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mopcRTY   or 


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ARTES      SCIENTIA      VlRITAS 


TF' 


THE  HISTORY 

OK 

HYDUR    NAI  K, 

OTHKRWISB    STYLKD 

SHUMS  UL  MOOLK,  AMEER  IJD  DOW  LA. 

NAWAUB  HYDUR  ALI  KHAN  BAHADOOR.  HYDUR  JUNG  ; 

NAWAUB  OF  THE  KARNATIC  BALAGHAUT: 

WKITTEN    BY 

MEER  HUSSEIN  ALI   KUAN   KIllMANI. 

V1  _^^ 

TRANSLATED 

FROM    AN    ORIGINAL   PKRSIAN    MAMJSCRin\ 

IN  TEiE  LIBR\RY  OF 

HER  MOST  GRACIOUS  M.UESTY, 

HY 

COLONEL  W.  MILES, 

OF  THE  HON.  EiVST  INDIA  COMPANY'S  SEHVICK. 

■     I 
I 


LONDON : 

PRINTED  FOR  THE  ORIENTAL  TRANSLATION  FUND 

OF  GREAT  BRITAIN  AND  IRELAND. 

SOLD    BY 

W^.  II.  Allkn  &  Co.  Leadenhall  Strkbt  ; 
}\.  DuFUAT,  Paris. 


M   DCrC.XLII. 


Ano 

■HI 


*'    '■'     "       • '■    ^"   '!'>»■«.  XRI      I-U,...    ,..,u     ,,A... 


^^./vojSl 


TO  THE  QUEEN'S 

MOST  EXCELLENT  MAJESTY. 

Madam, 

I  venture  to  offer  my  humble  and  most 
grateful  thanks  for  the  permission  granted  me  to 
dedicate  to  Your  Majesty  the  following  Trans- 
lation of  a  Manuscript,  placed  in  the  hands  of 
the  Royal  Asiatic  Society  by  the  favour  of  Your 
Most  Gracious  Majesty. 

Upon  this  occasion  K  cannot  approach  Your 
Majesty,  the  Daughter  of  my  Brother's  early 
patron,  the  illustrious  Duke  of  Kent  and  Stra- 
THERN,  to  whose  condcscensiou  and  kindness,  I 
and  my  family  are  indebted  for  many  lasting 
obligations,  without  the  expression  of  the  deepest 
feelings  of  acknowledgment  and  gratitude. 

That  long  and  happy  may  be  Your  Majesty*s 
Reign  is  the  sincere  wish  and  prayer  of  Your 
Majesty's 

Most  obedient, 

and  devoted  Subject,  and  Servant, 

WILLIAM  MILES, 

Colonel^  Indian  Army. 


CONTENTS. 


translator's  dedication  and  prbfacb. 


The  Prbfacs p.  xzv 

CHAPTER  I. 

A  concise  account  of  the  Ancestors  of  Hydur  Ali  Khan 
Bahadtir p.  1 

CHAP.  11, 

The  birth  of  Tippoo  Saltan,  the  Martyr,  (may  God's  mercy 
rest  upon  him)  ;  with  other  details.  A.  Hijri  1163.  Nov.  29, 
1749 p.  28 

CHAP.  III. 

The  encreasing  prosperity  of  Hydur  Ali  Khan  Bahadur,  with 
other  occurrences  of  the  year  1 165,  H.,  A.  D.  1751.    .     .     p.  31 

CHAP.  IV. 

The  march  of  an  army,  under  the  command  of  Nundi  Raj, 
agreeably  to  the  request  of  Muhammad  Ali  Khan,  Sur&j  ud  dowla, 
towards  Nuthur  Nuggur,  otherwise  caUed  Trichinopoly,  and 
the  display  of  that  innate  courage  in  the  course  of  the  expedi- 
tion, which  marked  the  character  of  the  Khan  ;  in  the  year 
1160,  H p.  34 


VI 

CHAP.  V. 

An  account  of  the  defeat  of  the  Mahrattas  under  Gopal  Rao, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Bangalore,  by  the  bravery  of  Hydur  Ali  Khan, 
and  the  recapture  of  the  Talookas,  and  Forts,  taken  by  the 
Mahrattas;  with  other  occurrences  of  the  year  1168,  Hijri — 
A.  D.  1754 p.  49 

CHAP.  VI. 

The  quarrel  between  Nundi  Raj  and  his  son-in-law,  and  his  re- 
tirement to  the  fort  of  Mysore.  Also,  his  contention  with  Hydur, 
the  Sipahsalar,  and  at  length  his  being  taken  prisoner.  Also,  the 
acquisition  of  the  Talookas  of  Ani  Kul,  and  the  district  of  Barh 
Mahl,  by  the  Khodadaud  Sirkar  (Hydur,)  with  other  events  of 
the  year  1169,  Hijri.— A.  D.  1755 p.  61 

CHAP.  VII. 

An  account  of  the  treachery  of  the  Chiefs  of  the  Mysore  state, 
and  the  base  ingratitude  of  the  proud  and  fooHsh  Brahman,  Khun- 
di  Rao,  to  his  patron ;  and  his  arriving  at  the  punishment  due  to 
his  bad  actions.  Also  the  invasion,  or  incursion,  of  Esajee  Beenee 
Mahratta.     1170,  Hijri.     A.  D.  1756 p.  71 

CHAP.  VIII. 

An  account  of  the  regulation  (perhaps  capture)  of  the  City  of 
Seringaputtun,  with  other  events  of  the  year  1171,  Hijri.  A.  D. 
1757,  September  14th p.  96 

CHAP.  IX. 

The  march  of  Bus^ut  Jung,  to  take  possession  of  the  Souba  of 
Sura,  and  his  conquest  of  that  Souba,  by  the  aid  of  Hydur  Ali 
Khan  Bahaddr.  Also,  the  transfer  of  the  Sura  to  the  hands 
of  the  prudent  Hydur,  in  the  same  year,  1171,  Hijri. — A.  D. 
1757 p.  105 


Vll 

CHAP.  X. 

The  inarch  of  Hydur  and  his  army  to  Chuk  or  little  Balapoor, 
and  the  capture  of  that  place.  Also  the  conquest  of  the  Hill 
fort  of  Murg  Sura,  or  the  little  Sura  of  Pankoonda,  &c.  in  the 
year  1172,  Hijri.^A.D.  1758 p.  114 

CHAP.  XI. 

An  account  of  the  conquest  of  Bednore,  otherwise  called  Hydur 
Nuggur,  and  other  forts  and  towns  of  that  country,  in  the  year 
1173,  Hijri.     A.  D.  1759 p.  125 

CHAP.  XII. 

An  account  of  the  incursion  of  the  Afghans  of  Shanoor,  who 
came  to  the  aid  of  the  imprisoned  Rani  of  Bednore,  and  the 
punishment  of  the  Chief  of  Shanoor,  by  the  sharp  sword  of  the 
Nawaub  Bahadur,  with  the  conquest  of  other  places,  occurring 
in  the  year  1 1 75,  Hijri.    A.  D.  1761.     ......     p.  140 

CHAP.  XIII. 

An  account  of  the  Invasion  of  Mysore,  by  the  Paishwa  Siwaie 
Madhoo  Rao,  Mahratta,  and  his  taking  a  number  of  Forts,  and 
the  Souba  of  Sura,  &c.,  with  other  events  of  the  year  1076,  Hijri. 
A.  D.  1762 p.  148 

CHAP.  XIV. 

The  Second  Invasion  of  Mysore  by  Sewaie  Madhoo  Rao,  and 
the  march  of  the  Nawaub  Bahadur  to  the  neighbourhood  of 
Shanoor,  to  oppose  him ;  with  other  events  of  the  year  1078, 
Hijri.     A.  D.  1766 p.  167 

CHAP.  XV. 

An  account  of  the  conquest  of  Koorg,  and  the  reduction  of 
Kalikote,  (Calicut),  &c. ;  events  which  occurred  in  the  year  1181, 
Hijri.    A.  D.  1767 p.  178 


VIU 

CHAP.  XVI. 

An  account  of  the  incursion  of  Trimuk  Rao  Mama,  the  maternal 
uncle  of  Madhoo  Rao,  into  the  Kamatic  Balaghaut,  and  the  terrihie 
defeat  the  troops  of  the  Nawaub  sustained  in  the  battle  of  the  hill 
of  ChurkooH,  a  place  about  four  or  five  miles  to  the  northward  of 
Seringaputtun ;  and,  lastly,  Trimuk  Rao's  bootless  return  to 
Poona;  with  other  fearful  events  of  the  year  1182,  Hijri,  A.D. 

1  /Do        •.■...... p.    1  Oo 

CHAP.  XVII. 

The  usurpation  of  Rnghoba,  the  uncle  of  Narayen  Rao,  and  his 
invasion  of  the  Balaghaut  country ;  and,  at  length,  his  hopeless 
and  fugitive  retreat.  Also,  the  conquest  by  the  Nawaub,  during 
this  opportunity,  of  the  countries  of  Badami,  Hulihul,  Nowul- 
goondah,  Dharwar.  &c. ;  with  other  events  of  the  year  1183, 
Hijri,  A.  D.  1769 p.  230 

CHAP.  XVIII. 

An  account  of  the  encroachments  or  usurpations  of  the  English 
in  the  country  of  the  Kamatic  Payanghaut,  by  the  instrumentality 
of  Muhammad  Ali  Khan,  Surajuddowla ;  and  the  detail  of  the  war 
commenced  by  the  Chief  of  the  Dukhun,  Niz4m  Ali  Khan,  in  con- 
cert with  the  Nawaub,  Bahadur.  Also,  a  description  of  the  battles 
fought  between  the  English,  and  the  courageous  Nawaub,  in  the 
commencement  of  the  year  1185,  Hijri. — A,D.  1771.     .     p.  244 

CHAP.  XIX. 

An  account  of  the  establishment  of  a  lasting  peace  between 
Niz&m  All  Khan  and  the  English,  without  the  knowledge  of  the 
Nawaub  Bahaddr  by  the  intrigues  of  Rooknuddowla ; — and  of  the 
battles  which  followed,  about  two  months  after,  between  the 
English  and  the  Nawaub,  near  Nuggur,  Trichinopoly,  and  the 
Barh  Mahl ;  with  an  account  of  the  victories  gained  by  Hydur's 
gallant  army  in  the  same  year,  and  the  re-establishment  of  Peace, 
1185,  Hijri.— A.D.  1771 p.  264 


IX 

CHAP.  XX. 

The  inarch  of  the  Nawaub  and  his  troops  towards  Kirpa,  Kar- 
nole,  Bellari,  &c.,  and  the  collection  of  an  adequate  Paishkush 
(tribute)  from  the  Chiefs  of  the  above  districts ;  with  other  con- 
quests, made  in  the  end  of  the  same  year  1185,  Hijri. — ^A.  D. 
1771.     . p.  288 

CHAP.  XXI. 

An  account  of  the  celebration  of  the  Marriage  of  the  S4hibzada, 
Prince,  Tippoo,  also  that  of  the  daughters  of  Shahbaz  Sdhib ; 
and  the  Marriage  of  Hydur's  own  daughter,  the  year  1185, 
Hijri.— A.  D.  1771 p.  304 

CHAP.  xxn. 

The  invasion  of  Tatia  Mahratta  the  Chief  of  Mirch,  Govind 
Rao  the  son  of  Imrut  Rao,  and  Suboo  Rao  Ghatkia,  &c..  Chiefs 
of  the  Mahrattas,  from  Poona,  with  the  intention  to  ravage  and 
conquer  the  country  depending  on  the  Nawaub  Bahadur.  Also, 
the  incursion  of  Ibrahim  Khan,  Dhoonsa,  with  the  same  purpose, 
from  Hydurabad;  and  the  making  prisoners  the  chiefs  of  the 
Mahrattas,  by  the  hands  of  the  brave  soldiers  of  the  Nawaub's 
aimy.  The  retreat  also  of  Dhoonsa,  without  attaining  his  object 
and  the  conquest  of  BuUari  by  the  Nawaub ;  all  which  occurred  in 
the  year  11 87.  Hijri.— A.  D.  1773 p.  311 

CHAP.  XXIII. 

The  Conquest  of  Gooti  and  Soondoor,  and  the  capture  of  that 
tyrant,  and  incendiary,  Morar  Rao,  which  occurred  in  the  same 
year  1187,  Hijri.— A.  D.  1773 p.  324 

CHAP.  XXIV. 

An  account  of  the  conquest  of  Chitul  Droog,  and  the  capture 
of  Bhurma  Naik,  the  rebellious  Poligar  of  that  Fort ;  and  other 
events  of  the  year  1 1 88,  Hijri.— A.  D.  1 774 p.  332 


CHAP.  XXV. 

The  march  of  the  victorious  standards  towards  Kirpa,  and  the 
capture  of  Huleem  Khan,  the  governor  of  that  place.  Also,  the 
conquest  of  Gunjee  Kota,  &c.,  occurring  in  the  year  1191,  Hijri.— 
A.  D.  1777 p.  351 

CHAP.  XXVI. 

An  account  of  the  Marriage  of  Hydur  Ali's  youngest  son, 
Kureem  S4hib,  with  the  daughter  of  Hukeem  Khan,  Meeana,  the 
Governor  of  Sanore;  and  the  Betrothal  of  the  Nawaub's  own 
daughter,  the  rose  of  the  Garden  of  Purity  and  Chastity,  to  the 
Son  and  Successor  of  Hukeem  Khan,  in  the  capital,  Puttun, 
1192,  Hijri.— A.  D.  1778 p.  366 

CHAP.  xxvn. 

The  second  expedition  of  the  Nawaub  Bahaddr,  to  conquer  the 
country  of  the  Kamatic  Payanghaut,  at  the  instigation  of  the 
N^im  of  Hydurabad,  and  the  Poona  ministers,  in  the  year  1194, 
Hijri. — A.  D.  1780. — With  an  account  of  the  victories  gained 
by  the  lion  hunting  Moslems  in  that  expedition.        .     .     p.  372 

CHAP,  xxvni. 

The  advance  of  the  English  Army,  under  the  command  of 
General  Munro,  from  the  vicinity  of  Madras,  towards  Gunjee, 
and  that  of  the  detachment  under  Colonel  BaiUie  from  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Kottoor  Mungulgiri,  and  the  defeat  and  destruction 
of  the  troops  under  the  command  of  the  Colonel.  Also,  the  Con- 
quest of  Arkat,  and  the  taking  prisoner  of  Shukoh-ul-Moolk, 
Nuseer-ud-dowla,  Abdul  Wahab  Khan,  the  brother  of  Muhammad 
All  Khan,  Surdj-ud-dowla,  in  the  strong  Hill  Fort  of  Chunder 
Gin;  and  an  account  of  the  different  successes  obtained  in  the 
same  year  1195,  Hijri.— A.  D.  1780 .     p.  386 


XI 

CHAP.  XXIX. 

The  arrival  of  General  Coote,  a  very  able  officer,  at  Madras 
from  Bengal,  and  a  description  of  the  battle  of  Muhammad  Bun- 
der, and  the  death  of  Meer  Alf  Ruza  Khan.  Also,  the  march  of 
the  victorious  army  towards  Tanjore  and  Nuthumuggur,  and 
the  victories  th^n  gained  ;  being  the  year  1 1 95,  Hijri,  1 780.  p.  4 1 3 

CHAP.  XXX. 

An  account  of  the  arrival  of  Troops  from  Bengal  at  the  Port  of 
Madras,  and  a  description  of  the  Battle  in  the  vicinity  of  Sool 
Nuggur.  Also,  the  relief  of  the  Fort  of  Rai  Vellcre,  by  General 
Coote,  with  great  difficulty ;  the  Battle  of  Amee  ;  and  the  attack 
and  overthrow  of  a  body  of  English  troops,  by  the  Prince  Tippoo. 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Puna  Nelloor,  a  dependency  of  the 
Souba  of  Tujavur  (Tanjore ;)  with  other  events  of  the  year  1 196, 
Hijri.— A.  D.  1781-2 p.  439 

CHAP.  XXXI. 

An  account  of  the  Nawaub's  last  expedition,  that  is  to  say,  his 
departure  for  his  eternal  abode  in  Paradise  :  and  some  account  of 
the  goodness  of  his  disposition,  his  habits,  his  abilities,  and  the 
rules  of  conduct  he  prescribed  to  himself;  with  other  matters. 
Also,  the  death  of  General  Coote,  which  occurred  before  the 
death  of  the  Nawaub,  in  the  same  year,  Hijri,  1196. — A.  D. 
1781-2 p.  469 

SUPPLBMSNTART    NOTB p.  493 


TRANSLATOR'S  PREFACE. 


The  Persian  Language^  as  any  one  at  all  ac- 
quainted with  it  is  aware,  delights  in  inflated  de- 
scription, pompous  imagery,  sounding  epithets,  and 
in  all  extravagant  figures ;  and  according  to  the  cha- 
racter of  the  writer,  this  genius  or  affection  of  the 
language  is  frequently  carried  to  the  verge  of  ab- 
surdity— that  is,  absurdity  as  measured  by  our 
scale. 

To  suppress  or  soften  these  peculiarities  when 
very  wild,  and  retain  them  when  deserving  to  be 
kept,  is  I  think,  indispensable,  and  in  my  transla* 
tion  of  this  work,  I  have  tried  hard  to  conform  to 
this  rule,  although  I  may  not  perhaps  have  always 
succeeded  in  my  endeavour. 

It  must  however  be  observed,  that  in  most  cases 
these  ornaments  as  they  and  extravagancies  as  we 


XIV 

call  them,  are  applicable  to  themselves  alone — for, 
^ith  regard  to  their  enemies  these  descriptions  are 
as  tame  as  it  is  possible  for  them  to  be,  and  some 
times  so  obscure,  that  without  long  practice  no  one 
can  understand  them. 

In  some  places,  therefore,  as  I  suppose  must 
occur  in  most  translations,  I  have  been  obliged  to 
change  the  person,  tense,  and  order  of  the  words 
and  sentences;  to  reject  for  the  sake  of  brevity 
and  clearness  many  of  the  parallel  or  synonymous 
terms; — to  omit  most  of  the  high  sounding  epi- 
thets accompanying  the  names  of  Hydur  All,  Tip- 
poo,  their  families,  &c. ;  and*  lastly  to  abridge  much 
of  that  poetic  licence  which  is  natural  to  the  Per- 
sian language. 

With  respect  to  the  Indian  names  of  persons  and 
places,  it  may  be  proper  to  remark,  that  in  English 
authors  they  are  very  incorrectly  spelled,  and  in 
some  cases  altogether  changed  : — As,  for  instance, 
Fuzzel  ooUa,  for  Fyze  uUah ;  Ooseote,  for  Huskote ; 
Dunnully,  for  Dewun  Hulii ;  Chittapet,  for  Jeeth 
Peeth  ;  *  Malwagle,  for  Murwakul,  &c.  &c.  To 
avoid,  if  possible,  following  these  examples,  I  write 
the  words  as  they  are  written  in  the  Persian  MS. ; 
but,  notwithstanding  this  precaution,  I  fear  that 
many  names  are  still  mispelt. 

•  The  town  or  Suburb  of  Victory. 


XV 

The  history  of  the  Rajas^  or  Ooderes,  ^  of  Mysore 
has  been  so  ably  written  by  Colonel  Wilks,  that 
little  more  of  any  importance^  can^  I  believe,  be 
said  about  them.  By  the  minute  accuracy  of  that 
gallant  officer,  and  by  the  details  in  this  work,  I 
am  also  relieved  from  the  task  of  pointing  out  the 
original  boundaries  of  Mysore  and  the  acquisitions 
of  Hydur  Ali.  But,  as  the  work  of  Colonel  Wilks 
may  not  be  in  the  hands  of  those  who  read  this,  I 
beg  leave  to  offer,  as  an  outline,  that  they  con- 
sisted generally  of  the  Balaghaut"^  and  part  of  the 
Payeen  Ghaut  Provinces.  The  country  depending 
on  Mysore  may  be  said  to  have  extended  E.  and 
W.  from  Bednore  to  Cotapilly,  near  Rama  Sumoo- 
drum,  which  by  the  map,  is  something  less  than 
three  hundred  miles;  and  N.  and  S.  from  Rai 
Droog,  to  Urdenall,  about  two  hundred  miles. 
This,  of  course,  does  not  include  many  of  Hydur's 
conquests,  and  is  intended  as  an  approximation 
only. 

In  translating  this  work  I  have  not,  in  general, 

«  See  the  Author's  Preface.  The  Balaghaut  extends  according 
to  the  map,  N.  and  S.  from  the  district  of  Gontoor  to  Nundi 
Droog,  or  there  ahouts.  The  Payeen  Ghaut,  which  signifies  the 
foot  of,  or  below,  the  Mountains,  is  apparently  the  South  Extern 
coast,  N.  and  S.  from  Nellore  to  Namkool,  or  thereabouts,  but 
I  have  no  means  of  ascertaining  the  precise  extent  of  these  Pro- 
vincesi 


XVI 

made  any  reference  to  those  of  Orme/  Wilks,  and 
others,  on  the  history  of  Mysore  and  the  wars  of 
the  Kamatic;  firstly^  because  this  book  is  suffi- 
ciently large  without  such  an  addition;  and,  secondly, 
because,  although  we  have  seen  abundance  of  what 
has  been  said  respecting  Hydur  All  and  his  son 
Tippoo,  by  English  and  French  writers ;  still  we 
have  never  seen  what  those  two  individuals,  or  any 
of  their  nation,  have  said  of  themselves ;  if  we 
except  a  portion,  and  that  I  believe  a  small  one,  of 
Tippoo's  letters,  translated  by  the  late  Colonel 
Kirkpatrick. 

