t*> the Ilaja, tliat a larg«* |«orti«»n uf
II\d*TN tr<»-*|*% wa« alv^'Ut in th«« pro\in<^! of Archil, in ttie r»*
I
1-;
* Mr <»nnr, «ho««^nifi t't \i%\9 Lid ux^m in Vrmoirh <^€tal dtM-uoient4,
Mi^XfA M.ul'.irft 411(1 'linu«%r:iy oulj, aB«i u perkapt €x>rrect. Uol all sy
tuaiiUA^ni'l • add Tnciiuiiipul)-
250 PLAN FOR HYDER'S DESTRUCTION. [CJHAP, XL
inforcements moving to tlie Bamniahal, and in the dctaclimcnts
serving in the assigned districts ; that he was himself cantoned
under the fire of the garrison, with one hundred horse and fifteen
hundred infantry only. The remainder of the disposable troops,
and the greater part of his artillery, being cantoned to the north-
ward of the river, which was now full, the possession of the fort,
which commanded the bridges over both its branches, cut him
off from all reinforcement, and made him a prisoner in the island.
Beenee* Visajee Pundit, with an army of twenty thousand
Mahratta horse, was ravaging the country between &ilipoor and
Deonhully, to the north-east of the teiritory of Mysoor, and look-
ing out for some power to whom he might sell his services ; and the
aid of a body of his troops might be secretly obtained : and if
this opportunity were lost, the Hindoo house of Mysoor might
be considered as extinct.
Kund^ Bow had been from his earliest youth the personal
servant of Hyder, and entered with reluctance on a project in-
volving the destruction of a person whose success in life he had
so long considered as inseparable from hia own : but the im-
pression left on his mind by the late discussions, the more pow-
erful consideration of religious attachment, and probably the
view of placing himself in the exact position from which Hyder
was to be removed, at length determined him ; and with the
dowager and the Baja he united in an oath of mutual fidelity, at
the feet of the holy idol of the gi-eat temple of the capital.
There was at this time in Seringapatam a Soucar named
Boucerjee, who had formerly resided at Poena, and had still com-
mercial transactions in that city and countiy. He was the per-
son selected to conduct, by means of his connections in the
Mahratta camp, the negociation with Visajee Pundit; and six
thousand horse were engaged, and approached Seringapatam. On
the morning of the 12th of August, the day on which they were
expected to arrive, the gates of the fort were not opened at the
accustomed hour ; and with the first of clear day-light, a tre-
mendous cannonade opened on Hyder and his troops from all
the works which bore on the position; which was the Maha^f*
Noumi Muntup, situated on the ground now occupied by a part
of the DeriaJ Dowlut Bang. Hyder, surprised at this unex-
pected salutation, gave immediate orders to call for Kund& Row ;
* The '' Beenee Walla'' in the Mahratta armies is a sort of quarter-
niastcr general, commanding the advanced ^uard, and a person who has filled
that office generally retains Beenee as an epithet prefixed to his name.
t '' The Davilion of the great ninth," viz., the last day of the festival
commonly called the Dessara : on which day the Raja ];)erformed at this
pavilion the ceremony of preparing his arms and pitching his tent and
standard.
I ** The garden of the wealth of the sea'' with a palace erected and m>
named by Tip|K>o. The walls are covered with nide paintings of Ilia militarjr
exploits, and particularly the defeat of Colonel liaillio in 1780.
CBAP. XI.] fllKOULAR RKSCLT. to7
but WM still more Mt4iuUliod t4> hcjir tliat Kiiti«lo Ri»w waa
diiiliiicily pereciveil on tlic workn. dirertiii^ tlu; tin* u( tiu* artillery.
Ho Afiw at oiux* the extuiit of tlie tiVR<'lH*ry. and |in'|KinNl in uwvl
it witli biii aceiutuuieJ nn^seiice <»f luiiid. The in nips stutu fouml
<r«iver in tbu raviucn an<l bdliowH, witht»ut muitaiiiin;; iiiiirh |o<^ ;
Ami bin fAinilv in a uibM*mMe hut rilu*ltoiiMl by iu siiutitinti fnini
the fire of the ftirt At the Hiiine moment thiit tir? raiiiioiuMlo
commencefl, a dtrtAcbmeiit fn»ni the f(»rt, whii*h hii«i |»;i.-%h4m1 the
brid^ before (biy, fell by iiur|iriHu xi\^m the infantr}' aii«l iirtilhriy
on the iiortbeni luftuk, an«l coiii|ili*t^*ly HUi^vciK'^l. KxrhHivc-ly
of the briil^ over the northoru bniiirl^ which Wiis thi'ii >iia:ite4l
opiKmite the wcafteru extremity of the f«>rt, the iMiivcnuinv of the
iuluibitonts who lived in the c<*iUri* and rantrni |iart^ of tlie
iHbuid re<|uire<l an uHtuUiiihment of ferry U>iitf«,* wiiirh an* <»f a
■iraple but exceUeut couHtruotion f«ir military |itir|>iis -h ; niadi* uf
liamboo wicker work, comitructed exac*tlv in the niitnmr i»{ a
(*«mimon circular ch>uie»-liA.«*kft. c«»\vreil. and rei*dtr»-<l wator-
tiifht b}' green bides; and from ei;^ht U* twelve f^vt •liinu'ler.
Hyder'8 timt care» afVer making a diji{M>sition of hi^ ^m.ii) UmIv of
tnK>|i^, waa to secure all tlie UmtM and bmituicn. in a .*«if>iition
CNimxndod from tba vi(*w uf the fort, and h«m* tlmt tlivv wrn* all
|»ut in a state of |ierfect repair. The MahrattsiM. a'H^onlin^^ to
custom, did n<»i arrive at the a|»|M»int«*4l tinn* ; anil K<ind<* liow
|iost|MiQe«l until their arrival his tinal atUurk u|i*iu liytlt*r. and
during; the day tht*y mutUAlly att<'m|>tcd to amiiM* trach other
with nt*^o(*iAti<»iL
It 1% hU%U^I by the family of Kundef Itow, tliat n^^^ular n'tM>rta
were brought to him o( all Hyder'^ tire{MinitionH ; that li\d«T in
bis meMsafrcM n*eo>ni i'^'^l in the M*rM<*e9» of Kunde Umw all tiie
success tliat bail attenth-*! him in life; ri*|)n*Hi*nte«l that without
bin c«iuUHel be was hrlplitHM, nnil wiln |]*iw nui'ly to U' ;;ui'!4*<l hy
luH coiiinianiU ; and ih*|>nvat«-«l in t«*niiH of the ntni'>st h'uuility
bi.H |iroci%«i|iii;r t*» t-xtrfuiitit > Th.it Kund** Uow. in r j-ly. a«--
knowh-«l;;i*«l m his turn the iM'uetiUi wliii-h in* h.i«l n-^-i ivrd fn^m
* Hen>«if>t(i«, cUm\* i. M« ji, iioti«-«.« :i% mif of thr iii<»«t r'':t.4rk.itiU
thiltK^ hr hA«l M-«fi a*. i»i)t>l*>n )»••»!« ••( .1 ■ ••ii<tru« ti<*ri »•• vm ll^ »;:ii:.k . th^t
i\,e tlf<trfi|iC;tiii ••( oticW'MiM {•rui^tiy ..u.tMrr t«ir tltv t-'l. f Wi'.li *!.« ^ititC'^*
(iiffcrciioc of 4t|)t«titutiii|| wiiltw |i»r tiAtnU^*. 'I'ht'^t- |f».t!« • irrt<- I tli«
tmNliirr of ArnirtiiA, ami ** tlic \*Ati» a)»>>vv A^^yri^' il-*wu tar K'lt'hr^tt't U*
hjib)l«>n and rjrb UmI &l-*ii>;«.th lU ^'.ir^** rarrit*! i K".« .iv*r« f -r tb«
|»ur|»»^* of (•*ii%c>ini; tho rr(tirii> l*\ a ■tiuit* r o^iMini ii>ut«* . i }ir'irf«ji
li'it .ilt«vvtiirr uulikr the tra*)<- »»u * ur^vr «• .k!r *»i tin* ()^.i> .kU>\ Mi «*:ii|i|tt
at tlii« tiiy Txiit* iif tlir ili-M*rii'!i<»:i ii>t!|t-f.| \*y ||rt.*il'*.n«, al'hu'ijrb
apt»«rvtiMy uiikii'tws in (frr<*«-r %: tint )»rri<«l. vi'-rt in iltw k,;«*« c*f:utinm\y
Um*«1 III Itiftir 'Ml the l'<> . trt I i!i r> .'.I. II lu Ills' Irur ••( (V^^r. l-it*. «••{ tlis
•4iu«* uiitrriAlt ii'jt «>f «iilfrrriit •l.»|.' x^r n*r%i «: ti.i« tinir in Nnith Waltfa,
;Uid tiif iit»rtti-^' •'. of Ifruiid :u i:*e t<ii'int-r « iu»:.'y ttj«y ^n niturd i*\>rrti^/r,
111 thr Uttrf ri.Ti'i;/^
t iVutt '.t!»r!v \ty Hutcb^fiiw. mi.) m %,% then ».v:it» ytutt >f ajjc. saJ
dittinctljr rriiMrfuiicrt tb« |»artiiulAfk.
258 HYDER FLIES IN THE NIGHT — [CHAP. XL
Hyder, and disclaimed the intention of personal indignity; but
stated that he was now the servant of the Raja, whose orders be
must obey ; that all he required from Hyder was to retire for
ever from the service of Mysoor ; and on receiving his promise to
that effect, he would withdraw the guards from the opposite
bank ; and advised him to escape that night ; as, on the morrow,
he should be compelled to act decisively against him. I should
hesitate to ascribe to Kundfe Row the remnant of virtuous feel-
ing which could dictate a conduct so politically imprudent if it
were passible in any other manner to explain the known fact, that
Hyder found the ordinary landing-place of the northern bank
without a guard of any description. However this may be, he
made a distribution of as mucn money and jewels as Could be
conveyed among his hundred horsemen, six officers, and two
camel hircarras ; aU men of tried fidelity ; and embarked imme-
diately after the close of the day, swimming over the camels and
horses, and loading them on the opposite bank with the propor-
tion of treasure allotted to each : about twenty spare horses ac-
companied, for the purpose of replacing those which should first
drop from fatigue : and thus equipped, Hyder left to their fate
the whole of his family, and all his infantry ; fled with all possible
8j>eed from the capital, and long before the arrival of the Mah-
rattas on the following morning he was far beyond the reach of
their pursuit At the dawn of day Kundfe Row proceeded to the
quarters deserted by Hyder, for the purpose of securing the re-
mainder of the treasure, the stores, and cumbrous valuablea
The infantry attempted no resistance: and Kund^ Row gave
orders for the immediate removal to the fort of the whole of
Hyder s family, whom it is certain that he treated with kindness.
Among them was Tippoo, then in his ninth year, and Kereem
Saheb, bom prematurely, in consequence of fright, on the pre-
ceding day.
The route of Hyder was to the north-eastward. Anicul and
Bangalore are each distant from Scringapatam about seventy-five
miles ; the same road leads to each for near sixty miles, and then
branches off to the east to Aiiicul, and to the north to Bangalore.
The latter place was commanded by Kubbeer Beg, an old com-
rade and faithful friend. But the treachery of Kundfe Row, who
was the very Last person that Hyder would have suspected, made
him doubtful of the extent of the defection : and although Ban-
galore was his direct object, he was certain of Anicul, which was
commanded by Ismaeel Ali, liis brother-in-law : and there also he
was certain of finding a small detachment of horse, preparing to
march to the province of Arcot. Ho arrived at Anicul before
day-liglit, forty horses out of one hundred and twenty having
been left behind from fatigue, and their loads distributed among
the remainder. Ismaeel Ali was instantly despatched to Banga-
lore for the purpose of ascertaining the fidelity of Kubbeer &g.
CHAP. XL] ARRIVES AT BANOALORR. 259
Mid oonveyinf]^ Hydern dire<*tionfi for hin comluct He arrived
at an early hour, and found KuhU^T Ik*g true to his trust The
pirriMon wnn chiefly ct>in]M>Hi«d of Hindoo PeadaA, and a Kinaller
I)nMK)rtiun of regular infantry', all Molianinie^Iatui : it wan pro-
lahle that the former would oYiev any iinleni they should receive
fnnn Kundi^ Il4)W ; and it wan thereftire deenie«l necejiwuy to ex-
elude them fmui the fort It hapin^netl t4i Ite the uhujU |ieriod
for |iay and munter; and KuliU'er Ik'g iMHueti, an a matter of
onliiuuy detail, an onler for the* IVadiiM to aAMembIc ininuHliately
for niufiter (»n the glai in ; and tho n*^ilar infantry to take the
guanJfi of the piU»H. TIuh arrangement wom w^anvly completed,
and the gateji clontNl, when the onlvni of Kundt* fiow arrive^],
dinvting tho FrmlaH to Mi'ize the Kil](*<iar, and pnfk*r\*e the fort
for the Kaja. It wn.H tiNi Ute : and Nmaeel Ali m*nt the reqiiiiuto
infonnntion to Hyder. who. atU^iultMl by the tlotaehmcnt of home
which he fnund at Ani<*ul, ent4*nHl Bangalore on the evening of
the 13th «>f AugUHt. having ]it*rfonn(Nl an lutTuvhack a journey of
nin«*ty-i*ight niile» in twenty hours, the fimt sevcnty-tive on tlie
Mun<* hopM*.
Ilyd«T WftH now left, an it wore, to l>egin the worM again, on
the rf^iun*i*H of hin own mind. Hie hulk of hin treafiun*?! nnd
hin train of Artill4*r\' and militnrv ht4»ri*H all lo^t : the t4*rritorial
revenue at th<* C4»mmand of Kun«lt* Ki>w : and the |MkH.mfiHioiui on
which he n»uld n«nt any ho|>o for tin* n*»t4»nition of hin aHaira,
wi*n» Rangalon^ nt the nortlieni. an«l l>indigul at the southern,
e\tn?mity of tlie t«»rrit4»ni'H uf Myn^ior; with Anicul and the f*>rt-
n*?4i4ei« of iWoanialiaL The nolo foundation t)f a new annv was
IIh* i*oq«H 4 if Murkh<hM>m Ali ; and itii junction waa nearly a
de«i|w»nite ho|»e. H«» liad, however. dirnpatc^MNl from Anirul jwiea-
tiv<* onlcn lor them to comnu*n<v their nuurh with(»ut an hour's
d<*lay ; witiiilrawing alt4»gt*ther the garri^m of Tliiagar. and every
nuin tliat nmM U* fiiiartHl from the |M»»tM of liaramalial : and
himilar tlinvtioim wen* ^*nt t'l tlie KinalltT detarhmf<nt«« ahroail.
Murkhd<*om Ali n*<*eiv(-4l tli(**M* onlern at Pondicherrv on the IGth
of AugUKt , and imni*-<liat4'ly <N»niniuiiit*ati*4l th(*ir gentnU ini|a>rt
t4) M. l^ally. thi tin* l.'ith of S*pt4«mlier he delivrrv^I the fort
of Thiagar to a Fn-tu*h dflnrhmmt : and ent4*re«l lianunaiial
through the |«iAH of (*)iAn;::iiiia, aUmt the en<l of that month:
rt*tAnK*<l hv th** maM of plunder which luul been aillei*U*<l in the
pn#vinci* oi An^'t
In th«* meanwhile Hyder augmented his little militAr\' cheat
by a l<ian (»f forty thousand |M»undii on hi«i it«*pM»nal cnnlit from
the fHiuc^n of liangalon>.* S*m«* of the Hm.nller detarhnients IumI
jointnl. and that of Yaie<*n Khanf waa of im|M>rtAna* : individual
* The PrttA, prt>t«ct«d hj aciiarAtc defeoccs, u a larft sad opukoi
maaufa^ttmng t«iwa
t Siiraained ** Wutita (*«Hidenr. ftin^le or uaic|ttc htNuemsa,* ffMn liU
pertudsl ci|»loit%- He aju (uraicrly la the tc nr icc ul M'4i^mniH All, ubidi
260 FUZZUL OOLLA KHAN. [CHAP. XL
soldiers attached to his fortunos were also daily comiDg in, who
had either deserted from the hostile army or escaped from the
small posts occupied by his troo}>s, of which Kund& Bow was
daily getting possession : and soldiers of fortune of every descrip-
tion were invited to liis standard. Among the persons whom he
engaged in his service at this time was Fuzzul Oolla Khan*
descended from a family of high rank at tlie court of Delhi, himself
a soldier of distinguished reputation, and son-in-law of Dilaver
Khan, the late Nabob of Sera. The Maliratta Balajee Bow, on
the conquest of tliat place in the year 1757, bad assigned aa ft
personal jngcer to the family of Dilaver Khan a small disirict^ in-
eluding the town of Sera, which, according to the uniform prae-
tice of that people, had already been circumscribed prepaiiitoty
to its gi'adual extinction. Fuzzul Oolla Khan, little disposed to
be satisfied with a lai-ger and undivided jagcer, although affecting
retirement, kept a small corj^s embodied for the ostensible pur-
poses of police and security in these days of commotion. He
was secretly suirounded by a considerable number, also affecting
retirement, of his former companions in arms ; and held constant
comnmnication with the adherents (scattered in various direo-
Lc left in disgust in 1757 : and came over to Hyder at Dindignl, with seven
hundred sopoys, twenty horse, and t^o light gans. The number of his horse
was now increased to five hundred. The blunt manners and genuine braveiy
of this man soon madu him a personal favorite and associate of^ Hyder; who,
although of courtly and insinuating address when the occasion demanded^
wa.s, in his ordinary habits, of coarse and vulgar manners, and a master in
the low slang which is peculiar to India ; the character of which may be
conjectured, by fancying the union of considerable wit with the volubility of
Bi]ii^l^^sgate, and tlic olmcenity of a brothel. Hyder and Taseen Khan wert
rivals in this obscene eloquence ; and the former was in the habit dt ^mfiMing
himifielf with the foul-mouthed wit of Wunta Cooderie, which he sometimes
retorted with keen severity on his master.
It was some years after this period, tliat conversing on the subject of the
battle of Chercolee, Hyder said it had been lost by the nemuc haram/ee of the
anny (literally being false to one's salt, properly treachery, or ingratitude,
but also, ii^'uratively, put for cowardice), and that he did nci know the mail
who hau done his dutv on that dav. " You are right," said Wunta Cooderie,
'* and 1 ran away with the rest : but (turning up towards him the socket of
an eye, wliich he had lost by the wound of a sabre in that battle) eo die^
cujus matris in vulvam hie oculus iniit 1^" On the occasion of another defeat|
llydor woH pronouncing another philippic on nemvc haramte^ and lookea
towards Yoscon Khan. '* Why do you XodJL at me ?" said he : *' you had
better consult Nunjeraj on the subject of nemuc harameeJ^ This dreadful jest
would have cost the head of any other person : but Wants Cooderie was •
jirivileged man.
It was the practice of Hyder to take the musters of cavalry, by sending
I)ersons, witliout previous notice, to count the horses in the Imes. The
KrcK)nis and grass-cutters of Wunta Cooderie's command were instructed how
to comport themselves on such occasions : and the muster-masters, pelted
wit h clods, and bedaubed with horse-dung, were generally happy to esoipe
before the grooms began with the reserved ammunition of stones. Toe
nnister-masters com])lained : but Hyder laughed at all the jokes of Wonts
Cooderie : and it become well understood that his corps waa exempted from
inu:)ter.
CBAR XL] DESPERATI RATE OP HTDBB'S APPAIRS— 261
iimifi) of bin own fiuitUy and that of his fktber-in-Iaw, in the
exfiectation of flome tuni, in tlic counie of eveuU, more favorable
ill tlieir union and futiiro enieqiriae.
The aiycfwion at Uiis tieriod of Fuzzul OoUa Khan, an expe-
rienced officer and a man or high rank, to Uie service of a penon
but jujit emer;^]^ fn>m Uie obscurity of a Naick, gave great re|ni-
tation to the t^use of Hyder ; and by Uie rapid augmentation of
his numliers was also of substantial imiiortance. The terms of
his ongagt*ment evince the high value at which bis services were
rated, and funiisli anothor feature in the character of the
MoliauimetlunM uf India. The primary' i^ndiiion was the regulation
of his place ami rank at court (ur in public durbar), and on this
bead lie stioulated, llmt whether on a saddle-cloth,* a carpet, or
a musnud. biH plait) should W on Uie same seat with Hyder ; bis
otficer, but bis e<|uaJ : and that he should liave the disUnction of
two honorar}' atu*ii(lant«4 Mtanding behind him, holding fans com*
IkimnI of the featbcnrt* of Uio humma, according to the pracUce
of his family.
Muckhd'Nim Ali. on entering Uie Raramalial, liad necessarily
con.^uiiu<«l Home time in disencumbering himself of his plunder,
and colkf^ting the di.H|>4i*iablc* tnMi|)s of the garrisons. Kund&
Itow clirLH*te<l his tliii'f att4rntion to Uu^ dcHtniction of this corpa,
and fur thin puqMie*e jiliii^etl tlie bi'st of his troo|Mi under tiia
CfimnuuMl of (io|iJiul lii*ri, the officer who comnuuided the six
th«»ujuind MahnittoA ; itiid was now Joined by four thousand more
di*tarliiNl by Vi*«^j<^* Pumlit, who was biinjielf encam|ied at the
summit of tlio ika» of rudafianatam, which leads direcUy to
Vctliin*. Muckhdu(»m Ali was ht]\*nuously opposed by these
tn)o|iH, and after some m'vere fighung found mmself compelled
U* take jMVHt under Anchittydniog ; whFch is situated about forty-
right nukfi S. by ¥i u( lian;:alon% near the vem of the descent
int«> IfiaramsliAl. Hon* he was effectaally Hockaded by the
Mi|M*rior iiuniU*p« of Ui«* en«*my. and n*|>nrtcHl to Hyder his aliwiluto
ii*Ml»ilitv Ui Ad\Mi4n* with*>ut reinforwments. The whole of the
t^nn* whieh €*iiulil U* H|iarv«l fnim Uie defence of liangalora,
u mount in;; to f«eartely tour thouHand men ainl five guns, waa
iir(*t»niin;;)y pLu-i^i uikKt iIk* omunand of Fuxzul Ooua Khan ;
\iU<i Uin*w iiiiti«i4'lf by iii^ht inU> Anicul, dintaiit only twenty-five
mil(*^ lr«»iji Anehitty, and was iniitructcd to watch an op|)ortunity
* 'I'll |-rr««itu wh<i«w* b«hitual M-at iM exartlv that <if sn KnsliAh tailor, a
rhmr t* :iti u*rlrigi annnyaurr. aiid the laricr doublf f quilted cloth which
t.*t\vt^ ttir mttitiir iJi .1 o»tum«*«i)4»uft m-Ai tuc un« t»r two, aod s rthrf Iron
(Ali,;ut* a!«.t>« ivmIj without a luotiiriit'* |>rr|MiratHiO.
t I Aiii t'Ot certain nhat tjir fraihrra f<^aJlv wrre ; thr^ arf dMcrilx^l to
h^^r Inrrn n tiitr ami oi a downy api^raranre. The hamma la a (aboloiu hird.
Tur hc^i o\tr « hirh lU «hatlow oticv |iaaac« wiU aaaurwiJj bs aocircled with a
rntftii 'V\tf •iileiMliii httlc* bud Mu>|trn«irtl o\wr tho thrvioe nl Tip|«M>
hulutifi. i*Mud M, •^)cria£a|aLaui ui i7Ki. was iattadsd lu rspnssDl UUs
2G2 RELIEVED BY AN EVENT. [CHAP. XL
of breaking through the blockade and forming a junction with
Muckhdoom. The attempt was made with considerable gallantry
and skill, but many of the raw troops threw down their mms, and
escaped into the woods at the moment that a farther effort would
have forced the junction; he was accordingly repulsed with
severe loss, all his guns were captured, and he retreated with the
utmost difficulty to AnicuL Muckhdoom was now closely
besieged and reduced to great extremities ; and the career of Hyder
seemed again to be approaching its close, when a n^ociation,
which had l)een for some time open, with Visajee Pundit, was
adjusted with a degree of facility and moderation which Hyder
received with equal astonishment and delight. The conditions of
the immediate departure of the Mahrattas were, the cession of
the Baramahal, and the payment of the trifling sum of three lacs
of Rupees. The comparison of a few dates and facts will enable
us to explain this unusual moderation.
So early as the month of April, Visajee Pundit had offered to
aid both the French and the Imglish; and in the latter end of
November, the bishop of Halicamassus was in his camp n^[o-
ciating for the service of his troops ; of which the cession of
Ginjee was, among other conditions, to be the chief price. H.
Lally was then blockaded in Pondicherry by Colonel Coote ; and
a primary condition was the pa3rment of five lacs of Rupees when
this Mahratta army should appear in sight of Pondicheny.*
Mohammed Ali, seeing in the advance of this corps an insur-
mountable obstacle to the success of his English allies against
Pondicherry, concluded an agreement with Visajee Pundit, early
in the month of January 1761, for the large sum of twenty lac8»
to be paid at distant instalments, on the condition of his majrching
towards Poona with the least possible delay. This fact alone
would sufficienUy explain the apparent moderation of Visajee
Pundit ; his retreat was already purchased, although not yet paid
for. Like a true Mahratta, he had first sold himself to Kundk
Row, and then to his opponent Hyder : and he had made a show
of selling himself to the French, in order that he might sell him-
self to the English and Mohammed Ali at a better price. But
another cause of still greater urgency accelerated his departuie.
On the 7th of January 1761, the Mahratta army of Hinaooetan,
drawn by the Abdalli into a situation in which it was compelled
to fight, was defeated at Paniput with circumstances of disaster
and destruction which seemed to be nearly irretrievabla The
Mahratta forces from every direction were ordered to concentrate
as if the Abdalli (who thought only of returning to the Tn^iiM^
Caucasus) were already at the gates of Poona; and Viaiyee
* It appears by an intercepted letter from M. Lally to M. Raymond,
French rcsideQt at Paliacate, that he continued no late as the Id of Jannafyto
expect the arrival of seventeen thousand Mahrattas on the 6tb of the
month.
CBAP. XI.] HTPER AOAIN TAKEN THE HELD— 263
Pundit, iunon${ oiheni, luul juhI reoeive<l liiii Nccret ortlfMn of
Tvcml. Hviler s tliree hum were fiaid ; Muekh(lo<iui All, relieved
frum hi« criticiil blockaile, procec<ie<I to Bangalon^ ; anfl Vinajee
Pundit marched in haute to the northwanL All tliia wan inex-
plicable at the moment ; hut Hyder. although not yet aware of
the exact cau.neft of hiji gixNl fortune. t)en*4nved Rymptoma of pre*
cipitancv which detcnnintnl him t> delay the delivery of any i^art
of the liaranuilial ; and the intelligence of the defeat of Paniput,
which public rumour Mxm afU*rwanlM conveye^i, decide<l hia
plain and din^ct n^fiuuil, and contimuHl the favorite dcnrtrine of
the fatal int. which t4*ai*he)« him over to pnHrrastinate when untler
tlie preHHun* of miHfortune.
In the m<*an while. Kund*"^ Ilow hail writt4*n in bin own name,
and that of the l^ja, lettt^m to the giweniment of Mmlraa and all
the neii»hlMiurinj* power*, explaining the expuUion of Hyder aa
an U!«uqM*r, and di*«(*laimin<; the hfjAtilitit*H which, at tlie mane
time that Muckhdoom wan detaclM^l in Pondicherry, hail lie«n
nimnienc«N| in the vicinity of Mailum nnd Trichino|K)ly. The
fnmtier fort of ( aro<»r. forty miU*n wejit of Trirhino|M»ly. hail
lieen in n*talifiti«>n iN'^^icp*^! by a d«*t.'u*lim«*nt fn>m that place ;
nnd the p»vernmi«nt nnd militiir}' offiivm of Fort »St. (leorj^'e not
knowing what tlM*y wert» t^> und«*rHtand by the variouK and con-
trmlictorv n'|»">rt.H wliirh th^^y recciv««<l. tM^nnitt^nl the My*MM)n*an
ciimmnndnirnt of riiro<»r to retin* with hin jjnrriMon <»n deliverinjf
up the p<HiH<»<iMion of tlint plaice, and n'fniin«»«l fn»ni farther hoa-
tility until the Kn^linh Hli(»uld U* f^iitinfieil with n'pinl to the
ai'tual Htnt«» t»f the p>vernment of MyiKM>r. Thin otti«vr wna
rt-ally a H<«r\nnt of Kunde Ht>w ; who hnd. with tlie p^*ateMt
activity an«l int«*llit;»'n<N», imkuh^hmmI him**<*lf r>f the whole «if the
lower i*ountr>' from Karainahal to Dindi^^il. that ningle fortn^ia
alone exivpOnJ.
Hvdcr. on the vor\' dnv that h»» wa* )oin«»«l bv Muokht|«¥>m
AH. pit4'lifNl hin own Mandanl in th«* fi<*M. witli a fon**' *«» Hti|M*-
rior to that <»f Kundt* Row. who hml nunicroUM drtAihmenta
nbniail. thnt Ik* al«M» vt-titun^l to make a coiiHiilcmhlt* dftaidi-
ni«*tit into the IoWit <Miuntnt*H (»f Sid«-ni and (*oinil«iton*. f*»r tlie
»uqii»*«» of riNNivi'rifi^ iIm* (•«»untry and revrnu**^ wn-nti'il fnun
liui , wlii«-h wt'D* to \m* bin rhii'f n*H<»un*»» in tin* ini|H*ndin;; «i»n-
U*nL He manhi^l in a M>tith-Wftit4*ni din^-tion. cp^^hui^ Uie
(averi Iwlow it4 ronflu«'iu*»' i^ith the < *npilt*«* n««ar S«>illa. for tiie
puqwiiM* nf o»v«*rin>; tie* •»|*Tntionn of Uv^ deta<'hni«*nt. and prv-
ventin;* Kunde Row fn»in •M^ndin^j n*inf«irrt'nient* thniu^li fitlier
of tiie |«iMu*!4 of ( aveni^itnini or Uujjelhutty Tliii dotachnient
n'nd^'D'*! the r»nv under HvtltTH imnK<«liat4* ominiand inferior in
numlH*rM to that of Kundt* Itow. but he n*li«Nl with t*ontid«*tMM} on
ita nu|M*rii»r «pia]itv . for a Fn*n4*h detachment, which waa in
the field Utwt*<'n Thiai^ar and the hilN for ttie |mqKjm* ofcuileci-
iu|^ and co\crin^ *tippli«*<«. IumI. on nM^rtaiiung tin: |>rx>bable Call
I
2G4 IS DEFEATED BY KUNd4 ROW. [CHAP. XL
of Pondicherry, drawn farther to the westward ; and on receiving
intelligence of its actual surrender on the 16th of January had
joined Hyder at Bangalore. It consisted of two hundred cavalry
and one hundred infantry, all Euroi>eans, under the command of
M. Alain and M. Hugel, and some scattered detachments of
natives. Kundfe Row, who saw the consequence of this judicious
movement, determined to give him battle, and came in sight of
the troops of Hyder in the neighbourhood of Nunjendgode, about
twenty-seven miles south of Seringapatam.
The troops which were to decide the fate of a kin^om were
reduced by detachments to the small number, on the side of
Hyder, of six thousand horse and five thousand foot, with twenty
guns ; and on that of Kund^ Bow to seven thousand horse and
six thousand foot, with twenty-eight guns. For several days the
two bodies rather manoeuvred than fought, with some loss on both
sides, but no decisive result, and, in the opinion of many officers
who were present, with very superior skill as well as uniform
advantage on the part of Kundfe Row; who, early in February,
brought on a more decisive action. Hyder in vain attempted to
avoid this decision with the view of obtaining reinforcements,
which too late he |)erceived to be necessary. The feivorite
object of Kund^ Row in his various encounters was to compel
Hyder 8 infantry to change its front, and to charge it when in
the act of performing that evolution. On this occasion his suc-
cess was considerable, and Hyder was defeated with very heavy
loss, but retired in tolerably good order towards Hurdanhully.
Nothing but a confidence in powers of simulation, altogether
unrivalled, could have suggested to Hyder the step which he next
pursued. With a select body of two hundred horse, including
about seventy French hussars under M. Hugel, he made a cir-
cuitous march by night ; and early on the next morning, unarmed,
and alone, presented himself as a suppliant at the door of Nun-
jeraj at Cunnoor, and being admitted, threw himself at his feeL
WiUi the semblance of real penitence and grief, he attributed all
his misfortunes to the gross ingratitude with which he had re-
quited the patronage of Nunjeraj ; entreated him to resume the
direction of public afiairs, and take his old servant once more
under his protection. Nunjeraj was completely deceived ; and
with his remaining household troops, which, during the present
troubles, he had agumented to two thousand horse and about an
equal number of indifferent infantry, he gave to the mined for-
tunes of Hyder the advantage of his name and influence ; announc-
ing in letters dispatched in every direction his determination
to exercise the ofiice of Serv Adikar, which he still nominally
retained, with Hyder as his Dulwoy, or commander-in-chie£
Hyder, on leaving his army, had given directions for hanging on
the rear of Kundfe Row in the event of his making a movement
towards Cunnoor; which, on receiving intelligence of the above
MIAI». XI.] STUATACiEM TRAiTIsKP oN KlNht Hi.W *2u'*
stati*i| fii'i'*. Ill' nf ciiiiiN*' riiii^ii|Mr.-i| (•! Im- lij*, [liiiiriiy ••^J«m-:
ll\*li-r iitt«'iii|it<-*l liv \aritiii*« iM>i\«-intiits x* r^iiiiii jtiii<-i:< k willi
Ills ainiv. uliii-li Kiiiiil«* K»«\v. ]»v nwri- >\iiriil i-v li'iii- u^* |irr-
• • •
\i iiti'tl. ;iiii| |tn*-*»«-i| f«ir\Vii!«l uitli-^ui'li vij 'Ur. tii.-it l;.-- •[••-tmr-
ti'iii «•!* M\iii'r aii'l liiH iH-w riiiii'U a}*|H-.n<<i t<> In- iri> \ it.iMi-,
\i lii'ii In- Uiti ••\tili':iti-'l I'V Mil.- if tli.iH.- iii^t.iit<'*"« «'l Ii- i-il'iil
l'*r iiidiL'Ui* aii'l ilci-i'|i(i<iii wii'.i-li ^' - m^ t<* iiivi* i ■ ii-t .I'li* 1 tii**
liMiliti:^ ti-atufi- «>t' l.i*> rliaiii't- I. an 1 X* l:.i\<- iiil'ii' I. • '1. ii.<>t«*
tiiaii aii\ i>()i«i til'- \\lii>i<- t«-ti>>i it lii^ i-\i lit fill 111*
■
Till* III '\i ni'iit"* t'l wliii !i wi- li.i\«' a'l'.«nil l•l•l•llL^f KmiiI»-
ll«»\% I'l Knit'- M.ilu .i'ii|\ . t w i|i!\ "^ix imi« - "^ \\ t'i"iu >■ 1 j!i ,':'|'i
taiii. ai-»'it th'- '2^n)i •'!' Kii-in !\ aii-l ll\ :•» «... '\ i i! ih«l.
• • *
\%;i-. ;J-ii|t till liiil- >. ill hi^ i\ 'III. ulj'fi li« I'l- j i!'-! ir: t' i..'f.i#
aii'l \\;t!i til'- V »•' .-t' .V" .'♦#•». ]'!t'i>. a iiy- ■•• i t^ t '.- |:;!i«iial
l.'l li-r^ "I* K ImI'* Ik 'W*-* ailll\ til- •■ 1- tt* In ;i.i\i III 1 t . ;i ^Mji-
|,..-..i • 't. iji IIP !it \ilii lj t!:» \ },••'{ Ilia-!' !■• ■•:.••■ I\".:i!' II^w
ail 1 il-ii*'! liiiii T* N»iiii' I } . i'.''. I'l- Uii"- i "ii i; ' I' ■• ♦• I" r-
r-iiii til'- « -riiifi ijH -I" til-- t. I'll. it* i it\v ti i . ..Ill ' I. I's ii'l
\Mlli til- .il'- I \.!t -ii till? ii ttijiiij ii w p :i..i::i' 1 I :» •). t lh»'V
•
hll'lll'i ll.illi- -il !»• I\ •1111 J?
1 li.- 1" .IT- I ■■! tl.- -■ 1- M' 1 ■ .!< : »;• i «li:l\ .•:::••■:..::! tMI-
in_' |"11 j"'- I\ I!j!'» ! Ij' ImIi 1- • 1 ! ?;■ ■ "it j ■■-! - \% •- • i» ! .- '. X K'Ml'li'
II- 'W , \\ I, . « ?.t. » t.i:iii!:j ii..t t '. ]■ t ? N'l -I-:- : li • ? ! ■■ ■ : •. ili«'i'.
«■ -I. . i\ I i l!. I* Im- W .»«■ I- 1 1 i\ t -i i » 1.' . -W :« : ! !:i\ . :. • .'. i W Jtll
a -'I'i'i. 11 j^'i:- !!:-• ilrt'x Iii:i!!'-! I.. 1. l -■ ill •'•■..:■ I * I'mII
I ■
■ : I !-i >• : ill !;• .• '1.! \i jl !. 'It .. vx ji- \ :-.'.^ < Ii! .-. •• lull
\i.*!i !'.■ •:.-•!• I i '.:• ?"^ l * ' »::j'if . t' !'-• • ■Hiin iii-i' ? " • M* I'
I- v/ j.: )s\\ ki."\\ii .1 .'• •!• i.i! .■_: t.if ' 'I •i.-'i' i. t!i«' I.. '. •■_•• I
• ■ii« .i'*»' III- ■!■-%•■ \\i. M!t«i;v i;!ik;;-.wi .ih i «\-i\ i- ■ ■ '» j.'ii
t'ii!\;ii I'-i !i:. N.il".l\ \\ lii^'it u ;!'.';• . r v ».i..iv' ' ' ■ t"
I 'IllMiilMl- .if- X't t)|- ..tl.tf t);. • . I ■ t" ]..' '. IIM M\ . ! .'^l
I: -p- ' • ■ijlit liiMi « .itIx III?' !! .• * ■ ■ ! I' ■ r • • f' !'.• • • ..■. .'. I
a* tl.: ■ .'1 • ifi? I. - It : .-. I \ I ;■■ ■•.'••!:.■■■.••;••.' : ; ■■ I ;'i
!•.■ I K\ • I l\ ■::. i* K 'U ■ u i .■ i. !i. •. I : . ■■..:! ■ ■! j-. I . 'f «• k
! f .■•:■•. ' .* : I 1 J \ ! / ; : . / . . •■ 1 1 ' ■.*.•■ i I .. u ! ' ? i ■ . i . ■ • ■ I • ■
' ! -: •!. i\ .1'. I . ■:.!..:; }. ■■■ ■ .;. i i • •..'.: '. I ■!• . • '. :■
\ ; \ • .j • K.!.j t'-. w :. ]■ ■:•'.■ .-.•."; .•.::/•; .• i-. ■• :. •
.ill I • -■ _■ I •:■ I. I ■• .. ■ ii- 1. li '* \ I'l . ■:. ?'i :.r J • ."ill
t!.' .! -.!*\ III i tr.' iriJ:j!i\ w. !• .;:■•. /• 1 u.?*. " it.'i- •§
!• 1 • '.- ■ i! • ■ t ;.' .iiii.\ ■ I • I ■ \ . • ■
II ; 1- r K\ .i:i .f !i. I *!: i' i_. !!. ,?!• ♦. i i. • • : • ! ■
ail i i. i!t rij t .'jr ••! !li •■ -i i\ - a! < .r». . \! . •.. . ;•, ::. i i ; ' :i. •■
• I U .'.J . . . ■;!-|.-.l III iji.ik;ii/ -i ' \.' ..u.' \.' ■ ! r !".»• ■ ... ■. •■!
!• V- h 1 !■.'.: I \ !:.. ill-. . I I .- -• S-- •■■.'•. !.'!■. ■!• . .\.' I
\\ !'. • '. ii ■ -Ti..T;'ii Will •: ..;.,;- ! .•. ;. 'l.i.v i .: :.*v.
It! u^ u :• :. ■• fj.' III!. if.! I \ \% iii. li ! If \ I i I k- .■ .:. I ■ • ■!,■.! ■. I* .•
I'!.l!l-i ■ • **:.•: J Ij'-lt-ilil ka t u • t !i ! •»• N Mf 'i i • :.• .'il • 1.' 'I \ -1- I
i: \l* II \ i- r 111 li'- .1 "lit :i! .iii ) ■i-.-j j"* • •• .| I. ir. ?■ '\ • 'i ■ '■ !
I--1\ . .iii'l Uii.fi^' u|-»ii llii" i.**'» '• .il ii.i'liii.'i.t I'lf 'li* ..•■«!■
26b' ANOTHER DECISIVE STRATAGEM. [CHAP. XL
part of them to the sword, and retired before the ganiBOii
prepared to disturb his retreat, carrying off upwards of seven
hundred horses and a large l)ooty.
Hyder did not consider it advifiable to prosecute his ultimate
operation at Seringapatam until he had secured the whole of the
resources of the lower country, which continued to oppose his
detachments. He therefore descended the pass of Gujjelhutty,
took the fort of Errode, and all others which had been seized by
Kundfe Row or had declared for him (Caroor alone excepted,
which remained for the present without discussion in the hands
of the English,) and levied a large contribution on his partisans.
By the time that these arrangements were finished he had com-
pleted also the levies of his army, and had called in all his detach-
ments. Everything being now ready for the execution of his
plan, he ascended the Ghauts in force, and early in the month
of May arrived at ChendgS,l, on the south bank of the Caveri
opposite the centre of the island of Seringapatam ; where, affect-
ing to deprecate farther hostility, he appeared to be entirely absorbed
in negociations with Kundfe Row ; the remnant of whose cavalry,
chiefly Mahratta, and still amounting to between five and six
thousand, were encamped with a corps of infantry on the island,
south of the fort, and partly under the guns: Hyder, on the
opposite bank of the river, which was then fordable, made every
evening a show of exercising his troops till after sunset. On
the eighth day of this tacit armistice, instead of dismissing them
as usual, he made a sudden dash across the river as if in the
performance of an evolution of the parade, and canied destruction
into the enemy's camj) by complete surprise, capturing the whole
of their heavy equipments and most of their horses. This enter-
prise completed the ruin of Kundfe Row's field force ; and Ryder,
with the air of a conqueror already assured of his object, encamped,
more in the style of a triumph than a military operation, across the
island, on the ground now occupied by Sheher Gunjaum.
Fn)m hence he despatched a message to the Raja, intimating
in substance, '' that Kund^ Row was the servant of Hyder, ana
ought to 1)0 given up to him : that large balances were due to
Hyder by the State, and ought to be liquidated. After the pay-
ment of these arrears, if the Raja should be pleased to continue
him in his service, it was well ; ii* not, he would depart, and seek
his fortune elsewhere.'*
Such were the terms of his formal communication to ihe 'BBJtL
To the |)er8()ns holding public offices he conveyed the object of
his demands, and the cons'.'quences of rejection, m a more oistinct
manner. Many of these persons had long held the most important
oiiices of the government, and had benefited largely oy the
laxity and corruption which had prevailed : they were accoroingly
more occupied with the means of securing their private fbrtones
than by considenitions affecting the fate of Kund& Bow, the
rights of the Raja, or the safety of th« State. Such principleB
vnXP. XI.] HVDRR PRiM EEliS T<» BAN<iALORE. St;?
opp()fM*«l Imt Akniler impediinciitM to x\v* «K*ffii^ift of the conf|Uc*rf)r.
who hail Mf^ufieti hU |»leaMiri* that th<* full <>xt**iit of his iiifiH-
tat4*i! UHuqMition should, in the hist l»itt4Tii<>s8 of iii<K*kt*rv. apiHrai t4)
Im* tht* H|M)iitAnH»!i8 art of th«' Itiija hiiiLs«*lf : that unfortuiiato |»or-
aoiia^* wan n*a4lily iimih* to un<h*rstaii<l that thi* ilaii;:i'r was iinini-
m*iit. that no uicanH oxiht4il «>f |i:iyin«r th** hnlani^^'^. (»r nuikin;; any
ap|iro[iriatioii of fun«U for their >|HT«iy ]ii|tiui:ttioit ; ami that on<^
only arrani{om«*nt n'niaiu<**l xihirli oiuM ationl tlit* ho|i«* of
averting more tlreadful oalainitit*^. A j»r.»|«»sal f«»r i*anyiiii; that
arranp'nifnt into rfr«*<*t was, in this tn'iint*nt of t«Tri»r. tnmsniit-
t^tl to llydtT in th»» naiiit*. an 1 with tlio ♦••^li'uriviir". «if thf llnja ;
nanu'ly. 1st. That dintrirts V* th«* aip'i.mt of thii«* lar^ >fiouM U*
rewrviNl for th«j Kaja'st {N*i?«oii:iJ vx}«hm*s. aipl oiu- hi** fi»r NunJ4»-
raj : -«1. That Hy«lt*r HhotiM a--'iiip' thf niaha^'fuit'iit of th»»
n*niain*lt*r of thi» nmiitry. an<l fliiii;;-' liiin^^ilf willi th** n'sj»i»iiHi-
bilily of (Iffniyiuk^ tlii» arroirs. an«l |»ro\iiliii^' fur tht* | my «if th#»
anuy an«l |»uhli«* riiar^'H of iaitv <l*'N«ii|.tion . un<l 3«1. That
Kunil** Ki>w hhouhl U* ^tv«n n|» to hiin.
llii** h«Mvv l»»a«l of ran* afi«l PKiMiri^il ilitv wan i f r.iiirs«' niont
n*ltii*t:intlv hut (lutifiillv un 1-it tk«*n. an I llv-irr \v:iiti«l on tin*
Ilaja aUiut t)it* U'^innin;; of tfun** with ail tlh* f*rniH nf ni*H*k
Riihuii<i<«ion an>l n*H|N^'t . aii 1 fn*ni tiii^ ni«ini"nt )ii*« UHur|i:ition
waM rom|»h»f«' Thf H<ih'nin. air««**inLr. a'j«i \Vfll.:ii*t."l int«*rviMW
witli Ntinjrraj at t'unnoor wan «■■ n iju*-! to < ••nvtiiifitt oMivion.
tir ri'vivi'l ill ri«IiruloiM fmns fir lli«' a'ni:^«*ni«-nt of hi, (Minvivial
honr^ , an 1 that w«Mk antl i'tf.l.i!«»ii-« mm. aft* r th** first im|irva-
aionn hail HiilMi4h*«l. M-fninl «u*an*<'ly U» ha\»* i*\j-»ti-«l any otlnT n*Hiilt
Kun<l»* Kow wan ^iv«-n up. an*! tMntin*'*! an«l hin «>tti(*ial
a«*r\*ai»t.*, a.-i wril ai* hiuiM-if, \iip« of i*i.ti!-^«* |ilunl«'r*' 1 to th«»
utUKMt rxt-'nl of tht'ir mfvin-%. lUfiin* it ha«l Ufii iii*t«'nnim»»l
that Kun«lt* Kow «ht)uM U* •»urri*n l-r--! a '\»*\ui ni«-<s.i •• wan «M»nt
to Hyh-r fn«m tlu» Iliija an! ih^- I:'"!!".-* *f tlif |»:»l:ii".-. |'r:i\in;^for
ni*T<'V t'lwarN that unf •rtunil** m.irt a^ a pi< iiminarv to th** a*l-
^iiHtm«'iit of puhhc* atfairH l(\'Ii>i ripljfl. (n.it Kun*!** U«»w wan
M oil! «a*r\ant. ami thit In- «»ul.| n .f ..nly HiirtTi* lii-* hf**. ^'Ut
rhcri^h him lik<* a |cimH|Ut( a t«'iiii of itfl* arm* nt •* >mmoti in
o«.nv«rsiii^ with WMtn«'fi. frau fhit )-:r«l U In^f a fa\orii.. |« i in
tht* h.ir**m% 'if thi' wi*Jthv Wij. n h*- wah alt*'ru.iplH ;;i'iitlv ail-
ni«»ni<ihf«l of hill M*Vfritv to Kuti^i** Kow. ho it>iii«*.illv rfpli«Hl.
that h«- h.vl f\.irtlv k«'l»t hi- Winl ; an 1 thnt th'V \v»'P' at hU«rtv
U* ini|M>*t hi«« iro4 «*«i«;r antl th** rn-i* anil mt!k allotr«'«i fir hia
fiMxi . for '•uch waM th** fat«* to whiih h»* hiul th-'ini^l Kuii*!^ lloW
for th«* ri-inaimhtf of \u% mi<*«Tihif» lift*
Th** arraQi«i*iii^nta rfin-«ri*»nt "ii th«» u<«ur|iation iMviipied
QpwanU of two months. an«l Mv'lrr )«a\inj ap;»ant«*«l hin hn»tner«
in-law. Mui*khil«»«iin Ali Khan Kilh-lar of SriiiiT^ikatam. with a
|[arri»'in of hv^ iniNkt truaty troi>pa t^ntk l«*aw of tho Kaja with
the usual fonnaliUoi «arly in S^iU uAm-T an*l (inA^mird towanla
Bangalonr, %\hcr«* uther events 'icaunitd hm prrscn^T.
i'
CHAPTER XII.
FROM 1701 TO 1766.
Circumstances which led to the march of Basalut Jung to the south — €md induced
Ilyder to more to Bangalore — Basalut Jung is foiled in the siege of Ooscota^^
Negociation by which Ilyder is invested with the office of Nabob of Sera: its ludi^
crous circumstances — Title of Ilyder Ali Khan Behauder — Capture of Ooscota —
Ilyder* s revenge for an outrage sustained in his infancy from Abba* Couli Kkam
— hindness to his family — United armies move to Sera, and after its capture
separate — their respective motives and objects — Ilyder moves to Little Balipoor
— spirited defence — Morari Row moves to its relief— is defeated — Capitulation
for the ransom of Balipoor — broken by the Poligar, who retires to Nunaidroog —
Balipoor is garrisoned by Morari Row's troops^ and carried by assault — Hyder
extends his conquests over the territory of Morari Row— returns to Sera —
receives the submission of the Poligars of Raidroog^ HarponuUy^ and Chittle^
droog — Singular impostor from Bednore'-^engages Hyder to invade that country
— its description — Hyder' s proceedings ai.d progress — conquest of the capital —
immense plunder — capture and imprisonment of the Queen^ the young RtgOy and
the impostor — Design of making Bednore his capital — arrangements with that
view — Conspiracy detected — chatavteristic punishments-^ Conquest of Soonda —
Arrival of Reza- Ali, the son of Chunaa Saheb — Military improvements —
public etiquHte — Embassies to Poona and Hyderabad — objects and retult^-^
Designs rciiarding bavanore — invasion of that province — defeat of the Nabob—'
military contribution — Ilyder returns to Bednore — his general extend* his
conrjuests to the north— Proceedings of the Peshwa Madoo Row — his advanced
corps defeated — advance of the main army — relative force — and plawf of
operation — Action of liettehully — entrenched camp at Anawutty — Defeat of a
detachment commanded by Ilyder in person — Operations suspended by tke
monsoon — renewed — Madoo Row compels Ilyder to abandon his entrenched camp
and fght at n disadvantage — signal defeat — and retreat to the lines of Bednore —
di.scocerit his injudicious choice for a capital — Peace with Madoo Row — views
of the jHtrties regarding its conditions — Insurrections in the eastern provinces —
detachments to quell them — capture of the Poligar of Little Balipoor — Hydsr
prepares for the conquest of Malabar — Communications with Ali Rega^ m
Mohammedan chief— Notices of these Mohammedans — Military character and
habits of the Nairs — Hyder" s successful progress — Negociation with the Ziunorim
— deception — Extraordinary suicide — Arrangements for securing the conquest^
mores to Coimbatore^ General insurrection in Malabar — Ilyder rttmrms"^
dreadful executions^forcible emigration — apparent restoration of tranquilliiy'^
returns to Coimbatore — Intelligence of a confederacy of the Mahrattas^ Nizam
Ali J and the English to invade My soar — Hyder proceedi to Seringapatam —
Death of the former Raja and succession of his son — Harsh treatment and
farther restraint — (Causes of the war of 1767 to be explained in the entuis^
chapter — Previous observations on the treaty of Paris.
We h*ft Basiilut Jung, in December 1759, at Rurpa, distinctly
unfoldinjLT, iu his negociation with Monsieur Bussy, his views ot
in<h'|K'n<ioni sovereignty in the south, and his desire, if he could
etlecb that object without compromising his independence, of obtain-
ing the aid of the French to oppose the better fortunes of his
brother Nizam Aii, who had supplanted him as the minister and
jreneral of their ehler brother Satabut Jung, still pageant Sonbadar
of the Deckan, but destined in 1761 to be imprisoned, and in two
(ilAP. XII. ] HAHAI.rT JVSU IIRSIEUKH U<»KI*(»TA. ^09
vvnr\ nft4*n»'anlH to lie inunli*iv«|, liy Niznin AH. In the vear
17(»<> Nizam Ali wan i»iipip*4l in a (it'fmsivo uikI uiiNU<*<V9wful
4*aiii|iHipi a«raiiiMt the Pi-nhwa lialaji'^* R«iw, U»twtM»ii thf riveni
Ki^ttui hihI (ff«NiaVfri : and a.s KaHiilut Juii^ rouM m^arLvly move
in any «lirLvtii»n Wyon«l tin* liniitn o( liis |M*p<4>nal jaj^^tT without
(i>min^ in nuitart wiili mnin* MuhnittJi t4'mt4»n', <lf|H»inlrm\v, or
army, aii<l h<* fi>uii«i it «*x|MNlii*nt to inaintAin an arnica bh? inter-
<*«»urH4* with the ai'tuiil (»|i|Minrnt'< of hin rival, tht* early imrt of
tlmt v«*:ir wiut ihi^mmI hv him in a stat4* of iiuM*tit>n at Ailwanec.
The j^'at ftforU wliii'li wvif m:i«l«' hy the Mahnitta^H in the mi(l«llo
an<l einl tif tliat viNir to rtillt-rt fjn^'H for thi» im|M'n«lin:^ <*on-
t4*»t. whirh t4*nnin»t4*<i on tht* 7th of January 17(»1 in tht* dU-
a^trotiH Uitth* of ranipiit. M-mi t4i Icavi* a mi»n* o|M>n ticM f«ir hi*i
exertion : ami in thf month (»f Au;^'Uht 17f»() he lM*i:an. in the nnli-
luirv pnMM*'*^ of «»ast«*ni sovrn-iu'titv. to draw within the ein'h* of
hin <»wn |io^«»4*'>.Hions thr m«»Ht t*onvcni<*nt and mNtHiHihh^ fra^mentu
of ih«» Hhutt4*rrd htiit«*H around him. The sui*«v«vh of this hin tinit
intli'|w*n<ient mm{tAi;;n was in it** ri»mmenf*«*mt*nt enf^Mimcin^:
aUh«»ii;;h <N*«M.si.inaJly rht-<'k<-d. !>** had riin«iid«*nihly fiilarp*d his
limits. an<l aU>ut thi* niontli i»f .fun** 17t»l had plniiiird the re-
durti«>n <»f Sni.* th« n in tin* |Hi^s«-HMon of th** Malirattan, hut
f«»rm«'rly th«* <'apital of a N:iU»h t»r |»rovin<*ial jjovirnor. d«|M*ndent
on th«» SiuKaii:ir of ih«» I^M'kan. H** PHS»nn«»itn*'l the eitjMlel,
hut t)i<iu^dit it m<>>t |»nid«*nt to |i,LHn it 1 1 in military' ehi'Ht
p-^juip'*! ni«»i»* rapid Hiiiiplj*-* than wit** |ironii>4*il hy itn nii-^t* . and
h<* m««\i-<l tartlii-r s«inth. ovrr an un«iulatini' eoiintr\'. alt4'rnat4dv
Htrori;; ari'l «i|N«n th«* plainer |i»rtH having; U*4*n fi»rtiti«*d ai^inMt
Hiidi it'll itii'uiHiftn hv walU and tiiui-rn <if knt»nihMl rlav. whirh Hur-
round t'\frv \illa''i«
It ua** th«' appntiK'h <»f thi** font* whieh rallt**! Hydfr fn»m
STin^nijiatam. ininii-duitt-ly aft4>r th«* tN»m|»l«'tion of hi<« UMiqm-
tiiifi . and on hin arri\al at rktii;jal«in* h«* f*Mind th*it lia<cilut •lun^
wuH «ii^riv;»-d ill th»- •*i**^''» **( t>ii^*otn Thin phic**. uhi«-h had Iw*-
|.ir;^'fl. a*» Wi- ha\** h« < n. t** th*< Mahratta hoU'<«* «d* >lmh|t-«v ImmI
a!t«iu.ii*U |mHH«-.l int*i lh«» |N»^..%«*'*niiiii of th«» Patau Nal"»h of
kur{i;i and in 17'>7 li^id U«n ra|'tiir«-«| hy liiilajif It^^w, in the
H.'ini«- tMUipai/n in \%hii-h hi* math' tin* iiinijui'st i^f S«'ni The
f'rtirl.Mti'-ii-* >%.p iti tin- r»ith' •«t\l«*<*f th** \dlaL:*' hidwark^ hut it
|».H<4-i%<4-.l ih. iid\:iiit.i^»: rn*m natun* of U'liii^ unaj%sad.il'l«' on on*»
tao*. and %ftas d« l*-tid<'d h\ a i^ani'^in whirh drtit-d and d«'rid<Nl
tht* att* uiptt I't r»«i>iilut •luri^' to siiUiiit' tht-m lli** m«»rtiti«*nti4in
ol 1- ui^' thu-^ f"il«d wan rxtp ni«' . thi* military chi^t «AAfm|itv.
aiiil thf |« ri'^l M.k^ fa\Mi.ih]«* t«» il\«h-t ^ \i«*u«. <k*M«^»tji in dis-
tant "u\\ «-i^diti-«-ii mil«**« tr*»m r*(in;ri*i<>n* in a north •«'af%t«'ni dirM'tion:
• A iMMilr.fi *.n % ditinnuti^i* •« ilr. \''\\ rtljtl.>!inj( ri>n*ulrniMr t4*t#,
l>iii!t hy t^f I%«! Si*w»t» lhli%.kr Kit in. t« ^iiil «Untlnij; *t Srra, ami i« tbi»
tn«Mlrl f<*!l«*«f^l :ti tilt* crrrtinti nf tLo«r !»{drii(hd |*iU(ct huilt hj llydcr tint
'li|*|HM> a\ H.iii>;ali»ri- juid .S nil k'a|ui tain
270 HYDER ENTITLED NABOB OF SERA. [CHAP. XII.
the first communications were rapidly arranged, and Fuzzul OoUa
Khan was sent as Hyder s ambassador to the camp of Basalut
Jung. The distress of tliis chief, and the whole character of the
negociation, may be inferred from the fact that for a nezer of
three lacs of Rupees, he agreed to invest Hyder with the office of
Nabob of Sera; an office, a country, and a capital, which were
yet to be conquered ! The alleged rights which Hyder acquired
from this instrument of investiture have been gravely discussed and
defended. The right of the grantor seems to have been inferred from
the act of granting, for no other source of right can be readily dis-
covered: the right of the sword, to which most political claims
may be ultimately traced, was absolutely wanting in this case;
and the decision of this arbiter, pronounced three years afterwards
by Nizam Ali, de fcxto Soubadar, or ruler of the Deckan, showed
his sense of the authority of Basalut Jung, by restricting him
by force of arms to the single district of Adwanee.* An incident
occurred during the communications with Basalut Jung, which
furnishes an additional feature in the character of Hyder, and
illustrates the ludicrous turn which was given to the whole trans-
action. In the course of the negociation, Basalut Jung pro-
posed, with a view of obtaining a larger sum from Hyder, to honor
nim with a title of the order distinguished by its terminating Per-
sian word " Juv/f* (war). Among the lowest vulgar this word is
pronounced Zung, which also signifies the tinkling circular kind
of bell, commonly strung round the necks of camels and oxen ;
and Hyder, among other remains of the society of his youth,
retained this faulty pronunciation. When Fuzzul Oolla Khan
came with this pi*oposition, Hyder laughed in his face, and repeat-
ing four or five times the word Zungy "Let me have nothing
to do with your ornaments of a beast of burden," said he, " but
if the great man insists on giving such a decoration, you may take
it to yourself." Fuzzul Oolla, who loved a title, and was not
fastidious in scrutinizing authorities, took Hyder at his word ; and
returning to Ooscota did receive the title of Hybut Jung (terror
of war), which he ever afterwards retained.
The sunnuds, or deeds of investiture, were however executed
in duo form, and the title of Nabob, and name of Hyder Ali
Klian Behander, by which he was designated in those deeds» were
certainly thenceforth assumed by Hyder. On receiving these
honors, he in October united his army to that before Ooscota,
and in a few days gave to the great Basalut Jung the honor of
being the reputed captor of a mud fort.'f
* He was besieged in Kumool in 1764, and capitulated on
conditions.
t ** Mud forty* from the usually imperfect construction of the villaM
defences, is a term of contempt in India, although the mibstanoe itraf
(kneadea clay) resists the effectu of cannon-shot better than any other
material.
nUP. XU] CAPTl'RR OP SERA. S7I
An ohject of pergonal reven^« which the impresfiioiis of
iiifiinfy* and youth had stmnjrly tixe<| in the memory of Hyder,
ni*xt (*nf:ra|^Hl hiii att4.*ntion. liiiMihit Jun^ had, in the c<»unie of
n«'^ictati(»n, wiHh^l to exohule fn»n) the enunKTutionH contained in
Uie dtf^ln On^t lialifKKir, the Jr^ht <»f AhKiH (\M)li Khan ; but
Hyder hnwdly anKwenNi, thnt his lionors were worthh'HH if they
r.tchi4lt*d a full and a d(V{> revenire : that he accepte«l and t>aid
ftir the HuunuclH hs a mutunl ac<*<>niniudation, not fn»ni any aiffi-
dence «if \Hi\n^ ahle t4> acliieve his own objivts without them ;
and tliat another MvUahK' indirntini^ the exclusion of Rali|KK>r
nhouk) tenuinate the ne;;iH*inti(»n. Ablm-s C'ooli Klian was
anxiously att4*ntive t4» Hydrr'n lnt4» pnKvtslinpi ; and on hi*arinff
of the junction of the tW4> anni«*s he distinctly saw his |>eril, and
t)e<l m'ith the utmost pr(*i*i|>itation t4> Madnu«. a distance of 220
milea. Iea%'inp: bli familv t«» their fate.f Hyder » conduct to the
family of AMiaa Cooli )whnn is amon;: the very few examples in
the hi)(tor>' of hin life, of anv n'Uiote t4*ndencv towanU the amiable
• • •
ft^elinpt of hunuui natun*. On entering without op|Mj»iition the
fort <»f BaliiMMjr, and hearinj; that tlie objivt of his ven;^*ance
had cficaTMNl, he iire^'nt^nl hinis<*lf at the pit** of the downpT. the
widow ol hin fatliers loni, but tht» iii(»thcr of thr fu^jitive. In a
nie.«Ma4^% full of p'ntlrni'ss itn<l <l«'li<'afv. Im' shownl a remem-
branci* <if kindnesM*M c«»nf«'mHl in the days of his infnncv. and
axHund Iht of hU j^nititu-h* and n*sjMN»t ; and although he appro-
priat4*<i, without hcHitatinn. fvcrvtliin;; that f«ir inilitical purtMines
mi^ht U? coiisi.h»n*<l as ptiMi*' pn»)HTty ; \n* mtindy vcnti«sl his
aAHumnc4».H t'> the dowa;riT. and tN»ntinu«M| thn»u^h life to tn»at the
unotffndin^; branch**^ of her fnmily witli di^iinction and j;eni»n»sitv.
Fn»iu I^li|MMir tin* unit<**l nnnits uiov<*<l to S*m. which made
but a f«"«'ble remstanci*. Hvder achicv«i|. without much delay,
tile c«»n(|ueHt of his ni*w di;;niti*'s and rapital, and the alli«*<i
chiefs t'»«»k h-aye tif enrh oiIht aUnit thi» U»;;inninir *»f the yrar
I7*»2 I>urini; tlif inefH«'i«'iii ojMTnti"HH nf iWcihit .f!in;» in the
Health. SnIal'Ut Jnn;; had Isvn inipriH4iiiiMl on the l^th «?uly
17lil. by Ninun All, ulm oiM*nly a*v«utiit^l the otti<v <*f SaiUidar :
it w%n then no |oni^,.r th** indin^'i intliifnce. but th«» actual iniwer
€>f thnt chi«'f, ^hieli w/is to b^ mianhd aj^iinst by Ii\s;iltit Junjj;
and the >i;;«»n«U'» |>n*p:ir:iti'<iiH of his bn»(h»T mad** it ••\|«N|irnt
that he kIiouM W* UfapT )i'>iii«\ X* att4*nd U* tin* evmtual di'trnoe
€»f AdwantM* ; he th«*r»'f«»n* d«'j».iri«»'l. litth' ennfloij, t*» the n<>rth,
while Hvihr inov«><l in a Houth-eaHt^-rn tlin-cti«»n. wIkti* other
objerts f|ftfiatid«'<l hi*« att* iiti«>n.
Th«* doniiiii«»iiH of Mtintri Itow. th«* Mahrntta chiff of Ctoitti,
were nituatol to Uk* nortli-«-a/«t of Hytb-m new a(*«|utAit ion . their
• y**r Xhv ti:'*idrnt ailudrd t«». »*▼ y 1 'J
t Surli w 14 )i]« terri*r. tint ti hi-n Ihtirr iti lT<^li prr^cntrd himtelf at the
Ipate^ '>f Mndrafi, he rm^jrk«-t| in \ rrs/y \* ^m1, trul «i}d tii*t vrnturc to Uad
until H>drr « artiij liA*! re MceuiUxl the |>:k%?r4 of th< aiMiDt^AUt
272 A SINGULAR SECT. [CHAP. XII.
southern extremity was bounded by the small territory of the
Poligar of Little Balipoor. This capital of his little State, and the
usual residence of the Poligar, is situated fourteen miles to the
eastward of Great Balipoor, recently aciiuired by Hyder, and
twelve miles to the nortn of Deonhully,* his former frontier sta-
* The mention of this place leads me to notice a sect in this neighbour-
hood, so singular in their habits that I subjoin a description of them which I
gave in a letter to a friend in the year 1805. Tbis legendary tale will famish
an example of the wild mythology which the attentive Indian traveller vill
find luxuriantly strewed on every step of his progress.
" In passing from the town of Silgut to Deonhully in the month of
August last, I became accidentally informed of a sect, pecuHar, as I since
understand, to the north-eastern parts of Mj[soor, the women of which
universally undergo the amputation of the first joints of the third and fourth
fingers of their right hands. On my arrival at Deonhully, after ascertaining
that the request would not give offence, I desired to see some of these women,
and the same afternoon seven of them attended at mv tent.
" The sect is a subdivision of the Murresoo trokul* and belongs to the
fourth great class of Hindoos, viz., the Souder. Every woman of the sect,
previously to piercing tlie ears of her eldest daughter, preparatory to her
being betrothed in marriage, must necessarily undergo this mutilation, which
is performed by the blacksmith of the village for a regulated fee, by a
surgical process sufficiently rude. The finger to be amputated is placed on a
block: the blacksmith places a chisel over the articulation of the joint, and
chops it off at a single blow. If the girl to be betrothed is motherless, and
the mother of the boy have not before been subjected to the operation, it is
incumbent on her to perform the sacrifice.
" After satisfying myself with regard to the facts of the case, I enquired
into the origin of so strange a practice, and one of the women related with
great fluency the following traditionary tale, which has since been repeated
to me with no material deviation by several others of the sect.
" A Rachas (or giant), named Vrica, and in aftertimes Bu87n^a90or^
or the giant of the ashes, had, by a course of austere devotion to Maftadeof^
obtained from him the promise of whatever boon he should ask. The Rachas
accordingly demanded, that every person on whose head he should place his
right hand might instantly be reduced to ashes ; and Mahadeo conferred the
boon, without suspicion of the purpose for which it was designed.
** The Ilachas no sooner found hifnself possessed of this formidable
Sower, than he attempted to use it for the aestruction of his benefactor.
lahadeo fled ; the Rachas pursued, and followed the fugitive so closely as to
chase him into a thick grove, where Mahadeo, changing his form and bulk,
concealed himself in the centre of a fruit then called tundapnndoOy but since
named linga tunda^ from the resemblance which its kernel thenceforward
assumed to the ling^ the appropriate emblem of Mahadeo.
** The Rachas having lost sight of Mahadeo, enquired of a husbandman
who was working in the adjoining field, whether he had seen the fugitive, and
what direction he had taken. The husbandman, who had attentively observed
the wliole transaction, fearful of the future resentment of Mahadeo^ and
equally alarmed for the present vengeance of the giant, answered aloud,
that he had seen no fugitive, but pointed at the same time with the little
finger of his right hand to the place of Mahadeo*s concealment.
'^ In this extremity! Vishnou descended in the form of a b^utiful damsel to
the rescue of Mahadeo. The Rachas became instantly enamoured : the damsel
was a pure bramin, and might not be approached by the unclean Rachas. By
* Murresoo, Of Mursoo, in the Hala Canara sigaifies rude^ Mmeiviliwi tcokwi^ a
hu^ndman,
t Siva, X I>igDut vindice nodus.
( KAI* MI ]
i.ini.r i!\Lirin»i:
- f •>
ti'ii 'I'll'' i''»Ji'|'i'^t i«t* Litlii* r.;ilij' •■ r li;i 1 Im i!! I .ii/ aiil
• .
■ i • '
• !• .:.•■• .-!r .i;'|«iri.l :•■ itliut. ..i,.| .ii .\ |''i\! :* i-!i!.'. ;i !■• '.."..tr
:% l\ r, !■«. f •!• i:!!!-!! ; tit' pt rim :m iJ. •■ ■•! }j: • .iKi'iT ;■■■. • iii .1 i •
A'ttf ;.'. wi-n !;Ji. lif.l, iiii- pn <- : i'»r •! m t T »!!}.« r | i,'. .• . w \.
i 'Ti •' iif l::f- >ii.i /j /. .1 I'l :• :.i<>IiV I'l u ill' '1 ! Ii- i:..'.! i. ii.-i . « • .■ • ..• V
.1, l'..«'.l ?•• l\iv 'N:i I *. !■• '.!:•■ I T.'Wii •■: 11. t ill . i. lift !■! <■•!■■ I | ir: ■ I ' ••
J-.».i-. 'I" J.. IJ I- :. i«. I "i. \'h.:i^ 1.: I;. i<: ! ••■ . .u. I i-:^- :. .1 ■■! • ;.!■ ]■■ ai ! - . : :.. i
ri/'.* ii tn-l. M : ■ .: r-.' I "..%• .^ i . ' 1. .i*. 1 \\ 1- l.:[^. • !f i> •in 1 I ! ■ . ....
" Mr. I'i. I I. •.% :- :;« 'l Irt-rn t'.r ../i •.». /i, ..:..l .!:••. !«.■ i--. ■ -r
.1 Ltiiu i- i/::,. :.f • :..r l;:-! ili '•. • t 1 '.:i4 • , ir- • i -'• <! :•• li. ■ i- « ti • .• .;,l ■■" I'.'"
1 1* t> :.• f".! « I . i .i.ir:i th. .ill t <li !i r !i..Iii «i "It ti.i ! : '. (.1 :.]•.■ 1 u .:. \- ...• u
L« i. I i ■ !*■ :.i- i, .1 •'-•■ J »■■; • i i .•., Mm r.! •■? I.;- < :.: .■
■' 1:. \\.'. .! •!.. !«i-" .r..l:n »;•. \\l..« I t-i i-; • i:;.-.i I »' !' ■ f ;i v .''i
f- . 1 • -r r. r !. . .■ ri t, ).f 1: jm. ••.!.!« tlr i-i. l\ -i 'i'* :. •■. : r- -v I . 1 . r ,■ :■ , •• . !
• .? \| .1 1 it • .**" -n I i» 'I !:!i-i I ill • • :! L.ii r..:. • ; • • r ' i:- :. . :: 1 • : ■ 1 I
>.'.•. I • ■!. • /;•!■ I !■ . - 'Jh'- iijt|,:f.i ::■■].. I ■:!■;'..:..• !:.i- i . "f •■: :'." ' ,
.1'. 1 !■ - ■ .^•■.! ! •.- .j- .■> • • . ■ :■• ;.* • ■■! f..-r :.: .-. i -. i:.-i. ii ■■: ■ ■■■ : i.- r
I. .'' • ■: ^! . .i •. ]'l. .1 1 \*.''i . I - ;. I i. fc J :. • .■• I ■■. ,1 1 ■ • I,
:\ • •■'! ?li- • X .I.,'.-, .r. I ..r.j 4 ' . i !!. i! !.i r I. :■ .!i I •..:•;.:•. . ' ' ••
J.' :.i i'.. 'j» '.'. t ;;.i - .■ nji- I ! M.. ! i.„. ; 1! tii • !•:..•■ ..■» t * * • i. ■■, ■■: I' t?
I. »i. ■ I ; !i. il.I ■ ! ! 'f jr I > .. •;•. t i|- % ! ?.!»■!:• , -i i-: * ' • i. .
I . \r •.■■!«.. : 1 :..■■>■ ■ u:.-.. i : ■ ! .• -.■:■■ I j ■■'. 1 .' . !'.!.■«
•.■.. . w ....... I ■. >, ! ■ ..-. ■■■! ! . ! .. \.f .- • : ■■ Nl .: . ■ v. I
.1- •••• I •'..■..;:•■■■■■ r ■■•! I .. ■ . :v .'.... i ! * . ' :• ••
^ i "«••. ! . • I' ■ ..•'. w'l I I i". : w r i • I . :. i I . ■ . • ,:
w.:.-.:. !•.. ......r . .: M , ::*-;. i f. .:. ..:»r!.. . .• 'v .■■.:.
■" 1 . :.:.. • ^ ' :•. r . • .! . -s ■■: • •.!:.« ... V.. ■ 1 • • .• i " ,• I.
> I
■ . * • •
I . ! . } ■•• ' ■ .• ■.:.:•-.. •. .1. : :.•-..:■•:..
. » • ■ * I : ■ • ."•!•'..:.■.:.. 1 v. r » ! ■ : ' ■ • . :
.;...■• ! .. .-, ir.' 1- • . ;■ .■ . . »
f.. »i> •* ••. . .••. ■•••■ *...
• t <
I .*. 1 : ..■ 1.. ...! L. .. w ...;.:..: .1 ! j .: ^ : :... .: 1 ■ .. _ . I
• .' . ■ ■ ■
.\ "•'•.■. i*. :j •'! ^" f-.". ^•. ■ r ;■ f '. . --r I ■ . ..! • • J: « ! ■• .: i ■ : ^ - •
%1 . '. .
■ . r i i::.- r .
1
• ! •
I If . . ' \ ■ .-. . w ' . . . ir • .• r . r . . ' J \
•I • -. I . » I •■■ 7 . • .. ■■:■...•!..•...•• '. .
•■■■•.I ,■.•• I i I,
I:. I . ^ -.•■.: . • !. ..
^ ' k* . • \ • ' ■ ' ■ ■ . V. • • • • t • • • I I i •
• '■ ■• .1. ^ ^ l_ ill*.*
a •
• ■
. . 1
•■■•■■I 'I.."."' •!■■. -.. ,. . ..I ia 1»,.. I t.t .. '.j
I ■,?.■•:■■ ■ • ^ •■.. .... ' !■ .■ .fc.»<
\
' ' ..
1: '. .
. *«
I'
■ • ■ • • J I ■ •
!• ••• ••••
.1.1 •• *.• .. !.•••'<.
■•I •". Ilf...... •■.■
1». * .:i ■!•'.. r. • r
• ■ ■ ■ -
■ ■
I • »'i ' ■• ' •:• . ' I- : • •■• • r Ml rt i ... :. ; v .: .. i:.r 1 1 ■:• r.%. ■ : :...•
I .1-1. i .V .. ••■.,' : >! . r .. Ul fc .
* U-.Lr.ffr t!ie •..'! c' \ f >-»«« •.'*««%« ll&lAsl'. I I.' •#>*••
*27i CAPITULATION FOR ITS RANSOM — [CHAP. XII.
anxiously (lesinnl by Hyder. The Poligar of DconhuUy had, on
the siin*ender of .that place in 1749, ca[)itulated on the condition
of being permitted to retire in safety to his relation at Little Ba-
lipoor : the family had since tliat j period been engaged in inces-
sant plots to recover that pbice, and Hyder conceived the reduc-
tion of Little Balipoor to ho indispensable to the safety of tliis
p.irb of Lis frontier. Ho approached tlic place, and the 2)oIigar,
who had the free option of retiring to the impregnable rock of
Nun<lIdroog, distiint only three miles, thought proper to await the
atta^ck, in the nearly open tovni of Little Balipoor, which is pro-
vided with a weak citadel, so placed, that an assailant must pre-
viously possess himself of the town. Regular science, in its legi-
timate application to the defence of places, is calculated to pro-
tract resistance, but in its practical effects it seems more fre-
quently to have excused or accelerated their fall. This Poligar
verified the better doctrine that all places are impregnable, so
long as the moi-jil energies of its defenders can l>c upheld. He con-
tested every inch of ground in this open town ; every successive
liouse became a fortress ; and at the expiration of two months
Hyder could scarcely yet be said to have commenced the siege
of the citadel. The spirit of the defenders was kept at its stretch
by the expectation of relief from Morari Row, whose aid had
Ixicn previously secured, and who was now approaching the
place. Hyder s su})enor numbers enabled him to leave a strong
corps for the maintenance of his ground, and by an unexpected
movement of the remjunder of his army against Morari Row, to
give him a signal defeat. The Poligar was now left to his own
resources ; the place was complctc^ly invested ; and the spirit of
enterprise and defiance which the garrison had hitherto main-
tiiined was succeeded by despondency. Negociation ensued, and
an agieement for ransom was concluded for the sum of nine lacs of
Rupees. It was not expected that so large a sum could be paid
down without some time for its realization ; and Hyder, not
unwilling to draw off from the pestilential consequences of the
close conflict in the town, enciunped on the plain near Deon-
hully to w^ait the amingements for j>ayment. The Poligar had
no sooner got rid of his presence, than, in conformity to a pre-
vious jigreenient, a body of Morari Row's troops was thrown into
the place, and the Polig:ir, with his family, ascended the impreg-
nable rock of Isundidroog, distiint only three miles, and over-
looking the whole country. It was his project to leave Hyder to
waste himself anew in a contest with fresh troops ; and wncn the
gairison should begin to flag, to descend once more with his
select followei*s, and by a vigorous eflbi-t finally compel his enemy
to niise the siege.
Hyder was enraged at finding himself the dupe of this deoep*
tion, an<l returned with rrncwe<l ardour to the attack. The spint-
less defence of a mercenary garrison did not long protract the
CHAP. XTL] is CABRIED BY ASSAULT. 275
fate of the place: in about ten days it was carried by assault,
nnd its future defence was committed to Budr u Zeman Khan, a
nevayet officer of reputation from Arcot, who had entered the
service of Hyder in the course of this campaign. Hyder made
no immediate attempt on Nundidroog, but left a light corps under
his maternal uncle Ibrahim Saheb, whose head-quarters were at
Bangalore, with orders to destroy the surrounding country, and,
in communication with the gairisons of Deonhully and Little
Balipoor, to cut off the access of supplies. With the double view
of furthering this object, and retaliating on Morari Row, he ex-
tended his conquest over a considerable sweep of country to the
northward of this recent acquisition, and to the eastward of his
former frontier, including Coodiconda, Penconda (the former
capital of Carnatic), and Merg Sera. Morari Row acknowledged
the decisive nature of the defeat which he had sustained by
retiring to his capital of Gooti ; and Hyder now considered his
arangements to be in a proper state for re-visiting the capital of his
new dignities, profiting by its dii'ect territorial possessions, and
by the submission of its reputed dependants. The chief of these
were the Poligars of Raidroog, Harponhully, and Cliittledroog,
situated to the north and north-east of Sera. The former, on
Hyders approach, came spontaneously to offer submission and
allegiance, and for this conduct he was ever afterwards dis-
tinguished by Hyder above all his Hindoo dependants. Harpon-
jhufly obeyed the first simimons : but the Poligar of Chittledroog*
attempted to evade and procrastinate. Hyder met this attempt
"by overrunning his whole country with his cavalry ; and in a few
days the Poligar found it prudent to compromise for a fine of two
Ia<^ of Pagodas, besides the regulated payments, after the ruin of
li considerable portion of his country. He was then most gra-
ciously received at the camp of his new Nabob, and in the course
of conversation mentioned the arrival at his own camp of a sin-
^lar visitor, whose history opened to Hyder new objects of ambition.
Buswapa Naick, the last actual Raja of Bednore, had died in
1755, leaving as his heir an adopted son named Chen Basveia,
• This is one of the Boya or Beder race, and the early habits of the tribe
ape evinced in the relation of an exploit of one of their ancestors, as given in
the manuscript history of the house, with something, perhaps, of embellish-
ment. During the rule of the first of the family who attained the dignity of
Poligar of Chittledroog, the place, it is said, was besieged by his sovereign of
Vijeyanuggur. The Poligar determined to give him a specimen of the danger
"which he encountered, by stealing his favorite horse from the head-
quarters of his camp during the night. The horse showed uneasiness at the
approach of a stranger, and by moving about displaced one of his pickets and
wakened the groom : the Poligar quickly concealed himself among the litter,
and the groom in replacing the picket drove it through the hand of the
Poligar, who bore the pain without flinching. When the groom had fallen
asleep, the Poligar, finding it impossible to remove the picket without noise,
drew out his knife, amputated his own hand at the wrist, and in this state
mounted the horse and carried him off.
276 SINGULAR IMPOSTOR FROM BEDKORE. [CHJLF. XIL
about seventeen j'ears of age, under the guanlianship of the
widow until he sliould himself attain sufficient experience. The
widow had formed a connection of shameless publicity with &
person named Nimbeia. The notoriety and public scandal* of
this attachment liad drawn animadversions from the young
Raja, and in 1757 the lovers had found it expedient to remove
this rude observer, by employing a jetti^f while shampoeing^
him in the bath, to dislocate his neck and destroy him ; and
they selected an adopted infant to fill the vacant throne. The
visitor, whose history was related to Hyder, had announced
himself as Chen Busveia, saved by an artifice of the jetti, con-
cealed in the house of his preserver for five years, and now
escaped to implore the protection and aid of his neighbours in the
recovery of his patrimony, the youth was introduced to Hyder:
the plan was quickly arranged of an expedition to reinstate him
in his supposed rights, and to remunerate the services to be thus
rendered by Hyder and the Poligar. The troops commenced
their march towards Bednore about the dose of January 17G3,
moving in four parallel columns, and preserving a distance from
each other of from five to fifteen miles according to circum-
stances, for the purpose of reducing and occupying all the for-
tified places situated in the open country before they should
attempt the fastnesses of the woods.
The district of Bednore Proper is situated on the summit of
that range of western hills which overlooks the provinces of
Canara and Malabar. These mountains, elevated from four to
five thousand feet above the level of the sea, present to the west
a surface in many places nearly perpendicular to the horizon,
and by their height intercept the clouds of the south-western
monsoon: nine rainy months in the year are usually calculated
in this climate ; and for six of that number it is the practice of
most families to make the same preparatory arrangements for
provision (water only excepted) as are adopted for a ship pro-
cof'ding on a six months* voyage. This extraordinary moi8ture§
* It was so public as to be noticed by an European traveller, Anquttil du
J*cn'o)f, who passed through Canara in 1757.
t The athlctu? too often added this employment to their other pursuits.
The process allude •! to in the text lias been described to me to be performed
by a suihlen twist of the head, whicli dislocates one of the vertebrad of the
neck ; another twist in the opposite direction completes the destruction of the
spinal marrow, and fmislies tne work of death.
^ »Sl]atn])oeing may be compared to a gentle kneading of the whole person.
and IS tlii^ same operation described by the voyagers of the {Southern and
Pacifu* ocean.
§ (\)loiiel Mackenzie, who watched the approach of a monaoon on the
Kumrnit of this range, distinctly observed the clouds, in roiliiiff along;
fr^ijUently to diverffi; from their direct course apparently attracted bv tome
hills, more )H>werfiilly tlian by otliers of equal or superior height ; and every
KU(!<-exstve ch)ud (iiver^'ing in the simie line. This phenomenon appears to
merit furtlnT investigation, and may be found to explain the reoBon why
Dlivccd biiuilar iu situution have unequal pro^vortions of rain.
CHAP. XII.J IIYDKRS PROt-EKUIMC^S IS THAT tX)UNTRY. 277
i<4 nut only fAvornliK* to th«* ^n^»wtli of tlio |Mvulinr prociucU of
ilmt rirli |»n»vlti4v. Imt (*(>vt*rH tlu* fiux* «>f tin* onuntry m ith tiin-
Ut (»f Jiixuriaiit Ntatun*. with !iii<li*rwi>iM| Nrnn?t*ly iHMiftrHhlc. and
a folinifi* wliioh. added t«» a oloudy Mky, Iiiih rtMidvnil it |»tuVi*rbial
aiuon^ itM MolmniuiiHiaii viMiton*. that a nmn may imum th«r |in>-*Att-r
fiart of the yrar in lit'dnim* without u Hi^ht of th«* sun. Th«*
I'apital and tnrt t»r li«Ninon* an* ^ituatrd in a UiMin fnt*in*l<*«l by
hilU. th(* rrvMt of whirh. distant from tht* town fniui thn-o t«» t^ix
niil«*M, hail U*4'n fortitifl in tht* wt*akt'3t |tart.H by lint-ii which,
witli tlif wiHtiN nnd natitnil |>rnt«*i*tiitn **( thi* hiJl^. roiu«titiit«Hi ita
unly ^tn•nL'th ; tht* t'oit it-M'lt* U-ini; fpini its |Hi(iition obviiiujdy
ini'a|i:ibJ«* tif a Lr«MNl dt*fi*n<'«*. Thr doininionn of thin Stat<r not
• •nly rnibnit'iii th<* niiMintaini'UH ranp* whi«*h Iihm )N'<*n iIi-m riUnl,
but <*\t4*nil«H| t'* tilt* Wfst nvrr tht* niaritinii* |>n»\iniv n<<w naniftl
C an.'ir.i. and ti» th«* ra>t <iVrr a trui't f^f nion* <iiH*n country Htn*t4*h-
inu' l<» Siinta Ii«*«hi4in*. aiitl IbHihilkcm. witlnn twenty niitt-s of
C'liittltNlnHi'j. tht* n'*»id«*niv «»f itn <-f»iiHtAnt ri%ai an*! «*n«-niv
On rtit«'iin^' tht* iir*»\ iri«*f Hy«h'r i^'*ut*d |inM*laniati<»nH in tlitt
nam*' ••!* ( *h«'fi Itusvi-ia. invitin;^ tli** iidiabitant-n nt' li«'«ln<»rt* to
ntuTU t'» th» ir allt/ianr** At SiniM*^. a f«»rt mu th*- ••kirl «•!' tht*
%i<**xU anil iii-^taiit iMrty-thri** nnh's fnan tii** rapital. %ihii-li tVll
nitlitiut niiih ri.il r*-'-i'*t.itit'i*. h«' found a la«' tif l\i4^'<Ml2i>.* i>f i^hifli
Ih- di-tiil<ut« 'I a hii- "tf KujH'*-'* to tlif triw^i^ a.H a .stinniltis to thfir
•Ml* r^M*** aTpl h"j*s at thi^ |ihn"»' al^» h»* ritvivfl atpl rfj«t't4tl a
|»f>>|»i'vil fi"n» tl.t' lt;ih» I- t«« ptinha-f lii«» rrtn*at by four la«*R t»f
*.i;;'-i.i.- At ( '.-.nij "••■»• 'li-'tant thirty niil^ s. In* !otin«l a nmn?
nii|»«'rt.int tp-anun*, nani<-ly. I.inLrana. tlif |*nni«* niini«»t«'r of thtr
Ut«' K.ii I. uh'» h.i'l h'tij^' U-* II iinpri**«>iiri| at tliis |»laft» . thin jht-
fM'Uiji" uii'ittt«M>k to in<«tru<'t Hv'lfr rf>|»ft tinvj t\«Ty branth «if
th^ n'-M.ur-'*-* i»f thf f«»uhtrv. atid to j;ui»b' hini thn«u^*li a •mmti-I
|*!ith by u hii h tlio i-itv nnjlit !-• a{'|»r<'.ii-b**<l withtiut •■nt'ount^T-
itij ai.v »'t tip' \«<iik** ulii'h h.i\«* Uffi ilt->MTil*t>«l. At Kitour a
tfi;!:i^' |*<.-.t iHiii}>ii-'l bv •Ik huiiiii**i Uf-n. thi* ;^arn<**'ii lia«l thi*
a>ii.i f\ *•• tii>- at t):«' tr -{■<*. t)i* v u*i«- •«urr>*unib-<l and taki*n .
H\ !• r ••*-!tr>>l ti.f :r fi -h* ^t .>ifi «-.-ir'« t** 1-- • iit **t\ . an*l in that ntat**
t' ■ \ Ui:- i:.^}!.;^-^' •! t.. -{...li I. Tfi'r U !". IV hini. At Anaiit|-Mir.
il:H:.,i,t lv%i-r.?\ fi\. unit % tl.. Il:iii*f «•!!•?» d l%i«I>r hi** of !*«;;«>-
ti.i^ .%!. 1 .i! t.i^ arrnal !•« f- *•• tb* lir^t buritri'f lb*- u^tk^ of thi«
• .i!.t.ij. * „l.titfi hii •» *^ ail « hi**!! otb n» thf nifi*nnation «*»'ni-
n *'i »!• i \\ th»' •-:i|-tur«d nnii.^t* r i!i-l'ii-«'«i him t* r«jf«*t uith-
II .t .1 m-iii- ft* -< hi-it.iti -ii 'I'll'- .irinv ••fll\il«'r h:i\inL' ativan***^!
t'* tr..^ I r;..: l.it if |-"^iti< ti uith uti«t|H*tid itjifitv. had thn>wii
tbr K.w.' - .i:. 1 i.> r i^tiuni'tiiT if.ti* th«- ]ji«at*-^t « ••n'^t* MiAtuui . and
<»n tf.' '• ■• t;- II "t th« l.i^t i-tb-t t«iTil!«*l at th«- iir*>«|«N-t I if an
iniu.-i:.* :it: I. '». thi \ tb'lt* t)i«- f -ft if lit lialroytro**^'. »)tuatr«l
• 1 ' . I .. •'. t . • IV 'ii..T i-i |. .f I; .:••«. XLaI i»( M)«4«ir thfrr. that i*(
!*•;!**■ 1.. ?.-!,.. .! I * i!t . t: at • f M«Mil:| atAlu U aUo K'Ur Ku|*r««
278 CONQUEST OF THE CAPITAL. [CHAP. XIL
on the summit of a hill in the continuation of the same range, but
seventy miles to the southward Orders were left for the expe-
ditious removal of jaM the treasure ; but to provide for the possible
event of the place being carried before that should be practicable,
persons were stationed with positive orders to set the palace and
treasury on fire, whenever the danger should appear to be
imminent.
Hyder, on the instant of his arrival at the barrier in the
beginning of March 1763, ordered a noisy but feigned attack to be
made on the posts in his front ; while he placed himself at the
head of a column formed of his most select troops, and, following
the path pointed out by his guide, entered the city before an
alarm was given of his approach.
The Banee's servants set fire to the palace in diiSerent places
in conformity to their instructions. The inhabitants of this rich
and populous town had hitherto been exempted from the alarms
and miseries of war ; a felicity rare in India^ and everywhere least
appreciated by those who have most enjoyed it They fled in all
directions, with a dismay and astonishment embittered by its con-
trast with the stupid and insolent security of their former habits.
The tensor of such minds, outstripping the ordinary effects of fear,
drove the whole mass of the inhabitants to concealment in the
woods and mountains which touch the very confines of the city :
and the immense property of the most opulent commercial town
of the East, eight miles in circumference, and full of rich dwell-
ings, was thus left without a claimant
Uyder's first care was to extinguish the flames of the palace, in
which he personally assisted ; and his second, to put an end to the
plunder of the troops, in order that he himself might become the
exclusive possessor of the booty. His arrangements for this pur-
pose were so skilfully combined, that in a few hours his oflici&l
seals were placed on the doors of every public and private dwell-
ing above the condition of a hovel, and safeguards were stationed
to enforce respect to the only plunder which was deemed to be
legitimate. The available property of every description, including
money and jewels, which he realized on this occasion, is variously
stated, but it may without the risk of exaggeration be estimated
at twelve millions sterling; and was throughout life habitually
spoken of by Hydcr as the foundation of all his subsequent
greatness.
The occupation of the rest of the country was rather a
business of arrangement than of conquest The two principal
detachments possessed themselves of Bussoo Raj Droog, (fortined
island) Honaver, (Onore) and Mangalore on the coast ; and a third,
of Bellalroydroog, where the Ranee capitulated on the general*
assurance of due consideration for her rank and dignity.
* Biidr u 2jcmaii Khan states that she capitulated on the condition of
hciDg reinstated in her sovereignty on her cunvendon to lalain; that ahe
« JIAI*. Ml] IIVDKIl Ur.SlCNS UKDNnttK HIS ('\nTAI.
-I .'
On tilt* :iniv:il uf tin* army at < '«m»iii|.m ••. tin* fiaiia i<t'tlit> |.ri'-
t' ii<l<-l ( 'lii'ii l»u-^vi-ia ii unilt-r^tiNMl !•• Ii;i\'* U" n lii^i <i\i ii-.j, if
in<|i-)<) u.' nn* ti» miji{»'i*»i' tlmt iiv'ii r at aii\ liiiii* U-lii-Nnl tli«*
til'-. }>tit iititil tilt* f\i}itiiri' t.t' til" K .rii ' III* !*• hiiinii •! !•• tii-at
ill-- :iii|*<><t'ii witii all tin* l''iia^iit lii «li;i^iii^ii<--l i\t<-l'ii.il ii-^|Mi*t|
ii-T. ','iU'\-r. I "iH't aliiu' a -imp- al l!:i' [•••^Is .if ll •• -'iM.i^. mIih
a:.ii-i'l t i- !.»"•■ :v.'- i»v '.ilnt::!.,' I .n wifii lli- till.- «■!' (iIixImmi
ILiM '.'t'l* iv I .:i '^t* t li>' ir^iii i« • ;i..:i . .1 I1..II.I- wlii-iii'ii' lui- tin*
Uhi iwt ; I k>- •<! t !ii i-.tiiiji
N\l::it-iii lii.iV \i.\\»- )•• • n tl.«' «'?»•.:! I"li- illiii'l-l i I'V tli»»
K i']' ■ >: Til- •! i|ill!.lt loll 1 .■•1|>I-1< ( ^«.t(. (i||\l>.<< il.-.>t. II 1 III-
i ;<i I'l t ii\ !•( •[« ]iat i.i i t* '•Ih ''••]. ;i:. oil }r.><'ii •liliii* I><iti-
ii ! ! "l" Nil iji- ir\ . i-ii"- Iiuii<ln-<1 aii I ti.'lit^ iii!.-* i.i tli»»
••i»tu.i!l. ll •• ••ni\ t'lf-' !«•• |m I . .]. iji-,. hilt .NllM^•:l \U Ka-
li* ■ ■. |i.tr.i!ii •III', aii'l N'liia'^ikiJi , Im r a't'ij»f»»i »•• ri .ii.-l «•••%• I'ljii
i N- ji I- •iiiiTii'iii' !it ua-^ III*' h l»''i I.I I"" I' ri" !»; ll. ;i!i'i !!■?•■ tlnV
i«ini'..l niitil iil-i.il'- 1 f!i i:*«' r.ijitiii- <■! i!,-- j.l.i'-- \\ ti.- Mah-
i.itt.i- ill I7<'7
H\ i' r !• :it.- 1 tli«- •!• '.i.-ti • f ii.tr-i tii^,' t • rl.»- m\ il ^- i \ .ij;t - ••!'
I'l-' I'-iiiiir ■/■•\ • r!tiii« :il lli-- •l*7.ii!*«l a'iiuMi: •i:'.t:ii -t li.' iiTl.iirN
• ■! I'h ill'!- . t't will. !j !.•■ :.'.i'i.-.i ti.'.fii.it uij?.. r- r . .i:. 1 iI.:--m ;|:'iiit
I'ti* \Wi';i' 't 1..^ .*•:;:• J- iMfnt-* iili- '■ i t-* tr-ii! il a- a •-•T.n.itt*
k.Mji-m S r;:i i; .! i:.i ani it- ■!■•:■• 'i !• n \> ^ li'« iii .i.I ■ - ■ .i-i'iii
|.: ■! . i !•• « 'i ■. i r a !■• !• !ij'i j t • lip" K« it* I i - -vi i. .. •. »*v
|..t;. if.t IL' I ! M ■. - ■! . I'i-.iii.r''. t« v*'.i. ll 1..' i.'.v. il,» !. uii«'
• ■! II \ . : N I J J .• • I. .1 . -Ml i I.I •■• i,. . ' \\:i I? . " II I J!i^- I'l* •!
ti .:i' :i...-.*-' till* 1j»' • \« r -' : .■ i ' V •!»• -i/ti' l t- • aiv i tli- ••■..■! i"H
.11: • ; I i:i.i -i- hi! it i- i.it.iin 'IliI Im- 1*111. .itl.i' ■!•;.?-' it. ■
• i •■in;: .'I. II •!* t r i:.-!- 11 Hi/ ?■• llx-i-i N-i.'jii t' •• ■ .1^ •! l.i-
• II- I 1! ^•••%« ri.'M- !.? : a-rl il !■!• i» inij ^. ri;. ij itaM. Ui'.li i- 't-*
I :n- !:»' I-il: • - .ilii 'll.; t il'" ^'^ M* ; ;i iii.*-» •! h • li.il. : !-■ » ■ -li-
11. !• ' 1.1 I. \. : 1. .\' !•.!• i.'i- i I- !-• »' • S ! . iJ.i! I 'I
I .. •. 111. ; ■•.^ :r ;*!.'. j I.i. ■■ . t 1. ■ 1. ...'..!■. •' : t ' •l.i«
.. • ■ • II. !'•?■' : i.'i ir «• .! I- -.r.- II. ' .1 "i -j -■ '- * ■ ^k 'i'- *i
\\- • . . I : ; :■. . fT. 1 . f ll. .•..•■■:. \ in . -i m . -r .■ ? ' -.ir }i
• • I .
• 1 1 .
;...'. •:.?.«. .:.!•.. \l ;.
a I
I •
. . • • • , ■
• .• - •■:::.-■ I. ■.. . H'. .. r • : ■ . . . I ! !'.»•
!.•■■•:.• ».'. . •• > •. I • ; ■ r. . i ■ ■ ■ • . . '• 'r :■!
. • - ■
r
. • •: i'. .' » '.s fc.» ■. •, !. ■ :. fc. : .1 . . ! r / til '
I. •. . ..■'■.!. I ..• I •• 1. . H 1- .. : f . ' i .1
i ■ . \ . . ' ■ r. ■ ■ . .. . . :1 ;■■.■.: .'1
. .' :'• . * ;. • • .. t .1 ' • . . •■ I i.-.l
• . •* <
1: •-•. .
■1 . . . ' • . . • 1 I ;••.■.•; 4 ••• . I • • • • • I "». ■ -
• •
: 4
I • ■ .;
I ,-
Vt * . , .. •' I., hi *» .V ) .* I *. .. I il « :i ;. ' 11. i .*. •! -.1 If I <•!
280 COXSPIRACY DETECTED. [CHAP. XII.
of military judgment ; a deficiency which is the more remarkable
in a mind distinguished in other respects by a degree of sagacity
and penetration which has seldom been exceeded. He gave
orders for the removal of his family, the erection of a splendid
palace (which was never finished), the establishment of a mint, in
which, for the first time, he 'struck coins* in his own name, and
the preparation of a dock-yard and naval arsenal on the western
coast for the construction of ships of war ; the latter under the
direction of Lutf Ali Beg, a brave and excellent officer of cavalry,
but eminently ignorant of everything connected with his new
duties of naval engineer and lord high admiral.
Tlie rains commenced in June with their usual violence : few
strangers escape their influence : and about the month of Sep-
tember the endemic disease had made such liavoc on Hyder 8
constitution, that he was no longer able to transact business in
the public durbar. The servants of the former dynasty consider-
ing the opportunity to be favorable for the emancipation of their
country, entered into an extensive conspiracy for the assassina-
tion of Hyder and the recovery of the capital Some obscure
suspicions were conveyed to him by a trusty servant ; and he
directed an investigation to be made by a commission composed
of some of his oldest, and, as he conceived, his most trusty civil
officers ; who happened to be all accomplices in the conspiracy.
The report of this investigation was read to Hyder while reclining
on his couch, and shivering in a paroxysm of ague ; but, even in
this state, his keen perception penetrated the veil which they had
attempted to throw over the few facts which were known to him.
He dissembled, however, for the present, and detained the com-
missioners in feigned consultation, until the hot fit was sacceede<l
by a slight remission ; he then arose, and entering the durbar (or
hall of business) re-examined the witnesses, and completely dis-
covered the whole plot. He ordered the commissioners to be
instantly hanged in his presence, in front of the hall of audience :
the requisite arrests followed with rapidity, and before the cloae
of the same day, upwards of three hundred of the chief con-
spirators were hanging at the different public ways which issued
from the city. This done, he retired to rest with the same serenity
as if he had only been discussing the ordinary business of the day,
and arose on the following morning visibly recovered by the con-
sequences of the unusual exertion to which he had been compelled.
Bednore was thenceforward the most tranquil and obedient of all
his possessions : but it was from this period that he began those
improvements in the organization of his system of pohce which
afterwards raised it to such horrible perfection.
As soon as the weather admitted, Fuzzul Oolla Khan*f
* Hydery Pagodas, of the same value as the former currency.
t 1 consult the convenience of the English reader in continuing thi^
instead of Hybut Jung.
CHAP. Xir.J <X>NQURST OP BOOKDA. :!H1
(h^Uched about Decern Ut 17G3. for tlio conqiiefti of SooikU; a
<N>uiitr\' t»r HiiuUI exU*iit, HitimUHj iniiu«Hliately tc> the north of
B««<liiore Pro|ier, and partaking of tho name peculiaritit*^ of
climate and produce. Thin cMm|uest woh ai*hu*ve«l with tht*
aame farility aji that of Beilnore, ami rt*pleuiiihed the mtTen of
Hyder with a corres|)ondin^ pn>|M)rti<m of traaKure. The Raja
fleti, after a fet*ble reHiiitancv, from hin more elevated poMesiiiotM
ti> Tuccoli^hur, near Ooa in Uiwcr iSoonda ; and in oonMe<|Ueuce
of hiA diiitnMHCN Hurrendere<l !<» the Portu^ii^m) the wh«»le of hiA
territory* bt'low the (iliautK. in ron^ii duration of receiving from
ih<*m a fixeil Hti|M*nd ; an arr:in^*ment which liaii been continued
witli hiM domx^ndantii to the pri*M»nt time.
The French NaU>h Kejai Ali Khan tho non of Chunda Suhob,
had iiMvipe<l fntm Pomlicherrj' on ship-lnmnl during the Mie^
m'liich t4*nninatc«l in itn i^aptun* in Jiunuuy 17t>l ; ami uA^r
re^idinj; fi»r Hi»me time in (Vyion for the punxHt* tif watching the
pr»»*;re«« of affairs Iamle<l in Canara in Novcmlwr 17*»«*?. and
came to claim the proUftinn of HyiK-r. The talentM «if thin
ofliivr apiH*ar U* have tle-HiTviHl a ^^ut4*r de^rei* 4>f estimation than
th#v hail <>btaiiie<| fn»m the French : ho wan receive*! with
diHtincti(»n by Hyder, prpnenieil with a ja;;ifT of a In** of Ku|HH*ft,
and. in the !«»rvicrH in which ho wai« ufU»rwanlH cniployisl, ct»r-
tiiinly a4*«|nitt4*4l hiniMdf with a verv crc^litable de;;Tt*e «if npirit
and military «kill. Fn>m the lonir intcninirMe of Hejsa Ali with
tin* Fn*nch. he wan ena}»l«*<l to aji^i-*! Hyder in the arninp*menta
which wi'D* ni»w un«l«Tt:iken for the improvement of Win anny,
and |4irticulnrly in the di<H*ip)ine and interior «H>»nouiy of bin
r»viu)«*ntrt of infintn*. now for the tip«t time cl«ith<Hi in an unifi>mi
manner, and c).'LH«w*4i mto ileru/ ani] iPaum, tinct and H«s-«iiid,
or ^*nadierH ami tn>i»|»<i of the line : the tip»t wan in confurmity
to the Au^^^tion of Kexa Ali. a di«(tinction tiot exrIuHively n*^ilat«il
by stature and phyni(*al itivn^h, but by trie<l ftti*ailim*%a and
courac'*. and wan rt^wanleil by a Hii|w»ri«»r fiM^I juiy.
He now al%o entabliilu'd a rf;;uLtr onb-r in f«innn of |»r»«>**-
$«ion. a n«*w Hpl«*ndour in th** t*«|uipm«*htrt of hi** n-tinue. and a morv
di^niti«*d ettiiuftti* in th«* ci*n*moriul4 «»f public audiemv The
4N»n«pi«-<«t of |{«^ln<in*. in nhi^rt. •M^<mt*«| t*» form a new era in the
bi^t^irv' of thii t'Xtrmonlinarv man
It will not ha%'e i^k^iird the olirM*r\'ation of the att«*ntive
rea^lfr. that the acipiiAition of St-ra. which Hy»ler dt«rme«l it «^m-
venient to n-<*f*ive in the (fiirb of a fonnal invi-Atiture from a Mohain-
m«sian lonl. waA. in [toint of (m-t. a conipu-At fp>m the Hahrattaa.
Hyder waji |K»rfivtly awan« that thin |«<«ipb* W(*uM re|fard
the fart alone . and that the tii-titi'itiH |Hirt i»( the trmnMU'tioO
Would only ^ivr otfeune t4> the Sotil»«lar «>f the I>eckan, of whowi
sup|AMeil auth<inty it waa a dirert UMiriiation. He ai^ordin^lv
ile«|«Ucbe<l A(*je<e Kam aa a vakrri t^ Hyderabad, chaf|{e«i with
public ^iftfk and fortitird wtth S<^ucar crtdil to au amount coi^
282 EMBASSIES TO m'DERABAD AND POONA. [CUAP. XII.
sidonibly excoedirig the consideration paid to Basalut Jung.
These means produced their usual effect at the court of the
Soubadar, who was the moi-e easily appeased from his incapacity,
at the moment, to resent the affront To Poena, Hyder sent for
the same purpose, and provided in the same manner, Mbedi Ali
Khan; but here the injury was more direct and substantial
Madoo Row, the third of those chiefs under the title of Peshwa
wlio had usurped the regal authority from the descendants of
Sevajee, and ha<l succeeded on the death of Balajee Row in
1761, was little disposed to acquiesce in the conquest of any
pai-t of his dominions ; and it became necessary for Hyder to
provide against an invasion, certainly more formidable, as well
from- the number and quality of the troops as from the talents of
their leader, than he had anticipated from his former contests
with Mahratta ai*mies.
By the annexation of the dependencies of Sera, the frontiers
of Hyder liad been carried to the river Toombuddra, and by the
conquest of Bednore and Soonda they stretched far to the north-
west of that river. A slight inspection of the map will show
that the province of Savanore forms a deep indentation into the
territory then possessed by Hyder; who formed the design of
attaching to his interest not only the Patau Nabob of that pro-
vince, but those of Kumool and Kurpa, with a view to establish
a sort of defensive cordon along the whole extent of his northern
frontier, and acquire three corps of hardy Patau cavalry to serve
with his aiTnies.
We have already had occasion to explain* the cause which
had compelled the Nabob of Savanore to bend to the interests
of the Mahrattas, and the arguments of Hyder's envoy had not
succeeded in convincing him of their insufficiency : as soon,
therefore, as Fuzzul Oolla Khan had completed the service in
Soonda, he was directed to enter Savanore, but to abstain from
hostility while any prospect should remain of inducing the
Nabob, by the joint power of terror and persuasion, to embrace
the alliance of Hyder. Abdul Hekeem Khan, then Nabobs
determined to risk the consequences of a positive refusal ; and
Hyder moved to fonn a junction with his advanced broops^
accompanied by the body of his army from Bednore.
The actual situation of the Nabob of Savanore had rendered
it equally unnecessary and impracticable for him to maintain a
large body of troops ; and he moved out with between three and
four thousand horse, and a rabble of irregular foot, rather for the
credit of not shutting himself up in the town without an effort^
than with any mtional expectation of success against the over-
whelming force of Hyder. The foot were spread over the idaiii
so as to make a demonstration of greater numbers, and the ratan
horse were reserved in n compact body to take advantage of
* See page 235.
CHAP. Xll] IXVASIOX OK SAVAXnllK 2sr;
cvenU. Ilyilor, lioMini; tlH*He (li'iiiiinstnitiims in ri»ntoiii|>(, iiimlo
A iltHiMisitioii whirli wa^ iiiU*ii<liNl ti» I'livrloiM* tli«' vkli«*K*. aiul to
cut otr Uirir rt'truat. AUIul Hokt-riii rli.'il;;*^! tlif pliiiri|iiil
mluinii wlieii in the nrt of <l(*|»loyin;^. rnt tlin»iiL:li it with <*«»ii.*<i-
licruhh? Hliiu^htcr» nnd with irivut (*iN»hi<*rvs aii<i jii«l;:iiii*nt |»n*|mrt.*«l
til uviTNi't the infiintn*. »iri»4iilY f»niir<l in lint-. Iiy a <*h:ir;'f (»n
tht-ir riank. At this int»turnt u D'.mtvo nt* aitilltTy oin-ii«Nl with
c-H'tTt on thin cliKst* ami roni|uM't ImmIv %A' nivah*y. aii>l |»nNhirf<|
A (h*^N* of ri»nt*ti«tiiin wliirh r«ini|K'llftl thi^ t\it;iiiH t<> «li*«)H*rst*
an<l n*tire. Hy(K*r s«'i/f«l with pi-i>ni|»tituth* thi>^ ta\i>r.il>h*
inMnirnt f«»r a chapp^* with hin own raxahy . th«' ftii^itivcs wrn*
|mp*ni'i| to tlu* viTV ;^it4'H of tht* <*ity. an<l a *<nLill ri iiiuaiit i»nlv
tif tin* infantry, who ftri|»|N*«| nn<l im^n***! a> iM^fNiint-*. (^<'t|H*«i
th«* Mihn* on tlio plain. The ininitNliat** ri>nM-t|n« n«-i> i»f thin
pillant hut in)|'ni<h*nt i-tftrt w:i.*t tli«* uni-<in«litii*n;il Mihniis>i<in of
Auiiii llfkct'ni to all th«* il<*nian4lH \ilii(-h II\i1*t ha«l |»if\ii»UHlv
innih*. aiifl to A farthiT niilitary riintrihiiti<>n of tw<» i:i«'« of Ku|k*i*s.
Iloanlin^ tn*ahur«* in n«»t aniMni; tin- )>i>»|»«>n'^iti«'H of a Patau, nor
Ani«»n4 tin* j»nM'ti»'r.H whitli fH«'a|H» th«' nh'^t-rxatinn of a Mahratta ;
un<l AM til*' SaU»i» ha<i unf Ttniiat'^lv litth* <-r*"lit \%ilh tin- SwiirarN.
or nii»ii<'y-h*nih-t^. h«' w.lh ohli;r«il t'» make )».i_\ni nt in *>li.iwN,
fiilk^t. niti**lin'«. \i'*\*\ r]<iths, rai)*ft.H. aip| othi-r \.iliial It**. •-•|(i;ij in
Ily<liTH ftift-*! f<«tiinatioii to th<* stipiilat* •! -^uni. hiit in artiial
\alut* t«> four tini«-< tin* amount.
Till"* ohjri t U-in^ n^'t'onipiislit**) thf rirr:ini:«*nii"titH of Hvih*r\
r»'i'«-ntly aii|uii»«l kin^'»l''ni n-^^alh-*! Iiiiu to rN-!nitri\ an*! !.■• I»*ft
Fu//u) Oojlt Kii.in witli A rt»nHi«h'rahI«' •li\iNiiiii «if thr aritiv (o
r'>t.-thli«»li an-i «'Xt«n«l hi-* i-im^pn'^tH t" tin* nt»rtliwarcl T\\\^ i%\*U*
offii'i'T wan a<'tivf aii'I HUi'tf-^HfuI in th«» •'X'«Mitii»n of hi^ ni.Ifp«
Tht* a]»jfri*hf*ii**iiin of attark fn*ni thf nnuth h.i«l rirXir itit«'ri*«l
into tli«* <'ont«Mnplation nf th^* MahnittaH . t)i«* |»l:it-i h of stn-n^-th
wrri* unpro\ i.ji-tl with t)i«* ni*-arit of •!• tt'iii*- ; nni| th«' ini|Mirtant
fortr«**«H «>f l>:tr>».ir with a nrittitu«h» "t ttiiip'r )-»->t<. ft*!! into his
han<i<« alnif^t ^itlfut an •ft>rt
Ma<|o«< 1C«W Wa** li"t i*n?t« l.ti\«* U* tin* ruiir^' i.f tin* l.it*»
tratiH:t<-ti<>n4 iMinii^' th»- t»'i l.fc-i \» it^ h« h.iii U-i n «iij;iji"l in
A4ti\«* hoxtilitv a^viift^t Ni/.iTii Ail Kl.ui %«(i.< 111 thf f ii!\ put
if h»% .tliniiii^trattofi. t'xhit'it'-*! n ••■ ti^jth t iljf •!# /ti i* ,.f i nti-r-
pTiv an-l nniitary tah'tit. In IT'**. thi-» ihi<f h.ul a«>|iini-<l hy
tt«atV tin- n'-^tltUtlon of th** firtrr^n ol l>i>\^ I'll.iUlt) ^Llill h«ft«l
|«-«>ri vitist*-«i trom hiiii hv tS«* Mahntt.i'* ••*! .1 l<irni*i ••• • .I'^ioti ,
aifl in .1 iK'W «-ani|ini;;n in I7*''t h«* hi'l • iri:t«i )■!<« :tMii. i.. th«*
i.-tpitulof tht- MalirAtt«t •I'^nniit '!!•« an*! rt-:!' 1 tl.<- tiiv it T^na
to ^%<*h<-<* An-'thi r a«'i tniliii-hitlifl -1- •'•l- 1 thii (Vtpt . nfi«|
N»/-ifii Ah U .fi^ now • f»^'.i^t-«l in h 'jjj'v t »:ii-.l L:h )'ii.|)if|
l^-«.i!ut tlMfi^' Ml t)i'' <iir«-i-ti"n i»f K'itt<"l M fl «» Ki*w hi«i|
\f ' 'ir«- t • .«tt« ri'l !•• th* o|«rMti. ti« ■•! H\<l«i I ii«- r.ipi'l .iti«|
.%.♦ -in hi!i^ in- ita • • I ffi'- Ai:t\ .*fi 1 : .1 ' • • ! h. •tun!\ !• T»
284 MADOO ROW. [chap. XII.
dered it necessary for the Peshwa to provide with corresponding
C'itre for the augmentation and equipment of his own forcei
During the delay wliich these preparations had occasioned,
Fuzzul Oolla Khan had extended Hyder's northern frontier
across the rivers Werda, Malpurba, and Qutpurba, nearly to Uie
banks of the Kistna.* Qopaul Row the Mahratta chief of
Meritch, immediately to the noithward of that river, was furnished
by Madoo Bow with a considerable reinforcement, and ordered to
cross the Kistna and check the progress of the enemy until the
main army should arrive. Gopaul Row finding himself superior
in numbersf to Fuzzul Oolla Khan, determined to give him
battle, but was defeated with great loss in the month of April
Early in the ensuing month, the immense army of Madoo Kow
crossed the Kistna ; Fuzzul Oolla deliberately retreated as be
approached, and Hyder, recalling all his detachments, advanced
towards Savanore, and took up a position near RettehuUy. There,
encamped on an eminence which overlooked an extensive plain in
front, lie was secured by the vicinity of the woods in his rear, which
aSbrded a cover for his infantry against the very superior numbers
of the enemy's cavalry, from their commencement to the town of
Bednore. On this ground he mustered twenty thousand horse,
twenty thousand regular infantry, and twenty thousand irregular
foot or peons chieny armed with matchlocks, and a respectable
train of artillery.^ The force of Madoo Row was reputed at sixty
thousand cavalry, Mahratta, Rajpoot, and Mohammedan, the
same description of individuals which composed that of Hyder,
their quality as troops not materially different, and therefore
exceeding the same bmnch of Hyder's army in the proportion of
three to one ; but, as estimated numbers are always exaggerated,
although in different degrees, from thirty to forty thousand may
l>e considered in this case as a nearer approach to the fact The
infantry and artillery of Madoo Row were superior in number to
that of Hyder in about the same degree as his cavalry : his regular
infantry was composed of a better description of men, but in
point of discipline was inferior. Of his irregulars a large pro-
* These rivers are fordable excepting from June to November.
t I have found it proper to oidtrufft my manuscripts in statements of
numbers more than in any other case. In no country, and in no circumstance.
is it safe to trust to any statement of numbers that is not derived from actual
returns. Even Sir Eyre Coote, whose keen and experienced eye might be
considered a safe guide, and whose pure mind never liarboured a thought ot
exaggeration, states the force of Hyder in tlie battle of Port Xovo, first July,
1781, to have been from one liundred and forty to one hundred and fifty thou-
sjind horse and irregular infantry, besides twenty-five battalions of regulars ;
wh<»n it is certain tjiut tlie whole did not exceed eighty thousand. I wish to
\>u understood that when I have not been able to satisfy mv own mind regard-
in;.' nninber.s I nrefer the sort of relative statement adopted in the text ; which
may ;;rncrally be determined with great probability where an opportunity
has ht.ou obtiiined of examining the representations of both parties.
} I cannot state its number or (piality with confidence : but at this time
twenty-five pieces ^^a3 about the probable number of his fiela guns.
CHAP. XII.] ACTION OP RriTEHULLY. S83
portion cif the matclilockmen were Amlm, an<l MU|>crior to the
iHune deM'riiitiuii of troo|M in tlie Kervu<<e of hm opponent ; hut
the MiUinittA pikenien were ^Itvidetliy inferior t4> thone of (Jliittle-
dnMijr, who (tliouf^i as yet rvluetAntly) fier%'e<l in tlie army of Hyder.
The Mahmttiui apprrmrih*^! in their iiAual manner, fevering
the whoh* etnintry with cavalry, and therehy oonrealini^ the
movementn of the n*»t of their anny : the superiority wan so
dt*ride<i aM to enaHe them Ut inv<«st Hyder in nis camp and to
intunvpt hin siippli«*s. His |MiHition iiowever was purely defen-
sive ; and the <»lij(*rt of aMHumin^ it wa.H fnistrate^l hy tiie simple
determination of his «*n«*niv to d<vline attai^ktn^ it His whole
fnrtf fn>m itii nOative inferiority wjis nec»»Msarilv r«»nivntnited.
whil«» Madoo Row'b <h*tai*hmeutM were wtively emp|i»v«N| nhroad
in H't'overiii:; all that had Umii wreHt*-*! fn»m him l»v Hvtler.
That eliief so<in |HMiftrHt4»»l the de*i;»ii of the jndieious plana
wliirh rendfre^I UMd**** nil hin di?«|M«Hitioui« ; he det4.*nnine<| to
hrin;; on a p'neral ai*tion. and if iM*s»»iMe ntill Ui lend the enemy
hy pufHuit to atta4*k him in hin fii«iv»n |M«Hition. With this view
he «*ontid(^l the romniand «>f tin* nimp to Fuzzul Oolla Klian. ami
niov«*«l nut on th«* plain with a Nt'hvt oiqts of twi-nty tlioiiHiind
nirn. Hin nmmravn*^. h«»wrver. t^^nninst^Hl in hin UNMinin^ the
du|M« nf hin Mwn d«*Mi;;n : U-in^^ drawn to the <liHtAn«v of nix or
s«-v*'n niilt*H. th«» irre'^ular Hw»rni«i of h«»f>«» asNUfiHNi a m'»re lixe#l
dintrihtitioii. mid di«%«N»\rn««l to hjni tlif whol«* army f»f Ma<lo«i
lliiw elfMin)^ uj-in him in evrrj* dinvti«»n. Tlie di<«|ii*Hitions of
Hydor f»r n*;^iniiiij hi«» [K^ition w»ti» niid«» with st^'juIim-HH nnd
?»kill h«' f (ntnl the enr]»-» whirh wan |M»i«t4*«i ti» int«*nvpl hU
nMp'At. and n»tin*«l, harl-pn»sHe«l fir a tinir. t^iwanU Iii*ttehully,
ex|w'tinij to t4'nninAt«* a han!-f*Mi;;ht <lay l»v drawing thf rnf my
to thi* ^rotmd wht«*h lit* IlvI rho«*n f«»r aetion. Mado(» Ht^w hail
toi» unirh jifni'tmtion to U» ^i d<-<viv4««l ; and Hyder, aft*'r mis-
t.iiiiiti:; a «M*vi'n« |om in th«' Howrr of hit annv. was f«iil(*«l in all
hi-» M^ijiM-t*. I >i^tr» *»■*«•< 1 fitr nupph**^. h#» f«*ll t«ark thf n«*\t day
t«« An.iM'iitty \%li«'n* h«* had pn'|k:it«-«l an f*ntn*ri4*h<N) ennip. ami
wli«Mi* th** thi«'k wtx-lt romnit*n<'*\ whirh ••••<nin*<l a ri»mmuni*
r:itt<iii with IiIh Hijpp!i«*v To thin |M>*%itioti Maii«i«» K«»w did nut
drriiiit* tt% full* I w hiiii. and a f«*w dayt aftTwanU ap|H*an**l to \m
m«»vin;; ii»liniiii^ in difffifni dir»*«-tii»nt to invi^t the eAUip Hyder
iuiA;;ni'*-l thrti In- |wn^*iv««»l sn oj»|n)rtunity of ruttin;* «»fr om* of
thtw* iitjiniiiirt Hf* mi»Vf«| Milt ft»r tliu pur|««M« m*itli two tlnni-
Mind nv^il.^r infantry*, on** thoii^atid wl«vt horM*. ami four li^ht
puiH . Ii#» wan a;r^in in\«*i^dt^l t4> a«lvan«^* too far. ami rompl«*tely
nurrouhfh-l Hy«!er an«l sUtot fifty of hit 4<avalr>' ewmjn-*! Iiy
thf* t1«***tn«-"ks i>f tii«*ir liotM-^ ; tht- rrmaiiid«-r of Oiv c%»r\m was rota*
ph'tflv d«-^tr»'>»*l
Th«^* «»l"*miiiin^ wrn» pn»tniH«**l U^yond th#» middle of June.
Tli«* -Mith %it"»i#-fTi rI'Mi.U wtii*di h«*l l»»n;; liren hlai'k«*nin;; in the
di«tAne U^'AU to l*>rm alun^ the iix'^il of the htlU thjit thick
28G hyder's defeat and retreat to bednore. [chap, xil
impenetrable gloom which it is necessary to have seen to be able
to conceive; and the torrents of the monsoon commencing in a
few days after this aflUir, com})elled Madoo Bow to retire to a
situation less exposed to their violence. He cantoned his troops
for the rains to the eastward of Savanore.
Long before the rains had abiited on the hills, Madoo Row
passed considerable detachments over the river Toombuddra» and
employed himself in reducing the whole of the eastern depend-
encies of Bednore, and the adjacent ]mrts of Mysoor: while
Hyder's army, wretched, spiritless, and sickly, from the inevitable
consequences of its situation, looked with apathy or aversion to
the renewal of active operations About Uie beginning of the
year 1765, the weather began to admit an approach to the woods
of Anawutty, and Madoo Row opened the campaign with the
employment of a numerous corps of pioneers, which he bad
organized and equipped during the rains. His object was to
cut, in the first insUince, a wide opening through the woods, to
the southward of Hyder's intrenched camp; and progressively to
form a line of circumvallation, by felling the gigantic forests
around it. Hyder, perceiving the inevitable destruction which
awaited him if he should permit his communication with Bednore
to be cut off, immediatel}' abandoned his intrenchments and
commenced his retreat The close and vigorous pursuit of the
enemy necessarily impeded the celerity of his movement, and
com})elled him frequently to halt his whole force to sustain their
attacks on his rear-guard. On the thinl day of these slow and
retrogi-ade movements, ground, comparatively open, afforded to
Madoo Row the opportunity of moving a column between the
army of Hyder and the point on which he was retreating, and
thus forcing him to a general action. It is admitted by all who
shared in the contest of this day, that although the dispositions
of Hyder were resjxjctjible, the conduct of his troops was des-
titute of finuness and spirit ; and that the action terminated in a
disorderly rout in which he lost in killed done three thousand
horse, and double that numl>er of infantry ; the shattered remains
of his troo})s escaping in dismay to the depth of the woods. Tlie
despondency of the anuy was comnmnicated to the garrisons ; the
intermediate posts of Eekairee, Anantpoor and Com]isee, marie
but a feeble resistance ; and Hyder, before the end of January,
was reduced to occupy those lines suiTounding Bednore which
liave I»eeu formerly described. In approitching this situation he
began for the fii*st time to i^etlect that the means by which he had
himself achieve<l the conquest of this capital were idso open to his
enemies : that woods, although a protection to men individually
animated in their defence, are e(piivalent to the concealment
of night for troops who are not forward in the |)crfomiance of
their (hity :* and that he had made the woi-st possible selection
* Neither ilydcr uor Tippou, after this pciiud, ever attempted to occupy
CHAP. XII.J PEACE WITII MAIKX) Rf)W. 2H7
for ilif* tiipiuU of An oiiipiro. I)<*fon* ho AMiumi*tl ihU {wwition
liirt family waa fl«*s|Mit('lM*d by a n>uto tlinai^li tlu* w«mmIm to S«*rifi)kni-
{uitiiiii. iiii<i (iftii«*lim«*iitH with tn>A.Hun* (iu(*c*<*viively followiHi. In
tho ni«»finliiio hn hiul niAiio privat«» Afivan(*t*ii fi»r ncv^HMution
thniutfh tho nusiiiini (»f ICii^'onaut lUiw.* tho iinrlo of Miuloii
Ki>w, which t«'nuiiiAt4*<l in nii tMljiiHtnu*ni (»f extreme niiMh*mtion,
ronHiflorin;^ ^^>^* <h'M|H.*rate circiunMtAmvH in which Hytlor wam
plA4.N*ll.
Nt— Hi* tMipi^ixl ti> n*Htt>n* a11 tlie diHtricU Ami |Jai*oh which
he hA<l wn*st«Nl from Momri K41W.
:!n<l — To rt*lifi«|iii.Hh nil rlainis on AUIul-Hekr«*ni Khan, and
the «'*»iintrv of Savuntinv
JinI — To |Miy thirty-two Isu*h of Rii|iis»h. on reivipt of which
Mii'l<N> ll<»w eiiLTHiri*.! to n-tin*. ami <li<l ai*taally rimimmiH* hijt
inarch on thr day Aft4T tho |wiymcnt waa madle, viz., aUnit the
em I of Frhniarv I7<»'».
Hvilcr'n «Nvn|iAti<in of S*ra a|»|i«*ari t4> haw )N««.»n tacitly
Ailmitt4*ii in thin n«»;:iN'iuti«»n. an«l ail (li*MiiHfti<inH n*lativc to the
Poli^irs of (*liittl«^inM»}:. lCai«ln«»i», llar|Miriiilly. Arc. ni'i'm to
hav<* U*«Mi Htu<iii*u*«ly axoith^tl hy Uitli |iartit>*v Ma«l«M» |i<iw hail
otlirr ciinttilMition^ t4i h'vy (iiiriiii; tin* o|i(*n (M.XMin fn^m Fcl*niary
ii» Jiitii* ; Ainl \*y t\ |»ni|i*T un* irritant lin;^ with tlifw* rulii^Tin an<l
with Month Riiw, h** i*iiiiHi«i«*n*«l thi* n*««iviT\- of th«« |»««HtM wn^t«*d
fnmi \\i** l.ilt«T to funiiHli the <n*rtaiii m*'anH nf n*;^iiufi;; Si*ni,
An<l tht* CMtiiitrifH t«> th«* •M»uth-caAt nf tliait (^apital. whf'n«'V*T ho
fkliMiiM tiipl |«>i^iir«* to n']M*at hin viiit. While llyt|«T fn>m an
op|ii*'»it«* coiiHitji^nitiMii of th<* wr}' Hamc n*a<Min.H ilctcrmiiit-d to
evn«if th«-si' rt'tn^vsHJoiiH ult'ii:«*tli<*r.
hiirin^; thin iiiifav«iniMc a>|NH*t of IlyiierH atfairs to tho
Wfst. the ^liMJe of hiH DHt-nt a4^juiHUii.n«i to the nist wen» in a
flame f>f rcU-JJioii lli^ l*roth«'r*ih*law Mt-tT Ali I(«'/ji ii-^iially
rall«*«l Mf-^T Sihi'h^. wan tln-refon* nent with a n^Hii^-^-tahlr fi»n*i»
to Nra. txui\ «lin''t««l. nft«T th«» n* •'**tAMi«*lim«"Til I'f H\«ler'H
aiith'>iity 111 tli.it <|ii.tit«r. t*> rn «i|Hnit4' with tin* ctirji^ at liiiiipi-
|«>r**, Ik •»tiliiilly. (KKM«*tlii. ni|t| th«* tUn |Lili|>iMip>i ; uliitli ha*! for
M*\«r.il ni>»iitli*t Ui ti r*iii|i«*ll«-il )*y a ^^metal inHtirri*i-ti«*n «»f the
niilit.iry ]**»|iiil.iti**ti of th««^* c>>untri<*H to A*lopt a <*ii(itiitiiH anfl
lit !'• ti-)\ I* |>l.iii *'\ ••!•• r.iti"n. Th« ■»•• iiiiiirriiti^ri"* wrr«» <{Mi-llfN|
\»ith'tit iniit'ii.il tiitlirult\ , an>l tin* roli/:ir of little lUlipiM»r
U'tii;^' at !• iijtli rt-ilii'-i'*! to «\tn'mity from the want of fiuti|»lie^
on the r*«-k «-f Niin'liilr«"%:> ■**irrt*ni|in*«l on on«* of thoM* t*«|iii\ii«*aj
m|»iHi!ati«»rii f.-r j* pMtfial li«»nor an*! •»«H*nrity, whiih are alm*av«
int« ri-r* t**! aii'>>nliii;; to ih»* i »'ii\»'!ii« in-«» *>( th«« c««no<j«ror. In
a junfflf* «f»*.it ^IttiMii^'h itiiny fipfvutuittir^ «i^* tirrr«i mhrii thry tuii;ht ^U
li«»t (III?) frn*. «*f *. '.r.r tr*»>{>*' I. i%e tltiiir »«i »ith inimitr iMi%antA|fr
• >'•?»•• >r *■? krr wiL- \ht \<-tfi\ •ctil \»y Umgnmmni k<»w l«» llydrr for
the final »*iju«!ni«iit ••( tii«* ttftn* . «n<l aiuim^ th^iii wrv »itH«>ot <|ur«UuD
««iinr *e« fvt Artt' )«-« •liitk «arre I bt* KputMi«ti> an of th^t ir«»>al undrrvlaadittK
«li:> b r%rr jft<-r«u\i9 ^ub«itt«l bclw^va lly«kr mmd KagwMavt Kvw
288 CAPTURE OF THE LITTLE BALIPOOR POLIGAR. [CHAP. XIL
the present instance the Poligar with his family was sent to
Bangalore, and from thence to prepetual imprisonment in the
distant fort of Coilmootoor (Coimbatore).
Another corps under Fuzzul Oolla Khan was in the mean-
while employed in restoring order and levying revenue and
contributions farther to the south-east ; for the unprosperous aspect
of Hyder's late situation had rendered necessary the presence of
troops in every part of his dominions. These reverses appear
however to have made but a temporary impression on the mind
of this extraordinary man. His enterprising spirit and restless
activity seem on all occasions to have converted unfavorable
events into lessons of future conquest; and now impelled him
to contemplate the condition of his southern possessions on the
western coast, and of the contiguous province of Malabar.
The immemorial intercourse between Arabia* and MaKW
had reciprocally induced many natives of each country to form
temporary establishments for commercial speculation on the
coasts of the other. The peculiar mannersy of Malabar had
produced an extensive intercourse between the females of that
coast and their Arabian visitors; and in process of time had
formed a separate class in the community, which retained the
reli^on of their Arabian progenitors, blended with many of the
loc^ customs of Malabar. The access of new visitors and settlers
from Arabia continued to preserve their bias towards that coun-
try; and soon after the appearance of their national apostle, the
whole of this class embraced the religion of Mohammed. Ali
Raja, one of these Mapilla (a term of doubtful etymology^ by
which they are distinguished), had in the progress of events
obtained possession of the fort of Cananore,§ with a small district
on the coast, subject in the loose manner of such dependendes
^ Arabia was formerly the emporium from which Europe was chiefly
supplied with ludian conimodities by a tedious coasting navigation. The
accidental circumstance of a Roman having been blown to sea from the Araln-
an coast and driven to Ceylon, in the first century of the Christian era^ and
the consequent discovery of the periodical winds, opened the first oiraet
communication by sea between Egypt and India. See the interesting account
of the discovery of Uippaius, in Dr. Vincent's dissertation on the reriplut
of the Erythrean sea.
t The description of these manners will be more conveniently postponed
until we have occasion to relate the characteristic efforts and senmons of
Tippoo Sultaun for their reformation.
I Two Malabar words, of which the name may be compounded, signifying
be the most probable etymology, if the diffi-
" sons of their mother," would
culty of determining the father had been peculiar to these births in Malabar,
§ It was a Portuguese fort and settlement so early as 1502, and was taken
by the Dutch in 1663.— (Valantyn.) To enumerate the incessant revolntions
of that coast, from internal quarrels, from the wars of the Dutch. PortugnsMu
French, and English, and from invasions by the armies of BednorSy woula
lead too far from the direct object of this narrative, and I have not attempted
to trace the rise and progress of this httle Mohammedan chief, who from an
opulent trader became lord and merchant monopolist of Cananore.
CtlAP. XU] AU RAJA. SS9
to tlio Rjijn of ColaMtri, or Clirrirul. Aiming; nt n p^*at<»r ilf^^TiM'
of iM>wor ftn<l iiulo|>i»n«lonct», lu? Imii soui;ht tln» riit*ii<I-liip of
HyutT. nA a |M>wrr unit^Hl nt leoHt hy the tii»s of r»-li;^un. wlu-n
his fpifitiiT oil the riiitst, l»y tlit* cniujUfHt of lit'iluon* an* I itn
d«'|M*ii«i«*iirit% lia«l H|)pri»A4*li4;<l witliin n short (li^^tancu of (*aii:inon\
Hy iii«'an*« of this |>t*r*ii!i, lIy«hT ohtiiiiu**! n ooiti|ift4'iit know-
h»«l;»*» t f t\u} stAt4» <»f tho tiorlh<*ni <listrirtH nf MubiUir. aiiii w;i.s
oii.iMf«| to ail'l roiisiih-mhlv to tin? in format ion n';r«ir«liii;; tho
iMiuth«*m |»ortion of that otiiiitry which h<* hail ih'riviii from th**
i*X|X'<litioii of Mtirkh«l«»<iiii S;ihrl» in 17*»7. Wi» hav** ha«l <i<'«'a-
nioii, in tnu'iii:; t!n» history of iht» hiri'ltsl |»ro|HTty of MalnK-ir. t*i
ntttiri'* tho «4\tUIiviHiMn of that ii»iintr\' into inttv «li>tri«t'* unthr
ihr atit!i*»iity t»f rhi*-nninH fv>m]ianitivcly in'l«|M-nth'iit. with snh-
oniiiiat<' |»r«»|»rirt*»iN *»f hin«l. piimilly <'f thi* military »I.i>s , ;unl
nlth *ii<^h tilt* |Miwcr nn*l cxtt'nt t^f th(*<M* littl«' <'lan>hi|>N \v;lh
Hnhj' «t to in«'rN<int nvi»luti«»n. tin' piirnil a-^iM-i't anil «-oniliti"n o(
ill*' I'onntry was at this |icrio<I v» n'-:>rly the n;imr its to (lt*nMn<l
nti frr^h «|« -^i-ription.
Til'* '^T* at«-r yxTt **f Xho year 17*»'» was «iii|i)tiytsi hy Hy-lcr
in P-]i:iiriri^ th«* ili-^i-»t«'rs nf th»» l.it«* r.un|'.ii;^'n . in !• -t«»r:ii^' his
nuthoiity in t!i«' nl-llioiis |ii<«\ ino ^ . anil m « -t.i'.li'.l.i:!^ -'I'-U
iirniiii^rnifnt.-* a-» sh.itiM insun* tlh-Ir fntup* tniuipiiiiity Th» •'O
ci)ij«'«'ts Uifi;,' provi.ifil fiif, hf lift a o-qis <>f* i>h<«fl-i\ati<>ti. i-on^i^tiiiv^
•if tlip*«* t)i**ti vinl h*»r<.» fiur th'»Us.inl n'Milir iitt'intrv aii«l
t« ri tlfn-vMil |i«'«*ii-«, at ItnH\ia|i:itaii. t't tip* f-.i>%t\\ari ••!' I^'iti>i»*;
nii'l \%it)i thi' r«-ni:iin'l*T of his •ii<«}H»>.iMi< fip-i* tl«*^ «>iiiiiM| ntt*)
t*:iii.'ira a*««Mt th*» U-^'iniiiii ' of tin* v»'.ir I7»»*», with tin* a\i»wr«l
int«'iiti<'ii ««f a«'hjfvini; tin* r.^n^pp-si of Mnl.iKir.
I*a.-»in:; s.,,iihw.inl hy Man;^.il«»n'. whithi-r Ali It^ija ha-l i-'»in»«
f>r\%.ir>l to III' «t him. hi* fni^-Mtl at N«'li-*iini'ii thf l-«n*i«I.«iy «f
M.i! iImt. ami |»nKi*«-.hN| with th«* inii.l.iii. •• iin>l ai«l of Aii ILija
t<» th«* tlip-^'t oliji-<*t.H »»f thf i'X|"'iit!"n . In ' sr*'«iml ill «'>imi...tiMh
All K' /.I Kliui, th«' '^■11 "f <'lm:»'!i Sill, h li.iil t*ii •li.* f
dip'tioii t.f til*' "U^-'sph-nt "j- i.iti-ii •. •.'.'I < "lull.! Ti< i I (ii'in
(.if Kiijr-M* III! li r autifiiit\ , I'V a ■-• m :.il n.^tiur'i* n !•» ^m.h t no
c|»l.ilt«r
T'l-' Ni:T>.. Mr iniliLtrv rli.-* of M.il**'«r an*. |- fhip n l
I \» ■ • !• 1 \\ .inv h ili"Ti I'll «.i!ih !m a l.i.h M-ii.t if iii I- i-« •. i *i.-.«
ani iitii'.kiv h 'ii-*! . hut. Iik>' a!! |^:s. m* stiiiiul.tt* il l\ l!tit
•-pnit ustlftit t)»'- »iiri-«ls»n <.f <h^< iphii" t'l* .r t'l-it-* .iit inii.
t.iiii • I!". ; J- afi'l «h-Mlt.iv TIm' liii!:ta'\ •In-* .f li..- Nuri*
• • •
a }<i:r ••! -^ <rt (ili^Mi-rH. aiil h:o |« i**i!:.ir \« •- i|-'ti !■« a'l it.-»lr ntn- tit
Uitfi a tliUi hut \irv hr«*a'l M.^li . h'-'f.<*l t<'\% ir-l- tl>< d *•• hK< a
hi!i I •■•V i'l J If !• !!• r s knif»* aii'l a*-'i* t' - 1- luth ••!* a K->ii.iU
Hu.fi ^^ 'i. !s il.'" ui i(«'ii if i".« 1 li.. I .:'.•> • \ 1. 1!\ T» iji» • •»
Tli:^ h • 'k- I ;!i t r .llM* III lh« il:^ r» if.'.' s • ■ -ruiMli. •:! *•( tl.' Nir
h1.<ii'\i| Ij- .,1.1- l.i* ii\»« liiiij • :i • . .!.■ 1 r I'li.iuri. i t-T
k
290 THE NAIR8. [CHAP. XIL
war, has no Bcabbanl, and is usually grasped by Uie right hand,
as an ornamental api)endage in peace, and for destruction in
war. When the Nair employs his musket, or his bow,* the wea-
pon which has been dcscril^ed is fixed in an instant by means of
a catch in the waist-belt, with the flat part of the 1)lado diago-
nally across his back ; and is disengaged as quickly whenever he
drops his musket in the wood, or slings it across his shoulders
for the purpose of rushing to close encounter with this terrible
instrument The army of Hyder had not before engaged so
brave or so formidable an enemy : their concealed fire from the
woods could neither be returned with effect, nor could the truo])8
of Hyder be prevailed on to enter the thickets, and act indivi-
dually against them. In every movement through the forests, with
* The bow and arrow was the ancient missile weapon of India, bat bat
been successively replaced by the matchlock, and more modem musket ; tlie
latter, of European manufacture, was, at the period of Hyder^s invasion, in
general use on tne coast of Malabar, in conseciuence of the long established inter-
course of strangers with the people of that coast. The supposition that the
use of gunpowder was known in India before its discovery m Europe appears
to me to be not sufficiently supported. Mr. Halhed, in his preface to the
CWe of Qentoo Laws (page 57), adverts to a passage in Qumius Curtius,
which mentions missile fire having been employed in the defence of a place
attacked by Alexander. I liave not been successful in my search for this
passage cither in Ouintus Curtius, or Arrian. Philostratus, lib. ii, ch. 14,
introduces in a dialogue between king Phraotes and Apolloneus lyaneaj,
an account of the Oxydraci : " of which nation weve the wise men who
conversed witli Alexander : " " they inhabit," says' Phraotes, " the country
between the Ilyphasis and Ganges, which Alexander never penetrated, and
would never have heen able to conquer, for they light with prodiciouii
tempests and thunderbolts. l>eing themselves accounted sacred and bdoved
by tlie gods.'* Hercules and Bacchus, it is added, were both repulsed by that
people, who allowed them to approach their fortress, and then beat them back
witn thunders and fiery tempests. Arguments are also drawn from the names
ef the ancient instruments described in the Indian poems, nfftiee antrr (the
instrument of fire), &c. If I have been rightly instructed rej^arding the
]):i8siiges scattered through the llamayan, winch describe the actiou of these
instruments, they are entirely fabidous. The agnee aster, the fire of which
cannot be extinguished, may, plansibly enough, be put for the Greek fire, bat
the brania aster, or antrum, a weapon formed by magical process from a blade
(»f ;{rass, wlien once discharged cannot cease motion until it has hit its object.
Tlic baunum {nrr*no in some of the siK>ken dialects at this time), is also the
name for tlie mtidem Indian war-rocket ; but however varions and fabulous,
the twang of Ilama^s bow always announces the flight of the baunum. The
ar;:iimcnt amounts to this, that the effects of gunpowder may have l)een the
fiMuidation of these fables ; but to this are opposed the following cod-
sidcrations. 1.— No vestige of fire-arms, or of instruments discharged by gun-
iM)W(ler, is to be found in the Indian sculptures (to be seen in every i>art of
India) wliich representtlie war of the llamayan, or any other war : the bow and
arrow, the spear (rhe Indian bulluin and Litin pilum) and sword, beinffthA
only weapons described. 2 —The Persian and Tartar conquerors of later
])erio(l.s, and particularly Chingeez Khan, whose operations are minutely
dotaihMl. make no mention of a circumstance which would necessarily hare
excited the greatest astonishment ; and so far as I have been able to examine
the ipicstion. tliore is no direct evidence of the use of gunpowder iu Ludia,
until a period luii^ subsctiuint to itd introduction iu Europe.
CHAP. XII.] TIfC ZAMORIK. S!>1
wiiirli till* roiintn' AUiun«lH, IniikIh «if NAtn nislioil )>y Miqtriiie
ii|N»ii the (*«iluiiiiiH of iiiun-li ; hikI, uINt iimkiii)^ (in*a(ltul h:iv«»r,
wrn* ill A luoiiiont Apiiii inviMMo. On oih* iN-cnMion tliry witc
Ml iiii|ini<lt*iit A.S t4i fi(*|iart fnuii tlicir rlm^a^t4rri^tio warfan\ txiul
(i|ii*iily <li*ftrti(l«Nl tlu* |IA^SA^I* of OIK* of tlioso riwrs with whit-li
tilt* |in»viii(v is rwryulu'n* int4'rs4*4*t4*«i to «liM*iiur^u the m«>uiitatii
t4im'iiti^ Hy<h'r. hy iuLs.Hiii;4 a t-ohiinn 4if cavalry at a hi;:hi'r
loni, nini nuiihiiiiii;; thfir char^'r on tho tlank (»f the Nairs with a
hvAvy <liM*hnr^f* of ;:rH|N» in front. iiia«l(« a fln*aiiful cariiap* ainoii;^
thrill. Ah hi* A^ivaiioNl to thi* jMmtliwaril hr MNniriNl his o»iii-
tiiuniratioiis hy a wrii^H of hlm-k Iious^'h ;• aii«l tin? Naiix, juT-
iviviiiLf thr ohj«-«t i»f th«*.M» envtioii**, iiii|K*«h*tl his |ip»;^'sn liy tho
cK'friio* of th<*ir own *«iimll |MiHtK (>ni*of thi-M*. which my niaiiti-
lu'riptH iianit* Taiiifl|N'lly. wii«% siirroiiiiih**! l.y Hy«KT in the
ff»lii*wiii;; inaniirr: tin«t, a iin«' <»f ir^iilar inf<intr>', aii«l gunn with an
AhUitis; H«*«*fi|i«l. A lint* of inMiim ; thinl. (»f rjiVAlr}'. This (lisiM>.
hititui wa.H iiiaili* f»»r tho |»iiqMisf of striking t*'m»r hy not all«»wiii«j
A man to f!%i-a|i«* «h»Htnirtii»n. Thr Naip* «K"frinlt*<l th«*m*«4*lvcs
until thfv w«*n* ttn^l of the ronrmciiK'nt, aii<1 thm Ifapiii;: over
Ihi* ahliatis aiiii rtittiii:^ thniii;;li th«* thn-i* linrs with a.%t*»niHhiriir
rA|ii*lity. they ;^in<*«l tlu* winwln U*foir tin* rnrmy lijul ni'«iv«-r«*«l
from ihrir hurpri****, Surli wits th«« rhanirt«-r of thr warfare in
whirh lly«h'r was «lailv «'iipi}^rtl ; aii«l in thin iiiAniifT t'ontinuin;^
his |»roj;n*^s thn*ii^'h tin* trrritoiy «if thr fivr iiorthrrn fhiif?%, ho
Apppiarhfi (alii-iit Maiin Vtrrnii lUj. thr Suiionv (Zaiiiorin),
Nn-i-iviii:^^ tli.it n.-istano* wouM U* uItimAt«-ly unavaihn;:^ an*!
aviii(; ht-ani i*f tht* |M*<*uliar f.iVor which th<: Poii^r <-f Kai-
driH*;^ )iA<i •MM'un**! hy an early MihmiHsion, oix-ikhI a nr^<N.*iation,
Ami |*n»|M*s«*i|, if A Hafr (^*tiiiii< t HhttuM U* A>niiri*<| Uf him. to |iiiy
hi*i Tr^|«N*t^ t«> Hy<hT for thr pur|x»M* of ailjuntin^ thr trniin of
All hill ixsioii. Thi 4 prti|iiM.il U'iii^ tw*i'r«|r«l t«>. thr liitja pnn-i t'f|i»|
l«i camp, whrn* lir wa.s n*«i-i\r«| hy lly«lrr dH thr 11th of April
17*'**. with marks of pjirticul.ir «li^tiiirtii»ii, aii<l prr<«4*iitol %^ith
valujihjr jiWtN Thr trnii-* .i'liu*»l«'l ut tills lilt* rvi« w wm* tlir
o»ntiriii.it toll if tlr* ICtja in hi'* :it'tu.»l |mi'^'m -^ii.nt a^ thr trihu*
tAry of llx'lir, ''ii hit pi\iui ii*. ff f'liir la«'^ **( V<-iii tiaii -M<pinis
a« a luiiit.ftty «-Mntrihuli*ih riii-« aiTaliL'^iii* til U'lii^ m:iiit . thr
army m-tvt.l f..t \%.ir>I t«i>%.kr U t\k!iut. at < «iiii)iniii<-«i )<y thr K.i).i ;
hut At til*' \*r\ iii>'Uiriit thjit ll\<I«r w.ts ri'i>:\in;r hiiii with tir*
hMtt'^r^ %^ii:«h h:i\r Utfi tt.it«<l. a ci*liiiiiii w:i<« ill iii^ti'-li l<v •!
cir< ii:liiii^ I Mitr t'l "»••:/*• tijr j-i-^t of (*.ihi;it thr ;;nrii'M»n f' a-
M<ii.ii-!y c tir !uiih/ ti*'iii thi^ mf\um* lit tli.it the lwij.i H.it .«
prit"ipr. ( oil-;'!! ii-l ih ft u. i* to l«* uii.iv.»ihii;r Aii*i iv.-u'iutr*!
thr p:.%«r Mil th*- >.imc nt^ht ll\<h-r h.i'l a«l>iptr«l thm prrrnil.
iit»n fl"lii hl<* r\|»rnrtif f iif ihf lit* ■•pti*li pr.&i tlM'«l hv thlH ILlJ.'%
rr«^apiiii^ tin* m.Iitiir\ I'liitrihution »*( M'*! , aii*! thr iLija apprr.
* hi ^i h'uu !■ A hural trail tlAlt'«ii ul tlic tcna viLiib ijcAvfAlly
di»:tiii;...«kicU '.UcK i^ntA» \u , L*<itryi^a .
t
292 UYDER MOVES TO COIMBATORE. [CHAP. XIL
licndcJ from this virtual infraction of the present agreement,
mciisurcs of fartlier circumvention on the i)ai-t of Hydor. After
the expiration of a few days, Hyder intimated his expectation of
receiving the stipulated contribution : and the Raja consulted
with his ministei*s reganling the proj)er measures for its realisa-
tion. But whether fnmi inability, or design, they appeared to
make b it little progress in its collection. As the monsoon was
not distant, Hyder, suspecting deception, placed both the Raja
and hi; ministers under restraint ; and applied to the latter
the customary Indian methods of extoi-ting treasure. The Raja,
apprised of the cruelties and indignities offered to his ministers,
determuied to anticipate the possibility of a similar disgrace to
himself; and having barricaded the doors of the house in which
he was confined, set fire to it in several places, and was consumed
in the ruins in spite of all the exeiiions made by Hyders com-
mand to extinguish the flames* In the remembrance after a
lapse of yeai-s of so extraoixliruiry a sconce as Uiat which has been
related, and even in the confusion of such a moment, a spectator
may have misconceived what he saw; but I liave been assured
by more than one eye-witness, that several of the Raja's personal
attendants who were accidentally excluded when he closed the
door, afterwards thi'ew themselves into the flames, and perished
with their master.
Even a scene of this nature was not calculated to operate on
the impenetrable nerves of Hyder : the tortures of the ministers
were continued without the least intermission, but the treasure
which they at length produced fell far short of the stipulated
sum.
While Hyder was occupied in tliese plans of exaction, the
militaiy aiTangemcnts for securing the conquest were also pursued
with vigour: the fort of Calicut was enlarged and improved;
additional posts were erected in difierent parts of the country, and
stored with ammunition and provisions for their ample garrisons.
A disposable column of three thousand regular infantry, aided by
his newly ac(]uired adherents, the Mapillas, was stationed at
Calicut, and the civil govenunent of the province was committed
to an experienced officer of revenue named Madamk At the
expii-ation of alx>ut a month employed in these aiTangements
after the death of the Raja, Hyder moved towards Coimbatore,
but was ovei*takcn by the monsoon on his fourth day's march : he
receive<l however, in liis progress, the submis.sion and tribute of
• The credibility of tJiis circumstance is strengthened by a variety of
inHtnncos of .similar desperation on the part of other military classes of the
Iliiidoofl. The well-known case of Kanga Rao of Bobilee, related by Mr.
Ornio, and the more recent occurrence at the capture of Gawilghor, are
prominent examples ; and occurred where the assailants were commanded in
till* former case by a Frencli ofliccr, and in the latter by au English general*
lK»th as eminently didtinguitihcd by their humauity as by the moat bnlliant
military talents.
f IIAI*. XII ] INSl'Unn'lli'N IN IIAI.AHAIL -KD
the Kiija^ ff ( 'iM'liiii :iiii| l\ili:1i:iiit : aihl, after :i <litVii-fiIt nii«l tliiMiy
Iii:il« !«. Ill wiiiili a lifiivy 1»n> nt* li*.!-*""^ ati*l r.ltti"* \\.j-» sU«-t;il!i'«l.
Ill* )i.i>. 1 t)ii'"M.:)i tip- wtNi'Is nt* Aiiiiii:ili\ , :iti'l tli^tril'iitttl his
:iMii\ \*'\ ti ti>-^liiii«*nt :iii«l t*Mni_^r in tin* t«*in|N-r:it«- :iii<l tV-rtlN*
|ini\ hm ■' i«l C '••iiuli.it<*rr.
riii" ri\il ;ii\iiiiii|- t'» wli'Iii llviliT li:lil flllin-^l**! tlif ti-<-.il
tit' till- |i|.i' till- . i<t i-\;i« l]'>Ii ill wlih'i he )i:iil Ih-i'H i «Iii> .it«*il ; I. lit
\i';i • f.iii iittii- \«t^<-i III il.>- -^'iiiiv <•!' Iiiiiiimi natiiii' X** riiiiNi.I,-|- tin*
hill'll • .m-l |'P|ll<ii''« >» t ! .1 r- l:i|Ui-n-i| |w<»jt!r allh'TI:; lllf rli-llli'litS
tit' lii'« -\ -I'lii ■•! |i\'ir:'- A •jiili-l ai',tin-^«-i-ii» •• in !"r» i^'ii ^iil»-
jii'j.tt '11 \\;i-% ii"i \'t \- «\j«i'iil nn«l» I" aiiv « jr«iiiii'«!.iiu-« ^ tVi»iii
cIp* i.-iMvi^ lit M.il.tl'.ir. lilt lit!- iiii| iihl* tit uii'.i>tiri-- <>t' Mailana
pp • jit.it* -i til- 11 :■ ^- :i: '11 :il; ! tl.M i* In* Titii-* liail fi'it i|.i|'-i«l
atti T )l\'i>t^ a*!i\.il 111 i'>'iiiii.i! 'ti-. In t .M' iiit' liij> iM •• w.i* ri*
«'«'i\« 1 t): it t'." N.kii** I..1 1 i: '11 i!i all 1^11 irl'-i^ .iii>l allai'k*'*! tli«*
I'll- k Ir-i-** " wli'li t!.' \\« i!iii,' ' t' tl.t* ii\'i^ \\.i*\ I "it «'tr f*i in
nil !• .1.1 :<-> iif lit. I ifii> I t: 'in t .;. !i 'tlitr. i-r ti'>iii tli<- iii>\i a*'!**
fi't •• .1? I ■ *. 'It H\'i. r • . • !• 1 );:■< arMJ\ vitii-'it 'ii!.«\. aii-l
\%ii<nlif xi'.'.i'il !:.■■ I t::.- l-_- iTi t" J-at'- i:i'\''i x^.t'i a lijlit
•N|i.:j.m« !'T "I • .jii* •I.i'.n" }-\..\ ; ■: «. )v ! J . I 1. ii« I.' «» til Mm!i-
i'l.i. lli:.- .\ ■ .% ■ ■ ■.• .i ! •.♦i !»•■ -'lit •:• t.ii !.ii.t lit > ;n x.ui- n^
«iii< t . !i' 11. (?■ : . I ■■ .\ .». !• 1 iiji- M K •!. f nil I :i..ft'i h iin-l
*«ili; 1 • i .i:. i ' • .^ tJ.. I" :'..•••! I. 1.1 • • t \,ii'^. \*ii" 1!. Jll-i -
ti- I i .. 1 I ■ r. 11-.. u • :. .'.t .iiiV ii* I'i t" «ii!« ' I 1 1 .v: T i: ^■•- a
L- I'- ^'i • '1. ■• ■ :i ■; I' 'I i?r.:t' '11. • jii 'i.'i t.k- :i .'i lii-'
III ■! .iV... k. u.:. i.Tfi r *.'.. •iji-i III I. iiiji'i: i.ii'. a'. ti.».' IiMIu-
l- : • • .' : II\i-- ' ■--i-.i i tlj- |I.iii • f* "•jia: ::i/ l!ti in t- i tl*.«
II »• ■ I I.' » : 111.! !•;:.• 1 1- . 'I !.i « « !!■• ! i I- '- ! i- li ;:» ■ Ti- | I ■
\ii:' ••. I..- 1 1 r .!?..•.,. j ; 1 it: -11 im ■•• Mi- : . f' \\ !i; li ;■ ii
1 1 ' 1 1 1 . ■ I • . • I '. .« : I ; ' » ■« : ; ; ■ t ' i .! • v* . i i I . : ! ■ ■ i \ u i » i • ■ -t . • • -
t 1 • I !.i • ' I \ \ 11'. ■;• : hi i !:-:'"•■ • !.. ^i .' mi ■ ! .i i..'."' :
t-j • I ' .1 i\ :^ -I . .• V. . : J- .• ■'. ■ • :.• \. ''i !.:■■ r»i'.i-
I" ■ :.••-■ . ! f ■ •:■•/•. t'. I* tl .■ .: I il : I ■ !.. ? i t !». - .! ■
■ . • ■. ■ ! ? I .J/ \ . , ..| :. i i -■ I . . ;. u .: :i •• i ij .!■■■; i .»i.
I if . • J ■ 'A 'i.' 'j .] I !i :..«' .. .11. i I i; ! .' .' li • r kf L\i . . 1
M 1" ■ • • ■ 'I » . : ;• 'i • ■ I'.j'- ' ! • ..: .»•■ \k I - v.- I
.!•; ;■ I • i i". • i! i li: •/ ^'. I.: • t\ .ll. J • '. '..'.*•' '. '■ . . ..!» I \»'j.»
U •■ I '..•.. J it ; . .-.;.. i t.. .! t .% I 11 il.'i- i •!: i I. •. *!%.■.«•
lif • ^ : • : .; • • *
Al*' : • . • \ ui'i ■ W \ ! : • • i.'ii- 1 li- A? I'l' -Iv !■• • I' \ >'(
Hi' * I. ..'. : » .!i i"' 4? ■: : ■ .1- .'..i iiii:i»' ...'.'.v • i! ii .r {•* ii.««
1 '. . I : . !• I ii .■ 'i !•• • : . . • fi. ■.. ui. • li.k-i I. IK- fi I' I'J^i*
1!\ : ' ■ w .■ . . ;. • ,• ;j. i ! I • • ; f. if .l.i* •. . .ili I . -ii - .!! il ■ .i:i;l
• . ■ :- I r •..!■:•. i*. .i. !.ii* ?! Ii\'i> i -n; ;-— ■ 1
'. ' .• !- !..• : ■ • -•.' i \' ••!••.. kl .1". i |-rt i.fc:.. !.i tf.ii.ijuiilit\ .
294 CONFEDERACY TO INVADE MYSOOR [CHAP. XIL
and returned to Coimbatore. On his route he ^ve orders for
the erection of the present foii of Palgaut (Palicacherrj'), a
position judiciously selected as an advanced post and depoK uid
for securing at all times an easy communication between the new
conquests in Malabar and his fixed resources in the province of Coim-
batore, from the capital of which it was distant only thirty miles.
A body of four thousand cavalry, which his emissaries had
been sent to engage in the territories of the Mahratta state of
Najpoor, were reviewed at Coimbatore, and seemed to arrive at
a proper season to oppose a more formidable confederacy than
Hyder had ever sustained. Madoo Row had issued from Poena;
Nizam AH, aided by an English corps, was approaching from
Hyderabad ; and all were confederated, according to report, for
purposes hostile to Mysore. The approach of these powers was
certain ; but the nature of their concert or ultimate designs was
not accurately known to Hyder. In every event it was necessary
to proceed without delay to Seringapatam for the purpose of
making the most vigorous preparaticms. He arrived at that
capital about the commencement of the year 1767; and while
the military preparations were in progress, a civil arrangement^
which now had sunk into a very subordinate degree of import-
ance, also engaged his atention.
In April, 1766, the pageant Raja Chick Kishen Raj Wadejrar
died ; ana Hyder, while o<!cupied in Malabar, had sent orders,
with all the indiiference attached to an affair of ordinary routine^
to go through the usual formalities of establishing as his succes-
sor hLs eldest son Nunjcmj Wadeyar, a young man then about
eighteen years of age. Hyder, on his arrival at the capital, went
through the ceremonial, from which habit and public opinion had
not yet exempted him, of paying his public respects as a subject
to his sovereign : he had, however, disco verea that the youth
since his mock elevation had betmyed some of those feelings of
human natuix) which the habitual degradation of a splendid
imprisonment had not absolutely extinguLshed ; and these feelings
Hyder deemed it necessiiry to crush before they should gather
strength. It will Ije recollected, that districts to the annual
amount of three lava of Pagodas had been allotteil for the per-
sonal maintenance of the Raja; these were now resumed, and
the palace was plundered of all the cash and valuables which
hiul been saved from that income, with the single exception of
the ornaments which the women hiid actually on their persons at
the time that Hyders myrmidons entert»d to execute nis orders.
A new and reduced arrangement of the household was enforced,
which left none but Hyders spies within the palace gates; and
these precautions for internal security were adjusted without any
interruption to the singular defensive measures against external
attiick, which we shall have occasion to describe, or to the most
active pre|xirations for an efficient military equipment
CHAP. XIL] TUE TRIUTY OF PARIS. 29S
TIk* <'VeiitftiI war wlii4*li roiniiieii(*f«i in 17C7 aiiJ U^niiiiiatf^I
ill 17(»i^ iiivolv<*«l tilt* iiiU*n*sts and o\(Tri>e<l the anan of all tlii*
|iriiiriiftal iMiwvi-H of tilt* Month of lii<liii : aiitl a ch*ar aihl o»ii.
ii<i't4Ml t*x|»lHiuiti<>ii of itN cauMfi hIiaII Ik* attciuiitetl in iho huo-
riMMlin;^ rhu|»t4*r. The history <»f the KritiHh |M)iiry in Intlia is
n«»t the <lireil ohje<*t of the preM^it work ; but iU intiniut4* (*tin-
htM'tion with the atlairH of M vim Mir niuy n*uiler it nixvHMir)' to
I»n*niiM*, thut the treaty of rurin. whi«*h tenniiiaU'«l the war
N-twc«*n Fmniv iin«l Kn^loiul mi the UHh 4»f Kehrnary 17t><l,
iU*kn*fU'UiLjf*i Sitiafmt Jti mj an lawful SouUih t*f th^ /A*«'il'«i ii, at a
time when that ottu^* ha^l. for upwunls of a y«*:ir iiiiti h half, Uh*ii
puhlifly an<l fornmlly A-vtunii^il hv Wis hrotlnT : for Nirjini All.*
who niunlfiiNl S^iUihut Jun^ in S«'|iti*iuU-r 17<>*i. ha^l inipriHoiH^il
him. an«l aM-einh'^I the Mu^nu<l on the iMli of July 17<»1. Hy
the Hjime artielr'f- of the tn-aty of I\iri*«. &!(»hainni«*«l Ali was ac-
kllowh*<i^i*<l by the two |M»wet-M an tht Ut%rjul ynfMphnf the i**irnafi«' ;
aii<i the runiiM*tition of |*ji^li.sh an*! Fn>n<*h NaU»|jH liaviii^ thuM
ct'att*il. We Hhall henceforth (ilstiiij^iinh Mi>hjuniiieil Ali l»y this
liLH a«-knou'h-4|^'t*<| (legislation.
The Iit4*nil iinftort of this title, nninely. ** th«* lawful tleputy
of a HU|M*rior not iiAia«Hi. in the p>vernin«*iit of a oittiitry mis-
(*ali«><| aiMl un«l«*tiius|." in only noiit^il for th** puriMHM* of illuH-
iratin;; th(* r«'Vo}iition of wonU aii«l thin^n. to which we have
forni'Tly ii«lvcrt«'l The |Hi|iti<*al iiitMiiin;; of tht* tith* uiunt l^*
iMHi^^ht ill th«* int«*titi*»n of iht* contructiii;; |»artie!«. who |>niri.<sH
th«'N»« a' kiioultil^^iutMiti to U« nia«l«* ha *n>lrr (,» jtrfnfnt jutnit
jiettt^ nit th^ i»mtMf itf f\fnnitttH'i«I iiiiW Orini. \\ itliout ■ti»{»|iin;(
at |ii«'^rit to «'ni|uin* whftlicr the ackiMtwIeil^nent of Mohatuiii«'«l
All «Mi;^ht t«i Im* iiit«'r|iift4*<l sini|tly an a renunciation of future
Mi|»|Mirt t«i oth* r candi'lat**^. «»r. in the 4*oii««tnictii>n aft«*rw.inU
a^unit^l. a-* a ilins-l ps o^rnjtion of •«t»\fri'isi authority ; it wouM
Kf«*iii t«i (m* un<|<i**Htiiinahlf* that a nii*uHuri' a|»|iart*ntly int^^nde*!
to •'*iin|-»*«* lh«- ai^itAtioie* in whi«h tin-* NaU»h wa-* « oni*»Tii»-«l,
t«*n<h-l oiily t'i ^tIlllu!.lt«• an aiiihition tit*i t;ir«;«* ft>r Iuh tah iit^. a
isitnipti'Mi t'Hi |'i-i>li;^«l fir 1ii*« iii'-.in«. aii«l a r>ini1>iiMti-*n of
foirUTi an*l •l>*iii«-^ti<- intn^'u**. t'li i;ii^' to ohjf^-t<« «if whi* h Ih' ha«l
|»niki)'ly ji«*\fr form*'*! a «lit(iti< t i'*ih'-('|>ti*»n. |it>>fitAhl*' ali>ii** to
t*:«' iii'^truiii* iit<« fni|il<>\i>|, aiel t>i hini^If iiriKluttive of nothing
but llU-^t >lttltltv
\Vhi-th»i the |*\v«' of I7ti'l. whi« h tlelivertnl tin* Kn>;li'«li
(**ini)Mny tr**in M^iinut im|»*«lini* iiti t<* tie* |ir«*^s*iitiMn <if tie-ir
«sinoiif n ial roll!'* rnn. left th«'in al^> fn*«* to alp^tain from vi*'W% of
|M«liti<Al n^.:n%titii«iMn4*nt. i% a <|u<-<«tion \»hich «p|»Ii«*A \»ilh *he
Haiti*' fir«** to rvrry Mulav<|u«*nt |M'ri'^l «*f tin* HntL<ih liist«ir)' iu
* 'Ihrrt* «ijk« t>'» arf«*«-tatit»ti <>f niltn,? im thr u%mr t*f bi* br«ithrr In hi«
|«-ltrT« t«* \| fin*. Niroii Wrt AnuiHiti'.i-ttbAt the itnj f UtlKi b^U 4lit|>lat:cd
S*N)*'i' JMri;* '••r rill «>u«i';- t.
296 CONCLUSION. [chap, xil
India, as to the shoH and important interval from 17C3 to 17C5,
which placed the revenues of Bengal at the uncontrolled disposal
of the English Compiny. To generalize and resolve this difficult
and important question is, in effect, to determine whether human
afiiiirs can be rendered stationary by luiman wisdom.
The wisdom and virtue of political moderation, and the inex-
pediency and injustice of aggressive wars, are among those pro-
positions familiarly denominated truisms, wliich more frequently
pass through the ear than the understanding, and extend them-
selves over so large a surface as scarcely to be anywhere distinctly
tangible. Nature has erected no visible boundaries to mark the
proper extent of political power; and moderation, that word of
amiable sound, which changes its meaning in the concerns of
private life at every step from one hundred to one hundred
thousand, is as perfect a Proteus in the political vocabulary:
while in the very act of applying its ever-varying form, ambition
will not fail to whisper, that the fundamental principles and pro-
portions which regulate a smaller scale remain precisely the same
in the construction of a larger. Wo can scarcely conceive that
the great and enlightened statesman who directed the affairs of
Bengal in 1765, and seized with his characteristic penetration
and promptitude the combination of circumstances, which, with-
out previous design, led to an aggi*andisement of unexampled ra-
pidity and extent, intended to arraign the past by conciemning
its application to the future ; nor can we in justice to his memory
suppose, that in retiring from the scene of his jmssed glory, and de-
])rccating an extension of the British dominions, he contemplated
any other than the existhig condition of his own and the surround-
ing states, or meant to inculcate the ex)>e<liency of the same mea-
sures under every passible variation of ciivumstances. To deter-
mine the evanescent line which sepamtes moderation from am-
bition would seem to be a problem beyon<l the reach of general
rules, and to reciuire a consideration of the £icts of each individual
case, for its solution. The lights to guide oiu* opinion on a question
which appeal's simple to those only who confine their examination
to its sui'face, must therefore be derived from a close attention to
the progress of events. Without i)i"csuming to instruct the seader, the
means of forming or revising his own judgment will be found in
the series of more tirdy steps which, from the year 1765 to 1799,
tended with considenible fluctuation to a similar aggrandisement
of the English power in the south of India. The princifial events
of these thirty-four years Mong to the direct scope of our futnro
narrative ; and if precarious health should admit, and public opi«
nion should not discourage tlic design, an attempt shall be made
to relat<3 them with fidelity.
CHAPTER XIII.
C0mMe<fmence$ of the diplomatic errttr in the treaiy of Paru^-of deriving rtgkUfrom
tkt exttmct auikarxty of AIt*f^l — (iemrral (*aiiutmtfi trttUy with \t:ttm Ait -
rtt^ue^ ami at nirutnce with the rtrw* »f lji>rd Ciire (\nmpirM rinr* of the parties
l« the trar wku-h tntnrH^'HyHrr'B plan *»/ tie fence hif the deu^ttUton of ki» i»irii ctmn*
trtf-^durnsaed - l>e*rriptum ofregen>nri ftet-ntiar to the mmtk of Indta — Stttkruitat
mtt arrfied —foptnre Sera^- Pefectf*n of Meer Saheh ^ H yler attempt* net^tttiaiton
- .Kmmhin^ t^^cxmen of lmi%an dijfd4tmnry - iuccenU m pmrtkoMtm^ the retreat
of Ike Muknittaa (general Smttk and Mtsam AU tuttam-e to co^o/terate iriM the
Mahntttai a^^atntt I/yder— find the mMe Ire § orer 'reached ami rtdtntled -nrntimne
tt* mdrance^-'Sizam Alt'* $erret nr^i'ttatton* trtth Hyiter—Open mi>ehery of the
Knt^ifh —(fturral Smtth rettret totrardj hti otrn frontter — Hotter re here t
htmself frtfm the dttmetttc ditn^rr of the tntrt^ne* of SunJeraJ — Stmi^ular
generouty of Stzam Alt beftre nnttim^ tctih iitf*le-r ofiminsi the hnf;lfh"^il'*»ttle
operattom of the Kn^^ltsh %m Barumuhal ^ Captnre of ntumtrums pUuee of IttUe
tmjmtrttim'e.
}\\ i\u* In'Aty of |H*Aiv l».>tw(vn Krnnre «n«l En^rlaiKl o>nrlu«lc<l
At Piirin <in iIh* loth i)f Fflini.iry I7<>n. tin* fnniier liii«l n*ii(»uiio*»l
all |in't4L*iiHi«inH i*\ iu ii«'«{iii*«itionH i»ii tin* ola^t 4»r (\>n>inaii<l<*l aii«1
Ori\;i; iiinl viuU aj^DNMl to n^-^l^nx* wjiat liiwl l«ocii r«»iH|U«'nMl
fnaii th»' «illi»T. S;ilalmi .Inn;;, wh*) liii»l Utiv^ Unmi «lf|MH4t| hy
his y«»un;;«r KrotlnT, w;lh, l»y tlio Hin^^ilar «li|iloiii4itic orn»r aln«-ly
iMtio'il, urkii'tu Ir«l^f*<l i«» \h* i\w hivjul Soolia (.S«iuliailnrj of
lK*«*kan ; aii'l Mohaiiuih-^l All. whti hji<l Hii|»i»lant4»<l hU fl<l«*r hn»tii<*r
in sihh ri;;hLH oh filhrr nf tli«*ni |M^H«*Hae4i. wa« n*o<>j(iiUM»i| an th«»
latrftil N.iIhiK «.f Caniatir. Two Kiiro]M*an natiniiH lia<i tlnu
a.<^miiimn| to thi*iii*M*lvts till* rik'l't of coiiffrriii^ llio oAirial a|»iwMnt-
intMiU, aiitl <l4't4*njnniii;; tlit* tMt4'rior arraii^rriiiontM of th<* Jlo^^il
riii|iir«* ; nii<l Moh^iiiiiit*«l All \ilio, an n siTvant «>f that mUiU*. r«iiiM
Hot. \\\ any ixtrnva^'ano* of :iA.Htiiiiptit»ii, riaiiii a lti;;h«*r miik
()i;tn that of iI<*put\*H «li'|Mity. U^r^^ii wry |»niti»*iilly to n-^t
liU |»n*i«'iiHi.»ns ii» a iion.tlr'M ript authMnty, on tlif li^i^nilitv \«My
impiihlf iitiy n"<*oj^ni.M**i h\ im.i )x»urrH fur niorv rotn|it't« nt to
ill** i«I«* a i|iif^tioual»l«* « I.iini \\\ \\\v vti^xr anth'i|Kition ♦•f
KMMpIh'A" <I"nnni*in. tin* linot'« of tliU n«-wlv-*n*atf«l •m»\i'-
n i;:nly. U «-aiii«' l.-» narrow fir lo-* ^'lowin^j fortunrv Tlu* S»ul<i-
il.irvt* of l>4'«kan. inrltniiti^ tin* whole nouth. waa tho KiWt-^t
I'Ut th«' ni*"*! inini«'4|iAt4* olijoi of hi^ |,;niM|i, T!i»» i«n»J4*<*tA •■•»»-
or!*'*! f'f ilA atiainnK'nt w«t** nt.»n» oj* n an«l un«lisnii4«^l than
wan rohM^t* nt with th«* |>rn<*tital aii«l miUr I'D'-M-i-iition of h-v<
ilirti'-ult a4*hi«*\«-ni«*ntA. an<l th<* intlit4*>l ambition ttf thi^ iiolitK-al
jmt* n*if r w,x». n<>(irith«<i aii'l ini itr«l \*\ th** iitill iiion* alrtiinl
an<i **i»rnj|»l r.Mjn«-'N of hi«i K'ir<'|<t-an a<l\i*«'r*
In th«' niohih of Jul) I7<»'. M.ihj»hu/ Klian. wh««^» prvt^'niionsi
ha<l >itl«it-«| «.f fH-4^*xMty t«» th** U-tt«*r fortun«*^ of hi** youn;jiT
hrolhiT. hail |TofQ».ML*«l. in tht: i^nliiuirY pmcii*^ of tho>c A*iiati<:A
I
298 C:ONSEQUENCE OF THE TREATY OF PARLS. [CHAP. XIH.
whom the world has not favonnl, to renounce the world ; and
hiul taken leave of Moliamuied All, with the dechired intention
of proceed in<; on a pil^^a'image to tl»e temple of Mecca^ as the
iii*st and most meritorious strp in a life of austere devotion.
The route of the ])ilgi*im to Ids port of embarkation at Man-
galore, led him near to the camp of Hyder Ali then engaged
in the con([uest of Malabar; and these vows, whether the
offspring of disordered fancy, or affected sanctity, quickly yield-
ed to the worldly tempt^itions of a jageer, and a public employ-
ment, which liyder ofi'ered to his acceptance. The develope-
ment of the extravagant plans of Mohammed Ali, suggested to
Hyder the project of emi>loying the elder brother of his own
lival, as the fittest instrument to concert with Nizam Ali the
means of mutual security and joint retaliation ; and Mahphuz
Klian wa.s accordingly dis[)atclied to Deckan as the agent of Hyder,
and the advocate of his own cause.
Lord Olive on receiviuir from the Mocnil the dewannee of
Bengal in 170o, had solicited and procui-ed at the same time
ro^'al gi*ants, conferring on the fCnglish £a.st India Comjxmy,
the i)ossession of tlie noilhem circ^i's, and in dispatching them
to Madnis, had enjoined the necessity of innnediate occupation,
which IkuI .accordingly been in a gi*eat degree* effected in 176(5.
But after thus seizing, un<ler the direct authority of the Mogul,
this extensive territorj' as an inde])endcnt possession, it was
deemed wise by the government of Madras, to send an embassy
to Nizjun Ali, which negotiated a treaty, submitting to hold
it as a free [fifty and tiil)utary dei>endency from this avowe<l
inferior and ecjuivocal deputy, to whose exclusion it had been
conferred, and in d(.*spite c»f whom it had been seized. It is
not here intended to discuss the suggestions which have been
mixe'l with our earlier investigations, "f* regarding tlic moral
or politicjU force of cither the jiuthority or the act which has
now been <lescribetl ; but to mark in all these transactions;, the
vieious preference for ostensible <lepcndence, and the unprofitable
an<l d(»grading tendency t»f ]>oliticaI simulation.
Although an anticipation *)f subsequent events, it afTorda a
striking illustration of these observations, that when the Mahratta
ehii'f, Madajee Sindia obtained possession of the person of the
Mogid, he extorted from tliait unfoitunate prince, a patent appoint-
ing the Peshwa. nd'ni nl ih if thick (absolute vicegerent), and
Sindia himself the naib or deimty of that imaginaiy officer: the
patent and seals were expedited to Poona, but were never used by
that, Stiite : a remarkable (example of a feeling of dignity in a
Mdlinitfti, superior to that of a British Government Sindia
lu)wever was not so s(!rupulous, and in his subordinate capacity
exercised, in the most absolute manner, the whole authority of
• The ox{M'|)tioiis wore Chicacole and Guntoor.
t Vol. i. the llr^t half of p. 137, and the whole of p. 162.
CHAP. XIIL] CALLIAUD'S TREATY WITH NIZAM ALL 299
the Mogul empire, to the full extent that his means admitted.
In the whole of tlie political transactions of India, we perceive
Hindoos, Mohammedans, French, and English, searching for a
shadow, to sanction their pretensions, instead of resting their
claims on more substantial groimds. In the course of events,
however, the shadow and the substance have both fallen into the
hands of the English ; and on their part at least, it is time that
the scene of simulation should finally close. The treaty with
Nizam Ali, which was concluded at Hyderabad by General
Calliaud on the 1 2th November 1766, made a temporary exception
in favor of the Sircar of Guntoor, which formed a part of the
jageer of Basalut Jung, and was not to be possessed by the
English until his death, unless his conduct should prove inimical
to that nation. It was also agreed that an English auxiliary
force, indefinite in strength, and equally loose in its applications,
should be at the disposal of Nizam Ali, " to settle the affairs of
his government in everything that is right and proper;" and as
he was at this very time concerting with the Mahrattas, a plan
for the conquest or plunder of Mysoor, it was distinctly under-
stood that this was the first service on which the auxiliary troops
were to be employed ; although Lord Clive had expressly sug-
gested that any aid which might be afforded to Nizam Ali,
should be directed to restrain the foimidable power of the
Mahrattas, instead of co-operating for their aggrandisement.
To check the growing ambition of Hyder in any direction which
might affect the British interests, was in his judgment an object
of legitimate policy ; but to crush the only power in the south
who had been able to oppose any respectable resistance to the
agressions of the Mahratta States, and who formed, if his friend-
ship could be secured, a barrier between them and the Company's
dominions, was in direct opposition to the views of that profound
statesman. This policy, however, unless directed by the hand of
a master, is certainly of a most equivocal character. If an inter-
mediate state be capable, from its strength, of becoming a real
barrier, it is also liable, from the same cause, to become an object
of jealousy. If too weak for its purpose of defence, it only
courts aggression from abroad ; and instead of a bander, it
becomes the high road of invasion.
Colonel Joseph Smith, who airived in India in September 1766,
was selected to proceed to Hyderabad, for the purpose of concert-
ing the details of this co-operatioriy ami covimanding ilie troops.
The unofficial narrative of this officer, (unpublished and unre-
corded,) which after the conclusion of the war he addressed to
his friend, Lord Clive, in explanation of his own conduct, and
the journal of an officer* of deserved reputation, who bore a dis-
tinguished part in the military operations, enables us to compare
and correct what is deficient in the public records ; and a short
• Sir Henry Cosby.
300 COMPLEX VIEWS OF PARTIES IN THE WAB. [CHAP. XUL
preliminary view of the objects and designs of the principal powers
who were parties in these transactions, is necessary for rendering
distinct and intelligible a narrative of events which might other-
wise appear to be intricate.
Every confederacy of the Mahrattaa, with whatever power, faia
uniformly two distinct objects, which follow each oUier in regular
Older : the first, anticipation m plunder during the confederacy ;
and the second, exclusive conquest after its close.
Mohammed Ali*s secret views were directed to the deposition
of both Nizam Ali and Hyder ; and they were meditating a coun-
terjJot for deposing Mohammed AIL Nizam Ali was moving to
tlie soutli for the promised co-operation with the Mahrattas;
having the option, also in his hands, of employing the English
force against Hyder ; of directing Hyder's force aminst them and
Mohammed Ali ; or of successively adopting both these combi-
nations, if both should promise to replenish his militaiy chest
According to the second of these plans, Hyder was to be the
future Nabob of Arcot, by the mock authority of Nizam Ali,
because he was able to aid in his own elevation ; and Mahphuz Khan
was to be amused with indefinite expectations, because he could
furnish neither troops nor talents. Mohammed Ali deprecate*!
the royal grant of the Sircara, because the same authority might
with equal facility, have been brought to confer on the English
Company the possession of Arcot; he had learned with deep
apprehension the orders for seizing those provinces in the name of
the Company, as indicating more distinct views of their actual
situation than had yet been exhibited at Madras, and a more
manly assertion of the character which they were entitled to
assume ; he accordingly viewed with complacency an arrangement
inexplicable on any grounds that are fit to be avowed, by
whicii the Government of Madras, continuing the absurd
policy which had etfeeted his own unconditional elevation,
giutuitously bowed the neck as tributaries to a new master.
This convenient humility reconciled him also to the union of the
I5ritish Government with his rival Nizam Ali ; because their
fimd election of the secondaiy place in pcjlitics, and of the first in
jieril, and the absence of all definite compact in their relative
situation with himself, left to him in his newly assumed character
of the sovereign of Caniatic, the claim to all the benefits of their
combined efflnls, in a war ostensibly undertaken for the reduc-
tion of the power of Hyder; who, (in the loose and misapplied
acceptation of a geographical term) hjid made encroachments on
Cnmatlc, of which the conquest of Kurpa was confidently cited
as a ])rominent example ; and on these grounds Mohammed Ali
bi'ranie more urgent than any of the coalesced jwwers for engag-
injx in th(; war a^^ainst Hyder. After this brief description of the
drvi^ais of the other jiowers, it is scjircely necessary to add, that
the English were about to engage in the contest, in the exclusive
CHAP. Xlll.] HYDCE'8 plan OF DCrENCC 301
chiinu?t4*r of i]u{)eii. ** Tho (,\»ui{Miny (my tlie Oovenimeni of Btitigml
111 17<>*>) are |>ut U> the choice of nfiiuiitiiii^ ms inerrhanu. nuhj^'ct to
iho count r>' p)venimentii. or 8U|i|M»rtiiu^ their privileges An«l poiiHes-
Mii»iiM hy the |M»wcr t if the swoni ;" hut it wan in B<»ngiil &l(»ne that
a mind* exiMti*<l <*a|iahle of c(»iui»n*lien(lin)^, in all itn relationii, the
inn* naturv of tlie cluinu'tiT which tlu*y wen* thuH compelled ti>
aKHumi*.
For the nt*;;oiiAtion contidcil i«» Mnhphux Khan, t«> avertin^^
one hranch of the (Unp*r which thrcuti'mnl MvHoor, ii fruitleM
att4*mpt hn^I \n*^^n atMinl to purchuM* the n^treat of MiuIim) K'lW.f'the
Muhmtta chirf ; who pn»ft'M.stMl ntithin^ itliort of the cntin* Mibvention
of II yil«*r'H UHur|H*il authority. 'Ilic amount of the Mahratta fonv. anil
HvdtTycxiwrifUcv of the taleutft hv which it wa.H directe^l. (letenniniHl
him not t«> ri-nk his own anuy U'yond the prot4-ctii»n <»f the mpital ;
an<l t4> have nvourM* to other ukmIch of im{N*ilin^ the enemy ';« pro-
greKH. In ci»nfonnity t4) this new plan of ilefemv, he i*i!4U<*il tho
m«*Ht |N'n*mpt«>r\' onlem U) all hin oHio*r«. civil nn«l militar}'. U^
break down the eml«uikmt*nt'^ tif the rem*r\oirH of water. t>n tho
appr<4i«h of the Maliratta army; in |M»i«u>n the w«*11h with milk
Im-*!;;**.* to hum all the fonip*. even to the thatch «»fthe hoUH«\H;
t4> hury the ^lin ; t4i dri\(* off tht* wulsa.^ an«l the cattle to the
%i«nmK, and to Iea\«* to the Mahrattaji neither forage, water, ni»r
f«HHl.
The rt'^MTVoir^ in <|U»Mi«»ii, |Ms*u]i:ir t4> the Aouth of India,
fuiil«*vt itiii«'«'d till' lak«- Mo-ri'*, may U* Hnpjui^il t«» luive reM*mhl«*d
tht'oi. hy dtHtrihutin;; a-* w«'ll a<« nH«'i\in^ the fiu|M*rHuoUH watem
of th** Sih") may M*t*m to merit a Nhort deH<Tii»tion.
The rtin\crv;in;j jw»iiiUi of two mn^^i* of hilU an* M>m«*timeji
unit*d hv an euilmnknit nt. and the \ah* aU>ve in ctinvrrt^**! into
a lake. One of th«*M* whirh I miundi**!. at th«* diHtan<v of %
fiw \anl«i from th** emUinknient, w:lh thirtV'tw<» fathom^ in
«lt'pth. m«-a.HunN| hy a native of ordinary' ••iJitun*. In pUin
cmintri*'. a ;:»*ntl»' d«-'«'«iit i** int-'r^*** t«-.l |.y a h«>u/^>nlal line
ct I iii)i.iiikiit«*iit f«r nmiiv nidt^: tin* f\<':i\ati<>h t«> finii
th«' t iiilaiikiui-nt. Ni*i»iii«% th«* •{••*|M-.«»t jsirt of ili»» n^wr-
\>*:r. (h«* '>Ii.i1!m\»i ^t evti iidin;; Ut'kH.ir*!^. ^u* f.tr a.H th«* tMiint
i*f itit« iN«*<-ti««ti uitli tii«* Hloiiiii^' plain, r^niM-*! hy an hori-
7'>iit.d liie\ |ia.NMii/ fp im ittar th** f»uuimit of ih** l«ank.
Ill t^'tintrii 1 of an inltf*rmfMluit«* chanM't^T. ifttUrm in the forui
of tf' tf li« •« t\i«-iidin^ al«»n^ the wt|i»n of thr *wrllin^ eminen»v«,
iiit* t • pt till' pAin uliK'h f.ill4 aU»\i* on an ar>'a of many •«(uan)
mil* •* l»« U- «fti\«-ye»l t«» till" r»"^-r\oir. :ind the o\i'ith»w of nvrm
in t'le ru :iy •m-a/mih i^ li«i %ih<-n-vrr pnutieahle ti» replenuh the
* 1 Ite *rrrat l^nd t 'li«r.
t Prt>|>rrl)r M«tia<lc«i Idiw
* Kuu-t«>-rtai 1 ir^ ulli
\ K<>r a:i « i|>l«iiV.i'<ti «»( tlii« t#nti. tc<r wA i p l!*i.
t I tLuA tiiAi ij ibc tc^iia;t\d tcriu v^t tUc Liij^iuli canal -nukcrt.
302 MAIIRATTAS CAPTURE SERA. [CHAP. XIIL
artificial lake. Effectual ))rovision is always made for discbar^ng
the supei'fluous water : and a simple contrivance opens or stops
tlie channel by which these accumulated treasures are made to
irrigate the greater part of the rice grounds of the south of
India. An effectual breach in such an embankment, of course
discharges the water, and in a few days converts the lake into
a bed of mud.
The perfect execution of such a scheme of defence requires
that the body of the population should feel an interest in its
success ; but the interests of the people do not enter into the
calculations of an unenlightened despot ; and the reader must be
aware that the actual administration of affairs had little tendency
to produce examples of self-devotion, or to shake the character-
istic indifference of the Hindoos in a choice of masters. Re-
peated experience has since shown that however efficacious
against a regular army, the project is mere theory, against the
overwhelming mass of a genuine Mahi'atta invasion ; which, instead
of moving in regular columns, whose route and intentions may
be foreseen, and countenietcd ; covers the whole face of the
country ; and almost divests of poetic fiction the Mohammedan
illustmtion which compares them to a cloud of locusts. Such
a plan may distress, but cannot stop such an army : for-
age* exists independently of dry straw : the cavalry even
of an English army subsists on the roots of grass : the
sudden and unwilling exertions of a district can neither
destroy nor poison all its reservoirs : the discovery of buried
grain has become a pnictical trade : men fumislied with pointed
rods of iron thnist them deep into the ground, and from the
sound, the resistance, and above all from the smell of the
point when withdrawn, form their conclusions with surprising
sagacity ; and finally, cattle cannot retire where they cannot
be pui-sued and found. The Mahnittas accordingly made good
their march across this imperfect desert ; and Madoo Row
who had pushed on to Raidroog early in February, followed
the course of the Hogree, a river in its ap{)ointed season, but
then exhibiting Jin arid bed of sand. A sufficient supply of
water was liowever found by digging as is usual, shallow pits
beneath its surface ; which enabled Madoo Row, without im-
pediment, or material distress, to reach Sera. Mcerf* Saheb
the brother-in-law of JIy<ler Wiis stationed at this place with
4,000 hoi-se and 6,000 infiintry, chiefly irregular, and to him
Msuloo Row proix)sed a citpituLation which was gladly accept-
ed ; by which he Ixitrayed his trust ; gave up the fort and
district of Sera ; and i*eceived in retuiTi, as a Mahratta depend-
oiKty, the fort and district of Goorumconda, loO miles to the east-
* Xcres.^ity Iihs nincc iiistnictcd the natives of countries subject (o
Maliratt.'i inviision, to hiiry even their forage in immciUke subterraneous pita
t Mcer All lleza Khau.
rllAlV XIII 1 IIYUK.lt ATTKMns Nri.irriAili»N
m:i|i1. wliitli liuil fiiliilflv U'fii iMiHsi-A-*! ■! |i\ i.iii- lit hi-* ;il»i i'-t«iiN.
'lltl « nil' \|-« t t«'i| ilft'i-rtliill. :iiliit*ii t<i till* ]'l<-li.iM«* ihtlil* !■• t' •■! ItiN
liii**t"itiiiii-^ ell til*' |Mili(ii-N lit' Ni/jitii All, uiiii ua.'^ :i|»prii:ii liiii;^
.'Is .1 ;:if.iiii r. lift' r tiir Maliiatt.i.-t >li<>*.il>l )i:t\r ^':itiit |i-i| tin- h:ir-
%••<«(. il«ri-niiiiiril llylcr t<i ii>|M:it hi^ t-tl'iit^ :it iif'.;'>ti;ttiiiti. M^i-
il'Mi Ik'iw iM|iiii|i(ii| ilv I'l-rii-*''! I«> ii<i!\i* :iii\ I iiiUL>«'>:iii'ii' wli'i
• ■ • ■
sli'tui'l li.'I li«' t'uiTii^lifil witli I'tiil aiii tii4.1I |m.\\.|«,. I'.r lln- r\' .-J
tpi:i i«t u!i:»"!l 111-* n\\ u jN|K.in s||4tiiil Ih' t!i«- :^'l|;i!:il|t*''. Aj»il|i"*
iLiiii :i )*!.iiiiiii ill (It** *^« I \ ii-i* lit' ll\'i< I w.i^ >^>*lii-t«-i I'll t)ii<* 'i* ii<-at**
"•«'!\:if ):I^ :i.- •I'l.illi •■ i»l'l)if tiM-l • \ :»i' •■■i .1 !• ilj'T. -mI I •Ilti'lil|i*»'
^ft<>ilfi\ • 1 .1 t«-tti I 't.iti- - t' •*•••:• t\ .iii-l ist tiii^ ):i> lii ^t •lMi!'>iii.ili«*
i^^;i\ ^..|iii- li.nt'' ■•! }"r«"iii.i! I li.ii.ut'f Ui-i«- »:iit' •Mi-I \\ll:.^ iffl.-i I
:i . -I :••»:• ii'liiij ii^lit kIi t In L-iti-nii iii.iii'n: '^ •.! ;i M.ilii.iMa i-iiiip
A|'.i"« K.llil U.l- !iii|\t-i l-V M.!-i-'i li"\^ Ml till- ^'••.ll !f !i' i«t'
aul.-!i' •■. Ih .1 ! i!i •i'lilji • 1.^.-' :.j « I .■.!! \.i- **\V\ • ; -. hI' >!.i!.-.
aifl ili:-!'"! ll.f :iiiii\ :iiii«'iii.' iiij" t» ii'.irl-ii* li'iii«ii •••i i-i**--:!-
A;!' I t* iii^j- !;.■:» I'! ! :•* j- w.-^ In- u.- r I'l 1 ••■I !■ -i •!• ?.•..* !«•
t li« j'.i? ■»% i.i'I'iii "*■ :iii ] li.i. !• I •:i,::i» ii it- !\ I • j-i • •■ ■) I'l "j- 11
• ills'- : *. • • ■ 1 ■ ^ » . 1 1 ! ■ « 1 i M 1 1 » • • i ■ ! 1 «. ! • I ' ! . i ' 1 ...•>• 1 1 , \| 1 • i - • \l 'W
Kill.-- .1" .i!?' V: . t ' 1-- ■ • . •;; .i 1 w ;? ii . • • : . ■'.'•11.- 'J :,■ • ?.v -.v
\%.i- li '. ■:.•! :i.i.-' 1 l-\ t'.' • ..?*'.:■ ! :'i ::■• I' li* • t' i!. ■!:!!••• !i- •■ .
li«- !i •■!•■ I. . ■ ' :■ ■ •; ■': ? ■ t'." i:!i«i'' .1 ■!■ •... ' : • t" • u*» uuj - ii
L J • :• . :!i ! !.' !ii ' ..!:;•?.■•' • T •• •• li: li \ : ;i! • ■ Mi '1. !; • ■ ! }i'-»
•» V. .•
I »
.. ii. I.." ■■» - !»' - r.i*i !■ I'l .\T! • \ ■: i:';i:i ■' ■ 1
• ...J J. I.- f.-" .\:...'.i*. 1 :. i I itl-ri- !i.:ii ■ :i l}« u.;- ? - •■!
U 1: .1- J • tl t ■ Ii. ! I. ■ • »• : !i :' "i '. '. T • \. ' Ii !'• -X :■ I.' •■
!• •-: ■ I •. :■ i t . -i- '!iv . ■ • i it. !.- t • ■ ■■• 1 ■ ?i t!.- : : ■ ■ ••
l:.<
<. . ! ;■. I. •■
|{. !
■ ■ • . I •
■ ■ U
I • ■ ■ • fl- 1 III .• ■ .' il J. 1 ' ."
Ii- ■ .p.- t! *.!i ■ t .•: jj!i.- :.' • . '. ; :• ■ /. '/'r-.r H \ : r ■ ■?..•.:■ .|
Ii !• . ..fl i •'• .: :.• \i I . '. • .iW .: ■ ! .1' *. •!■ '. : • : :» ! ..1 ' . • H
I !• t
• . . . 1 \» • . ' ■ /.'
1: .
< • • • f
• I ■ I
■ r I.. ;
■ •
A ;
M
• -• .:. . t :. 1' ; • r : * .' 1. 1 ' :.■'.!•
I
I .
• » •
ii ..
I
.■ 1 H \ -I : .'::.■.':•
.1?
■ I
I > V
II. .. '
« ■ ■
f I
, 1 • . •
■ I ■ f
>! i . ! • .
I ■ :
¥- '- ■ •
i:.i 4:.
i . . \ 'y . • ' . . ^- . ■ ' ' I K
• t I,
» B
1 . ' ■
t
W ■
: ■ : . I '• .'.I
■ :, • r .. f. .- . •■■ ; • • • . K ■ :
. . .* • : ; ■ ■ . iV. ■; . .: i , 1; I
\..,'* ■■■ •.• ... •.I« I ,
.. 1 • I - .-'I'l'
M-.
M '
■ t . -
. t
!• : .>
'■■ V I
T. : ;
• •
• t
. . .: 1 .
! i.< r
• _• '.I'll.
■ . • !! . i *■ • :.:•.••■■ »• } » ^ •. ■ ' ! ■,' ^'
■ • \ . ■ . '
.1
304 PURCHASES THE RETREAT OP THE MAHRATTAS. [CHAP. XIU.
tliat the Iibci*ation of the Raja, and his restoration to his legiti-
mate authority, Avere essential towards establishing tlie previous
relations of the parties on which Hyder had founded his com-
plaints of aggression. A general murmur of approbation
throughout the assembly, announced that this argument was
considered unanswenible.
Apajee Ram, in a tone of repentant humility, acknowledged
that tlie Raja was virtually a State pageant in the hands of
Hyder; but, added he, with an immoveable gravity of coun-
tenance, the arrangement is not an invention of our own, but
a distant and re8i>ectful imitation of the conduct of our betters ;
and if those eminent authorities will lead the way in the moral
doctrines they inculcate, we sliall unquestionably be ready to
follow so laudable an example. The reader will of course re-
collect, that the Mahratta Raja, the descendant of Sevajee, was
a prisoner in Sitt^ra, and that Madoo Row the Peshwa or
general, was hereditary usurper.
Madoo Row hung down his head, the whole assembly re-
frained with difficulty from a burst of laughter, and the ground
was quickly cleared for actual business. The preliminary poinfai
were soon understood, and in a private audience, to which he
was admitted on the following day, the retreat of the Mabnitta
host was purchased for thirty-five lacs of Rupees, half of which was
paid on the spot late in the month of March. Madoo Row
had obtained possession of all tlie districts of Mysoor to the
south-eastward of Sera, and the treaty provided for the imme-
diate restoration of the whole, with the single exception of the
fort and district of Colar, which remained in pledge for the
fiayment of the remaining sum of seventeen and a half lacs of
lupees. But this sum being also discharged in conformity to
the treaty early in the month of May, Madoo Row finally eva-
cuated (yolar, and turned his face towards Poena.
The influence of wit and humour on the formality and selfish-
ness of political <liscussions belongs to the legitimate pro-
vince of history, and may be deemed still more appropriate
when intended to convey a living transcript of national manners
which are little understood. Critics who plead for the dignity
of history have not always the same respect for its gravity, and
may deem the considerations which have been stated to consti-
tute a sufficient apology for the following additional anecdote.
Apajee Ram was sent to Poona on a suksequent occasion, and
being somewhat free in his private conduct, his manner of life
was reported to Madoo Row, who like most Asiatic chiefs was
addicted to l(X)se conversation, and plea^sed with the impure
wit arising from such discassions. Apajee, said he, my female
subjects com[)lain that you are intolerable, and beg that you
may be sent away. " Their complaints have some foundi^tion/*
Haid Ajiajee, " and pray, Sir, relieve your female subjects by
CBAP. XIIL] ADVAirCB OP COLONEL SMITU AND NIZAM ALL 305
cluipaichiiig my bustnenM.'* A smile wm on the lude of Apajee,
but he WM not tttkKefl witli the auocean of hui ret4)rt, and
ikhutiJy aflerwanls takins hin leave. Hto|i|M.Hl at the outer door,
and aa the durbar waa breaking up, imitating the tone of the
public crier, proclaimed in a loud voice, ** A miaerable sinner
iitands in the door, let all wh(» liave not traiiHgraued put their
bands on hia head,* d«M:lare their innocence, and fMiaii on ; let
his fellow ainneni acknowledge their faults and endeavour to
amend." A roar of laughu*r waM on the siile of A{)aiee ; none
touched hia h^^ ; all acknowletlgeal thonim«lveH of his Iratemity;
and MailiK> llow, in making his c^infesiuon, omamentetl the
penitent with a valuable dec^omtiun tif {learlii and diamonds
from his own ia*ck.
During thih n4»gutiation. by wlii(*h ilyder luul delivered him*
•elf from tiie most formidable of bin envmies, and felt more
at ease reganling Uie diMMJio%i of the remainder, Nizam AH
approai'hed. at tlie int4*rval «»f a full month Liter than Madoo
How. by a mon* eanteni rout**, the rr-«*ounv« of which were,
by a>m|iart, to have fumi*%hiMl hln HUp|»lii*s, but luul aln*aily
been nfieil by the MahrattaM. A formi'lnble English cor|«i
was moving in fie|4uut(* columnH, t4) f«irm a jumrtion with him
on the northern fnmtirr «»f Myit«Mir ; and the tributary tMiweis
in the ri>ute, wen.* summ<»uo*l t^i j«»in the stan«bu\l ; but by tlio
time this Uinly host, levying n* venues on itn own subjectn, b^
the {»ower of the nwonl. Ut pn»vide for its immediate netx^nsi-
tien. hail n*ai*liiMl tlie river T<Mimbuildm, on Uie ^th of Mari'h.
inu*lliirt:m*e was n*ctsived. tliat MaibM* Kiiw liad taken Sera ; and.
on the :!4th of the same month, that bin retreat luul lieen pur*
chaiMMl by llydor. (.\>l«»nfl Sruitli, wlit» from the finit day after
Criing Nijuuu Ali. iMyan ti> Ha'«|H*«'t that his own government
1 engagr<l in what be term** a d\itj*nnlM expetiUion^ strnngly
ttrge«l. m his dispaU^hes of the i>th of Man*h. Uie indisitensibfo
Oeeevity of iti.M<iting on the ii<lju4tnient of " S4»me rea.H(m.ible
plan of si'tiun , without thi^ prelimuuiiy. ' ho a«l<U. "one tif thre«i
•vents «-mn only hs{»tHrn. either MailiMi ibiw will «lo bu bu%ini*wi
hmiJtelf. t»r we nlmll be lH!at«*u in detAil, f>r we sIiaII do noUting at
all . and nn the .Uh. the niiniHter of Niaun Ali svomcl to him
iliat UiM WiiH tli«* third i^>iijoitit «-x|sNliti«iti in whirh his nu^t«»r
ha«l lieen «lee«-ivi<il by the MslirsttnA in lireriaely the MUue iiis\.
While still not luJf-way a^hanival lowanls his object, tlun rhta*f
began t4> ro<*4litAte on rr-iiasiiiii^ the riven. an«l returning in Uie
ensuing year ; but in onirr tiist \u> might Ui^t incur ttu* idiaine
of l>eing iliiubly over-rva^'bc^l, he re:«i»l\e<l to make a few marihes
in advamv. foi the pur|Mv<H* of accelerating the determination of
Hy«ler. who hsil rrpratr«lly urged him t«» accrjit «•( iO lacs,
and the pronii*ii* of a tiii^l tribute of !U&. Imt wh«> since bis ad-
• lt% twcsr hy \kt bead of a bramia, toockm^ it wttk lbs n|skt baad, is
amoof the most wlciaa lonas o< adjufatiua.
806 OPEN MOCKERY OF THE ENGLISH. [CHAP. XIIL
justment wiili Madoo Row, had observed a pi'ofound silence on
the subject of money, and strongly incited him to a joint retali-
ation on the English and Mohammed Ali : " they (the Court of
Niziim Ali), have," says Genei-al Smith, "been outwitted by tba
Mahmttas, and arc poor, indolent, i*apacious, and unsystemati-
cal, thornselves." Still however the armies continued to ad-
vance, Madoo Row was encamped near Colar, while the united
force of Nizam Ali and the English was moving towards him,
with the feeble hope of sharing in his spoils, or prevailincf on
him to pei-severe in the original project of the war. Colonel
Tod was deputed for tliis purpose, by Colonel Smith, and wma
accompanied by a confidential person on the part of Nizam
Ali. The application of the latter for a part of the spoil, was
treated with broad ridicule ; and Colonel Tod, on his return,
repoi*ted,* " that when he declared to Madoo Row, that he was
come to talk on business, they (the Mahratta durbar) could
not keep tlieir countenances, but burst out a laughing in lus
face."
The Mahrattas, having previously sent their heavy equipments
in advance, finally moved northwards on the 11th of May ; and
Nizam Ali marched on the same day towards Bangalore. The
cold cloudy weather of the months of June, July, and August,
wliich renders this climate a delightful refuge from the burning
heats of the lower countries to the eastward, is preceded, in the
month of May, by tremendous thunder storms, on nearly the same
invariable hour of every afternoon, and the violent alternations
of heat, and deluging rain which precede and follow them, had so
much increased the sick of the English troops, that they were
compelled to remain at DeonhuUy, for want of the means of
conveyance, which had been liberally jyroinised by their good
ally. Colonel Smith, who had long suspected inimical combi-
nations, suspicions which were confirmed by finding that Nizam
Ali, on entering Mysoor, treated it as a friendly country, had on
the 3d of May, officially announced his conviction of the fact,
and recommended to hLs Government the most vigorous prepar-
ations aorainst a hostile invasion of their own territory, oy the
combined forces of Hyder and Nizam Ali. In consequence
of these representations, the option was allowed to him, of
returning to the lower countries with the troops, whenever he
and Mr. Bouchier should deem that measure to be proper; and
they accordingly determined to present to the minister of Nizam
Ali the distinct alternative, of moving the troops in that direction,
or o]>taiuing from him some satisfactory explanation of his actual
intentions. Assurances of inviolable attachment, fictitious expl*-
* Letter from Mr. JaraeA Douchier and Colonel Smith, 3d Maj 1767.
When Colonel Smith had plainly intimated to Government his opinion of the
necessity of more vigorous councilD, they sent Mr. Bourcbier to relieve him
from a portion of hi> political cares.
CBAP. XIII.] CX>LOyCL SMITH MOVES TO HIS OWH PROKTIEB. .107
DAttutui of an imporUnt negotijition with ilydfr, the Hurct*sM of
which abftilutely depeDded on the union t»f the Kn;;lish tnH>|ifi,
and preming intreaties to ioiu hiii cuinp n<*ar Ban^^nlore, a;^iu
decvive<l them. The gnmnd to Iw occtipitMl for this purpnii wasi
marked out hy the staff of the two aruii«^; hut aa the Kn^linh
troop.4 entered the encampment at one |M>int. they |ierct*ivt*<i with
aatoninhment the tnx>[Mi of Nizam Ali df|)artin>; at the (»i>|>oHit«*,
for tlie puqioHe of marching* without explanntion, to a dihtanoe
of twelve miK*ft. Hyder. who hail fHM*ret reA.<onH for HUH|»icit)n,
to which we nhall presdently advert, wiia n<»t ho en«<iulouM as tho
En^liiili : he lia«l pUinly derlan^i hi* apprehenHiun of U^im;
deivivtsi |iy Nizam Ali, and hL« fear «»f nio\iti>; fp»ni the |>n»t«H:- *
tion i»f hi.H capital, without ^>me overt pDMif tiiat Win cunj«vturu4
were ^lundleHH ; and thin exhihition oi o|M»n and conteniptuouH
niO(*kery waa eom*erted for the pur|MK4e of Mitisifyin;; all hin s<*nipleH.
i'olonel Smith in Millen indiun.'ition. niovtsl with the KnIv of
the trtMiim towanU hi.H own fn»nti«-r: hw pivernni«*nt, hoWfver,
utill tirril»»«w»Nl ^» di<«arv«lit th«» exint^'nci* of an h«tHtile c>»rif»dfr-
acv • Mr. It»uchier ci>ntinue<l !<> U'livve that H»imei!iin^ ini^lit
•till N» efl«Tt«*<I hy negotiation, and the ininiHt»*r of Nirjun AH
cherinhe*! thi« ea/»y cre*lulity. )»y new and extrnvai^^ant pr»ffs-
atofiH «»f sincerity ; ^»y acipneHrin;* in the oinventen«**' «»f m'»viiijr
the }nH\\ of tlie Kn^'linh tnH»|w. f.ir the pn»?»''nt towanU thrir own
fn>ntier . and l»y eame*»tlv entn*atin,;. that thne Imttalionn witli
their tifl«l.pii«ceH attarh<*<i. mi^ht U* i^'nuitt'^ii to remain in hin
camp. aH a d«*monMration of fri««nd*«hip and alliant^' ; a n*<pieHt
mhiih w a* ^miiit*'*!. contrmry to vwry principh* of militarv* pnideni-e,
or |H>litii*nl di^iity.
Th»' nu^picinnn of Hy«ler ha*l in the meanwhile l^^en dmim-*!
I»y the di««'over)* of a »ourfe of domentie dan^T whirh it wan
ner««i*^ry to n»move. When h\% old U-ni-factnr Nunjcrnj witi
la^t r«'«*«»n«'ilisl and un«h«ceivf|. n Mipulation had U^n ma«h*.
and hilhert«» o>w«»r\«»«l. f'r hi-* n*«*idin;,j in a oTt.iin «|i»;n^*.» of
di^iity at My»*i»or . and it was n«»w aiM-vit.iiiit**!, that Im* had l'»ni^
IwM-n en;ja;;»»»l in •Mi-pt r'irT»-'*|-'nd»'ni-«' with Mj»d«N> How. and
Nizam Ali, f«r thf d«"*»tnii*ti« n of H\d»T. wh*M» I¥>\iit he
rrpn*<irnt<*d. with tnith. to hav»» U^-n f>Tjnd*^i on tri'' iitfra*--
tion **f ev«-r>' l-»nd ^f j;ratitud»*. and ail the duties of allt ;:iaiii *• ;
and thr idj'ft of thcv n<«*«*tuti<>n^ wa* to nuhvftt th«
witirpati«>n of Hydrr. and rr^t*»nr fhe llind'io po\rn.m«nt :
Of raChrr in point of fart, to r»-vivf hi* own previous iionrp-
ation Hyder. in cun^equenc*- of thm liivMverj*. **-rii r*«|«*at«N|
m^m!itk(t^ to Nunjeraj. np|irwkentin^. tliat m the a«-tual ht«t«» t»f
affairs, hi* pre*en«*e and couniel were r*Hjnire«l at .^nn^^nii^tAiii ;
and thf fid man. prol«My finding; that n^Mttam*** or refuKil
woiild l»* in'^ffr-ciuaf. at Irn^th ci'n«»rnir*l to proceed, r»n the
lu.lrmn a^*Mranre. that hi* «<un (guards "^h ^uM accompany and
rr toiiin with hmi . and that no ih^n^e '.hould Xjk made rjiri-pt-
308 htder's relief from nunjera/s intrigues, [chap, xiil
ing in the place of his abode. For the performanoe d
these engagements, he exacted the most sacred obligBtion
which a Mussuhnan can incur; and two of Hyder's confiaentiml
friends, Khakee Shah, and Gludih Mohamraed Khan^ were
sent to confirm and ^arantee the promises of Hyder by an oath
on the Koran. On the arrival however of Nunjeraj at Seringa-
patam, his guards were seized ; his jageer resumed ; and he
was thenceforth furnished as a State prisoner, with the mere
necessaries of life. The splendid cover on which this sacred oath
had been confirmed, enveloped no more than a simple book of
blank paper; and it was thus by a solemn mockery of the
religion which they both professed, that Hyder and these religious
casuists reconciled to themselves Uie double crime of a false oath,
upon a false Koran.
All tlie essential conditions of the alliance between Hyder
and Nizam Ali, were already mutually understood; and among
other stipulations it was agreed, that Hyder, as the more
experienced officer, should regulate and direct the united opera-
tions of the troops; but during the period of preparation, an
interchange took place of the most pompous deputations of oriental
ceremony; over the first, from Nizam Ali, presided his prime
minister, with the Nabob of Kurnool, and the minister of fiiuLnce ;
the composition of Hyder s deputation was intended to point
without disguise to his own objects, and was perfectly successful
in casting a mixture of obloquy, and irresistible ridicule, on the
history of his opponents; it consisted, besides his eldest son and
chief military offacer, of McJiphuz Kluin and Reza Ali Khan, the
rightful heirs, as far as any right existed, of the two rivals whom
the English and French had respectively supported as the Nabobs
of Arcotw
Tlie arrangements for passive defence, to which Hvder had
necessarily confined his views, on the hostile ai)proaeh of the
confedemtes, rendered some time necessary before he coold
collect and arrange the equipments for an active offensive cam-
paign ; and during this interval Nizam Ali, who had come
foi-A^'ard to Cenai)atam for the purpose of these public demon-
strations of alliance, moved again for the convenience of forase
to the north-east The ofiicer commanding tlie English detach-
ment was amused on one day with tlie assurance of being in full
march to Hyderabad, and on the next with some silly reason for
moving towards the opi)osite point of the compass: the sepoys,
meanwliile, being without pay and destitute of credit, in an
enemy's country, were nearly in a state of mutiny for want of
food ; and as hostilities against Hyder had actually commenced
in another (quarter, the difficulty of supplying them became a
serious considenition. Captain Cosby detadied by Colonel
Smith, with five hundred men and a small supply of money,
* The brother of Fuzzul Oolla Khan, or Ilybiit Jong.
CHAP. Xnt] OPBEATIOm OP THE EKQLISH IN BUUJUHAL. 309
perfonhed this deliosie aorvice with Admirable Addms, hmving m
skilfully e\*mded ths corps deUched to intercept bim, ss to retam
with the loss of one msn only ; after having performed a circuitous
march, guided chiefly by the com pass, of upwards of 350 miles
ID thirteen days, including two days occupied in delivering his
charge and refreshing the troops.^
At length however the Englbh brigade with the army
of NijBun Ali, was sutfered to depart, leaving fire companies
as a guanl of honor to this still equivocal friend. The
chivalrous spirit which dictated this permission affords some
relief to the mind« afVer the ditigust of contemplating incessant
fraud. As a feature of Mohammedan character it is an example
nut alUjgether singular of Uie mixture of pride and meanness
which accompanies imperfect civilization and defective morals.
A ray uf seeming generosity broke through the gloom of habitual
dei^eption ; it was the affe(*tation of courage that aMumed the
garb of probity ; and Uie mind which had abandoned truth, and
the virtues which are her offupring. was yet sensible to the shame
of b(*ing influenced by fear : such is the ground of distinction on
which su()erticial reasonera Imve affected a preferc»noe for the
virtues of uncivilised life ; and such was the sentiment which
continued to influence Nisam Ali in giving safe conduct to the
iiv0 companit's iUrve da)'s preceding nis actual commencement
of ha<«tilitif^
During th«* peri(«l in which the confe«lerstod forces wer«
appniaching My^Mir fn»ni the north, the English from Madras
had movinl a rvspectabh* corps to the westward, for tlie purpose
of endeavouring, by the p*issession of Baramahal to extend
tS^ir fn»nticT U) the summit of the second range of hilU ; while
HydfT ithouM lie pn.*vfnt*»<l by the armioA of P«Hirui and lly<ler-
alud fnmi diftturhing th«*ir oiM^mtions : and Nixam Ali ct»ntinued,
t-> th«» ls«t niunicnt. thf dr«v|»ticin of r\*<iHimni«*ndin;; a prnM»-
VfniiM>i* in th«-M« rffortn. f«»r th«* puqw>K« of influrncing his
iintM^rtAnt n«*«^^»ti*tii»n* witli H\d*T. whirh w»»n» to c^mfcr
unknown iM'tiftitn on hi** Kn^lith a1Ii«« Tho ti»tjil want of pre*
\iou«i inr»nnuti<>n. with n*jiini to th«* iN»untr\' in whirh th«*v w««ro
t-» «»|>«T.it«v r«»n«lfpti iIh*^« HrtjrtH i*ntin*ly aU»rtivr . VaniAnilMMMyt
Trijwtoff, (*av4*ri]>atain. sn«l otiwr iiwTv \illAp* bulwarks, iiur-
fttKliri**! without opitaMitinn . but the plartii of n*al i*trvngth,
t*n*4*t«*<i on thf summitt <*f n.ikt^i, lofiv. and inHuUt4*<ii mountains
of ^^uiit'v Wen* ppividt-il with rtHt|if*rtaMo gamM»n« . an att«*m|iC
wa.^ niA'lt* to fairy one of tht-^* dnM»;^'H'*' Kuttnaghorry. th«« n*putp«l
* Thr •uii^Ip niAfi kmt in Ihi* ct]*cHlit)on, «m «>nc c»( thr nstivc trcK>pcn|
liy wKmhi tb<* inonry Ksd bcrti romoi iii tlirtr hAUt4*r« . thit msn drliYcrca
xfit ^•Mt/ with whirh ht waa intruAtrd. and ilr«rrl4Ml lb* ocit day Thai he
aM u*A fU-«rrt With the m<>orir. «m a fKiiiit of h^ifMir D<»t with(»ut |>aralWI
ariHfiii; thrtr In «»]•%. and auflliy ul Witig rroi»ril«d aa an lUuslfalioii ol ihstf
cL^artf-r
t Thcac fortrcsara. un frsaiU rocka, ha%c aaacisd to Ihsu asmss the
310 CAPTURE OF SEVERAL LITTLE PLACES. [CHAP. XUL
capital of the district, by surprise, on the night of the 3d of June.
The walled town at the foot of the rock having for some iimo
been occupied without any serious opposition, a petard was pie-
pared for forcing the gate of the upper fort; but the men who
carried it, as well as the forlorn hope which preceded them, being
all killed by showers of detached rocks precipitated from the
summit, the party retired with the loss of nearly the whole gre-
nadier company which led the enterprise ; and on its failure the
siege was converted into a blockade, which neutralized what little
of plan had been preconcerted, by locking up the ^reat body of
the troops in this ineffectual operation. On the return of
Colonel Smith from Bangalore, he was directed to assume the
general command of the British troops on the frontier ; Nizam
Ali was already on the crest of the hills which overlook
mahal, and Hyder in full equipment followed at the
of two days' march. " Although," says Colonel Smith * " it
was as plain as noon day to every person (except the council)
that they were preparing to enter the Camatic jointly, no me»-
Hures were taken to establish magazines of provisions in proper
places, nor any steps to supply our army in time of need,' ud
even three days before the invasion, this officer was positively
directed, to pass to the enemy a supply of provisions, of which
his own troops were in the greatest want.
general epithet of Drooff or Durgum, implying that they are inacceatible.
Aenophon, in the fourth chapter of the Anabasis, has an int«resting de-
scription of the stratagem, by which the ten thousand Greeks carried a post so
defended ; the assailants found the cover of some clumps of trees on the ascent.
from whence they made false demonstrations, until the defenders bsd
expended their supply of stones, when the Greeks ascended without difficnltj.
* Letter to Lord Clive.
CHAPTER XIV.
Bjfder mmi \tS4m Ah tU$f€wi tA# gkauts-^cptrmiiomM — emrrp ^lk§ eaUlt of Ikt
wrmy-^HfdrrUthet CmrtripaUum—JSmiik movti ktjmm Wood^/olhwHl Ay HfitT
— linttU of Ckamgamt^—SmilM, mUhomgk widoriomM, rttirti to Drimomauo^
A Uies rtrrtminaU — SmtiM in dt&trtm for food — Commrii of Wmr tUtUroM tk§
MCtfMtl^ for /foti^ tmto eamiontm^mi^prokih%i€d hf tk4 goomrmtmtni — Vmriioma
wmniBUwrtM — Doctnr^ mciory of TrmmmaUt,
f HK errom which bAve been irmnsmitted to Uter periods re-
gmrding the topogrmphy of theee mountaiiui lemen our eurpriae
at finding; G^lonel Smith eriH^ting % defennive work in the eastern
gor;;^ of one of the paiMes, and only diecovering his mistake by
the prenenoe of the uniud armien which had dv«oended in full
force by much better mails c*oniiiderably to the southward of his
position, white he bolievinl them t«> \m heiiitating on the posai*
oility of forcing the |)a%ii, on which they had merely nuide a
demonstration to draw bin attention fn>ni their actual movement.
The timt act of hostility, on the 26th of August^ was an actual
suq>h.*ie ; Uie rattle i»f the army grazing with their accustomed
eontideftci* of security were driven off; the cavalry hastily moved
out f()r their ^H^iver>^ and found tliemselve^ unexpectedly
assailed by ven* NU(ierior numbers, under Muckhdoom Ali, the
brother-in-law of Hyder, who chafge«l them into the very lines
of the encampment, after destroying about one-third of their
numU»r. and cmmed otT the greater [surt of the cattle, a mis-
fortune which ntill farther cripple<l the already inefficient equip-
m«*ntA of the English anny.* and prevented! it from moving until
the 2Hth, during which interval Hyder harl besiege<I Caveri|iatam ;
and th** inii»ni(ience nf cMxnipying such plscf*s, was evince<l by its
falling on the Ae(^»nd day.
* Colonel Smith's lett«r e«tiaist«i the MTcrsl srmiet sa folio v« *
(ATalry. InUntrjr. CSttna
Niuun Ah ^ ^. 3iV««o |o,(mo SO
H>«ier lt.heo IS.OoU 49
Tot^ •^ ... 41. W I ts.u«> los
Flofluh.
C:stslrr
lofsstiy.
C2aa«
Kuropesn...
y\
NH>
}••
Native
••. •••
5.U^)
Uahimmed Alt...
^. !.«*>
• ••
•
TtiCd ^ l,0»> S.NH) IS
312 COLONEL SMITH MOVES TO JOIN COIX)NEL WOOD. [CHAP. XIV.
A corps of British troops from Trichinopoly, under Colonel Wood,
had been ordered to join Colonel Smith ; and the fortified Pagoda
of Trinomalee, to the eastward of the first range of hills^ had been
indicated as the point at which he would receive his farther ordera :
although Hyder was aware of the approach of this corps, and that
it was still at the distance of ten days' march at the leasts he
committed the apparent error of not placing himself between Colonel
Smith and the pass of Singarpetta,* by which the junction must
necessarily be formed. From assuming a strong position near
Caveripatam, he seems to have expected that his adversaiy would
be guilty of the rashness of attacking him before he had received
his reinforcements ; and the necessity of Colonel Smith's situation,
from the causes which have been stated, prevented him from
reaching Singarpetta before the SOth. In the preliminary com-
munications of the allies, Hyder had been lavish of his eastern
assurances, of cutting the English army to pieces wherever he
should come up with it : a shjmess so little corresponding to these
boasts, might in part be ascribed to the distinction oetween promise
and performance, so well understood among uncivilized nations;
and also, in some degree, to the actual contact which had just
been experienced at Caveripatam, where, previously to capitulation,
three companies of English sepoys, under Captain M'Kain, nad twice
repelled the assault of the flower of his army : and a position which
should place his rear on an impenetrable wood, with only one
narrow road through it, was suited to troops not only ocAmdent
but determined not to be forced. Nizam Ali indignant at the timid
policy which seemed to have purposely allowed the enemy to
secure his retreat, indirecUy upbraided Hyder with the too dekcate
use of his powers of command ; and intimated that if be chose to
persevere in the plan, which in explanation he proposed to recom-
mend, of acting on the enemy's supplies, he (Nizam Ali) had in his
own power a more summary mode of adjusting his differences with
the English. Whether the omission of Hyder in sufferini; the
unmolested movement of Colonel Smith had been of error or desiffD,
he now found himself under the necessity of yielding to Uie
impatience of his ally, or rislcing the benent of his co-operation.
From that moment therefore he began to press upon the rear of
the English army, in its movement to form a junction with Colonel
Wood : the first march from Singarpetta was through a road of
ordinary breadth, formed bv felling tne trees of a forest, considered
as impenetrable in most places to ordinary travellers, and conse-
quently favorable to a small body retiring in a single column ; the
surprise of the English troops was however excited, by the sudden
appearance of bodies of predatory horse on the flanks, scrambling
for booty among rocks and thickets, accessible with difficulty by
regular infantry. On the two following tardy marches* neariy
due east to Changama; as the country became more open and
* Or Changama, ace note to vol. i. p. 254.
CIIAI*. XIV] HATTI.K nF t'llANliAM \ Til.t
|»nn*ti«';i)'Ii'. tli»* Kii'jiisli nilniiui «•! mriri-Ii wm-. i mmvw I.r!" ••n-
|-iMihil«' 1, ainl iiii|»<'iitil \i\ lifi]^i' : :iii<i ilmiiii; iIi** uli-i!<- n.^'lit tii«*
fiit-fiiiipiii'-nt was li.'irni>Ni*il liy ili.:!it'» ff r... L. t-*.*
i li'* ilin-^'tii*!! ••!' till' iit\t iii.-irrii u.is .ii"'tii S. I!, an. I at tlif
tii^t.in I'lhMily t'<»iir iiiil»'«, . thf !'»iil jii^-i*^ i- fwi-n iiiij'i.ii ri< :i)<lf
U'l-'tiri'l 'III till' It'ft. fiii-l Hii|]..' of tli'i^" i<i\\« r iiii- %%':■:• ii I <itii tin*
iiihliil.itiiiLf !i.iNi' Ml" tin* ;;r«*at rMi.'fi'l' iii«oiiit:t|ii^. In a|.| ;.• fill i^
lit'* }i.i%-t wjii'li i<i tliu« t*>i'!ii>'-l a tiiiilil>! ' ii\i-r i>ii>Mi!i/ i • tlif
fx-tviMrl. i'!!^'*''^ •ilili.jiifU tif Imp' til' t!i" !••.» I . < ' •!■ w-l >iiii'li.
«|t'*»ir'iU"» tif* in><\iii:/ l"-\i»ii'l tlii«% |m^-» witlfnt i!.*!* J.i!:--!! ;\*A tii..f
itiili'-ji'l liti iii.iii'ii. iii'l ifit i!i'i\*> :it \i\> :■• •-:■!• -iiit I li >iii . luit
ki''|ii!i_' l.i^i f«'HT>. ^I.di'liii;; tiii iii-ar ii-^.n tliMi • i i!« !ii\ fij-k.
till III .'i!i i «l ; <-;».ittlif'i liiN l'.i.-.' I.'-- Ml aij". ;i!i. •'. iir. :• i .i i- |- '.iM.*
ili\j-.«ii ..f !•:- aiiiiy. r-iiU'-i m I'm' I'ii-»\i :'i_' •■i-i.-i A Jnfi.i!!!! -if
Kf|i.i\^ in i.>iMiiiii i't •■■•iiipiT.i' . w I* t 'ii iWi'l i V tli** N '...I.-,
r.i\.i l\ !■ i«'i\ :ii^' ii -t a*l"l'iii'j :■: •!! T; n !•:• i-a.'-/' •■ •■! I?.'- .iiinv
mi.-.-i •-.j.* ] i-.\iT.-i .HI iM- ii liiiis ii\ a l«aM.iini ? -i-; .»•, . inxiii.r
ill r-il<ji.iii ••! fil> « at a oit'it iiit<!-..i: !'ii'U>i li.<- |i!iiaiN>:-i <<f
ill" ii:iii\ vi;*:. j!>.tl.niK • •it>*> iti:< - t>t III- 1 ir.'i \ •;'iii».-- :; i^
•1 l« I!" .' I !»•! M \ ■i«T !i. iW ••'. •■! li I i I~ !,• M .ift I I ■ ••••»•!.%- •; !: Tl,
utri u !■« jiii'M 1\ iii.\i!i^» III a • iiv*.!'!: !:!■• I: -ii. t .•• \\ • * t.»
I" • i\'\ Ji |» '*:!i"ii t • t !i .1'. ^^ • I I f !.■■ n\ • : !»■ r \ | u ' ( i
I • !f ^ I -i: - ■ .-li ti.'" i- t! Ji'i i *. w •! i ■ t ii'- t Jl.» I'l I li'li.' 1: :••!••
I tr-- •■ I ' \% i! i ■ ;:•■ I I t ii-- li: - .i.: I i\ !. ! .■ ■ I I.- .n I '■ ! i^ :.' « -f
ll- « ;• ■ :T . 'I \i ! ■'. i \ , '..i,'" :%\ i! - I . ! \* a- ! .i- k- \ •■! I :.■ I
a!i i u .. . . .!■ Mv •- . iivi. • i \ .1 -. ! ! I • 1' ' J ! :.• »: i..\ • I N .'r.i
A,: ! . v • I i' I «.•!■. It Jii*» I \..; i \ H\ :•! !i. :;»«<■ il. \\ .?li T;.. :' . i
t»t it. ti : I »!!•* •! th- . -Ti.. - I t!.'- Kii.'.:-:i a i\ v\. •-.;■. .-. :. |
\\ ' I : • 1 ' • I < •'» K V w .%'»•: i •••• i ! • ■ . : ■ i • • i ..' • t ■ I ■■ • I !• : 1 1 't I . : . ■ » ' . ■ •
V 1.' 1 •. \i ': I ii I .• • t1« !• -i h! t '.■ p •:!.• ■ t t!i- 1. 1\ . r . • .i-. i : ■, '..'.^
lii'i.'. .1 .iv:i.\. I t! .Ill til'" i." ■ J. I • • i* i \\.*i» . .11! ■: - x»
• i; ■» ' t ?»• fii !r '11 ! :, I* i». .-.* -i .i . w :.. v .i i ■ i* ;■..;•!
It ■ : I*.- .1" 1 ■ .1 !?• i T* ■■. •• • ■ . r • :• h : ■ ' • i
• I ; •- 1 • I * ' ' \ ; ■• ! 1 ■ I . ! ! . ' \ ' ■ • ? II-. I -» ! , . 1 1
»'.••'.••■. .1 r J i r* ; ' T ' ; J I .' i . ■ ■ ■ ^ ' ' '•! I • ■ . ■ •* •
• ••■!.• «: i- i • • k i". i*. r ■ • ■ ; . •.. . s • . • -i
f I ' . ] • • ? I ■■ ;•■ ? i.'i^' •■♦;■- ■•! '. ' ■ ?i. ' •- ' •!'. ' '"i ■.. I'. 1 \
t . ; • • . « ' . *.i i. '. • . « . •:■•*»' ' . ' .. • . f . . ..:.,.• • ! •
• [•* •■•• .■•• ».- • • •- t.
• k • ■.".. .1.
g«" • ■• t'><'**i'.'' ■■ •■ 'r
<- ' 'i ■•...•;* I •• ■! .' '. ' ■ ' ■ . .. . • • • . • I
t k . '.•'■'• • i- » •-• :i • !. it ;. ■ I ♦ ■ ' . * . " . ■ ■ :
'• 'A -•' i..i : • : . • ■ . . . I
» ■ 1 • I ' ■ • ,
!» . • • • • • • • ■ • . •. ' • • I
I* .• ;■ 1 . • . • \ '.-.'.■ T . • . . . . ■ . « ■ I. • ■ • • •
i« ■ • • •■•."••:• t« -. ^ • • • . I • .■.!.•
■ ■■••■■•■ I ■■ • • . =...."»..■.
: . • . . • *. .f ' • : j'»-.e : «.i " . .. i. .. • • ■ '
314 COLONEL SMITH RI-mRES TO TRINOMALEE [CHAP. XIV.
join the advance ; a judicious siigsfcstion, which essentially con-
tributed to the success of the da}'. The confederates were entering
tliL'ir i)osition, but had not occupied it, when Colonel Smith, on
approaching tlie river, and hearing the report of Captain Cosby,
pe received the necessity of (piickening his pace : he was marching by
his kit, in a single column of files, and pushed on without stopping
to notice the enemy s fire, until the head of his (rolumn was nearly
united to the corps on the liill, when by facing to the right, this
p<n-tion of his little army, was at once formed in line opposite to the
enemy. Hyder who ixirceived, when too late, the gross error which
he had committed, in not occupying this important post in the first
instance, and in force, 'with his best infantry, made several inetiectu-
al ettbrts to dislodge the English sepoys from the hill ; his loss in
these charges in ma.s8, is stated to have been enormous ; and in one
of them Ghalib Mohammed Khan* was killed : foiled in these at-
tempts, the confederates kept up an ill-dirocted lire of musketry,
from an extent of under-wood towards their left, from which
their infantry made several eftbris to break through the Englisii
line, and from fifty pieces of Ccannon against fourteen ; an attack on
the two last of the English field pieces which crossed the river, had
long impeded the rear guai-d ; but on its closing with the line, a
disi>osition was made for a fonvanl movement of the whole, which
ended in com]>letely routing the immense host of the oonfedemtes;
the pursuit was continued until the day clased ; two guns were
ahandoned by the enemy, and left spik^ in the bed of the river,
])ut the necessities of Colonel Smitli's situation prevented him from
carrying olf his trophies. During the action, the enemy s horse had
h- «krn in on his Imggage and cai)tured his scanty store of rice; his
deptiidance for a further sui)ply was on Trinomalee, which it was
necvssiiry for him to reach without delay, from the farther appre-
hension that the enemy by another practicable roiid, might attempt
to intorct'pt his march in this despcpiite state of his supplies. The
victory liad thus l>een followed by the immediate nei^essity of a
movtiUH'nt resembling fiight; for with the exception of a short inter-
val on th(j field of Vwvttle, ancltwo hours' halt alter midnight, Colonel
Smith continue<l his retreat throughout that night and the greater
])artofthe ensuing day (the 4th of September), the troops having
i»e<'n uf»wai*ds of twenty-seven hours without refi'Cshment or repose,
when they rea<*hed Trinomah'e.
The Nalx)b Mohannne<l Ali, had given the stmngest assurances
tf> the (iovr'rnment of Madras, and they to Colonel Smith, that he
should liud at Trinonialed, an abundant dejwt of i»rovisions of every
<leserij>tion, for all the troops of his own army, and of thediHerent
corps for which it had l)een ap|>oiute<I the rendezvous; and in this
jirrsu.isjoTi some military stores ancl e<piipmentshad l*een sent by the
• (.\>li»iiel S.iiitii ernuioously calls him Ilyder'a br(»ther-in>taw. lie
e^tiniatcs Hyth'r's Iosk in tlii.i actitm, in killed alone, nt S,()00 men, which it a
very lar;,'o caloulali<»n ; hid own lo!>s w'aa uo more than 170 killed aud
wounded.
t II. \ I* XIV ]
AI.LIKS |{K( RIMINAIX
• ilii
Ci -vt rniiifiit iif MMtlni-i !•» tin* **:iuv |il;n'i* Culiiiifl Siniili *n his
:ii ] i\.il. r>Hiii i tii.tf (iii-P* u.:*t ft" I'l' ' . ;t!i>l •»!* }i:i'l<lv \ 1/ . I !••■ tri ( I:*
lri«k wiii'-h i<-i|uii'r'l tiiiii* t«i pr'-imri- il |'>>1 rn^l. ii-« iii'i< ii ••: i\ iii
ftp- (oU'ii aiil ii'-i::ii)Miiir]|i;.' \iil.i^'i"«. a^ v\ii*< *<ul}ti (••lit t<> ^ii{>|>i\ !:>i*
iii'i-i niirii>->iMti- iit I .--i! h-* « if Ills til ■••)•'«. 'I'iiiff ilax 1 jilP-i i '■•.!. -I
Niiiit Ii s an !\ ,il :ii 1 1 iifiu i!«-i-. an •■\«-iit iH-.:nii*l iMif\.iiM{iii •! m :•!■*
Iii't'ii\ «'t Kii.'l:-«!i u. 111. Iff 111 lii>ii.i. t'ff 'i\^*rt '•!• •■/ " i ./;.•/,
Li' i.!«ii.iiit iii?>-ii< ■>• k fii'- .'iiiitv ;iM'r\\.ii Jn lt;tiit>t wiiii •!• I.^iii
Ih.i* tii'" tr.til"! w » •!.}•• I I "I :iii<i V 111 l-i |'ii'»iiii, wlj'ii- l.«- iinj-ii-l
in ihl i1ii\ :ili>i 'ip 'i il'i|:t h i
III* .i.ihv T" ••iii.»*il'\ jii" ii"»Mjt •■! lli* ;r lii-l '-ri- 'I'lnt r ,
nivl • 'ii .1 * II -i I i. .!>'•:.' -iti^ l<i I in- ••! ii< I tip* i'i II t I.iii ii«-. < 111-
{•'••s •■ i lilt' t .III 111 til* ii.^ >i-«i'-:i •'! I !.•■ ]M.-t . \t iiii li •■.ijiii (•> ii.i\ ••
li • ;i •{••\ •!• I {■• \''. M-r ■■! ll.« tiVi:. .iii-i ll\'i*-: .i.-.- in •'•iiiiiiiTt. 1
(lit f I iJ! "I jH : jiiiT' .!._• < ■. <:! i W •! ■ I I'l 1 -m •.!» II. ■ "Mil >. \\ I! ii'. il
111 li* ^l.i*:->ii .\":. ..j.ii «"■■!•:.■ i >iM * ii r-n'i'i 1 j ;ti >iii.i]i •■. .i jii i \
Ii • -t : I Ii.r il i) - \^ . • : >;iJ> ! !• •! ( I I : 'r^ li; <t »1 r^ \l • l!l<ii' i. .Ill 1 llliiil.. V
!*!•»■■ ^ Ml '',:*■ I .1 . il .t .1 i» . II :i ijii Ifi-- .»'"« '. It'- Jii » ■--;! V •'! hi '^ .11 '
!■• ! !i« \ ;.. »^' ■ • • I' • I ' ! u .11 i i!i -ji' -l « I !•■ ■ i * hi ill- «l«|' <! iMl-".
tip Ii.:* - <l 111 "> • •!' .' i i!i ;. !i — .- :i II* ^'!' • t' 1 t- • .1*' (• r\ i I :it iii.i.' • .
iiiitiifi- Ifti.'i w.i-.i ■.■■'... >:.i:t:. iii\::i^ • »!'-I'i.i -i ki»T_\ -nj--
|«i\ •■: !•? ■". : ■: 'i 1 i • 11 :.• 1 ! •! :L- | ••■?•■ I . ri. ih liiii** (•• s- • I !.••
i ii* rti^ -Il t -^ • ;l f ,' < I'lii II \\ !.;• il li;< \ li.i'i i- • h i!i tl;- .i- I • ! {M.ii -
IM / i'l i *•■ : » .1 ■ ■ i!i .■ ;• I ii ;.-. il l<>.iM)il ii .; ..-. u ti.< il ii.i'i t- • II
:< u .'i • 1 ?• I t\ : : • ; < : 1* i-!i \i i^ 'ii .i • n iii w :t ii •••i.f ! «« in i
tlr ' I*;. ;•■.; .;.!. : ; iii.- i i.\ l:..- \ii|..*.- ;ii.-. i .tllJ.\ } ill.« 1
ttif • ■ T '.■ !i r rii "A • • -Il 1 • '.• .iii.j- i i.it - in tii<- i-\i iiiii.'. .it iii.i^ -;.\
im." ■ ■!■ • .'i- ■■ If !ii r:.. ii?. .. ii |-..-.f;-.n.
< I'i ^iii;:'i '- rij II -A ; ;n« l l\ !i;-l"r li.- •!• ;.i" imi ■' .
»!• •• rill I;- I ? • .:".:■ r» M ■ . 11!. ;. i.i!. , . :i li..- • n-'i.ii^' n.-iti.r. .i-, I
}ti \ ' i .1? •; .-I -.:. ..r • ■! • :. 'f ;-.iT ;• • ■ «■ ! ■■;» i]'|>i > > i> nm^ ( :. .i j i
(:--:i il' ! ill i : : :ii iit • m; .• :< - • ii .: \ li ii ( iii- iK'.t i ; -'.:■- l'
■
a • I . . I ■ . • \ . ■ I ■ . ! I . ■ I ■ ! ■ ■- ! ' II.' '. , \ i . t - . : ■ j ^ ■ ■ : J J . : -
'I '. • . ■ - •- . i f. ; i ■ \v I * i.ii ■ i.-j « ..• I I • I l«i
!'.- ■ I ' I • : ? ■ ' . ■. : !• • I
i •; • . » .■ 1 • ■ • : . 1- ■.• t ■■ • : • \i i.. ii .III.-.? Ti.. ••
h. I •■ .' • ■ ■ • . ■ 'I v :<. il i\ ;r . ,!.:• I : . I -Ii: .■ :. : .*
. • ^ ■ ; ♦ • ,.-,■.-■ "i ■ • I . . .
I •■!
I 'i : . 4 ! .
t.-. »• • ' ' • ' • '■ • .... I.. . .nj t:.: i, 'i .i . ■ I'l' : \ I * %.
• 1 .* I - V . .-1 •■ 1 ' ■. : •■.»■. . ^ .-. S i. : -. . \. .•. . 1. II •.. \'i .* . I ■: : ■ 1
U .' ' .1 I . ■. •■ . I. , \. .. .: ■ ill 1. » •!« ; 4: f U .! . .1
Ml I . : '. ■.. ' • .. ■ ; In >■. i -t • . ■ I ;. .■ r !:.- ■ ■ .: 1;^. ■■ .• ■ . .*
I'M... ! \« 1 i .» I . i ; . I ; . . . . . ■ . ■ : ? . I • V , ■ , : • I . . \ I • • .k I • ! . ^ 1 . I
II -n. I .fi I • ". ;• -^ i» . .^ '■■ 1- . ■ t!.- \% .". .• i i.'i 1 !J,' «!■ .• -. ;:i
• }i '.•.il • * ; . k. ! •• ■ ^..•:. : :.■. t ..■ N.s . '■ M .
fti<4ii.:.i* 1 .\ . ■; •'..:.% .ki - * *. >k . . I .»• ' :• ■ I. • '.••] til • k.-**. fiii i t ;i it
!?■• t :■- -• ■/. i' J v.- n til .\ . • ♦ ■ . I'.r Ii!:.! • I at All 'l \ i .» •!• ••!
31C VARIOUS MAXCECVRES. [CBAP. XIT.
Although the errors of the Government, and in the front of these
tl 6 cardinal vir-e of leaving the very existence of the troops to
df-pend on t}ie performance of the promises of a Xabob, had redueed
the aimy to its present critical situation, they saw and deprecated
the coii'ierjiiences of placing it in cantonment, while the cavahy of
the confed^i-at».'s had overspread the country up to the very gates of
Madra«i, and their whole anny was consuming or destroying
it resources. Ojlonel Smith continued accordingly to ma-
ncfcuvre in the neighbourhood of Trinomalee, under all Uie
(lisadvantai^es wliich liave l:>een described. The confederates after
the la.st action, had agreed on tlie propriety of sending light de-
tachments of irregulars to ravajje the country in every direc-
tion, and to reserve their l>est horse for the purpose of distressing
the English armv, and unitin;:; in the attack, which thev determined
to make, when it should be re<luced by famine and fatigue to the
expect<jd extremity of retiring from the frontier in the direction of
Anjot. Rumours which appeared to be authentic, had conveyed to
them tolei-ably distinct accounts of the deliberations which had been
lield, regai-rling the necessity of moving into cantonment: they
>»eIioved that Colonel Smith was postponing this measure, under the
jo'essure (*{ urgent distress, in the hope tliat the approach of the
nrirth-f'ast monsoon should tii'st induce fheyn to move into the upper
(countries : and they resolved U) protract their departure to the last
in the confidence that they should find the Englkh army proCTSs-
bivcflv eiifi-Mfbled and disheai'tened bv the long continuance of these
sevire privations, and everj' day less capable of resisting their ulti-
mute attack. In his excui"sions b) the eastward, however. Colonel
Smith had hv judicious combinations received some reinforcements
of troops, small convoys of provisions and stores, and above all, had
l»een enabled to relieve his most serious wants by the discovery of
large hidden stores, which the inhabitants are accustomed to keep
snmetimt's for manv vears in sul^terraneous excavations, as well for
security against hostile invasion, as because experience has shown
this iiifMle to >K; the most effectual for the preser\'ation of the grain:
and troops which the confederates supposed to be in the lowest stace
of wrut<'hedn^ss and want, had, for the last fortnight been daily
inippiviiig in y»hysieal strength an*! efficiency. Tlie confederates,
appreln.-nsive tliat the su]»posed wretchedness of their enemy miriit
]»nHhire efforts of desp«»i-jition, had iussumed a strong position, which
they fortified with regular redoubts ; covering not only the front
an<l flunks of their encampment, but commanding every avenue bv
which thfir n*treat could be intemipted ; and steadily declined all
thf oppnrtuniti«*s which C'olonel Smith presented to them of attack-
ing him in the ]i]ain. At length, however, these wearisome exnecta-
ti'»n^ brgan U) relax in confidence, and Nizam Ali, who had left his
capit;d to share in a campaign of unresisted plunder, and had been
li'd into the present o]>erations by the assurance of easy conquests
jKiixived nothing but disiippointment in the successive plans which
niAP xiv 1
VAIMmI -^ MANOirVHr^J
•• 1 •
wi'Vi* lo il^-tpiy hi'* *»|»]i"!i.-iit'i in ihi** «li^t.iiit N.M-vii-** : nii-i )i:ii|
iTir.«iiiji'Tiri» lit* H. iiir''«'s <'! il.mLTi r ii«.ti«r lii»in*v t«i Mhi»h w^* s'fu'iil
|>ii^iiifi\ ;«l\i-it H»' tlii-i' iMii- i!isist«'il Mil till- ii««. -..ify of hririijiiiL;
till- r lilt* •>< til (hi* I'^^iii* • t :i LT'lii i:il aiijiiii . ainl \v|iil«> hi* i%:i<, inii-
I'-rtiri:; w irh l{\<i«-r (ht* \>*A in'-i-- •■!' I'llrrtiiii; thi> «)l'j«M't. <'>>1m!ii'|
^^llllt!i. \\|i«i li:i>l l>V u'l''''(t rtl'< •! t.*> i-m)Ii-« tni t)if Im aii<« nf lliaklli:; 3k
m
til* .III- I'l' 'iiau inj th'* i*"iit<"ii iatf-« iiitM tit>* phiili . Mli«l \i.n\ i-lii.'aiii|i-
i"l Ji<« If ar a ■ I ii- iiiti-'T.iiii-i ^ wxiil'l ;i>!iiiiT !•• thr tV'tiit <<t tln-ir inalii
|i-s;'|. II witii .il"i.'' . !' |n v:ii»» I tfii tl\t' 111* ij, 1.. ^i-liv. I .'i<M» Uifi
Ai- 'i* '.. *• !i ••]! !!;•■ I'ti! 'i ■ ! Sijiii-iuUr. til*' I •111* •i*:.ii* - iiiMVf>l ji
f-<>]i:ihii .i> > • :i.|Miiii '1 li\ <:\T->ii i-t' tli* ir lita\ 1« ^^t i aiiiH'ii. t<i a ]i<>*>i-
ISi-I; Ml 1' 'i! • l" * • I"!.! 1 >Il..t I. - III!, tliiril \* ln'!n »• I ll»\ •• .i:iint'iii-i-il
n iti t.ifit • .1*1!.- ii.i'i*- A iiiO! i^-< :;i!' I \i !ii"l. liirtii-iiit liUt !i>>f iinj-.us-
Mi'i • II; i !i ■! !• r-«j'T;i.i' \\ '.•'». .:|f a f'l ••> irnriilt 1> •11 It M.m
il\'.< ■ ; l.iM t< • !itaii;^'i*- h. ;<:• •:!• iil in i)iis •iitl.- uit\ in u iii<-)i In*
\\"-..i !• '^'.ni \ -ii-l-iin • ■ 1.-. it i.ji.Ii l'".- Il l.i- hfi. lilii i^i-- tli»«
iiii)" rii.« J.r \\:*\ i\ .i!-.- I!jTi»iii .i l:iii •■!' i» -i'^iil !-» \i.i.<«-tiii iii hi-*
fi- lit. ;ii. i ti . -t..,.!! •;• I..: ?. . r t ■■ i"l.!'«itralf 'i :»!iii\ \i.i* •M-;-'«*iI
in .1 -:!:;. I? ?. » ■ !.».! in ♦ r. • ■ Ji I > !'^::iiT. in t!:-' n.- •:•• 1.! i! ii;t
ii«i\;i!.« M ^ \* r I 'I !»ii.''- -I t! ■ :■ i'iiil r- * ■ !■•!,• I >r ;»ii m i-i" a
111 x I !!.• I.! • '. f.i • i' n u li:- il «•'?. .mi-I t!,.i! !• \% •- lijii- i int • l" t f ••
• \ .>•% !i ■ • • 1 :.' iii'-i I ' i .* ys\ > It ..l-i • ^.I'ti* •! }-.iii t<i .1-. • it.i'!i till•
^ ^ !■ ■ t. .\ '.*■ ■ t ri.. :ii \m .Ii..-:.' I '•■Tiiii* !i'-.»i^' at .iii Miikr.-un 'i:--
taii ..',!■. . •■ .••*!.:..- I I • \..i;.! II-. I .. '.? T" li.i f ■ T -r a ' lil.
«!•:■:• : • «• I !:• jm .i* I- • :\ ••? t'« ■ iiili •:« i.iN - Ii -im I.; - •.••«.
\ 'It r. . :■■ ; ;. i titii tI,,'. ii:.! u u-i t- im ti:'- t*-: ni:*i i!i> n ..| ^K*'
lli-'.i" ..: 1 tin* \\ l!iiK:T.;.i t ;; ..• T*i lii^i IJ/'j'. Il»" liiljlit !-•
• ?.«'• J I ' t iTii I ■ ■ iij. in • j.v- • u .' ' t^.i- • !• i-l li.'- • •n:* i'r.it* H
H ." ■ »* h .« !' u .1 . » • • T : r. w ;t ' il .lA rj :'• f. f !.• I •• \\ .t: j n..ir.>iii\ if
Uf.- "I f: J 1 ♦" --Ti .ktSli.; t» i .«!i I ]• I. \ i • f! ll ?;i i-. Tl.Vl III
I " ■ T:- • .. r. • Il . r
I ■ ■ . •
. U ■
:i • i'- 1
• . *
1 !■. f.
- I • • - •
.. ' • ■■ I ■ t ■
\
• -r . ■ •• 1 I. ■ •!■ :■ !
• I* '
• ' : 1- '. ■ '.i« •.• t. * I "i/ .• ■
1 : . . • . ' ■ • » : • -.% ' ; : . • w i
f .-I • . : • •. t •■••..•! A .: 1 , A I • i:r. • I . .!./ ! I - 1 il! .1 i.i't
>:■ ; •-••••*!• •■ ■. w. I ',.',. J. \ I •' " • • ■ : :•:'"•'.:.»
I'. • r. ! • ?■■ I .;:• ■ •: •: ■ .i;«* ? • ■.:••■ r . "i ••!! I • Kf.. i-li
i •'.!.. ?i : • • • ■, ;! •'. i' *. .ii. I !• *: i». 1 • •. ;• : :»i/ i! • •• • p .»!
I!..' r '.. • . I :.. . :.:■.- I i'« • u ■ ». ! I. . i.».ir .:•./?■ i:. 1 • ".• I.ul
I r : u ! ■ ' . • A . ^ ■ .1 ■ . . ! ■ . I .•.■.-':. I • > • . • . • • . . t t ' . • i:i \ »• -
Ii- '.' ■ : • .. ■. ' .v^- li. .- • '.■ : I: ■ •;. :■ ■ \ .* * i tf.. • ■.■ : mi
!•» n,' r T- .; ! ,: '••:::■ ... •.•.- t .i i \ .»i.- . i ? ;.-. v* . •■ in i* .\ .'i • -n
f
■ ■ •■ I
.»
'• a I
■ . • I
m
I
3 IS VARIOUS MAXCEUVRES. [CHAP. XIV.
tact on rounding the northern extremity of the hilL The advan-
tages of discipline everywhere conspicuous, are most prominent in
unexpected occurrences : the confederates made a hurried movement
to occupy the hill, but an English corps, commanded by Captain
Cooke, anticipated the design, repulsed them from its summit, and
secured a support for the left in the first formation of the line
Some rocks on the plain, formed a point of considerable strength for
the support of the future movements, but before it could be fully
occupied by a large body of the best infantry of the confederatezi»
three English battalions, commanded by Captains Cosby, Cooke, and
Baillie, were contending with these superior numbers for its posses-
sion, and dislodged them after an obstinate resistance. This point
became the subsequent support of Colonel Smith's left, and his line
was quickly made to extend opposite to the great mass of the
enemy, who, during this movement, completed their formation on a
commanding eminence, and placed some giins in position, which
annoyed the English army while deploying into line. A powerful
body of infantry was drawn up in the rear and on the flanks of the
confederate artillery ; enormous masses of cavalry, formed a huge
crescent, enveloping the British troops, and apmrently ready to
overwhelm them, on a concerted signal. But Hyder's plan had
been disconcerted ; of upwards of 100 pieces of cannon no more
than 30 could be brought into action, the i*emainder were in
the redoubts, or had not joined from the positions allotted to
them in the original plan. The English artillery amounted to
31 light pieces, (three having been left for the protection of the
baggage") steadily and skilfully served : the line cautiously ad-
vanced from one strong position to another, and after nearly
silencing the artillery of the enemy, the English cannoD
directed their fire against the thickest masses of cavaliy, in
whose presence a decisive forward movement would have been
imprudent ; a few minutes of torpid and motionless asto-
nishment seemed to indicate a reluctance to retreat, and an
expectation of orders to chai'ge ; but the consternation had pervad-
Cil the chiefs as well as the soldiers ; and the havoc produced by the
active and correct fire of the English artillery quickly covered the
field with a disorderly rabble of cavalry flying in every direction ;
the infantry and guns continuing to maintain their ground The
English line now began to move on at a steady pace, preceded by
the cannon, which fired in advancing. Hyder who, from the first
moment of Colonel Smith s dispositions after rounding the hill, per-
ceived that the battle was lost, drew off his own cannon within
the line of the redoubts, and rode towards Nizam Ali to entreat
that he would give similar orders, and covered the operation by the
movements of his cavalry : but that chief was indignant at what he
deemed so spiritless a proposal, and declared his determination to
maintain his position to the hust. When, however, the British
army began its advaiic(.' in line, Hyder renewed his remonstrances,
< II Al' MV ]
VAni*»rs MANtKlVKI.s.
;i I :»
,1 1
il\ i*'i- iiitMiiti\, M liirli !iiiiiii' n i*-ju!-ii' :iii>i rf^{M'i(.ii>li* lii-in-in-
'-ti.iM"ii until til'' ii'-ai :i)>)ii'*.ii li «>t tip- Knjli^li IIih-. \\ K'-ii thi-y
r»»iiit»i 111 l«'l»riMi' iT'i' r withiii tin- |>i>>(< • ti"Ti I't' lli*- w.-iki
It u.iH tii.- :i)>-tii'<l )>iit invaii.t^Ir |inii'tii>* nt Ni/.tiii All to U*
iit|>Miiii<i i:i til*- ti*-i'I i>\ 111** 1.i\i>i'it«- \\i\i-s. \%iili all ili<*
i"!' ii'ii'i aj»|M !i i.»/i''» «»r iM!ik !!■ \\;i» "U litr--lMi-k wii-ri II\'1«t
:kj»:'I »■ in-. ! . ai; i lii>. liiii- i.|' •■:•■}>) tail t'* r:iir\ iiij l!|.' Miiiiitn. u .1^ at Ii«»
■^.' tt «iix! !ii •■ ill tiii li-ai \\ )i< ti li'- ii 1 1 ii*-(«-riiiMii-<l «'ii tin- i>tif.iL
-•! i!i'- : ;ii-^. In- -i- -ii*"! ili.it t'n- i-'.'|»li iiii-» -h -mI'I iTi'»lai»'iy luiii.
' Ihi' tl ii'.iau' I'jiln-l a I-liiiii- \.i|'-- l.'iiii I'l-- i-i\i|il \.!i.iif,
■ i..i * inl I- ' !i :ij-'i'i' tt -l -• I" ! iili . lit- !•'!!• -u ■» !'."■ -r.iii. i u 1 ..l tin*
• :i. :■.:»■ I li- 1 ■ -• I'l" Ni-\ t lai • !• |'!.aiit- ua- tin • h^t . jm ii. •■ . t tiii'i
• i- <ii tr ? 1 tin > 'ii\ aIl>i'l-« •ii]ii^>l WxMii II 't a!!>u Ini^t** !.. >M-,
il'.t.i t^l■ ^>r.i|ii i! i ii:i'i |<a>><» i in! in :l * i*!l*ar. aini tin- Kli.ll^li
•! ' I- .1 till. "^ aril li,' t'l I'- it fin-W-i Ml i'l tiain A i"!!-
■ : i- • li'ir K-i\ !■! i-.t\a!r\ iaiii>-l )'\ tin nn-ri- I -l •■ ••! -.'t.ilin*.
■ ■ ■
..■ . r a- ip i t« •liii^«- tl.f liji.t •■! tli'- Kii^'ii^'t •hiiii J t!i»ir
; :■. I'l.. 1 i» li: l! ..■;.- ul.'.-ii I :i.i I- . h -i- ta- in -i !■• tin I- !I in
t ■ iii\ I'll' "J l'-- i.i*. \\.'.- !i'-w III '\ ;nj ill • '.irnii I -i l^"
I' ?•■•■•;.■! I I. •! if.k .ii. i t ■."■■■ i t/i" t'- "'l- . M. ;ii; I- . r r :■ - -ii-*-
!■ >*-.'i' 1 !-.i\ Nij'iT ... I lijH II ij... K't,-;,-!! .i:ii.\ a ^ tli«V
!• ■ ''IT'.- i'l • i:. i u :,:. ii i, I i I-. .-n ai'i'i'!"fi'-l i\ t'l*- • ii- iii\ ,
^ ■ '. ■ .1 ! I . ■■ ? ' ■. ' i - . ! - tu.\ u.u*- juii-- \-r t'l* j'i« -• 'it i". 11
1 • »* ■ I' : ..:. i :* • \ 1 i\ »j;. -ii t;.- :i ain»'« it* • \;»' '.i-i'-Ji
- • I I
. r : v. • . .. r •
I .■ -'■.•:'••!.?! - I-' rn^l a • ••i-i-S'-rall-- I -'■. ♦ if .t i4
t • •■,. . I ,.J i..r'..rt nri«-l u.'ii'ii • i i r-- :i
r • ■. ■ -.* t . M . . ■< ;-• ■■:i. i ! . tin •■ v. fit-* «•! w .ir t .r a'<iri-
.: • 'J * ■ • • ■ -i ;•■ ' I . » ' j- I'l ■•!*»;.;.}! \n-i r- • n ■ u r ;.■ i.
". .1 -• . • ' . I. .?".:. i»..' a. V n f iT N:/--.*ii
I'l i »., • • I, I I .», v% . •. I |»|.- •, !., .« • y..'. .. .,t
*. 1 'ii-l
:\- :
\
l>
1
l. I
h
li
• .
• • •
■ .. • ■ ■ ■ VI ' '• T*. •! •■ ■ r -I
■ : ■ ! • r :;.*:. i I ■: I ■"'!:. r K . i • , i
•. • ■ ,■ ? ■■•■;. it.' f. • •• •.?:..-•...■
■ ' ■ .! li. J' » .'. 1 In- i i • ill ? . I r--
! : " . ■-•.••.■•; r.. ■ .» ?. . f i.i\ ,?i.|
. ■■ : . •' • •,■.•.••■■!..!.'• r. i tin-
■ :■ ■■ ' .•;..!;■:•■.:.:■!' !ail
•- ' - !'■■••. ..i!\ ■.%. I .?. T ■»..:.•.• 1*1
r. ■ I »' '. ; ■ • .-.1 •:.• « •. . ! ^fi* uiL«»
• ' • ."..■« '.' : ' V, .' .. • -l.t.' I: I. -Ii .iliil
• I
■ . ..■.!' : f .•:•»• t" •!. i I." !:.\ *.
: '..K. I,' .:. .:..j- ::ant )■'.• '.\ i..a i* a i.-
320 VAIUOUS MANCEUVRES. [cHAP. XIV.
position, after his men had tiiken a slight refreshment, for au atta4;k
about midnight, to bo led by the grenadiers of the army, under
Major Fitzgerald, and supported according to events by the remain-
der of the troops. Whatever military errors may be imputed to
Hyder, the conduct of his department of intelligence was unrivalled.
One of his most faithful spies was the guide in English pay, who le«l
Major Fitzgei*ald, and conducted him to a swamp which he had
described as difficult, and which wa^ found to be impassable. After
much time had been lost in reitemted attempts to sound it in
various directions, the guide proposed a circuitous route, which
seemed objectionable on many accounts, besides the lateness of the
hour, and after some farther fruitless eflbrts, the Major reluctantly
returned to camp. At daylight, the army was in motion, and soon
passed the redouots, which were entirely abandoned ; but on ascend-
ing an eminence, the road as far as the eye could reach, was seen
covered with the confederate army ; and a train of artillery waa
distinctly visible, which it still seemed practicable to overtake : tlie
English army quickened its pace, at this cheering intelligence, and
in tlie course of the day captured forty-one pieces of heavy artiUeiy,
all belonging to Nizam Ali ; fourteen moi*e being discovered after-
wards, which had been overset, for concealment, in the woods.
Hyder, in person, rather observ'ed than covered the rear, attended
by his retinue of State, a troop of European cavalry, and 3,000 select
hoi"se ; but as he could not quicken the pace of Nizam Ali's ineffi-
cient equipments, and seldom ventured to unlimber a gun, from the
.apprehension of greater delays, he was compelled to abandon one
ailer another, to the English infantry, with little material resistance.
But the English otficers had frequent opportunities of noticing his
personal exertions, and observing the splendor of his retinue, which
seemed to be puii)osely exhibitiul for their admiration. It consisted
of 300 select men on foot, clothed in scarlet, and armed with lances,
or pikes, of light bamboo, alx^ut eighteen feet long, twisted round
from bottom to top with thin plates of silver in a spiral form : the
aual intervals of polished silver, and the dark brown of the season-
btimboo, give a splendid and not inelegant api>earance to this
ornamental but foimidable wea{)on.
Excessive fatigue terminated the ojKJrations of the day, and
Colonel Smith was under the positive necessity of relinquishing the
more decisive results to be exi)ccted from a second day's pursuit, and
of retracing his steps, to procure food. The loss of the English army
in this achievement amounted to no more than 150 men killed and
wounded ; tliat of the confederates jirobably exceeded 4,000, with
64 guns, chietly 18 and Iti-pounders, with their tumbrils, and a laroe
quantity of stores of every description, excepting rice, a small supply
of which at this moment would have exceeded in value all the
tro])hies* of the day.
• The Frenchman calling himself commander of artillen% and general of
ten thou.^iand in the army uf Mogul, who had pubii'shcd the ni&tory of Byder
CHAP. XIV.] DECISIVE VICTORY OP TRINOMALEE. 321
Tippoo Sultatin, then seventeen, in tlie exercise of a first nomi-
nal command, under the guidance of Ghazee Khan, his military
preceptor, and the best partisan officer in Hyders service, was
plundering the very country houses of the council of Madras, when
he heard the result of the battle of Trinomalee. He retired with
precipitation to join his father ; his example being followed by all
the other light detachments, in exact opposition to the conduct
which true military policy would have instructed them to pursue.
Colonel Smith, finding the country cleared of its invaders, no longer
delayed covering his troops against the approaching monsoon, and
proceeded himself to Madras, with the hope of effecting some new
arrangement of the departments of supply, which were as inefficient
as such departments must for ever be, when kept as much as pos-
sible beyond the control of the commander-in-chief.
Ali Khan, and was present in this service, states the single trophy of the
English to have been one iron thi^ee-pounder ; this is a specimen of what he
may be presumed to have seen. Wtiat he relates, on the authority of others,
resembles the information of a dramatic quidnunc, who hears everything, and
seizes the wrong end of all that he hears.
CHAPTER XV.
Mutual crimination and reconciliation of the Allies — Smith goes into eantonmemts —
Jli/der takes the Jiehl in couttequencc — re-takes Tripatore and Vaniafnbadtiif —
hvsief^es Amhoor — Excellent defence of Captain Caloert — Asinguiar incident
ascribed to supernatural agency — Relieved by Colonel Smith — tcho jmrgues
Ilyder — Affair of Vaniamhaddy — Junction with Colonel Wood — Hyder ocrmpies
a fortified position at Cavcripatam — Mahphuz Khan — close of his political career
— IJydtr*s attack of the conroy under Major Fitzgerald — Personal ^ort* ami
disappointment — Attack of Nizam Alis dominionSy by troops from Hettgal —
detaches him from his alliance with IJyder — Treaty of 17()8, between the Kngtisk
and Xizam Ali — discussed and coiulemned — Hyder^ at the same time^ moves his
whole force to the western coast to oppose a diversion from Bombay^ which takes
MangalorCy Honarer, ^*r., with the fleet — Iiyder*s plan of opertitioH-^ Easy
re-capture of the Knglish conquests — l*unishment of the inhabitants who aided the
English — Deceitful compromise with the chiefs of JUalabar^^Hetunu to the
eastward.
Tjie result of the battle of Trinomalee, produced a consideraMe
change in the views of the confudemtes. jNizam Ali, full of open
indignation at the conduct of Hyder, and feeling little of secret
complacency at his own, assembled his anny at Calaimuttoor, in
Baramahal, and Hyder established his head-quarters at the same
place ; where they remained for near a month, without action,
or detenu ination, or interview. Each, however, Imd so much of
real bhune to iuipute to the other, that it was at length agreed
to waive all discussion of pjust events, and endeavour to concert
more successful oj)erations. Ostentatious visits of ceremony were to
announce their conlidence in the future, and at one of these, Hyder
placed his guest on a seat or iinisnnd^ composed of b<ags of coined
silver, amounting to a lac of liupees, covered with cushions of
embroidered silver ; all of which the attendants were desired to
carry away with the other presents, according to the established
etiquette in similar cases.
Hyder knew that Colonel Smith, reckoning on the inaction of
his enemies, during the three niiny months of October, November,
and December, had disiMjsed his anny in cantonments, extremely
objectionable, from their distiuce from each other, namely, at Con-
jeveram, Wandiwash, and Trichinopoly ; and he calculated on hav-
ing time for objects of importance, l.>efure a sufficient force could be
as.sembled U) inten*upt his operations.
The first of these, Wius th(» recapture of Tripatore, and Vani-
ambaddy, two (.»f the indefensiblt; places which remainc<l in posses-
sion of the English, in the northern part of Hanimahal, and these
fell, without material resistmci*, on the .Hh an<l 7th of November;
from theiK'e, Hyder jiroceedod to the siege of Anil)Oor, a place of
considerable strength, situated on the summit of a mountain of
« IJ \l' \v I
iiYi»i i: II •^;I«.^:s amivh.!:
-■ri-*.!'! .'I -liiT •. |. 1- ^, ■».!.■ III! "'lU "Ip't'i ■■ !•■! Miill M :i» ^' t li" \ .( :1.\ •■!'
1 1 ■ ■ ■ ■ 1 1 ■ ■ I 1 1 « ■ n t ' i • ■ f I ■ i ! t } ■ 1 1 1 i ■ ■ \ ■ 1 i ' » ■ \ . = I J t ' I ■ ■ 1 1 ! M i ■ • \ . 1 1 ■ \i i I : ■ ' J .
t ■!■(■. I • .\ ?: If ;»h_i.' \\;'!i I'..!' >iii>li.t! i •? l.'i-« !■! ti.i' • i-? a •■.!,
'J .VI T • \ 1 .1" ■• .i.i'i At •» . I !•■ .»! rl, ■ I i J ■!■■ tii- j'! i ■". • M t :.••
l•^•■■ . f \ a. :ii}" 1 .'lii '■!! !;»•■ ]'•*'} li I i iii;i!' !«lv -ii -mi I'li . I
I ■ I U' I T 'rr !",.iT « ■ :■! ji!« ' ' -.v- ; t u !i • • !iilM:i!i'i'-i. •!• ■ l;: i \l
r • ." ri_' r l- ?. il !■■ .'i-l i- ■ -. •■ i r.. i'*..- .. m,-.;? .-! lli.- Iiiii. w :• !i .i . ii •
i- !i ••! li»«- l.ir.'ii'.l •; \- ■iH- .ill ■■■ii-' ■• 1 1'Mi.t aii'I lilT- • n
I, ii t .1 ■• f I,
"I ■■ K ;'!■•:.!:■■ '! ■.■■■..? M: •! ! • l' N'n' ■ •'' \\'^\ :i* i i .■■ I \ *V
1 ■ . ■ I . -■•■:. ! ■!••.• . ! ■ , ■ • , I , . . I i . : I • : *" i • ■ • 1 1 * A : v. i ! ' i ■
I >■ . ■. ■' .:i ■ 'Ti- . 1 '(.111.. I Nf i- \ '■■. [» ii t, \\ i. . ! . Ill f i • |i V ■ : I? ■■:. 1
.' r ■ r .': ■ \* ■ I !.•■!.» I \. •■!• ■ j ■. I ! ■ ii .'. ■ ' ■!! ■ :\' i 'l-.i'
j ■ ■ \* • . I ■ . i ■ ■ . : t ' ■ 1 I • '. . i I • : I ■••■'!•:' I ♦ . L ! ■ . I
f • ■• ■■..■■.■•■'.••']'!!.■ .;■ • ., i- ■• ji.i- 'ii ■". ! iv : ••■i • \» I »
• . j • . • • ? I ■ ■ ■ 1 \'\ 5 . !■ ' ! :•. I 1 • . . ..»r in.i'iri- i :i ■ .i
•• •! ■!■ !■ !■ ! •• ? • .'W
'.\
; ■ I .' h.
« . ! ! : . • K I . I . ! ■ I ■ . . ; I ; , : . ■ • i . i
.■ : ..:;•■ ! ' - n,'. •!■:■• i ■ ;«. .
1 ' ...
■ . .. '.■ ■■.'■•■■?■■ I. «..■•■« .■ * .■!■.■..•!
■ 'I I., •.■' ' *' *
I
•■ . •»;
f •
'I
• I
• i . t , . «
n . i
■^ i*
\- ■ 11 ■. . • I • • ."■.!■■:!■ ;
".•!■" 'I T ,: ''If' ;
■ I ■ I ! • . n \ ' w ' : I'.i ' ' ■ -
: •■ :.i \ ■.•< • • ..•• \ : \ ■■ ■ I
• ■ ■: ■ ! J ■.:".■ i ■■• ^I
■ I • I • • • I ■
1 ■ ■ 1 I
, t •
I.
<
f •
f!
\
I •
: I '
324 SINGULAR INCIDENT. [CHAP. XV.
cember, bv the approach of the English army : and the Oovemment
marked their approbation of the conduct of the corps which com-
posed the garrison, by diiTcting the rock of Amboor to be borne on
its colors ; an honorary distinction still preserved by the Ist batta-
lion of the 10th regiment.
Among the losses M^hich Hyder most lamented in the conrse of
the siege was that of Khakec Shahy his relation, and most con-
fidential friend, who was killed by his side in an early part of the
sei-vice. It will be recollected, that Khakee Shah had been one of
the emissaries of Hyder to Nunjeraj, and Ghalib Mohammed Khan^
his associate in that infamous transaction, had also, in the course of
the campaign, been killed in the battle of Changama ; both,
however, as the Mohammedans of the south continue to believe,
were destroyed by the visible wrath of heaven, within the same
year in which they had profaned the holy Koran by a fraud and a
pcrjuiy,* and this belief is not shaken by the impunity of the
author of the crime ; nor by the arrogance of thus gratuitously
pronouncing on the ways of heaven, and placing man upon the
judgment-seat of God.
Tlie history of one of these persons presents some features
highly illustrative of national manners. Khakee Shah was con-
sidered the wittiest man of Hyder's court, and was more familiarly
• admitted than any other to the intimacy of his looser hours.
Hyder delighted in the practical jest, in these days denominated a
hoax ; Khakee Shah*8 near alliance to many of the inhabitants of
the Harem, gave him the liberty of communications by message ;
and in the intercourse of unreserved raillery, he had occasionally
ventured on messages in Hyder's name, which had produced some
mischievous disjippointments in the Harem, and were afterwards
the subject of broad mirth between the friends. On the occasion
of some reciprocal raillerj^ regarding their domestic arrangements,
Hyder adopted the coarse and cruel trial, of causing a letter to be
written to the wife of Khakee Shah, then at Sera, announcing the
sudden death of her husband. The lady who was passionately
attached to him, swallowed poison in her first despair ; and the
husband, on receiving the intelligence, made a vow to renounce the
world. It was, on this occasion, that he assumed the name of
Khakee Shah. Shah or himj is the spiritual designation assumed
by this description of Mohammedan saints, and Khakee Shah, mnj
be rendered kiTig of the chint, intimating, as it should seem, spiritual
sovereignty, and temporal humility. This unhappy event, although
it inteiTupted, did not dissolve the intimacy of the parties : after a
short interval Khakee Shah resumed with Hyder his usual habits,
and was reciprocally treated with inci-eased confidence and regard.
The manner of his death afforded some color to the belief of
extraordinary interposition. Hyder and he, after examining the
works of Amboor, alighted among some scattered rocks, and seated
* See on this subject, vol. i. p. 177.
i IIAr XV. 1 rul.uNi:!. SMITH IMUMk^ IIYhKU
•t.i
A tii'iiii ••!' iiiiih* 111 .'I -jtM.ktlo!! iit'ailv -iiiiil.ir, li:i<I •-•>M<>iiiii in
\( !*• il tif Illtlll* I i1|^ I* \ > •''!< Vft^ f( a i.lllll'ill »<)l>'f. t •. • I \ tiiiit*
-liikili.' tin- i-M k In ar 1" i.lMi>*It i!i (ii>- -aim- ^put iiiiMI it- txii*'
^t-i-i • \|N-li<h 'i. .tli'i It !••]!• i li.ii.'ii!' -H iiit>i .1 li<')i-i\\. ifi til Iitli- iif
tin- I •• k<* t'i'iii \^ iii> ii it ii.il !• \* I i- i.tt* i.
*r*.-- r-ri''. -if t ' -'"ri' 1 >iiii!ii !..» I ^-aifilv l-'ii • -fa) !: 'i* •! in
I'l'i! '?iln" ?it )•• l''I«' It li- I .i*.'.r' li ■■' --.ilA . tr-lJi I'n '•* ln"\« lln !it"» «■!
li . j. T I'll..'.' i: : I* • p. '!.•-? 1 !• . • «■ In'- .:i J- t !i' Ml . 'ijT I. ■tiling
« .-i; 1 K- .'?■■•■ i \ \\ »■ |. !■• -ii; .r.jij il..- I rli- :■ li- \ « l' lij-- 'i- :..ift-
I. •,•' . !" »L' ■.! ..-. Tit 'In iii.- *. 'I ■! ^I■ :t..iM::.- i A!j \* U»
I :,. ..••: ! ■ 1 I : • V > • »• -Il V .:i i t . !• . ■ "i-: !■ l ■■ 1 .i - • \ • i \ t i; ili^'
\\h '.' ■: J ■ •■]" !.•:;. -i: »;-•:.!; tl.-- ;■ ■. ■ i. -i- ui*! i- •. ■ u lii. Ii
|-]' •:■ i II • ■ ■ •! :■ •; f I !'i .: u.i . ::i ;- --•■'■ . I 'it *' • * n.lv .'I"-!*
I ! . 'i: . '. • ■■• ! ". 1 ■ • ' ■ m i'.- •■ •■! i ■ . i ! 'IM- ■ • '..' \ ' \ !-■ t !i«'
I.':.-. ■ • '•::■■.■ 'I ' ■ \\ I" I ■:, !■;■ ? j i« \ • :.'. i ! ' ! ■riii.i* -ii
. • . i ■•■ ; . •: , ::. ;. ;- «. [, t.' ^\^\. M, . f - i;;«!\ a". 1 t! ! -«
I ■ ■, • . :• • ! '. • .1 i. • i- i' ■: -v • l' i!p' i :i. . :i :■ • :t. )»:•!"
f. • ! I .".?■.• 1 1.' I : ■ -i : ■ J ■ i;.- ■ ?! ::^ wii !i .■■! .'.!?■. I. .\- i- • n
I ! • I * ' . • ' i
■ • . : \ ■.•....■■• . t ■!..■.!• I '.;. 1 ■■ • .1 : . : ? ; ■ ! . I t ■ I . ! . .
:..'•'-. • ■ • •■,•■• I' • •■ ■ ■''.:'' f >.' .il
'I'
I
■ •
• \
I •
I . •
A"
I
I .
• •
I ■ I ■
i: : .
i ■ • •
.1
1 'i- ■ . :
■ •
I •
• •
.. : ■ ]
.T
: ■:. ■ I
• •
•• t
• •
■ I
\ J I
• ■ t'.'
■ . ' I ' . :..: ■ :
:•■■*.: \
. I ||\ : ! u ' :.. J. ? .-. : 'i tl •
' ■•, ■ . . .■, \. •!. 1. »
I 1
•r !. .! '. .' \
i •
I
I I
I i
» ■. : I
I '• ■ • • t i i It . ; I • I . I . I . I
, . 1 • . . . . • • I ■•• I
' : ■ ■.•;.* ; ■ : ? . » ! • : : ::■.■• N . . • . A 1 1
. i • • : V. :■ • r • : . ! II . : • ; ' ii.
;, • • ■•.».■ • '. l-i; .•..''. I T . I ■ ■ ^i i.t!l
I. . :•, ■ •■ • ... ■ .■ ' : . '. . V ' .: ■ ■ -' .'.t- '.' . ■!!
\\ I ■ 1 . • ■ • •: ! . » U * ■. • '. *.'.. •• 1.. ■ •: .'. ■. • : \' ■ }' *'.' .iX
• f N..-.II \ ■ . • I • I ! .. .'.::il. :: ^-1 r v. n.. :.l ■•: I.. kMIi
i. . . . '...•. ,...:. I. . i f :. • :• 1 :.•.;.■ !.i t a; :•■.■ •..!!' - I'l
32G HYDER OCCUPIES CAVERIPATAM. [CHAP. XV.
the English anny ; the degi*ee of reslstjince wa-s proportioned to this
intention ; Vanianibaddy wtis abandoned, but he liad the moi-tifica-
tion, during this affair, to see his European troop of horse under
Monsieur Auniont, move off in a body and join the English army, in
consequence of a conceited arrangement, of which he had no
previous suspicion ; in other respects the loss on either side was
unimportant. To overtake the superior equipments of Hyder,
although attempted, was a visionary pursuit ; ana on the succeeding
day, the miserable commissariat of the British army compelled it to
halt to receive provisions from Amboor. Colonel To<l, with the
advance, followed the enemy as far as Tripatore, which he also found
abandoned ; but, contrary to Hyder's usual precaution, containing
a supply of grain and some cattle. The confederated armies retired
towards Caveripatam, and Colonel Smith was again reinforced by
Colonel Wood, without an attempt on the part of the enemy to
inteiTupt the junction. On Hyder s cjipture of Caveripatam, in
17G7, he had thrown up some field works to strengthen the position
under its cover, which Colonel Smith had then declined to attack ;
and, on finding that he should be obli<jed to raise the siege of
Amboor, he had sent one of his Frencn officers, to extend and
improve the same ciimp, as a safe position for the confederate armie.s.
Immediately after the junction of Cohmel Wood, Colonel Smith
approached to examine it. A river passed the northern face of the
town and petta of Caveripatam : this face had been strengthened by
a good covered way, and by two large dettiched redoubts, which
enfiladed the north, the east, and the west fiices : five similar
redoubts completing the circuit to the south, covered the whole
position : anrl two more distant rocky mounds to the south and
south-east were crowned with ledoubts which commanded the mo.st
accessible approach : good lines <;f retre«at, in the event of discomfi-
ture, were provided, by crossing the river towards Kistnagheny, or
moving along its right bank to JRyacoto. On the first glance of this
much imprnved* position. Colonel Smith determined to decline the
risk of an attack ; and the measures of the enemy relieved him soon
afterwards from the necessity of so desperate an attempt Sources
of separate but serious alann, which we shall endeavour to relate in
the most convenient order, distracted the attention of both the
confederates. Hyder sent off his heavy guns and baggage to the
westward on the 14th, accompanied by his son Tippoo and Ghazee
Khan, with a light corps; and on the 18th, Nizam AH, with the
main body of his anny, re-ascended the ghauts, and move<l to the
noi-thward : a light field train, with nearly the whole cflicient force
of his army, remained with Hyder; and i)olitical considerations still
detained with him a corps of some thousand horse, in the service of
Nizam AH, as an escort to tlie brother of his prime minister.
A more convenient opportunity may not again occur, of clos-
* Described from a phui iu the author's pu:i!)ession, drawn apparently by
Colonel Call, in 17G7.
iiivr w] I i.«i*-r «»r M\iiriir/ kiun^ i \i:rn:
ill' '111 ii.irr.itivf »*( iln- iliNtiiiy •■!' :i |h-i-"Ii wli'*-- )<ii-t*i[ i>>ii^
tii!ii!>-i liiiii {*» tN*i-ii|i\ A 1 H'ji-i -^I'li-- t)i:iii ii*' li:i.^ til!<'i ill ilii-
li>* •! V "t tlir-i- tiiiii-'^. Ma!ii<li:i/ Kii.iii. «>ii t!ii' •l<-^ii lit of tin*
I III- iir.it* -> ihtM t}i«- I>ii\i-i i-xiiiitis li:iil (III* (•.lit a-^^ijii- •[ t>* iiiiii
ot • !ii;ili>\ ihj lii-* iiilliifii'''* atii«>nj t!i»* I*'ilij.i!- I'l" tin* ■•■•utli tn
I \« :ti' a ■•• M« lal iii^m it i t i. !i : aipl ail^'l 1«\ l!i«* p-tiiri f^ i.|" lijn-
• i.^'ll t'i \\|i"-? till" wit'l'* of til'-'- I'litv iiii'i''^ Ili'lM M'ili:iinlii*-<1 Ali
afi 1 l!i'- Kti^lj-li III'- t'-tiiii.i!i Ti "■?' ll:'- a:iii\ li.fi ^li <uii all tin ii
u: j-.-.iMi- t ii . : ^ f'l.iiii til- -•• • -'.I'lt! i- - aiii Nl.i)i|iiii]/ Kli.in, u it)i :i
-,- :i j. I • .-■■•It w .IS iii->\ !ii^' ti -rn t !.■ !■ -:l« !!■ •■ ■ ! "!f ■ • !.;• I I i aii"»lnl .
ill t . : til* !;»•« ■ "I I.; • \ n \\ - ; wl:* "i I " ■' ?i I I'l i ':. \\ !i • i- >:iiiii iii'i<-l
at NI.1 I'M 1 ■ • !.t «■'»? a •!• !.i« IiM.i lit l'\ T.i 'M u 111- ii -'H j-: :-i i aii-i i "ii-
\ ■ \ i li:iii t-' till! 1 ■!!!•'- ii- a l : .- -ip i ••n t !i«- »lii »'t < '• i-.i . j I7*»7
i I W .1 . !', . II :JI. t I M ll lM!:i' I All .i!:i ' '. •" U • ■•l!lli« i 'PIT JTIJ tilt*
\i ir *-■«! It iii'i-T I-.- ji'l :• ■! ? i t'.. i :. !il ■ t' lli -t N.ii- ?• ' i-t' \\ Im-ih
t" ■;• 'i I «- I" : ?!!.••' i M- t . II !• ■ t- i/t!- t"i i« i' . ■ • i lii it In- afltl -
u..' I ■.' - : i*. -I ii;-. i-!.Oi' : .iTi-1 |'i •% ; !• 1 l.:iii I-'i lit- !• iii.iisi'i' I fl"
I. '.■]• \\ I Ij a "i- ■ ■ !i! I.. I ; it. !..::. . .,t M i-ii i -
NN }. ". t '-• ':.'■. \ • ,;;'ii. •:.•.« t li\ !• I \^ i !•■ i!i'\ !i._' t.i a In
• ■ ■
■ ■ • .\ \\ 1; ■ .1 '. I', i! ii-. - I'l*- i.r •'. ■ I. ■.' i I ' \ ■ ■!. I
• • f
II
t t ..■ . ■? f: ■ : '.' i \ t! ■ :■ ■•.!?;■ ■■ l" i:. :■ ■■ 1 .■■!:"..• ^ i'"'- i
■ ■ !. ■ ; • •■ :.■ ; I . . ■ r .; i? -.'u. •!-»■! tr.. -iT - .-I I : . i..lit.
I ■
r ' -j u . • • • '■. • . ; \, . i i 'i »' •• i::i'- . 1 « ■ i • ■ i >:i-;I 'i • -«ij»-
1 ■, i ;-i 1 ■ 'i I • ■ fJ. I t". !,. . . .r\ . t" l:i ■■; .'i. 't:- h:/
*. V ■ ■.. :.* :.■■■■.: • •' ■■ ; • •■ ■ • !. 't r"'.- iii-r m- : ; ■ ■♦.'III
• ... \ \ . ' < : I • • ■ ! ! ? I ■ • • -. •• • • • ; ^ •. t - • I I - « I . I > . ! I ^ I j • T • . ■ .
I.' .1 ■ I •■,■:•.: H \ :- : t :i 'I . ' : j ?■■:■•»?■• i .■•'. • I'l i ■ i - n.
w .' i 1 . ■ I P'«in ; • I. T ■ 1 'MMi ,-.• ir.Tr \ . .1'. 1 ?;\ . i?.-
'i ■ ■ ■ !'»■•.• ? .i*. ■ ■. • ii- -! \- ! a ^irj_.. 1 ■??.' . u, \* •'!
t . • . ■ . . 1 : . I '• , ■ . . I • ' ■ . ■ . • . '. \ i ■ » I t ■ : • ! >;.•»!.
\^
• I
• . • •
1 . .-
Ii.
-:■ • ■ 1 . :■;•.?■!•-:.■ 1.! ■ I ! vw-i
• ■ t • \ .''i ; T .» ■ t ■ I i ; . ■
• • ■• ■ I ! .• ■ '.■, '. VI .t!i
■. I • • -I . ■ 1 ■ {.■ -l . I
■
. r . ! f . . . ■ J t 1 . ' . • r
■ . ■ • • ■•' •.■...-■. Ill
• I a •
I
• •
M
;•■;■: i '' • -i
i • ■ . . ■.» I. . - . : ■ • =• 1 •' ■ •.•■■!
I i . : ■ : I - ' ■ ! ■ 1 • ? t . • t . ! • r •
I •. 1
• ■ •
« ■
f •
. I . •'
V
• \
• t
. ■•■ l .:.' ■ tr;.-
. .: ••
■ . ' •« 1 f ■ ;•■
• 1 . ■ ■ \ ■ I • i I
r •■■• l.ii_ -lOi
• • t a.. I' .1
I 1 •
■1
-.i • ' if • • 'i . u .t
: I -1
328 BENGAL TROOPS ATTACK NIZAM ALL [CHAP. XT.
The Government of Bengal, although originally adverse to a con-
fedei-acy, by which the aggrandizement of the Mahrattas should be
promoted by hostility with Hyder, were perfectly aware of the expe-
diency of restraining the ambitious views of tliat chief upon their
own possessions ; and of convincing him whenever a favorable
oj)portunity should occur, of the danger of provoking their hostility:
they accordingly supported with their whole power the efforts of
^Madras under the circumstances of the present war; and to an
abundant supply of treasure for their immediate exigencies had
adfled the aid of a powerful diversion by sea, under Colonel Peach ;
who landed in the northern circars, and by a course of vigorous and
judicious operations, had penetrated to Commamet, and- Waraiikul,
the ancient capital of Telingana, considerably to the north-east
of Hyderabad ; and was securing and extending his conquests, in a
manner which gave solid ground of alai*m to Nizam Ali, for the
safety of his capital These apprehensions, added to the unpromis-
ing aspect of his own southern campaign, had induced him to open a
secret communication with Colonel Smith early in the month of
December: an intercourse of this nature could not bo long con-
cealed from Hyder ; who in every estimate of the conduct of Nizam
Ali, 1-emembered that he was the murderer of his own brother:
and held his chai*acter in a.s much contempt as was consistent with
the incessant f«ir of beuig over-reached by some imsuspected
treachery : assuming, however, the air of open confidence, he
announced his knowledge of these communications ; and assented to
the necessity of a temporary accommodation with the English, and '
waiting a more favomble oppoHunity of re-uniting the Mussulman
interests, for their ex])ulsion from the iKniinsula ; but added that it
was no longer proper, that the armies sliould have the apjx^arance of
an union which did not exist Niziuu Ali, who was embarrassed
regarding the means of sepaiution, and had sictually been meditatin^^
tlie treachery which Hyder apprehended, was happy to part on such
easy terms ; and had moved, as already stated, in a northern direction
on t]ie 18th December, sending on the same day an cmissaiy to
trciit openly with Colonel Smith for j)eacc. That officer informed
the envoy, that he was not furnishe<l with the requisite powers ; and
distinctly stited his conviction, that after the shameiul duplicity
wliich had hmm prax;tised by his m<aster, the British Oovemment
would Ih) siitLsfied with no demonstration, short of a formal mission
of his prime minister to Madnus, as an evidence of sincerity in his
pres4;nt professions, and iis an humble and oiien reparation for the
insolent treachery of his ytiLst conduct.
After an interchange of vjirious messages, Nizam Ali, by those
artifices, to which the o|>en character of an Englishman renders
him |>or)iaps more accessible than the native of any other coun-
try, liJid nearly succeeded in making (Colonel Smith defeat his
own professed ol>jcct, by |>aying him a visit previously to the dis-
patch of the minister; and the artifice did partly succeed, by his
• IIAI' \V] iKKATY «iK Tlir ^^^;n•^ll AVIi \|/\M AM
#' . . . I
l"lhj j'lt\:il!i't| i.!| (it •..•n.I :i till. I I'l!!.-.! M.ii..i Fi!/L.''T:il'l t i \ -iici
AI: - .-.t'lili. tlit'li Mtll.'it**<l Mt lip' li« :ll <»| tIm* iKilii.ili III i!\ \*.t^' .li-.tit
I ■-'•* iii!l'«' ii-«r!li 1:1-! fi'isi M.i'lr.t-. t'-'i t'p- I'Mij"**'- «'l" i«'iiipi. 'iii. III'-
1m:ii1 !•!■ liiflnl jil.iri' . \\ |jt l«' t ii«- < i< •\ «-l liliMlit .i-siiniiii^' .1 ii'i.-l"
• l:jiiit\ •li'.i|tjiii«\i-i| i\i:i tlii"* III. Ilk ■•!' •• u-i* -» ■•■!» •i-fi ••ii tin- j-.i«l «•!'
tif ir r"iiiiii.i!i-l«'i in-i )r.< t' M\>i-i .it lli« n.iiiii' iMii-l il>;.iir< i .1
I •
III. ... 1 1^1 I t'l ( * •i"Tii-l Sisii?!!. u :tli ji.t. .til- .ivi-rt m»"«. ••Ill tip- ii*I. : • 'i-''"
wlilili Wa** IiM-ii- IM I'T'MH t.»!:i- -'I j •■ I 1- -I-^ .»t M if 1 r:i ^. :i| | •• .1 S • > 1 ti
llxi'l t<i )»«■ .iiivil i- j» •!. -Ti!!' t li'i*-. ll '11 mI' Iii^ :i-l\:tiii-i -. ;(i: I l.i-
r'!ii.:»»'l t'l '111 t*';** ttni' llniii.
I
I'll.. Tii-j >tt:iTi>>n> \\'.*\i N^./.i:!i Ail ?• iiniii it- I ■ M th.- 'J'!' I f(
Ki !■• ii ■» V 17*'** m '1»" ' T. •!•«■'. ■■?! "1 .\ t:i.«t\. «iiff»iMij mi ji .«'iv
Mil]- ir 11.! I'.irTr 'il.ir^ fi'tn tI- iT ■ f I7*i'"' ^'"Jl • \i».l'iMiij l-"?!i i!i i» .
« •' !i«. .i!il .1 '.■« IlllJ.M-'M « '•\ '. !• !•■ ■ ••!" Oi-' .!-« ■ li'i III -V •■!' M- Ii III
III* -i A ': ; u }i"«' !i.«:ii'- \ ■• .-ii A 1 li i-i :• -.! :\ • !\ !• In- ■! t' .« iiir* .:i
:\i\\ i!!.i'.:i' I iht-i t!.»' t'M: ■•! t.' t'v H-' \\.i» 1. 'W • •!•• ••! ?l ■ ■ u
Ir I ' in • |. .rf i - ! !.• ?':' 1 u ''i t'l- l.v ,' •. <1» Ki-» liil: i « ■■■in;«;'\ •;; I
Nl '-I'M \ ". I'l .» t! ' l»\ . I'\ \* }:!■'. ;f « I- ■!•■'■! . i ! '..Jt • i .■ M.i_ \" i. t i.
• •Ii !!.■ l'».*:. . '■ \ :. . •• IT* '■ .■??■•:■ i "i M ■" ■: .1:.. I \li 1^ •■ . \- \u
p.- • r ■■: » ■ i: •: ••• \* \ '■ ■:» •! ,■ N ". ![» \'. '■ «!■■•■■ i ; :.. it ■•■i
;».. -i' ;■• ■. I. "1 -. . ii I • ►. .V '. \ I •:' ■. I i -: ?. i rjv- N -. • : 1' - •■ I 7'''' .
ii'.i •■• . :it;.!- '■■ t'l- ' •' . '11 .♦ .- .» I', i 1- ' : -'I' NI • ''.:-.' I
A." .«• f. • ^x • i.-. i • I. '.: * ■ 1 1 .1 -. . :i «:. '■ ^ .:'' l-.-.i \:. i \.i
1 1 •■■*.% « ■ .:• »!• ■ I* i\ . ■ •: \l ' :' t ■ ."' ; i.'" ■••■ • ** ■ -1 l\ -
• !•■■! '-v .;■ •♦•. ! !' ■ ■ • ■ ■• •' ■■ -i .,.:,: • • ■■! H\ i. ! . • ! I "..■■• Ij--i
II-.:-- »*.■ ■: ■■ ' I ;?■'-- ". ' : \ . -. .1.1 A : II- . ir ;.:.- r ■■•?.•■ ■?
!V--- : r • . -.v.. • • , ■• U •! : f .. . 1 i l! i . ■ : i t t . • i ■ . l'. I" .. : i \ f j . . ' i ^' '.x . ' f . :•
!'.■ I ! i :•■■:■ • ■■•! ••'»!■■■!■. IT. • I N-» ' •:■; i^ » . r . ?' •,!! j r. • ■ •■
• '•■:..:■ I*. \ . 1 < ■• !- i»i ! *. \ ' ;■■■'■ li ■. .i i.i- : - t ■.'■r »• . i fi • ■■
*• ' "I .'i .1 i.i ki.v- : \\ * "'■ I .1- I Ii • ..' !:'■':•% ! • i- j' ■'■ ■ i • ■:.■••!
I M • i»i •*? -irn. : f ^ :»i» •■•'•■■•■ i *\ t^- •■ \i ■■! ^^■!. lU.'si i \ .
u ii ■ fi !:. i\ I »-.■. .-v - rip- ;■ I '" : ' • . ■ ■ ; • u i.i m :- i ,- I • i
|- ••" -r :t ■• . . i* . •.- ■• •*' • . • ■ M -1 r.r ;• ■ • : A'.:. • i '^i ■ "
.|i'. i 1 ♦ . :. i ! ' ■ f ■/- 17 1 •• V ■■ M ■ I-..: . \ \ '
T» i' r. ' :» ■• : P«- -s - • .• • ■■.•'■?.•: K •■:'■•
I ■■!..•" \f .. i» .. ■ ...... j . ■ : -
• J . • * • i i ■ -. • • ! • ' if *.■■■.' . • IV I ■ .
?' ■ • - ■ i* ■
s • "■ • • . ■ t 17** I
* • I ■ • ■ , . ■
: i*. 1
» I
I -
• . - ! .- ' .
. . I
t
■ • • . i
, . , . 1 . , • i jr • . • \ . ■ K . ■ •
.1, . _■• \' ■' • '. « . ■■. :
• • 'I .
i . ■ . •
' 4
• • I •
■ I , . m •
■ I I
• I
. I v\ . • . I
•I i . . ' . I . .:■ . : . ^l ..
\ . i t i'..B, ^
t)fii) EXPEDITION FROM BOMBAY. [CHAP. XV.
ludici'ous mixture of arrogance and humility, proclaming Hyder
Nalck a rebel and usurper, and declaring their determination to
conquer and retiiin his territories, with the concurrence of Nizam
Ali ; wlio, on the condition of receiving a further tribute of seven
lacs of Rupees, gi-aciously ceded his claim to a territory, which he
neither i)ossesscd, nor had the most distant hope of ever possessing ;
and these speculative cont^uerors even anticipated the chum of the
Malirattas, by gratuitously, and in the body of a treaty to which
they were not parties, promising them the choute, or fourth part of
the revenue ; while the Company relinquished, without condition,
the important hold which had been obtained for them by the
ettbrts of the troops from Bengal ; and Nizam Ali returned to his
capital, with abundiint cause for self-gratulation, on the address
which had relieved his complicated embai'i-assments.
It has been suggested to the author, that the policy so fre-
quently arraigned, may have been dictated from England, where
the Company were intimidated by the administration, and the
administration by the fear of giving offence to France from avowing
their independency. Nor was this duplicity confined to Madras.
The double government exercised in Bengal, and the acceptance of
tlie Dewanny from a conquered and ineffective king conferring upon
the Company a sovereignty which they had acquii-ed by their own
[>ower, and exercised still with an attempt to hide it under fictitious
chanu^tei-s, were all parts of the same weak policy. Tliat any
Englisli a<lministi*ati()n should expect to veil from the observation
of France tlie true tendency of any of these transactions, appears to
be extremely improbable ; but that such a policy was the sponta-
neous growth of tlie gieat mind of the great Clive seems next to
im])os8ible. I'he public records afford no means of solving this
problem.
The arduous and distant operations in which Hyder had been
involved, revived a hoi)e of independence among the chiefs of Mala-
bar ; who, with too nuich jealousy of each other, even in their
actual state of depression, to admit of any extended plan of combi-
nation, had succeeded in caiTying several of the blockhouses,* and
keepinuf Hyder s provincial commander in a stiite of incessant alarm,
althoii^di assisted by the whole force of Ali Kajii, the Mapilla chief
of Cannanore. The chiefs of the English establishments on that
coast, had been directed to aid and encourage these combinations,
and tlie Government of Bombay was equipping a fonnidable expedi-
tion, f(»r the purpose of obtaining possession of the Mysoorean fleet
in the harbours of Canara ; reducing the places of strength on the
ct)n.NtriKd into s<ivcreig!ity, and then accented from him a jageer, as an
txpn<s mark of dependency. To keep tnem in the habit of exterior
<l(]>cn(lttncc on Indian chiefs was essential to his ultimate objects; and the
i.wvi'. of accepting de))cndent dfts himself, was an example for the imitation
of his ^'(K)d friends in rrn't/thinfj but payin<j tribute, ot which he was too
Jiugacious to give the example.