For  these  reasons,  I  have  thought  it  best  to 
allow  Hydur's  historian  to  tell  his  tale  without 
comment.  This  account,  compared  with  those 
above  mentioned,  will,  it  may  be  presumed,  fur- 
nish a  tolerably  fair  guide  for  the  general  historian. 
There  is,  however,  only  a  partial  resemblance 
between  the  English  histories  of  the  wars  in  the 
Kamatic  and  this ;  only  a  small  part  of  this  relating 
to  the  English  wars,  while,  on  the  contrary,  the 
English  histories  contain  very  little  else. 

It  may,  perhaps,  be  expected,  that  I  should  at- 
tempt a  short  outline  of  the  history  of  Hydur  and 
his  family. 

According  to  the  statement  of  a  writer,   from 

*  Except  with  regard  to  Trichinopoly,  it  is  generally  consistent 
with  Orme's  account  to  1760. 


XVll 

whose  work  I  have  translated  a  character  of  Hydur, 
that  chief,  himself  was  accustomed  to  claim  a  de- 
scent from  the  kings  of  Bejapoor.  There  appears 
however  to  be  no  other  ground  for  his  claim^  than 
his  own  assertion ;  and  the  Author  of  this  work,  if 
he  had  had  the  slightest  pretext  for  assigning  so 
noble  an  origin  to  his  hero,  would  not,  I  think, 
have  failed  to  give  him  the  full  advantage  of  it.  • 
But  the  fact  is,  that  his  origin  was  very  obscure, 
and  the  term  Naik  is  rather  ambiguous. — It  origi- 
nally, no  doubt,  signified  a  Chief  or  Leader,  and 
was  the  title  of  the  Hindu  Rajas  of  Madhura '  and 
Tinavelli,  who  were  conquered  by  the  Nawaub  of 
Arkaut,  in  the  beginning  of  the  last  century.  But, 
it  is,  also,  the  designation  given  to  the  lowest  rank 
of  non-commissioned  officers  in  the  Company's 
army,  and  the  surname  assumed  by  nearly  the 
lowest  class  of  Hindus  in  the  Dukkun. 

It  is  rare,  therefore,  that  a  Mussulman  should 
have  such  an  addition  to  his  name,  except  in  the 
Indian  army. » 

*  Mysore  was  tributary  to  Bejapoor ;  and  thence,  most  likely, 
Hydor's  claim. 

'  The  Hon.  M.  EUphinstone  calls  them  Na3nics,  the  Polig^art 
of  BeUari,  Rai  Droog,  &c.,  are  also  called  N&iks.  The  word  ii, 
I  believe,  derived  from  the  Sanscrit. 

*  The  meaning  of  the  word  has  been  changed  from  its  original 
sense,  apparently  from  a  motive  similar  to  that  which  induces  the 

b 


XVlll 

The  title,  however, — ^for  title  it  is, — was  given 
to  Futteh  Muhammad^  the  father  of  Hydur,  by  the 
Raja  of  Mysore;  and  the  author  says,  that  it  is 
given  only  to  those  who  are  distinguished  as  states- 
men or  soldiers. 

Another  account  of  Hydur  states,  his  family  to 
have  been  originally  called  Naik  by  the  Afghans*"  of 
Kirpa  and  Kurnole. 

According  to  this  history,  the  first  of  Hydur's 
ascertained  ancestors,  Wulli  Muhammad,  came  from 
the  neighbourhood  of  Dehli  to  Kalberga,  during 
the  reign  of  Muhmud  Adil  Shah,  *  sultan  of  Beja- 
poor;  and  it  states  that  he  was  of  the  tribe  of 
Koreish,  ^  the  tribe  of  the  Prophet  Muhammad. 

It  appears,  that  this  Wulli  Muhammad  was  one 
of  those  persons  called  by  the  Arabs  Mushaikh, 
that  is,  a  grave  devout  mussulman ;  and  that  he 
took  up  his  residence  there  in  the  Durgah,  or  mau- 
soleum, of  a  celebrated  saint,  named  Bundeh  No- 
Arabs  to  call  a  blind  man,  Buseer, — i.  e.  seeing,  and  a  slave 
Moula,  or  Master.     j^j^J^    ^   Jyx,  ^  j^ 

^  It  may  be  proper  to  apprise  the  English  Reader  that  the 
Afghan  race  is  widely  dispersed  in  Hiudostan. 

*  In  the  list  of  the  Adil  Shahi  kings,  which  I  have  seen,  I 
can  find  no  Muhammad ;  but  if  he  be,  as  stated,  the  son  of  Ibra- 
him Adil  Shah,  he  must,  I  conclude,  be  the  son  of  the  last  of  that 
name.     There  appears,  however,  to  be  some  mistake  here. 

J  Hindu  converts  to  Muhammadanism  often  call  themselves 
Koreish. 


XIX 

waz/  and  remained  there  until  the   reign  of  Ali 
Adil  Shah  the  second,  of  Bejapoor^  when  he  died.^ 

Hydur  was  the  great  grandson  of  this  Wulli 
Muhammad.  He  was  bom  in  the  year  1721,  at 
the  town  of  Kolar,  a  dependency  of  the  Karnatic 
Balaghaut  province.  It  is  needless  for  me  to  enter 
into  the  events  of  his  life,  as  they  are  detailed  in 
the  following  pages ;  but  it  may  be  as  well  to  re- 
mark, that  his  introduction  to  power  arose  from 
his  engagement,  through  the  medium  of  his  cousin 
Hydur  Sahib,  to  serve  the  Raja  of  Mysore;  and 
that,  while  he  remained  in  his  service  at  Seringa- 
puttun,  by  artfully  availing  himself  of  the  imbeci- 
lity of  the  Raja,  and  the  dissensions  of  his  ministers, 
he  gradually  dispossessed  the  one,  and  imprisoned 
and  put  to  death  the  others ;  and  in  a  very  short 
time  became  the  Nawaub  of  the  Karnatic  Bala- 
ghaut Chukmuk"  Jung.  The  title  assumed,  (for 
I  doubt  its  validity  conferred  by  Busalut  Jung,) 
and  the  territory  obtained,  by  the  most  unqualified 
ingratitude  and  treachery. 

His  career,  which  preserved  a  perfect  consistency 
to  the  end,  was,  however,  at  length,  arrested  by 
Sir  Eyre  Coote  ;  and  although  Hydur  is  said  to 

*  Apparently  about  the  year  1670. 

™  The  cock,  or  flint  and  pan  of  a  musket  in  Turkish. 


XX 

have  died  of  a  cancer  in  his  back,  it  is  probable 
that  the  checks  and  defeats,  which  he  sustained  from 
that  brave  and  accomplished  officer  hastened  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1781." 

In  reference  to  Hydur  s  character,  it  may  be  said 
that  his  best  qualities  were  his  judgment  and  de- 
cision. He  was  from  policy,  and  perhaps  from 
superstition,  more  indulgent  to  the  Hindoos  than 
his  son  Tippoo ;  but,  he  was  never  exceeded  by  any 
one  in  perfidy  and  cruelty.  His  bad  faith,  (the 
author  of  this  work  calls  it  ^  governing  or  conquering 
policy,')  °  seems  to  have  pervaded  every  action  of 
his  life.  In  proof  of  this  see  his  conduct  to  the 
unfortunate  Rajas  of  Mysore,  to  Nundi  Raj,^  (who 
whatever  he  might  be  otherwise  was  certainly  the 
best  fiiend  Hydur  ever  had),  to  the  Mahrattas,  to 
his  English  prisoners,  to  his  benefactor  Busalut 
Jung ;  to  Morar  Rao,  (or,  as  he  is  called  by  Orme, 
Morari  Row,)  and,  indeed,  to  every  one  who  had 
the  misfortune  to  come  in  contact  with  him. 

There  may,  nevertheless,  be  some  apology  or 

°  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  the  death  of  Sir  Eyre  Coote, 
also,  is  said  to  have  been  hastened  by  the  opposition  and  annoy- 
ance which  he  received  from  the  persons  who,  unfortunately,  at 
that  period  presided  over  the  Bff&m  of  the  East  India  Company  at 
Madras. 

P  Nundi  Raj  is  called  Regent  of  Mysore  by  Onme. 


XXI 

palliation  for  this  in  the  peculiar  circumstances  of 
his  rise,  and  situation,  in  the  character  of  the  people 
with  whom  he  had  to  deal, — and  in  the  tenets  of 
his  religion,  which,  I  believe,  as  understood  by 
most  classes  of  Muhammadans,  **  scout  all  notion  of 
keeping  faith  with  Christians  and  idolaters,  unless 
when  convenient ;  but,  perhaps,  more  than  all,  in 
the  laxity  of  principle  common  to  public  men  in 
most  countries,  and  particularly  in  India,  where,  as 
in  his  case,  it  was  under  less  controul  than  in 
Europe. 

I  do  not,  however,  think  that  the  charge  of 
avarice,  made  against  him,  is  well  grounded.  Such 
an  army,  as  he  commanded,  never  could  have 
been  assembled  without  a  very  lavish  expenditure  ; 
as  those  who  know  any  thing  of  the  constitution 
of  native  armies  in  India  will,  I  believe,  allow. 

The  secret  of  Hydur's  success  against  his  country- 
men, appears  to  have  consisted  chiefly  in  his  clear 
perception  and  ready  adoption  of  the  advantages  of 
European  discipline,  and  in  the  employment  of 
Europeans,  and  those  who  were  trained  in  their 
mode  of  warfare.     Abundant  proof  of  this  will  be 

found  throughout  his  life.     The  officers  in  whom 

^^  • 

<i  There  are  I  believe  passages  in  the  Koran  enjoining  Muham- 
madans to  keep  faith  with  Christians,  but  I  believe  also  they 
consider  those  passages  abrogated  by  the  chapter  of  the  Syfe  or 
sword. 


xxu 

he  most  depended,  and  who  most  effectually  served 
him,  although,  they  are  but  slightly  noticed  in  this 
work,  were  all  French  or  Portuguese ;  as,  for  in- 
stance, Messieurs  Manuel,  Lally,  Jani,  Raymond, 
&c. 

In  stating  that  the  author  manifests  a  strong  bias 
towards  his  master,  some  times  apparently  at  the 
expense  of  truth,  it  is  but  fair  to  remark,  that, 
unlike  other  Muhammadan  authors,  he  has  seldom 
spoken  disparagingly  of  the  British  troops,  whom,  on 
the  contrary,  he  admits  to  have  been  Hydur's  most 
gallant  opponents,  and  whom  Hydur  himself,  ac- 
cording to  him,  with  the  frankness  of  a  brave 
soldier,  describes  as  '*  lions  ranging  over  the  face  of 
the  whole  earth/' 

Such  expressions  as  the  *'  stormy,  warlike  Eng- 
lish,*' *'  the  lions  ranging  over  the  face  of  the  earth," 
and  others  of  the  same  tenor,  plainly  indicate  the 
opinion  entertained  by  Hydur  of  the  prowess  of  the 
British  army  in  India/ 

After  premising  thus  much,  I  am  bound  to  make 
my  public  acknowledgements  for  the  flattering  as- 
sistance and  encouragement  which  I  have  received 
from  the  following  distinguished  Oriental  scholars. 

I  am  under  the  greatest  obligations  to  the  late 
much  lamented  Earl  of  Munster ;  not  only  for  the 


will 

confidence  placed  in  me^  implied  in  his  lordship's 
offering  me  the  translation  of  the  Neshauni  Hyduri, 
but^  from  the  advantages  I  have  derived  from  his 
extensive  knowledge  of  Oriental  military  customs 
and  literature. 

b\jUyC  aCcJl  (3*?"  J  *IP  ^^  ' 

To  the  Right  Hon.  Sir  Gore  Ouseley,  I  beg  leave 
to  offer  my  most  thankful  acknowledgements^  for 
the  kind  assistance  I  have  ever  obtained  from  him, 
and  which  I  trust  he  will  permit  me  to  say,  no 
Oriental  scholar  of  the  present  day  is  able  to  give 
with  more  critical  judgment  and  precision. 

To  Professor  Forbes,  and  Mr.  Bland,  I  am  under 
great  obligations  for  their  kindness  in  lending  me 
copies  of  this  work ;  since,  by  the  collation  of 
these  copies,  I  have  been  enabled  to  ascertain  the 
meaning  of  many  passages,  which  must  otherwise 
have  been  left  unexplained. 

To  Mr.  Shakespeare,  Professor  of  Hindostani, 
I  am  also  much  obliged,  for  his  kindness  in  pointing 
out  to  me  a  work,  on  the  life  and  character  of  Hydur, 
in  the  Hon.  East  India  Company's  library.  Of  this 
I  have  availed  myself  by  a  partial  translation. 

To  the  Rev.  J.  Reynolds,  Secretary  to  the  Orien- 

*  "  May  the  earth  be  sweet  to  him,  aod  may  his  abode  be  in 
Paradise," 


XXIV 

tal  Translation  Committee  of  the  Royal  Asiatic 
Society,  I  also  beg  leave  to  offer  my  best  thanks, 
for  his  uniformly  kind  suggestions  and  ad\dce. 

In  presenting  this  translation  of  the  life  of  Hydur 
All  to  the  public,  I  beg  leave  to  observe,  that  no 
one  can  be  more  sensible  of  its  defects  than  I  am. 
In  justice  to  myself,  however,  I  think  I  may  state 
with  some  confidence  that  it  is  translated  as  closely 
as  the  difference  which  exists  between  the  two  lan- 
guages will  admit,  unless  the  risk  be  incurred  of 
rendering  it  uncouth  to  an  English  reader  by 
making  it  a  verbal  translation. 

In  conclusion  I  beg  leave  to  subjoin  that  a  literary 
friend,  Mr.  Davenport,  having  obligingly  versified 
part  of  the  English  translation  of  the  Persian  poetry 
in  this  book,  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  place  his 
verses  at  the  bottom  of  the  page,  and  write  this 
as  an  acknowledgement  of  his  kindness  and  ability. 


/hf^^  t:/4^^  ^^  ^^ 


The  title  page  of  the  volume  containing  the  various 
accounts  of  the  Universe  ;  and  the  Book  of  Books ' 
describing  the  condition  **  of  all  the  different  Tribes 
or  Nations  *  of  the  world ;  are,  the  praise  of  the 
King  of  all  Kingdoms;  the  Standard  of  whose 
might  and  Majesty  is  planted  on  the  field  of  his 
works,  and  under  the  shadow  of  whose  aid  and 
protection  all  the  contending  armies  on  the  face  of 
the  earth  are  enrolled. 

The  Shuhneh,*  Magistrate  or  Provost  Martial, 
who  executes  his  universal  orders,  regulates  with 
the  scourge  of  wisdom  and  justice,  in  eternal  mode- 
ration and  proportion,  the  opposite  natures  or 
qualities  of  the  various  kinds  of  sentient  beings  ;* 
The  Herald  *of  his  decrees,  by  the  proclamation 

d      >      * 

^AflT*  A  kind  of  Provost  Martial  in  Camps,  &c. — meaning 
the  Angels,  perhaps,  see  the  Furhungi  Jehangiri. 


XXVI 

to  the  four  quarters  of  the  world,  that,  to  *'  him 
belongs  Sovereignty,  the  one  God !  the  all  power- 
ful God ! " ' — draws  forth  or  compels  from  the  tongue 
of  every  one  high  and  low  the  acknowledgement  of 
belief  in  his  unity  ;  and  the  generous  call  or  invita- 
tion to  his  plenteous  table,  adorns  with  the  orna- 
ment of  faith  the  ear  of  every  living  creature. — 
Verses  from  the  Gulistan — *'  So  wide  has  he  spread 
his  bounteous  feast — That  the  Simorgh  *  eats  his 
share  in  the  Mountain  of  Kaf."  ^ 

And  the  Preface  to  the  Book  of  the  Creation, 
and  the  title  of  the  volume  of  Wisdom  and  Know- 
ledge, are  the  praises  of  that  Commander  (Muham- 
mad), whose  authority,  [the  words] — *'  we  do  not 
send  thee  except  from  compassion  or  mercy  to 
mankind,*" '  became  to  the  sinners  of  the  earth,  the 
glad  tidings  of  salvation ;  and  the  sword  of  whose 
claim,  and  mission,  like  the  life  destroying  lighten- 
ing came  and  burned  up  the  harvest  of  the  pride 

8  Phenix. 

(— 'v$     Emerald  mountains  which,  the  Mukammadans  say, 

surround  the  earth. 

God  spreads  his  bounteous  feast  so  wide,  that,  where 

Kaf  rears  his  lofty  peaks  the  Simorgh  eats  his  share. 

s 
*  Koran.     ^.-»^UU  Ia^j  ^t  (.JlJu^^  Uj 


xxvu 

and  insolence  of  idolators  and  infidels.  May  the 
blessings  of  God  ever  remain  on  him,  his  family, 
friends  and  dependents. 

But,  from  the  conquerors  in  the  realms  of  litera- 
ture,^ and  from  the  presidents  or  leaders  of  the 
Councils  of  the  learned,  it  will  not  be  hidden,  that 
when  the  Almighty  in  any  time  or  period  desires 
that  the  individuals  of  his  Creation,  (that  is,  his 
Servants),  shall  repose  on  the  couch  ^  of  ease  and 
safety  ;  he  qualifies  and  makes  acceptable  to  him- 
self, a  fortunate  individual,  a  man  of  strong  mind, 
and  places  the  symbol  of  obedience  ^  to  him  on  the 
shoulders  of  the  age,  and  the  nations  of  the  earth 
far  and  near  are  maintained  in  the  supply  of  their 
wants  and  the  accomplishment  of  their  desires  by 
the  impression  and  influence  of  his  name  and  power. 

This  proposition  is  established,  in  the  cases  of 
Shums  ul  Moolk,  Ameer  ud  Dowla,  Nawaub 
Hydur  All  Khan  Bahadur,  Hydur  Jung, — and 
Oomdut  ool  Moolk,  Mubaruk  ud  Dowla,  Tippoo 
Sooltaun,  AK  Khan  Bahadur,  Huzubbur  Jung;° 


in 


^f^li     A  saddle  cloth. 
joW   J^   J*  ^J^   t^\y  ^jlll  j^\  u^U\ 


XXVIU 

both  fortunate  and  illustrious  men,  who  from  the 
commencement  of  1167,  Hijri,  (A.D,  1753),  to  the 
end  of  1213,   Hijri  (1798-9,)    reigned  over  their 
kingdom  (Mysore)  and  fostered  and  cherished  man- 
kind by  their  prudence,  justice,  and  liberality; — 
and  during  this  period  as  will  be  detailed  hereafter, 
held  the  whole  of  the   Balaghaut  °  Province  and 
part  of  the  Payenghaut  under  their  authority  and 
controul, — and,  for  some  time  the  revolving  Heavens 
like  confidential  servants  girded  their  loins  ready 
to  perform  the  service  required  of  them  by  these 
great  men ;  and  for  a  certain  number  of  days,  the 
five  Nobuts,  (times  or  modes  of  beating  the  kettle- 
drums) of  rejoicing  or  congratulation  **  for  the  in- 
crease of  the  Khodadad,  or  God  given  kingdom, 
were  beaten  before  the  gate  of  their  prosperity  ;  and 
these  great  men,  by  the  aid  of  their  good  fortune, 
with  the  sword  of  chastisement,  cast  down  the  heads 
of  the  chief  infidels  of  this  Souba,  and  the  fear  of 
the  sabre,  wielded  by  the  strength  of  these  lion  like 
men,  compelled  the  seditious  and  intriguing  chiefs 
of  the  Balaghaut  to  throw  down  their  shields,  and 
show  their  teeth.  ^ 

^  A  rough  estimate  of  the  Karaatic  Balaghaut  and  Payenghaut 
provinces,  will  be  found  in  the  Translator's  Preface. 

P  Admitting  themselves  overcome. 


XXIX 


In  fine,  towards  the  conclusion  of  the  reign  of 
these  prosperous  Chiefs,  they  became  the  asylum 
of  the  weak,  the  safeguard  of  the  rich  and  poor,  and 
the  refuge  of  the  Tribes  of  the  Earth. 

They  favoured  and  honoured  the  professors  of 
the  Trades  and  Arts ;  and  the  fame  of  the  bravery 
of  these  protectors  of  the  poor,  and  their  encourage- 
ment of  the  brave,  resounded  through  Hindostan, 
and  the  Dukkun  ;  the  praise  of  the  justice  and 
liberality  of  these  generous  and  truly  wise  men 
was  likewise  spread  through  all  the  nations  of  the 
earth. 

Still,  however,  a  detailed  *»  history  of  the  kingdom 
God  given,  (Mysore),  and  the  reigns  of  these  great 
and  able  men,  in  one  continued  series;  and,  a 
descriptive  commentary,'  on  the  lives  of  these 
Princes,  illumined  by  the  light  of  truth,  has  hitherto 
been  unattempted  by  any  one. 