• Cun.structeU by Hyder, sec vol. i. p. 291.
I II \v. w ]
iiYi»i:K Mi "MS It I Mni»-i: ii
■•••I
iii.i-t . :iii'l I'Vi-iitnallv iH-iH'tmMii.: iiit>i tli'- i-.T-;!.; ■ t .i| : ■I'l.f"
* * '
W.I- ! . I 1 \|.ii' :l I 1 a*] Hi it ol" .i-'iJ-l . it w .. • ii - ' ■ ; ' •, , !• ..f
» ■.|i.I.|i t i-ii fV. ! \ !•• • isi -u !.. |.. 'i I 1.! » I i.:- f r ■• • ;t _'i; . : I ". i.j. !
■
|<i-tiii:ii> ht il.iii.'i. ^iTi i wii«i-- tli.- \\.!. i!.-'::i| ■.' : ' i ■ w i* ii .: si • 'ri -
I I'll I t.j.j. .-jf j..:i t I ii.i!i •! !•' I iI-* 1h- mi = - ■! iii!\ t :• •'■ i » '. :.i w • 'i
t' II I }>•-{. 1 1 V lii-l-'.';!:!. U.'ttil ! !;•" I ■M:- -^ .^i ■ I I !.■• ■ ■' it'-! • \ .! I' \. i
ill I >iiir<Mi.:t \ t • till • _ I ■■:!: i "I^" 1 1 •:» Ti .T m-T' .• I "I 'i i ■: j
!• ill !••!<• ill- 1. 1-^ ii-' Ii -■ w I l-i III -X •■ U :• li 1 ■ ' li;:i.li t ! r • !^
Wt-tw.ii'i :»!»■; it I I i :i -I .. ;!;•.■■ .ii ■ :!Vi' ■ 'i* t:ii.' '•■ \. :* !.■
\\ ■■•il I ;i! 1. • T 1. ■ j.|. «. i.f !. |. ;ii' i'. '..•:• r. ■. I -■:■:••; ■ "I '■
lijii! !'■•:. ■■ ii'i :■ I I I'll-- ■ w.i • ■!■ -^.r;- i I't !" ! ; 1.. ■ :. ■ ' • -i! ■!■ ■
I :
I'.- I-: ■. ,:. -■. uiiii .1. ;.!:i'. I.M r Mil-'., tl. i r.\ t ■ . -i ! . .... !
;.? •: . I. •'.: .t . T;.t.- ■ ? 'i. x- li;- :." . .i!. 1 . " ■•»• :•. :":ii . ! .1 '. : . .
ii- ■. I I [■ :.i'- .t •• ;.l t' 1 I.. • • I . ;:i.' :■[' ;it I'. ■•!_■ il !•■ t i.- !■ ? i.
\* ■ ■: I. . u.Ti !"- i t • t' ■ ■ I- -I H\ ■■;: .l:i .: i ■ ...«». i
l\ t <'i 1 ■ i I-: ■ ■■ i- 1 '■■. ■ ■•! : l;i ,• -I I • t 1 w ■ ' :. . -v
I ■ »■<.■!. ' f ' I I 'l ■ I ■ ■• ' " » ' . ■ ' 'I I • ■ . ■ •
I .ii't"' I'la.l I ' • ill'
• !■'*»•.:■ I I ■ •. : • . • : ' . ■ . ■ • I ' ' • I ■ r r . • ! !
.! .■ 1 I. " \ r w .'h r : i t i '•■ f :■''■•■• ■'
(. f . \| . . -^v • ■. . ■, ■■■.". • • _ • : • • i • ... f ,
\* ■ ' ' • . • ■ . ■ . • ■ ■ • . ■ . : ' : I •'■!•• \ I i ■ ■■'■.; r ' ■ [
I ■■ : : ' Ii ^ . ■ •' • ■: ■ ■•• i \\ ■• . !' ■■.!.•;■ .-r"
I. I. ill \ !• • I. •?■ \ : I'.- ; . :. ■ '''■ • • • ■. 'I
.•■f.i * ..■ I. t ii.iiiiii.i. ■•
' .'■ 'ft > ■■■'■.!■ ■...■ "
I
I
t ) . .
i '■!
»
^ ■ « ■ ■ ■ f A :.. I • 1 • t •!
f-! !'■
r. . . !
r f • «
I'
■ »
t
• • ■ ■
• . I . • T W .
i .' . .•'. . ■■ \ ■ f '. r : "
• * • « 1 I , '■ . • ■ V * ■ , ■ t I 1 • •
; ••• ■ I 1 t I • • ■ \-. T .
I. ■ ■ ^ . ! • '
}
I i
•» I
• . - • • ■ \ . *
I • ■ . . , t ■ , i
•
I • •
t •
• •
• I . •
t
•
• •
■ • • ,
• •
.1
\ . ■ I
M
I
■ 1
I
i ' ■ ■ . . i
•
'.!
\ .
> ■ • . • I
X\'2 DISCONTENT OF THE MALABAH CHIEFS. [CHAP. XV.
Tlie impression wrw disj^i-Jiceful* in the last degree to the British
arms : a wretched defence tenninated in embarking the garrison^
consisting of 41 artiller}', :i()0 European infantry, and 1,200 se{ioy»y
in a most unsoldier-like manner ; shamefully abandoning the aick
and woundwd, consisting of 80 Europeans, suid 180 sepoys, and all
their iield-pieces and stores. Tlie remaining objects on the ooastk
and chielly the reca{»ture of Honaver and Buswarajdroog, were
accomplished without much difficulty ; and Hyder was enabled to
re-a.scend the ghauts before tlie monsoon had actually burst The
body of tlie aniiy with all the hwivy equipments moved by easy
marches, on the shortest route by the pass of Subramanee to Ban-
galore, while himself with a select corps, ascended northward to
Bednore, to which capital he had summoned all the principal land-
holdei*s of the j)rovince, for the purpose, as he pretended, of
adjusting the anungements of revenue for the ensuing year. In
point of fact, Ilyder had discovered, that a general discontent at his
severe exactions, had rendered this chiss of his subjects well
disposed to favor the designs of the English invaders ; that to the
amount of a willing assistance with provisions they had generally
testified this partiality ; and that a correspondence for combining
their farther exeHioiLS ha^l been extended nearly over the whole
province. A sagacity undisturbed by mental compunction, enabled
this extraordinary man in all cases, to exti*act the greatest possible
advantage form incidents which, to ordinary minds, would Iiave
furnished only food for apprehension- He coolly annoiuiced to the
assembled landholder, that he hatl discovered their ti'easons ; and
had determined on a punishment more convenient to liLs affairs
than a sentence of death : a list wtus then produced, containing the
detiiil of the enormous fines, which had been piwiously annexed
to the name of each individual : such as were present were
delivereil over to the charge of the dej>artment c>f torture, for the
realization of the amount ; and eftectual means were taken to levy
the same contributions on those whose fears had restrained them
from attending.
Hi>^ aflairs in Malabar also demanded some decisive measures,
previously to his return to the eastward : the detached efforts of
the Nail's were beginning to lussume a more combined form ; most
of the hlock'houaea had been earned, or necessiirily evacuated ;
Assud Khan Mehteree, his provincial commander-in-chief had been
killed in action ; and his successor, with forces veiy inferior to the —
servic^e, was making the best efforts in his power, to stem UiteH
increasing torrent, when Hyder s instructions to Madana, his fiscaHl
governor, relieved him for the present from these embarrassments—
Madana o[)eiied insidious but skilful negotiations with most of th^^
chiefs, which intimated in substance, that his master had found hu
conquest of ilalabar an acquisition (as they well knew), hithei
more ciuirgeable than advantageous ; that if the chiefs shouli
»
»So stated by General Smith.
CHAP. XV.] IIVDER*8 OECEITrUL CX)1IPR0M18E Wim THEM. 333
ooiuietii U> rfiinbiume the heAv^ cliargVH which he had incurre«i, he
wcMiIti In! tvmly to nwtoro ilu*ir iMMHoMsititui ; aiul tt» ai<i In^fdrc htii
iK*|Mirtun* ill tmtiHferriii^ to tliom* wlio hhouM accetie, the terriUiriert
(if thtMo who Hhuuld clecliiie ho rvaMonabIc an arranm.*iiK*iit All
wt*iv f«>rwanl in euibreciii^ tlio Utiiim ; Hy(lcr*ii pruviiicsal troo|M,
wIkhw i*iica|ie wouki otherwise have biH*ii itiipracticabie, tu>t only
nansated in aaffty, but i<Muii*d with trcaauru ; the willing con-
tribution of the chiefH of Malabar — the punrluuio of a dreatn of
indt*tK*iid(*n(V. It hail Ijeen made a H|H.H:ial (xmdition that Ali Kaja
aliould lie undiitturbed ; Fal^haut waa Htudiounly omittetl in tlie
ne^itiationa ; ami renuune<l in Hyder* h |MMiiiesMion ; and two |iointfi
wen? tluiM iHH-'ured in the Houtii-eaMt and north-weMt of the |in>vince,
from whent'e at any future [leriiNl Hyder could reaunie at pleaaure
hi.H defU^iH on Malaliar : the remainder of the m*ef(teni cuufit wan
fiafe ; hiii central {lOMMaHHionM were in tlie moat tiouriMhin^ condition;
hirt I'otfi-rN were rvpleniHln^ ; and he waa now at leiaure to t!on-
t^'Uiplatt* the improvident rour«e of nieaaiirea. which liad been
purHUiNl by the Kn^liah. while lefl with an oiM*n Held by the alnH^mt)
of hJH Anuy. for full iii*ven monthM : ft»r he tiid not reix>mmence bin
t>|ii»niti<»tiA fivm bangalore before tiie montli of August
CHAPTER XVI.
CJuiracier of General Smith — view of the several plans of military operation,
proposed by him andhis government — Success of Colonel Wood to Vie southward
— Military faults — General Smith takes Kistnagherry — accompanied byfidd
deputies — Mohammed A li, and (he Chevalier St. Lubin — Defective inteififfence
— Ascends tliejmss of Boodicota — Muluxigul taJcen by the bold stratagem of
Captain Matuiews — Colar surrenders — BawglooT'^Oossoor^ 4S:c. — Ignorant
plans of Mohammed AH — Junction ofMorari Row — Scene of operatioTa, the
former dominions ofShahjee — Hyder^s unsuccessful attack on the camp at
OoscotaSingular defence of Morari Row'-^ltyder^s plans — Approach <^
Colonel Wood from the southward — Movements \n conscqtunce — besignt of
HydeVy and Smith's counterprojed—both marred by IVood — Subteouefnt
movements — Hyder to Goorumconda — Reconciliation with Meer ScmA —
reviews his own situation— offers peace — and great sacrifices for its attainment
'■^Failure of the negotiations^ from the unreasonable expectations of the
English and Mohammed Ali-^Battle of Mulwagul — Remarkable stratagem
of Captain Brooke — General Smith at length speaks out regarding his
tncumbrances — Mohammed Ali and tlie field deputies — who are attcu:ked in
Color — Alarmed^ and return to Madras— Indirect re-call of General Smith
— His plan of future operations — Recantation of the Madras Government,
regarding the Nabob and dejyuties — Colonel Wood's division reinforced-^
mores for the relief of Oossoor, while tlie remainder of the armyy under Major
Fitzgerald, covers the dejmrture of tlie deputies— Oossoor imperfectly relitted
— Disaster at Bavgloor — Retreat of Colonel Wood, attacked by Hyder —
relieved by Major Fitzgerald, who represents his incapacity — Wood ordered in
arrest to Madras.
On the departure of Hyder from the eastern territory, a choice
of operations prcsented themselves to the English ; and the go-
vernment, and their commander-in-chief, did not exactly coincide in
their opinion of the most eligible. Colonel Smith was perfectly con-
versant in the technical pai*t of his profession, and possessed in an
eminent degree the confidence and attachment of tnose whom he
commanded ; from the labor of applying his knowledge and expe-
rience to a reform of the ill-administered departments of his army, be
may be supposed to have been deterred, by the conviction of sources
of counteraction, open and concealed, wliich he had not the power
to control : but these causes cannot explain the strange carelessness
of reputation, which, with a resjKJctable talent of recording his own
thougiits, left the care of his public dispatches to an incompetent
Secretary. In tiiith he was the best U^.mjxjred man living ; and ibis
was relatively the great vice of his character. He suffered himself
to be overruled by men whose intellect was diminutive when com-
pared with his own ; he had not the heai-t to contest a point, al-
though he knew himself to be in the right — and his character was
stamped with indecision everywhere excepting in the presence of
the enemy. An indifference?, however, to objects not congenial to
his taste, was compensated by the most indefatigable attentiou to
|i IIAIV \VI. UIAUACTKK cK (iFNKKAl. sMiril.
•I fi •
•ifi I
(lutlt-N i\t lii««ivilv iiiilitarv. ( 'unl, rlni-i ful. :iii>l iiii>-iiil*nrrii^^i •!. in
{\i' iii;ii->T <•! •i.iii^f'i'. )i«' i-\ iii('*->l. ill all iji>>\ i iii'-iit^ lit If i'\'i-iit* •! in
!.!■ j'i«-«i:iit- lit". HI iiiiMiiv. .1 lif^^r'-'" «'f ia|ii>i {>• ii*-tr:ii;>«ii. aiiil ^••im-l
<:• .^:>'ii wltiiii iiflii ;i(i- i till- li.iifi ot ii iii.i>t«-r. A-<i an i-\*-i*iitivi<
'.::•: !.• iii.iX i«i^ti\ !•«• i-i.iN'««-l :t:iii>n' till* tii'^t ••!' till- :i<'i* ill u liii-h
).• ii\'-i. I>iii in tli'i^f ni>-i*- :ii'lu<in^ i-i'nil'in.ttii'H** nt' |M.iiti«':il t.ii-i>-
•:. .r .i!i>l nniitiM NKtii, u li:< ii i- 'ii^t ii n;i- |ii'iii.i|i^ titf liijlit-^t i M'>trt
t't i.'Mii.iri Hi!' ili-i t . Ill' u-iiii'l )>•• «nliti'--l l«i t l.mu I'lil a ^•-•"n>i;irv
l.ilir^
Mil ni «ii\ •"•■ I-;*'*!' ill" < I •\«'« iini-'n! •'!' M:*!!.!- .IJiImmi- t-* li:iVi«
1 I i I'l ! ■ -ii ■ I'l.-ii^ • I III ■ L-U" I il "iiti:!!'" • r "p i.it :«in> . au*[ in
• : .■ i I- .'i i'. ■■ • nl« I ! i.i.i i {■!■ ,1 ■ I -» I i'»'.i:.i r-i — I i'ii>i l-ii'-f. if
! :.■ I \* • .• n J t'liin 1 i:j-<n t :.« .1 |. . ..|.i^ .*iji 'i.^' tin «»■• w.i- .i ji.ivt?
<•! i •■«. :i • t til* ht' .I'.i- )\ \^ :.!> il ill' n .iiiii\ •■! :nt.knlrv v^.i"* t>> fiii
tnlt^ ■ 'I- •• ••t«*:]i'.\ Il 'III I ill- • :i> ii.\ ^ .iriii\ «•! i-.i\.ili'v I i">n
t '.■ ^^ i. ■'.■ .».' !i 'J j'l -ti ^ ■:..•■•• .i-ii-n^ {'. \ * ! :ii' I yi--i \u\\ ^. i-n .ill
• •■ • I . li^ ! .!• \ lii.« .ii> ;«i.4t< 'i t }.• I.I' .t!.'« }'\ \l iil> ii t lit 11' I IiU Ut Tf t'»
i " .!• 'Ill ' I . « I I* • 1
1
* »!i •'. •!• ; nt'ii- 'lUx :■ i^ i-i »::i .*: ::iv :? \\.i» tii" ;j» ii« r;»I
T ■.: 1! .1 ! •. I ■._ .; '. ■ .'.ij- :! .: !.■■ 1. i i i- !: \.\ i ;ii j- J ■ -n .iT t ii.»
I,- ;■:'.. I -. \ -.k .: t .- ■.i- i.t . !i •:'■ i. •:..•; r*. j.! ni -Mli •
w ■: ' i w .' ».",;.!.•'. »: : ■.:'\ .*■, i . i". -:■!■.■■ i., >:• ■•■ri* i \ .
t : ■ ■ .:; • .1 i. ..1 '. 1. 4 ^._\ ?■;•:•■ i ■ l" u ■•■ !iiii^' lit.-
I ' * I ! .\ ''. *A •• . ■ ■■! '.. ■ '. . • ■ : M I". »? • ! ' A-j i -. r- •■:
• ' : I ■ ! ■ ' : . ■. . . ' . .- r : i . . - "• 1 i:'..\ • 1 • ?" 1 . : ^ . . u 1 1 • . I • 1 ! : v .
. ■. I I..- * . . 1 ■,'•_• ■ ..ri I »•« ? i i'.* ■ ; !.■ ;i '. i--! li.' iip -l! . -
t .. ; ■ : 11-. U :. .:. : ! f.- i."' .- !• • • ! l!.. • |>i i .:;.( <. n.
. ■ I .t ■ ■ •. ' ; ■» !■ . I ■ r ::....: 1- \ 'ii'i ! V . t ' !-i.i ". >ic ■ il
\. : . . . ; I. t . . • '. ■ ' : •■ ! . : : / . ■ . r I • . I t : 1 . ' . ' I • . I . ■ ■ I \\ . , ■ : • V • i . t*l
r
i ■> ^' ■ ■
:. ; T . '
; . • . I I '. ' J ; : I \\
V ■ ■ I . • •
%• ' ' r . . f : . r, • , . . 1 r ■ . .. : , , 4 . : I ! • \ ; ■ i , ; . ■ : . i . . ; . ' '. . » i . ■ r
I ■ .:i . : . '
I . .■ •
• I •
• ■
- I
•
• it . • .< I i
• t • < > • ■
■ > .
■ ■ I
■ • V ■ I . I
' '.:\
i * . - • • • ■ ■ I
1 ■■■4 I ■'■■'I
t I'. .
• * T. \ ' .
I . . • 1 •! I . ■ • •
- I. 1 -^ U . . .
. I
t ■ . t • ■
■ • ■ •
li. *.
I I •
I : V
t-- r ■ • . . ■
I ■ •
i. •. . .
• I I
'•■■ .■■■I.. .•■ I
• ' 'If ■ ■ ■ ■ I
t • ■
> .• •• i-il •■* ,■••
1
» I
i
' 1
.\
i« ik . ' ,
• . •
I III
*
! \* ;. .. 'r.-li-r
k. »' .
• ;.:.' •. li. '. ' ' I -i^ ( .1 1 < » .| al.iit: ^« !.•' •!
33G HE TAKES KISTNAOnERRY. [CHAP. XVL
wa.s evacuated in the night, moved northward as far as Paliconda in
the vale of Vellore, for the pui-pose of approaching the armv of
Nizam Ali, then at Punganore, and quickening the negotiation oi his
minister at Madras : this object being effected, he returned to waste
in the blockade of Kistnagheny, which surrendered on the 2d of
M ay, the precious time which ought to have been empoly ed in
higher achievements. A second division of the army was in the
meanwhile employed under Colonel Wood, who, after the capture
of the remaining fortified places in the southern extremity of Bara-
mahal, proceeded with rapid success to reduce* those which are
situated in the districts of Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, and DindiguL
Hyder had the mortification to hear of the successive fall of every
fortified place in those provinces, Sunkerydroog alone excepted, the
only place of strength which by a strange omission, is never once
mentioned in Colonel Wood's correspondence. Tingrecota, the first
place attacked, made a respectable defence, being garrisoned by
regular sepoys, but capitulated when it was perceived that an assult
was prepared. Darampoory, a place of no strength, was commanded
by a brave officer, with troops unworthy to serve under him ; the
place was carried by assault, and the necessary consequences of such
an operation bore a terror before the arms of Colonel Wood, which
was more efiectual than his cannon. Erode alone, a place of fibscal
imi>ortance, but no military strength, afterwards stood the assault,
being encouraged by the presence of a body of horse, who promised
to charge the flank and rear of the assailants in the act of storming,
and did make a feeble effort for that purpose : all the other places,
and among them Namcul and Dindigul, erected on hills of granite,
surrendered without the semblance of a defence which could be
reported to their master Avith even negative approbation. The prac-
ticability of securing these countries, by occupying the passes which
connected them with Mysoor, was so strongly impressed on the
mind of Colonel Wood, that he actually erected a redoubt for
the purpose of commanding the descent of the pass of Gujjel-
hutty, and garrisoned another small post, TidaTJudla, at its sum-
mit, as the name imports. He officially reported this pass, tliat
of Caveripooram, and another intermediate one, to be the three
only entrances from Mysoor into those countries ; and that
he was occupied in establishing positions which would eflfectu-
ally secure the whole. In eighteen days afleiw^ards, he was
apprised of his error, by the presence of bodies of horse, which
had penetrated through unsuspected roads ; and he then express-
ed his conviction, that no force could prevent their descending
at pleasure, through the difficult and secret passages of the
hills. Notwithstanding this conviction, however, he practically
persevered in his original error, by leaving two battalions to oe
* The order of the principal of these captures was as follows : — Tin^^reoota—
Darampoory —»Si\lem— Ah toor— Namcul — Erode— Satiraungul— Dcnaikancota
—the passes of Givjjelhutty and Cavcripore — CoimbatoSre and Falghaut —
Darapoor—Aravacourchy— Dindigul.
i'MXV. XVI )
TiiK fiii:vAr;Kii st. mhin
•1 •< ^
•I'll
•ii^ii-i-Hi* I ill iiHt'lt."*-* i|«'tai'li!ii"iit'». Niin* nt' th'*iii I'Xt^-inlnj t';r»M,'!i
t!»»* 1 'avrM|n»<»r.iin ikihn. t«» wittiiii N»vi-iitv Mil-- ••! >-ti;i ' ijn? i:ii
T'l ji!;u*.* tri»»|»'«. «livi«lf| iiil'» iiifp* i:a;ir'i^. iri -iiii iti-ii . t • li- ki
i-Mt.iMv I'^t ilk ii<'l--iii. w.L^ an i';r>i- **\' '\m\^ui-\iI in i-ii ii ii-:it ••!
till* i/'iit'i.-il |il.-iii iif thi* I' '.mil LU'ii ; wlmli liil tlii- ini>:*»- i:i l:i':il
f.i'ilt ••!' )»-'iii^r III! l«Tt ik«'ii witli i:i^'il!i«-:»iiT ih-m'is. nu«i i»t" ■iiiij'ii^
('■•i"ii-l \V»» h|. I'lt'i'T t> -.!•!• ill al'i •.! I t!i»- jr-.it'T ji rii.j ni hi i
t! •'•Ji* ill i/.ll li'» 'IllII ,' ^U'!l i'l ill" I'll-'- ;i-« Wip- t« ll.il'f'- Ml' I'V
i«'H»'rviu • A •ll'iiKili!"' \'\''- t'l •t.-i Mi\ !!,•:!! in a!i i!i rlii-ifiit
111 iTiii'T M'- .1 i 'jitf i tlif i.iM' r .lit'-r ii.it i\ « '*:\ i ■■:ii^- «■:•■! li
|. lllt'il,-'- i' ; -li' 1 ^Ilj;Til I' tlr- :;■ !!ii\l.ill ;M; I !ll«»!..| li i-::i.
1i;> 'MM itlH ti •III til'" «', I |. ::.••! v \i ii: ti \\ • : • ;i ---.ii \ I . !■ 'i it-r
ii!i\ lOi'- 'I'tli'- |il.i''«"'« r»'.i:i\ '1 !• :t ':l»i'" tip win-!- *>l lli«-- .i « \v»*!l
.1* ?;••■ - I't" |U- lit "jH ntii'ii'' :ri I .'iMMjt nif-ri* , wi-i- iim.<ii • i \vi?!i
til- u.-iik "t .1 -i» 'ii—ijl:' I ^'- ■•'< i !.!?• liili. ii i..-Iii \ t • I- i|
»/!:ij i-\''iHi .iti'l « \.i''!i •!»-» . ."iii'l a- M"!i i!ii:ii' i A.i :. il tli'*
li ; • I I' tl 111 III ' J- Til- Ji* ■'! t !.■• ?• : ! .f"! \ t '.ti- I ■•■ ■■ !\ I ■■■ ■.!•:, It
i« ii't 'i:tti lit t I ir.n-- !;!■■ ii.i:. i w i.i- ii iiirl'i. ■.- i t ,- .i ■■ :»;m!i
I"'. ;. • - : .-I . ■' K ■' I 1^1. : I . w « • ■!■ ■ in ! .i' M ■ i ■ ■ • • r- ■
I ■ . ' ■: il t • t'l- ■ :■■■ -r? ' ' t I ■ f !' II ■ ..'. t t* ■■•« . I'l \\\ ^ ■ .•' -
1*
: ■ '..:! : . I ' \' : .*?iv ;■
I. .-
!fl I'll-- I* t -'i t *; ri l;i <•!•. '■' 'I'l •! ; I- I- .•»■■'.■. <
\\. :•■ t . !.• ".■■!* ■!•:! • » 'i ■ 1 »-i I ■.:" :• -". ''i': I n t t"
I.J.. r »♦ !. -':■ ■. i ' -in'i.' r.« ■ .• -i \ .•■•■! \i , T.I i- i-
■I- l'?; •■ 'Ml ■
■I'-.. ^^l. ),
t t . i.' . . i j. j»
« »' 1 ! i .. • "J I 1 ^l ■ ■. i : ' \\ \ . r 1 • • : I ■.■:■■ T ■ i . I ■ i t i • ■ : . • n w . »
■ •r!. : i!.;, ]•: •■ i s" i'*- I t ■ t '. ■ j. i' . )■ . « .i- i <'•)■; ^:..i?li
u I, t • ' • .»■ :■ 1 iri t! • t j» :i •■■•:•■ r ■■'■!!•*■ f" t .■■ « ■ u ■ ■: t ^.
:i-l\: • .r, i 'l.'«'!:"ii >! t.i.' n •!■.'■• i. •! t'l- • m'i 'i .- ■ ' './
• !• I" IM- ■ ; •:» I 1 1, it !i" * I" t* -i ' • » • : I: iTi- ?*; .- : '. ■•; ; i-.-
I 'I'lil'iiii' •■ iii:j'f ! I" w.iTjV'i/ x]i-- \»..'i M' ', :!in • i \ " ili
.1.1 'in;-. I?'. •:.«!ii. ? -r t^.• t-.r;. -■ . ! .• .- :• »i/ •»..■ ♦;-. .' i :f . ■•
!i.' !it •■! f'.«- fi-l I :V-T . il ■ li . ■• ' ■ < ::'.:■_• u/' .• • 'i. ■.
f • . Il -I -r '. :* ' I 'i .:•■'.■ '* ' ■•■•.!• • .'■!!"
H\ i- : - .4 !■.■:■•.» ■ .r : • ■ v ■. ■ . ■ • \* •!. j . ., :% < -i .-.'I
, • J , . - .? •. • , '!"• .• • . ■ ♦ . ■ • f '• I i ■.•»•:• I ' I , .
.-./... tl. \ ■'
! : r ■ ■■■ I- .: ;.-. ■
! t
'. * ' \* *
• • • ..
• I
I ; I ■ . . ■ . ! ' : ■■!!•■
•... • . t r '• I . *v I. • ' r : I- -.1
I " ' • l' ' I ■ ■ ■ ■ I ■ . '
t ■;■■, ■ ! . r. !!. -• ■:! ir.. ■ *
I •
• I ■•..•:!•• '.! \\ A-t v: ■■ •••• i
t 1 •
iii-
.■•:.■. f. • -i:--i:r ir,.- • .. i^'w ■.• i ■:.■ ...:■.. • :
III «: i* : if! • i.f : A j- :•» 'i •.*...;.. I. ■.. ■• ! t * •■ » !• \ » . : >r
I.-:" :h ^^\^^' I il !:.i\r.I» i ..\ ■ ..ii.i I: ■ . !!■;:■ i- m*:«- ?. i f.i
Li'.' >- • :i |. ...... i \\ .*]. "..-•.:.■■.!. 1* •: ■ •.: : : H \ : ■ ii. 1
J r •• - 1 '■' j- -w , ! J|.- :;.. • :'•.!. ". k ?. u !• .J,'. ■ ! :t 1 f . | . »i. .
1-. I '■ •: i:. i ill ■ *.!• •: .* ■ ■'*•.' till ■ • \.t . " .
338 THE BOODICOTA PASS. [CHAP. XVI.
native and European, accompanied the deputation as its pri\'y
counsellor and guide. The whole history of his adventures^ as
above sketched., was implicitly believed; he possessed the most
ridiculous influence over the measures of the English army, and,
as it will be unnecessary to recur to the operation of his suggestions
in each individual case, we shall comprise and dismiss ms true
character in the single word, iinpostcn*.
In entering, however, on the naiTative of these operations, the
reader must not be left in the error of imputing to tlie Oovernment
of Madras, during the ivhole of the period which had elapsed from
the departure of Hyder in January, the wilful apathy of failing to
take some sort of advantage of the open field, which was left for
their o))ei-ations : such were the defects of the plan of intelligence
pursued by Mohammed Ali and the English, and such the unrival-
led excellence of Hyder s police, that the very instinictions to the
field deputies, dated the 7th of April, enjoin the necessity of watch-
ing the motions of Hyder, to prevent his marching to Bednore, and
oveipowering the troops from Bombay, nearly three months after
his departure for that purpose : and one of these personages, on the
22d of the same month, wnen communicating with Mohammed Ali
at Arcot, officially reports as an article of news,* that Hyder tcxw
aaid to have recently marched in that direction : but the general
impression continued to coirespond with the tale which Hyder had
caused to be propagated, of his having moved in a N. W. direction
to oppose the Mahrattas.
On the 8th of June, the advanced division of the British army,
under Colonel Donald Campbell, ascended the pass of Boodicota : on
the 16th he had i*educcd, and occupied as a post of communication,
Vencatagherry, a mud fort without a glacis, three marches to the
northward ; and from thence sent hack a detachment, to open the
direct road from the vale of Vellore, by the pass of Pedanaickdur-
gum, and to reduce the rock of that name. These arrangements
being accomplished, his next objects were the droog of Mulwagul,
situated two marches north of Vencatagherry ; and Colar on the
plain, about the same distance to the N. W. ; the lower fort of Mul-
wagul was ix)ssessed without any resistance ; but, on reconnoitring
the rock, it was, in Colonel Campbell's judgment, too strong to be
attempted by open force ; the pi-ovincial commanderf of both these
places was on tne rock, and officiated as its killedar or governor : it
was discovered that he was disposed to o))en a secret negotiation for
* The fact, however, is stated in Captain Cosby's journal^ on the 24th
of Marcli.
t Jaffier IIuMein Kfian. Abdul Wabab Mohammed Ali*s brother, hid
married this person's sister, and wlienfotijedarof Arcot, had conferred on him
the fiscal govcriiiiient of Trinomalee. When Abdul Wahab was removed to his
Hinall jageer of Chittoor, his brotlier-in-law went over to Hyder, that he might
not have to render Iiis accounts to Mohammed Ali : he was now tired of the
service, and offercil to betray his tnist, on tlie condition that these accounts
should >)e considered as closed ; to which Mohammed Ali consented.
• HAP. XVI I MCLWAuri. TAKKS iiv strata(;i:m nriji
iu .Hnm»n«ler: and the torms wen* adjiiHt4*d without much <lirticully.
For th«» piirpo^ of favoring tlie plan, Coloin*! Caninliell moved off
to (\ilar. pn»frs^in<; to ahantlon hiH ile,si^Hon the rocK ; and leaving
a ^ntrrUon in tht? lower fort, which is ko Mtuat^nl an to he in a ^rreat
df*^'rfi> nid«*|M>n<i(*nt of the dn><»^'. and not at all cH^mmande^l bv it
The killedar was the only unfaithful man of the purisim ; Init it mi
hapiienecl, that he had been oommiK-Mom^il by Hy<ier, to obtain, dur-
ing ni^ absence, tlie j^^atest |>oviibl»» numU^r of rccniit« for his
infantry ; and t4i ^ive a{KM*ial encoura«;t*mfnt t4i men who ha^l been
diHri|»hn«'d by the Knulinh, t«» come tivcr with their aruiM, from the
ser\'ice of Mohan)me<i Ali. in whicli the killcdar had nianv con-
nf'xions. In fonf»»miity to tlicM* views, a |»n*U* tided negotiation waa
cfimrauni<'nt«*<i to the oAiivrt UTid«*r hi^ I'ommand. by which he wa^.
on an ap{M)int4*<i nii^ht, to n*<-«MVi* tUr. im|Hirtant aA^|iii*iition of two
hundrvMi recniii.-*. ci»m|>o^iiiL; two o>m{*li-t4* com|winii*H, with their
native orti<»irs . who wcn* to icM^cnd the nn-k bv a roiuvrtvd rout**,
(*.ipt:nii MAt(h«*WH* drcHH4*<l Htid |ftiiint4*<l |ik«* a mmU'wlnr, h«*adf-<l thin
fiAity of iHithfiil KM:*liHh >r|HiyH. and obtaiin^d a'inii^^^ion aUMit four
oVl'K^k oil tlif :iHt\ of JuiH*. but a)»^tain*'d ft* 'in anv di'MNivtTV until
th»r«^ w.iM •»'jf!i.'i«'ht dav-iiL'ht rliMrlv to distini:ui"»h all obiiii.H ; hi*
th'-n whi*TM-i»d lii^'tplrrH f»r thi* dt-«)M»Hition ofattai^k. and din-ftm;;
th** LTrna'lit-i-H ni.i!'*h to U« U*at4*ii. as a huiIiIi'Ii and t«*mbh» ovi'lfiitx*
of iht* j»n»"»«-n Y' Kii^linh triHi|iH. h*- had tin* Mitistactifii "if •M'furin;*
)ii«i i.bj«.t \iit))"<it tin* n««'»'*"iity •»! takiiii^' a siiitjlf lift*. On tlp'^ame
<lay < *«»lM!*rl < '.iinjiUIl arrival U'f.»n*i\ilar. and on the -Sth lh«* {ilacv
surnntbTtd at di-^ :rti.»n, all«T i»-;;ular a|i|»r«iarhfs hiul U'4*n carrit-*!
to thi* iT*-«t '*( til*- Lrlfwi* Meanwhile th«* NaUdi Mo|iaiiiiiit*«i Ah.
and th«* ti*'ld d* jHiti**^. niovin.; with MiitaMi* diti^nty. with the f..tn*
n)andfr-in«*hi«-f in their train, had aH«viid«*d the |Mi.vi nf KtiMiicMta.
and n»o\»*d on the din-<*t roiail to t'olar. an fur ha Arli^T. where
they heani of itjK Hurn*n ier . an-l Coloni-l < 'ampUdl wa>» din-eted
to |f.in the hcMid-qiiartei-H of tin- anny MuckhdtMiiu Salt*-b. who
liiid n-tof :«•■•{ fp'iii a p)iii|iit-!ni^' •■\{'«-diti<iii iiit'i tin- l<>u*'i c>*iili-
tn» - u h* II li« h'-.*id «•! ill*' as.i lit *( thf iiiiiiy. w.ih n«iw ri'|Miitfd
t.i (**>)«-h*l Sliilth to have t.tkeii ^mM iitfi«r the walN iif KlU^Jool .
aU>nt fi.hti'ii iiiiS-^ S NV if' his jTi-^ent ••ni*ainf»m**nt . aiiti i ap-
fAsn <'<i-«t.y with H li.;ht and Wfll«'piip|N*d d**t.M*hment. wa.^ <*« nr
in tl.«- ••\in:iu' "t the l*st|i to U'ai up hi* iiuartem during the
tiicht Oui!i;j li'*wi-v«T to th«* utifXiMi'ttf-ii h^n^^li and nn[x*dimentA
• 'f t\\*' I' 'It*" tlif tl«y h^4^ «iawinMi U'ftre he c.%inf 10 prt»«'ncf of
till- tfitinv and afi4'r a \ij"-riu^ t-tr'rt in whi«h MuckniiiM>m nufc-
tain^d a tritlnu' l^i^**. i^ptain < "tKiKy p»TetMviii^ ihr attempt U* \»'
fnnt.***^*^. fii-**int«^l from tii<- purnuit iMiu^'l'»'r wa.^ the fM*at I'f a
P'tli^Mr to wh-.i!i tlyder hail («»ntinuetl m i*-<«trii-t«d |»'rnuv>iiin to
^•(ivrrn th«* diotnet. and 4i<i-upy the fort, a^ In* ii<-|*c*ndant and
thi* i»*n».»n v<-ry prudently alrfitAine'i from h*iMtihty l^i the Kn^liah
4irtA4dim*Mit. pD'ff-viinf; io t*a{>iaia t*4Mby, wbotn be acroiu(iAiiie<l U*
' TUr vinir off"**! «h'iwi^takea i» Ilrdnoie :b 1 7**:'
340 JUNCTION OF MORARI ROW. [CHAP. XVI.
head-quarters, his best wishes for their success ; but at the
time representing to Hyder his inability to resist, and the
sity of temporizing, until he had a better opportunity of evincing
his allegiance. On the 3d of July, the army, joined by Colond
Campbell moved by Baugloor, for the siege of Oossoor, which fell on
the 11th, and a detachment skilfully conducted by Captain Cosby,
afterwards succeeded in obtaining possession of Anicul and Denaik-
ancota, to the west and south of Oossoor. The Poligar of the former
place accompanied him to head-quarters, and reported to Mohammed
Ali the existence of a series of other positions, commanding some
revenue, to the southward as far as the Cavery, in the continua-
tion of a narrow stripe from Oossoor, which was actually encom-
passed to the east, west, and south, by impenetrable woods and
mountains; but which positions, according to Mohammed Alis
ideas of military and fiscal policy, were to form a chain of
defence for the lower countries in connexion with the con-
quests of Colonel Wood to the southward of the Caveiy ; and
a division of the troops \mder Colonel Lang was sent to realize thiit
strange project, which detained the body of the army for some days
longer at Oossoor.
Thii serious inefficiency which Colonel Smith had experienced
in all his openitions, from a total want of cavalry, had induced him,
when last at Madras, to recommend that some of Mohammed Ali's
irregular hoi-se should be disciplined by English officers ; and a
small body, thus orgjinized, had ali*eady attained habits of order and
obedience, which made them useful in the field He had also, at an
early j>eriod of the war, recommended to Government to endeavour,
if possible, to obtain the services of Morari Row, of whose efficiency
in the wars of Lawrence, he had the frequent means of peisonal
observation. A negotiation had accordingly been concluded with
that chief for his personal service, with a body of his select troops.
Yoonas Khan, with the advanced -guard of 300 men, joined the army
while it was still at Oossoor, and returned with it to Ooscota, two
marches in a northern dii-ection. On the 4th of August, a junction
wius here formed with Morari Row, whose force consisted of a
nominal i],0()0 horse, with the proportion of irregular iiifantiy,
amounting to about 2,000, which was necessary for their sj'stem* of
warfare ; and the novel incumbrance of a few bad guna But the
reader will be prepared, from what has been developed of the Mah-
ratta character, to expect that not one-half the number for which
this chief was paid, could ever bo faithfully mustered.
The interval of imiction which had occurred since the reduc-
tion of Oossoor, was {mrtly occasioned by the unfortunate combi-
nations of military supply, which left, in the first stage of their
progress from Madras and Vellore, the battering train destined for
the siege of Bangalore, and intended to proceed by the interme-
diate })osts of VencatigheiTy and Colar, to Ooscota^ the most «d-
• See vol. L p. 173.
CHAP. XVI.) 8CENE OP OPERATION. 341
vanced depot in thh ch&in of connexion ; and partly )>y the
indifi|iofiition* of the Nabob Mohammed Ali, which subsenuently
fixed the army for a month to thin encampment Colonel Wood
aljio. whoae operationn to the ftouthward had now tenninated
with the captuiv of I)indif|^l. wan on liia march by the pan Tapoor,
and the province of Banunahal, to b* re-united to the nuun army,
which would even then exrluaively of Morari Row, not be so strong
aa at the battle of Trinonialet*. It wan the opinion of Colonel
Smith, that at what4*ver {>eno<l the niege of Baiif^lorc might be
attempti*d, the force* ought to admit of being former! into two divi-
HionA. one for the <i|M»ration<i of the M«*ge, and the other to oppoee
the field army <»f Hyder. whi> would un(|U(*»tionably make the
gmit4*jit etfortri for itn pre»(er\'ation ; and he doubt4Hl whether the
i;Teat<^t forc«» wliirh could Ik» o»ne<'te<l, would be HUtficient for the
accompliMhnieut of thin d4»uMe |HinM»(uv The readier lum had the
cipjMirtunity of ob«ier\'in^. that the ncene of theite operationa
r«rre*»i»oiniH with that of the lo<-al p>vernment whicn Shali-
je*»+ the fAtli**r of ScviijtN* had (^tablinhinl in the early part of
the fievent4*4*nth ivnturj* : when, however, Eec<»je€», on tratrnferring
the neat of a n»'W p»venunent to Tanjore, had hi»M Bangalore and ita
de|wndenri***i tn the linja of Mv«H>or. in ltiH7.* a reM»r\'ation waa
ma^i** in favor of gmnt-H wlii**h lia«l be<*n c*«niferrtNl on varioun
bnin«*hfH of thf ht»us«» i»f Shahjre, and itx offic^em ; and the nuniennm
and Nii(N*«*xHivf* Mahratta invaxionH of MviMior hail farilitate^l the
€*«>ntinunn<^* tif i\\*'se |x H^«M«!^«»ion\ to the niK^eoMiiiirH of the original
grant*-**^. »ind«'r th»» d«»<'lnrfd pr»»t<M'tion <if th«» hea<l of the Mahmtta
empip' , but in th»* esiM^ntial object** of tribute and olwNlience, they
wrre und#T the virtual govemm«*nt <»f Hyder. Sueh in the origin
and hintorj' «»f the varioun t^twnn whieh. in the Knglif«h rwordu of
iheu* timrn. an* d<>«^nlwNl an lielonging to Ma4l<N> K4»w ; and among
them wa^ (K^MNita. wh#*n» tie* annv now lav. wli<im» L'^vrnior found
it exi^Mlii-nt to <'«»nJM*nt to iu ocnMi]>atioTi by the Kn;;ii!tli. for the
purj»«*«w'» whirh havi* U*«n «iiH«*nU»d
(►n the viTV day that M<*rah Ili»w fonm»«l bin junetiim with
t'olofirl Sniith. ilyder ^ith ihr light tn»«»|*H of hii advan^*** had
trnt*TM| liahgalcD' t >n th«* iHh. they made th» ir firnt appfar-
an<^* to r**eMiinMitr«* . htvl fn»ni that |»(*ri(Ml conlinut**! tho unual
prartii*** ff bar:i.H*i!i^ ibo ^kirtii nf the ramp. (\»lonel Smith,
oil ili«» fimi jtinctit'ii of Morari Itiw, eame«*tly r^'f^minifntle^l tc»
him to (iK-aiiip in coiunuuii(*Ation with tht* Kngli«ih lin«*. and
within th«* f>P't««*tit»n of lU pi4^|U<*tA . but tliat chief nmile^l at
the apprehension mn%*eye4l hy thui aiivicv, and answering that
he kn«*w how to manage th«* .V'tiri*. i*iitabltMhe«i hin camp about
half a nule to the right of ttir KngliJih line, and in ctm^equeooe
* Thr rarly fiart ni thift ifHit«p(Miti«>n wat no inorr than a lcM»li%b
niil M muarnii)($ (ut the dcMb u( a r«Uti«c A(tcf«Ani« it vai real.
^ Sre vol. I |» 45
vol I I' So
31-2 SINGULAR DEFENCE OF MORARI ROW. [CHAP. XVI.
of their remaining stationary from the illness of Mohammed
Ali, had thrown up a slight line of works for its protection.
On the night of the 22d of August, Hyder made a disposition
for the attack of Morari Row's camp, in the following order;
0,000 horse in two divisions, preceded by elephants, to break
down the flimsy works of Morari Row, were followed by two
columns of infantry; and Hyder, with the body of his army,
remained in reserve, to support the attack, and counteract any
movements which should be made by Colonel Smith. The
position had been previously examined by all the officers employ-
ed, and the cavalry was ordered to penetrate direct to the tent of
Morari Row, whose head was the great obiect of the enterprise ; to
overwhelm the whole camp, and prevent their mounting, while the
infantrv should enter in succession, and complete the destruction of
the whole. Morari Row, an officer at all times quick in percep-
tion, and fertile in resource, no sooner found that his camp was
attacked by cavah^, than he gave instant orders that not a man
should mount; but as the best means of defence, and the most
certain of distinguishing friends from enemies, that each man should
remain at the head of his horse, and cut down without distinction
every person on horseback. The irregularity of the tents* and huts,
and the interspersion of the Beder peons opposed abundant impedi-
ments to the progress of cavaliy in the night ; and the confusion
was increased by Morari Row's State elephant receiving an accident-
al wound, and breaking loose from his picquets ; m this state
he ran furiously through the camp ; ana seizing the chain in
his trunk, wielded it to the discomfiture of the mass of cavaliy
which he met, and threw them back headlong over the columns
of infantry, which wei*e just entering, and ignorant of the cause of
this retrograde movement, retired in dismay, considering the attack
to have failed. Hyder was enraged at the pusillanimity of the
infantry, but as the alarm was now given to tne English camp, he
did not think proper to renew the attack : the cavalry withdrew as
they could from the embarrassment in which they were involved,
and his loss in this most injudicious attempt, amounted to near 300
men killed and wounded, and 80 serviceable horses secured by the
enemy, independently of the hurt. Morari Row's loss amounted to
no more than 18 men. and 30 horses killed and wounded, but among
the latter was himself slightly in two places, his nephew severely,
and the brave and experienced Yoonas Khan had his right arm
nearly cut through by a sabre in two places, and the bone irretriev-
aibl}'' destn)yed. Colonel Smith had to lament the loss of his aid-
de-camp Captain Gee, an intelligent and promising young officer,
who rode into Morari Row's camp on the first alarm, to ascertain
the nature of the attack ; and was cut down in the dark, in conse-
quence of the judicious but indiscriminate orders which have been
noticed.
* For the description of an Indian camp, kcc vol. i. p. 18!.
fUAP. XVI.] HTDER'S PLANS. 3^.')
Foiled but not discour»f^ in thJH tinit eflfurt. Hyder coutiuued
to be* occupitHl in revittin^ and perfecting all the ap|H>intinentii of hin
army, and announced to lib tnH>|Ni a cauiftai^^ t>f more than usual acti-
vity, in which it would be necxtiaary to divesit theiuiielveii of every
incumbnini'e. As the movetnontii in his contcniplution embraced an
extended field of ai*tion. and the enemy haii estabiiished himself in the
vicinity of Uangalon*. he even (!alculfite<l on the poHNiiiility of an
attempt In^in^ madr on that fiirtreiw, while he Mhouid be too far dis-
tant to alfttnl a timely n*lief ; an<l accordinj^ly directed the i^moval
to the rock of Savendydro(% of that bninch of his ^^eraglio which
wan hxl^ini in thr |iala4*e. and of thf treasun* and ;^*at mass of
valuabit* articles which liad been an*uinuhited in this early centre of
his |M»wer. For the fiirtrens itself he np|K>inte<l a NUtiicient gurrisou,
under the miminal onlers of hi.s m»n, and the real command of his
matenuil uncle Ibmhim •Saiicb ; on the 3nl of Septemlwr he made a
cin*uitoUM nmn*h in a mnitlieni dinnHion. %^itli the hoftu of cuttinf^ off
Uie divinion of ('4»lonel \V(km1, now a>cendtn>c fn»m the Baramahal.
The il!ne<%s of Mohammetl All (*ould no longer be {lermittetl tu
parulyzi* and niin the whole cam|Mii^ai. he waA m*nt on the luime day
und«*r a ntnmif e*'ort with the fifld deputit^H U) (\»lar, while Colonel
Smith eov«*re«l the movement hv an int**rmediAte march bv Malo«>r
in the din*<aion of hin reinftinvmentH.
On the oth It wa/i i'X|»»4't4Hl that i\»lom»| WimmI wouhl bt» at
I^MHlioitn. and mov«« towiirdn Mal<Mir on the i)th. but a** Hvders
n)<»ti<»n*i f »r lh«- two l;u,t •Iny** wen» unknown to < olonel Smith, he
thn*w hi^ Iia^'lt^p* into Mal^Mir on the r>th. marvluHl a few milcji far-
ther on th«* Ksnit* day. and t^rly on the n<>xt morning wa^ in motion
t<*wani«i lio<xlic«>ta. The n>ut«* of (\>Ion4*l W<k>i1 to fonn the junction
wa% thn»ti;;h a lon^ defile, which |Miint«*«l north-wi*Ht fir a few milen,
and at a c\»m{Ninitively o|M*n s|Mit. wher\* unoth«*r rmMl «»|M*n«sl in the
north-(*af»t. made an obtu*u* tuni in a <lin*ctii>n due Wf*<tC Ilvder.
i*ai'MilAtin^ on (*4»loiifl Smiths waiting the arrival of his reinforce-
ment/* n«'.-ir to Mtil<Mir. ha<i tAk< n tli«* m<»Ht «*tf<vttiji| m«*anH to rftnceal
lii^ own niovfmniti. an*! a.'vsum***! a |MiHition U» the n*>rth-ea^twanl of
th«* an*.:!** of th<* d«nlt* nhii h ha% U-*'n dcMTiU*«l. with the intention
of *i-i£iii^ thf pn»|»fr ni«'in«*nt. f^r tijienin^ an eiifiUdin;; fire on
<'••! ai* 1 W.nnI ; fiiiii) |iti«itiMn^ pn*vi«Kmly chi**M'n. an»l availing; him-
^•II* ot" till' r<»nv^fiiftit « ni)iami.^^m«-nt, n»mpl«*ti*ly t»> ov»Tj»*iwer him,
i^hilf \i\s "Hii ti'Ar wa.<H o|H*n t4t thr north-4*aat in the evrnt of failure.
Thf hill* which firni***! tlu*«M- «i«-file.4. wcrt* int«i|»*>«'ii l#*twi»en
C\t|i>ni-] >!iiit!i an-1 II\>l«-r. an wrll am U'twtfMi him and t*ol<>neI WoikJ :
an*i ai h** - nt {wnMHi^ early in the nionun;; !•» lh«»ir MummitA fi»r
inl«'ili/»'n. • n']M»rt.«i Wfn> bpiu^'ht him of U.th Hydfr'n anny and
t'ol'«iifl W.^mN division. U'ln;; «Mfn in motion in the dire^^tionn
drv-nUI If.- |i«'n^«ivf.l fpMu iU^'m* reji^rtA. that he nhtiuld be abl«
t«i ri*:u h ai:l i*!i .ir the ancle of the defilr. Mmncr tlian Hvder. and tu
aN*iiitii A |'.*i(i »n to nsfixr him with vKaiita^^i* fir acr«inlin|;ly
• |Mi'K»f»«d 'I T'.i« •■ .ifi'l "^iit ^ oiit*» .M r***-* f h«» hilU to appri'-* < *o|on«*l
S44 HYDER MOVES TO GOORUMCONDA. [CHAP. XVL
Wood of his intentions ; but he had scarcely reached the angle of the
defile, and was making dispositions for a formation, in Uie open
country to the north-east, when he and Hyder were equally asioniiBh-
ed at healing a regular salute, in the defile to the south-east, which
Colonel Wood had thought proper to fire, in honor of Colonel Smith,
on receiving the message of his approach. The indignation of the
latter was scarcely inferior to the disappointment of Hyder, the head
of whose columns had just appeared, when he instantly counter-
marched to assume a more respectful distance. Colonel Smith made
an immediate disposition for a vigorous pursuit, fruitless as usual,
and remarkable only for the careless precipitancy of Colonel Wood s
division, who out-marched their guns, left two of them without
protection, which were charged, and the aitillerymen all destroyed,
before the guns could be rescued.
After halting the next day, to make a proper distribution of the
united force into two divisions. Colonel Wood's* division now placed
under Colonel Long, was ordered to pursue Hyder in the direction
which he had taken by Batemungul, midway between Vencatigherry
and Colar, while Colonel Smith should march in a separate column
by the latter place, and regulate his movements according to circum-
stances. This pursuit, if such it may be called, led the two divisions
considerably to the northward ; but finding Hyder still to precede
them, with a rapidly increasing interval, they once more returned
towards Colar, naving established a post at Moorgamalla» two
marches to the northward of that place.
Hyder bad been drawn still further to the north, by an object
which was of the most essential importance to his affairs ; the defec-
tion of his brother-in-law Meer oaheb, and his establishment at
Ooorumconda, deprived Hyder of the most distinguished and
efficient corps of his army. His wife had, in con'esponding with
her brother, exerted all her eloquence, to detach him from the
unnatural connexion which he had formed with the Mahratta
State ; she assured him, that Hyder was disposed to consider
with reverence his attachment to the place which contained the
ashes of their forefathers, and to believe, as she had endeavoured
to impress, that when he surrendered Sera as a matter of neces-
sity, he stipulated for the government of his ancestors, in the
direct hope of thereafter being permitted to hold it as a depend-
ency of Mysoor ; and she pledged to her brother the influence
which she possessed with Hyder, as the mother of his children, for
the continuance, and even the enlargement of his present jageer, if
he would return to his allegiance at this critical neriod of her
husband s affairs. Meer Saheb, having no immediate nope of relief
from any quarter, long hesitated between the fear of extinction
and the hope of independence : on Hyder's march to Ooorumconda,
* That officer had desired permission to resign his command^ in con-
sequence of the displeasure expressed by Colonel Smith, at the incom-
prehensible salute which deprived him of a probable victory.
(HAP. XVI] OFVKIUI PKAri; To Till: KNGLISII 34.1
iio (*vt*n wnit4« t4i invit<» the Ktl;.rli^ll to fall ii|n»ii lii^ itMr; Init (»u
liiH n«*an*r appnuirh. tht* toriiiH of nM»onriliutioii w<n tinally uiljuHtiHi.
and in tlu* fwiit wrn* iinitiLilly aii<i taitlifitlly o}»H*'n'(Hl. liuhng
tin* n*iiihiii<lf*r of tln^ir Ii%ifx 'I'liis iiii]Nirtaiit 4iIij«tI hfiii;^ ac-
n»iii|»li.Hhi?«i. HyJcr, afUT <it*viatiii^ to tlu* ri>^'lit. to dt^Htroy the
lm>j»'?«t p*»H«il»le |x»rlion of Momri Kou's territory. n*turniNi. nrK-
ptvtiihly D'iufoivtN!, t4)WiinlH I'olar. wln-p* ihf hatt^-riii;: tniiii of
the Kii^lUli anuy wuh drawn out. and th*- H«-ld <i**|>utit*H rontinu<'«l
ii» n*|M»rt thrir confidi*nt ex ]h*< -tuition of the rarly in\i*>tnii'nt uf
liaiifpih»n\
The aHairs of Hyder wrn\ ar«»ordiii;^' to Mi|»«rtirial <»h«'ervation
at h*a/tt. o*rtjiiidv in a rriticnl st.i(«* oni-diaif of hi i torTit<»rv and
>n»nH» of hi«» j»hi«*«*H of Htn*ni^h, Mt-n* in tlif |Ni'*?M'VKi..ii of his mcniirH :
a I'liain of |Mi^ts hrid U*«*ii fHiahli-^h***!. and a l»att«'rin^ train
ad^ano'd for th«* •^irp* of the Mi-ond plart* in hi-^ di»niiiii(iiiH ; and
an ott5ei»r of ni»'rit«'d r«*|»utatiMii wa** at t!i«' h«-a»l ^f ifif h*»'«tih* anny.
Ilydrr kn«*w that th«» ^ri«*Jiter part t-f tht-M» ini]M»Hiii^r ii|)|K*amne<*M
ri'««t4*^i oil n«> •Miliii lin>i*« ; that n^i mh*- «.f tli«* raptun-'i piari*'* wan
ad«N|uat*'ly «H'«upi<H| ; that the |N.Hsr^Hi,iii of tfnit».ry und«'r Hindi
rinuni«»tan»'i-«. yMv% hut a ll»*«*tnii; \iHi.»n . and tli.il a r«-»]NMtal)h5
d«'f»'iH*»* at linni^ilon* wnuld t iiahl*- him t«» d^Htfi^y thr wh««!f rliain
of ri»iiiniunii*ati«*n, atid «»tar\»* iIm* U-Hi.-^M i-s . \^hil«' hi** li-jht*-!
fr«N>p*« ^houM iarrN tin* and •»u«»id into tlf ••!•• n and difVn<*fl»'HK
t^^mtiTH"* '-f tin* ••n-iiiv. ah*i rxtifiurni-h lh«ir r*^- mi n *#:•*. H** und»T-
Kt'Ntil nU., til*- iiatun* **( i\l^t»^^* ini|»'iiiiH fit.'» uhi«ii |iiil<4i>-«l tli** ann
III iIm* rthh* <»fh«NT wht» via«» op|i«i<»»d t«» liiiii . hut ••\t«'mal pn-n-un?
nii;:ht pp^'iui*- uiiit«Ml rtfMrf. and in thf niidof ^f urll-f>iund«-d h<>iM»,
thf ilu%n««*H of war ex|NiH»Hi hiin a!«M> to th<%ast«'r. It in «vrtai!i.
thfpfMri'. that in th»' ad\.in«'«-^ f«»r |M'ju*t» whi<*h Hyd»-r n««w made
to th** Kti::h*«h. h** uiiH iu*tniit«*«l hv a d****irf *»( niakin-' nio*h'nito
»a<T ill «'«*<« ftir it.t attainnn'nt in an i-.irly |»^irt *»f th*' n« .:*>tiati«in.
\t** pii»ffKs*-i lii^ r«*udin***^n l.» o'd« th*- proxniif »if Kinuu.ihal. and
|iay t«*ii ]a4*H of Ku|M-«"i t.i th< Kti^di-h (ii ^t t-* M<>h.uiim«d Ah.
^h<>m hr r«fu*^*-d t«» a^hltlt j<-% a l>.iif\ t** th** fT*.it\ . and t'l thin
pri>|i<r^il ht' r.i|itiiiu*'*l ot' :idil\ t'« it'i!i'i«' t" ill* l.»*t m«>m'-tit «»f the
4iiM*u«-i>iii<( . hut hin ad\« rs-irn*-* uh* u* n- tl r«iil»*tatitiaJ u^V''»*^'*or*.
tleiiiaiei*-*! r»*imhurH«'m«-nt *»\ ihi* r\|H'n'»'H 'f th»* unr !•» an
•*nonn«>u^ ntu-tunt . ntid a hn** *•( t«'tnt*ir\. \*h:*h di'^uid at I«<«uit
in*dti*h* KjHtna^jh'-rrv Sunkrr%dr«**v' an*! I»:iidij:ul. nuiii«roua
4*<»ti(*»*iin:orit nn tl»»» e*^vit of MaJaKir . ih** |wi\m«-nl hv Hv«i«r of
that trit»ul«- t*» Ni/ani Ah whnh th*» Kn.di-h h.ui «n^M^'t«l to pay
in thr rwnl of iheir oin<|Ur%t **f Mv**»««»r l*.j*!h*r uiih -ifur ini-
fw»rt«nt r««*i*|.inH to Morari R«»w Th*- n* •^•■•tiitiin i**'riH«.pifntly
faih^i , mihlar>' (liberations had n**t U-* n <!:«. •!i*!nu«nl. hu( nothing
M«ri«*iin ha«l U-t-n att«*inpte«| on « .th«T •! !•' durin;^ it* l''^''^^*^;
an*i "wion aft^T it« rhiM*. aU»ut th** rn«i *1 >«j»t« nd-T. ihf tio\fni*
fn**nt of MaiiraA ^aw ahiin iant n';i.*Miii t*i r»- 'r>'t. thitt th«*v liad not
(H>rn more n-a>4>tuhlf m their (X|»tt«ii! ii^
r
346 BATTLE OF MULWAGUL. [CHAP. XVL
The rock of Miilwagul was one of those which Colonel Smith
liad deemed it neces.sary to occupy with his own ti*oops ; but
during his absence, the field deputies had thought proper to relieve
tliat gaiTison, with a single company in the service of Mohammed
Ali ; and Hyder, on his return from Gtoorumconda, found means to
practise on the Mussuhnan officer who commanded, so as to cany
the place apparently by surprise. Colonel Wood, who had resumed
the command of his division, and was nearest to the place, made a
movement on the first alarm, to relieve or recover it ; he was too
late for the first, but recovered the lower fort, near to which he
encamped ; and, on the same night, was beaten off with loss in an
attempt to carry the rock by escalade. On the ensuing day, the 4th
of October, a light body of trooj>s appeared in motion towards the
rock, as if covering a convoy to be tlirown into the garrison ; and
Colonel Wood, who had no suspicion of Hyder's anny being near,
moved out himself, with two comj>anies and a gim, to reconnoitre ;
and with this insufficient escoii), allowed himself to bo drawn to the
distance of two miles from his camp, when he peixieived a body of
3,000 hoi"se, followed by a heavy column of infantry, in motion to
surround him. In this situation, he galloped back to the nearest
picquet, consisting of two com]3anies and a gim, from whenoe he
sent orders for the line to be formed, and the baggage to be thrown
iiito the lower fort ; and returned with the picquet for the support
of the party which he had left. He found it completely surrounded,
but penetrated through the enemy, and joined it. By this time
Hyder s whole army a})peared, advancing over an eminence about
a mile in his front, and sending reinforcements to overpower him ;
thus circumstanced, to retix?at with celerity seemed to be the single
chance of safety : he accordingly fonned his four companies into a
little scjuare, abandoned his two guns, and commenced his retreat at
a quick i>ace. The battalion of Captain Matthews, detached from
the line to his support, saved him from impending destruction, by
attacking in flank the body through which he was attempting to
force his way ; and the united corps, although hai*d*pressed> were
enabled, by successive stands, to continue their retreat until within
reach of further sui)port from the line. The whole extent of the
ground, which was the scene of the farther c»])erations of the day,
consiste<l of a congeries of granite rocks, or rather stones, of unequal
heights and dimensions, and every varied form, from six to sixteen
feet diameter, scattered like " the fragments of an earlier world," at
irregular intervals, over the whole surface of the i)lain. Obliquely
to the right, and in the rear of the situation in which the advanced
troojjs were engaged, was a small oblong hill, skirted at its two
extremities with an impenetrable mass of such stones, but flat and
covered with earth at the top, to a sufficient extent to admit of
V'ing occupied by rather mon^ than one battali(»n : the rocky skirts
of tliis hill extended in a ridge of about three hundred yards
towards the plain of stones, and under it^ cover the Europeans had
iii\iv XVI 1 srnArAtii:M **i « \iMiiN i'.i:«M»Kr
•I ■<
•I I
1 1
)m'.>ii plsin^l in P'^i'TYr. iinril tli*- ;p'lii!i -li'»iiii jls-^iiiii'* ;i '-■ftii'tl tuiiii.
Hltlii'il" aiiii'i :i iiia^- ot rnvii .-iii'l ir<i{» •liiin lit, \il:]i'ii l>;i'ii- 'i* ti -
atifi- T't .1 p'L'uI.'ir ('••riii.-r lull tli'* iiili'v.ii- I- l\\i'»'!i ili»- i '••k- :iii>l
v.iiii Tiiiif'. til. ir •«'iiiiiijj»' \\.i" .".iij.ii.l )*\ ti'M.j^ , tl..' si;..ill«r
tijii iiiii^'H wi'ir i«iii\ •ift-.l iiifii • !iilni'»i4i''« Itii •j«i!i«». :iii>l ^iii'j'i'rt
••iii'i-i-^,i\»'!v j«rti\i>i iV'-iii • .it li aiiiiv t'» ili-t^'* \i lin wi'if •iiji^'»'i it
\\j|"% a •••■III -» «•! ri'jtt"**^ I'll !*!•■ |"i,^. ^ i.<|i lit IimIv". ••! lli»- |i« ^-i'l'^TlH
finn*"'! )'\ tli"ir ijti.<-ii. \\ :\\i 'Mt :iii\ I iliiiitv ••t'tli'- i«*^' il ir • \t« fi-
f*i"U »i| a Itlii- i.ii iil'..f -^i-i'- -. lli.it A !■'•}; \l .!>. •M.iiii t Mil* <•■«•• II
(-U- ' 111 I I'l tI; T'l^ij-*! .ruMi : til-' \\\ '■• r .m- !*■ iiit all'-' |» 'iiit
w .1 li'.\«\'» \ »• I i 'i *\ li.f Lii.Ji-'i !•• -',1 M-r :ii;ii»' - .iii'l
lU'-!' i-.:!.' •i:":v.'\ i I"' ..MM I I « ■ iiiiii- ii' ■ -1 iiii'i* i llf iiii<(
nn! i\ r.i) • • .i i ::-I.i:j« • • :i!i 1 n ' ■?! i'l • ml • •! • \< iik{>; i >m ti > 'hi
|»r» ••II'- t..i*'\ i\\'."\\' i !!!■■ * : :i i;i 'i -Kiifil -il-li. «■:! !■ -ri llv-l-l'i
j»mi^\\''-- - r.«l \\:'.\\ ^kii! -; mj» .url -I- ■! . iti . aii'l U iii^' ■«'i|"'-
ri'«r " I. i?ii^' ' ii ti ■•!.! iMi- I :i m iini- it -ir •• ri-'i i: \ "X- i th-*- ••• i Im*
K:ijji'!i )i. ' i*ii.iii( * \ a-" ••••■• i*i" -r I • 'N :• -i. «• i» l«'l!'i!li« •■!..■! _••• if
I ii« Imx •:•• f ii! f •! ■ "'l I -I \\ .tl 1 'a ? ii'- - . '■!' -» "I t !i' ;r ■ »\^ II •■ i\ .' ii \
ill t'l'- !• iT It ■• 'I'wnTi .1* '•■•:ii:-.»!i:' I l'\ i-.ifi'i-M ': I i i;i '. i«- a ''ii- 's:'" i"«
f
in '^ • Ml' '.t . Ill- i [>-••• i 'ii f if t! '!ik ■11 i It ■! .!!».■ K'n- ;- u u-
Hir \ • It • - 1. 1 1-^-.! ii • tl" •• ! .ij- 1 .11 . t • !i • I • I" • !i Hi I i- t«r i • -? ! iii^
r !• r .ri I ■ iri'i i-'i ■ • v- i . .v!i. i \u • '• !i l-ri "V u i'. i-*i 'ji.i i-*.
ftiil t!i' ■••■;?.•• ii ih • -I' •; iiiti. J ; ii itlii:! ; ^-t ii.. I \» !• ij..ii'i. J 'it
tli- • ir \ .111 ! • • t ? I '^ I .'I li .1 - • 1.' \* Ii* 'I t !i'' w Ii ■!•■ u .i-*
►■ I \ • • I i • \ ■ : . • - ! •',.-.• I . . I ; : \ • v ; ■« • i i • 1 1 1 . w » • ii i i i t : 1 1 j ! " . ■ K ' • ■ ■ \* -
if.ij.- ,.[ I, Mil I'l I tf n llit'il'.' I.Mlk - •■! iiM'-. Ill «i' .f fj. t ! ■:! .IM i
«'\» 'nil. r-. ll." ].l-.';'l .»'■ • !il i?i' •. ••! liitf'l J -i: •■.Jfj lir -ikf I I I !•
i*i'i\ • I I \ i : • 1 «.• I*.. I ifi Tf.«' i"i i!.* !• • ■! t ii- ]■!••• i;ii J M .! .
f.rir •'••fii;> till* « ••! lii-* i'lt:.. i -ii I»':ii' I I'r- I ij .' j- ..'i.it i iii ?!,•■
I •«• r t Tf n*. I !?!•••.; ^. u .. ;ri ;. i .ir. i I ■ ! 'a ■ • - I: t I .-1 • .'ii i :i
••■;.' t« !!.•■ *t'ii' \*i'' ■ V- :i li' A t'l- i;!.;.- Tl itii.' | •■! ? '• ■
rn« !ii\ w i- f -• iM'i'li •• - »:■ ■ ! • ' !?'■ ': i I ■ .•. :: •'. !r?"- .' f I i^ i ■
j:M»r 1 h . . • t. -I III'- -.% 1. ■ .!■■•' • .v.* . ■.
fttrl \% ■ii. !■ i II. Ill X* h • u •. r ■ I • ■ A ! t '.* . ; .:i \\ ti; !i ? I
I •!<• 1 1 • , ' . .% • , I . • . I I "f I . • ; . •. I ■ . , . i I \ \ I : . T • ■ I . \* • .
liii I lu 'i'' I i-. w .'I'.-l- I ■ • .■ ■ ■, :i.. Ii «!, i w :T 'i I !.i t . I r .. I
•ilj I'll 'i' ■ T'l ■•. i I ■. I . ••. ■ .■■ i '. I' ..!■•.:• i . r ■ .t'- '.. f •■
■»'iiiiiii.* •• •' .' ! s w f . -i } ' I.; • . .' K- I .. . t :.. ■ :, . f i. ..' :
m' Ii ii « ! •'' ' .' ir.- ^^ Ah .r i- ;- !.■ I \* ;• j t 'r m? :i. •^' \ ; \ i •• \ n
t\f t^' K- • I- 1 I.I"- • f • • .. ; ■ ■ II. .— : I':. .1 I iv !■ ?t i! • ■».
• X • ' '. X \* . • ■ : I . : I • I : '..•■. •- V '. • . . • I .' I • ' ■ j» I II • :: • • . t
A :. ' ' ' f • S .f' ' N ' I . •. . I .N • w . . I.. .M. ; I
INI- i. 'i * I ! I *- I ?^. • .■ •• Ml \ '. ■•?.-!. \% |?'f! . \ .'.iV. '.I
f' •?!. • * ' }•.'.. . ' i-.k . !r .• •. . I. I • ri I. • .'- .:• \. i !l. i! I-.* -ijM
••i n h:h<I .ir:i%' I -.r 1 : .f. I . :. t^\ rv.-. . i !.i^'.-ifi-T r* ^'mI if.-l
llpi't • fll«-|it^ i-lii It'i allii ITI A f« k% Iiil'i if- • ! .•• h 'f't* -« ulii'll li.k'i
^•tt -••! ft.|\%.Mi|* Ulth llli[a" 'i ■ •!. »*i»:t i. >1.»|''I \l'?im w ff »•
:U8 C'OLOXKL SMITH ENX'AMPS NEAR MULWAGUL. [CHAP. XVI.
by a spell more potent than the force of magic, driven outwards in
every direction, excepting that of the supposed Smiih. Colonel
Wood, on discovering the stratagem to which he was indebted,
availed himself of the respite thus acquired, to assume a more regu-
lar disposition : the oblong hill, whicn has been described, formed
the centre of the new {x^sition, and tlie remainder of the force
was disposed in connexion with it, in such a manner, as to give
entire confidence to the troops ; the slope of the hill towards the
enemy, which was tolerably free from stones, being the most
accessible part of the position. Hyder was not slow in discover-
ing the error, which had rescued the English troops from his
grasp, and returned with indignation to resume the attack : the
whole of his cannon, including those captured in the early part
of the day were brought to bear upon the position ; and he even
made the desperate attempt to cnarge up the hill with his
cavalry ; but the day closed upon these ineffectual efforts, and
left Colonel Wood in |)ossession of the field of battle : the loss
of Hyder was estimated at a thousand men, that of the English
amounted to eight officers, two hundred and twenty-nine rank and
file, and two guns ; and both had ex{)ended nearly the whole of
their ammunition. Colonel Wood, aware of his own inability on
t lis account to maintain a second action, and ignonint of the same
impediment to its renewal by the enemy, sent dispatches by
5e^)arate messengei's to Colonel Smith, who was then at Colar:the
first of these reached him on the forenoon of the sixth ; he moved
on the same day, and early on the seventh, encam|>ed near Mulwagul.
Hyder had in the intennediate time continued closely to reconnoitre
the position of Colonel Wood, now connected with the lower fort,
for the purpose of making another effoi*t with his remaining
ammunition ; but found it too strong to be attempted until he
sliould receive a fresh supply ; and by the time of Colonel Smith s
arrival, he was again invisible.
From the earliest o]){)ortunity of examining the army and
equipments of Hyder, distinct from these of Nizam Ali, since his
n^turn from the west. Colonel Smith had stated his opinion, in the
council of field deputies, in tlu-eo distinct propositions; firtt^
that with the relative force ac^tually possessed by the contending
armies, the siege of Bangaloi'e could not be safely undertaken,
urdess Hyder should l>e ])niviously beaten in a general action:
secondly, that it was impracticable, while movmg in one body, to
force him to a general action contrary to his inclinations : and,
thirdly, that the only hop(; of such an event rested on moving in
two <Ii visions, and seizing such accidental opportunities as had been
marred by the unfortunate^ siilute of Colonel Wood, The steady
1 behaviour of the enemy s troops in the aflair of Mulwagul, so much
exc(;edeil all calculations fonndeil on former experience, as consider-
ably to di?tract from tlic security of moving in two divisions ; but
the action had biMUi coninuncetl by Hyder, under circumstances
rllAP. XVI.] SPEARH OUT ABOUT illH INTrMnRANCFS. 349
which in thoir cfTecUi gave hiin lulvaiiiof^iM nearly f*<|ual to ilame of
a Hur|inM\ and waM not a fair tost of th«» n*?tult of a n*^iiar contort
with ont* of tlicHC (livLHionH. Coi4nK'i Suiith. however. (Icenied it
|irii<ii*nt t4) huiuui<»n a ci»uncil of lii.s |irinci|Mj otiicerM. an<l to hear
tlieir opinionn n*)(arilin(; the mont eli^iMe o>upm* of nieiirtute^i. Tho
ri'-Miilt wait a 4leU*nni nation 0» |H*i>M*vere in thoM* wliioh have lieen
Htat4-<l. to nilltM-t every <iiH|»«>siiMe num. f'»r the |»ur|MiM* i»f strengthen-
inc thi* divisinnH : to ohUtin fv**ui Veneiiti^lirrry .HU|»{ilieH of animuni-
ticin an«l f«l«»ri'*4. (which, in two wjuinite h-ttrp** written hy i.\»l<»nel
Smith io the (tovrrnnivnt «»n thin iMM-iL^ion, for the |iur|»ofio of desiring
the int«*r(Mihitioii of tht«ir authority, are d«*v*riUMi to U* insuffirient
for tlie eurn*nt <*onMini|»tioii of the unny. nt»twith'^tandin^ bis
iiit^eHsant rx*nionHtnin<*eH :) antl to divert tli«* anay ofrvery iMisiNible
iii<*unihrunr«*. hy tJikin^ that oinKirtunity of ?M*ndin;; thr mek and
woiuhli'd hy Vrneati^dierry t«» \rll«»rf The p-jNirt of Colnnel Smith
on the hiihjret of thin i*«inHuItJition. adtin II iiiiHK%st hint of the a4lvan-
tiip-H whi^h nii^ht \<*i derivi*<| fmni the |in-M'n«'«* i»fMohamm<-<l Aii n<*ar
141 Ma«Inf«. for the t»ur{MiH«* of riiahlin;; tlie (lovcrnnirnt to reHt*ct.
tliat h«* and the tield df|iuti«*H wt'ii* n<*t tinly tlie most |NindenMiH of
hiH in«*uni*»nin«'«*'«. hut withdn-w fnun his diH|ko^iMf f.trrf a UJy
fit their |*r<>t4vtion at (''ilar. little inferior in T^tn-n^th t«» one 4»f
his divisi.iiiH +
Hfi the I Uh. the two di\i*«i«iiiH w«*re n;^niiii in n)'>tion to t!ie
northwarii. and <siiitiiiut-<l throughout th«* n*maitid«T of the month, hy
a -Tii-H of niovitntiits whitdi. U*in>j iir«»*lui*ti\e of no di*finite n^sult,
it in unnei'i'xnury ti* de-MTiU* the vain att4ni|it of endeavouring to
fori*e or entrap the enemy into a p-nenil :k ti<'n ; evi-rv attempt at
pn-HsniA: Hvdtr to tlit* n<*rthwanl. almitst ni*«*eH«wirilv di«A'e him on
the teirit'ifv of Mornn ILiw ; and he ne\er fad«-<l to im|ip»ve tlie<M*
op|«»rtunitiej«. hy indul;:in^ in tin* m««^t nien-ile.s^ depn*<lati>>nH.
lnei*MMint (omtilaintH of d«*tit ien^y in every *«|(e4'ies of f«|uipment and
^upply. MTv«iI i»nly U* i'ml«itt«-r th«* n^r^'t of the Kn^'li'»h anny. and
to ilimini^h. at i-vi-ry su ^•lixe manh. the faint h*»\»' of lUmM'diu^
in th«ir •tfoft'^ livier ont^trippinj^ tin ir erippl*-*! m<>\emt-nts witli
hi'« m.fciii Uiily. and k«i*pin;^ ea^h divii«i**n |Mr|M'tually harar^M^il hy
his h;:ht tpMip*, iim<le a eireuit«*us mo\i-ment. in whitli he ajiiu*M-«l
hiiie-^'if "n the ,'>th of NiiVeiiiU'r. hy alanmn^ tli*- Na)Mih and the
ti<dd tl'iiutie-^ at ('••l.tf. I hi<*t1y with the intrnti-in "f dniu iii^ <*«»l*»nel
Smith triiiii th«* n'untry ni*ar l>«-«inhullv. uhi«'h it ua.'* Iii^ uish t<»
|»re^r\i- , hut lif wan aImi pri'iiare*!. ii he miw a favtiraMt* i»p|H>r-
tunity. t" att'-mpt the pliii** hy e^alaile. A eaiinonaih- <>n tin* |ietlah.
or WiJhd toun annexcl to the ft»rt. ena)'li**| him t<> Ml.*Mr\e. that the
nulttary »rran^'fmi-iitii uen- din-v-ti-*! hv('i*l<>nid CimpU-ll %iitha
* ***.h ami li;h (Vt'i)irr ITA**
t I ji|.*.a::i ( « «t.) » ji iri.al it.itr>« thr forrr in t'ftAr. »t thr tliiir ui llyiUr «
• p|»ra'Anr.- \m**.:,' it mi Ifir Ma «•! N.i^rnifirr, I** lj*%r t*^u '£"*' K*iri'|»r»nv Aiicl
fi\« Y'tttAi.tif.ft 'i «M|«.\». «i( l},f U**rr. t<rir «A4 a Hrn^al KuuImii, and
•tio'.hrr thr I M*. rrt*'ilir «i»f|»« I catiii^'! ti.%rr i»l:r»hef ihr itthrr tliirr mrtr
350 HIS INDIRECT RECALL TO MADRAS. [CHAP. XVL
degree of confidence and skill, which afTorded little prospect of
success in a more serious attack ; and he retired on the 7th, after
having driven off the undsa, and burned the villages, in a circuit of
several miles aroimd, for the purpose of augmenting the incipient
distress for food, of which lie possessed the most accurate informa-
tion ; his measures having for some time been directed to deprive
this place of all material supplies, but those which were received in
regular convoys by the route of Vencatigherry.
Colonel Smith was recalled by the intelligence of this alannt
and returned to Colar on the 8th, through a continued deluge of
rain. The geographical position of this district, subjects it in a
considerable <legi'oe to the influence of the north-east monsoon ; and
the periodical storms had burst witli violence at this period, and
continued for a week longer to fix the whole army at Colar.
Mohammed Ali and the deputies, although abundantly stationary
throughout the greater portion of their visit to Mysoor, had not
found a campaign to be so pleasant an amusement as they had
anticipated : they had hinted a wish to return, which was now
complied with. The report of Colonel Smith from Mulwagul, placed
facts upon the records of Government, the examination of which
could not well be evaded ; he was directed to submit a plan for more
successful operations, with his present means ; and in such event
he was invested with the direction of the war: but if he conld
suggest none that could be immediately carried into effect, he
was requested to repair to Madras, for the purpose of aiding the
deliberations of the Government Colonel Smith, whose con-
tinuance in a nominal command, under the degrading tutelage
which has been described, cannot even now be contem-
plated without sorrow and surprise, had not the farther
meekness to underfcikc the sole responsibility of operatioiw,
which the misguidance of others ha<i brought to the verge of disas-
ter. He distinctly and practicallj*^ undei-stood the sources of coun-
teraction, which would convert into mere mockery the delusive pm-
fiissions of investing him with the direction of measures; ana he
most properly detennined to adopt the latter branch of the alter-
native, and proceed to iLidnis ; where without animadversion on the
past, he distinctly sUited how they were to succeed in future. The
regiments of his own army were reduced to mere skeletons, but if
the detachment under Colonel Peach, still in the northern circan,
could be spared, he risked the opinion, that no probable impediment
could prevent his bringing the war to an issue, by penetrating from
Coimbatore to the enemy's capital, oxcei)ting the want of provisions ;
and notwithsbmding the lamentible failure which hful hitherto
Iteen felt, he distinctly stated that this want " could be abnndaqtly
providtMl apiinst."
Gt^nenil opinion ascribed the ostensible demand for Colonel
Smith's advice at Madras, to the desiiv, of leaving the command of
Iht^ iinny to (.\>lnnel Wood ; whose career in the southern cmnpaign.
( MAI*. \VI I
i:k< ANrATi(»N «ir (.«)\kunmi:nt
:i".i
hii-i |ii r<>'iik:il .'in<'liti>>li<t t«i tiki* 4l"|it>tii >. iiiil till' Na^«ii>. Iiail I'sta-
Ml -111 • I \\ it li li.'-iii. aii'l \\ :(ii tli<- iiii'iiiiHi'^ '»( i iiiVi-riiiii* !il. tin- if|»ii-
t.i:i>ii*t I: iti <• • It Ii-nt iiti!it:ti\ l.tji-iit'o. 'I'll'* N. >)•<■)•. t)i<- «ii-|>ii(ii-s,
;i!il < i'li' 1 >iiimIi. iiri' •i':ii>.!v •!• |>iiit.-I ••!! titf 1 hii ■ t N<<\'-iii)>4>r.
uii-ii I ill'- i 'I'^rl "la <Ii\i^i •li a<-i-(>iiij>:iriii <1 i>v Moi.iii ll^'W. '\\)ii<*>««
I •! :•« li'ixi • ^ • I i>-rti.iiii''>i \«iiii 1 'i«- aiin\.^ t'lith*' imii'|hi<.> nt* i>Ht«'ii-
mI-iv r- .i>-\ iiu' t Ii'i^ iii"\ r:ii"!ii li lui ii<i ii'-'ual rliaiail* r. «i|- in tin*
I.t'i.'Mji •■! tl.i 'i'ji'i?!''* \* j»i«\tiit any |..i'I iiii{ii<'*>-*iii!i tVi'iii tip'
li!..:'! i!!!! N li-'i- . til' < ii- v.ili'i ill- St l.iiiiii I- ill-' tii>- miiIv
j- t ■' 'J. i^-- •■* t!ii- i'!;!:'i.' '■•:i..i\i- \;!i--. li.tiiii* a m h >i- of *«iiaiiii*
a| ■:■•.! I -' I' l..i\ • • \i ..j'ii- 1 fi 111 t !i« I" ■ ••! '1 '
1 til j> ii'-: (! t* ii-ji !i>-\ "t* M*iliaiiiit.i i AI: ^ luiiitaiv t.ilt fit^ liiaV
I- I : «■•• i t 'ii'ii ji.'w! «\ »rv jMi! "I I 1- i.i^t- I \ . an 1 in : >'t u inj ihi«
I l)>- to • !i tip' l"it'ii 1 tin- v^.ti 't ()i<- 'iiili.. ]<|i\ I > iiiiiii*«>.:i.(i \vii<i-i*
• »;•• i.it:..'i" «• i« tlpiN » .■•'.« i 1 li.iv" iii<i>-.i\ > • ii> 1 t«» !■ "ti.iiii a^ tar a-*
St 'i''Im.i I, li.'T** U'<ni>i a*iiii4l I'hi* iiii\i'>i ti>if- >•( ri'n* 'iN* aipj i!i'ii;jim-
||>>I| wli.. !i tli»l! I'! •■■•■• •lin/i W'lt- «-,(Ii-iIJ.|t*-i !•» |il««\«ikf . — •♦■kiiii^
til' . jJit ■•! tiiit!i .!"• iiiv -^iJij!" :."i:'it 1 liivi- U ••n ii-iI-iiiH ••I tli»«
!•••■ .' •■ ]i>*'<i> h> • •>! i>f ■■!' X-: 'ii il )i>-riiii-<- III t if ••:>irii"i.o \\ )ii« li I
li i\ ' t!hi- i .mi I I* ! I -■■■ irsty aj.Mt-t ti. i! iiilli* n-'- in «!•■-
».■ : .i ,'i/ t ii- . . rl- . ' ^ Mil'.' ! ih.."i t_«' -■! ill-- a;it !i i ^ '-r f ii-- up i-nii*.
1 i.> I i wi Tiiif :.f \« .. 'i ! 'i ni' r i\ |>: > •! •{ t • h i\ •- a< < >:ii|>i.^ii*-l :i
i,'!' -»* I'l't I . '■ • r ii. f. . '.'.,./ I !i M"!. »iiiii:. -i All !■• ai'-
I Ti...!!!-, ?!.- .III:.'. ...-.I.... 1 ;i |;-.|.. VI !?.. :r |i tf. I t. <■■■!. .lit'I
>i: tf. .| i!. : ti 1'.!'. . 1 « • r. • . r tii .1 U :..i. tl. it l:fii. /. ■• / '-•
• »' ^ . ». . r ' r • . .V ■' ■ •' ..!. i t: • ;r }' ••• r !■■ tin ■!. i.nti- - •■!' l:i.«
H.1I1. .it'. 1 ' . iin; • .I'i I • \ ;..; .t t fi.»t • p p.i « .1 j«- \i \\\ \- r;t» •! a I
I'M.t;, W . ,..». .| (..;;, . \j :» . ,sij • :! i<ni.i/t im r.t .i.i L'l'it
• i. .1- • 'ii :,• t ' t I • \T • • •■ I an "' t.u ■'• si.-.iiM n •\^ i • •ii-»-
«•.'.• I r .■ .■..:.. n in i ./.:•••!. "iin w .i-» ('• '^ ..r. ;jt' it ■■^•■
:• • • • f \ .• . t • I.' 1 1 .■ . . .^ • i. .■ ■■ :i. w \ . lu.-i. r-^ •■ i » '1 »t a -.ilV:
t - . • ■ ; . \ . •....•• ' ! • . r . s : 1 • 1 ;■.•!..-• ■ • n ; .1 I
■ . ; I ! . • - ' • •- 1 .. •.■ • '.* ..il
: . • : -I !.. i •.••.■ ^ .-l"
! |1 «-i . . ■:• 1 I \k : 1' • Tl I
1 * '.• [ \\ ■ •-! !■ ..;.• i !:• Ill
1 .'
. •
• f
1:.
.. '
1
, 1
• ■ '
1
•
.11"
■
.
\
l\
,■
I!
!•:.
. .
• •
■
•
• !•
*
t
t
I
■
.
1:.
.
■
\^ •
t
fe i
1.
I
'.\.
• I •
. I
• . • •
• ■ ■. . ■ : 1
■ ! ; .. ". V? 'I •;■ .w '1 r. »!. it . • ■ ! w li. II
r. • • • ' :. I - • r. :..!-•:.»... I. i I--
I •-»..•.,• . ■. .; ■ ■ . ■ I _ ! I.!. .! \ I li ;■. . ' • i-n
■ !■ ■ • \v !, ■.;.-. . \\ . :!''•- :i .1 . . ; ■ i :.-. i.i r in.-
\\ i- !. i' ;.\ . \. ' - .• . . I. • • )- I ••'.:.. I
I ■ • • ■
•I. •'-■.•. V. .• .1
• . • t
.1
; : » ' . .' : • . • : .ri. \ 1. • t w .lli
■.* . • . ■ ' .■ T '. .kT. i -• »' -» !'..|
r ; • N . . : ^:.■ -.. !• \ 1 .• :'.,|;i .\f-
«
■ . r:.' » .ii.t • ! '. : \ ;':■!•
352 COLONEL WOOD MOVES TO RELIEVE OOSSOOR. [CHAP. XVI.
The departure of Mohammed Ali and the deputies had caused
the movement of Colonel Smith's division to the eastward of Colar :
in the first march intelligence had been received, that Hyder was
besieging Oossoor, and Colonel Wood's division was in consequence
reinforced by the 2d regiment of Europeans, and Captain Ooeby s
battalion of sepoys, in order that he might move for its relief; the
remainder of Colonel Smith s division, under Major Fitzgerald, the
senior officer, continued at Vencatigherry, to cover the retreat of the
Nabob and the deputies, and furnish escorts to place them in a
situation of security.
Colonel Wood marched for the relief of Oossoor, on the IGth,
with two regiments* of Europeans, five battalions of sepoys, and
their usual neld-pieces; to which were added two brass 18-poun-
ders ; he reached Baugloor, on the 17th ; and in order that he might
be divested of all incumbrances, in the night attack, which he medi-
tated on Hyder s camp, he ordered the whole of his baggage, camp
equipage, and surplus stores, into the walled town, or pettah of Bau-
gloor ; the two 18-pounders being now classed and deposited among
the incumbrances. Having given these orders, he proceeded at ten
on the same night, towards Oossoor, which he did not reach lill seven
in the morning of the 18th, and was of course foiled, in the design
which he had planned, of a night attack, on an army embarrassed in
the operations of a siege. Hyder had, on the preceding evening;,
withdrawn his preparations for the siege, and remained on his
ground of encampment, north-west of the fort, until Colonel Wood's
sidvance was entering Oossoor. The march had been so hurried,
that a small portion only of the provisions and stores intended Tor
the relief of the garrison was brought up ; and while these were
entering the place, and the requisite arrangements were in preparation
for giving repose and refreshment to the troops, the whole of Hyder's
cavalry were making demonstrations in various directions, while his
infantry, by a circuitous movement, turned the flank of the English,
and got between them and Baugloor. Clouds of dust, indicating the
movement of troops in that direction, had been observed, and re-
ported by the out-i)Osts ; but disregarded by Colonel Wood. About
two o'clock, however, repeated and heavy discharges of canon and
musketry, explained the circumvention, and obliged him to retrace
his steps witli fresh precipitation.
Baugloor, like most of the fortresses in that countiy, abov6
the rank of a walled village, had a little fort or citadel, the
habitation of the chief, his oiiicei'S, and garrison ; and a walled
town connected with it on one side, the residence of the agri-
cultural, commercial, and mixed classes of the community ; and
the place was garrisoned by one of the best corps in the service
of Mohammed Ali, under the command of Captain Alexander.
It had been found, on trial, that the gate of the pettah was too
narrow to admit the eighteen pounders, and they were accord-
* The two regiments were about 700 men, the five battalicms about 4,000k
ClIAl'. XVl] DISASTER AT llAUCLOt)!:. ;i.'>:»
iii;;ly li*fl with a ^lani at tin* «mtsiil«». S«imi^ of tlio iimsi |Nirt-
a1»l<* of the st4in's worr rt*tU(iViM| witliiii tiif* fort: th«* tiia«ii of
Ktiin*s aiiii iKi'^'^ai^i' was (lc|H»*iit<Mi, without iiiiich onh'r. in th«)
ntpfts. aiit| till* (iRiiii^lit and rarria'^i' nitth? ha<l rhii'tly takrn
shfltrr nn<h*r thi* walU : Imt wh^n thi* tMimiy's cNthmins u|i(ii-:ini|.
n*turnin'^ from OosMNir. ihf iMttli- wi-n* flrivi-n. witli ]inM*i{iit:ttion.
within thi* town. Th«'M* a|i|i:iri'nt nuiip:irtH an* L:i-ni'nilly ni» nion«
than mm* Hin::h' w;iil'4 tif niu<l. fmni liflf«*» to twi-nty f»'ri hi^'li,
an<l nf»t rxc liii:; a I'liliit in hrra<lth at th** sunmiit : tip* •j:it<*-
wav is ri»nvrrt«*<l uhnvi* into :i turr«-t (**r nni-ikt-trv : an*! if at
thf I'Xtt'ritir an::l«*s th«T'» U* flht-r similar tnrn l«i. tli«' ••. with thn
liJHtJint tin* of tin* f^rt, hanltv cVit fiinn^hiii;^ a tiuv tlmkiii'^
fh»f«*niv. ail? f*on-»i«h'n*<l a ri"»|H'«-t:ilil»* |H'il«Tti«iii a.;;iin-«i rax.ilrv.
whif'h tln'V an* flii'-llv int'-n-h-.l t'l P'^i^l. IJut it i'i ivi'I. iit.
iliih*xH tinii* \m* i;ivf»fi for rn-i'linL' |»!;»t!*"rin'» f«»r niU'^ki try. :i!«»ii:;
ihf* int«-ri«>r n{ thi* fiirt:iin<. tiiat th«* inftntrv with'Wt aiitl \%ithiii
mirli a hn»' i-f liifi-ni'*' an- n-'l fir nintivnl tVuni a -tat«* of
ei|iiaiity. Hyt|.T aji|iro:irli.-.I in -.-vtT.il •li-^tin-l r'ilMiiin'<, ppf. 1..1 liy
caniiMi. :iri'| att4*!il-i hv jiiin'— f'i. an I l.i ih-p* torli-ir th" I.*.- iim-*.
iir Hurniirint th- w.i!Iv (Vi]it.iin Ah-van-h-r jwr^-inally •lii''l»-t|
hit rhiff aTt'iiti •!! to th" ppM.*! vali'»n **{ thf ••ijht«i'!i-|fiun 1- p» ;
liut on tiii'liiii: thit til*' « ii'-niy h.i'i |Hn<-tr:it«'«l in tiif ri-.ir I't* U.th
hin tlank^. In- ritr'-at'-'l uith h.i«<t**, tiiwarl-i thi- f«»rt ■ tin" ••rHifr h It
in I'harL'** ha«i f'>rtiiTi:iti*lv ••! Itp'tl th»' i^ril** to Im' •-hut. "n tJir lir^t
inoni'Mit iif hi-* (i< T<*"iviii^ an rifiiiy witliin th** {nttali wall : \\ittiint
lhi<4 i»r»i-.»uti»n i-\iTvtliiTi_r nni'it liav-' ln-.-n li-^t ; th»' f • \v Htiiiy-i
that n:i«l In .-n !• ft within th" f<<rt n *\\' nianii'-^l th** ninii'.iit- \iitli
Cfinti'h'n« •• aiil ki-jit ii{»ahii^k fin*. whi<*h a^^i^tt-il in )>r''\i iitiTi^
thf «-n<*iiiy tV'tii i-nttiii_: t.ff t 'aj.t.iin Ah \an«h r - Ptri*al. Tl.-- i i!ii)i
folhiWrr^, aifi m my ••!' thi iijh.if'ilant^ **u |- p'- i\ in.; tli»- • t.ti in-i'
• •f th«* i-nini%'. |ip'--.' I itil-itli" |«!tih t'lWari* lip- ^at« uav •■! tin*
fort . ni» ?i. \*"iii'ii. aril •hiiipn. •lri\iir,' •aiii'!-*. h«»r*- v ari i .'\- n.
with t!i«* h 'j-- ••!" ••lit.ilniii.: a Iiiii-m -n l'ii:« w i-* |' \ Til- I *•% t h"
|in*t':inti'>!i will- h h i-« ••••• ii -I it- -l. a!il a -■ • ii- i !j^'i- 1 I li'ii^!*'
fur «i*"««'Mpf :>n thf h'-i\i«r an i nii'p' lulivf aiiitnilH j-r- • ■ i !t-
warl "11 tip- \v.:ik'i. nnl.i th- v Uii-- jil'-i ••n •i-h ••th r in . ini*-*
of tlfivl ati'l •i\in^'. lit' \v!:i'-)i i!m' h ini.iii !•• i?i/-* t riii> i t-> ! i? •- a
|»f^'j-»rti"n ;!?: i t!..- |- r:!' w !.: h t!i • i- Ir- i!:n.' .Mn ■'» • ri r.'. r
r«l in •■|"'irin.' t • -. -It- a It'i! -'•'..•' l» !-■ •!: \\\\\ m;i ^•\ t ;- - •.' ■ lli--
fort. i»«P II ■! It.!- r: -r I • th -- uht- Ii ill- \ -tit-i:i.- i !• i.i!'- :-ir
•iiin^» • PI' TM\ il\ |. r nil ! !j ■ .»!»• iiii't •'•I ih- I -!? *••!!!:. • • ri
|»ain'I« T^ u. r 'j'l: k.'\ j-'i' :'i!:i !: ti. l'.- i.iv- ■! "•-. i l'--
ik-tt.ih \v« I'll.- lii|-Til.:« :■■.!■ • irt - .1'; 1 I i!ii''!«. "••»]' ■ ' •. -i
tli»' */iin « *rr . '.•• - \* ii- fi u • ■ 1 i.i -I t-» ? !-■ 'If in -t r •• ■ • - i' I
rarrx an- 1 ■ . » ■ !\ ■!:■.•!.■ I "Ti «"■ ■ i - i l ♦ • 1". :. ■ . ■« I '• ■
■rr-in.^' m* • ' ^% ■ • • m :■!-!• i i- . ! J ! u '. '• ? I i - .• •■ \ • • \ - i"
I'f !jhr *- ! • I ' • - ' W • !■ • ' • • '..••■ '
•■*.. r. I ■ . I > .". ■•, ) ■.. •:. J ■ ■ I. '■ ■ • '■ ■
^'A COLONEL WOOD RETREATS. [CHAP. XVL
caniagc bullocks, two eighteen-^wunders, and nearly the whole of
the stores, baggage, and camp equipage of his army. On the 20th
he returned to repair one of the errors of his precipitation by throw-
ing some ammunition and stores into Oossoor. On the 2l8t, he
measured back his steps to Bougloor, now destitute of provision for
the use of his ti*oops, and on the same evening prosecutcKl his march
to Arlier, an intermediate post on the road to Colar, where there
was a small supply. Hyder had by this time disposed of his tro-
phies and his spoUs ; and while Colonel Wood believed him to be at
the distance of twenty-five miles, suddenly made his appearance
about noon of the 22d, his cavalry and light troops driving in the
outpasts, for the purpose of masking, according to his usual custom,
the movements of his infantry and guns. Two batteries, consisting
of twelve of his heaviest ])ieces, and among them those which he
had taken at Baugloor, soon opened, from an eminence too distant
to be returned with much effect by the English field ])ieces. Colonel
Wood's line was entirely exposed, but he had no baggage to impede
his movements, and the relative situation was such, that, divest^ of
the depression which seemed to have overwhelmed his faculties, no
Englisli officer would have hesitated many minutes in making a
disposition for advancing on the enemy's guns. In this situation
however, Colonel Wood, whose greatest military fault liad hi-
thei-to been deemed a too ardent courage, remained the whole day
wasting his ammunition in returning this absurd cannonade, in
which he lost in killed and wounded, one captain,* six subalterns^
twenty Europeans, and two hundred sepoys; at night the enemy
made a show of retiring to a distant encampment, and, at ten on
the same night Colonel Wood i-esumed his march ; but had scarcely
cleared this iU-fated ground before Hyder s infantry commenced a
fire on his rear and riglit flank, which they continued throughout the
night, obliging him frequently to halt, and repel their attacks. At
day-light on the 23d, being still pressed in the rear, he was moving,
with a ridge of rocky hills on his right, which seemed to promise a
temporary respite from attack on that flank. The order of march
was in two column.s, with the small renmant of baggage, and Morari
Row's horse interposed, and the advanced and rear-guanls covering
the inten'als, and forming what is not very scientifically termed an
oblong scpiare : but just iu\ the advance had {)assed an o])ening in
the hills, the flower of Hydor's army was perceivc<l pressing in mass
through the opening, with a view to intersect the English columns,
and ilestroy them in detail. The bravery and the liayonets of the
European ti^oops rendered tliis eflV>rt abortive, and the columns
(^mtinued their march, again, however, hanl-pressod, upon the
right as well as rear, after clearing the hills. At the distance of
two miles more, another sinular range affonlecl cover to the lefl,
when Hj'cler, one of whose columns had succeede<l in gaining a
Captain CVdhy .ifvcrcly wounded l»y a contuiiiun in his side, from a
<ann(Mi l«iill.
I'llAI' \\l| KKI.IIA I.I» l'.\ \I\.>«*K ni/.i.i l:.\l 1»
■I.I.I
|NiMtiiiii. \« lii«'|i arn-^tfiJ t)i>- Kirjlii* tViiil ii<iii.rlit t'iir\\:ii<l tli**
wliiili' lit* lii^ iiitikiitrv. aii«l i'*iiii}m-1|i •! <'m1iiii>| WiunI niii-.' iniin' t**
liah. ;iii<i t.tk*' [!•'•<( iiiiitiir^ tin- i>H'k*« Tli'- itriJifk \\n> lifp- !• -iiiii
•*«l with ri'tiiiiiLliil fury 2iii<l |ii*i m m imhi •• <'>>l<>iiil W.xmI*. :<iiiiiiii
niliiiik U-ifsiri !•» tail, nipi tii«' <'>iii1i<|i'iir«- *t\ ins sciinv^ 1m lirrliii*-,
wIh-ii aliiiiit iiiM'ii uitlfut aii\ vi-^il'li- raiiN,-. ilv<lti ilp-w ••t1 lii^
ti'«Ni|i*.. aii'i f'liiiinh ii>'> •! lii^ !• In-at i«i tip- ■^••iiiii-« ast. i*'i«r iipwapU
lit' an li'iiii. tip' i« \ of tlii^ li* liviniiii--- \v:i^ Miiiiiiv*') with aii\ i-tlM-r
iV-tliiiv; tlian tliaf i«t \\««ii'iir. l-ut a-. !!;«■ atino-oj.)!!-!.- U-j^m |.i
t*l«-ar. M'itli tlif |-«-ri-v.ii»ii nf llyili-i -« ti •!••{»<. an a}i)>i>>;i<'Iiiiiu' •■•ininii
tif ilii^t I'loiii til" ii'if'tii-' a-^i i\(il:ilif •! tin- arrival ••!' -^n tir
Kiininiir lia<I ijMif-kiy r<'M\<\i-*i t<« Mip'r rit/ji-nii-l at Vtni-ati
^li'-rrv. till* tuit-iitiiiiat'* « \*-iits at IUiiL.'l<>-ir . anil ^U'li-^ivf i>|Hiit*
t'oiiriiiTiif^ ill III! ttif iiiat'-riiil t'.n'lN. li-lt Itiin in im iliiiil>( iliat
l'«ili»nfl W iNHi )ia>I ^c^t.iiiifii tVc l<'^^ Mf's.itiii- ••ttli** ni'**<t iiii|Httant
c*{tii|«nii-iit.-« of ills ariiiv. air! wniilij pi<ifi:i)>lv !••• in iliofnos t'.ir
|iniviM«ins. lie arr"i'linL:!v r-i.ill' •! all ih-tai iiiif iit- \i itliin lii^
n-aili. I- -lit it* •! tip- i.ii_;i -t j-.H^iM.- Mj-i-Iy I't' ii«-i- an^l i-n tin' l*!**!
inaiji* a t<i|i'i'l nianli. in a <lii' ti>>n wlmli I* ft t *"I.ir a littli- mh
hi"* rijlit nil till- I ii^'iiTi,' iii'-rniTi',' li«- w.i- ;».Miii » :\}\\ in iii't:--!! .
til'" till- ••!' ti»'- •• '!it- Ti Im/ lis:..'' wl.i !i ■■■ n i-i..k!:i' .iM'I.Hi-,
fUMli'^lli'l tl>i |- -it.T 'I" 'ii''-!. I. .i!il I,:;!' k- Ti- 1 lli- j .!• •• "l' lit-
ti'Hip"* ; till- !• Ill I u '• ni'-t •lit- li !■■! til- i.i\ 1 li i \|-i n-iilnii- >>(
iiiiiniiiniti>>ii in tl.- -i: j' • • ril > ! •■■ • !■ .-rih. i?- - . i:?; j .i.-^N . Ii;i'l
lit'l r..!..Tii ! \\ . . i 1 M' ?.*. ■ : M.'ir: I..- :■■ 11 .•:!.- 'II • i: ..iiil". -t
(li'N'Hiii'Ii |i.\ ..!'!!
1 ■
• ■ I
li:
I • '!l.l.. !»•:.!
li il j ]■ 'in- • 1 if . ill \ it.il'l
I'li'i'ii* a!i>i t ii>- lilt .\ • t ! • j • in |> It : :• i' ii . • \ i!.< • <1 .i \ i <ii '• w iiit
• •I' ri-iiTil'ni' :ri tl.* I. !■ ? t , .fil.. i I« ■ !• ! 'II,.- 'iiiii?: ij • t'
H\i!il - n.n-Ip V. . ' t .\\.iii. I'..;_' 1 .Ji-I ti. -it i;i*.''i ■!" t!..it
|il.i' •• I- 111- ! :» t.: • . i . . • ■!■:.,-; Tt ^I. ' ! I";' ■,••»' 1. a
tiriii aii'l I ' !■•;■: -I ■•*;■•? . !i t !.•■ • • t. i'; !• /\ 'it:-! i-t I. - •:!\ i : ^n
Uinj I •nij'.i-.it i\' !\ ;;• ii
«'f till K'l!"j-« -in t. ilik> I ■
till- •!:' i] !.ni -1 • -.1 j ■ ' t <
nil' \i ;in i w I'iiJF i\\ 1 1 •
iiriii\ -li'ii! I I- ]^i:! i'
fr 'ni I :-ki!i'j .1 'ii\ i .
• ; J. • I t' ■• u ;t'i !'.■ I- .!.! • • »:.• h!
I !• ,•...».• . . I .. : \^ i..iM .. . :, f -I
;»...■. M .••• '. i . . I U . !,» t..
1
•: ! ■ '; \. :. 1- li." !■ I. ..I •. i' I 1 tin
• I : : '• I' I • ; W . i • I li
I !,
• . I
• • I
. 1
1*;f« in uf^i ;• f ♦ • ' ■ 1 1 ■ 11 ; :■ : *^ ;• V .? :* \t i • : :••.;! il
a»|ii- t *'\ t!.i • •!• ; :. :■ •• ■. I!.. ' M i I : !.-.'..! i i- : ir :. .!..•- ni
• ifi liiiii t I .li It' • • .1 I'i' '. . ' ■ j ■ ■ :.!-.'. !! T i ' n- ••- :• f j ■ ' .- I
('..{•.ii.i >ii.:t!. -:.iTi:. . i! . .■_•■•• ?. ■ .' \ ? ; . ..■ *.'' :• •■!••
iih'l'-r ' !!j' ? ■;.:■•■;! • ' ■' '
i '••! .iii i >!i..*".. :•■■.■. : • ; . • : :■ ■
Arrival .ii M i.j' I .i!* I - !.! • .1 ' ,'
lili'i in. Ill- i .•• '.\ ••','.:■ i < U
M.ft'li;k> aii i ( ' . <i< . I. '. .1
• •
■Il •■ t •■\'llll^
..■'.♦ ! t ; J I ■•, • : :,n.- i»!.
fe • 1
il !
t->
.< . I 1 1 • > -r..!'.! iii'l
• II' H I. 'n. I •
t.f t \L
r ^^
I 1 1
■ ■ .
* . :. : \^ ..I : 1...:
35G ORDERED IN ARREST TO MADRAS. [CHAP. XVf.
of the army early in December. Previously however to this
supersession, Colonel Wood had once more put in motion the
united divisions ; and by a series of fatiguing movements, productive
of no effect, had repeatedly been in sight of Hyder, who amused
himself with leaving his tents standing until the English columns
were within random shot, when he would strike the encampment,
and be in motion in a few minutes, for the purpose of exhibiting
the perfection of his own equipments, and his derision of those of
his enemy. While the divisions were separate, Hyder was in the
habit* of declaring, in ordinary conversation, that he desired no
contact with that of Colonel Smith, but would not fail to attack
Colonel Wood wherever he could find him. On the approach of
Major Fitzgerald, he supposed the division to be still commanded by
Colonel Smith, and that impression caused him for some days to
observe a respectful distance; but when he received authentic
information of that officer's departure, he had no longer any anxiety
for Bangalore, and. prepared to execute, without delay, the farther
objects of his campaign.
* The uniform statement of all his principal officers.
CIIAl^TKR XVII.
Ily^lrr'* iifneral^ Fuzzul ihdln Khan, ilt$c*nth /nmi 4^ri«i7^/*iiMti tn
(*ntiM^tif*irc //iJt fitrrris urtr thr u nint!tt*irif tit.'i-MtfViHt *>t the A'i<'//|jA~-
iHUrffttU'j u»if'l"te *'J Sfrjtttttt il'*»L»tn — fivjj^fhutttj — (trf'tti, frurmn'tl
%9uhn»»n at ihtntft»m,r'^iirirt9tt at /*n/*fhaut^^Sin*fufftr rttr^nt t'lumi t'ttiif
€)i»mortH — /'fiMff/i 11/ CirY/iJ*»yr -i§0»f'it nut'-The iHiii"r f^U* Jill- ii%t'ter
deM'tHilM thf fHU\ *'/ J*'in''t*if iut'9 iiar*itn*tKid -*tU'l t'tru* ttifirtis
Cinmftatttre /-v the j »i/it "f l\*i^-ir'^tit,%,ru%H»nt it' JAr/rii« if"%rZrj fr'.n%
ita timim *'f rnnnu^tt- ('■•rj'it i,f \t*tjt%r yxtT^jernhi /*Ji vi Iht'lrr fmrn
MtjftiMtr^J'ftiCrs Jaff to //v'/'T iM rtitmi $Hrt'rui*'H-- Fit:t}frttl'i'$ rftMtHS
jftjr tttcltHiii't t'ii/^tr,{s Tn^htivf-i/if — il if tier t'ur'inh Kn-ie —tiifi C*«iri«jr
— </rJfri/yj the fi*ry*« uml'V yLr*>H~ *if*f*'iMriktxj\,rt Krmi€'"Str%ttuje i-t^nduct tj
Ori^nt'^Stirrfn hr *J Kroie --tn I '>/ Cttrnjmtir tm l^rnwh *\f *'*nutuI>itk'tH
— jvstijietl *iM rfttifi'itfH /'-r ft ^-rmrh *•/ f^tn/e — HeHfetfHM •.»! th-tf fritn§-
actinn^^i/ 'filer d'mdilte$ the O'tnitrti to (he r«i«l-- .tf i/i/i|ry r^'tttrd ittt- u *m
TVli^orc — Miij->r /'•/."•/TiiA/. fu usu'il, lu %rttnt »//••-/—/ '•'?i/riij/../ ^^uduct
i»/ ike f-fhij'rtutB-^Attrtmf'f tit ue\ltitutti"H thr*>U'/h f**r/»/'iiii ilr,m,ir-~
SUltt»mitn (iL'' r f;ii»rjhiri«./i *i //;/./rr— .|/i4»h.n if .l/r. JjiiV.«<« i;j , .f|.
jryMriii*/^/ Vm'I.'i- ji i.r' h- t'lUftet h r (irrfie tfiitj$- i**f%t',ij*fi u -t h •t\*tf\«t
-Smith IH •■ »»»»/Mf»«/ llu'f^r _/r»yr»»i<*'y emfttrm***»l 'y the ff^rt-'r »i%ft
o/ Am o/»/-iH^ii/ — ^'it fi t' (he %rtit%r*iwti the mnu '•/* ht* artmtf 'fn-/ f*i>i'ifHiH
np§iear» til the '/tt't «/ M^'-irut Utth I'lMl.Vy ttl^ne — Mr. //M /•fv *r«/ i.Hl tn
nr^/ott*ltr'^-Suu*K '-rderM /^tuf t* *llt'l''k ituffr'i tirm*f frh* u r'tf-ih[tle»i
IN the pmtAM ht}.tt'!j /'■•!' 'tt I, I i/'t'lrr %nyrf§t.ti ^/•■ytyi^*/ Ay (he /-.ttdr* -'nlrrM
ff his tw'-tertimfn* .V'>; .riu/f.n irn.i (rr*ittf ff \7^'\t'~ittm'*iUfd ^h*'t t rrr%e\o
•*/ tkr f-tndurt >•/ (he t^ir.
Hti>F.R. oil 111", n tuni fiMin th«' wost. )ia<l P-Iii'V*-*! Fiizziil i^Mn
Khan fn'iu tlif rotninnipl i»f ltafipil«»nv nii'l M-iit liini in St-nni^n-
pitiiiii. Tilt' ('••iiiin;iiii|:int»« i*f nil tip* |irin«M|knl iTtrri'^oris ;in<I tii-M
cnT|i«. I*a«l, ill i*«»iir«riiiity U^ .1 jjim-ml iti-^tnii-tifri. U-«*n ••iij|»l«»Vi'«l,
■incp th«* r«iiiiiii#'no'fiji lit «»f th** w:ir. in pn-Mirini; fi«*w l«'vii*. ^nit*h
wm» ii«iw Hiiffii-initly nistni«-t«*«l t«» t;iki* th«' •^irriMifi nii'l |>r«iviiirinl
Hutif'^ : ftll'l till' «'M tP"'!'", ilM'Iutlili;^' th«* ?• ««j«»*rt:il'!«* il«-t.i4 l)lli«*lit
frnni Mnlnliar. h;i'l Ihi-ii •Iin«t»«l t«» n|i;iir ti» S-rin^n*! •'»*■»"» wln-n*
Fiuztil (^•ILi Kliaii « "iitiitu* (| t«> !•«• :u-ti\i-Iy riii|il«<yi-«l. in ^'imn^
Uirin tlio ntiuisit*- «>r^Miii/.'iti<ii ;iii<l «-«|uiptui iit.<«. H"^ » tit-M funv.
Early in NnxmiUr, tln^ "tlinr Vm\ tin* ti*-M mitli 11 will «'iini(«>^'il
Cor|M of 7JNM» «-nvalry ii!i>l in!';iritry. an* I t« n *^ii\^. tiii*\ .1 ninininn<i
over thr im-inilar infantn* wliiili wan »nt«nni\f<l with thf niJL>«% of
the inhahitAnU Ulou tin L:li>«ut> lir kht-w that !.•' ^h'tuM l«- ai«lr«i
by the artixr- 1 v^-rti-'ii-* ••! llii-^ iiunii-r u* thi**, an<t h\ tin* U-»l
vishi'A of a |Ni{)iilation •lri\« n t*» ilr*i|tfijr. I>y th«- h"iTihh- •-\ai-tiMn-t
of Mtihaniin««l Ali's r..ll.«i-.r* nf p*%iiit»«-. %kIi'— • s\*t«ni .>rtni«rul«*
left at an hunil-!*- 'h-^laii'i- all tlj«- "|'|ti-^> -ii tlmt ha-l t\rr U««-n
rx|nTi«*iio-«l fi" 111 tip ii »!t ;:''\« mill* hi "f II\'I»t Kiit |»i«Nff«lui;;
with a nkilfnl t-antixn. Ih- iii>«\fi t<>uapN th*- }ki."k'M-« ol t 'A\i*riiM«iniiii
aihl Utij|j*-Iiiutt\ t" • *t.tM. .\ [i.rtAt knoMl«-«lL*v of the nuuiU-r au%l
358 FUZZUL OOLLA KHAN*S SUCCESS. [CHAP. XVII.
nature of the English posts* before he should attack them. At the
former of these, an honest aud brave serjeant, named Hoskan, who
commanded the advanced post of two companies and one gun in a
ruined mud fort, repelled the attempts of Fuzzul OoUa to take it by
a co^^p de main; and without the most remote suspicion of his
perilous situation, after modestly reporting the fact to his officer,
adds, with the most interesting confidence and simplicity, " I expect
them again to-morrow morning in two parties"}* with guns : I will
take the guns from them with the help of Ood." But his confidence
was disa[)pointed, for after the post had been made a heap of ruins,
it was carried by a sanguinary assault ; but I am unable to satisfy
the reader's anxiety for the fate of the brave serjeant The other
posts fell in succession : that at Oujjelhutty, where a Lieutenant
Andrews commanded, stood two regular assaults ; but he was
killed in the second, and the place surrendered on the 19th of
November. The troops in the pass, under the command of Captain
Orton, who, until the moment of attack, continued to maintain the
absurd doctrines of Colonel Wood, successively abandoned their
positions and their gims, and retreated with precipitation to Sati-
mungul ; and from thence to concentrate the remaining force at
Erode. Among the strange military anomalies of Colonel Wood and
his coadjutor the fiscal agent of Mohammed Ali ; the former com-
mandant of Coimbatore, who had betrayed it to the English, was
continued in the command of the irregular troops of his former gar-
rison— as killedar of the place, exercising a joint non-descript autho-
rity, with the European officer, who commanded the regular troopa
While the greater part of these were out at exercise on the 29th of
November, with the willing aid of the inhabitants, he seized the
occasion to massacre all those within,^ to shut the gates, and, assist-
ed by a body of cavalry, who had approached for the purpose, made
prisoners the men at exercise, who, as usual, had only blunt
cartridges. Fuzzul OoUa Khan who had conceited the plan, waited
for its accomplishment before he should descend the Gujjelhutty
pass, with his main body, and immcdiatelv sent a dispatch to
Hyder, to report that he should have completed his descent§ by
* The unmilitary disposition of tliof^c of Cavcripooram. are thus described
by Captain Faisan, the officer commanding on the 5th of Norember. " My
present situation is such, that I um unublc to move to the assistance of any
post, I have one serjeant and one company at Cavcripooram ; one company al
the first pass, ten miles from hence; one company at the second pass, with one
gun and one tumbril, 25 miles distant j one serjeant and one c^mpoDy at
Allembady, 40 miles north ; and one serjeant and two companies at A^jipoo-
ram, 55 miles west."
t 700 horse, 3,000 regular infantry, 2.000 irregulars, and 3 guns, 1»-
pounders, was tlie detachment he reported ; but they had been reinforced
with 4 additional guns.
X Among the unfortunate victims was Mr. Hamilton, the paymaster of
the district.
§ It was then so precipitous that the gun carriages were taken to pieeei,
and sent down piece-meal on sledges.
• HAP. XVII.] IIYDEK DESI'KSDS Till: PoMCODK T-VSS. 'A^J
till* 4tli of I)t'('i'iii)H*r : tlu* tD'acluTV at ('••iiiiluiton*. anti a •similar
fX|iliiit at HriiiiikaiiniLi t^MVc just raiinr nf alarm t<i all liht^iir ••tiii-«T4
wlio«M» •'jimHiiiis wiTi' not i'X«'lii>ivfly r«iiii|Mis«Ml nf KtiLrlisii m'|iii\s ;
nil iif tli«*iii U'iiii' a wan*, tiuit tlirv liaij ihi iiK'aiis i>t' tlft'i-in'i*. In
a IfW (lays tlit* niiiiuin* nf IlytitT'i a|ipri>:ii*ii rrniii llu* imitli was
atiiin«laiitly ('•iiitirniril. I'liptain tlniiiisnn wlm i*iiiiiinaiiiii'>i at
lhtnt|NNir. with -Hhi fciitiit'iil M'|Miy^ : niaiir l;«mm1 lii.H p'triMt to
Trii-liin(i|Hi|y, in llir fai-r nf Fu/rtil Unlla's wiiitl«* furn'; n '.^illiint
mill nkilful a«-|]ifVrnitMit. wliirli ili*si'i\i'il|y ti\4*«i tin* |-i-]iut'i(i'M nf
that ivs|)i'ctaM(* ntiir«T. I«i«*nt4*ii:uil Hryant who i'«i|iiinaifli-ii at
l'Hl;;haut. with a small ilftai-hnifnt of liis nwii si;M»ys, aii.l tin*
fpiuainin;^ |iiirt of th'* ;^'ariiNiiM. ronijNisi-il nf Nal"»li'-« iiiMi|is. an.) irn--
pilnrs hin-il in tin- t-nniitiy. ha\iiiL| i-frtain iiiti'lliL:**!^ f a |i!.iii of
ina<vsa('ri' within, an^l tin' i-\ iilfiin- i.f ln-iii;; invtst«->l wiiiiniit. iitii-
ri'lt***! with his faitliful «»i'|i. lys iln* nii-aii'^ *>( r^'iapiiii; fi^m lin-M'
(iim|»iit*nti**i «laii'ji>iN : tii'-\ with<lii-w nn|ii ro'i\i<l in tli>- iiiLriit. ;in<l
follow in;; a M-rirt path kii'>wn to ••ni- i^f tli<- "^t'lH'X s. tiipiujii the
WimnIh an«l mountain^, to tin* "^^ntli-xM-^t arriv<-<i in -sil. ty at
TiHvanriiri' ; an<l tht-iii*** ntiirm-il )iy i *a|M* ( 'itnii>iin !•< th*- x-'Utii-
cAMtrrn «h'|N-ii'lriiii.-^ i.f M^nliav 'I'hf I'liti-'ii h.ii Uiii ::i\tii t<i
(aptain Fai-^in of •■\.it natin.' < '.i\< ii|VM.|-. an*l i>>iiiirij <'.i|>tai!i <*rt'>ii
At Kn"ii". hnl h«* pii !*• !i«'l t'l a\\a:t th^- «\i iit-^ I'f w.if, in tli*- p..st.
whirli III* haii In i n i>i<iiii-l ti •lit'«iil. All tip- iiiin<>i p> st<«
tliroiii^'hoiit thf ritiiniiy. kii,-.. Nsi\ . !v f*-il without iisi-tani <
On th«- ijtii "f I »i I'-nil" r, ll\'l.'r ih •» ■••n.li-.l i-.i^tw.ir-l iiito
linnimahal. \»\ th<> i \>'>J< nt pa^^ nf i* >lii "ji-. an^l tli>iii<- '^ 'itli-
warils thi<iti:rh that ff 'r<ip->>:-. thritujh a ili lin *'\ lisiU im::Ii:ii^'
Ga^t an<l wi*«f. wliii-h at (hn plaif r>iiin><t^ tiii* tii^t aici »• • uA
nin.:«-N itf i/i.-.ii ni'iini.iiii^. A\lr.s.' iiii'-iti<<h i«« n-ith aii-i - Mth ;
mill ('tiliihi-l Uiiiu: nOi'i h"U ■-.•iiiiuan>i in M\ >•••!. in ■•••uii-^
iiit«"lli;:« ii*'«* «-f th:«» iX'-nt. \*hith li.i«l l-rij Ih • n f •!•>••• n. •!• t.ii !,i<l
in tin* s.inp* iiiri-<(:->n a h/iit )>':t t-irp •• iii >i;\:^i<>!i. •-•niji- -••! ^-f
till- )n ..t till.;-'* ••! til* aM!i\ 'Mih I .^! ti'i I'lT/.:' i.il'l. >\ i.. !j T.iU'i.i'l
nil til'* |tUli N« .!•!• j'l tt- III' 111. K.i'l i ■ ' h .i-i-.j t» i ! M I' j«-i :: iri^'
ill*' I'i'—i'i I I ]**• • \i" ■ •• i iTi t!i- 'i-x i.tiik- !i"ni t!i« 'iLiiiiv
iii*«i.iitii ■* if \\ i\ .1:1 1 i". .1 ■■ i. I: t I.- > --.\i;,\ .i':.*ii.' !il I \\i ti--
l;i."»t 'anipnijli l-v » .■ • h.iii •■ ■■! • .-.'.m!- w.t- 1 i' • »•! !■ .• 1. '•■
Mi'fiNii.ix l'\ li.-- Ii.Si'i f fi i., lii -lit i I! ir •; fi ".■;.• r
Alt«-r iht'f'i"- f-M III -iiiii. !«• M.i I h il ",■• lU'l .iH • II: .• :i; ' : p-*
i»f .'1 i It HI II,. T, • I ■..;..!,. I L :i _' ! ■ ;:. i i ::i -• !l uii I- 1 t '.■ w.i!! - ..f
• Of..- :•.■.. M. !■■ .'. I . • : .?..;-.. iw ■ *. .,: \ ' ••
liii.iki :i u.*^ !!'■ I-' i. •*<...'. ■•... .. •.. ■•. i '
I ill *t .1 : I .'. '. 4.. I. • • ; -•
■ ■ «■■ ••■ •■ '
• •ji-j*i«'iM-!i r ■• • ] • '.' .■ • ■ : • ■'.'-, v • . • :■•.?' ir' ' . '\ i-.i ri.
• itii ! .1 I" ■. . . i 1/ V. .. . t:.. i: : , , ... i : i::.i-- i: .»rii.\ :*.!■... \t ' v
.11. « •!
360 BCAJOR FITZGERALD FOLLOWS HTDEB. [CHAP. XVIL
Vencatiglierry reduced to a force, exclusively of garrisons and
detaclimenis, of 370 Europeans, and 900 sepoys; two 6-pounders,
one 3-pounder, and two howitzers.
On Colonel Smith's arrival at Madras, the Government were
roused to the consideration of an opinion, which although he had
never attempted to conceal, lie ought never to have suffered
the deputies to over-rule ; that Colar was no place of safe deposit
for stores, without an army in its vicinity; and they awoke
from the golden dreams of conquest in M}rsoor, to the sad reality
of providing for the security of these means which had been
ostentatiously prepared for the capture of the capital A li^i
corp^ under Tippoo, ranging round his head-quarters at Bangalore,
was the only force in those provinces, and Colonel Lang was
directed to withdraw the batterinfj train from Colar, while I^der's
absence rendered it practicable ; but it was determined to risk
a garrison there, under the command of Captain Kelly, for the
purpose of resuming offensive operations in that direction, if the
future chances of war should justify the attempt ; and the efi[regious
improvidence of scattering troops over a country in untenaUe posts,
which promoted no one object of the war, was now evinced,
by the necessity of sending directions to all the garrisons to
escape by night, as they could, to the nearest places of strength.
Hyder, in descending through the pass of Policode^ was pre-
ceded by emissaries in every direction, who announced the intelli-
gence of his having defeated and destroyed the English army,
and of liLs approaching to re-occupy his own posts in the lower
country, preparatory to the conquest of Madraa The garrisons,
with the exception of Erode and Caveripooram, were composed, in
various gradations of incfHciency, of the same materials as those
which have already been described, excepting that in those of the
provinces of Baramahal and Salem, the garrisons were of Nabob's
troops, without any intermixture of regular English sepoys : they
followed the same disgraceful fate as those in the province of
Coimbatore, and fell, as if a magic wand had accompanied the
summons. Major Fitzgerald, who followed with rapid strides, bad
the mortification to hear at each successive march, of the surrender^
of the ])lace which he next ho])ed to relieve. As he approached
the Cavery, ho had intelligence that Hyder had croeseu, or was
•al)out to cross the river, a little to the eastward of Caroor ; and
had determineil to leave Fuzzul Oolla to invest that place, and
Erode, aiul to proceed himself with the main aimv to attempt
Tricluno|K>ly, or levy contributions on Tanjore, and the southern
proviiu-rs. Deeming Erode to be safe for the present, from his
knowledge that at leaat 200 Europeans, 1,200 regular sepoys, eight
pieces of goo<l Uittering cannon, and two inortai-s, had been allotted
* 'J'heir Hurrender is reported by Major Fitzgerald on the follciwing dutes*
On the 6th IXirampoory— 7th Tingncotta— 12th Oomahmr— 16th Selim— I7th
Naincul-lDth Caroor— 25th EnxTe— 3l8t Dindigul. Carcripoor aud Palghaut
.irc iidt lucntioiicd in hh (]i;$])Utchc:j.
<*IIAI*. XVII ] IIVhKit MnVhs ri» l(KsiK«:i: i.llMl'i:
:ii,l
fi'r it"! ili'fi'iu'i* : :iiiii kinixwii^ 'rii«Iiinn|i.i|y t«i Ji** in :i ilif' ipi I.- s
>L4l«-, iViiiii !i;i\ iii_' liiMii iir:iiii>-il m1' it* t!»Mi|.>.. |"..r tli*- -in:-- ••!*
< 'oiiiiliat'ii'i'. )ii' iii<-liii>'<l t<i the • Mst w.ii'l t>>i' til'- {•{'•t'-' ti-iii <>t' tli^it
iiii'if iiii|f«irt;iiit i>ii)«i't. I'lii^ iiMiVriiniit «!• t*-Miiiiii-<i li\«l' r 1 t li,.-
«»(i|f*isit'' iiin*iti'*ii : I'.h'ihh t'l-ll uitli>>ui luui-li i'i-^i^t:ii ^tid in-
ijio\i-ij ii|i till- li-jlii Uiiik ••I'llii- i'.ivfiy 1"!" lip" *»!'■.'•• •»!" Ki."l«-.
< hi tli»' ili-iiM tiip- I't" I '. »l--ii«'I Wiiiiil fii'iii tlii*. jir'»viii'-.'. <'..Ii.m«I
I'Vi'-i-li 111:111 ii;iii lii-.-ti Mjiji'iini'il tn Niii'fii-.i him; :iii<l aU riiiiilf
sft-hl 111' F'i//iil n.i|!.i ici 1 i.fli.-l «iii-k tn 'I'rl' liiii'i|filv. !• .t\ in." llif
r<iiiiiii:iiii| lit' tin- tl'Miijis iit fiii* )>i<i\ iin-i- t-t ( *:i]it:tili <)rt<ili. \v ii >lii u*)
li:i\»' iili'tMiiv iiiitii'fi| .-j^ If! ii-.iT'ii^' tV'-iii till" I'.i---^. Ill i-'ii I rif '.■!••
iii-» t'(>i-i'i> :it Kri» 1" 'rii''»!M«l !.i|»:»«if\ tif M.'il.iiiiiu' I All- ih'Im .■-
liH'lit )i.i«l iMM— ••! |'»*'i\ i^; Ml- I't '1:- ip|M' »i "iXi r ;i \'V"\ iii' ■• ii •? t .. . ■ |.
i'*\ ill f'-itilitv :iiiii ;i^Mii-i.!iM»- i'V :«Tiv |"»rts -u ■■!* t!i«- • iit!i . .i»pi ' «;•■
taiti Ort-iTi. \\!i»i li;i«i \" 'W :i--'i:fl l'\ til-' ti^-il 'illl-- r^ •■!" .1:1 :i !::•.••
••!i|ij-Iy t,t" |i!>i\ i-i«iii^ Mf Ki"i«- !'»m:i I tip- »j'i.iiirity l"t illy i-i-it!l-
•■iffif. i-xiiil'ir.-i -li'«n i- J" imI Ii»«1n. nt tit'.ir- : ri-i: -r 1. l'
4** luil'*^ :t 'i't.Mlii'iint UM j.-i <'.i:«!.Mi! Ni\ -Ti I •:ii;i ■ ■ i •.?' '.u fvn •-
JN-:ih».. I'MO ,, JM ,\ . .11,.! t U •• f 1:!' • :■ 'MM'!' ! ■• t . t ■■■■it :i ■*•::■!'■. l- . 1,1
llli'Mfi* 'I'll.' ;tlij.| . iili ft" H\ii'l W.i-* Lm U'i 1 if :? W t- « i f«" I
tli.i* III t". iif lii- all;*. '.! x'U' •«■ \V'i!-i '■• t.M* t » i Miij «:;• f ■•■- ■ i . ■!'•
f"li\ iiA - tr-lil * ';i! ••»■ :•'. I t ',!■ \' ,','■ y\ .{^ li- ■ lie I --ifit. :• i.r t ■ ■ • ■;■ ■>■■
.IIiV il« t:ii-|ilii> lit u),'. !i .• -i! 1 I.- - •.» .■ _■ ii-r :' l.\ I*' :.••;' n .; •,
V li'J U.I'* -IIM -' I ?■• 1" . T ilii" -M -! ■?! ' If ii »■! ! ■ • "' A . ", . !
■
p|iM-i'i->li--| iiiMi !i .I*'- •\i« .:t li « It • '1 !?•• i:i ii- !». ]*• 1 -r-- :i 'i.i iL ■ ' ?i-
lip-iit Wis 11' s.-rx • i t . » ' • I ' \\ ir i. ■ f" .'l- ■ I' .1 t '•: M ■ •'. I ' r ■ .
till*'**' w.-r-- . . .»! T" ''I'lf I :i" i ;«t:t ! f\ iii:.'iii' j t'i«' I ■:• ■ ■ I ''i*-
• l«-t.ii lilii< ht \\ I? !i l?' v\ ■'.■•Vi:-;( II _• ;i » f !:• \ !• ? ii- -i t -i ii ■ n. ■
Til* r«' \\.i'. ). •«•.:! I ' ■ . 1 .If. I Ki I j. .\ -?:!.!! !'if'''i.' :• • i
U hi'M' * U'f i.Ti N :\- !. i;.'- fvl- i t » * .t!' : .'Ti I .• • !.■ !i : > -f r r * I
ill" -iiliiiiiit i.r .1 I j-i:i • . • '■;•;■! !': ni \\ ' • •. ■ ! J.-J ■; ■ \ ' ■
llii- •li-».iii' •• -.r T "A.i liii . - r}.'. \\ i 1 '. »■ i
If. i-K« i IM ■ I'i'i': '. I ;• • • ! I. ■ I • ' ■ . ■ " I
|.iiii». -i r ii» • ■ : ■ . ■: .!.'■.■: I '.:. :!."'■•: f 1 ■
In- ii.i-i !':• Ill ■• !: ••■ ■ • ■ T- : I. ;i ♦ \ ■ • ■ '. • < !■ i ' .
I • ; • ■ - * I ■■■!•:. I ■ *. \x • . . : ■. ■ . • . ■ * •.' ■ ' '
ll.i'ik H" • 1. . f r !■ V ■.
'.T'i ■!• I •* I
• ■
■ I
t •
•». -fil. I. .'t . .- I . f . ■ •
• ■•• l!- j « " ill. !.• t ■ . » - '
h*' "11! .. i :.-.■■ •
■ .?'■■ ■ f • : ■ •■ . ■.■ ■
■■.!.■ A .?■ :
ImmIX •■;■! •-•■I ! Ii .,'
• I ■ •. i. r-
I , • t ■
: •: •
ijiiiiii' - * w ....'.....: ■ ' •■» t • ' .
iii.ir- ii t. J- • ; . •• ■ • ■ \ y '
lii'»v :!ij V .? ■ T . • ■ • : .
*l !.•■ V.}.:' : ■•.:■•■'•.••■;
• ■l" !l.'- ■ ■ . • • i\ i ■ "rii." f ii..' ■ ' ' \- \ ' ' ■
i i*« •*.% ■ • !-m.'. v^ . V. .? :..L I A '.: . . . : ■.. . ■. • :.
• • »
• j ■■ I II 11 1 •
.11 • .1
• •
• • • •
. i • I ..
■ ■ •
3G2 SURRENDER OF ERODE. [CHAP. XTII.
50 heroes gave their fire, rushed in with the bayonet, and caused
the column opposed to them to break, and fly with the utmost
])recipit^tion : unhappily this effort of useless gallanky only accele-
rated their destruction ; the cavalry of Hyder seized that moment
to charge the left and rear of the sepoys ; and the rest was such a
scene of carnage, as always follows the triumph of such troops.
Not an officer or man, European or native, escaped wiUiout a wound,
with the single exception of a Lieutenant Goreham, who by speak-
ing the language, an attainment rare in those days, was enabled to
explain liimself to an officer of rank, who had the hunumity to pre-
serve him, by desiring that he would mount behind himself on the
same hoi-se. The wounded were immediately placed in litters, or
other conveyances, and Hyder, who always availed himself of recent
impressions, humed off* to display his barbarous trophies, before
the walls of Erode : and for the purpose of distinctly unfolding the
fa<!ts, a ffag of tinice was sent in for an English surgeon, to dress
the wounded. In a sufficient time after his return, lieutenant
Gorehnm was enjoined to translate into English, a simimons in
Ilyder's name, demanding the surrender of the place, and inviting
Captiiin Orton to rei)air in person to Hyder's tent, under the assur-
ance tliat if the tenns of capitulation could not be adjusted, he
should 1)0 at liberty to return for the defence of the place : there is
too much ground for believing the report, that Captain Orton had
dined when he receive<l and accepted this strange invitation. His
next in command wsis Captjiin Robinson, who had capitulated at
Vaniambaddy in the preceding year, under his parole not to serve
during the remainder of the war, and was now acting in violation of
that [>jirole, necessarily under the authority of his Government, who
had thus appropriated all that they could of his dishonor. The
knowledge of this fact was Hyder's chief motive for desiring the
conference, to which Captain Oilon had so absurdly consented;
but effecting to have first discovered it in the course oi conversation,
lie declared that he considered this violation of compact to absolve
him from the obligation of observing his own ; but if Captain Orion
would write an order for the surrender of the place, he would still
engji^^e for the safe conduct of the whole garrison, with their proper-
ty t4) Trichino|)oly. Captain Orton resisted this dereliction of duty
thr(>u;(hout the fii'st day ; and the modes cannot be distinctly tnced,
but may well be imagined, by which, in the course of the next, he
wius induced to write the order ; which no officer ought to have
re^^rrled ; and least of all an officer in the predicament of Captain
lu)bins<ii). Such, however, is the fact, that the garrison surrender-
ed* on the siimc evening. All this intelligence preceded the arrival
of llvdcr Wfore Caveripooram, a place po.ssessing not half the means
* The trench author of the life of Audtr^ makes the capture of Cantain
K. t<» have occurred in a march from Madras to Madura; and theincioenta
rolatin;; to Hrode, at Klr*iMinoor^ near Tiagar. Captain R. is said to have
bfcn iniinediately haiii^od on a tree. It is not the justice of the sentence, bat
^he truth uf the fact that is in question ; he died in prison.
CHAP. XVll.] IIYDER MAUt.lIKS KASTWAKD. .So.'l
of iliifonotr, I Mil roiiiinHiitliHl )■%- nii ntKi'i-r \\lh» was aiiiiii:it«-il \*\'
aiiiitli«T spirit. Tliis |i|a(v ha«l hnyj U-i'ii In-^ii-:;*-!! Ly tlii.- iiiuiii UmIv
cif KllZZilI OiiIljiA I'lirpM ; U wImIi* tar** «il* llic iiii<.i-|-ali|f i.iii:|t:iit
liinl U*fti liiiil iipni : siuvrs^Ixc li»>l^iJii;iit.H liiui Imvii rut <>tl' \*y
<*a»iTi<?«]Nini|inir rrtri'iirhiiioiits. uulil ( \iptuiii F:iis;iii. fniiirrliM.' tlir
ilollHi'M illti» \U\V> of «lct'i*lir«\ pr<ilii||;^(*ii IiIh It'sisUilU'r ill :i K-Illli illl i>f
til*' ruins; till liii\ii)i; iiit4*lli:^«'iirr iipiiv iiutli'-iilir tluiii tit.il an-
iitMiiiOMi |»v tlio nn-iuv, «if till- actual ^tat** t*\' iili'aii>, lif ti-li tin*
ciutifA wliii'li ill* iiwnl t«» till' >ui\i\iiiL; Ipmijih. aifl rapi(<ilal' •! «mi
tlie oMiilitiiiii nf U-iii:^ M-iit liiiii'*ilt'. aii«i tin- v% li>t|>- nf lii<* :^Mn i -••:{,
a.s prisi>iii*rs «iii parnli*, to 'i'rii-iiiihipuly. Ilviiri n f.iiiv< m* i.l
casui.strv fniiiifi no ilitli«-uitv in niaintainin:' tin- ju^tii-i- nt' if-ta[ .it.<>ii
on nn t-ticniy. in all r:tvH. in nioii* tliati an npi.il lii-^Mfi' . aifl llh*
purison** of ('.ivtiipiiorani a.s wiil a-* Kii»tl«'. \v»-ii' sfiil. Mitii>*iiL
CiiinpunctiMii. to tin* iiun;^'fi>nN i>f Si riii;;apa(ani. in nturn i**\ an
ili'liviiiual vi<ilati<>Ti of a pai'i'lf nf li<iip*r. It i^ n'>t itit* ii<ii 1 t<»
iiL*iinu:it**. that a vinlatinn <<f ih*ii<>r \*\' niir partv \^ an •xru^-i- t<>r
• • • I •
It in antitlit'r. n>ir ran il Ih.* **.it'ilv arHrnifl, tliat Mv«itr \i<'ii!<i
liavi* ri*L:<*Uiif'l tin* fiitii of lii'- r.i|iitul.iti>'n. it iinpi'"\ i<Ifi w.tii tli**
plra affiipli-'l Ity iapl.iin Ui>)>iii->*ii. In lii> jin>!:il t-liai.i' :• r Ip*
wuH xiM oHtt-ntatiiMiM iif i^'ihiiI I'.iitir, a.<> il*- \«a> pii'Uipf iti *M-i.'.!u' a
t»rct«.*xt f'T it.^ \i«»!ati<in : I'lil iiiW •iilj.il.Ir '.. . \ir |,i- iiia\ ii.ix.*
ii*«rn. lif W'lilM liavi* 1hi-|i. t)i** ( •'•\i-I!ilMi-ttt of M.i<iia> iia-i im ^i •i;ii<l
of Oi»niplaiiit . «»mi-.'. Iiy tlnir i nipi"\ m* hi ••!' t.»pti:n }<••• .ri--n.
tli«'V i'unViTt«-l hi'' iiii|ivi>iu:il u"i»-* "«!•• hitixiiii iii-ji.ii--. ..ri<l
fiinii'*lif<i a |N'rp*-tM.il iii>'t:\i- t>r •ii^tMi<>t f-f tin ir nun t.iii:i .iii>l
|MT|N'tiial L^T'iun*! f«>r n-tjiiiati'ii
Th«' \iMr 17*»*^ il-i"l with th- -•• •■\t'ii?<*. nf ih-' t- r ' ".-I...!
|NWsi's^|.iTi<t \vhi«"h h.i'l U-i'ii \\ri>.ti-'l ti*u\ livihi in t?. n »■ "I
two ri\n»|MU'n««, II*- li'i'l ri*'*'N*r-'l tii*- \\ h-'I" in al-ut -.x w-lv*
fp'ni till* r<tiiiiiii>ni-i*!iii'nt i^f Ki.''i! '^-il.i • «jHi;tt!«'ii ". i ..:• ••
ni*ip'tliin tliP*' tVi'in hi«» **\\u ■!'■■• nr n it t-ij.- •.!" ih • i. ,■,. »
*
Ullii-li h.vl iiVtr'»|-!t :v\ •' M.U' !i J iT • I :ri tl.. | ■ }:-\-> ■•> •;. : .,: . . . • 1
tll»* tWii pifi-f'lllij \ tl! • n ■%! 1 ■ T:i.» !■ .'. .' ( ■ I .". ■ I'.! _ ; >i. « \ ; * * If
AU'I \ ••iii-:ita^*h»T! V. t w ■• iMi'« Im' !' J '•. Oil Kr* :»■.!• : : \ \v..'ii-
tli«" ::niM-'n niijhl r»nMm ".i! 'w i- : ■ i ■ ri !« -iiij'i.i ■ ; ii.-
■
fiwk \\;f!j"i|f any p: -*'il'.' iiitlti- i. :i t It'. .:• .■.••- : > \'
till' w.ir 'I'll* *•■ !•! I' ■"» W'!' lilt \\.'\. .' .I'l . '\ t« 1" • t •:•
l»y til*' pr-ivin-Ml tr—p- Th-- i- •: p^ ■■! Kw./il « »■ .1 1 w." • t-i
i»J**r.il«- fr-fn hiriii^'Ml w;-'?i ?'■■ p!..\;i. • • • I ^I.» I ra .i: ? I .r ••
Vi-lly . an! Hyhr ii--.T--in^* t!.-- nv-: ' a- -^ i.:'?- i :. m. : !i
Vt tin* •■t-fwirl. al'ifij '}»•■ irrtl.-in i»-,"-x- -l »:• * :.v' M r
Kit/^'i-r *l'l wh • h li I- • :i uni-r t'l-- :. < !\ I •!• vi. .. 'i.- •! m
iii4'»ni«!l f-ipf f-'T tjp' si.iirifv • t" 'I • : ■• ;. .i* I ''lip.:* ^v.*■•
At Miiti<>'»tr|" ? ..pj-i*:*.- th" firni | ■ ■ . -^ !;:. : !.j ■. H \ i« ; •*
n^'JUtT nppix.nii ihit h'" |-'iiit' i t t ■ :'.'. • i* !i.»' !• I u:*.li
«ll iliil^* M-i- \» p' u ■■ t..n»N*lT' T*. •!'..' • ■•!• ? ; !'• | 'i- * 'I
llitMivptHu' hi' li*:*.' I pl'-.'li •• l» M :: ■ 11_» i-: '. • ^^ ii> i^'
3G4f ATTEl^rPT AT NEOOTUTION. [CHAP. XVIL
the career of destruction wliich he meant to pursue, all routes
were for the present indifferent, crossed to the south-east, in the
rear of Major Fitzgerald's tract. A* wide expanse of ftaming
villages marking the direction of his course, he descended by the
branch of the Cavery, which here assumes the name of Coleroon,
and accepting four lacs of Rupees from the EAJa of Tanjore, for
sparing his country, returned to the situation which Major
Fitzgerald had been obliged to abandon, to seek for food, at Cudda-
lore, on the sea-coast ; according to the wretched combinations of
mis-rule, by which an English corps has so often been made to
starve in the midst of an abundance which was professedly its own.
At this critical period, the belligerent powers pursued a
course, whicth furnishes a tolerably accurate criterion, of the
political wisdom by which they were respectively directed,
in the course of the war. The Government of Madras, who, in
their imaginary career of conquest, had rejected the most rea-
sonable terms, now made advances for accommodation ; which
Hyder in that course of prosperity, which had excit^ their
alarm, received with moderation and complaceng^. He returned
through Major Fitzgerald a suitable answer to the Governor's letter;
and re(|uested that a confidential officer might be sent to his camp,
U) wliom he might explain the grounds of accommodation to whicli
he was willing to consent. Captain Brooke, whose prompt and
judicious conduct at Mulwagul luul produced such fortunate effects,
wj\s selected by Major Fitzgerald for this pui*pose ; and his report
of the conversation furnishes at once some features of Hyiler's
characitor, and a tolerably correct abstract of the conduct of the
parties.
Hyder began the conversation by observing, that for the last
four years,* Mohammed Ali had been incessantly engaged in endea-
voui-s to create a rui)ture between him and the English ; that he
had failed in his attempts with Mr. Pigot, and Mr. Palk, the preced-
ing governors ; but luul unfortunately succeeded with Mr. Bourchier,
who was too manifestly the aggressor in the present war. That ho
(Hyder) had for many years kept an envoy at Madras, for the
exj)russ purj>ose of endeavouring to establish a solid and lasting
nniity with the Englisli ; but his eflbrts were j)erj>etually counter-
aeUfd by Mohammed Ali, That since the commencement of the war,
he had made two unsuccessful overtures for accommodation, the first
to Colonel Smith, at Kistnagherry, and tlie second to the field
dei>uti(js at Colar ; in which, although the party aggrieved, he bad
consented to con.si(lenible sjicritices : that on the western coast, the
commercial establisliments from Bombay had long been in the
liahit of exchanging tlie manufactures of Europe for the sandaJ, the
pej»[)er, and other products of these provinces ; that the intercourse
was ocjually advantageous to both pai'ties ; and promoted the gix)d-
wIII whidi he desired to cherish ; until the influence of Mohammed
* The coiniueiicciiu'iit of the sovereignty of the treaty of Paris.
CHAP. XVII.]
IIYDKUS STATIMI NT.