For  this  reason,  this  student  in  the  school  of 
ignorance,  whose  name  is  Meer  Hussain  All,  Kir- 
mani,  the  son  of  Syud  Abdul  Kadir  Kirmani, 
(who  served  both  these  Princes,  and  remained 
in  the  service  of  Tippoo  Sultaun  in  a  highly  ho- 
nourable rank,  about  five  years,  that  is  from  the  year 
1196,  to  1201,  Hijri,  but  of  which  no  further  men- 
tion is  now  necessary),  having  spent  two  or  three 


XXX 


years  in  a  search  for  information,  respecting  the 
forefathers  of  this  illustrious  family,  which  was 
with  great  difficulty  obtained,  he  reduced  it  to 
writing,  and  formed  it  into  a  book ;  and,  the  detail 
of  the  months  and  years  being  added,  he  has  named 
his  work,  the  Neshauni  Hyduri,'  and  has  left  it  as  a 
memorial  inscribed  on  the  page  of  time.  And  he 
has  laboured  with  such  care  and  caution,  that  he  is 
certain  nothing,  but  fact  and  truth,  has  found  an 
entrance  into  his  work;  and  some  circumstances, 
to  which  the  author  himself  was  an  eye-witness,  are 
stated  without  hesitation  or  the  shadow  of  a  doubt ; 
simply  as  they  occurred — in  order,  also,  to  bind 
together  the  leaves  of  this  newly  written  book,  he 
has  turned  over  the  pages  of  months  and  years,  and 
the  leaves  of  night  and  day  ;  and  he  has,  moreover, 
adorned  the  garden  of  its  columns  and  chapters 
with  chosen  words  teeming  with  meaning,  and 
watered  and  refreshed  it  with  the  streams  of  per- 
spicuity and  truth,* 

Although  this  book,  agreeably  to  the  saying  of 

i^jS^^  ^w  These  words  may  be  translated  the  flag  or 
standard  of  Hydur ;  a  memorial  or  remembrance  of  Hydur ;  or 
the  fortmies  of  Hydur.  The  second  is  apparently  the  meaning 
intended  by  the  author. 

*  Some  verses  are  omitted  here  in  which  the  Author,  after 
speaking  highly  of  his  work,  says  that,  although  he  did  not  write 
for  hire,  he  trusts,  that  the  sons  of  Tippoo,  being  intelligent  and 
learned  men,  will  not  fail  to  reward  him  for  his  labour. 


XXXI 


the  learned,  that  '*  every  beginning  has  an  ending,"  is 
finished  ;  yet,  according  to  the  opinion  of  the 
author,  it  is  still  incomplete  :  but  when  men  of  ex- 
alted understanding,  candid*"  linguists,  learned  his- 
torians, wise  and  liberal  encouragers  of  learning 
shall  look  over  his  pages  with  the  eyes  of  scrutiny 
and  see  the  painful  task  he  has  made  agreeable  to 
himself;  and  that  he  has  not  foolishly  thrown  away 
his  precious  time,  but  has  clothed  the  bride  of 
fugitive  recollections  with  the  marriage  garment  of 
junction ""  and  union,  and  seated  her  on  the  nuptial  ^ 
throne  of  the  coloured  pages  of  his  book ;  and  lastly 
shall  review  his  work  with  the  eyes  of  truth  and 
approbation,  it  will  then  (and  then  only),  by  their 
approval  and  sanction  be  completed.  What  he 
hopes  from  the  truly  learned,  the  generous  con- 
cealers of  errors,  is,  that,  if  they  at  any  time  should 
peruse  this  book,  they  will  not  dwell  on  the  want  of 
arrangement,  or  of  elegance,  in  the  language  and 
sentences,  but,  by  the  favour  of  correction,  lay  an 
obligation  on  him,  which  he  is  ever  ready  to  acknow- 
ledge."" 


*  Verses  omitted  being  merely  a  versification  of  the  above. 


CHAPTER  I. 


A  concise  account  of  the  Ancestors  of  Hvdur  Ali  Khan  Bahadur  • 


In  the  reign  of  Mahmiid  Adil  Shah,  King  of 
Bijapoor,  who  was  the  son*  of  Ibrahim  Adil  Shah, 
sumamed  Juggut  Gooru/  and  celebrated  for  his 
profound  knowledge  of  music, — a  certain  Shaikh, 
Wuli  Muhammad,  of  the  tribe  of  Kureish,  a  man 
devoted  to  religion,*'  compelled  by  accidental  cir- 
cumstances arrived  from  the  neighbourhood  of 
Delhi  at  the  noble*  city  of  Kalberga.  He  took 
up  his  abode  there  ;  and,  as  he  was  a  man  of  mild 
temper  and  strictly  pious,  the  servants*  of  the  Dur- 
gah,  or  Tomb  of  Huzrut  Bundah  Nawaz,'  received 
him  with  great  respect,  and  made  him  a  small 
monthly  allowance  to  provide  for  his  subsistence. 

Having  with  him  a  grown  up  son,  whose  name 
was  Shaikh  Muhammad  All,  who  was  a  learned 

*  (jf«^  J— fll^        b  The  saint  or  Spiritual  g^ide  of  the  world. 
^f^      *  •— ^^         0)jy^  the  sweepers  of  a  musjid. 

B 


young  man,  and  also  endowed  with  considerable 
talent,  the  Shaikh  determined  to  seek  a  wife  for 
him  here.  After  much  search  and  difficulty,  a  suit- 
able  bride  was  demanded  for  him,  from  the  house 
of  one  of  the  servants  of  the  Durgah,  and  they 
were  shortly  after  married. 

At  this  place  they  remained,  in  ease  and  com- 
fort, till  the  reign  of  All  Adilshah  the  II.,  when 
the  Shaikh  having  obeyed  the  summons  of  his 
maker  AM  Sahib  left  Kalberga  with  his  wife,  and 
proceeded  to  Bijapoor.  There  he  took  up  his 
residence  in  Mushaikhpoora,  in  the  house  of  his 
wife's  brethren,  who  were  seven  in  number,  be- 
tween whom  and  their  sister  there  existed  a  sin- 
cere and  hearty  affection;  they  were  all  of  them 
engaged  in  the  service  of  the  Ameer  of  the  Dukkun, 
Shaikh  Minhaj,  at  a  liberal  rate  of  pay,  and  all 
lived  together.  The  whole  of  the  seven  brothers 
received  their  sister  and  her  husband  with  the 
greatest  warmth  and  affection. 

It  happened,  a  short  time  after,  that  the  army  of 
Hindustan  advanced,*  with  a  view  to  the  conquest 
of  Bejapoor ;  and  the  Ameers  of  the  Dukkun,  that 
is,  the  Shaikh  above-mentioned,  and  Afzul  Khan, 
Rustum  Khan,  and  Surmust  Khan,  with  a  large 
force,  were  therefore  dispatched  to  oppose  the  army 


.^ULJ 


of  Hindustan  ;  and,  in  the  vicinity  of  Kalberga 
they  met  and  fought  a  fierce  battle.  The  Ameer 
of  the  Hurawul/  or  advanced  guard,  (of  the  Duk- 
kunees),  who  was  Shaikh  Minhaj,  charged  his 
enemies  with  the  greatest  bravery,  and  defeated 
them ;  but,  after  fighting  gallantly,  not  less  than 
seven  hundred  brave  fellows  of  his  party  or  troop 
were  slain  by  the  arrow  or  musket ;  and  it  was  so 
ordained  that,  one  after  another,  the  seven  brothers 
having  arrayed  their  bodies  in  the  glorious  jewels 
of  sword-wounds,  and  opened  to  their  enemies  the 
doors  of  grief  and  dismay  in  this  hired  mansion, 
the  world,  at  once  sped  on  their  way  to  view  and 
enjoy  the  eight  gardens  of  Paradise. 

When  this  painful  intelligence  reached  their  be- 
loved sister,  she  was  so  overwhelmed  with  grief  at 
the  loss  of  her  dear  brothers,  that,  giving  up  for 
them  the  peace  of  her  heart,  and  the  strength  of 
her  mind,  she  took  to  her  bed  and,  refusing  all 
sustenance,  determined  to  die ;  thus,  inconsolable 
and  incessantly  weeping  and  lamenting  the  loss  of 
her  brethren,  and,  in  her  sorrow,  letting  fall  the 
reins  of  hope  and  trust  from  her  hands,  her  affec- 
tions were  alienated  from  friend  and  stranger,  and 
she  inscribed  the  elegy  of  her  brethren  on  her 
broken  heart. 


When  AU  Sahib  saw  his  wife  in  this  miserable 
condition,  it  appeared  to  him  that  his  remaining 
where  he  was,  must  continually  open  afresh  the 
wounds  grief  had  inflicted  on  his  mourning  partner. 
He,  therefore,  with  his  wife,  property  and  relations, 
left  Bijapoor,  and  turned  his  steps  towards  the 
Kamatic  Balaghaut,  and  there  took  up  his  abode 
in  the  town  of  Kolar. 

The  Chief  of  this  place  was  Shah  Muhammad 
Dukkuni,  who  was  Governor  on  the  part  of  Kasim 
Khan,  the  Souba  of  Sura.  Having  had  some  pre- 
vious acquaintance  with  Shaikh  Ali,  he  received 
him  with  great  respect,  assigned  him  a  house  for 
his  residence  and  treated  him  with  every  attention, 
insomuch  that,  in  order  that  he  might  remain  there 
in  peace  and  comfort,  and  trusting  to  his  honour,  he 
allowed  him  the  charge  of  all  his  dependents  and 
workmen.  But,  besides  this  occupation.  Shaikh  All 
afterwards  cultivated  the  soil,  and  rented  fields  and 
gardens. 

Shaikh  Ali  had  four  sons;  1st.  Shaikh  Muham- 
mad Ilias ;  2nd.  Shaikh  Muhammad ;  3rd.  Shaikh 
Muhammad  Imam,  and  4th,  Futteh  Muhammad. 
When  these  four  sons  had  grown  up  to  manhood, 
they  determined  to  seek  a  respectable  service,  and 
gain  a  worthy  rank  and  name  in  the  world,  and 
they,  therefore,  sought  permission  of  their  father  to 


depart.  Shaikh  Ah,  however,  by  advice  and  instruc- 
tion endeavoured  to  divert  them  from  their  pur- 
pose, saying  to  them,  *'  Our  forefathers  were  pious 
and  holy  men,  and,  though  they  were  competent  to 
distinguish  themselves  in  the  world,  they  neverthe- 
less strove  to  separate  themselves  from  its  ties  and 
connexions ; — ^for  this  reason,  that  the  desire  of  the 
world  involves  the  relinquishment  of  spiritual  com- 
fort and  a  distaste   for  eternal  happiness ; — and, 
therefore,  it  is  incumbent  in  you  to  follow  in  their 
steps,  and  put  no  faith  in  the  allurements  of  this 
uncertain  state  of  existence — ^for,  what  fate  has  from 
eternity  assigned  for  your  subsistence  arrives  with- 
out labour  or  search — (verses) — '  If  thou  couldst 
sew  heaven  and  earth  together — thou  couldst  not 
obtain  from  them   more    than    thy  daily  subsis- 
tence'*— ^moreover,  perfect  minded  independent  men 
are  never  grieved  at  the  narrowness  of  their  worldly 
circumstances,  and,  although  they  may  have  earthly 
ties,  they  pride  themselves  on  disengaging^  them- 
selves from  them,  and  resigning  such  connexions." 
In  short,  while  Shaikh  AH  lived  he   would   not 
allow  his  children  to  leave  him,  but  still  supported 
them.     At  length,  in  the  year  1109,  he  bid  adieu 
to  this  life,  in  the  town  of  Kolar  and  proceeded 
to  Paradise.     Shaikh  Ilias  his  eldest  son  was  se- 


6 

lected  to  succeed  him^  he,  also,  used  his  best  efforts 
to  console  his  brethren,  and  to  provide  for  them, 
and  the  wants  of  his  family,  relations  and  connex- 
ions. 

About  this  time.  Shah  Muhammad,  the  Chief 
of  Kolar,  resigned  his  being  into  the  hands  of  the 
creator  of  life,  and  another  Chief  was  appointed, 
and  took  his  charge.  Apparently  from  this  cause, 
Futteh  Muhammad,  divesting  himself  of  all  regard 
for  his  relations,  departed,  without  the  permission 
of  his  elder  brother,  to  the  Kamatic  Payanghaut, 
and  resided  for  a  short  time  in  the  Talooka  of 
Tumamul,  a  very  pleasant  part  of  that  country ; 
but  he  afterwards  changed  his  abode  to  the  Souba 
of  Arkat,  where,  through  the  interest  of  Ibrahim 
Khan  Killadar,  he  was  introduced  to  the  Nawaub 
Saudut  Ullah  Khan,  the  Sahib  Souba,  and  appointed 
to  the  command  of  two  hundred  foot  and  fifty 
horse,  in  the  service  of  the  said  Nawaub,  and  was 
styled  a  Jemadar. 

Muhammad  Ilias,  being  offended  at  the  conduct 
of  his  brother,  and  thinking  it  derogated  from  his 
own  respectability  and  character,  also  left  Kolar 
alone,  under  pretence  that  he  was  going  to  visit  Syud 
Burhan-ud-din,  a  Peerzadeh  at  Tanjore,  leaving  his 
wife,  with  his  son,  named  Hydur  Sahib,  who  was 
about  fourteen  years  old,  at  home  with  his  brethren. 


Muhammad  Ilias  dying  at  Tanjore,  in  the  year 
1115  H.^  Futteh  Muhammad  who  resided  at  Arkatj 
after  sometime  sent  for  Biirhan-ud-din,  the  Peer 
Zadeh  before  mentioned,  from  Tanjore,  and  mar- 
ried his  daughter,  who  was  the  sister  of  Ibrahim 
Sahib.  The  bride's  niece,  who  was  grown  up  to 
womanhood,  he  gave  to  his  brother  Imam  Sahibj 
and  their  families  resided  together. 

Sometime  after  this,  Hydur  Sahib  the  son  of 
Muhammad  Ilias,  at  the  invitation  of  the  ministers 
of  the  Polygar  of  Mysore,^  proceeded  to  that  coun- 
try, and  was  entertained  by  them  in  their  service, 
with  a  body  of  a  hundred""  horse  and  two  hundred 
foot ;  and  he  also  received  from  them  the  honour- 
able title  of  Naik,  a  term  which,  in  the  Hindu  dialect, 
signifies  an  officer  or  commander  of  foot  soldiers. 

Futteh  Muliammad,  however,  still  remained  at 
Arkat,  much  respected ;  and,  towards  the  end  of 
the  Nawaub's  government,  he  was  allowed  by  the 
Soubadar  to  entertain  six  hundred  foot,  five  hun- 
dred horse,  and  fifty  juzail-burdar  (rocket-men)" 
attached  to  his  command ;  and  he  acquired  fresh 
reputation  in  every  service  in  which  he  was  em- 
ployed, particularly  in  the  fight  at  Jinjee,  a  town 

^  A  term  not  generally  used  for  the  Chiefs  of  Mysore. 

">  The  numbers  are  taken  from  Mr.  Marriott's  copy  of  this  work. 

"  J^^ji    cl/^  among  other  significations  means  a  thick  stick, 
rockets  or  rifles. 


8 

depending  on  the  Kamatic  Payan  Ghaut^  where  a 
fierce  battle  was  fought,  between  the  Nawaub  and 
Raja  Teep,  or  Teeb,  Singh.  In  this  battle  the 
Raja  with  only  fourteen  horse  crossed  the  river  of 
Sukrateerut,  (on  this  side  of  Futteh  Peeth),  the 
river  being  swollen  with  the  rains,  and  attacked  the 
army  of  the  Nawaub,  consisting  of  four  or  five  thou- 
sand horse  and  thirteen  thousand  foot ;  and  stretch- 
ing forth  the  arm  of  manhood,  threw  the  whole  into 
confusion,  and  stamped  his  name  indelibly  on  the 
page  of  time  by  his  exceeding  bravery,  and  cutting 
down  his  enemies  as  he  advanced,  the  Raja  arrived 
with  only  two  horsemen  at  the  Nawaub's  elephant, 
when,  at  this  critical  moment,  Futteh  Muhammad, 
with  his  infantry,  and  juzail  burdaran,  formed  a 
circle  round  the  elephant,  and  at  one  discharge 
stretched  the  Raja  lifeless  on  the  field.  In  reward 
for  his  promptitude  on  this  occasion,  he  was  imme- 
diately honored  with  the  present  of  an  elephant, 
a  standard,  and  a  pair  of  nagaras  or  kettle  drums. 

As  after  the  death  of  the  Nawaub,  his  nephew. 
Dost  All  Khan,  became  Soubadar  of  Arkat,  and 
quarrels  had  arisen  among  his  relations,  and  as 
the  inexperience  of  Sufdur  Ah'  Khan  (his  son)  had 
thrown  the  state  into  disorder,  Futteh  Muhammad, 
fearing  he  might  sustain  loss  of  character  and  re- 
spectabihty,  quitted  of  his  own  accord  the  service 


of  the  Nawaub,  and  retired  with  his  wife  and  family 
to  the  Balaghaut.  Leaving  his  women  at  Kolar^  he 
proceeded  to  Mysore,  where  he  remained  some  time 
with  his  nephew,  who  had  established  himself  well 
there  by  his  amiable  disposition  "^  and  good  qualities. 
About  this  time,  also,  the  Polygar  of  Mysore  sent 
for  him,  gave  him  the  title  of  Naik,  and  enter- 
tained him  in  his  service,  on  the  siame  terms  with 
Hydur  Sahib  Naik.  It  may  be  proper  to  remark 
here,  that  the  title  of  Naik  is  a  very  respectable 
one  among  the  Hindoos ;  and  any  one  who  is  dis- 
tinguished by  personal  bravery  and  prudence  in 
the  management  of  state  affairs,  has  this  title  con- 
ferred on  him  by  the  chief  among  them. 

After  awhile,  however,  the  affairs  of  the  Raja's 
territory  of  Mysore,  from  the  quarrels  of  the  chiefs 
of  that  country,  fell  into  great  confusion,  and  Sa- 
hib ShujeeaP  or  Futteh  Muhammad  therefore  left 
the  Raja's  service,  and  lived  privately  for  sometime. 

About  this  period,  that  is  1131  H.,  he  had  a  son 
named  Shahbaz  Sahib,  and,  two  years  after,  an- 
other, who  was  named  Wuli  Muhammad ;  but  the 
latter  died  when  he  was  only  two  years  old. 

But,  as  men  of  courage  and  conduct  cannot  pass 

P  From  tliis  place  Futteh  Muhammad  is  called  Sahib  Shujeea» 
which  signifies  the  brave  officer. 


10 

their  lives  without  occupation^  or  seeking  to  distin- 
guish themselves ;  and^  as  they  cannot  remain  Uke 
foxes,  lurking  in  the  holes  and  corners  of  obscurity, 
but,  on  the  contrary,  like  the  lion-hearted  men 
who,  under  the  guise  of  acquiring  personal  renown, 
are  really  aiming  to  provide  for  the  subsistence  of 
many  of  God's  creatures  who  cannot  provide  for 
themselves ;  even  so  Futteh  Muhammad  left  My- 
sore, to  seek  service,  and  proceeded  to  the  chief  of 
the  Souba  Sura,  that  is,  to  Nawaub  Durgah  Kuli 
Khan,**  where  he  obtained  a  very  high  station  as 
commander  of  four  hundred  foot  and  a  hundred 
horse  ;  he  was  likewise  appointed  to  the  command 
of  the  fort  of  Great  Balapoor.  He,  therefore, 
sent  for  his  family  from  Kolar  to  that  place,  and 
remained  there  for  sometime. 

In  the  year  1134  H.,  A.  D.  1721,  while  he  dwelt 
there,  a  son  of  auspicious  presage  and  exalted  good 
fortune  was  bom  to  him  ;  who  from  the  glory  of 
his  person  shed  splendour  on  the  lap  of  the  nurse  of 
time.  The  Sun  being  in  the  sign  Aries'  when  he 
was  bom,  he  was  named  Hydur  All  Khan. 

An  historian*  who  has  sought  for  historical 
documents,  states  that,  after  the  birth  of  this 
child^  certain  astrologers  cast  his  nativity,  and  dis- 
closed that,  although  this  boy  would  certainly  ar- 

"^  J^  s^  *^«^  '  «>^  *  sob 


11 

rive  at  the  dignity  of  the  crown  and  throne,  and 
rise  to  be  the  sovereign  of  the  two  Kamatics  ;  yet, 
that  he  would,  in  a  short  time,  suffer  the  pain  and 
grief  of  becoming  an  orphan ;  that  is,  his  father 
would  be  taken  from  him.  On  hearing  this  pre- 
diction, his  relations,  with  one  accord,  determined 
that  the  child  should  be  fed  with  the  milk  of  death, 
and  laid  to  sleep  in  the  cradle  of  eternity. 

His  father,  however,  on  being  informed  of  this 
intention,  said,  "  If  the  evil  omen  attendant  on  his 
birth  rests  on  me,  well  and  good,  be  it  so ;  but  I 
will  not  allow  him  to  be  put  to  death ;  for  good  and 
bad  proceed  alike  from  God's  decrees.**  In  conse- 
quence of  this,  the  mother  and  relations  of  this 
light  of  the  eyes  of  prosperity  and  good  fortune 
spared  no  pains  in  his  nurture  and  preservation. 

After  the  dismission  of  Durgah  Kuli  Khan,  and 
during  the  government  of  A'bid  Khan,  governor  of 
Sura,  the  Poligars  of  Mysore,  Bidnore,  and  others, 
formed  a  confederacy,  and  assembled  a  force  to 
take  the  fort  of  Balapoor,  and  dispatched  a  mes- 
sage, through  the  medium  of  Hydur  Naik  Sahib, 
demanding  its  surrender.  Futteh  Muhammad, 
however,  was  not  deceived  by  their  interested  pro- 
fessions ;  but  followed  the  paths  of  fidelity,  and  the 
usages  of  the  brave.  He,  therefore,  at  once  rejected 
their  demand,  and  prepared  to  defend  his  charge  ; 


12 

and  having,  with  his  own  dependants  alone,  gal- 
lantly made  a  sortie,  he  defeated  them  in  a  night 
attack,  and  thereby  gained  a  high  reputation  among 
his  companions  and  contemporaries. 

The  Poligars,  defeated,  dispersed,  and  hopeless 
of  success,  sought  their  places  of  residence,  and 
Futteh  Muhammad  forwarded  to  the  Soubadar 
A'bid  Khan,  the  plunder  which  he  had  taken  from 
them.  A'bid  Khan  complimented  the  prudent  Futteh 
Muhammad  highly  on  his  valour,  and  sent  for  him 
to  the  capital  of  the  Souba,  where  he  was  honored 
with  a  munsub  of  two  thousand  foot  and  five  hun- 
dred horse,  with  the  present  of  an  elephant,  a  stan- 
dard, and  a  pair  of  kettle  drums;  and  he  was, 
moreover,  appointed  to  superintend  the  defence  and 
regulation  of  the  Souba.  After  this  in  all  public 
affairs  in  which  he  was  employed,  the  prudent 
Futteh  Muhammad  always  accomplished  his  task 
in  the  best  possible  manner. 

When  Durgah  Kuli  Khan  was  a  second  time  ap- 
pointed to  the  Soubadari  of  Sura,  he,  also,  relying  on 
Futteh  Mahummud's  abilities  and  courage,  continued 
to  employ  him  in  the  management  and  regulation  * 
of  all  matters  relating  to  the  government  of  the 
Souba.  After  Kuli  Khan  was  slain,  the  able 
Futteh  Muhammad   attached   himself  to  Abdur- 

«.  •       •••• 


13 

rasiil  Khan^  his  son,  and  they  together  made  such 
arrangements  in  the  Souba,  and  with  the  Tributary 
Poligars,  that,  notwithstanding  the  absence  of  the 
chief  authority,  which  is  generally  the  cause  of 
sedition  and  treachery  in  worldly  matters,  no  rebel- 
lion, or  disturbance  in  the  Government  ever  oc- 
curred, and  until  the  arrival  of  the  governor  of  the 
Souba,  Tahir  Muhammad  Khan,  (who,  for  nine 
months  after  his  appointment,  was  delayed  to  col- 
lect the  necessary  number  of  Sebundi  or  local 
troops)  Abdurrasiil,  with  the  aid  and  advice  of 
Futteh  Muhammad,  kept  the  whole  in  perfect 
order.  When  the  Nawaub,  Tahir  Muhammad, 
arrived  in  the  Souba  with  his  troops,  Abdurrasiil 
Khan,  not  having  well  settled  his  affairs,  retired 
to  his  father's  Jageer,  the  same  Purgunna  of  Bala- 
poor  the  Greater ;  and  from  thence  proceeded  with- 
out delay  to  Hyderabad,  leaving  in  the  Souba  Mu- 
hammad Khan  Punni,*"  as  Governor  of  the  chief 
fort  or  town""  of  the  Souba,  with  the  troops  belong- 
ing to  Futteh  Muhammad, — and  with  orders  to 
oppose  the  new  Souba  by  force  of  arms. 

The  governor  or  Killadar  and  Futteh  Muham- 
mad, with  other  Naiks,  therefore,  under  pretence  that 
their  pay  was  due  for  the  nine  months  during  which 

^  The  name  of  a  well  known  tribe  of  Afghans. 


14 

they  had  done  duty,  and  he  had  been  absent,  ar- 
gued and  insisted  that,  until  they  were  paid,  they 
would  not  allow  him  to  enter  the  walls  of  the  capital 
of  the  Souba,  and  they  secretly  prepared  to  defend 
themselves. 

When  the  Nawaub  became  acquainted  with  these 
circumstances,  he  despatched  a  message  to  them^ 
that  he  would  pay  the  monthly  allowances  of  the 
Huzariaun,^  the  garrisons  of  the  forts,  the  sebundi, 
(a  kind  of  militia),  and  the  troops  of  the  Souba, 
from  the  time  of  his  entrance  into,  and  taking  pos- 
session of^  the  same ;  but  that  they  must  claim  all 
their  arrears  from  the  last  Soubadar.  The  garri- 
son, however,  would  not  listen  to  this  proposition, 
and  they  consequently  strengthened  the  gates  of  the 
city  and  fort,  and  prepared  to  defend  themselves. 

The  Nawaub,  meanwhile,  encamped  with  his 
troops  on  the  western  side  of  the  capital  of  the 
Souba,  near  an  Eed  Gah,'  and  one  day  made  a 
determined  attack  on  the  fortifications,  to  gain  an 
entrance  into  the  fort. 

The  defenders  of  this  part  of  the  town,  being 
however  the  soldiery  of  Futteh  Muhammad,  they 

T  The  term  Huzariaun,  which  may  mean  the  Lord  of  a  thoa- 
aand  villages,  is  applied,  according  to  the  Hon.  Mr.  Elphinetone, 
to  the  Ser  Desmukhs  of  the  Dekkan. 

■  A  musjid,  or  place  of  prayer,  where  the  festivals  of  the  Mus- 
sulmans are  celebrated. 


15 

successfully  opposed  his  attack  and  gained  great 
reputation. 

After  this  repulse,  the  Nawaub  marched  and  en- 
camped on  the  road  of  Hallun  Hulli,  and  surround- 
ed both  the  town  and  fort.  A  continual  discharge 
of  arrows  and  musketry  was  kept  up  from  the  fort, 
and  in  every  attack  the  garrison  had  the  advantage ; 
and,  therefore,  the  Nawaub  again  moved  ground  to 
the  neighbourhood  of  Kummin  Hulli,  which  is  dis- 
tant, south  west'  from  the  fort,  about  three  miles. 

The  Killadar  now,  inspired  by  folly  and  rash- 
ness, taking  the  troops  of  Futteh  Muhammad  with 
his  own,  left  the  town,  to  make  a  night  attack  on 
the  Nawaub ;  and,  falling  in  first  with  the  picquets 
of  the  Nawaub's  force,  asssaulted  them,  and  a 
fierce  combat  ensued  between  the  parties.  Being 
deficient  in  experience  and  unacquainted  with 
war,  the  Killadar  did  not,  however,  pay  any  atten- 
tion to  the  troops  of  the  enemy,  who  were  in 
ambush,  or  concealed  on  his  flanks,  but  pressed  on 
straight  to  the  tent  of  the  Nawaub,  having  Futteh 
Muhammad,  and  a  body  of  horse  and  foot,  sur- 
rounding his  elephant  The  troops  of  the  Nawaub, 
however,  soon  raised  the  cry  of  Gao !  Gao !  ^  and 
closed  on  the  Killadar  and  Muhammad  Khan  on 

'  HV  \^S^  Jr^   J^  alluding  to  the  ancient  battle 

cry  of  the  Persians  apparently. 


16 

every  side,  and,  after  a  hard  fought  conflict,  the 
Killadar  lost  his  head,  and  the  brave  Futteh  Mu- 
hammad was  also  slain. 

This  event  took  place  in  the  year  1137,  Hijri, 
at  which  time  the  wives  and  children  of  Futteh 
Muhammad  were  residing  in  the  Pergunna  of 
Balapoor;  and  when  the  intelligence  reached  Ab- 
bas Kuli  Khan,  the  son  of  Durgah  Kuli  Khan, 
who  was  the  chief  of  Balapoor,  the  tjrrannical 
and  hard-hearted  man  immediately  began  with- 
out cause  to  persecute  and  oppress  the  afflicted  and 
soul-stricken  family  of  Futteh  Muhammad,  and 
plundered  them  of  all  their  property,  even  to  the 
furniture  of  the  house,  clothes,  utensils^  and  the 
trinkets  and  jewels  of  the  women.  In  addition  to 
this  tyrannical  proceeding,  the  two  brothers,  (that 
is  the  sons  of  the  slain  Futteh  Muhammad,  the 
eldest  of  whom  was  Shahbaz  Sahib,  about  eight 
years  old,  and  Hydur  AK  Sahib,  three  or  four  years 
old,)  were  also  seized  and  carried  into  the  fort,  and 
confined  there  in  a  nagara,  or  kettle  drum,  the 
head  or  parchment  of  which  being  stretched  on  the 
drum,  it  was  beaten,  in  order  that,  by  the  pain  and 
distress  of  these  poor  orphans,  he  might  extort 
more  money  from  their  families,  and  by  this  act  of 
cruelty  Abbas  Kuli  made  himself  known  to  the 
world  as  a  tyrant  and  oppressor. 


17 

At  length,  the  widow  of  the  slain  Futteh  Muham- 
mad dispatched  a  confidential  person,  with  an  ac- 
count  of  the  oppressive  conduct  of  the  chief  of 
Balapoor,  and  the  cruel  confinement  of  her  poor 
infants,  to  Hydur  Sahib  the  elder,  the  nephew  of 
her  husband,  who  was  residing  at  Seringaputtun. 
On  hearing  of  the  death  of  his  uncle,  and  the  miser- 
able condition  of  his  children,  Hydur  Sahib  was  so 
afficted  that  he  could  neither  eat  nor  sleep,  and 
immediately  complained  to  the  Poligar''  of  Mysore, 
who  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Chief  of  Sura,  requiring 
the  release  of  the  women  and  children  of  the  slain 
Futteh  Muhammad  ;  and  the  Nawaub  of  Sura, 
therefore,  after  reproving  the  tjnrant,  and  threaten- 
ing  him  with  punishment,  himself  procured  their 
release. 

It  is  not,  however,  to  be  concealed  here,  that 
another  author**  has  given  a  different  account  of 
these  occurrences.  He  says  that,  when  the  Na- 
waub Durgah  Kuli  Khan  was  killed,  his  son  Ab- 
durrasiil  Khan,  without  the  knowledge  of  the 
Nizam's  government,  and  wishing  to  obtain  the 
government  of  the  Souba,  himself,  borrowed  three 
or  four  lakhs®  of  rupees,  from  a  Sahookar,  or 
Banker,  named   Muhammad  Khan   Suliman  Zai, 

«  Another  copy  says,  addressed  a  petition.  \^yj 

*  400.000. 


18 

an  inhabitant  of  Arkat,   and  collected  troops  for 
the  defence  of  the  Souba.   Futteh  Muhammad  Sahib 
also  borrowed  eighteen  thousand  rupees  from  the 
same  person,  to  pay  his  company  of  soldiers,  which 
amount  he    converted  to  his   own  use.     When, 
however,  Abdurrasiil  Khan  heard  of  the  arrival  of 
Nawaub  Tahir  Khan,  the  Soubadar,  he  prepared 
to  go   to  Balapoor,  but  the  banker  before  men- 
tioned, at  that  time  opposed  his  departure,  on  ac- 
count of  the  money  owing  to  him,  and  he  therefore 
gave  strict  charge  to  the  Commandant  of  the  fort, 
and  officers  of  the  army  and  garrison,  to  secure  by 
all  means  in  their  power  the  payment  of  the  money 
from  the  Nawaub ;  after  which  he  departed.   When, 
therefore,  the  Nawaub  arrived,  the  Huzariaun  or 
officers  of  the  Souba  demanded  their  pay,  and  the 
money  advanced  by  the  banker,  and  refused  to 
allow  him  to  enter  the  capital  of  the  Souba  until 
the  money  was  paid.     The  banker  also  assembled 
his  Afghans,  and  prepared  for  defence.     At  length, 
after  much  strife  and  contention,  the  Killadar,  or 
officer  commanding  the  fort,  and  Futteh  Muham- 
mad, threw  away  their  lives,  and  the  Nawaub,  ad- 
vancing, at  one  gallant  attack,  entered  the  town. 
Nevertheless,  the  officers,  the  Mewatties,'  and  the 

'  The  Me  Watties,  a  note  says,  are  a  people  from  the  Eastern 
part  of  India,  much  employed,  because  of  their  fidelity  and 
bravery. 


19 

banker  abovementioned^  seized  the  castle  ;  and, 
making  it  secure,  held  out  for  a  month,  and  did 
not  give  it  up  till  they  were  paid. 

When  these  circumstances  were  reported  to  the 
Huziir,  Nawaub  Nizam-ul-Moolk,  Asof  Jah,  he 
forwarded  the  pay  of  the  soldiers,  and  the  money 
of  the  banker,  from  his  own  treasury ;  and  by 
that  means  quieted  the  disturbances  in  the  Souba. 
After  the  receipt  of  the  money,  therefore,  the 
officers  surrendered  the  keys  of  the  fort  to  the 
Nawaub ;  and  the  banker,  having  laden  his  camels, 
and  elephants  with  his  treasure,  moved  off  on  his 
journey  towards  Arkat.  When,  however,  he  ar- 
rived at  the  Purguna  of  Balapoor,  he  found  the 
condition  of  the  sons  of  Futteh  Muhammad,  as  has 
been  before  described,  and,  having  seen  and  being 
moved  with  compassion  for  them,  he  obtained  the 
release  of  the  women  and  children ;  but  he  dis- 
patched the  former  and  their  dependents  only  to  Se- 
ringaputtun,  and  kept  the  two  brothers,  as  a  security 
for  the  money  which  he  had  advanced  their  father. 

In  short,  when  the  banker  had  arrived  at  Arkat, 
and  the  women  at  Seringaputtun,  the  pillage  and 
cruel  treatment  of  his  cousins  reached  the  ears 
of  Hydur  Sahib  the  elder  in  detail ;  and  he  and  the 
widows  of  Futteh  Muhammad  wept  and  bewailed 
their  double  loss  and  calamity. 


20 

Hydur,  nevertheless,  did  his  utmost  to  console 
the  mourners,  and  immediately  dispatched  eighteen 
thousand  rupees  to  Arkat  to  obtain  the  release  of 
his  oppressed  cousins,  whom  he  sent  for  and  kept  to 
live  with  him ;  on  their  being  released  they  joined 
him  in  the  state  to  which  they  had  been  reduced 
by  oppression,  with  only  a  single  suit  of  clothes. 

Hydur  the  elder  brought  up  these  children  with 
more  tenderness  and  care  than  his  own,  and  pro- 
vided for  them  in  a  very  liberal  manner.  He  like- 
wise taught  them  the  use^  of  arms,  and.  horseman- 
ship, the  lance  or  spear  exercise  and  all  the  accom- 
plishments of  a  soldier. 

When  the  two  brothers  had  arrived  at  years  of 
discretion,  Shahbaz  Sahib,  who  had  married  a  lady 
of  his  own  family,  or  tribe,  being  a  young  man  of 
independent  spirit,  and  not  wishing  to  live  a  life  of 
idleness,  and  throw  the  weight  of  his  support  on 
his  cousin,  took  a  forced  leave  of  him  and  his  mother, 
and,  accompanied  by  his  brother,  departed  to  the 
Payanghaut,  and  visited,  and  took  service  with  Ab- 
dul Wahab  Khan,  the  younger  brother  of  Muham- 
mad All  Khan,  Wala  Jah,  who,  during  the  govern- 
ment of  his  father,  held  the  Jageer  of  Chitore. 
He  was  appointed  by  him  to  the  command  of  a 
body  of  a  thousand  foot  and  two  hundred  horse. 


21 

and  in  his  service  he  remained  sometime ;  his 
younger  brother,  that  is,  Hydur  Ah',  being  appointed 
to  the  command  of  the  horse — ^both  brothers  living 
happily  together  in  the  greatest  harmony  and  friend- 
ship. 

It  may  be  proper  to  observe  here,  that,  during 
the  government  of  Nawaub  Dilawar  Khan,  Souba- 
dar  or  governor  of  Sura,  the  Poligars  of  the  Bala- 
ghaut,  having  softened  the  Soubadar  by  bribery, 
began  to  shew  their  spirit  by  attacking  each  other ; 
so  that,  latterly,  the  Poligar  of  Mysore,  having 
collected  seven  thousand  horse  and  twenty  thou- 
sand foot,  conquered  or  reduced  all  the  Poligars 
to  the  eastward  of  Mysore — that  is,  the  Chiefs  of 
Bangalore  Mashti,  Sutigal,  Korikal,  Makri,  and 
Ootridroog,  &c. ;  and  gradually  took  possession 
of  the  whole  of  the  country,  at  length  even  to  the 
boundary  of  the  Souba  of  Sura,  to  which  frontier 
his  troops  had  advanced.  He  also  took  the  Hill 
Fort  of  Mudgiri,  which  belonged  to  the  Poligar  of 
Mirgi,  and  placed  in  garrison  there  All  Sahib  Naik, 
the  son  of  Hydur  Sahib  the  elder,  with  three  hun- 
dred foot  and  seventy  horse,  an  elephant  and  nagara, 
to  guard  the  Hill  Fort,  and  protect  the  country. 

About  this  time,  Hydur  Sahib  the  elder,  sent  for 
his  cousins  from  Chitore,  it  being  a  period  of 
prosperity  with  his  family  ;  and,  by  chance  it  hap- 


22 

pened  that^  about  this  period,  Shahbaz  Sahib  receiv- 
ing some  slight  affront  from  Abdul  Wahab  Khan, 
and,  being  offended,  with  difficulty  obtained  his 
discharge  from  his  service,  and  having  no  employ, 
he,  at  the  invitation  of  his  relative,  (Hydur  the 
elder),  joined  him  with  his  brother,  their  family, 
followers,  and  property. 

Seeing  the  style  and  respectability  of  the  two 
fortunate  brothers,  Hydur  Sahib  was  highly  pleased 
with  them,  and  presented  them  to  Nundi  Raj,  the 
chief  minister  of  Mysore,  and  obtained  service  for 
them,  with  three  hundred  foot  and  fifty  horse, — 
As  after  this,  during  the  attack  on  Dewun  Hulli, 
depending  on  Chuk  Balapoor,^  in  which  fort*  Hydur 
Sahib  the  elder  had  a  detachment,  he  having  be- 
sieged the  fort,  and  reduced  it  to  extremity,  was 
accidentally  wounded  in  one  of  the  assaults,  and 
afterwards  died,  the  minister  before  mentioned, 
(Nundi  Raj,)  delivered  over  to  Shahbaz  Sahib  the 
company  which  Hydur  the  elder  had  commanded, 
and  also  gave  him  the  charge  of  the  fort  and  de- 
pendencies, which  had  been  newly  conquered ;  he 
then  returned  to  Seringaputtun.  Shahbaz  dis- 
patched his  horse,  under  the  command  of  his  bro- 
ther Hydur  Ali,  with  the  minister's  troops ;  and, 
sending  for  his  family  from    Kolar,  he  remained 

^  Balapoor  the  less.  '  This  I  think  is  a  mistake. 


23 

at  Balapoor.  As,  about  this  time,  his  wife  had 
died  after  giving  birth  to  a  daughter,  he  demanded 
in  marriage,  and  married,  a  young  lady  of  his  tribe, 
and  when  his  daughter,*  bom  under  the  star  of 
good  fortune,  had  arrived  at  a  proper  age,  he  affi- 
anced her  to  Lala  Mean.  His  new  wife  brought 
him  two  daughters,  and  one  son,  whom  he  named 
Kadir  Sahib. 

At  this  period,  Hydur  Ah'  had  conducted  himself 
with  such  prudence  and  discretion  in  Seringaput- 
tun,  that  all  the  Chiefs  of  the  Government,  the 
Raja  himself,  but  chiefly  his  minister  Nundi  Raj, 
(who   was  the  father-in-law  of  Jug   Kishen  Raj 
Ooderi,  the  Raja  of  that  period,)  were  so  fascinated 
by  the  goodness  of  his  disposition  and  his  bravery, 
that   they    distinguished  him  above  all  his  com- 
peers, the  Jamadars,  Naikwars,  and  other  officers 
of  older    standing;    and  the  latter   (Nundi  Raj) 
favored  and  desired  his  promotion,  as  he  considered 
him  the  leader  of  his  troops,  or  the  bravest  man  in 
the  army.     Hydur  having  also  been  permitted  to 
farm  the  Jumabundi,  or  land  revenue,^  for  the  pay- 
ment of  his  horse  and  regular  foot,  was  now  digni- 
fied with  the  title  of  Hydur  AU  Khan ;  and  neither 
in  business  nor  pleasure  did  Nundi  Raj  ever  separate 
himself  from  him. 

^  The  Mussulmans  never  mention  the  names  of  their  daughters 
or  wives  in  public.  ^  Of  some  Purgunna,  perhaps. 


24 

When  Hydur  AH  Khan  had  arrived  at  the  age  of 
nineteen  or  twenty  years^  Shahbaz  Sahib^  his  elder 
brother  who  with  his  family  resided  at  Dewun  Hulli^ 
determined  to  seek  a  wife  for  his  brother;  and,  after 
much  search,  the  family  of  a  certain  Syud  Shahbaz, 
commonly  called  Shah  Mean  Sahib,  was  selected, 
he  being  a  Peer  Zadeh"  of  the  Souba  Sura,  who  had 
six  children,  viz.  three  sons  and  three  daughters, 
the  eldest  son  being  Syud  Kumal,  otherwise  called 
Kumtoo  Sahib,  the  second  Syud  Mukhdoom,  and 
the  third  Syud  Ismail. 

This  man  was  sent  for  with  his  family  to  Seringa- 
puttun,  and  his  eldest  daughter  was  married  to 
Hydur  All  in  Seringaputtun,  after  the  manner  of 
the  Dukkanees.  This  young  lady  had  a  daughter ; 
but,  unfortunately,  while  she  was  in  child-bed,  either 
from  neglect  of  regimen  or  some  other  cause,  she 
was  seized  with  the  dropsy,  which  took  away  the 
use  of  the  lower  part  of  her  body,"  and  he  was  on 
the  point  of  marrying  again,  when  Nundi  Raj 
found  it  necessary  to  proceed  with  his  whole  force, 
to  reduce  *"  the  country  of  the  Payan  Ghaut,  which 
is  south  of  Mysore,  and  consists  of  Calicut,  Koim- 
batore,  Dindigul  and  Palighat,  &c.,  some  of  the 
Naimars  of  which  had  rebelled,  and  deserted  their 
villages,  after  laying  waste  the  country. 