• id t
All i-\t«<ii<lt*«l tliitliiT aK<i. ;iiii| i-it]ii{ii'IIi'il liiiii t<t n-turn fV>iiii tli«*
v:i»X fill' tlif |iri*si'r\;iti»iii lit lii^ w»-l«'iii |M»xsi'^siiiii^ . tli.-it ilm iii;^
lii<* ak»«*f|ii-i< :i hiiLrt* |>i>itiMii nt lii^ nMiiitrV wa-" nXi r-i tin :tip| f\ilii-
.si\flv **\ till* ili--*trii*'titiii iii-«'-|i;iriili|i' timii war. MuliaiiiiiH'ii All
ii:itl ii'vii'il iM-finii:ii V riiiitri)ititii>]is tn tlt<* aiiMtiiit **\' t \viiitv-ti\i'
laf^ lit' Iiii{M'i-* ; tiiMt ii«it \i it)i<*t.iifiiii:: til ihinrii-H ainl hi<> i*M-i-itt
Mii-i'i<sm>s. Ill* w.i*. >\\\\ uilliii^' til lii.iki' |NMi*«» Mitli tip* Kn-^!i-li if'
tli<-V WmiM hixk t<i tlii-il <i\\li ilitit--t^ : iAiIiI'Ii* M«i|i:iiiii 1 All
iViiiii tlit-ir (iiuiK'ils. :ii|il ^i-inl up < '«i|imp-1 Simtii.* <>r a in«-iiil»-i' nt'
ri'diii'i) t«» tin* Jinnv uitli tuJi jhiwi-i-* in in-al ]{*• tli»'ii pr • 'l***!
t«i iili><-rvf. tli;it tip- M.iiir.itl.iN iH-rl'i'li'Mllv iir.:il'*>l lii> «->Hiiitrv ti»
Ifvy |ihiii'l«T ; aii>l tli.it lii- t'liji i-*!!!'!! ti tli'Ui i«ii-hii-«i Mx-*--!!;!
slii'-M t<i Ari-i>t . tlt.it tlii-y Iia*! t'ii->|ihiitlv pi ••{••••-•• I tti liim :i p-iiti-
tiiili lit tli«' latti-i i-'tiiiiti V. a iiii:i^uii- w iii'li li>' li.i'i iiiiit'>>i iiil\ il* •iiii
i'«i. t'l't'lii till' riili\ ii-ti'ili that it WniiM )>.• il it iliiat'lv ill jiil l«''i o t*i
liiiii^i-It' ; lii- till II •ii-iiw-^t .1 till- alt*'ii>lMiit<<. aipl stiiiii:: t iuir \\ iiat
l)f iia<l ipiw tit s;iv, \\,i> ill «-«i|itl<liiii-i- til till* Kri::li*«li .ilmi*'. lif
miipiiiiii-i-'i tli«- ppp.ii.it i' 11 fit tip- M.ilintt 1^"^ tor .i p>i\\<-i t'nl iiivM-inii
ill tint ilir«« !i 'II . .1 t'p-t lp' .1 I-l"l. lit" \vit:«li lii'- Kii.li-^li iiri^f !•••
iMTli'i't Iv :i\v il." t"i iiii tIpMi \ 'k'- 1 at i*'iiii.i . lli.i! ii:> iTit' |-.-^t^ Wfii*
•isr-'i'tlv iiii:- '-••i I'l .iiiv iiM]>>ii \*jt!i til it I- .i;i!i- . itiir )i. w.i^ niiil'l**
!<• iip|n.-i' Ii-iTIi tii. '11 .tiiiti.i- Kitjii'ii at ii!i'- .itpj ti:- - Hiji- tilip- ;
tliat 1p- W'Ji.l I.- iiii'i' ! lii'- iiMui- i: ;••■ ip '--;t\ < f m ik Mt:: lii-o
flii-tii-h "t .1 Ir p II I i • ? w I • ;> I Ik- t 'A >. .iri'j t !i:iT !t ii<>\\ lii ;•• ipii •! ••!!
lip- Klijii-'li wilt* •■'.'•. »| !.■ -'iiir-i I.: iki \\ ":.' t'l.' '■ .1 - I:- Il t'-f'-'Ii-
tii -liii-M t ip !ii U M -i III . • : I I I'l'- !■ • -■■! \ .»• !-.:i . ! i.i". ..\\ n !!.♦• 1 1 t - .
itr ill a n.i'i- u*!:-.' i I'lT i-iii-'j.; • I t!.'- ■ n-i' .iit- !• •• * i' « ■ji.Iiip t.-i
IIp ir ij' 'V '!■ • . !i 1 '■ f !.■ •■■■:■• ii 'Ml I? ■■ .ui'i -♦ .'i -iM ^:i liK' ii-
III. Ilk" *.ip*i;ii I'll ' 1^1 !';'.:■ I in a -iit. •.'!■". iii.iJi!:' i t'l.i! !•« iii^'
fill III -I I' I 'A 1* :i ii>- 1 -u* I • if ■ ■•-.!>i i>iil\ ••> <• r \i ti III ^ III -I '1 tli.it
f|i#Hl M \ i- : ■ "W M r ".^ I::- •.'■•'! ii i- i--- ir w : I.:- i-'-. . . » ::i'' ?• -t
I- • I ■ ■ 1 1 f \ I • ■ ■ t i : ■..;■.■•■■! 1 ;■ 1 . T I .... i I \\ \i- ' f : : • I . i i • • i • i .i 1 1 . j
•■•i I'll '..'1. ! : • !■ r. : • . ; . r;. '.■'''■■! v :...■ ■ ■.! : " i \|..f.! -tt.i .
I* ■■ II. I i I 11- ■•• . . ■. ■ ' ^ «■! . i.l w ■ . I ;■' ■ ■ . .1 i--: M
'I I.' ■•■ 11 \ -i' I I : -1 V. . . ; ■ • : . 1\ I. ■ . -A :i t '. . • . • : i* \\ i .
; t
• M i :
.-.I ! !
i i-;. , . : •
I- ■■'
f I . • . . . I
•I •;■ . .
.• . i ■. .
* • I
r ■.'! :■ r I . . ■
•t- •:• •• • ■ '
I- .r ■■ . i •■ r
i.i: '. •■ ^' . -.
: 1:..
• • •
■ • ■ V
I .
<x . • . ,
w ■ • , ! ■ ■
. ' 1 ■ . -*
■
. . •
. t I . . .
: V :
». . . ■ . ■ ; ■ •
1 i
: . . I
■I. •!. ■. • .
•P
I . .
i ■
« .i
. ■ • I )
■ I ' \ .f. "s
.■•■••• r II. •
: . . I : . . ! • i I . I
" • I". » • !
i.>*...i.. 1 t
I • ' 1 ■ • * » . ■ ' r
m - '- "a* m. - m
■ ■ ■ •
« ■ 4*
366 SUSPENSION OF HOSTILITIES. [CHAP. XVIL
therefore that he wished Colonel Smith in particular to come up to
the army, invested with full powers. Captain Brooke intimated the
probable expectation of his sending a vakeel to Madras ; to which
Hyder replied, that he never would so negotiate a peace ; because
independently of the umbrage it might give to the Mahrattas, in
consequence of the expectation of confederacy which he had found
himself obliged to encourage, he knew that at Madras every effort
would be frustrated by Monammed Ali ; who would always desire
to keep the English at war, in order that he might himself plead
poverty, (as he was now doing after having riflea the richest pro-
vinces of Mysoor,) and thus keep them in a state of perpetual
dependence, poverty, and impotence. Captain Brooke, on taking
leave observed, that it would be an acceptable evidetnce of his
friendly disposition, to put an end to the plunder and violation of
the defenceless inhabitants ; to which Hyder significantly replied,
that his treasury was not enriched by such excesses ; but that the
exigency of his affairs had obliged him to accept the services of some
volunteers,* whose conduct it was difficult to restrain. The report
of this conversation was forwarded to Madras, and Captain Brooke
was again ordered to repair to Hyder s camp, to communicate an
outline of the terms to which the Government was willing to agree ;
these terms, which Hyder deemed to be totally inconsistent wiUi
the actual condition of the parties, were positively rejected ; but
Hyder said, that he would be still ready to receive Colonel
Smith, or a gentleman of rank, charged with reasonable
proposals, and full powers. The Government accordingly deter-
mined to send Mr. Andrews, and once more requested
Colonel Smith to assume the command of the fragments of their
armies, which were directed to reunite at Cliittapet a fort about 70
miles to the S. W. of Madras, and conveniently placed for the junc-
tion of Colonel Lang s small division, then at V eUore, which was
eventually destined to proceed towards Madras. Colonel Smith
assumed the command on the 1st of February ; and after some ma-
nceuvring productive of no results, Mr. Andrews passed to Hyder'a
camp on the 14th. The Government had proposed, that during the
conferences, his army should retire to Ahtoor, within the first range
of hills, while Colonel Smith's should remain at Tiagar, not far to £e
eastward of that place. Hyder proposed to Colonel Smith to substi-
tute Poloor, and Conjeveram, i-espcctively 80 and 40 miles from
Madras, which he rejected ; and another series ensued of fatifi^ng
movements, followed by no consequence. On the 22nd, Mr Andrews
agreed to a cessation of arms for twelve days, and proceeded to
Madras to report Hyder's ultimatum and receive orders ; this inter-
val was employed by Hyder in receiving a pompous deputation from
the Council of Pondicherry, in which place the plunder of the coun-
try found a ready and convenient sale; but the Government at
* Meaning the Pindaries, wlio serve without pay, on the condition of
being permitted to plunder at large.
CHAP. XVII.] HESUMPTION OK HOSTILITIES. 3«!7
Miflrns liavin;; n»fiisofl to ii«v»m1i» to tin* |iro|Misitiiins ronvoy«'«I l»y
Mr. Aniln»ws. iiotin* wius ;;ivfii nf tin* iv^L-^itinn of tin* tnn'i* HyliT
witliout intiiimtin;; tin* h*i\>i ili.*>iri* i>f' |iroliiiii^iiiir it, t«Mik tlit* i»|i|Nir-
tuiiity of rt4*ii<iiTi;^ li vak«N*l t^i ('nloiifi Smitli stating liin wi^h t<>
rivi«iv«^ an uiiswit to his lrtt«>r tlu*ii tninsmittcHi t<i tin* <>ov«*riior,
lM*fiiri* lit* slioiiM iii:ikf a tiiial ili-t«Tiiiiii:itii»n. He a.<<*<iirtM| ('ii|ii|i«*|
Smith tliPMhjli thf vakft*!. that In* wa.s siiifi^rt'ly t|fsiri*UH i»f |M*a4*i}
with tin* Kiiu'IihIi : that hr hail rrit'i'ttMJ. ami shoiiM rontiiiut'to n-ii-rt.
tin* lar;^* |N*i'iiiiiary oIIith wliirli In* iiaii HMfivinl. f<ir (*oiisriitiii>; U* th«)
lii**«liatit*n of Mohafiniifl All : of whu^i* |Mi|itiral cxistf'tiri^ In* n ;;-
ni»*«l no tnu'i'. hut in ^fiTft nii^i-hii-f: that his tn-atv must U* fjirfct-
Iv AHit rxrhisivrlv witii tlh'K,* with whom h«' hati U-fn at war, an^l
not with a |M«rsoii who WitiiM fruHtniU* tiirir mutual ih-Hirr nf nniity ;
An<l tinaily he rripi'M**'!. thriMi;^')i ('iilMnfi Smitii. an i-arly n*|ily fitiiu
thi* tiovi'mor. whii-h nIiouM ih-t* niiin*' his futun* m«'asuri'M.
Ho»itiliti«*» wiTi- rt-»uiM«'l tiu tin* *itii of Manh Th untrv was
onri' niori* in tlanii-N . an>l as it was kn"wn to \h.* Hyt|i-r's favitrit4*
i»Y>jtM't. to hum t)i>' hl:itk town ait>l "^ul'tirhs nf Mailras. tin' :;:uri*«on
wiLM rt'infiipf'l. Mil'! th-* <l;\i-i -n --f t "••Inn*-! I*:in'j, ri"W ri«lu**i-tl t«t;?iM>
KuioiMMTis. twi h.itt.ili'<ii'« I'f ^'jfy-. an-l thi* tt'Hi[.»j ..f M<irari Itow,
was ilrstiii'"! as a lU'iVi-Hhli* i*. itjK* t « i*ii\i-r tin* l*p"'»i'h-n''y. rt'i^ulatiii;^
it.s ojH'nitiiin'o hv th«' ni-iiTs nf tin* t ■••vi-Mii>r an*! ('•tun^il, whiii*
<'*«l-infl Smith wa-* ma-l«! ••nly **\ thi* iii-»vi'niiiil> *>{' jji-* tiwn •■••rji«».
On thi* sul'ji'it "if ;iri:inji Mit-nt". ^-i »-tr.iTi:;»lv unmiiitaTv. an<l •«•»
ih'^titut** of |i..IiTi.;i| wi^l'?ii \v«- tin-l it a:itlitfiti«*at»'l hy lh«- pul !:i'
ni'i'pN. that thi'' • "I j"« \^ .1- j'l;u"i''I Mii l«i th«- i»!i|» i*. -tf * *"1 ai- I Sinith.
on ihi* l««th tif M.t.'li. I" laU".!- * ' iI'Im! I^iii;^' ha^l P|»«trt«-i i.n tin*
ppTfiliTi^r il ly. thit ].»• I- 'wl'l li«"t l!ii\»- fpiIU the sj»"l wl.'ji' I In*
i''Mnr"ii h.fl !•!'.■ 1 liiiii yiaiiii-Ix *''hi«\ii:im '^''ii.' JO /.../#- r'l^'.n
J/'ii/rif*. Ill i-'ii-. |»i'!i' •■ I'f tip" -U'lh n intt •jHi^.jtii-n *'t H\'l»r.
<*ii|..ti>-l Siji.tii h.i-i -> ».kiltu!Iy av.uh'i hini^'lf'-f ?!.•• r»-^ -U'li •» .-f
M.i'lrt^, till! !»:-» jiif.i'itrv aii 1 ^"i!i- ii *\v in-'\' 1 .»^ niiillv :i'» th".*- .f
in t!i»' I'-'ir-i'iif ni.ui-i m\ :• * l« t\\t«ii < iiM- •• :i'il M I'lr.f i!i\<'!vi«l
thr •Mm ni\ i!« i- i: !■ \:t i« - U *ui wlii- li th*- •ff-rt- -f H\!«i -^'ax-ilrv
h.u\ r»li»vi-i lipii with « ■•:i-i I'T-i^'l'- 'lilfiiulty 11. •■ nnxi ntriit whnh
liail alanip 'i <'fl'ip| l«:tri/ a'i<l tin* ('"uri*:! h.i-l ;i| ■•-iii iit!\ )•< i-n
fiip-i- 1 u:»"n H\ !■ • ii i * ' ■! ■?!• I Smith kn \*:'s^' Li:.^ - ititha!
■ ■
fkitnaTt- n w i- . I ■-■ t • * "ti- \' • mi. Itf-rt- \\\ I. r i"U.i \\ ar.y
tiir»-i).:ii' \ !m\' -I :. "I'ls II. ■ •■ i him * ' ti!i i«i.! U m • \j« ii- inf,
tli.it H\ i I " ■;! i l!i\' It- 1' .-•.'■ I-r ■■•i ti- ii.L-. h>f .i! M.i'lrat
l»»-f'»P' h- '•■■ i! I • \'!ta'r.' i.r. • ■ ' ! • I '^ri.iOi j'tir-i' 1 t ! • • !•• my s
roMti' wIj " h I'l ■!■' I*'.- i • - !! h\\ il I .'If. 'iTl^' « . 1 if.' : j-i!'./ti>
f«II"W hi III I* t! •■ :•,?• ! \ 1 1 ■ r I i \ - !i. I* fi I !!•■ r !-k \\\ :■ h 11 \ -li-r
ha«i •• . .L-i-.M « ■. *.• Ml !• ■! i •' ' !.i ii- I [nil. t • a^ •« 1 t •! is* •! ui^jiTs
fif a '«iiiiil.i: k.-i I 111 i t.. Il »». • rV « \!-»ii!:. •!• ••\ u tkiiij •■!! lh»*
f'-ar^ !•! lii"< • !i :i..' ■ li. ■ !:i ■•. « :ii' ii!.* f"\»iu«h %*«■ h ixi .vl\i'rt«^l.
ha<l aj.iiii :•:■ ..-i.l l!.- .s:;n.' i.- ii!\ 1 *'• m..' - I ■ tl.*.' -oiithvkapl **(
3G8 HYDER APPEARS BEFORE MADRAS. [CHAP. XVIL
Madras ; and from thenco Hydcr sent off the whole body of his
infantry, guns and baggcage of every description, together with Uie
great nia.ss of his cjivahy witli ordei*s to retire through the jiaas of
Alitoor. The whole force which he reserved with himself consisted
of (),0()() chosen liorse ; and of infantry precisely two covipanies of
one hundred men eacJi, selected from the distinguished corps of
Jehan* Khan, and MAji Khan, who themselves commanded these
detachments as Hyder s personal night guards. Not one gun, or
impediment of any description, accomi)anied this chosen corps ; with
which he moved 130 miles in three days and a half ; and on the
29th of March appeared with his cavalry within live miles of
Madras ; his companies of infantry not airiving till the succeeding
day. He had, since the renewal of hostilities, again written to the
Governor, to express his desire for peace ; he now sent another letter
to announce, that he had come for that express purpose ; desired
that a person might be sent to negotiate the terms ; and in order
that nothing might be wanting to the character of perfect dictation,
he himself nominated the English envoy ; viz., Mr. Du Pi*fe ; who
proceeded, according to appointment, to attend liim at St Thomas*
Mount
Although nothing can relieve from the character of dictation
Hyder's nomination of the English envoy, his real desire for peace
may justly l>e considered as the chief inducement for making cnoice
of a man to treat with, on whose good sense he could coiifidently
rely, when the object of both parties was peace upon fair and equal
terms. The natives of India are expert in appreciating character,
and Hyder possessed this tilent in an eminent degree. It is also to
be observed that Mr. Du Pre was nominated to succeed to the
Government of Madras, and Hyder had an interest in becoming
iicquainted with the tsilents and influence of those men whose coun-
8eLs might aflfect his destinies.
Two days before the separation of Ilyder from his army,
Colonel Smith had reinforced the division of Colonel Lang, and sent
him in the direction of Tiagar and Trinomalee, with orders to take
l>ost at either, if a greatly superior force should appear, and
to act on the communications of the enemy, with the passes of
Ahtoor and Changaina. When apprised of the decision of
Hyder, which was correctly re|)oi-ted to him on the very day of
its execution, he sent orders to Colonel Ij^ing, to risk an attack
on these unwieldy l)odies while entangled in the {)asses; in his
Tiarrative he complains that Lang made no attempt to annoy
them ; but in justice to that ofKcer, we must recollect the fearful
insuflioiency of his force, for a contest with the main body of
Hyilers anny, which he must necessarily have risked, by
moving under these circumstances to a distance from Tiagar.
Colonel Smith himself, followed Hyder with his usual celerity,
and early on tlie 31st, was met within ten miles of his camp by a
* TUits officer has {>crsonally related to me all the details of this severe march.
CHAP. XVII.] TRKATY OV 17**1' DIM. rssKD. :WJ
lUAnthite from tlit* (fowniinent. unttvn at llyilcr's suliritation, aini
diH|uiU'lu*<l on i»iio tif his i»\vn (Iroiiinlary rnurii'rs. t«> tlfsin* tluit In*
woiiM hail wlicrcvrr lliat ItaUT .^lioiilil iiiivi liim. Tlir tilijffts uf
CViliiiicI Smith, in this irji]ii|i;iiirn, intlui:f«l him, mi iiin^t «N*ra-tiiiiis. t«>
chimsc thi* n>ail nn which 1m; was not liMikinl for; anil th«* otiirii'r,
who i*\|H*rt«Nl to fin<l liini at tho ilistiuiiv t»f .Sn mih's, hail nii^siMl
him hy |iursiiin^ tin- nnlinary tnu-t. Ilyilor. on ilist'ovrrin;^ that
Loh»nt'l Smith's furrc hat I a|i|iroa4*hi'«| so ni.*ai. fninkly lU't-laroii that
no ron.'tiih'iatioii shoui«I inthin: him to ri'main within twi-nty-tivi*
mih-s I if tliat army : a tYf^h 01-4 h-r wiis at't'onlin^ly <lis|uiti-hr«i at his
n^pifHt t>» <I''<«iro that it mi^lit npivc lH>yon<I that ili*»tanri*. an«I
Culoiii-I Smith who ri'iTivnl this onhT on th<- l>t nf Ajuil. aiisWi'iiil
that h«- woiiM tAu'V it on the I'nsuinL; «hiv. Ilvik-r hi»wi;\tr 4>l)<;.'rv-
in;; that hr tiiil n«it movi* on thi* l^t. j*-alous uf .so i-Iiin«> a viriniiy.
An<l nil ilitatiii;; a tVf^h i-\|Hrimfnt <in th** issn** nt* thi- iii-L;'tti:iti'>ii,
w;t*« in m<iti<<M to thr norihwar>i i-arlv "ii thi- L*<i. aii«l t}i<- <! 'Xtin-
nn-nt. vi-iv n ll<-s^lv alarmi-il f ir the Mack t^wn. ilistiati-hi >1 inst^ini
<lir«i'tiohs to (''il-'ip-I Siiiitli to maicli to tlio ii'irthwani, «>i- •lipt-t to
Ma<lras. a-^ l;i" lui^ht juil^'i- m^'st i-\|M-iIirni. That oili.-t-r. w h.. ha«l
unifi-rmiy ri'-'mm- ii«i«- 1 jh-iu-i-, l-wt h.pl !i»vir supj.ii — i-l lii-* ii»ili.;-
tiiitioii at th*- t'ir.-iiiii-^t nil i-A ■»!* iiiiiii'ri-s>.ii y aifl iii^ultiii^' •!• .:i.i l.iti-in
un<I<-i' wiiii-h lii» ( I 'Vt iiihi' lit wi-n* ii«>w titatiii::. Ml>«\<'i t)M-t.ril.i-
witli alai-ritv : hut )i.i«i ip't m»Vi-i ninp- than h.ilf -w:i\ {•* \l'i-*^^\*^^l
iM-rirr li>- w.t^ 111' t I'V :iIi"T}i>i ••r«iir •Iir<-<-tiii^' liim t • h:i!t. Il\>l>r
ha<l w.iitt-*! t<i ••l><>ii'\ •■ th>* I th t't iitlii^ iii<i\i hH-iit. )•• t'<r<* hi- .tii]i->iiii>*-
cii it. atpi iiii :i- -'It. titling tli<- .liaim it rp at> •!. aii-i tip- « ••:> M-'iiiriit
lii.i\fi]i.'iit • r ( ' •li'iii-t Shiitlt. -« lit to «\|>Iaiti that h*- 111 1 ••:il\ lu-iv-
wl ;^'r'tnn 1 t'-r tip' «• •iiviin-ur.- i.f fim^'f. Vt n j-l.iif a^-'iit -;\ iiu!'-.
l4» th'- ii-'ithuMi-i I'l' tin- M i«k tiiwn. 'lln- trr.iiy w.i- in f.r » • ii-
rhi'l»-'i ««ii »!..■ <^,ini.' i\«hinj. anl i\'<-ut'''l hy I'-tli |Mit:- ' '-iit!!'
f.illiiwin;; day.
( '«iii-i'i'r;i'I'' •lillii'ulti'- i^'i'iirn-I :?i •itt-nnii»;iiLr ^^ "■ • ^^' r-- ti
}«.• lit'- I'WX'i- ' t'l tlii-* trt.-i'y Hyhr jri lli'- !li ! iii-ti-i Ij.vmi.:
liit'liii*'! (L> iii-triiiip-nt i::t\ ••!' M"liaiiiiiii i .\!i ..11 1 !.• in it'iiii
liA% ihj alh-«-t' I to fhii-.t t'l If ;i uirtv t<* aiiv tn-.tt\ iiim!.i !i lU'hi
iiihiul'i U- -txl.-l:! nafxiK . it w.i^at h-njth .ijii-*'l i\ N|>>'i iinn.- i .\!i.
that th'* * ''jMj'iiiy -^hiHill ni'^'"ti.it»- in t}iiirM\, n ii.nn. f . '•» .• ' ■ i
{jii««< %v.../i . .» ./ f,rO:*' t'tr.i.t* .• /'.'V" " '/'"iMf . :iiii lli it I. -'.•nil
jy hlt«r t«i ihi- < »'»v.rh"i •if^i'i.illy ••i;;mfv hi- i«-ii^iii! i.' tlii* |ii»
r»Nlup- . a |ir'imi^'' uhirh. afl'-r til'- i-\i'»'Mli'i!i ••fth»- li«".it\ . !.- iil;»«*l
if» |M*rftrni
Thf m«iti\t*'' a-^^ijii. I ^v H\ l-r in h»'» tir^i i-.n\ i i it. n \*.th
(aj'tain Itf-Mikt* wrp- t)i«- tiu* ^'p>'in'Ii ••!' th«* ,;*'iiMi!i< lu -!• i.it.<>ii
€»l^«-rvah!«- III this t!i.tt\ . \*l.!«h |r •%!:■'• ! r.imutii'l !• -!i'iti -n
• if Iii'l«»-'» a! -i Ji! i-*'!!" I - ■.\;!li ?li ■ ■:!..•' ■ \''!'tl"!l '* * il "I all
ftni'it ii? i|i ;- ?. !• ii \ I r M ', • .? V. 'ii- ii I • i I .-. ! rit.i:iu i '•\ M li.iiii-
m«-l .XJi ■•»' • t !■• l.i '. \^ ir ^\ t I :• . . «:• ■ !.■ ■■ .i: ; v^ i . u .v\ (.•
'- f • : ' • y\: . . II\ !:':•■.-.::. I- i • i'. ? M'-i!: ■:■ •!*
370 HYDER DEMANDS RELEASE OF NEVAYETS. [CHAP. XVIL
his ships of war, but receded on the representation that they had
probably long since been sold for the benefit of the captors ; and
finally consented to regulate his concessions and demands on the
other coast, by a treaty of similar import, to be concluded with the
Government of Bombay ; and which was executed some time after-
wards. The only article of the treaty with Madras, which demands
observation, is the second ; which stipulates, " that in case either of
the contracting parties shall be attacked, they shall, from their res-
pective countries, mutually assist each other, to drive the enemy
out ;" the pay of the auxiliaries to be defrayed at fixed rates, by the
party demanding assistance. Hyder's first demand, was for an
alliance offensive and defensive, which, after much discussion, Mr.
Du Prfe distinctly refused ; and declared, that if persisted in, the
negotiation must there cease. Now as it was notorious to all India,
and openly avowed by Hyder himself, that his country was periodi-
cally invaded by the Mahrattas, it is obvious, and the sequel will
abundantly unfold it, that by the article ultimately adjusted, the
Company subjected themselves to all the embarrassments of an
offensive alliance without any of its advantages : and that Mr. Du
Pre had acquiesced in the spirit of an article, to the letter of which
he had objected, as fundamentally inadmissible. Historical justice
demands this reluctant notice of an error committed bv Mr. Du Prfe,
to whose profound wisdom and distinguished talents, the subsequent
narrative will bear a willing testimony.
During the negotiation, Hyder had strenuously demanded the
release of the wife and family of Chunda Saheb, and of a long
list of Novayets,* the descendants and adherents of the former
dynasty of nabobs, who were imprisoned or detained in various
fortresses by Mohammed Ali. Mr. Du Prfe sought to evade this
demand, by observing that they were in the custody of a person
who was not a party to tho treaty ; and Hyder so far acquiesced
as to expunge the article which related to their liberation; but
explicitly declared that he should understand it to be essential
to his release of the English prisoners. Mr. Du Prfe on the other
hand professed that ho could only engage for tlie request being
made ; and the subject was not resumed until after the executi<Mi of
the treaty, when Hyder declared that unless every Nevayet detailed
in his list should be permitted to accompany him to Mysoor, not one
Englishman should return Irom thence ; and after much opposition
from Mohammed Ali they were actually released. It will bo recol*
Iccted that Hyder s mother was a Isevayet, and tho parade of
belonging to that respectable family was strengthened by the solici-
tations of Reza Saheb, the son of Chunda Saheb who was still in
Hyder s service : but with the excej)tion of the close prisoners, few
of them ha<l reason to rojoic^e at their change of situation ; their
I>olished manners but ill accorde<l with the gross habits of Hyders
rourt ; his notions also of lil>cnil provision fell far short of their
* For an account of this race «tc vl»1 i. }►, l,'H».
'•MAP. XVII. J itKVirw 4iK iiii: riiNurrr tir mn \i.\i: :{7I
t|oi.*i«iit ex|N'rUiti<i]is : aihl in tin* l«ULru:ii;«- of mii* uf ili#» •*i'i't,* " tlii»y
alliiMNl nil ilirii tif liai'iUliip. ImtkiMi liiMit^, :iti<l i-i>)M>iilai)i'i-. '
Mr. |)ii I*iv, will I ui-L:<>tiat4il tliis tn-atv. '.in wliiih wr li:i\i*
wniiirf'l tt» su;^'/f^l a snimm iiii».i'iiiii*»'|itii»ii.; Ii:ul lati-ly arrivi-ti
fr«»in KiiL^liiinl :ts a iii«*iiiU*r nf coiiiitii, aii<l |»i'ovi>iiiiiai surri-^sur
Ut till* (iDVrrniiifiit : aii«l altli<iii;^li lii* rMUii>l the ^t:it«* ff |iiilili«*
alTiiir^ V»n iiiitaviiraM** t<» ailinit ••!' iit-iiii,' ^|iri'ilily U"«t"r4*«i \*y
aiiy tulfiits ; Wi* tiiiil. tVoiii tli<' |t-Ti«»<l of his arrival, a totn* nf
fiilij^litfiu*tl n-.tNiiiiiii;^ to |»i-rva«lf tli«- iroinU ^f <i»vrriiiiit'iil, wliioli
i> not so olist'rvatiit; iti ili-- r.iiii:ili;iti-in-^ of tip* |in'«-i-i|iii^r y.^.-irs A
|Ni.^^i;;t' in tlf'ir :(«'ii<'r.il li-tti'r. ilalt-l mi {\i** stli ^f Man-li, i*iint:iins
till* tollowihi; ntnkiii:: r"iiiiiiciJt.iiy "ii llu' iiii)M'<*illty aii«i iiiiprnvi-
iIi'iK'f iif all llii'ir jiji-sivMi-, ;irriiti,'i-!ii'-Mts n/juiliii^ MoIkhuhh-.I Ali :
" tlit^ fori*i>t iu tlif ti<'i«i art' iiiiiliT llir tlir'-i*ii<ih iff vour >>'rvaiit>, liiit
tilt* ni**an^ l>y wliirii tiny UiM-^i l"* sii|i{i>rti*<l aiv |iriiu'i|i:iily in tlio
N»N>I». ( Moliainni>'l All.) wli'i^i* i<ll«' vanity, ii«-sirr of priwiT. aiiil
jtfaloU'^y <if ('intnil. r'>n<it'r all tl*'iK'niirni'i' on him iin^'arioiis : ilit»
Coini>:iiiy. lh'*y ulis.rvi- in a suh-<.'-'|Ui'ut Iritcr, ■LiU--l th«* 17th Jun**.
ili !»iniit'<'t /•♦ 'ffl tif tn •m'Kiii* k ••»'*. f'tfoi"* *in'i t*f thi' U'lv'intit»i* 't o/"
/lu/»</'<ii,'/ Ml /A' th'tr tcti'r '»/ 'I ifi't tf A#''»j*»/*'M« i^w, r" \\\\\ r*;-«nni-
in:* ill*' -.iilij'' "t Iwi V'-:ir^ aft-Twar-U tli'V jii-li'lui^Iv rt-nuirk, that
*• in ill'* l.itf w.ii ymir ^''i'''in*% "•• .t . >*» f* ''i .>**'ft, 'iiiJ fij i*itK"t*'
tUf-nlinJ ...I ff'* N'yy*'/' '»r •',* o/'y \VM » «>r«iHr NKVKH I«» MK
lii:PKNI>Kh "N " Til'" liJi-Til ;i--i^t,i:i-- •i-riv.- 1 fr iiii H-ri^';il. al"!i»'
t«niiM*-<l til" t'linpiTiy !• ■ 'iitMni" tlii^ ill-fit' I w.ir M<>lMnini<-i
Ali. a-* th- l:*t»'I:i1 1- !T» t- r--.- '!«1. \vi«»li.-.l ili.ru t<i i-.'iirv it "!i with
th«'ir iiwii !• -I'll-"' .iti«l tin V. "ii tli* "tli-r li.iii'l, •l'»!ii'i it " uni'i
iioiiaM'* li 'vii iM -t i!i- .1 »!■ I'.'i!'--* f»i ill'- n'i|ij» irt --f •• iiiiifi h -. .iiil
th»' a«-'jui-!t: »:i '-f ■■I'l-i- fi'iii Mis-ii--' tip y wi-r. to -I'liX'- n-i
ftiUantiip;*- l).i' if i- tic- tn -^t r> iiluk l^-!-- t- ituT'- m tic- • •nluit
nf tlii-* pinaik il'i- .liiy. tiiv' :i!r!i -ijli li-iiiri^ th*- wax li- immM
furni'<h h'itlpi I-' irii II V !• ' "I! ■■ ■ I. ! iir!.:.i!\ •-.ii'i-li' . \-' •■:i tip-
|it»in( «if f ■:!■ I'.iLiu' I* wii- :i H\i-: ' i\:'.\ i !• I'h.* j-.ii?: ;|.i-
ti<'Ii. Ii'- i!p II I'I'L'- i h:Mi • ll' t-» ! :! isi-li :i!! t ?.• • \|- ii -• -. • -f tl.- u.it.
ah'l t'l ->r'-;ii.-'- tip M «!:• i" I r: .;, ji'. :l'i l!:-- < 1 .\ . t 'iri- !i!
W«i«lM ••'!;■• ht ! 1 )■•. .IK V. it'i 11 '. i- I ! l! 1!. it- !v f I t! • j'»l"' i. Mr
I>il l*if h I 1. ;i' t ':! ^ t .Ml- iTi .1 ■ ■ i- ■.■ V i:i t!.- « -'i!!- :!- ■ f M i-ii i-*.
an«l 'in ■« .•!•.. ,:•:.*• i ■ ■, f :•: I i' u i-. ^ ir\ ( • i< in i'n (li.tt
wh- !i M"iioiiiu. i All .1-'.!. .\\1- ;;• I ■!■ •■♦ t . til. t ■■ii.ii.ii.s • .ii:.-- I i
N- -liHi "i^^. I jj. i. i 1 . - .ill !. ■ ii. :. \
< hi !• \ 1- A i!. ■ t ".. . ■•.:■:•■! I' :•'..•.♦!:; u.i! .i!: ■ : i.: -ii in.iy
1-^ r.'ik. I l'. I? II-. 1 • . :i ■ . •• i I • : I ;.•.. i! i;i;-r.»h.. :i:fi
tli-it i-f i.> II;...' .1 ", • : : ■. ■ I:, r. ■ •..■!.• t . i . .- .. : if- 1 !■ ■ i.i ^ |'»-t
iiiflM>-ii< •• iij t;. t .! • • .•!.:.: • • ;i- • f'. .t •.:!!';■ th ui
til ahv iiii- •:.■•■;■• ! ri I u "'■.■■ i. • ' i •. ■ I u.'». l-'.tii iit^'r'i-
in* lit ^ Alil • ! 1. i ; ■■ ■' ' >l;.'' .• Ii:; \ I- ■ ii']\ I •■
372 HYDER PROCEEDS TO BANGALORE. [CIIAP. XVn.
affirmed, tliat he cannot be charged with one fault exclusively
military ; and, although his general views regarding the conduct of
the war ap]^)ear at an early period to have been extremely defective,
it may yet be presumed from the confident judgment, which he was
provoked to record at the most unprosperous part of the contest,
that his diffidence of more decisive measures at an earlier time was
exclusively founded on liis conviction of the radical and incurable
vices of the system of command, as well as of supuly, which render-
ed movements of calculation and concert altogetner impracticable.
The strange combination of vicious arrangements, corrupt influence,
and political incapacity, which directed the general measures of
the Government of Madras have been too constantly traced to
demand recapitulation.
Hyder returned at his leisure to Colar, for the purpose of con-
cluding the arrangements consequent on the peace ; and from thence
proceeded to Bangalore, where he gave his army some repose. His
mtelligence from Foona satisfied hun that the visit of Madoo Row
was not relinquished but deferred, and he determined to employ the
intermediate time in levying such contributions, as should prepare
his military chest for the heavy demands which it must sustain in
the succeeding year.
CHAPTER XVIII.
ttjfder^ after a sMnri rtpote ai Damf^Uorf, wuikei a /oar, /or the nmrpote of ier^imtf
Cfmiribrntifliu lo ike A. K.^ S, ami iV. W.-^beaieu of from Beiiary — Conjectures
reftarHmg^ the secret treatjf hettteen Hjfder amd Sitam Aii-^InwoMion t»f Madno
How — iiwier retires to Seringopatawf^uttetapU megoiiation uithout eueceu —
OhservatwHM on Mttkraita daimw^Reza AU^ke destined ^ahob o/ Arcot —
amd one of Hyder's envojfa^ahandonM kis service^ amd rewtaiut wttk Maduo
How — Deeif^nM of tkat Ckief—redmcee tke ranffe of JV. E. forts — Hesutunee al
tke obscure fort of Stdjrgnl — wkiek is at Ungtk carried — Anecdote of tke r«Mii-
m— rfinil— Affiiloo How taken i7A returns to /Vona— -iMriny tke army under
Trimkme Afama —wko takes (roommconda — and returns to tke western port of
Jijfsoor — DeMtrurtwn of a detaekmeni Jrom Ban^ahre — lijfder takes tke field-^
position near Surendy Hnnn^ — 7*riM^r Mawut deehnes to attempt if — mores amnf
kis front to tke west'^Hyder mores /» tke strony positum of Xitl*jota.,,in trkn'k ke
is imrestett — attempts a retreat ti* Sertwjapainm — drunkenness — saeagr conduct if
ku son^-'kis army rntireltf deatrttyal at Chercttolte -- Escape of Uyder—of Ttppito
M dtsyuise-^Ciinout npprrnltx, tllustrotire of tke ckitracten of Iltfdrr umtt
Tippoo (\rtfU.t Muri^irnl incnlrnt^i^ondHct >f Fnzzul OoUo Khun -Ermr* tf
tke JJaknitttw^if^drr r^c*trer% the panu — rmtures on two detachmentJi fntm
Serts^opatnm — T\pf^»t* /" liethnre succeeds — Mohammed Ah to I'crmpotam
eompeiled to return after a severe conjitct^ and murdenm: An f<u n prt^**ners —
Attnor opcratvtna omitted— I*etue tf \772—pires to the Hnelttk the C'lntnut of
a Mahrutta froutirr, trt rtturn f>r their infroctxon nf their Lut treotif trttk
iifder Murdrr if the piti:rttut Iiojit- -Successor - Ifornhle eroctions^Uate
ingratttutle ttt /'ii.tu/ thdla Khtn — Hapuctty proptrttoned to insecurity,
Thk s*^n-t arlirl«*s of tin- Inatv !H*twii»n Hv«I«t ninl NiT^ain
All for ihf j<»i»il iiiv;i^i«»ii rif C*op»iii.iii<l«-l. tinivMiNl f.ir thf
tnuufi'r to tin* fi»nntT <if Kiirj-n. KnniiMil. an«I otm-r |»laris )H'twi*«-ii
the T(K»ni1iU>iiIni :iii<l tlif n«>rthi'rti limits of MyvNir, nn ii< 1111111:11
«It|»oinlcn<'i»*M. nil tt-rms wliirh I li:iw 11* it U-i-n nMi' iNirriftly to
Mrt*riaiii ; hut |irMhal»ly r>iii>litii»ii:il . «lt |M'iiiiiii;; on snm-s.M-s uliirh
ImaI tint U*«-ii :u*hi<v«il. ||y«I*T ImwrVfr ilc«*iii**«| it r\|N •lit'nt to
HulMtantinti- tli«» rxi-'tt-iH*'* I'ftli*' ri;;lil. I»y it-i t-arly i-\fn'i-' ; an«i
liiov(**l to tlif n<>rt!)-t :ist I»*vyiii:; n>ntn1>iitioriN f»n Kiir|»a. aiiii
Ktimo<»l. tlif tfTiit^'iir^ lit* till* Piitan Nab<»!*H ; nii«i Wuilwal), tin*
|irHkii«*sHiiiii of an Hiii'I'xi l*"Ii::ar. tlirnt*t' lir tiu'lint*«i wcstwani, f«>r
a similar piiriHtM* t<> tl<** Hin<l>Mi {*(»li^r4 (»f i.*iitii*iin«lA, antl
Cup|K-thal, antl (Ifviat*-*! t" (tiNity. on whioh lit> wiut hot \vt
pft*|«n-<l t'» «'Xri*ut«' hi** intiiiti*>nH ; an«I thcn'fon* rti*«'iviN| wttli
appApMit (iitn{<Iju***ni*y tli«' amiraMi* a<lvan«'<*s of Moniri Row Thu
deep an«l rlctrrinintMl animcNity of tii«-M* rival ail\rfitnn*rH ^a.<«
veiled l>y an int<*rroiirM- of |irft«'tiili"l p^**iiiriliati>*n. and (-oiitirnu'«l
b\' a iwrsonal int«T\i'\v. and an int»P*li:ir;:i' ff rosily |«n*^*iitj«.
rn)in Cii«iiy. Hyil«T |irN'i-f.li-l l • li^llary a ilij»-ndfniy ••• AdwaiM-**.
Uk* ja:»<i'r ^f Ha-alut i'Mii;^'. wln-n' l.i' «l>innn'l of ri>iitriliutt«>n
liciiii; rtfii"***! fi* j-r* :«t!» 1 t" i-iif r«t; 1: an-l \% a- U-ati-n i-ff h iili
:J74 invasion of madoo now. [chap. xvin.
great loss, in an attempt to carry the place by a general aasault
This unexpected failure, and the pressure of time, disposed him to
compromise the reputation of his arms, by accepting the professions
of dependency, and the 2^'^^ii«<J o?</y of future contribution. This
event, however, would seem to throw a faint light on the obscure
character of the compact between Hyder and Nizam Ali : the
latter chief continued to view with jealousy and apprehension, the
means of eventual rivalship which were still possessed by his
brother ; and secretly to wrest them from him by the hands of
another, was perfectly congenial with the charater of Nizam Ali
From Bellary, Hyder moved in nearly a south-western line,
seciuing the contributions from the Poligars dependent on Sera,
and assuming a direction apparently intended to oppose the
invasion of Madoo Row, beyond his own frontiers, in the province
of Savanore : but the forces of that chief were too superior in
number and in quality to admit of open competition in that plain
country, and Hyder had once before sufTered by the experiment
of resisting him in the woods of Bednore. The militanr talents
of Madoo Row were certainly of a high order; and Hyder did
homage to those talents, in retiring as he advanced along the
skirts of the woods, to the protection of his capital in January 1770.
He persevered in the former plan of destroying his own country,
without essentially impeding the progress of the enemy ; but on
this occasion, his own presence enabled him more effectually to
enforce the destruction of its resources ; and as this would neces-
sarily compel the Mahrattas to preserve a constant communication
with their own territory, he left Meer Saheb and Tippoo in the
skirts of Bednore, to hang on their rear, intercept their supplies,
and cut off their detachments. The charge of the heir apparent,
and of the most important division of his army, was thus committed
to the person, who not three years before, had betrayed an im-
portant trust, and had recently submitted to a forced reconciliation ;
out Hyder was a master of human character ; he saw that Meer
Saheb disgusted with the Mahratta connexion, had retained
with deligfit to his natural attachments, and took a more than
ordinary interest in the future hopes of his nephew ; the
whole of his subsequent life evinced the sound penetration of Hyder,
which, by reposing confidence, irrevocably fixed the allegiance of
this his most valuable adherent.
At a very early period of this contest, and throughout its long
continuance, Hyder was incessant in hLs demands of assLstanoe from
the English, for the expulsion of the Mahratt&s, in conformity to the
second article of the treaty of the preceding year ; but the intricate
discussions which occasioned its refusal, will most conveniently be
postponed, in order that we may continue without interruption the
narrative of Maliratta transactions.
Hyder understood too well the character and forces of the
chief by wliom he wu.s o|)posed, to hof>e for a successful termin-
I IIAP. Will] IIVIiKK AlTl.Mi'lN MA.nliAiloN.
.11 #
atioii (if till' Will* )»v his dwii iiiiaiilrii rtlMit^. :iiiil :ti mi i.iiIv
fN«ri(Ki i|r|»nt«Ml lit'Zix All Kliaii (tlii*'^'>ii ofi 'liiiii<i:i Salii-li .iii>i Ai'.iji-*
K:iiii. t«i tii'at t'«ir an ailiiistiiifiit nf lii-^ tifiiuui'lN. M. .<!.••• i;..vv
ili'liiaii«]«'il a ('li'M' •»!' Ku|>i'«'^. <ili tip* LT-'iiiiil. tli:i' li\il'i li.i i i'\i>'l irt
/if.w Ptrlii'ar'^ a laiv >M\i^ ot iii"tii-v . aipj i»\\(il mi lii^ dw n ai'->>iiiil
twii \<-ar^' ti'iliiiti*. wliii'Ii \v:i^ al\\.iv-« i-*<tiiii:iti->l \*\ .MM'i>H> K-.u al
• • •
twi'jvi' la*-**, tor ill*' <loiiiiiiii*ii*« i.n^-i H^.il \,\ |l\ilri. :i1m»\i .tii>l Im jnw
till* ^'liatits. Till' rnnii* r «•!* tlit.'^i' ii>-inaiit)^ will U* |iai1i\ • xpl liiifl,
liv o)»M'r\iiii: that tin' jItin inliiirv Dl'thr l*«'liL:ar> !•! tl.-- N. W i-l*
S<*r:i, was a iVMittsli'tl i-laiin )••■( «Vi*i!i ll\i|«-r niii| Miitli.n |{<i\\ . nwl
iniist of thi-in w<Tf iKiw >*iviii:: with tin- aiiiix i>t'th*' i.;Mii :iiii|
lM»tli ih'iiinii'N will Ih- illu^ii;i(«-l l<v i<-i*i>!i<-i-tiii^ (ii.il th*- M.ihi.iit i<4.
l»V thf ri»nijilf«»l 111' \ lji-\ ;i]ii»lr. rl:*i!in «l t'l sni-.- j (.1 •lij i!..- i.^l.H
itf that < ii'ViTiim'-iil : aii'l aiiiMii_j tipiii. t'» tin- ^'X'-iiijiitx • ! \\\ - .r,
iiitiltT till' ^I'lHTal ih-^^iiriMt i'lii ■■t* < '.irii:i(ii' \ iji \a|Hiii- . it .-ii .i,l.i ;i;..i
In* iiivniiahlv rriui-inl" n-<l. th^! \vli« !• \i r M.ihiMtt.i i-I.iii,i- :i:< • 'H-
OTlit'il. tlii'lf i"* alwa\^ ihf M--»T\'-i •Ifiiiainl nl'iA '"'*. :ii :! !l ; it
a%44*rtii>n nt* -^ttvi ifi^^iitv. a> \\<' s|i;il| h«-ii-:il(ir f\|ii.tiii a;, i .l i..ii:T!-
tU'lt** i»t' a|i]ii'iiil'<l I'Liiin-*. \vhi>-h an* lith' r n M'-l (•• >■■ •: n. •: •
iv*5iilar tnI'Mti-. i»r -ult-iitut'-i t"i it ;n-«"r«iiiij t-i rli. .■.. t -...,.
Hvii'T. ill aii-»\\ii ?'• til'"**- i-\«ii hit. lilt ih-:ii:iii :<■ •»)• m- i. ti:,* hf
wiLs a •*'i|'li»r "l" l'i»M^i!i''. :iii'i p.— .■■%^. .} ii-» iiii-'jii- 1-Mt I..' -w ! 1 .
thnt hi"^ t'Tritiii i'" hi i '- 'Ji !••" i»-'i:illv i.ix.ij'' 1. .«*.I i..- M..i < iv
f*\haii^t«-'l. hv M.i'i ••• U->w liMii-' i!' t-i :i liiiit th*- ] i'::i\ •■!*
<*itliili|\ III;/ ui'h-«>i<h iiiii- I ^> 'ihiif- • \ jM • T.'il ii'!i ^ l-ul ti:i* ilt\\<^\«*
Ui-s wmiiI-I N.ifi^ty hiiii I ■! til- |ii' '.it h'" w.-i'i •:.;■• I! ; »
OilJiM't it llijii h.ii i!i IT-'T ' ii-' itt'-'i t.i ti.' I .^\ In- :.r . I .i ! ii J.'
fiillll I'tf tli'l'^llj f' a\.!ti:i^' .1 • •lit'-'h l.iV-1 .»l! t. K • !i .. ■■ I .' ■'.
whii'li \«<>ill<i ('lol'illx h.iVi- -'I' ■ • .• <1 . )ut l.f I. I i t' > ii.-: !i
MiiTi* it V aii'i <i'ii It T • • •K.: !\ u ifli •{•-lii.iii !^ w ii:< h \\ ■ .i>i 1:1 . .' ■ v
iii<'r*'.'u«" i!i til*' r\.i- f I if.-i "\ lii-» ii.i-.iii^ V. :ii.<- t!i'
n-iiiaiiii'>l <-t:i\i!tiiij th' i \ .1 ^\ A iiMiii'. ii ^.^t.iii< I Ii
li*>ik ;'••■ ■••! iiiiji\ li: • i -iJi i Vi-*.-'- UiM 1 ?iii!. i
P-iii.«iiiin/ IM tl.- \\ 1'.' ■•' I - i:!.:- m. i« r j : r- ^r . : |. ■ .
r«t!it»ri-!i' ■■- . h^if til 1.1- ' \\ • . t :.■ •:! ?• ■ II it- i i- . .' .
fiif ''XiT t i T \ . ■■ .iji i ■ \ t I i \ f I \\ i ■ !i \ ■
«ti'i?i* h 1 I I'Ti ;• :• ; I !•• ' \ ■ t ■ i . ?■ . ■.„ ■ I ii T '
oMiii'l' t- -'I • ■ •■• i'i » ' • 1 ' ' :.?• S« : I \ \\ i* . N ■ , M, \
•ihii" "t' Ar • u.t- r '. ... '• :i ..» M . :• . ■ 'i.^r .. .:
a}t'*!Ti:i(- i'l .'.^« 'I ■ 'i.li ;■ • '■ ■- :.:r.T ■ -I • ii- .i; i_- n.- V t
Klnii :iTi i T II .' 1 \! .■.:■.:...' i. i i . ■ i .■ 1 ! ■ ' ■ :
■ .l'
1.
■ i'
1.'
!...
1:
■
\.l
;^ :
^
\'.-
1
1 '
• «
I'l '
w
Ml Hs^'l! •»■ • t •» • t '1 :■ •
•■•1 hv N 1/. I'll \ 1 ;•» ! •:■ •• 1 ■!■
l . f , ,
!. 1
i
I .
: i' t
I .; ■ i^ .' .■ 1
■ 1
' t'l. . / ■ ■
Kii«>i .'*«•.•
Ml' •■»■■■*
I i ■. I . k ■' • ■ '
i» • ' :» -• f
i t
I
• 1 .:»
37C MADOO row's designs. [chap, xviil
those who were most intimately acquainted with Hydcr's character
and habits, that he never woula have conferred during his life-time,
on either of those persons, that or any other authority which he
could himself retain. The proposed marriage of Reza Ali with his
daughter, was the bond of union by which Hyder persuaded that
person, that the dimiity was intended for him ; and since the peace
which terminated the project of sovereignty, that of the matrimonial
union had been revived ; but now that the connexion was shorn of
of its political lustre, Reza Ali, who had been reconciled to it by
that single consideration, was alive to nothing but dismist at the
degradation of the alliance ; and having resolved to avert it by flighty
availed Iiimself of his present situation, to remain under the protec-
tion of Madoo Row; whose proceedings seemed to abandon the
ordinary routine of Mahratta plunder, and to point to the fixed
conquest of the whole country. Among other arrangements he was
accompanied by garrisons regularly organized, and independent of
his field force, for the occupation of the principal posts ; the woody
tract on his right, was passed for the present ; but he proceeded to
occupy all the posts in the districts of Cuddoor, Banavar, Hassan,
and ^Beloor, and from thence eastward ; passing for the present,
Savendydroog and Bangalore, he reduced Nundidroog, the two
Bali[>oors, Colar, Mulwagul, which he carried by assault and gave no
quarter, and nearly the whole range of open country to the eastern
boundary. His progress was, however, arrested for a considerable
time, by the obscure fort of NidieguL The renter of the eastern
district, named Narsena, had found it convenient to fix his residence
at this place ; and as it was thus the occasional deposit of treasure,
he had been authorized to improve the works, and had rendered it
a tolerably respectable fort After the commencement of ilie siege,
Sirdar Khan, an officer of reputation, had been detached from
Bangalore, to throw himself into the place, by a forced night march,
and assume the command. His force, including the former garrison,
amounted to three thousand men; and he continued for three
months to foil the efforts of the Mahratta chief, whose talent did
not consist in the science of attacking fortified places. It happened
that Narrain Row, his brother, was wounded in directai^ the
operations of the siege after an unsuccessful assault ; and Madoo
Row, already sufficiently indignant at being detained by this
wretched place, ordered it to be instantly stormed, and no man
to return at the peril of his life: the assault was neverthelesB*
again repulsed, and Madoo Bow, in a fit of increased rage,
onlered fresh troops for the storm, and was placing himself
at their head, when the Poligar of Chittledroog* interposed to
solicit the post of danger, and requested that Madoo Row, would,
with his own hand, inflict the penalty of his returning firom the
* Named Ik^cMcutty Bermo. This was one of the Poligani, whose depeod-
ancc waa contcsicd. Hydcr never forgave ibis memorable instance of attach-
mcnt to his cneuiy ; and it was the p^round ot the subsequent destniction vf
th.it Tfli'Mr.
CHAP, xviii] xn>jK<;rL IS ( Aimini. :;77
l»n*Arli ; tlii.s cliivnIrniiM offvr was a(Vi'|iltM|. anil tli»* Pulii^r i»lai iiii(
liiiiist*lf at iIk* licad ofliis hravi* )mi1ith. i-anir] tli*- |'la«'i* t*ti thi- tir^t
III* Miiv. in a stvi«* tit' irallaiitrv. wliifli ilisi-rvtiiiv li\«Ml tin- a-lmira-
tiiiii >•!' tlit* wlmli* ariiiv. In P-tali.itiiin for a iiaiiMi-itti-^ i-iiNt iin ••!'
Mvvior. to wliicli wi* linvi' firnii'tlv Mi|\«Tt«-«i. an^l wliidi livii.-r lia.l
lHl«'ly iinicmi t4» 1m* |irai*tisi*<| nn .s«»nii* Maliilitta |ilun'It'riT<>. M:iilt>.i
l^»w (linrU'il tilt' i;i»srs an<l rai-^ ufail tin* suiAivni''* i«f tin* ;,'aiii'*'»n
of Ni'ljt'^iil Ut Ih* rut «itt*nn tin* s|m»i : Sir>lar Kiian \va> Ix^t Ifl «iiit,
mnii tt|i|)nKirlttMl with a \iru\ >t*-\i, an^l niiilaiiiit^'il asiNTt. is it iitit
Cfinsist^'nt witli jii^t n-taliation sail] MailMH Hnw that y<^n aUii l^i
thus nnitihiU.-<l nud ili^u'^rai-fil f 'I'lir niiitila(i>>n will U' mini-, thi*
(lis]^nu-i* y«iur'>«, P-|ilii*il th** Mu-^Hiihiian, an-l .Ma'i>i'i Kuw ininii-«li-
ati*lv nnh'iiMi his unt'iin'linMniil ii |i-a^«-.
This rhicf «'<>iitinn<'<I hi^ •■|M'!:iti"iis, with th** s«|i-i-i-^.; whii-li l*a>l
iiithfrt'i alwavH alti iph-il his inva-l-ti^ ••!' Mv^. mu- : I'lt. I'iiru' !.ik«Ti
ill, hi' wa.H ni» inhjiT ahiif t'» ilii'Mi in |Mrs.iii th'* |ir-»/n-N i-t* th»:
canifjaiirn ; Ih- ai'o»plinL'ly n-tip-! fi"in the army X** P""Tia. ai-i-xnipa-
Iii«"i hv hi-« hrutlii-i*. whi» al^ii r'^ijuii' 1 ii [».••<.• jn r>!i-« •jiifn. •■ ."iliis
wnnn<l: an^l ii-l't Triiiihii«* l^-w. u--u.illv r.i!!. .1 'liiuil.'ir M.mia.*
M'illi ihit wh'il*' arinv t' I•r••^•••'Ul«■ iht* wnr 11:^ lli-l • ut» ii li- was
till* attark nf t nm! iini«'*li'l.i, <-<>iiiniar:|< il I'V N' , '' Si! '- ''• thi'
lifphcw itf }ft*r S'lhrh, whi'-h •*ii^f.i;!i''i a ^ii-j.- i.f tui» m •iitli^, .ii,il
thi-n ra)>itiihit«'>l. thri>UL:h tip- iiif< i vi iif i><n aii<l :;u:ii;kii(« •- "tM"i.iii
Kiiw. ' \*li«i«M' ii-i'i-nt p'«"ni i!i:iii"ii with IK-i-r. Iia-I l-'ii I •!!■.«-. i hv
All iniini'<liat«' juni-tiiiu with hi*. ••ii«niy M.hI-hi Kuw t- r (iit- \» i^ -ti il
ftafftv «»l thf t'>»niinaii>l.i:it : >*••;•■/ .n •/./'* mi liiii-.- I'l- luf •■! lii:?*
iniAninti-t* ii-liivl fiir llj" jn-H' lit t*i arii-jil tif h'-spitajiri' -< nf
liaibilut .Itnu^ at A<iwaii*->' ; aipi >h i ii't i«tiini to >• inij.i}t.i!.iTn,
till thir t'lini iii'^iMn t.t'tln* uar Fr>ini ii« ii>-r riiiiih^ii* K<w i>t .i!i'>l
ill till* Wt'M. aihl was ••i'>ii|<if| tiT s.\i!il iiiiiiith- in | '"-sf.^.jii^
liiiiiHt^if i-l' T<Minii'<i<>r. 1 >t'V.ii7ij.l» ■ I/, it'j'i t li'- jh.hT^ ;i;. i t* ii ii"i :>-s,
ill thi* ipirthwai'i ••! th \«h: 'i i. i 1 )•• • !i *»'.".; i m f';., t.t^t
in**tAli«'t* l-y Ma-l-Hi K ■\^ K\i*i':'. \' •■! lh'« • . i.:i .iMi.\ ;i?
•N'nn^^ajat.iiii. llv'l'i h^i'i ;i ■ ■ii-: i« v.ii'!' t'-T'- .'t lii:iji! i- .'.ri-l
iit'Ufti'hni«-iits WiT'- mi'i'- lV-:!i • i. !» it tl.--- il.u is. ..- ■ ;. :!■::. j!v
iwviirr»'«l. til ^HMt iijtt'if M.«i. !.«••.■. ^tn:!.i^ .-i .atiin;' x\i*- r« N-rv
(if <Miiii.* i.|' tl|.. li- .jhh ■ i!ifi^' j Ii' • - In ti.'- ••*ii it .I.ir.'i.rv 1771.
a j^lr'hj •!• t.i' hnp !.i Iji i )■•■!! ■ :.t ': ■. i:._ if fi m l^ir.^i. r- »:i
lilt? ••xj"it.iti-.ii «■!' U ni^' il !•■ l'« i!:y ji it I'.-il;;-- r •.«••/) ! ■ ii
liuh-s ili><t.iiil h\ s.j|i.r;^i- i:.. I :;!• I !■: .-■■ h.\\i\ j \. \ •:,.\ !.».!- 1
• .1/ I -I'l. Ill ll.i- M il»r k*.: I ! i:..:-.; !.•• ■. '^- ..I.- :. \k I.' I. I ii . .'..- II
ii) M^li* t li-.A. ii.il *.t li .1a-.. .. ■ i ;..: , . ■ I !•: ■ :'. i i:. • » rl
«if III- k II iMii- .>. '• 7 I;. • I !.-.'.• .i. I . ! i ;i:. :..; l;.i ^lai«
rmttx«. 111 I in !.'•! 1-- •■,!•• i ^ .•;..• \ :• I* ■ : • ■. • .
» tli« i..i"i ' ^» i« yhrr .1/ , '•. L /». ^ . A . •■ i . . * .' » :i • . it« I
apl'c ll4ti-*li f'-r t :.i • 'i:-. I ii:i !. r ■•: '. !.• Kr./.: : i* .;• ' ll« w.*i ■ ». [ ^*^ri
Siiht'j'.** ti.«*.;i / .l-!i K.lii I: ■:.! I;.i .:. . Ut" ^ .' Mki. '* I. ."n u.i« \lrrr
Ai^ /.'•':•» A*, t*. >. ' • II •! V" »■ K ,i. ■ J Tt'.x* '• « J • .' : .. / I *•- h- uk
tLc iir<«'« nil ki.t 1 ••! li.« \ ;• ; i.i!
:57cS ITYDER MOVES TO MILGOTA. [C?HAP. XVIIL
ill its obj(»(*t, but the detachment exhausted with fatigue, suffered
itself to be surprised in its return, and was entirely cut to pieces
by Trimhnc Row, who from thence moved to the plain immediately
N. W. of Ooti-adroog.
Hyder, whetlier feeling himself relieved from the superior
genius of Madoo Row, or more confident in his strength from
having completed the equipments of his army, resolved to make
trial of his good fortune and military skill against Trimbuc Mama,
with a force of 12,000 good hoi-se, 15,000 regular infantry, 10.000
peons, or irregular infantry, armed with match-locks or pikes, and
40 field gims. Of the precise strength of Trimbuc Row s army I
possess no information, which I can ofier to the reader a8 authentic;
and tlierefore deem it more safe to rely on the general impression
of both armies, that his disposable force was nearly double that
of Hyder.
In conformity to the plan which he had formed, Hyder moved
in the direct line by Cenapatam, and the strong country between
it and KSjivendydroog, to assume a position to the north-west-watd
of that impregnable rock, for the purpose of securing bis retreat
to its ])rotection, in the event of disaster ; and in this situation
offered battle to the Mahratta army. Trimbuc Row perceived at
the first glance, that no impression could be made on the enemy,
wl^ile he occupied his present ground; and resolved to draw him
from it, by moving across his front, and appearing to disperse
his army, for forage and subsistence, over the whole face of the
country to the north-west, which was visible from the top of the
rock. Hyder was not deceived by this demonstration, but deeming
the reput^ition of being able to keep the field to be essential to
the success of the negotiations in which he was engaged ; he
determined to move from one strong position to another, in the
hope of at It^.ngth provoking the Mahi*attas to attack him at a
disadvantage. The moment that intelligence was conveyed to
Trimbuc Mama of Hyder's being in motion to the westward^
across the plain country towards Milgota, he collected all his
detachments ; but was too late for any operation, excepting an
unim|K)rtant attack on the rear guard, as it was entering the
winding eastern pass of Milgota.
The liills which tiikc their name from this celebrated Hindoo
temple, run in a direction nearly N. W. and S. E. eYtending four
or nve miles in eacli direction, from the pass by which Hyder
arf(ri»nde<l : another pass at right angles with this, west of the
])rincipal ridge, and parallel to its general direction, leads to
St?ringajMitam : a nigged table-land, overgrown with jungle, extends
for al)out two miles from the summit of these passes, to the west-
ward, overlooking the low country, and descending with an easier
sl«)|H» to the plain. The whole of this elevated position maybe
coiisiderrd as nearly inaccessible from the east, and south, excepting
through thv' two narrow and diflicult passes which we have noticed;
CHAR XVIII.] KKTUKATS To SIHINCJAPATAM. ."Tl*
All! I tlio ii|t|iro.vli fnun tin* wi'st, ;iltlnniL;li l';ir fn»m Uin^' r.isv. in
lli<* uvtsi pnii'titMlilt* t(» ail riifiiiy. liviliT** liiNjhi^itiou n! Iiis
fuHN* f(irinf*i n«'iirlv n fn*sivut. laiMiiLr tin' wr^i. In^ tl:iiik<> ifsiin-r
nil till* |Mirtiiin nf thr hill whirh \v;i«« iiiiiNl iiiaf'ri««<«il)|i'. aii<i tin:
two jiaHHi'.H Inmii;^ ill i\\t» ivar i>t* liin Iff I :iii'l n- lit it* : :i >tr**iiL; litit
must Im/Jiniittis |Hisiti«in, Mhirh in tin- rviiit nf iliMMintituit*. I«t'l
!M'ari*flv till* iMisiilijIitv i»f situ if p-trt-at ; iii:Lsiiiu<'li as oin« niilv
«if llii* pxvM-s I'liujii U' safi-iy iiHi-i| I'.ir diis |iiii-|mi<ii* - Tur if li-nji
sImmiM \h* riit|»liiyi*'| till* t>>N]Mi-tivr I'oiiiiiins wtnilij U* riiiin Iv
^*|i:iratoii. I>y an iiii|M'iirti.tliI*' laii^'f of liili.^, witli tin* ri^k I'l'lu-iii^
cut iifl'. Ih-riiri' iIh'v •■•»uM ii-uijiii*.
A i|i*tar}|i'ii liill, wliji-ji t'lirilli'l tllf \viti>liii>^ nf t!;>- r.-i^tiTIl
|VLHH. wiitTi* tin* ri'ar-:;uapl ha^l 1»tii attaikiii. *i\»il'. -ifl a j-ait
tif thf Ki"*Mii i'iii*lii>«-.i |iy IIviliT.s |Mi.siii.iii : aiiil lliin !iill. niu'-T' •!
on jtN Wfsfi 111 farr, Iia<l a iij«'ii- )irai'tii-al'i«- si..|H' ti> llir i-.i^l« m
|ilaiii liiHt«:iil tif iiiakiiiL; tli«-ir attack fi<»iii tin* \iist ai-i -'pI:!!:^
to llyii-r.s rX|H-.'tati'»ii. tli»- •ii-iiiy att«-iiipti*<l \*t ili*l-- 1^ • inhi t!>>iii
litis iHiHitiitii |iv a ti a/iii:; ijailv « .iniiitnaiir tp'in tin* Itiil wl !• Ii li.is
ln-«MI iit"»riilH"i. i-<'n<|il*-ti-<i in ill'- UhImI Molilalia ■*! \ 1»-. « I uitlj-
liniHin.; till' unii^ !•■ r.inip «\*iv (-\«iiinL'. ati'i lim^'Ui^ li.iiu t ir-
Wiipl Ji'/ain t\'Tv Mminirij. alninl i ijiit i-i!"!;; l-'il •i*;-ni_: tin'
ilit4-riii«-«iia(f tiiif- p>i-ki-t ni'ii. |<- n< tialin^' in \.ir.<>ii>> <i:i' • ti'i:-!
iliptil;.'li tli«* w 1^. in-ar t'l til' >kii!> I'l" tilt" jii-*«ili'M». i "ti* :i.iii <l.
tlipin^'liout tin- \vli'»li- Tii::lit. I » k«' ;• lli** iainp in |i* !|**-t'Ml .ij.Vir:..n.
Till' wli'ilf niniilH-r i-I juns ini|i]><\i>i \\.i». i-it t<n. ••!" l.iijt- i .ilil-ii-.
wliii'li iii'ii'«.-..iii!v fiiinj at a i •no;!' i.iMf i :• \ati>in. |-!mi;.»-i ^ii'ii
intii nil ii.iit^ ot' til'- i-ani;' l'i"ni a lii^fan'" wliirti llv<i< * ^ lijlil
la •
artiiliT\ I'tiiM ii 't !>.n}i 'Mil- anii"\.iiH. \\;i^ wirlpiiil an ii.f<!\al.
Kfi'l li*iwi\i'i s|i\i-iil\ , u^i.H i \tP n.* !\ liai.t.-H:t,j :iii.i ||..( tij .i.l :S<i
ill lli»« -iiu'ii- iiliiit t .•! liMvui^' liiin Ii-ni tli*- ]• ■'itii»n. uilli-. ir i.-^:n_;
All «iti'-n. I'l lAi"-^;!!^' a ]■ -iiit ! ■ at'ai k K-i • :jlit *i.'.\^ \i\\*:-
|wTiiiltti-i l:ini-«ll t" U' thn-* in • -.Titiy ii.-ull'-i. w.tli'-.it .i:* - ?: it
lit' nil V km-l r» p T.tli.it.- • n l!.- . m- ■. v < • ' ■ i- !:• \'- fi: ' - \\i •: :**
fp'Iii lilt II til •'n.ij- iin n! \\\.. )i til- i-:- • ;■. ■ I u. ?.' I ".•. ■ :i-
HliicniMv !■• ai^imnf M- .i* !■■!_• . ■:■ t- : i;..i.« I X* i-'i ■'. !■•
S«TiiiL.'««l »t««ni. •i;-»anl al-uJ 'a.;.'\ t \\ ■ i...t- ' '. tin ■■!';-:ii
|»:ix- ;.?.'i til.- !■■.?.■ ■•! til- li." .■!«•..' • > ■. ll.\ .".? ■ ■: ^l I. ii
I77I '111'" !!"--i-'. witli t:.. . .■■:■' ■: {'..• ■■■i!- •• . !:l
n-ar .u.ipi ni"\»-l -il"h!!\ it! ..' .' '.•••. 1*.*! i..-;It u '"i \\\ is
liitit-i-if a» tl.- .1 !•■ -fl i i *' '^• ■ ' ' !■ -r^' i ^^ i*i» tin . .i!« . : • " ".^
tli»' l«aj^'iji .'1 III M -n A'..\ ''. ' .•. : I u .1 -J;!!-?" 1 I ■ • .. -a
At iniin-.^i.r ii!. i u.i!.:,j tl.. '■•• .: i:. r .-. ■• i. ■ i i*
a«
iiii
II. 1
ii'af
: >n
t .
!?..
♦ T,
■ 1;.;.
III.
P
1:
n •
ir.'-
• w
•: i
1 i:
• • 1 i
•
■1
»
. .. •
.1 ■ 1
• •
f
A • :
;i f
■ ■ . •
• •
1
.Mr
;p«
•:• V ■
•
• 1 ■
• ■
■
Mi.i
;-ii
1" ■■
.
• •
•
•
•
: .
t
t
•-■■■• . : . ; ■. r \* ■ . . ■
• J . ■-. ' .■■. f.: ^.
;.'•.; . p
380 HIS SAVAGE CONDUCT. [CHAP. XV1IL
that Hyder's plan would have been realized, of finisliinff the greater
part of the march before day-light; but when the head of the
column of infantry liad marched about four miles, had cleared the
narrow part of the pass, and was entering on the plain, Narrain
Bow, the officer commanding the whole regular infantrj^ fancying
that he saw or heard the enemy in his front, most inexcusably, and
not without the just suspicion of treachery, opened a gun, the
report of which communicated to the whole Mahratta army, intelli-
gence of the march, and to that of Hyder, already discouraged by
a movement which indicated the fears of its leader, the certainty of
being overtaken in its retreat. The infantry cleared the pass, and
reached the open country, about six miles from the ground of en-
campment ; but the baggage, embarrassed by the woods, and wander-
ing m the dark, made no progress. Hyder had drank* in the even-
ing to an imprudent excess ; and not having relieved the effects by
his usual period of sleep, was in a state of stupid inebriety. Repeat-
ed messages had been sent, to order Tippoo to the front, but in the
confusion of the night, he was not to be found, and none had reach-
ed him till the dawn of day ; when on his approach, Hyder not
only accosted him in a strain of the lowest scurrility, but in a
paroxysm of brutal drunken rage, seized a large cane from the band
of one of his attendants, and gave the heir apparent^ a most unroyal
and literally most unmerciful beating.f Tippoo, as soon as he durst^
withdrew from his father s rage, and at the head of liis division,
dashing on the ground his turbandj and his sword, " my father,"
said he, " may figlit his own battle, for I swear by Alia and his pro-
phet, that I draw no sword to-day :" he kept his oath, and the oivi-
sion was commanded by Yaseen Khan.
Tlie whole infantry in four divisions, had already formed with
sufficient laxity, the sides of an enormous square, into which not
only the baggage, but the cavalry of the army was received ; a mis-
application of a good principle of formation, which rendered it the
* liyder was addicted to drinking, but the^e excesses were so prudently
maiiaf^ed, as to be known to few ; the time was soon before his usual hour
of retiring to rest, and he slept off the effects. Whether the use of Strang
liquors at the time of retiring to rest^ was intended exclusively as aaensoid
indulgence, or partly as a soporific, is a question on which his old associ-
ates arc not agreed. Abbas Ali relates, (on the authority of Qholaum All,
one of the most familiar of his companions), that he was frequently in
Hyder*s tent, when after fatigue he would lie down in the dav and take a
short repose j on one occasion he ohserved hin) to start, and be much di»-
tiirbed in his sleep ; and on his waking, he took the liberty to mentioa
what he liad observed, and to ask of what lie had been dreaming. '^ My friend,*
replied Ilydcr, ** the state of a yogce, (religious mendicant,) is more deli^hl-
fiil tiian my envied monarchy ; awake they see no conspirators ; asleep
they dream of no asHa88ins."
1 1 have converged with persons who saw his back in a shocking state
upwards of a week afterwards.
I Onr fair country-women, who a(lo)>t the turband, are not. perhaps,
aware that it is excliiftivcly a masculiuc liabiliment. Mohammedan lidies
only wear the— i»antuloons.
CHAP. XVIII.] PANIC AND SlJlUcnTKR OP IILS AllMY. 3M
very wi»rst that 1*011 M wril Imvc Ihvii dovisiHl : niiil llvilor. iiist('A«i
iif AKSiiinini; till? jMwt whrre lii?^ pR-M'iKv wjis inuM inivRsiiry, went
otfttk tliu fmnt. ^ivin^ ii«» «ithrr ilir«*t*tii>ii tliiiii vlulluuv, chrilnim,
{^I't (»ii — *;fvi on — the viTv wal4*liwi»nl i>r iKinio, wIkmi p-tn-atin;; in
the ]iii's««iu*t* lit' an eiu'iiiy. Tliirt i«iionitt>us miii iiiiwieMy iiiilh.^
c«iiitiiuu'«l. hdWfViT, to lihivt? Mil. TUr M.iiiriitta ravalrv, inivitimI
tlie \\u\i i»f tlu* coiiiitrv in cvcrv iliri'«-tion : tln'V limi captiin**!, iin>l
UniLr;?i*4l «>n «*n(f «if liyih'r's •^uiis, wiiirh hiul U*cn aliJiniioiUHi tioar
thi* |Hiss, whirh, toijifthcr witli tuiir or tivi* nfthfir «iwii, (i|N-n(>«i at a
^r\*at tllNtiinrr. ami i>iuii;^^i'«l .sliot iiit<i th«* iiit«'ii«ir **f tin* si|U>in* ;
their r«M*k«'t iiioii ha*! al^i arrivnl, ainl ri*ntiil>nli*ii liy fli;;ht.s (»f
ilu*sc iiiisisilrs. t«> thi* ;;rn«*i'iil ••iii)>ai-iaH>«tnriiL l>iiriii;^ all this tiiiir.
no Niirt itf c'tfiM't WHS iua«li' : n<i tiiilct>« wrn* ^iv^n : aiiil tlt«;
cutiinifiittiaiit of rviry corps wil** left t4» )ii> nwii iiicjLsun*^, to ki-(*|i
mi a «iiHtan«v tin* heavy KHlirs nt' h< •!>>•'. whirh iiiiii;^ ii|Min i'V«TV |Nir«
ti«»nc»fth«' Hi|iian', ica«ly to charj^'f. \ihi'ii(*\i*r a lavurahlo 4»|»{Kirtu-
nity hIiiiuIiI «N'cur.
The front lit h'liL'th arrivnl iiirtr th«' hilN of ('ht-n^ixil****. a)»iiut
eh'Vt-n niilfs fr-'ni Siiiiii::i|Mtani : thr «liri'«li"n of tln-M* liilU was
iihlii|iu* t4i thf p'liti* "f n-tvi-at. the hi;:)i ri>:il •{••iihhn;: riiiin<i tlio
W«»«*t«Tii e!i«l i»f til'- raiiu't'. aii*l ifavinj it »»n th*- l^'ft : lh«' Iffl fai*«;
of th«* sipiari*. wliii-h niijlit (•• hnvi- t'lnip-il a i->>n»i<ii niMe nn;;ii- with
that ran^'*'. Iia.l U-ii-in'- iiraily |ur.ill'l to i? . an<l lly«h'r fi»r s'^nio
un«*X|i|aini-il ti-.i-* <ii. \\.is n^'W with thi^ «livio|i>ii : it is ••)ivi>iiiH, that
the si|!i'iri' wu^ n<>\\ in a i>sitii.n I" sri-nri' Kv tlie ino««t NJniiih?
rhan;;i* "f «li-']-'-iti-'n t!.« tV- • !ii«»ti i.n !it -•! tlic iMi;::jai;e rouinl th«»
|w»int I'f thi* hill t'f t lii-n'" 1' • : hut ni«w as in tin* foniH r pail i»f
the inaii'h, tip- ariur \^.i^ \\:T!i.iiit anv iMih 1^. In thi-^ Hittmti«>n a
•hi<t stnn-k a tMinhnl. witliin tiif »>.|iiari', w)ii« li rxpliNltii. anii
ointniuniratiii^ with •-"ini" • .ini< l-f><a<i-« •■!' PM-kt-ts. iiiiTi*a<u-.l tht*
p'!ii-r.ii »-"!i!U':«ii 'I'll'' f'll'Uiv .tifl til n«-.iri"«t to th«' h'ft,
iBTi** ivin:^ tiii-Mi"--lv«-. i-i ^.• .:■,.• t" 1 h:II. wiii- h iii-rt. a<i in iiii<«t
iMtt* 'if III li.i. i« >«k:i t< 1 I V ;i i:i.«^^ ■•: l-» ■ -•■ ;tiuul.tr h1.i|i»-n i.r i*< kn
IhiM ri'ssihi." t'l i-av;tlr V pi'-*— I tlii.'.ijli th< tr'-'p** of tin- hfl lai*«* ;
who •^utl'ii*-'! ill' ni»>-:\<- ti tiiin^' I>tli t>U-i.iiMiil auay witli
tlir i'pi%«il. :«li 1 (•• a^< • ri'i ?!.•■ I iii tlii- tiljht ••}' th* !• It illM^l"!!
In'iii* Si I'll }.v fl.f T- -! ■■! til- aTiti\ tv -lui'li l» 1 tlif '• Ml ril i-aiin*.
■ ■ ■ 1
I'nii-r It"* unit ••■•« l:r.j \Ui\ i.* • \« rv ■ ij--. .1- it ^>\ • iiiii;-?! • tj-iIiI,
|n*;Jilll X'* pr« •^'^ tl.l-MjIl tls'- I :-W i !•« ;, il!l tip" hi!! •T'ltT'* U- !•■ lel
h'fijt-r h» itI tli'- i ■lit*;-, m w i- :it- •: .• v .li-lr :i:. 1 tin- M.klit.itta
h"r^i- (-ii:«i:j* •! in i-n tin f r.i • • !• 1.. .::ii:i^' {.h • •« < ! (In- n.|>i:i{i 'lln-
r»-*t w a-« .1 s. . ij. ,.t' iiiif -.-!• j ■ • 1. i.'.' I .«?ii h.ijj \'.\ I' •! Il\ !• T. i'f
jiP-ni:-- ii""»' pi'i!.!' I u ;t :. u ! . ii t ■. . ; \ . r.. u .i- t ■■■ ni'i* *. ■■•siii'l
!•• tliink "t -Xi\jj..:.ji.j.'..\- I't ; ■ •: i;.\ !.• :■'-.• :ii' -1 th. liiii • n
foi»t. aii-1 l'\ !fj» jr-it' 't J i ! :! .•;• ! 'iii i .i! li •' fp|-'s.l«* **'l»!
iiiif i.f ii> lAn !• i !.-:-•'» u !,:• I. .» ?,..t • I.I .ii; j uif. ili^-» nl j/p-'III.
r». .ipui^' III t* ■ I . •-• s <■..: ?■.•;•■■ }.:.•■:*•'.. \.. '. J .i-i l-r ■"i^hl
tlij'.ii- r I :• ■.:..'•.!.-■ j ;■/ .i*. \. :.. .. :.. n.*.:..! \\- «I i .»:•.- liJi I lii'*
3S2 ESCAPE OF HTDER AXD TIFPOO. [flTHAP. XYIIL
escape. He mount^-l al-^ne. and set off at full speed for Serin^a-
patam. which he reaohv'l without interruption, being joined in his
r^.iute by a few well-mount-ed fugitives.
When Tipp--**^, in th-ir early part o( the day, threw down his
turband and sworl. he alsii di^r»>VieJ himself of his outer garments of
cloth of gold, tie*! r>und his heal a c-Jored handkerchief, and, as is
customary in the •."•si-rntati>n '^f «li^::n^'V:. assume* J the guise of one
who had renounced the world : be was therefore prepared for the
character, which at this criti-ral m-'in-rnt he was adrised to assume,
of a trav-riling mendicant, the >:-n ''•fa hr-ly faktrer, attended bv his
faithful frif iid. Sryed M'-'hamme 2 ;• who. aft^r slaiistter had ceased,
and plunder bejan. liejge«i his way, as the servant of the young
men<iicanL throuj-h the mass of the spc'ilers and the spoiled, ana
conveye^i him in stifety t*^ Serin^p^tam on the same nighL Hyder,
having in the meanwhile given him up as l«)st, long continued
passionately to exclaim, in terms which indicated more resignation
than hu! manner e\-incei ** Cr>l ^ave him. and &:J hath taken h™
away." himself remaininj at a small mos^que to the north of the
river, and refusing to enter bis capital"''
I have gone uver thr grounl which was the scene of all these
operations. accomr«aniei ly men of oliservaii' ^a and intelligence,
who witnessed them, in situiiti >ns of high rank in Hyder's
army, in order il^at I mijh: •■btain s^r-me 'iistinct notion of a
battle, on which the M:iLrA:iAS jryjiid s? much of their
miliiarv fame, anl whiA :> trie su: ^•.•?: t:f jeneral o>n venation
air. nj" IniL'ins of evrrv s»;v^. If :':.r iniT-r^.'^sioas which I have
rt-.-eivei W c^^rrec:, an i if I have >rr.-n a !r to render them in-
•ri to o.-^ncur in the
was B» battle :* and
« .• • ft h^>
tclli^lKe to the T>siit:r; hv will
o:n elusion which I have f.rr^-.-i. ::
that a:i:::ugh the day was :.>: ly Hyivr, ii was not won by
the MahrattasL
In resisting the i:!tim&:o ch.^rpi^ :" ;:.e Mahratta.«N. there were
<:' cj>ursr s^"«me exan. '/.•.> c-z ii. i:\-2iu: J Ljcrit, f^-rming hononble
exwvri::T> to the ^.r-r*'. :Ar.i.\ Wv b?ive iov-jietiiallv noCked the
• A::<r^:j-i* kilLiir ^! S^r-iir.T.'i.Txr-. :.- n vi-.-zi I tike I hit part of
tie rLiU •:: Mi:^}- r.\rri:;^i> *:..:<, trt: :.u 4ii *.•::. e ti.*l Mydcr, fell
f.c & ni-'iaeZi: ::.:-. il< t^.ii* of M -v. :%- ». ^i^.-^ rt.-. &>ed Lis prinoDer,
^•a lit :-r..=^>e ,:' :wj. ',:».> vf i\*^,Ki.«s. 7i> tj^.* :* V"t^:y irenenUy be-
Lt^i'i i.-.;.-c i-t MiLri::j».N. :->: rsfe;-.-rL:.j: ^.: >k\ :: ;j^ c^ru^iJf aafound-
fd Li-i »•- A ?.:..;■-:->. I. ..: Lv.:c ^-iL.-r.i-i^ 1 t-i-rt-y diabeiieTe it
-^ *. .. •-
C* Z.:t « .T^ •-.> ..*.«.?w ...»...« .....*'. L..^i C*. &_-f . ^aZ^afXa^ DOUl Ol
Hyivr A.: tr i *1;T»» >-^u.--. *.: '.:.* •-•i-.o. vLi:i cocui not with
jr. j--4:y ':* ::.:ir«.vic. w.:i :ii '..ac.-r.,-! i^Ti^iit. a:« thrown inlo
: S :r. :i}ii: -7 i M»;i •' l\ tr .iis.--,-!: .: .:. r"*fir oficiil kttcn to
:li •' •■*—=. ft: ■: MiirsA. i: .i .■: .■*•->*« .: v<-t r..frriri cok*r» : Hydcr
•1* k\r,t:,z i.5i.:T. .: «-.:;. Litt.'^^c:. :.» . >: s-:i:t ^asw tie adraatac*
»\k4 ■•:. ::?'•: M ::. ":.;* "4v.v k:i y.:^:. • :. ^ k> & jaj:|xmary itrtion,
:• v: :. :..< »-: ;*.—:> j .< i ••• • -.r^:-i k...oi ksi m^zy cc£cc» killed
.■••,-.•->- »..»-•». *.»ftj.»*'.-,«. -• ^
(HAP. xviii.l roxnrtT itv nzzn. imh.i.a khan. IkN.H
loss (if an oyo MisUiiiUHl l»y V;iS4'cii* Klinn. in th«> cuiiiinanil nt'
Ti|i|Mhi'.^ division. Lilla Mean. wIukh* liaiii^liNT Ti|t|kiH) iiiu-ruupls
uiarrii*<l. uuiilf a nit>st ;^allani (Ift't- m-i*. at tlu* lirnil %*( iiin nir)iH uf
int*antr\ , and rrtuMHi Ut riMTivi* ipiai-tAT ; In* wa<« at Ii-n:;tli t:ik«*n.
aft'T iM'ini; i|fs|N'nit4'ly witiindi-il. In this st«it«*. a l«iw Maiir.it ta
hors<-nian riilii-uIiMl lii<« >itii:iti<>n. taunt in'^ tin* |iiisiinfr witii tin*
|»iirti('ular wnunds \vlii«-)i In* liinisrlf )ia«l intlittfil . aipi tin* inili^;-
liiiiit Si'IiiiiT a4'i'fli-i-at«-<l lii«>ti\in ili*:itli l»v tlir t'lirv with \iliii'li hi*
liishf«i til ^•*j/j-tlh' nillian. An h'lfi'isli tjt ntl»'iiK'in'^ i'i»iiiMiaiiili*il olio
uf thi r|i-«. an«l wa** niii>t M-\ti'i-ly wiiuii<h*<l. at*t«r a tli->|H'nit«*
n-'.-iiHtaitri* . iithtT'* in thi- >anh' uiiha|i|iy >it>iatii*!i. \\\*\ with fri«'niU,
nr iNT'^iins iif tilt' scmif »»fit. t«» |«nMuri' l'«»r tht in tin- rn !•■ aid ntl'iivii
liV hulia?! Miri:*'! V ; th** Kn-'li'^liniiin was ili-^tituti* **i thi> immip
luiv.inta:^'*' ; hi*« \%iitin«l.s wrp' waslit-d u itii '^ini|ili* \iann watn; hy
mil att*'n<lant )m»v, thii'i* nr t'«iiii' tinit .^ a ilav ; anil uipI'T this n«>v<'l
hyst'Mii of snr;;t r\ . tln'V ii-i-ovi-ifi \iitli a raiii'litv n«ii r\«'i-«'«iiMi
undtT thr lN-.t liii-i|»iial tii-ainifn!/ Tin- "lily |iTsiin. h*i\vi*Vfr. who
i.H known t4i liavi- •■••nduit'<i hiiu-^i-If witii ^iii-« •■<^^fiil juiljim-nt and
fillip* '»i!l'|i.»vsi ^«.!iiii. w;iN V\\/y.\\\ t»i«lla Khan. wh«i .!•» Wf shall |iri'-
s**ntly ha\t a->i<«n to cxiii.iin wii- in •li^^'i:!! i-. and t<<ll«»w«-i| the
annv l*v oi'Ii r. witimnt • \< i.->in_: ;inv niiiituv • •niTuaipl.
• • • ■
III' w;lh witliin th*' '^•|ii.irf. iwA ni-.ir tii thi- wi -^ti rn |M»int «if tht*
hill, at thr I'ciioil ff th«- u* >ii lid • ••nl'u^i-<ii. an^l U in;: attnnii •! hy
m fi'W tVii-ii'lo, \\h«>ni •{•■;^'!:iii.!tt-.n h.itj n^t s.-|..Li:ir<il fiiiin hi** furtiiiifs,
aiiii siirri'Undfi Iv a i >iii<-: :• lahh- iiuinln i of un.itt.it li^dS hur-i-
Uicii, wlio t'tirrsjtw d' t'*a( and i'<"k' d t<> liini as tin- I*-.iiifr wli«» wjlh
t«» i-xtriiMtf tht'in M'lu 'li-.i.^ti I . iii- f<irnii'd tln-si- adii^-rfnts into a
C4iin|*;i< t lN».iy. and luttinj lhi>iMjh (lii* ••nt-iny. ntn* d. in (Nrf«t-t
onii-r. hy ill'- f-'id ••!" th» nv. r t';i\iiy at i '}i!iijiini'.'id\ . iinl\ fiur
luil*-<« liisUint. uii'if hi* ii'-od. aii'i iiiiitinuid iii'4 P-(i<-.it. witii-oit
furthi-r ni>>l<-*«t.iti>n, al'>ii : tlf f.jht iMiik. !•• S« iiiij i|Mtani : tin*
Maiinitt.'Lp* U-in^' iui« Tit i-n i:i -i-- \.iiii.iiili- i^miih'. tii.m ti.<- {•iir-^uit I'f
lllt'll will! Ii.id Ii" {M-IIidi I (•Ml (lull ^\^■ ]ii^
Atti'i till- atfiir i-t ('iiM !• •'. in w lii- ii iiindMi.- Ik*<w :*<-*ivi-i|
A •^lii^dtt \«''M7.1. ti <■ M.ilii.i!'.!-. in-irr itit< lit oil |'li:ud>-r tl.ui iiit-
|ipi\in^' till" ^'ii . ■ -*■ - if li." •i.i\. .-Ill* ri d tin- un.iiiip-d ri,;;ti\i i
U» P-.I* ii >• rii4j.ij.,t*..ni -n !)•.•• ^.m..- niiilil. .uid ^.ivi- t*- li\ iir
till* I'llt;; in(< TV.d • t' II <i ;. -^ < :u w iii< li tfp \ \\<}>- .I'^-'ii- d ill tin*
(il%*l'«iMn :iiid •!i>{--ii ■! -}• i! » t ]!••! a!iii. and ri(":ni a
MitU« ii'iif tiuiii^" I ••till' ii ! I titi- •i>-t'!i<t *'\ t:.<- 1 !.« -•- w!.:<:i ii.id
Iift-li ]• It .il ■ j'i?' !;. u.ti. ..• !ii'- II,' .t!i . .1 .. -.i-Liii- «■ il' ti:- j«i:o- .f
i'hrn *m *[%'%' i,.i 1 I- • !i I'M. >\\* \ lip i \ .1 ^'p it .III I % ;. -I -'.^ •■:! it . n
th«* i'ii|'it€il .\( ti:'- • \|-...i^ .- Il • t ll.if {»ii<d liiin'r'.'- It'>u :i{>:>* .ir-
• v.: 1 ,. ..
t .\t*.t rw .: l« I. i.'AM I y ! ■ ij.|i '.*: m -f « 0*1/ .'»*.!'?
; !:• . »!.-i !■• : . I y :.....•■ ^.. I ;..:.« . .
* 'I fii-ri if- I.. .;.y - .■ i 1:1 k. 1;. 1.1:1 .i. • i.t -. •;• :■ r •.:.i- iir«./!'..ii;i.n
t^ &.«4'. •'! • rd.ii^ ) :. .f.' :*.•:! %\\\ ^\\ k .*..«:.*. ■ ■: ■ j:.i:uai. 1.
384 HYDER RECOVERS FROM THE PANIC [cpAP. XVUL
ed before the place, and continued, according to his fashion of
warfare, to cannonade the fort every day, from the nearest heights,
and to withdraw his heavy guns at night. This miserable and
ridiculous semblance of what he called a siege, was of service to
Hyder alone, by affording to his troops the opportunity of partial
encounters with the enemy, and of recovering m some degree from
the panic of the late disaster. At the expiration of a month, how-
ever, the Mahratta discovered that this notable operation was only
restoring the spirits of the enemy ; and he divided his army, for the
purpose of attacking such forts as were necessary to his purpose,
and ravaging the open country, both above and below the moun-
tains. Although the views of Madoo Row extended to the fixed
conquest of Mysoor, the semblance of permanent occupation had not
restored the ordinary progress of agriculture, nor prevented the
necessity of large and incessant convoys from the north ; which,
after Tippoo had been withdrawn from Bednore, continued to pro-
ceed without an escort to the Mahratta camp. Hyder was desirous
of again disturbing these communications, but Trimbuc Bow
continued himself to watch the capital, with a corps of observa-
tion, which rendered small detachments hazardous. Hyder, how-
ever, risked two corps ; one under the orders of Mohammed Ali,
an experienced officer of infantry, who was directed to attempt
the recovery, by surprise, of Periapatam, thirty miles to tiie west^
or if he could not effect this object unobserved, the movement
would serve &s a feint to draw off Trimbuc Row, and enable the
other detachment, under Tippoo,* with 3,000 irregular horse, and
five battalions of infantry, to get clear off to the woods of Bednore,
to act on the line of the enemy s supplies. The latter branch of the
plan was successful, and the detachment, amon^ other services,
captured a convoy of one hundred thousand oxen, laden with grain,
which they conveyed in safety to Bednore. The detachment.of
Mohammed Ali, consisting of only four battalions, was overtaken, on
the morning after its march, at about twenty miles distance from
Seringapatam, and attacked with great energy by Trimbnc Row,
with the whole force which he had been able to bring up : Moham-
med Ali took post in a ruined village, and made a gaUant resistance
throughout the day ; at niglit his prejmrations seemed to announce
the intention of attempting a retreat ; and his numerous wounded,
on receiving this intelligence, began to utter the most dreadful
lamentations at the fate to which they were destined. In order that
the alarm might not by these means be communicated to the enemy,
he went round to assure them, that they should not be abandoned
to perish bv famine. The fearful mental reservation of this
assurance referred to a plan of novel barbarity, exceeded only
in later times, by an atrocity which has been ascribed to a people
* He was on this occasion put under the tuition of iiree NawoM
Roto Berkee^ a noted i>artiian, who, as well as his troops, were better
qualified for this description of service than Mccr Saheb.
<:IIAP. XViri.J MINUK iUTIlA I Ii»NS i.MnTi:M.
calliii;; thrinsi'Ivrs limn* rivili/.nl, AVIn*n ovfrvtliiu.; w.i-^ Psi'lv. !»••
ht*iit round .1 ('••rtaiii duiiiImt of |>"r<)>h^ )>p>]MiIy iii>«tiii> t* 1. wli" .it ;i
<'ulii'ill4-ii <^i^'li:il lnill«ltlrtl liW tli«' \\ uuii>lfi|. Ill till- hiil'ii) !•■ •^ililhi*
wliiili ou**!!'-'!. In- «Miiim''m't*'l Wis p'ti'.it liv :iit u!i''ij'ip''t««l ji.'ih .iii-l
takiii ' II •■ipiiitMiM iiiMti*. ii.nlii'il Mv-^iMir i»v il.-a -li^h? ; a !• i«it-
iil»l»' l^.irrlsoii h;i\ in^' ;ilu.iy> l"'» n k'-jif at ih.il |iia''r, wisiili v..i. r •»
iii-ai* SM'iti;;:«{>:il;iiii, lt» l**' \v« U -'ill' -1 i''*v l!i'- «':"i.aii ii . »f .i
Malinitta >ii jr.
It i> ii'il iiitiMplc'l tn fatimi*' t!i»' Pi|tT"» a* t'-:it :■■!». Ky :\ <!• t lil
of tin* iiiiii'M* i»|M'ratioiM of tlii-* il'*^ tlatiii j war. wiri li *»\\\r ii-* iliu--
tniti'HjN III' •■!iara't«r : tit't»'i'n ni'iutlM 1; i I thiii-r.l aV- r tii*- il« •'• af u!*
l'ii«T'i»lt-i\ lii't'ir* llv'iiT. \Vi- iri'- 1 wiiii ;i li-'i-I-.-^ wiilii--. an)
in«»iiMiiii-' nvi r tin' ■li'-lruriioii i-t" his it ..lur' ••-. >..i-A' aiiv i- v i.il«!i'
|inis|i«Tl i.f luiii^' alili- ti» » tl'M-t :i |i''a'". Aj'ij'i* Km ua- .:..'ii!i iii-.
c<»titii|«*iiti:il «iiV'»v : MiUMii \l**\\' ha 1 » ii_r.i_''ii i » * \i\\'[ ••. h;^ u'"* ^
«»llif»-.s ; :iipi Triiii}>ni' liiiw Itaii als'i a s" ■n-l i» i*"»:i t'.-- •! -ii :« i-'i^
illii»"v'» of Ma'l»'« Iv tw ) t'»r li«'?«-:ii!i J tn t!j''^«' a l\.''i .« !:...»y w i>
iu*i'i>rilin,;ly «-iiii!'il' •!. in thi- ni'H'li *'\ .Iii'i--. u'.: i. •/.j-ili: 1 t'li*
p.iyiiii'itt i-f ihii t \ I i--. I'f Kit I ^ ; ••II'- !i i!f ifi i. Ml :. .1- I : : •■ : ir. nii-
drr A^r^'/'^/* ; a ■^[■■•'•i''' «'f t Ji* ••1 iii ••i!"-!! U w li: I M ■. i- i "A '. 1'. i ; ■
M4N»-I : th«Mf w.t- h^ wi\. r a^'t^i-: V.-' il "f ih .i_" f • j ::.;■• ; . ;.
ini'tit iif whi'li •• -'il^l ii'it ^ -.ail'-.i. !MiM'!\ !i»- '. ■ f' ■ '
m
rM-'flv t«i th'" •■:'.:! i-!fi- • ! » '.f l!: ■ M.«'.: if I ••.:..••. .i •! : : !; ! v. '.; h
rU'^ti'iii h 111 o I f !!ii:li ii i/--l. :li it r I. . i:i. ■ a J. iim ■!■ . ■
li«*:j^>tiati-iri. uti<\' I ^li- i- umiy •!• ■!.•!: .•::» f -iui i: ••
r\aiii|ilf. \vhi'-ii. ..I'h-.i^li i . ■'-• . r.t! "i-.y ::*i..: !• ! )■
Ihi'II till lily I \^i 1 1- i ll^^Jil Khj!. Ii I,- J :!:t:': :!! 1.!
icrritMr\ llwi'i" w . ! i i • l t« li. i;- ■-•■y -J ' •
|»iis<i.-^si..ii ,,\ {],.• \\'\i.': ., ti- !':!i.. .:iia «'..:;:..;. !■ . '. M ; !-
p'iry. •'^••la. aij'l I v.-ii «»•- .• ;iii i ..:..iT l-.:; •;. .»!;:• . v.i'li
th«'ir •!• |»»ii'lt !!•:■- i- !»■ :i; j h. . i. :' h : ■."'• f. -r,^ !iT w .' • :•.•■: '■ • r
limits lliaii ih.'--' \\ !i^ !i Im i '•»••■ :i ;• . , I '.y •". H. ! i. . •
Iif Mv-. -r a! \U- ' :ni..- !. ■ : -..* ■ :' :!; • .".: . A!. : * I!
lia<l llnii a- i'i s.- i r.-, t*i. :i .-.t: • t. :, . : •;,. ' i* . i' I 7 • i ■ ■ ! i
• ' . • * 1 1 ■■ . ' . ■ ! »
i I. • H.. !i
*. ' i*. ■ '.'■
I
fr-'Jitii r t I til'* I 'I \ . . • I \
;»K:ii|?-. fi*:u l':.-- .:■ ' ; i ? !>.:..•
\Vi- h IV ■■ * • I ?!j i! .:i 1 7* •' ■'■•'■
War Iif M i! i'. •: V'- t ■ . •■ : .. ... ■':
Iif t!i'- |ia^-' a:.! 11 y\ i ■'. i •'
Wa«|i \ai \\ li • 'ill :.•.'•:•'
C'lli-' j"I":i ■ ' I ). I- . :. ' • ■
nut*- "f II'. !■ . ! :■ .• :
y«'.ir^ 'f .i^*- i. . i rii I ! ?'.• ■ . "
^itli Tiiiiii I I: .-. .1 . Il\ !-
T.. ■ V. .,
• I
.• ■■! i'
r.
II. :.
i \\ .1.
tV
:.-. •: \ T i* I
.t
1»
I ..I
I.
.:i
. a
• V
t >•. 1 ! ..' •:.* it.' . 1j. I,' . . s •-.»!..
. .. .!i : N| . • . r n I 7.»|
:3hG IIYDEU'S IIOUIUBLE EXACTIONS. [CUAP. XVIII.
jia^cniit, ordiiied him without hesitation to be straiigleil in the bath ;
:in«l liis hrndior (Hnni liaj to Ijc registered as the successor to this
jH'rilons d istineiion.
After the peice with the Mahrattas, Ilyder resided for sometime
at Srrin.rnpataiii. His finances had suilered severely ; but he seldom
failed in deviling extraordinary means to meet extraoixlinary
(.ce.isions : many still remaine<l of those wlio had held oftices of
trnst nndtM the ancient Kajas ; and had amassed coiLsiderable
wealth ; th(^ exterior apj)ea ranee of disrt^gard during a |>eriod of
twelve years, had rendered them incautious; and Ilyder luul taken
si'L-ret means, to ascertiiin with precision their actucal funds, as a
resonr(\^ in the day of exigency. The torture was applied in cases
of tl< -uht. and a large smn was realized by these means. His old l)ene-
facrtor Xnnj«'raj was privately compelled to contribute his full pro-
j)ortion : and the death of that pei-sou in the succeeding year, reliev-
ed him from the last of his ancient rivjils. Among the cases which
contrilniU^d to replenish his coifei-s on this occiision, one exhibits too
striking a picture of the general character of Asiatic courts to be
blende<l with the general mass.
Vwz/mX Oolla Khan (llylnit Jung) entered as we have seen into
Hyder's serviee, or rather became his associate,* at the lowest ebb of
his f<i>rtnne, when he had fled fr<.»m Seringapatam to Bangalore: tliis
oflieei- had stipidated for the singular distinction of sitting on the
same mnsnnd, nml having two honorary attendsinis standing behind
him, with fans c<mipose<l of the downy feathers of the humma. No
in<livi<lual contributed so largely as Fnzzul Oolla to the subsequent
ag^xrandisiiniMit nf llydur, by his military talents, and by a genuine
zeal f(»r the »'anse in which he was engaged. By the friends, and
what was a higher testimony, by the enemies of Ilj'der, Fuzzul Oolla
was e^teenii d the fii-st ntiicer in his service; and continued to bo
treat«d with the accn.stomed honors, until the arrival of the Nevayets
from I)rauv«'(la. These pei-sons, (.tnvious of the state which he
assumed, cum | wired his ancestry with their own ; represented the
iniltH-ornm of treating tiie son of Chunda Saheb with inferior
distinction ; hinted at the new arrangennrnts of etiquette and conse-
quent new n*]atii>ns, whifh ought to result from Hyder's rank and
title of Nal««»l) ; an<l at hMigth prevailed on him t<i send a message
to Fuzznl Oolla, intimating that he must discontinue these privi-
leges. The folh>wi!ig reply has heen rcpofited ti> me by many
c«)nc\ining authorities. ** The morechal," (fan) aairl Fuzzul Oolla,
" is no moiv than a handful orns«;l».Ms ft*athei*s, but it has lieen the
constant a^socinto of my h«'ad, and they sliall not 1m; separatwl : ho
who take^ oni» shall have both ; in the pri<le of my youtli I stipu-
lated fur one of the sid<» pillows of the musnud ; and I have not
disgraced the di>iinction. Instead of dejiriving me of that one, it
woidd liave been more gracious, :uh well as m(»re necessary, to pn>p
* See vol. i.. y. :2(>1, for the tcrniH ; and for the ludicruud circuinstoucei
wbii'h led i\) hiii title of Ilybut Jung, p. *J7o.
CHAP, xvm ] iN<;KATiTi'in: to ri z/ri. <>oi.i.\ kii\n '.^7
up my .'iLfr aii«! intinnitii--. ^v ;i -■■ nl. Tli- p- : :• in.j.'- i "\
• •lM\ilP' IIm' ln:ili*l:i(i- i w l\\ U\\Y » ;:!i ilitl :i • u:: \. Ii'i>*
ain-iriit iMiii'tit-^ an- t''»iL:"ll«u " l''«i/./.'il n !' i li.-l !.;- !i ■•- :m fl-..*
r»rt. ill ivliii-li lii-^ laiuilv alw;iv^ ■!\\i It ; l-'ii hi-. t«ii!- wic -t.
Si-rin'^Mjiataiii. wi-ii* at :ill tiiii* >« |>it«-Ii''ii *t\i tl.«- i «[>l:iii:i-I-' :i:i i li.i !•*
Ih* hiin*.i-!f u«»ually pii-t'i rifi I » Iim-I'- . t!pi«- In- ii- ■ i\ • 1 lli ■ i i- i ,
a(i«l altlii»UL^Ii In- livi il t'i'ur»ir h\i- \i-.ir^ jil'i- iw.u i-. !•- !•■ \. i . it* i
that |nii'»'l nitrirtl a Ipmi-'i-. Oh iii.- |.r. . nt im..«-i.'!i. II\-:.i • iiL
t<i ihiiiaiMl iViilil liilil rijht l.u'> i-I r.ij 'I.'-. 'I'hf li'^Mi^it i II u..- Imt.
inif\)Mi-tr«l . aiiil r»iz/.Ml n.iil.i j.i\K' til'" III- - ■ M.,'.i .ill "I 1- : t hi;
Ni-t<T. \vh«» j»!i-^i«l»'*l ii\rr hi>. I'ainily in th-- t- M t- jw*- \\\\ v. iiii.ML
n"*iTvati'Hi, <'\iry Kup- ■■ !:f p I li w iiiM'-h \v.«^ i ..•■I,
I havi' ipit Imtii a)«Ii" t» a-i« Main . )'iil r\ru th^* N'\.«\t v. ii'
s:itistii-<l th;it li<- ri'taiii>"l n<thlii; hmin^ tip- i< in.-iii :■ i • :' i.i*.
ini-^i'i'al'h* lil'f, In* ^uli-i-t-- 1 !«% ■• !l:iij \\v \>-\\' aili-l*'. ••♦' - :iiip
e-plipaL^i-. Ii'ir^i-* aii-l h'»n<- h'»I i t' irait im--. wiiiili \v. r-- ij-i -w- : ! ••ll
in tli>- ji'ii'ial phiii'ii r. II-* 'li- 1 la a \\ i- I-lu i pal. -i pi'..»? '■!.'.
n piti'hi->i i'riiiiiaiit ••!* Iii-* run-; ^pl-n 1 mi " An hin.*' t - I'l.
vn-i'ifil \t\- th«' pi'»M'^ •Miii't' hi-* liiiiiU. lii.i; \ > t il- pr ■ ' :i
U'hi«'h |p* p'« I i\i'l th' i«ri' ! "l' *i- .i- i.i*' ■!i ; -I'li \\ :»• :- .i ■■» Ir..^
t*i lli-. s. ili-mti injiMi- ti'>n V th'-v r. ■■• ;\i 1 li. • I •. -; l-i- ijIj ;:.!■" i!
i-'l Iii^ •atthlv 1- ni lin ■
'I'hi-^f hi'l«-..M^ r\ Mn; !■ - ■ -t' if. ,'r -t it -. ! .jr. I -jpi- -.
aliiih-LiiitK I lli- i- lit t • t!.. i \t.!. '-ji • t ;■■ ? ;\.lii i. -f ■! . ..
Thf •»l.jiit i.f liifhi an |''ii li: j- ; ' .\ \ • ' ■ i. :■ I ,- ■i . a*. I '. ! ■
pr^Viity f.i:li I" i-iiMni.i!i i ^i. 'n; t: 'M -iil i a-h I. ih ■■ i- ;. ;' if
that \ JrtM'- \\ ill i.!i- !\ I •■ > ! ■ I ; :..■■!! _• t ';-■'■■.. I ■ . f . !r i
Wi.ilth :ifi.lr.i-t llv ■■ •'! ■; i- :• 1. w i. 1 ■ l:i t • )■■ !i« 1 ii . : \
than wlii!-- it n: iv I"" It- ■ ly « :i, ■;. ■ i : u *■■ I' ' -ii t • • ^ t ' ■ !• * !■•
mil*- 1. 1 1><- pliin !• i'--l. :» ^ !i .1 • rl.iV.i'-- •ifli--:- :i^ !_\ \ ■ > \ *r:»
Ui'llM al til -t \ i- \\ .ipj . M t . !■ ? . I ■ ■ ! ■ • !.:t- I l! • ♦ M
I'tit "Il a ■!'» ' r "'i Ml in\ . t ■■■ ■' • " ■. I -.x :•! ; .i ;:•♦ ! i : ■ ■
Witli nii|i-ii \v i-.i It'll ill- •■ l" ■;■ i ■ ■ :. •: ■ ■ ■ '■■ j = . " ' ' * »
thr \ l-' -^ "t" ll.i j-'V • I iiU.' ':* ■■ i I.. . ^- :.. i ; - .
Iii«-.i^*ii-- - t" t'l-- ill ■ ■ 'i: .•■.■:•':; 'I • ■ 1 ;
of liir tli^Jt! -a ' '-. iM :. \. ' '\ '. • : 1 ■- . I !
Ilv-jil t'l 'in • \- ;li!i.- t':. ! . !"■ ■ ........
• i^t* ii?.it :-«'i-I\ I. \\;ii : !. ■ .'.■'"' I ' ;■ ' ■'
tin^'-n •!.• -1 tin ni • !\' • :'i I ! ■ '■ ' • ■ ' ! ■■ :. i
rini<^.ii'< i'i'«l»' lv.i:i i- i.. .!■» !: .1 .. '.*■'■■ ' " : ■
h"r-'iii«a. u';.«liii Ma— i!:.. 4!i K. : *. : M.:.* "
I ■ 1
t . . !
■ I
CHAPTER XIX.
Di'.ath of Mailoo Pow — Conjuncture favorable to Hyder-^Invasinn of Coorg —
Decapitation — Conquest — Detachment descends to CalicHl,..Jiapid reslaratiom of
authority in Malabar — Tippoo*s operations to the north — entirely mceeMsfki —
rccooers all he had lost by the JMahratta treaty — Ragoha moves agaiust Aim— Md
by a negotiator, irho succeeds in consequence of unexpected eoents at Pooma —
Treaty with Itagoba — Insurrection in Coorg — quelled by a movement of klM tekoh
army— Death of the pageant Cham Raj — Jiidicnlous ceremony of choosing a
successor— Kmha^sy to Kurreem Khan^- Obtains a corps of Persimu — Hi9
opinion of the specimen — Their extinction — Rajnd march to Bellary — Its caiues
and result — Defeats Nizam Ali^s besieging cw my — and taken the place for him'
self— Goes against Gooty — i^iege — Obstinate defence of Morari Row — Treaty
— broken off by the imprudent disclosures of the negotiator — Uncouditiotuil sur-
render— plunder - Fate of Morari Row — Ragoba^ a fugitive from the Mahratta
territory, concludes a treaty with Bombay, 1775 — annulled by the Govtrnmeni of
Jiengal — who conclude a new Treaty through Colonel Upton^ 1776 — Remarh*,,,
Renewed treaty with Ragoba in 1778. — In consequence ofthejirstf Ragoba invite*
Ilydev to advance, and in 1776, he invades i^aoanore — occupies one-half-^inter-
ruptcd by the monsoon — returns to Seringapatam. — Fiscal measures.
Madoo Row died on the 18th of November, 1772, his brother
and successor, Narain Row, was killed on the 30th of August 1773^
and succeeded by his uncle Ratjjonaut Row, or Ragoba, who after-
wards made so distinguished a figure in the English transactions at
Bombay.
There was more in this conjuncture than the mere invitation of
fatalism to try a new scene. Tlie keen perception of Hyder pene-
trated the sources of internal discord, which wei'e generated by this
event ; and the whole of his leisure, since the conclusion of the war,
had been devoted to prei)aration for whatever event tlie ][)age of
fate* should unfold. The pi-etended aiTangements for paying tiie
balance due under the treaty, were no longer even ostensibly con-
tin uo< I ; and he put forth his whole force at once for the recovery of
all the territory which he had lost, in consequence of the English and
the Maliratta wars. Among his lirst arrangements was an embassy
to Madras, which will be most conveniently discus.sed hereafter.
Tippoo was detached in September to the northward, for the recovery
of the i>laces recently ceded to the Mahnittas ; and Hvder assumed
in person the direction of ojHjrations preparatory to the recovery of
Malabar.
His former communications with that territory were by two
loii;^ and circuitous routes, passing through his own dominions, in
* His own wortls, as stati-d to me by ficveral of his associates : ** We will
o))on tlie book of fatr, and see wbat is written there ;** alludiug to the prM-
tio«' of n)»(ini)^ the Koran, <»r fremicntly the poems of Uafit for a fi), or omeo»
iii tlio manner of tlic s*>rtt$ Virtfifiancv of the lioniuns.
« HAP. XIX ] IIYDKII I *»Ni^ri:ilS CtniKiJ. .SMI
tlh! liiWiT rMiiiiti'ifH, iiit«i tlu* ih>itlif!ii i-xtn-initv fioiii < 'riiiiiri, :iii«l
li(Mrt<»tlu* HMiitliri'ii tV'iiii ('<>iiiiKit<ii'«' 'I'litr ^M'lMt |-ii;iil to 1 ':iiiar:i
iTos.<M'4 tilt' hills iif r»ulliiiii. Niiiitli tt\' iH-iJiinn' : :iii<l t<i th** l«-tt ••ttliis
fiMil** till* si-p:iratf juiiirijiality nfl 'oiir;^', :iiiil tlic |irnviiirf <>f WmiuU'I.
thrill tip' r<iiitiiiii:itii»ii <l<i\vii tn tli«* Imi'ii rs of (.\iliiiUitiiri'. ni' n naiiow
Htri|M*i<t* WimhIv iniiuiitaihiiiis i-t>iMitiy. t.t'ilif siiim* cliinati: aii<l rliaiac-
ttT a* Ih'.Iumiv. iiitn|Mi«,itl iH-twi-cii MyMinraml Malaliur
K(«r tilt* |iur|Misr iif tiirtvt i-i*iiiiiiiiiii«'atitin. ainl |»t'Miiaii('iit fon-
r|iirst. it w.i.H lu'tvs^iiiy lt» |»on^'.s>; thi^ nitci'iat-ciit fiiuniry . a in I
HviliT iHTtiriliiiL^lv riittTfil ('iifiLrin NtiVfUihtr 177'V Tin* iii\a.si.i|i
w.'LH I'litin-lv uiiv\iK'ct<*«i ; ait«l tlh* cliirt* InmIv ••!* tin' i'oorj^s, wit hi ml
Aiiv itrovitttis arraiiiri'iiii'iit. a^Ni nilili-.j mh a wimhIv hill, whiili Hvilcr
f*iii'i>in|>:Ls-*t*<I with hi^ tr*"*]!'^. In imitation of tin* niiitlp-m hopliM,
whtisr* nianniTs thf MoiMiumflans Kti' hi'lia atl't-rt to iniit.it«*. lit;
tinK'laiinttl a ri*war<i of tivi* Kii{m-«'^ fir t':i«-h h< a*! w hirh sh.iiiM In*
)n»ii;:ht lM*f. Ill' hiiM. aii'i >;it <lown iit St.iti-. to suih rint*'iiil the (ii>tri-
liuliou «if tin* n-w.ii I. Al>oiit wt-ii liuii>iv«-«l lia>l hii-n |Mi<l for.
when a /»iiit a|<|>ro:h!it*i|. anii thjMi^it'- ! two h* .(•is. Im>iIi ct tlp-iM ttf
ihr tini-^t foiniN; livilt r. at't«-r >«rmtiMi/liij tin* t't-atun ^. a>ivt.lhini.
wlii*lh«'r lie ft It no* ti>iM}iiiiit-ti>'n in t-iittini: otrsihh conp-Iv li>-:i<U ;
Aii<l iMiin«''iial4*!y I'l-li if*! t1i«- <lti a|*it:iti>>n to t-t;iN<>. ami jiii-^i'ihis to
In* hroii'^ht in. Tpin uli.it<'V>i in itixi' t) ihi ii^tv }i.i\f U t-ii
il«*rivr>i. It i"* tin- onI\ t'<Mt<ur in hi-^ wlf!'* lit'- that iin ur^ iln liiit-rt
iiiis|>ii*ion t'f pity Th-- ;ij'|Mpi»' t- in |'i»-t w.is i-f littif iliiJii nity ;
ih«* IL'iia lM\.ii:i )•• (•• k hini^' !f to tli/ht . aiiil ll\il«r, whoM'ihiif
nltjn't w.iH t<t ti 111} itii:»'- t'l •• nntry. •■iitt*l tiii* foit **\ .M*-iimi.i in
tin* iiio^t fi-nti il sitn.tti< :i : :iii<l. t- intii niin^' th«' ]aii<Ihi>!il4i ^ in tlnir
p*i*i'M*s-i.i:i'^ at a iii-'i- I il* !\ nn i- .i-««- I i- \ •■iin<'. I'-tiiriH 1 toSiiinja-
Itfit.ini. wli*'th< r till' lH..ti\'- K.ij.i w.i^ s'>>n at'ti i\\..i«U lioM^iit.
lAviii;^ If* n •li-->\«i'-i in \i.* pi.u--- ff t •nii-ainit-nt in tin t«iiitoiy
Iif My *■•«'!.
A fi»:««' w.t-* iniiii'- !i.''- iy al':. i w.iil - •!# 'ai h* •! ni. h i S.\i-.|
S.^li'lv an! Si. • n-w i-i l^■^\ ruil*"* tl,r»'i_li \K\h.i.i-l 1\ tin*
lwis« -tf r.iHi' ■• : ■ 'i»! I \ ; wii.'ii -:• -^ ■h-h I .it I'll---' III * ",iln ut.
I'hf |il.ii'<* -w"!l I' il .''■• tli<:i li:ili U til'" N.i.r « hli f \\\f\
fitliin/ tip II ''1 :' I. il- I 11 Ml t : ■ _-ii M '11 J' iM- n li.ii "iilx ifM n lot -I
lh«'ir ni>-!V. I'V iii*- -' i;- *•: ■:'- v^ • i in a til -.1 if* l.'l.« .i-'-'I'-ii,
l»V til"- -rvi.f il it]'', .: ■'. •:. ••! I' !.'. i! ■i:^i-i"ii . .ilt-l in .i ^ii -it ?!iii.'.
ihi* ^T' i'» r I'll! it t:.''ii .ii'.j''! ti.«- t'liij'* i-f tii* ;i t ."ir*
firjM ii.lt-ii. V "n ll\ 1 : >!••■ N'W.i** II. w W.I-, .n- 'liii.jix !■ !l a-^
fi'jj I If III iif. I' \ ■.•■■. -I :■•■ ■ :' tii« j-: ■.:!.■. .ij. i >. ■. .-i >i},. n
ivl'iril" 1 With t •• ■ t\ .tir\ .4 'I i ■;.-:•■■- I ■••• tr ■ •)•- !" >■ • iii» i| i' .ii-.
Til is liliji •: f.l'if .■• , I . I' . ■!! i: i\ .'IJ t . . Il .1- !i.- '. • i \k iT il I . J. . . -»..
nior*' r.«; i'i iNtn *\-\ ll\ :>-i t. i i .'i.M ii .«!• i }■• iii-i\>-i wiiiilu-*
wh"l'- l«ii • t • .•i\ ■ • '■! 'i- \ ! ■ ii: . • •[! - "J- r i»» •H" in t h* ii •! ih
hi^ :i|»li|<«.ti ii i,.i i !'•« il :• • ri*« ( .i?ft I- f •!• Ill- |-iiii I: ^n. i llil*"' hiii|
r»''i »!'*•* I S« . I M 'j I,'- J I \ t 1: HI '\ .J! — • '. I i'-'l 'U |>1 I .ilri I Im II
' I .* • .. . ' », • ■ ■.!.:• ••■';•'..- ■ •
390 HIS TREATY WITH RAGOBA. [CHAP. XIX.
dependencies, leaving nothing for Hyder in person to accomplisb,
but the easy service of reducing Ooscota, and Great Balipoor. Thus,
in one sliort campaign, from September 1773 till February 1774, he
not only completely reconquered every place that had been wrested
from him by the Mahrattas, but recovered, with increased stability,
the province of Malabar, which he had wisely abandoned, during
the pressure of difficulties, in his former war with the English.
An intercourse of civility had long subsisted between Hyder
and Rjigoba ; it was through his mediation that the* peace of
JJednore had been effected in 17G5 ; and since that period, Hyder's
envoys at Poona had been directed to conciliate his good offices in
the customary Mahratta form. On succeeding to power, he had
been early in the field against Nizam Ali ; and although unsuccessful
in an acti(m with that chief, he terminated a short campaign by an
advantageous i)eace ; and was drawn to the south by the hostilities
of Ifyder; who was far from expecting so prompt a visit; and
i prepared to break the fury of the storm, by an early negotiation,
lis nuKsion, hciuled by Apajee Ram, met Ragoba in full march to
the Honth, at Calliandroog, to the south-east of Raidroog, on the
exa(!t day, when by a singular coincidence, he received information
of the confederacy at Poona, which had openly announced their
determination to depose him. The conferences had not commenced,
when consi<lerablc corps of the army had begun to withdraw under
their resiKJctivo chiefs, to join the opposite party. Apajee Ram was
too acute a negotiator to overlook the opportunity which was thus
j)resented, of improving the political relations of his master ; he saw
that the aid which Ragonaut Row would require, and his master
could confer, fonned the most solid basis of conciliation ; ho fairly
and openly explained the reciprocal interests, which would be
promoted by their union, and a treaty was concluded, by which
Hyder acknowledged Ragoba as the exclusive head of the Mahratta
State, and agreed to pay him, and him only, the reduced tribute of
six laas of Rupees ; on the condition, that he should be ready when
required, to act with his whole force in supix)rt of Ragoba's preten-
sions. That chief w.os under the necessity of moving with hAste to
the northward ; and Bajee Row Burvji, his relation, was sent in
consequence to Seringapatam, to receive and remit the first six laca.
In the meanwhile, however, the affairs of Ragoba became so despe-
rate, as to oblige him to fly to Malwa, and Bajee Row Burva remain-
ed for several years, as his confidential agent, wider the protection
of Hyder.
An insurrection in Coorg of the most determined aspect suspend-
ed for a time the designs of Hyder in other directions. Compared
with the revenue in his old territories, that which had been arranged
for Coorg was extremely low ; but their standanl of camparison was
not what had been exacted from others, but what themselves had
fonnerly paicl : the very highest nite of assessment in Coorg had
• Vide vol i. pp. 2b6-2t>7.
liiAr. XIX. J
iNsrunK<Th>.v in r<M»iii:.
ma
Ih'i'Ii a triitli f'rtlii* pr<ii]w('r : in ;;rnri':il it was inurli I«»\vrr ; mii'I a
niii-^iiliniM'* prn|MirtiMii nf llir laiiilliMMi-r'*. i \rlii-.i\r|y •>!* iiiilil-nv
h(T\i«*<-, paitl an a«'kn>i\vl<>l:,'iiii nt (•• tin' Ix.ija, wliii-li \va» ni«-ii ly
liohiinal llxilir ili-<-nifil lii> nwit nimliiatiiin t>> I"- r\<-r-«si\c, in
ri->|nliin^ n->t nnh'li nii>r<' than tie- ••!•! HIu'I-ki a^si ..^npiit <•}' fiiu*-
««i\tli. rii»* inipMt ii iiii- t.r til'- iiilial'itant-^. at a «l<l«sti.l I'.iivijn
V"ki', intlanii •! tli«-ii ili <<-iiiiti nt ; U^v alr}ii»iii:li llv<l«'r tru^(<-*i nn
Miis^iilniaii in }ii*< <li-|i:iitnii nt i>\' r«-vi-riiit', th*' llramiiiN wliniii !i**
i*nij»!"\«''l w.if li.-M in ^^till .riiat^r ;iM>«trn'n«i'* .iii.i ri.iit«ni|'l \*y
till- nativr-* "tf <*-".r^'. TIhv ilt -ti-ixi-'l all tlir niin-ir t-.t;iMi-ljm. nl>i,
\iliii'li iia<l 1m f-n >|>ri*al ii\ir tin- ruiintiA t'-r tin* ri>]liiti"n <•!'
rrvrhur : aii'l •«uri"nn-li 1 lli-- n- u i'.;|«it.il • t' .M«itaia. t'lr tin- |»nn"">f
of n'«lu<-in^r jt l.y ruuln'' : lln- ill -iin:< > t i<>!i in ^l.-it w.i-^ uiii\<i al;
nn«l ll\<l«-r wj-i ni \ -i in tli-- ii iMt li* • ni}>l<>\ in.' |-;i!li:tti\*^. Tfio
^n-al nri". i«f tli-- army ua^ -l \\*- iMjit.il. 'li-taiit •■nl\ Tin niilm
fn»iii till- fii'ntirr •>!* <''-'i\r. anl In ni"\til tli'- wliI-- iiilantiv in
fii'Vcral rMlnmn-* l«i p'-ni-UMt'- .it i-ii.-.- intt tv^iy |i"!ti'in nf tin*
U'lrit-'rv, an-1 --'ipj!! ■' tl.« i- !■■ '!. n at a -^injl' M'»\v . iIh- i'|"iaf i<>n
va-i '*iii-'-«>^riil. a\'l .-I'lii* ill? ili . ■ :i. •■ \\ .i ^ al\v.i_\ ^ i \' • !!• nl I.- uai
i-n.i' !• 1 ani"!i,' l.i- ]-]i ■!:• i ■ ! • .ii ♦iii jmi li ?!.•■ I- .■!•!> •\«iy nMii
Mi-|- I?!'! a- )■! ill. .■)■ 'X ■ t :.■ • ! . ■!* Ill ••I'l.!. i! \ -■•! ii' I w .t^ li ■!. ji 1 ;
nii'l T-r til'- p'n j l" • v - i v. :i: ■ t ;• » .r i\ • . ;. •■! m - ••! ' !■■■ k i.-.ti i >•
Va- i-r. i-f.- I. I- I \ .:!:!. ' i \ i i ; i--: ■ l' I'l. « :;i!*!\. .'fi-1 •■ -iiri- •!' •!
uitli •.nil 1. 1;.-! .'.I u.?\ 1'.- I.- 11. * J. ■* ■ Im M\ '•"! Ti.- ^■•
Amnj'lii' n! ' )■• :l ,' • ■::il '■ 1 Ii- !■•:!:.■ I t - ji\ . !i; • ;ii :ii\ ,y Or 1 1
T*\* ■-•■ ;it S. I ii'. • j .! Ill' .:' ■■.»»' 1 ■ .:.'.:!:.:'! tli'- \ • '1 1 77''
A' •'.{ tl.-- I ::i t*. I If.' K .;a i i-. ^m K.ij 'ii. 1. Ilyi. r
lt;i*t li.r!.. i: . | ? i'- -1 t ■ 1. ■! i M\ ■ ■! i!i ^■ ' i!t" • i' li.- II:?..! •■•
ll'Mi-. . :i!,I iin.i ■ 1 I.- ' r . . r. I \ . ' \ ;•'.!.'; ■! t' i •» > *, X'.-^
!•, *,. H -«• }.\ . \l..'-.! •. . I ■ j- ..lilt ..!• i 'II 1.' .\ :\ tl.' 1; .
'l ■ • !; \ 111 ; l',
li. '■■ : \,i "i. ! Hi
1 ■■: t . T
IT
■. . • ■! •'!.'
in t)i' I'.' '\v .1" '**• •■ . ? 1 'r ■ . !;\iii: l'.- j ' ■■ ■ -I 1. : '
ttT :i!i 1 I lii'ii 'I !• : :*, - ;
\n.i'ill I. .\. • V .i« i r '
uiil. »: j'% H ;• i • ■ A ;
V ■■'!! ,■■■ ■ :" ^! ;'. :..:..■ 1 ■.!
M i'.i r.i I >• i".
• ■ i ! . ' ' \ • 'i ■ ■ . \ . ' • :
• tj.j.r- - ■•:i !■ ! L
nun ] •• T
«!■ »■■• h . :i \. . .. '
••■fii*! i:i- ■ i !' 1
tli. -• !. •! '. ■
lilp al ii. « • 1 'I u
P-n I'l I •■ i- I •' 1 !:■ • 1 r
wli.». ai ■■ I i.r. ' -• :.'
I ■
I •
I! ■■
. '. . '. «l; ; ■
I. • i: .! I • I- :
. ■ •".■ 1 *.
: . • i !■ ■
^^ . . 1 : . i
i ' . '
• . « i
: '• . . i j .
.. ■ • \. ■ '.
■. • •
• . . •
• ?.
■ tl..
• i
I ■
I :
! .' : !
t • ■ ^^ !
■ ! t I
!
li .
I
M
I r !
I . ,.j
1 .
V N
1 . ■ I »>
392 IIYDEU'S EMBASSY TO KURREEM KUAN. [CHAP. XIX.
liowevcr childish, was in perfect acconlunce with the feelings
whicli he intended to dehide, and suificiently adapted to the super-
stition of the fatalist. The hall of audience was strewed round,
with fruits, sweetmeats, and flowers, playthings of various descrip-
tions, arms, books, male and female ornaments, bags of money,
and every varied object of puerile or manly pui-suit ; the children
were introduced together, and were all invited to help themselves
to wliatevcr they liked best; the greater number were quickly
engaged in a scramble, for the fruits, sweetmeiits, and toys ; but
one child was attracted by a brilliant little dagger, which he took
up in his right hand, and soon afterwards a lime in his left. '*Tluit
" is the Raja" exclaimed Hyder, his fii-st care is military protection ;
" his second to realize the produce of his dominions ; bring him
" hither, and let me embrace him :" the assembly was in an uni-
versal murmur of applause ; and he ordered the child to be
conducted to tlie Hindoo palace, and prepared for installation.*
He was of the same name as his predecessor, viz, Cham Raj, and
was the father of the present Rjija, who wa.s placed by the English
at the he:id of the Hindoo house of Mysoor, on the subversion of
the Mohammedan dynasty in 171U).
Tlie Mohammedans of India, throughout every succession of
sh.'ule from fair to black, universally derive their descent from the
Arabian, the Persian, or the Mogul race ;t and a claim of supe-
riority is asaeiled, and pretty generally allowed, in proportion to
their near approach to the parent stc^ck; Hyder was desirous of
improving the comiH)sition of his army, by the cadmixture and
example of a bixly of Persian horse ; and for this purpose sent
Sfuih Noor Oolluj the son of a native of Persia, on an embassy to
that country ; he was received with distinction by Kiureem Khan
at Shii-az; and permitted to raise rccniits for the service of his
master. One thousan<l men, accompanied him in his return : horses,
the property of the State, were assigned to these cavaliers, and
Hyiler wjis so well pleased with their conduct in the first essay,
that he sent a s^^cond embassy, with considenible funds, to procure
a farther levy : ship, ambassador, and treasure, were however lost
* There was then in existence, and in now liviii;;;, n j^^randson of the Rjya
Chick Kiiilicn Raj, (from whom llyderhad usurped t lie government,) by «
dauj^iiter of )iis first wife, the daugliter of Xunjeraj. The descenobata of
Kunjeraj as-sert the right of Hucccssion in favor of this descendant uf a female
branch, contrary to the rule of Hindoo sncccs.sion. And many tales have been
related regarding tlie surviviu;:; dowager, (vide \o\. i. p. 233,) having inter*
po.sed in favor of this succession. 1 have conversed with licr on the dubject,
and she distinctly stated, that from the periiKl of her husband^a death, ahe
never had the opportunity or the privilege of remonstrating on that or any
other ^uhject, and never did attem]>t or wish to interfere, in favor of that
rival branch, or .my other ; for she is also stated in these taled to have pro-
prosed a relation of her own.
t The AfTghan, or Patau, is not an exception ; his origin ia qneationable ;
but as a Mnssnlinan, he ranks in estiiuatiou after them all, being couaidercd
a borderer, or half Hindoo.
LIIAIV XIX. ] Ills i{AF*ll> MAUill Kt liKl.l.AUV .'{ftH
ill lilt' LTtiir «»f Kiit**)i, :iiiil Ilyili r tiiii not ri-tii*\v tin- i*x|H^riiii«Mit.
On faitlii'r :i«*<|iiuiiit:iiii'i*. In* sti:^'iii;itis«'<l tin* Kia\f|-y «•!' tin* Tfi'^inn.s,
as » M»rl ofooiircly vir(u«\ |lu^s,•ssillL: nion? of sta;;i' triik, aiiil iiitiT-
estel |in*t('iirt'. tliaii «it' ^'ciiiiiiit* military dariiiur : iiiakiiiu' a sIimw itf
|(allaiitiy. I^r tin; diroi't |iiii-|hi>.i* «•!' <|i-iiiniMiiiiL' «ni iiirrias4' nf pay ;
vaiii-^loriniis. «iisi'oiit<'iit«'ii. an*! uiiiii;(ii;i;:t':i)>!'\ IK* was. Imwrvi-r,
grailiially ri*lii'V«'il lr.>iii tlifir ii:i|iortiiiiitl«*s ; for tlinuu'h lie wmilcl
ikot |M'niiit jlii'ir ivtiirn, llif fliiiiat'* MH*iM".sivf|y tliiuiu-il llu'ir
nuiks ; aikI 1 liavt: not )>L-'-n aKli* to trac(> oii«.> >urvivi'r <.>f tliif
lilOl|H:i||fl IlK*!!.
Wliilo pn'|i;irini; for a (Miiijiaiirii of ^om.- iijijM»rtainN\ Hy«lfr,
in NtiVfiiilMT. n*ivivf»| an i-xpri-^s finni tli** Hin-l'-o iliiff of Hillary,
tliu i't|iiivo,-a| <li'|H-ii>lant «if Hii^il'it .ImulT. who, aswi- havf scvii^
afl«T rrjH-Iliii:^' Hy«lrr in \7*'»\}. |»1*<1l.""1 tin* tran-^f'-r «»f lii** a!l''_:i'«ii<'e
to liini. an<l nia<l*' that trai]sai-tion th- «\'-u««i- f r r< fu^iiu' triliute
to Ills ft»nn«-r lop| Tlif <*\pii-s^ inf<>rni«-il him tli.tt I*«ij(-i li th<*
liiiniNt«T of |«a*>jiliit tlun.:. ai*«'oiiip:iiiicil hy t!i«* Kp-ii'Ii •* •ip'^ «*f
MonMtMir I^rillv. in tin* st-rviri* of that 'liii f. h.Mi a«'t' lallv I • -:• :ji*'l
thf plai-i' : aii<l Jt> th** fXiUt \v;i^ iiiii'\)H-«-t* <1. iiothiu;^' l-ut th«- -[uly
aiil i>f llydiT roiiM pii\i!\t tht- p!a<'*' fioin f.iiliii/ iiit<* th> n halt I4.
Hy*lrr p'taiii"'-! in lii-^ •.••r\i»»- :i Ijul;'' f iJ'^ «f llr.iniin ..."?'•'•■/ •' ••r,
ai'i*iiiintaritft 'if P'Viipj»', :»•< tin* nnii:" ini]'!!- s 1 !it 'h-^tirp-'l. iin-h-r
hw »lip"'tion, to piMf"riii ih** m-i-t pi •flij.it" •llii*^ .if th-- ih'-nI
cnH»kt'«l •lii'l«'in:i'V \V|jiii» VI r mh m-I'-h . m i'iiii?rv \\.«^ to ho
km % •
Ci»ii«pn*P'l. a (!• t:i>-Iim<-iit fi-»m thi'« i»ii]i. iii^;ii'i it'-<l th* n.'*•■!vl•^
tlitti ihi." ri.iiti'hii't' of mTj" i.f thi' twi p.i!*:.--.. ii»t » whi'li * vi-ry
CMiiiitry. fri— , or W'-»p.tti.' is f.»iii«i t« !••• •i;M'iti|. an 1 ly tal^j
fvtin-sfni.iti "fi-. f«"iii» iif'''l iiit'-tiii*' •lixi^i-n. \\h!ih ii'^ii.iiJy tt*r-
miirit**'! in an ajipl-'-.i*] •!! t • (Ix I^-r !•• sMpp<it \].* •!•■ I'liiii^' l''^'^^'
■^iii**t M'ii;»* «!'ihi« -iCii" "htn.:* r ••! f r« i^ii •pj'ii'.-!' u '\\i* nifaniV
(if thi*i Uk-iy of nil :i li:r< l»'tiiif pi •v«iii..l in t!f ^ utii "f hili.i.
aiitl ha-* II 't hi'ii iii'p'h • \«« • !• -i in t' «• ii\.' iti-n.ii v 1.: t i\ i.f
in*i'h rii K'ii"jf Siih-. .ji -.riy !• Hxli*- I !ni«r 1 pi ■ Ii 111
B»-llarv. lh»-»* »*iii'--.n :•■' hti -i....!. 1 ;:; -i ! : i.ii ; !'•■ I'!;, Mr
into ihf li"p'' tif 1. h.|. i;fj ' ! ir.-. .1 i!i ;.■; :. i- :il ■ I \\. -.u :• .' .li;^',
nii*l lit iIh' ni»m':i» «f i-:.! .n t'. .:■•■.!.? i : .■f.ii'jlv !:•.■ ••• H\ ■:• 1
fur r^'li'-f < Ml thi- in f -ri' • l p ■ .\ :i • t!-- • \p:- - ■ ".^ J . h v h i\»*
flotii-t-l, li-' i- 'I--1 t!.-' ■■!!■! if !i,... !!.-■ •:.•• i.- •■ ■ 'i t^-- in ip
i% iMMiIv th:. •■ .!■■ '1 1 i ^» • : :. v, ' .■ i: u p i? !!i.- 1 1:1 !.\ ••
ilay^ a •■■•h-.-!'T M ■ ii-i!:i*- • f S • ir- :: ■:. i -' i .'. •■:-■ '.i 'f
tho««* u !i<i II: ii< !.• i fi 'iti ^< : . ' ■:•.!• I I :i • ■ T. i ■ I . ■ !• " :• t- .irr
I
in th-- til't ; •♦.!< k -M- h If 1 I .. i- ■. - ! -v. I-: i: : v..i>»
lh#» ii.itui*' -f t' •■ I-.r- • I !.'":.■■ ' . ■. . ■, li ■ I.. ■ .■ ! n I ;■ :.• h
|ia\ It' li :i'i?;- :p.i*- 1 t ■ . :• ••■:>.. \ > .' • i s .1' '. » : 'ii
^^••h .1 niii'h I •.'!•■«'■•, :'' ■ :i : • .! \\ .. .- 11 ;. i ; '.. ■ ■ -'.il
*lipj»-. . 1 t • • ..• hi t .1* .' ' !.■ I- . ' ■. .1 p[ . !i f ' . !• .1 ■ t lh»»
ti«-iiif-'iii ' aiMiV If w 1 ;••.!!■ *■ .1 ^^i.: » !• -iM ^^ ••*
■
394- lUS SIKCiK OF GOUTY. [CUAP. XIX.
left in the batteries; the approaches and parallels were complete;
and Hyder, without giving time for the entrance of supply,
announced the object of this timely succour, by instantly manning
the batteries, assuming the place of the late besiegers, and insisting
on unconditional surrender. The unfortunate chief had already
revealed the state of his resources for a siege : farther resistance
was unavailing ; and Ilyder's gaiTison was introduced into the place
on the 8th day after his march from Seringapatani. In the mean-
while, he had not neglected to avail himself of the panic, by sending
a light corps iu pui*suit of the fugitives ; and Basalut Jong had
reason to acknowledge his moderation, in accepting a lac of Pagodas,
as the condition of abstaining from the plunder or attack of the
•^mainder of his jageer.
Hyder affected a disposition to compromise in the same
manner with Morari Row, T>y sending to demand a simiUr contribu-
tion from him, which he probably foresaw would be refused. The
intercourse was in imitation of the Mahratta style; and it may
furnish amusement to some of my readers, to observe how the
ceremonial of plunder is clothed in the garb of hospitality. On
entering the tenitory of Gooty, Hyder sent a complimentaiy mes-
sage to Moniri Row, to announce that he was arrived at his house,
(country) tliat they were ancient friends, and that he would be
troublesome to him for grain and forage for his horses ; the value of
which he estimated at a lac of Ru])ees. Morari Row understood the
Mahratta ;Vfrr/o?/, and replied in plain terms that he also was a Cena
'puitl* (CJeneral), and was in the habit (^f levying, not payinff contri-
butions. On Hyder's miarer aj>proach to Gooty, he repeated a mes-
sage of similar import, with the same result He therefore sat down
regularly before the place ; the guns which Monsieur Lally had em-
ployed against Bellary, were a convenient resource ; and a battering
train for this very purpose had also been ordered from Seringapatam.
The fort of Gooty is composed of a number of strong works, oceupy-
ing the summits of a circular cluster of rocky hills connected with
each other, and enclosing a space of level ground forming the site of
the town ; which is approached from the plain, by two breaks or
openings, forming fortified gjiteways to the south-west and north-
west, and by two foot-paths across the lower hills communicating
through small sally-ports. An immense smooth rock rising fiom the
northern limit c»f the circle, and fortified by gradations, surmounted
through fourteen gateways, overlooks, and commands the whole of
the other works, and forms a citadel which famine or treachexy can
alone reduce. After a siege of about five weeks, the town and lower
forts wore carried by assault; and a large lKX)ty was found, consist-
ing of two thousand liorses, a considerable number of the elephants
of State, a va<L amount of private proj^erty, and a very resiiectable
rquipmenl of gjirri.son and tlcld guu>, and military stores.
Hyder contiimed for two months longer the siege of the upper
* L"!'!. ".'I hi-V.iii'l "f nil ill my.
I lup XIX] ••BsTiNAxr iirn.N- J -.r ij.JiiAhi i n :;:»;,
fiii't : and \v:is rf|iiilM*ii in iiiiiiin'iii .itT>i:i|it-« i* '^iii'Ii-.i inniNi-lt' m
till* lf>\v«'St «livisiiiii lit* tlifsc wiiiivs. Iii.r i:>r i[i.|':.<\ lii nt iii>MN<iii'
liiid Ikhmi AiliipUMl tifihlinitliu^' witliiii l!i«- v\.'il « I I'p- • :t.i l>-!. an
iiniiR'iLMi* huiiiImt of filluwir^. •>fli->i t^. iifn-l . ;iti i • \i-:i ii-iiiiui
cattli* : and nltli(>ii;^}i. with (it'lininv |i]<' miU: 'ii •. I'l*- i'>i\i>li-» <it
wator Wert* luinirrinis juiil :ini|iN' tlf >M.i:u'i> :i^'^ •{•iit^ «'l'tli<- nn-.i-
Bure wliirli wo lmvi» imtii'r I. li:i<l n- lti-< -I t)if ifN:..-. -j t • ()i>' iitnit^t
diiitresii, and Mi»niri U<iw t'nund liiiii^t-lf nu.}. i tip* iii<>->^it\ •f^-U'I
ins; nn «Miv»»y t«» Hy«l«*r t-itn-ii I'-ir pM.- Tli-- •' ■ii'hii -i. , w.-j.-
aettlotl AtliT nuirli ilist*ii^>.iiiii ; nnn-Ix. t-f ]>:t\in'-7ii nr i\\ 'Iv*- 1 1-*.
of Riipoo^; ritrlit. in «m-!i «»»■ viluiMi- ■ a il ,i L .-m.'- 1"'I tli ■■ |'i\ni'iil
of thf! rt*niAiii«lt*r. Tii-* •'i^li am • lut*- i i • xm-;. **u- ii a'l i )i!at ■
and jt'Wfln t'l tip* ('<«tiniati' i val'ii* -•! t'l- i ^iii.nin^' -v •ii w-..- ^. -i*
bv thii liands of tli«' lin^ta.** tlr- ^ •:» ••! N-.-?!'^ KIi.im t'l- i-'iin.-,
ct>inniAndi«r-in-i'l]i*'t*, u-)i>i h.i-i 1m'!i m i: .:i\ \\ >iMi'i i .fi {'.i< ..ilin
near tlo.si*ota in ]7t»^
HvdiT r«Ti-ivf«i Iti- Il iit.i '.' w All L'l ■•^ ■ •>!!• \ .•?! i ;ii\i:. i
liini Ui «litin(*r : tin* v^mmu uiau. i •ii-il*-! im,* L >-n.ii;' « i • '••- .ii .in
^nd, w«."4 in<Iii>'''d liy tli** ,:r.i.i-''i» nii:i'.«'j- -■! Hx-I- i » • '•• mi* '-iv
^1 in lii^ (*'»n)inulli4Mti>>n^ tli*- ■• :r. ■■•■. •? w \^.i- '•' '' r ^ •* ^nii' I
l4i tli(* •■veiitH iif th.' .1- '.■ .i:i 1 ll\ i'l T . -ix »!•.■.••.■;»■:' i:.:". •! iii\
in^ pkiini'* ii]»jir«»|»Tiif«* i* inii'lini' n' ^ t • * i ■ •w*' i .■ n- •■ "I M ■: .m K '^^
an^l th«" r»ridiii'f ••!' \i]^ tr •■•!•- . !i -t •iiiti:'!.' : » ■ ■■:.•■. tlii' ij«*
fiv*iu»'ntlv n'»ti«*»"i tlii* ix* :iiiil;i!\ .■i!' :•••. t!-.- \ > ii.j m.in ii:ni
iii^lf Thi.i «ifr«iur-"- iii<lu-«-i •- 'U\ ■■-ii- ; ''I'Wn^- •.*..;i;- • .i!i i in
th«» wanntli of iii-,« nss-n/ i|.,. jm* Ii-- \wa- • i:. ;»i'i 1 ht a^ |.» .•!»•
iiervi». that tlwr*' w.i^ iv* w.itit ••!' tr* m ^ ••! i-'-a i'S'»ii « .i li ii 'ii>iii^
iih«irt fif h**in:; irdui*' 1 ti thr i.t\ » v. i*>i • •■i!-i iii\i- in 1.; • d
llornri Riw t»» a^T"" t i su ■> li ird •■ •': i-u ii-. M\ i ? ii it i • ! this
with hi*« .'i«*>'M'<t«tTni'd «-<iiniiM:fi ••!' i >• itir* rian- • ani .*\x*i -iiiin* i
r^f»»m^l tip' V "iiiiT niiTj t • ?!»■ pi •> i •!■ "fa -it I-' i:. •!• .i\'r\
of hi«i ••liarj^** TIm* d*-*- nj.f i-.r* i.tlf..- \ all il'I«« Il • I '-^ •:».;'':■! .liiy
%t.lt«H| ill !li.' li.'^'..!i I' I"!! ..T:l ,• A I « I -i- ; ■• »! t'.«' I -I a I. Ill
viiltiiiti'in ill'- anii'inf !. -i i ! .. -'i • ' ••! Mi- ■ ■.•■« ». \\\ i- i
Wi»iild ••til! I i\«' it. .iiil .' ■ :■* tli- It-.-' • ! i ti • i iim.j. i-i
Th** i»»'n»H| iif in-iH'fti'iii >\.i- «i' '.•!!• li- |'i«'i- nj- 1 t!.- .»j.j'i.u-" :
on llvdt-r'-* ii'«rt wti«- ilii!\ i»i^trM- t. 1. I ■• iiii.i-- \ l- •*.::•■: :;•• ••
inipftti«*n«*i* t'<r til*' adiM-tHi-ri* an i -a " •• fli* .ii-jm u- ! - «« ':..j-.mv
in:j th«* h«iHt-i;Jt- pf 'l!Ij'-i f» I- I' •!! •*.■ t Vi! a!u : .:. i . i :.^ .i-ii
to Im* iiidN tivr l.i.'-. Il\ i. r .«?!■ ■•. i lii- -t.i'. • -1. ■ t; |- .:iTi .■ ti' '.n i
•flJJ^r "Olid tli.it M'iia?i K»-A A. I. Ii,?!.ii- .1'. 1 ii • ,-. .:ij !i.:!i mi
♦•nlHiVil th»* li'»-' ij" llnrji' il'-''. T t !• ' .1.1 IV,* i. ; I.!;-. !i . . i- ■
and afinoiin- •' ih" ir-j-'i •■ :■ ; •■ l-- i- i*. ■ i i
If.* n .w ?>?' 1 l.i^ .j . ! •♦ : ■ • . t' i". ..... r,.
lakiu' 111-'!'- •■ti- ■' :•■•■••/ : ■ ■ '. '•■ - . :. i.:i • »■»
h<ill.iw% ifi l!." r» K *\'i, !i • ■. !..» i •• '' i- ■• i«- ' • ■ li-^^ I ■« •
•M-AMtV *U|i|»l\ 'if -A i*. I • 'i !•» ■ • ■ . ■ '• • ■■! . .;- li ■■ il- »
.1M»- li'li-* Hi 1 '". ^ . «. ■ ■ I • • ■ ' I I* .' ■
39G FATE OF MORARI ROW. [CHAP. XIX.
which he had proposed, of prolonging his defence^ by secretly dis-
missing the greater part of his garrison.
On tlie third day after this mode of warfare had been adopted,
Morari Row could no longer restrain his men from exclaiming, even
from the parapets, to the besiegers, that they were dyinff of thirst.
and begged to capitulate. Hydcr coolly directed them to be inform-
ed, that there was abundance of water below ; and if they desired to
quench their thirst, they must all descend unarmed, with Morari
Row at their head : that he would fire at any flag of tnioe, and
reject all advances, except in the form which he had preacribed.
In the course of the day, Morari Row accompanied by his son, and
followed by his unarmed garrison, descended and threw liimself on
Hyder's clemency. Every individual, before being passed, was
separately searched, and plundered for Hyder s sole benefit, of the
trifling sum they possessed. His garrison then ascended the rock,
accompanied by a deputation to take an account of all property,
public and private, and even the apartments, and persons^ of the
women were plundered of their remaining jewels and ornaments, to
the amoimt of 5,000 Rupees only. Tlie official servants of revenue
were placed in separate custody ; and Hyder, witose own experience
enabled him to calculate the amount of embezzlement, which
each could conveniently spare, satisfied himself for the present
with levying on them ten lacs of Rupees. These operations
being completed early in the month of April, he received the
whole of the prisoners, civil, and military, (their chief alone
excepted,) into his gracious favor and service. The depart-
ments of the late Government were put into immediate activity,
as a branch of the general administration ; orders were issued for
the future regulation of the revenues, and the command of the
subordinate garrisons ; not a man attempted to disobey them and
all the possessions of the house of Gorepora, were transferred with
no other ceremony than the substitution of the seal of Hyder. For
the present, the family was sent to Seringapatam ; but after Hyder's
return to that place, they were dispatched to Cabal Droog ; where
Morari Row soon ailer\\'ards died. Without the aids to which we
have formerly* adverted, it is certain that a confinement on this rock
is not necessarily a sentence of death ; many of the family survived
for fifteen years, and were destroyed in the general massacre of
prisoners which was pei-petrated by Tippoo's orders in 1791,
In the meanwhile the treachery of the Arab troops of Bagoba
had precipitated the ruin of all his prospects, by the sudden alann
which caused him to fly, apparently without sufficient cause, from a
field of battle to Cambay, and thence to Surat, where, on the 6th
March 177o, he had concluded a treaty with the E^Iish (3oveni-
ment of Bombay, for providing him with aid to recover nis authority
on terms of reciprocal advantage. An Act of Parliament had, in the
year 1773, wisely conferred on the English Government of Bengal,.
• Vol. i. p. 145.
ClIAr. Xl\ ] KAOuHA SKKKS HYDKUS All» 3*^
now roiulertMl the (lovornniont (iiMioral. a rontn)llin^ powor over tlio
otluT J)^^si^ll•Il(•i^>s. anil it whs tlif lipit t'X!*n-isi» tif (liis autli'>rity,
o|>«'iiIy to (li^a|)|in>vo aii«l aiiiuil a tn-aty. i*i»ii«*lu<l(-*l witlidiit their
fuiiiction. (*«iliiii<-l Pptnii was sriit, in rMnsri|u«-nr«'. as tht* i;nviiv uf
iho (iuvcrnnii'nt lirni'nil, tn trout witli tlh* actual (tiiv«-riiTarnt at
pDona. :lhi' luini^ttTs i>r niinist* ri:il ii:irtv. as thrv an' nstiallv nainiMl
ill the ivri»pl«» «"f th<-si» tinn'< . l»iil all tli:il onuM ^'ivi' fiirrc V* n uvi^*^-
tintinn with such |H*iNMn^. Iiad already Ix'cu conoMlcij withnut nt'i^'oti-
■ti'in. Alrcadv the Maltnittas h:i<l n<>tliiii:^ tn iVar, an<l tlie Kii::lish
ni-ijiriwaily U'ltfiiip^ ti» li«i|M». Tii*- si'i-n-t hiM^»ry uf th«*sf i-vcnts,
may U* tnirt'il in tlh* tuitunus |Miliry aih>}il«-il in KiiLrI:ni<l. of smiling
thrtM* rianiciiitii-H to Ii4-u:::il, ost«-iisil'ly t«» aiij, hut (nh f:ir as int«'ntii»n
can Ih» iiiff-rp"! from thi* n'^ult prai-tii^ally to outv.iti* tip* tinvcrnor-
(lonrnil. Mr. liastin^^s. tin* must virtu«iU'o an*! nio^t aliii* si-rvaiit of
tht* Stat*', in tin- «i''lih« rations of thi* ( m>v« rnm<-nt ; in one .'in>I tho
same art. confi-rrin;/. and Nuhvi-rtinu' authtiritv ; and M-i-kiiiL; t«>
estahli^tji order thntuijii tli»* iii>*dium of di^unl«ii. Howrvi-r pure
thi» intonti-iiis of th i/'iith-mi-n mav havi* U-t-n. ai»d h«iWi'Ver
faulty tlif pn-vitiU'* judii-v i-f lIomLay. the s;i,:acily was at h-ast «jiieH-
lionahle. tif tlius ;;nituit«'ii-ly thr«»\viii:; thi ni>t Ivis i»n the eanijour
€*f the nio-ot iji ei-ittMl of till- lii]iti:i:i i:iei- and a>lo]>tin;; a conduct,
whicli sucli |Hr^..ns ciiM '.i-ai-i-lv fail to .ittiihutc rxclusivilv t*»
fear. A tn-aty x^as cinclu-i.! |.\ t''l'n»l Ij-ti-n. on the tii>»t of
Marcli I77*». \\hi«h tin- < I-Ni rnnp iit of ri.iinkiv characttii/e as
•' hi;rldy iiijtirii'ns to ih.- r.|.Mtati»n. h-iii-T. and int« r'-*t.<i of lh«*
nation, aiiil tii<- < '••mpany An «-\{>tii<iit f the inH.il* nci* which
fturh |Nili(ic:iI couitt^y iii<>|>ii''d. t.iii«-d t-* C"iiviiici* th^* < •o\rrnment
of IVn;:al. tliat tlwy had U-irun at x\\*' wp<n;^' «-nd ; and it w:ls not
until the < •■.\iTiior-t i-iit- ral Ml't-:ii!i' "1 a mai'«ntv in hi-, own c.iuncil,
that th«' di»""ii'--i.»!i'. t. rii.iij.it.-.i in th.- n-newal «»f a treaty witli
Il.'i;;ofia in N-'Xt-mU r 177*^ Sli.-rilv. !i iw. v. r. at'l^r tin- ctin»luHi.tn
riffiie first tp-afy willi |I..ni^-a\. iri 177*. Ila_:"ha a-ldp -^il a h-ttiT
til Hy«h r. tlip'U'h lii^ :»,-'Ti* \\.\y--- \\ w lluiwa i-'-mui'iniiatin^ lhi»
natun* i f thi^ aiiian.--- ta^::!^* \\i^ • • iifid'i.l iXi" .ta! : ii --f P'i*"Vrr-
in;j his rijhf t''il |h.,^. .. i -n ■ t" tli- i..'i 'HU i i-f I'-N-iia. and j»r'«j.. .sin^ t*i
Ilydt-r an arran::i m- :it in [»•!!"•. r i - ::^ -iitn'''' \\\\\i his xii<<h<*\
ijanitdy. that hi- »»hii:.I i t.iK. j- - . --! ti • f ih*- w!i I-- -f tli»- Mahratta
territ'iry up t.« th«- ri::h^ ha'ii; *'{ tin Ki-tiia ; and )-• r- a^ly fnan
tliat ad\aii'*fl j«'Mti-n t* .(H^i^t !Li^' 'h.i in tlii- •x-iuN-n *<( liis
f|osi;ni« with ni'.lilar\ its u-ll »■. j.. iMiiiarv aid Hvd»i ci-rtainlv
fh*?*|iati'!»etl t» KaL'i'iiaut II w ill |.':i .'Mil' •• of thi- arran^'i'Uieiit,
S'Ucars' hilN at iIiI^p ti? j-i: -N. t« tii* .i:ii-'i!j! • f -i\t««:i Ijh-i* of
IkUlM'-^ It wa-- unhiv-i *y h.ti: ti.il tl. -• • -untri* •» ^liouhl
remain |Nnnainntly ani.'V-d t«« th»- d>«iiiini 'U- "f M\s.ur. hut. if
Ra^oha had ".■i"i« • 1« d iTi flit- r^ • staJiid.iu- n» -f I i- a'itli"nty, it
i% |»n»(iui>le fhaf ht' \\"'ild !ia\»- ^w* ii an ti.vi iiiN'r j-P !:il;-'n t'» tho
rf|uivf*ral U nii- "f his h tt^i
It wa- .!> • iriI*Mni;t\ • ■ »li: :» r: .<•!.•• ui* n* 0 .\* ini!n«»«I:.ilelv jfl«'i
898 HYDER INVADES SAVAXORE. [OHAP. XIX.
the capture of Gooty, Hyder collected all his tributaiy cUiefs on the
northern border, with their respective quotiis of troops, and the sub-
joined statement* of those which were actually assembled, will be
the best evidence of his acknowledged dependencies at this period
It had for some time been announced that the fall of Gooty would
be the signal of march ; and in a few days after that event, the
whole was in motion for Savanore. The Patan Nabob of that
province had been deprived by the Mahrattas of one-hcdf of hin
former territory ; and for sparing the remaining half, he offered a
military contribution of three lacs of Pagodas, wliich Hyder rejected,
and proceeded without distinction of Mohammedan or Manratta
claims to occupy the whole. lie had succeeded in makin^if him-
self master of about one-half of the province, when the monsoon
burst with great violence, and the destruction which it produced
among the horses and cattle of the army, induced him to oreak up
for the rains. He accordingly left a select corps in Bancapoor, with
directions to watch, and as far as possible, intercept, the supplies of
the garrison of Darwar, not yet reduced ; and inc&ning to the east-
ward, re-crossed the Toombuddra in basket-f* boats ; and having dis-
missed the tributaries, he pursued his march to Seringapatam, where
he arrived in the month of August.
He made use of this interval of leisure to summon to the
capital the whole of the Aumils^ of his dominions, and the tribu-
taries in person, or by their agents, for the purpose of adjusting
their past accounts and future revenues. His demands on tlie
tributaries under the designation of Peshcush, was far from being the
nominal acknowledgment of dependency, tolerated under weaker
governments ; the example of Anagoondy, which from 7,000 Pago-
oas was raised to 12,000, exclusively of maintaining the military
••• • • • •••
•••
llorsc.
Peons.
1,000
4,000
300
3,000
200
2,000
100
1,000
200
1,SOO
2,000
• The Poligar of Cbittledroog
Do. Harponhully
Dulwoy of Raidroog
Da Anagoondy
Poligar of Kunnuckgeerv
Abdul Ilulleem Khan, Nabob of Kurpa
To these troops he paid at the rate of four Hyderi Pagodoii, or 16 Rupees
a month, for each mounted horseman ; and one Pagoda, or fmir Rapeea for
each peon, while absent from their own territory.
t See vol. i. p. 2!i7. This simple method of crossing wide and unford-
able rivers, is recommended to niilitarv practice by the facility with which the
materials can aJmost everywhere be obtained ; it has been repeatedly adopted
by English corps in India, for cannon as well as tniops, a basket boat ten
feet diameter, being adequate to the conveyance of an iron twelve-pounder
on its carriage.
1 Aumii. or Aumildar, a collector or contractor of revenue, as the case
may oe ; or generally, as with Hyder, exercising a mixed character, composed
of both these functions. An Aumil, for example, ajo^reed to give for a district
a fixed sum, on the condition that a loss or a gain, not exceeding ten per
cent, was his own ; if either exceeded that sum, the difierence was borne or
received by the Government ; this practice was introduced by (Jhiok Deo
U.\j. and contumed by his snccossors with modifications and exceptions.
CHAP. XIX. ] HIS nsiAL AI>MINInTKATI«»N. IMK^
contingent i»f tr<M»|»s, (wtiicli wvre tuily pa'nl liy Hy«lei- whrii railed
to the ticM). in:iv >i<'rvo to roiivry a f^uiicml iilea of tlif s»\iU* of
augmentation in this bninrli of revenue ; it wilh of rouiNt* still
pn>iK>rtionally inen^AMtnl, where he f4)un(l it ex|>c<lient to nllow to a
rolignr the nianii;^*nient of hi.s country, without cxiictini: a c^tntin-
gent of troops. The o<»Ileetors or nontnu'tors of revenue .wore toler-
ably well awan\ tiuit tin* surphis ih'umnds wouM fall little short of
the mims whieh they ha*l irrej^ilarly exacted, or fal»iti»»d in the
accounts. Hyder wils at all tinier aecessihle to coni|»l;niitM. and
never failed to purhue to its source tin* hiht«)ry of nn ine^ular
demand, and to ret^ovcr it with additional linen from the exactor.
It is tnie that the amount wa!^ never returned t4> the (*r»mplainant,
but it friMjurntly priMluivd the tli^mission of the ofR-nk-r; the
certainty at^f invcstii:ati<>n tended to P'strain 4>ppres.sIon. and, aa
Hyder was accustomed Ut say, rajNicity in this case wa.s nearly as
good for his siuhjfrt.H. ami mticli lH*tter for hims<'lf than a more M*ni-
pulous distrih»itinn of justiciv He hft the ti^ral institution^ of Chick
Ueo Raj as he ftund tiirni, addin«^. howi-vcr, to th«* e^tid^li•*he<i
revenue what<*Vfr had Ikh'U Si-crctly levied hy a skilful i«r |HipuIar
Aurail. and alterwanls <lcttst-d : this prixlurccl a pro-^ni-isivi* and
regular incn*aM*. and tin* n-sult of <*ompl»i!itH piv«» cH'r:i«.iiinril. hut
alno tolfniMy r»'^M:lar nn;:iii«iit iti-iiis. On th»' pr»'»»i*iit «M*ca.».ii'n h«j
also h'vicil ujM»n th«; wIim|« r-iuntiy a r»nM'«l n>ntrihutif!i tiiiilcr liie
name of free L'itt* t*«'r th«* sMiiooit of thf wur. Frw at' mv riMidi-rs
Would feci int»r»->t« d in a ni'T'' il«t:ii!»'d d»".4TipliMn of th«"<e transa''-
t:on\ and th<* f 'rvj-Mru' h-i.-f^-k't'-ii niay •*«TVf. without much futun*
referiMi'v. an a p n* r.d • j'«iiiif!i <»f th«' !i«*«*al administration of
Hyder
• y^irninn, \^ ii« .irly .u i:*.iy i-v. tliv '■'•it *'^n:f of Iliiglish hiil«»ry
CHAPTER XX.
Union of Nizam Ali and the ministerial party at PoonOy againwt Ragoha mid
Uyder — A corps of Mahrattaa invades Savanore — Is attacked ami d^taUd h$
Hyder^s general^ Mohammed Ali — Main armies advance in two separate bodies^
by the distant points of Savanore and Bachore—Jirst^ under Perseram Bhtne^
retires q/ier some timid skirmishing — second^ Nizam AlCs bought off—and Hydtr
for the present relieved from apprehension — Siege of Chittlettroog — Character^
istic defence — Composition settled and partly paid — when Hvder hears of the
advance of the whole Mahratta army^ under Hurry Punt, for the relief of the
place-'destroys his batteries and trenches — marches off and orders /fe Poligar to
follow his standard — he hesitates and disobeys — Battle of Raravee — Defection
of Jdanttjee Pancria — Defeat of tlie Afahrattas '•^Backwardness of Rrakim^
the general of Nizam A li — Hyder pursues the Mahrattas — reduces the whole
territory south of the Kistna, conformably to his arrangements with Ragoba-^
returns to the south— resumes the siege of Chittledroog — Surrender oftheplaee~^
History and character of the new governor — Hyder sweeps off the iuhabiiantSj
and forms the foundation of his Janissaries — Hyder marches against Kmrpa-—^
Retreat and surrender of the Kurpa cavalry — Singular attempt of 80 priMomers
to assassinate Hyder in the midst of his army — Surrender of the Chief of Kurpa
— conditions — subsequent destruction of the males of die family — Character
of Hyder'' s amorous propensities — Refusal and subsequent assent of the beaut f/ki
daughter of this chief— Meer Saheb entrusted with the new conquest — Hyder
returns to the capital — Revision of civil administration^ finance, police — cruel^
igtiorant and ungrateful exactions — Apajee Ram — T^e bankers'^£mbassy is
Delhi — Monsieur Lolly's corps — anecdote — system of military payments — Double
treaty of marriage with the Nabob of Savanore — Embcusy from Poena — negoHa*
tion, explanatory of the union of Hyder with the Mahrattas against the JSngHsk,
The powers of Deckan and the south were ranged according to their
interests with the parties which now divided the State of Poena.
Hyder supported Ragoba, and Nizam Ali declared for the ministerial
f)arty, ana the posthumous, or reputed son of Narain Row ; for in
odgmg the widow at Poorunder* for the purpose of producing an
heir, she is stated to have heen accompanied by a considerable
number of pregnant attendants, to prevent disappointment to the
views of the party. A plan for the invasion of Mysoor by the
confederated annies of Poona and Nizam "t" Ali was a consequence of
these political connexions, and while the arrangements on a larger
scale were in preparation, an army| composed of the contingents
of four considerable chiefs proceeded to dislodge Hyder's troops from
Savanore ; and to make such farther progress as might be practi-
cable, before the approach of the main armies.
• Properly, 1 believe, Poonadhur, a hill fort near Poona.
t The restitution of Dowlatabad to Nizam Ali, was the price of his
adherence to the ministerial party. Its cession to the MoLrattas had been
one of the conditions of the peace with Ragoba in 1774.
t The chiefs were, Ist, Pandrung Tatia^2d, Letchman Heri — 3d, one of
the Putwerdun family— and 4th, a nephew of Morari Row, named Siceram.
ciui*. \x I hiri:.\r •>) a MMihviiA **>ij-^ |(«l
n*|M'l this inrilitiitnl aitai-k . .-irii • •i[r*iii 1 lii- • ••iiiiii'iii i •■:>
Muliaiillii«'<| Ali '^ wlin \v:is ai^'i iii\'<l*-i Uitli :iiir .i"i .t \ 'i-.'i tii*-
iron I iH at H:ini*ajMinr 'I'hi'o skilt'ni «>t}i> '-r ciuii* u{i \\ii!i tli- M .l.i.it-
ta^ lit a iihiji- callt*'! SaMit-Ni'-v aii>l r>>Mii<l tlii-in •u.i^vu mji t>> 'lY'i iiiiii
liattl** lie iij:i'1l' iii<« ili"!.! »NiiiMii «. .-in I i*i»iiiiji« n •■•1 ti.- .i- i.- :i w:r:i
his rav;ilry. I'V a rim in u lii-ii Lr w.i^ ii )>u!-l<1 iw ;l}i|mi>-:4'i •!>-
onlfT Tlif .Malti.ilt:ir ))iii-',it 1 uir!i ].!i -iiii'.;!: •:». in ilf i'i»:ili i^Tii ••
tliiit tlir t«>itiiii<* (it* lip- <I.<v li.i 1 itii'-iiv •!■ I'i !•- I III tip-i[ fi\<'i ;
whi'ii siiii<l«'iiiv {\\'' fn^iiixi^ u- :■• i.- • !\f i liii -u. !i iln* iut iv.i!- ..f
A li'iwrifiil r.'^ir\r. :i!i 1 .ii ili- -inj» i'l ■ ihr i u H'lil-u-^ lii- ••!'
fpift|it.' aiiil iiiii**i|ii«'ti V |»i'ip 1 III iiit i!i' tl.i:i!. >•! t':.- pii-^t^iv I'l mii
an aiii)»Msli |irf\ iiii^ly )i|-<'|mi> i Tj. ■ li jjlit r vi .- -■ . i ii^. aii I lli-'
Cttufusiiiii irp-tri«'\ali]i* Nliii i:ii:ii> I A.i m i !• :i ! -i> i .n.ip 1 i ii.n j-
at the hra«l ff lii^ r.ivain . .in i • •iiij>!< 7* «1 tli-- i • ;t-- 1 h*- |>'n'^iiit
WAS i'oiitillilt'<l f'T liilp' liiii' -^ t'i<>!;i t!j'' ti< ! i ••! i-:r:!« . aui til--
ca|iture i*i\ two mit nt' tlio t'"<ir < iii' t\. uitli :i •- •:!«! 1 rjl-:>' IjU!ii)h i
of MilH*r<Jiii:tti* «it!i''--r-. aul iliit-- t!r 'i-^ii-l :. i - -■:::»! l-.r tii»*
iK.Tvi«v !•!* ilif Si;it«'. all* -.ii'tl t !p ii- ' i^;\.- i-'-u!! ■•:'■:»..• siii.it
Th»' •■■thli-'l'iali' ariiii- - wii- i.-a •ij-j-s • ■ ■• : ;. *'■•* "T lii'*
Malimtla.**. uri'lt-i !*• r- -rini lliiw. •^•ui,.i'i 1 .■• .'lonno n.-n.
aHm'UiMfl li>-.ir M«Tit<*li. mi Tii>- 10 i' !ik -t' f!'i i\. -':.<. f'-i tilt'
|llir|M»M' 111' |M ||. li.it'iiij I'V lif j-: .\.:i'- "l" S.-. :'. ::. .i • ''r.!:-
AAht'Tii >lii'i-<'ti>'ii til' a:iii\ 't' Ni.-iiii A.> iiii !■ i i-: luiu Kii.ni
(DIloWll^l) iwti||,.it. -I .tt liU'iHI lii. \. i 'i\ K.i; . :• . .IT. i U;<- t-i
follow Ii (Miir-- Iiiiiv - • i: 1 till, fii" ; •^ • i!::i ^ •'•. I i -'vim ;
■ •
thf Htat«' I iliii'.!."ii- '"I *•■].:•'.■ .!!' Ill tifit a:;! i* : . \\-i!i l-*
«nalili*«l t'l lilt* I till- (• Ml! >i \ "fM. >.i«i. at ;•■::.!. \ .i. •.:;;_: :'i I. • i
uihtiilit'f I'l'iln i-ai-ii t'tlf :. t'i"lii L'" I • I'lMiiili- ll\i-: :i\ i'l- :«
G«H»ty ii-* a •li'ji 'I an I |- ,;,: •.! ■.iij.j..it li i'!'-:!-:'' r -.■I-r. v-
ojMTiti'iiiH . ;iii.l ji- ilj. |. ii l./\ -1^ . I .li! t'. . :: \ '. ; ^^!i •
hail att*-h<i«<l 1.:^ ^t.tiii.ii<l in tl- j-:-> i.i.^' • iMi; li..-i .*. i ! ..rl.ii
h«' J%N'» in-.\fi ujlli till- n. r.?j i. :•, 'r); • ■■■■n i'.\ •■.:•■: ,;
Miilininni<-i All \\n\i .i i- t l'- ■ ■ ■• ; . -.*.".: ''i .- !' . « '. '\
oihtiili-iit \* itii r* / J 1 t • til ^* : • .i. ?. "!' ? ;. .it : i- •. I'- ■ : •n I i-' ^^
oil r»*i*'iiiii'»itrin/ t'l" 1 -r •■■.:" \I :. in m I A".: i. 1 :■ ' '.'i,' i lii-
MVtrt* If^-^.n «!.;. ii I.- i. i i !• ■ ■ ii*!-. ,i.-:i'. i^i M ..-..I'Vi r •.■:■■
•
re|iiirl»*«l l" In.-* •■■■;:!. r ;..i! !•:?.!■•! ■ in- :.• \^ . : ■ i.- ■■ -.i^ .u. i *?•
Auim* tiiui'l lu.iii* .r» : .!i^'. r i.:> i t i -• ;ii;t\ 't» ^.!. ! *:• Kii'iit
Hyili-r li.fi in ti.<- nf i!iu!.:. > |«i iT* 1 ••;. t !;• •- w:! .n i > :..:;. m 1
••r-ili«'lii» f "f Ni/.\iii Ai. )\ ?■. ; ..:. I i:. ■:■ ' :• •iI- 1 u* i'* i. .ii. i
Iliraliiiu Kii in \^ .ko ih;^ t •: :■: ii' 1 w .^ ':.••'*> i,-.'\' i.. * : * i...\
• Fr«'-.i •».•..■•• r i7r«. I.. 1 A- ; .'." ji_. :• . ■ • • .-.. Mi.. .: « t .
•nj5*4:ol :i* i. ■.•..:".■* A : 'i :■.• I' .: . •■ ■ » -i. ■; ..•.«•
AlC i'Mlilir. '^il \» . .1 • ..• !.:.,.. ■:. •• I ...•■•-" " * ...•:.•:.■.
to rcvcr! t-i 'ill •'•■•■.••.■.» .1 -1 t i ,• ■ < ► .. ' . .
• I'rif I I :« -II %» .. I i. i.i •!. '. .. .• i. I.' I 'iS... M .' i) '■.«:..• i : !
VroillHlril
• ri r '■• • i« • " . • • • ' • ■ ' ■ ■ • * • '
* • ■
402 SIEGE OF rHITTLEDROOO. [CHAP. XX.
taiy propriety, besides the secret influence of the goM of Hyder, for
regulating his proceedings, by the retrograde movements of the
Mahratta«. He had advanced as far as Adwanee, when the move-
ment of Perseram Bliow was reported to him ; there was no apparent
ground for susjncion at Poona, when he declared it too hazardous,
under such circumstances, to preserve his advanced position ; and he
accordingly retired behind tiie Toombuddra, and subsequently re-
crossed the Kistna. The periodical floods of the south-west mon-
soon converted the rivers into barriers shortly after these events,
and Hyder was, for the present, relieved from this formidable
confederacy.
Of the tributaries who had been summoned to attend his
standard on this occasion, two had failed in their allegianca The
Nabob* of Kurpa joined the standard of his Mohammedan adversary,
Nizam Ali ; and the Poligjir of "f"Chittledroog influenced by the
assurances of his agent at Poona, that the first military jofEcer of
the State, with an immense army would shortly invade Mysoor, and
1)ermanently relieve liim from tlie dominion of Hvder, remained at
lome. Hyder, who had long and earnestly desii'ea the possession of
tliat fortress (celebrated beyond its real importance), and was jealous
of the power and distinguished bravery of the Poligar, and his
formidable troops, marched from Gooty to Chittledroog, and reject-
ing the submissive offers of the unfortunate chief, to atone for his
error by a large fine, sat down before the place in the month of July.
The siege continued for three months, with more perseverance than
military skill on the side of Hyder ; and on the part of the besieged,
with a mixture of entluisiastic fatalism, and heedless, headlong
valour, which is strongly characteristic of tlie Beder tribe. A temple
dedicated to the goddess§ who delights in blood, was erected on
the summit of the Droo(j, an appellative derived from an attribate||
of the goddess ; and so long as her rites should be duly performed,
they believed that in fact, as well as in name, their fortress would
be inaccessible. On every Mouday, after performing their devotions
to the goddess, the Beders made a religious sortie ; this, after a few
re{>etitions, was a^ regularly known in the camp of the bcsi^ers, as
in the fort. A particular sound of the honi^ alwajrs gave inti-
mation that they had finished their preparatory devotions and were
about to sally : everything was known, except the exact point of
attack, and notwithstanding all the advantages of preparation, on
the side of the besiegers, the Bedera never once returned without
penetniting into the trenches, and carrying oft* a certain number of
* AIhIuI llellccin Khan
t Soiiietiiiie.H called Chitrigul. In most of our mai>8 they are arroneoosly
iuseitcd as two different places.
X 1 lurry Punt Purkia.
f Cali.
H /)*i/v/a-Durguin, inacccssiUe^ one of the epithets of Cali.
^ A .sort uf large bugle, which, when well-souuded, ia a fine martial
instrument.
ciur. XX.]
CIlAUAirKUlNTh' MKKENi i:.
^nS
A^ !•/.«», li» offfr ill. til*' sliiiln* •.('/'.»/!. Aft'T tlh* Tiill Mfdi.* |i|;ir.'. lli.j
lit*a«lH WfH' t'«niii.| raii;;r«I in mws nf .smail jivninii-U. in rf^'»il:ir
onliT. in f*n»nt of tlir Ifni]*!** nl' dir ^oiMfH-;, to tlii* anii>unt ofalHiut
two tli«iiis;in<l. In rvi'iy inirrvul tin* PuliLfrtr n-jH'-itf.! \i\^ nflrrH nf
At«>iifni«'nt. an'! i-vrrv siiri'i's-siv«' Norti** i-vin'fi iin*P'itHiiiL: aplmir. and
furious (*onti«i('n«'f : tin* i»«iint ol* «tla<'k was ahvav^ imliri.iu^lv
viii'inl ; nii<l ivH lln'V ni'Vi.-r un«'f f'ailitl. tin* )M*sif;^rri-s Ih';^mii to at'>[uii'*f
the HMkwanl iialiit of n<it awaitin*' it: anil tin* furv i>f llw aNN.iuIt
Won III I'n'ijU'-ntiy fill far from tin; inli'n«l«'«l jMiint : l».'i-aiis*» aft«r
|N*iirtr;itin;^. an*! finlin^ tip* iio<.ts alMn'ioni*<l, tin* lit'-lt-rs wouM
j(i»niTally l.ikf tin* tiiii-'h in tt.ink. an<l mm,'"- al'»n,' a i*.nisi.|iTalili'
t*\t«*nt, Im f. ip' thi-y I" niM |.r.».-iii' sutli i>'iir niit'il.il^ ftr tin*
(ia«*ritii'i' ; air.in^* lU'-nts Ii-iwi'Vit \v.|i.». |»i'i»:,'rri-i\i'ly nia-l*-. Iiy wiiicli
tli»" Kilt«*iiis lit-in/ coiivi'i t«'«l into rriltinl't-^. aii>l '•irnn-jly ]t.i!iN.i>lfi],
intlii-tf'-l t'-niMi- i<-ti i)ititi>*n on tin- lt<"l«r^ in tli*'ir ii-t-iin. A
t'oni|Ni>«ition w.i-^at I'-n.'tli . •■•nijil-ii-.l. l-y wliiilj llv'l' r pi^t'-'-^-i' •! t'l
fi»ri^'ivr tin' |»a*«t. .mi .I'ti |»i«'l a.> a pifilLT" "t fnliiri- tilN-.ii. hini^
tiiiit«'**n lai--* iif iVijMii.i- : i.f wljii-ji ti\i' in \\r<>iiL:lit phit** It.il .i<-(n-
ally U«ii |«.iil. w !i- II iiirilliL:< n«'t' .iii iv> 1 that ihf inin!^!*-ii.il < oni-
inan«l«-i -in-i iiit t. U " t I't J'"i-f. \\:i> :i|>|»ii-:i«-|iiirj fri>ni i*>»'na \\illi
nn aimv i.it*->i at t.uni»n )i.i|si< aii<i :( |>ri']"«!Tii>n.it*- huni)*r of
infantry anl u'''''-^ tli.it tip ii\«iH li.i>l ftlli n. an>l wiii' alr<:i'lv
fopial'If : ah'i r!i;i( t;.> a'i\ .i!i<-*- "t tip- li--(ii'' ;iiniy \s.i^ w itliin a
few «ia\ *« ni:iiili I'l'tli'- 'r-»>ni'!>ii<i-iia H\ i'-r •!• t> imitp I t'* i>nt to
a s<*v*'i>- an>i nnni' i: it<- j-i-'-ltln" ;i"I» «•«"■ i aii'':;!:ini-f I't tli-- l*"Iijar.
Tlif ^%li«»i*' tMii-N-ii ti'«n w.i«. j.i -IsJiy a •»ii.i!" : l-iit tlii' •"»t*-n-*il.I»'
furts an- tiitt \\*- •!• -lii-\fi li;'» ImU'-iI'**. an<i tii-hi li» '«. in tin" .'P'-il-
rsi lia>l*' : ni.iii'!i*'l o?t to tip- ip'itlt. aipl <«iinini'n<-i tip* I' <:ijar
inMantiv t>i art'!i-l IiI-n ^t.m-i.ii 1 airain^t ll'iiiv I'uiit It f itntp*
mIiiiuM •!*-• I.ii<* i!i laxff I'}' tip- Maiii.itta^. it i'^ tili^ i>»ii« t L.it fU- Ip ini'
wouM U* l.ital tt .i!l tip- li i|Ms I.f tip- J'"' ■/!•- aipl it" H\'ii I -li-iilii
1iri'\ ail. to fl • \ . Ill t<i iii-->l'< \ \^ ••'•ii<i <>!ii\ I« .i\ f a I !•■ -p «- • I ;!;<« ;
n.'iUit-lv l«» uiv til'- !• Mi.ini'ji I "l" t!p- l:i.i^'ii«- I'l t'» ^t in I .iii-itlpf
fcifi^i- 'I'.* iiiM V \v,i> i!it-\it.ii!> i\:l I • -i.* ■!•■ V { :«— ■ fi'« i a « Iijiti-p
tif ;jiMnl alpl in i'"h*« ■j"l» Ii t tlil-* 1 •■.i">«'liMi J. \* !..■ Ii li.i'« I" til
i*iri'uni**tant iall\' -T.i!«tl i.i ni" i-v "ii'* "I li;* «!> "••-n l.iiit -. Ip- pixim^-
r«l I'Mt i-va<l><l .It t> ipj.iri- 1-
Hv'i»r. iTj til" lip- tiiu ii.!»- W.I- a- • :\ • ;v •nii!"Vt'i tliS'^'ijlj ?Ip»
nii-ilmni "l li.i" •- \l -w l'»'ii\a lli- a/' 'it • I K.ij I i in an.*: .• iifin^
till* •li'*< ••I'l \Oji-lsflpii I'!' \.i:'' i :ii I'l'- M ij.: itvi .nn.:- -^ .iM.- !•■ I
t«i filli.-r |':i!?'. .i?i 1 :t . I;:- : ■ t" pUMMl !..:,.■ 1 M' ■''*■ /' ■ t.
lia«I I- •■!» -' ' :• t i V ;»■ iip ■! I \ .« I M' • f . \ ! i- -» I 11 :; - ■ • t • «■ ;• i
nit<* Ills f 111 • « t!<-iM tl."^< ■ t llniy i* iM
aft« rvkar^is <•• i \ • i II \ i^ i :tri i t ).• • i : >• ! K v
mil- •^tipnl.tf* 1 11.. M »:.: -tt I .i!:ti\ '.'• :
Arrival ••!" I' .:i! I- • :i.' lit • .«;. I !!••■ \...\. : ;•
lip- .iini\ "I Ni. »M Al .'t ' ? j!:. ■ : ■ . • 1
I -» ill:;.-- 'J
•i '.':.•- t:: -! .1. •. Ii vU \
) I. -li t* :!;.• w li. li
ii.> •!• . i\ iM t :.••
•: -. !i ni
i ■
\
• a ■ a I •!
I
.»r .1
.1 .\ \:
i:. t \% o«
: 1 l!.'
404 BATTLE OF RARAVEE. [CHAP.
(lestmction of Hyder. That chief, as soon as he considered the
arrangement with Manajee Pancria to be mature, advanced to offer
battle to Hurry Punt. The armies came in sight of each other a
few miles to the southward of Raravee ; and reciprocally commeDC-
ed their operations by a distant cannonade. The corps of Manajee
Pancria had its place on the left flank of the Mabratta army, and
was observed to leave an interval which was the concerted signal,
preparatory to separation ; but in its subsequent movements, tnere
was a wavering, the effect of mere indecision, which led Hyder to
the groundless suspicion of a double treason ; with this impression
on his mind, he sought to retort, by demonstrations which should
induce Hurry Punt in his turn to suspect the fidelity of his double
dealer. Light troops were spread abroad, to cover an apparent
communication of dromedaiy couriers, and to exhibit the appear-
ance of frequent messages from Manajee Pancria, The impression
on Hurry Punt was effectual, but it was that of a first and sudden
alarm, the more serious from his ignorance of the extent of disaffec-
tion ; he looked everywhere over the field with similar suspicion*
but everywhere else there was an appearance of firmness : what he
saw was however suflicient to determine him on a retreat; the
disposition which was made in consequence affords evidence of
considerable t'^lents, and the most perfect self-possession. A gene-
ral movement was observed to take place, and Hyder paused io
ascertain its object, before lie should make any corresponding dispo-
sitions. In a few moments an impenetrable cloud of dust arose,
both in front and rear of the Mahratta line, which neither decidedly
aj)p!<)ached, nor decidedly receded ; it M'as evidently the mass oif
their cavaliy in full charge ; but not towards Hyder ; some time
had claj)sed l>efore he perceived that the corps of Manajee Pancria
had been enveloped, and swept off the field ; and that a powerfiil
rear-guard ])resentcd itself to cover the retreat of the whole. The
annies had not sufficiently closed to render the pursuit decisive, and
two guns onTy were lost by Huny Punt, in effecting his retreat
l)eliind the Tooiubuddi-a, where a strong position secured him from
insult, and j^ftorded him leisure to investigat<; the extent of the
<lisafte(tion, which had i)roduccd his retreat. The troops of Mana-
jrj; Piujrria h;nl made a tolerably gallant ri»sistance, and attempted
to move in mass towards Hyder ; the greater pjirt, however, were
cut (o ))ircos, and Manajee Pancria himself, wounded, and acoom*
paiiiod by no more than thirty select friends, Iiad o])ened a way
tliroui,')) the surrounding mass, and made good his escai>e to Hyder.
Tlu^e events, however inferior to the full accomplishment of
the plan which had been marred l)y Pancria's hesitation, and
Hytlrr's impatience, were* sufficient to defeat the whole project of
the Maliratta rampaign. Hurrj' Punt quitted his position, and con-
tinmd his retreat; and Hyder availed himself with alacrity and
jndL'mi'Tit, of th«' opportunity wliich was thus offered of following
«ip tin; iiiipp*;-: iMH. H<' luiug »*l«isc upon thc rear, and hnrasned it
illAP. XX ] slKUE OK rnlTTM:i»K<MK; RKSiMi:i» 4n;>
with iiKvssniit ;ittA<*k*4 until tin* wlinli* wlti* lirivfii nurtli nf tint
Kintiin. ill U«'(Viii)H*r 1777- In tlii^ h< rniiii invasimi. Iltraliiin Klian
iil1VM*t4*<i t«» ii(ivi'il Ui tli«* fluitLTcr II Mil ilisapiMiiiitiiifnt wliii-h ho hml
unci* uln'.'iilv inrurn*<l, hv ailvaurin*; in tlit* t'.iith <>f u siniul(ani'«»UM
movenifMit which was imt niri'li' ; this time lit* whmM wait for tho
evith'nrt* of tiK'ts ; nii<I tlx* i;i»lil nf liy«li*r kept him ina«*tiv<\ until
ihiiH n*liov('i| hv a s*>i*>»n*t ati»b»:^'V. f »iin<ltNl on tli** ciiniiurt of hin
allioH The rrtn'.'it of I lurry l*iint w.is tiipvii-i to a ] Position thirty
uiilfA to till* Wi'Mtwanl «if Ihriiliihk Khan's rni*ani]imrnt, nn<l the
utmimt «Mi<lvHVuiirs of tin- jKirty at Pomia. failfi t>» jiri'vail on Ni&iiii
All t4i isKiK* iMi>iti\t* oiiU'i's fill' IiIn ji'iniu;:. anii rc^iuniini^ the
fifTeiiHivi-.
Hyilt-r lia<I now an i»|)fn ti>'M f«ir lit*.' rt'aliAitii»n of tlu* plan
fMMirertetl with Ra;;i'l'a. f'-r tin- oriii|.;iii.»n i-f thf Mahrattu t*T-
riti>ry* U*tw«-«'n thr 'riii»iiihu*iilia an*l Ki<*tna : anil liis virto-
riouH pursuit of th«* main aiiiiy pii-paritj th>' min^N of iiirn fir
■uhinifinion : th*- ah>ciii-i* of all uppxHitiitn in tip* fii*M i-nahlini
him to ih*tJi(*h Siplar Khan ftr tlif ^ii-j*' «'f I'arwar, whtTi* ho
cxiMTt4*il n rcijiilar n-Hit»iMnr«- . aii*l In* pnK*iTiit-'l hinfo'lf to tlicf
tYHiuction of the Ih'iHv'^ «if ('••piil an*l Mrhauihr li<-n<ia, whirh
nui^lit ^l U* «li-i'iiii<l iiii)ii-i*.:n:t)<ii* )t)il fill in th<- ni-«?it!i of A]>ril.
Thi* Hif;X''** <'f <'M(^ji'ii<l<-i jiir. TNi'lami .Vnihh.il :iri<l a numUr of
pofttn of niin*>i i->>ri^ii' !.iti*n if*iipi.-l a i-<inNiil,i:ihli- tinif. hut
pr»*fM'nt«*'i litiji- i-t tin* "1' '•• rirf i-!» ^f in<'i>it nt. •ii vhiih th»' UiMio-
nd r»«a'ii*r w.iiill • 'U-i.i* r In- .itY-riti>>n i-i U* •';lli«-i aLrm-ahlv
(IT prolit.iMy •-:ii:>: •y- 1 htru.u .il-o f« 11. aft* r a pr>lr.irt«-<l
•ii'ijf. t»»w,ii.i' il iii-- i ill- \. ii. aiil ll\'i«r in <-.irit"m-
|iljitiiiL; ihv fi rtil< )<.<iik-^ • I (hi; mv.t Ki->ttia. m:iik«-ti it with
cxultiitii'ti Its tlh' ti>>i(f,>!ii U<;;iiti.iry i>f :in •'miin wlii>-li Inui-
self lia«i ma'ii- ii:s nun lip* i:«i>i>iil\' ff tlh* i-<>ii<i(i« <t wa-« fn'ih-
Ijiti"! hv Iii- att'Titi -n I* ! '-il lii' i!ii>*;(n'-<'^ : h«- f<>iin<l th*- i-ountrv
chifllv h»-M h\ i.i-ii in:ii\ !»• !i:i\.-» ■*■ tl.i- ^.imm- •!• -ripij ij "f i-i-r-
p • - ft i #
fti»n^ wli.im ill •••h'l I'l ^iii-'-u. I:i\' r-iini uii it-i tin i'-^ijii iti«in
«if \S a'li-\ .11 s / -.iiii I I- r '.:•'■- \ ■■ i.l Ii. ii 1 1 :ifi i II'- « '!•-• lil^ «i
fur t li»' pi» •'• lit f I I i " . . •■ Il .'ii ! ' ■ III ! i.«:r .n ■ :^t..iji.- I I 'i -r, d^li ..n
lli«- r..!iljtl-li ■ ! »'r I ■ i.i: • ;• i . .* i • .1 li- • J. 11 ■ t .1 ! M t li- r -im
«r<|il ki t I |!m II :i*i>i t •! I -. -■ •
Mj- -■ ;i! I !•■ ; ..■ :." ': ■!!.•■■ •■■■i ■,'■ .-if t;.- . .-.■ ■ { tljt*
Vi-ai II'* I'l'iriif I I- ■ t • • . i* • I !• ' 1 1 .i!i ;!•■ • III? ••? il '■ '• • i:- ri-tj
t<i H<liii«r With tli> • 1 ;■ f I K : ; i . ir. u!.. '?i •i.i*'-v. r. I •• >i- ;.(<-hi*>l
M«'»-r > iii»-l» \\ it il 1 . -w ii i f , I- I ."p. ■■ • I :. ]■: - ;. 1! »! .1 \ 1 : ,'i«*"« a-*
III* n}|. .'ii i till i t ' '"- l*r *■ ! ■ ■■ ■ •:; i I'Jii.- ! u iiii tl.. :: ».i; irir:'\ - it
dviU n I't <- ■■'Ji i III"- I • ! ■:• ' ::!'!■ ir • /
Til- l'-ii/:i! :i!il i » i;!i:.;iT' ■ ii 1 1 •?•• i 'h- -i- *"• Jt--. \\:?iitiii-ii
• Ti.. •. I i;- '
Wt'li M
■'■••.al.t .a. •• •
. 1 ' .
• ■ ■ ■ ■ .• . 1 • •• .■ I' i , \%
•
•
■ • ••■•;.»■:•. \.- I -■ ..)■ .•: 1:a —
K •■
.
1'
' ^- .- .. • N - / •. : ->tr. v\
40G SURRENDER OF THE PLACE. [CHAP. XX.
accustomed braveiy ; but, prodigal of life, the greater part of Lis re-
lations and tnisty cliiefs were, at length, either Killed or wounded in
the incessant ana determined sallies which he continued to make,
and which Hyder had learned by experience to render destructive to
the assailants. The Poligar had also a number of Mohammedans in
his service, formed into a corps regularly armed, of about three thou-
sand men, whom Hyder found means to corrupt through the medium
of their spiritual instructor, a holy and unsuspected hermit^ * who
resided, unmolested, on the plain below, near to Hyder's encampment
When the Poligar "f" discovered that he was betrayed, and had evi-
dence, in the failure of a recent sortie, that Cali was no longer pro-
pitious to his vows, he ascended his palankeen of State, ordered him-
self to be carried to Hyder's camp, and threw himself on the mercy
of the victor, in the beginning of March 1779. The plunder of his
habitation, including cash, jewels, and the personal ornaments of the
women, amounted to no more than five laos of Rupees : the whole
family was of course secured, and sent as prisoners to Seringapatam,
and Hyder, after making the requisite arrangements for the occupa-
tion of the place, prepared to follow Meer Saheb to Kurpa.
Among the prisoners carried off in the first inhuman emigration
from Malabar, was a young Nair, from Chercul, who had been received
as a slave of the palace, and to whom, on his forced conversion to
Islam, they had given the name of Sheik Ayaz.| The noble port
ingenuous mannei*s, and singular beauty of the boy, attracted general
attention ; and when at a more mature age he was led into the field,
liis ardent valour and uncommon intelligence, recommended him to
the particular favor of Hyder, who was an enthusiast in his pnuse,
and would frequently ^yoak of him, under the designation of " his
right hand in the hour of danger." Throughout every period of Mo-
liammedan history, we find ])eculiar confidence reposed in captives
8ei>arated from their families in early youth : the pangs of an afflict-
ed parent are no part of a monster's care ; but he c^culatea with
cold accuracy, that the recollections of infancy are soon obliterated ;
and that sucli children, being exempt from the ordinary ties of society,
readily transfer the affections, implanted by nature for other purposes^
in the form of undivided attachment to a kind protector ; for such is
certainly the character which the Mussulman a&sumes towards such
of his slaves, whether captives, or bom in the family, as evince
talents and good dis)>ositions. In the conversation of Mohammedan
chiefs, a slave of tJie house, far from being a term of degradation or
reproach, uniformly conveys the impi-ession of an affectionate and
trustworthy liumble friend, and such was Ayaz in the estimation of
Hyder. To the endowments which have been stated, incessant and
confidential military service had superadded experience beyond his
* I Imvc seen and conversed with this holy personage, whose service on
this occaaion was liberally rewarded by Hyder.
t Mudgerry Naick.
I Tiic same pcrfton afterwards Govcnior of Rednore at the accession of
Ti])i>oo, and called in must KngUsb accounts Ilf/at-^aheb,
CHAP. XX.] ITS NKW (iOVKRNoll. 4l»7
voAm ; Afifl Hvdrr solootoil him for tlio iiiiiHirUiil tnist of civil aii<l
luilitary j^^vrrnor of tlie fi>rt .nn«l U»mt«try «»f i'hittliMlriMi^r |',i|t
nuwIoMt II.H III* was fsiitliful anil hrnw. Avaz wisIuHl ut (K*rliiio the
ffliMtinrtioii. n.s one to wliirh \u* Mi liiiiisolf iiin}||]]N'U'iit ; ami |iar-
tirulnrlv oliirrtoil, tliat lio i*<»iil<l noitlior rt*ail nor writ«\ ami wiui i-oii-
H«N|iirritly iiii-a|ial»li* of a <'ivil rlian^c. " Kim*|» a Onria'al yc»iir rijjlit
hnml." HCijij HyiltT, *' am! that will <loyou ItotttT M*rvioi* tlian |m*ii aii«l
ink :" th*»n iLssiiiuini; a j^ivor miinti*!iam-t* ; '* |»lar«» rflianiv," aiMiHl
ho, " on yoiir«'Xi*rilrnt uiiilfrstamlin^' ' art fn»ni yiinrsflfulnnt* ! frar
nothin<; fn>ni th«* rahinmios of tin* s«TiMili'rs ' Imt trust in nir an 1
tnnt + in you ' r«'a«lin^' ami writing! ' Imw havr 1 iist*n t4i i*ni|)iiv,
wiihotit thi» knowh-ili;,. nfcitlit-r f"
l>urin;; tlif two >ii'p's nt' < 'Jilttlt-ilnMiLf, Ilvili-r lt:i<l fitun^l thi*
luitiws of till' t«*rritorv. tiIso rhit-llv 15«'i1its aillu-rini; tti tlu-ir riiiff
with um*i>miM<'niMi- attai-lum'iit ; ni> srvi ritv **\' milit.iiv «'X(*i*ution
riiulil rotniin jK'r"»iiiis of i*a<*h ?»rx. anil rwry a;^'*. Irnni ri-kini; tln'ir
liv(*.H with till- iNinstanry ami fxultation nf niartypi. for tli*' puriNisi* df
mrrk'in;^ t*» th«* iMnir^i-il surh sti|i|i|ii*s as an ini*i's>ant Niii-ri-ssinn «»f
indn i*lu.ils muM I'lHivi'V To Hu)i<«i*«t his annv tXi-iusivflv tin tin*
n'.-MiurfivH of tli»* «'. luntry. lo<'. in»»unn' all il** nr-ivi-^ii -]»«.. .-niil i-iHfi/.- all
tin* visilih- |i|ii|ifi t V. t«» tin* aTii'tunt tif twi'lvf I:i.*'i **( V:\^***\.is. \v:i.s of
ni» avail . HM'l )ir wii-^ at li-ii'tli iii<lMi'i<l t<> '<\%t>-ii i>rr tli«' uli><l*'
n'niaiiiiiiL,' ]Hi|i:ilM(i>in. \v)ii<li n-iw •-••n'^i'^t' «1 oiily it t)iii»'- \\)i'ili:ii| t)i«*
|Mitriiiti>*in t" •IfV-'tf tln-m^fKi-i t«i lli»' si-rvji-.- »*\' tlp-ir In'^ii-i/i'.I
frirntls; all th*- ii-t liiviii;^' l«iii^r |,..f. ,i,. s..ii.jht n I'w.:!' lu tli-* w..m|h iir
in 'ithiT |ii«ivini»-» Tli'- n'iinl'»r tliu-"* •'ain» I •■!! !•• j.t-.jil" t!ii i^l.iipl
€»f Srii»:/a|-at:im. Miii'inhtf 1 ti» ai-.-ui •jniHiii fi.im thi- l-.x-i f a }.t<»-
|KT ai:i-. In- f-"MiH'l llif !ii-t p'jiilar nriitary i Mal-li-^linii nt "f .-:. j.t;\i»
crin\i'it» in iiiiit:iii'ii i-t tli*- Tuiki-'lt .I;i!ii'>«H.iiii-', h>\v s.l.li. i . . wiiirii.
iiri'ltT till* n:inii- "f I ii' i.i K'ltt.tliiii-o* aiiivi-tl .it ii.ar*int v, .in<i U'-ii- ^<i
much :iii:^'nii iit«-«i ■luiiii:/ lli-- -.tiin* rnnn nf i-f hi-, sin .fx-,..!
M«''-I' S.ilji )• wli>i h.i>l I" • Ti •]• T.u lifl t"\\ .il'U KMlpa li.i'i .1. •!••'-
ahly til in-oti si'li'ih. p • m;'- •! M 'Mx il!\ !•• .' "on . l.tit .i • !|. . n ' in-l
cif two tli'ii^.iii'l r.il.iu )i •• iiinciiil' •! i'\ t!i' i.« ;1.' \\ «■! O.t-- • iH' f
fif Kur|».i. ••|>| I ^-i« )i i tli • tw.il aii'l ill t«-MiijM I I* ^^t.iiii-t ( • .k!i In «
movrnii-nt-^. tli.if n i tnipii »«:"ti ^f in>|i<>r?.kiii'i- ii.i<l '•••ii iiii>i< i\<i}it
in;; ^n tin- it--<iiiii r^ ..| t)i<' «*<iuntry, wliirh IlI'II-* n i.i\.ij< 1 wiihth**
ruHli*ni:uv • rui It V
Wlii-n ll\«l* t li.ki tiiti-h' 1 i.i^ ;tii.ii'.j< nt* n!^ :it i'IiIm!* ii ■ j If ]>ut
liini-*if at tlf- I.' il ''f lii^ > .i\ ill \ . an! iiv f<r>'' i n; n !.• ^ i -iii«l
Mt^-r Saliili t** (!i'- W'^tu.i* i "t .1 -<iii il! ii'*ii. uiiL-ii j-.i<-<^ n* .ir
* A Itiii- ^* I.:',' "f • ■ •.t'-n I'-l'i . li"'.! i!j ;i:- !'i ..'. t i J > : .u ■:. i;. i •• •" .!•.:!••
tbi^k • ml, » !.• Ti r i- /r.i'i • 1. .i:i-l ! i; • JiI.j l- I J- . !.' i' • ..■ ' ri.i : 1 »•.:• !...•) .
thi* iu-vi*r<? i:. -t: ..1 • :.t ••: I I r •.■!...! p ir: ■• i-n r.! :^ . - ..• i. t.i- s • t ■■ !;^* . ii.<l
li)«lrr ».!• • ii"* .•■• • .»••■ J.'li »i * :• »'":.. i- r .: .' i..,...-*:**. i ■[-■..• ?-ii"i.
■taiitly |ir.k> '.»'• i :ri .** k -•
♦ Kur i:. I.!:-- ■•! ? ■ lU !t r • ' \- I ■ •.:. i'. ;i • ' l' • • v ■:!. •. » ii.-r. "U
Tl|»|«Oii'i -• ' ii J- . ■ I. i .■ '. \ • ' .; A; ; . : ■.. \ • . ! : I .-::. J .; '. i
' / • II'.' • ■ . I ■ ' . • u . ■ - 1 ■ ■ *
408 SURRENDER OF THE KURPA CAVALRY. [CHAP. XI.
to a place called Dooer, and unites farther south with the Pennar.
On the appearance of the advanced guard, the Patan trcop6
thinking that they had only to do with Meer Saheb, crossed the
sandy bed of the river, and moved on with confidence into the
plain. Hyder 8 advance was ordered to skii*mish, and retreat to a
concerted point ; when the Patans found themselves suddenly en-
compassed by the whole body of Hyder s cavalry : they commenced
however their retreat, witli a determined countenance ; and Hyder
who desired the preservation of these troops for his own future
service, and hoped that they would surrender ; at first directed his
cavalry to abstain fix)m the use of the keroolee (matchlock carbine :)
the Patan horse did not however refrain from the exercise of their
skill in archery, an ancient and formidable missile of retreating
cavalry, not peculiar to the Parthians ; and Hyder for the preserv-
ation of his own troops was compelled to revoke his first order.
No infantry or cannon had yet arrived ; the skirmishing of the
matchlock carbines sensibly thinned the numbers of the Patans^ but
they continued their retreat into the town of Dooer; where as
they found themselves completely surrounded, and the main army
approaching, this brave little band had no alternative but to
surrender at discretion. Hyder turned from hence to the south-
east, and took possession of the town of Kurpa without resistance ;
Abdul Helleem Khan, the Patan Nabob* had retired from Uui
his usual residence, to Sidhout, a place of inconsiderable strength
to the north-east of Kurpa, whither also a division of Hyder's anny
had moved, and invested the place, while another was occupied in
rifling the capital.
The horse of the Indian cavalier is generally his own, and with
his Hword, his bow and quiver, or his lance, often constitutes Us
<inly property : the reflexion of the separate risks of property, and
life, cannot fail to operate most ])owerfully, in restraining the
energy of enterprise: and in a declining caiuse, Hyder's known
* I am reminded by highlv competent authority, that in followinff the
practice of Mr. Orme, and the better Minction of the Company's recoroii, in
employing the term Nabob as the designation of office, I have been habitnally
inaccurate ; and acknowledging the fault, I know not how to mend it, and to
render the narrative alwDvs intelligible to the general reader.
Xmvabf the Arabic plural of S'aib, a deputy, is, if I recollect right, em-
luyed in Arabia and Persia, sim])ly in its primitive sense. In its acknow-
edged acceptation in India, it is a title of honor, indefinitely and indiaerirai-
natcly applied to all perscms in high official situations ; but in rej^lar form
of speecii, in letters, and diplomatic writings, never used as a designation of
office. It is not, (as my friend remarkM,) simply a corruption of language when
so employed ; it misleads the mind to the conception of rights appertaining
to princely relation. These observations might be applied with greater joidee
to the strange misnomer of king^ bestowed upon the Riga of Tai^)ore. the
vassal of a vassal : a ridiculous error, which practically invested him with all
the rights of royalt)r, ackowledged by the Company and the minittera of the
Kinc; of Great Britain. In the text the Patan Nabob was properly /ii(/idlar ;
but Tiad 1 so named him, many of my readers would have been at a lots to
know who was intended.
I
niAP. XX.) ATTKMrT T" \*.'^.\s ,|N \ 1 1: nVhii: |0'»
|Niliry of ii(*iiti':ili/.iiiL^ ii*'^i>(:uh-i-. i>y ii-^t<iiiii.; tlu^ |.iii|m nv t<> tli-
VAiii|iiiHiic«l, was iiftfii liis must |ii»wt-rriil ally in t)h- «i.t\ *>\' luiil.'
Of the* |i|-isiini'rs t^ikni at l><NMr. In' iiiiiiii*<ii:iti-i\ r(-ii-:iN<i|, niiij
tiMtk iiitii his st'i'vici* witli tlii'ir JMir.^iv., siirh :i^ }ia<l i-«>iiiii'\iiiiis in
hU«)Wii army, wiii» rimst'iiti"*! t«» Iti^i-umi' ii'spiiiiiilili? fm tln-ir «*>iniIui*L ,
liiit Hinoii;; thi.'iii wrn» riijlity friiK-iiUi?. Airu'l»."iiis* •■!' iln- ii.iitl.
wiiiksi* imrsus ha<l Ih^oii kiileii, an>l wlm ri»uM nlitain iii» ^iiti'tii i
for tlirir n*li'iisr. In tin* pnni'l s|»irit ut >av:ijii in^ii [•••ii.l«-nti'.
tliov n'fiiM'il to iK-IiviT tlicir swonis ; anil a.*^ anii>ii:j M«'liamiii>'l:iii>.
a cnviilirr nlway.s ninks :ls a ^'futifman, \vhii-«; li>>n<>r i^ i.iitr.i;^'! .|
liy lU-'iiNiilin^ him ••fhi'^ anns. Ilyilrr in •li-fi-ii n«-i' t<i this fi i lin.'.
Ami in i'X|M'rt'itiiin that thu ^auw iiiti'ii'rN-.i.in aii<l |i|i<l^'i- wliirh
luil n'h'OAtNl their aviiH-iatrn wmilil K' fiuntl {'•*i tlii-m al^<>, :iitli<iiii:!i
on the first rhimniir an^l n-rii^il U-in;^ rt'|">rti''l. In- i'lily iiii<! mil.
'* tAk«* n Htirk to thrm." .snliM-ijurntly i* l.i\i<i :in<l ili'l iiit • i.t>i-i •■
tli<: Mirn'MfltT uf thtir s\v«ir>U. Su«-h i^ tin* • NpLiiatpin nt' th>
Hinpiiar fart, tliat cii^hty ul' tin* ni>»st |»-i\vii tiil. s.in;^'iiiii:iiy, ti* i«'i'
Aii<i trusirhtTitiis mt-n itn t-aitli. miI" |i1.u-i I with su..|.l , in ||,, n
luin<l>4, nn<h;r the unlinarv _nt<ii''l •><* hi a'l-iiiiait* i^ • \ai-t!\ iiii'i'iif
fif livih'i'H tvlits , whirii hk«- th<i^i> «.f all rlin t'< •<! imk. umi iii
rIfiM.'«l within a iar^'i* ^luaii- ••! I<iit-w:tl1 al-tut ii^ht t'< < t lii 'li
t^i Veil tlii'in fmni MiL'ai nh-i i vat:*:! < >iii id, i .ni | inrlani' 1. hv
th<* att4-in|»t to ilisjirni tin m. tlii* }m "iti i * li.k<l niaikt <1 iImi inj tin ii
inan'h fnim |)«**Hi, tin anaiiLi nn nt • • t' tin- t< nt * withiii t!.* 'I't-ii-
au'l M'iTi-tly I'Mni'i 1 t4-<l tii« ii [<!.:!i "IiiAih^i In (If- <li a*! ••! ni^lit
tht'V '<ti<i<li*nlv :ii<>H'. ••%! ii-»\vi n I .iii>l s].\s (Inn :^!iap|* .ihl
H-il t<*wa|iU tin- I<|iii.' li lit il\<l<l It-aiMU th" .iliiin
|H-nt-trit« 1 at unii- tin* natmi* "t ll.*- r. .mnniti'it .in*! uilh a'iiiui ,I>I.'
|»n"w-ni*i- «it' ninni. I' i\< ii ! w iiii h: . ijiitit tin I iti^ piljuu «•(}<: I- -I
MO :ls to ii •M'iiihj'- a I" I s..;i :i .]. .p . iti* '.»:(lilii- w>>i}. aiii . i -• t •!
hinis«*ir thr>iM;^'li lii« **\\m t- nr w.ill. .ml th.kf •( tin-i:.*!' ii> .'U'\
r!HiM|H->l t'l th<> proti rtloll "t tin Ik' .1! f « Iji- I'ui ••^l*. .f (},.
Atr^iian* «-ntt-r*-<l tin .s|>t):ii/ tt nt ().• i- ni.ii!i<i< ! I*<.a. >ii*j->..|
Ai't'vinlin;^' to tin* pri -i-iiKi'it* 1 pi.in. t'l • >\ii tin ii •:.ti|ii: • m.l
rvtn'At Tin' foii nni*t inl'iiJi^' (!.- ti nt. mm-I. .• ■l-ii i\. • mT a\
ihi* til|i|** ••««'« I llyili-I . ami <Ti f::;iiii ' lli.it Ii- I. i- 1 •■ ■• i: •• 1 u i. i
stU|»lti«*ii at thi- •lisa[i;> •:!i(lin nl a ( • !• L.aili ui :!■ !i( !i> .;t.iti <h
Oil*' of llv'h'is att*n'li!it- .1 < W.I • I. t -.i!.i iiji.i'ii ** i. il l.wii i wn
t^> sli-t|i, in a riii i.t I I t t lii- t« lit u -.t ii i.i I I't • >(>(..!• ) \ i.: . nif ,
h«? W.1H r-Mis. -1 )iy i!ii- ^I-.v\ i» !ii ' :i. I'l* r ■ I ■ i .«ri I .» .Im- . . . Ii.l.f
• .•^vii-'!»y:ij v:* w it ii /''•.•■■ ■ 1 :. ■ :. j . ,. .. . : :■ . ■. ?:..-■. , i . , .
rririMkV'i*- . tJn- \%). 1. : . . !. . ■ :.;.• ., , •.. .- .. . . ,., . •;.. , : :tj.
rrii nai'-ii« i« il:!fi:-t .1 ....; \,..-..'k .:. 1 : :.. .'1: '. : :..
f».4*.i*i ♦ •■( N. i I .1. ir. 1 t^' .; '• :• ■...•• • 1 ... i t ■ ?..;.*. tl. .!
t)iM i*-«iih ir ••■•i.ii !• \.- :. . r ■..:••■;■. • ■ v ;^ -.■..■ .!.•■•. i
all HI ..f lln I'kr ■; .-.u ■• lli.: K :!....« ... I:, tii-.-^,;
rw.^r •■! hillv . -..Vi : N. ; I .. !.. ..«.-. I. I :. ,'. .!• fi'!,i 4|
{•ruAi It tli>*i I'f ;!.• ( • ;:.. •
♦ TI.a! ii:.i '. ■ :'.. :• ;. .
410 SURRENDER OF THE KURPA CHIEF. [CIIAP. X3C.
discovered to him a stmnger and a dra^v^l sword ; without Iicsita*
lion lie seized his lance, tmnsfixed the Aftghan, and succefisiveljr
his associate, who advanced to his aid. The alarm was by this time
given ; and in a few minutes the remainder were either slain, or
disanned. On the morning, after his escape from this most serious
danger, Hyder ordered some of the surviving assa^ins to have l)otb
their hands and feet chopped off* and in that shocking state, to l»e
thrown into the highway, at considemble intervals from each other,
to announce to his new subjects, and to passing travellers the
terror of his name. The remainder were destined to a death if
possible more homble, by being dmgged round the camp, tied
by a short, loose cord to the feet of elephants.*
This, among other incidents, contributed to shorten the defence
of Sidhout ; many attempts to compromise were disdainfully re-
jected, and Abdul Helleem Khan surrendered on the 27th of May,
on the simple assurance of i)ersonal security, and was sent as n
prisoner, with his family and connections, to Seringapatam. The
characteristic improvidence of the Mussulman is peculiarly observable
in the Patau ; and the rifling of the whole family, in all its branches,
furnished no more than one lac of Rupees. The compact with the
chief was literally observed ; but Hyder having, on his return to the
capital, discovered a new plot of assassination among the relations,
caused all the male adults of the family to be secretly despatched.
No prominent occasion has hitherto occurred for presenting to
the reader s notice the private consequences of a passion, not clashing
Avith ambition, but exercising a joint and equal dominion over the
mind of this extmortlinary man. The polygamy and unlimited
intercourse, supposed to be authorised by the Mohammedan religion,
is restricted, by the positive law of the Koran, to four women at the
most, including wives and concubines. A separate revelation extend-
ed this indulgence for the use of the apostle himself, and his
eventual successors were already provided with about double the
prescribed number. Mohammedans of rank accordingly refer to
cxami)le rather than to precept, and revert to the kings and apostles,
(as they hold them) of Jewish history, to justify an unbounded'!* in-
dulgence. Hyder observed neither limit in the extent, nor principle
in the means of gratification ; and on the capture of a place, a depart-
ment charged with the scrutiny of female beauty, discharged their
functions with as much vigilance as that which searched for treasurer
In the capital and the i)rovinces, branches of the same police con-
* One of these men, left as dead, unexpectedly recovered ; the circum-
stance was some time afterwards reported to Hyder, who observed, that such
was the man's fate ; and ordered liim to be immediately received into hia
service. General Close saw this person twenty years afterwards, a powerful,
hcalthv-looking horseman.
t There is, however, always a distinction between the lawful wives and
those of the imperfect contract ; hut none in tlie offspring, who have all an
c«iual rij^ht to the inheritance, whether l)orn of Icf^itimate (or primary) wives,
or concubines, with no le^jal difference Itetwccn them, but that of the males
being douhic the ii(»rtion of the ftiualc.-!.
f-ilAP. .\X.|
IIVhKUs NI< KA M w:i:iAi.r.
ill
Vi:V«:il n(vumt4* iiiri>riii:itliiii ••!' i'V«'i ytliiiiL' iliiin'-ii u<ii(liv <•!' tlic
Niivcrt'i;{ii\ a|)|ii'>i)i.ilinii. Ti M"]jatiiiii<-'i.iii taiuili'-* "\' i.iiik tiif
tvlrliK'liV I't till- /f.i/'.'f. rii«t<>Iii:ti\ aii<l Uiiiawl'-.tl :is tlnv .ill kii«<\v il
ti» Im>, riiVi'ifil uitli a lliiii \« il (In- }ir<»-titiUi <ii «>t' tlM-ir •l.iii.lii>i ,
aii<l if)>taiiii*<i a f>ii-< <I itii>l ^xi i^w t'lil i'"ii--iit. Aiit*>ii^ ^ill ()i< il.i«-< ,
liiil M>iiiaiiii]i**<laii tl)< !•' \v:is II • i'< !• liioiii.tl l-iil t'lt*'" . ii 'tliiit^' i ••- iji-
C'l lii** iL-vanli, an-1 lli*- |»'i\vti I'li.i tij ■ \\'\'.l v.r- *•- iiJiip I in iL-j
iii'isl i-xtraiii'iliiiarv il'-.:r'''. t> i'!i«I»i liitu ili-- -.ii-i-t iii-i «•!' <\"iv
fiiiiiilv, r(*jii<ivr<] aUixi'ilti' |..\\.-.i \ul^ 1 ij' tli« ti» -I liU'-. It
Wfir uiirf.'isuh.ilili- I'l r\|"it iMil* r ^'i«-!i iii i;tiTi lU ^ ;iijv ti'i'li ••!'
tlial f.iiry i".*^'"'* "t* mill I. ^\!*i'Ii i- tMj...r.I.- ifi!..:. :"ii..i:.,' ;ujiii.;il
iii^tiiit-t iiit'i tl:«- iii> t t> i;<I I Mifl «!•!.> at -:? •- • f' iiuii. .u ii.i|.|ii
Ui,'H*« : tiiit II\ >I< r ^i'« lii^ t'i li:i\i- Imi !i uijiii'i\i- 1 1 \< ii ^\ l!.>- • t!t'i:!i.
|i!irti.tliti<--i. wlii'li a- .■■ii:i|' »!iy t!i" -i- .^-.-r j'u.'ut- 'lliti'- u.i^i
niitiiiiii; of' iiiin.l in t!i.:t \\lii«'Ii ^f •!>• I t<> <••- :|.y '<•• luiii-li •f lii-^
|1iiiUl:1iU : aii'l ii*'itli< i tli.it. h •!' an*, itii' i n^i* . t. \^ .i-^ • \* i Kii<i\\ n to
(iiri'Mi'li i»ii a iiii^!«- iii>jiiitiit . \\l.i<!i r <'i! 1 )••* {•!• lit.il !y • iii|'!- •% i 1 in
till' I'.'tirt'r iiratii}i;(i -ii
'J'lii- lijiil "t* •■ 'h|M' t _:i\- Mm ;i •■! '.irii t '.illll. )• iiit\ .•I'tiji'.
niii-i'-nt lit.u-.- . an 1 .•. -i {• i • I' A' isl ll< .!• ■ i i l\l. 'i. ■ .).»• - n l*it
uiini.iiTi<-<l. v^a ii ;■ ii- i t • ■ \- • I ara :! r.i : ti. ■' !... 1 \' r • 'i! i- I
tin- •»• r.iL^li'i, lUi'ii 1. !•!• 1 I li-i 1 M. ■.'■, r. ».. !...■• - ii\ .i:-. I
lii»ii-l\ «'l«li I- Ml' I t- '■ ■.! ■: n. 1 • !' t!. I I. : t • \'. ! :■ is • :.■• \\ .i^
•IfHlihi .1 'II.. l...|\ I I... ! - .i,;l '. 1.: . • : . • . !" li . ;■ ; ■ I
<li^lini'ti*>n . if I "\^ n I. :.■ • ..:.ir!i..» ..!"1.m 1. i ■ u.? i!.- ; n.i -
lii'i'Mit •-'•n'^i'it :..t:- '. • -.. .^'- \. !«:• !< !.- i ti.ii. i 1. ■•! I ■ • n ::..' -•• -i . t;i
Ufi'pt :n« tin- jj 'i' .,!•■.-:» ■■!•;'. ■ '.i -. : : i _ ■ .i I.- • .1 I •?!■;.
h|ii- .|. . iii.-i I l.a* ;.■ V. ■ i! i ' ■■ I ■■:" ! 1 .». !. ! 1. ■ ■ .-. 'i ,■ ■;. ",.:.-'•. :. .
nii'l -^li" ii:\ •: ill' I t i • ; .-
aii'l int'..:i.i>!- -f- .ii< i:. < i
fv \ • i> 1 m i. . • i!ir< *ii .
J ■ :
■: In ■ :
! . ! : : . I ! i -. [ 1 1 \ ! ' I • {
I I "
f
"I ■ i ■ 1
• Ai.. ::.\r>
ctnii: •■ I'l ;!.■■• - T:i i' .t . • I'
k* I • ■
■ • t>l ■ 1 ■ .
♦ /.:../ ' :
!»i. - i''i •■! I: \. ■.. ! i ■' . •
liif. I. .'■:.• ..■ !! • I : ■
t(p T . r. !l.i r. . I. : r. .
itf ii .':. : i ' : '•* i ' ^ ■
I. • I . ....
Il • . i i . - • . ■■
I , > •
w
f»i I* ■ .' .
• •lil\ :.■:.:.:•
iln'. • ' I
(1.
a. »• ■■■ '
?>■ ■■? t
I r I- I '
,1 . J . •
. 1 ■■.
• I
/;
^I
I •
■ • • I . •
•
I
I ■ :
: f
1 .
412 KF.VISION OF CIVIL ADMINISTRATION. [CHAP. XX.
A iio^c^tiation ensued — the ceremony of the nicka was performed,
and Uus lady, under the title of Buckaltee Beffum, was soon after-
wards placed at the head of the seraglio.*
Hyder s increased confidence in the fixed fidelity of Iiis brother-
in-law Meer Saheb, was evinced by his adding the territory acquired
by the fall of Sidhout to the seat of his fathers at Qoorumconda, and
conferring the whole, as a militaiy dependency, on the condition of
maintaining for his service, together with the requisite garrisons,
three thousand horse of the first order of efliciency ; and tiiese
anangements being completed, he returned to his capital in the
month of June, to enjoy a year of triumph and of dreadful pre-
paration.
The civil affairs of his government demanded, in his judgment,
a deliberate revision, and the description of these arrangements, shall
be compressed into as moderate a compass as is consistent with
rendering them intelligible. Among the preparatory measures were
the appointment of new ministers of finance, and of police, the former
named ^lohanmied Sadik, and the later Shamia: the duties of the
former office are sufficiently indic^ited by the name, and the mode of
administration may 1x^ illustrated by a retrosi>ective abstract.
Hyder's first dewan or minister of finance, after the defection
t)f Kv.nde Rmv, wtis one of the same school, named Vencatap(^tL
brairiin, who died in his service in 1765. A few davs before his
death, he addressed a letter to Hyder, stating, that he found his
dissolution approaching, that idle conjectures would be formed with
rogavd to the amount of the wealth ho had accumulated in his
Korvice, and that he therefore determined, for the reposo of his
(ronscieiice, and the security of his family, to make this dying
declaration. The fortune honorably made in his service was 50,0(K)
Pagodiw or 18,750^. which he invited Hyder to receive into the
treasury on his death, and to leave his family in peace. According
to English notions, every spark of humanity and honor must bo
extinct in the breast of a prince, who should desi)oil tlie family of a
f:uthful servant, of a sum which the deceased might well be sup-
iM)sed Uj have fairlv acquired. Hyder, on the contrary, conceived
it an act of exemplary benevolence to accept the amount, without
putting the family to the torture. Vencatapa was succeeded by
another bramin named Chinneia, who was toii^ured, plundered, aid
dismissed in 17G8. His successor, Assud Ali Khan, a Nevayet^ was
the first Mussulman whom Hyder had ever employed in a civil
oflice of trust and importance ; he died in 1772, under the tortures
which were inflicted, to extort money wliich he did not possess ;
or the error, in both countries, mn^ have a common sourcei which it
would be at leant an object of curioHity to iiivc8ti;rate.
*" From the period that TipiK>o was allowed an establishment of his owd,
his niothrr, Stjf*luii*r lUffinHy was placed at tlie head of it ; and was snccced-
rcHn tl I u charge of Ilydcr'.s liy ilA//i;i»r liiywn^ formerly a dancing girl, or
ratlii'i an ch^Vi'. of that frail .si.iteih<»(»d. Holocted by Hyder at a very early
.ik'r ; 'U-diniii'j hi-alth had iiuw reiidi-rui \v:x iuc^iiable of so active a charge.
CHAP. XX ] c nuKi. FXA(TioNs. 4i;«
ami w.iM rori^i>ifrr<l an n1»lr aii«l an lionoraMr ninn. Tlicsf f-x.-iniplfs
woru a]»]Mirrntl)' ralriilati'il to pntiiiH'e (»ni* of two (■••iis«i|iii<Tii-f'<. ;
eitlirr that no |H'i-son slioul«l Ik.* f(»un<l to uiiiliTtakr tlir mlin-. or
that the ari*(T|>tor shoulil phimhT witlioiit limit. Ni'ithi-r of thi-so
nMistNinL'nrcH onsui'il in thr ni'Xt siinvKsttr. Stlltifuflrt Kfmn. ath'tlti-r
Nrvavft. wn.s a man nf th«- puri'st inti'irritv, hut nf taii-nts n.it
alt'i'^rtlirr (ijual to the ^itllati•»n in which lit* wa.s |i|ai'ii| Thi-M*
iva-siins fur his removal wiTr <»iN*nIv assi«'n«.ii hv ]lv«h'r; hut
nunsurint; tin* prinriplrs (»f othrrs hy his own. In* wa.s ni>t sutisfifil
with thr hom-st ili'i'lanitioii (»f tin* minist«*r. tinit lu- |MiSM->siMi Io.Inmi
Rtl|K.*fM, l,i*»0/. iho fxart sum with wliirh In* rnlt-n-l lly«liT's
M*rvic«*. lie was im|»risiin«Ml, hut I think nut tortun-il. anil on his
iluath-lMnl, aUiut tivi; months aftiTwanN. niaiir tin* >:\\\w ilt-cKi.
ration; that i-xaet sum was fnuiiil in his Iioum*. aii'l llv«{ir ^ ••./(' ;/
witlii»nt tin* snialli**it <*rini)iunetion. Tin? jhtviu nitw i-hnHfH to ^ui«-
ci'tNl hini wiLs M**r Sittfik. who \\\U*A the s^ime otli« n tli<' ra|itun*
cifS'rin 1511^1 tarn in 17!*!*: he wan taken tn>m tin- ^^ituatiMn iit't-am]>
(\itwal. an otiire eiim|Hiiin«li"l of the funitions uf el«-ik .^f tip-
market. |Hi|iei' ma.ristniti*, anil |»revt'>t maitial.
We have fiirnn'rly* hail « a-^inn to uli'^rrve. that fhi- •i'|>:Mt-
ini'til of jMiIiee ha>l at an enrl\ |<«riiMl iM-t-n anni-\i<i (•■ tl.it ot'tin*
|M>it*otliei' : llyi|«T li-i'l. at liif!'' 1- lit intir\aN ei.rii i-i«-i| .uii i!iij.ii.\ -
t««l the iletaiU of thi% iitli'-e. an<l with thi' aiiii>riii'- in w miM^^ r
NA«i>/ii«r. a hntniin |M.^Nf^^iii/ ;i|] tie- e...i| a<*uti-ip ss i.t.-.^^-nv lir
^ivini* etlieiiiiey ti his plans, au'i unl'i tt«r- •! hy aii\ ^♦■nij-l««. nr
riini|iMnetiiiiis tli:it mi_rlit i-l>sti-iiet tin ir ••|Hrati>>n, ii<>t «>iiiy |H-ifi«-t.
€nI th»"^e arrani^iiiHiits |'..r tli«- |ir»v« nti'iii «'rerimi-^. \« }ii< h imii-r
nil L^'iVi-rnnii lit -. ap- iii'ii^|<*Ti-*il<Ii' t'l a tirin a^lmiiii^tiitifn : h'lt
Mil|N-niiIi|i-<l a sy^ti ni "f ♦•\t<ri»;il an<l 'i-'Mnstio iiil'-Uij' im ••. wLi-li
|N*rvn«hii all fin i_rri •'••mto. aiil |Miiiirati'l into tie* ifiiii<>^t r> i*> • «
c»f every privat*' il\^i llin_r in hi" **\\\\ •I'-iniiii'-n-. Kiom tic nni-.n
Iff thfsi' tw<» <li-|i^irtmi-nt^. t.f liii.-itin* anl |.ihei- h<- i-<«ni|->-> I a
ii|ie«*ial e. immiN^i'*!! t''>r tie- in\< ti Mti'>ii it' • nil- /./!• ui* nt * whiih
wmj^ n>it itnlv Hi|i-i-i N-*fii| III tli<- i|t(«<-fi<>n ••? .ft'Ml ti.iM-i- ^ it in
I'^t^ihli'^liinL' afipapiit I'l-ot "t ni:tl\* P-:it i>it-> uh:>li ni \ • r •\: !• I
Whi II a I 111 I -lie «'t!i«« r ••!* tn: t w .»^ •!• \i\* i« I "X- i t-- t!..- -i. | irtii.- f.t
oft'irlnri' .i li iie h •■!' th i' "t' p .li'-« tin* i< .>•!• i h.» « , !• ' .i* \ i t
iiifi-rri-'i. thai tlii-* W.I • ll' ••»' Iwit'i-Mi --m- pi« \ i -m . |. i m t' i t'..
ile^iirnati-Mi o! ■'/■<.'.• '.»''', ^ /, ..,♦ i... »*?■<■/ iln i-ii le. « i il.- •! i\ I il
Muh'^titlltt •{ lint I t" /•"?'» • '-'f /''«* . ''. "/•.*-•'» ..•..'■. i:n. -I ■
<|iieni*f I if thf KK • II un!< I t 'I j-i i« t .1 • • I n: ikui ; ■■ <t i lit*. • *•»
Atutt liii*nt. -ii}>:"i t< 1 l\ t:t]l: .^ \i''i !.•!- iLn i .il -:ii : r -T
wit Je-^»« ^ in M .i:t II. J. :iii I i xi;:'* .! in. .i l.i! n- • .i. iin- » l •.■ .?;• ••■;
liAt«- \iitini •■l" til- im u i... il t!i- , ■ t. -i. it- 1 • fi i • • .' . i*
rXtPH-t Slj.iin: I • x- • i.- ■! .l! i.»^ pi i i i.i . \' i v • t, h ■ !
lh« •« le■In^■i• •! ;ti' • !■;- l"! • Lit- Mi. Ti! ■ w • ». k. I t \ !■ ', ■ I
Un l«i \»:u Ml p':l !:- -Ijii '■'? u I.. {■ t i • \ u • ■• «. •■! tl.. n 1 ' »::■ "I
• \ : 1 I .■. i • .'
414 APAJKE RAM. [CHAP. XX.
truth and accuracy ; and liLs new and horrible contrivances of tor-
ture spread a terror, wliich sometimes rendered their application
unnecessary. That neither talents nor services, however eminent,
shielded their possessor fi'om the reach of this frightful inqubition,
may be inferred from tlie single example of Apajee Bam, who
actually did not possess half the sum demanded of him, and borrow-
ed the remainder from his friends. He had executed all his trusts
with the most scrupulous fidelity ; he had rendered to Hyder an
account of all the presents which he received in his missions, and
had genemlly been allowed to retain them. Hitherto he had
trusted to the force of probity alone ; but on this occasion, he
declared to a confidential friend,* that he found it to be not only au
unprofitable, but an impracticable vii*tue ; and should henceforth
avail himself without limit, of the license to plunder, which the
conduct of his master had now proclaimed. Military men alone
escaped. Hyder's arrangements rendered it difficult for them to be
rich ; the habits of the profession are seldom those of accumulation ;
and the extension of such a system to them, would moreover have
been unsafe. The superior scale of civil allowances was a topic of
ordinary animadversion among them ; and it may even be appre-
hended, that the officers in Hyder's army did not view with the
generous indignation, which such scenes arc calculated to excite,
this mode of refunduig emoluments, of which they were jealous,
A military officer, a native of Constantinople, and a commandant of
infantry, was indeed one of the most noted instruments of the
department of torture; and the public notoriety of the number of
persons who died under his hands, could not restrain the puns and
mongrel jests of the day. This person had been named Roanxee
from his country, and from his buffoonery Zerreef, a title which, on
this occasion, was change<l by common consent to Jioomee Zerree, or
Roomee the money-jindcr. On these transactions one of my manu-
scripts has an observation which I shall copy verbatim : — ** Those
who had executed their respective trusts with moderation, and were
really unable to pay the sum demanded, died under the torture :
and those only escaped with life, who had enriched themselveii
by exaction, and were compelled to disgorge." Some of the
unfortunate i>ersons of the first description saved their lives hv
1)revailing on soucars (bankers) to become their securitica. AU
Julian Governments are aware of the large profits made by these
iKinkoi-s, in consequence of their connection with the adniinistn^
tion of the revenue : but a i>olicy obvious to the darkest igno-
nxnvi^ had hitherto preserved to them the privilege of security in
the nii<lst of exaction. The judgment of Hyder, true to his
inti;rests on most occasions, seems never to have been effectually
oliscured by any ))a8si(m but avarice : he deteimined for the first time
to levy a heavy contribution on the linkers ; and thus gave a de-
structive blow to all future confidence ; to the sources of comrocrt-ial
'J'lic late miuidtcr roomca, who related it to the author.
« ll.lt* x\ I
r..MltA.s^\ Ii) hi I. II I
M.-i
c*iit**r|iriM* : aiiil t<i th«* iiir:iii» <>t' availin.; Iiiiiiii'lf i>ii any futun*
ll|Miii t4> Ih- «'\:ii't4->l tVi»Iii till* li:iiiki-r.^. a Kalaiii*** rciii:iiiii'i). i\»i tie*
|in'>»*iil un|aii|. of iwriity In--* ••!* Pa'^tnlas. 7-<>.<MK»/. ; aii-l tin* r.iii
s«-i|iii-iii*i* nt' tlii^i .stujii'l Iiiit rtlrrtual liaiiixliiiH'iit <irra]»ltal t'rMin lij-i
<|iiiiiiiiiiiiis. \\\i.i i\ in I ill tlir \v<-Il-kiiii\vii t':i<*t. tli.it all tif ^m)
ijih-iit t««rnip*>. iiitlirtr-l l»y liihi^-l!', aii-i l»y lii*i >invi*^*-ir, 1'ailr.i to
l'iali/4' tlii^ lialaiii-r.
A Hpli u<li>l I'lnlia'H^y wan in tliis \r:tr ili-<«|iat«'lii-il t«t l>fllii. l*>>r
111*' ]iur|M*Ni' nf iiKtaiiiirr^ r<i|- llyili-r. tli** iin)K*i-iaI ;;raiit> liftln*
Hiukulap*' nt'tln- I Uii I 'ariiatii-*^.* in itpltr tlial an i-\f*Ti"r 'liu'iiitv
wliii'li still 4'tiniiiiaMiltii ><tnii' ii"«|Mi-t. ini'jht ai'i'i>iii]»:Miy the }Mi-s«-^<«i,iii
of an authority, wliirli hi* lia*! n-iw an i-arly |»r'»sjiift nl* f«inl''iin_' "ii
INilitii-al I'l'iiHiili iMtiiins IlhI in*iii<'<''l .MMTi<^iMiii l*itlv x** jiavi*
tlif N.Tviri* i.f iV-Kilul .luMuT 1"i tli.it •"!' Nj/ani . Mi. ■*"'! !»•• ^va*i n-iw
faitlit*!' <li-|Mi%fl I'l l»-;j\f InitK I"!" tin- "-iTVM'i' nf" H\«!»T. Hr li:i>l
K'rn •li't.i«'lii*l tiiuai'iU KnrihMij :iii'i t><'>K tliat ••{■{■••itiinitx kT i->iin-
iiil: •imt. with a t'-»ii"i- of loo |jn"|..-.ui int'.iiitn. ."►o KiM«*|M:iri
rji\ali-v. l.oon .N;i(ivi- inf.tMr\ . a!i«l iwm lT'Oi-. a)«iM! i-hi linli ..I'tli.*
ffiuniU-r wiiii-li in- }i.(<l ^ti|*M).it' -1 t> 1 linj in •* 'n-' •}m* !•• f uii:<}i
Hyilt-r P'-in 1 tin* -^tiitMi-tt' «1 |i.iy .ilili- i«fli'-"r • ••nilii.iniiMu'.
'I'Iji' Kii'iit lini:in ritli. !■ Miii\viM*<l liiiii-if' ■•» u.i»» tli^ip|>>itit' <l
l»y his tp"»|i^ . Iii-* |'i»'|i«'^al . if '-•■I \ i> .■ Ii.mI ini liwii >i
Kuri»|i* iin inlMiitry - - - 'lOO
Nati\f •Istl.i .... :»IHH»
Kiii<«|H-.in r.ix.iliy - - liou
<inn^ - I fr
iin*l. :l^ til"' •'•mm. ml. ml ••!' !• Ii n f-.i!-.- Iii-* monthly |i.iy \*.i-; fi\« I
nl .'i.lMMI Ut|j.i-f.. Wljt !i til'- f.l-? Ml- Illii^ I'.iV Wa-. 1— Mt'l 111- Ii.'-iv-
|n| lI.IHMI Kii|M I-. li'- 'I'lniri 1- -1 ;iri :i<iiii' :i •-, :iiil lalkiil. aH'i|j.i-t'i
iwli-l ' IJ'- •j'li- f -:ii'l ll\!':. • .nt'i I-- -/i.irifti] j". •!• •jiftinj si
niu<-li \"ii l».i\'" n-* liiinl!- i x-'m- t!{>ii! iMxh . .iii<l I l..i\«- --xi-i |Mi.|
yiiti Ml |>i'*{> -I t:<tM l"\--m n i!.,-- i .. 1 i • ii- f j\\*' .mi ■■!!ii-« i '.••«»«»
Kii|" •■-a ni<<n(Ii f-i tij- '- n*-. • i' I,; ■ ^mjl-- n- -■.
A ni-«i«- • 'liX'-ii!' lit ■ ■ • - . ?i n..i\ i.'.t"«'ur t" •! rxj'l limi:.' tli it
iiiitiit-r :n li\ 1* i < ii i xi l.:i>> •_- '.'iT.ni'iit w.^- tif- i^ -u* •■!
iHiiit.iiv |':i\ |i.''i!ttf I \\ .'•.\ •. •! i.-r tIi. .i»-fr.i«-? ii wi.**«!i
st-it*-!ii» I:! -■? ni--nt ''.!\ i-t\ .i:. i ii- :: ■ :ii liiii.ir** ;i--*fi-t.iii.»ri tli']'.i\
■ I • ■ • t
itA«lt*. UM-i •-.till •! .1 ,''*'" .t I ■ IM «1 ■ - W I I W ill- }i in •> I !\ -■./TUli'-- .1
wrilt* n --tati 111- III ■•!' .uiv k:Ti! Ii. H:!ii-.i •■.ili.ii! !" i ili.- j.-n
|M»^«* »if It, liiim* I'M- I'llMI"*" I.J-! - .il»i t- ■»! .\ .il . .i?r- luj'T - !•• !• . Ti-:m'
tilt* ^iLir \* .11 wuli ilif ! in .1 111- Mi.' liji- 'iiiltiiM-i- I • n.j .iiri-«'-l.
at til** |»ri'{*« 1 inl'ix^tl-* i'\ .in ::iS :• .il.i! v "'■ ul.i'-i. !• i:!-* • ili^-
mli'Ii'lar 'Mji-- a!- n.i!ii*i" !•.. .■■:i-I-i .•;! I !. : .in .ii!.i\ . ! ■? \\.**
• \ . • \ , :• .*. L Ii '.•;•:/* I' 1
• IIli'!u'«iV» i\ "t T! I »■•! /i : ■■!■ -'.I i!:i ■ •! • :• .: « !m • rt ^•'.! ir f i ■•* :rj
tirrv II. ..-lit! T: ■ ■ ■ ■ ' • :•••::.;. . 1 * • i-. » i i'. ■ -I r : . ■ . • .1 ■
Ut-li
41G SYSTEM OF MILITARY PAYMENTS. [CHAP. XX.
leap year contains a thirteenth or su])emumcrary month, which hu
no ])ay annexed to it, and by the soldiers is nicknamed the atone
month, stones, as they observe, being the only food provided for
them. Hyder made it a merit to abolish the i)eriodical discontents
of tlie 8t(yiie month, but substituted an arrangement no less benefioAl
to the treasuiy ; instead of one monthly puttee he issued to the
infantry two half-putteea in each month of account The great con-
venionce of this arrangement to the improvident soldiers, reconciled
them to the artificial postponements, for which, festivalsj Mohamme-
dan or Hindoo furnished such numerous apologies. A postponement
of one or two days in each half month, was scarcely noticed— double
that number at the end of a month would have been a more promi-
nent source- of inconvenience and discontent. But in process of time
the periodical return of the Iwlf-jyidtee crept on from sixteen, its
original number, sometimes to twenty days ; thus reducing the year
of account to nine or ten months. The troops were habituated,
from the first, to some irregularity in the period, and there was no
calculation of arrears ; it was a fixed rule, that whenever kjovJUm^
or half-puttee, was issued, it was a payment in full of au past
demands.
To the Silledar cavalry, or men mounted on horses, which were
their own property, a whole puttee was issued once in tliirty-fivey
and afterwards in forty, or even forty-five days, under this aingnUr
arrangement, that they received Rupees of account, calculated at
two-thirds of the actual value. These puttees were (sdled bees ro&e,
or puttees of twenty days ; namely, two- thirds of such a month as
ought to have been reckoned and paid for, the remaining third was
an arrear to be settled at the end of the year, or sometunes of two
years ; and the mode of paying these arrears was always in turbanda^
silks, chintzes, or articles obtained in plunder, perhaps by the very
men to whom they were returned, and estimated to the troops ii
about double their actual value. These troons were allowed to
retain half the plunder they brought in, and the knowledge that thev
themselves were to be again plundered in tins form, was their justi-
fication for defrauding the Government to the utmost extent in their
power. During Hyder's government this was difficult, under Tijh
poo exactly the reverse.
To the stable horsemen, as those wei*e designated who were
mounted on horses the property of the State, the Rupee of account
was not issued, and there were no arrears : the payments were
regulated on the same principle as those of the infantry, except thsi
they received their puttee at the same periods aa the oUledar hona
During Tippoo's government, up to the termination of tlie ISngliA
war in 1792, the troops of every description received at the rate
of nine, and sometimes ten p^Uteea in tlie year ; after that period,
tlie number was sometimes as low as seven.
Hyder in this year opened a negotiation with Abdul Heckeem
Khan, the Nabob of Savanore, which tciminated in a double marri-
CHAP. XX.] EMBASSY FROM POONA. 417
age ; the eldest son of that Nabob to Hyder's daughter ;♦
and his second son, Kereem Saheb, to the daughter of Abd-
ul Heckeem. The half of Savanore, which the Mahrattas had
left in his possession, had after the conquest been restored by
Hyder, on the annual tribute of four lacs of Rupees : the remaining
half was, on this occasion restored to the Nabob, and the tribute
reduced one-half, on the condition of maintaining for Hyder's
service, two thousand select Patau horse, to be commanded by two
of the Nabob's sons. Of the three Patau Nabobs, who had made so
great a figure in the transactions of the south, the troops, and the
resources of two were now transferred to Hyder ; and the third of
Kumool"f" continued to be a doubtful dependent on Nizam AIL
On the occasion of this double allianct, Abdul Heckeem and
his whole family visited Seringapatam ; Hyder went out to meet
th^m, with the greatest demonstrations of respect ; and the marriages
were solemnized, with a degree of splendour and magnificence, far
surpassing all former example. Persons from all parts of the country
assembled to witness the festivity. The whole capital was a con-
tinued scene of exterior joy and revelry ; but the operations of police
were not intermitted ; and the ffroans from the dungeons were not
permitted to disturb these unhaUowed rejoicinga
From the period of the infraction by the English of the treaty
of 1769, by repeatedly declining to afford the stipulated succour,
Hyder had anxiously wished for a suitable opportunity to retaliate
the wrong. But at this time, so far from having meditated the
invasion of the succeeding year, his preparations were exclusively
directed to resist the formidable invasion, which the ministerial fac-
tion of Poona Mahrattas, after the conventional surrender of an
English army at Worgaum, and the capture of their opponent
Ragoba, had not only meditated, but openly announced to the
English, with whom they considered their differences to be adjusted.
We shall presently have occasion to revert to those transactions, and
in the meanwhile, it will be sufficient to state, that the escape of
Ragoba on the 12th of June, from Choice MaJieswer, on the river
Nerbudda, where he had been confined by Madajee Sindia, and his
reception by General Qoddard at Surat, suddenly induced the
ministerial party at Poona to propose an union with Hyder, instead
of prosecuting military operations against him, as they had pre-
viously determined.
It was in the midst of the marriage festivities, that an envoy,
named Goneish Row arrived, to offer to Hyder the congratulations
of the infant Seioai Madoo Row^ (the posthumous, or reputed son
of Narain RoWy whom the ministerial party had installed as Peshwa),
on these auspicious events. The letter of congratulation concluded,
with referring to the verbal communications of the envoy, for the
* The most notorious scold in the south of India.
t At one time this unfortunate chief found it necessary to pay tribute to
three powers ; the Mahrattas— Nizam Ali— and Mysoor.
aa
41 S NEC.OTIATIOK. [CHAP. XX.
sentiments of the court, on matters of political importance ; and a
brief abstract of tlic discussions which ensued, may afford some light
to guide us through the maze, both of past and subsequent events.
The envoy represented that the English, again espousing the
cause of tlie murderer Ragoba, now a second time a fugitive, had
made war on the Peshwa ; that Hyder equally with the Mabrattas,
had cause to complain of that nation, for a violation of their
engagements ; tliat Nizam Ali was equally well-disposed to the
common cause; and that the period had arrived, when it was
incumbent on the niler of Mysoor, to unite with the powers of
Deckan, in taking effectual retribution ; that it was necessary how-
ever as a preliminary measure, that the confederates should have
the most perfec^t understanding with each other ; that Hyder owed a
balance of twenty-five lacs, on account of the treaty of Trimbuc
Mama, besides an an*ear of eight years'* peshcush (tribute); that
he had levied large sums on the Poligars of Harponhully, and that
vicinity, who were properly the tributaries of Poena ; and lasUy,
that he had wrested from the Mahratta State, the whole of their
territory between the Toombuddra and Kistna ; and previously to
entering on the offensive league, which was the ultimate object ef the
mission, it was necessary that he should evacuate the countries he
had seized, and make an amicable composition of the pecuniary
claims.
On the part of Hyder, it was replied, in the first instance, that
the Poligai*s in fpicstion were the remilar dependants of Sera ; that
the grant of the countries between the rivers had been made to him
for a valuable consideration, by Rigob.% the heir, and actual head of
the Cfovernnient ; and that the account of the tribute had been
adjusted with the same person, and the balance acknowledges! to be
paid,"f- through the medium of Bajee Row Burwa, his accredited
envoy.
Goneish Row retorted, that Rigonaut Row was a murderer, and
an expelled usuri^r, who hjid fled to foreigners for refuge, and that
his concessions were notoriously of no validity.
To these allegjitions it was replied, that Hyder left it to the
contending particis, to decide which of them ought to bo considered
as ii{<firprrs ; and had no intention ti) dispute the rights which by
the actual pos.st'ssi(in of the Government, the ministerial party had
for tln^ present ju*i|uired ; or to acknowledge, or reject, the filiation
of tlir pn-sent l\:sh\ixi ; but that it was a foul calumny to brand
as a niunlenr, l^igoba, who had actually received a wound in the
dt^frni-.' of thu per-son with whose munler he was charged ; and tlimt
whihi the convocation of pi*egnant females, shut up in Poorunder
with the wid(»vv <»f Namin Row, had not yet detenuined whether
tlity should bo !)l)le to produce a male inmnt among them, it was
* Pt^hr^xh from Pes^h kn^^hathn^ (Pom.) to bring forward or present; the
Word tlins. ori:^iiiaIly si;;riificd an otfcriug, and in its subsequont luc, the
t He liad acludlly paid sixteen lacs.
CHAP. XX.] CONPEDERACY AGAINST THE ENGLISH. 4l!l
ahminl to question tho validity of tlio actn of the IIiicaI heir, iiiiil
actual poAHcmor of the iiower of the i^U\U\
Such were the lending fcuturvsnf adistMissinii. whifli ti-nniiiat^**!
in an agreement, tluit the grants of ItHgolm t<» llydtrr >houM U* nni
finned, with rcgani to the territory lietwivn the riwrs, all piL^t
demaivlM were dccrlaretl to Ik^ diM'harpNl ; i*luven huvs of itu|H-«*s wha
fixed an tlie annual |iaynu*nt t^i l>e hiMiceforth made hy HydiT for
the whole of hifl poHsesHiuiiH, (that for tho current yirar t4> U* |t;iid in
anlvanee), and on these conditioitn, Hyder enga;;od to put forth his
whole force, to comhinu with tho confeilerati's, for tlu* «*x pulsion 4»f
the Englirth nation from India. Nixam Ali inwuliii*; tht? nortlioni
circan; the Mahmttas of lierar, Malwa, and tla> more noi-tlu*ni
fmrts of UindooHtan. attacking the t<.*rrit4»rit*H of l{i*ni;al. and ISaliar ;
Ummio of Ptmna and the south operating on tlu* siilo of liondiay ;
while Hyder, acconi|Minied liy iSHH) rhosi'n Mahrattan. ratlnT an a
guani of ohwirvation. than an aid, hIiouM dinvt hin whole fon*u
towaitlH Mailrari. The detail of tlicsi> negotiations was ]Kljasti*il
at Scringa|iatam ; at their cx»nclu.<«ion, Ninir Mohammeil Khan and
Naimin Row, aci*omiNinifHl lioneir«h It4»w t«» Poona, as llie vakeels or
ambamadors of Hyaer, who (Nimmeni-«sl tht* mik^t :uiivf pniiarationH
for tlie aerioas [>erfonaance of his |iart of the cuniiKn-t.
CHAPTER XXI.
v>
Retronpect of Ilytler^t relatione with the Enfflish^ since 1769 — Disfp^aeefkl
intriguen of Mohammed A li in England — Direct negotiation with the ministrf —
who »eut out Sir John Lindsay as ambaModor — Unites in Mohamwud AI€m wigws
for the infraction of the treaty with Hyder — Error of the trea^ of 1769— «mp
jtracticallu discovered in 1770 — Discussions refraraing Tanjore — siege of thai
place in 1771 — Trimbue Ktama threatens to reliere it — bought off by Mohamwud
AH — and sold to both parties — Mohammed AH fabricates a mock Makrattt
invasion — Deception unveiled — Strange proceedings of the royal negott^at—-
Able statement of the nature of the English connexion with Mokammed illi—
Proposal of the Mahratlas in 1771 to unite with Hyder for the conquest of tke
South and East — Manly and candid avowals of Hyder to the English — His
most advantageous offers rejected — through the influence of Mokammed Ati-^
Hyder" s unfavorable treaty with the Mahratlas in 1772 — the consequence of Mf
adherence to these political principles — Tanfore taken by the Enghsk in 1779 —
Hvder's embassy to Madras — renews his offers of alliance — again fhsstroUd by
Mohammed AH — Resentment of the Mahratlas for tke capture of Tanjore—
Mohammed AH sends an embassy to Hyder — a mere mochery^-^they are dismissed
in 1775 with an explicit intimation of Hyper's sentiments — Mohammed AH occupies
and improves the fortress of Tanjore — raises an army — determines on resistance
to the orders for its resHlution— fails when the Hme arrives — reetortd to tke Raja
by Lord Pigot in 1776— ai2r/i/ of private creditors, ami Mohammed AH obtains
the revolutittnary arrest of Lord rigot in the same year — durst not proceed tke
meditated length of restoring Tanjore — English connexions with the Makrattas —
Colonel Vpton^s treaty /)/" 177G — Ragoha — Designs of the French connexion with
Hytler — with Pouna through Mr. St. Luhin^ 1777 — A party at Poona propose to
restore Ragolta — consequent treaty of Jiombay — confirmed by Mr, JJastings-^
correct and enlarged views of that statesman — Diplomatic and military measnres^
117 S— Designs ojf the French— discovered — and anticipated— Tartly and weak
measures at Bombay— Field deputies — Army adrances^is foiled — Convention of
yVargaum — disavowed by the Governor of Bombay — Army nnder Goddari
croHxes to Sural — Ministerial party at Poona make advances for peace^ 1779 —
and avow their design of marching aginst Hyder — Escape of Ragoba to Utnered
Goddard^ changes their jwlitics^ and makes them unite with Hyder as aiboee
related — Relations with Nizam AH — Guntoor Circar and Btuatut Jung^"
Erroneifus views in the connexion of Miulras with that chief — March a corps to
join him -opp*tsed by Hyder — Returns^^ Resentment of Sizam AH — appeased by
the wise measurrs of Mr, Hantingv — Return from digression — Correspondence of
Hyder with Madnm in \7 7 S— evades negotiation — English at length aesirons f^a
trruty with //ydi^r—hut the period had passed away— Capture of Pondieherry
stated— that of Mnhe announced^ 1779— Hyder explicitly avows hosHlity in tktU
event — .Muhe with HydtTS colors displayed with those of the French, falls'^
of Schwartz to i/yt
Hydrrs open declarations of intended hostility — Mission of Schwartz
f^trauge mystery ^ercr explained — Misxion of Mr. Grey — Segotiation fi
Reiterated hostile declarations if Hyder — IWjtorat Madras^roused £y tmei
sion.
The complex character of the transactions in which Hyder had been
engaged with the native |K)wers, since the conclusion of his treaty
with the En<;lish in 17G9, has suggested the convenience of reserv-
ing for a se]xirato retros[)ect an account of his relations with that
rniP. XXI.] MOHAlOfED ALl's IKTRIOUKS WITH F.N<:I.ANn. 421
Stitc during the .saiiic intIimI, in nnlor that vrv nmy U* enaMiMl t«>
Uiki* n tlistiiict niul uiihntkrii vii*w of iu |Militii<Al roiiilitioii. at the
|ii*riod of thu iin|H*iuIin<; war. whu*h tlircutt'iitil the utti-r i-xtinctinii
uftho British (Miwer in India.
The sovenM;mtv of thu tivatv of Paris in 17(»*l. tlisriivcn**! anil
witli tlK* sowreipi of Knirland : t^i tlirow of I tho mntnil nf tin* IihiiI
Kn^dinli (lovifnunont. ami n>n(KT it suUinliuatr to him^^flf . to hultl
thi> U'ilani'i' Itetwcni thi* Frt-iirh aiiil KnLrhsli nntifin"! in India ; ti)
render them Hi^veRilly iiis instniini-nts ^if ini|ieiml nin<{iii>.-«t. :ift«r-
wanla of thi*ir own inntiial drstrnrtinn. and nltimaii'ly t«i iaim*!
them )N»th,* wrn* thi* views which at iiit4Tvuls nnili'>i:nH*dlv iinftild-
eil thruiM'tves in a Ii»ni; anil lalHin-ii runr^f nf intii^^ni-; in whirh
Kn^lish p'ntionien omld niaki* i*\n*u anil undis;^niLsi*<| iitr<T^ nf thi-ir
m?r\'iiVM to Utiiiui* l)irrrti»i>+ of tht* Kast India ('<ini]>;iny. anil
memU-rs of a ninn* aiijL^iHt a>%-<!4*nd<ly, to a NaUih nf Ari*ot. a |i:iji-:int.
if |Mi«iiliIi', niorr lifi-i'lvnl than ijf.'i'ivin:; who i** htat*-«l to h:(M*
n*tuni<Nl| fi'dit mi*niU'rs in "iif i*riti^h railiani>-nt
STvi«T>^ iHiinniifd and to U* |h i1omiii'<1 in tlii> unhalloUfd
cansi\ u^sunitNi thf |»*iit«-iitoii<4 sha|i<> i<f an ovnuhilniinj /'i*'-
f\iV d«-ht. rharj«'altl«' )'V tli«- !f::iNl:itivi' aiith-iritv **\' tiri-at Hritain
on llii* rfVrnui"^ of An 'tt. t<i thi- ilititt |<irjiiiiii-r nf iiatifiml i-hiitii^ :
II hriti<«)i a'liiiiiiisf r.iti'iii si:)i\trti-<i and iin>i>'iiiiiii> 1 tii«- >-i'n^titiit*^i
Authoritii-^ in India, hv l;i\ in j tin- "•anrtiiin Mt'tli«- rnv.il aiithontv
• I li»i\f ^! 1*1 •! ii.» iijfiTiTi'' thifiliH'i III! i]i;ii .ir til hir to Im> }ir<i%' -1 l-y
written iliH iiiiii ii!^ .iiiil ii;iiio|iii! iMi f vi «. kii'iHn tn | itmiiim i.<iu i.\ ]ii^.
t |)iM uiiii-ii:< .nU • rti 't !•• I'l |i 3l*:* ••( I !.i^ \><!>.ii.i-
; I'lUrLi '^ j'li-ilj *-u t!.» r.i:i. /:. ilt':.!-. I In . iil\ |iif.rt .i.i • •" '.i- i*.
frrr.it III ui •>!! lit-), til .;Tii: ^, v% K:i )j .i' ri'l • iii !:>! '.n.Mi. k< u* .' l< ''.i:.!.!
rl'«'|»i« In •■ Mr. IImtLi I :!i. •« !! w i*. lji'»t\ir. i.-! i »■ . ri :• ' ' r r. !?.••
Ilnliaii trail* M-t:iii.-> ••{ t!. ^r |.ri<Hi A i'-iii|'!it. i.i '..ry it t) t ii.!rri..tl
iH'liiy iif Ill••^i■ tiiiii t, u->u!-M>* i.i^'Ki\ niriMUt .ui.) |[i<'.r -• :ii> !•• tin- r>.i>kir.
Hit a.1 >•: : Iifvi" •-. " ii 'i.'ila.^ 111.!', i«>r .i i a.j .iir •<! i:.;« ti.i>
Till- II. i!« r. il'« .\r* I ♦ III ' !l\ .1- i • ".iVli-
5 JSi"-:!. » 1*11 .; 1 sl.'i\i' |ir';'-r?y in l-iii-l*. f«r t*.i* r« j 'vn'*?.? •?
Il|tti}«-y i*-f h. ( T* . ri- wt-:*' !i. -ri ^'-ii.! rt liHiTn-r i(:-<ii<t "l"hri«- M«"iiV«r* i-f
the t''iiiiiiil •>! ( I '^i r:.Mi< -.: ••! M.itiri-. ili: t;iH I .i lir..v Lxti.'nrM i.t i>t
UTritiffial ftvin-ir i:i l.'^iT. Hhi«!i »,'r.fl i lily «itirr»'i'I l" iui<' in li.i tw.i
»u<'i t •■•ill./ \. i: . 'I 1.1 t'l,:! 'T I'.;i t-r< • •'.,!!. ii.: •ii tl.i trii.-i'*. n. in
flic f'i!!fU:i.»* !iriii- . •*!).■ -iMJir. i-t !!.i i •#:!.; 4!i>. A- A- .T.^i in
this Hi-tiii-i Mfi? i!*il-.!!y )»'riv..! iKi ir tr's-! . ii- kr.'l>>i:i'l I* i- i '. : Jiny «
iAC«rn-)»t ; !iiil |ir>i'tit it«-i it-> !i.l' .1 :i •■ t'l .III' •n.i'li'^^ V..*' yu:\*»*i. ••! .:. h
▼idlliftli, whiio: tt.i M.'<ri-! ••! tv < •.■:i]vt!iy m a*::iio* C'lt.ili^ in ^'m Sc«l. .ili«l
Iwymvlit-t t4> i; • F' :i !• :i il • x*:« xi.< .> |>!« .:;•• .i
Th» « Ir II.- .. r :.- ..:*■ r-i •• •; ■ } .:!. »1 i \} !ii.^.!. .n of l« . f i. •! ri ! k!;\r
tn thr Wkr •■* l.'T. I'.'V-- m /i! • : :.:il« ^■r ■ .'ii-li r:ii/ :". , asi-l '. !. tJir
liBh«|ipy |'r*-\ i!« !i I- «•! M-'t.in.r.i-l A! uht;L« in :> iniiii:fti4A*:i uiUit
It 1^ ijit 111!* ii-li i I I i-I I- li. : *.i •!• '•'•« : M ' iiM:!!-!! Ai: i:i ^ uk a:. 1 tLc ian.c
U|j|iriiiciplid Ui.iv. A ft^^ I: All .111 ia-n*ra: :k. i :•.*-> n
422 ERROR OF 1769 TREATY DISCOVERED. [CHAP. XXL
to a plenipotentiary charged with in(lci)endent, indefinite, and unin-
telligible powers, to the native States. Majesty was degraded by
affixing the royal signatures to letters addressed, as to an equal, to
this factitious sovereign of English manufacture. An ambassador,
(Sir John Lindsay,) with concealed powers, was deputed in the
ostensible character of the commander of a frigate, and decorated
with a ribbon and star of the Order of the Bath, a representative of
the sovereign of Great Britain to Mohanuned AIL With these dig-
nities, the ambassador burst at once upon the governor and council,
as if by ambuscade ; and became /rom that time a partizan of this
foreign power to which he was deputed, against the delegated
government of his own nation.
When Hyder, on the invasion of Mysoor by Madoo Row in
1770, demanded from the Government of Madras the execution
of the treaty of 1709, the erroneous conceptions of Mr. Du Pr^
in negotiating the 2d article of that treaty began to be distinctly
unfolded. Mohammed Ali whose views required the extinction
of Hyder as the very first step in his march of general conquest ;
reminded the government that being no party to that treaty,
he was not bound to furnish funds for its execution. (It will be
recollected that he had fraudulently refused to execute according
to compact the instnunent of his participation.) And the King^
plenipotentiary ever acting in unison with Mohammed Ali, up-
braided the Government with the circumstances under which it
was concluded, as an argument to impeach its validity ; *' the time
when, the place where, the peace was made," are Uie insinuations
of the minister ; " a peace (as the Directors afterwards remark,) to
which the want of aid from his idol compelled us ;" " such (as
they emphatically observed,) are the honors, &c., (of the royal
mission) the honor of humbling the East India Company berore
the throne of Mohammed Ali Khan."* The Nabob and royal
plenipotentiary urged not merely a passive infraction of the treaty,
out its active violation, without one assignable pretext, by uniting
with Madoo Row for the destruction of Hyder ; and the Govern-
ment finding itself pledged to all the practical evils of an offensive
alliance with Hyder, which they had so carefully professed to
avoid ; feeling the impossiblity of executing the treaty in opposition
to the Nabob and the representative of Majesty, and resolved not
to destroy the power wnich they were bound by treaty to defend ;
evaded the whole question, by representing both to Hyder and the
Mahrattas the necessity of waiting for the result of a referenoe
which they had made on Uie subject to their superiors in Elnj^and.
A long and mysterious reserve, assumed by Mohammed Ali,
in consequence of the refusal of the Government to accede to his
designs, suddenly changed about the beginning of the year 1771, to
tlie most open and confidential communication, as the prelude to
an under-plot which required the employment of the Company's
• />
Coiupauy'a Records.
IIIAP. XXI.] S|(U:K of TANJnitK 4t!3
aniiy. A (|Ufstiiiii niis<'ii into sphmus imtirt*, liy tlio ^oM of tin;
t'iiiil4'iiiliii;^ U'li'tirs, an<l llir zi'jil nf tln-ir i-iivnys, f«»r iii;iny yran
niiiMMl the nritisli prt'SH tn tiriii witli tin* rruilitifH uf its Kurti|M*aii
n4lviN-at4*s, imiiu-ly, wliflliiT. *' :u nliii^ to tlio riui.stitutloii nf tlie
Mii;(ul ciiiiiin*." till* R'ija <»t"raiii«irr wrrr tlir suhjfrt nf M<»liaiiiiiic*(l
Ali. Mr ail iii<li*|N*ii<li'Ul ]irih('t — whctluT a iTfuturt* of tlio iinn-
filiation lia^i 2msi;^iii'<l to nnf or tli«* othi*r of two UNiir|K*r>i the
ri^lit t4) o})|in*N^ a forriLTii Ix'"|il4v Tlif only I'oiistitiitioiiul ileiH^iul-
«Mii*f of tliis i^aja. was mi tii«* Mahratta Statr : aii<l this (h*|H-iiiU*ii(V,
wh it'll thf Mahnitta^ niiifumily rlaiiiir<l. aii*! he a^'kiiowleiipHl,
liiii<h' liini the ili-|iiity of an nsMr|iin;^ iKiiUty. A* rliii;^ Ui ttits
law of tin* stroni:«'>t, thf ai'tual {•j«> nicnt of tiil'Ute liiul jinu'tienlly
t*HtaMi**lii*<l till* flaini of .Mi>lianinifl All t^i its t'lMitinuaiicf a.> K>n^
as h*- sh'MiM coiitinni' t«> li>- tlif slioii:;eNt. I^on*^ liriiirity nf u.*«iir|»-
ntinn. anil a moif' in>t :in<l ii*nii-nt ( iiiVfinnii-nt, ifNn<-li a claim
Well* lia]i]iily availaM'* in sn«-h iii<«i ii<»">iiiiis. wne on the si<le of tho
I^AJa ; anil lit* w.io tiiriiiinii.'ril l>y (In* vicinity of his roiintryinen,
then i'ani|»:ii'^'niiii; in M\**<Mir, t^i ri"«i*«t th<- ilt'iiian«l. The NalHih
n-«|tiir«"l fiom tin- niitisji (invi rniiMiit an army t«i t'lifon*** it : an<I
lli«'V. f-r till- tir>t tinii- iji -^iii 'I. I'lfun- a furri' sli«>n]<l U- a.vM'mhl**«i,
t*i Im* sjitlNtiiij !• .Mi-iiii:^' tin- p«'iiiii-i'** fnim \%hirh tin* <*x|i*'nM'S
Wiir t'l Ih- iMiiJ. 'Ili'-t \\i (•• ••f ii<< «-<«*.itv ailiiist4-4l ; ixuil the armv
ino\«-«l in S-j-t* iiiIm r 1771 forth*- "ii:;'* ijf 'I'anji'n'. Tin* llaja hivl
|*aii| Trniih'i«' K>i\\ ti\< l.i>-- in :i'i\:in«-«- ^n thi- |*r«'iiiis«' of his niareli-
ini; t«i i.ii^i- th*- -i> .'•- :iril tiiMt i-)ii< f liiui •irawn frnm tlit* warfare
in .Mv*«>H>r. :i i->iiMi< i.ii'i'- i-l\. u)i:h thp*:it«*ni'<l to ih-^Tipl into
tin* ppivin f .\r*>l . lut r>Mi l.n-^ ir^ux MohaiMiiit-il Ali arn->ti-«i
th« if |ii'j?i-N. rin- -;•■_• vv;i.«» I'tin-iiii-nihly inlv.incf*!. hut wjts
rni^fil I. It (||.< I'lih lit N'i\i'ni^-«i i-n th** |t:iynii nt to M«<haniiiit*<l
All "f a l.ii^ nil it'i.ii..n Tiinilui- !«••%«. likr .'i tiiif Mahnitta.
h.t'l -"I'i liilii^*!t t'l l->t;. )>ttti« V :tli i M>'h;iliilUf«l Ah \»M-* • Tiahlt'l
Y>\ tl ]i.;>r :ii ^.- t>i iii''.< :i n.*?.' uillitl.i- I'x'na Maiinitta-*.
ll.i I • t. li li.;. I, .'.i - I »• iTM- M'lT "f" r.-1;;'.It' •■! hlN lll;^' •!• -l-'f« «1 \] ••III
th«- r:i]>t UP «tli..d {:.!•< • lit <t|-<i'<- •:• ft i • !>• «■ («• t h^ ll tin li-Ulil|*.
I lilt }\f II' \ ■!. I M - I I i ■ •■ • '!■■ u • ?• li ■: \* X I •tiiiii' '.* •! A.t ii'tii jli
ill'- ti .\' !iini 'I? -1 M » i: « li i ■ j- '1 \ iitiri .'in ■ -i t- \\\'i* i :i!i<i
ft I I J,.M .'.NiT r.i 1 1 . i. ■ . ; • . ? .11" w . ! t'l t In :i !• I' II n- •• i«i l!ii^'-
l.iTi-1 ul' ji j-' • \ ^1' 'i'-.^ i f'.'* :"": •t.iii-i* t-»iitiii|. tin V
\»ii- •» ' ?• I" !' jl •• 'i- 1 :;.• ■ t'li l-ii- I ■! i M.iiii.itt.i itiv.isiin
f..r il.i- I •!!:■■ • ■■! • 'iiij- . ;ri/ ?l ■ rn !•• i"i!i in t!i«* •!• '•im- tnii lif
Hyi- I . .i!i i )\ ■ r- » n. .- r ■' -rii.i.j. il,«- M.iiiritt.i<> ixiii j !•»-
••• I ■!• -i t I i'"i'i :■ 1 ;i i-.i? t «T I ! • t* ri •■■I \ • I All •■! . l-il M i. Ill Hill 'I
Ail. *v '!■ . ' :ii.' f'l'- 'i f t'. l.-i: ii tr<-'] > t'l t li* ir rvjMi. ...n.
Illi\i '■ i '!i 1 »■ ■ II..'. !'■ i t -.. .1. . ;.?. :..•
I »'ir fr : t ! ■ '. . ! I '.. i I ir I i>i. t ill- r-\ il ]•!• iii|i-*l« nti.irv.
nr>h r ti.< . : t • >\ Nli.ui.t- i A.: o:** ip-ii .i -hi !>>tii.itii*
I .•« I ••!>••■•:• ! V • ' I 1 \[- \\ ■ : ? i.i I : _:ti ■ 'l' \% hi- fi «nii :n •
' • • «'. li I l:..l..i •;. kti -% !• *i- \«ll..'
424 HYDER'S avowals to the ENGLISH. [CHAP. XXL
its existence, the local Government was kept in profound ignonnoe,
but at its close wore gravely informed by the royal envoy, ** that
he had proposed to the Mahrattas, in His Majesty's name, a ceBsation
of hostUities between their nation, the English, and the Nabob of
Arcot, until His Majesty's pleasure should be known ; and that he
understood fi^om tlie Nabob that thev (the Mahrattas) had acceded
to these proposals and withdrawn their troops." — " Would it not
(say the Qovemment of Madras) have been more conformable to
circumstances to have said, that the Mahrattas were desirous, in
His Majesty's name, to cease hostilities against the Nabob; for
neither the English nor the Nabob have committed any hostilitiea
against them : the Nabob would not even consent to our moving an
army to protect his borders, which the Mahrattas were plundering,
while we remained peaceful spectatora" — " Why (they continue) an
answer hath not been returned by the Mahratta general to the
minister of the crown, who, in the name of the King condescended
to make the proposal ; or whether it be consistent with the honor
and dignity of the crown of Great Britain, to be only an instrument
in the hands of the Nabob of the Camatic, it may not become ua
to enquire." The same able performance* contains the following
judicious observations, on the nature of the English connection
with Mohammed Ali, " Without money or resources, your apparent
strength is real weakness ; and if we must continue to be chaiged
with the defence of an extensive countrv, the maintenance of a numer-
ous anny, and the support of an intncate political sjrstem, without
authority, without the command of money or provisions, and with-
out consequence, and what is still worse, in opposition to the poww
who commands sdl these : such a system is not to be varnished
with specious descriptions ; it may subsist for a while on the ac-
cidental weakness and embarrassments of our neighbours, bat
unless some effectual remedy be applie<l, it must sooner or later end
in ruin."
While the GoveiTiment of Madras were thus restrained by in-
su{M'rabIc imfiedimcnts from the {)erformance of their engagemaits
to Hydcr, and Mohammed Ali was thus obstructed by Che talents
and virtues of M. Du Prfe, in his views of uniting with the Mahrat-
tas ; tliat State, whoso direct object was the entire subjugation of the
south, pro{>osed to Hydcr to compromise their differences, and unite
for the conquest of the lower countries, to the eastward. Hyder
made known these pro|>osals to the English Government; stated
that he considered an union with the Mahrattas, to bo directly
contrary to his hitercsts; and the cr)n(iuest of Arcot, through the
nieilium of Mysoor, to involve liis own inevitable ruin ; that he had
hitheito opposeil tlieir unreasonable demands on Mysoor, in the
confident hope of receiving from Uie English, the aid stipulated by
treat}', and would continue resistance as long as hope should
remain ; that he was aware of the iniluence which haa hitherto
' General letter to England, 26th February 1772.
rllAP. XXI.J TANJOUK TAKKN \'2'
|»rovontP«i tlicir |N*rtonu:iiifi' nfth** ri)in|i:ift . tlut lii* w:is williii>^ c*»
t'orp^t tilt* (*niis(*s tif jM'i'siiiml :uiiinii>»ity t^wanU Mi>)i:iiiiini-*1 Aii. :iii«l
to liii|K.* thiit i\\r Kii<^lish WniiM iiifiliHtf* a |-iM*i*iii'iii:itioii ; In* :iiif)ii<
ri'/jc*l Ills ciiviiys In |irn|Nis(', as tln^ ('t»ii<liiiiiii nf |>rMin|ii aiiil i-tlri-f.ial
m'ul, the iiiiiiiniiate itayiiU'iil of twenty \i\r^ tif liii|N-«'v, aiil tin'
r«*Hsion U) the Kii^^lisli of the |trMviiu*os nt' liiiraiiialinl. Sal*-iii atiil
Aht«H)r ; uiul tiiiallv. thf Hiii1i:is^iiiiirs \vi*rr tlip'i'ti-il mih-ii!v t'l
a&nouiKV. ill tli«' (*vriil i»f thi* ri'i«-i-tiiiii nt'all tiirsi* athaiii-^-* liviji r«
relurUiiit ili*ti*niiiiiatiuii Id thrnw liiiiisi-It'oii thi- I'Vi-iiih t*ir ^(I|i|hi|1 *
To tlieM* iiiL^i'iniMiis |iri)|His:iN. thi- (itt\«'riiiii>ii( t'«'lt th"iii^«'!\i ^ uiriM>-
to make a suit^ilrlt* ri'tiirn : .M«ih:iiintii-'i AM .ulniitt'-il ih* « -rii <liif> .
of Hvih*r^ .stateiiii'iit re-'itnlin^ th^* \ir\\> of !!i" M.ii.:.iti u- . Iiiii
" that th«* tVirii«Uiii|i **{' thf Kiijii^li niijht ii if ( • )i- |<'ii- ii.i-' I
with inoiii'V. was an ithi-^iitii ••>* I'liiniii! t^»iii\. ri-ii". h'l \'i\
•dvi!4i*il)v riske-l. hy the aufhui i>t' tli.i! i<i-i mi !i <;!' t'.iitii. \\iu>-})
proilucffl the *«>r>ii<l Mili^titMti>>!i «•!' i:i('-i< -^t* 1 iiu>Mv>:<. .;:i I
vho ill the wh'li* (it* Iii>i eoniitAi-iii witiitti'> llii.li^ii ii.tt:'<ii i..i<i
unifoniily t^inii>hi'<l thiir |ti-iiiiil< -t tri<|>!ii- -. witli ti* i.il ^ii.iiii*' iiei
pohtieal ilishniKir Uitltr <-\iiir'-<i ih> iaiii*'«Mi> •^ -itil tli< •nni
neHHof Ills jHilitiea) viiw^. hy ath rw.ir-i- «• •n-tiitiii^' t.» lii iiinriilMtiii^
p«l(V wliirh we li;i\.- i|i--.i tiIm-I in |'i' t'»r'!it' tiHiP- 1« lu-iv- -!! Tjijth
whieli W':lh cit!'i-|i'l !•• liim Iv tli* M:tfi:;itt.i- .n U-.' w i'i>(*'^il t<i
■ ■ •
A joint e4iiii|i|i-^t «*f hr.i'iVf fi.i
We lia\i' i|p-iii>nt:t)l\- n":i«»-i t'l- in..';-;! t- M:i:i;i- wliiili
Hv*l(*r ili'enii-'I in.'ii ri.ii tn hi- int«'ii'-»»-. wii-n jn pann j :■• .i\.i:!
hintsoif of* thi' intf^iMi" e.tiiiiiint i>»ii'« lit til' M ilii.itt.i >r i!>- , tli>- > cm**
cimiinHtant*«'> h.i*t ^uji^r-r' •{ t i Mniianiiiii- 1 Ah. tin- \»r* ■>• n! ii. '!l< :if.
AA the inii«*t t'.ivtir.ihii'. \''>r Vi\\/i\v^ \\i^ l'»n^* ]•:":• it* i il- *ij'i nl
pOMOHrtin;; thi* t'lit an<l tiTiit >iv if Taii|<>n Aii Knjii"!! .iitii\
un«ler (leneral .l>i-«.{>h >«nni!i i-i|iii|i)>i il with tii- mp .(li** • \ ,\ !• l' iiii
■iep\ nrriveil |M-t'-»i»' tli-* |»l h**- I'li t!i" tlth -if Au/'i-: -mI • ii;i- I i!
I»y a^"Ciiiit III! till- ITili I'f >«|iiiiik^-' Ihi^ii'W .' -il 1 ■: I ■! ■ i-*-.
betw*M*ii Miih.i)iiiiii-1 All III! tli-- Mi!. :■»•:. » ■■: !:■.»:•. ! \f i. f
Hv«ier with re^ir-l x » tiii- -»i. ■•<.. ■ I li: in: ji. .i ..' .i -< i v-*-^
m
•rrive*! at Mmini.^ in I'.ii-iiiIhj I77'» ih i ■•:-:■ i ?■■ if jj; •.!-.
whieh Wf-r*' ^lln|ily f'<>r a (m.iI\ Mitnuni^' I'l- \i •. .'• i • >i. l:!: :.^ !
17*5l* . to U- •■\iiUt''l I'V l^'- Kli.-!i-'i 1\ lU'l-r :■ ! \| .: unrif 1
■ • -
Aii. and )>v th*- t\% • i.itti-r !•• l>- • •iitlnii i ^-^ . • •' '. r. t '.. K ':.in
Mohaniine*! Ah (• iM-at«'I hi« t •tiii< i I'l* r:<*i f > *li.-.v! ..i!i>> .in-i
pUr«*«| in ih- ffi'iit 'if ill-* ai,; Ml • !it .1 :...•, :• 1,1 V' :■ }i .: ;.!i.ii\
■lAtrMiiien W'inl'l ha\t' <!• Im- • 1 i i <<;; .' • ;..!:■: 'ii . i.ti.i>:;
that th«' Mahratt.i^ i.int«--t l!y • :■»• t ..i.!ii:i^ \ j. v^ i . ii ii- •
tiif* wh<*l*' •« nth \%iiiiM )-■ ( " irt ' I • r-.< ijii;t<. i i>>i- t ^li*-
allit-<i ill tip- I iU!-- if -I:-!; -. • '...v. • r... .t i!i..' I ■ 1 ". i* i'"*- •
tin* iM|'tiirf I't r.i:i|.'i- . :ii M.t!>r »" i ■ w .u i ■ ■ .• t . j- i- ■■ r- .i i-
ID hl4 |ironilsi-. . .ili'i t'. i! \*. u • i: jr. \^ . .• ! . -'i> lij*i • I. iiil .! l*\
• 1-. " :
♦20 THE MAHRATTAS RESENT TT. [CHAP. XXI.
an alliance with Hydcr. So long as these apprehensions continued,
he seemed to yield to the opinions of the Oovemmcnt of Madras,
regarding the impolicy of increasing a power already too ft>nnidAble ;
he passed with facility to tl>e most gracious deportment towards
Hyder's ambossftdors ; he overAvhelmed them with assurances of the
most inviolable confidence and friendship, to the extent of unfolding
all his designs, for the extension of the true faith ; and " the doliglit*
with which they should hereafter mutually view, from tlie terraoe
on which they were then seated, the expulsion of the last infidel
Englishnuin over the surf which foamed at their feet;" he even
submitted to the Government the draft of his project for a treaty :
in which it is worth}' of remark, that he proposed, as a special
artic^, tliat the subjects of each who might fly avxiy in diBgud
should be refiprocally given up ; confirming with his own hand, a
fact wliich I have stated on other grounds of information, that his
interior n»le was more oppressive than even that of Hyder AIL The
negotiations were continued ; and when Ragonaiit Row in 1774 was
proceeding south after liis advantageous peace with Nizam Ali, he
showed bis keen resentment for the capture of Tanjore, and the
general character of his designs, by the demands whicli preceded his
approach. First, to join in tlie extirpation of Hyder; second, to
restore Tanjorc ; •* which belongs to the Sahoof Raja :" third, to
pay choute, (a fourth i)art of the revenue), and Ser Deshmoukee
(an additional tenth) ; claims which we sliall hereafter attempt to
unravel ; but the intrigues at Poena compelled him to return ; and
a series of adventures, not within the direct scoi)e of our design,
which were cncouiitcred by thfit chief, would fiimish abundant
materials for a separate and interesting narrative. Successive and
groundless apprehensions of treachery in the moment of victoiy,
seem to Iiave been the bane of his {)olitical career ; and tlie abundant
occupation of the Mahratta State in these intestine broils, relieved
Mohammed Ali from his more immediate feat's, and disposed him to
resume hLs former political views.
Tlie British Act of Parliament of 1773, among otlier remote
benefits, had perhaps suggested to His Majesty's ministers the
expediency of revoking the i)owers of their Indian nlenipotentiaiy
which certainly had not l>oen creditable to tlie wisdom of their
coimcils; and the same Act, in its immediate result, had rendered
it necessary for the Government of Madras to refer, for the
sanction of the Government General at Bengal, the proposed
alliance with Hyder; but imi)erfect communications and inex-
plicable delaj's, protracted their decision ; ambassadors^ aeot
by Mohammed Ali to Scringapatam immediately after the return of
* Letter of tlic ambassadors to Hydcr, found at Seringapatam in 1790.
Mohammed Ali, however, made known to the Government, that he ajfhcUd
an exclusive attachment to Hydcr.
t The |)ageant Mahratta sovorei^, imprisoned at Sittara,
\ Ali Xawiiz Khan and Soyed Fiittc Ali.
rn\r. XXI ] MnIl.\MMKl» Al.l nn rnj.s T.\NJ«ii:i.. ♦•J7
th«* MvvMipMiiH, fii'lc'iVDiinvi t I aiiiiisc llvi]<r with viiri*i>Hsivii
<*%';t^ii«iis -. l»«il ifi May ITT** 'ii'it **:iL'-«'i«»ns ilii»-f ili^.^ii^f*-! wiili jin»-
(Ta>lii):iliMii, aihl ili^tiiifily |H*n-fi\ in;^ ilir ^. ^n t ^\•<)kitlL;^ nf tlnf
Hnino rpMik'ri] |Milii'y, wliii-h )i:iil nijifi»rii;ly iiij)H>i|.Hl |ii^ alJi:ir]«v ^»ltll
tli«* Kiii;li'«li. fli'iiiii'-v-il tli<- I'livnys with a i-i\il h-ttcr. iiitiiiiatiii;;. in
INiliti' liTlii*^. that :i.\ thf i-Jiiiiati- a|i{H .ip-iI t<» )m< iiiif:i\ Mrahir* t*i th«>ir
iOaltli. he riiiiM iiift ^1l)>jl"-t th>Mii l'» tarthiT iiicnnvriii'*iii'>' : ^ut in
hin |M*rsiiii:i| auilit-iifi' nl' |i-a\i-. h^* ua> >iitliri<'iitly r.vpli«'lt : " yi»»i
an* P'^iifft.i^]'* iih'n" sai'l hf ' :»:i'l li.i\»- .-I'tf-i in •-••rir«'niiitv t*» \iiiir
• • •
OpK-P* ; I'mI- ?»«•%. 111. -rll iP'MitliN V"ll havr |.»;u-l;<^.-.l cVaNiuli, liJJ Viii
An* n.Nhuiiit'i| «>j' thf |i;irt Vnii h-iv«* t</ );<-rt'i>riii : luill ri']i*'\r y<<ii
fmiii th»' <'iijl»ana-*^iin tit. lor I wili li-i l-.Tijtr U- tj:lh«i with ; y»»iir
ina.st4'r is fh'^iriMi^i of ^I'lirt'-iiiii:^' tl.'i- thit-ii'l •<!' ajiiity. \*tit (hr tiiiir is
not iii>taiit. M-}ji'ii h>- \t iil 1m* i^^ni t'» ii-ii'-u' tiw: a'Ivaiy'*'*i \\hi<-h i
havi* fiiii«l«-v*i-ij'h-<l X** I'tt -^^ ii]M.Ti hiiii iij \aiii I liivi' *«iii<*-p!y
«Llh(*«I f«>r :jii aliiaij-" \u tiiat ijiintir, lijt I inu^t iln uithnut it aiut
V'liii luuht ri'tuiii an i h.iv ^ i. ' Wu,' t.f tin* 4-iivu\!i» u,i^ a man *>(
j|it4.*Ili;;riit*i* aifl w^-i-t \atMM. airl hik ri-«--ii>l' i rt'jxiii *ji} iiio ri-tuni.
cif th<' vii'ws aii'I iiil*rith>iiN .if' il\iltr. v^.i^ :i}i«><Mit'-ly ]\\'t\-hiti*- *>f
evrn* t'Vtiit ih.i: •nh-'ri-rjilv •••■■ mij« I h«'iii I77'» l» J7*><'.
Th»* ••.i|»t UP 'it ram •:•• h<I ii:!'!-'- I l'.« • ji'-it'-^t ■i«ti\it\ iiif-i
all M'lhanniii- i Ali^ j-; ;■ li ■«/ ^•*\' i-ii^ii nji«*:lji' iiij|ii>i\<-'I tiiit
forlifii';itiiiii'» "t flia' *}•;..! •• :•; an tii.iii..iU4 i-^|H/i-. . ^MrrI-.-.ii'-il ii
m*ith hiN • V n t:<< 'I .i:ii .im^'U;* :it. I I«in r-^Mi.ir f'-j-f in t\vi-l\t*
thi»uv:iii'I v|. i\ - *-\.-ii f'^.ii :•!- "I • »\.iIj\. ni*-! tit't* "»i hutplifl
artilh-rv . tl.^' wh. !.■• Iwlii 'i \\{ n -w a'.tai:i*i| a t''«j"-«"t.iM'' ■h-jTf-i
of diH4'i|)]jii>' .iTii •ifl'ii-iiix . ii'.'i«-i i'!?i.«ix •■» uh^.--' fiijtJiCy i** t!i-*:r
new iiht^l'T, t'l • a)*- it1 I- nti'liTi'-- w t- :\]'\».ir*'titiy if|.-»M-.i i.l'ifly-
in^ <i|i an <'Mi\ iofi • ! tip-ir ]i)< r : ni ]'.it.iii>'iii!it iJun*-^ a^ hji^'li^h-
nifii. lii'^ |<i iii<> 1" i-ij iiMtiMi'i hi- ^*.i'i<l t> t^ii- (iviiri'T in a
p ib'i*' rtiifi r-*ii<-«'. th.i? \\:-* •)'«-nl - •:! .\Mi''-*'n] i>*<)r.i. wh<i lunl
ur;;^iii/.fi) t! i* f ii'". \\;«^ .'••!' t" j-i- -i ! ■ M'-imi'* cii" •'■'iiiiit:in>l
of Tilllj"!-- . '"'I.i* il- Hi !•!.••:. I l', '■ 11. *■ i!- • U • f.' t'i- j M'|Hi^i;
4>f a**kli. ' a<i\ !• •■ I 'Jt •: ;i!.?. -.fi- ;r. ' :li'- • .■ t :■. . ; "i iii :• i» li'i* nt*
iiiiv»T'i::n I I.*' ii^i ?.*i :. i; •: ' * •':-t.n.- hi..* *•- ■ n t ;:)i- r i-\-
ii|V?»**lv k't-' A n -.1 M- ii.i'-!\ ii?*::- I ' '• »» • m Iv •'F-I- r» M -n: i i/liifl
Wiiiilil ariiv. I I :■ -• .;.• ;. ■ . ■ • ■•;. t » •>''■". Ii. • : J i: tli-- i. -fiti-
• I Ii'- *^».' '. ■ r V •: : ..■ "f. i' . ..' i* . V -:. 1 •- ^i'.' » ■ : :ii' \?. -• j.. v.. re
allrni.i!< I> i: ■ i »•_. *«! ".J- 'A'-i \. J-*'.' ^-.4 ii •' L i" I :• '• l i. •:• » . !: ..■
furmrr !o ?' .. : i * ■ I.-. ;. ; i- . .• j . :*' -t'f • v. .' . y : • i '• i. . .a. J
thr li»t' : %ii i ■; .' -I'" ' ' .. i .•••■..■•■..•.• Li .■.».•.■.;•.. ■ r i I
fluroT'* all |»" * • I '••■■■:• ... • • ■ 1 1 r- , :. I ! »' ' i .« r
ftboui 1 K \. .**•'. } :■. .\f '.' .«»'!... i. ! '. .* ■ . ■ •■ ..-.■■. . r ■ * ^
(it|Al«'i- :k* '■• :: ■* ■■ ill' ■: l> . I ■ . *. .• - ir -u .> .:«
ChlA .If.'!:.*:. !i •' : ■.' > ■ . .i'' ."• ■ t.-.i-i I: •:n
rv I'fi.i..!!.' ':!• ..." \. ; . r- . ■ .■ . • : . ■ ..■,%*••■!•:-'
• rni-!'- I I* . •■I.' ; .. • I. ' ^•. • .* ■ :-. ■ •;'.•. J
f ••! ••..■•■ • ■ . : . I . • V , . . . ■. ; I . . ■ . : . , .. ■. ' . ■ . . 1. •.
* ,1 ^' ■ ■ ' \ • .' • ■
428 IT IS RESTORED TO THE RAJA. [CHIP. XXI.
cation we have stated had any meaning at all, it must have pointed
to a resistance of these orders. Lord Pigot arrived in December,
charged with their execution ; and when the moment for decision
arrived. Mohammed Ali discovering the* erroneous grounds of his
calculating on the treason of his English officers, suffered all his
mighty preparations to dissolve ; the fort was occupied by British
troops on the 9th February 1776 ; and Lord Pigot personally superin-
tended the formal restoration of the Baja's authority in the month
of April.
A curious evidence of Mohammed Ali's designs was exhibited
in his secret transactions with the East India Company of Denmark.
A commission for military stores was given througn Ameer ul Omra
to the Danish Governor of Tranquebar ; and the first loty amounting
to seven thirteen-inch mortars, twenty-six brass field pieces, with a
propoiiion of shells and shot, four thousand muskets and carbines,
two thousand saddles, &c. &a, arrived at Tranquebar in 1776, afUr
the restoration of that place to the Raja by Lord Pigot. All prac-
ticable secrecy was observed with regard to these stores until Hyders
invasion iu 1780, when Admiral Sir E. Hughes, at Mohammed Ali's
request, caused them to be conveyed from Tranquebar to Madras :
and Hyder, whose vigilance nothing could escape, obtaining infonn-
ation of the removal of stores belonging to his inveterate enemy,
which he deemed to be his own lawful prize, threatened the capture
of Tranquebar, and compromised for a fine amounting to about four-
teen thousand pounds sterling, which was actually paid.
A singular correspondence ensued in and after 1776, regarding
the payment for these stores, and for countermanding the farther
orders which had been given, ** the circumstances under which the
order was despatched, had unfortunately changed, and might never
return ; but it was still of great importance that the transaction
should be conccMed from the English." Some instalments
tflrdily paid ; but on the assumption of Camatic by the East
Company in 1801, the Danes advanced their claim on that Company
for the payment of the balance. In 1803, a negotiation was carried
on in England, in the course of which the Danes were obliged to
produce tins secret correspondence as evidence of the debt; and the
KTigllsh East India Com]>any did accordingly discharge the balance
then due, amounting to 42.304'/. 108.
Tlic powerful cabal of private creditors, who united with
Mt)hanimed Ali, for the revolutionary arrest of Lord Pigot in the suc-
* Wlion the error was discovered, there was a Becond plan for ffetting
rid of the European oHicers. Ameer ul Onira, vain and weak, as he was
ambitious and uni)rinciplcd, had an ill clioice of confidaDts, and one of them
unwarily betrayed the secret, that **in a few weeks the Fvnmgtt^ (European
offi<-ers,) Iicadif would fly one way, and rheir topees^ (hat%) another;" but he
found that in this purpose also his instruments would fail him ; the men
woiiM in preference have retorted such an order on its author. These factJi,
rrpratiMlly sl.itrd to mr in India, arc supported by the information of one of
those otti.-er«!. now living, and in England.
CHAP. XXI ] I>(>4l(iNS (»F TIIK rRKNt 11 ^'2J
oi*c«Iiii^ Au^ii>t. couM not (l:iri* to prootMi tin- wtioli* Icii-jtli nf re-
pliu'iii^f Taiiji»n* in lii** posM'ssion. Tin* iihnnti»ni t»f si>vrp'iu'i»t y liail
BuHi'ri'd a riuie iukhsiuU : but tin* il«'Iusiv«Mii»|it* nf rrtri«*vin^ tlu* Mow.
continiKni to hr i-hrrisln'd. in a sii1)tl«* l»ut wrak inin<l. \*\' a snifs t«t*
Ciimipt Hn<i intiTi'.Mt»Ml dcreptions : a niatoriiil ;;roun<I of 4iil!rrrno'
with tlio MalirattHM. w:is Imwi-wr r<'niow<l ; anil M«>lianiin(Ml All
retnrn(*«l with nnloiir to hi*^ firiiHT iioliry, of rftrifviiii; all jm-l niJN-
fortiiiK^H. hv unitin*' wit)i thfiii. for t)u* «li-striirtion «if liv'itr, iiiui
hu< «ither eiuMnirs.
Whil«» tli«» iiitrijr^if'i of Mnhainnifl Ali. wm* llnis j.n-jiaiini;
for tlio Knu'lish th»' )insiilitv of HvtliT. ihrir tnuisait'MTi-* wiili
tiw Mall nit ta Stat*'s wfn* (•iu*om|Mi.s.sinij; th«'iii witli ;ii!:ti>>ii tl
dan^fors. Iiai;o)ia, sU|i|)>irt«Ml liy sniht* «if th** nm^t |Hi\v::'kil
chiof*4 of tin* MaiinittJi Stati*. is suppMSitl to li'ivr lak'-n a j^r •unl-
leHH alarm, in aMnlhiii;; t«> tlifin a |t:irtiri]i:itii*n in tiif tir:«ii*-iy
of hi*i Arali tr(Hi|K in 177'>. wjiii-li in<lui'i'<l him. us wi- li:i\t*
nntii'<Hl, to tlv t*i ( 'ninhav. ami thi-iin- to Sunt. ;i!!'I ultrmntflv to
prvM^fOil to lHiin)i;iy ; tlii** iiii|iru<}<'ii('i* I»-ft an **]>* n li* i I !■» t)i"
inilii*it<*n( at i'lMina. \vh«i fMiiti-h-'l their autliMritv i>ri tii>- •-ii-t"«l\ if
the n*putfil posthunii'ii^ si'ii 'if th** Inti* Pf-hwa :i thirl l'I' i*t:"i» in
tho •*<■»!•• «if n'«iir|i:itii*ii : tip* i:'ia>"'liiin'*. "'" L't'-lt-i- nf th-- 'i"ini.TriiI
NOiiofan UMir|Mr. Tii«' tn'.ity **( i***\'*uv\ I'|iT":i. ruri'I':-!- -i willi
thi'?M* niini<^t<*i^ t-n tii«' Nt i-f M.inli I77'». immmhj Mtln-r >• :i iiti'-n^
aw»i;rTii''l a proxi-^inti in a tli-t.-iiit part Kf thi* Malit.iir.i •{••Ti.iii: 'ti^. t >*.
Kn^nha. whii \\ii-* in P-tiirn t>i i|nit ri>iii)My. :kn<l ii<it t'>l'< **ii{p'i ti>l
l»V tin* Kiu'IInIi III :iTi\ riilnif I'tT-rtN t'i 'li-»!':ili tip- ::■ \'Mimi«ii! ••!'
tlio niini-tt-fH l»iit thnt )*«isiim pritiNtt-l a;jain>*t tip- tif;ii In ly ••!'
thu^ ihliMrin^' hiiii up tn th*- li.-iiiN <>t' lii>i < liiniii"* . Ip* i laiiip i at
IvRitX th'* pr-'lii-li"ii i-llrif I t'» an i-niinarx r"«'i«l- iit. »--• l"H;j a^ iit-
f^hvitii'l i^'ivi' Ti<i p'lliti'-al i>tt'i-iii'>* . au'l tip- t i ivtrniin'nt nt' lii>iiif'iv.
who rt*prol'at«'«I tli«" wlh'I'* tran«<ai fi'-n. \ittf ^^Li-i t** i'-* tlnir
nun pi i:iii<-t' witli lli»- ni|U' >t •l" Ki^''»l'.i. "M tli-- piw«i!ui j.-i • l'
ruinnii*n liuip.intt\
In t!;*' IIP :(Ti\Oii!f tli»- J- liti'-.il pppai.iti. •»-.*" tic !'•.:: ii f*ir
thr P*««.i'.i ly ■•f tlnir 1 ■-! .I-' !il.i!it •* Ml Ii: l:.i \\.-.- • \* ■:. !• ! sii
rv»-rv p.i".HiM.- liir- 'ii -ii 'V]\>- l! f'iUi <1 • "'ju .!- \\ i.; !i I . ! • 'i. r..- i
till" Knjli*«h I'l 'Ml Mx'!'! Ali.li.il !'ri'.| tli.i! . !.:• I :i:'-- ..ri ::.r!!.i''
rifrn-op'ii I' ip-<- w.tli M r.-p ii lU !;■ . iTn':-- f I..- * i.\i i :. : i P :i ji
rli«'rr\" : iniiifarv -t-'i'". tf* i\ . i v •!• •^Ml-t'.-n ii-.j*::-! u*. f';:!. !.
• ■ ■ ■ «
r«l t«i him. thi..u.')i t :.•■ np ii'iin ••! tip- lp r. :i I .::•«■■? ^! '. ■ :i
th«' I'M.-i-t ,.i" M.ili^ If. a:* 1 tip- |-I.tij- u. : • ■:;■:' i !' ! .• ;?■ ■ •
0|M'rati-:i. a? a m r-- • "iix- Ti:- i.! -•.i- :i At li.i.t ■ : •:. :. ■.«.-!
of * *'ip»iii.i?i !• 1. Ffi u li ?r-> ■: ' a- w ■ ■•)..i!! j:- -i';'. • v \*'j.«
illtP»ilMr.'i! iTif.. tl.-- oi r\ i- •■ . l" r..i-.i'-;t .'...J .1'.! ^! ■ .i *^!
Lnhili. wh—'*- a i\'i. ••;!•- Ill t!ji- l!:»j.i'li - :\. ::. 17' "^ ■ • ' • !i
%lijhtlv n.»!i'''l li.il h w I :■ I i..;--. :i ?::.. l\. ■ ■::• ?" I r i:. ■■ .
and UH-* !;•.•■. Ti.it .?!.• .1* !*■•■ ii I .» I !• i" \ w 'fi t '.• I. :'.:•«?«: 'i ^ \ u *..'•»
th«- j- II •!*••■ I ' V .. T > ■ . • !• i • li.. :. ■ I : »• ■ i ii,- ■ ■ :'
430 TREATY OF BOMBAY. [CHAP. XXL
iutroducing a body of Frcuch troops, to unite with that party in
their hostile designs against the English power. Towards the doM
of the year 1777, a party at Puona, who preferred Bagoba under the
protection of the English, to a French force for the support of a
minister (Nana Funianese) who had made a large stride towards
open usurpation (by announcing his pretension to render bereditaiy
in his own family, the oiJice of minister to an infant pageant, the
nominal usurper of the rights of another imprisoned pageant^)
opened their view^s to the British resident at Poona ; and proposea
a plan for the restoration of Kagoba, with the aid of an Engliah
force. The Government of Bombay eagerly encouraged the project ;
and the Governor-General (Mr. Hastings) now restored to the autho-
rity of a casting voice at his own council, although he had disliked
the connexion with Ra^oba on its original footing, gave to the pre-
sent plan his unqualified approbation. Uniformly disapproving the
treaty of 1776, the Governor-General had recently proposed a
modification of that instrument, in which he liad introduced a
provision against the danger he had long perceived to be most
imminent, namely, the actual connexion of the ministerial party
with the envoy of France, evinced by their repeated demands oif
troops ; and by the attempt of St. Lubin, to obtain the permission
of the Portuguese Government, to pass two French regiments, for
a purpose not exactly ascei*tained by the unsuspected route of (3oa
from the south, and at the same time to occupy Damaun to the
north of Bombay, inasmuch as the establishment conceded to thst
nation at Choul, wiis too near to Bombay, and at present too
defenceless to be occupied, until some decisive blow should have
been stinick elsewhere.