™  Is  a  religious  man. 


o  .  - 


25 

He,  therefore,  marched,  with  the  whole  of  his 
troops,  and  a  year  and  a  half  were  expended  in  re- 
ducing the  country  to  order,  and  punishing  the 
disaffected  Naimars.  The  bravery  of  Hydur  Ali 
Khan  in  this  service  was  so  conspicuous,  that  it 
became  the  theme  of  praise  on  the  tongues  of  all 
ranks  of  people ;  and  m  reward  for  his  labours 
and  services  he  had  an  elephant,  a  flag,  nagaras,  or 
kettle  drums,  and  the  palankin  of  the  Dulwai  or 
Minister  of  State,  presented  to  him,  and  he  was 
honoured  with  permission  to  enlist  horse  and  regu- 
lar foot,  that  is  musketeers  ;  he  accordingly  en- 
listed about  four  thousand  foot,  to  be  disciplined 
after  the  European  mode ;  he  likewise  enlisted  fif- 
teen hundred  horse  separately  :  and  these  he 
termed  his  own  troops. 

When,  therefore,  Hydur  returned  with  so  much 
credit  from  his  successful  expedition,  his  wife,  of 
her  own  free  will,  gave  him  permission  to  take 
another  wife. 

In  this  delicate  matter,  the  Khan  acted  according 
to  the  advice  of  his  elder  brother,  Shahbaz  Sahib, 
and  sent  for  Meer  All  Ruza  Khan,  the  late  Killadar 
of  Kurm  Goonda,  who,  being  then  unengaged  in 
any  service,  was  residing  with  his  family  in  the 
Barh  Mahl.  He  supplied  him  with  the  necessary 
expenses  and  carriage  for  the  journey ;  and,  when 


26 

Meer  Ali  arrived,  took  his  sister-in-law  to  wife.  He, 
however^  still  considered  his  first  wife  as  holding 
the  principal  sway  in  the  house^i"  continued  all  her 
privileges  and  honours,  and  moreover  regarded  her 
as  the  ornament  of  his  family,  and  placed  all  his 
family  and  household  under  her  authority.  The 
second  sister  of  his  first  wife  he  gave  in  marriage 
to  a  learned  man,  named  Syud  Biirhan,  and  her 
third  sister  not  being  engaged,  he,  about  this  time, 
gave  her  to  Meer  All  Ruza  Khan,  and  the  marriage 
was  celebrated  with  the  usual  ceremonies.  All  his 
brothers  and  connexions  remained  with  him  con- 
stantly, he  giving  to  the  whole  of  them  some  kind 
of  service  or  employment. 

For  three  or  four  years  after  this  marriage  the 
Khan  (Hydur)  had  no  children.  At  length,  how- 
ever, by  the  mediation  of  the  transcendant  merits** 
of  Tippoo  Mustan  Oulia,  (may  God  enlighten  his 
tomb  and  those  of  his  brethren, — and  whose  mi- 
racles are  celebrated  both  in  Hind  and  in  the  Duk- 
kun,)  he  obtained  his  wish,  and  in  the  hope  of  ob- 
taining children,  having  taken  refuge  in  the  favour 
of  the  Almighty,  and  having  offered  up  prayers 
and  vows  for  the  accomplishment  of  his  desires, 
when  the  time  arrived  for  the  acceptation  of  his 
petition  and  the  increase  of  his  greatness ""  and 


27 

power,  the  arrow  of  his  prayer  reached  the  butt 
of  accordance,  and  the  tree  of  his  hope  blossomed 
and  fructified. — 

Tippoo  Mustan  was  the  elder  brother  of  Humeed 
Sahib,  who  Ues  in  the  centre  of  the  city  of  Gunjee 
or  Kunjun  Nuggur,  and  who  himself  sleeps  in  the 
market  or  Chowk  of  Arkat.  The  third  brother 
also  of  that  saint  is  buried  at  Himoor,  Talooka  Rai 
Droog/ 

■  The  account  of  these  saints  in  the  original  is  involved  in 
parentheses. 


28 


CHAPTER  II. 

The  birth  of  Uppoo  Saltan,  the  Martyr,  (may  God's  mercy  rest 
upon  him) ;  with  other  details.     A.  Hejri  1 163.     Nov.  29»  1749. 

Praises  and  gratitude  to  God!  who,  after  so 
much  desire  and  anxiety,  caused  the  rose  tree  to 
produce  the  bud  of  hope,  who  caused  Hydur  Ah'^s 
house  and  fortunes  to  be  illiunined  by  the  lamp  of 
prosperity,  also  the  night  of  his  desire  to  be  suc- 
ceeded by  the  morning  of  its  fulfilment;  that  is 
to  say,  the  rising  of  the  bright  star  of  the  constel- 
lation of  power  and  dignity,  in  the  village  of  Dewun 
Hulli,  on  the  morning  of  Saturday,  the  20th  of 
Zi,  Huj.  year  1163,  H/  shedding  its  Ught  on  the 
field  of  his  father's  wishes  for  progeny,  dispelling 
the  dark  gloom  obscuring  his  hopes  and  rejoicing 
the  heart  of  both  friend  and  stranger.  The  brave 
Khan  on  the  bestowal  of  this  great  gift,  rubbed  his 
forehead  on  the  earth  of  acknowledgement,  and 
offered  up  the  thanksgiving  and  praise  due  to  the 
Creator  of  all  life ;  and  for  forty  days  likewise  he 
kept  open  his  house  for  feasting  and  enjoyment, 
and  opening  wide  the  doors  of  his  treasury,  made 
all  his  servants  and  friends  rich  with  his  gifls.^ 

*  A.D.  1749,  Novr.  19.       ^  Verses  from  Nezzami  omitted. 


29 

The  rose  buds  of  his  friends'  hearts  expanded 
and  blossomed  in  this  breeze  of  pleasure ;  day  by 
day,  the  Nagaras  of  rank  and  fortune  were  beaten  at 
his  gates,  and  the  blessings  accompanying  the  propi- 
tious steps  of  that  fortunate  child  increased  in  num- 
ber ;  for  even  from  the  day  of  his  birth,  riches  and 
power,  it  may  be  said,  came  in  person  to  meet  and 
do  him  honor ;  and,  as  his  advent  was  owing  to  the 
secret  aspirations  and  intercession  of  the  Saint  Tip- 
poo  Mustan,  he  was  named  Tippo  Sultan,  and  no 
care  was  omitted  in  his  nurture  and  preservation. 

About  the  end  of  this  year,  Nawaub  Nizam  ul 
M oolk  Nasir  Jung,  marched  to  the  Kamatic  Payan 
Ghaut,  to  revenge  the  death  of  Unwar  uddin  Khan 
Gopa  Mooe,  Soubadar  of  Arkat,  who,  in  the  year 
1162,  H/  was  assassinated,  without  cause,  on  the 
plain  of  Amboor  Gurh,  by  the  treacherous  hand 
of  Hidayut  Mihi-ud-din  Khan,  the  sister's  son  of 
the  Nawaub  abovementioned^  at  the  instigation  of 
Hussain  Dost  Khan,  otherwise  called  Chunda 
Sahib  Nayut.  The  said  Nayut,  likewise,  with  the 
aid  of  the  French  of  Pondicherry,  having  seized 
upon  the  whole  Souba  of  Arkat,  and  taking  on 
himself  the  correction  of  its  rebellious  subjects,  and 
the  regulation  of  its  affairs. 

All  the  Poligars  of  the  Karnatic  Balaghaut,  there- 
fore, and  also  Dilawar  Khan,  the  Soubadar  of  the 

«  1748-9. 


Mysore^  Hjizr  Ai  KLaii  lii-w^  ::":*r:^  fchn,  a 
awuj  cf  :be  r-aise  of  G=ig3  Rir-,  wcj  wtis  the 
FvHgJar  cf  Raikotf ,  Hussoor,  and  BiZ'IsTt,  iii-i  who 
conioiinded  a  party  of  men  in  cozjiiiictijr.  with  the 
iivops  of  N'uiidi  Raj,  having  oblaiE«3  Ivare  oa  the 
rvuii  to  retnrn  to  his  districts  depaited  ai>d  com- 
UKQceu  to  rel>e],  and  excite  distuihaoces;  and,  after 
the  manner  of  the  Poligars  and  chie&  of  forts  in 
bis  ricimty,  considered  himself  independent.  Xundi 
Raj,  and  the  other  chiefs  of  the  goveniment,  with 
xj^e  accord  agreed,  tliat  there  was  no  one  so  well 
qualified  to  restore  [M^ace  and  order  in  that  dis- 
turbed quarter  as  Hydur  All  Khan — rerfe — "The 
range  of  mountains  and  deserts  belongs  of  right  to 
the  lion."' — and  he  was  therefore  appointed  to  the 
command  there,  with  his  own  troops  and  the  com- 
panies of  his  brother  Shahbaz  Sahib,  and  Khoob 
Sahib  Dukkuni  Jamadar,  and  two  thousand  horse. 
Hydur  Ali  being  invested  with  full  power  to  act  in 
all  matters  as  he  thought  best. 

Advancing  immediately  from  that  place,   by  a 
night  march,  the  Khan  fell  like  a  sudden  calamity 

r  rocky  height  and  dcaert  pkti 


Tlie  lion  claimB  by  right  to  reign. 


1^ 


33 

on  the  sleepiiig  fortunes  of  the  rebels,  and,  bjr 
stretching  forth  the  arm  of  coinage,  speedily  sub- 
dued them.  The  rebel,  Gnnga  Ram,  was  made 
prisoner,  and,  as  a  return  for  his  bad  actions,  was 
put  m  irons.  As  fofr  the  rest  of  the  rebels,  by  one 
of  Hydur^s  vigorous  attacks  he  soon  lightened  their 
shoulders  of  the  wei^it  of  their  proud  heads,  and 
cast  their  bodies  on  the  field  of  eternity.  In  tact,  in 
the  course  of  two  months,  he  had  put  to  death,  or 
taken  prisoners,  the  whole  of  the  rebels,  and  had 
placed  strong  detachments  of  his  own  troops  in 
the  Forts  of  that  mountainous  country  such  as 
those  of  Holi  I>roog,  Chund  Rai  Droog,  Battmi 
Gin,  Rai  Kote,  Hussoor,  and  Ba^ore;  and  be 
placed  in  each  of  them  commanding  oflkers  oo 
whom  he  could  rely ;  and  then,  with  much  treasore, 
and  many  camels  and  el^ihants,  be  letumed  to 
Seringaputton. 

About  tfab  timeAsod  Khan,  Sordar  Khan,  and 
Muhammad  Omr,  the  fiilher  of  Muhammad  AM 
commandant,  Gbonsay  anired  from  Arkat,  and 
were  appointed  to  the  Ug^  cmk  of  Biiabdar  in 
the  regular  battaIiofi& 


30 

Souba  Sura,  repaired  with  their  followers,  arms, 
and  ammunition  to  the  presence.  Among  the 
number  was  also  Girajwuri  Nundi  Raj,''  on  the 
part  of  the  Mysore  chief,  accompanied  by  a  large 
force,  and  by  Hydur  AH  Khan ;  and  they  joined 
the  Nizam,  and  fought  on  his  side,  till,  in  the 
year  1164,  the  Nawaub  was  slain  on  the 'field  of 
Ginjee,  owing  to  the  disaffection  and  treachery  of 
the  Afghans  of  Kirpa  Kirnole.  Astonished  and  dis- 
mayed at  this  terrible  event,  the  subsidiary  Poligars, 
without  any  communication  with  each  other,  re« 
tired  to  their  respective  homes. 

Hydur  Ah  Khan,  however,  with  his  troops  and 
artillery,  remained  on  the  field  with  the  scattered 
troops  of  the  murdered  Nizam,  until  the  midday 
after  his  assassination  ;  but,  on  being  fully  ac- 
quainted with  the  circumstances,  he  took  the  road 
to  the  Balaghaut,  and,  on  his  route,  fell  in  with 
three  or  four  camels,  laden  with  treasure  of  the 
government,  which  the  rebels  had  seized,  and  were 
taking  away.  After  punishing  the  robbers,  Hydur 
All  took  possession  of  this  treasure,  which  he  added 
to  his  own  and  then  returned  to  Seringaputtun. 

y  Girachoru  or  Girachoori.  The  Dulwai  is  a  minister  for  civil 
affairs  and  the  Purdhan  who  b  otherwise  called  Bukshi  is  the 
commander  of  the  forces. — Nundi  Raj  is  called  the  Regent  of 
Mysore  by  Orme. 


31 


CHAPTER  III. 

The  encreasing  prosperity  of  Hydur  Al!  Khan  Bahadur,  with 
other  occurences  of  the  year  ]  1 65  H.,  A.  D.  1751 . 

During  the  reign  of  Jug  Kishen  Raj  Ooderi,  Raja 
of  Mysore  ;  and  the  ministry  of  his  agent,  Gira- 
choori  Nundi  Raj,  many  turbulent  and  rebellious 
men  assembled,  and  raised  disturbances  in  different 
parts  of  that  country ;  and,  having  possessed  them- 
selves of  portions  of  territory  belonging  to  the 
government,  withdrew  themselves  entirely  from 
the  authority  of  the  Raja,  and  refused  to  pay  tri- 
bute ;  more  particularly,  Deo  Raj,  (the  brother  of 
Nundi  Raj,)  who  had  rebelled,  and  having  sur- 
rounded the  palace  of  the  Raja  with  his  sentinels, 
fired  several  cannon  shot  at  the  gate  of  the  palace. 
With  the  aid  and  advice  of  Hydur  Ali  however, 
Nundi  Raj  soon  overcame  the  enemies  of  his  son-in- 
law  the  Raja. 

In  addition  to  these  disturbances,  but  of  greater 
importance,  were  those  of  the  eastern  part  of  My- 
sore, which  was  in  the  greatest  disorder  and  con- 
fusion ;  a  brief  account  of  which  is  as  follows : — 


32 

When  Nundi  Raj,  after  the  assassination  of  the 
Nawaub  Nasir  Jung,  returned  in  haste*  towards 
Mysore,  Hydur  AH  Khan  likewise  following  him,  a 
man  of  the  name  of  Gunga  Ram,  who  was  the 
Foujdar  of  Raikote,  Hussoor,  and  Baglore,  and  who 
commanded  a  party  of  men  in  conjunction  with  the 
troops  of  Nundi  Raj,  having  obtained  leave  on  the 
road  to  return  to  his  districts  departed  and  com- 
menced to  rebel,  and  excite  disturbances;  and,  after 
the  manner  of  the  Poligars  and  chiefs  of  forts  in 
his  vicinity,  considered  himself  independent.  Nundi 
Raj,  and  the  other  chiefs  of  the  government,  with 
one  accord  agreed,  that  there  was  no  one  so  well 
qualified  to  restore  peace  and  order  in  that  dis- 
turbed quarter  as  Hydur  All  Khan — verse — **  The 
range  of  mountains  and  deserts  belongs  of  right  to 
the  lion."* — and  he  was  therefore  appointed  to  the 
command  there,  with  his  own  troops  and  the  com- 
panies of  his  brother  Shahbaz  Sahib,  and  Khoob 
Sahib  Dukkuni  Jamadar,  and  two  thousand  horse. 
Hydur  All  being  invested  with  fiill  power  to  act  in 
all  matters  as  he  thought  best. 

Advancing  immediately  from  that  place,   by   a 
night  march,  the  Khan  fell  like  a  sudden  calamity 

•  O'er  rocky  height  and  desert  plain. 
The  lion  claims  hy  right  to  reign. 


33 

on  the  sleeping  fortunes  of  the  rebels,  and,  by 
stretching  forth  the  arm  of  courage,  speedily  sub- 
dued them.  The  rebel,  Gunga  Ram,  was  made 
prisoner,  and,  as  a  return  for  his  bad  actions,  was 
put  in  irons.  As  for  the  rest  of  the  rebels,  by  one 
of  Hydur's  vigorous  attacks  he  soon  lightened  their 
shoulders  of  the  weight  of  their  proud  heads,  and 
cast  their  bodies  on  the  field  of  eternity.  In  fact,  in 
the  course  of  two  months,  he  had  put  to  death,  or 
taken  prisoners,  the  whole  of  the  rebels,  and  had 
placed  strong  detachments  of  his  own  troops  in 
the  Forts  of  that  mountainous  country  such  as 
those  of  Hoh  Droog,  Chund  Rai  Droog,  Ruttun 
Giri,  Rai  Kote,  Hussoor,  and  Baglore;  and  he 
placed  in  each  of  them  commanding  o£Scers  on 
whom  he  could  rely  ;  and  then,  with  much  treasure, 
and  many  camels  and  elephants,  he  returned  to 
Seringaputtun. 

About  this  time  Asud  Khan,  Surdar  Khan,  and 
Muhammad  Omr,  the  father  of  Muhammad  Ah 
commandant,  Ghonsa,  arrived  from  Arkat,  and 
were  appointed  to  the  high  rank  of  Risaladar  in 
the  regular  battalions. 


34 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  march  of  an  army«  under  the  command  of  Nondi  Raj, 
agreeably  to  the  request  of  Muhammad  Ali  Khan,  Sur^j  ud  dowla, 
towards  Nuthur  Nuggur,  otherwise  called  Trichinopoly,  and  the 
display  of  that  innate  courage  in  the  course  of  the  expedition, 
which  marked  the  character  of  the  Khan;  in  the  year  1160.  H. 

After  the  murder  of  his  father,  and  that  of 
Nasir  Jung,  Muhammad  Ah'  Khan  Suraj  ud  dowla, 
Wala  Jah,  the  son  of  Unwar  uddin  Khan,  the 
martyr,  sought  refuge  in  Nuthiu:  Nuggur,  or  Tri- 
chinopoly. With  the  intention,  therefore,  of 
rooting  out  the  power  of  Muhammad  All  Khan, 
Hussain  Dost  Khan,  otherwise  Chunda  Sahib 
Nayut,  (who,  by  the  assistance  of  the  French  of 
Pondicherry,  had  wrested  the  whole  of  the  province 
of  Arkat  from  Hidayut  Mohi  uddm  Khan,)  now 
advanced  boldly  to  attack  Nuthur  Nuggur ;  having 
with  him  a  few  French  troops  and  his  own  force 
amounting  to  about  six  thousand  horse,  and  twelve 
thousand  foot,  and  besieged  that  fort,  throwing  up 
batteries,  and  maintaining  a  continual  fire  on  the 
city. 


35 

Suraj  ud  dowla,  reduced  to  extremity,  was  like  a 
lamp^  the  light  of  which  glimmers  and  dies  at  the 
approach  of  morning.  He,  therefore,  wrote  to  the 
ministers  of  the  Mysore  government,  stating  that, 
if  they  would  now  assist  him  in  his  necessities,  and 
conquer  his  enemies,  he  would,  after  his  foes  had 
retreated,  and  the  Souba  had  been  reduced  under 
his  authority,  consign  to  their  charge  the  fort  of 
Trichinopoly  and  its  dependencies.  He  also  sent 
for  aid  to  the  govenior  of  the  Port  of  Deona  Put- 
tun,  an  Englishman,  and  assigned  him  a  monthly 
allowance ;  and  promised  him  a  Jageer ;  *  and  by 
this  means  obtained  from  him  a  number  of  Eu- 
ropean soldiers. 

Seduced  by  the  flattering  prospect  of  obtaining  a 
fertile  rich  country,  and  greedy  of  gain,^  Nundi 
Raj,  the  minister  of  the  Mysore  Raja,  associated 
himself  with  Morar  Rao,  and  other  Poligars  ;  and, 
having  expended  a  great  deal  of  money,  he,  with 
his  treasury  and  artillery,  and  an  army  of  seven 
thousand  cavalry,  and  ten  or  twelve  thousand  foot, 
marched  towards  Trichinopoly.  The  Raja  of 
Mysore,  however,  was  not  consenting  to  this  move- 
ment;   but,  nevertheless,  his   Dulwai   or    Prime 

The  eyes  of  avarice  will  never  be  filled  except  by  the  dust  of 
the  Grave. 


36 

Minister,  with  great  labour  persisted,  and  carried 
to  the  besieged  Khan,  (Muhammad  AH,)  money 
and  supplies  of  all  sorts ;  indeed,  all  the  aid  he  re- 
quired. 

Hydur  Ali  Khan  was  present  in  every  engage- 
ment, in  conjunction  with  the  troops  of  Suraj  ud 
dowla,  and  displayed  the  greatest  valour ;  he  also 
made  several  night  attacks  on  the  French  troops, 
and  on  those  of  Chunda  Sahib,  with  great  success. 
His  Kuzzaks,"^  who  were  under  the  command  of 
Ghazi  Khan  Bede,  were  likewise  appointed  to  sur- 
round and  plunder  the  camp  of  the  French  and 
they  captured  and  brought  thence  arms,  tents, 
and  cattle ;  and,  in  one  of  these  night  attacks,  by 
their  enterprize  and  bravery  they  took  two  guns 
from  the  advanced  guard  of  the  French.  By 
these  actions  Hydur  Ah  estabUshed  himself  a 
name  above  his  compeers. 

The  assassination  of  Chunda  Sahib,  at  length 
took  place  in  the  Dulwai  Munduf,  (Mundup)  where 
he  had  formerly  sworn  on  the  Koran  not  to  molest 
or  injure  Munka  Rani,  the  wife  of  Trimul  Naik,  the 
Chief  of  Madhura,  who  then  had  charge  of  the 
government  of  Trichinopoly,  and  to  whom,  after 

*— ^»  J3  Kazzaks  are  predatory  ligbt-borse,  a  kind  of  Pin- 
darries. — ^Bede  is  another  name  for  the  same :  Kirkpatrick  sup- 
posed the  word  Bede  meant  Infantry,  which,  I  believe,  it  does  not. 


37 

he  had  drawn  her  into  his  snares  by  oaths  and 
treaties  that  he  would  offer  her  no  injury,  he  not 
only  broke  his  promise  and  oath,  but,  moreover, 
violated  her  person,  and  caused  her  to  be  put  to 
death  in  a  most  barbarous  manner."^  In  conse- 
quence of  his  death,  the  French  withdrew  to  Pon- 
dicherry,  and  Suraj  ud  dowla  remained  successful 
and  master. 