The negotiations for counteracting these designs assumed Yari-
ous and fluctuating shapes, adapted to the exigencies of the timea
Shabajee Bhoonsia, the Maliratta ruler of Berar, was to be support-
ed in the hereditary claims which he was supposed to possesis as
lineal* descendant of tlie great Sevajec ; and was expected to over-
tum at once the complex usuqmtion which governed at PooniL A
* Letter from Bengal, 17th August 1778. There are few persons so
little likely to have been misinformed on such a subject as Mr. Hastings.
The claim is 8aid to have been founded on adoption ; but I can trace none to
the family of Berar.
Sevajce had two sons, Samhha and Ramdh. The first of theae had two
sons Sahoo and Samhha, Sahoo died without issue, and I have been able to
trace no adoption. Samhha adopted a son, from whom descended the familjr
of Colapoor, and according to Hindoo law, the present Riga of that place u
unquestionably the lineal heir of Sevajee^ in the elder branch. The line of
pageant lUgas, confined in Sittara, being as unquestionablv deacended from
Rama, the second sou of Sevajee; if the claim of Berar he founded on a
supposed adoption by Sahoo^ and that adoption be real ; there would then be
a precedency of two claims to the privilege of incarcerate royalty, over that
which has actually been established ; the precedency of Golapoor is certain,
and if Mr. Hastings ascribed an adoption to Sahoo, he proMibly did ao ea
ifood ground?.
niAP. XXI.] FUKNTii im:sh:ns i>is(oVf:i:i:h. VM
Iwpoi'tRMr fon'O was nlso |in']i:iiv<l in tii** n«)rtli-wi*si«'ni pp'Vinri's
mibjci't to BfMii::il. (lL*stiiii'<l t<» tlit* aniuoiis ntinnpt nt* tnivirsin^ tlin
wlinle o{ liindosjtfin, to P<miu:i, nr to tlu* \V('st«-rn slmn^ of liiiihi. a. 4
circunistAnrfs mii;lit rfc|niri.v Th** ]in»i'rvsfi| olijrrt <it* tlii** rxjwili-
tioii was the ]in)tootif»n i«f I"l«i!iil«ay. mini liy an iiii'tiicifiii j;f»\vm-
inent, apiinst the ho«tiU* <U-si^is ot* thf Firiioh : aiitl it rtiiiniii'h(*<Hi
its marx'h in Mav 177^. hut wa.'^ i'hi*<-ki-«i hv Vitrioti<i(]i'hiv<«. in«i(iH'iiil-
ratly c»f the <lrath of Mr. Kliiut. who was |>rorrciliiii; nii u mission
to Bi^rar, r.inmTt«'«I with tin* ari'i*s«*;irv ohjfri of i-niraiiifi;; tin* intfr-
cat of Sha)tai<*o Khoonsla. Thi* ih*:!!!! of tiiat ahh* |iiihlic st-rvaiit.
ant] that of till* actual Kaja. ilifrat«-fi flu* tir-«t ]iroji>it of phK-in;;
him At tlio hfa<i of tho .M}iliratta 4'in|.iir : hnt n U'ttt-r iv^iilt follow-
ed, in the M«rrt*t tic] la rat ion of this t'aiiiily fn >ni the Mahnitta n)-
operation, an<l it* fth'ctivt* sn|iport of the KnL'li-^h (•ovrrnnicnt. whi-n
in I7M> tin* invasion i»f Iifii;^al wjl-* ('••iiiiiiitt*'ii to M iajiM', th»»
■uccvssor of Shahhnii'r, as i»ii»» hrancli of t!i»' iMiifi'iifrarv for tht»
eipulfiion of till' Kni:li^h from rVf-ry |i:irt of Ir.«iia.
Mr Klliiit liiul rrri'iitly n-tMni'-i i»vi>i-lan*l from Kn;:lanil. an*!
in |tas.sin;^ throui^h Piiris ha<i hn n i-i.ntii'h-ntially infornic'l hy l/>ni
Ktiimiont, thf British aniUiv<ii|or. that war ^itli Franrf waj4 iiivvit-
a1>1u ; an«i shortlv U-f-iit* Mr. Klliot •« «iiatli. while •»!! hi-* pititc i<>
Borar, hi* ha«l. hv sfi/.in;^ tin" |»'r-«ii ^f Mi'Ih t 'h»valii-r. intcm |it«-i|
a lctt4*r fri>ni Nf<<iiv l^-lli •■••mh** t<i St l/ihin 4 xTitiimin ' thi' N^inn*
Intel! igt*niN*. an<l ii«-<iiiii):: him t>> 111 j>- tin- Mahratta^ to iinnif«iiato
artion. Thin inti*lli:^i-ni*r* iiilu 1 tin* Kii<:li-h t'> iiiaki* tlioM* pn*-
|iaration.H whirli fimhlfl thi'in to :i!iii.*i{iit«- th<- i>}<*w. hy th*' early
ndurtion of nil the Krent-h |> »s<.i*s>iiin< itn thiMMiitin*-nt of In'iia.
In thr nit-anwhii" thi* )irt'|Miratii*n*« at if*iniUiy wi-n* i*on«iiiotM
with a tanliiii'HS an«l iiniHM>ihtv whirli ilf|>r)\i**l IU::Mh:k i>f thi*
Ailvnnta;;i'<< »if sniiiy. aii<l L'a^** ^" li»^ I'li- nii»-«i tin- op|mr1iinity
of iliH«iiVfnii;; aU'l •lt-«ti'i\ iii-: hi^ a"ihir«!it'4. ar -i ••r::nni/iii;^ at liMsim*
tho tniNins of ri-^i**!.!!!!-!- It h*- U-'Ti i"1»|i- t»-l t^i lh»' imm«*o of
Ilacoha, that 7t<i >n-inu iiin-r 1,*.^ f'l I liii liitii I'M IiIh riitt'nnj the
liahrntt.'i teriiimy : (.at t!i>- li-^'<'ii'< ••!' hi-^toi \ ti-iin fh*- >-ailir<«t .li^vfi.
mi^ht in^trnt't *«tjtt«"*iii<'ii in tii-* rilii«'\ *\' i>-^':iu' ,!i •ninnrv r.ifU'a
any plan nf niiiit;irv ••p"i-.it:>!t •<!! t:.<- iajm- -t.iti"ii 1 f <>'t< h aAAidt-
AAcr : n*tl«'ctiiin iiiijht a!w;i\ - ^•i.rji-t. tii.il tiii* «>rk:aiiiA'iti<'ti aiiti
rqiiipmciit of n miiitiiv f"T< • \%)i. li ii-j-iiri-^ the \\ hnli* exrrtifn of
l!ie e.stahli«)ii-il jniUiI', ..f .1 >•..?,- ., i.,.t ia-il\ ai-ii !••%«•• i hy tht*
cKmult')!^' ah' I '«ii<i<ii ti •■?)'>*i!'> ••! t:i< ->•■ wh** art- w.it- lii-<i aiiil «* iunl4*r-
aried hv those i*si.ihh-h»-i .i'itl.'»iil;fs
Th«» t f«»viMnnifMt ff H>iiit*'i\ h.i'l h-^w-Xii f. .nn.|..tr'l thru
fire panit ions aUnn th*- <i f th- viai i!i-i in imitati ^n ^f tin*
udirroUM jNiliey ..f Ma^lia.^ in 17''** app iUi:* 1 ti» M ii.p-iliis fnm
Ihifir rivil Ht»r\iie t* iiiu.t tio- i:»i!;l.ii\ ■ p- :.-♦. •i»'i iii tl.t- tiel-l a
• T*l#' rtfrUr •.. fi .if Avi*: .■ .■ I. : • '. '.i :.. • . )\ M *\t N- i:l!«». win
4at«<i Ihr Kith ni M v'. )• ITT**. ■•:; *!• :*:i -•• .\.^ •' U'.*r tMnrrnimiit u(
BcB^aI r-ic'V • 1 . til ; i! Ill -:...•■ :j . ?! , v • !:,i.i.!iM lt%2ki«i.n .iH':.:i.i
432 rONVENTIOX OF WOUGAUM. [CHAP. XXI.
measure which by a selection, at least as unwise, of a bed-ridden
commander had been rendered almost necessary : On the Ist of
January 1779, the army, consisting of about 5,000 men, including a
small coi*ps with Bagoba, suimounted the hills and moved forwaxdii :
the conduct of the officera and troops was highly creditable, and
their losses severe ; but after penetrating to a situation not twenty
miles from Poona, the pressure of the overwhelming force by whi^
they were incessantly surrounded, harassed, and starved, suggested
the necessity of retreat, which terminated on the 14ith of the same
month, in the disastrous convention of Worgaum ; this instroment
provided on one hand for the safe return of the tix>ops, and on the
other for the suiTender of Ragoba, the restitution of ail former
conquests, and the return to Bengal of the troops whose march has
been noticed ; and for the performance of the latter conditions^ two
English gentlemen* were delivered as hostages. The government
of Bombay disavowed the treaty of Worgaum ; and the Supreme
Government conceiving that one of the parties to this convention,
namely, the field deputies, had exceeded all powers with which they
could possibly be deemed to be vested, by stipulating for that, over
which the Government of Bombay itself had no authority, deter-
mined to sacrifice the hostagesf rather than execute the terms of
this disgraceful compact.
In the meanwliile the concentration of this Mahratta force in
the direction of Poona, had relieved the detachment from Bengal
from the presence of the troops, which were otherwise destined to
oppose its march ; and Colonel Goddard, who had succeeded to the
command of this force, deviated from the course towards Poona,
which he was pursuing, when he heard of the convention of
Worgaum ; and by a great and continued exertion arrived at Sunt
before the end of February.
The means which were thus placed at the disposal of the Govern-
ment of Bombay, for the renewal of the war ; and the powers with
which Genera] Goddard was invested for the conclusion of petoe^
disposed the ministerial party at Poona to an acquiescence in the
modification of the treaty of 1776, to which we have formeily
adverted. They expressed in a letter to Bombay their earnest desira
for an immediate accommodation ; and in the cx)nfidence of retuming
friendship informed that Government of the great preparatimis
which tney were completing, for marching in full force against
Hyder Ali, at the opening of the ensuing season ; when the escape of
^Ragoba from the custody of Sindia, to General Goddard's camp on
* Messrs. Farmer and Stewart.
t It is creditable to the humanity of Madtyee Sindia, whose prisonsis
they became, that he afterwards released them unconditionally. To lient
Steward, who expressed to him his scruples, he replied, *^ resume ^urplan m
the army^ your sword is your subsistence."
I He was accompanied bv his adopted son, Amrut Row, then terenten,
and j^^ee Row, four years old, born to him after the adoption of the former.
This Bajee Row is the present Peshvfa, 181G.
CHAP. XXI.] RELATIONS WITH NIZAM ALL 433
the 12th of June, changed the whole plan of their policy ; and
induced them to depute without a moment's delay, the embassy to
Hyder, that terminated in the offensive alliance against the English,
which has been already noticed.
But the hostility of these two States did not constitute the only
danger which threatened the English power. The interference of
France, in the dispute between Great Britain and her colonies, had
now terminated in an open rupture between those two States ; and
although the capture of Pondicherry, after a gallant resistance in
October 1778, and the reduction of Mahe in March 1779, had
relieved the English from the most imminent of their dangers in
Coromandel and Malabar ; still the vicinity of the French islands
enabled that power to give the most formidable support to the
impending confederacy, which was farther strengthened by the
active political efforts of Nizam Ali, the result of transactions with
the Government of Madras which it remains to describe.
We have seen that in the arrangements which were concluded
between Nizam Ali and the English regarding the cesssion of the
northern cirears ; that of Guntoor forming a part of the jageer of
Basalut Jung was reserved during the life-time of that chief, but the
Company were declared to possess the full reversionary right to that
district, and as a guard against the designs of his brother, the jealous
condition had been added by Nizam All, of the right of the English
to dispossess him at an earlier period, if his conduct should be
hostile or injurious. The district of Guntoor occupies a considerable
extent of sea-coasfc, between the northern boundary of the dominions
of Arcot and the river Kistna, which was then the southern limit of
the other northern cirears possessed by the English. The trifling
sea-port of Mootapillee had been employed by Basalut Jung for the
introduction into his service of French officers and troops ; and the
disciplined corps under Monsieur Lally had attained a respectable
'degree of force and organization, at the period that we have describ-
ed it surprised by Hyder in its trenches at Bellary in 1775.
Basalut Jung meditating to render this corps the foundation
of retrieving his fortunes, continued to augment and improve
it, to every practicable extent ; and this incessant introduction
of French officers and troops into the interior of the peninsula,
and the interposition of a French force, between the different
Positions of the English territory on the coast of Coromandel,
ad caused repeated remonstrances from the Government at
Madras, both to Nizam AJi and Basalut Jung. The result of
some previous negotiations produced, in the early part of the
year 1779, an offer from Basalut Jung to rent that circar to the
English ; and subsequently an agreement by which he engaged
to dismiss the French corps from his service, on the condition of
being furnished with a body of English troops for the defence of his
dominions. The endeavours of the English to obtain an amicable
transfer of that life-interest in the district of Guntoor, which con-
CO
431- CiUNTOOR AND TASALUT JUNG. [CHAP. XXL
stitiitcd the only iin[)cclimcnt to their occupation of that tenitoiy,
was a measure perfectly justifiable : but in connecting that Inti-
mate o])ject, with the loose condition of defending the other pos-
sessions of Basahii Juni^, thfy rushed into a wide and dangerous
iield of poliiicj^l discussion, uttirrly Wyoml their competence, as a
subordinate presiden<?y.
The im|)rovidt'ni*e of Basalut Jung in an augmentation of force,
dispro portioned to his iinanirial means, had caused the French corps
to be ill paid and discontented : he ho])ed to retrieve his finances
by stipulating, that the revenues of Guntoor should furnish the
payment of his Knglish auxiliaiy ibrce ; and when Lally,* already
seduced by Nizjim Ali, was about to lejive his service, he trans-
fernul to the Knglish the jjossession of Guntoor, and earnestly press-
ed the innnediate march of their auxiliaiy troops to Adwanee, at
the j^ecise time that Hyder, after the aipture of Chittlcdroog; was
in motion for the conquest of Kurpa, a country exactly interposed
betweiMi the ce<led province and the capital of Basalut Jung. The
t^irdy arrangements of the Government of Wadnis had not prepared
the tletachment \mtil the month of August, when Hyder, after oom-
l»Ieting that con(piest, had long returned to Seringapatam, leaving
the jjrovincial command to the a\re of Meer Saheb. The orders for
the march of the liritish detachment were issued with the same loose
iniconcern, as if they had related to a simile interior movement : its
route, by the ]>rovinces of Kurj)a an<l Kurnool, amounting to at
l(.»ast two hundred miles of road distance, was through the most
diilieult passes of the peninsula, and across the territories of two
j)owei's, namely, Hyder and Niziini Ali, who were directly inter-
ested in preventing its progress. By a political inadvertence
searcely eiedible, no ]»revious. notice was given, or {Msmiission
ivq nested, to ])ass a military force through these foreign terri-
tories ; the ollicer connnanding was merely funiisbed with & letter
fi-om the Governor to Hyder s manager (as ho is named) of ths
-,Miit
Hy , „
Ludy showing that the Governor wiia aware of the necessity of some
sort of p(rrmission. C^oloiud Harper, the officer commanding, was
allowed to i»roceed without molestation, until the whole body was
fairly entanu'led in a deep winding rugged v.ile, between two pre-
eipitous hills ; when a l»reast-woi*k of felled trees, lined with
musketry, was seen in front; troops were observed to be in motion
in the hills on both flanks, and a larger force to close up the
ri'ar ; when Colonel ifarper, peiceiving the jjcrilous snare into which
he Nvjn ad\:im;ing, ])rudent ly detennined on an immediate retieat^
which was ])ermitUMl witln»ut serious hostility. The Government^
on reeeivini^ this report, del»rminrd to reinforce the detachment, and
' 'I'lic (JowiMiucnt oi" i'ort St. (icor^u, (general letter, 3d April 1780J
st:iti>(l till' iiM'option of these troDps by Ni/.am Ali, to be a direct violation w
the treaty of 17(j8. I caniiut (iiul the CDiulition which it violates.
CHAP. XXI.] IlLsr.XTMKNT n| M/AM All. \'\'*
rcint»imtmt(* with livilrr. :iS'^llIlliIl•_' in (lii-ir Ii-1ti r :i^ :iii :i\ii*ni id
the law t if n.'iiifiii-^. that tVi<-niIlv Stat<*^ urn- :iiw;t\ . :i( IDniIv t«»
liiAri'h tri*Mps thri)n_;h rai-h nthiis t>-iTi(iii !•■<« Ilv^lii* not ntilv
n'si>t4*il this novrl i|«M'iiiiii', liut aiiii<>iihi-i'l to l>a^.tliit •lun.; his ti\f«|
ih'U'niiiiiatioii. imt t«» ^^iili^ r an Kipjlish i-iMp^ t>> )>a^M {*» A'lw.iti***,
iu>r th«' ilistrit't nfiliKitocr tn i^;!.^*^ int<* tl.r IuHhU i*t' hi*^ iiiii>t inM !•--
ratr t'licinv ; it'or tin* (n*v« rniin-iit lia^t ah«M>lv iiii\«-ijiil th*- *«• <-i<'l
liioviT dt' the Ml 111*, )iy suli-it i.t ihLf thi* «li'«tiiit t<> Miiliaim 1 Aii;.
HviltTH ih'il.i!atiiiii \\!f» •iiii' klv !'».Ili»\v« il li\ a l-"iv ol' Ii_;|it iiiii.|i^.
III lai«l \va^t«' thi" t«iiii"iy «•!' Aiiwain r n)i !•• tin- i:aT« >» ft !!»••
m|iital : aiiil hy th<* tinH< iKai ('•'!>>ni'l ilaipii wa^ !• int'on fl. ..nil
hail riM-iiiMnirn«-i «1 hi-* manh. In- w;!-^ -t-iiiH -i l.\ Iijti i-- iVi-in l^i-.ihit
Jillii;. >tatini^ tiiat lir \^a'^ ihii ati-ii« <) with 'ii -^ti tn li'>n. l->(h l<y
liyilcr ;iiiil Ni/ain Ali. it' Ik- -h<>ii]«i «'<>ntiiiMi- lii-^ i<iMh« Ni"ii \\\*\\ tlu'
Kii;,;Iish ; airl i<'<|iii-.tiii^^ that 1' r tli** ]>i* -• lit (ic ( 'i.!Mti< 1 ^hmiM
di"Hist tii>(ii tip* att« iii]'t i<i : •i\aii> •• Aii'-thii I'-trii. ti tip ( l..\i i n-
int'iit lit* Maiha'*. ini|i!<>:i-<I tlnii i- t •i:,tiiiti it' ( tTii.(<> i a-^ ti.^ < iily
liHsiiis nt' SIX iiiiT liiiii tii-ni thi- \ • n. ■-.iii« • i f li: « • im m:* ^ i>Mt tli.it
Cf«>Vi*riiiiif'iit «i'-t> I iiiiii' '1 111 k' • ;> ] I '11 i-t' t !.i t< ? i it'-i \ in • "n-
foniiitv t«i till' ii< ii V ari'l in :tMii"iiiii • lii.t tl.> ri>' •!•- u liii h th- v
IumI aL'ri-i'il III mail I t.u 1 1 t- -i li- • i \ .- •-. \m !•- i< .< i\ t • |'* 1 1 i m ()!• ir
|iart lit' ihi- >ti)«iil.t it'll Ni/:ii .\'.i i>- iit'>i.: < aii .i* t «<t liotiiity
a^nill^t hiin***-ir. tit'- *i ii'nl.iti -n • t i :.- Kt..Ii-1i !' i tin i<ni •ii-M(:"iial
deffiicf lit' hi-* lii-<f >i«'i' III i iii • ? t-ii;i:!i' • i:\.il. ani i nl< d -i \\ illi
Uiu iit4n«>^t z-m! iiiii lii- r-t:!. i. i.ii \ ' r li.' .-li.. : >i.tt. •*
■
Siirli Wi-ii- t!i'- r • iiii i .'■!•■ t Jijl'inat :■■!! . \\hih m- 'Mia.--!
HyiliT t«i |M I • \i ;•- in ).: j-.ii t • t" t !:•■■..•?:• i ■ I | -in. \\ hii li I i-l t'-r
itHnv<'W«>) il'i'il tl.'- • ■ !• I ii'iM. t I'-ii .-1 t i.i- t'li il :-h {•••\\ I 1 i*' li-'ii.i
But ill «ii>h r that • 'ir lutii ii;Mati\.- ni.iN n- I )-- int. Miit- M-v
« n*fvi»'in'i' I'l t 'i«' III'-'- j'i- nt n. •hTm! ■> i-^ w :»'i Nj/.-m Aii i* !i'i\ ^-'
a mnviiiiiTtt ant . i|i iti 'n l-t - 1 ii i-i r l,i- ;■ ; • r'» : a:l t ■ • ii •»! *•
■
artiMii^ \vi'i«" \ I .li -I 1 \ .i!i 111.' ■ \MiJ f-.\ ■♦■ ? \ ?! lit!.-- < I \ > • 'H; »it
lif-lli-ra! lit' I'm Ii_.:' !■• W !• Ml t' t'. .' \ u ' 1 I I'.T .l-it. •.'■-;. I-
Cd in Aplll 1771* waft • -l:.! ■;• . • 1 M ' I » I**t'i • I I'l ■' ! 'I ly
17^'* ; aii'l u !.• n iji .!• • I \ ■ • i » •;!■.• -i . !•!• •• : t i • n lii*.
thi».*M- I'l'li I -^ \vii-- I \ ..'I- i . T. I ■; ' '. . i ■.' ; • 1 ' ■ i-i- t- "^ ? • * au - f
iti)i til'- i-iu -III I- :i' • ' t" ^1 .. Mill- i \i »*:.* til tJ.\ •! \\\
Wliil«-i.ill. w.' . in I !;• ... I i ■ ... s f' jn i : . . v. . ■-■i i » • ' .-r
17'**<» i an-i i!:- |.i-iii:.: i. rit.' n . ! < i i«.! ■ tmr.i- i. \» ''\ • :• ■ ♦• I .
ari«i that hv tin -•■ .ti, I ti. i • : . • <. i .i- i . ; t (\ n,. < ii- lif
Suprt 111'- < I '\ ■ Vl.Tli. 'it .ij. . . ,■ i ■, .j. '.» I. I- ^1 !*. J k^-ilij
Cunl'- -h-lMi-N Ni.'-ilii \!i M>..'. ■.. ■{::■■ J l-.;.. ■ r l ! •,•»■!■!!»
ori;^iti;il a'lvi<t-i |! tt it i- • ! ii> . '* u. t . ..-. ■ ;• ' : - «i v- mi
in«:lit Ctiiii lal \v.*.- Ij.4''!.-I \ . .■ i I'l I-. ■ • 'ji*. r ' . i'.-
riri"*'t |ii<»<jii> • I ..n li. Ml i» 1 ■ : N . .4: 1 \ I r \ . ■ t - -I .i*. -^ » ■ •■
fVii'iitiy ii-it i\. I .1* ..!|. It? 1... . ; ••!•;•. t ^1 .',
^ • i ift* 1 1 1 1 1 "V- 1 1 • . j i I ■. ■ I • i . • : I • I . IK • r ■ • • . . . ! I
hllii ihi' uh '[t -I T* j : I . • . ' . \ , .. \.i !..i . .1
436 HYDER'S CORRESPONDENX'E with madras, [chap. XXL
We retuiTi from a digression, neccssaiy for explaining the con-
dition of the Britisli power, which Hyder was about to assail, to
resume the narrative of his own dii*ect communications with thai
Government.
On the departure of Mohammed All's ambassadors in 1775,
Hyder rehictantly, but finally, dismissed from his mind all ex-
pectiition of an alliance with the English ; and turned his earnest
attention to tlieir European rivals, the Erencli ; who received his
iulvances with nuirked encouragement ; a vakeel, or political
agent, continued to reside at Madras, for the purpose of intelligence ;
but his intercoui-se with the Gk)vemment was liirdted to those formal
communications, which are made as a matter of routine, to all
powei-s not in actual hostility on the occurrence of any importamt
event. On the occasion of his victory and pursuit of Hurry Punt
Purkia, lie addressed one of these letters to the Governor, in Jan-
uary 1778 ; which was answered by a letter of congratulation in
the following month, from Sir T. Rumbold, who had recently suc-
ceeded to the govei'nment, and expressed a desire for farther ami-
cable commimications. Hyder was engaged in an arduous service
(namely, the reduction of the Alahrcatta territory between the rivers)
which rendered it necessary that he should temporize, and he re-
turned to this communication a letter of great civility accompanied
by some presents. The same causes which would for a time prevent
his aiding the French, in that rupture with the English, which he
knew to be impending, induced him to attempt amusing them with
other schemes ; and in pursuance of this design, his agent submitted
to the Governor the project of a joint opei^ation for replacing Bagoba^
in the Peshwaship of Poena. This advance was met by the proposal
of a personal conference, to discuss the details of a permanent alli-
ance; and Hyder replied, by objecting to the grocit distance of his
present situation, and by suggesting that an envoy should bo sent to
him for that purpose, £is soon as his arrangements should be in
sufficient forwardness. In the meanwhile, the urgency to his own
affiiirs of the service in which he wjis engjiged, prevented him from
moving to the support of the French, at Pondicheny, during a si^
protracted from the 8th of August till the 18th of October.
Although the Government of Madras had recently expressed
their conviction to the Su|)rcme Government that Mohammed Ali
would never consent to the alliance; with Hyder; yet on an-
nouncing to that chief the fall of Pondicheny, they pressed its
conclusion, by desiring an explicit declaration of his sentiments
regarding the proposed treaty. But the period had passed away for
the realization of such a project. Hyder had reluctantly engaged in
other connexions ; and was persuaded, that the secret impediments
to a sincere alliance with the English, continued to be insurmoimt-
able ; although, therefore, he replied in terms of cold and formal
congratulation, on the success of the English arms, he evaded the
explicit declaration which was re<juired, by saying that he would
CHAP. XXI.] FALL OF PONDICHERRY AND MAHR 437
write on the subject of a personal interview with the Governor, as
soon as he should have finished an expedition on which he was then
engaged. The Governor, however, pei*severed in his desire of farther
communication, by proposing to send a resident to his court ; and
conculded with announcing to him, his intention of sending an
expedition for the reduction of Mahd
Although Hyder liad heard with regi-et of the capture of Pon-
dicherry, his immediate convenience was not materially affected
by that event ; but if the fortress and port of Mah^ should fall into
the possession of the Englisli, he would lose the direct source of
military supply, and his allies their last remaining point of co-opera-
tion : he therefore replied to this intimation, that ne considered the
various settlements of the Dutch, French, and English, on the coast
of Malabar to be equally entitled to his protection as being erected
on his territory, and that he should certainly oppose the designs of
any one of those powers against the settlements of another ; he at
the same time directed his agent to announce to the Governor, in
the most explicit terms, that in the event of an attack on Mah^, he
should not only aid in its direct defence, but retaliate, by detaching
a body of troops to lay waste the province of Arcot. That forts and
harbours, possessed by European powers, long before Hyder s exist-
ence, should pass under his sovereignty, in consequence of a subse-
quent conquest of the adjoining territory, was a political assumption
of sufficient absurdity, and the English Government would have
sacrificed all pretensions to dignity and independence, by yielding
to a determination founded on such futile pretencjes. Mohammed
Ali was of a different opinion, he recommended that the expedition
to Mah^, already anived on the coast of Malabar, should be
postponed; and revei-ted to the policy so often repudiated,
of strengthening themselves against Hyder, by an alliance with the
Mahrattas ; the service went on, and although Hyder s troops assist-
ed in the defence of the place, and his colors were hoisted with
those of the French to indicate his protection, it fell in the month of
March. The Nairs in tlie neighbourhood immediately rose in rebel-
lion against Hyder's Government, in the hope of being supported
by the English ; but Colonel Brathwaite, who commanded the expe-
dition, did not consider himself justified, under the equivocal aspect
of Hyder's policy, to engage in any act of direct aggression ; the
Nairs were consequently subdued by Hyder s provincial troops, and
were afterwards stimulated to attack the English, not only at Mah^,
but at their ancient settlement of Tellicherry.
If Hyder did not put into immediate execution his threat of
invading the tenitory of Arcot, he was restrained by motives of a
prudential and temporary nature, and he certainly cannot be accused
of disguising his intention. In a letter written in the succeeding
month, after complaining of incessant impropriety of conduct, on the
part of Mohammed Ali's officers on the frontier, he adds, that out of*
respect to the King of England, and the gentlemen of the council at
438 SWARTZ'S MISSION TO IIYDEIL [CHAP. XXL
Madras, lie had as yd Utl-en no aicp to retaliate, reminds the Gover-
nor of tlie notice he had given rogaixiing Mahe ; and concludes
with the significant observation, that tlio Governor was the
best judge of his own conduct. The reply of the Governor, after
exprcssing sui'prise at Hyder's partiality to the French, in preference
to the English, soniewliat awkwardly, complains for the first time, of
Hyder's conquest in 1776, of the territories of Morari Row, who was
included as an ally, in the treaty of 1 709 ; and also of the conquest
of Kurpa, which Mohammed Ali with literal truth, but political
deception liad represented to be an ancient dependency* of Uamatic:
The tone of Hyder's last communication was certainly calculated to
excite alarm : and the Governor determined to adopt the best means
in his power for disposing him to more lunicable councils ; or at least
to ascertain the actual extent of his designs.
Among the Danish missionaries patronized by the English
society for promoting Christian knowledge, was a German clerey-
man, named Swartz, who had his principal residence at Tanjore, but
frequently travelled in the exercise of his religious functions, to
various parts of the peninsula. Ho was a man of considerable
information, of amiable demeanour, and of a purity of manners, and
simplicity of depoitment, which emulated tlie apostolic character.
To this respectable person, the Governor intnisted the secret mission
of proceeding to the court of Hyder, to " sound" his disposition ; to
assure him of the amicable designs of the English Government ; and
if he should a])pear to be peaceably disposed, to inform him that a
deputation of some principal members of the council would be sent
to him, to adjust the tcnns of a Listing alliance. By the most
unhappy coincidence of events, Mr. Swartz amved at ScringapataBiy
a few days after Hyder had received the intelligence of Colonel
Harper's hostile attempt (lus it was thei*e considered) to pass without
permission through the province of Kurpa, towards Auwanee : this
event was not calculated to compose Hyder s resentment on other
accounts ; but he assured Mr. Swartz, that '' if the English offered
the hand of peace and concord, he would not witlidraw his,"
PROVIDED ***** \yyj^^ Qf these mysterious provisos, nothing can
now be ascertained.^ Hyder was gracious and condescending to the
envoy ; but his two letters to the Governor, the first delivered by
Mr. Swartz, and the second transmitted in the succeeding month,
* He intended to represent it as a dependency of Dranvctla^ now named
Camaiic Payeen Ghauty on which it never had depended. It was an ancient
portion of Telingana, (see vol. i, pp. 4 and 5,) when the Mohammedsn
conquerors made the artificial division of Carnatic Vijcyapoor and Carnatic
Hyderabad, (vol. i, p. 135,) Kurpa was included in the conquests of the latter,
but on no occasion was a dependency of the Payeen Ghaut.
t The arrival of a pnvatc traveller was so little calculated to excite
attention, tliat few persons of Hyder's court could recollect anything of him.
excepting that Ilyder, who conversed with the teachers of all religions, haa
about this period sonic conversations with the Christian priest, who came to
instruct some of his Europciui soldiers.
CHAP. XXI.] I'AKTLY MYSTKIlInrs. VMI
R|)iik(* (laj^;;t*rs to till' ii)nst tnr|ii'l ap)in'lirii>.iit?i. Mr t(H>k a ifvirw
of tiif rmiilurt of (111* Kii<^li>li. as ciiiiiirrt'-il with MuliaiiidK'il Ali,
from tilt* fnunl of 'ri'irliiiio|Hi|y in 17'>-. tii thrir viMl^ainii i.f tin*
iivatv of 17<*!^ : 111* I'ltuinrniti-il tlirir liii«>til<' rMitJiirt at Main*, tin*
till* att<'iii|'t to iiiarrli trottjm tliiMiii^li lii<« tfiTit«ii'ii*i to tli<>s«* tif
KiNjkliit •luii;; : tin* I'oiiiluct of Molciiiiiin'tl Ali ** otlti-i ri nn (In* tn»ii*
iii'r> ; ami of tin* t 'i»iii|i:iriv''< >«T\aiit.> at Trilii*lu'rr\ , in fiiriii^liiii;;
|>pit4'i-tii»ii aii'l aiil to IiIn riU'lIinns Niiliji-i'tN, m«« >•• iiiaiiy fviilriici-^
c»f tlirir ilt-tiTiiiliiatitiii t>» hn-ak witliliiiii at all «'\i'iits. ami a«i<ii'<l.
•• 1 liavf not yi't takm rrvt-iii;!' ; it In im matter. Iiiit if vaxi lifia'i*-
fMilli. for;;fttiiii; all ti'iMtii^i ami i-iiL:a;^'i-im-iitN nf tin* ( '«iiiipaiiy. still
aro iiii^'iit i»ii l>ri*akiiii; witli iin*. wlial ailxanta^^'i- ran attcml
writini^ to yon f Wln-n >iirli iniprMjMT (Miplmi is iiiii-iur.l. what
Crniri^roni'-nts will n-main iii\i<ilati' ^ I li-av'> voii to jii<l 'f nn wIium*
tiart rh:,M;^'i'nirnl>« an<l |»iiiiiiiNiH h.ixi- li-.-n lip»k«ii. Vnii an*
a«i|iiaiiit«-il with i-vnythth::. it i-^ i'i::ht to ai-t in ail t!iiii::>i with
prinii'iit'i* an<l rnr.'-*i:.'lit. ' ih\ tin- ntniri cf Mi. Swaii/. tin*
fii»Vfrni<r i*i'inniuiii«'at«'<l t'T tlif tli'-*t ti]ii«- t<< hi* i->>iirii'il, tin*
nrstill I'f a nii-^-ion wiiii Ii hul Ih i n niiili i t.ik< ii with'iii tii< ii kh>iw-
|ii|l»i» : tin* Mnl\ il<>i iiiri< iit^ iii .iiiii-.| nn th*- i-f :i».iii!i. aii* th-*
iin\n in>r •« I* tti r {■* ll\«l' r. wiiii h n rn-}\ -t.iti'i t)i'- an:i> .i^li* nhii-it^t
cif tin- nii-oi-in. ari>l H\«i>(> aii^\r< !^. .i!i<-.i :\ a>i\t it« i t» wlu-h
m m
ftilil. that "Mr Sw.'.iT-. \\«iiij.l int-iin hiin. ii'i<- (!••%• iii->r wirli
Kc\i'ral mattti^ |..- |i:i<l iIim..* 1 liiiii with: hit ii"*iitiy w.i-^ ina<l>*
on ihf r« •'••I'i'' •■! tlf iiit'"i in it '>ii t'luiii Mr >^\\.ii!,'. tli'i'* «iiii>-tiv
Ajii| ittlii'ially !• t' M< 1 t • . ii< 1 A -i;ij'.<- hn*- ••! i- j«<it <<r i>>iirn:il. i^v
ci^nniiiini*' it n'li. m :iii\ t'lm. ti<>iii a jxi-m-h wii'i ii.L'lliiii ilrii.'**!
with a |->iit i< li iiii^^i ii 't tii<' ji'.i!' t m.j' iv.i. •■ In .i |»i:-m|
alioumlin ' with t !m ii.i > * w •;i-i> i . it i > ni.> > < ■! I ' t*> i •;•!•-' * n?ii
aKtoiii-hni* nf . t ii^t n*' in'i;\ii'ial <h.i!.:iil with i '■(•!.>- .i.th-'iit\ ni
In<lia of in Kii^lttpl »\.r ■» ;/. ^t- ■; ti.» < v.iii.i'i f ■■!. -r ^!i Sw.n!/.
oil tin-**' [■■•ii:' « . or • i:l' 1 r -1 I I '■nil I i •■! '• ; • : t •■: i - |<* - • • iili J.
A t '..iiiiiiit:' ' "t" t !:'■ Ii "i ■ i t" t " 'nn. I. • ."'■■,..!• \ . 1 ii^. -I
with t hi- in\ ' *' '-'-^(^ '> it I ).' ^1 t i.iii-'.i' 1 1 Ii < iiij .\ : • ;• I ! - t !.• l.i< t
of ii'i ^U'h «it' ' V h..\ luj h' ' M ni J !•• . h'lT ,-..|.i, n . -. .. :i iii._ii.i-
\hu tin- "hx .••■»" ni».i'!» ■ !" 'i'i-i) '•'-: I'-'" 'i' f* ■ ' A>1. .„ii I h i>l
till' !•!• 1 MP 't M: >w .!'. • ;i- j"! ih* 'T|. . n. i!.\ }•■•''■• att '\^..!.i..
All.] |,;i\i- I,. .1' I 1 . I. I. «: : *•• li v? ■» :•■ ! i Ti! ■ * i w .'. :. ;Ii- ■ .'• |. ■ I
tif thi- lo: .-Ii h- -Ii' 1 ' '. ''■«■!' 1' > ..tr- :■• -h w i .j.:. ■ f. -i i .
Iii^lorn .'I I" »'-■-' hifl'' . I. ;.■?...• I .:•!. I.. .:.• ■■ : --i!. I
aijiMFij h: ::■■:'■ i j ^■- ■*■> ■■■ ■ '• ■• ''^ ' ■ :■ • i ^^ ' h
I . ; J • , , 1 1 , • \^ • : '.■♦'•.!! • I : I ■..•.!., \v • . I h
MI. »■ V .■ •
T)'"
♦ •• '
X •
I ' 1 • -, ' • I . ■ • ■ . ..II I
. \ • M ■ • ■ • ■ I'l
1 ■• • .■•••••111
f , . . . ... ^I ~ ' •' . . ■ . I . • • • * :■• . \»h. il
^m^r^ '" '".* i . \[: *. ..: . .. '...'. '.' tiu:. ii ^** u.l liUli I
440 MISSION OF MR. GRAY. [CHAP. XXL
wliicli our infonnation is defective. The whole of these extracts
subjoined* for tlie pui'pose of exhibitinfj the amount of the lights
whicli they afford regarding the nature of the mission, and of
furnishing a curious and interesting picture of the mind of this
Tenerable Christian, who seems to have deemed the political mission
no farther worthy of notice, than as it tended to promote a
particular object of spiritual pursuit.
A point of secret history seems to be connected with the mission
of Mr. Swartz, which is not explained by another which immediately
succeeded it. Six English gentlemen and a lady had proceeded from
Europe to Alexandria, and tmversing Egypt to Suez, had there
embarked on board a Danish ship bound to Calicut on the coast of
Malabar, where both ship and cargo were seized for having "KngliA
property on board ; and all the passengers were plundered and sent
8is prisoners to Seringapatam. Ilyder on their arrival directed the
Governor^ of Calicut, who accompanied them to the capital, to ascer-
tain how many of them were fit for gunners, but on discovering
that there was not one military man among them, he gave an early
order for their release : there was some hope that iJieir property
would also be restored, but unfortunately some of the articles attract-
ed Hyder s fancy, others were probably intercepted in his name
without his authority, and the prisoners were dismissed with a very
slender wardrobe. On the first intelligence of tliis capture, the
Governor of Mcodras determined on the mission of an envoy to demand
the release of the English subjects, and to embrace the same oppor-
tunity of resuming an attempt at amicable alliance. The person
selected for this service was Mr. Gray, formerly of the Civu Ser-
vice in Bengal. He met at Amboor on the English frontier
(where he had waited a few days for his passport from Hyder)
the prisoners, whose release foniied the first object of his mis-
sion, but he determined to proceed in prosecution of the second,
although limited by the tenus of his passports to a retinue which
scarcely allowed him the conveniences of a private traveller. On
his an'ival near the capital, quarters were assigned to him at the
distance of two miles, in a miserable shed half filled with artilleiy
ropes, where (according to his journal) " one of Hyder's chcbdart^
came and squatted himself by his side and asked a variety of im-
pertinent questions." His own attendants of the same orcler were
not jjermitted to go with a message to Hyder, accoixling to ordinaiy
etiquette, and not one of his people stirred from the shed without
siifHciently explicit, if it were permitted to found on the recollection of sod
conversations, after a long interval, the narrative of an historical fact, of
more than ordinary delicacy, involving the reputations of the dead.
* Appendix, No. 2, end of this vmume.
t Sirdar Khan.
t Attendants with silver or gold staffs, who act as a sort of subordxni^
marsnals and messengers ; the attempt of one of these persons to sit down in
the presence of a man of rank, woula everywhere in India be deemed a broad
and deliberate insult.
CHAP. XXL] ITS UNFAVORABLE RECEPTION. 441
being openly attended by a spy, to prevent his having any com-
munications, excepting for the purpose of purchasing what he re-
quired in the market. He was however admitted to an audience on
the succeeding evening, ** after (as he reports) being kept in an open
veranda two hours to be stared at," and delivered his letter and
presents. Of course no business was transacted in this first audience :
but on the ensuing morning the presents* were returned, with an
intimation that hostility was not to be inferred from that cir-
cumstance. It waa Hyder's intention to show that the presents
were not suited to the dignity of the giver or the receiver, and
adverting to customs of which the Governor and his envoy ought
not to have been ignorant, they had fairly subjected themselves
to this rude retort. A few days afterwards Mr. Gray proceeded to
the private audience which he had requested : and after being in-
troduced to the public durbar, and waiting about half an hour, with-
out being spoken to by Hyder, a person came to announce that if
he wished a private audience, a person in Hyder's confidence would
retire with him into an adjoining apartment, report the result
to Hyder, and bring his answer. Mr. Gray expressed a wish for a
personal audience, but on being informed that this was not custom-
ary, he retired with Mohammed Osmanf who brought him the in-
timation ; and who frequehty passed to the durbar to refer to Hyder,
and bring his replies. Mr. Gray announced the main object of his
mission to be a closer imion of interests, to which Hyder replied,
that he would be glad of the friendship of the English ; but of what
avail were treaties ? of the treaty of 1769, they had broken every
article : his aflairs had been reduced to the brink of ruin, by their
refusal to aid him against the Mahrattas : that was the time for
friendship, if friendship had existed : after such an example, it was
unnecessary to enumerate minor grievanceaj Mr. Gray adroitly
replied, that he had not come to speak of grievances under former
Governments, but to propose a remedy against new ones ; and a
treaty which should ensure the aid of troops when necessary. To
this, Mohammed Osman replied from himself, " that Hyder did not
want them, the time was, when he would have been thankful for
them, but now he was strong enough to take care of himself and do
without them. I have been at Madras," said Osman, " and have
observed how your allies are treated : Mohammed Ali showed me
* A saddle and a gun constituted their whole amount; the saddle, (of
£nglish make, N. B. of Hogskin to a Mussulman,) seemed intended to try,
not assist the seat ; the gun, (a rifle which loaded at the breech,) was charged
at the wrong end ; such is the verbal account 1 have received of the messages
which attended their return; Mr. Gra/s journal is to the same effect, but
somewhat softened.
t He was attended also by Mohammed Ghyass.
X Amon^ other observations, he stated, that the English had conquered
Tan j ore, which was guaranteed by the treaty. This was intended to retort
the Governor's observation regarding his own conquest of Gooty ; but Tanjore
was taken in 1773, and restored in April 1775 ; and Gooty was not taken till
1776, and never restored.
dd
44-2 ITS FAILURE. [OHAP. XXI.
several letters from the king of England, biU coinpluined oftlie lacs
of Pofjoiias whick each of those letters cost hint,'* To tluH observation,
Mr. Gray gave the turn of expressing his satisfaction that Moham-
med Ali had friends at Seringapataiu ; he desired to be understood,
that the wish for Hyder s friendship did not proceed from weak-
ness ; as the English Government was not in a state to solicit
alliances ; that he had so far executed his commission ; and would
either immediately return with the ungntcious answer he had re-
ceived ; or wait for orders in reply to his report, as Hyder might
think fit. That chief had now given abundant, repeated, and most
explicit proofs of his intentions, but he did not wish to precipitate
hostility before he was perfectly i-eady : he therefore carelessly
answered that the gentlemen might write ; but although it had been
agreed that his letters were to be sent by Hyder s post, he found
himself obliged, after numerous evasions, to send them by special
messengers, and during the whole period of waiting for a reply,
Hyder was inaccessible to all his advances. At length, wnen
Hyder knew that he had received his answer, without desiring or
waiting for a communication of its contents, he notified to the envoy,
that he would on that evening give him his audience of leave.
Under these circumstances, Mr. Gray determined, that if Hyder
should make no enquiry regarding the answer, he would not give
him the opportunity of insulting him in public durbar, by speaking
on the subject himself Under ordinary circumstances this would
certainly have been the most dignified course of proceeding ; but
as the Government of Madras had not chosen to believe the hostility
so frequently professed, and had allowed this mission to proceed with
no remaining object, but to be moi-e distinctly informed of Hyder's
determinations ; it would seem to have been more consistent with
that object, to have brought those deteiminations to the most open
and public issue. The envoy sat an hour in silence, when be^el
and ottar of roses, the u.sual indications of dismission, were offend,
and presents of the customary description* and value were offered
and accepted ; apparently l^ecause the envoy was glad to escape on
any terms, from a countiy in which he was treated so inhospitably :
where, (according to his own description,) " he had been received
and treated as a spy, rather than an ambassador ; rather confined
than lodged ; and in which the trifling civilities of fruits and flowers
were delivered by chobdars, who were uncivil, insolent, greedy, and
clamorous."
We have entered into circumstances of more tlian usual detail,
for the purpose of enabling the reader to form his own judgment re-
garding the conduct which might have been expected in conaeqaenoe,
from menf governed by the ordinary degree of intellect, and swayed
* (void clotlis, .shawls, and two bags, of 500 Rupees each.
t Mr. Gray arrived at Madras on the 30th March 1780 ; Mr. Whitehill
Bucceded t<> tbe Goveruuient on the departure of Sir T. Ruinbold, a few dajs
afterwards.
CHAP. XXI.] TORPOR AT MADRAS. 443
by the usual iinpulsos that nrtnato niAiikinii. It mnst l»e st«ite'l to
the credit of MnliAmincil Ali, tli:it h** nvninineiirlril, in tin? Ntnin^'eHi
tenns, the miMt vi^nroiiK]in*[MinitionH fnr tin* n'«*i'|»ti«»ii nf thi* nii'iny ;
and continued fnun day ti> ilay to rf]Nirt the pro^^n'ss nf Ilydfr's
preparations, and the ivrtaiinty of iiiinitMliat«' iuvH-Mon : ) ut h«- had
Mcorae A CafiJUindrH. without the int«T{K>sition of A|«oilo, his pn*-
dictions were all diju'n'»lited : in c'Vitv suiTfHhivr vi-ar sinif tl»M
peace of 17t>}^ he had omitinufd to aniii»iiii(v thi* .hhuu* I'Vent, till iiis
prophecies liecame the thi*in«* of riiliruh\ and t«'nded on!y to runftrni
the toqM)r and iml>«H*ility of this unhappy t'ovfriiiiifnt His warn-
ingii were niom»ver una('ruiii]i:inii'<i )*y tin* nii^niiN nf fi>IlMwiii;^ his
ODUUiiol ; from tile iktIihI nf tiie rest it ut inn nt* 'i'aiijot-f. tin* nnh|«-
eorpA of tnN»|)H whit'ii III* liuii fiuUNlicd w«'rt' eiinstaiitly inutiiiuus
for want of {lay.anii i*ontinu«*t| tii tji) ntf. t*ull of L^rii't* arpl iudiirnation.
in lar;^ IxHlie.s. to the siTvio- i\f Hvdrr. Wliili* tlnis imviii;; iii»iirif.
Mohaiuni«*«l Ali iNtrrnwiMl frnni evn-y om- \\hi» wnuM l«-nd ; an^i
re-paitl theM* Ioiuin. .-mil tin* iiiiiii^inary stTvircM hy m hi<-h )■«* \\as nttll
delud<*ti, ehietiv hv Ivonds :«*iin)f* iiav.iiil*' at stat*-i Hnitii* at ind<-tiiiitf
periods ; ail eventunlly i*h:ii"L'ei| on tlif p-vrmifN i.t th** fiuiitry \*hiif
the ^tihi U'lis Ii4iarth'<l a.N it wa.*i n-ffivfil. in hi< **i'i'iet •'••trt-t'^ '1 in-
Oovemnient at Madias witi* iii('f«>s:i!it in tin ir r«>iniil:tinis nt " (li«*
Ct di!iii*uity tlii'V liinl. !•• nlitain t)if ji-ast asNi«tantf I'mni tlie
tth, or any part i^f tin* lai;j>* li:il:ini'ts p-inannnj dui- thnu^rh it ih
beyond a ilouiit that nionfv tn :i jar.^- aninimt i^ imw* hoaidt-d ui»
in hia cotTfrs at t 'li«'[iiiuk '*' 'r)ii*i Uti kwaplni'^w^ i** n<>t the ri»inplaint
of adav : tii** n-«'<>i«U an* till*" I witii tlii* 'iixtri^s ^lin-li th«- 1 'niupany s
aflairM nave U'ru «'X|Mi<M-d tn, ).y the tritlin^ and nuL^ti'iv ('•iiiduct nf
the Naitiiii. wlifiH'ViT ni<iie-y has U'l-n d«*iuandi-<l nf him ; mipI
again. " n«> s«*nM*of tlit* conininn ihm.'fr in r:v^» of a war. I'an piixad
him t4» furni«ih tin* ('oniuinv witli wiiat i«i al^-^niutflv n*-'-*'v>;krv to
mi*l«* an annv ' t)ft[ii*> )Hr<«n:i m hnni it nnif Ummiih- t!.*- I:i>hi>*ii
to deai^ate a^ tip* most t'aithtnl ally nf thi- Kn;:iisli t\.ni|aii\ iur
jud^nent would Im> ninn* tiiM{iialiti<<l. it (lti-iM"'t iif 'iint<il i>.i;i;.it: ris
were niit rviTywInTf di«»''i nui-i* in tin* «iiij«i'itt "t'th •»• Kriji.-lini" ii
by W'h<»m lit* was plun<i«-ii-<i an>i •!• lit>ifi liut uitii if.-ai>l t" t)i>*
Qoveninient nf Mailra.s as ni i.tnju.i'^t' i-an ti*ti\f\ an a '.•■•fi;at"
fanprpfiHioii nf iMtnlurt. whii-h w* nr«iiniry an:' nnt ••rivi!rn«'' w -'i!'!
rentier er»«* I ihi»' tn sui-.*i nl;!!^' .tji-n M' •.hall I* -.iti-ti'-i wnii a l.iii*
enunt'iatiitn ••!' tai-t.^ In tlnir !• it* r !•• Knjiai.-I. »A thr I'Jifi ••!
FebniHTV. tii"V t- xpr*-*^ a hi-jt- u h* ii- •• titTii' i it i" d.tiirnit t-* • "fi
jertUP' that " as th** si.:i.si.n i« ».. • t.ir ad\ ir.'«'l tl fy s|h 'il-l |i:«--. i \ ••
the iwnri* nf thf t'arnatJi- tli.il yi;ir " < »n tl*- "1 il" Xri:' .i:*«:
invei^^hiiii; a^^ainst tl»«- •"iidin-t •f !'•■ mi .iv. -t:.-ni:it:.'in^' tin- Maiii.ktta
war AN tii«* i^ntiri t ll\d«T'< ire r* -«!-«•-• i ^tpiijtii jtii>l ip-i^"!!!^' .i
Mahratta iwaii- n^ tif ii l« -t s.-. ifitv ;ijii!i-t h-.- d'^ijii" Mux "«•• ni
• Pitt d .III l> i:>. »K- \.r>!::.. wLii. L *. ■l-'Wi:'- i:. '.*-• «••'••'
diftrrv* fi'f |'.t>
CHAT. XXI.] HE ORDKnS PRAYCRK AND Till: JElini'M. 44.3
for the Hiicccss of tin* ex|H*ilition, wcro opili'reil to be oflt*red ii]i in the
iii<)M|Ues : an«l thi*jrl»buiii* to Ih> iH'rfnnni**! in the HiinitM toni|>it*H.
5,0ni) nu'n, well iiistrurti'd aii<l i'4(ti|i|ii>il ; afi«l a fiMiiini^turiat aihiiirnbly
orpaiii7.<Hl, miller the liiri-otiiiii of a hr.tiiiiii. iiaiiieii riMiriiid, uiie of hii
miuifttrrit of liii;iiirc.
Tkti (IrtuchiiM'iitH made for thr i»crii|taticii of hin coiiqucMtH, ami the
mcreiuioii of ri'i'riiits and wliiilv coriM aftrr the iiiva.Moii. iii.iy, I think, bu
coiuputc'd aH ni'.irly b.il.tni'in^' nrh otiitT : so th:it hit di<i{Mi>.i)iIe f«»rrt\ during;
the Krfjt«*r |icn«Nt «»f the war. may be takm with iirobablv aernrary at aNnit
ninety thousand men. Of the PolikMrs of l*ahi!«try. lloniniiu, A*r.. who joineii
him near A rent, it would U* ditiiriilt to determine hi»w they tthiMiM bo
•stimateil . with hi.^ army they were a dead incumbrance ; but if nut with
him. thev mi^ht ha\e Im-i-m a^Min^t turn.
* Jeiibuni : a lliiidno eiTeniony for the attainment of a desire<l i>bject ;
muM, ari'nrdin:; to liuti-hrpiw. an iiitrlii:;cnt hraniin.: lie performed diirinf(
four Ml^re^.^ive peritNls. of twelve day^ i.uh. until the ubjeet )te attained, or
ItM Btluiunienl iuiiiiMted by mmiu- rrrtain |iri».;nii'>tK' : the num)>er twelve liein^
a quarter muminf, (orhit. «\:c.. mt |>- r>. vul i. \ihii*li. in it:i u]i]tliraliitn to time, is
A mystical |ieriiHl uf 4*^ d.iy.n. The Jclibuui ii of varioiiii kind.i, tlie mo<it
eonnnon i^ that, in whic-li from ten to an hiMidr«-<l braminN, under the
dirretion of an exiH-rt (tonroo. hii:h )knr'»t.> alintaiu iliirin;* tlie wh«>le peri«id
from nalt, nnil all <ith«-r i-findinientf Mhii-h |tri«Miiite di^'»"<lii>n, and eontine
themM'lvvH to -<iniph- milk and n< r. a ditt whwh noiie but the fttron>;«'it
CtiU^titutiiiiiH i*an Mi-t LJn. '1 hii'« prrpiretl. a d«-t.ii*hm< nt <if the i oy^iH Ire-
qncnily relieieil. •»? ii.il in a t ink up to thtir rhi'^tn in water. beatiiiK* it
iacr^^ititly with th«ir ImihU. aiid Kaulintp out tlifir mantramv tir ini-antatiiin^.
7hH M nearly ihr i<>riM nt tlii> irMi'ini whii h ii ulwavH performeti during
ft dniU^'lit in M> r. f>ir priNuni.:; r:iin That llydi-r. him«ilf, half a
NindiMi, sthi'.iM •^iii'tMn ti.i--f < • ii munii '•. i-* in ttii' (»riiin;try roiir-e of
human action: i'->i! t^:t! 'Iip{">. thi* ni>*^! l>;^*«>Ttvd of .MuhamnuNi.in*.
profr:««in,; .int«;«ii t 'ii-'i iti. r ii 1 « ••iit*]iii ! f«ir tin* lltiid*K» rfli^inn. ami
Ihe braniiu'* if" tci<'iirro, d<-«;p>yiML: tin ir tt-mplrx. and |M»|lutuiii; tlitir
■ftnctiiarie-*. HhiHilt iH-n-r t lil t<i iit|"V the pi rformanco of Xhv jrhimm when
ftLvnj'-d by ininiiio lit d uui r, i-. in<b • d. an extraordinary romltination of
ami^ant bu'^itry irid ir« luMin,: •«Mpi r^M'.ion : of >:i-nir.tl int«Ot r.iiio*. mini;lf«l
with oi •M'»iiiii il n ';»««'t f'-r tlir oKji-.-t n| |H*r<f'< uttoii. The form aUfxe
iU:«-«l. 1^1*1 iiK till*. \«i.;ih.a<« thi l>r.iiiiiii*> «'.ir.;:iiui- to jAirni. •>iic<'«'iiieti in
CBii«iiiC I>*ri| < orti'A ilii •' I.r-t ai.<l "••. mmiI rftiirn tr«trn .VriiiirapatAiii. and
fftile«l lit *• *'• III.' if lt>i:n ( •• ii> ; il M iitw. 1>« a'l^t tin- ( m»<.: — i i»a.4 titit el|iert in
the niy''tir :••*. i-r I'l- i'i«» -«■■:. n ••! thi- lir.iii.M ■« L.til t i.-*!*.-! ••! ^all
1*lii' )•« ];• I 111 till Hi !.::• il p'M*'-. !•: i<r cMiii' lI im iiitatii»iM. i* rii*t
Unriiiiiniofi .it... :i.' '.\i*- NI><:i i:i.!i.i •! it "^ Ail tin- |>artiiaUrt are f.tmilMrly
firt.tlied. 'J t ;•■ !• • *'■ p'''l J"f I'.V M- ' »ri.ii ••1 .\!l. at tlie i tprli'»e i^f .•■.»"»i7.
^d I'tT*."- r:*i I M'.'i' : ■ ■ ■ i : : ■ • ■■ N- ' • ■■ i I'liiidiT. .it the te;iiple of iVti l:i »•
Trrrt. > •'* ^loi: ••• " '• * ' ' ■' ^' -"' ''»d •■! i •• ■ ■ -H-l. w hs. h. .i!tt r
. I 1 .'. N ....i. J II \ tl
M^TJ "»;»/ J ;., .....I V . I r ■:•..-!..•!■■ M> »■■ "• 1» s]-« * ! t ■ *"\ n..: ..fF hM
I Iv !• i •• r .• i! ' .1* tfii- p« ri — I wfirn hi- h^il
)• I ■ • , .•: ■ I ■')■ **"rii« d. -T itiii.;. oi»ly. thil hr
II i>i 11-.; ID .^L '{tly Alii I thi i&icutK'n ••!
444 HYDER'S hostile preparations. [chap. XXL
to infer, that notwithstanding his hostile demonstrations, he was
unwilling or unable to act openly against them, although he had
himself told tliem, in the most distinct terms, that he was both able
and willing ; and after adverting to the late correspondence, and the
mission of Mr. Gray, instead of entering into any consideration,
inmiediate or remote, of the practical measures of State which such
conduct could not fiiil to suggest to men of ordinary intellect, they
close their observations with the following puerile remark, " your
Honors will be able to judge clearly of Hyder's disposition towards
us : this unfriendly, not to say insolent, conduct, could only have been
encouraged by our present troubles with the Mahrattas, in which he
finds so much advantage as we have already explained ;' but of any
thing in the shape of a measure no trace is to be found on the records,
unless we are to class as such a letter to Bengal, of similar import,
which added a description of their total helpTessnesa No measure
of preiraution was adopted regarding supplies of food, a branch of the
science of war not only the most difficult, but requiring the earliest
combinations : no provision was made for the defence oi places, or the
fonnation of a field force ; not one soldier was moved from his
ordinary cantonment, nor a single indication afforded of being awake
to the {)erceptiou of facts notorious to all India, and in Hvsoor not
attempted to be concealed. '' I have tried them already (said Hyder)
and I know them well, they have no conduct; and even now, when
I have assembled my whole force to enter the country, they have
not shown the least glimmering of ability."* On his own part eveiy
}>rdnch of })reparation was arranged with the most scrupulous care ;
no depaitment escaped his personal inspection ; and although ample
provision was made for the military occupation of all the posts, in
ever}^ part of his dominions, he moved from his capital in the month
of June, with a force which had probably not been equalled, and
certainly not surpassed, in strength and efficiency, by any native
anny that liad ever been assembled in the south-t" of India : prayen
* The verv words of a paper of intelligence from Hyder's army, delivered
by Mohainmed Ali on the 25th July 1780 ; the intelligence was peiiectly
correct^ it was Hyder's ordinary topic of conversation at this time.
t The following is a correct return of the force actually mustered rt
Bimgalore, which is exclusive of Alecr SaheVs corps, still at Kurpa, altogether
about 6,000 horse and foot : —
Stable horse 14,000
Sillcdar ditto 18,000
Siivun(»rc ditto S,000
Infantry, regularly armed and discipHned • 15,000
Select and veteran peons in regular pay ^ ... 12,000
Ditto. a;>scnibled from the local cstabluihments, subject to ) .^ ^^g.
relief, .and kept constantly complete ... y *o»ww
FVoMs f>f tributary Poligars, exclusively of their small 5 ia/joq
contingents of cavalry y * •
83,000
He!}Lde3 about 2,000 rocket men ; a corps of unarmed pioneert» of near
CRAP. XXI.] HE ORPKIKS rRAYKItS AND Till: JKltni'M. 4 If
for the Huccess nf llii» ox{M*ilitioii. won* opjIitimI to U» nfliTp*! u]» in llio
UitHMpa-N ; an<l tlir ji'lihiiiii* !•> U* iHTt'Tiiii**! in tli<* Miii«|tNi t**iii)il''*4.
5/^*1 iiH-n. 1% 1 11 iii.ftriif-Ti'il aipl ri|iti|i|>r.l : .iriil ,i riiiiiiiii<«!(:i*-i.it .uliiiir.ilily
c»r|nfii'«'<l. iiii«itT till* ilirii'timi of a liraiiiiii. iLiiiu-d rtNiriiiil. niu- vi hi4
niiii^tcrH I if tiii.tiiri*.
Tbi* ilrLK-hiiii'iit.H niatlf f^r tlir «K'i'it|Mti4'ii nf hi 4 riiinitioMA, nihi the
acrc%Ainii iif ri-rniits :iiiii \«hiil«' inr|i.-« .iINt the iiiv:i>i«iii. iii.iv, I think. 1m:
fNmt|iaTiil .!•« iir.irly K.tl.iMi'iiu' t- k'Ii ii*iii r . »• th.it hti il ;<»;•« tvi!iU' fun'c. tl'iriii^
thr {Cir.itrr piTiiNl nf (he WAT. in.iy \*v t.ikt ii wifh |'ri»h.ihlf iuviir.n y at aUmt
nim-ty lht<ii-«iiiii nit-ii. Oi ihi' l'«>likMr^ nt ('.il.i«try. lUiiiiriiii2, \c . vrhn juiiifU
biiii iiivtr Armt. it wniiM Ik* liitlii'iilt {>* liittTiiiiiii' how they nhonhi Ihs
entim-iUii . «i:li hi^ .irmy thi-y hi rr :i lii-.ui iii«.iiiiil'i.iiiif ; biii if not with
kjiii. thrv iiii^'ht \i.i\f III I II .i.Miii^t iiiiii.
* tit riliuni : a lliiiii>»i • i ifiiKHiy (nr f!ir -itt:iini:ifiit nf a dtsirnl i>Mi*rt ;
miMt. .iri'iiriliii^ !«• I'ut' hir«>w. .m iiiri-.lii/'-iit lir.iiii:ii. hi* perf«>ritu-«l <litriii>(
four jkii<'i'r.-.-«i\4' )iiiiiMN, iif tui l\f tl.ivt i.i<h. iiniii thr i^hji-t't !•«■ :i*tAiiii'«l. nr
iU att.ii|]iiii'iit iiiiii' .ill il Yiy MXiir 1 1 1*, iiii prf^'Hii.tir . tiio nuiiiU'r IwrUr hi.in^
ai|iurlfr tnuniinf, '.••rin!, iVc. m c ] .'•. \"1 1. i%li]>*ii. lit il.t .ii']-iitMtiiiii t«' tiiiu*. M
A uiy^tu'.tl ptM'xl ot i"* <I.i\>. i\.v JcM'.itii 1^ «-f \.iriM-:4 kitiilt, thi- iiu'^t
roniin'tii i-^ thi!. i;i wiii'-h ti'im tin tn iti Irii^drtil lir.iiniiii, ui.th'r t!in
(lirr«-t;i>ii iif :iii I Ml' I T If'M.rcii. liijh |>rit -1. ah<* i;ri liiiriiu' t!>«* whnh' pcriml
frtfiii i.iit, iili'i 111 ••till r <-'i|.<iiiiii :i!-4 uiii'h |>ri>iii^>tr «iip;t otioli. .ilnl I'Miitiiifl
iliriiiM'lvi'H t.^ <.i'ii|ii> iiiiIk .iii-l ri* i-. .1 ii:>*. uhiih ii<>:it* h'.i*. th*; (»tri^ri»:^^t
Ctiii'«titiit [••lit t'lii -'I'Tiiri 'Jill* )>ri|-iri>i. :i «!• *.i< liiii< nt •! thr •••rp* fr^*-
quriilly rl'Il^^^•i •? u •! in .i r k!.k !:;• !•• t!.«ir •lif*t« in «.t!i-r. h<-.k!ii>»' it
iiirr«<*.iiitly mi:I; :!ii ir It iii-i^. .ti.<i !• \^\ l-iik* mir tin-ir in iiitr.nii*. i>r iii> .iiit.iti'>ri^
1 hi« 1^ ii«*.triy lii>- ! -rill ••: ti.< iihK'siii uLi-ii w .iiw.i\'« {•trf^^riiii'il ii>:riii^
% clnnu'ht 111 M> r. !'r ]'ii" it :i.j run 'I'ii.il M\il>-r. h:iMMif, hill a
lllllii^xi. ^l.'-iiii - ti. r..r, ti • •• I ■ i. Mi'.iiit •. I" :ii \h* nr.iiiiirv ni'ir-i- i»f
BuniAii .!'•:. ••n . • i* t' i' Iiii ■ \U»' n.-! I-./.-tn-iI i-f .Mo.'.i'iiitii'o'. in*.
|irt>fr-'«in^ Hi ••; • :. •: • : • »: i • ■:.:•!! : ' '■<: V:i- lltl'.«ii>'i Ft luM"!i. .\lu\
ihr kir.iiiii!;« V^ !• i : • r *. ii< *'.r"-i ii.j tii^ir tiMii<lf«. atitt |H^lliitin»: tlitir
■•nrtii irsi-". **ii<<'i! i i.< .ir ! .ji ;■• i:.]«<vtlf !■« rNirni.iin-** «•{ thr t*^»tmm whfii
ftiariip «1 hv iniiuiff '.'. •!!:..'• I. :-. ii.(t«ii. .m i \f r.ii>rilii..irv r^iinlin it:<<ii nf
arrikJMiit h:*"-.!r\ i?.-! Tm :i:''.iii.: -m • r«!i:;'«M . i-! /imril ;ii!^<]^ r.ii)< <•. iiiiiiiclrtl
with «». .- i'.iii[i il rt .■•'! !t til ••'■it T ••! |h r •••' 'i!:<in 'Ihr fi»riii .i*n.\p
•L4*«'<I. !<« f« Il i . ! t. .' 11 M.^...-. tl . i.r iiiiiii" < oT.' nu^ !•< .iiTirin. «ii(*< titli.l m
raiMii:^: {^•ril 4-'i.ti!,< !r r f •! i<i rttirn Tr<'r!i >«-:ii.»*ii>.i:Atii. .ii.-l
fAiIni Mt « .\ .:. .- :T I: -.11 I •• I.I . t! !!.':.•. I • .t'^-i :..•■ i !•>■•:•<• i^^.^* i.<<t i-i|^'i*. iji
Ibr mv-tt r.t V . : i.. . ;^t ■■-■ .. .-r tin i.: ." • • \. I'i : .-•• i ■■: •»;•.
Tf.i- Ih-1 I ! i;, • .. r-i 1/ i! I ■.%• • . ••• • : .■ .:t.: .1 iiii .ii!4ti<i||4, \^ i .ii
nfii ■ :..!ii<'ii y\. • : ■;.• M :...-..• '.^i* \!l \\* i .irtp thtr* an* !.«iiii!:irlv
li« ' •!.• it. •: : • ,- . :■ • ; : : : \ ^I •.::.■:•! \'\. iT tin- « iJi l; *•••■!■.•-•' .'
•li.J !••:'■•!■;•:.:•■ . . ■' \ ' • . i I'l.!. 1/ . :i! t!.i' !t Jij h ••< I'l !• :.. ••
Tr* r\ •* .' ^I .:. . ' ' / ' / . • :. I I ' k .. :. 1. »I.:. J: iT.r
irvf • .: * k. . • . . •. 1 .: ►. ..•!?> i. ; \.; i :..- n I : .• !■ r k:. i / i
|i*f*. n. ir I : ■ : . ; ■:■ ■ ■ i •. • ■ * ■ I ■ • ■ '*"* ■ ^ > 'i'l « i»-5 n,: .i :. i- • r
i».k/i -ILK. • . i I « . ■ . : • I" ••..•.' ■. • > I. - ! . ! rr.rn !{.i r -.|
uf tn ij- .; • : • :.t. }■■•::: • ! • : . :.• i ■ :. t f.fi : :..i:.« 1. **.• !) *- ! «»
Ti. :• jf ?^ .' . r- > ' I .1. '. ;-,: . ■ .; ' t- .. i i... . ; !;»:[.. 1 ^ • i ) .i,'. !ln !■'.'::.• r
• •■••■I *..M.ir . r. J I. in» . !f.i . i'. •.• T r.rt-
I .!•• M • • I ;: ■• 1 . 1 • • . ■ ■■•:.■'.:::• k i: •?: i'- I l-i !l; -i Ti*.*-*
Ihr- I !■ '' ' I ■ - . . !. . :' I // 1. '. I i^ ■ !i w I • 1. k ; r::. rn.i .1 ! ■•■
|.:l,:r:'; kji t . Nf. ."M 1- 4* i' : 1 ■ ! •. ' . .'. " .i.' u. ''-•.!. t . 1. ••
p.i». ••• M-.i, i:.;i.. 1 \ i ; r ■■,:..•!■ i I » i ! . > ! K 1; » » ^ ! ■: - irr \ . u^ i-'f I.M
) • ifi;:! • i.r ■•. r ■ • I .r . n . r . t 1 -■ •..-.. 1' t r.>- ; • r: >l »!.• n h« l.i I
■ :|{<l<i i:.'"i ' .:■■?•'.' I' ! ■ • > w -I-, i -• i!:!;^' ir.l> t». ilJ.r
IftAti .i/ri(^| I • f i.< !• 1 : « • l.i i 1 > ! K .j • 1 ■ .'^. .-.'..> .ilU r tl«i. i &i l utl* It ••!
446 HIS INVASION OF MADBAS. [CHAP. XXL
His progress to the frontier was slow and circumspect; his purchase
of a considerable portion of Mohammed All's killedars (ffovemors of
forts) had long been completed ; but the corps of spies whom he had
sent to obtain employment as guides at the English head-quarters,
were still expectants of place, the military councils of that nation
were not sufficiently alert, even for the purposes of their enemy ;
there was no plan to divulge, no project to frustrate, no movement to
anticipate. The routes of Hyder's columns were deliberately calcu-
lated, and combined, without the necessity of ad verting to contingent
impediments ; the corps moved to their appointed stations, on the
crest of the hills ; everywhere the blow was onlv suspended, until it
was evervwhere prepared ; and the alarm of an invasion fifom
Mysoor, although long and distinctly announced by two* members of
the Qovemment, continued at Madras, to be the topic of stupid
ridicule, until the conflsOTation of the surrounding country, and the
actual exhibition of the bleeding fugitives, roused this most extra-
ordinary conclave from a slumber which has no example in the
history of the world.
the bond, a mutiny of the troops occurred, in which Ameer «/ Omts
wounded in the hand, and the Hqfee demanded and obtained a part of hii
reward, for this incipient operation of the charm ; but its completion was
alow, and when he actually died, abont twelve years afterwards, the Omdat
denied the efficacy of the charm, in producing that event; and the Hi^ee
continued to be loud and forward, to tell every person who wonld listen to
him, that he had performed the service, and that the Omdat had cheated
him out of his reward, and forgotten his obligations as soon as he was
delivered of his fears.
I also procured at Madras, and have now in mv possession, a eopjr of the
claim with which the Haiee actually presented this very bond to the com-
missioners appointed nnder authority of Parliament, for investigating the
Camatic debts, with no other reserve, than that the condition of payment was
** placing Omdat ul Omra in the administration of affaire ^^^ which condition he
had fulfilled by his skill in the occult sciences.
This most impudent of impostors lived as a Chevalier dlndostrie whan I
left Madras, chiefly by obtaining monev from the ignorant for pretoded
services, by his assumed influence with European gentlemen ; the appeaiaace
of which he was enabled to support, by the access which ma literacy taste
had afforded to him among the amateurs of Persian literature ; "^^tngpioffiw
of the sinister purposes for which it was cultivated.
^ Messrs. Johnson and Smith.
CHAPTER XXII.
EtTon^aui impreMium of Hytlfrt tjnifral tieraftadiyn — Kngluh attempt to
amnmftU an arm^f — a«a iUfrmi thf furtrfUfi- • H'art utpnl/am— twtnjfe^f^ar'
Mifi^i'ilAifr— H'«ini/iifTi«A — Ihi^tifitntitheti cknmrtrr 1/ hlmt --State tif partus
at Stadra»--Mil\ttiru upininn 0/ Lord M'Lf*»tf—<tr' .Nir Httrtnr jiunro —
tkt loiter takfS thf Jithi — Uivi cnmhinaftnm — /iuiitf » -j hn 1 // ir // t^tirr ra ties
tMe sietje **/ Arcot—nH thf i/iiy Nir //. Afunm afrtirt<U iunjertrum H'amt
o^yijotif at thf ritntmrHCfinrtit »;f' thf ciimjwjitju — Iim//ie ft**pftcti iy thf nrrr
Vorfelaur''-~rn/iSfS tt -atttirkfd hy Ttj»fn^> -rrctprtifuUy titscnuiti^td Sir If.
Jiunro rein/on'rJi Ji'niltf-~J/j/ilrr uttticij itutt i(fttr*'yAhtm^Ofn*'ri*ttwnM —
^necdotit"^Mr. L'ln^ — Ttntjij - M*'f*iiihmfi li'niirh- Mraevrfs of //i/i/rr —
Hetreu t n/" Si r // . .V uurtt- i 'h ituj/tput ami .U« i • /; u* — /*' rii rrtjf u •• jf rfj^i (nt to
Bempal—Charttrtfr atff mr*tmffji *./ Mr I/attitufM mi ft ♦•« Sir Kyr^ t'l^ttf
iA rtndkentf thr h^ttur **f thf Jintish iirmt hf urtit^n nt SttuirnM — Suft^n-
tiftn o/the t»ttt fr'nrrnnt , und *ipft*,\ufm^ut "f Mr. Smith t "Ut.ci/ »/ H*#ir—
U^der tai'ft An'i»t- -Str h'uff {'"*»tf t'tK*» th* ntli f\i/i(urf >>/ t *iritn'j>mtty
— /VinlJ dtnttti'juijih't/ i{ft*urf t.f H'iifj./iii,|j./i - ;r.*i*ri'./ 'y.^ir /\/r t'-^.i^
— PnttH'ttt'tit ft I.iftttrfftut Flint i'},'htff rt*t'/'it-r tf- hit »ii:'iMr»i'/^ <ir-
ramfffmentM/i*r *upphi — .|rrir«|/ "t tK^ Ff^n^hftft .^tr ^.ytr {i..tf i^!irrrt
/'rriB«ir<»i/— iMor/j f» y'l/H'/i.'/i/Trv //v /ri *iff-*tir% >ir/. y" i "^'tt mfH§
to iwldnltirf- ( 11*1 /in €!■/.• '7 ui'iKt - 1 1 'H''h ft'^t 11/ /'"ji</ii-A<ri y t ixiuaL
am/ dftj^mte ntu t.'i'fi •■/' >ir h'lf-r^ t\> ir tt\ri<J '-v ifj iiti »itturf^//ft ifv
moefS tii T*iujn-* ■'^tr I'.'rr ('..'■(* t^iht tr,{m»K tt •< / • f iJ Ji»tr»>$MiJ f'..r
pr*fns*f*nB'~-Sft!if'rr / i*iiri.i.w. 1 ■*' fhf f*"trt{,t » .t • f M-uhu» trf-ttf*f ti\fh
aepfrity hy S»r K* *"' ('<xf^ i. !,•> h\>i\**it •'■ •»!•/# prim, I'li ri't#i f^iftity .'n.itf^d,
tke enttiiMiitttit'e ft iK^ M'lKraff't ir<ir ./iMf atui in trju vi»u» • / Mf. I/'iititi-it
— Sir /.*j!/^# t\'Jf >t!t-i- is t Kiyuti.frui't m ippu #*i/- Jtmii/"' if" tKf ^it^ft^^
IgOrti Xl*l^*litufUt /f..r»ri,i r -7 .I/-I /r ;> — liut,h imr- //v 'f* tip/tilf* htittlf
'- Impffff' t «*'»ii.i/y'<''ii- r • ..r t\t rt--f. ty /-'ft'! • f' '/'*•! 'j/- 1 ' .N*-. .»!■/ rrii^j'f
WntntltfiMh i^ir /.'vrf l',".tf f •vM tt ,%-i,.'*\, u If If /, tKf i/ii i«i"fi fV. r»i /irf.Jitl
— of i*utlf*it-^^M*'>*t'\ry pt\i,itni-r "f >ir /."^ - f l".-.,'r ^ luits ..f ii}i''rr.
Thf pri'Viili'iil iin|»n*--i"!i i-* i-rr"iiti.Ms. iiltifuirli fairly ii»«!ui*iMo
frrrni tlii' nT.»pU nf Miiiirn^ tliat Hv'I^t "n Ki^ tlr«*t 'li"Mi!it jn-qit*-
trmi«*«I tli«* uaiitoTi fill.) iipiixrriiiiin.'if*' 'itHtt-.i' (!• n if* tlii- uhi>Ii*
count r\' . n inr:i-iir»* ilipitlv >ii]«vii^iv«' *A hi-* iii(iiiiat<* \ irw« of
Cmiani'lil «'iiiii|ii«'«t H»- i'«i!<'Ml;it''«i fli th** I;i|»h»- .1" n liiii-^* iiitfival.
f«»rf tli«* •»|»t'rati«i!i- i*!* \\:\r \\\v\ lli»- apl ••!* ;% Ki» ip'h •* rj-^ "ht-uM
pat liiiii ifi ["•-•M—Hiiin i.f K'»rT St <iii»ri;«* Jin-i up-uti'l ifmt "•mn* I'f
tlie hritif«li |iti\%'t r :iiiil it^ Ti:.iritiiiii- i-<>iniiiMi.:<-:it'.<>ii'« Im* I't-rlaiiily
drpw A liin* i>t* IiM*ii-||«-*^*i 'it ^I'l.ifii'ti ii:aik*'i )'V t)i lit :iiii>'M<« )>!2%/«*
of rinminL: t«'Wii4 :iiiil mIIiji*. }{•■ iiif<f'-<l xh*- \\\-\\^ }\\\\\i\r\W
tBUtiUti'in itf i-v*-iy lniinaii (•• i.'ij uli>i ^Ii-mM liri;ji-r fi*.-ir t).'- .i«hi'<i.
in iliMilKtIii'iiri' i>t' till' iiuiii i.tt*' t>-r iiittaiit i-iiLijintP ii :i''<->'in{^iiit^l
bv thfir tItK-ki nnil Ii»'p1h tini - •■■ ii-ivfiiin^* !.. iht- • \i lu^i\ •• •!■ iiiti.:<<ii
or Ul«« llea^L.<^ "f ihi- f-ri-^t. tin* li'^-It uhl'*h lii- i!.t«Tl-»^i 'I N'lw»-«-li
hunAflf Aiiii lii^ iiniiii*-^ 1 )iit jiri«- ••Nt'-nifl ii.l:tii'l fV- in lliirtv
U* tiftv-ti\i* iiiilv- ;*••••■ piiii/ t** • ii- MH.-t:in t*. m,\ Mi-m iLr \\ka*\
448 THE ENGLISH ASSEMBLE AN ARMY. [CHAP. XXIL
of the lake of Pulicat in the north, to a southern limit, within a
few miles of Pondicherry, which of course was included within the
scope of his immediate protection. Round Vellore, of which he
expected an earlier surrender, he drew a similar circle, not exceeding
a radius of thirteen miles. With these exceptions, and the opera-
tions necessary for the siege of the few places which did not immedi-
ately surrender, and for impeding the subsequent movements of
British troops, the whole of the country occupied by the invader,
was as well protected, as his possessions above the ghauts.
Black columns of smoke were ever3rwhere in view, from St
Thomas' Mount, distant only nine miles from Madras, before an
order was issued for the movement of a single soldier. The corps
under Colonel Harper in Quntoor, afterwards commanded bv Colonel
Baillie, was directed to move southwards by the route of Calastry
and Tripetti, an order founded in dangerous error, which the superior
knowledge of its commandant induced him to disobey, and to pursue
a more easterly course to which we mu&t presently return. Colonel
Brathwaite who commanded at Pondicherry, was ordered to move
northwards to Chingleput, a fort within two marches of Madras, and
ultimately to the latter place ; and a select corps of nineteen chosen
companies of sepoys, two regiments of Mohammed All's cavalry, and
two light guns from Trichinopoly under Colonel Cosby, was d€»3tined
to act on the enemy's communications through the passes^ but was
afterwards ordered to join the main army. The description of minor
preparations, or the complex results of treachery in the officers
commanding forts, or mutiny in the troops of Mohammed Ali, when
it was attempted to organize them for field service, would perplex
without informing the reader. Such only as mark peculiar character,
or aid in a distinctive picture of the times shall be selected for
notice. Mohammed Ali nad as usual no money for public purposes ;
an excellent regiment of calvalry at Si Thomas'^Moimt mutinied,
if mutiny it might be called, to withhold their services in the field,
while their families must perish in consequence of an arremr of
nearly two years' pay. Mohammed Ali's favorite son came on the
ground to affect the employment of his influence, but inrofeBBing
inability to pay any portion of their arrears. To save tne horaes,
the regiment was disbanded ; eighty of the men adhered to their
European officers without pay ; out the same person who had no
money to expedite the public service, had abundance to re-enlist all
the remainder as his own personal guard, on the very next day.
The little c(»rps of excellent cavalry afterwards received into the
service of the Company was embocUed by the patriotism of their
English officers, who found the means of satisfying the troops from
their own resources and private credit.
It was a proposition too familiar to require discussion, that not
one native officer entnisted by Mohammed Ali with the defence of
a fortress, would be faithful to the general cause, and it became an
urgent consideration to commit them to English officers. A rein-
CHAP. XXII.] UKKK.KRS SKXT TO DKFKNll KoKTKKssK^. 4W
furccnieiit fn»m Vi*llun» was M-nt to An*. it. ili** ri»|iiit*"l t-fi|tital nt'
Mohaiiuiivil All's doiiiiuiiiiis : an<l tlir si>t»|M* i.t' mir i)«"*i.:ii ri-i| aires
the notkv (if four nihor |>Ia<.v^, to vncU ot' whirli aii ot1i«'iT wits Mi*nt,
either ahiii**. <>r with oiu: t>r two «-<»iii|>:iuii*s iv> a ^'iiapl of i'\;iiii|ilf.
and a mllyiii^ |N»iiit ti» tlit* diviniiM-Iy raliMo of Mi»l)iiininfMl All.
To \Varria)MilIam. liO inilfs S'iutli-Wi"*t fruiii ( *ii<iiliil«iri'. a f>rt
in the ci'iitro of an exl4*ii^ivf aiul iicaily im|M'iii>tral>li* f'Mi-Nt (h*-
geat of a (lis[iossr<s<*i] Poli^ar. >tiil niTupyiii:: tlit* whihU in ii'i^riiity
to M«ihaiuiu«*il All. Kiisi^ii Allan wa-^ "it-iit witli on<* i->iiii)iiihv . tli>*
fort wa.s 4-niiiniaiiiiiMi \>y mi Kiiiojitan in thr ^>'r\it*i' nf M'l-
hauiiiifil All. wlio maiit* nti unnL-i'-^^-irv 'iil!i<'M!tv in tr.in^ft-r-
rin^ th(* roniman'I of his nuitinitii** diarjiv Kn^i^n Allan, a
youth iif M-vi-nt't-n. l»tt to ihi- nnaii]i*<l r^:^ iiin-*"* of jii^ nwn
miiKi. rrrlaiincii tlii> <ii*«'irili*rly an«l Mn|i.ii<i i.iMiJc t<i ol —
divnrt* anii rn<>iLrv: aitil in a varifil lii-f'iK fsix ni'tnth": a^Min^t
the erfortH nf tin* ri'll,:ai-. fxhiMlnl uJI tin* Vi:;.«ur nii'l fnt«Tj»ii>f of
maiiiv v«uith. L**!! I'll' I li\ tli«* iiiM<|i>n«-i* and wisilnni of a^i*. an>l wli*n
onl(.*rcd. at till* tApirati'iii nf ili.it |M-i-iitii. to f\.ii-u:it<- thi* I'l.ti-i'. niad"
gmul hi"* iitn-at !■• l.ini"H'. in I'lliiuary 17^1- Ailli Ul;!! lli;-*
intcrir.stinL; Voutli i-nntinu'-il in a ^Ip'it and liiiili.uil <-.iii-<t t-i jn^titV
and Mii^ni>-nt lln-^f tir-t iiMpp-^^i'ii-^ xf «'\ti.iii|ii!n:ii v T ti- tiC. i\' itMiiH
di4|»ro|Nirtion«-«l !•• iii-^ ^tifn^'th iii tiM- i mipai^'ti il' 17^^ i^niu '-i a
daii^i*niu*« di^iMM-. aiid Im* did nut livi* Im I'Mltii tii«- j-i 'nii-i- n! Iun
KiiAJ:;!! MaiiHiI.iy liad a -similar niis-.ii in to (iMiji'f 'I'h.- l-wi-r
furtn'.H!« wa^« rail I'd I'V .i--:i-i!t a M'ln^ii ui liartil** in M>ii «iiiiii* I
AllH "HTvii-i-. 1m\ ,n^' ::ivtn nji li;-. j"ist. \\ ithoiit finn^' a >h'! lin-i^-ii
Macituf.iy d' iiht-r.tt* iy i<t.i< i t-* tli<- ii)i|"T and iiiipi' .:ii:il'l<- r r..
Mhi^nJJ^fcT t" Ills own I 'nijMiiy tif ii.'-t ^^f li><iii>r ii>-.ir>-t i!i- i»i.'- • f
aacfht. In visiiin^' c)if ii:;mi ji< u I^. Ihh iiniTin ms -J'^i'm^ -n d- i.i in-l-
eJ tliAt jp' sli •iiM in-o!;«:ii!\ s<ir:> n i- r (I:** ]>]u'- :i:i 1 wii:.- .i". i:.;-!
iOnr t" p'-i-* la !•• til Hi I p a •■ "Ji •^'.•\i.' tii-'\ in i !• i i.i
att^'ini't X** .1^*. I- ••.;..;?•- ii::ii I !•- • •• .4| • d t<. t !i<- ii 'I* < '..--r, ? !.-. -^wi
COXIljuny . !• i! i" ::i^' •■ it nili.' :■ l i \ l : ■ ir. .;:,.■• , w i . ■ :ii; ■ i
ti* c^|>itiiia(''. ''h t!.'- • •:! i;*. . :i ■ I I ■■•!ii_' > i.! • • \1 i i? ■ • 1 i :. i.
liuri W.tN vi"i.it' i ail : ii* \v.i- - fi? .i {• .- li«i » • ^':\:\.'".-\'. •:■, I.i i
according; '•• »i»> ii..-.:ri lj-i !!.• .i;:..!! .I'.i 'N-iii.i-if ..I*- : \ w .*
l*a}itain >liii!}i ; !!.•'• '1. ! Il ! ! .i\' ' . .i.i .i !. i: r
Ijii-ut* ii.t::! r.'TT v\ I- H. ;i' t I i * ii !i.it ;.' ( I', i: r. 1 ^T - -m! i n« .•":.■ ."
iibtAin tr"Mi .M 'i. t:ii!ti< 1 .Mi** '*. '. • -,.it. ti<>- • 111:1. iii! •: !'.• 1
n<ir i'^t n a d' • :.» i- i.in_' I • -i* w .1 % ^ ! 1 .i!* i - ii- i- ■ t •■i"«
olrM«rvanf»-^ i» !:i i Ir d |'i» \ ■ . .'. Il i'-» "»i: :• •. !■ I 11- i : !■ i '.• d
the plan* Ir-ni U .iii : .u t *ii i!;T"ijii * • -.ir.Mv ■■ ■■:.■! \\ !:.■■
ennnv, ••inj.v • ! i k. ii- i .uil ■. - ■';.-■ i \ • .1 \ ** \' !.■ . :* ;t .1? ''.f
eX|iirati"n ••! ;» 1.. '•!. ;"i th*- -*:•..'• jn' .r i f. i ! ■■!; . ■;■■■• !ii»d
thrt-«* hiindi'-d \ .t! : • I '. rin w • t> i :i ! 1 • > ! 1 1. i - r. \« ■ ;. lU -:• ! ^
tn-iiM •■lit* Mi!j J\ r:.- * "T-t:. ^ ■•• .1,;- i:» i «:; :. tr-. fiiu-.tr'
aU^\« hull A!'*; ! ..It."*.. .'.. s .:.■. . ■ :.'!'..•• .1 " ■
450 LI KITTEN ANT FLINT AT WANDIWASH. [CHAP. XXIL
woods, attcn(l(»d )>y a faithful native servant, he arrived at Vellore,
witli his feet bleocHngand swollen, a beaixi of ample growth, an aspect
scarcely human, and nearly famished for want of food.
An officer was detached by Colonel Brathwaite, when at Carao-
gooly on his march from Pondicherry to Chingleput to take the
command of Wan di wash.
Hyder was known to be in force in the neighbourhood of that
place : its suiTcnder was probable ; the distance was thirty miles ;
and a body of four thousand horse was stated to be interposed : but
the great importance 6f the enterprise justified the attempt under
these slender chances of success. Lieutenant Flint was selected for
this scr\'ice, and after a fatiguing march on the morning of the 10th
of August, he moved at eleven on the same night, with one hundred
firelocks. By deviating to unfrequented paths, he arrived without
interruption in the vicinity of Wandiwash, late in the forenoon of
the 11 til. After ascertaining that the place was still in the posses-
sion of Mohammed Ali's troops, he sent a message to the killedar
annoimcing his approach ; but was aaswered, that he would be fired
at, if he attempted . to come within range of the guns ; and met
a picquet sent to stop him at the verge of the esplanade. He had the
address to persuade the officer that he had misapprehended his
orders ; which could only have been to stop the party till he was
satisfied they were friends, of which fact he could entertain no doubts ;
and during the remaining parley, continued to advance, persuadine
evcr>' successive messenger to return with another reference, until
within musket shot of the ramparts, which were manned with
troops, and the gates distinctly seen to be shut Here he halted ;
announced that he had a letter from the Nabob Mohammed Ali to
the killedar, which he was ordered to deliver into his own bands,
and demanded admission for that purpose with a few attendants.
With this demand the killedar positively refused to comply, but at
length agreed to receive the letter in the space between the gate
and the 1>arrier of the sortie. Lieutenant Flint was admitted with
four attendants, faithful and well instructed sepoys, and found the
killedar seatcfl on a carpet, att<*nded by several men of rank, thirty
swordsmen, his usual personal guard, and one hundred sepovfi,
drawn up to jaotect him. After the first compliments, Lieutenant
Flint avowrd that he had no letter from Mohammed Ali, but possess-
ed that which in the exigency of the times ought to be deemed
equivalent ; the order of his own Government written in com-
nnmicati(»n with ilohammed Ali ; this order the killedar treated
with the utmost contempt, and his arguments with derision;
desired him to return to the place from whence he came ; and
to the pr()]Misition of impossibility from the increased distance
of the ciir|»s from which ho was detached, and the country being in
] I. sses.^ion of the enemy, he was answered with fresh sarcasm. He
mildly n plied, that he was placed in a desperate situation, and as
the killedar rose to depart, he suddenly seized him, and announced
(HAP. XXII.] Ills DISTINcrisilKI) roNhn r. l'. 1
hi* inHtant donth if any {mtsipii sIhiiiM innvf a iiaipl t'-T liis ri ^•'ui- .
the ImvoiU't^i nf llio four sfimv^ \\ir«' in tin* Namt- i:i..i'ii ;i! lii»
breast, nml their rount^'iiaiirrN aiiiiMun { a lirin <I -i^i-fi {>» -!j.i: •
tlio fate of tlu-ir oilji'i-r. TJh* r.iii»»irniatli'!i ^f die ii,..iii. u; a:'"iii-.l
time for tli>* miiaindiT of tlif lirtli* (l<-(a<liiiH iit t** iii^li iti ;ii tli'*
cinccrt«*«l siiitial ami «'triTtu:ilIv sfiMirf tin* kiM'ii.ir. L. ■I'-ifiTit
Flint tlK'ii a<liin''»s«'«i tin* !iiii'|i>. in tin* I uii^in.:'* i-f • -u- iiitil'ii,
explAinoJ thf rnniliti<iiis un wlii-h tlif kill'-'lir s),..i:l.i i> t.i.i :i!! tiif
honors of C(imtniin<i. while Ip* hi'iiN<-!f ^li'i'ii-i jii'i>\ : !•■ f ^r t-iV- -r-Ml
dflfemv : and tiimlly tin* \i\\X*-< wnr i»|mii.-.|, ani tli- ulsi.-- piuty
ent«ri*«I t«*p*th(T n> frii'ii<U.
Tho lu't of Mirmiili'iiii'' thi* i«l:!'"- t-i IIv-Iit. !i:i«l I ■ !i ;r : ;ir.-'l
to ro«*eivi* tht^ si-al «tf thi* killi-iar ••n that \My 'lay ; aiil 'Immpj t!i>*
interval in wliirh Lii'iit*-iiaiit Kiirit \v;titr>i th<* aii!!i"iii\ i>:' ir .
Gnv«'mn\i'nt to «*\i*hi<li' him fi<>iii tin* l^rt liis t-:r>'ii> :ii nii*- - 'Ui
eountorui'tinn \\<*n' fiil<-il, hv th'- a-Mir^-^ uf ti.f ii>-\v f<. 111:11:111 I int.
who fuuntl in»*aiis ^jrailually aii>l r.ipl'ily t" ■^•■^•lIIl• tli«- at! a liHi- •:• --f
the liett<*r |N»rti<in of thr ;^arri^i>i).
St ran;;*' as in tlif^-- «!ay^ thr ji!. »]•«»■ :t:':i iniy ^ •■ml t'li-^ Ii'"i-
tenftnt was an nrticiT of vi ry i- •:i'«i»|iiMl'!' i-Nj- ti'I.i' ■. T-i .i
■cientitir knowl^l^'i. ,,f tii'* th-ny. h-- ii M-- I '• •!;.. {.m-j.-.i! a.-
quaintanci* with th*' l^u^in'-^^ <if a •^i* :•* . ai: I t 1 ii.il'r.ti . t.tltiiti
of no ttplinarv ratik. a mini t'iti!" i!i i-^-:ii'->^ .mi a jirM
eonKd»*nri* nf inaiili«r. wiiii-h. :•- h:^ ti ■ •;-- \\ !•■ «•:»» l-i ^av.
ivn«lt*n*il it iiniHi-^-illf Ti f • I alnri i'l h:- |'!-^'ii. ». II ^-'iiri
the [ila''«* in a rtiiiiiiis -tat>-. t'linii'-h-- I ulMi .•i-in-i lin- ■ • t' • ii'!i->ii.
but no rarriajt'^. an i lit?!" ]• iwii'-r . )\»' ri imip-I 'V-- w. •»>;*•.
crm^lnii't«M| r.irria:;t"<. mmI iiinn-if*- t'li-- I |..i\\.hi !l. h 1 I i 1:
one artilhTVinan. ]»\\X \i*' |'ri*vail».| **}\ th-- •*il\«r''m!tl's w*. . . • : j
iofv |<| tin* roiitin*' nf Hiinii-t warf.U". nT«' tli** :ii«.'l-'.;v t
nerrt. n«il onlv t«» att«-ii'l r« :^mi1.i! Iv 1 * )»• JTi-rr'i- '• i in t'
but in tip' sii*iH«N|Mi'nt «»!.•_'. »-• j- rt-iiii t^- .1 'I'-.' ■ - m ■■ •
manniT Kr.mi th«- I •Jth . f A-..--: ■♦ 17**«» m;"! tl. TJ- . •"».■■!
•rV 17^'^ Jiti ••Vi!ilt*ill |"li-l. •i:!;t.: u li '. ?!.■ !' -.v." ■ fi
anilV WiT»* Uf :»■ th" l-'»' ■ ■ \ • n* \ •: -I* A*\> ■• ; ' •■ ■
an<I aft-T U-in^ f 'li'"! in •■;.• •» t : • isi 1 1 ■ *.•■*" -t- 1 ..'• 1 • •
it bv Htrata-j'-ni. "r **a!\'' it ::/ • .I'l-ri i- • t ■■•« .'* ■ » •
■
rantin;; i»tf hi^ • I -tli. • :i? t:.- 'Ui 'r-.-M i-:: i ♦? ■ ■
ppivitifl-ii thf ni' iri' "f ::i*' T :i I ■:■ ! v . » i* r.ii-. i « 'r. ;
cavalry f"i • xtiTi-T • nt* ri-! 1 •• : .!. 1 'l-.-i'i: i :■; -'i ■ ■ i i- • ■: ■•
baiini* and il:v*'r«:!i*- I tii:<>:v •.-.'.!.•: 1. ' •-.>'. :• 1 '
gam^m, h'lt pi-** nii- I i:ii;-''t.:i.f :: j . • f r t!'.. • ' '.' .
annv, f«»r wjui h h»- w.i .;'.■!!%■;••...■ i t ■ 1 •' . . • • . ; i
iatellip'ni'iv J h- nhi-i- ■ ;•« ■: • 1 I ;. ?:.
lion of ill** \'Miu' a': ; .1' ■...n.: t:. • . r; •■!"
honorabh* in |'ii\:it*- lit- i< ir w - ii ' - .. ' i i:* . 1. . : *
Ihif larr«*n i;l"r\ l« i- i- ;!.:».:■• i ■ ■ '. it ! . ■ ■ ■ '• i "?i
'ic»-. writ*«-ii fi ^ir l.Ti' t »' ■* .. ' .. . i*'
t • • t i .
I t
452 SIR H. .\rUNRO COMMANDS THE ARMY. [CHAP. XXII.
attachment and admiration. Colonel Flint is living, and in London.
Fancy would associate with the retirement of such a man, marks of
public approbation and dignified competency : but human affairs
too often reflect an inverted copy of the pictures of imagination.
With the exception of such other places as must necessarily
occupy a place in our future narrative, every fort opened its gates,
and the whole country, north of the Coleroon, submitted at once to
the conqueror.
Hyder had descended through the pass of Changama on the
20th of July, and from thence detached a select corps of five thou-
sand horse, under his second son Kurreem Saheb, to plunder Porto
Novo, a sea-port, about forty miles south of Pondicherry : a larger
body of cavalry wa^ allotted to the work of desolation which has
already been described, and the advance of the main army was only
retarded by the embarrassing number of places to be occupied. It
was not before the 21st of August that he invested Arcot, and on
the 29tli moved from thence in consequence of intelligence that the
English army had made its first march from the neighbourhood of
Madras on the 26th.
From the state of party in the unhappy counsels of that day,
the Governor found it impossible, by the ordinary constitution of
the Government, to secure a majority, without requiring the aid of
the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Hector Munro, in council, while the
command of the field army should devolve on Lord M'Leod, who
had recently arrived from England in command of one of His
Majesty's regiments. No local experience was necessary to demon-
Btmte, that the order which he received to assemble the army at
Conjeveram, an open town forty miles in advance, through a coun-
try everywhere ocxiupied by the enemy, was contrary to the ordi-
nary suggestions of militaiy prudence, as risking, without an ade-
quate object, the safety of all its detachments and equipments ; and
in a judicious letter, almost prophetic of the fate of Baillie, this
ofticer recommended the vicinity of Madras as the only safe point of
junction until the army should be in sufficient force by the unioii of
its detachments to meet the enemy in tlie field. The Commander-
in-Chief was of a different opinion : he pledged himself to form the
jimction at the place originally proposed, and accordingly assumed
the command of the army, a majority in the council being secured
bv the ap])<)intment of an additional member, a measure against
which the minority protested as unlawful
The important corps from Guntoor, under Colonel Baillie, had
on the 24th of August arrived without interruption, at an encamp-
ment six miles to the southward of the village of Goomrapoondj, a
Kituation within twenty-eight miles of the General's encampment at
St. Thomas' Mount, and rather a shorter distance from Madraa
Admitting the absolute necessity, which, however, is not apparent^
of moving the army precisely on the 26th, there was no probable
impediment to the junction of Colonel Baillie by one forcra march
l^HAP. XXII.] COLONEL BAILLIE ARRIVi:s AT COKTKLAI'U. 4.'».'S
on the 25th, or by two easy inarches at the General h cncainnmont
near Counit4>«)r on tht* 2(lth ; the force under Sir Ilertur Munn>
being .i.:2U!l strtmc, that umler liaillie. ^.M.S. Thi-ne uhvimis nieand
of placing beyontl the reach of accident the inunediuto furniation of
a re«|iectal)lo army, were wantonly nlianiloneil, by directin^^ that
officer to puniiie an independent n»ut4* of upwards (»f fifty niilejt to
Conjeveram, a measure ni»t recommended by any s|ieculative advan-
tage that haa ever been fitated, and inexplicable by any conjecture,
excepting that of attempting pnu'ticully to justify an erroneomi
opinion.
Sir Hector Munn* arrived at Conjeveram on the !21Hh, the day
on which Hyder broke up fmm Arcot. afUtr havin*^, on thi* first
intelligence of the deviation to th** south-wi-st «if Kaillif's curps.
detached a select c<irps of 'i.tHN) infantry, ti,(M)0 horsiv 1:2 li;;ht. and
mx hea\'y guiiM, with a hir^<* body of irre;rii|ars. under his nun.
Tippoo Sultaun. to interivpt its appruaoh. ami i-ndravour t'l de^truv
it Sir Hector Munro man'hed from St. Thonta.s* Mnunt with
eight day a' provi^ionn fur iiis own c<ir|is onlv, with the vi**w of
raiaing the Rit*;^e of AriMit. distant s«-vfn ordinary man h«'s. (Mi bin
arrival at ConifVemm. a.s tlie rcmainiu'' four davs' Nti'«'k {**t his «iwn
eorpa wi>uld furnish little niiin* than two fir th«* army whirh ht^
expet^toii to unite at tliat I'hire. h«- applieil t^ the M.'hamnii'ilan
gmiUmnn deputed t«t pnivjile furall his w:int.H by M«>ii:Lmn)*-d Ali,
a name fur <'Vfr a>MH-iatcd with rei'i >llti-tii 111*4 i>r di>^'u>t at lii< own
chanicter. and ^f iiitli;;natii'n aiul rMntfiii)»t f>r thi>sf whu e<>tdd ?«till
continue to tru><t him. Tlii^ d«*puted n<in-deMTipt '/raxrly an^wertnl
Sir Hc4*tor Muiir<>* " that he was nni'-n* 1 bv Muhaiiimt"! Ali to
attend him ; btit had nu |Mi\%i-is ^iven him tit priN-un* iithiT pruvi-
aona or iiiteijip'nci-, ani! tiie (iiiieral w;ls left uii the fourth d.iy «if
tile cam|»ai:;n t^ live by tli* iitinp*neieH nf the t\i\y, iin 1 <'i>iitinuf<i
fixed to thi* H|iiit. u'raduiilly «*i>lli-ttiii:; frum thi<« liirLTf but ruineil
tom-n, a Miiall supply <tffi..d. wliii*)i be iJi'iMisitfi witiiiii the umIN
of thn Hinil'Hi t«-nipl«v a pl.m- eapabie nt' Uin^' P'iph'iid in lv\ii *\.\\%
de/c*ri.*ilbli' :fj:iiii»t a • ifiy*-/' -m'f • i<
t>n tile il'ith. ('••l<iiii-l Pi.ii!lii* arrivi-d untie- bank if the livir
Corii-Uur. tiii-n iiiarlv 'irv. but i:jibli« t.i !»■ -n-.'lltii l.y thf ni"unta:n
iain*«, and ruiiiinitti-d tlr* ^Tt-.it utilitary t'.tull *\ i-ie*ani] iiij '-n
tile northern in^tf.id "t the •*>>itthi'rn Ktnk tli*' tl !*« d* ^ • leii-d
on tilt* ni;:lil lif tiif ..'ith. aii>l pri-\<-iiteii hi*i •t«*%'*iiu' U!:til t!ii'
4Ul of S«ptf!iiUT. < hi tie- Nt of that nii<:ith {xTii-n lh«: \\ tlie
neiiiil indieati 'n't that till- rivi-r wi>iil<l n<t •»• 'h t.iii hi* pi -piH***! in
a letter Vi thi* < i<i\iMiini> lit t<i lii •>• • !p1 t<i it.^ ni>uth aii'i I-* l'Mi«-d
over to Knn*>p*. thirt*- n mil-"* t' tli«* ii-irtii -l' M-idii" .1^ thi* m »>i
espeiiitiifus, til m^'h tie- m -^t i-iri'uit«'MN i-eite . b.it t • t!ji«« letter
he apiieant t«* h.t\<- i*'-«i\<'{ n** i<-|<!y !!•■ < i .-h.-.| ti.*- ii\«i i-u the
iCh of S'j.l»iii»N r uith ;i I'Tp-. • ■•i.*i-tiii:; "f -«»7 K'lr ■j-ii." 'J t'jHi
• " A« I H ifiN I iM it:.i r i \ ii« ! !.•■: .*'••■■*. s»:-i tt:r *i' m r . "" I l"'.»l
454 TIPPOO ATTACKS COLONEL BAILUE. [CHAP. XXIL
sepoyB, six six-poimders, and four three-pounder guns. The vicinity
of the fort of Trippaaore rendered it imprudent wr Tippoo on either
that or the following day to attempt any operation beyond the
customary annoyances during the march ; on the 6th, in the morning,
he appeared making dispositions for an immediate attack on Colonel
Baillie, who took post in the vicinity of Ferambaucum, distant four-
teen miles* from the ground occupied by Sir Hector Munro on the
same day near to Conjeveram. The action is described in a short
note from Colonel BaiUie to have lasted from eleven to two ; *' near
100 Europeans and sepoys were killed and wounded by the guns of
the enemy, who never came near enough for musketry ;"^ and on
the same evening he wrote to Sir Hector Munro, that on a review^
of hLs corps after the action, he found it was not in bis power to join,
but hopea to see the General at Ferambaucum : while on the other
hand Tippoo, who had suffered much more severely in the cannonade,
reported to Hyder that he could make no impression on Baillie
without a farther reinforcement
During this day (6th September) Hyder who had occupied an
encampment strengthened with redoubts, about six miles to the
westward of Sir Hector Munro, made a demonstration of turning
his right, with the view of covering the operation against Baillie,
and this movement induced a change of position in the English
army, which now fronted the north on the road by which Colonel
Baillie was expected. The hostile armies remained during that day
drawn up in order of battle oposite to each other, at the distance
of about two miles, without an effort on either part. About noon a
heavy firing was heard, which from a change oi wind, soon became
inaudible.It was evident that Baillie was attacked, and equally plain
that Hyder had interposed his whole army to prevent the junction.
Either the detachment was expected to fight its way through the
troops allotted for its destruction, and afterwards through the united
force of the enemy, or it was necessary to make an effort for its
relief. But the Fagoda at Conjeveram, which contained the pro-
visions, the heavy guns, and most of the baggage of the army» nad
not been made capable (in Sir Hector Munro s opinion) of maintain-
ing itself for one day. The army lay on its arms without an effort
during the 6th, 7th, and 8th. On the latter day the note from
Colonel Baillie written after the affair of the 6th, was received. Sir
Hector Munro, still adhering to the vital importance of protecting
his provisioas and stores in the Fagoda, which in the event he was
compelled to abandon, adopted the determination (in concurrttioeS
with the opinion of his principal officers) of detaching the flank
companies of the army on the night of the 8th, to unite with
Colonel Baillie, and enable him to form the junction. The original
* Sir Hector Munro's official letter.
t Manuscript journal of one of the Rurrivors.
X Sir Hector MunroV official letter.
§ Sir Hector Munro's official letter.
CHAP. XXII.J (OLONKL HAll.I.IK UKINFUKCCD. V).'!
and necdk'&s cm>r of hiiv (liHuninii. w:u4 thun a;;^n^vnU*J hy tin*
Imrtiier risk of :i tliini divisimi, KulijertiiiL; 1.007 iikmi, the tldwrr iif
the annv. to lie ml otl* in doUil, ixud Ifaviiit; tin* iiuiiii iimiv ibH*lf in
a Stat-** of «lani;t'roiis WiNikiu'ss, O^ntntrv to uU roiiHttnaMt* riiKnila-
tion. C'oloiK*! Kk'tchor. tlit? oHuvr in oiunmnntl of tlie <li*tarliiiient, by
chanffinp liiH nmtc* iluriiii; tin* iiiarcli. and thus (hri'ivin^' iii.s dwn
gnhies. who wrrv all in Hytl<T's {miv. {mihsciI un|H-n:eiviil l>y the
namvriinK tnMips intci']HisiMi, Hn<l j«iini'tl (^oloni*! liiiillit* nt iVniniUiii-
cuui early on the* inoniini; of the !*th. Tlu* arrival of thin mufunx*-
ment in«*n'&sin;; th(* strrmrth to .STi^o* in«'n. (alldwin;; a (litluction
of HH> fur till* rtLSiialtii's \)f tlir ^tli), " inspin-ti the ^'n*at«'?»t oon-
fidencv* in liaillif's triMips: no chmht wa.s ent«*rtairi(Ml nf liii U'iii;^
able Uy make lii^ way ^mNl to < 'iinii*v«*nim. an«l h»* niHrrh<*«l aj^riHr-
ably t«» tht? onlfrs In* ha<l n'i*i'ivo(l. alNuit ei^ht oVI«H'k on th«*
night r»f the !Kh. "
lly<ler was full «if intlii^mtion at tlir strani:*' ne:;li;;«*n(*e hy
wbii'h tilt* tletarliini*nt had iN-ca ]M'nnit(i*d to |iiis»i, without ol»MTva-
tion. neniH-i a rriiuitrA* riiVfrt-d with his li-jht triHipv The Fn*n«'h
olBct*r^ in his Hi-rvit*»*, iiiM'in>>ii it t'» !>•' a |irot'i»iiii<l and skilful ma-
BCPiivn*. hv whirh II v»lrr's ariiiv was lo U» t'litanijli'd U-iwrrn two
poWfrfiil Itodjfs. hy a Joint o|HTati<'n nn the ni^ht ^f tht* Mtli. an«l
■troii;;]y iir^^-*! him t^i niovi* froni ilii' «lanL:«'nius |Mi-itiiin whieh h**
OOCUpitHl. Hvih'r fonijin;^ a ni"r»' rorpM-t r»»titiiat«' of th«« artual
Operation, maintaiip-'l hi<i ^tmiui'I. hut yiiddi**! mi far to tin* sii^'s-
tlOfl!>i of his advlHi*!*^. fus t«» iiiiiki* ilii|iii>itii>ns. an<l even i)p*|*ant tin*
lOadM fkr eai'h ritluinn t<i ti-ttri* !•• th'* wi*stw ml. in tin* rvt-nt nf
their con jert UP' H Umh-^ \rritii*i liotli armii**« rontinin*il innnovahh*
OB the mh. anil. ti»ward<« tin* i-h-i- nf tin* day, Ilyd^T havini; .imit-
tainr«l froni hi** s|»ifs that th- Kru'ii-h army wrn* not jinj-arinj to
■ian*h. sent ftf iuiiindiat Ix itfi' r ilaik in thf ilir«i*tniii • f lljiiliii*.
the irn*nt UmIv **( hi'« infatitrv aiid 'jufi**. P-inaiiniiLr hini^ If i>n tin*
Kmiind. n-a'iv fit m 'Vi- ;tt a ni"nh-iit'<i warning:, uith a f'-w Ii:;h(
UmiA an<l fl:«* wfi'ij. i»f ill,' iM'. .(':v if li.'i i- niiji ''h'-'ild U' ntf.i<'k<il.
and with tin- v-tTiH- iii>-:iii» t • t.:-.ri.i-^ :.i: I ii:i|«'- [•■ ll:** iii.ti.h. if a
liinv> nniit sli.i'ti I I •' fill !•■ in t^*- •!!! ■•■n -ti if l'..id;ii- At r-ur
ochx'k. tin iini: th- sim- i ; ; t -• ii! I ■ | r- \ .\i\ m liu* Kruii-ii f.ini|t.
he^ih-iitiv r>!!<Ui-l li.« ir.!.i:.My
t'.'lMh' 1 llii!!:f li:i i u •*. ]'• ■■ ■ !• i liAlt' :i n».I ■ fr-iin hi- |-"»iti n
at l*»-rinil»;i-n .u\ U I ■ i- I.-- w.j-* i-li..;;* n^'i 1 Tv th-- rf.iinv •» Mdiitt-**
ail<i AH n'l •'i-l> I ii.id '(•••• !i ':\>:i T • ;i\ >:•! til Ml J a I'l.tt >■ II froiii t'tc
arl% .k7.f"<>d 'ji: lid .-i*>:i"<:ii<-' i t i tli« • ii> inv rii.i? ali wa^ i:i ii.< ti -n
TTif r«N*ktt M.- n an l ni'/i'i!' i.:''*--.-.! i.i» ni'Tf ti.an a t'-.i-ii^'
j»-iinn-n? t-i livi- .-r -.\ mi:-'* I !.• t».i_'j».'i )»if .: i>n tin i« ft .-f
l*f »T*rt.l :ii !f,.- ri 1*. :, r K. ! f.-. ■ i > ■ I!. •■ ■ M .:.'.♦■ *•■. il *••.•.!:.. i.».
iri'l tif <•■! ir^»- f r- • • ! I'T r ".ri'.- 1 .'■ :. : •• : ^ ■•■•!. •:.•!) . nrrr*!- ri i.
(<iii !hvriT'ini '•:-••: « ii. i .-iiii * .u'.... i • :. ^t
456 IMPEDIMENTS IN THE MARCH. [CHAP. XXII.
the column of march, and a heavy body of horse' approaching in Uiat
direction from the rear, the officer commanding the rear*guara imlim-
bered his guns, and a halt was ordered for the purpose of making a
disposition to place the baggage on the right. This being effected,
and the troops resuming their oi^er of march, the halt was imaccoimt-
ably continued, and some guns which had been covered by the Mysoo-
rean cavalry on the left, soon afterwards opened on the centre of the
British troops. A detachment sent to seize them were stopped by
an impediment peculiar to that vicinity, although occasionally
found in other parts of the south. Water is found at the depth of
from five to ten feet below the surface of these extensive sandy
plains : and the industrious husbandmen, taking advantage of the
slightest deviation from the horizonud line, cut trenches for an
extent of several miles to the requisite depth of a stratum im-
permeable by water, along which the produce of a succession of
springs gradually augmented to a streamlet is conducted to a reser-
voir, or led at once to the fields for the purposes of irrigation. The
bank formed by the excavation, added to the depth of the ditch,
renders the impediment in many places insurmountable for troops,
and presents a cover of the greatest importance to military operations.
The whole route of the British troops had been everywnere pre-
viously examined by the enemy, and where the trench was nearest
the road occasional openings had been cut in the bank : the whole
thus affording an excellent ditch with parapet and embrasures for
the cover of Tippoo's troops and guns. From one of these impedi-
ments the detachment returned with some loss, and not in good
order ; but the guns, although fr-equently shifting their position to
avoid becoming a mark for the aim of their opponents, were soon
silenced by the superior skill and steadiness of the English artilleiy :
a body of infantiy, in ambuscade behind a winding of the same work
near the head of the column, was soon afterwards discovered and
dislodged : all annoyance was removed, the guns were again limber-
ed, and everything was prepared to continue the march in the most
perfect order; but Colonel Baillie, contrary to the declared and
earnest opinion of Colonel Fletcher his second in command, and
with no other motive that has ever been conjectured, excepting
the expected distinction of exhibiting in the morning the junction
of his corps without tlie loss of any of its equipment^ a credit of
which he might be deprived by errors inseparable from the obscurity
of the night, adopted the fatal resolution of remaining where he was
until daylight, and a disposition being made for that purpose, the
troops actiuLlly lay upon their arms during the remainder of the
night, without the slightest molestation nrom the enemy. This
Sound wa.s distant no more than eight or nine mUes from Sir Hector
unro, and had the precious time thus unhappily wasted, been
employed in pursuing the march, although every part of the road
had been reconnoitred, and impediments everywhere prepared,
there can be no ground of reasonable doubt, that supenority of
CSJkP. XXII.] IIYDER ATTACKS COLONEL IIAILLIE. 4Ji7
iacinlino, always nioHt (Ic'citlt^ii in (>iH*nitiniiN liy iii;;ht, woiil*! Iijivo
enabltMl him to surniouiit all (>]>|M'siti<in, <ir at KmnI !•» huvv run-
iinued his marrii in a |itiiiit hh iitsir to the* iimiii aiiny. a** to 4-i>iii|itrl
the GMiiin:iii<lt*r-iii-C*liurf, l»y placing' tlic* t-iioiiiy l»i'tWii'ii twu tin-M.
to rcalix*.' the aiipri'hviiKiuiis ol' the Frt'iicii otiiivrs.
At clayli^nt t»n tht* innniiiii: of the lotii, thi* «lc>taf-hiiiciit iiinivh-
C(l, thu ciiriny wjls .s<Min |NTt'«'iviMi mi tin* It- ft inoviiiir in nearly a
pandli*! tlinvtion. and after atlvanoiiii; aliout two niil«H thrniiu'h an
awnue of triTS t4» a s{N>t wiu*n* the road incliiitil in the l«-t*t on the
plaiu ; four « If Hve i^uim wiTt* iiiieni'ti )iy tht* t-ncniy in th.it ijiLirter
froni a iMii.si«li*nii*li* dlNtamv. A village was in si^|,( tlirf-f-i|iiarti*rs
of a inilt* in front, whieli iirocntiMi a ;;immI |misi wiiii iio ini{»tilinH-nl
ti» itri ininifilirite 4H'i'ii|»ation : )i\it iM>t«Mil of >t'i/.iii^' this |Ni-«iiii.ii. ^r
Jiuickenin;,^ his |»a4*i* to a|i|iroai*h tlie l'^his. tlir line a^ain ha!tfi aii>i
urnie^i. and thin distant i-anni'iiade was ntinhi-il. " Tin- tnHi|>s rr-
maincd in crowded onlfr, |iartly in tin* avfniie. aii i |i;irtly iiit it-r
CfiVi-r of Some hanks and a hollnw way at tin* entnihei- Kf tin- plain.
tho PM'ki*t-iu«*n aiiil irn\:iil:irs a>Ivan<-iii^ as UMial. an i t!if main
boily kre|iini^ at a i:r«-at ili^tanci* am-'n^ s,;nie tre«^ and jaii -]•■ in
tlie rear of th«'ir ;;iiiis "
Shortly afti-rwaTiU. t«'n t*'>ni|>aniis nf «*#•[... y u:pim lii-tN iiiidtT
Captains Kiinil«*y aiei (iMwiii* win* nidind t<i >t«>rni tiie<«*- juiin. .inil
thn-t* Were aeriii'iinjly eiiri'*! with ili'- ninj«"-t :;ali.iiiTT v. wlun
Iat}^* iNMliei iifh'tr-^'' tlin ;il« If 1 t«» erjt ••ll'thi- n-tTiin ^f tin* L'»*'na-
tlient : nnti tlh* i'avahv ft liv'l»'i - wii"if ariiiv w.is ^.I't-n r.ii'idiv
Si>n>ai-hini; fnni tie- li^lit. .tlni'i-ot a-* le-ai x** th** tu.iin )••• iy a^ \\;l4
L*i itH ih'tai-iiniriit. A liii!ii>'<l iitri*:it i-au^ed hy tlitof a]>;>«'ar.ini-i'H
had an ill etf'-rt *-m tli«- i< ni.tiTi !• i «>t tii*- tiM..|i^. hut w kIi tlif • v- 1|>-
tion of eii-**iialti»"« n'»l \'iv nsnaei-'im, th»* ^^'Imixn p'<.unii-d tli« :i I-:ni«r
stations in tli«* |Hi'«)ti->h lie* d*'inMii>tn«ti<<n of ilvtii-i •< i:..t.:i U-iy
of ravalrv t«» elj.ir/-- tie- Ine*. onlv n.-t-k- 1. a-* u.i- ii*; i!. ti..*
m w
inovi!ni**nt of hi^ int'.inttv and l:uiih. wIii- ii i.v tli.- ii.-.-.. ii . :!',f
cavhtry S'^-n U-..ini«- :i)i|<.ii> fit t\.t •tj>j'i -f Ninj fi"iii fi- lijlit l<i.t
alth«Mi:;h a enn^idt'i.iiil** {••-n -d iiil*rvin«'i iIiiimi^' u :.:• li (:.- r>- \i i«
Do rannonadi*. n^i h- l\ 't li- r^*- ••!! tlif- il.tin (• ;•:•>• nt it i.n
manii'Uvre wa> inii« it ir». :, u • .i!!« :ii|-t !•• « ./•■ !'.■ \i. ..*.•■ i. i ;iiiv
Oth«*r di*>|Hi^iti>'ii. l-ut l!..- •it!.i< !i:ii' rit ?• liin.i.* -i ■: .m ii i ir- ■:.! as
it ha«I eiiti If 1 tie- ]':iti:i ( ' •! :i> I l^.kiili*- liini-* i: :. ? *- i:i ■ ;i . • ■• ■
Lark. h\ raniiih^' .ii*" it ..rii "Xi-i ?»'.iju>v ri-ii !■ !■•! Iiim-" il i* - i: i».l.«
«if d« li'--r.il«- tiiiitkih^' •■: i--* : n!: ?i . .i:i i n it r '.\ \\. i: .■.!: :i -i
tlir vili.i^''-. hil! :i t':< I i^'lv -•i-r.j [••-it:!! v.:: . u j'.' I. ."..■ .'i.-
|ii.irt«'d tli«- i- I! I.;. :iri .idi.i-.iit ) ii.N :iM i .I:*. \ ..? I I .■■ r .■!.• "• v i
thii:k jkirl "f lie- iiviii:*- wi:-- t^ii»|;\ m. .■'.^. i v. i .» ♦ ■ . !• t. d
IIvd«T •• :;u?i^ ••!•• !e I A' t!.' \ / • uiti.:!. i..'.i. . .i :■ i ! . t'
lii'h Ti|i;""> III! I- t.ik-ii wiif ' <i{<\i.ii l« 't \.r\ \i in dirlii'-iit
r|uart«'rs ijir' < t*-i a • t ■'• » llfr ■ ■!! ! '. ■.• \ r • ! ■ -i j- - w ini-r if p iii im-
r*\ in a lel;-!i - j. tir- pr. •■• -r '.^ !:■■ r'l r. r i:ii?k if.- i m !.. 'd
|ii*Nt-. in h I I- ? !■ !.• I I •■'. .... '■.■..'.. j» •\\ :: .■ . •? • ■;.•.!
458 SLALTGHTER OF HIS DETACHMENT. [CHAP. XXII.
thoir aiiimiiuition was exhausted, an event which was hastened by
the l)lo^ving up of two tumbrils which stood exposed to the enemy's
shot. The impression seemed to prevail among the troops of being
subjected to destruction without an effort for defence or retaliation.
An audible murmur ran through the ranks, many of the grenadiers
ciying out to be led on. The cannonade had by this time done con-
siderable execution, the enemy's gims diuwing nearer and nearer
until almost eveiy shot told. The pressure on the rear appeared to
be most serious, and Colonel Fletcher caused a company ot European
grenadiers to move to its support. The whole of the troops liad
been previously ordered to lie down in their ranks, and as the grena-
diers rose to obey the order, the sepoys rose also, and crowded to the
rear."
In Hyder s stable horse was an officer, namely, Biccajee Smdia,
commanding a dusta, (or 1,000 cavalry,) who had been placed in
command of a larger division of troops, to the northward of the
English anny, under Sir Hector Munro, to watch its move-
ments, on the night on which Colonel Fletcher had marched
without molestation to join Baillie; and Hyder had personally
and j)ublicly reprobated this misconduct with his usual coarse-
ness and contumely. Biccajee Sindia, stung by this public dis-
grace, resolved to wipe ofl' the opprobrium, or die in the attempt.
On observing the crowding of the sepoys, which has been stated,
without waiting for orders, he ma<le a desperate chai'ge at the head
of his dusta. Himself, fifteen of his family, and a large portion of
his corps fell ; but the examj)le, supposed to be the result of an
order, was instantly followed by the rest of the cavalry. Tlie
European companies of the British coq)s still preserved their order,
but the residue of the sei)oys, not destroyed in the charge, became
mixed in irretrievable confusion with the carts and other baggage,
and either stripped for flight, or kept up a straggling fire without an
o})ject, the strange but ordinary effect of panic " Colonel BaiUie,
after ordering this fire to cease, went forwards to ask for quarter, by
waving his handkerchief, and supposing acquiescence to be signified,
he ordered the Eurojwans, who to the last moment preserved an
imdaunted aspect and compact onler, to lay down their arma The
enemy, although they at first iKiused, and i-eceived him as a prisoner,
after Indng slightly wounded, perceiving the same unauthorized
straggling fire to continue, ruslied forwanis to an unrcsiated slaugh-
ter. Of 86 officers, 36 were killed, or die<i of their wounds, 34 were
wounded and taken ; and sixteen were taken not wounded ; Uie
carnage among the soldiers, being nearly in the same proportion/*
Hyder's young soldiers in particular amused themselves with flesh-
ing their swords, and exhibiting their skill on men already most
inhumanly mangled ; on the sick and wounded in the doolies ; and
even on women and children ; and the lower order of horsemen
j>lundenHl their victims of the la^t remnant of clothing : none escap-
ed this brut^d treatment, excepting the few whi» were saved by the
CRAP. XXII] itK^iKKVMlnNS. ('*:»
huiniine int«'i'|i<>*^itioii <if tip* Kri'iK-ii •ttli'-'T-'i. mii'I |i:irli«- ti.irly M>im-
Rieur PiiUdrin. 4it' tip* rr:'Ml:ii- Fi'-ii'-li liii«*. wlfi h.i'l i'iiii'<i viiili.i
unnli «Ii*taoIiiiii'iit IVmih M.-iIh-. :i ^limt (iiii>- ]'r>-vh*us (*• it<« t-.i|<(Mii* in
177!^; aiitl .M<iii^i«-ur Litlv, \v)i<» in^ iili-t.nlv K.-fH iiiti<> lu- --'1 t>i (ii**
reailorH iiotiiv. It i«< mmp'^Ix i«i*''»-^viiv t'» a'M iii.it t!i«- wli»il.- i-mp'*,
with all its t*i|ui|iiiii-iit.N uf fxciy ii<-'*i'ri|*(i'iii, \v:i^ initrii val !y aiil
UiUllv li>sl.
Th«? t'iit^il iiitIiii'iH*>> nf tlii'i ilis.-i^ti r 'Pii tin- -iili'^i-ijMi'Mt iVi-iit^ ••!*
tho war. li.i'i iti'lui'fii :i inuf* di-t lili* 1 il< <»'ri|»(ii>ii tli.ui ;i('<- ii<U wiili
the ;;i:m*nil plan nftlii^ work. In tli*- I'-^p' it:!)!!!- |iMMi>'.iti<iii^ whii-li
haw iiurnitt^il (hi>i tr;Mi>.ii-(ii'ii .-iii«l in lie- tir^t i»t' ili.it <-i..-^ th- ln^.
t4>rical hniiit'li nt' lli«- AimiJil Ki-^i-t'-r \**y 17^-. tli«* riin-in-t if < .1..-
liel Rilllii' liiLN In-fii till* tlit'ni'- i<t' n*- a!\ ini'jii.ilitif.j :i|i]<I.iM'«' < tio-v-
in^, with iMiiiifiil n>liirt:iiii-i*. titf <|iiti*-^ *>t Iti^torii-.il tiiitii 1 ii.i\i*
trBiiHcriUMi fnnii tlii* i>>iirn;il ••!' i>ii'' i«t t'i>- -^ ii'\ i\>»i'N tii- ; »-..i:;«<i
inarki*<l hv iiivi'rt*>ii I'l'min:!-*. witii nn ••tip-r :ii:ii-:itii'!i i:.iii tip*
inen.'lv vi*i'lial a'l:ii»tati<ins w hji h \\*if ii> '•-«>. i*v t-i i- insp > i tit* m
with till* ti'Xt ; iiH'! tlii-^*- <{M«it tii>'ii^ • "ii' «:• ':.<i in rii>' m .: r>i it* !..il
IkctM, with the iiial iiit'<>ini:it i<>n ••!' i>*i,-i^. h iniy l*:ii.- i. lii.ii
(oliini'l iiiiillif, an •»tli<-i*i li:i!i»jt«t •■!"!•;.!: •■ ji'i'.it :•. ' w n ..* i-^ i-
rLnirii; for tli** tii^t tin]*- ^i!t in<I>-i<i ii^nt • •mn.iii'! I- i i :i; ; • -r- i
from tin* iiii»ni«*iit «•!* In- p-*- iv in j ••• i< i - !■• •i«-\ i.-'- i • r ;..■ w . -• w .,i i.
to lie iiii(li-r till- iiitln-iir.- ..r" >Miii.- .iif . .{-.i! ."n "t" -ij^ » ■'• t. w ii. ii -ii-
turln-il hi*« ii^n.ii t'.i-'j-f :■ - ♦;■■ l-'it-" i ilti' •• 'Lix - :n .mI\.i:i. :: .,' lii--
dUtaiKi* t't' t'»nii*«-n iiiil- -. t . il.f 1 'ik • !' i!.i- ii\i'. Kv v. i ■.■ h «
tiru^'xH wa-* Hiii-l'-i K\i ii "'I t'l'" 'J'itli. ;iiiT \\\--\ ;■.!!.■ n^li ••w-.I-
Mfli, w;is ri*|Mit-r'>il j.y ; 'r «.:!":• • i •■ ijiiii.isii.!! j i ii :ii i i'l'.* i \ . ! • i ■• -• . . !
pAKHiiMi' tor lii^-u!i'. t. r t--. r .i--.i^.- u.i . •!• I.i_\ ■ -i iill 'n t i ■
day it iH-tMiu*- iiltn.i rli- : i!u|"i,i. •:■ .ir:i
Till* <li»*tan'''* t'l' >ir H'- • •: M'in:'» li'-in t! ! . ii t »• ^n.- ti* im tii •
moniin^' «it' tip* I'tli w.i«» n* -i !j!i: : • i;;. "W'l -^i r- n.- ■■• i ■ t- ■ ti
fnih'H At i|avliL:lit •■:! v.- I<»: < mI.-ii I.- i.- .. ■■ i • .• H\ :• !
luui *h'[iaffi-! ii-' ni -X'-i .'. ■ .1 • !•■•.-■ •■• i' ■ i' I
Aftd-r in.irt'liinL'' ali'-'it T.'jvn "'-■•. . ffii-.- . ,• .'. .-.■ r-..-
■nioki' i'l" tli»' .-li-ii-'n .III : I.. '■ • i : ■ ' i- ?' ifi .i ■:. ■ • '.•?■■':.
it . aft'T iiMplii'i J "i.t liiii'- .'"I i .1 :. I : m -i" '.■■ '•■■ - •'■ ' • :.■ , ■ r ■
Imt h.vl n«ifiMi!ii >.i\v .1 _i ..• "k- tIj. .•.-.•» i" r
hriU . ati'l -'I'i'i'jrx tl.-- iir. .j . . .-■ I 1. it i i : ;ij i . t!.
iirript jtitirii il wM li !...- 1- • -i .. ,.■!. I a - .-ii ■. i- * .' . i- : ■ i
Wnii]«l 1IM-III fi li.iv .• i!i*. :..-. i ! !u J: li' »\I -. n ■ : •'
ultimate iii.tN^wh [••
A^*»'iniinL' 1>"^^ • ^ • I ♦:'■•'■!.'■' -'I' • n- II* t i . .:• '
th««^* III !li»* I:i I'-u-- 1 1;*' I ':r '. ■! i' t''.- !■■..• ? ! ■■ . ■ ■ • • • ■
I
fiUUllK-i- tif >iJ !!■ . • : M 111- . • ♦'.. • ■ : '•. i\' • • • r
Wa/i two iijil.-, .it t|,.- I ... • I '.■ :..:...; . • 'i j ..:■ ...v :-.i!'.|
with It iniiin'* !.■ - vin' li i« 'i-:' ! • • :.iiii- f* ri iii\ -i: • m'-i ■'»• l»'il
without !• MT M!:^ t ■ pi I I t • : I :f •"•. i' * ' .. \ . » ■-• !|. ••
d»iritr_j n !»• i-? • »' ■.•••:•!■•".■ v\ } ■■ *- • . ■ ..«'■! '■ > p x- 'i
•
•
• r
400 ANECDOTES: MR. LANG. [CHAP. XXIL
danger from superior numbers, the larger ought to have moved for
its preservation ; it will probably be inferred by most of my readers,
that if the commander of either of these bodies had on the night of
the Dth been guided by the ordinary dictates of military experience,
both bodies would probably have been saved, and if both had acted
aright, that the Mysooreans iastead of the English might have suffer-
ed discomfiture.
The movements of Sir Hector Munro had been correctly and
incessantly reported to Hyder during the action. At its close
he distinctly saw the head of an approaching column, and was
about to order the accustomed manoeuvre of threatening it with
large bodies of horse to cover the retreat of his infantry, guns, booty
and prisoners, when he had the satisfaction to see it point in nearly
an opposite direction* to the east, and soon afberwaras to the south
towards Conjeveram. Without attempting to molest these move-
ments, he directed his tents to be pitched about six miles to the
westward of the field of action, and sat in State to distribute rewards
for the production of captives, and the heads of the slain which were
presented before him, " although, to say the truth, be seemed to take
no great pleasure in this homd spectacle, but rather showed disgust
when prisoners were brought in mangled and covered with wounds."t
Such surgical aid as his French establishments enabled him to afford,
was chiefly the result of their own spotaneous humanity ; tolerated
rather than commanded.
The barbarism of Hyder's mind, and his strange ignorance of
the practical effects of civilization, are evinced in the following
incident Among the prisoners was a son of Colonel Lang,
who commanded Vellore, a child rather than a youth, bom in
India, who was serving as a volunteer. He sent for the boy,
and ordered him instantly to write a letter to his father, offering
him a splendid establishment, on the condition of surrendering
the ]>Iace, and announcing that Ids own death would be the
result of refusal. The boy at first received the proposition with
a cool rejection ; but on being pressed with direct threats, he
burst into tears, and addressing Hyder in his own language, ** If you
consider me (said he) base enough to write such a letter ; on what
ground am you think so meanly otmyfat/ier J It is in your power
to present me before the ramjmrts of Vellore, and cut me into a
thousand pieces in my father's presence ; but it is out of your power
to make him a traitor. "J The threats were however renewed by
the attendants in a separate tent ; but being found ineffectnal, the
child was remanded to the quarters of the other prisoners.
* Sir H. Munro's official letter states that he had moved €d the left, in the
direction of the smoke ; when the firing ceased he moved to the righi, towards
the Tripiissore road, sind then to Conjeveram,which corresponds with the state-
nient in the text, taken from the Mysoorean narratives.
t Maimscript journal.
t The present Mnjor-General Lang ; I give tfu words as stat^ by the
3Iy.s(x)rean officers present.
CBAP. XXII.] TWIU— MOHAMMKI) UOODKN. 4GI
Amonf^ the woun<le(i of this unhappy ciny were two caAcn, in tho
British, ami in Hyder h army, the one rvninrkahlo fnun nierr fact, tho
other fn>in chanictcristic imapnation ; lM)th indivitluaU wore well
known to the author upwanla of twenty years afterwanlH. and the
facta were continnetl hy the U^stiinuny uf ituinerouii olMorven. An
English artilieryuiun* htui reoeive«i a sahre W4»und in ttie luiek uf
the m^k. which w^iMinitetl the niurieh's destine* I t4) HUp|)ort tho heaii,
and it fell acconlin^ly on hit* chest : f on bein;; nniM'd hy threats and
other wounds, this oxtnionlinarv nian raised liis lie:ui Ui its pru|M>r
poaition with the aid of iiis han<fs, and sup|N)rtin>r it in this manner
actually pcrfonned tho nian^h of six miles, unu was |H:rfectly run*d.
The other was Mohunnned BiK^len. coniniantlant (»f Hyders
artillery. A rannon shot had graze*! the \iack o( the mviput. and
nvmerrnis exfoliations of the skull, which he describes U) havu after-
wards «iccurre<i, S4.H*ni to fviiieethat the contact was seven*. He fi'll,
and was Rup|M>so<l t'tiU* kille«i, hutslimist instantly arus«\ put on his
larhand anil mounted his honk\^ and was found to have recrivcd no
other ap|inri'nt injurv timn a small cnutUHiun sunnount<'d hy a
tumour. The est'.iiN* of this man lK.*cain<' a subject «>f gi-n«'nil cun-
Tonation in llyder s anny : tli«*re cimM U* nn doubt t»f his |H«ss<>\.sim;
a cliami til avert caun<»n-balN. and the MM-ret munt )••; invaluable.
TipptK) M>nt for him .sumc days aft4-rwanls. and •{Ui'stii'iu'il him
rq^ardin^ the chnrm. Me rrplicd (as Ih' always rontinut-d tn Uli*>ve)
that it w:ui tlif nnit uf a *<iun]\ plant, which h** hail pun-ha>i-<l from
a travel lini; HIiiiIimi nit-uilirant. v* 1n> wum at all tiiii«s wr»p)i.'d up
in hi^ turUmd. a<4 an iufiliibN* ppit4'<-ti«>n to th«* ht-a'l. TipptM> «ii->in'd
to see this i>r(-«-i>iu^ tri-aNiiri*. an^l after a <leIilHTate MTiitinv, \iTr
coolly wrapiHxi it up in bis nwn turliand t'orthf futun* ditriiri* ff bis
own heaif. p';;nrdb"*N uf tin* fato t»f M'>baiiiiii«*«i l^»«fb*n>. ub<i was
perf«*otly awanv that srri'ius n*np>nstraii«'i* wiiuM put Lis b'a<] in
great«'r daniT'T than th** f-aiiiiMnliAlU uf the ii'-\t b.ittli*.
Hvdcr, iH'fiiH^ d:ivli:;bt itti tin* lU'^uiiiij ini'iiiiuj ini'\<*d iiit<» l.i-*
fbmifr f«irtitit-t| «*aiiip at Nb»<"MTVi-auk. wiifn- iit- u.i*i a^i^aiitajf ••u<*ly
pla«*t'«l fiir e\.TV t-Vfiit that nii^'bt m'rur Hi* T'Uiid tb.il hi-* !.»--«••«,
irvNii the ri-?«i*-tant*f <.fa ii«ta<'linii'Mt. •!: 1 it-it l'-a\f bi> ti<Nt|i^ m
teni|M*r t'> rcUi-w tlif <-.iutIirt with ihf hir.'i-r Unix .1 im asuii- uliiih
eiri*rv militarv i-oiiHi !.i;iti<in w^uM ot)i« 1 \\ i^i- ba\< ii* (.iti<l (in*
ietr%*nt tif that InmJv fi 'Mi t '••M|iV'*iain at tli*- '«ani«- h>>ui \*i\ bim t'i«-i*
to tiie rh<'i< f ••thi-r iin'i'Mi'- a!pl tlt-tai bin^' .k ■• 'h*i'iii.ib|f i..i|»'i
to anniiy if« ninr<-h. b>- r*i:i:tiip'l t -t ^'-xi'r.t! •i.i\> iit !i;^ tivi-i •.iiup.
makin'j arran jt-iLt-ut.-* t' 'i t!it-<li-.|> i^-il 'it' b;« pr;< -li* r * kU 1 I ^r i>'?tuui-
ing ill*' •ii«-;J»' ■•f Arriit
Sir H«-t'«'i Mu!»r' a.-, ui ii i\i- «*• -ii aV»-r t).-- •• ^-Nal: ?» ••flbi^
firing; !•• thi- iff?, bil luivi- 1 (.• tl.t- j'.jhi. \*i*li th»- • \;-«t-i?i"n
♦ A llirili, il !i.ir;l ix-.i! i:ii«. 1I1.1! l!.« ' '•< ■<" !'■• i:.l .^.» -i' n •■l|'ifii limit
ki%c trt^pfl rti*. thr«>!i.'l.. .iiiii tlir '•!( '»i'-rf ),.i.| I'.ii |.i.iI>a!i!> ii i.«i>i I iTuh.
iluublr, (or »uui<. tunc alter Lc 11. /autfl
4C2 RETREAT OF SIR H. MUXUO. [CHAP. XXII.
(whence derived he does not state) of meeting Colonel Baillie ; but a
short interval only elapsed before a wounded sepoy unfolded the fatal
truth : " the security of the army determined him to return to
Conjeveram," where he arrived about six o clock. He found that
the grain, which had so long bound him to this fatal spot, now
amounted to barely one day's consumption, and that he must starve
if he remained. At three o'clock in the morning of the 11th, after
throwing his heavy guns and stores into the great tank, he com-
menced his retreat to Chingleput, where, in consequence of incessant
annoyance on the march, involving the loss of a large portion of the
stores and baggage, the rear-guard did not arrive until nine in the
morning of the 12th. At this place he expected provisions stored by
Mohammed Ali, and, as usual, found none ; but was fortunately
joined, on the same day, by the important detachment from the
south, under Lieutenant CJolonel Cosby.
This judicious and enterprising officer, on receiving orders to
join the army, had in his route, made a gallant but unsuccessful
attempt, on the morning of the 7th, to recover the strong and import-
ant fort of Chittapet, which had been one of the first to open its
gates to the enemy : and on approaching Conjeveram, had timely
intelligence by his spies, which induced him to deviate to his rig^ht^
and join his commander-in-chief, a few hours after his arrival at
Chingleput. This place is distant thirty-six miles S. W. from
Madras, and twenty-seven from St. Thomas' Mount The Dutch
fort of Sadras, on the coast of Coromandel, is distant one easy march
along or near to the left bank of the Fabir, in a direction to the
southward of east : a movement to this place, would necessarily
increase the distance from Madras, and must have been suggested by
considerations connected with eventual embarkation. However this
may be, the Commander-in-Chief could not determine on the 12tb,*
by which of these two routes he should move, and reauested rioe in
boats, to be sent to the latter place, and to be ready oy other con-
veyanee to meet him at St Thomas' Mount. Hapoily he adopted
the latter alternative : two days' food were collected with difficulty
from the adjacent villages ; and at six in the evening of the 13th»
after depositing his sick in the fort of Chingleput, he marched in the
direction of St Thomas' Mount, which he reached at two P. X. on
the 14th ; and the English army retired in the morning of the 15th,
to a more secure position at Marmalong, with a river covering its
front (while Hydcr remained in his fortified camp, distant upwards
of forty miles) ; thus terminating a campaign of twenty-one oays, of
which, even at this distance of time, every recollection is associated
with sorrow.
A vessel despatched for the express purpose, conveyed to Ben*
gal this melancholy picture of disaster and dismay. The Gover-
nor-General, as we have already seen, had motives of displeasure
and distnist, exclusive of the mere imbecility of this subordinate
* Official letter to (tovcrninent.
CHAP. XXII.] Mil. llASTIN(;s. WA
Govi.*ninu*iit. nnil on tho first iiit<'IlLri*n('t* of tlio invasion. wait**«l tor
further iiiforiiiatioii. hi'fiiiv li<* shduM otii-r aiil wli«'iv li<* ciiuM not
pCMsibl}' n'|Hiso rontidcim*.
Ill iIk* i»niiiiarv routine of Mul»lir 1iusin(*ss, tin* iiiin«l of Mr.
Haiitiii^, (*lf^riiia, iiiil«l, and fiili;;iiti'iit*(l. oxliiliitisi inon*Iy a rlrur
Riniplicitv of nutans adapNMi to ti:«*ir riiii ; it w:ls only in tlu* fmv uf
ovvrwliHmini^ danic^'r. that. s|Miriiiiii; tlii' |iuny ini|KHliini'nt.s of
fiirtion. ho inirst tlimnLcli tin* tniiiinirU of vulirar nv'iouivf. and
■liowfd n ina.st«*r .Hpirit. fitt^-^l to ;:ni|t|ilr with i'Vitv «*nu'rp*ni*y. and
equally ra|>al»li' ot siiviiil; or rrtMtin;: an fnipin'. Thi* sttrlour of
Iwiia, ;a titli* roiifi'rn'tl on this ;^ai'al man. Iiy tli«' LTiiit-'ral vniri' of
civiliztMl Kiin)]H.'^ U'faint' th«* mnvrnii-nt wttTitirt* ti» {Nilitiral lua-
iKPiivn* . a trial of S4*vrn Vi-.-irs' dunitio!i. trrniinati'd in his Ininitrahlc
aci|uittnl. at th«* Uir of )iis iNiuiitry. of every ai*f*iiM;itii>n with whi«'li
hiM chanirtf^r hail hft'ii 1ila«-ki*nril. T" tli** charLTf of (kiipn-xsinn. an
univi^rsal |n*«ip|t* inailr an^wt-r with tlirir ast<inishnii'nt. th«*ir Mt^ss-
inpt. and thi»ir prayfi-s. To tin* t-rinii* t*\' n«*»'ivin^' rurnijil pn-smt-s
Bivl t'lnniU'^tiiit' I'Xtortioiis. ciiual to the |iiii-i* uf a kinLrihtni. h«r
AiiHWiTfil with iMiVi-rtv : an>l to tin' ai-(*us:itii>n of vi'datin ' hin tlutv
111 the Ki\sX hi'lia (\>ni]i^iriy anil hi<« <-ouTitrv. was i<]i{iiis«'ii thi* siniplo
fart nf |»r»**»frvin:^' niiiin|>.iir' -l. th*- li*rrit-'i it'* •••niiiiitt'-d t«» hi-* i'h.iii;i\
duriti:^ a |N>ri«N|. uhi«'h t !<.iNvh< p- t\iiil>it*'d nittliini: )*nt national
humiliation Thi* •Iii*.:^ of i.ilunuiy jiiiii )ii jn-iii •• n-ni.kintil
unt«xhaii^tel f^r «i«lit«- n \ '-.m"^. f-r-iih wa** lli.- inrt-iv.il atNT an
houornhlf ai'ijTiitT.il. )'t'<>ii- tip* tii'ix \'ri;i-r i^f tnitii and juNtiii*.
hrou^lit hi^ \\i<«ii*iii :t!i<l \' :h !.il'l'- iiji* i > ai>j in tie* ennin'iis uf hiA
rouiitrv. lit • <I!' iiiiii-* ! ■■• "tt'-ii^' .mi t'«» it-e.-tit to l-i- «';L<«il%'
■il|»|in'^'^-d. nri^l In- t!.- ■';'''••-■>. tf ;oi\ I- ii-|-iipl. t •! tin-* diji»s-
aivi* Antiei|iati<>h **t ^\i\'-- 'jii :i! « \« nt v
T«» tli»' tinan* i.tl iiit-".!!?'' ii -•iiltifrj tV.'in tl \t« n-ivc nnlitarv
n|iiTiitionN of tin- .M.ilii itt^i u ii > :i t:.'- • ^'t' IiOiiiit iit'* "t l<t h-^mI ami
HitndMiv. wa" n-'W a«i«if| ttii- -'jII mi n- ^« [i.i'i* wi ijl.t ■•! a lit a war
in t ''trtiMiiih'ii-l. (Ill i .1 /■ i;i : i •■'•ri!i «j- r «• \ uf" r Ii. iii;?i. sjn] >t.it« •• f ^r
th^* linal f\t*':iiiiii.if: -n i>l ti'>- Ki.t.-'i !• -wi i hi In ii.i Tiii* t iin'r-
p»n«*v uas II.. t l'\ I- :•- :■ r. ■;:»!.: • •.• » _■»■ » au{ i. \\ iix...iT,i, (.ill
Mr. lla.Ht Ml : < •!• • ii* i \., * ■:• ..}• ; .i**- ••• :ii.< *> t !. it li.> i>- M .1 - h" }.<>|ie
of till- :iT*.|i.i .iM'i.' ••: ii ■ : » .• ■■ ii.-.i-.- \i\.* •• "^.i l'.\ !•■ <"•■ tf*
Woiii'l at t iii^ • 1 1->:^ -T ill I t ■ ". .1*. i \ ::i':: .it'- iri III • ou ii i>^ ! ^iiTi the
ri|flit^ ah'i li'iKif I'f tl • lii]t!-''i :.!:m- Ii it ••:?-.•• i •••• up ••! .it tlii«
tirri'Ml tli<- ~:t>i i( >• Tl •■! < • In:... '.'i' I :;i < ' t iit l:.*:! i .i?.-! \!> i. U i ff
the >Uliri:n« i •■•IM ;! M* u - ..jv.ili • 1 :«. \ • %\ - .Ok ! • ;•: !• «^i I hv
Crr«'sii:>«ii'< h< lith hut I.-- i • \ • i \% .rli \\ ! it r< m i:'.i» i • : i:!- t}ii%
kh«>r.il iMiii- ''i* t • th'- --!.»■■ I :,.• • I\ ji I ^ \ ,'•■ .'I I ^.' k -
Drw* had iiiii'.>ir> i in .i ■•t.i.M <! /••- :..• i^\' i: -M iijth ind
mental t-n'-rjx >-\ » 111 - ii.«r.:i, i:-!'!' i \- ••••'.. 1 .! . f. '\j\i r>'it.iiii«il
of U»Ch t'l |M n ■■ l.'Mi i:i I I ;.i. ! I'.K ;.•':. Ii: -' .• :j' r.ii . 'f lii%
ajjf lit- aiiix- i •• N!»!!i. "'i t' 'i * N ..n,"'-! ;!•.•:!:; irii'-d
|tV siii-lt rt-iKi*"!- • :ii> iif •-! 1. l; ,<•!.!•• .i < -i. 1 U in.u.< ;..il4l%
464 SIR EYRE COOTE. [CHAP. XXIL
spared ; a considerable body of native infantry was ordered to
proceed by land, through the territories of Moodajee Bhounsla^ one
of the Mahratta confederates whom Mr. Hastings found means to
neutralize. Sir Eyre Cootc was charged with the exclusive direction
of the treasure trajismitted for the prosecution of the war, and above
all he was furnished with orders for the suspension of the Governor,
Mr. Whitehill, who was succeeded by Mr. Smith, the Senior Member
of Council, the same person who had at an earlv period before the
invasion, remonstrated against the apathy of the Qovemment in
neglecting every branch of military preparation.