He  now,  however,  with  great  artifice,  abandoned 
his  agreement  with  the  M ysorians ;  and,  instead  of 
sending  the  money,  that  is  pay,  which  was  due  to 
the  troops  for  six  months,  he  sent  messages  and 
apologies.  Astonished  at  the  Khan's  duplicity  and 
villainy,  Nundi  Raj  was  also  ashamed  of  his  own 
imprudence  in  the  business ;  he  therefore  gave 
orders  to  commence  the  siege  of  the  fort,  and 
Hydur  Ah,  and  his  other  oflBcers,  immediately 
made  an  attack  on  it.  The  wily  Khan,  however, 
after  the  breaking  up  of  the  Trichinopoly  treaty, 
or  agreement,  sought  the  friendship  and  aid  of  the 
French,  and  sent  for  a  number  of  soldiers  of  that 
nation  to  his  aid.  He  likewise  sent  to  Pondicherry, 
to  purchase  warlike  stores,  as  cannon,  muskets, 
powder  and  shot,  and  to  procure  able  gunners, 
and  other  Frenchmen  whom  he  entertained  in  his 
service. 


38 

The  siege  lasted  three  months,  and  in  that  time 
Kumtoo  Sahib,  the  half  brother  of  Hydur  AU, 
was  slain  by  a  cannon  ball.  At  length,  the  be- 
sieged Khan  planned  a  deep  scheme ;  he  sent  to 
Nundi  Raj,  to  request  he  would  despatch  some 
confidential  officer,  with  a  party  of  troops,  to 
garrison  the  fort,  to  whom  the  keys  should  be 
delivered  up,  and  that  he  himself  would  then  retire 
to  take  possession  of  Arkat,  under  the  aid  and 
protection  of  the  English. 

Supposing,  from  this  message,  that  the  spell,  or 
witchery,  of  his  prudence  and  valour  had  made  a 
proper  impression  on  the  serpent-like  Khan,  Nundi 
Raj,  joyfully  despatched  his  brother  or  near  rela- 
tion, Gooti  Gopal,  with  Venkut  Rao  Burki,  Khoob 
Sahib,  Syud  Budduni  Dukkimi,  and  Umr  Singh, 
Jamadars,  with  a  detachment  of  about  two  thousand 
foot,  and  seven  hundred  horse,  giving  them  strict 
orders  to  provide  for  the  security  of  the  fort  and 
its  dependencies. 

When  these  people  had  reached  the  gate  of  the 
fort,  a  key  was  sent  to  them ;  but  the  day  being 
considered  very  inauspicious  by  the  Hindoos,  and 
also  the  hour  unlucky,  they  for  that  reason  made 
excuses,  and  would  not  receive  the  key ;  but  an 
agreement  was  made  that  it  should  be  delivered  up 
to  them  the  next  day,  and  the  party  went  back. 


39 

Suraj  ud  dowla  was  extremely  well  pleased  at  this 
arrangement,  as  he  had  thus  fulfilled  his  promise 
and  engagement.  The  next  day,  therefore,  the 
same  party  returned  to  the  fort,  and  with  great 
cheerfulness  entered  it.  As  soon,  however,  as  they 
were  in,  Gooti  Gopal  and  the  other  officers  were 
sent  for  separately,  under  pretence  of  speaking  to 
and  consulting  them,  and  were  imprisoned,  and  the 
arms  of  their  followers  being  seized,  some  of  them 
were  confined,  and  some  turned  out  of  the  fort. 
The  gates  were  then  closed,  and  a  few  shots  were 
fired  into  the  Mysore  camp. 

Nundi  Raj  was  very  grieved  and  angry  at  this 
treachery,  yet,  at  the  same  time,  he  was  entirely  at 
a  loss  to  know  what  he  should  do  to  remedy  his 
misfortune,  at  length,  however,  yielding  to  fate,  he 
followed  the  advice  of  Hydur  Ali,  and,  returned 
towards  Sutti  Mungul;  foiled  and  ashamed  that 
after  all  his  exertions,  he  had  lost  the  chance  of 
possessing  so  rich  a  country  as  Arkat,  and  had 
thrown  away  3,000,000  •  of  pagodas  to  no  purpose. 

The  Raja  of  Mysore,  also,  being  offended  at 
these  operations,  had  not  sent  any  pay  for  the 
troops  for  nine  months ;  and,  this  causing  great 
distress  in  the  camp,  Nundi  Raj  halted  at  the  town 
before  mentioned,  being  ashamed  to  return  to  the 
capital. 

®  This  appears  a  gross  exaggeration. 


40 

About  this  time^  Balajee  Rax)  Nana,'  the  chief 
of  the  M ahrattas  at  Poona,  for  the  first  time  made 
an  incursion  towards  Mysore,  after  taking  posses- 
sion of  the  Souba  Sura^  to  the  chief  of  which, 
Nawaub  Dilawar  Khan,  he  gave  the  Pwrgmia  of 
Kolar,  in  Jageer,  leaving  the  Souba  in  charge  of 
Bulwuut  Rao.  Finding  that  Hydur  AH  was  absent 
from  the  country  of  Mysore,  he  proceeded  without 
fear,  and,  meeting  no  opposition,  laid  the  whole  of 
the  coxmtry  waste,  and  placed  strong  garrisons  of 
his  own  troops  in  all  the  forts,  and  took  permanent 
possession  of  them. 

The  Raja  of  Mysore,  seeing  the  enemy  m  great 
force,  and  that  they  had  seized  all  his  towns  and 
villages,  excepting  his  capital.  Bangalore,  and  Ma- 
kri  Droog ;  also  that,  by  the  pride  and  mismanage^ 
ment  of  the  Dulwai,  Nundi  Raj,  his  own  troops 
were  confined  to  the  neighbourhood  of  Trichino- 
poly ;  and  that,  however  often  he  wrote  informing 
him  of  the  desolation  of  his  country,  and  the  plun- 
der of  his  Ryuts,  and  ordered  him  to  return  to  his 
succour,  Nundi  Raj  still  refused  to  comply  before 
making  his  own  arrangements ;  and,  lastly,  seeing 
that  all  pertaining  to  the  government  was  falling 
into  confusion,  he,  (the  Raja)  overwhelmed  with 
difiiculties,  and  disordered  in  his  senses,  at  length, 
purchased  the  forbearance  of  the  Mahrattas,  by 

'  The  Paishwa. 


41 

paying  a  krore  of  rupees  to  them ;  but^  although 
they  with  their  troops  returned  to  Poona^  still  they 
did  not  withdraw  their  detachments  or  garrisons, 
and  officers,  from  the  towns  and  forts  of  Mysore  ; 
but,  on  the  contrary,  increased  their  number.  They, 
moreover,  plundered  and  laid  waste  the  country, 
so  cruelly  and  effectually,  that  to  this  day  some 
towns  are  not  repeopled. 

But,  to  return,  while  Nundi  Raj,  the  Dulwai, 
was  encamped  at  Sutti  Mungul,  his  troops,  for 
want  of  their  pay  placed  him  in  Dhuma.'  The 
Dulwai,  however,  having  with  sweet  words  and  feir 
promises  appeased  their  anger,  sent  them  to  the 
Raja,  at  Seringaputtun .  But  Hydur  All,  in  whose 
personal  character  he  had  great  confidence,  and  a 
Rathore  Jamadar,  named  Hurri  Singh,  who  com- 
manded a  hundred  and  fifty  horse,  these,  with  his 
own  Pagah,  five  hundred  horse,  and  about  two 
thousand  foot,  he  kept  with  himself.  The  entire 
want  of  money  and  supplies,  however,  so  oppressed 
the  soldiers,  that,  Hurri  Singh  forgetting  the  ties 
of  salt,  or  gratitude  to  his  master,  in  order  to  ob- 
tain his  arrears  of  pay  forbade  the  sleeping  and  eat- 
ing of  the  Dulwai,  by  placing  him  in  Dhuma,  or 
arrest,  and  that  in  so  great  a  degree  as  even  to  stop 

'  By  sittiDg  at  the  door  of  his  tent,  which  was  equivalent  to 
imprisoning  him. 


42 

the  water  used  in  his  kitchen.  The  Dulwai^  losing 
heart  from  this  rigour^  with  his  clothes  and  the 
vessels  of  silver  and  gold  brought  for  his  use  in 
travelling,  and  a  small  sum  of  nioney>  paid  him  off, 
and  discharged  him. 

As  soon  as  the  Jamadar  had  obtained  his  money 
and  discharge,  he  marched  away  with  his  baggage, 
to  a  place  within  about  three  miles  from  Seringaput- 
tun,  and  encamped  there ;  and  his  men  being  free 
from  care  ^  and  want,  in  body  and  mind,  after  eating 
and  drinking  joyfully,  laid  themselves  down  to  rest 
with  the  greatest  confidence. 

On  witnessing  these  occurrences,  however,  Hy- 
dur  became  exceedingly  excited,  and  going  to  the 
Dulwai,  addressed  him  in  reproachful  terms,  say- 
ing to  him,  *'  Why  have  you  acted  thus  ?  What 
you  have  done  is  unworthy  a  man  of  rank !  Is 
it  proper,  that,  without  the  knowledge  of  your 
most  particular  friend,  and  for  the  sake  of  paying 
one  of  the  meanest  servants,  of  the  Raj,  or  Go- 
vernment, you  should  have  incurred  the  discredit 
of  selling  your  plate  and  clothes  ?  and  of  dis- 
charging demands  without  proof  of  the  justness 
of  the  claim.  This  is  far  from  correct ;  seeing 
that  to  make  one  man  insolent  by  such  an  un- 
wise indulgence,  is  to   open   the  door  to  similar 


43 

claims  and  insults  from  the  rest  of  the  officers  of 
the  troops.  It  is  indispensable,  therefore^  that  he 
who  has  placed  his  foot  beyond  the  circle  of  obe- 
dience, and  by  that  means  sought  misfortime,  should 
be  punished  ;  and,  if  you  authorise  me,  I  will 
punish  him  so  that  he  shall  be  an  example  to 
others/' 

The  Dulwai  lent  an  attentive  ear  to  this  advice, 
and  requested  that  it  might  be  as  Hydur  All  had 
said.  Hydur,  therefore,  immediately  rising,  vrithout 
a  moment's  delay  returned  to  his  own  place  of  en- 
campment, and  taking  five  hundred  musketeers,  or 
matchlock  men,  and  a  store  of  ammunition  with  him, 
he  marched  straight  towards  Hurri  Singh's  halting 
ground,  and  falling  suddenly  on  his  sleeping  party, 
whose  death  had  arrived,  and  firing  volley  after 
volley  among  them,  slew  some,  the  more  fortunate 
on  their  beds,  and  others  were  slain  rising  and  ad- 
vancing a  few  steps,  with  their  swords  and  shields 
in  their  hands.  In  fine,  the  whole  of  the  troop,  with 
their  mutinous  Jamadar,  were  slain  by  the  sword, 
bayonet,  &c.,  and  all  their  arms  and  baggage,  with 
their  money,  utensils,  horses,  and  the  articles  they 
had  collected,  were  brought  to  the  Dulwai,  who, 
with  the  exception  of  the  money  and  articles  be- 
longing to  himself,  presented  the  whole  of  the  plun- 
der, horses,  &c.,  of  these  slaughtered  men  to  Hydur 


44 

All,  whose  prudence  in  this  action  acquired  for  him 
great  renown. 

A  few  days  after  this,  the  Dulwai  sent  for  Hydur, 
and,  seating  him  on  the  musnud  with  himself,  he 
consulted  with  him  on  the  re-establishment  of  his 
own  affairs,  complaining  bitterly  of  his  distress  for 
want  of  money.  Hydur  immediately  took  the 
management  of  his  affairs,  (that  is,  to  say,  the  col- 
lection of  money  for  his  wants),  on  his  own  respon- 
sibility, and  without  delay,  like  a  raging  lion, 
marched  with  his  brave  soldiers  towards  the  Po- 
ligars ;  and,  in  the  course  of  one  year,  having 
thrown  all  the  Nairs  and  Mapillas^  into  the  utmost 
trepidation  and  confusion,  he  collected  a  large  sum 
of  money.  In  this  expedition  those  persons  who, 
according  to  requisition,  came  forward  with  a  good 
will,  and  did  their  best  to  provide  the  sum  de- 
manded, he  spared  in  Ufe  and  property;  but,  on 
the  contrary,  those  who  disobeyed  his  commands, 
and,  without  having  the  license  or  exemption  of  the 
Raja,  refused  to  pay  the  required  tribute,  he  so 
completely  destroyed,  that  their  names,  and  those 
of  their  children,  were  erased  from  the  book  of 
time. 

The  Poligars  of  the  Talookas  of  Palni  and  Vira- 
pachy,  who  were  exceedingly  rebellious,  were,  by 

'  Hindu  Chiefs,  and  Mussulmans  of  the  Malabar  coast. 


45 

a  well-planned  attack^  taken  with  their  £stmilies 
and  property^  and  brought  in ;  and^  in  some  of  the 
difficult  positions  and  passes  in  that  country^  Hydur 
also  built  stockades,  or  wooden  forts,  with  stakes 
and  planks,  which  in  the  language  of  the  Hindoos 
are  called  lukkur  kote,^  and  in  these  he  left  de- 
tachments of  his  own  troops.  He  thus  diffused 
throughout  the  region  a  salutary  fear  of  punish- 
ment, (which  is  so  necessary  to  support  the  autho- 
rity of  Governors),  held  the  coimtry  firm,  and 
kept  the  rebels  in  proper  subjection. 

At  these  successes,  which,  by  the  good  manage- 
ment of  Hydur,  produced  a  large  sum  of  money, 
Nundi  Raj  was  much  pleased,  and  wrote  a  con- 
gratulatory letter  to  the  Raja,  at  Seringaputtun, 
on  the  conquest  of  the  territory  of  the  rebellious 
Poligars,  with  which  he  sent  a  krore  of  rupees^  as 
a  nuzzur  or  present.  By  this  means  he  washed 
away  half  the  blackness  of  discredit  or  shame  which 
before  covered  his  face. 

A  short  time  after  this,  Hydur  Ali  was  again  sent 
with  a  body  of  troops,  to.  establish  order  at  Dindigul, 
Palghauty  &c.  At  this  time,  the  chiefs  about  the 
Raja,  persons  who  dreaded  Hydur's  advancement, 
persuaded  him  to  recal  Nundi  Raj,  and  they  ob- 
tained and  despatched  letters  recalling  him,  but 


46 

conveying  kind  assurances  to  him  under  the  Raja's 
seal. 

As  the  Dulwai  had  been  travelling  for  a  long 
time^  that  is^  two  or  three  years^  he  had  become 
tired  of  the  fatigues  of  continual  movement^  and 
was  wishing  and  looking  for  an  opportunity  to  re- 
turn home,  to  his  family,  then  residing  in  the  fort 
of  Seringaputtun.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  the  letters 
arrived,  he  without  any  fear  or  apprehension,  pro- 
ceeded to  Seringaputtun,  and  wrote  to  Hydur  AH, 
who  was  employed  in  reducing  the  Poligars,  to  re- 
turn as  quick  as  he  could. 

Wlien  Hydur  Ali  found  that  Nundi  Raj  had  re- 
turned to  Seringaputtun,  he  lost  no  time  in  com- 
pleting his  arrangements  where  he  was,  and  with 
his  own  troops,  consisting  of  two  or  three  thousand 
regular  infantry,  five  hundred  Chittikars,^  two  hun- 
dred Europeans,  of  all  nations,  (who  had  been  at- 
tracted by  high  pay  from  Pondicheri,  Mangalore, 
&c.)  four  thousand  Kamatic  foot,  and  eight  hundred 
horse,  with  four  or  five  light  guns,  he  marched  by 
regular  stages  to  Seringaputtun,  and  encamped  near 
the  Mana  Munduf. 

At  that  time  the  state  of  Seringaputtun  was  as 
follows.  The  whole  of  the  country  northward  from 
the  town  of  Chutr,"  which  is  four  fiirsungs  from  the 

1  So  called  from  their  clothings  apparently.  y^^ 


47 

city  of  Seringaputtun,  and  on  the  road  to  Sura^  was 
in  the  hands  of  the  Mahrattas^  and  the  civil  and 
military  oflScers  of  these  plunderers^  regulated  the 
whole  of  the   Talookas  and  towns,  and  enjoyed 
themselves  in  collecting  the  revenue.     Gopal  Rao 
Mahratta,  the  Chief  of  Mirich,  who  was  constituted 
the  Chief  of  the  Souba  Sura,  after  the  removal  of 
Bulwunt  Rao,  again  assembled  a  force,  and  be- 
sieged the  fort  of  Bangalore.      The  Killadar  or  go- 
vernor, however,  whose  name  was  Sri  Nowas,  the 
son  of  Vinkat  Rao  Burki,  did  not  lose  heart ;  but 
having  strengthened  the  fort,  and  encouraged  the 
garrison,  he  opposed  the  enemy  with  great  con- 
stancy and  courage.     The  Chiefs  of  Mysore,  never- 
theless, lost  from  cowardice  °  all  sense  and  discre- 
tion, and,  like  a  parcel  of  old  women,  trembling, 
waited  for  a  man  to  enter  the  field  of  valour  for 
them.     When,  therefore,  Nundi  Raj  and  the  brave 
Hydur  arrived  at  Seringaputtun,  it  appeared  as  if 
the  breath  had   entered  anew  into   their  lifeless 
carcases,  and  now  they  began  again  to  consult  how 
they  should  repel  their  enemies.      All  the  chief 
officers  and  Jamadars  being  assembled,  they  were 
questioned  as  to  how  the  country,  almost  entirely 
lost,  could  be  recovered,  and  the  enemy  chastised. 
In  answer  to  these  interrogations,  the  whole  of 


48 

the  military  officers  said,  that,  if  the  Raja  would 
mount  his  elephant,  and  prepare  to  attack  the 
Mahrattas,  they  would  surround  him,  and  fight  to 
the  last  man  in  his  defence ;  but  that,  otherwise 
with  their  own  forces  alone,  they  could  not  venture 
to  attack  the  numerous  army  of  the  Mahrattas. 


49 


CHAPTER  V. 

An  account  of  the  defeat  of  the  Mabrattas  under  Gopal  Rao,  in 
the  vicinity  of  Bangalore,  by  tbe  bravery  of  Hydur  All  Khan,  and 
tbe  recapture  of  the  Talookas,  and  Forts,  taken  by  the  Mabrattas ; 
with  other  occurrences  of  the  year  1168,  Hijri — ^A.  D.  1754. 

When  the  heads  of  the  government  heard  these 
dastardly  words  from  all  the  officers  command- 
ing their  troops,  they  became  hopeless,  and,  send- 
ing for  Hydur  All,  they  made  him  acquainted  with 
what  had  occurred,  and  besought  his  aid  in  the 
recovery  and  preservation  of  the  country.  The 
Khan  immediately  without  the  least  hesitation, 
made  himself  responsible  for  the  accomplishment 
of  this  arduous  undertaking ;  and  the  Raja,  after 
complimenting  him  highly  on  his  courage,  embraced 
him,  gave  him  the  title  of  Khan  Bahadur,  and  re- 
peated his  request  for  the  settlement  of  the  country, 
and  the  discomfiture  of  his  enemies ;  he  likewise 
sent  out  of  the  fort  his  own  standard,  his  own  tents 
and  equipage,  his  musnud  ornamented  with  gold,  his 
treasury,  wardrobe,  and  elephants ;  and  appointed 
the  Khan,  Sipahsalar  (Commander-in-Chief)  and 


50 

gave  him  discretional  authority  to  act  as  he  thought 
best,  and  then,  giving  him  the  leaf  of  dismissal/  he, 
to  do  him  honor,  accompanied  him  attended  by  his 
chiefs  on  foot  to  the  Gate  of  the  Palace. 

Persian  verse.  *'  He  who  can  wield  the  sword 
shall  have  money  struck  in  his  name"p — or  the  Sikka 
shall  be  read  in  his  name.^ 

As  the  Khan,  and  his  brother  Shahbaz,  with  their 
own  troops  only,  now  left  the  city  and  encamped 
at  the  Kurri  Kote,  the  Raja  and  Dulwai,  sum- 
moned all  the  Jamadars,  and  gave  them  strict 
orders  to  obey  the  Sipahsalar,  and  signified  to  them, 
that  they  were  dismissed  for  the  purpose  of  joining 
him.  At  first  only  Khoob  Sahib  Dukkani,  and  Syud 
Buduni,  Jamadars,  (officers  who  had  been  lately  re- 
leased from  the  prisons  of  Muhammad  All  Khan,) 
with  their  troops,  amounting  to  about  three  thou- 
sand horse,  arrived  ;  but  afterwards,  Ruhim  Sahib, 
Yakoob  Sahib,  Meer  Bijli,  Amr  Singh,  with  their 
companies  and  military  stores,  some  officers  of 
foot,  and  Manuel,  the  European,  with  his  Risala, 
made  tliemselves  ready  to  attend  the  Sipahsalar. 
The  rest  of  the  officers  and  troops  raised  a  dispute 
regarding  the  arrears  of  pay  which  were  due  to 

o  The  Betel  leaf. 
P   Stamped  on  the  coin  his  name  shall  stand  revealed 
Who  bravely  wields  the  sword  in  battle-field. 


51 

them,  and  remained  at  the  capital*  Hydur  Ali 
was,  therefore,  at  length  obliged  to  march  with  the 
scanty  force  which  he  had  under  his  orders,  amount- 
ing only  to  four  or  five  thousand  horse,  twelve  thou- 
sand regular  infantry,  and  six  or  seven  guns ;  and, 
having  given  the  curl  of  enterprise  to  the  moustache 
of  his  manhood,  he  proceeded  towards  Bangalore, 
and  in  two  or  three  days,  with  the  greatest  regula- 
rity and  order,  arrived  and  encamped  in  the  vicinity 
of  Chinaputtun. 

Being  aware  of  his  approach,  the  Mahrattas 
dispatched  fifteen  thousand  horse  to  attack  him ; 
but,  hearing  of  their  advance  the  Sipahsalar  also 
marched,  and  took  up  a  position  in  the  jungul  or 
forest  of  Burdi,  or  Baroli,  where  he  and  his  men 
lay  in  wait,  like  tigers  waiting  for  their  prey. 

Having  sent,  the  next  morning,  to  ascertain  the 
place  where  the  Mahrattas  were  encamped,  he,  at 
night,  marched  against  them  with  one  thousand 
regular  Infantry,  and  Chittikars,  and  two  hundred 
Europeans,  and  attacked  them  in  the  rear  so  suc- 
cessfully, that,  abandoning  all  their  baggage,  the 
Mahrattas  fled  hastily  and  lost  but  few  in  killed 
and  prisoners.  After  this  night  attack,  which  was 
admirably  concerted,  and  gave  them  an  example 
of  what  they  (the  Mahrattas)  had  to  expect  in 
future,   Hydur  marched   to    Bangalore,   and  en- 


52 

camped  near  Basoon  Gori,  and  immediately  wrote 
and  forwarded  a  letter  of  encouragement  to  the 
besieged  Killadar,  Sri  Nowas^  informing  him  of  his 
arrival,  to  his  (the  Killadar's)  aid,  and  the  defeat  of 
the  enemy.  Sri  Nowas  was  now  nearly  reduced  to 
surrender,  by  the  fire  of  the  Mahrattas,  and  the 
want  of  ammunition,  and  provisions,  but  immedi- 
ately on  receiving  the  letter,  and  recognizing  the 
signature  of  Hydur,  he  recovered  his  confidence, 
and  for  joy  fired  off  his  guns,  as  a  salute,  at  tlie 
Mahratta  camp. 

The  Mahrattas,  also,  seeing  that  the  garrison 
were  roused  by  the  prospect  of  relief,  determined 
to  relinquish  the  siege  of  the  fort,  and  attack  the 
troops  arrived  to  its  assistance.  They,  therefore, 
changed  their  ground  the  distance  of  two  ftirsungs, 
(about  six  or  seven  miles,)  to  Soondi  Gopeh,  and 
encamped  there  in  the  best  order.  On  the  follow- 
ing morning,  Hydur,  the  Sipahsalar,  drew  out  his 
forces,  and  having  given  charge  of  his  right  and 
left  vdngs  to  experienced  officers,  he,  with  his 
artillery  in  readiness,  marched  straight  towards  the 
Mahrattas,  who,  aware  of  his  purpose,  marshalled 
their  troops,  and  prepared  to  receive  him  warmly. 
The  fire  soon  commenced,  and  the  balls  fell  like 
pattering  rain  from  the  guns  and  muskets  of  Hy- 
dur*s  men,  and  unable  to  stand  the  fire  of  Hydur's 


53 

infantry  and  artillery,  the  Mahrattas^  lost  all  power 
of  opposition  and  resistance,  and  fled,  leaving  part 
of  their  baggage  behind  them.  Being  master  of 
the  field  of  battle,  Hydur  All  now  taking  pos- 
session of  the  deserted  baggage,  returned  to  his 
former  ground  of  encampment,  and  then,  with 
great  art,  sending  for  Sri  Nowfis  the  Killadar,  under 
pretence  of  a  visit,  he  detained  him  with  his  own 
troops,  and  appointed  to  the  charge  of  the  fort  a 
certain  Kubeer  Beg,  one  of  his  own  friends. 

The  body  of  Mahrattas,  which  had  been  defeated 
and  fled,  again  collected  their  scattered  numbers, 
and  made  ready  for  action,  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Nulloonga.  In  consequence  of  this,  Hydur  All 
marched  from  Bangalore,  and  encamped  two  or 
threee  fursungs  from  Balapoor  the  greater,  and 
halted  there  for  two  days.  On  the  night  of  the 
third,  however,  having  obtained  a  favourable  oppor- 
tunity, he  again  marched,  and  attacked  the  Mah- 
rattas, throwing,  such  a  powerful  fire  of  musketry, 
guns,  and  rockets  like  a  tempest  of  lightning  upon 
them,  that  he  dispersed  them  and  losing  their  man- 
hood and  senses,  they  fled,  leaving  their  arms,  am 
munition,  tents  and  standards,  on  the  ground. 

Hydur  thus  gained  the  victory,  and  the  leader  of 
the  Mahrattas,  having  escaped  with  much  diflSculty, 
continued  his  flight  to  Nijigul. — After  the  lapse  of 
about  ten  or  fifteen  days,  he,  however,  commenced 


54 

again  to  collect  his  horse  and  foot^  and  was  making 
ready  to  attack  Hydur,  when  at  this  period,  news 
arrived  from  Poona,  that  Sudusheo  Pundit  Bhow, 
and  Wis  was  Rao^  the  eldest  son  of  Balajee  Rao 
Nana,  who  had  displayed  the  standard  of  conceit  and 
arrogance,  and  had  raised  the  neck  of  pride  in  the 
empire  of  Hind,  and  with  three  hundred  thousand 
horse,  two  hundred  thousand  foot,  and  three  hun- 
dred guns,  had  marched  towards  Dehli,  and  had 
taken  and   plundered   the   Darul  Khilafat  of  the 
King  of  Kings ;    had,  at  length,  in  the  plain  of 
Gunjawur,  depending  on  Paniput  Kamal,  received 
from  the  powerful  hand  of  Ahmud  Shah  Doorani, 
(the  grandfather  of  Zeman  Shah  the  King  of  Kabul, 
who  with  four  Dustas  of  Sir  Abdalli,  each  Dustu 
consisting  of  twelve  thousand  horse,  had  arrived  in 
Hindustan)  such  a  total  defeat,  and  had  been  so 
effectually  destroyed,  that  their  name  and  the  token 
of  their  existence  had  departed  from  the  world/ 
(He  learned  also,)  that  Balajee  Pundit,  at  hearing  of 
this  shameful  defeat,  the  utter  ruin  of  his  power, 
and  the  destruction  of  hundreds  of  thousands  of  his 
troops,  was  so  struck  with  grief,  that,  from  the  dis- 
tress and  disorder  of  his  mind,  he  at  length  lost  his 
senses,  and  died,  lamenting  his  misfortunes  and  loss. 
Gopal  Rao,  on  receiving  this  dreadful  news,  finding 

'  The  whole  of  these  paragraphs  in  the  origioal  are  very  much 
involved  and  parenthetical. 


55 

he  could  not  hope  to  oppose  Hydur  successfully, 
lost  his  way  in  the  wilderness  of  despair  ;  that 
is^  with  his  troops  and  his  baggage  that  remained, 
he  retired  to  Sura,  and  withdrew  all  his  people 
from  the  country  of  Mysore.  Hydur  Ali  followed 
his  steps,  and,  having  expelled  the  Mahratta  gar- 
risons from  the  forts  depending  on  Mysore,  some 
by  fair  means  and  some  by  foul,  and  replaced 
them  by  men  and  officers  of  his  own,  he  then,  with 
the  plunder  he  had  taken  from  the  fugitive  Mah- 
rattas,  returned,  with  joy  in  his  heart,  and  pleasure 
in  his  countenance,  to  Seringaputtun  ;  the  depart- 
ments of  which  he  found  in  the  following  unsettled 
state  when  he  arrived. 

The  whole  of  the  Jamadars  of  horse,  with  their 
men  armed  and  ready,  amounting  to  three  or  four 
thousand  men  had  secured  the  gates  and  posterns 
of  the  fort,  and  stopped  all  communication  with  any 
one,  friend  or  stranger,  under  pretence  of  demand- 
ing their  arrears  of  pay.  The  chief  officers  had 
made  up  their  beds  at  the  doors  of  the  Raja  and 
Dulwai*s  habitations,  and  remained  there,  demand- 
ing their  money ;  and  suffered  no  one  in  the  fort 
to  go  out,  nor  would  they  allow  any  one  to  enter 
the  fort. 

On  witnessing  the  rigour  and  injustice  of  these 
soldiers,  Hydur  All  was  greatly  excited  and  en- 


56 

raged,  and  determined  to  punish  them ;  when^  at  the 
same  time^  the  Raja,  Nundi  Raj>  &c.  placing  entire 
confidence  in  Hydur,  sent  to  him,  through  the  me- 
dium of  a  woman  who  sold  herbs,  an  account  of 
the  misery  of  their  situation,  from  the  oppression 
of  these  faithless  soldiers,  and  begged  his  assistance, 
in  obtaining  a  settlement  of  their  disputes  with 
them. — Hydur  All,  in  reply,  sent  verbally  all  the 
consolation  and  comfort  he  thought  necessary  at 
that  moment,  and  professed  his  friendly  wishes  to 
do  them  service.  On  the  ensuing  day,  therefore  he 
sent  word  to  the  mutinous  Jamadars,  that  he,  also, 
was  one  of  the  claimants  or  creditors  of  the  govern- 
ment, and  that  he  had  been  employed  on  hard 
service  for  months,  without  any  pay  or  assistance 
whatever,  and  that,  if  they  would  allow  him,  he 
would  join  them,  and  thus  obtain  the  settlement 
of  his  own  demands ;  but  that  they  might  be  cer- 
tain that,  until  they  opened  the  fire  of  their  guns 
and  rockets  on  the  Dewaun  Khana,  and  Zanana, 
(or  the  palace)  of  the  Raja,  and  showered  a  tempest 
of  shot  on  these  places  like  hail,  and  until  they 
filled  the  heads  of  the  conceited  occupants*  with 
the  black  smoke  of  their  artillery  and  musketry, 
they  would  never  submit  to  follow  the  right  path. 
If  they  chose  he  said  to  act  on  his  suggestion, 
well, — if  not, — the  surrounding  suburbs  of  the  city 


57 

were  rich  and  populous ;  and,  besides  them,  there 
was  the  whole  country  of  Mysore,  from  which,  if 
he  thought  proper,  he  could  collect  his  dues  with- 
out difficulty. 

When  the  Jamadars  heard  this  excellent  advice 
from  Hydur,  they  began  to  fear  that  he  would  carry 
his  plan  into  execution,  by  plundering  their  houses, 
which  they  had  built  in  the  Bahadur  Poora,  near 
the  old  Eed  Gah,  a  little  to  the  westward  of  the 
battery  of  Muhammad  AU,  commandant,  and  which 
part  of  the  suburbs  was  very  populous.  They, 
therefore,  gave  him  leave  to  enter  the  fort,  with  a 
few  men  ;  but  Hydur,  that  Lion  of  the  forest  of 
courage  and  enterprize,  without  the  least  delay, 
accompanied  by  two  light  guns,  seven  or  eight  hun- 
dred regular  infantry,  and  two  hundred  spear  men 
on  foot,  entered  the  fort,  and,  having  posted  his 
men  in  parties  at  different  places,  visited  the  Raja 
and  the  Dulwai,  and  offered  consolation  and  com- 
fort to  them.  Then,  after  having  also  pleased  the 
Jamadars  with  kind  and  flattering  words  and 
speeches,  and  having  attracted  the  hearts  of  high 
and  low  to  him  by  his  affable  manners,  he  returned 
to  his  encampment  The  next  day  he  entered  the 
fort,  accompanied  by  the  same  number  of  men  as 
before,  and  now  told  the  Jamadars  that,  as  there 
was  no  guard  on  the  Zanana,  or  women's  apart- 


58 

ments^  of  the  Raja  or  Dulwai^  he  would  place  his 
own  foot  soldiers  on  them^  that  they  might  stop  all 
supplies  of  water  and  other  necessaries  to  their  in- 
habitants ;  andj  the  Jamadars  having  yielded  to  this 
proposal,  he  immediately  sent  for  two  thousand 
foot,  well  armed,  and  posted  guards  on  the  Zananas 
of  the  Raja  and  Dulwai,  and,  in  short  in  the  course 
of  two  or  three  days,  he  secured,  or  made  himself 
master  of,  all  the  roads  and  lanes  leading  to  the 
palace. 

The  day  after  this  he  proceeded  to  the  Private 
Hall  of  audience,*  and  having  placed  a  number  of 
his  attendants  under  pretence  of  Dhurna  in  the  in- 
side of  the  Hall,  which  is  called  Chutr  Duddi,  or 
Doori,"  he  of  a  sudden  came  out,  and  told  the  Ja- 
madars that  a  settlement  of  his  and  their  demands 
had  been  effected ;  but,  that  the  regular  accounts 
of  their  monthly  pay  must  be  entered  into  the 
Duftur,  or  register  of  the  Tosha  Khona,  (or  trea- 
sury) and  that  they  might  then  take  their  money. 
That,  they  must  take  up  their  beds,  therefore,  from 
the  palace,  and  carry  them  away,  and  then,  with 
the  Vakeel  or  agent  of  the  Risala  or  troop,  and 
one  Mutsuddi,  (or  writer)  attend,  the  Kutcheree,'' 
that  their  monthly  accounts  might  be  made  up, 

^  Any  public  hall  for  the  settlement  of  revenue  or  judicial 
questions. 


69 

and  their  claims  discharged ;  also  that^  if  they  had 
any  other  intentions  he  thought  they  would  in 
the  end  repent  of  them.     Having  said  this,  he 
ordered  his  men  to  keep  the  Jamadars,  with  a 
Vakeel  and  Mutsuddi  each,  present  in  the  Hall, 
and  turn  the  remainder  of  their  men  out  of  the 
fort.     As  his  brave  soldiers  were  drawn  up  in  com- 
panies, parading  about  the  streets  and  markets, 
with  their  drums  beating,  and  handling  their  arms, 
the  Jamadars,  seeing  the  posture  of  affairs,  lost 
their  colour,""  and  submitted  to  Hydur's  pleasure 
and  commands,  and  with  an  accountant  or  two, 
each  repaired  to  the  Kutcheree,  where  the  astute 
Hydur  himself  examined  the  monthly  pay  Usts  of 
each  Jamadar,  and,  causing  a  memorandum  of  each, 
to  be  taken,  kept  it  by  him  ;   while,  to  compare  the 
numbers  in  the  returns  with  the  numbers  present  for 
duty,  he  demanded  an  actual  muster.     For,  in  fact, 
the  Jamadars  of  a  thousand  horse  had  present  at 
that  time  only  six  hundred  ;  those  of  five  hundred, 
but  three  hundred,  and  those  of  two  hundred  but 
half  as  many  ;  although,  by  the  collusion  of  the 
writers  of  the  Pay  Office,  and  the  Vakeels  or  agents 
of  the  regiments,  they  extorted  pay  for  the  full 
complement,  and,  for  actual  muster,  played  at  hide 
and  seek ;''  as  soon  as  the  clear-headed  Hydur  under- 

^  Became  alarmed.  ^  }   (j^ 


60 

stood  this  excessive  roguery/  he  immediately  sent 
for  the  Jamadars  and  took  the  muster  of  their 
men  and  horses ;  and^  being  much  vexed  at  the 
villany  of  the  accountants  of  the  Treasury,  he  de- 
ducted the  amount  overdrawn  for  absent  or  non- 
effectives, from  the  day  on  which  the  Jamadars  and 
their  companies  were  received  into  the  service,  to 
the  very  day  he  mustered  them ;  and  made  up 
and  settled  their  accounts  on  that  scale.  Now,  as, 
by  reckoning,  in  this  mode,  Jamadars,  instead  of 
creditors,  were  made  debtors  to  the  State  in  a  large 
amount,  in  order,  to  discharge  the  same,  they  were 
obliged  to  give  up  their  horses,  camels,  elephants, 
tents  and  utensils,  and  even  their  clothes,  of  all 
which  he  took  a  regular  account,  and  then  dis- 
charged them.  But,  of  the  Jamadars,  any  one  who 
had  been  his  companion  in  the  field  and  at  board, 
to  hun  he  paid  his  money  in  a  certain  mode,  and  re- 
engaged him.  As,  in  this  way,  a  body  of  five  or  six 
thousand  of  these  men  were  ruined,  their  horses 
were  taken  by  Hydur  Ali,  and  sent  to  his  own 
stables,  and,  in  place  of  their  riders,  he  hired  Bar- 
geers,  (men  enlisted  as  cavalry  to  ride  the  govern- 
ment horses)  and  in  this  manner  he  surmounted  his 
difficulties. 

^  rJ^  U^  Ironically.  He  must  have  been  fully  aware 
of  it,  as  it  is  customary,  and  it  is  most  probable  he  did  himself  the 
same. 


61 


CHAPTER  VI. 

The  quarrel  between  Nundi  Raj  and  his  6on-in-law,  and  his  re- 
tirement to  the  fort  of  Mysore.  Also»  his  contention  with 
Hydur,  the  Sipah&alar»  and  at  length  his  being  taken  prisoner. 
Also,  the  acquisition  of  the  Talookas  of  Ani  Kvl,  and  the  district 
of  Barh  Mahl,  by  the  Khodadaud  Sirkar  (Hydur),  with  other 
events  of  the  year  1 169»  Hijri. — ^A.  D.  1755. 

After  the  Sipahsalar,  Hydur,  by  his  prudence 
and  courage,  had  defeated  the  Mahrattas,  and  re- 
covered the  country  taken  by  them,  he  placed  the 
government  of  Seringaputtun  on  a  sure  and  esta- 
blished basis,  and  relieved  the  state  from  the 
burden  and  danger  of  mutinous  and  seditious 
servants ;  and  having  done  this,  he  retired  to  his 
own  house. 

About  this  period,  the  Raja  of  Mysore,  on  ac- 
count of  the  hopeless  and  bootless  return  of  his 
troops  from  the  expedition  to  Trichinopoly,  which, 
notwithstanding  it  was  attended  with  an  immense 
expense,  produced  no  profit,  again  reproached  Nun- 
di Raj  in  angry  terms  and  manifested  great  displea- 
sure. Nundi  Raj,  who,  also,  was  much  ashamed  of 
his  want  of  political  foresight  in  the  affair,  with  great 


62 

trouble  and  difficulty,  and  by  pleading  his  advanced 
age  as  an  apology  for  ceasing  to  bear  a  part  in  the 
government,  was  allowed  to  retire  to  Mysore.  He 
accordingly  withdrew  entirely  from  the  manage- 
ment of  state  affairs,  and  took  up  his  residence 
in  that  fort,  retaining,  as  a  necessary  protection,  a 
body  of  about  two  thousand  foot,  five  or  six  hun- 
dred horse,  and  five  hundred  regular  infantry. 

The  other  chiefs  of  the  government,  having 
consulted  together,  were,  however,  desirous  to  go 
fiirther,  and  obtain  from  Nundi  Raj  the  sealed 
Sunnuds,  (patents  or  commissions),  of  the  Dewanni, 
or  Prime  Ministership.  One  man,  in  particular, 
named  Khundi  Rao,  a  Brahman,  who  was  the 
Mooshrif,  (overseer  or  inspector),  of  Hydur  Alfs 
troops,  was  the  most  active  and  influential  in  this 
design  ;  he  induced  his  master  Hydur  to  join  him 
in  his  object,  and  the  whole  together  petitioned 
the  Raja  to  demand  the  Sunnuds. 

On  receiving  these  requests,  the  Raja,  to  oblige 
them,  demanded  the  patents  of  the  appointment  of 
Prime  Minister,  (Purdhani  or  Sahib  Dewanni), 
from  Nundi  Raj,  who  returned  for  answer  that  as 
the  documents  in  question  had  not  been  derived  to 
him  during  the  reign  of  the  present  Raja,  but  from 
his  father  and  grandfathers  to  the  ancestors  of 
Nundi   Raj,  generation   after  generation,  the  re- 


63 

turning  of  them  would  be  superfluous ;  for,  when 
it  was  considered  that  he,  Nundi  Raj,  had  aban- 
doned of  his  own  free  will  all  regulation  or  control 
of  the  Raja's  affairs,  he,  the  Raja,  might  be  certain 
that,  through  the  medium  of  the  Sunnuds,  Nundi 
Raj  could  cause  no  impediments  to  any  one,  in 
matters  of  state,  and  he  might  estimate  the  old 
Sunnuds  or  patents  as  copy  books  of  children  or 
waste  paper.  He  added,  that  he,  Nundi  Raj,  re- 
commended the  Raja  with  the  advice  of  his  coun- 
cil, to  select,  his  ministers  himself,  from  those 
best  able  to  conduct  his  affairs,  and  let  him,  a 
weak,  worn  out  man  alone,  and  relieve  him  from 
the  trouble  and  perplexity  of  public  business. 

The  whole,  however,  of  those  who  were  seeking 
the  injury  and  downfall  of  Nundi  Raj,  by  telling 
tales  and  making  misrepresentations  to  the  Raja, 
brought  his  mind  to  determine  that  Hydur  Ali, 
after  having  been  flatteringly  called  by  the  Raja 
his  son,  was  the  proper  person  to  be  sent  to  obtain 
the  seals  and  Sunnuds.  As  soon  as  Hydur,  there- 
fore, marched  with  his  own  troops  towards  Mysore, 
he  sent  a  detailed  notice  to  Nundi  Raj,  that^  as 
some  enemies  of  his  had  deceived  and  turned  the 
Raja's  mind  against  him,  and  had  persuaded  him  to 
seize  the  Sunnuds  or  patents  of  his  office,  it  ap- 
peared to  him,  (Hydur  Ah'),  necessary  or  rather  the 


64 

best  policy  that  he  should  send  in  the  papers, 
through  the  medium  of  his  most  particular  friend, 
(meaning  himself,)  and  that  he,  Nundi  Raj,  might 
place  every  reliance  on  him.  Nundi  Raj,  however, 
not  being  inclined  to  agree  to  this  request,  the  fort 
was  surrounded  by  order  of  the  Raja,  batteries 
were  raised  on  all  sides  and  guns  mounted.  Not- 
withstanding all  this,  Hydur  AH,  in  hopes  to  avoid 
actual  conflict,  still  wisely  advised  him  to  submit, 
but  Nundi  Raj  would  listen  to  none  of  his  advice, 
however  prudent  and  politic,  but  prepared  to  defend 
himself,  and  fired  upon  Hydur's  camp. 