This new administration gave an early pledge of zealous co-
operation with the measures of Bengal, by investing Sir Eyre Coote
with the sole direction of the war. A spirit of hope, vigour, and
emulation, succeeded to torpor and despondency ; and the season of
the periodical monsoon, when nearly the whole countiy is inundated
by rains, of which the inhabitants of Europe can scarcely form an
adequate conception, afforded leisure for equipment, without exhibit-
ing to the enemy the lamentable defects in every department^ which
remained to be palliated or cured, before the ajmy could move from
the cantonments to which thev were ostensibly confined by the
severity of the season : and during this period, Sir Eyre Coote took
the precaution of assembling a council of war, who were unanimous
in tneir opinion "that the army was so far from being properly
equipped for a campai^, that the utmost to be expected firom taking
the field, was the relief of some of tiie garrisons invested by the
enemy ; and this effected, that it ought to return for tiie security of
Madras, the grand national object"
It was the I9th of September, before Hyder's arrangements
admitted of his moving from his fortified camp near Conjeveram, to
resume his ground before Arcot. Mohammed Ali had expended a
considerable treasure in surrounding this populous and extensive
town with a regular rampart, bastions, and ditch, some miles in
circuit, constructed under the direction of an European engineer,
according to the most approved principles of modem scienoe^ but
still destitute of the essential addition of ravelins and lunettes.
Hyder's approaches and batteries were formed under the guidance
of French officers ; and after six weeks' open trenches, having effected
two practicable breaches, he ordered a simultaneous assautt by two
columns, one under the direction of his son Tippoo, and the other
under Maha Mirza Khan. The former was repulsed with consider-
able loss, but the latter penetrated, and enabled Tippoo's coluom to
rally, and succeed in a second attempt The entrance of the enemy
at two separate and distant points, made it necessary for tlie
European troops to retire to the citadel, the same spot, and in nearly
the same condition, as when defended for fifty cum by the great
Clivc, with a garrison numerically inferior to that by which it was
now occupied : but Hyder's political address was ever superior to
his military skill Mohammed Ali's bramin governor, and viceroy
rHAP. XXII.J t Al'TrilL nK (AKANOfKiLY. 4<J.'»
of thi* proviiioo, Ilaja Rn'rliiir/ wixs takni |»ri.Hi>nfr in tin* n-s'inlt :
and insteml nf «>x|K'ni.'iirin;^' tin* Imitality <'xlii1iit«:il t<i\v:ir<I^ tlit*
English prisoiiiTs, this (iovitikh*. iiii«l nil the MiiKltM) luiil Miihain-
meiian |>ris<int'rs of niuk. wrw tn'at4Ml with <listiii>;ui.Nlii'<l fnii^idi-r-
atioii ; rniist dt' th*'iii wrp* rrstonvi to tlifir ioriitfr nink. jiii<I
Raja BtM'rhnr to tli<* saint' t'li>Viiti*<i ninl contiiifiitial otfirt* iiiph*i*
Hy<lrr. which a t'fw ihiys iM'toit* in* h»il ht*M uiiiI«t hi^ I'lu-ntv.
ThiMc* nu*a.siii4*s w«'r«* intinittly iiion* ftHcifiit th:iii o|H-n fiiM'«*;
aiiii, throii::h the diicct iiitlu<it<*t* of It-tja ISfrrlnir hiniHi-lf. a
»|»irit was i-xcitcd in tlir iiativi* tPHips of thf citatir! whiih It-t't
tn th«* Kuio|M'iin t>t)i('iTs no altfiiiativt' lint a i*:i{>ittiiatii'ii nn
favoniM'* t»Tnis, whii-li th«' sini«* polirv in-lui-nl Hv«1«t l'» r\ -imi**
vith HiMlitv
It was tilt' ITtli ••!' .laniiarv lM«f.in»Sir Kvn? <*iMitf was iii.il.i. •!
In iiiovf. with an ri|iii{»nicnt ni-i'<"^N:irily rri|i|il*'l. aiiil ini-iri<-:ciit.
fnim thi* ijitlii'iiltv tit'olitaiiiin:: ilr.iULrlit ai^l rarriaL:«* rattle t!iriMi:h
a diiintrv •'Vi-rvwhrn* oVir-.;.na'i hv ln'siilf eavalrv A i»artnl
rpviuri'i* at^iiiiNt t!n"»i' <'N-i'?iti:il •i»*tiMts wa-^ |ipivii|i'«l hy "^iiMil xr-*-
■eU. with jintvisj.iU'i aid -i'ir»>.. t-i ai'i'"iii|i;iny th- in«iVi!n-iifN i.|'
Uio armv. which, hv ri>iitiniii^' it*^ ••iM'niti'in*^ uillun «-.ita:n hinitx.
mi'jnt. at thi^* s»j^..m oT tin* \*av. iiiiim*. in iIh- »viiii I'l* iiifi^Hjiv. t«i
itJi n*'*«inr4'«»'4 at anv ji-iiiit iMi lii" •■ ».i>l t«i wliirh tin* V'-^^-mN ^h 'n:-!
Le liini'tt-ii to I'ljiair.
Hv'iiT \\a^ • i.jaj«- 1 :i? ••»•' arnl th»- •<ini»' tiir.f. in tlif sii ••■ ,ir
thr invt-Hf nit'ht !•!' tivf iiifi'«riiiT t'iit?»^-i-». i-«<niniaiiili •! ) y K!i;ji:*h
i»ffi«'i»rs Ami r. \ii;.r«. \\ iniiw.i "ti. I't-iiii i«'»ii. an*l < *iiiiu-!f{i>ir
Til** tiptt •»! tlf'^*' it !•! .^'i: !• !i i<-i ■ <i itn th'' 1 'it Ii. till* otivi p« u • !•- »l t!I
an«iilHine«t < hi tlf I:»:h. >.i Ii\i«' < «• 'ti- i'lii-\«-.| rimijii . Mt in
vrhirh only titi«tii ili-. -> i<: •\'.-.iii-> K-maiiM •!. aiil **ii x'n*- •>.ini<- •!i\.
c»»nlnir\' t«» L'' nir;ii aii'i :■ •• ..lU • ?-.i^.. i tin- hi'i.iii an I -m-ix i.-i ..f
Uie rivrr Talir. iiniiii>|t •!• i 1\ »'.««n»ni\ Ait-ut th.i t* • n in.ii •»
•i)Uth-H«'^t III < iiiii.'l- {'lit I- Tti< t -It *i ( ':ir.iii_:<»-<iy. in t: ip!r*'
of a fi-riil" •* 'iin*! A' t ii w •■ . •? t ii; • i»I i ■■ ii i t i- • :i mii;'!..\ . i i.\
HV'ltT. an-l t'inni^ii'-i \v.?l».i ; ;• : . '-i ■ ! 7"" i:i- n t-ii' n- -■■i-» iri' ii-
m
|{ra4V liaii "iN-fh (■••iiv •■\ I i: i-. >.: I .\ :•■* ■■«!•• li.at l!.» • im iii\ \* .>. .n
the a*'t "t" !• ijj'i\ III .' I i •■ ;■■ •- . ; li^ :i!! i t .•■ L:.iM>':i. .iiii l-i * ■ •■
purtHMM* i-t' Nf.-m ill ' p:«- .'..!. ' ! j' ■ '■ . •'! ■ ?■ 'I f 1- ■:! « f T !.•• t -I j:,- ■ ; i ■
ciuft artit'h-. Ill- ill ill :i •:• ■ i- .:. ■ :.i -it nil iiii.-iit ••(' tip- Ijnth -1 I ■ iHi
inen. ill|ii«-r ( '.i;itai!i h i\ : • ..'i l t ii <\w -i u .th tii< arni\ at (d'li^.il
hour ol* niirtiiru' in-'il ■: a 'i:-.:!! iti*!-- I \* -' < i|.!a!ri !•.■. .^
f«Mjri*l, oit a}i|ii>>a -Itiiu' It .ti< •<:! T: . • in fit* nt •?!■ ii.' iii . !• . .'•'
garriiMiii |Hrt'**i*tly (•ii|>:ii' 1 i i I.l^ !• • ■ : t: :i lli- ) ^^l< . :. i v« •
0Vi*r in <i)m-i1i«-iii •■ !•• li. • "i :• ' • ;■:. i tii< piui ' • iti/ nt :-: -x : : \\.*.ii
A draw-hiiii^'i . .i iw<-i\> ;• • i . i> ' w.i-^ i .: . : \ i tfi lj- ( ■ !2i r;i>!
gaU*. whii'h \iai I'I'Un I- :i .it tl. ni •:. • iiiirj*- •< • :i^ i • i hmt
a iiin^fU- innn . an< i •-i'-i:iij_: ti: - i:it;'«- i.:if nt .i ■-• •*• i .i!il i :iiii-l
C^U* |»n*i««-nt«-'l (ill ni*--U> -< .i:i i a :•' !■? -■ i uifli iijnitiit •! <iitli-
■ A li'.li- •».! n ' ;. M'!. laiiii !.\! ;..t : r'm r ;. tau i r;i:,: A :■■ 1. 1 I" .i.l.:
■ /
400 LIEUTENANT FLINT DEFENDS WANDIWASU, [CHAP. XXTI.
culty, in a similar manner; the assailants in the traverses of the
gate, being, during the whole period exposed to the enemy's mas-
ketry from ahove. With the exception of about one hundred killed,
most of the enemy escaped on the opposite side, by ladders previous-
ly provided for such an event; a precaution which probably
weakened the energy of defence. The loss of the assailants was
comparatively heavy, but the effect produced on the English army,
by this ojxjning of the ctunimign, was highly useful after the late
disastei's ; and a respectable quantity of grain found in the place
tended farther to improve the impressions arising from this first
entor[)rise.
Tlie next object was Wandiwash, distant twenty-three miles,
in a dii-ection nearly west, the actual condition of which it will be
necessary to describe. On the first preparation for the investment
of the place early in December, the wives and families of the sepoys
had, contrary to Lieutenant Flint's wishes and remonstrances,
departed with the hope of being permitted to reside without
molestation among their fiiends in the villages of the protected part
of the country. Hyder caused all these unhappy persons to be
collected, and (the approaches having been previously carried to
within fifty yards of the ditch) at daylight in the morning of the
30th December, this motley crowd, surrounded by guards, and
preceded by a flag of truce, were perceived approaching the place,
the women and children screaming, and the old men imploring the
troops to deliver up the phvce as the only means of preserving them
from the mast barbarous treatment. The moment was critical :
besides the commandant there was only one European in garrison ;
every other man had either a wife or some other object of affection
in the group ; the few who were on that face of the works strongly
objected to the use of cannon, which were all loaded, and whatever
should be done was to be effected by the single hand of the command-
ant. Fortunately the bearer of the flag was considerably advanc-
ed, and in a direction which admitted of pointing at him dear of
the crowd : afler due notice. Lieutenant Flint, regardless of the
remonstrances of his sepoys, fired and had the satisfaction to see the
flag fall, and a few additional discharges close over the heads of the
cr(>w<1, caused the whole to retire with the utmost precipitation.
All this was effected, and the whole had disappeared, before the
]muci])al part of the garrison, resting from the fatigues of the niffhi^
wore apprised of the circumstance : their presence would probwly
have caused it to terminate in a different manner.
The subsequent operations were in the onlinary routine of a
siege, and of sorties, i)lanned and executed with such skill and
coolness, as to be always successful without material I06& On the
10th of January the enemy had entered the ditch by gallerien in
two places on the west face, and another gallery from the souUi was
nearly i-eady for the same operation; but in the course of this day
great bustle api)eared among the besiegers, a large proportion of the
COAF. XXII.] Silt KYUK (OUTi: KFI.Ii:V»JS IT. (07
tenlrt were .stnu'k and many of (lu.* tnnips niari*lii*tl At t\v«i dVlDi-k
on tlio muniini' of tho 17lii. a lii^.-ivy tin* of inusktrtry aipl i*:itiiii>ii
wa» livaiil in tlu* iliir'ctinn tif the cxiNTttMl rt'liiT. aiul ua*« ('••ittlhin-*!
witli wiTV inilii'atiiiii ot* a s«*vnv act ion until davlm-.-ik, when a
culuiiin i»f alNiut 'M^^H) infantry. iir«'ssi>i| und .'uroutriil lik«- )>ritish
■eiMivH, a|i|»n>ni*IiL-il witli Kiii;Ii>li mloi-s fl\iirj, liicw up iH-liin.i :i vil-
U^o near to tlit* oast fa* v. ami (lisdiaiirfti tiirir ranuoii at 1k>1Il's nf
horso iimkiiii; deiaonstnitions of |in*|Kirin:; to i-)iarL.v At tht* m:iiui!
moment tlu* tnN»|ii in tlu* two attarks a)an<luiu-il tlu'ir tivnohrn
with |in*i:i|»it'itiuii, and niarrlird oti' in tlir di net ion of A not.
Every indiviilual in tin* ;.^arri<on was dici-ivt-d witii tin' .sin'^do
CXce|itiiin of tlit* ronmiandant : oiu* part *»( tlir iiiKTatiiin w:is
|M!rft>niit*d in a niannt-r whirli muld not i'*<i(M|N' Itis -^rruiini^in:,' and
i:Xpcrienci*il cvi*. Tlit' ranihtii ^liot iliM*Ii;^:^'tM| at tlh* appn<:i4-ltin-^
boilit*4 of lior«<«« w*'iv srrn t«i u'ra/i* in •lin-rtiitns i-K-ar iif tlnir ••l-jirt.
and weru tin-d at distanrcs not )<i-)iinL:iiiL: V* tlif |iiai'tii'r i<f I'liti'oli
artillvry. lie lia«l tliL* L'n'at4'^t ditlirulty in nnd* t-civin^' U\< i^arii^ou
and ktropiiii; tht*iu at tlirir |Mi*«t> : Iml tlji y wi-rr ultiiitati !y •'••ii\inr-
eil by tlur rviilciit )ii^itati<iii nf iIm* pirti n^li-l n-lit f; at tin-* np>nii nt
Lieutvnunt Flint vrntiiii'd to d*-t:;>-h a l.n^r jniiii in df his Iittlo
purisiin uniHTriivrd iutu tin' w^rkx *>{ tli<- wi-.tiin at(a<'k : the
pdl<*rit-H into tin- dlt«'h wiir d- li-yid. tin- it.ii-iii's f.,r lillin-^
thu ditrii sot oil tin-, aihl tip* ^^iiiok*- aii^in-r fmin tlo^ .i|H'iali<*ii
v&H till* tiiNt indi<'ati«»n to lar::*' l* dir^ *'\ tin- i in-niv wli<i win*
in amliUHli in «-virv (iiii (-ti-<ii. and {■U'«lt' I \'*tr tin* ri>'ii\i:y «'f
Uiuir Work**. Tiii- si^'ual f..i lli- i- lurn **\ l\\" s-iiji- wa-i |<r<nipt-
ly idiM-rvi-d. tinir pri'-iiiiM .1 iiiii.- w.i-, liy ili.« s.iuthi-ni at'.K-k.
we tn*n<*lM:i of wliifli tltcv •^•■l"Mld kdlinj or niakm^' piii '••-r^
CTttr\- man wltn ii.id )M>-ti Ii t't •- 'Im •-.lii d in \*\jX\\ attaclw Ail
ikiA w.-us i'tr<-<-ti d uitiioiit til'- )•••«* «'f a iiiMi . }>ii( a >iii..il I'n ud
vliii'h liad |h-.|| "..Ml t-» \v. it'll til' ]'i>t;ii' 1 fii-ii-lN ku U m^
ao'u««tt->l liy iii'-ii wiiiiiii tlii \ {••'•:. Wy I^ii-a. wii.- in -;>i*i<' xf
|in*viou<* uMiiiiit^' r •in|>lit< i\ •!* .v< 1 .-.1 i ]>i-\..i!- i • !i t • • ::S i tl.i*
filLi:^'"' whi'ii' i!n V \*i V*' m-i 1 : » ■ u- ! • I'w.i • I lii.- u ::!."• i v\i m-
■ ■
•i-nl Uii'k \% nil I'i'ji •• i!- I I ■■ ;■ r i! * u -n n u« : u.. . i. Mt :ii -1
fntni til*' t-ann<>n Mt tlr [•■ . > n : > « :. i:.; i. -.-' i. I t • ?• ' •}>
llli-ir i*«iv»r Tin li\ •■ •♦u- • ■ • i. m • ■ : \ u • i . ■ :. . I \ • i in i : -. . : • tin*
tljuiini.'*-^ r>^uliiri.' ti>'in (lli- '■ -it.v.- .." in: ! . I- :: •■.! !ii. --I lu ■*••-
mnitt Wii-' iii'^.-i \i 1 I \ ; :• I.? .•. i-I .i .■!:•■' !i v? 'ir ;•■ d l-v
m W
int«dli;^'«'ni'«- tip n urikiriu h t-i i i, ■ - iti .^- n • i t • •: ! >:i> • f i ' .: i: • - *■
Iv liV iL%>.i!lit 'ill (111- |<i< • i.it .' lii iMi'; t'.- '»■.•.'. :.■' \ri I (!■ :• ii» i
Wf* rvaiii.il'd i«?i till* •i;\ . '. I I i- !■ .' :.;■.. :.' ■ :i wi
ibu diri*« tt»n fl' Aii-i Hsii: ..''• J ( • *:.i-.\ .. • ' : ..i. i • n
tht* suri'iM- l:!i/ •! •\ >ii K\ !•■ 1 ■! • ii .1 I..' i' . ■■• i. i-: • iii,* tiio
Bnti?«h i.*-i!'ii"* ^v.i ll\iu^' "li I'..- ii:.:;iii' u :. .■ i.:.,\ •.in* d.i\ h
amniuniti'tn i« i.i uii' d (•• tin- j uii- !:
Till- ainm .< i-ri •■! i!ii • ^ ;■■ i ■ f.» • i ■. i. : u i ■ i-.!* .i-id- I at
aI! |j*- .*.i\% ul tip 1 > I. ■ \^Iji .1 iM-i i- II iUi|-:\<d .III 1 .il til'
4GS ARRIVAL OF THE FRENCH FLEET. [CHAP. XXII.
little which he heard in the modest recital of Lieutenant Flint : the
interest of the scene was heightened, by a coincidence which this
vetemn deemed worthy of notice in his public despatches, that the
siege had been raised on the 22d of January, the same day of the
same month, on which, twenty-one years before, he had raised tlie
siege of the same place by a memorable battle : and to complete the
association of ideas, he encamped upon the same field. Sir Eyre
Coote recommended the immediate promotion of Lieutenant FUnt
to the rank of captain, which was acceded to by his government ;
but this distinction was rendered nugatory by a subsequent determin-
ation* of the Court of Directors, as an inconvenient deviation from
the established routine of their service — the rise by seniority alone :
a rule upon the whole, perhaps, wisely adapted to actual circum-
stances, but at best productive of negative good ; repressing, with-
out question, the vice of partiality and favoritism, but crushing the
legitimate excitements to military enterprisa It is true, that some
highly distinguished branches of the royal army, are governed by
this rule : but it is relieved by particular brevets for distinguished
service ; similar to that of which the benefit was meet unwisely
denied to Captain Flint, and the same unqualified rule of seniority
alone continues its depressing influence over the Indian army to the
present day.
As the course of our narrative will not again lead to any detailed
notice of Wandiwash, it may be interesting to explain one of the
modes by which grain was obtained for the consumption of the
garrison, and an occasional aid to the supplies of the army ; the
villages under Hyder's protection, and in full culture, were sufficiently
near to admit of occasional enterprise by night, but instead of desul-
tory success which would dry up the source of supply, Lieutenant
Flint conceived, and absolutely executed the idea, of laying them all
under a secret, but regular contribution, on the condition of leaving
them unmolested ; these contributions were faithfidly and punctu-
ally delivered by night, and were managed with such adaress, as
completely to elude the knowledge or the suspicion of Hyder during
the whole course of the war.
Before Sir Eyre Coote left Wandiwash, he ascertained that
Hyder had raised the sieges of Permacoil, an<l even of Vellore,
indicating the intention of a general action, which circumstanoeB
induced liim to postpone.
On the 25th, a French fleet appeared off Madras, the intelligence
was rapidly conveyed to Hyder, who anticipated with confidence the
arrival of the expected co-operation, and a farther interval elapsed
before he was apprised that no land forces were on board. The ap-
pearance of this fleet was announced to Sir Eyre Coote on the day of
his departure from Wandiwash for the relief of PermacoiL He
instantly retraced his steps towards Madras, but on fiuiher intel-
* Tiieutcnaiit Bishop, commanding Pennacoil, and Enftign Moore, the
only ofliccr with Lieutenant Flint, were in the same pretUcament.
CHAP. XXII.] SIR EYRE (XK)TE MOVKS T«» rrDDAl.oKK. 4ti!l
ligenco n*iiovo<I IVrnmcoil, aii«I fn>iii tlifii(*f inov<*«l tnwanU I\)iiili-
clierr}' with tin* vk*w of ilcMtroyiii;; tlu* Uiats. uii n|H*niti«»ii whirh
WM I'lniiieiitly iisrful in iiii|KMliii;;th«' nuniiitiiiiratioiH nt'tlir h<'?*tilt*
fleet tlin»u;;h a mi rf nearly ini|i:i.ssiil»li' \*y iMiaUnf Kiirii|HMii i-nnNtriir-
lion, aiitl fur tlu* nircssary )»iir|MiSi; (»f tifiiidii^liiii;; wiiat ivinainc*! uf
military restmnvs. which hatl In'ou ('iii|>|i>yf'il in a niannrr int-imiistrnt
with tho terms of thu ra|iitnIatio(i. tin* |Mi|iti(*ai (*iin<liti<>n of thi*
tilaoe, an«l tht* jK-cnliar inilul^'cn<v whirli ha<i U-fn r\tiiii|«*il t>> thi*
luliabitants, for siu'li is the rliarart4*r invitl\i-i| in tlir h'\y an<i
oi|ui|»iut*nt of troo|»^ f »r the service «if thf eni-niy.
Thi»^M• stTviet's w«'n* still iin|H»rfeeiiy ai ni|ihN}i<-|. whi-n il\i|ii*i
amiy apiH^an'ti in ^n*at forei*. (►n ifii-i\in:^ iiit«!li_:«'ni i* thi*
a|»|iearAnt*e (»f the Krt'neh fleet, aixl df Sir Kvr«' <'iM>tf luivin.; in
ronm.*<|Uenee eonmii'iii't'tl Ins nian*Ii to .Maiha>. Ii\iii-r, uitli iIh* vifw
of throwiii r hiinvif hy foree'l inardifs iNtwrt-n tli** <ti'ip ral an-i that
Elaci\ nu>v«Ni ni|ii<IIy to(*iinjeveniin : hut "n hi*" arri\.tl. h-aiitin^' that
ir Kyre ('iH»te. inst4*a«l of |iursniii:^ his inarrh in tin- liir* •-ti<>ii ••t'thc
capital, ha* I rt'^iinifl a siuitlit-ni nint**. Ip* fi'lhiwi-'l. i>y t'ori-***!
niarrhfM. witli hi*» ravalrv. si-Iert infantiy. an<l all ht*> h^Ittti i •{iii|i-
iiH'ntM. Thi» |in'»*i"ni'«' of ihr »'ni'niy s llf't hail fiii'«(iai« •! tin- |i..jiii
of Mipplyiii'' the Kn'Mi'ih armv i«v sfa : :iii<l in ni'>\i!i^' (•• I'-iicif ic-rrv
Sir Kvn* ('initt' hal ealiMilat*-!. tVnin inti Ihji-!i''- «i lU^Iv 'iiliMtix*'.
not only I'll tiii'liti'^ a f*'\v i1h\-« iiriiviiioti-* m ih:i( |->|»ii]<iii^ t*iun.
but fiMin lly<l-r-« ri)Miit«'il {Hisitinii. **\\ iH-in.' i ii;ii>li •! t-i it irh tli*'
fertile (i»nntiii'> Nnuth of thi* ( 'iili'pi->n iH-Tnif him. an-l tli'-nhv
t«> oliviat*' evt-rv ri*»k of want Tln-ic \va> liit •■Hf li.ix -^ lii.- m
camp, it was imiMt^^xiiiif. uitli thi-« *<t'M-k. t*> a;ti nijit a ni-<v< lin-iit t<»
thf* fiiirlliwa!-l . th'* •iiii->-ti.iii <*f llyii'i <« mu'ih |**inr><l «>iith
lowafiN t 'u<l<l:iti>p'. Miiil n>>thiiij ii'niaint«l hut tin' •!• ^]--!.i(>- .litt rn.i-
tive iif mii\in.: <«ti!l t'nth*-r fi«'ni tin- main s.^uti-i- nt' sii|.j>l\ .«( M.tilr.i*«
t«» riiv»T I 'u'l'liKiPv wlinli it w i** ■>( h:.tin iin{H ii.iii. • • ;f '•,• i t.i iii-
manth' **r )'i<>I*«t. tn |ii*\i|it it^ U-i ••imii^' a<l<i-'f ; n i I* iitt 111'
iiup|H>rt f'-rth*- tit'iT'- •ij.i I at I'li^ nt ihi- i.iiii I -i* • * • \', • . t i ii-im
Fmni**' 'I'lf --tiiii-lit ■. :tt til. It {'lai-i- ui !•■ kn-'Uii n<«l i«ii\<>* 1 dnif
4iav**' f'»'»'l ^'iT !n :i?!V ••!{.• t •iiiiiti'ii h*- "■■•iNi li.i\. f-. ui-i li-in-
Sir Kv I •• t '••■•!• .I'l ••i'iiii_'i\ iiii\fiiii a •iiii'?:'n ;-.n iii. ! iii!. iTi.T
tli»* ••m-mv al-'itf f w • I* M . \% ii.ii- •lavii-jlit •'-'TiTiiiui i !>• • \ ■• it« :i* • •!
litth* ann'*\ ai.i-t' aii'i a ii<-a\ \ .iicl ■'••iitiiiiii'li-.iiiii<iii.il< tli! -•. . -iit tii«*
ni'^lil n< i(ii«-r nitt'-riillx iinjM ii« >liii'« inai h, Mmi |i > iit-t- i .if.\ s. ri'U^
raMialtii"* •\i'|it:n.: tin- 1 ^^ i-l' -..•iin- -.t ■!• - Aii:v«'i .• < '.■!■: li-n*
■
(tll«* Kp'n«'li ti> 't (mJii^' ^tlil .it r<>liii< h*-rt \ !>:« '*i! iiti- :i l«>.iiiii'
rnti«'nl. aii«l ni.iv iii"-t •^uitiMy U* iii-*iirMfi m hi-« ••«!» w :i^ I
rafiDot ei'inm:iii'i tn-i- i-ri'iujli t<i movi' « itii«T t** tin- ifrtii\« .11 i "i tiii*
iifrtit)iwar>l 1 ••?!'• P**l Itim II\h-r Ktttif \ ••«!•■! i in . I- it I :i> ^■•••iiir
ii|i<iw**<| in\-'!r' tii.in h«* ni'<\i-il ••ff an-l ha** t ik> si ]« .- •'•[••n ••! iin<l
iitn*ii;rthi-n< •! ali tin- pia*!*^ ha'iin^' t'> tin- •^••■•tliw.ii i I l..i\i uiiit* ri
l<i Nii;;«ir** in tin iixst )<i> -*^iiil,' tt-iiii'« f-i '«;i}<]'i.i<* I «i< {« n 1 n|*i>ii
•■\»rv i'tr-rt ri \ ■11 i-iui i - 1 \i i \ ll..:- • Ui'il I* n- k* -1 i* .i«*. I ne
• .1 • r*
470 niS CRITICAL SITUATION.. [CHAP. XXII.
— my difficulties are great indeed. I need say no more to induce
you to take such steps as will speedily enable me to act as becomes
a soldier." Hyder perfectly apprised of these &ct8 had made
detachments to the southward to lay waste the country round
Nagore, and cut off its communications with the sources of supply in
the interior, and he depended on the services of the French fleet to
augment the difficulties of the British army. Without possessing
the means of forming a correct judgment regarding the motives
which may have influenced the measures of the French admiral,
Monsieur d'Orves, the proposition is unquestionable, that had he
continued his co-operation in these measures by preventing supplies
in any direction by sea, the campaign and the existence of the
British army must in the opinion of its coinmander-in-<;hief, and
according to all human calculation, have soon been brought to a
fatal close. The sudden elation at an unexpected relief from these
gloomy forebodings is strongly depicted in the following brief
despatch. " The French fleet under sail standing to the eastward :
there is not a moment to be lost in sending me provisions — that
supplied, I will answer for the rest."
The intermediate days before the arrival of supplies, like many
of the preceding, were passed in a precarious dependence for food on
the skill and industry of the persons employed to discover subter-
ranean hoards of grain,* and when these difficulties were in some
degree relieved by the arrival of supplies by sea from Madras and
Nagore, the reduced state of the draught and carriage cattle, render-
ed it impracticable to carry even one day s provisions, and fixed the
army to the ground which it occupied. Hyder deemed it imprudent
to attempt a decisive attack on an army, which, in the event of
discomfiture, could retire on a fortress in its rear. Contemplating
also the hilly and confined space which must bound his own rear in
any attack, as unfavorable to the precaution which he unif(»mly
adopted, of preparing, as the first preliminary to an action, clear,
open, and well-finished roads for the retreat of his guns ; he deter-
mined to leave in the vicinity of Cuddalore, such a body as was
sufficient to prevent its deriving any supplies from the interior.
He reduced and occupied in force all the intermediate posts between
the English army and the southern provinces, and proceeded with
the main army to the northern bank of the Coleroon, from whence
he made large detachments into the territory of Tanjore. Without
attempting the capital of that country, he (x^cupied such posts
as commanded its territorial revenues, and enabled nim to i^piy its
resources to the suj^port of liis own army, and still &rther to aug-
ment the difficulties of his enemy in any operation to be attempted
in that direction. Sir Eyre Coote had no prospect of relief from the
cml)arrassments of his situation, excepting from the opportunity of
a general action, which it was highly improbable that the enemy
would afford. His force, originally insufficient, had been reduced
* Sec page the 302iid of this volume.
>. XXII.] UK IS REINFOIU.'KD WITH TllOtiPS. 171
by CAAualtioH an<l 1»y (li'tAoIiint>iits ti> •j:irri'«i»n (^lr:l1lL^<»<•I^^ an* I ri'in-
force Wuntliwiusli. Some native triMi]iK riniii the mhiiIi liatl Uth
prennre*! t<> jiun liy land, but Wi*iv ctlri'tually |in'Vriitfii \*y tlu* <iis-
poftltionH wh it'll liavi; Ik-cii statrtl. Mr. lIudillotiiiH', uf tho civil
■ervi<:c. Im<l. Iiowcvit. iiiaitairoil with ctit-rL'V ami skill tho rnlh'i'tioii
M1<1 eiiiliarkatiiiii uf ;;raiii aiiil other siipplii's at Na'^*>ro ; aii«l nil
arrangviiiciit was iiia«h' fur (-nilKii'kini; the tli'taL-hiiii*iit at this ]i|!uv,
to be «*i>nv('V04i l»v sc:i to join tin' main armv- Tho vi«'inilv had
previously Ikm^h laiii wastr l>y llyili-r. to iin-vrnt riininiiinicatioii
with thi* interior ; anil a small n-'loiilit. h:i.stily r.in>tnit't«'i| t*«»r the
puqMM4!, wnri the sole prot^rt ion of the factory, and the oidy eover
to uventnal eniU'irkatii>n.
Iliinii'«liatelv after the einharkati'in of this detaehmi-iit, eiin^ist-
ili{; of two Kittalioiis. a r<in^iiier:ihli* fun*!' uf int'.tntry and 'f^^xu^ un<ler
MoiiHieiir IjrIIv entered the town, hut the previmis diN|iiisitii>n*« had
bcvn lii.'ule with sueh eare. that ni»t only tin' triMiii-^ iiii shi»ie weri}
■aved, but all tin* piiMit* atpi private |'ri>|H'rty wa^ i-ni)>aikeil without
kim. A detiiehmeiit which h:id in-rn M-rvin:; iiipier ('••Imih-I C'.lihinl
in tht* Mahnitta war. «'oii^i>tin:^ of a Kallaii'in an>l a liilf uf n:itivi«
tnin|H and two eoinpanii-N «>f Knrti]H'aii-« alsn uivunijitnii'^i Adminil
Huj^ht^H fleet on his return fi'ni tin' wt Nt«rn eit:i-i frtlp- |N-nin-iila,
and farther stren-jtheneil tin* arinv. iSut nune-rii.d f<>ii>' uillpint
•
the means I if nio\iiii>'nt t« n«hd tittle to re!i<ve it-* ciiini'iit :it« 1 rm-
bambMnii'iits. All that \iLril:iner :iip1 « ni-r^'v e>.iitd a< > «iii|>lish w:i.h
ineuHKantly atti nipted to prtxiire iiinic- li:ite *«n]iply ^r tii*- niean-i uf
futun* e<|ui)iin<'nt , aipl :inii>ii_' tli" I>i--.> <i ^ii-<tain<- I hy th<- •iii-my.
wan that of Si-lii* Ijellal lh< r<*inni:ind:int. an Ai'\ '>-«iiii.iii an<l an
offio^r of di^tin-.Mii>.hi-i| re|-ut;itii'ii Kn-m t'ii- ^lll I't Ki-'miiiv till
the IGth of .liMii'. tlh- ai inv w:iN «-• rt:iiii!v -t it i iiMrx . wiiii ti.*- • \«-< i>-
tion of oiH* iin-tr'-i'tiial di ni"ii>tr:iiiMii nfa^in.'!" ih.ii- 'i (•• i* l!<-vi»
Tia-^r, a hill tort titty niil'-> lo th<- u-^^twai i. • <miiii cii' I 1\ l.i> u-
tcnant KolN-rt^. whieh t* 11 «'ii th** Ttli «•! •hm*- t<>i u.i*i( ••! ..rrniMni-
tiun ; but durin_r the wh"!.- I't' th.it j-i: i !■ w h: :'.r - ■ . .; .• 1 in
whirh det:u'hnii iit.-« wm- n •! al'r-i:id, -ui'-.- i f • i iih I'p • i. -Jif!/ 'i.ly
bv th«* wlioli- nr \ai ii»u^ i--! i :in- of' tip- liie' wi.- ii i>\ \ r \ :!t : tlnir
m I
din***tiiin*« and m>d<-<of pi m- Ini^', lri-|'i« ti!1\ '. i. . ■ i< i m |.i.'. ir-
in*j fn»m di-»tau«'e-i •'Uiij d to !-• t-*-! :•!• ;• I -i ;i !• ■ ■ i iri»iih.
flin'kn of ••hi'*'{i and ill'-Vi ♦ i-r lattl-*, wIipIi Ii ■• "'./.V t'U'i: i f'-l
fur the tfiMipH, iiut L.'r.idu.iii\ .iltltoujh I'-uiv .i'!:i>l a I \« \i n *•{
a |iri|N*r de^frijition t'o|- tie- il* jMitnp nt ^ ot i<i lii.Uf- .!..;•-. and
proviHions.
iMirin^ thii loni; and ni-'Mifxin' •:■!•%. th- li-x-'i.; i.t of'
Mailmi naturdiv r*-L*ri'tY:ii' a •t.ii*- ••!' ii'i'iint ::.. t: uiinh
Onnftumt^l tin* r»-*o!nii«* i-l tin- St.it«* a* i.i; t i:\ ;:^ ..•. .i t \. • ant-
CRi«;n. transnittti-d t-* Sir K\ r«- <" t*- an ili'-iaii- i\| • t ri of
in i»n>i*nt mditai v Mlual t'lh, «t.«-i ■:ii..!.j li'^t'*^'! a:iv ii.S-'ilii'H
of iiiirrfirin;; with the ei*ndui t «•! fit*- m^ai uii.h ti.< \ liil i*ni-
inilti>l t<i hii '.viidance. ant nii..i!i::. ' li :it i lu-* iKti.-fii^. bv
472 CRITICISMS OP THE MADRAS GOVERNMENT. [CHAP. XXII.
submitting to his judgment the result of their own deliberations
on the actual state of public affairs, and the reasoning which
might affect his adoption of a northern or a southern movement
Among the most perceptible changes superinduced by years and
ill health, was a defect in that admirable serenity of temper
which had stren^hened and embellished his earlier military vir-
tues. Surrounded by difficulties, which appeared to be insuper-
able, he had frequently seemed to ascribe to the Qovemment
impediments which they were strenuously laboring to remove :
and as suddenly acknowledged their zeal on the receipt of any un-
expected supply. This exposition was treated, justly perhaps, but
with unnecessary asperity, as a covert attack on his military charac-
ter, by persons unqualified to form a military opinion. Nothing, he
said, but his zeal for the interests of his country could have origi-
nally induced him to undertake the charge of an army so miserably
equipped, as to be pronounced unfit for service before it had moved.
After reciting the motives and results of the few measures he had
been enabled to risk, and the utility of his present position with
reference to the expected French forces, and preventing Hyder from
undertaking the sieges of either Trichinopoly or Tanjore, he intimates
that if he had been invested with any powers besides those which
he derived from his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the British
forces in India, sucli powers had only loaded him with labor and
anxiety foreign to his duties, and appertaining to themselves.
" Having stated, (lie adds,) the circumstances which proved the
impossibility of marching this army at all, it does not seem imme-
diately neceasary that I should enter upon an enquiry, whether a
southern or a noiihem movement is to be preferred." If a move-
ment of necessity should be made, (and by the non-arrival of sup-
plies which ought to have been sent, that necessitv appeared to be
approaching,) he must move northwards, which he adds, ** I am
happy in thinking I shall do without apprehending any material
danger from even a more formidable enemy than a body of hone,
which you have, with so much precision, pointed out as the only
impediment I am likely to meet with in taking a northern route.
In justice to both myself and the service, I promise you that Uie
army I now command, shall not remain a moment unemployed, if
you will only supply me with provisions and the means of oanying
them." While thus animadverting on opinions drawn from crude
and partial views, it is instructive to observe this respectable
veteran, uniting with the Government whose suggestions ne con-
demns, in the most decisive inferences with regard to the general
policy of the British State in India, drawn from the insulated appli-
cation of that policy to the affairs of Fort St Gteorge alone, wnile
the interests of the other establishments, and the difficulty of adopt-
ing the measures proposed, were either overlooked or treated as
points of minor consideration. The Qovemment of Bombay depre-
ratecl the war with Hyder. The Government of Fort St Geoige.
CHAP. XXII.] <'RITh'ISM.N •»!* Sin KYHK ( OuTK. 47*1
nniformly «ff»vt4»d to mii^i'lrr tlM» M:ilimtt/i war as tho rftifiont
ailMe of Hy«l«*r's inva**! «ii. Sir F'.yn* C-HttH d'sM'iitiNl frmi this
opinion, but nM\i>>iis|y <M.i)i*nrrt'«l in t!)** pii.itivf ii«i-i'H>itv i>f :l NI.ili-
imtUi l>«ii«». Hi* M'VtT'ly nM:«'i:Ji" * t'n' i- iiiili'i't «if < '••Imp-I (iiM|'l;irI,
hia miliUirv intiTi<>r. on tlit* wcM«'ni ^i'|i' nf ltiii::i. wlio was invt-st-
rd with (lipli)inAti(* |M»wi*rs iVnni thf <iovrnitnont-<fi*n'^nLl. f<>r ni)t
emnloyin^ thrtM^ powtTs to t4Tinin:it4* tlit* Mulimttii Mur. » <Titi('i-im
which, if thi'ir rohitivt* ^itntiti^^ns had U'liniitt^ii tht> n^tort. miu'ht
have fonn«»«l a nrotty ox.irt ii'inilli*! in n"riiiiiin«'nilini; t^i Sir Kvn»
Coote an imnu'uiaU* Ih^mt** with Mydt-r. wlin, likt* thf Malinittas. aTi<i
moAt othtT |Miwi'rs. wonM )h* avi*rs«» t«» iM-ao- in tin* tlin-fi rili»i of
hill Hum'ss in war: a iipi|NP.ition whirh th** cunihK't of thr MahrattA
nation hail nin4h* familiar at lioinhav.
Colonel (iiNlilanl lia«I in i-ffiM't mado wry stronnmis rtFiirl-* fur
the tenninntion of th«' Malinitta war. Hn rt^fivin:; hi» <li|>Ifiniatir
instnirtioiLs inwanN thi* rluM> iif 17^0. ]u» ha<i ntfiTfil tii th** ci inci-
dent ion of that St.iti* ri-a*<iMnahli* t''nns tii sfrv^* a.s the liit*«i<i (»fa
treaty, anil |»ni|M»MM| a ^^i-U'-nil i'fr^»*:iti'in «»f h't-ntilitii"* : th**-** |iptjHi-
litionii WfH* trt*:it«''l with «*li"ni-(* anil r>nt«nt{>t. i'\art!y Ummusi* tho
affairs of thi* Kii^Ii"»h w-n* •!••! ui.-.j t )-• in an unjip«'»|»iT««iis -.tatM.
Co|f>n(*l (i«N|(iarl iiMH'iilit I • \' 1 \ j. --ii !•• Ill- :i?i- at hi<* •ii>.|i«>^;tl in
removt* that iinpi ■"-•{••n au-l i'l I'l )■»!!•■%■ 17^1 ni.il-- a «l»iiii'n-ira-
tion i>f att«t*kin_; lli*- < ip my •« •■ ; :T.iI !.y » ■■ i!. !in_' th-- iV-i-' .;h.iul.
whfii ho ho|M-.| i-. iv..r vi*!* 1 i*.. ' •••i- r 1|.- w.i^ |n riui!!'-! tn
aaoeml. I»ut ilii- uli.il- l*!- ■ "f :].•• ^\ .' ■ w i- j r- :i.ii. •! it" h«- ••ImiiIiI
advaiii'**, t4> |iri'\ -Mf hi- ;;.i;:i li- \..i- I'l .'i«M:«r f«it'* than th**
army w hit *)i ^nti< n l-r-i| ^it W •>!.: .'i::! i<i 177'*. ant tli-- M.ihr:tt;.t<«.
deeming it inishIMi- thi h- .^ -.I I '; :.) i : • r j'.'-'i P •■ iia. ■!■ lil- r-
aUfly )iri*imn*<l tM-t li.** •■•j-i-il .-n lii . t'j«tti r w iih ivir\thtnj
intvrnitHlialf tliat « ■«;! 1 Pim-^ t'-r ::'• -.r -m' -i^t* nif. in "ri!i-r timt
tht-y iiu;;ht in-'Uri- hi'Un- rii'i :•. uit. I r Th-- i-\|- iii-n* f
177!*; thi* ini'-Xj' «t..l nmu-i- .*u \ :.':*\ !" f : ■■ l!-. jf* )y wlnrli
he jwrr'-ivi-ij hii J- ir ! » I ■ •■; ■ i . m*:. : 1. j.. !■ ^s?.. ^, ..f
ail\"anw ti» ariy u ••■t'll pii.j .! . t*. ! • ■ i...t. 1 .• ;■ • ti iii:'ii*j.»-
tiation. i*xi-t|it uri t in:*^ v *>. , .* \« ^ ;it . «->.'l- (• .!..:: i!l r m-
bin#*«l !«• •'••n\ in»" * '-'I': • i ' 1 ! i -t ! ' ■'•■ xj- i; 'i \ ■■!' !« tr.i. in^
hia f«t<^-|K IIIn ji: ; 1.". •• * . \ 1 I '. *.\ . fi. ■ -I ::..il f'T'l"!. r-
niin«*«i nttiirk. aii-1 h« • f!" •■ ! ? - :•■■, • wru li.- iit;i,..-! ■i:f!i-:iltv
Havin;; |tnii*!i«'al!v a^i ir.Mij- i ?';»i :''!■ !.-..«irii • .ii hi-* •l;-}i-'N.il,
werp li«»t Hnffi«'i» fit t'-r :•!: • rl ».-■ i.'.-:-:;! iri*- th*- iiit« ••! i }]••
reeer\'t*«l •»u«'h Iph']" a* ^^-if ii--- --im t--? t'i«- •■>::iii -ii" •■ii th**
eoant. and n'lnrni-lth' T i'.- *♦! •:;•*• ■t.i'..-li:r.« tit wl.:.harth»«
perimi in iiu«'*«ti"n \» ■ i ■ ■ ■' 'i i!i\ • :i tip :r \ i « •«• t- • ; .n >:r K\ n«
Cnolr. iH X\u' I'M.! .1- i -..■ i.:.i*. . .'V •:•.. < " : t.. ! « i.-i-i-ir-l
thuA aiilN'Ars t<i h;!\< ! ik* ii ;..'■:.. -^ r..' :*.i. \ .< \% • l' th<-;:»n«r.ki
iaiemitfi nf th*- St.it*-
Karh i)n"«i*ii ii<'V ■••■MiI'I f < .if* « )> .t {• ir-.ni-'int iint*"Ttiin'*«' t<»
ha own l<M*a! ohii-i-t^ ani thf < ii\* rnni' nt "t' M.i'ir:vH Nt-iindin;: thi*
474 JUST VIEWS OF MR. HASTINGS. [CHAP. XXIL
opinions of the Commander-in-Cbicf) reiterated their condemnation
of the origin, the continuance, and the consequences of the Makratta
war, and stated to the Government-General the urgent necessity of
its termination ; as if the case had no parallel to the war in which
they were themselves engaged, or could be terminated by different
measures, or by an opposite consideration of the motives which influ-
ence human conduct. Mr. Hastings, placed in a situation which
gave him a more enlarged view, and posse^ssing a scope of mind
adapted to the high and perilous station which he occupied, answer-
ed to the propositions which accompanied this recommendation.
** We (viz. the Governor-General and Council) wish for peace with
the Mahratta State, but we will not make it on terms dlshonoiable
to ourselves ; we will not disgrace the English name, by submitting
to conditions which cannot be complied with, without a sacrifice
botli of our honor and our interest : yet such are the conditions pre-
scribed in the paper before us (prepared by Mohammed AIL) The
distress which the Company's arms had suffered, and their belief
of our consequent inabilitv to support the war against them,
has raised their presumption, and induced them to insist on
terms which the worst state of our affairs would not warrant us
in yielding to. We are now morally convinced, that nothing
but a vigorous and successful prosecution of the war, wifl
prevail on them to make peace, or overcome their present disin-
clination to it. Peace is our object, and we are determined to
pursue the only moaus which appear to us to lead to its honorable
accomplishmeut."
The wretched equipment of Sir Eyre Coote's army kept him
stationary in the ncighbourhooil of Cuddalore until the middle of
June : its march to any distance from the sea was literally imprac-
ticable ; and along the coast was only possible, wiUi the substitu-
tion of ships for an ordinary commissariat Every movement to be
attempted, was consequently dependent on the co-operation of the
British admind, for the protection of the transports ; and for the
more awful purpose which entered into the cool calculations of this
interesting veteran, of saving the wreck of his army, in the event of
total discomfiture in that general action, which it was the uniform
object of all his measures to force upon the enemy.
The village of Porto Novo (or Feringcpet) is situated on the
north bank of tlie river Vellaar close to the sea. The fortified
Pagoila of Chillumbrum is three miles south of that river, and about
twenty-six miles- in the same direction from Cuddalore. This
Pagoda was one of the i>osts materially strengthened by Hyder, for
the double purpose of arresting his enemy's progress to the sooUi-
ward, and serving as a depot for provisions for Uie eventual use of
Ilia own anny, and that of his French allies ; purpoees which ren-
dered it of corresponding importance to Sir Eyre Coot^ thai
ho should attemi)t its reduction. He moved on the 16th June,
aitd un the 18th at noon, crossed the Vellaar. Finding that the
GBAP. XXII.]7SIR RYKE <*04>TR ATTACKS f'flll.M'MHRl'M 475
nowhopp near it in rnnHitleniMe fnnv. anil Iwiiiij ^'n-atly
mirinformefi regarding its garrison, wliirh was n*|MirtftI tn U* Imt a
few hundred invgulars, anil lurtualiy eonsist<M| of nrarly tlinn: tlmii-
■and men, nartly reguIarH. and tin* n*inaind(T tlic (li<itin;:uiMli«Hl
peotM uf Chittledroog under JrlKiii Klian.* an titficiT nf n*|>ut;itii>n ;
M deCemiincd in purNuanrv of lliiM di-tVi-tivtr iitfuriiiatinn. t«» att'inpt
carrying it on the nanio ni^dit )»y a roup f/f* tmnn. Fitiir ImtUili'ini^
of aepnya with eighth* |»i(N'cH nf ordnaiirc, mo vim! uiiilfr liis own
immediate direction at tiusk : tht-y nirrif>«l tin* |Httah nr tMwn witii-
oat difficulty, anil puslinl on witli nqiidity to a m'ciiihI lim* of
defence, which HurroundiHl tlic |i)aci* at the distiinc** uf alM.nt nnt*
hiuidre<l yardn: the gate of thi^ line of works was fiii'rf»l l»y n
lwelve-|Knindcr. an<l the tnNips advaneeii under a lnavy tire. Mitli
the gmite^t Rpirit to tli(> ImmIv of the |i!aef*, tli»' riitninef into whieh
WM protected )ty the usual iudian appnnitus of windiir^^ tntviixt*M,
and three surcesnive pite-*, liuilt up iN-hiinl with a tew (wl of
nuHmnnr to prevent their heini; I'luwu opi-n. Tlie tii-^t L'-it** wa-^
forre«i afler Ninie dittieulty. and tlif .«uti-r area lM«twri-ri thi- tir-l aU'l
■econd, Ihmmi; am usual inadi'tptati-ly tianktil or eiiiiiTii:in<h'>l. the
tmopn widHHth-fl ill f.ireihL: thf »»fe.»?id ;^Mtt' a!-»M . l-iit f«ir tl;«- sifi-a
between the s<*<'iUiil and thir>l i^at*-**. <'<<iuni;ii!'It-<l l>y tie* rainpait of
the iNvly of the phiee. and limd witli tliat'led liut-. wlsiTi' :i |N'iti<*n
of the ifarriwin usually rrsiiiiMl. a 1..tt*r prf|.ai:itj«u wjo* Jtrrtii.^'fd.
Ezclunivelv of tlie onliiiarv iipiihh i.f •!• t"« iii«v l«'i?i«i!fH i-f -tniw had
been plmiNi on the rampiLrt in n^^'-rvi- with vt-^i-N «'f i-il it-.i^ly to
Boifiten th«*ni ainl inereast* th^- e<>iii)it:*>t:'>n a I'M liji.ti-l f"irt-tin*<i
divn>ped down on tlie straw iiHt*'^ L'a^e n e>>i!iiiirii<** ne-iit t<i the
flame, and the hundit'** of i>il*-ii "^triw sMii*fHsi\i|\ tiii<un •l'>\^ii.
eoilvert4>«i into a mass uf tlane- iji-irly thi- wh«ili' ;ipm t" *-• |..*-«-.|
aa a farther defi»ne»«. if rvi*n th'- tliii'l j-ku* nlii.tiM )h- f.-rr. •! .i ^« i«i't
body < if ^ 'hittJfdriMii; ''iM':inn»'U vi:i* |«l.i''''l 'ii ri*«»T\f "ii ••.!'!i '•ide
rf tlie interi«»r i»f tin* «'at«' I'lit t!if ntnit "f ili«* m*^** ii! oiti r«'n-
derwl thi"« p-^^'TVi* unneeiswatv . ii .liiiiij « niII |ri\.i!; ..?i t! •■■ ;"«V"*
to rallv. and til*' otiie* r-i jiii'l :iit ;!!t : \ nti'ii e'.i?i|-'.'|i d ! • .'KiM't'in "iie
Kn drew off the reiiiniliij- r with /i ■■ »t 'i:'!-'' '1'; :iT: I -• :!-il'. !••*••;.
le small anitiunt t>f thi- K m i • .im t---';'- :«^''l u -I- •'!•• -f Tf- r\ snij
them f »r gn-at^-r eneru'* »«•:•"» l:''i S'I'-n- yt-- 1 t? • i* t imj.'..mi«. Mf in
lh» ent^Tpri-^' . I»»it ••n !■• mj t!j i- t -il-- 1 >i! Kxi- t ' '.li- • i i.--*- I tip
the gnnmiliiTH of tiji- :iii!j\ uji'i t!e i!if»!i?:"n *f i* '- iruM j the
aaMult ; hut U-f^re tln-ir aniv.il. l-:nj I" tt«r ir ! ii;.«.I "f'th- .v»«ial
meanN of i|i'fi'iji'«' ii..«is«'»«*,-.l |.\ \}., /iin- -n. l:-- 'ir- .* ■ f! tl ■ wi ■ !•• in
Ibe eoiirH4* uf l)ii« ni 'ht lairx ii.^' \m'!i htfn :i -r .!' ^ i:-: I\ ■ l' /r lin
whUdi had U>-n found in th-- |-fih .«•. 1 .i?!.:tl;.' I.;-, .f •' ur
dayn n*-eni^*d tie- ri\»i and « ii- in.j- i !.• ir t'.«- \::ii.' "I I* rt
• Tbe ifli-- r iiin.ti ij.'i ill !l;i- l.«"i- . i ':■ ■*? u. \ t* n-i i tLi-
dctAil", «liii li nil'* '" l>.^ "Mii ii>' -i' •>< -
t Tw" I-' I" i!. Ill ■ l»af • I .1. iir- i:.l • .» I.»*i'..'r
476 HYDER APPEARS. [CHAP. XXIL
Admiral Sir Edward Hughes in the Superb, arrived from
Madras on the 24th, and was visited by the General on the ensuing
day. He brought intelligence of the arrival of Lord Macartney
to assume the Qovemmcnt of Madras ; and of his being charged
with orders for the immediate commencement of hostilities against
the Dutch possessions in India. On proceeding to consult regarding
the measures which became requisite in consequence of this import-
ant intelligence, the Admiral's fii-st suggestion was a descent on
Negapatam, aided by a detachment from the army ; but on examin-
ing their resources, it was found that exclusively of the danger of
detaching from a body already too small, if the object should not be
accomplished within twelve days, the army would be left without
food. It was therefore resolved, that the united efforts of the fleet
and army should be directed to the early reduction of Chillumbrum ;
and the preparation of fascines and gabions having already com-
menced with this view, arrangements were immediately ordered for
landing the battering train. Sir Eyve Coote had however scarcely
returned to camp, when he received intelligence of the presence of
Hyder's whole army within the distance of a few milea
During the four months in which Sir Eyre Coote had neces-
sarily been fixed at Cuddalore, Hyder, expecting to draw him from
that position by his proceedings to the southward, had abstained
from the regular siege of Tanjorc or Trichinopoly, as an operation
which might embarrass the rapid movements essential to his future
plans. Exclusively of minor enterprises, in which he was generally
successful, he considered his time to be not unprofitably employed
in the occupation of every tenable post, and the means of realiang
the revenues of the whole country, the collection of an enormous
booty in money and merchandize, and the transmission to the upper
country of all that was moveable, including immense herds of cattle.
The human race was made the unrelenting object of similar cal-
culation; weavers and their families were collected and forcibly
sent to people the island of Seringapatam. Captive boys des-
tined to the exterior honor of Islam, were driven to the
same place with equal numbers of females, the aasociates of
the present, and the. mothers of a future race of military slaves. On
receiving from Jehan Khan the intelligence of what had occurred at
Chillimibnmi, a forced movement of one hundred miles in two days
and a half, placed him between the English army and Cuddalore^
and he immediately began to fortify a position scarcely three milea
from the English encampment, covering the whole country with
cavalry, to prevent the possibility of intelligence, regarding either its
strength or situation, and thus rendering the camp guards " the
boundary and limited extent of their knowledge."^ This position
was taken with the view not only of frustrating the intendea opera-
tions against Chillumbrum, but of covering his own against the fort
of Cuddalore, the destined depdt of his French allies, while his posi-
• Sir Eyre Coolers words.
CHAP. XXIL] sir eyre C^OTE PREPARES FOR A BATTLE. 477
taon should rviidiT it iinpi'ai*tioAlfIe for tiio Kii(;li»li anny Ui move in
any dirvction, or n^ruivo any supply, cxri-ptin^' fruin tli<> *«-a.
In these oritiral rimiinstaiKv.s, Sir Kvn* r.nit«' haii n-oonrsf t4>
the opinion of a muiiril nf war. I'li*- pn-p:irati<>(i<i t'<>r tlu* bif^u
wens diiH\>ntiniii*iI ; tht* lijittrrim; ;^iiiis. aiiil f*\i'ry |N»xHi)ili* ini|H*«ii-
ment einlmrktMl. aitil four i lavs' ri<'i'. to !•*• mrriiMl on iIk* solili^'nt*
httcks, waA lanili*'! for tin* purpose i»f maMin^ tin* ainiy t'l iiuiinruvrv
for tumin*; or fori'ln;^ tin* i-Ufiiiy's |M>^ition. or l*rin;;inLr ini a p*nt*ral
action. Sir K<iwanl Hu^Ih-s )H*in;: rtMpir>t«.'il to mvi-r CuiMaion*
with a |>t>rtii»n of tliv s«piiiilron. ami with tlii* ivinain<l* r ti» watch
over the opcnitions of tlit* annv. or tlif i-iul>ark;ititin of itH wrei'k
during tht* lew ensuing; ilav^ wliii-Ii wt-n* to (K-tctininc its i*\*'ntuiil
triumph or |N)SKil»U* anniliilation.
By Heven iiVliH'k on the Nt i>f tinly. tin* hriti'^li army liad
drawn out of its;^roun<Iof fntMnipun-nt. Tin- (lirn'tiiin «>f tin* n^'ul t<»
Cuddalore |Nfint«H| north U'lith-wi'st. li-avin-^ ou it^ I* ft tin* t«*nnin-
ation of aIai;iN>n.^ (*t»n^iiicraliic iHi.iifi of iiv.tir\. with this hiL:iMiii in
the rvar of thrir ri::ht anil «'i-ittii', :ip|M-arf| i*>ivriiiiLr thi' plain hut
Wen* destiiinl to ritri':it, a.^ tin- Knirli"!* army ^)l•»ul•l a>l\Mniv.
Hj'ders st-h-'t ra\alry. jn'i'.iiiip;ini.M| \*y sninf li:;hl art ill- rv. w;is
drawn up U-hin<l thi^ Li/if.n. tV.Minn/ thf ii>>rth i*i\*\\ !•• !■]•• rat«*
on tilt* hritish arniy in tl.mk. w h- u it **h"-i]<i h:i\>- p.is«.-.l tiif • iiij of
tlie bi^iHin, ami U- • mliu-i.to^i •! ly ti-.>- h.i?r:i«-« in ti-inr .Sii Kyve
CViote, utt4Tlv uninf<'iiii>-i ••! thi- ii;-.t<ii>' .-hi i>ii<.iriiiit kMIi*- • ii'Iuv'h
workri, <*oul<l onl\ rt-iMriii>>i;rf .it t:i<- !:■ i<i«'t hi'^lii'l- :tiniv. \ihhii he
fornieil into two lini*^ fi'iiiiM^' n* riii i liiii*- u*-?. ;iri<J a'i\.iTii •••! in
Older of Uitth* «*vt-r thi-pl.-tin. hi** iiiimiHi , Ih-iij^* iifi-i-s^irily liimi-
liiidii««i hv a >tpini; h.i::_'-»u'»'-:'i;iri| whirh i;i-»\t.l U-tui-tn hi-* riL'ht
and till* Ni*a. Aft^-r mar \i\\ij in thi'* ••i<i«i liitl*- ni*>ri- than a mih*
and alialf. tin* iM>siti«'n *>!' tin- cniMuV'^ w.iiks \\a.Hi'!i*.ii]v tii-tin 'lii^the*!.
The ^n^mml whirh tlifv <Mi-iipii-i \\a> xtpiutlnniil Hith '^t*i*x juii;^-
ment an*! .skill, hv front an^l thuikiii'' l>;itt«'ii> •«. in a lin^' uhii-h i-n*v«.
in^ th«* roii'l to < 'uii<iaii>M-, •'\t«ihi<'-l t'n-m i ••inniaii'lni^* jjr •iiii'it on
Uif ri^ht. to a [Niint <>n iIm- !• tt \%litri* th>- -^.m^i-hii.^ «>f th^- »*\\*»Tf*
wen* th<<u^'lit t<> op|Mi«t' sntlii-ii-iit «iiffii-Ti|tii« an*! t'iini a su)>|->rt t<i
chut flank An hnur \%as p.i.«<.i<i hy >ii Y'.yi** ^*<»-:t in < \.iniinin^
witli hi** lu-riittMiiiitl I- M.Jiji >«. aii'l |H'ri«ti.i(i"n tin •iitii-a! i-iii-*im*
■tamvs in ^hi< h h«- ua- p!i>-iii th«- arni\ l«iii.' •luiHi^' ti.it !*• M'nI.
e&|ii4M'<l tt> a iji^tant l-ut in' i--«-«.iii( I'.iitnxnaii- *>u tin ii tr 'ii? ir*iu tin*
batttT]«"« aii'l :^Miii« a<ivaiii< 1 ti>ni th.ii {--^it. -n a\*\ nn th* ]• tt tl.ink
fnmi thf u'llO'' ^hit'h h.fi l-'ii liii>\> •! fi'-iii \m i.:ii | thi .a^' i.i. |.iit in
onltT that tlit-ir liniiit •! **t<<ii- •<{ aniiiiiii.iti-'n inijht !<• ii«ti\i I fur
m«in* <If«-i*«i\c pur]Hi^i <i tin- Knjli^ii aitiiit i\ M.ktxtii>t!\ i-:- )iihit«*ti
fruui r*'liirnin.' a ^iii^'li- •*!!..?
At nin 1 ■« k Sii K\ !•■ <'■■■?• I.ai •!• i< ihiitii -i "U h:^ riii .i-Mjf^ •
an«] without an\ pPMoii-t iM"V«-iii' i.l an. n^ tic- tr->- p^ thMt ^htiMid
• N'l.tl til III !.'.i X|\...:. I- . i :' J..* : *.'•.. \ .^'..'U i.wr.i!:\,*. Alth-iUich
inMrtcil HI I'll!.^'* * !"]--^': t|-l.i* li :i..il.<. ■ :.\ I 11. i]
478 THE BATTLE. [CHAP. IXIL
indicate a change of disposition, he ordered both his lines to break
into column, by the simple tactic of that day, of facing to the right,
a battalion from the left of each line chanrin^ their fronts for the
purpose of protecting that most exposed flank, and covering the
whole interval between the lines, in this order he nioved with
rapidity and precision to the right, to ihe eastward of the range of
sand-hills which follow the direction of the coast, at the distance of
about eleven himdred yards from the sea> and which covered the
greater portion of this movement, until he reached an opening in
Uiat range, where it was discovered that a practicable road had been
made by Hyder, for far other purposes than ihe approach of his
enemy : a commanding sand-hill close to this opening was also for-
tunately imoccupied. The British general penetrated this pass with
the first line ; and after clearing it of a strong corps charged with its
defence, deployed again into order of battle, witii his iront to the
west, and waiting with impatience under a heavy fire until the sand-
hill should be effectually possessed by the artillery of his second
line, he moved on with the first, as fast as order and an advancing
fire of artillery would admit; a long and thick caldera^ hedge
covering his right, and his left being protected by a corps and some
fi^ns in column. The artillery in Hyder's batteries nad already
been withdrawn te a new line at right angles with the first, foimed
with considerable promptitude, and defended with great obstinacy.
After a long and tremendous cannonade, the British line still slowly
and gradually advancing, and availing themselves, with the greatest
military address, of every successive advantage of ground^ an
attempt was made to break and overwhelm it by a general cbaige
of cavalry, directed diagonally on the angle of the left : this also
failed by the superior fire and steadiness of the British troops ; and
it was not until four o'clock that Sir Eyre Coote succeeded in fore*
ing the enemy's line and compelling it to a precipitate retreat
In the meanwhile, the advantage of tne judicious position so
promptly and ably assigned to the second line became eminently
conspicuous. A strong body of infantry with their guns, and a very
large mass of cavalry were detached te fall upon the rear of the
British army. A clise and severe contest ensued between this body
and the second line, which obstinately disputed every point,
drove them from the contiguous heighte which they attempted to
seize, and foiled all their effbrte te chai^ and force this most import-
ant position ; the occupation of which enabled the first line to
advance, not only without apprehension for their rear, but with the
most important aid from the artillery which occupied the heiriits ;
and the same position enabled the ba^^age guard te take poet without
molestation between the northern extremity of this ranseand tiie sea.
The success of these efforts, in which the select corps of Hyder's army
were employed, was necessary te the developementof a more general
operation, and Hydcr becoming impatient at this obstinate resist-
* Pandanus odoratissima. Ainslie> page 115.
GHAT. XXII.] IIYDKR RimiEATS. VT^
teBce, and the eonscqu(*nt ])n)^oHs of the first line, onli^itsl ii Nimiil-
taneouH and deft^K*rate char^ (if the wliole oAvaln- u|K)n With liniii.
The Htable h(»rse und<T Hvder'.H immixIiatA^ direction wam dcHtinod to
act afpftiiiJit the Hrst lino, and Mcvr Siilitd> a;ptinst the wH^Dnd. The
■table home arlvanced with a ^^nnI (*ount«'niin(*<% hut were re|M*lled
aa we have aln^ady Heen. Tlieir HtaniUrd eh*i>hunt. cm ufipniachin^,
leeeived a Hli^ht wound, t<N)k fri;:ht. and tieil with pnH*i|»itation off
the field, ami the horsemen sutfiTint; seviTely fruii tiie English
grape, wliicii probably would in everk' evmt havefoileii their effttrta,
were furnish ei I with the eoiivfiiient h]n>Ii»;:a' of following their
OoioraL The Ji^enend ehai'^> on the seennd lin** was olistTveil by
Hyder to be preijanil but sus|H*nded. and u tlnatin*: to taiki* place
aloDK the whole niiiss ; ini|kHtieiit at this want of eoinvrt. he si*nt
auocHHHive niessn^^eH t«» Me<'r Sidieb. and all his i*oninian<lers. onler-
ing tbeni. aa th^y vahinl their heiuls, instantly to t-harL^* : and some
interval elaiisetl K^fure the fail of Meer Sahi-b by a nii)rt.il wound
waa addeil to the ri*|M»rt of othfr eausi>s i>f delay. A HUiali*s«*hiKiner
from the Briti.sh sipiadnni a]ipniai-liini; the shmr jls rit-ar as Miund-
insf W(»uld admit. op|Nirtunrly aii«l jii iii'i(»us|y n|(ciicd her tin* niton
this oiAiM of eavalr\* ; the luss nf their iMmniahiii-r. and a i*on>iili*r-
able numl»or t»f men fruin thi* broadsjih* nf mif litth' v«-MHel. waa
niaf^ifie«l in the inia;.:iiiatiiiiis i>f ini-n uii<«iispici.»iM nf Aiiniivant^e
firom anotliiT elenn'iit. into n difinitul tiif fntni thi* win 'If <«(|iiadri»n ;
which is t«» this ilay rrprr^fiitfil as a fai-t. by sniiir lif thi'M* who
witnetMeil tin* tnins.'t«*tiiin Hiit tlii-* tiankiii'^' tiff, hii^hiy iiii|««*rtant
and effiH'tive. witliont any f\ai:i:«-niti«iii. iii«(Ni<«i>«l tin* s«-«-i>iitl in
emnmaiid to M'i'k the euvfr of a >aiiil-lwiiik. from wht iin* hi* n'|»<»rteil
thin new im]H*4limfiit,
This tloiibji' di*s'i|i]Miiiitni«*nt in the efforts of hit r:ivalry. aildi*«|
to the very ni*ar appnMu'h of Sir Kyn* ( *oot«' *, tir*«t lin<* to lii^ own
pen«i»n. iniiuriHl Hy«l'T t4» li-^t'U i^i tin* -'iiri;i"*ti«iii«* of -Mini*' of hi*i
officerH, and t4i order th^' Mii-ri-KNivi- p-!rr;ii, fir*<t of hi^ lPiish. nnd
afterwanis of his int'antiy aini eavalry \\»-\\ in h • hn\i- Mitiifv*4<«l
■iniilar Mvn**s. us wi*!! a.s tlf-i* who :iii> iii>i»l>ti->l to th>* artist t'« r a
pirtur^**! P-pn-Ni'iiiJitiMH. will fi/nn- to thi iii-«i-!\t <• ati iiM:i^'>- < f thi«
oriental eliiff Mr;it«'«l on :ui •'iipliant. f-ir tli" a-lvaii'-ij** i«f -*'ir\»\ ni;»
the «»|it*nitions of tin* ti»'l'l. «»ii li"r'*»'l»:ii'W f-T th** cnuvfint iii"»« of
cli>ii'r inH)ifi-titiii . nr |m lifivi-ntiip- on fiM.(. t.> li.i.l .iii.| imiin it«> tho
vffurlH tif bin infant rv lix-l* r. fr-ni thi- i--intin<'ni'*-mt*iit to tlit* r\ttM^
of thii Ai^'tjiin. w:tr« Hf.-ir*--! it. .n.^-1« j.'>-1 i-n a • hoiik* «■ i |"<rt.iblii
■tool aUfUt riini* ini'lit-H lii^'ii. i>i\tr'*'i with a iMri^t and piiti-d on
a {{entle euiiin-rnt' m thi* rt-ar of th«* t-nti<- • f lii^ luf --f Axrk^ and
now A littji' to thi" ■^■•nlh\v;inl .f tin' !:?i« ■ f V.i*- Wh* n in the
couptt* of tip- oj-Triii'ii*- *'\ tl.'- A.i\ h.' . tnl'l -*.':ir - !\ *■ !• \f tho
e%'idenev i»f In- -• n-«--' ulii-h iii i; it«i tli» -i.iiij'-i •■!•.!.!- ^-.t i.iti<>fi ,
he n^fi\i'd. \«itli tiiit t.-rniil • l" ■ ' ■■ . !.■ aT'i^.- ul:i. h l-n.-fd tin*
charai'ti'r of hi^ • In.|iifni-iv thr fir«r -i.-j.-t: ii- t.» ij:"\« .i:i1 i-IkiIi-
480 CONSEQUENCES OF THE VICTORY. [CHAP. XXH.
nately stupid with vexation, continued in his seat, until a groom
who had long served him, and was in some sort a privileged man,
had the audacity to seize his legs one after the otner, and put on
his slippers. " We will beat them to-morrow," (said he,) " in the
meanwhile mount your horse," and he was quickly out of sight,
leaving his attendant chie&, (whom oriental etiquette would not
admit of being on horse-back while their Sovereign was dismount-
ed ; and whose grooms and horses had disappeared, on the near
approach of the English line,) to the unaccustomed effort of a long
and hurried pedestrian march.
Sir Eyre Coote's first line rested for the present on the ground
which the enemy had abandoned, and it was not until midnight
that a due attention to the casualties of the day admitted of its
being ioined by the second, when the whole moved on by ihe road
by which the enemy had retired, and after crossing without molesta-
tion a strong pass formed by a ravine, most injudiciously unoccu-
pied by the enemy, took up their ground near to tiio viUase of
Mootypolliam, the name by which ihe Mysooreaiis distinguished this
day's action, as Porto Novo, the village from the vicinity of which
the opposing army marched in the morning, is made to designate
the same battle in the English narratives. If the accident had not
intervened, of a heavy rain, which rendered it impossible for the
miserable cattle of the English army to move their tents, this action
would have been fought on the dOth Jime, and happily tiie same
circumstances did not po8ti)one it to the 2nd of July. The road
which facilitated the able manoeuvre of the British General, had
been prepared by Hyder, for the purpose of drawing his guns to a
large work for the reception of twenty guns, lined out on the best
principles of European science, situated within three hundred and
fifty yards of the sea, and commanding every part of the ground on
which Sir Eyre Coote*s masterly movement nad been mada The
work was so far advanced as to require but a day more for its
completion ; and had it been finished and occupied, uie eztricatkm
of tne British army would have become nearly an hopelee enter-
prise.
The artillery brought into action by Hyder on this day, was no
more than 47 pieces, chiefly long guns, of heavy calibre, and well
served : the English guns of lighter metal, were 55, served with an
energy and precision beyond all praise. The most moderate oompa-
tation of comparative numbers^ will make the force of Hyder eigtit
times greater than that of his opponent, although a large oorpt
under the command of his son Tippoo was absent on another aervice.
* English force.
Cavalry
Artillery
Infantry
Total - - 8,476, or ezclanye of artillary, 7,i7&
CHAP. XXII.] KAM. <i| IIACAK. 4Sl
Sir Htvtor Munr>». wlin t-iiiiiiii:iii«l- •! tin* tii^t liit**. •!• ^•'r\i->i :iii<|
oliUiiiied tilt* limine i*!' iii'^ ^.-ih-ral, T ir " ruipliii I <-|iiilly -{•iiittii
aoii a(?tivo." nripiili« r (n-ui'ial Stu.ik ^ iiit>'iiiiiiii-<l m < ij)i.iii<iii :iii'i
defviice of tlit; lK'i;:iits wiili tl*" Mrt>iiil llin-. w.i^ t!"i;..tiil \% \ii\\v
betfn hi^lilv lilt* ritoiii Ills. " K\t-r\ iii<ii\ i*Iii:il i^i\^ >ii lA !•• < '••••tt-i
of tlii.4 little iiriuv. Hi'i IIP -I ] tti \\>\ tin- r:itii-,ii ^^iiiu'itinii ft' •••ir ii itioii-
a1 roiici*rriN : our tallifiLT iiiti-P-^r^ r><|iii:-i- i inp'"iniii'<it t-x* iti>Mi- t'<ir
th«ir HU|>|Kirt, aii<I to tin* Imnnr i.i' tins :iiii,y, f\( vy ii-i\i- \^;i^ i \< rt-
ed ttj thf wty fXtfiit «t" |.i.s^il.iiii\.
Tin? loss of tin* Ksijii'li i'liiiV. ]. ».-i-ii'-l I'V til'- I iiiiii!' -ivill
with wiiirli the o|i(:.Lni»hN vi-ii- r •iii)!.«i>-«i. u.i- i- >iii|M!.iti\i ly
tritiiii;;. In'in;^ !{(>o kii!'-<l an-l \\<n:!i-i«-'l. i \--i •• iin^' ii.>t ni'ii-li
aIhivi* oni'-fiiiirtii til*' Ii>^> >n-t:iiiii>l i:i tin- iiii!Mr'iiii:'.t<' :ittiiii|ti
on l*liilliiinl»niiii. It isat all tiiiif^ 'ii:';! -ilt \n M-^i'-rt lin tiM- i-m^ii i!ti'-s
of ail Iii'liaii iiriuy ; l>ut.<iii:i «-miiij<:im..<ii ut' ^:.:t.*iu< u: •. 1 aniili^; I
to i-stiiuatf t!n» |t»\\«'^i aiiptiint -•! Ii\ i-i ■« !'■>.■, ..n ilu, 'i'>. -^^ *••'!
thuUHaii'l liicli killi- i :i:i'i \v->'.iii<i-- i . lii- 'i'-ii .ty •>:' tit* in !<>-•■•< :iii-l
tht* imiin'ii^'* rxti-n» ii- -iiiii'- i i«v i' i- .:iii.i! - in I'n- i< .r ^i\ lu-^ ■ iit.iin
nf|M*titi«i(i «»frtr«-«-t I > t'ii- t!:_'lir *>\'*\' \ -.;i..i
Tl|t» |lhy*ii«Ml 111 Mil-' III" I '!■■ li.l.': •!l :i! ;il V ii ■ I 1- ■ M \'l II I I :■• it
«uin»**«»tfi l»y lip- tVi !it- I't" t i: ' ■ ■.• I ■■ ! .i:i I! \ ii '■. {'• •. :.j ■. 'ii-
CUltii*n wilil rfuMI'l I» ?il':i\. |i-. ix. '.■■:;-. nil 'l.|. 1- 'i! .ii.-i lii"
MUlie iflllHi-«Nilii]lty i>f I'lil.tw iiij ! : ■ • 'i< ]i.\ >- •-/ nv- i w :l Ir'il' 'lllii.; ■!■
ti'ifl, nii'l art' «!• -»■■] ilN-.| uitii |p -m:- i? t i ■ i:i tJ.- •!■ ;■ t li v. i;'li
Aniit»iiiiii-<1 tli«* vii-tiiiA .-ill .1- !ii-\ t-M.--:.i • li- i' I' i t > • \.iir t'l-- ii i.i-
iniuitioM nrnl •li<«tiirli tli i i-i rn n' --I m ••m-ii.i-\ in:ri i :•;. i ..?••
cIihmhI uitli tli' fiijl'iw 111.' Ill ■ !• -( .11. I .i;|>i>;'; :.it< r>:!i:i-:i It
ll}**ifr All, l»»iiiy«-"l np u.;!i I-mhi i .-.. i. •. 1 n t r-!,!- -i wu •■•
ms^'k iiH. I fiiiii'l lint i..i\- iM-\' i »i ;i':i.\ t ■ ! . 'U lii:.i : ::u i !ii«
ilk a niliiali««ii s • tiyiii .' !-• ;!. i< >]• '!i«i'' .< in:, ra. v i tui.i ni i* i !i;.it
an ••tli«*«'r «•! I'lianui'V ^'im i !• ; >.• t'.- i ■ t • i •■■ i-^* : i.i • I i-i - i- "• a
|jn*«lii-aiii'-iit " liiil ill-- ii ' ■' I- -■! r'l.- m-- :■• .^■. • .*. i tii ■
niivHt iivi-iy i-»iiti:i-t ! - I ! :: * ... 1 : '. .. . i • i . . •■ I
ill All iih-al'-iiiali;- r.it I • ni i', < . - :i. •. • - . . i ' . • ,• . .> 1 •; •■
ftir NU^t'llliili;^' ilitlii illli' \> ' . ' \. . 1 . ■ i. ' ,::..:.:
I^iiriiiu' tli«- ]•• ri • I »" I ' . • • • •. ? ■ i".
Tijii^':ir li«'l -i|ii« Ti'i- !• I » I J r- I • •* . ' \. ' I
lit-, n ••p1* !• 1 t" if^'iiiii- 1 !i< r V» \\ w '*. -. '\ * , . ■ ■ -it
i»f tliirt.-t !i h;iit*rm/ I I'l'. :. ;• [?■ ji ii . "■ •■ ! • ■ . '..■
inVf^ti-'l tlj«» pit ii !'f "Jj ; .1 ■ 1 ■■ T i ' '. M
fri'iii li« iij.i! I: I'l .iiMv- i f N- . : ■ -I ' ■ ' .-■ • ■ \I • . ■ : !• •
iin]Mirt.ftii f • -x i-i 111 .-Ml .ii> : . :i . , i' \ • I ' ■ ■ . ' \\ v :-.
WA^Ii. lli'i'li'- I Sir K\;- ' ■■ I ■ I ■*■ 1 . r. • ■ '. -;,
n^-^-ixiiij In- !*.»-l tV'-- t- ■ . ..^ « ■ . . i ,: !i
l-v < ■ i-iial-r- .i\ IT'... " \ ■ I r ...» I f '..■
••iifMiiV U.I- ]•:■ j.:ii .11^' 1 . . ? !:.. I . . • , : •; v .'..'\
• •f tilt* latl«-r [ij.ii f ),. i» .1 .
IIvi|«r^ t-iii aiiii'iii* ii' ' :; ■
I
■\
I
I
.» •■!
' . , ■ . . .1 . ■ . . . I
482 SECOND RELIEF OF WANDIWASH. [CHAP. XXII.
that issue. Hyder however struck his tents and moved off to the
westward, without attempting any operation of consequence : and
Sir Eyre Coote, quitting the sea-side, moved in the oireciion of
Permacoil and Carangooly, into the former of which places a small
store of provisions had been thrown by the unremitting zeal of
Captain Flint, while Hyder was occupied to the southward, and
Tippoo at Tiagar, and into the latter from the resources ahnoet under
the protection of its guns. At Carangooly, Sir Eyre Coote received
intelligence that Tippoo, largely reii^orced, had moved to intercept
the approach of the detachment from Ben^, having raised the si^e
of Wandiwash. With the aid of requisitions on the villages of the
whole surrounding coiuitry, Tippoo had formed round that place a
line of nearly complete circumvallation, and batteries were in readi-
ness to have opened, when he received from bis fiftther the -new
destination which has been stated, with positive orders first to
attempt the place by an escalade at all accessible points, of which the
number was considerable. The construction of ladders was not only
reported, but their distribution to every corps distinctiy seen, and
Captain Flint had intelligence of the exact hour of the night of the
16th of July at which he was to expect the escalade. Every post lis-
tened in silence, and all heard a low murmuring noise gradually
approaching : at the proper period every column was received with a
discharge of grape : the noise was for a time exceedingly increased,
but it gradually diminished until all was silence. The moral influ-
ences of Hyder's late defeat, and the evidence of perfect preparation
in the garrison, rendered it impracticable to retrieve the confusion
occa.sioned by this timely check. Attempts to compel the resumption
of the escalade on that and tlie ensuing day pixxluced indications
approaching to mutiny, and on the same day that Sir Evre Coote
arrived at Carangooly, Tippoo decamped from Wandiwash, leaving
to Captain Flint the laborious care of demolishing his batteries and
approaches, together with an extensive line of circumvallation. The
event was reported to his Commander-in-Chief in an unassuming
letter of eight lines, five' more being allotted to an unaffected con-
gratulation on the late victory and its consequences. The relief of a
Elacc, rendered interesting by so many recollections, was announced
y Sir Eyre Coote to the Government of Madras, in the following
tenns: — " Wandiwash is safe, being the third time in my life I have
had the honor to relieve it." Nothing now remaining to detain him
from prosecuting his union with the detachment from Bengal, he
moved by Chingleput, to St Thomas* Mount
The lake of Pulicat, nearly forty miles in lengUi from north to
south, and six in its greatest breadth, is an inlet of the sea, funned
by a narrow insulated strip of land, separated from the continent by
small openings at each extremity, which form the communication
between the Lake and the sea. The small fort of Pulicati recently
C4ipture(l from the Dutch, is situated on the southern bank of the
southern strait, and is distant about thirty miles firom Madras. The
CHAP. XZII.] MILITARY PRVDENCi: OF Kill EYllK ('(NiTK. 4S)
cMtlinary nmd fnim Nelloro to Matlnts {klsscs to the wi'stwnni tT this
lake, at tlie distance of fn>in tiiWn t<i twonty luilrs fniiii tin* -i-.-i ;
but travellers li^^litly ei|uip|M*ii. kimiu* times |tn*ft'r tln^ sli'irtci loiit*?
along tlic Bliori), luid are ferried over these o|K*iiiiiL;s. It ha*! not
enteretl into TipptHi's culi*ulati«)ns, Umt the latter ntute was pi-.h-ti-
cablu for troofM and military e(|iii|>ments. anti while lie wjis pn i^rin;^
ini|iudinients and ambush nn the iip|>iT nMni, the det^u'liiiimt IkhI
crueweti the northern o|H.*nin^^ <iistant nearly s«*v(Mity miles fruni
Madras, intr» the insulated s|>ot which has U-eii iIes<TilKMl. and went
BUCCeMMivcly tnins|Hirte<l across the strait at Pulicat. wiiimut the
neccrtrtity of tiriuj^ a shot. Sir Kyre l\N>te. Iiuwever. wmdd n«)t
even risk the Ki*|Kimte movement of this ci»rps for tiie remainini^
thirty miles: he ma«le two marches in that ilirection. fruin St.
ThonuM* Mount, and on the third day had the s£iti.*if«u'tioii of iiis|HTt-
in^ at Pulicat.this important reinforcement, which sKlded nearly one-
third t«) his nunitTical stren^^h.
It is ditlicult to contemplate these cautious o|H*niti«in'< w it 1 1 out
fvvertiii^ to the unhappy fate of Riillii*. wh<>ni. in ail vane in^' from
the i^ame tpiarter, a very inferior ileu'n*e of military pniili-ii«-i* w-iuM
have |ilaee«l in e<pial s<-curity. Thf faults of Mydcr in |n niiittin:^'
the unnii>Iest4Ml march of Sir Kyre CiHtte one huniln-d an«l tifty-oiif
miles from Porto Novo to Puiii\*it with a eripph <I fpiipmi-nt. with
nunibent ilaily ami m pi illy dinitnir.Iiin:; fnau -oitknr^s. to form a
junction »<» im|Nirtant in its conM-i|iii-nci'.^, wht-n in earh of <«i\t4vn
tfUOCcaHivo marehes he mi;;ht have otti-nd MTi«nis aliniiyanef witiioiit
the risk of material los<«, ran only U- f\plain«-<l by his ini|M>rfi-«*t
knowleil^t? of fACt«s, and by the neccvsity of coiL-^ultin^ th'- t«ni|KT
of his army.
t
CHAPTER XXIIl.
Wntched -ftftte of tnilitary equipment — Sir Eyre Coote tftnu his attention to
Tripassore — Uyder tttteinpts to rclitve if- -without suece^n — The place falU —
Negotiation re^nnling prisoners — showed tSir Eyre Coote" ft imperfect knowledlge
oj Ilyder's chirttctr^r — Fights Hyder on ground chonen hy himself — Battle of
PoUiloor de.tcrihed — Dubious victory — does not improve, the aspect of EngliA
affaint — New means of currying grain — Western and Chittoor Poligare —
promise supplirn — Sir Eyre Coote. determines to relinquish the command — hai is
prevailed on by Lord Macartney to resume it on the faith of these promises'^
disappointed — perseveres — Battle of Sholinghur — Poligars come over from
Hyder ttt Sir Eyre Coote— enters the PoUums — erroneitnsly supposed to he
intxhuusied and abundant — reason — Jlyder sends a detachment to ruin tks
Pollums — defeated and dispersed by Sir Eyre Coote in person — Detaches
Colonel Owen — Hyder attacks him in person — dangerous retreat— Junction of
Sir Eyre Coote — Distress of Vellore — relieved — Retrospective account of
JJyder's operations against that place — and its gallant defence — Sir Eyre Cooto
returns to the Pollams — takes Chittoor — Defective intelligence — Loses his dank
in the Pollams — distress,,. necessity of returning to Tripassore — Serious toss
from the monsoon — Misconduct of Mohammed Alt ^Assigns the country for
the sujtport of the war — Strange misinformation regarding Chandergherry and
Mohammod AUs brother — Facts related^ II yder^s brutal outrage — Affinrs of
Taujore during this campaign — Hyder s treaty with the Dutch at Negapatam*'
Colonel lirathwaitvs assault of two succesive posts — wounded — succeeded by
(.'olonel Nixon — more successful —Colonel Ttrathwaite resumes the command-'^
defeats Hydcr^s provincial field force — Sir Hector Munro besieges NegtyiHdam —
Effective co-operotion of the jioet — Capture of the place — Monsoon^^Critieed
situation of the fleet — Capture of Trincomatee — It ene wed distress of Vellore-^Sir
Eyre Coote marches to ndiere it ^ Alarm for his life — recovers and effects the
service — Cannonaded on his approach and return. — Ineffective attempt to pursue
Hyder'-^who makes a fresh demonstration near /Sholinghur — the JEnglisk army
returns to Madras.
The detachment from Beiii^al had moved through a country untouch-
ed by the enemy, ami was oxi)ected to be accompanied by the
requisite number of dra\i;:clit and cama;:,^e oxan to complete the
deficiencies of the army ; but owing to the diiKculties of the times,
added to the m(»st serious ilefects in the whole system of the
commissariat, the sup|)lies were not onl}' lamentiibly defective in
number, but every animal, wild from the pastures, was still to be
trained before his services could Ixj i«f value. Of the cattle officially
repc»rted to Imve bi-en collected at Sladnis during the absence of the
army, iiot one half-was fortlicomin;:,^ : and aft(?r a plain calculation it
was discovered, that exchisivoly of what the men could carry on their
backs, tiic actual means provided from all these sources was capable
f»f carrying no more than one and a half days* rice for the consump-
tion of the army. It was not only impracticable to attempt either
of the great objects of the campaign, the relief of Vellore or the siege
of Arc<»t. but witli an army of li'.OOO men, capable with proper
equipments of achieving any service, and drawn together from the
CHAP. XXIII.] TRIPASSORE. 485
most distant quarters, it did not seem very obvious by what possible
means it was to accomplish anything. Under circumstances thus
" heart-breaking," as Sir Eyre Coote emphatically designates them,
he turned his attention to Tripassore, a fortress important from posi-
tion but defective in strength, situated about thirty-three miles to
the westward on one of the roads leading to Arcot and Vellore.
This place was in the occupation of the enemy, but the intermediate
post of Poonamallee was still possessed by the English. By encamp-
ing between Madras and Poonamallee, and subsequently between the
latter place and Tripassore, he was enabled to employ the cattle of
all his departments to bring successively into advance a sufficiency
of grain to attempt Tripassore
On the 19th of August he arrived before the place, which had
been much improved, and was garrisoned by fifteen hundred men,
but inadequately provided with cannon. On the morning of the
2 2d a good breach having been effected, and preparations made for
the assault, a flag of truce appeared, offering to surrender the place
on terms previously offered but now rejected, with a demand that
they should sun*ender unconditionally within a quarter of an hour,
or await the consequences of the assault. In the instant after
despatching this answer, intelligence was brought of large bodies of
the enemy being in sight, and Sir Eyre Coote, on going to an
eminence to reconnoitre, perceived the advanced guard of Hyder's
whole army in full approach : there was not a' moment to lose ; he
sent orders to storm instantly, and the troops had just emerged from
the trenches when the dag of truce returned with the declaration of
surrender, and left the assailants to ascend the breach without
opposition, Hyder drawing off as soon as he discovered the event.
With only one day's provisions in camp. Sir Eyre Coote had risked
the consequences of an assault, in all cases a doubtful operation, on
the single question whether the garrison should or should not be
prisoners of war, and was so ill apprised of Hyder's character as to
expect his assent to an exchange of these prisoners for an equal
number of British troops in his custody. " The men taken at
Tripassore (said Hyder in reply) are faithless and unworthy ; they
know that they dare not approach me ; they are your prisoners, and
I advise you to put every one of them to death speedily." To feed
1,400 prisoner did not accord with the state of the English com-
missariat ; and Sir Eyre Coote, instructed by this feature of barbarous
policy in his future estimation of the value of prisoners, had no
alternative but to release them on parole, an obligation to which he
could scarcely have ascribed any real force. The store of grain
found in the fort was so trifling, that it became necessary, on the
night of its capture, to send a convoy for a fresh supply to Poona-
mallee ; and having, by the 25th, obtained a sufficiency of rice for a
few days to be carried on the men's backs, the English general
marched on the 26th, with the view of bringing Hyder to action on
ground selected by himself
UHAFrEll XXIII.
Wn-tched state of military equiptnent — Sir Eyre Coote tuna hit attention to
TripasMore — Hyihr attvinpts to relieve it — without success — The pleu^e falh —
Negotiation ree:arding prisoners — showed Sir Eyre Coote*s imperfect knowledge
oj Ilyder^s charactt-r — Fip^hts Hyder on ground chosen by himself-^ Battle of
PoUiloor descrihed^^Dubious victory — does not improve the aspect of JEf^lisk
affairs — New means of carrying grain — Western and Chittoor Poligars —
promise supplies — Sir Eyre Coote determines to relinquish the command — but is
prevailed on by Lord Macartney to resume it on the faith of these promises^^
disappoijited -^perseveres — Battle of Sholinghun — Poligars come over from
Hyder to Sir Eyre Coote^ enters the Pollams — erroneously supposed to be
inexhausted and abundant — reason — Hyder sends a detachment to ruin the
Pollams — defeated and dispersed by Sir Eyre Coote in person — Detaches
Colonel Owen — Hyder attacks him in person — dangerous retreat— junction of
Sir Eyre Coote — Distress of Vellore — relieved — Retrospective accomU of
Hyder^s operations against that place — and its gallant defence — Sir Eyre Coote
returns to the Pollams — takes Chittoor — Defective intelligence — Loses his depot
in the Pollams^-duitress,,. necessity of returning to Tripassore — Serious loss
from the monsoon — Misconduct of Mohammed Ali-- Assigns the country for
the supjfort of the war — Strange misinformation regarding Ckandergkerry and
Mohammed Alt's brother — Farts related^ Hydrr's brutal outrage — Affairs of
Tahjore during this campaign-^ Hyder" s treaty with the Dutch at Negapatam""
Colonel Hraihwaites assault of two surcesive /hfsts — woundetl — succeeded by
Colonel Nixon — more successful —Colonel lirathwaite resumes the command —
defeats Hyder's provincial field force — ^Jr Hect*tr Munro besieges Negapaiam —
Effective co-operation of the jieet — Capture of the place — Monsoon^-^Criticat
situation of the fleet — (hipture of Trincomalee — Henewed distress of Vellare-^Sir
Eyre Coote marches to relieve it— Alarm for his life — recovers and ^ects the
service — Cannonaded on his approach and return. — Ineffective attempt to pursue
Hyder-^who makes a fresh demonstration near Sholinghur — Me Englisk army
returns to Madras.
The dctichmcnt from Bengal had moved tliroiigli a country untouch-
ed by the enemy, and was expected to be accompanied by the
requisite number of dnuight and carriage oxen to complete the
deficioncios of the army ; but owing to th<^ difficulties of the times,
added to the most serious defects in Hut whole system of the
commissariat, the supplies wrre not only lamentably defective in
number, but evt»iy animal, wild from the pastures, was still to l>e
trained bcfon* his stTvicos couM be of vahie. Of the cattle officially
reported to have bri^-n cnlh^etod at iladras during the absence of the
army, not one half- was forth<'onung ; and aftrr a plain calculation it
was discovere<l, that exclusively of what th(» men could carry on tlieir
barks, tlic actual means provitled from all these sources was capable
of carryiTig no more than one and a half days' rice for tlie consump-
tion of tlu^ army. It was not only impracticable to attempt either
of the gi-eat objects of the campaign, the relief of V«dlore or the siege
of ArcMif, but witli an anny of 1:J,(K)0 men, capable with proper
equijunents of achieving any service, and drawn together firom tlie
CHAP. XXIII.] TUIPASSolil'L 4S
.1
nuMt distant qmirters, it iliii not m^i*iii very iilivii»iiN liy what {xissidh*
nioaivt it wsu< tn ncroiiiplisli aiiytliiiii;. Ciiilfr riri'iiiii<*tan<N<( thus
" heart-linrakiiiLT. " as Sir Kvri' (.'onti* fiiipliatiiMliv ilc^^ii/iiatft iIhmii.
he tum«*il his attfutiim to Triiiiussuri*. a furtrcNS iiii|iiirtaiii i'laui |H»2ii-
tion but rK'fiM'tivo in stri'iv'tli. ^ituattMI a) Hint tliiitv-thn.-i* iiiilfs to
the Wrfstwanl dii uih? of th- rua'ls liMilin*/ in An'^it an I W-lion*.
Thi^ |»iaiv was in thi* iMTiiiriiiiin n{' tin- *u*'iii\ . Imt thf in(«'iii)i-<hatt*
iioHt uf Po«m:in)alli*i> wa*; stiil |i.>snihmm| \^\• tin- KiiLrli*>li. Hy f ni'aui|»-
ini( hotwoi'ii Mail ra-^ an I Pn'MianrilliT. aii'i MiliNi-.|n<-ntly )»'tw«*(n tin*
latter {ilaii* aUil 'rri|i;i4^iirf. he wa*« fnal«!>*'l !<• iiu|iliiy thfrattlf of
all hirt di'iKirtint-nts to !irin.' mi '<«*iivi*lv intu a'l\.ini-f a siithi*irn«'v
of grain t^i attrni|»t 'rri|»jis<^i>n'
On tin* ll*th uf Aii'_:«i--t \ir arrivi-l iM-f.in' th"* |»la'«'. whifh ha^l
hf^n i\\nc\i iinprnvril. an*! w^i-i ;^MiTi>»»n--l )*y tiftfi-n h(in<ir<><i nit»n.
hut inaih'(|tiat«']y ]tr<i\ i<i'-'l with i*:inri<»n < hi tin* ni'»rnin:^' «>t' tht*
S£il a •••hhI |iri-a<-ii Iiavin^' I n i'tr«i't»«l. aipl ]'ri|i'irati"n-» niatii» fur
lh« a5i<<uilt, a ll.i:,' tA' trih--* :ip|"':tr« i. •ifi'iini; t ► -^tirn ip!i r th-- jilaiti
on t<»miH jirrvioiisly nif'-ri- I l-'it n'iW nj'* t.- 1. wirh a ■i« inaipi that
thrv Mionl'i ^-nrri-filiT ii'p-i»ii liti.»n:illv within a Tiiit'T ■•f jim h"ur.
or awnit th»' i*iin-"i|Mi !;■■'> ••!* tip* :i-*-.riit In ih** m-tatil :ilt«r
cles{Mt4*liinL^ this an-\\ir. it:!« l!i_;iii«'- w.j- i:.'"ij!:t ••!" Ijij-' )■ •:.••* iif
tho «»n«Mny K'in.: in si -h? ;•»! 1 >ii K\ i- *".•:•• "ii '^"Mi^' it nii
rniin»*n«'i* ti» P-i'iiiiMnit!.- j-p'-in*-! tli-- n :\:iii<-i >i _'w:ir'l nt' II\ \»*i h
w!ioh» arniv in fnll riMir'nli ■ th'ii- \\ -> n-i* i m 'Mi- iit l-i l'-- ht»
nt-nt iiphTH I'l st .nil iii-ti!»t !v. .oi'l th'- ir ■ -i-- hi 1 jii-t . ;iii;\:iii li'»m
tlw* trtMi«'h»*s w hi-n t h'- ill ; uf ti iii f i ■ : ..' n- I wr'i t ' ■■ ■!• I.ii.it : -n »»(
■urT»*n'l»*r, anl l-'li ih-- a^*- lil m?-. ti :i-'i!i'l i*:'- I n \\:T:;i»it
ffiptii»^itiiiT). IK'lij ihivv.'t;/ ii?!* -A- ^"'[1 :• h«* 'i;-- ■'.•?•! tl \inf.
With niilv i»n'- il:t\ ^ !•» \ i''i»,^ PI •ITU!' *^ir!!\i' «'.t hi-l r>ki*«l
th« ron«»«-ji|i'ni'» - uf :t:i .1 ■ . i:ili iii ;i'l i-.i-' ■- .» -i ii r? jI ij ■ • iti n. i-n
tin* '•illirh' ij'|t-Ti..M uii M.-r ih ■ j.i:i. m -Ii ■:! I «■ ■!. l! i I. t l-«
l»riH»»n«*P« 'tf w.ir a!i-I \v ;!, ajijii;- I t H ■■ i- : « ' » •■ • :i-< to
r\|»»--t lii* as-r.' t • :::i t\ iii'i ■ «■•" t!. : . i. : ' r ..-» • I'lal
nuniU-r uf Hi it : !i 1 1 ■■- i?i hi * .it.*. I !.- i-.- i •
I
Tri|»nii«'P- ^.ii I II'. II .'1 r i'x .•!■ !.:•.. . .«. 'i 1 •."■.^ ■: *
kn*>W that til'-'. •! i»'- !i ■• .■'!'. '■ • ;. ■■:! ;■:. :
I a-lvi**-. Villi t-i I'.T . •. I \ ■ . ;■ ! -M ' . :■ ' - « i. . I
1 i^HI |.ri-in. :•. I I i ■ ■ ; I .%.•■. J • ■ '•..■}■
mi*^^riat . all ! "^M r.\ ! ' ■ * r. !r ?.:.•.>:■.• r • •
I ;
1,
|ii'ii«'V in !ii"» * !♦•:•• ■ • * -I ' : \ . : !:/•■:
altTiiativi* !• :• I • !• • . •, ■ .".■■.. .i
otuM -M-xr- ■•■''. hi\- ! ■,..*■ I ; ■ ■■• •
fMin«l iri tif !■ :t w i - . •:.•! • : .: i
uii:lit iif it- « ■ • I- t i • i •
It
I ■. ■ ■ . ■ • \
\
■: al
ti..'V
■
.if:l
? \
■ >:u
i«
1 1. .
■
:i •■.■
.■• i:n
:•»••
I'
•
"■:.a-
1 ir It
•*-nrral
frw •l^ivs T'l ^-' « ■ I !• 1 ■■:! •'■ in .. i:!i !•. i :-:i
man ;i—l '.»» I'. 'J' ! .. '^f. \i »^ r I-:.!. ;•./ M\ : i • • a. ii »n i»n
;;mun'J vl ■■'.:• -I h-. t:Hi« I:
486 MOOSERWAUCK. [CHAP. XXIII.
During the period in which Sir Eyre Coote had been employed
in forming the junction no judiciously effected, Hyder had move<l
into the forturuUe encampment of Mooserwauck which he had
occupied in the preceding year, when opposed by Sir Hector Munro.
He examined with renewed care, and made himself more completely
master of the fortunate ground on which BaiUie had been defeated ;
and in determining to offer battle to Sir Eyre Coote on the same
spot, and if possible on the same auspicious day of the same lunar
month, the 11th of Ramzan ; (coinciaing in this year with the Slst
of Augiist, as it had done in the preceding with the 10th of Septem-
ber) his military judgment was supported by the concurring predic-
tions of all the astrologers, whose prognostics were favorable for
every day, but were deemed certain for the 1 1th. Had an invita-
tion been conveyed to his opponent for that particular day, there
can be no doubt that Sir Eyre Coote, to whom all days were
indifferent, provided he could obtain close action, would cheerfully
have indulged him in every coincidence required by every astrologer;
for on the particular scene of Hyder's former triumph, he was most
anxious to obliterate the remembrance of that unfortunate event
His first day's march brought him to the vicinity of Perambao-
cum, where large bodies of cavalry to the south-west indicated the
presence of the enemy on the expected ground. On the 27th he
was again in motion, and about nine o'clock the advanced guard, on
reaching the precise spot on which Colonel BaiUie had taken the
fatal resolution of passing the night of the 9th of September 1780,
perceived the enemy's army in force in frpnt^ and extending towards
both flanks. The column of march was pointing nearly west A
strong land-wind raised clouds of dust which rendered distant
object imperceptible, but a small thick grove on a gentle eminence,
with a water-course encompassing in front and right, about 800 yards
to the left of the advanced guud, appeared to be a position of so
much importance, that it was immediately occupied by a battalion
of native troops and its guns : the first line being directed to form
in order of battle, fronting what then appeared to be the chief maas
of the enemy's force, to the south-west, to the right of the great
avenue of banyan trees by which the English army had approadi-
cd, and at about an angle of forty-five degrees with that avenue ;
the second line being destined to support the first, and to run-
force tlio post at the grove. This formation, necessarily alow
from being made over broken ground, and among patches of
underwood, had been scarcely completed, when a heavy but
ratlier distant cannonade from a grove and village on the right,
was found nearly to enfilade the first line, by a troubleaome ri-
cochet along its whole extent, and a rapid manoeuvre became neoea-
sary for throwing back the right, and changing front A jangle or
underwood was interposed between the new position, and this
diviHion of the enemy's army commanded by Tippoo; and the can-
noiiude was returned until it could be discovered whether the inter-
CHAP. XXIll] HATTLi: oF TOLLllXlUK. 4S7
vcnin^ jungle won* |)cnotralile : this |x>iiit iN^nLC AscortAinecl in tlit*
nflimiativi*. the Hritish Iroops inoV(*<l thn»ii^li in columns. uft^T con-
Bideraltle <k*Iiiy in rrniovin;^ iniptMlinu'/its, ami formed fmntinir tlio
we»t. on the opposite side, when* a eommimdin^ l»nnk vT^ve such
■uperiority to tlieir eannonade, th:it llie enemy's pins «ln*w otF. ami
flccmeil, by a rinniitous movement, in a southern din.vti<fn. to ho
joining the main IhnIv.
In thi* meanwhile, tht* ^rove first ore u pied on the left, had lieen
cannona<le<l hy an inen*asiii(^r niimU-r tif puis, fmm a |Nisition of
^reat stn-n^h and extent. forni(*ii hy the (KVU|i!ition 4>f a h:ink ami
water-Course, pn*viiiuslv prr|>jin'd with emhrasures, n-ivilin;; on iti
left., t^iwanis the l'ai:«M(:i and villai:!* of I Villi ion*, whirh fiirmed the
vup|N>rt of that think : the riudit restini: on another villain*, wiili vaxt
masses of trix»ps ext^ndini; in the rear heyond tin* ri;:ht of tiiat
cover. Kvrry eiirps of the sfeund line, totretlier with nn «-ntire
bri^de fnan tin* tirr^l, had suret-sj^ivfly U-rn nplen»«l t«i stn'n;;lhen
and extent 1 the jMisition at the LTrnve. air^iinst which, as tin* day
clean*il, the main I'nrrr <>f the eiiemv was toiiini t«» U* ilinvtin^ itj»
principal I *ti or t.s. Tlif^- 4i|HTati«>ii*« varying' tlirira.sjNTl arri.rdinj; to
the I N lints sureesNivily iN-c'ii|ii«-d nn eithi-r >ii|r wi-n- i*i-i*t.'iiiiiy wi-ar-
itffi an ap|>earaiii'i* tar t'p*iii i-lifi-iin.: ti> tin* Kiiti^h army ; a l>:ittalion
of native tnM>|>s lati-ly raiHiij. had Ihiii onlfn-il to di**|iH|^'i- iln*
cnemv fri>m a villa-_:i'. ulii«'li u'alli-il with mtiski-trv thf li-tt ff the
|Misition at (In- i:roVf. an*! i*-turii« -1 in di-^^^nici-ful e«»nfiisiitn. in .spit**
of tht' etf'irts of lliiir iiirn-iTs . hut thi*^ di>.Lslrr wsis n*|i:iiri*<l hy the
Veteran «Oth.* whii-li iirtrt'tl tin* nhifct with tlif preri-inn ufa
|iaratlr m<i\«-m*-nt. aii<i tii«.- *«t(-ailiiii-.-ss nl'thf \n-^t Kiiri*iN-:in tpMipH.
It w;ls tlip I- iM'I.i'k \i In fi >ir Kvp' t'iMiir. aflrr llif ni«>\< nu-nts
on th<* riudit wliii-h ha\f Im-'H •!• <^i'iiU'd. earn** t<i th«- h ft. f^r tin*
pur|*<*v of I'xaiiiiiiiiij t li«- w ii'>I* <<t'lii*i >ituati>*ii. aiid a**r( ri.iiiiin;^
wht(litTan\ uv»if ••>iil-l i-- il- \ i-^i •! if • xtriratiii;; him^t-if fi«'m a
f>>nuati<<ii lii-ifiht' •! m .hI it^ |-.iit> Ih- ha-i hitht-it*' Ihi-h t'i<ilt-«l hy
rpiH« «•! I iitiia-Jiii.' lii" - iii •\>r\ '•ip ■ • --i\»- iiii-Viim ul niiiltttaktii
thrtiujh'iUt til-- •l.i\. .iijii u.;ii tin »-iii^!» t \i-t|<ti>iii ••fiiii- ^'i-ivf.
eVt-rv |H.Mit u •! •-:\ii\ •»•:/•■!, \i i* r-iiiii-i l«» I- witl.in ninj*- nf
m I
njiip' •'••iiiiii'iii'iiii-j ,1'isiil I li'- \iili''- I'f !*••.. !!■■!•• th.ii uliiih.
a«'* ••rdiii.M'i I !i> iii.iiiii lijt i-'Miii..! itt' l<iiil l>.iili.' h • { • iTttiunn,
ou 'ht !•• ii.i\ •- I < I II M' • :,-.• 1 ''•\ t ii. * >**]]' • r u:,o ifi%% i \ i :• hiU |h«»
i»il]>|>ii|| i'f (Ik I'll* ni\ ^ i' tl . I:it i < r It .;t(i-lii]-tiiij t*« i.iir\ that
|Mi|iit. It \\,i< lit «.iivt< lia\i a «->>itiii «-tt 'i i:it' i-f -nlll' >• lit ( \tt nl.
t*i t-ik' adv.iiit.ij>- >-t tl.« sill . t .H . f :i li.iT.k lu- \ • lif lit lin- tiP^t
lin«- hail l\ if-^ • l! 'It a_'.i:ii«t 1 >]■[•••> s -iiv : •.-ri )- t ii 'iiau ii "ti !'r>ini
th«- fi .ii }N.iii( •■]' :ilt.i< ),. .iti 1 )i.i 1 U I III' ■<• j .ii.Ltt 1 l-\ a • < i.N.-i* lahli*
ihl'-i \ .\i. Ii- i:i t fii 1 1 >■ !>• w (i.> ii \ii :i in- -x ^- \« rt i\ prt--^-^ d It u a.^
hiiu tli':-li- :ii>it'<i l"f-ii.i a lii.i-i i '..iii j> 'if }""«iti*>it. uliiih
Ifptijj^'hi ito fr<-iit t-i t.i<'« tlii 'till ill* lih*- l« in,: ilnuii up in th«*
a\i iii|i- u I'll ii ^ !• S'l :•) '.lit l.*ii*«i \ i'i . t'.iith* r t<* thi- mi *it. than tin-
■
• >-:■■> .
488 DUBIOUS VICTORY. [CHAP. XXIIL
point from which it had issued for the first formation, and its right
exactly opposite the village of PoUilore. The post at the grove was
consequently aijout 1,400 yards in a diagonal direction in front of its
extreme left, and the same post formed a support to the right of the
second line, which extended to the left of that post, nearly opposite
to the enemy's right. These formations being effected, a brigade
from the right of the first line moved in compact order, and with a
rapid step, under cover of an animated cannonade from every gun
along both lines, to seize the village of Pollilore, and turn the enemy's
left ; and the success of this movement, which was soon determined,
was the signal for the second line, by a similar operation, to force
the right, supported by a forward movement of the remainder of ihe
army, preceded by their guns, with the exception of three battalions
left at the grove to cover the rear while advancing, and to command
the ground occupied by the baggage guard, whicli was so posted as
to give and receive reciprocal support
Upwards of eight hours had elapsed from the commencement of
the action before the decisive movement of the riglit brigade was
completed ; the direct advance of the first line to support and unite
with that brigade, led them over the unburied remains of tiieir
comrades, who had perished on the same ground in the preceding
year ; but this movement on the right, drew the enemy's attention
from the second line, which ultimately succeeded in forcing their
right, and attaining an eminence from which it was enabled about
sunset, to cannonade the i-etrcating columns of the enemy. The
impediments, however, which had been prepared, against the advance
of ever)' portion of the English troops throughout the day, had been
such as merely to admit of their occupying before dusk, the ground
abandoned by tlie enemy, and in so far claiming the usual cnterion
of victory.
Sir Eyre Coote's varied experience liad never placed him in
embarrassments so serious, and had never excited in his mind the
gloomy forebodings, which for the first and last time in his military
life, were distinctly depicted on his countenance when in the presence
of an enemy, and from which he was ultimately relieved, contrary to
his best expectations. The Mysoorcan manuscripts invariably admit
the action of Porto Novo to have been a severe defeat; that of
Pollilore is as invariably claimed as a drawn battle, llie losses on
either side were prevented from being so considerable as might be
anticipated from the length of the action, in consequence of the
nature of the ground, and {mrticularly the cover afforded by the
intersection of the water-courses and banks, which have already been
described. The English anny, which went into action eleven thou-
sand strong, lost no more than 421 l^illed, wounded, and missing ;
among them were Ca])tain Uislop, tlie generals aid-de-camp, an
oMicer of much promise, killed, and Hriga^lier-General Stuart^ and
Colonel Brown, officers of approve<l merit and long experience, who
by a singular coincidence, each lost a leg from the same cannon
CBAF. XXIII.] WKSTKRN AND rHITTOOlK POIJCARS. 4S9
fihot ; the fonner nH*ovi*n*(l, l)iit tlit* Inttor (Ik'<I on th«* saiito iiikrht
The forcu uiulrr llydor's ounmanil hiul U-t-n Hui:iiifntf«l \*y the
cli%'iiiion under his son, ami mni prised liis whnlt* di*«|Ki\ii)i|i* l'i>n*v.
He had on tliis duy fin*d fntin SO pirci's nf raimnii. luit had
found no (»|>|Kirt unity of employing with rfirot tin* MTvii-f>< of
his numemuH cavalry. Tin* loss of tin* MvsiK>n':iiis iirnloiMv
did not excciHl two thotiMind : the ;:f(ifnd inipp'^sinn wii> far
from tliat of defi»at : and llu* vttvrt upun thiir minds was. to rv-
cuver in a ronaiderablu th';^'rei* from the iiuiuiliutiii;; sfnsi* of inffriurity
which had fttllowiMl the events of tht* Nt of July. A |N»rtion i»f tht)
2Kth waa employinl not <inly in diu* attention ti» the i-tsimltii*** of the
pffvceding day, hut in the mehinrh«ily (ii.sk of ^'atherin^' t4%'i-ther and
interring the remains ofl\»Inni*I K'lillie's iletaehmmt : and on tht?
S9th, Sir Kyre i'«x»t4» returned to Tri|i.'i.vsi»n', ii'it h:i\ini; a siri;;l»?
day'a provision h'ft for tli** ti^htiii:: men. mul th** natives iittarhfil tu
the puhlii; de|uirtnients. Iiavini; K'on witliout f'Nul f.ir the twi» pn*-
ceding day.t.
Tliis dnhioiis viet4irv ha*! in no reH|N>i't impntVfl t!i«' a-^iwrt of
Enf;li.Hh atfairs ; and. in tin* nfff^sity i^fliavinj ni •iii-s*- t«i -•iiif
untried p\{M.Mlient. thfartivr mind ^f I.hpI Ma<'artn'-y *«uj:^'i ^t* •! to
him the )Ni.ssiliility of emphiyiiiLT ^"ine portion ••t'tln- fiiLriti\«- |Nipi|.
iation whieh had Uiken rffiiiTi* at Madiit^. iu •Mri\in;j li^ei^ «>f u'l-tiu
on their heads fur thi- ii>f nf thi- army ( '••n^iiirniMt ioiimUth uit*
caaily fouiul t4» en;:aL:«* thi-ir s«r\i<-'-*« )>Mt in thi* M-an ity ff \\**mI
whirh prevailtMl at Madras, thi* t* inptati'n of <«urli a li>ad ua^ t4M>
powerful to 1)4' n^iMi'iJ . lojmhiN disjippi-an-l on tie* P-ad. an<l nf
the reniaind**r wh<» airivfil with |o:id>« uiiiforiulv diiiiiiiisii4-l, a \*t\'
larp* pro|Mirtion took al.oin at wli.it tht-y s.i\v and li«-ar<i <*f thi-ir
new situation, and ad-^iMndi-d in the nijht ; \*mX hv •••'•Mi-Viiej a
poiiition U'twccn Tripa'«^->ii- and I*>Ninaiiiail*-i-. an<l thp>wMi^' i^'r.dn
forwanl into tlie fMrm«r pl.ii-i*. it U-<:iiii>- piai-tii-.iM>* )-\ all t:it-<*>
unite«i means, at leii:;th t«* UfiVi' lr->ni i'lipa'^^'ii*
To til*' n'»rth-wi 'I it' til- I" el I- I liii.' t*i ••:i NIi!:^. f- Xn-it.
i!* Mtuat«'d th»* stp'iii; «"'i?itiy i;-'ii::y -i' !i •ii.;i..t»- I t'l.i* -t th-*
w#wt»*m niiil ' Vi/7^.'>r l*":i.'i:- pli'l *-!u--!i t^ ■ ?.?,/■ ■ f" *ii!!h
whi'di )n»ihii! thi* i{al:i::ii:iMt :i*i>I :i s n 1 • ii t:t. \vl.: !i ij' • i- !.:n;^
within a fi-w miK"* I'f tli-- '•■■a. ihar tli- I.iki- •■!" I*il: it t •!:.- an
im*jnilarly ind* iit«-d rii.-ivi- sw.- p •i \.iii. I I'-xiti-rt ■::.'■! it-*
m^uth-we^t^'m •■xtn-niitv n\«Tl'»..k*' at l!ii- di-ti*!--- • f" a !■ i^ u.ili—.
the town t.f .\n-"t
an«l e\t«-nt «if t«-rritiiy K.el -..u^-lit t-. ■ ■ ..».,»- tl. i .■'•rtt-*.
1^1 «-Xt«-n(l th»-ir |Mm«.i'^^i..ii^ at til'- lAj- h*. l" !'■ I I ■ :.;1.'- .i- ■ r \*\
n«-utmlity to s,ive th-ji r..initi:«^ t"r in •!■ \ -. r i* •■ ..> • i:* i ti.^ii
ni«[w«'tivi' vi*'M«» iif tii'iriiun piit.vr •:;•?. .tli :i!i i 'riN :« -t l he
P«dijjar^ ''f Vi'n'*ata;^'h«irv ^'.d.ftrv .iii I l» n.r •■; • \\'t»- i im ^*
JiriWerfMl t'f th' Hf I h|i t't.tins ill.- Hj.. .If!- ill it t'" h'Ml.t r I \\ !• Iif<
Sir Kyrc •'«M.tf and had l-'im-i .i |- il: -n ■ ! \x.^ l'.i«- » •• .■ ;.»:•! .r
490 i:ai»tuuk of polook. [chap, xxiii.
the lato action ; but their expenditure of provision much outweigh-
eil their utility. Calastry and Bomrauze were both with Hyder ;
but had, with a very [)ardonable prudence, assured his atlversary
that the junction wiis of mere necessity, to ssive their countries from
devastation, and that they awaited the opportunity when they might
safely change sides, and phice their resources at his disposal The
numerous minor chiefUiins hatl also, after the first symptoms of a
favorable change, sent deputations of similar character, and all were
profuse of assurances that the English army would find abundance
of provisions by moving in that direction. Sir Eyre Coote, feeling
the conviction, that he was wasting his largo store of character, and
what little remained of life, by continuing in command of troops
unprovided with all but arms, that really constitutes an army, had
gone down to Madras to confer with the Government, to resign his
charge, and to declare the inutility of keeping together a nominal
army, incapable of movement : but had been prevailed upon by Lord
Maciu-tney's repi-escntation of these prospects to make one further
trial.
On the 21st of SeptemlxT he moved fmm Tripassore, two days'
march, to Tritany, through the skirts of these countries ; where ho
sought in vain for the realization of any one promise, mad<^ by men,
who were actuate<l chietiy by fear, in making tond in breaking their
engagements. In the vicinity of his encam])ment was the little fort
of Poloor, which he cApture<l, with two hundred prisoners to be
libenited ; and with the aid of a small store found in this place,
but more from the skill of his searchei's for subterranean hoaras, ho
continued *to subsist from day to-day, constantly receiving fresh
promises, and reitenited disjippointments. On this ground, be
received fmm Colonel Ling the connnandant at Vellore, an account
of the reduced sbitc of his provisions and the necessity of an eariy
surrender of the phu'e, if not relieved. Hyder was also reported to
be distant only ten or twelve miles, near to the hill of Sholinghur,
and to be strengthening a position to olistruct the fiulher approach
of the English anny towards Vellore. Sir Eyi*o Coote reckoniiig on
exactly a sufficiency of ])ro visions to carry him l«ick to Tripassote,
determined to try tlu; cHect of another action, and wrote to the
Government, doscribiikg his situation, and retpiesting that at least
one day's rice should, if iH)Ssil)lo, l>e advanced to Tripassore, to pro-
vid(; for the event of the enemy dtfclining the meeting, or oi its
lusult not opening such unlooked-for |»ros{K'uts as might afford the
hope of relieving Vellon*.
Throwing his heavy guns and every impediment vnih a rnnall
garrison into Poloor, he made a sliort movement of seven miles
on the evening of the 2()th. The nii^ht |>roved tempestuous; and
with his mi-serable cattle, it was ini|H*actieable in the ensuing mom*
inix to move the tents, clrenchi.'d and doubled in weight by rain.
Ilydrr. whose encampment was nrar, and considerably in advance of
the poi^ition which he was preparinir, l»eing a<'cunitcly apprised of
CHAP. XXIII. I i'.AMI.]: (»^ ^.lloi.lNClin: (!il
cwn* i'inMiiiistruii'i'. :i!iii(»iini*t>i| t>> \i\>. nnnv lli.it llii-ri- wnnM In' no
niowiiioiit (111 t)i:it <l:i\ : :ill tip' citrli nf ilii> :inii\ \\ri< in •■ in^i -
quemv Kent t«i a l>i'ttrr in^iuicat iti'- lii'-f tm-i- i-l' -tiw ii;ii' « .m-l
iiumy (if tli«' t!'i*i>}io. tii::i'tiiiT wmIi inM^t nt' thi* ilil\i-i-^ an*! i •ll"U<i^,
ilifi[M*rs«Hi. a«< M\L^ ii^iial oil Mhli iiililiiat iitiiN, iti -^i-i-l; I'll '^'.tiii. ••! t'l
NU|»|iIy llu'ir otliiT wants in lli'- a<Ii.ii'>-n[ \il!a.:i«; t'><i' lli*- w i:if **\
rivalry* in tli«* Kni^li-ii army It-ti iIhmm tVi** i<i \\aii<ii-r at I:iij<* wilii-
oiit tlio npiin'lii.'n-^itin or«lan::iT.
Sir Kvn* ('utti*. li^litlv r>.i'Mri'-I. wi-nt nin in lljf ni-rnin-.' l*i
^XAiiiilH* till' (Miiintrv in lii^ tVofit. atii) t'loni an i-fnin' ip" wjiirli
liti A.<4(*t;n<ii''l, a lonij riilL:!- «»!' r-n-n^ win (•)i<..i-\i-| |. in,.-.^.-. 1 liy
tlio t'lHMny's trit'ijis ; Im in.: •I'-^ir-i;!^ i-l' f-uilur «-\:injin.iti«'i. lif
onlon.ll a lirii^.i<lr t'liini rani|t. an-1 jiri^ft. {i I t> •ii^!'*l^i tin*
InMiiiH frtim tin* ri'lLT**. on aN..n<iiri/ \\iii<-!i li\<I>i^ \vli<i<- .-irmv
wan cl(*jirlv (iivuvi n-tl in a N.iiitiit-in •liiti-t ••n. ili^t mt aK-'it iluf*
miloM, witli .si»nit> Nti-.in^^ i-iiji^ a niii>* in tr ni. asi*! an ai\an i
eiicain|iiat'iit ot' raxaliv rlii.t- nn<I« i tin' lil-'-. wlio -Trii<L tli-ir
teiitrt i*li till- tii^t a]i|M ii.iM> t' (ii- )'i :•'!>• (iiI-! \\-r< i?Nni<--
diatcly •l'"»|i:UilM-«l tnr lii*' aiiny t • J'-n ai!;! •:• •!■ •.•\ . t'.- i.irii}»
waa htriirk an«l lli-* li-'-p- W'V*- in np-i.n v..f!i ;: I j:.' v liilf
<luA|tfiU'li. tin; lt;i_'_::i^''' niil« r r.iW!- .f I w ■ . l-.i" . \, \\ i' . tii« ii"
l^iui skirt**'! tli>- iiiiU. ;iiil \\.^ <-<>n ]*:• t> i t • ti •!:..! ■ ;• *. *'U
the rivjilt *>f tlif n.l_ri' -l- . ri'- I wjii.-it !t:iit.'i I ■•••!:• -iiiTin;
iho uiK.*niti«MiN 4it* lfii--i.\ Tij. .'.',u\ t ■! I -li" . s-imI : i rn-nn'
\uU9 IWii lini-^. I'Ut ni 'ii 'li:;,' l-\ U.- » i:i ."ii-- i- ■! nuTi. i:. '\i 1 .if't i
iloubliii^i; lli«* l*-t*i i-xt ii-iii:; \ •iiii..]:! >-. n :( •!.:• : !i ]• n •■!(•• t'nx
lilK* of till' iininy - rii'- snij-iii n! nnt.l tli- ••ntj.- •.?'':•• ti: ! I:ii»-.
wlu?ii fiH'*«I lo llji- iVi'ii^ -ii 'ijil I.- ■;.;.■ :f ■ iij- niiin )-'.'. 'rT'r"
riii'liiy, tli'^tant aii->iit tun imi' .n: i «iia\vii up sn ti 'Vf •- y'i-ii
ctHsni|i*iit'nt. (li'-n in tii-- :■. •* •■!' '• iii ' -':'i<k .i m.<'1 i k m
fnmt of llu* riu'i"'. ;»iii .•. ..i ...• :■.:! 1 i in •. i; !!:■ I «' '! . :: • !
Uio tir'l I ini'. •»!!'• li'i ^ij*) ''it i" : • i- . :'■:.!.. w . !■ .i i : I i. i* i
p?i»ll*ly |»I.ii*«il in I'll- •ill-' ' t • ' t . : ! \^ .' i ; : •■ t
til*; n*ar , lln* ohii'jM*- iiii< ■ ; i •-: ; r . ; • * ; !i u ;i i .-. !i.> . . *
turn tin* rn'iny^ it iV .ifi I i.r. .ft.; •:• ■ .ii ■■:• ■ r • •■ . •" • . i. ;
J^lvaiitaL:" III* .III \ .i\\ k W.I' i I ,.,:..■ ■ ;. ■ .. i *..:•.. . n
cxU'n^j'Mi •(!* tii<- ill >t \v!. :. i ■ j:, ■, :i,- -r' ■ •i.i'ii- •. ■ i .-s
Ifpik* II mi» • ' ii« ..Ml • ! ( . . ; f \ 111 ■ ■ . . • • ■ .
opIiTn. l.iit Wi'.ii M.'i- t i : ■■ . » 1: ::i ti,-- •:.'':". .'. ■ r J ••
(^piilli'i : a ili-|*->-:ti -n w*. !i v^.i- li- ■ • ■ i: \ :'■: t . -i . ' j :■
•if wnl'iiinj j-'-.v- ii" i! !■ - ;. : ■. i.;-. ..:■,■:••'.:.. .■. i i.
in^ anl ■*iij-|"it.i.j !:. . : :
Willi*' lii«- t?' •!'- w- : ;■: I,; ■• it"* .'.. :■••.. |. ' •" r
KvP' • ''i"!*'. \^ ilii .' -mill' :' .. 1-. f. i
aniii**^. ni-ii'- (I: •] i. :.,'.'.> ; ': I
tivrly ii|ii n li.iT II; .i | '■ .; ■ :
• tV^T ill'" |«1.i:m I'l i ■ '.J • .' 1 I • • . , I '
|arty :i\.iIiim ' .' ■■ '.' ■! t ■ •
' ■ • ? .
...'.•• \\ • ■: •
: ■.* i
i .''.-.. t •
i: k
■ ■
f . ■
' •• r- •!
i '.'•'*' \
: • !• »i
. i 11. . !
•m :•
492 BATTLE OF SHOLINGHUR. [CHAP. XXIll.
force was judiciously drawn up behind the crest of a lon^ ridge, not
rocky ; its front, covered with swampy rice fields, while his guns
were placed on the summit of this ridge, or on commanding positions
among the more advanced groups of rocka Exclusively of the
advanced corps in position, several detached bodies, exceeding in
numerical strength the whole of the English army, were seen in
motion towards each flank, and large masses of cavaJry were collect-
ed on various points, evidently prepared to charge on an appointed
signal. In fact the whole movement had operated as a surprise on
Hyder ; he had reckoned with certainty on the impossibility of Sir
Eyre Coote's marching on that day. The movement of the brigade he
treated merely as a reconnoissance ; and it was not until inteUigenoe
was brought of the English army having struck their encampment,
that he ordered horsemen to be despatched in every direction to
recal his cattle, drivers, and followers ; and they had Imt just began
to strike the tents, when the head of the English column had repli-
ed a point nearly opposite the centre of his encampment.
Thus circumstanced, it was Hyder's design to act on the defen-
sive as long as possible, and to malce such demonstrations as should
delay the movements of his adversary, and give time for repairing
the confusion of this unexpected event ; and above all, for yoking
the cattle to the limbers, with a view to the leading principle of aU
his tactics, never to risk a gun. The day was far spent ; the En^ish
army had not yet completed the formation which has been describ-
ed ; nor had Hyder shown the least indication of changing his front
The two leading brigades of the English army had, in preparing to
take up their ground, extended farmer to the right tnan ordered,
and an interval was thus opened between them and the remainder
of the line. Hyder, on perceiving this error, opened a general can-
nonade along his whole front, and from the advanced positions ; and
Sir Eyre Coote, deeming the moment too critical, to suflfer the
enemy's posted guns to annoy him, while performing anything but
a forward movement, ordered the whole line instanUy to front and
advance, the divided corps being ordered to bring forward ita right,
as it moved on. The enemy s guns were ill pointed, during a steady
but not rapid advance of both lines, which, as they approached, are
described to have had the appearance of diminutive corps almoRt
surrounded by several separate armies. The necessity of aefiling to
pass the groups of rocks, had at one time caused several teniporary
openings in diflercnt parts of the line, and at this moment the two
principal masses of the enemy's cavalry charged these points with a
determination hitherto unexhibited ; each mass as it reached the
opening, wheeling to the right and left, to overturn the naked
flanks, but no flank was found exposed, the very act of defiling bad
provided the required protection, which was formed with the great
est cooIn(^ss and precision at obtuse angles with the line, and receiv-
ed the masses with a cross fire. These masses had sensibly thinned
in their approach, from the havoc effected by grape and nraskefay
CRAP. XXIII.] nATn.E OK snOLINGIIUR. 49.3
in the fruni, and hy the i*i)ns4H|uciit heNitatioii of the rear. aikI wh«*n,
on reaching their ol>j(H*t. they foiiinl the fresh nnd iinfX|Kvt«Nl
annoyance of a crowi tire : one of these nia-sses fairly galhi|N.Ml thmugh.
and went off to the rear, sustaining adtiitioiml hms from the tire of
the rear rank of the line, everywhere ftunal alutut for the puqMMe.
The other masH Hustainetl a <lireet reiiulse witli Htill severer Iohl
The charges had been ordered, with tlie duulile view of dinvt and
eomplete success, or in the event of failure, they would cover the
retreat of the guns, which were urdeivd lo lindier up at the moment
of the chargi.*, and t4) n*tire the instant it was found to liavt* fuileil ;
and the uiiavoida)»le susiMjision thus pnHlure«l in the a4ivanre «if the
English anny, eiiahl(*d tlieiii ti» draw off the whuie excepting onn
6-pouniler. The ri^iit hrigades hinl hy thi* movi'nu'Ut il«*siTiUMi, guimnl
the left tliink of the enemy's |M»sition. and wen*enalileii t4) hhn^ their
Kuns to liear with eunsiderahle «*ti«'et<in the retivating nilumns from
the ridp! al»andone<i hy the enemy ; the renminilcr «)f llie tirst line,
adapting iU m«ivi*meiits tn tliat of the ili'taclHMJ hrignili'S. hy gradu-
ally bringing forwanl its right, and fanning an extrnsitin of their
line of front
During tln»*M» <>|MTntiMns nf the first lin«\ thf siTf»iid mnking
little advanei* mi its h^ft, was nlsn gni*lually hriti^^ing up itn
right, as the ninveiiifiits of thi* «'ii«'iiiy tiirt>;it«'rii*'l thf left,
wnich in tii»* enur-i» *tf n s«'ViTe stnii^'i^lf. an«l .•M-v.-nil rluir^*!*
of cavalr>'. was at t»n<- tim«' ni-»r!y turn*'*!, hut i»ii «'i»mpli*ting
a partial ehniii^* nf fmiit with r«*IiTity and |»n*risiMn, th«r fni*my,
not ei|Ually exj^Mt in the enrn-iiHinilin;^' mnvi-mt-nt. Mitr»»re«i
■ereri'lv fmm th«* Kn-dish LMins. anil finailv iln*w ittf aUiut the
■ame iN-hiNl as thfir main lN».ly . an atti'Uipt on tin* Utg^mge-
Eianl, eoMHistin^ 'if two luitUilinns and fair giniN. hy u lar^
kIv of infaiitrv and I'.ivalrv with twelvi* i:uns. Iia\in^ iirnviii
e>|ually aUirtive fruni th** jndii'iiMis ilis|Mi«iti'ins nf th.it i^xtarrl
anil (if the s*M*ii!iil lih<>. ft w.'Ls midnu'ht }w't'*in' the Kn^'h*ih
armv was r**-ttnit<'d **u tii" ::r<iurid in-itmii.-.I \.\ thi* ailvaniv*!
• I •
brikpi'liv Tilt* ai*i|iiiNiti««n-« «>t* lip* d.iy wiTt* thri*" ra\ulr)'
■tantlanls and nn** u'on . hut as 2^ir K\ p- <'4Mit«* <«tat«^ in a mite
written from thf tii-M **( lutth*. In* Wiiiil<l mlhiu'lv h:kVi> r\-
chaugi^i thi"»4' ti'iphii-s. l.i^ilhor willi ih«* i-n-dit i«!' tin- \i.-t*»r%-,
fur five day^' ru-f Thf sln-ngth nf th<* lirili^Ii army in this
daVN artitiri. wim lI..'i(N) iii«'n, uuil their li"«^'« lu* in in- tli.in 1<n» uifii
killeil and Wnundi-d . (h*' nn'*\|«*«'tf'ii i-\ilitA nf thf d.il . h:»'l rvrn
left nianv I'f tin* iiii-inv -^ ha/Jir t«*nt<* ^tdi *>tAUilin:;. an 1 cLi- Khni^-
kee I M*rs mutually i;ni<'r:int "f thi- rt-nnit, wi-rr hiHihj tii* :r uah-s to
the English fiillnWfp*. wh<> mi'^tixik thiin fir thtir lun |« ••*•!••. fur
■onetime Ur<ii-i- tht* rrnir w;lh n*<-iiir— .iiiv iii^-i\*r«-d lixdrr's
vluile fiin'«- wit^ in thr tiiM. uith thr •'\<fpti<-n ••!' t*-n ;»'un« ti^r he
fire*l onlv fri>ni sivrntv Tin- Mv^'-Traiii unit<*niil\ d<-*«-nU* tin*
battle of Shnlin;:liiii it> a Miipri*Mv ;in<l adiiiit it U* hA\i- l-iu n M*vcn*
ckJoat. in whirh their l«>vi proUihly txvri.*dt-«l .'m>uu nieii
494 DETACHMENT UNDEU COLONEL OWEN. [CHAP. XXUL
Tlie Poligars of Cahistrj' and Vencjitaghcrry, weary of militant
dangers which promised them little advantage, and ascribing to this
victory consequences which their defection from the enemy might
render decisive, agi-eed to avail themselves of tlie events of the even-
ing. A thick ma^s of spears was observed going off towards the
hills at the close of the action, and in the morning messengers arriv-
ed in the camp to announce the event. With a sufiicieucy of
rice barely to c<arry back the army to Tripaasoro, Sir Eyre Coote on
this intelligence incurre<l the risk of increasing his ilistance from that
post, and moved through a pass to the westward of Sholinghur, into a
country supposed to be unexhausted and abundant These expect-
ations were found in the event to have been greatly exaggerated ;
the market of the Mysoorean army had furnished a certain and ready
vent for surplus produce ; and prices sufBcient to tempt the more
provident husbanamen to spare even a portion of their secret hoards.
The English army therefore found a precarious subsistence from day
to day, and the hopes of throwing a scanty supply into Vellore
depended on the actual crop. Hyder full of indignation at the
defection of these chiefs, detached a select and experienced corps of
six thousand men, without guns, who, by forcing another pass, com-
menced the devastation of the rich intermediate vales, and the con-
flagration of every village. This unfortunate event produced most
unfavorable impressions, seriously affecting all Sir Eyre Cooto's pros-
pects of supply ; and the animated veteran, although suffering from
severe illness, feeling the importance of counteracting these effects,
])laced himself at the head of a light corps, and afler an absence of
thirty-eight liours, during thirty-two of which he had never dismount-
ed from his horse, returned to camp, liaving completely surprised,
discomfited, and dispersed the enemy, and compelled them to leave
behind, not only the whole of their plunder, but the few tents and
light equipments with which they had entered the woods.
The extreme urgency of the relief of Vellore, induced the English
general, to risk a detachment under Colonel Owen, oonsisting of five
l)attalions with their guns, two flank companies of an European Fo-
ment of tlie Bengal establishment, and a i)ortion of his small corps of
cavalry, twenty miles in advance ; for tne purpose of commanding
the resources of a greater extent of country, and affording the chance
of intercc^pting some of the convoys of grain, frequently descending
the pass of Damalcherry, for the supply of the enemy's army. On
the 23rd of October, about eleven o clock, he received intelligence
from Colonel Owen of the enemy's first appearance. About two
o'clock, (being as soon as circumstances would admit,) he moved for-
ward with a select lx)dy, ordering the i-emainder of the anny to
follow as soon as possible. After marching about four miles, he mot
a few of his own irregular horse, who had fled from the field of
battle and reported the detachment to be entirely destroyed. The
impressions excited by such intelligence, may easily be imagined ; jud-
ging however, from ex|)erience, of the credit due to the reports of
CRAP. XXIII.] DISTKKsS aV VKl.I.OKi:. 4!>.'>
early fu^^itivcs, iio (|ii'u*k4Mifi| liis paff, iiml sriit i*«irri'N|Miiii|iii<;4inlriN
ill tii«* aniiv : :iii(i, siWw :\ I'lirtiirr ikUmiu'" i»\' twti in i Irs, In* )i.-i*i tin*
ii.i|»|iiiit*ss ti» n-rriw :i xmir tVnni < 'olniitl < h\i-ii, intiiiijitiiii: lii^ *«:iffty
ill a stmn^ |Mtsiti<iii. \vli«>n' tlifiinny jtiitici] hiin uii tin* rsnuir iii::liL
This ili'tiirliuiriit i*]ii'jiiii|MN| miisiilfnilily in a(|v:iiitv nt* :i Ntniii:;
iinss, sitimtnl Ik'Iwci'Ii it ;iii«l llir main ami v. Iiail at ilav-liLflit Iktii
Jittarkcd nt all |M>iiit^ i>y liytirr in intmui. at tlif li<-ail nf nt'arly his
whole* n;;:u!ar infantry, aipl li;;ht ;:uns, an-l all his st-lrri ra\alry,
wlio inailf the most vigorous rtr<trts I'nr tin* «icstrnrtiMn <•!' this rtir|H
lurfun? it <'«iii|il n*ai'h tin* prus, «»r In* n-jit-vril hy tin' army. Althnii'^li
i\w |H>sitii»n of th(* rn<*ani{im«'iit winiM a)t}N-ar tn liavf lN*fn Mi'li-rt«-«l
witli t<(Mi iiiiirli riMitiilcnrt*, till- f\f'r(i*i!i<. iif ('nlnni-i Owfii. an<l th<*
t*X(X*H«'!it 4'itiiilnt-t iif tilt* tPMips, r\(riiMt''<l him t'p>ni a |M'ril*iiis piv-
ilii'niiK'nt. an<i «'nal>h-il him t<i u'ain tin* pa^.-. K'twn'n ittu* an<l two
oclu(*k ill tilt' attiTniiiiii. with th«* |i>s^ nf all his ('ampi'i{iii|»:i^'t* aiiil
l«a^i;;«>. in th" riHii'si* of his i4 trrat. «int' '^nin lunl lalh-ii into tht:
|Mrtf«i's.si(in «»f till* t-nfiny. liy a l'iiri>i>is attark on tin* nallvi* 4'iir|iH
whit'll iiri>tfi't<*<| it : Imt thi<^ •lis.LNtff wa-* iiistatitly P-paii'"! hy tlio
|in»tiiptiti|i|*- an>i <|i-<'isi<»n ••}' ( aptain M »ii<' wIp*. at tiplpa'! i>t* his
iwti tiaiik <'i>mpani«-s i.f Kur-ipi iH'^. siipp..iri- 1 hy .i \i tiian •••iji'i • I"
M'iNi\s. t'i*ri-fi| hJN \\.i\ with ilir l'.i\»»iH I. tlii"Mj!i i)m- m '.-•* ' whirli
miTr li-arini: it a\\.i\ aihl liii'M'_:lit \{ ha- k ii» liiia.ph t«' tin* p|i-lfi--
li»»n ••!' ihf tJit.it-hiM'-iit Til'- -■ is i- •■- «»!" lli-- aiti.It i \ nnl. i i 'apt.iin
MtN»r«'lit)iisi- :iii nill. i-i- iiiiiip-iii Iv «ii : !i» .M'.-ii- ■! "ii i\«!v ».i«';L'»i«'n,
llAii i*:^sfiiti:illv •'"ii! I li'iit' •! t>it)i<- > I t l!ii« ai'iu-U'* >iav. hy
thf iiiii'«>mni'iri jfl. Hhtif i:i'---. .m I •!• m-'Ii • \ iiii-*-<l in (.ikiiii; up
lh«' LTifal \aii«i\ mT |i.i:iii . •-•h » • • -i\ ii\ li*- ; h' 1 t • i''i\ • r t li«- n'tn-ut
of t]l«' tpi >pN . ali-1 all': ''l.-ii l\r « M <!..i:'. l< > ••1* til" • :• '.i« lililt'lit
aiii'tuiiti'l t'l till' " h if I'll • i .i!i I s. \. iiT' • II III* :i til' 1 I* T'l' • n* mv
w.tH rMiiipMtt 1 l«\ til- ::» '■ i\ • -. \ t Ii.i\« • \»- • U *\ t l.i« •• t L^i >.in'l.
Til" 'Ii-! I' ' ■ - ' ! \ • M ' I i ^ \ ! ! . f iri» .!;•?•• ■■ I- 111 i t !.■ :! I.i-^l
■ ■ ■
rrisj*. I»»ii:i..' j'l tl..- .!■;'•■ If.- ..r t» . t:ii.. • ivif :'il -. : -x . h.i'l
• ■•• 11 !".'
•111!.
■
- • !i 1 >
I '
t
:l
ii \-
. -N .
• I . • ■;;■*■
w
:tI
1 ■■:
^i -Miii^
i»f lii":r
■ \ t '
it-
I • :
i.» r '
■ . '
1
' 1 • ■ ;
.! \|
:i . .ri
i !
I
M
■ 1
i
■ :! th.-
wl...].-
f ti,:
■« i
%. ::t:
1 u
■} '
. •
..•,.
Mi:-
■ ■ - ■ M!
• . •
•
• -
, •
i!| tlil-^
m'»#' •■»
tl..
U.'
■ . .1 • '
,'•; .i;
• \
1 '
!' . ■ ■.
• ; :»! •
1
:..
!' ■
Km.'Ii^Ii
pri-'Ti- ;
I'hf / i:
- !?l
' -I
M
■ 1
■ 1" ■
•i
I
^ 1 ^
1 '. •
1
1 ': L t
T :.!■
1 . •
1
•
.\
>
1
ini-T.
pMfi it I
■i ::i
•
1
■ ■ • ; '
! . ■
"' 1
1
.i:
. 1 . 1 »
:. i .'. i
^ ■
• 1 ,
"ii •! kik
iii::l.'-
\ •
1
•■■ •.
.
1 ■ . '
• .\
. . »
•1 • '
• t
■ • 1
■', •'
»
I
f
I . .iii-
lijhl !«•
■
' 'i
■J f!:-
■ !■
1 •
I
1 ;
. • •!..
■ .\ • ' \
\
I
■i
i' tii'ii
f.llt" iM-
i r •
1
■• ! . 1 '.
■ . t •
f
» ,
1 • .
- -: 1
i . .
■
■
;
iVii 1-
nh« Hi. if
• \ 1
?
' .-h • ■
.■ •■
-
t '• 1
\'.
f
•
• ,
ii
►w ;i ; :i
|ll'>\' llM
T.f T
■
. ■ •
r ),.
I
■
■ •
• t
I
■
•
•
.■ •■iilv
!• Ml..:''!
1
1 (
1
v. '
■
•
;
-
■
1
1
1
- /f
|i-rii\ 1 : 1
?i-- t
■
■
1
■
■
ft
1
■
1
1
■
,
r.' f- 1
• "III • I •!
1 '
«
ii
■
!■
1
' 1
1
1 •
■I- I-I-.
1
llir \\'\,
1 ij* 1
1
\\ .
\'
■
1
• I
t
1
I
1
■
I
iii-j»"i
496 htder's operations against vellore. [chap, xxiil
tant garrison ; and on the 3rd of November, Sir Eyre Coote had by
three marches from his encampment among the hills, thrown in six
weeks' rice ; Hyder having, on his approach, retired to the opposite
side of the river Palar, a weak determination, ascribed by Sir Eyre
Coote to the discouragement of having recently been foiled with
great loss, in an attempt on a detachment only.
1?he situation of Vellore since the commencement of the war
had been critical and highly interesting. Hyder had, after the
capture of Arcot in the prececung year, aUotted the largest portion
of his army and his best battering tndn for the siege of Vellore.
This fortress, nearly an exact square, still exhibiting in its antique
battlements, for match-locks, and bows and arrows, the evidence of
no modem date,* was built, according to the ideas of strength which
})revailed at the period of its erection, when the use of cannon was
ittle understood, close to a range of hills, to favor the introduction
of supplies, or the eventual escape of the carrison; and thus situated,
it is also commanded by those hills ; a defect^ which its Mahratta
and Mohammedan conquerorsf remedied in part, by fortifying the
points which overlooked it. These points, as the use of artuleiy
came to determine the defence of places, became accordingly the keys
of the fort below ; for, although surrounded by a rampart of masoniy
which might be deemed Cyclopean, and a wet ditch of great breadth,
the possession of these points command in flank and reverse
(although at too great a distance for certain effect), three faces of the
fort, and leave but one face afibrding good cover. The arrangements
of the siege, directed by French officers, were judiciously directed
to two simultaneous operations, the principal hill-fort being the
primary object, while approaches and batteries from the west were
Smshed on to the proper positions for breaching the south-western
iELce of the lower fort, and enfilading that next to the hill, which in
the event of success in the primary object, would alone afford
adequate cover to the garrison from the fire of the hilL
The operations against the principal hill fort were conducted
with great skill, overwhelming numbers, and an abundant artillery,
for five weeks. The post was commanded by Lieutenant Champness,
and his second in command Lieutenant Parr, whose adventures at
Camatickghur have already l)een recited, officiated as his engineer*
The greater portion of two faces, of a rather extensive post, were
razed to the foundation by the enemy's fire, and the breaches were
completely accessible ; approaches over the bare rock, were caxried
on by means of wooden frames filled with fascines ; and on the 18th
January, about nine at night, the assailants issued from points dis-
tant only twenty yards from the breaches : but everything had
been completely retrenched with infinite labor and skill ; aad» on
* Vide vol. i., page 10.
t The evidence of tlie names by which they are distinguished, shows thai
two points were fortified by the Mahrattas, and one by the Mohammedans.
8cc vol. i., page J2.
CRAP. XXIII.] Sin KYUK « «M»rK TAKHS r||ITTO<)|l. 4117
ascending the lironch, niid aliiu»st tillin*; tin* pliuv with nH.*..*! Hants, u|i
in the iliii'hcK of tht* n'trfiirhinmt. the iiii|i('(iiiiu*iitH in i-vfry iiirrr-
lion, and themsLsknl tin' wlii^h h.-nl (H-t'ii pn^imiv*!, lunl well n-s4>i-VfMl,
drove them Kit'k with Lrr*-at slau'^'htiT : a sf*«*fin«|. :in<l tliinl att^-niiit
wan made, with th«* ai<l nf l:i<lil*'p«. aipl n'|M>ili'(i with tht'^jinii- ^t>:iili-
nt?ffi and gaUiintrv : t!ii* iiii)M-rtrfi run^^tiiii'tiiMi <•!' thr i^lacr u':i^*' thi*
dt'fondors uutlnnkin:^' riiniin.i:.-! nvi r tin- i'*»i{ oft hi* Iiii-:'- ln^. wlirii'
the enemy reniain«'<I tNnnp!' i»iy i-.iv- rt«l. .-in-l tlit-y ii'»w Jm-^.-ih t«i
form Iody*?!iu»nts on tin* IipmiIiis :in.| -iii-ii ^Nivrly x.» till ihf »iiti-lii-*
of Uie retn-nohnit'iitN wirh tji-^i-iiM' liifiit-'iumt l';iir. )•• iii-ixin;;
that all w:ls lost, if tlii.^ »-. ntk w:i^ |HTijiittf.| to priM- 1. ulit.iiiifi thi*
permimion «»f his<MiiMn.'in«Iin;( <itK«*i*r to attcnijit tiMh^^lihli;!* thnn : an*l
newendin:; ulniut twt» ••'rlm-k hv tin* \'-rv lai|«lfi*s whii'h had U*fii
pUro<l hy th«^ i*nt>niy t<> aoriuil thi' n-tivni'lmu'itt. ri»niiiirnri'il a rln^*
encounter with tln' h:iyiii't. whii-h tf-riiiinat«Ml in thf fntin* <*\|iul-
■ion of tht> A.Hss:iil:i]it«; ; and a |mi\vi rt'nl N.irtic nf Kurii|iaii and
nativn tnNi|M fri»in tli«- lnwfr t'lit. a t*'-\v iiii:iits afii'i waiils *>ui'<vrdrd
in entering th«* tiank of tin* • ihiny's ]i:ii-aiii|. sjiikin^' his LTiniH and
daina^ng liis a|»|ii' ;uln*^ 'I'lil^ i-xtra-iiilinny i ii ivy "t" nativi*
troopH ^for thiTt' Wfp- ii<> i*thi r**u tli** liili iti«lui-i<l IInI'I t** )*i'H-«'t'ii
from Art'ot. fnr tin* |iiir|H»»»f iif |i''p»iii:dly ixaniiniiiL: thf stati- iif iIp*
■iejfp, and givin;^ hi-^ '»wm •lin't-ti'Ti*. ;nrMiii|»;inifd |.y Hiv»Tal Kit nrh
ofRi«epi: but thi* iiit«'IIi:^'»Mn'i" nt'Sir Kvn* ('..uti's luan'h fn-ni NLidtiLs
at that C'Xiirt {H-ritrfl. i{i'tiniiin4«l him. a^ \ii* lia\i* aln-ady tioii. Ui
fmaae till' si(r|^'t^ wliirh fruni tliat ihtI-hI had Ufn runvrrtnl into a
Mocka<i«v t''i|<'riii l.:in-^ till' <*iiniiiiandaMt ti*:^'rthiT witli a |Mirtii>n
of thi? ifarriHiin t*i»r thi* |iiii|iii"»t' nt' ifhn-iiiLj tlif cxiM-nditurr «-t" |iiii-
vuiionH} joiiiiii tlir army, ainl th«* •'•*in!iiaii<l di'\i>I\i*<l *tu ('.iptain
Cupjiagt*, Sir Kyn- marrliini; nil* on thi* day ^ii'rtfihn:; hi^ arrival to
aeek forHulisi^trni*!' t'lr hi^ own army.
Hin tirst ohifi-t 'III ri'tnriiiiij lo tin* IV .I!am««. was th«* f rt *'t'
CliittiMtr. situatid N W i.f tlj*- sjm.i I,it« ly -n-. :i|:. .1 \,\- i'.t\,iu*\
(}wL*n. rt'i^irt'-d i** hf th»' intt-iiiti di.itt- *[» {*••{ •■!' j i- \ i-ii.ni •!■ *. i-n,!.
ing thi* jKiNS .if n.iiii.ililiirry . and it U\\ att- r a -;•.:• • f tiMir iirt\i ^n
the 1 1th «if Niixt'iiiU I liiit U'i • Ii.tra< t* r 'f tl.* u.ii u.i.s iii.ii«- < liii-
HpiruoiiH, than thi- .dm-'-i irjv.iii.iM.- -ii t'l l^* "I'Sir K\ p- < '.-a.- ^ int«I-
hp»no'. witli tlj* tx'iptiji •!' il..i: i. •■•:\. i t! i- M/!i L;< ut* ii.uit
Flint, or hy ni«aij • «•! -»• j- \ ^ d.-^'.i.Md f i -j" ■ i?!-- | !|!|m,-« . 'li.,^
defwt i** fn-MUi-ntlv stat- I ;'i h:- -rVi' i.il i-rii'-;- ii h:.. . . r j! I..- >i>»* ,
not ap|N*ar to liavi* sii-j !• ! t!. it .ill h:-^ ^'■•i'i< * a:i-i «| :•■« u. i.- m
the «l•'r^■il*l• of thi* tM.!:i\ lii. i»- u.i^ ji . jiiiri ::i <'J;:f! r • m ih i
wiaik pliuv ; and Sir K\ :•• < '■ « •.- ^.-.•lu. It-. K .%. • i.^ ;:i ;.,. ..r.-.n
to hui niin |»rini'i|il' s . !" n !.t.iry •■■iii';?. .u '*:u.::j f.r • it a
battalion whiih U.I ^ tv«!.t.i i!!\ -.i.r:ri««- ! .i- \\.'. •':.. :..i\\ 'nr-.*
whirh hi" hail ihi-xwi ::i' > V " i pft\: •i*!\ ! ■ th'- .i. t:.»n nf
Shi>lin;;hur : tlif ;.'.im • !. h .\ . ■. . : i i!,- : ".r i'- • h.i\::i^' in
ronformity !•• pi^xi.; «,I . : i- : Mi.fii- . i l!..' !.T|..it lilt" thi*
wooiU. iWfoif iii"\iii^* t • tl«f u ;„•! I.f \ I .: : '^ r Ks?. < '. . ti 1,.1'i
498 SKRIOUS LOSS FROM FLOOD AND FAMINE. [CHAP. XXllI.
left a battalion, with some guns, in a good position near to his
former oncampmeut at Polipet, to protect his sick and cover the
collection of grain. On the second day after the capture of Chittoor,
he harl t^e mortification to learn, that this battalion had been
obliged to retreat to the woods with severe loss, and the capture of
its cannon and stores, inchi<Hng the important article of grain, not
without suspicion of treachery on the |>art of the officers of Somrauze.
There was now no hope of being able to subsist the amiy in
these countries during the monsoon, if indeed it had been
prudent to expose tlie troops to the usual inclemency of that
season. Two rivers daily ex})ected to be im|>a8sable were inter-
posed between the army and Tripassore. Intelligence of the
investment of that phice, connnunicated in an express from its
commandant, was audibly contirmod by the firing of the siege. On
the 22d of November, he crossed the Cortelaur (which had so long
stopped the progress of Colonel Baillie in the preceding year), and
encami)ed on the same day in the neighbourhood of Tripassore, after
a forced march over an incipient inundation. His whole inarch
from Chittoor had been a series of difficulties, surmounted &om day
to day, by one-half of the army being alternately without food, and
these distresses were aggravated by the bursting of the monaoon on
the latter days of the march ; not only c^ittle and their loads were
lost, but the excellent little corps of cavalry, formed from the ruins
of those in Mohammed Ali's service, was deprived of nearly half its
numbers ; and a considerable proiX)rtion of human beings, chiefly
loUowers, were destroyed by the united effects of flood and famina
The Commander-in-Chief had for many days been conflned to hi.H
bed,* and had announced to the Government the necessity of
appointing a successor : and thiLs, after a cam{>aign interspersed with
the most dazzling triumphs, the English army entered into canton-
ments in the neighbourhood of Madras, with praspects for the ensu-
ing year, which offered little of cheerful expectation to the most
sanguine observer.
One prominent topic pervades the offical correspondence of Sir
Eyre Coote throughout the whole of this Ciimpaign, namely, " the
duplicity and iniquity of the Nabob Mohammed Ali's government"
The few remaining resources of the country, placed beyond the
control of the j>ower which directed the war, were employed not to
suppoi*t but to counteract the general cause. To the ordinary mis*
rule of a wretched native government was now added, in all cases
to which the power extended, the clandestine sale of the grain,
whiirh might have mitigated the distresses of the army, and the
remittance of the pecuniary amount to the privy coffers of lloham*
med Ali. Not one soldier paid by this sovereign prince accompanied,
as a mero demonstration, the annv which was now fighting for his
nominal sovereignty ; and while tliis army was actuaUy sustaining
the severest privations, Mohammed Ali, with an audacity of false*
* Palankeen in marching.
CHAP. XXUI.] MlSCUNnrcT nK .Mi»IIAMMKI) AM. 4!I9
hood. And iiiin^titudo to a ;n*oat aii<i (Mrly lK'iii-f:i<*tnr, ili-HtiiK'ii ilh
Sir Eyru LkniU* kuj»|mis('s to niislrail tlir Kiiirlixli* i-aMiit t. :i>|ilri*s*i«Ml
a letter Ui Lonl Miicurtiiry, aiitioiiiK-iii;^' liis 1 1:1 v if n; sii|i}iiii-.l tlio
anny witii an almndant sbin* ; and intiiii:itiii;^' llmt Udiliini; Imi
unnticeaHiirv dcluv piX'VciittMi the cxpiU.siitii of tlu* fiu'inv. Sir Kvru
CiK»te ha«I riMlLTiiti^d. ami the (iuvi-riior-(ft'iiiT:il liati sirnnirly iiii|iri-.vi-
rd un Loni MaiMrttirv tlic niTf<«.sitv <>t' a^xumiiiL' tin* «lir«i'l ii)aiiii;:t;-
niont of what rcniaiiuMl nt* this iiiisir«ivi'riir<i i*«»uiitry ; an>i Mi*li:iiii*
in«d AH hkilfiillv aiititMuiti'^l thr wnxi alMnii tin* i'1om> «•)' lh«' v«Mr.
by luuAt ^nu'iiiu.sly iisHnjulhtj a t-Miiiitry whii'h. if <'■<<« i/inr^ii nii uiniis-
fn^i-^tetl ^Minds. Ill i^ lit Hot havi* IkiMi >o cii^ilv ri?«t«>(v<l t>y \\\v iiiiiic-
fill intlULMU*e so otU*ll <l('p|M|-r<l.
In ]K:nisiii>r tin* v«ihiiiiiiious i-(irri'S|Hinih'ni*i' nt' Sir Kvrr (Ni.ite
from ihi*s4! wooils. it is in a a littl'' ninarkaMi-. tli:il h«* m-i-iii^ t«>
havi* U'fn ciitirrlv iiiiiiir«piint*«l tt'ir:o->iiiii: th«* lnr.tlitv or htn-nirth ot'
Cnandvr^rhiMTV. a t'lirtn--^ ^^itu.itrl in ihi* i-fuln- ot' lli«»Hf n»>4iiiiiv.H
wb«iM: fni'jiin-iitH li:i<l ^uli^i^tiil lii^ iirmv t'<>r lu'arlv tw>> iniiiths
and rna1»lt*<l him tn ii-lii \i> \i llnii- . iiif «*ui^i>ry ni«*iiti>»n \* ih.kIc dI*
tlie kiUi'iiar t*t' ( 'ii.iiii<iL}it n\ . :i- ■ ••ii'-iiniiiur with th«- auinil of
TrifN'ty. ill rount* r.n-tiir.: iii^ < ••ll> • I1 -ii <il' -u}>|<iii's : hut witlc.-.u :iiiy
intlication of U'iu>^ :i\\.it>- tii. t tii;- Liii**il:ir ua^ Ai'«liil W.thah
Klian. M«'haiiiiiif«l Ali'» |ip>tir>i- i>r tii.i: ih<' |<!.f->' wa** iMarly
ijn|in*^nal'l«\ aii<l r.i!<-iiiat> 'i. it' |>i;i-'>iai his •iisjm.-vil. 1.1 ht\i- a
inafuriAi iiitlii<-ii«'f \*\vv hi-^ t.it ii> ••;> :iti<iii^ iln' ( Mi\iriiiiii-iit at
Maiira.^ s«'iiiti-tl r<i h.iM- )"iii iiii:ti • •• ii>taii\ kt pt in tht* *<ini'- \jiu*»-
nUK**? : tlit-v i«i' ivitl ih'- ,11 •■ .lilt lit .♦'. ".iiipn-hT fri»ui >jr Kvp*
C'«»ot«\ nn«l iiotii*'' it in t )m ir n.ir i;iii\<> <■! ti in>.i> tii>ns. nn i(-l\ an "a
furl L'itrii'^ontMi l.\ iK.- N.i'.. .h- ti'»i-|.'» ll\<ii-i ^ ni*tii' tii^m half-
Hin«iiHi )iri>{N iisiiii*. h.fi iniM<*->i him t>i'jr.int un*{ii.-ihtli 1 iii'ii'innily
to thf >:iiT>- 1 (i-ni|ii<< •>}' l'ii;>ty only nin-* niili'^ lii-tant tiiiiii
i1iAiid«'Pjhiriv. l'» till- i\!« II? ••! II 'f » \.n int'ili-nnj with tin* i»;iv-
im*nt iif A tiihnt*' %>* Moiniinii.- i .\\\ t i ^.iiiii.n iH'ltinnitx ; tut his
o«nnt*fti<*ii With Ah.iuj U.ili i< ;. nx ';••{ m -.iiii.- i.tt^iiii.tv It
ran only !••• a.-it rt.uii' i v. iVi i'it.i.:;'\, tiii! h.-: .ir l':*«' ;:iv.k^i>«ii,
thin |i«*r^iili h:i>l •'••! |i -I' 'I.;- ! \\ !!i ii\ :•• \\..x\ \ti^\.\V*'\ M ih-Oli-
nw*«l StTiiuiii r. w.i" •• ■ n i:j ■ ii. ;• n V,- !:: ■: '\.\\ ■■I l!i« .ii\:i*iiiii.
aii*i ha\ ih'j ** ••'ii .it'l<i \v.i! \- •:! |> :' ', •:;'. .1* • •:.iiiiui.:< i**<l lii-«
iita^C'-r N iiii*»\iti t'» :i i' I*' • !:• li li w : .! !• !j i". i i \ i« r '^ i- -;!• 1 jip*-
Ittbly t<* •li-niaii'i lii^ [•!• • :i< •- rt •.ii..i< .1; tii< h< .I'i ••• .'i.'^ *.i •'{•'«'.
HydtT. at*t« r lif.iiin^Mh' 1 ■ 1 t< • ? • is a i ^v t> : • l! u M.t<> .1 |.i ^inn.
aijii ••\il:\i:iii- i a! -III. I * ti.i ^ r :».■ . ?. I -i \ . .j .-.v .!-■•:• -n^ .iri 1 li.i\f
I ••X|i»'iiiit •! I p»if* t'lf t!.' pii;--- •■! I-'-..' " \ X.kI i«.\ I »i\'-»T *
kfluni t«* \i»ur uiiithi' -< in. f* i . <i ! i- . ': .*:. 1 1 • \j' • * m- .it \\i-*
llii*kati ; liiilir 1: O' l\ .'M- : ! i- !■• i:n •■: ^l '..m.Iii- i >• ir-li r.
' I . ' ■ I ■ . . «■ ■ 1 1. '. ■.. ' '
• \ t. •
; "P ■ fi I !■ I. • ■ I t- ■; •. ' .. ;i : .■ • \'. . . • • ii I i. I • • ' i!:i
|-«rt iit^*
500 IIYDER'S TREATY WITH THE DUTai. [CHAP. XXIIL
Abdul Wahab, who usually resided at Chittoor, suddenly retired to
the droog of Chandergheriy, which he prepared for defence. Hyder
was not at leisure to undei*take the siege until January 1782, when
Abdul Wahab Khan, {)osse8sing a superabundant store of grain,
capitulated without the most remote necessity, on the condition*
of being permitted to retire with his property to Madras. A previous
breach of faith (of what nature we can now only conjecture), waa
Hyder's apology for disregarding his own ; and he ordered the whole
family to oe sent to Seringa|)atiim, with the exception of two grand-
daughtei's, who were detained at Arcot for his own future pleasurea.
This brutal outrage was, however, not accomplished by Hyder. The
children were of too early an age, and the consummation meditated
by the father, remained to be exacted as an hereditary claim.
During the operations which had occupied Hyder's personal
attention to the army of Sir Eyre Coote, his troops m the southern
provinces of Trichinopoly and Tanjore had not been inactive.
After his departure from these countries in June, considerable
exertions had been made to collect a field force at Tanjore, whi-
ther Colonel Brathwaite had been sent to command. Hyder had
drawn his accustomed circle of desolation about twelve miles
round that fort ; but with the exception of the capital, the whole
country was in his undisturbed possession ; the revenues were collect-
ed with the greatest regularity ; every fort was well garrisoned,
almost every Pagoda fonified, and a well equipped field corps was
prepared to act as circumstances might requira On the commence-
ment of hostilities against the Dutch, a defensive treaty was con-
cluded between Hyder and the (lovemor of Negapatam, by wliich
the English district of Nagore and other places were ceded to the
Dutch, and measures of reciprocal co-operation were concerted— on
the one part, for the security of Negapatam ; and on the other, to
procure for Hyder any aid from that gsirrison which might be
necessary for maintaining his ground in the province, or eventually
for the reduction of the capital. So soon &s the forces under Colonel
Brathwaite had become, by successive reinforcements, sufficiently
strong to leave the protection of the ca|>ital, his first object was to
attempt the extension of hL<( resources, by the capture of the nearest
j>osts, but his troops being exclusively native, and those of the
enemy chiefly select spearmen, i)eculiarly adapted to the defence of
places, he failed in two successive attempts at carrj^ing by asMMilt
two different places, the first having been dismantled and the garrison
removed after the assault to the second. In the latter of these
operations, he had himself been wounded, and had ordered Colonel
>iixon from TrichinoiK)ly, to assume the intermediate C(Hnnuaid of
the troops, which had been recently augmented by the arrival of
two corps from the moi-e southern districts, to about S,500 men.
The first efibrts of this officer were more successful He besieged
* Tlie autlior saw this person on liis return from prison in 1784, and
heard him relate Hydcr*8 breach of the capitulation, but not ita alleged canac
CHAP. XXIII.] SIR H. MUSRO BKSIEGGS NEQAPATAX. .^01
and took two plocofl, by plai!ing hin (ifficors niul sorjeants rI the
head of the forloni h(»i>o, losing in tiio latter of th(*se (i|N*niti(iiiM
upwanlM of throchuii«lriMlotiii*orsan<i iiioii ; «iii«i it in nMiiarknMt*. ihat
he aiksigns an a ruaMon f<ir n(»t l»csii';^Mni; Hiufthrr \Atice, thnt it wam
defended by the " fauiou!« Papiiiairoo" of f 'liittMoHMj, whu, with hiH
own hardy irrcfvulars, had di*fi*iidi'<i Ixith tlio pkurcH from which
Colonel Brathwaitti had \hh*\\ ro|»uIsi'd.
Colonel BrathwaiU* w«lh hdod aft«*rwaniK Hutfiriontly riNNtvenMl
to resume thit commnnd, and iinK^ctNieii towanis th«* ciifUiyH field
force, which waM stron;;ly jNistt^d at thi* villat:c nf Mahailaiiatjun, an
inaulated M|N)t, covered by field wttrks. aini HumiundtHi by rice
awaui|N«: the attiU'k was Judiriou.sly {»iaiitini aini well ex«H*utod,
with only 2,*»(M) men and ci'^dit ^utis, apiin.^t nearly duu})|f» the
number of men, and six gxius Mtron^ly |H»st4Hl. AftiT a chwi* «'ni*<iun-
ter of Acveral honrs, in which every stre(*t wan ilfffMidtni, Hyder'a
forcea retreaU*d in dinonler, with <;reat Iohs, and leaving Udiind
them tw4) f^uns.
Sir Hect<»r Munro's health had Uvn si> much imiNiire*l. that
•oon afViT the Ivittit* of l^>Ilil•>re. In* was adviKtsl by hin n Helical
friendrt to |l^oce(^4i to Kn^lanil fi»r it.*< n'-eH(abIi*«limfiit ; and Sir
Kvre Co(»t4\ who had uniform I v f^nnd him nn cxccllfrit H<'riin«l in
command, iuis«*nt4Mi with pivat n'liictJinc**, t<o tlit* n^'^H's^ity i»f bin
departure* While waitini: at Madras for an ••{•|Nirt unity tii eminrk,
he hail vieldeil tn till* wishes of I^»rii Marartiii*v. that he shiaild
aMume the direction nf th«' sie;;i> •>!' Ni*;^:i|i!iUnii ; fir whieh the
requiMite e(p)i|inient'< were eiiiKnked on the tb'«*t under Sir Kiiwanl
Hughes, anil arrived otl' Nai^^oir. sitii:it«*d :i ffw miles to the north-
wanl «if Ne;:ii|i;it;iin, aUmt tite *JOth ••!' Oi-t'ibiT The Kiii;lisli field
o)r|M. wliieh liaii U'en o|H-nitiii'^' in the |ini\in<*i' of Tunj^n* and had,
an we have st-en, I'stabh**)!'-'! it- Mi|»*ri'»rity i.mt tiiat •-!* liie eni-niy,
waa dt**itinei| to form a lii^*'* n'nii'iir.il ]HiTti<in <f t^*- l<«"«i'*:;iii^
fun**' ; an»i i ' tjoni-l Mritliw.iH«- !• finiinj {** tie- i li.ir j*- ••!* !li«- i-.ipitjd
of the jip»\ ile*-. ti.t:i' ii'- i ..!i iii^ iii -j- ".i) !■ tr-i-.j h u!ii«r ihi- •••m-
niand of' t 't»!<<ii« 1 .\i\"n. w li.. :iii!\i- i :ir \.i.«!i- i-n tl.-- 1*I'»V and in
view i't' the tl>'t. Mi;ti<- .i M'li;!* i ^iTi-l • mile !.:!\ st . . .-!'u] iitt.ltk
fin th'* eM-iii V ^ t r .H.j.-. ;n i!|. ... • •» f!.i:i • \ .ii i.it »'i j N.i.'ii- Nir
ili'i tor Mniiii* \i* ht lii.iiii : i!' i\ ■•:! -i i I -i tfi- | ifj- "t" • iii' rt •
in;; the i«<|'i:<it*' iiit^^'iTi - tin* ii. ui".-' •■! I..'- l!» t t .i:. i .i l.irjf
dirta« hiih lit I't xi'^ihe n \\* n l.iii>:> i .!!• i Cm • ri^.'.< • i :i'tl •• :..•■! «>;ii- i-r
i»f artill*-! v t-ininiehi • >i tin i-ii ;i ti it : i:- le- '-^ ^n \ :ii t i.i i !• ^'••■« ti\i*
de|kiitnieiit 1 A < )i.iiii ••! li\'- I'-i !'■<. ixTtii'Ti i \'\ •::.• H i-i tile
nurthw.kiij it' N«M.i|»;it.«;ji iini-l le > » -•'» ;: :.\ U- I- i. ■ i I- : .|i ti- ii< lii*<
o»ulil Ik* o|«*ii'-i1 )Mti>ii- ti.<- }-!.u •- . .iii'i tf;.o «>|>«*i.tt ^"'i li.is .11^ iH'i'ii
eff'il***! bv .1 i'i>inbini-d .iti i* k. pl.tiiii- -i .n i # \« ■ "iT- i iii a liM^ierlv
Uianiii T. aiel wttii iitll-- • •iii|.ii.il:v«' '. '^^ -ii tl.»* -'•tfi if < •• l"lvr .
trencin-"* ^'T^- ojMiii' I ..II tie* .'M -t N .\. 11.1*1 .'iil t!i" i^latv
• M;^ ili-l .If ft I 1 ! . ' ■ . . • ■ •' .. :. . I 1 y .1 *..n i. m !}. Ill *
au2i;u!i*<ii "rtuMt *\ ir.'.-- t:.. »mi:.i • : I*. ..; h
502 CAPTURE OF TBINCOHALLEE. [CHAP. XXHI.
surrendered by capitulation on the 12th. In this very remarkable
service, the numbers of the besieged doubled those of the besiegersy
who at no time exceeded 4,000 men ; while the besi^^ed, including
Hyder's troops, who had joined according to treaty, amounted to full
8,000. The rapid success of this operation is chiefly to be ascribed
to the impression produced by the peculiar energy and intrepidity of
the seamen and marines, in the assault of the redoubts ; and the
immoveable steadiness with which they repelled two determined
sorties made with the whole disposable force of the garrison. The
result of this invaluable co-operation of the fleet, was not only the
possession of a place intended to be a principal depdt for the expect*
ed French forces, but the evacuation by Hyder's troops of au the
posts in that part of the country, and Uie consequent command of
considerable resources.
The monsoon set in with such violence, immediately after the
surrender of the place, that the Admiral was for upwanls of three
weeks unable to embark the seamen and marines, who had per-
formed these valuable services ; and the ships were during the same
period placed in the most critical situation, from the^fiiiy of an
incessant storm, and the absence of a considerable portion of their
crews. Towards the close of the year, the moderate weather admit-
ted of embarking a detachment of volunteer sepoys, and artilleiy-
men, to aid in the reduction of Trincomallee and fort Ostenbuigb, in
the Island of Ceylon ; foi-ts which command the harbour of the
former name, deemed of essential importance to naval operations, by
enabling the power which possessed it to remain, during tne tempestu-
ous season in the vicinity of that scene, on which the national inter-
ests in India were about to be contested : and in this operation the
Admiral was successful
The period to which the garrison of Vellore was provisioned
oxi)ircil on the lotli of December, but some reliance was placed on a
scanty addition to this store by the means which have already been
described. Sir Eyre Coote had, as already noticed, made his arrange-
ements for embarking to proceed to Bengal, partly to concert with
the Governor-General the y)ossibility of some remedy, for the succes-
sion of wretched expedients, wliich served as apologies for equip-
ment ; but cliiefly because liis health had sunk under the pressure
of bodily fatigue and mental anxiety, to a degree that had induced
his medittil advisers to protest a^inst tlic fat;il consequences of hw
continuing in the field. The public importjince which the Govern-
ment attached to his presence, added to reports of serious ui^gency
from the commjiudant at Vellore induced him to acquiesce in their
desire : and althougli the Government, from a solicitude for his
health, rather wished that the immediate relief of that place should
be committed to sul)onlinate hands, the General conceived it a ser-
vi(*o of snrh paramount iniportan<'e, that he resolved to incur all
risks and every mortification to ensure its accomplishment, and
joined the anuy fur that piirjM>.sc on the 2nd of January.
CHAP. XXIII.] IIYDKIt APPRAItS IN KtimK. '»03
On Uie mominj^ of tlio otii, a little U-fure llu' l»rcjik of ilftv,
when tho army had Sit ruck tlirir rnr^iuiipnu'iit, iIk'h aUiut a niilf)
west from TripuMiore, Sir Eyre i\K»ti*'s vaK*t, mi i;ntorin;» liis tent U}
awake his niaHtiT, fuuii<l hi in seiisdoMs ; iin.Mlii'Hl nsni>tam*«: was
instantly oallt*(l, nnd he was ftiunil to U* in a tit i»f a|Mip|(>xy. For
nearly two liount, <luriii^ whirli littli* ho|N> \va.s eiiti'itjiiiieii tif lii?i
nscoverA', tho des|Kiii<ienry |):iint4*d <iii rvcry riaiiitrnaiuv. and
paitioulaily un tlioseof the ii:itiv«; tnio|K. whnv atUirlinitMil ami
ounfidunci* eX(*L'e«iiMi tlie hniiiids «•!' hiiiiiaii vciirr:itii>ii. and uliti <.N.iiild
witli ditKculty Ix* pvstniiiii'd frmii tnui'^ifrr^siii;; th*? limits iifdrtv-
nim, to satinfy tlieir anxirty, iirfs«'nt4'd :ilti>;:i'thtr a so-nt* «>f nn'urn-
ful inten'st Kx|in-NscM to Ma<lnis. vxritni a nirri'>)H»n<lirii; ilf*;,^!.*!)
of anprehenHion : an furufst rntn-aty frmii tlit* tMivcrnnifMiL nrLTcd
hia inimciiiattf ivturii, " fur thr prrMTvation ut'a litV* so viduaMc to
the State," and Colonel Liut; was onltTi'^i t«» tMk«* e\rtitual i-hnr;;iMif
the anny. \V|iiI«* thf (iov«Tiiniriil wuitiii with inipatii'nr*«.* f«>r thn
return uf tho (leui'ml, int«*Ili::rii('i' was hiiin;jht. tliat ht* had nrin-h-
ed un the nrxt nmniin;^ fu* tlii» n-liif i»l" V«*lli»n'. -n I'.ir n'r.»vrn-«l. ai
to admit of his iM'itiLT rarrii**! in :i |>.i!an<|tiin. Ni>tliiii;: material
oecurnni until the !H)i, wlim alnnit t<i i*i><*«m tin* ilry )*>><1 ff thi* r)\rr
Poony, the entMuy n|i|>raM-'i in fi'ii-i'. <<ii thf ••{f'ti^it** li^mk Tho
eontliien<*o i»f this rivi-r with ihi* Talir. mIiJiIi ♦!••«'. t'l-iii il:f wi-t,
is inimciiialfly n|i|Misiif tt> Aii "t \ • Jiii<- is si(<i.i*i .1 ..n ili<- sum*
hank of till* I'alar, alMiut tith-i-n mili ^ t'.i:-ti.*r !•• tii*- w> .!\\a;<i. :ind
the cniirM* of ihf I'miiHV l.t ill;; t"i"iit llr- ii-:t}i-\\i -t. I'hf Krijii-»h
army vras now at n* arly tin- -.ii:i" ili-t.!:;- •• t':"iii Vill-if an! An-.t
The arran:;i>nii nt-^ nfSir Kxi-- l'"-l". i^r |»i*"»inj thi- ri\«r. \vi r-*
ma«l<* with s(i iiiMih rantioit aii'i kill tliar ll\<it r lii-^i-ti i U -m li:^
ilit«*ndi''i :itt:uk. hut t*\\ \i\*- • ij-^'iiiii; •l.«y. ii\l*v inaM ii:!ij aUut lix--
niiloA. his army a|i|ii-aii-ii in two ]*<.w.it'iil loiinnii-. iHinitiiij t«-\v.ki<i«
ihi* Irft and ihi' par. jii-t a* tL*- i«"fi\'»y \\«:« • :it \:\^ .i \s.kiii|i "\
ri(x* ^jPMinil-. whjih nui^t ii« « •^>,iTii\ U j.a.^^. | >.r |!\!f i"...i.-,
din*rtin;^ lii«» «\rlii-i\i' attt'iit:<>n t>> tin | :•-• !\ it :■ ii - 1 ll. •■'■':.% 'X .
caUMil laiii liii;^riii»' l** taki- "•••jarat*- I -it • »:.•:•■[ j- -il: -r.- ti
lit-A-y tin- I iniiiy in th' -k. at a - iiitai-I-- «!: t-iT:- ••. ;ii:i - .«i- ' .\ * •Tii.--
sc»-ii<iiiii; tit n"ti> i- a ili**i.ii.t Imt iif'^vii.! • I'lti- :. i !• •! t'<tii L i! «.
whii'h |ihh1ui'i'I f' w i-;L-oiial;i< ^. |iix»'| i-\* v ti.-- wii !■ iii -.i!- • •, .
enranipiriL' I'n t) inn- «\> iijij. al->nt fmr iiii.- < fr>iii \*Ii •!'■ \ui
chiM* un<ii r It ^ Will < xn tilt- llth. U iiij th<- ]>!••• i«< *\.i\ *u^\}..'''^
tho ('iimman<l.iiit h.til a!ii]<'ii:' • I l>v • \|>ri «^. tli.it Im' nri^'. t «.i
rilv .Hiup-n-h' . if n-t ii'.i'X-l. aii i tli* ii-ri'i.il h.il t:.- -a»; l"i. i. !i
til ih'fNt^it uiiinijiain 1, a ^l-ii* Kf |'r<i\ ; <i •!! . i ^-;.ii t" liit* ni !i'.}ki'
oontum|*tii>ii.
(Ml thf I'tth lit* •'••nmifh. ■ d hi<« r-tiiin tuaii- \Iiir»- ai. 1
Ilyih'r a|»|"ari'l in tiill f 'r- f. t.. .|; j.-if. !,:- p.i- .ij . w: fi.. wi!i ••
SVkami*. •ill*- iii\ :^.<ri • t i.> ;ii i!i\ i...tki?ij .-i •■ -i<- <.t • :■ t • •>;:•••■ ili«*
hfAil of tht* )>i:?iMi.i! i< !i:iiiii •! n.i?>!. u!.i.< .t!i rl.ti u i- .!. r.i]'iil
UiiitiMh t«( tail < ti ti.( II. n \\\,i.* ;! :• •! i \..\ \\ i i.t. .:.,.• '1 iii th*
504 UNAVAILING MAN(EUVREa [CHAP. XXni.
morass ; there was now less of impediment than had been experienc-
ed on the 10th, and the leading corps were enabled to cross with
rapidity, and occupy a position beyond the morass, which checked
the enemy in front, and covered the passage of the rear. The troops
sustained a heavy but distant cannonade, with little comparative
loss, (the casualties of both days not exceeding 120 men,) for about
three hours, when the whole having passed to the firm ground,
formed and advanced on the enemy, about four o'clock in the after-
noon. Hyder's line of infantry stood until the advancing fire of the
English artillery did some execution ; but Sir £vre Coote had the
mortification to see the cannon already far retirea before the infan-
try gave way : the pursuit was continued until dark, but the guns
kept increasing their distance; and it was midnight before the
Ei^lish army reached the encampment to which the position of the
ba^^afie obliged them to return. On the 16th in the morning, the
army having on the preceding night occupied the same encampment
from which it moved to the fuHJon of Sholinghur, Hyder appeared in
full force, with an apparent intention of offering battle on the same
ground. The invits^on was not declined, but iSler ten hours spent
in unavailing manoeuvres, the army pursued its inarch to Tritany,
and the remainder of the route to Tripassore, was without incident
END OF VOLUME I.
A PPKN 1)1 X
No I
Suici writing; till H |»a:)h.u;o.* I have «tl)t:iiiitHl from tla-copy nf Mi*nu, in the
pOMcteioii «if the ruiiiiit nf thfOiuirt :it .S-niiK'HpAtMin. :i tr iii^rriiit of thtfti«
tdtii, fur till' |iiir)HiM' of iM'in^ rollatfil ninl ixiiiiiiiuAi Uy Mr. VAlm ; aiitl I
■abjfiin, witlnmt furtliur oftHLTvatimi, tin* iiik'MnciH mid U-ikriifl imti' with
which he hiw fa%'orc<i iiu*. ItMviiit; the p:t'i4.iji' :i<i (•ri^inally written, for the
nCufAction of th(Ho reatlern who may think proper to prcft-r thi* copy and
timnalatiuu uf Sir William Joncd.
a^if, h^ Mr. Kiiis, oil tht :i'\*Jfh i/r/ J 13'/ V.rsfs ./ thf EujKik
i%il*tfr "f Mtnu.
Mcnn, in hi.** ninth rii.ij«t«r. .nri- vit-»i- 41. v.», :.3. «i''V. mikr-* frt''|iiont
BCDtitm of the l.inil-MwniT. .iml in r^wAx tfrni< .i^ !>> Ii-im- ri'i iI-i'it'T tliit whiii
this aiu'irnt work w.l.-* wntt<-n. ]iri\.i;t' ]ir ■prrty m ! lU'l txi«!<l in Tii«1i.'l
BtAiAlrn tht'M-, thf only twn trxt^ nl.it:!.^' tn tiii < "lilj^t nrt- \i r«i •> 'J.T* iMtl
S43 of the ii^htli titmlc. ihi- littrr of wlji« h i- - • !r irt.! ilt <1 .k« lift i'lily t^i
mdrr <loii}itt'iil wh.it in thf priculitiK' "M-iitinn I h.ivf ^\ itttl ti> U' without
doaKt, liiit i-niinly tn ilfttpiv tlit- notii>n t!. tt pri^ /i- i-n-p^ rty in 1au>1 ohtaiu-
•d aiuoiiif till* pnniiti\f inli:Lliit.nit^ of thii* n .:ii'ii "^ tin r irth
230 -- " I^'t tlip owm r of tin* tul»i f!i,'loie i? wi!li :i h»'tL'i- 'ftK>ruy f ' ints,
over whirh n r.iinfl i->>'.iM not lnok . .iikI id hiin >top «>vi>rv t:^\'. thro:i^'h
which .1 lioK or .1 U'.ir f*"iiiil tlini-<! Ii> l.i nl
24:«. "If lin<l I'l- ii.i'iriii l.v ti.r f.tilt -■•* t)..- f ininT. ' 'M, i' '■' '"ii.'i r»
«Mr If ifi tiuf tim* )^ \\v i«h.ill It tiijiti tin tiiKi • i-< nr.i< li l-« \\\v if j > *\.\Tv
^ tKr rr'ffi thiit VM'jhf "*htru\if '■*' t.irui . ]■•:• . iiiy Ii^• t::iit * i* i;. i ?i if it
wat thf f.iult iif liM M-r\ intH wit}ii>-ir I.m i.i."\\ • •!/•
'Ilir wordit in it.iln'^ tl'i imt •!■ --ir in ?li« t« %:. '■ ;• .iri fli« ^•'■'■•<' • ' f: I'lri
Bhutu.
In thr f:r«t iif tln-io tvit<» .m • I. f ! ir. 1 ] « iiii'n!: >ni I in tt.. . ..tj.|
ft **/«trM'r' iiiily , lirit mi nf« r«'ni'' t.. '•.•■ . rij.iii' •!.• • 4i:.« v 'i-l .ii ; .r* t.i
h« U*r*| to ripri-S't win* i-* li« n- •■ -i;:!! :• i.!i . r : »i. ''. I'l 1 *). • H.ir.l . i. t!i
Inl* I* r#'i/fr.i r.irf I. liSnlSy. ! ir.ii-.r-i. ' f.. t.r ■•::.#■::.!■. r ••:•*:•■. •; ■ ii.-i
Cfthrtrani l»rin>r nntlrrM hmI in tli> :!r-! s it -•n - .:.' ■::•♦•■• i-vi.^* m
the Tcrne iinn)i^li.ktvly prrriHiiru' I* i|'''> irv t:.i n : :• . »• r-: - .- '>• *'.• Jikl
vtrvr. .uiil it« ?!■.■*•*. irttrin-l it« >1 \\ ^:r W ..\\ in. J. :.• ». v. .' •:■■ ' . '-.i * i-'i.
the |»riniiti\«* ln>ii.^n 1 ti.tlli<ililfr. uaji ^iriHvT *■•*.;.• .' i. . k! :.!:•! ir I
iatrrfrn nci- 'if th*- ••!!;.*ir ^-f • i«v. rrjr:jt !.t :!i •'. ■ ■ i!'. ■,•.-.. ' ■.:i!i'. !•
whrrr\••r thi-***. fri^m u'n>'rin<-i' -r ■•■»!::*•. f. .j • i r . • : ? ? : I f . .!! m i!!i
hu fu«*de of c<in<liii-!:nj i^Tvilftiril liUr. I:.- » k. I. .■•••■ t ' '. t r- ■ * n
IBff tLr " kin>; 4 ^lurc ' xin -uti.. ai-. r i;i..' !■• \*' < .» . in ■ nr
inatAnce. fiur siilhi ni'iri* thiD tl.. ^i. !.- ]-r-::.t i-. it. •■•: !* -.i!f.-»f
it the CiK^trj r jrf j. m ilcf-iiicf ..f thi p i-j'tv*" ti t i!.:n.r "*•*■•» r I. • m.v. ?
• V^tr% 71/ ! • "-
506 APPENDIX.
therefore be conaidered as the lord of the land, the proprietor of the soil : anil
these considerations, probably, induced Sir William Jones in this text to
render the word "/arw^?-," though he had before translated it ** owner.''
•* Farmer" even is a term too independent for such a wretch.
There are some reasons, however, which would lead to doubt both of the
correctness of the ^loss and of the translation. It is in the first place to be
observed, that the division of the chapter in which these texts are found is in
the original called Swamipahna pracaranam, the division respecting the
protection of masters or owners of cattle : this pracaranam commences with
verse 229, and ends with verse 244 ^ and the introduction of these texts, there-
fore, in this place is altogether incidental. Menu, in this nlace. certainly
does not intend to prescribe rules for the conduct of cultivation, or to
regulate the mode in which Government should proceed towards the culti-
vator for the security of its interest in the produce : this must necessarily
have had place in the preceding chapter, it the legislator had chosen to
notice it all. Having in the commencement of the pracaranam stated the
extent of the responsibility of the hired servant in case of loss, accruing to the
cattle entrusted to him, he proceeds to lay down rules respecting damages
done by the trespass of cattle on land. As a general security against such
damage, in which the State, which by law is to receive a share of the
increase, is interested as well as the proprietor, he directs, in verse 339, that
fields liable to trespass from their neighuourhood to pasture lands shall be
sufficiently enclosed. Verses 240 and 241 contain the law as relating to herds-
men and owners, when damage is committed either in enclosed or unenclosed
fields. Verse 242 excepts certain descriptions of cattle from any fine ; and
verse 243, the text in (question, proceeds to prescribe the punishment to be
inflicted on the proprietor of tlie land, if aamage be sustained by it, and
consequently by the interest of the State in the croj) upon it, if he disregard,
or permit his servants to disregard, the law as prescribed in the Terse 239.
Under this view of the context, the introduction oy the commentator of the
first sentence in italics (as ifhefaiU to sow it in due time J is manifestly
founded on misconception, as Menu makes no reference whatever to ioss
sustained from ntffUct in sowing, but damages sustained by the trespass of
cattle from neglect in enclosing lands : this meaning is corroborated by
reference to the original, in which the word layam, which, as a legal teno,
should be translated damage, means literally damage by positive i^fmry, de-
struction by violent means, and never mere loss from accident or neglect, which
the legislator would have expressed by the appropriate term nashtam, had he
meant what his commentator attributes to him.
Still, however, a great difficulty exists in considering the Cahetra Carta
as absolute proprietor, while he is subject to the enormous fine directed by
the text itself to be imposed on hiin. In verse 232 of this pracamnam, the
herdsman, when neglect has caused the loss of a beast, is only liable to make
it good ; but here tne landholder for similar neglect not only makes good the
loss sustained by the State, but forfeits the actual produce of his land, and is
fined nearly as much again — a punishment preposterous under any mode of
land tenure, but absolutely precluding the idea that the holder so liable can
be proprietor of the soil.
A reference, however, to the text as it exists in the aoathem copies
obviates this difficulty, and affords a clue by which the error which misled
Sir William Jones in the translation of this text mav be detected. The
following translation, compared with the original ana Sir William Jones's
version, will explain this.
OBIOINAL TBXT.
Cshetra Carta laye dandah
The Land Lord on account of^
MS to be punished,
damage )
API'KNniX. ■■•*>7
bhut^ad d:iaa k^i»*' lih.ivit
from the prmiiKc a tenth rate In* it
lad ardiih.i daiidi* hhrvyunaiii,
t*f th.it half the puiiijthiiifiit uf the iii>Klif;rii<-iri
Ai:iiy:ili:it Cnh.iitriiMsyik tu
fiuiii i^iHM.iiK'i* (if lii*4 l.dHtrer
n ///<f M/'i III. ■ -'I'll i<4 witpl oi^'iiil'.i ^, }iiiii..iril\. i-iijiiyniMit . M'l-niiii iiily.
the produc*' lit j.iiiil. nr nt ;iii> linn,: th it <- ui }>i' « m^ynl i! iii.iy iiumii htrr
Uu* elltirt' I lij«»yiiliMlt, thr wln.lr l'i«.i|i|i I', tin- /•'•rfi..n //i/.,'/"/ |.y tlir «'*Jn-»r.i
Carta. t»r thi* j''trti"U ruj»U' I Ky llu* S:.i!r 1 ):f ».'l.ii:ili..t!|> .il I 'iiii!! :• :iii|i
Aplirar^ ti» f.ivtir tin- fi>iiiirr \n* iiiiii^'. tiii<'.if:ii thr \i<>i«i in i\ .«: ui>l iii .i|-|i*i'«i
lluii nith Cnhftr.k l'.irt:i. uhi<h im-iiiisih th<- ftinin-r }>.irt nf tin -* i.*. ::• i- .
but i( i":iiiii<it hr.ir :iiiy riiiiih t-lifii Willi 1! i; i.m\ lii«-li is nnw lure t \|>i 1 i*i
undvr^liHHl . till* p'lii.iiiitiii «i: tt:*^!*^-. Ti.rrt :••:«■. n tinvly. ti.r \\x*x*\ " l-isiji,
anil thf w<irii<« " itt the t.'rii|> tli.it mu'l.t I'thi m i<i- h i\f lutn r li^t-d.' I'tui'illy
irri-lr^Aiit l{hi>,:it iH thr iit;li ••: ii'lif i\i' <'i*i-. imHuI }<y >.iii«i-tit »:r.t ..ci.i-
naiM .iy:iiUiiAni. the Uikmj jH'fi,. J » <iuw -U'ltilf". ]riii..ir:i\. •{i. ii-:>. I.isr
rat* It i<« III till' .iim^uIa;. .iii>l »:••'. i-rif ti.i- w:!> *}t'\-* :\ /'i«r. m
Cntiip*i*'iTi<iri. In^ .f* nftfii :i:i ••r<iiii.tl i^ .i miii.t r li -...'M!'.!- »::"ii Me -•.{ii*.
traii"! itii-ii nt till- !t-it tlii-ri li-r*- ii
"Till" liii'ii-irii M »•» J'l' |'iMii>)it.| in r iM- ..t i .'li ij' !•;. i • 'if '^ • ' .i
t^lith p.irt <'! !tii> p:>Mlii>-r. ••! hi.t'o! tlii*. U Ii><:ii \\\* i.>.'!.^*i:. : iiii
Utnirrr. iiitl.ii'i^wi to lii:!). '
• hi riiiiii iTMiK' thiH wirii >!r \V .l.-i,. , s tr u. .1 i!; u. i* i . . \ ;ih : f t : ,r i.i-
muit \\\\v ri- I'l l"' .- ti \l ii.t'"t r. r.tiy. i.r : ■ ■ ■• i! i i.--! f. at \» :iVt ii " t' u •;:: i «
ftft iiiU<'li .1^ \\.»- i'*'. »ii«li i<l III ".iN:i''i •■:!!.• |i>»i:<t t. i* :f . . .ii«-
rrrpiii'V I- f i«:i\ r- ■ "!.• ;!• -1, l-v luj': -.ii^ ::,r «.■:•! /'i.i .i ?.• i.. ^.f.-:.:,»id
in tl.i- iiui !hi III •>>|>:(-« til. l''.-'t:.iT. .)i,>i tt.i :i 1 liin- ••! tiiii \ir«t * ■ '■■■
rro'l
A" r n:- u .1. til'- ••" r«-. .i •.•■i/li r i!t . \.% it.
wLirh •■■.:.'l .vT'S'l -'rM « . r I-.r M< t: i:. !»rj n. n.-.-i^-r ;t w :..i :. •
ri|>lA.ti w li) l.f It !:•!• I' '1 ;;• " . .11 tl.<' I'i ir II. • 'i • • « l.i!. : i.i v . ■. • . i- ?
!■ ih !}.!■ -il.^Mi; ir Ti.t 1 1 . i:.. '•.*...■. rn I;: • !. il ■ i' • l. »• j ■ • .* r. ..i •
anil thi' -iii-^iiiiit:iiii ■■:'•.■ I • • ■" '« ; r I.: . •! 1 I", . t ..K. ?. I , ■ • i,
rin '•■■;■;•■■•. j-ii-^ii-'i !> !" ':.■ :.m.i • ?«.;:■ i I;- •• , , ■ . .. •
cDilf t\<iriii^ !•» Ft li.i r ? '.. •, I ., . I 7 J. .•', If. . jr.. .. i., .. • i . r • • r •
• ••rd " kiHiT-. ' w iti. M" ( . . : .■ • . »l j . !.. .Ki - • : . v. . : ■. ' ^ ! ; i*
«r'*rtii<iii« f.:n !■' w :.i' li ! • • ■ * •..:.■:■.■.:.: i ; .^ ■■'•••.' .• . • - #•
nii'lr ••! • 'riir- • :i* i '>.•■.. . .*" 'i. ::■'. r:, ,■..:•,■..;• ■ i . ■ ■ :,
thr Mii^liiii •-■••i 1 »■ •: • I • • . ; •.•:■ I..-: '-..••■.. . ' ' . ■,
ftfUtid. li '•'. fii r .r. «■ »-. ■ . ■. . :. ■ . . s . ■ ».. ,.•
Uira! f •':*:« :y. ii:.ii./?ii :!.'• ; ••.:-.■•.:• iv ...•■•.. w .. .i • ... 'j
tbr^C U • iTi' I* .•■li I ni *. !l • • .. ;..■!■. ., ,11. ' ' ■ O
■ *
anriiiit l-»>k^ in < «{ i - * •-' v ■ •
N.. II
veriui. wri!trii j »::.) i:i A' . , •
7ilH«i/.
Is I r^Mii «;•'.':.. :• ■.
d-.rii:g ll.f tT'Vi ,!,■• t ? • ;.•■.!■ / ■
■ ■
t508 APPENDIX.
the year of the Hindoo cyde Plava^ viz., A.D. 1301, the sun being in the
siRn of Aquarius, iti the first fortnight of the moon, on the eleventh day, being
Thursday, under the star Poonur pooshum.^'
** In the land of victory, Chola Afundalum" (Coromandel) — then follows a
detail, showing; tlie division, the township, and the quarter of the township —
'* MooiUliar Nacheyar^ otherwise called Yellantalayal, daughter of Tomoondi
Achache, the slave of Peroomal among the Dasicul, dancing women, (announc-
ed) ** of my own consent my own Can^atchi^ two manaa situated." — Here fol-
lows a detailed account of its boundaries, the property beini^ a nmall patch
within the town. — " These two pieces of ground of mine, in the midst of these
four boundaries, I consent to sell. Who will buy ? Thus she proclaimed ;
which being heard, then answered Ayapaningar^ son of AnnaCvojtaningar.
of the tribe, kc, Jrc. If you sell at my price I will bujr." Then the stid
woman (repeating her names) and the purchaser Ayapaningar, both s<iid, we
consent and agree for current money without blemish, pannums* twenty-
seven. — ** These two grounds, with their groves, trees, shrubs, and para.Hitical
plants, all these I have sold and have received the monev without objection,
and have delivered my original bills of sale ; there is no doubt with regard to
(the title oO these grounds : if any doubt should occur, I will stand up and
remove it. These grounds he may sell or grant in charity to any one, and
alienate at his pleasure ; and their price being fixed at auction at twenty-seven
?)anams, which I have received without balance, thev are hereby trans-
erred to Ayapaningar, son, ike, with full consent, by Nacheyar, &c., in the
presence of Aroolala Veejayaramum.
(Signed) Aroolala Vssjataeamum.
The second, an inscription on copper, begins with the usual invocation ;
and after reciting the praises of the King (Deva Rayaof Vgeyanuggur,) in
thirty-three extravagant compound epithets, proceeds : —
*' When he was ruling the kingdom in the year of the Cali Toog, 4517t
of Salivahan.t 1349, (A.D. 1416) after the year (of the cycle) Plawi; the 2l8t
of Maasee ; the 5th of the increasing moon under the star Kogany. On. that
auspicious day was written this bill of sale.
'* In the land of victory, TondiCt Mundalum. in (here follow the diviaionfl
and subdivisions) the village or township of (Joom Jfungalnm, situated, Ac
Ac. Hfootoo Naig^ the son of Andiawi Naick^ of the caste, Ac. Ac, who rtades
in the village of Velloda, situatea near the said Coom Jfiinya/vm, he and
his relations 0am, agreed or united (proclaimed.)
'' The village of Velioda, half ot which is my Canyatehi, will anybody
* What the value of the panDom of that day may hare bMO, I do not know.
t There has probably been some error in copyine or engraving one of Umm dales. A
learned paper by Mr. Davis, in the 8d Tolnme of the Asiatic Reeearchei» pi. 16,traoei
astronomically the source of an increasing error, amounting in 1791 teeteven jean,
between the reckoniug of the Deckaa and that of Benares ; and the date of tbii dociUBeni,
according to the year of Salivahan, differs to that exact extent from the reekoning of the
Deckan, which would bring the two modes of reckoning, viz., the Call Toog and SallTabaa,
to coincide in A.D. 1416 ; still, however, the year of the cycle Plava wonM differ six yean
from the coincidence of the other two. But exclusively of the probabtli^ of error ta the
copy, it appears to mc that farther investigation is necessary for unravelling aome varia-
tion's of reckoning in different parts of India, which do not seem to depend on astronomical
errors. For example, the astronomers of the Deckan reckon the commencement of the
era of Salivahan in the year Pramadet, or the 13th of the cycle of sixty : while thoeeof
Mysoor reckon its commencement in the preceding^ year Bkcmdania^ or the 12tli ef the
cycle ; and this difference of one 3rear appears to be mvariable In all Inicriptieiis ancient
and mordem of thoee two countries.
X Tonda Mundalum was the portion of Ckola Mundalum, which cot responded nearly
with wliat is named at this time the province of Arcot. It extended along the noart, frem
rhe<ldember (Chillumbrum) to paliacate, and westward to the llitt range of hitti. h
receives this name from the ton of the Chola RiOt, who fubdaed it.
APPENDIX. r>09
bay mj half villoKe ? thus he pntclaimcd. Tbew wortla beiiiff liranl were
■Mwered iu the; Mid MuudaluuL, in the sauI iliviMioii, in thv Miid Nxid. i'ntu
Ptrria Uryomoo S'Uy, of ihi* vilhiKo of WniiaiiUkuni. «»f iht- Vya.^ i » a-iti-, hr
and hid kimlred with one con<*rnt unrtwerol. We will liiiy. Then tin- a;iiil
parties (rejieutinfr thvir nanuvs) o^ced Ami tixcil the priro in the pn-^i iin* uf
the hrnmint of (*nnm Atnngahivis at one humiriMi ami twcuty-tivo luw V:iruh:i
(Faxoda.<« ."* Here follni^.i the nira*<iir«' III flit of thr Liim!:*. uhii h I r.miMit
reduce for want f»f a knowK^i^e ot the v.ilu*' iif thr Jiin-U'rit !nea.«iirt'^. " Wo
have j«oM oiir jart. aM<l n'«*eiviMl the eon-iiliriti'm or v.ilin- \\xv*\ 'I'hi^ \^
the price : twice : tliri<v : the wiiil diHj/uttht <if mir?* \i*\\ iii.iy iiij«»\ wliiK- Jlio
the nun unit Tn«M>ii i*ii<hire. There in no ilmilit in thi* tiilt" nf the ^ani
C^mfairhi. |f any donht orrur.s \\v htv rr;iily to rrMiii\i- i!.
" III confloi|neni:e of the af;retrni«*nt nf MiMitiN» \ ua .iii«l In- kimiit**! urh
Coim hronmfM Srtty^ we have thun enntirnieil it, anil k'r.intt'l thi'« iisil ^f -^ile
of our CaHyiUcki Uid."
'*T|iiH ii thf h:iii«l'Writin;; ut
"of till' viila^f of C'<Mi(u MiMU-ilum
8alMrrih«Nl hy ei^ht witnes<«f:< fntni
the aUivp rerit4-4i ami other
neigh bun rinc vil]-iKe.<4.
The tliird i-n a liill of s.ih- in the M'irken/i»' «'o!|i»r!niii. ,if nh: h I h.iw
heforr mr two trinHl-iri<>ii4. aiitl aJopt tfi it hy Mr cJi-ir/i- H'i»*'ii-*. \ in':\»" «f
In«lia. perfrrtly iMiivrr''aiit witli tip- T.iTnnI 1 ui/m t-'i . in wi :• !i tiji ituvi. lI
U written . an<i w4l!-infi>rni>Nl on tin* i/t-nrnl •luhii >-? i>r' linhm .vri'- .'/ :rc,
in which he at one time carrlfil on ron^iileraltlo «•{>!• ;i!. triors.
It«* it |»ro{.iti<in«« *
C>n thijt fi»rHin.iti» tliv. Moiplnv the l*^th i»f thf inoiith Ah%-anv. of ihf
war 'of thf ryi le K.ihlyiikfi f. in tlio yiar of Nif/i»fiAiin |T'J«». and «•( t^n- ''aii
Ymg 4^*99. hi'inir the thinl day of the inereaiinc ni«k(«n. iiinlrr the kti4|tiii.iiM
aonjanrtiitn and ha]ipy inMnfUff of the mnttcliatitini A^hiniftn- \\\'\ Mica
rvin ■ Ktttnii S'tu-m^y /'i'/-i *•( < 'iiiina'<»or. thr ^ofi of IViii-.r'.i.-^^/iiMi /'i/.'.f^ iHr
himself and hi •« hoii*»« fTf'iiti-i tht« de«*il of «i]c of I n;il Si f i.'n. in.i Sm '.^^
Pili^ Tint \* t«i *ay <*f tht- twrnfy «ij:Iit ttt ih!i-«h«d *J i?« < ■■? «'';i:i. i*.-.r.
I have inivlf .1 full anil »*iifn]ili-fi' '..iIi- to Viiu of iitv i-nn two -hi'i* " r-tjn i.,r
•Be hnndriH) rhM*'kruni»i . and you hivitii; i>aid. uid I hi\in^ rf<ri\*.i tin ^nil
one hnfidr«"il rh'ii'kruin * d-r tl-i - li^l tw.i m], iri* thiTi ! :••. p"«Hi «••'•■ ?! ui' 1,
panj I * »«-t niid 'Iry I »n«l'. I •ri . • kT.ivt -. ,• irdt !i» \ ■'. '•.1 w i*rr w- -s .•.•!.
and lri-i«»nri'^ . thf w»Il til I? i« 'Ml*- *•■ ni" i!h. Mn' Vt 1 '^ »• i--:!.* •• •%•.' .•'•••'■»
mfA 'til f" f-^r*,/ /^/..i ; •■ I ■ , n-.t. ftfw,* «•»■'; ■». ' r >«■.• III:.-.
• Pl9--^in. If /•■i»*' / I i*'i . •• • • r Ij.rf 'f ••■.»■ 1 -1 • »^ .
0tf*lr'C f4i< vfli^M «f.i- ? «■■ 'i' f •! : '-'- *. * T y .;-^;- in • .1 »>. 1 , ••! i- •. •• f ■« /% • i^
ttm^^ >D ] rt'. ■ ■'-'« vfTrr:. " •* •*■! • !••,■ ■ f -•••■•«•. ! ik' ' ' * *«!<■!'?;«■■ -i
a^phrt I r t*.#r -i' !'■•#..'■.• r- ' i • S^ /•• ^ i » • r . • « ri t ■ ' . tj t • 1 •• ■ i- - •!
Th» IV»«:«»i rnm.'.j.ri •s?'ih ».*»* •-.-»••. ri: ■ 'r ! .. r • ■ i-1-'. '. ir. /.'-.r
l»« Bn,! Unt k0*4J-% ■ ihr 4 ..,•# «»« • t» r .^'t r f ' • '.•-,■■,. • •* -i -t . *•■
'k tbr •nrj* t ^itrn !•• !h^ vor I I'lij • : ^ .'. »r.i ' 'hr ) -.r. ■ r • »■ .* ■ %«:• «
I'l^wM lfi# K* ar ».* f ^hi 'n ar- •'•■•r i ■ ! V;*!. ■■ ii »»• •• ^ r- ■ , - »■ » |* r > % at
•rVij»T*r!icf !• » J. ., tr.| »• ih'- iii: n"»i:- •■ • !f r .• ». •• • •' :. •• k-ii in!
M CAit.r S I'lfi-ai'i •■«»■; i»r ■ r ■ •'.• M. »•.■,• ■•! • • l"r ,- •ji 1
M'^^ft'nmr U? % }^. ' • 1 •?.«• •?,. ! ^ I ■• ..' ! ' I * . . : • ••*!'■ ••,.*!•
if««. . r /.' .ii »• •' p '^ - »t •■ I :• » • V V ■ r ■■ »i \*r».f . t' I • »: r, .f
Hl»|iJ0lan r..'i • f 1 •.»•;.• • •»!-.*••• ' ■ • ' 'h- .•' 1 1 • rh«-
r!tfia»««r ntn * f ■ r p i .• I if. ; ' ■ ?• • ■ f» ■ * .r ■ f \' ^r- • ^ *•*•:• •
aatiM IhfftNiffb Ii I ! ata' t-i ihi- : \f • ■■( Ti"a'i 1 *: 1 k •« .- ra •!• •* p 1 «•.■
MtV 4^el J. wi^iiA'i .«r Iv fc IP r :»,Tr ■■■ r- :» fr. 41. " ! •• • • ^ •» ••■"
'rv attar b III cnL
510 APPENDIX.
Your children from generation to generation are free to bestow, to exchange,
or to dispose of it at their pleasure. Possess and enjoy it as long aa the son
and moon, the earth and its vegetation, the mountains and the river Canyeryy
fiidst ; and all prosperity attend you. Thus it is subscribed by me Kistna
Sanmuy FiUa, with my full consent to Cumana Sawney Pilla, This deed
is written by Mootoo Sawmey, the village Conicopoly.
Witnesses, (Signed) Kistna Sawmsy.
Abnacbelum,
sunkaunoum,
Shubimooum.
A few days before I left Madras I had the satisfaction to know, from a
judgment pronounced in the Supreme Court, that the rights of which I am
the humble advocate are capable of being substantiated by direct proof in a
regular court of law.
The revenues of the village of Tondiarpet, near to the black town of
Madras, were formerly received by the collector of the jageer, who, like other
collectors before the estetbUshment of the Zilla, or provincial courts, had also
a certain jurisdiction within the limits of his collection.
DissensioBs had arisen between the Vellalers, Meaxuidars, or Cany-
atchikars of that village and the Pvacarees (or Graminy, as they are some-
times called in the proceedings,) which had more than once been carried
into the mayor's court ; but the points at issue do not appear ever to have
touched the direct question of the proprietary right of the timd.
In the year 1794, for some reasons which are not distinctly known to me,
the Vellaltrf* were forcibly ejected from the village under the authority of
the coUector, and possession was given to the Pyacareet, The suit was an
ejectment brought by the Vellalers to recover the village.
A complete body of evidence was adduced, entermg into many of the
details which I have stated, and establishing, to the entire satisfaction of the
court, the hereditary right of the Vellalers t<> the landed property of the
township. Owing to an error in point of form, vix., the want of proof of
present possession in the defendants of that which the action was brought to
recover (for the possession had much changed since 1794, and perhaps while
the suit was penoing,) a verdict was given for the defendants on the S6th of
September 1808. But the proprietary right of the VaUalers was recognized
without reserve by the court ; and as I understand, they will now brinff
separate ejectments against the several possessors of the different parts, and
obtain verdicts as a matter of course.
No. III.
Of the actual system for the administration of justice to the native subjects
of British India I wish to speak with respect, because it originated and has
been continued in the purest intentions. On the political question I presume
to risk but one jshort observation. It is impossible to separate the political
tendency of laws from the genius of the government from wnich they emanate.
The spirit of the EngUsh constitution assigns to the mass of the people an
extensive control over the exercise of public authority : and deems toe execu-
tive government to be the representative of the public wilL This spirit
pervades the whole body of its laws ; these laws necessarify rdlect back, and
reproduce the principles from which they spring : and it is matter for grave
reflection, that if this species of reaction should ever be produced in India,
from that moment it is lost to this countrv for ever. The efficient protection
of our native subjects in all the rights which they themselves considar to be
* For the metning and etymology of this terra, see page lOi.
AF'PKNIiiX .Ml
(■».'«riitul to tlirii li ippiiu'<<*, i- I'rit.kiiily till* iiin>t >.ii-i<'il .iiiil iiit|i' ri'*>i • *•: .%'.]
iiiir ililtK-^ , .util i! litili thi.H c'X|irf<'4 ;;riiiiliil til it tun ])ri-<«-!il !• .:iji.iti'>:i<. I'fit
(Utifri-tl :i> .1 -v-ilt'Mi til iiiti^|iriiiU-ni'f Inr tin* •■•lutli i<i IikIm. .k|'|ii-.tr t<i im- tn
dtiif, ikla-ii «!• iii.iv uith iiiii.il I.u'ilitv k'*i\trii tlirtu )i\ .1 f"rft'tii ■/ ■ i '•■"i^ ;
.. i.-li l:iw , wliifh %'\t'\\ III {•••lilt iif I'Ti - ii|'t i.-ii* li.i'l ;il-it'il
czi'ttfiH'f )i('t'«ir(' till* ><'>iin^f iif .M<<li.i!iiiiii-ii.tii riiiii|iif-t .iIhI NIni.aMiim <i.in i.iu*
h.ui yt-t rcicli'-tl the ]il:iiiii nt ( 'nr(>in:iiitli-|.
illit 111 •''•II'** lilt !i - O..I •-!: ill ! Ill I I. LI »• :i r <•: Tl • | 1 i>} !•- !•• :>• .'••V'?!.' i. i*. 14
inrmil'-'t.ii-N- tli.4* Uf ii-.iy iijr:.-iu. •• M 1. niiirn .i m -r J i. 'ii-li 1 iw . r- ri.. ».r
cithtT. «iir« 1 : Iv. •■! i i.\« it!\ . imt I... -,: tl.r x'.,*"\ «i:-t ii.r 1 '. i!. ■ «■' .i:.\ ir.:! ;■ :» i ,
IIDIiM«li'iY* kT !• iii<'!r. Ill .iiiii ii<>: it II.,: tl.i- iiii>;il-i- !l> ]••■ .•.•<: • i. i:./:i.,;
thrir i>p]iil>>ii«. ill iiiy ••tl.i r \^ iV t i. Ill tlii: ••:]ri.i..ii ■ .i;-^-!-* .1' • -ir r .!•■
K\« iiMiv* j\ I'l I'-rii '. I i* w ?i: il "••nil- !i!iiii \i • «.: 1. 1 :•■. • ■ ' I ; :.■ !| !■•
hivi- Ih-i u <'<>iiiiiii!!t il l'.i|>i: <ii.!i.t It' l-r ill ' •. '■ » •! • 1 ■. **l- '. :•■ »»
•iilrri-«i i-> ill |>}ii! :•],: i! ri i-r • :- i- ■■: i ■'•!'.«i ■ •• .i- '. '.;-.• »: •:'.T:-!s4
tff Kur<i|'« -111 J 1; I •] f '«'ii : >-. I ■ <;:.'•.•. ,\ •,-. !■■:'• 1 ■ • ■ • ■ > - • » :■■ r ' ■ • :n
mi>ii I iw ••: tin* - •-.Mi ••* li.-i. 1. .* i : . i. • ;.•■ ■ • • ■ i • .• ■ .■ • .\ ;. -»
fin nil iri\ •• {■ ir !!•■ tr. »• 11 . v • -.. n r ■■: n. i?,k.' 1 !. ;• • • : '■ ■ ■ i? I
in-i^t "tliii-ix •■ Will .\ i' ;■■»! ':.•"•■■ :i ::.'• -i 1 • i .■ ' ■ ••.« I .:. ■ . .! • ■ :» ,
vLii fi |ir«M« -• ^ •■' ;.'"Vi r • ' ; • 1 1 .i.i ■•'.';.?'•■■■« : * • 1 '••;■' i ' ■ • ■■<
riAfi v w 111' li I' i'?-' -i .•• .;. V I K. \ '•■:.• •■: li.i •: < I ." ! . i.t •■ • • •■• ly
rilljrr r.i.: u » '1 r- • • ^'t.;,-. -i ,• »',; -.n .. :r : I'A ^ 'i -l r.. ■■:.'•■. ■! ■ . ■■ '!y
trrfttt<l •.%;•:.. -ii!' :j.1 • ?:. ; • i:.--..' n/ : ": I. jf.- ■. %\ ,' : .!.■;.•.".:.• V..*
liivcr r! i«»i's . .11; I. li i' i !■• t :.• i; .•.•.•> r .-ir !: •■ ■ \ •:.•:•*■.!:.••
aiiprrhiii*! -n -f ? irMp r . :. m .•• I: » .. i •••• %••' .- \ ij. i .» .-' • 1: •• !■»
iL^ 411! K'l; » ..f tl.: , *_\ ^?. '11 !'.■ :!.•• i.r : u ■ "' | :■ ■ .> ■ . ' . .1 1 .•■.-■ ■ \ "'■«■
lainrnUtl :1. i* it I..1- ■ ..irr. !■•.•. I »;i.-.i .• . •*.. r i-. ■•.;:■;:."■■. i *-{
■U<"h 111 lli!t h!:- !: \'-'l* i!. .1 • ■ :ii«' ', i> '. .': r • ►V^ . i- . •. t ■ . ■ • ■ • . h
• Tfc' :jt»' • ••.^' ■'•:.■::• f l! ■ M.fc* ■•' .!:■■•••■• a ■ • ■ .* ■ 1 . * ■ ••- at
Ittmf hawf ' f 1*7' ''} m: Mm :r%* .•'%'.* \ I- \' * \' k»« •"r'-rfVrv.
B«v ImpV'l'^r'.r liA'M' 1 1* ( •;r t!i *t it'- M :.»■•*:• -i. ' r«a f \ .«^«; • ' *^
(«u4r»ifii!a. iicrurr' In. '•'!•
t The rea Jf r »!. *!«.»* |#i •*»*••»:••••:•• »■ •- re,-** ; ■ / i'.'^ • ' ai « . ' . ! !Lcji
;>12 APPENDIX.
views have really been entertained by other persoun, it wiU be iucamWnt iin
sober thinkers seriously to consider that, exclusively of the excess of vi^iMn-
ary folly, it is a most unmanly, ungenerous, and unchristian deoeptioD to veil
this object under the pretext of respecting the civil and religious customs and
prejudices of the people ; for all tneir prejudices, all their oiiinions, and all
their customs, from the most trifling to the most important, are absolutely
incorporated vnth their religion, and ought all to be held sacred.
The founder of a philosophical Utopia would certainly reject with
abhorrence a system which tends to enslave the human mind, and to entail
hereditary degradation on a large portion of his citizena. But we are not here
discussing a speculative theory. The objects in our contemplation are not
metaphysioELl entities to be moulded into ideal forms ; bat ouman beings,
already fixed in stubborn and immovable prejudices, to which any system
founded in wisdom and humanity must necessarily conform, li b not the
question, it never can be a question, whether the EngUsh or the Hindoo code
of religion and inrisprudence be entitled to the preference : but whether the
Hindoo law ana religion, for they are one and the same, are, or are not, to be
maintained, or whether we are at liberty to invade botL If we profess to
govern the Hindoos by their own laws, let us not falsify that profession by
tearing them up bv Uie roots on the pretence of pruning and amending
them. They are no longer Hindoo if they are subject to innovation. Before
(quitting this branch of the subject, it may be useful (for the sake of illustra-
tion) to examine the reasonableness of interfering with the most exception-
able of all their institutions. It has been thought an abomination not to be
tolerated, that a widow should immolate herself on the funeral pile of her
deceased husband. But what jud^ent should we pronounoe on the Hindoo;,
who (if any dTour institutions admitted the parallel) should ^/arirt&/jf pretend to
stana between a Christian and the hope of eternal salvation ? Ana shall we
not hold him to be a driveller in politics and morals, a fanatic in reli^on,
and a pretender in humanity, who would fortibly wrest this hope from the
Hindoo widow ? To return to the Question of caste. To equalise them is
impossible ; to attempt it, offensive beyond all endurance to those whom we
would exalt, as well as to those whom we would debase ; and if we poasessed
the power, to exercise it would be a ffross and intolerable oppression. That
our regulations, where they do extend, and where they have not yet reached,
are considered with terror as the instruments of a forei^ rule, and thas tbe
Hindoos neither do nor can feel that they are governed by their own laws, seems
to have been distinctly foreseen by the able and learned officer* who aided ai
the first compilation of the judicial regulations of Fort St. George. Ix. i
preliminary report he deprecates the idea of sudden innovatioa, and oliMrre^
^' that the system ouffht rather to grow out of the first germ, than «tan a:
once, full-grown, like Minerva from the head of Jupiter, shaking a laace and
egis at the astonished native. They will arise gradually, as the best Isws ever
have done, out of the manners and habits of the people, meliorating aad
reflecting back the principles they have derived from them."
In framing a new and full-grown system (since, however, ezceediacty
enlarged.) the excellent and able men who were employed natorallj referwd to
the system of jurisprudence which we are all habituated to revere, for tLcu-
rules, their forms, and modes of proceeding, down in many instances to the
verv technical terms. Fixed judges and magistrates have been established,
and courts of appeal, of circuit, and gaol deliverv, with all their ^j^*^
appendages ; and a superior Hindoo court, with a Perso- Arabic title,
administered by Englishmen ; and it has already become a difficult study to Ke
able to understand tne voluminons code which has been framed. Of all tius
I should wish to speak with reverence ; but really an eoonnona •*"^^'** of
technical labor, and skill, and expfmse^ and the applioatioD of Boa
able talents, terminates in performing the proposed opentioo ^mf
• The Jiidg« Advocate G«Mral,lli|H»Uttk.
APPENDIX 11'?
It all : the coni|K>ni'iit p»rts arc rlnir^'tti by tlicir own rnmplcxity and mi5.i]»-
plicatinn ; tlie ninrhiiuTV of an AriKild'n chniUnmi-tiT him )>ciii ipj>lic«i t<t
pcriitnii tlivwnrk <>t a sninkr-j-n'k.
If An>;Iti-Iii<li:iii li-;:iNl.«ti<rs wIkhiM tliniw utT.i little nf tint %vl)ich thi'y
•omrwhnt t<Hi lir.>;ily a«<-rilM' !•• tlic intixri irf hhl: i. ii^tiKtly. the {iri-JMilii'i*
of c«iuc:itinn. tlii-y wmiiil liiitl tin* rwloi i>f ]<r<>ri i dins' |>rt-o>TitTii h\ tlio
Hiiid'xi C'lilt' witli :til it-i 2!iinirr<'ii^ in.|M { r< i :i<>n^ •>ii i!<« ln-nl. i'<>!iil>:niii
villi till- Ii'ImI t'lt-t i:!!^. tH' i-Miiiiii'iit l.iU' ••: li,ii:i. Ii ■! til nl il'!t 1 t<i tLi .-! iti*
of S'MM-tv tn wlii'-:i It ;^ in!' M-lt ■! t • H'j'Iv : .ijjil iii tin- /*'.•^ 'j » y' i-r /■« 'i i/«
jur^* \\hi'"Ii ii '-r iitIjlt \^i' uiiiv* -li.y t^t i' l.'-iml ii. tl.»- .«'--.i!:: :• tho
rtkiiiini*ii 1.0% of liM Uii'i. :iii .1 iiiiii ii>!i :ii<!iiiiiii ij! ••! )i.i>-ti. i! •!• • :<>:<>ii. I l.^*
Hili«ii»'i rljir.utt-r. lik'- »li ■•: 'n : ■. ii i-l" .1 i:ii\. 1 ii.i*i::»-. i nM* 1- • ■ ::!i-"ii -l nl
gtrati^c :iud i'«in? : i>li« T-.y tii!:!!!.'" Tin m in •■*:.'•:■. .;. I-- •■■'■> !rii-*'d!tM
nnitiirMiiy uninMit j it. v.-i.>i|< t : liih t>> .iti K.i:<<; • iii 1.1 \\ I. : 1 (.• :• ) 11
fidcrii-t.-. in tv in- i-\|>-. i-:i i!>ii :::.>■ ti.. .ci i .1 :i i> ■•*■«•': fi. ' t w i v \\"r>l in-
hft.'v i*.ild. lli'.i!:«il <•:• T<i1i;-.l! i! i:i 1 :•>•:.-- ••: .1 ll:i:ii ] 1 1 '■•:! \t :.<•*. i h>-
citlii r ii .iM III n-|-i.:-. •.!: J ::i i-i.i ••■ : s« ■:.; :;-':i* ::■ .: • 1 i!!> :!.■ I«i ii*
■11 -Ir.ii. J' r-. 'I !. I -.tint «:i :ii't;'-:i •-■ :i, iii. •■■';•;?:.« ^ i:.i - »!:.■ ;:.'i: . i-:i il.
wL»» ffii:.! ]»i |«i' . .I'll ■•.:'ii 'x li-'ii: I'ly .ir-..-. -.•■ :.»■'.:.-■. w... i ■ 'j-.i***
biiii^i'i: w::rj"ii: ^I; i- ■.■,;■■!?. ■■:■ -ri ..■:• :-i'-!i- I: . il. 1- f i:r:.; i". kiini.
and ri--;-' ■ if-.t in !tii j/. :> ■ -.r •. ■: -■ 1 .- :_\ . .i,.i tii -ni..'.' I- / 1 ■ * ■;i" ii«
fart •.! :.»'./!; il i'Ji.i.'./ ..'. i :■ ■.4-'.\.'.,- •■•" ;i. ■:»■ ■. i*. i • tii '. -. .»-....• •).••
Luji'-tiidiiii :i. ■.\ .' !:- r = j.-I. ■ . ?. :• . • : \\]".i ^ . . :..; i:.r !> i '. ■ '. *! .* V:- <.
1*1 •;■.•■. .1' ■. ti»-: t _\ -i i. ••.•;■ I ■■:!..: I. ;:■• II •. .- ■.■■:!'■. ■ : ,r i- •■ : f . in
•n^fiii I i. I'-iM :.:\ i.-T.. <• iri i v :■ r, ?: . .r .J- '.: : *: .' :-. \ :,. ;• : ...\ •■;:•:.
aiiti ' !• ^1 1 • •■ ! • • i ■ T i ; * • 1 I i . < ■ I : . 1 ;■•■:. 1 ' < > t I • y i . • k : . ■ vw , . ! ' • 1 : ■
f av. 1: 1 ■ ■ i I- ; ' ' . ■ ■ I : i .• . . ■ I • ■ ■ • • ■. i r . 1 .;'.-.• \. : ■ ■ . : 1 • r 1 : ". .
rliAr.ki '.•:•': '•''''['':■• .':'.'..' '..:••■■ n . i. *
to 1. r..- 1 • • i .. ■: ■■ :i .;..-.. . ■ • . • ■•■:... ■.-•.11
t«>n -. :« riT.' .1 i". «■' 1 ■ ■ . ' ■ .' ' . ; ■ 1 ' .i 1. '!:;:.■ 1. ' ■ . ■ t
■r!i"!i. .i.-J •;.• .1' ■•• ■ • ■...:..; ■.»!.!!•.•.:.? .•■.'.■
kfc *■••.: t;. • .'■ .. i . ; ■..:..;■.•■ I I . :■ I* i\...* ■)■■ '
»u-.ii-l :. ' i ■ I ' '.■.:■ I ■ ■ ■■■ ■ ■ 1-. .■ •■ . :-■• 1.' Ii J '1- ■' 1 .:. i. i\. '
T-' ►:■••■!." • Ii. . i • . .. 1 ; • .-i ;:■•■:.■■.'.... ^^:. !»■ .
and .- J ' .. . ■ . 1 .'. I ■ . '.^ . i . iv. • ■ r . \'. ■. . . I ■. 1 .-. • i ■■ • k! '
jtir :•■ • I » • I '■ ■ ' ! r i i . . ■ ' • »'.■.■.•>:..■...•.■ . ».. \ w."
irjl* :.»•■. .1. ■■ . !••■:. . :. ■ . . i . : > I •■ i.- ■' I .:■;■• :, ■ 1 ' :■ . 1 ; ■
lif * • • . ■.: ■ :.' T . ■ -A . . I- ■. .<•:...■ I ■. .ii: ■ •• .' >
ri{-« :.<i> •!. : ■.••..■•■. ^ ■ . ■ .'.■••■ .*;. * ■ ■ i .
;i.*'.- .: .■:■*. ■.."■... ■...•.-.■ ■. ■ ■ . • . • .
If*. -. I •..-:•:■.'■:■ •■■ ■ -.i • .1 ■ ■ ■.
U*-! ':.■■..•.■' ,.'..••. V .'.• ■ ll
thr •:> :..•'■ ;. : i. -I . ••
rf« :.i ■
.Ik : . ■ . . . ■ . I
B}i •-•■■■."' ! ■ ■ ■•
III I r. .-:.'.:■•■ : ......
6*r ll 1 .: 1 • '• .1
in >■;•.'■ tf . . . . ■ I
run. ' • . • • . " ■ ■ • .
ill • . ■ ■ . ■ ! •
lAfV r* .1. . . ■ . •■!
• \ • • . ■ . ,
M«w r r I* -. >r - :
• i '.. • T«' ■ ■ • a '.
Val :!.'■.:•■:. I : . 1 • 1 f
I0U4 •'. : I ft.- ■ ■ .■ 1 . • ■ !.•■■. :
51 4 APPENDIX.
the most able and efficient instruments of the present system ; of a careful
and vigilant observation of the conduct and practical operation of a Uind(H»
court, which has been established vithii: the last live years at Mysoor ; and
of a coincidence with the mature judgment of regular English lawyers, tree
from the trammels ol their prolei.sion. The names oi some of these, it I
were at liberty to adduce the»i.s would give irresistible weight to the opiuioub
which I have attempted to sketch.
^WK
No. IV.
From conversation with some intelligent Jungum priests, I learn that
they derive the name from a contraction of the three words, junnana, to be
born; gummana, to move; murrana, to die. The word Jungum thus con-
stantly reminds them of tbe most important dogma of the sect, namely, that
the man who performs his duties in this world shall l>e exempted from these
changes in a future stat€ of existence, and shall immediately after death be
re-united with the divine spirit from which he originally emanated. This
doctrine, not altogether unknown to the braminical code, is pushed by the
jungum to the extent of denying the metempsychosis altogether. This sect
condemns as useless and unmeaning the incessant detail of external cere-
monies, which among the bramins of every persuasion occupies the largest
portion of their time, and forms the great business of their lives. The jun-
gum disclaim the authority of these gods upon earth, as they impiously and
familiarly call themselves. The priests of the jungum are all oi the fourth
or servile caste, and habitually distinguish the bramins by the opprobrious
appellation of dogs ; yet, strange to tell, in some districts, by reciprocal con-
cessions, and a coalition of religious dogmas with temporal interests, they have
descended to receive as their spiritual preceptors the caste of which they have
been successively the martyrs and persecutors, and are consequently con-
sidered as heretics or renegadoes by the genuine jungum.
The religion which inculcates what is real, in preference to the observance
of form, is, according to tliis sect, of great antiquity ; and they considered
Chen Bas Ishwur, a native of Callian in the Deckan, the reputed founder of the
sect in the eleventh century, to have been only the restorer of the ancient
true belief ; and in spite of the most sanguinary persecutions, they are found
scattered in considerable numbers over the Concan, Canara, Deckau, Mysoor.
and every part of the south of India, and constitute a considerable portion of
the population of Coorg, the Raja himself beine of that persuasion, as were
the former Rajas of Mysoor, Bednore, and Loouda.
The fanciful notions of internal and external purity and uncleanness (the
former having a two-fold division of bodily and men^) are the foundation of
most of the distinct i(m of castes which seem so absurd to Europeans. To the
question of what is the difference between such and such a caste, the first
answer will certainly 1>e to indicate what they respectively can and cannot
eat ; but when we consider the plausible dogma not altogether unknown in
Europe, that a regular and abstemious life (which they would name the
internal ])urity of the body) contributes to mental excellence, we may be dis-
Josed to judge with more charity of the absurdity of these distinctions. The
ungum priests and the elect among their disciples abstain altogether from
animal fcK>d : while the Sheneveea bramins of the Concan and the Deckau
indulge in fisn ; and many of Bengal, Tiindostan, and Cashmere, eat the flesh
of lawn, of nmtton, and whatever is slain in sacrifice : the bramins of the
south abhor these abominations, but the latter at least is distinctly anthorized
by Menu and all the ancient Smirtis, as the most bigoted are compelled to
admit.
In the leading traits ot the doctrine of the Jungum which have hitherto
been noticed we recognize the hand of a rational reformer. The sequel is
not so favorable. The Jungum profess the exclusive worship of Bm ; and
the n}i)tri*|>ri:iti* I'tiili!* iii ••( tli.it ilfii) mi ii - im>i7 nii-x * ii«* Ih.mi. *-iii-iiiM:<l m i
«illlMlllltl\C mIviT iir i-iip|iri- siitillt*. ••]' t'-lli|>ii-. M Mlol-ilnl'- 1 ll>>lii thf Iii-'k ••!
11411 iitv ili^tMi^Mii^ri'-l 1'v:mi' ii nir- h: Ai .,•-/.#/ m /..••^■. ;■•*.. r I:'Viiin:i»«
til riin«i<|i>r Mv.i .i-» tin* milv '^*-\ : li.i! nn Tin- -.qfiM-i ? -•! Tin^ iU'Ni>- n" ili-Vtiiixn
thry ,iff iiiii iii'iiiiiuiii- .iM\ I . .iihl ::i'' fJin-r -.i-.-!* iMiiliut*- i-* tli«:ii n«it vrry
tli-.-t;it iM\<'iiii-^ h i« li'>\\i'\ I I .1 li'i/iii.i iif ^.'i-in . il ti'i:>*i h-'.y . !!i i! if i «1mii
iTiiiii h 11 till uii^rii.iiKi :••)••>!■ Ii;.i |ii :^iiii.i[ l:*"!. i :uli! U'*'. ;>i ^-::>iv< Tlit'
llllr*!' r!tllli .
/'.ffi-hnt. til. jin '• ii! ji::ru^tiT t.f M\ r. ri'ii'i-* m in-ul* iit «»f .i /.i»u:-
a^^f Irii-ij'i •>! )jio u ii'i ii 111 linli iiifiily ]i<t li:o i»i:'ii>ii ^'•■■1. mni • .i*u.- !•• :.ik«
A iuit fin-wi-.i 1 :;•- Iii'h iiM. iiikf in in- irjlu'i'.i ii* I i. i? :■!»-, it .fi..v IviJli
At tiji* .ii«^iirilitiri lit • \ t :y -• I t liiir I !i« ir ha ii. .i::-i l'<; •; ii; i .'i>i-lt::ii ^^tlrr
ri»iiiiMl. It 1^ :i I'.i: I III tilt- I I [f;iii.!,i il !•:• •■. .ill. J ■ i.t -I't:*'. : tin iifl:\i
dual, ih.kt thr |triii>-:;> il |if[.*'>n^ nf tlii-«->t -rpoiM .•-•::.:•.! oTi tiii- i> iik tif
K>Uli* holy >tri'ii:.. .iii<i |il i- ^n^' i:i i iii ki-: tin- l:'i.'>::ii iinu't^ •>! tin- \^l:->^.•
aft.^e.lir«ly. }>uri:y t!ii-:ii iti tim- .- i.-i. -1 \\ i!i |-, Tii- 'ii-M;"l %;■•»!!!. in i"ii-
furiuity t't tin- .iii\ ii-f or l.> 'm i.-l. -ul-li i.Iy .i i.-. -1 Vir t- 1 ki • i!fl ■".I . : ii m li
its Ciifitiiit 1 iiitii tlj.- i.i!.:-! « * i\ .1 ; \..\v. 1 iv *.::* u\ •. " x'A h«-. w t I'l- ..n t iii i\
■ • I
teniii ; K-t II- |irii' III- !'• li:.- tiu'.-r hij. 'lin- ili' ■ i".! -u ?• niuii I'l l .i t-i.u^
to exi»«»rt.itii.ri. 'I'in- u ij-!' I- It! V t'i"\ .iM ■• I'll '■: luv:-.' /■-!. -i ■ n v. .ii;-i < .irii
priv.lTt^y |»li»\I«i--l Mill"" 1: A I'll I Mr .\ rMIJi'if till- l;ll.' IV.
Mr l-.H:-! i-Mi, .|.li • , ill, .liisi/ r.ii ••! {■■'■u;-;'*: . -i:!:'. .••. i^i-l tLi- r.i:;ii ir'im
of thi- li»wi r. t'» 1-1 I.I t:i." »'ui- - ■ :. ntl i. i:fi ti il- :i> ui •':.• ru ••: !:ii'j:'\.»
ral ti'riijH till* il'i r::i:i-.i: •i.r !!ii ••■■:.;. \ .fi-ii- A :..»::.- li;! :rj ?!.• M l••
kfll/]i' i'..ll> • *:«iii »'.■ :i'i - 1 : . "::.-i-: » l.i I' if: I ir:::, «. »- i -»••.! • il iT-itT
of thi' >«-r\iIf I- 1-;. . ! - '.1. I- ..•■!':• i ■;.i'. • \\ K:- il ••: -i:', kr« I "i v. • ■;'.••■:» ^-
tliiti »»l tin- .1.1111 fi !:>■:■. Il ill !'.. I .:. :; w. M i-i ;r i k;* .■ '. ■••i. I'l 1 !:..- ::/! ii-ii."**
whirli tlu-y .if i:!i"i. i" !■ • .:-i«'.' i» '. :.!■;. r.i.i.ii i t-t'i.- !■- i"!i:?j^ I'l tin!
r«»nlr'i\iT-\ . i.:' r:i:. .. .. .ri - ;,*. i. j-nri • .j.:":'iii' n. Ir. i ! irjf |. ir-
tiitti. 1 1 1 1. i]--i 111 :l..- \\ :■<•■ . .* v.. :•: I'ljii;;. »1 'i !i:; '.. - li- .i:- i*. I t . >:\ i in
thr |i{i>\Mi<'- "I A:--:. !.•'■:■ I r :■ • ifi.-;-. ■! V. M i-i :; i. iii-l T;:,:.. \ • .^> . t ?.<»
FumJuntm I- :!,. :i:.-|i ;■ ..•:■■: r-.. ■.•.•.;■!•. .i.'i h I- !!.!■ I ::*:ii' .!.!• ■ •-, 'i •■! 'iiO
rCTriiiii-. I'll! i.'>\\ . till :.: I':..:.- * - .-?': .•■■ \'.i tii- i rri Ti-i. il I \:\ i- :'!:»■.;
to titf ;r ••-■VII »'■•■ ■ 1 )•!• I i . • i • t •■•:.•: ri il* •.•■•'.. r •.. !-.'.\ ii- * i, .*: ■-. Mi f. n
frrii-r i.ly t!.i n ;';r i!-..? ■! i:. ir'i"|-" p ii i':-.i i.'.-. ..'.-I :«t:- i*. i :>'■-• '•.' »
inilt« •»! tl.f tt iiij'it w :"i >"!t ,• J. \ i r, j|. ■. \\ ■.:■,. ..:i ! :« I ir* i ■ ! ■ k . -J -w ii
with rMni|..»'-i"!i I* tli' »' -ii:-! tf,'!. 'A ■..- 'i ■ i: \ M.. :r I'.'t Ti!: '.
'I'hr-i- ! i- t- ••■ III »i :■.!.• T i -.:■..' ■: . ' . ■! r ■.;■•« ■ . i * .r.^* n-.i
fOVrriiiii* ?.! 'i--' ip.i -i ! !:■ -■;;■ 1 :■■;:• '. ■■. . : ' : . ■ . ■ r . .! ..'.". •:.:..:' . vi. I
»d"|'t« .1 t!.. . ::::.i I;..-:. ■■: - :; . i-..i .- v . .'••.■•:.'•..■• :■■::..":/>
It t^ .1 •11!-.- .1 < !!.'• ii. . . ! ! • i » ■•■''.'/ • • ; !• • : ,. !■:!■• * ■ ■ ;-»un.
and 1* u.ir'liy -.: r r*-.. i '..■'■■ . •. . ■• ; ■•.■■. \ i . . i'*\ ' H .' A'.*
niUtl It ' I'ii./'i. I. i\ !'!. . \S:i* ■: : . i ■■. :r.: ... i . I •'...» . .v . r . \ I •
arr.i •'? till- .i\i. . •-. . ". .':■.■:' ■' • 1 •• 1 •.•;.■ I •.,'••■
\ . \
.Aim f .-r I I . • ■ ■ • -■■■«•...• \ . ■. i
Ihe Afcl.itl- III -■ i'. .'• ' : .\ :. . • i 1 • : .».!'^- .' •■ I • ;. •?.■■
retult t'f -■'.•: li ■'.■..:•.' ' » \* •:. I '..■ . .'.:.. . : -i • .- * i . .:. 1 ::i
)cani, wljiiiii l.:* .'. : v:.: I ■ . : ■ ^1 . k- ■ • i • .. . • •. i . »'.*.. i.* ;..i
■enic* MIKT !J. i*. I ••»/ ^^ I' ■■•■ :.••■ ■. »: ! • .. .1 ■»':.. I'lf t • V.f.r
duc^riliti. »itJ:t:.. ;.'.-;■ •.:..'.'. ir ■: :...-. ^> \\:* I'.'-i- .i
worthy Aliti lli'.i !*:/• :i*. ::..'■■•!..:> -.vi. ■ : . :: . •■ .f ::t ■•■.>» a; » .i.ii-i.^ tl.r
Hi|k1(Ji»« M fli< . f T!.i !:. >• !\ ( ■
516 APPENDIX.
The ancient religion of India, and, as Dbermia supposes, of the whole
world, was uniform : namely, the loorship of one God, a pure spirit, indivihiblo,
without form, or extent, or any corporeal attribute, omniscient, all powerful,
postiessin^ infinite wisdom, <ana infinite happiness. Absorbed in the contcm-
j)lation of his own perfections, he interferes in no respect in the government
of the universe, or in terrestrial concerns. Having originally given to all
things their appointed order and course of action ; having rendered punir^h-
ment the inevitable result of vice, and happiness after death the sure reward
of virtue ; he leaves mankind to the consequences of their actions, and con-
siders with inditference the complicated effects of good and evil upon earth
which necessarily arise from the operation of free will.
After death the virtuous go to Hoordwaloga (Paradise), and the wicked
to Ashdaloga (Hell), for a determined number of years, according to the
measure of their actions upon earth ; at the expiration of that peiiod they
return a^n on earth to a new state of existence, determined ai»o by their
conduct in the last ; and thus to circulate through various transmigrations.
But a superior degree of sanctity purifies the soul from the grossness of cor-
poreal contact and causes it to be re-united for ever with the divine spirit.
The twenty-four Teerters, or saints, of this religion have thus been deiiied,
and they are worshipped accordingly, as being intimately and iuseiKirably
united with God.
Although the fourfold division of caste prevails among the Jain, and
they, like the ordinary Hindoos, have their bramins, we are obliged for want
of more convenient terms to discriminate the sects, by calling the di>ctrine ol
the latter that of the bramins^ and the former that of the Jain. To the
bramins the Jain attribute all the corruptions of the present state of religion ;
the fabrication of the four vedas ; the eighteen Pooranas ; the blasphemous
doctrine of the Trimourty, or three goiis, and the monstrous fables which
relate to it ; the Avatars of Vishnoo ; the obscene worship of the lingum, of
cows and snakes, of the sun, the stars, the ])lanets, and the elements ; the
sacredness of the waters of the Ganges, and other rivers; and the whole
catalogue of modern superstition. These corruptions, as the Jain affirms, did
not take place at once, but have been gradually introduced ; and among them
the crime of murder, in the sacrifice of animals, which though less frequent
now than at some former times, is still nractised in the Kgniam.
Even the remnant of the Jain which had survived the repeated persecu-
tions incited by the bramins has not escaped the corruption of the times ;
and the rites of their religion in the temples formerly most sacred (as those
of Canara, Haligola and Mudgherry) are now performed by unqualified
persons of the third caste ; whom Dhermia considers as heretics. I have
myself conversed with the Gooroos of the two former places, mentioned by
Major Mackenzie and Doctor Buchanan in the ninth volume of the Asiatic
Kesearches ; and they have acknowledged to me that they are Vaysias. The
Jain bramins appear to have been the select objects of persecution ; and in
all Mysoor not more than fifty or sixty families now remam. 1 have heard of
none in any other part of the south, and the only temple where the rites of
the religion are duly performed is in the small village of Maleyoor, of which
Dhermia is one of the officiating priests.
The bramins relate with exultation the lacs of Jain who have been de-
stroyed at different periods, in persecutions which appear to have been more
sanguinary than any recorded in the western world : and the following brief
notice of these persecutions is taken chiefly /ro7/i Uu bramins, and from docu-
ments in the Mackenzie collect i(m. The earliest persecutor of the Jain of
whom I have received any distinct account is Bhutt Acharya, who lived
about or before the commencement of the christian er«i. This person had
become the disciple of a Jain Gooroo* for the express purpose of learning the
I>hilosophy of that sect (in which the bramins admit that they ezcelledl and
1 1 lus defeating them with their own weapons. He betrayed what he lound
* Spiritoal preceptor.
M»pi.Nni\
17
vKre|itlfil].ili|r ill t In .1 ilMi-t liiif- .ii-il 1**411 i. t\ili^' ixi.'oi .t.: '.I- *. t:.< i i '.!•
niM*i| .ir' I . •• I'l ! <• 'ii- ■••'I, Tim i!>\ 1 xM- ii i : « I ii... ■ . ! : ■• ;•.>.■ i-v i '.^ iii r
ai -III I \:'i i' :'«u I'l- t ill" I n.i- '•: /i-' I. ; ' ■ '' I ■ f* * In '.■..»• •■;
!«tl<«L.tllilli^ t i.j-. |.i!lil ■■ II' lit \\ ii "-'i! f ' . \\ ; I ■ tin- *. ij.^'i « I liTi; . li :..i ■'• III.
he w.i-i M-Tfl I.;, :tii -■ :■ r- iti i ><.. i- i .1 't,-ii . r. .» :..»:..i .■: Ki • » i ■■!
M.ii.ili.ir. Ill tin- i:ii<l-l ••: fii- -i.:!! : :ri." . ji'i.'f .1 -i v i .ii Mi-*' i:...-.» •
lii-niiif. :iii>l iM..i:l' i IiIim f-i i--:.':ii;i ! 'n- )■■!; '.\--'k •■! ; . - i*;:i. .kii
IlljiiiiiTifii » ijji'li > u- I .1 Vi :. I > I I :> : 1 iii> •■ ■ ■• i .■ ■» .i. :. '.■■.. i . !:..■■:. .i
9\\\ \ ]• \\\ ii: liiii: I r ■• .1 iU .■ .• "II 'I'A. ■. I . . ..:.-.:; i -i •...:!■»:.:. !i::. •■
SMMjIli. Ill ilii' I \ti nt •!? i" .11 1 : .:i • I • -r. : :■''■! k ii. ■•..«: .'-n^'
Will 1:11 \v»- III IV I ii '!:':■ ■ .'r \^\\\i ■■..■■■:' ;.ii'.\ i ^ ■ . > ■.ii- .• I '. i;\ ii i-!\ VI I J :■ II
ruicil 1! iir Hi- II i" iti;-- . t I It ill ■■: -■ : . 1' :■ 1 • .." i » i i . • 1 1 « i • 1 ■i.'i .t ?• •!
or i-tiliiiii/.-l i>', I •:.■ I ."i I i:\ 1. 1 ■■ . . ■. ■.•! .1 '. ■.• I • • •■ i. ■.•■ .-: I ■ : . .•. it.
tifliiiii. tl't.ii T !:i I. ::i • ••:;'.■-!.>•■ • :.• I .'i- i 1. .:i^' \\ i • ■ :!i:i. .:. .• . \\ \
fXiH'iirii.'i ; • : ■■ r iin;: -M 1 ....!i_- i: '.l . . .1 i . rm i i> .■ 1 .1 .• 1:1 » .'1 i* 1 .
anil till- i l>i« k. t ••. Ill ■ iM \\ ii- I : • >i / J - •: . iM.:i :■ . ■ <v% 1 ' .'.•■
l^:^!! ili«-l'-. ?!• is t !ii \\.-T. 11 I u :•.■:?■ : . I-: *«l \ In li. ".. A .; - r
or iC.iiii.ii.j f . n< •■, !;ir • i':.iiii « \i-:; . .1- •■ :.■.•». Ii". :ri>* : •. '11 • '.' \\: k
mti* II ••: .1 K Ii ^' ••: • -i' ' '. 1 'i;. n ■' v i:. 1 .■ .'I .-? ! :• ■■ • i-t ."*•■•. ^* !.••
ex.ii'Stl i ■ 'ii:- '1- n "I ■ ii'.i 1 ■•■•i 1 . ' .* ' . I- ■■■ -. I ■■ ■ r. I- I :■■ \1 ■, •• •■ . •( i
ftillVi"'. li r.i »i.. V:-.:ii\'. r. ■ :i ■ ■ ■ . : j i. ',.• ■: ».!.. !.•-. :.■:.•.■!.! 1
dvii-i-'y. 11 I'M i \i.:i Nil 1 lJ« \*;." r ■ ■. .:.-:■:. .-:' ..1 •■• 1 I'-.i-
of I'l./ifi.... I . r / f ',.; . ,!.i| 1: 1 . *.■!■■ I ■ I ." ■ ii !■! • ■ -. ; I . .1 *■..■. ' ■ ■■
brilM!i« rXijilru.y ii'-. ■"! :i.- :■ . «\..i..' :. -■: \- ' .'■■*. )>•;.• v .'.
eit»!i •'..«■-!. I -i/i't I ii -J i;'ij.i i:<i • : • : . I ..: . - :,i . ; u .;. w ■::..*.■■:.■.. -i
in^ tl-< ni Ml ih •>..
I iM- Tr. in .•■ If.' :■: I • V .■: • . .1 .:i: :. i ' ■ ■■ r ■■■ i? :•;■.• K i- . i! •. r.-
tPtit )ii> •!• I- .!• •! f • . •. . ■ ■.. ■! • •'.!.*! .:»■.. 'A .■.■■•.,■• 1 1> !Im*
Katn«\ .Lii'i t ! ■ •,■;• *' n V .1 • .:•■•'.■. ' ■ : • v- • . 1 » i ; • ■ i ■ . ! ..
tffll'l ••• Ii i\.- :i.-- ■■ ■ i . ■■..'■ I i". .' .r . ; • ■ • ■ ■ . .1. .i.'. -••-.. t : i*
tkr ii!-l:ii--*:' m ■■" ■: ■ •■ :■ .1: -. • : . * ■ ■ !
'■ r« t In*
•l|H*>li; it'll 11' \ « \ .: .• : « 'r i .. . ■ I ' ■ ". . i T ; • :• . •• 11 •■: !■■ i :.\ :.^* ! '!•■
pO|iii.ir Ti r?'i *»•■:■..■ r-- ••• I ■ . ■•■ '..•.-.■•.■. -. ?.. ^. i- i-.» '. v" *.• •■
• ''r I •'!,. :
.r: i'. •. ■
•
• 1 .
' * ■ . :
■
\-
•
•
I' . .
■■' ■ «.
!• •■
1
• .
1
■
•
•
* • ' .
1. . ■ • . , .
1 ■ '
^-r.
1
•
■
« ■
1 • ■
»
I I .
. 1
• . •. ■
, »
for ?hr r'-!> I- : ■ ■ •■ . • ■ 1' '. I r. .'.-,•, i t ■■' ■.:•»'.■■• .
t*rni« u '.i. '. I-. :
Jrlili I. .1 1:1. I •■ : t':
ihr II. :• ■ • . .'•
It II. o ••• I •
tha! r* .. •
bfit J'!.
of tJ.. -r I
d^i-; •• I ■ .
hiiii^ .: 1* A'-. 1 . • -• I '. . •l■
ofl V 1 I •■ . . v. . . ! ; ■ • : • : . ■ . • ' '.,.•■*•
di*!-f.- T ^^ ..-•.' ' ■;!'..•■. .:»■■•'•■. 1 ; • - :i
Ztaii »••««■ -■ ■• " ■ ■•. I ; ; . : .< I »;■::... i ii.r ; ::.s
Br. I' •."•.■. . * • • * ■ • ■ • r .1 .:t.
'If..' '. .! ■ ^ . ■• ." . : .' . ^ • • ' • r:i I ,' ..:; I ■ M* ivi ::i I l.r
Ma^K> Ti.' . . . ■ ' 1 1* . • « I . . . : f • . I i-S. * !. l!:.«.l
Trrt/.i'/i I'. •! f -■ . : ,- « ' . :■ ' 1 - :. /' r' • 1 /. • :r: i !' • . i'.'.i*r
brT'inuiiJ }k\'- .' ■ • . ■;■.■ r I- .•:i'-« •* :..■» |. IiVv. ;!. V. i«r. .'irj
Atii'i)i«. •'• I,'!.! ii: ■" ■■! I .•:. r ■ ■: -• I ■'. T. "r , •■ . • w :.'. :. f i i.i w f» /:• 11.
cklriiy »Ml«p"r" ■! * y ■ i ■• ' ■ ■•» Ml- :.^r:*fl i » ! I- •* i: • i: • r..t::y
1
518 APPENDIX.
very strangely imagine that) aft^r suffering many siibseauent corruptions an«l
changes it returned to India, under the torm of the Mohamme<lan religion.
This person commenced the promulgation of his new religion when he ^m
thirty-three years of ajije : the area of his contemporary Verdamana^ tlie last
of the Teartas (but wliether his birth, death, or sanctification I do not find
in my no*^^es) is the conclusion of the fourth age, according to the chronology
of the Jain ; of the fifth 2466 had elapsed in 1807, which places itjj commence-
ment in 659 B.C. ; a period sufficiently near to the supposed area of Zoroaster
to render the coincidence very remarkable. In a curious but mutilated
manuscript history of Persia formerly in the possession of Colonel Close, but
now I fear irrevocably lost, I recollect the narrative of a war between Iran
and Turan in consequence of the king of the former having embraced the
new religion of Zti'dusht, which the king of Turan in a letter full of reproach
terms the foolish doctrines of a stranger.
If the other circumstances of coincidence should apnear to be satisfac-
tory, the difference of name will be found to furnish no oojection. Zerdusht
or Zeradusht, the person whom we name Zoroaster, probably assumed that
fanciful title (signifying the leader of a flock of those descnptions of birds
which observe a regular order of flight) when he became the founder of a sect.
Wliatever in other respects may be the state of science in the ancient
books of the Jain ; Dhermia is a proficient in logic, and a very acute
metaphysician. This intelligent and venerable old man is preparing a history
of the sect, which may probably throw some faint lights on ancient bistorpr ;
but I fear that the lapse from tne only true religion, with which the bramins
are so rudely charged!, mar be retorted in many instances on the minor doc-
trines of the Jain themselves.
The Jain are very commonly confounded with the worshippers of Bhood
by the bramins and Hindoos of every caste. But it is onl^ necessary to state
that the Jain have, and the Bhoudists have not, a distmction of castes, to
prove that the two religions must have been at all times irreconcilable. The
Jain assume to themselves the merit of having expelled the worshippers of
Bhoud from the southern peninsula at the conclusion of a violent religious
war. We have already adverted to a dynasty of Jain kings which ruled at
Conjeveram at a very early period ; and Colonel Mackenzie nas also foand at
the same place many incontestable remains of a Bhoudist establiahmenty but
no authority for determining the date of their alleged expulsion.
Ari'KNUIX
:» I i«
No VI
List of the riirpinirilis tlmt appear tn liuvi* iMrii iii tii** |'ii4*>ci<uiii **i i lui k
Deu H;^ ut Mymior. :it X\iv tiiiit* nf hi^ litMth in 17t)4
No.
I
3
4
t
r;
«
1»
In
11
\t
13
II
i:.
i«;
IT
IS
!<•
21
w
U3
act
• •
3<>
31
3J
31
.T.
3«.
3-
4"
41
4l'
4.1
44
4'.
4#'
47
4-
Mvsooi:
i'lltttlll A-t.lL'l.tlU
My.MHir A^^tuM.kiii
Mv-iMtr Talltiiik
Il.ir(l.iii)iu]ly
iVri.iii.'ir.iHi
MutiiliHir
lli*^k*iiil.i\:iTiri)tt:i
li«*n.tii.ipiiiir
m
\ i-ii:iiiiliiiir
M.ill.o.llv -
Tiil'Mil iir Si-ill 1
N.ir^i|HNir
^t-<lt••I.l
ii:ill<Mi|-
lia^iilli
lloli.kuiilly
N:i^- iriiilii.:!i;iM )
lU".i..rr )
M.ih.injilrii'-^'
K.iiM^'litrry
Tuik iii.iiiiiiy
<'Uil«l|l,.|
T'Hin\krir.i
II. < f^ iiri •
i i.« »i .;. I iT! in
Mi;. ■■■• ih' )
K
_ • 1 p ■ ■
. . ■ . ■ 1
**■! ».•■;.:■.•
is .!. iV^ I-
I ii;: • »■: •..••
U^-i r. ...
II I.- ^ ■•'.•:
I. :.,
M ■-•.
M . . .'
I ■■:'•.. •
• "i: P. : ■
\ ■
!».-! k' ... I
Al:!- tl-
/
Ki\rnt:r
r.u'...|
ki
I'-
.1 i«i
ll
..-..Ml
1 t
1 H lit
r.
1 ■ <
r.
L" ' •
i:*
-■' " '
•«
.' * ■ •
«
^
(H ■! i
If
IMHI
.4
mil
k>
|M>
Il>
. •-'*«'
t
-m
1 -
1 >
:••'
i.
.'.. II
k
IIH'
f .
:i«i»
'i
; -1
1.
:'»»
3
1,N>
li>
■ ■ m
A
.Mh»
f ■
^1 >«•
tf .
;i-i
1-.
1 « *i
:•.
1 « ••
1
1 i •
i
1 .
1
1 •! ri 1
•l . I I •
I « M
»• t .• ■■. . ■ I
;■- 1 "!
Hebboor -
Ootradroog
Cheoroydroog
Tooinkour >
Deoroydroog J
^'uiii;
M
Makly.il
C'uudykiirjii J
Chiokanaighully j
t'hicka Moogloor
ViMitii lUillapoor '
RettiBall
Codaliully
Allaiiib..ilJ. _
Deiikaiiicutta
Ruttiiigerry
Ostoor
AnkuHgeery )
Solageery )
illy [
BARRAMHAL
Bftirambal
Caveriimttnn
Versbud d rdroog
Riiyi^ottah
Kan goon dy
Daram[M)ory -
I'ennagra
Tingrycotta -
Caveryjioor
Ahtoor Anontgeery
Purmiitty
Sheiidanmiignl
Woinloor
Sankerteery -
^all
Rooah
Coimbatoru
Daiiaikencotta
Clicour or Sheoor
Chingeery - . -
i)ir.,jiiPiir,i(ii ruiil f'huckergeery ■
riid.'!lr"i'-r Au.Uor
hi-rindoora
VizimuDgle or Arra'
Oudgully
Caverypoomn
Reronne.
Canty. Pagodu.
4&.%011
7,000
S,i>00
8,000
18,000
8,134
7,1S»
44,000
16,SO0
14,000
18,096
4,000
3,000
64,000
10,000
8,000
e,uoo
6,000
8,000
10,000
U,000
8,000
18,000
141,000
90,000
16,000
40,000
16,000
8,000
94,000
80,000
3«,000
87,000
S7j000
64,000
90,000
30/100
8,000
14,000
90^000
90,000
41/KlO
1S,000
4,000
i,m,wi i|
AI'I'KM>I\ J>.l
No VII
( uni»us/*h'U tlluMtnUtv^ **/ Ihr ihtiractfm of 11 y tier ami /iy7» >. r</'#« i./ /.. /•. m ■■
note in pti^f W*^"!.
It «M<> |iri-viiiiiH]y to thin r,iii)]iait;ii, tli:it llvtltT rxnrtrii fr->ni lii^ •^41:1 tit*
fnlliiHiii;: >tl.tliJi ri>lii|i:i(*l, wliirli W.i<i touinl .iIiK'M^' tin' .ti<-lii\it i! Nriiii;i
{•.ttiiiii. .'iinl :i fill- fiiinf' iif the <ii i;^iii.iK tn;.'i-i lur \\ A\i .1 ! r iii^li* ii>:i. i^ y^'A*
i^}ll<l l>y .M.tji>:-( i« iKM.il Kirkp.itrirk in lii^ iiirifi^ th-l iiiT< n-"*!!! : ili'M'!*
" I -t I «K i[l not ii-* .my <Mii> iliiiu' wiiiixu* * i • |>|t- .^ c . '■■ \ m Mi «i .1
.M.i|i«t V. I.iilil "I !•« lit M!^ l<ii IMV iMiiiiitiltii l.xiii \: I •{••.!• t :■.• Im • ::Oi..l.
ill VI tiiTf. i-r 111 iiiii'T 111 t\ ^r«ni ti't m.' :■> y • i.i m •>',•! !•• 1- ciii: ' '* ". •<
•' L'ImI It III till- -iM lir"* »1 tlit >.'r..r. I !i..r!.| , ..!i,iir.' 'I.." 1 '■ . ■, .!';,
iif fr.iuil un :if itr ^111 III. Ii t iiM . .1-^ ll.i- ilui )i.iiii^liii>i ht t ;• rr •' * ': ' . •! "
•• :iil It Mm- Lviiiiy III |iiiv irii' ri<'!i. •>' iiii^i'i'iT' ••'. '-it'll .• . ■ .i i.-
f||«- illl* pMI|i«)llll« lit ihi H ••! 1^ li 1^ ■<• tllii <-tl ill -il I'M'll < hti - • :•
•• Uii. Willi. .«.:• tIm- ..nil !^ ■! ?'.. ri. .■■.. I Willi .'i v. ■,\
• •ll»". ^ •' • I '. tV •■ , li. l*lii-T will I III;. 1 1 111.:- '1 .|MV ' :i' • .i \i I ' : \i-
r«iri-il>i\ :l I <i.>. 1. t iiiv h't^i I" • iit ..ft. Ill i |. ! !).• > -li ^. - • .: ' : ..
I 11\ ( hit <rtl< li
".'.ill !V I \i 1 I'.Mj ..ii t i-i itiilf- .'! •.:.. V' . . I .. I .
^itlitli |ir«il« il'l\ ..'»■'■'•.•' ' . ■/• I. i\ it*' i'^ I t ■ ^. , ■ ■■ ■ ■ ,•
\i . If ' !i • . II! ' III •] :ii. !*•'■' n ■■• '■•• ■■.!■■. .1 ■ •■ 1 . - I »• .
•■ i.'l, ^^ < ■.. . . •■ I ■■■ ■ Mi* • ', - . i ' ■ ■■■!■■ in ^
>ii«fir. .111. i ill I' ■. '. i" . ' ■■ .1 I I i ' f''\ « • ''I'M 11,1. I 'A ..I I 1 ■ ■ ■ !i I -1
III '* Ti J miii . ■ • • . 1 . V r ' * • • . r. • . ui-l • • ! -i-j't * ',•■ ii . ■ .
r**ttVA- lit! tl |-« ' :. i-* : ! .\ '■• .' ■•■•iii*- ■! '-.r t'l. |'>-r(.i»-«i » Ny •■■•'» r .
.lint It I ll til .' * • !■ . i*' 1 ' ' 'i-'U .1' .1.) Tin r . I iltllrl til III ■!.-.•■'
•It ^ti,- . '1 ' '. . I' '
■■ 7 '. ll 1 • T •.. 1 . ■'. ■ I " I i'i\ #>■ . I- :•>!! i>>r • ■■ !• |"»mI- ■ ■ ■ ' . ■ .' : 1
t«i )fii\ iif ji'' . I A I', iii«:miij. *'r .\.\ l*".ii «li<''ii>i iiri^i tr.-:ii . : > l
I «ili i|>i ii<<!i II..* I !ii :■ '. 1 »•••:- \. :■' ;i* 'i i. in ii- • ! ! »i . " !
l«-r^i|i i|.}->:ii*i -i ■•> :!• ^. -t 11?.. ■•;. I.
■' »'lii. 1 ll i.i \\Tlfi 'I I <!■ .- .• . 'Iri -i '1 .* »rt . ■> ; . ■■ ■
»lil k.1 t |.iii,' r ■'.. . ..I.'l ?.' . • . I • 1 l.i »:• i. •: - .: I . * ..i
••Ai h irlirl. Ir.. I\ ll !:■*•■ « ii.il •..*■' ■ • '.
•fiiriff r, if I In. I— i.-'i.- .;;. .1 , ■ . \ •.•■'..: ■: -..:•■..
I • *i : t • '.;«:!«■ I . • . w . ■ 1 . ■ ■ ■ 1 : 1 ; : • •■ • ! . j ■ • • ■ • i • - '
UIK •Mil ti ll V. r h I I' . • ■ ■ ■ ■ •■ ■ . I J I .1 . ' ■ ' I ■• -..
«M tlif- -i:l\ • ■'•!' ' :\ ■■ • .,'.,. ! ■ 'I ' '. ■ . ! I. • •
haw ijt.l »...■-»■■ I I,"'-. • . ■■' »■ ■ ■■ • . ■ : ■
|. irtir-i. -rr iri,:i- I * ■ ■ ' ■.!.•. » .. 'i ■ ?
aiitiii itti' ii \
\\\'\* r. ::■-.:. ri.- .,:..• \. .' .1
iK it ill-* III*! .Ii ■ : \* i ■ i' ■ ■ •■ ■ .1 T r
•l»«t it I'll. \ '«}.■: •. 'iiil ll." ■ . ■ .' \ •' ' .' ' ' ; I »
»\m. :\ I'm. |.. r i.-l. Iv- ■■ . i :• .••...
hlB < \r|i i I -11 I. i . ! - •.»■■.
■ III./ 4
rn'.t.-' ll IJ..I-- ,•.■•■
■ Ki'i| alrii k
l«ilrr*JI* #' * '
.■ • f**i: 1 ■ • • « ■ ■
522 APPENDIX.
bulls of the Hindoo temples, Tthe Indian apis,) wounding them, and some-
times destroying them with liis lance, (indeed after his own accession he
made no scruple of recommending this divine animal to his associates as the
best beef), iiyder was shocked at these wanton and unprofitable outrages,
on the feeelings of the great mass of his subjects. 2d. An English soldier
who had been made a prisoner during Colonel Smith's war, had remained
in Mysoor, on the liberation of his associates. Tippoo one day took the
opportunity of having him suddenly seized, and causing the outward and
visible sign of Islam to be inflicted in his presence. Hyder was at the
time particularly anxious to conciliate the English ; he abused his son in
the grossest terms, put him in solitary confinement, and when released,
forbade his courtiers to speak with him ; an interdiction which was frequent-
ly repeated, as the consequence of subsequent offences. On this occasion, as
on many others, he predicted that this worthless successor, would lo.se the
empire which he haa created ; he observed, that in order to indul^ a silly
prejudice, he had insulted and injured the soldier, in a manner which could
answer no one rational purpose, and might one day bring the vengeance of
the English nation on his house- On the subject of the second article of the
compact, it may be necessary to explain, that Tippoo never returned from a
detachment, without attempting secret embezzlement of the plunder. Hvder
on such occasions would lose all patience, and in {)lain terms call him a toief,
and a blockhead ; observing that he had not the common sense to perceive
that he was stealing from nimself : for unhappily, said he, you will be my
successor ; would that I had begotten Ayaz instead of you, (of this Ayas we
have already spoken.)
Persian seals are usually marked with the date on which they were
engraved ; the seal to this instrument, inscribed Tippoo Sultaun appears to
have been engraved in 1769, and as General Kirkpatrick observes, the circum-
stance proves, that the title /Suftaun was not assumed on his succession, as
had been supposed, and had become an object of serious diplomatic dis-
cussion, (see the journal of the late Sir C. Ware Mallet in Kirkpatrick's
Tippoo's Letters,) but had probably been given at his birth. The oWrvation
is perfectly correct, and this may be a proper opportunity for explaining the
history of the name.
Hyder, from personal communication, and established character, had a
particular veneration for the celebrated abstracted devotee, Tippoo SuUaun
of Arcot, (not Ck)lar as stated by Sir C. Mallet,) whose superb mauaolemn at
that place, embellished* by the contributions of pious Hohammedana,
continues to be a favorite resort of the devout, from every part of the sooth
of India ; and being in Coromandel at the period of the birth of his eldest son*
named him after the holy father, who, like most toqfi^ ^pnre or abstractea
saints,) assumed the roval designation, ifhcth or Sultaun, the conqaeror of his
passions, the spiritual lord, the king of the affairs of another world, aa the
temporal monarch is of this. I do not find among my notes, any temporal
history of this spiritual lord. It is probable that he was from the npper
country, from the name Tippoo, which in the Canarese lan^[iiage signities
tiger, and he probably assumed that designation, from the tnger being^ the
monarch of the woods, both members of the name thus indicating this ideal
sovereignty. This also is the ground of the Sultaun haying aaopted Uie
stripe of the royal tiger as a part of his insignia. In some eztracta from the
Dabistan, lately communicated to me by Mr. Jonathan Scott, the learned
translator of Ferishta's history of the Deckan, the author states that Skah^ (the
more usual adjunct of these saints,) in its primitive meaning, signifies jwre.
The orthography of the royal adjunct in the />a6i.f/a7i, and in aU works that
I have examined, is the same ; I am far from desiring to discredit the
authority of the Dabistan, but if this were the primitive meaning of the
* The Nabob Tippoo SalUun, in the year 1786, applied for permlMioa to repair and
embellish, at his own expense, the mausoleum of the liunt, whose name he bore, bat tb«
perm istion was refitted by Mohammed Ali.
.\IM»KNDIX. A'J.'J
word, it liOA rertaiiily loiif? been disu.%o<i. and I Mirvi» lliAt it raiitint Im-
Kiduc«d in tlip smsc* of f»urr in uny IVraian author, fnnii tin* il.-itt' of the
biiitan until thr present (lay . and that it in universally applied by thi*
rtUffi^ua, and by all tithiTM. in the nenne which I have endeavoiir«Hl to
explain. If thin rcreivtHl sense of the word Sh*9h were doubtful, it would b«»
eonfinnMl Itj* thr adoption of the Arabie Nynonyine Sultaun^ from k root
which sijECnifit^ prcra/rncr, futtrrr, authnrtty.
No. VIII.
(Krf<'rrril tn from ft^R^ 440.)
Extract* /rvm s*tm^ LrtUr* tchfUn by tJi^ latt Rfrrrend Mr. Simrf:, <rt on/ rt/
UiM Mifjettu* Chujtfitinft ntui anotfifr Frumd in 1779 atkd 17M>.
In the year 177't. tlie Nalnib found meant to usurp tlu* T.mjore country,
which he ruinrd by inhuni.ui fxaftions. Aftrrtwo y^art and itn h.ilf. Uini
Pigot arriveit anil r<'in>t:ih>d the Kins * Now the N.il>oii left no ni^tna
sniried. and exliaii-«tril uU lii** hro\ini'(">. fur to retrain |Mi4Hr«-iiiii nf Tanjore
HiatrtMtp!!, mnf^i-tinu'. lH*«id«'>thr int.intry. of sivcn tine ri*k'ini«'nt.4 of r.i\.ilry,
who were in a hi^'h .•>i.iti- ot di^'iplini*. ri'<-t-i\Mu' no p.iv. .inti ^wwv rt\iil(ing
thrungh bittrr liiiiik'<'i'. wcrr lur tin* Kri'>tt«'«t pirt dl^b.lntitil. and wt-nt tway
with ^T'\vi, anil xiincfMii Mith ttvirs. Ilyiicrn.iiik ri<*i ivi-d th«'>r poiplt* witli
joy. The tro'iji-* ot 'rinj'»H', .drt.nly ihort .ittir tin* N.ibiib\ u-tirp-iii'tii. hatl
almost t«i a man rnttrfi intu llyiifi'^ M-r\iiv. Thu4 wrr*- the h.indi i>I thi.n
rnt utrenRthiMii'd .i^rmi-^! n;:r (luit-rnnirnt I^trd I'unt .<4iiii^*ht tn ri'«-Uim
Sahrdi. Iiif \\v rb-.irly tnitotw wiific ibnti!^ it Witiibl ind : but ht* w.ia mmiu
rendered inr.iii.itrli' to art l'ri«b.ibly las tntcnii<>ns w^re l.iud.ible. but he
began not with (oi<l.
We hail lii<t Kiir rlnif'-h in T.injore. after that fi«rt had fallm into the
handa of the N.ib ib. llf iinu tii iia with empty pr«iiiii<irs. Kut %\hfn we
were quitr at a \**^* win n- \*i .i-^piiibji* fur IhMUi' NTtirr. my pi«iu« friend,
Mi^or Steven H. binh ns a tirif miiil wall I'huri'h at hii own rxpenoi'. «ii:«'li f n^t
him upwardi of .m fiunilri'd >r ir l*.u'<*i|.i<«. Hut thr rnnkCrr^^atitiii in--rf.L<iing
rapidly, and a lrt"<li invrrin.: with ^tr iw Itcin^' n* |ui«tte Irom timr to vr.iu-, we
b^f^ in January 177'.*. tti tiiihk of iMiildiii.; i «p.i<-i<iu.<« and |>erm.knt'nt thun h-
A mhncriptioii i» m Hft t»Ti U**^\, but the anMun*. nan .shamefully tn^i^'i.:tiiMnt.
Ax Madraii, aUmt 1 ••.<'*■» I'a^'ml i-* urri* ti.ii rtii!!y i-iiutributi**! towariU « rt r'.tn,;
^pia^h"U*r. I'.iit til ii'iiid A fniifK'Unr, )«-f|li- li.i\ i' ni* nmney. .Mr ■r>!4*%tii«.
Wno ciuild have ftfi'i-tn tlly ]ir>>nii>(« •! tin ^iib^rripti'in. ami 5Upt r:r.'t i* inl th«
baildinfT. anil uIp* in!i ii i*d {••rfMiin *•> K:i:<>|"-. .md mik«' a f.utlifu! rt prtM nt-
alion of what iiiu'lit pri'iu'itf tin* trin iiiltn-r .^f tin- lb>nor.ib!i- 1 '••:i>p.iny. .ii.d
the welfare of iKm •-•I'lritry. rim tly ••! \"ii!)i. w in killril fU tht- 1 l!h ••: < >• tulM r
I77h ; lifforr rniidii iii-rry <M-rM r il Miin:><. vi h-> Lnt-« . ai «• '•! i-* « \i !> N-lv,
that Major Strvrii'< .md I li\fl t<t«:«!iirr .» brrthrm. ri»hili>liil n.i iit lie
kindest mann«T. -.lun/. ymi will ii'>! -mi •*hhi ^'I't a >tr\rn« .i.'nn . h>ui\fr. I
faqOCiit you'll t mioiiiiT nu- a-« \"M\ frii-ini AlthnUM'h »«* arr bhl i.- '. !•• plfi-
•ar reliancr u|«*iii m:in. .uid altlniiu'h tl.tir pr«iniM4 an- ^•i:":ii u.-iihini;
More than rniiiT.aiMrnts : yi>t I pru-i- tht« lyinl. whim-^i-r he !•. ii^* « .niv <•!.• •
keart willnij; til fart hiT till- wi'fk <•: ifoU tv* n m tt.i- oni^ii' «: il*.::*' At i
viaiC whirh tienir.il Miiiipi .in 1 1 p i.<l tin- K »: i. lu* <tr!it;»! «•:•«• r\id. tl. i!
Chriatianity it fir t^i hr pn'ti-m^l t** i'-i*: uii«:ii 1 .im • -niCi id. ».iul thf Kaji.
Ikal the Chri^ti.in rtli^'i-iii is .m bui'.dn •! tin::- iinl ttin* « It **. r i!..i:i ; 1 •lulr) .
bat the c<indu< t of ihi- F!iiri<{i«.in* ii. li^* ^ a b.i>l rnprivij n . h ;..« ii.:itti
la fall rehanrr nn the t.tlp ••! tti..|. I m! i'-.it thr ^aildiI.,; •■! i!ir • hur- h
* McaoiUi: tbc Iti^A vf Ta'-j Tr.
i>'-+ APPENDIX.
ill tlie little t'mt, wliicli wns to l>e i>o feet lung, and iHj feet wide. On th«r lotli
of M.iroh 1771^. tlu» (General laid the foundation stone, 9 feet deep, and I \iM
a short sornion on Psalm Ixvii.
requested (iovernment to make me a present for my trouble. Instantly wiien
I heard it, I wrote to Madras, declining any ]»resent for myself ; but if iliey
would do me a favor, I requested that they would make a ]»resent of bricks
and lime, of which the Company had here a quantity in store, tt>wards the
building of this church, as we had not even money enou;;h to j»ay the
laborers, much less to purchase materials. The General, who went to Madras,
promised to support and promote this my request. It lasted a g<K>d wliilc, ere
I heard anything. At last, in May, the (Jeneral w^rote me word to et»me up
instantly to Madras, because the Governor, Sir Thomas Kumbold, had Home-
thing of importance to communicate unto me. I go, and behold to njy
astonishment I am desired to make a journey to Senngapatam, and to lussure
Hyder Naik, that our Government had no other but thoughts of peiu-e. Sir
Thomas addressed me nearly as follows :— It seems that Hyder Ali Cawn
meditates upon war ; he has in some letters expressed his uibpleoiture, and
even speaks in a menacing tone. We wish to discover his sentiments in this
weighty affair with certamty, and think you are the fittest pers<m for this
purpose. You'll oblige us if you will make a journey thither, st^und Ilyder
Ali, and assure him that we harbour peaceable thoughts. The reason why we
have pitched upon you, is, because you understand the Ilindoostanee, con.se-
qncntly need no translator in your conferences. We are convinced that you'll
act disinterestedly, and won't allow any one to bribe you. Jn particular, yi>u
ran travel privately through the country, without external |>omp and parade,
and thus the whole journey will remain a secret (which is ot great importance
to us) until yon shall speak with Hyder Naik him.self. You will hare nothing
else to do, than to refer Ilyder to his own letters, and to answer some dubious
circumstances ; and if you perceive him to be peaceably dis])0sed, inform him
that some principal members of council will come to him for to settle the
business finally. As the intention of the journey is giKxl and Christian, name-
ly, to prevent the effusion of human blood, and to preserve this country in
peace, this commission militates not against, but highly becomes your sacred
office ; and therefore we hope you will accept it
I requested time to consider of the proposal, prayed that God would give
me wisdom, and thought it my duty not to decline it. The grounds which
determined me, were :
1st. Because the mission to Ilyder was not attended with any political
intrigues. To preserve the blessings of neace was the only aim I had in view.
and at that time I really believed Sir Thomases intentions to be upright ana
peaceable. I considered, that if God, according to the riches of Lis mercy,
would vouchsafe to employ poor me, as an instrument to establish the happi-
ness of British India ; I durst not withdraw myself, nor shrink back on
Account of the danger of the undertaking, whereof I was fully aware, but I
ventured upon it in firm reliance upon (lod and his fatherly protection.
2nd. Because this would enable me to announce the gospel of God luy
Saviour in many parts, where it had never been known before. And
3rd As the Honorable Company and the Government had abown me
repeated kindness, I conceived that by this journey I might giye them some
marks of my gratitude.
But at the same time I re.solved to keep my hands undefiled from any pre-
sents, by which determination the Lord enabled me to abide ; so that 1 have
not accepted a single farthing of presents, save my travelling expenses.
These were given me, and I went over to Taiyore, where I left directions
with the native teachers, how they were to act during my absence, to Trichi-
•"TlRkftji. *
\i-rr\|ii\
' .f
i.i-i-l\ . U.I ■ I Ml K !.• 4l !«i till Ki!ti>l • .11* .Hill ii.i!i\i - III t l.t .i^i-i-iii • «•; III \
Ml I'lli'* . \\\ " \\ I ••:! .1 tiiiii t'l l*:u.i!..< ••t:.ili. tii'iii will! ti In- irtmiiti tin
■ : .'i"l\
' »ii "li .■■I..-: .tii!y iTT'.*. I -it III? finiii 'rMi*)iiiiM|.i.i\ (hi till r.fJi. m
?' ■ I . I M. . I !• !■ I'i -i I ui-'T. Il\i|i'r H 1 1 lint II T J i»n-«ii. .iIniim ti-riv ii:ii< » :.•
•'• '■' : «■! I : I i...i..i|\ iii-ri I t.iiiinl.i \\li"n- iiti'iiiii m i xi'i r: i*i"ii ••:
H'..i- .^ iii^v . I :.. ri.\ ii Mil, ||m\4i \i r I hui :i\\\ !>■« i inUijli I" •!". ;:"ii:,: *'\i*.
t\ ,'\\ i«'i-n.' ! :m ..I I'lnii- ujtJi !li»* i" iti-i-lii-* i,t»-.\ • iiWi!r\ |ifii«T "*.■.": !i. ili. l-
ii.:i :i, -hi .ii! -ill :;/:•• 1 1 I i< I I ill u Iim!*- i-iiiiii-.i-l n! (itMi r..iii-i : iimi:: fiii « it^.t
ti>i:i I • I ii -1 iht 1> ii.;:ii>'iii. :.i.<l .1? tii«- 1 iiii • ' li.i- iioiiili )>t|ti/iil <»i>iiif
>■• : \ iti( <• lit I- \ i.ilMl.--: ■:. I ( ii III .III i>t)h I I !■* Ii viirl <«. .ili.i It nt 1 'i% Mil' >• l\ii v
•'ifiil il i:iV I i.i\ I : ■• ■.'. iTii }.:•( ..tni ln^ l.<ii) •« {.••lii
( !•( x\\, r.''i i.{ \i:/:.-! \M- U:* < ii.i.r. ..\ ,\ iri.ii. :..| i n mr |.i"..riit)
< tu •* -• lJ.I. )'• :ri J '*':ui|i\. \\v hi.nii' :i hill, i •■•i.jii.j !.i my • m-.'* m. .il
\l.i<i'll>liiii! \. ; 1.11- ti»wii. «iif:i- till ;i 1 - .1 -Ti"!!.; I', si.t • <■; fw • m*\ -!llrl•^•
* • r \ -i;*-' .I.'] ii I - .\!l. • I I !i I ■ M tJ I II. iji'!i i'. - .-! •■ I I ! . . iMii'kt
^1 li>i In -ii-li f •■ ]• l-l .■ I .iiiv I II t II T 'r i! !•! i\ li i\ <* ■•i-' '1 %% 1^ .1 •! iU i\ II Xtlt-r't
!■• i.t,ii:i,ii .il n;.i j^ 'fi i> i-.m .111 <l I'-.i i.'i < witi. it i-'-ih.' ti n.-f .ij* ut.irt)iy
:ill I • 1 • :•! Ill -II ••! i< •!.•!.! lull .iii'l u iTii i,; til' I i I M"( . I ::t- i.ii!i : I .!<- Ill till-
< " • f 1 1 1 • I - It I . I i \t \ ! ■ , 1 1 J *." fc' . ■ III rii 1 1 1 ■*
\ Il it u I.. !•• Il iiii :iiiit -« ii. til i! !!.!<« u.i^ lift x\ iit'.i-ii 111 i-iir li iV'*. I<ut
In if ? I, ■ : • \ \ I II • I .'•! ' \I l'*:-'|i II % ( ••!;i|ll' r
' 'I. • , . i" il. \\i i: MM •! Ill ir ! f ' :•■!? • : M\ i-'i A^ !.;, 'i i i- -ij.! isn,
'< :' 'i I r i.ji -i I • :. i! - "•II III nil!. W.I-* :• f :< I i\ i: i. .-i i ■!; • * . t ■ ii i !,• : . jiu-
1. 'I ii-l •' :" !-•' -i TI. ,T ii.i.ijii: till. !!■ .i.'iiii' J tl .• • : i .r : :> . m i. i i/h.y
■ .1 \i .; r 1 1 i .i • ;• . I ' ! 1 .\ ■ i; . -i s j ■.'.■■ r . . » • *\i •-...:
• ••! t » i 1- Il -• •. i'. i i.'f- ' •' • 'i- i!»? t !•:! 4.' ..Im K :: I i ■. L . i- :• = ■■.• It/ :.:■. .iV
I ■ ■ I'-.'.-i iv I i J ■ ■■•?■. :. it I. ..i v.. .:■:... .1 • • ' . ■m.. •: ^-ri .n
\ " I ■■ • * III!. 1 •. ■ I I ■ I M • ■! . ! .T «■.•■#!•• -■ .: • I ; ■ I- *. I - I • I h X* .k-i.«il
. M\ ■ ;. I ■ \ T . ■ : , ! • . -■ 1 .1 ■ ■ . I Ml-! I . T i \ T I I . . ■ I ■ i : •
< 'M M,. . •'..■• \..,- : ■• -• . iTi\. I i* >. '"I.- i: t* I'M ! • .1 A ti m . r. tlif
••' II I- 1. !..■• • . • . I', •■.'..;.'...■ I. I. '. t : r ji li u 1* ! Ml I 1 .'i ;i.ii
I '••• i*\ • .■■:•.,•:■ ?■■■* I? I I • .' I . i.i'i--l\ J ri vt lit .1 / T i
H ■.■.♦?• i ' - • . ' •!• ' -i.."! I,,' III t : I liiiis i!-. •> il <••'.■ -iti •.. i! r - .Il
'■I" •! I ! ■ • ' ' i . Ml '.■:■ ■ \' > I II:. I * •■? i-i" il I 'i:.iii'..'- m r ■ -i ' ■ ■•. ' .■ v
:.r ■! ■;■. I ■■•. iti'-. i i\« T'ijf i.M:!!*. i.il i ••it-* iiiti v •■•••! Ii* • Nik
I .!i «".••'■ -.k •'• Ml til ■•:. I ^ • i!' '-fi) Hi :•■ I ■ ■.•!.•• I.- 1 I ■■ ; ^i .• • I • ■'■.»•
f' ■■;! • »\ ii'il ili-.i- I*. S I r ' ■ I 'Il ii\ ■!• r --.i-n • i.n • l. \ -l ■ « ■■ r ■ l.l*.
X • ' ! i . iTih^ I- il ii.i 'n I ■ ;. ir I W.I i, .! ;-i .1 I ■ ■ - w . ' •. i | • : .! .1
'..•.:• .'.?■■■••••■ N •,. i ,-.■.....:, \- 1. ■ . , • . ; ■>•'*'.■
.'• i H V-:- r ..I I .. " i ■■ i* •■.-•:■ ^-i fc. ..:■:■:.• 1
I. ••■»•■ I • • ! »^ ..•■>:.■ • ■ i .' . \i. ■ :. . \- 1 ■ ■ .■ • . ■ ■ ■ ■.. I
^r. i\ II.'
I}.
■ ■ .; ■ I /
N . •'..■.:■ ■..
1
.1 ■ r ■ • :
It. I . .: ■ ■ .-, . : ■
t
I • ■ ! ■ \i • I. ? •'...:..* L . •. . 1 ■ • ■ .1
• '. ■ ' i* i ■ I I \« I * .' ■ ! . j . : •; ■ ."x . !. .;
I »i.K • !• I r I .| ,». .' ••,!.■ . ■• . % • . |,-■
^• • ! il. ■ . ■ . f » • .^1 . . t . . •\ .».....• .. ■
.1' 1 • - : : ' I • I • ! . Ti! . >:.'.. I. • '. ■.-. . ; I . ■ .
»■ ■ I!.* . . I.' •. • ■
I ':■.'. ■ ..•■■: I
i-f ■■! \1 .?■.-;■• r. . I :• » . ». " . ,k ' ■
H' k?* " 1 ■ I i. : • . ■■.■!. •..■'.*•' !',•.:.•■
f!. ■ .
- ' • 1 1 k - r « : ■ t ' » , ;
U ■ ■ i . :
• ..1
■ i V iif
I •
II. . . : ^
■ ■ )
I
•
I ■ •
U* ' i.riii • fl t... I, .!•
•in • • . , • • . :; I- . . ,• « %•
I.I ■ -1 .
a
•!• •* •■ ■•-. : "1' •-»'..■ '-r *».. ■.• i ' • • '*' . I • •
526 APPENDIX.
But although tlie punishments are so dreadful, yet there are people
enough who seek such employments, and out-bid each other. The braroius
are by far the worst in this traffic. When they have obtained a district, they
flay the ))eople with unrelenting and inhuman cruelty, and with the most phi-
losophical sangfroid. At last they pretend to be poor, receive ilyder*s chas-
tisement, and return into their district.
When I came to Hyder, he desired me to sit down alongside of him. The
door was covered with the most exquisite tapestry. He received me very
politely, listened friendly, and with seeming pleasure to all what I had to
say ; he spoke very openly and without reserve, and said, that the Europeans
had broken their solemn engagements and promises, but that nevertheless, he
was willing to live in peace with them, provided*** . At last he directed a
letter to be wrote, had it read unto me, and said, what I have spoken with
you, that I have shortly mentioned in the letter. You will explain the whole
more at length. (Hut the Nabob at Madras and others, found means to frus-
trate all hopes of peace.)
When I sat near Hyder Naik, I particularly observed in what a regular
succession, and with what rapid despatch his affairs proceeded one after the
other. Whenever he made a pause in speaking, an account was read to him
of the district, and letters received. He heard it, and ordered the answer im-
mediately. The writers ran, wrote the letter, read it, and Hyder apposed his
seal. Thus, in one evening, a great many letters were expedited. Hyder can
neither read nor write, but his memory is excellent. He orders one man to
write a letter and read it to him ; then he calls another to read it again. If
the writer has in the least deviatcKl from his orders, his head pays for it.
What religion people profess, or whether they profess any at all, that is
perfectly indifferent to him. He has none himself, and leaves every one to
nis choice.
His army is under the care of four chief officers, called Buchshee, (from
the Persian word Buchsheeden, to give.) One mi^ht call them Paymasters.
But they have to do, not only with the pay, but also with the recruiting ser-
vices and other things which belong to an army. They are also judges who
settle differences. With these men I had frequent discourses. Some spoke
Persian, others only Hindoostanee ; but all were Mohammedans. They asked me
what the right prayer was, and to whom we ought to pray. I declared unto
them, how we, oeing sinful men, and therefore deserving Qod's curse and
eternal death, oould not come before God but in the name of our Mediator
Jesus Christ ; and I explained unto them also the Lord's Prayer. To persons
who understood Tamul, I explained the doctrines of Christ in Tamul ; to the
others, in the Hindoostanee language.
As the ministers of Hyder's court are mostly bramins, I had many oonTer^
sations with them. Some answered with modesty ; others did not choose to
talk on so indefensible a subject, and only meant, that their noble Pagodas
were not built in vain. I said, the edifices may indeed serve for some uaoi
but not the idols which ye adore.
Without the fort were some hundred Europeans, commanded by *
Frenchman, and a squadron of hussars under the command of Captain
Budene, a German. Part of those troops were Germans, others Frenchman.
I found also some Malabar Christians. Every Sunday I performed Divine
Service in German and Malabar, without asking anybody's leave, but I did it,
being bound in conscience to do my duty. \Ve sang, preached, prayed, and
nobody presumed to hinder us.
In Ilyder Naik's palace, high and low came to me. and asked what oar
doctrine was, so that I could speak as long as I haa strength. Hyder*a
youngest son (not Tippoo) saw and saluted me in the durbar or hall of
audience. He sent to request me to come into his apartment, I sent him
word that I would ffladly come, if his father nermitted it, without his father's
leave I mi^ht hurt both him and myself, (jf this he was nerfeetly sensible.
The most mtimate friends dare not speak their sentiments freely : Hyder hss
APPENDIX. 527
hii spies everywhere. Bnt I knew that I might sfieak of religion night and
day, without t^ivinf him the letuit offence.
I Kat often with liyder in an hall that i* o|»en on the garden uide. In
the ganlon the trees were grafted and bear two sort:* of fruit, lie had aUo
tine cy|»rcHii treen, fountains, Ice.
I oWrved a number of young bovs, bringing some earth inti» the garden.
On cn<{uiry I wan iufonned, tliat Ilyder had nii.Hod a battalion of orphans,
who have nolMviy el.*ie t4» provide for them, and whom he eduoateH ut ht.H0%lS
ez{H*nAe : for he uHowh no orphan to \hs ne^dvcted in all his domiuionx. He
fredn and clothe.n tltem, and f^iven Httie woiKlen hrclock.t, with which thev
ezerci»e. His care for orphnns* ^.ive me ^rvat pli•a^ure. Oh, how mucli
were it to be wiNhed, that we might follow this example, and improve uinm
it, fiarticularly as to reliL^ioun instruction, ho uh it Wcometh Britons, and as
God f>hall certainly rc(|uire it at our liandn, which he hath therefore armed
with fHtwer, that we hIiouKI use it chiefly for hirt service and glory, and not
merely for our own.
(hi the l.i.Nt evrning, when I ttH>k my leave from Hyder. he retjueHted me
to s)>eak l'er.<(iiit: In'fore him. .lh 1 had dniie with hi» people (he understood
FerMAU.t but he doet ntd ^peak it . I did n4i ; tiiid explaiiieil the motives of
my joiirney to him - ** V«»u m.iv perhaps, wondrr," .sjiid I, "' what could
have indutvd me. u priest, who h^is nothing; to do with {Htlitical concerns, to
c«>mt to yoii, and that on an errand, which diK^.n not pn>perlv belong to my
Micerdotal funrtmnH. Ihit, as I wa.s idainly tohl. th.tt the .*^ole objei*t of my
journey wiij* the preservation nnd contittuation of ] e.u'*- ; and having witness-
ed, more than onre. th«* minerv ami horrors atttn«iiii}: «>n wur ; I thought with-
in my own mind, how happy 1 shoultl derm myselt, ii I could W of MTvice in
cementing a durable fricntUhip l>etween the two < oivemmt-nts ; and thus
serurint? the blc^HuiK'n of peacr t«> thi.n dc\i*tiHi rountiy an<l itt inhabitants.
This I ron*id«'ri»il nn a rt»mmi-'%ion in no wi.m' dero>;atory to the otiice of a
minister (»f <«o<|, who in a <mh1 of IVaiv. ' Hf .«atd. with j^^reat cordiality —
•* Very well ' %er>- Wfll * I um of the >anie opini.iu with yuu ; and wish that
the Kngli^h may Ik* :u studiotHof peace a.i you .ire. It they offer me the
hand of pracr ami c«»nc<»rd, I ahall not withdraw mine."
** I t<N»k mv Irave td him. He had Miit three hundred Uupees into my
palankeen, to drfrsy my travelling expense.'*."
Hemarkofthe (*ompiler. From An<*ther ntcoiint. ^hich I cannot now
find. I rcN'oJlrct, that when the Hev Mr. S. would h i\f dflined the nrc.'«ent,
he w.i.4 toid by lly<irr'ii |»e«iple, it would end.oiM't'r their life, it they (Lired to
take It b-irk. Mr. Schwartz wishni then to return it tn pefmii , but he was
told by otif* of the mini^teri, that it was eontrary to ethpiette t<> re-admit
him into Hydtrs presence, ignite In- hid hit .iM<iu{i<«' ot le.ive . or to rt*reive
his writtrn representation on the i»uhj<«t. Tiia' Hytler. knii\%in.; .i great
pre«4*nt iKoulil orfend Mr !s l,,id pnrp«'->*'ly <*<'ntined it only to the lowest
amount *'i tr.4\ellinK «'X|»<n-'"*. A- .. II«\ .Mr .**^ prtHl'iri-*! the money to (Mi\ern-
ment at MA<)r.is, but i^.i-i d« «ire«l to ki-4-p it.
"Of ntv return, and the ^r\rral di»« oiir-i •• I ha\«' hehl with Roman
Catholifs, M«ihamnjr«lan4 an<l Hrathtn^. I havf no tune twvt to tm ntion any-
thing ni«>re. (hkI preM»rv«*4l me on the d-in^erou-i joiirn«'y . k*o** r* «' abun-
dant <•{ p«>rtiitii;if« to antiotin* e hi* word, ind dir« « t« •! .ui « : : iin.->t ii.<'e^ •>«» a.s
It «ao n>'>«! t ttH-«ii«-nt f«-r no- rr.ti<<tl !.« hi* ^r i* lou-* ii •:!.«-
'I hi« iMiiriie) %i4.* liktMiM- .111 o« r.»«:i>n. !!. it uirh trii- l!i.^!i*h mil the
* lliit ttr^ri^ m<«*|#ff«h«n«:<ifli u • ti' .mi at • \ »» ; .r t t.'.r g"**l fathtr • r^r. luhu.
Ihr |«r»>-ni «iS ■•«> tj it. Alii 1(1 r%i u I It.'* * ti <' Itt *• ■ • h«tnt«>' lit mttr ihr tbcla*.
• aMitc •Ia*rt i^t* r.t^>l i*. %>•. i | U/' :•• vL. . H < rt«i,ri* | '%r*irulvl^ rr>) tie vied lu
rrfcr.
••» I ttk%\*t*\ ll%iSrr Iff roflBprrhrttil Ihc rrnrrAj ir. {< -t :Sr ^lUn % {'•itiab Ap^r* h ABd !•
iJiA^r AA At I rf|«riAt« uwtmwt
528 APPENJ)IX.
Tamulian Church could be finished, which might otherwise hardly have been
the case.
On my return, Government resolved instantly that I should not only
have the desired bricks and lime, but also that the Reverend Mr. Pohle, at
Trichinopoiy, as well as I, now here at Tanjore, should henceforth receive
from the Honorable Company ^ach an hundred Pounds Sterling, as chaplains
to the English garrison.
^i Of those 100^. which I receive, I have c^iven half to Mr. Kholhoff ; with
the other half, I maintain the native teachers. Rev. Mr. Pohle makes the
same use of his lOOZ. for the benefit of the congregations and schools. But
should he be obliged to take also a few Pagodas of it for his own use, nobody
will I suppose find fault with him for so doing.
The Church in the little fort, or Siwiugicotah, is 90 feet long, and 50 feet
wide. In the beginning of 1780 it was consecrated and called Christ*s Church.
-L
#
u
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11