That  lion  of  the  field  of  battle,  therefore,  could 
hesitate  no  longer ;  and  he  now  gave  orders  to  his 
brave  soldiers  to  commence  the  attack,  who  imme- 
diately opened  a  fire  of  all  arms,  guns,  muskets,  &c. 
on  the  fort.  The  fire  of  war  was  consequently  lighted 
up  on  all  sides,  and  both  parties  fought  courage- 
ously ;  but,  at  length,  by  their  valour  and  strength 
of  arm  Hydur  Alf  s  fearless  troops  brought  on  the 
heads  of  the  besieged  a  resemblance  of  the  day  of 
Judgment.  Still,  their  chiefs  defended  themselves 
with  great  bravery  for  three  months,  when,  their 
provisions  and  ammunition  becoming  exhausted, 
they  surrendered,  and  Nundi  Raj,  agreeably  to  the 
desire  of  his  friends,  accompanied  by  his  family  in 
carriages,  proceeded  to    Hydur*s  camp  and    his 


65 

troops  marched  out  of  the  fort,  and  leaving  a  gar- 
rison in  it,  and  taking  with  him  Nundi  Raj,  Hydur 
returned  to  Seringaputtun,  where  Nundi  Raj  was 
placed  in  confinement.    In  obedience  to  orders  from 
the   Raja,  Hydur  by  artful  means   obtained  the 
patents  of  the  Prime  Minister  and  other  papers 
from  Nundi  Raj  ;    and  then,  by  the  sanction  of 
the  Raja,  and  the  recommendation  of  the  Chiefs 
of  the  Government,  the  office  of  Prime  Minister, 
was  given  to  the  Brahman  Khundi  Rao,  an  old  ser- 
vant, Hydur  supposing  him,  faithful,  and  he  received 
strict  orders  to  do  nothing  in  affairs  of  Govern- 
ment without  the  knowledge  and  sanction  of  Hydur. 
In  this  matter  Hydur,  however,  was  unsuspicious 
and  ignorant  of  the  changes  which  the  revolving 
heavens,  or  the  arch  conjurer  Time,  (who  varies 
his  tricks  every  moment),  might  bring  about. 

As  soon  as  he  had  delivered  up  his  patents  to 
Hydur,  having  nothing  fiirther  to  care  for,  and  con- 
sidering his  residence  in  such  circumstances  at 
Seringaputtun  a  degradation,  Nundi  Raj  with  great 
eloquence  pleaded  for  and  obtained  leave  to  retire 
to  his  three  Jageers,  which  had  belonged  to  him  of 
old  and  which  he  still  possessed;  these  Jageers 
were,  the  Kusba  or  town  of  Kinnoor,  Puria  Puttun, 
and  Arkul  Goorah,  with  Anchiti  Droog,  a  perpe- 
tual or  permanent  assignment — ^he  himself  resid- 


66 

ing  at  the  town  of  Kennoor^  and  maintaining^ 
for  the  protection  and  regulation  of  his  depen- 
dencies^ six  or  seven  hundred  horse^  two  thousand 
regular  infantry^  and  about  four  thousand  Kamatic 
foot;  and  thus  he  rested  from  his  labours,  and 
enjoyed  himself. 

About  this  time,  Suraj  ud  Dowla  Muhammad 
All  Khan,  Wala  Jah,  at  the  instigation  of  the  En- 
glish^ marched  with  a  body  of  troops  to  attack 
Pondicherry,  The  French  immediatly  sent  a  Va- 
keel, or  messenger,  to  Hydur  Ali,  the  noise  of 
whose  courage  and  political  ability  had  reached 
the  utmost  comers  of  the  earth  ;  but  whose  fame 
was  more  particularly  known  in  the  countries  of 
Hind  and  the  Dukhun,  and  requested  he  would 
afford  them  aid ;  offering  to  give  up,  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  troops  sent  to  their  assistance,  the 
revenues  of  two  Purganas,  one  Chinchee,  and  the 
other  Tyag  Gurh,  both  which  depended  on  them. 
Hydur,  the  protector  of  the  helpless,  immediately 
stained  the  finger  of  the  Vakeel's  request  with  the 
henna  of  accordance,  and  dispatched  a  force  of  three 
thousand  horse,  six  thousand  regular,  and  two  thou- 
sand Kamatic  in&ntry,  under  the  command  of  Syud 
Mukhdoom,  his  half  brother,  with  abundance  of 
stores^  ammunition,  and  provisions,  to  Pondicherry. 

Vii^ith  Syud  Mukhdoom,  on  his  departure,  was 


67 

associated  a  certain  Asud  Khan  Mahkuri,  Najoit, 
who  had  been  formerly  in  the  service  of  the  Chief 
of  Kirpa^  and  had  been  appointed  to  the  Barh 
Mahl  district     This  man  was  universally  known 
for  his  excessive  bravery^  and  had  no  equal  in  his 
kind  regard  for  his  comrades^ — ^but  it  may  not  be 
uninteresting  to  mention  here  some  instances  of  his 
bravery.    When  Abdul  Mujeed  Khan  was  killed^  by 
the  hand  of  Bulwunt  Rao,  the  Mahratta,  Imrut  Rao^ 
also  a  chief  of  the  Mahrattas,  was  sent  by  his  orders 
with  five  hundred  horse,  and  two  thousand  foot,  to 
take  possession  of  the,  Barh  Mahl  district.    Having 
plundered  the  Kusba  of  Wanambari,  he  was^  ad- 
vancing further,  when  this  brave  fellow,  feeling  his 
honour  as  Foujdar  rather  roughly  handled,  by  the 
Mahrattas,  and  his  blood  being  up,  sallied  forth  from 
the  town  of  Tripatoor,  and  on  an  open  space,  to  the 
northward  of  that  town,  fell  in  with  the  Mahrattas; 
and,  not  taking  any  account  of  their  numbers,  with 
only  five  horsemen  he  attacked  them  as  a  tiger 
attacks  a  herd  of  deer,  and  actually  beat  them  off  his 
bounds ;  the  said  Imrut  Rao  being  wounded  in  the 
action.     Sometime  after  this  event,  Uzeez  Khan,  a 
one-eyed  man,  being  envious  of  this  brave  man's  re- 
putation, obtained  for  himself  the  agency  or  lieuten- 
ancy of  this  district,  and  arrived  to  take  possession. 
Offended  at  the  neglect  and  want  of  appreciation  of 


68 

his  services,  shewn  by  the  Chief  of  Kirpa,  Mohsun 
Khan^  (alias  Moocha  Mean,)  Asud  Khan  of  his  own 
accord  left  his  service,  and  took  up  his  residence  at 
Rai  Vellore.  Knowing  his  value,  the  Nawaub  Baha- 
dur sent  for  him,  at  the  same  time  providing  him 
with  funds  for  his  expenses  and  carriage.  This 
officer  was  therefore  now  attached  to  Syud  Mulch- 
doom's  force,  and  the  Syud  marched  with  his  mi  i- 
tary  stores  from  Seringaputtun  to  Bangalore,  where 
he  learned  that  the  Poligar  of  Anikul  had  given  up 
the  care  of  his  own  dominions,  and,  being  tired  of 
governing,  had  presumed  to  oppress  his  people 
and  despoil  his  own  relations  and  servants  of  their 
rights. 

Mukhdoom,  therefore,  taking  advantage  of  an 
opportunity,  suddenly  surprised  him  in  the  night 
and  sent  him  off  a  prisoner  to  Seringaputtun. 
Placing  a  garrison  in  his  fort,  he  then  marched  on. 
At  this  time,  news  arrived,  that  the  Barh  Mahl  dis- 
trict, from  the  tyranny  of  Uzeez  Khan,  the  one-eyed 
slave  of  Moocha  Mean,  the  Chief  of  Kirpa,  had  fallen 
into  disorder,  all  the  inhabitants  having  been  plun- 
dered by  him ;  and  that  some  of  them  had  actually 
arrived,  to  complain  of  their  hard  treatment,  and  to 
request  the  Khan  to  restore  order  among  them. 
Syud  Mukhdoom,  however  desirous  and  determined 
he  might  be  to  protect  them,  still  dared  not  advance 


69 

a  foot  without  Hy  dur^s  commands.  After  some  con- 
sideration, therefore,  he  addressed  a  letter  to  Hydur, 
who,  on  receiving  his  letter,  without  hesitation,  dis- 
patched an  answer,  authorizing  him  to  undertake 
the  protection  or  regulation  of  the  district,  without 
further  delay. 

Passing,  therefore,  with  his  troops  by  the  defile 
of  Rai  Kote,  Syud  Mukhdoom  immediately  came  in 
contact  with  Uzeez  Khan,  who,  with  his  troops, 
forthwith  abandoned  the  country,  without  fighting 
and  fled  to  Kirpa.  Mukhdoom,  therefore,  after 
having  placed  garrisons  in  the  forts  and  hill  forts, 
&c.  of  the  Barh  Mahl,  and  left  Asud  Khan  Mah- 
kuri  there  as  Foujdar,  advanced  toward  Pondi- 
cherry,  and  conducted  his  march  thither  with  such 
address,  that  he  arrived  there  without  being  mo- 
lested or  opposed  by  any  one ;  after  which,  making 
a  vigorous  night  attack  on  the  English  Troops, 
detached  to  guard  the  trenches  or  batteries,  he  with 
all  his  stores  and  ammunition  safely  entered  the  fort. 
The  besiegers,  however,  being  subsequently  more 
on  their  guard,  by  the  fire  of  their  guns  and  small 
arms  effectually  closed  in  future  the  road,  in  or  out, 
to  the  besieged.  Notwithstanding  this,  Syud  Mukh- 
doom encamped  with  his  troops  near  Vallinoor, 
and  took  the  defence  of  the  city  on  himself.  With 
regard  to  the  Purguna  of  Chinchi,  which  is  eighteen 


70 

kose  west  from  Pondicherry,  the  authority  of  the 
French  had  ceased  there^  and  it  had  fallen  into  the 
hand  of  the  Chief  of  Arkat,  Muhammad  All  Khan  ; 
the  government  was  not  therefore  in  Mukhdoom^s 
hands.  Tyag  Gurh,  however,  which  was  a  very 
distant  dependency,  was  placed  under  the  authority 
of  Mukhdoom's  agent  who  remained  there. 

Pending  the  defence  of  Pondicherry,  however, 
for  want  of  hay,  com,  &c.,  the  troops  and  cattle 
suffered  greatly  ;  and  most  of  the  horses  and  camels 
became  useless  or  died  for  want  of  forage;  but, 
notwithstanding  these  hardships  and  difficulties,  the 
garrison  continued  to  make  a  brave  defence. 


71 


CHAPTER  VII. 

An  account  of  the  treachery  of  the  Chiefs  of  the  Mysore  state, 
and  the  base  ingratitude  of  the  proud  and  foolish  Brahman,  Khun- 
di  Rao,  to  his  patron ;  and  his  arriving  at  the  punishment  due  to 
his  bad  actions.  Also  the  invasion,  or  incursion,  of  Esajee  Beenee 
Mahratta."     1170  Hijri.     A.  D.  1756. 

When  the  villain  Brahman^  Khundi  Rao,  by  the 
kindness  and  aid  of  his  master,  had  obtained  free  of 
expense  or  trouble,  the  Seven  Sunnuds  of  the  De- 
wanni,  or  first  ministership  of  the  Mysore  State  and 
when  he  saw  that  the  rest  of  the  officers  of  govern- 
ment were  not  averse  to  his  views  and  policy,  he 
imagined  that  his  own  good  fortune  and  propitious 
stars  had  aided  him  in  the  work,  and  that  the 
heavens  revolved  to  accomplish  his  designs.  In  a 
very  short  time,  therefore,  for  this  very  reason — that 
the  water  of  a  little  pool,  soon  becomes  ojSensive,  and 
that  a  dog  has  no  relish  for  the  sweetness  of  rice  and 
milk, — he  with  a  hope  of  establishing  his  own  in- 
auspicious power,  turned  his  back  on  his  patron ; 


^y>^  Signifies  the  nose,  but  by  the  Mahrattas  the  advanced 
guard  of  a  body  of  troops  is  called  the  Beenee. 


72 


g 


and^  considering  himself  independent  in  the  bindin 
and  loosing  all  matters  of  state^  he  unrighteously 
placed  the  foot  of  his  designs  beyond  the  circle  of 
his  ability^  and  planned  the  expulsion  and  destruc- 
tion of  his  master^  and  his  establishment ;  indeed, 
did  his  best  to  root  out  his  power  and  authority. 
With  this  purpose,  he  in  private  addressed  himself 
to  the  Raja,  in  the  following  terms — '^  This  con- 
temptible Naik,  (meaning  Hydur,)  has  increased 
to  his  present  height,  and  power^  by  the  favour 
and  benefits  conferred  on  him  by  the  Maharaja, 
and  has  become  the  possessor  of  wealth,  territor}% 
and  a  military  force ;    and  this   in    truth    seems 
likely  to  be  the  cause  of  much  danger  to  your 
authority.'     God  forbid,  a  foreigner  or  stranger,  for 
instance,   a    Mussulman,    should   enter  into  the 
affairs  of  this  government,  and  thus  cheaply  obtain 
possession  of  the  riches  and  power  accumulated  and 
established,  by  the  labour  of  so  many  years. — If  how- 
ever, I  am  permitted,  I  will  exert  my  abilities  in  the 
destruction  of  his  power.     Verses  from  Sadi^    *'  A 
tree  which  has  just  taken  root  may  be  pulled  up 
by  the  strength  of  a  man ;   but  if  let  alone  for  a 


The  tree  that  jnst  has  taken  root 

Men  can  tear  up ;  but,  if  aUowed  to  stay 

'nil  rolling  years  its  strength  recruit. 

Waggon,  nor  team,  shall  rend  it  then  away. 


73 

time^  you  cannot  pull  it  up  with  a  waggon^  or^  a 
team  of  horses/' 

The  Raja^  inexperienced  and  low  minded,  and  an 
example  that  rank  does  not  confer  capacity^  lent  a 
willing  ear  to  these  suggestions,  but  still  with 
a  cautious  regard  to  his  own  safety  ;  for^  he  allowed 
the  ungrateful  Brahman  to  act  as  he  pleased  in  the 
matter,  but  himself  preserved  the  strictest  silence. 
Verses.  ^'  He,  (Khundi  Rao,)  was  like  the  base  born 
silk  worm,  who  when  he  invests  himself  with  a  silken 
robe  of  honour,  loses  himself."  He  did  not  reflect, 
that  treachery  never  fails  to  bring  contempt  and  de- 
gradation in  the  end,  but  spread  the  net  of  his  wiles, 
over  the  whole  of  the  officers,  and  servants,  of  the  My- 
sore government,  and  associated  them  in  his  plans. 

At  the  same  time,  he  wrote  to  the  Chief,  (the 
Nazim),  of  Poona,  in  the  following  terms, — "  That 
a  certain  Mussidman,  a  servant  of  inferior  rank, 
had  increased  in  power  to  that  degree,  that  he  had 
seized  and  usurped  the  whole  of  the  wealth  and 
territory  of  Mysore,  and  had  grown  so  arrogant 
that  the  Raja  had  nothing  left  to  him  but  the  name ; 
and  that,  if  the  Poona  State  would  now  assist 
them,  and  remove  or  take  away  this  Mussulman, 
the  yearly  tribute,  with  two  Lakhs  of  Rupees,  Nuz- 
zur,  or  as  a  present,  and  five  Lakhs  of  Rupees,  for 
the  expenses  of  the  subsidiary  troops,  should  be 


74 

immediately  paid.**     This  letter  being  dispatched^ 
he  waited  for  opportunities  and  an  answer. 

As  Hydur  had  detached  a  great  part  of  his  troops^ 
to  Pondicherry,  and  another  body  of  troops  under 
the  Foigdari  of  Meer  AU  Ruza  Khan,  for  the  ne- 
cessary protection  of  the  Barh  Mahl,  he  was  left 
with  only  two  or  three  risalas  of  regular  infantry, 
(consisting  of  about  fifteen  hundred  men)  four  hun- 
dred horse  of  his  own  stables,  and  a  thousand  foot 
without  arms,  in  his  encampment,  which  was  near 
the  Deo  Rai  Peeth,  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  (Kau- 
veri)  where  also  his  family,  relations,  dependents 
and  workmen,  resided.  By  prudence  and  foresight, 
however,  and  observing  closely  the  conduct  and 
movements  of  the  &ithless  Rao,  he  gained  some 
information,  which  induced  him  to  provide,  as  is 
proper  for  all  persons  in  authority,  for  his  own 
safety,  by  raising  two  or  three  batteries  round  his 
residence,  and  keeping  his  guns  mounted  and  in 
readiness.  But,  notwithstanding  this,  Hydiu:  fre- 
quently sent  for  the  Brahman,  imder  pretence  of 
particular  business,  and  to  ascertain  what  he  was 
about ;  for,  whatever  might  be  his  conduct,  Hydur 
still  had  confidence  in  him,  and  merely  wanted  by 
kindness  and  gentleness  to  prove  his  political  capa- 
city. Verse.  *'  Heat  will  bring  iron  out  of  stone,** 
by  gentleness  one  may  insinuate  himself  as  water 


75 

into  steel/  The  Brahman^  however,  under  various 
pretexts^  put  off  his  attendance  from  today  to  to- 
morrow, and  often  sent  word,  that  the  Raja  would 
not  allow  him  to  leave  the  fort,  but  that,  if  Hydur 
himself  would  come,  and  ask  the  Raja's  leave,  he, 
Khundi  Rao,  was  ready  to  return  with  him.  By 
these  strange  answers  Hydiu:  was  filled  with  doubt 
and  thrown  into  great  perplexity  ;  he  did  not,  how- 
ever, lose  courage,  or  neglect  any  means  to  pro- 
tect himself. 

When  the  letters,  before  mentioned,  arrived  at 
Poena,  M adhoo  Rao,  the  son  of  Nana,  greedy  of 
the  things  of  this  world,  which  is  the  Paradise  of 
the  covetous — verses,  '*  The  covetous,  with  all  the 
riches  of  the  world  are  never  satisfied,  the  cup  of 
the  bubble  is  not  filled  by  the  sea**"* — ^he  immediately 
dispatched  Esajee  Pundit  Beenee,  (that  is  the  Chief 
of  the  Mahratta  advanced  guard,)  with  forty  thou- 
sand horse  and  twenty  thousand  foot ;  and  the 
artillery,  which  Nana  had  left  in  the  Souba  Sura, 
when  he  returned  to  Poona,  was  given  to  him,  to 
accompany  him. 

When  the  news  of  the  arrival  of  the  Mahrattas 

^  Hie  temper  of  steel  is  called  the  water. 

^  Though  all  earth's  treasures  he  possessed. 

Unsatisfied  the  covetous  would  be : 
The  babble,  on  the  water's  breast, 

Remains  unfilled  by  all  the  boundless  sea. 


76 

reached  the  false  Brahman,  he  formed  a  deep 
scheme  the  same  night,  and  the  next  morning  shut 
the  gates  of  the  fort,  pointed  the  largest  guns 
in  the  direction  of  his  patron's  (Hydur's)  camp 
or  cantonments,  and  fired  several  shots  at  them. 
Hydur,  who  was  in  his  Dewan  Khana,  on  hear- 
ing this  left  it,  and  having  viewed  the  fort,  saw 
a  change  of  policy  was  in  contemplation,  and  that 
his  secret  suspicions  were  now  about  to  be  verified. 
He  however,  thought — verses,  *'  what  does  the 
(Kargus)*  vulture  enjoy  of  life  but  carrion — of  what 
advantage  is  a  long  life  to  a  fool.** — He,  therefore, 
immediately  manned  his  defences  with  musketeers, 
and  also,  without  the  knowledge  of  any  one  dis- 
patched a  number  of  men,  and  seized  all  the  Amba- 
kars'  of  the  river  (Kauveri)  side  with  their  baskets,' 
it  being  now  the  time  of  the  flood,  (rains),  and  made 
them  prisoners.  Then,  having  placed  his  infantry 
and  cavalry  in  readiness  round  his  house,  he  sent 
for  the  writers  of  his  difierent  departments,  and 
made  them  write  out  distinct  lists  of  what  he  was 
possessed  of,  in  valuable  cloths,  elephants,  camels, 
arms,  and  the  most  precious  of  his  household  pro- 
perty, as  rich  stufis,  utensils,  &c.,  and  arranged  all 

{j^^  '  Watermen. 

>  Baskets  covered  with  skins,  used  as  boats. 


77 

this  business  by  midday.  During  that  time,  the  per- 
fidious^ Brahman,  with  a  body  of  horse  and  foot, 
made  a  sortie  from  the  Mysore  gate,  and  attacked 
Hydur's  encampment;  but  the  men  Hydur  had 
placed  in  his  batteries  gave  them  such  a  warm  re- 
ception with  their  guns  and  musketry,  that  they 
were  defeated  and  fled ;  and  although  they  returned 
and  repeated  their  foolish  attacks,  they  were  con- 
stantly repelled. 

In  the  evening,  Hydur  having  collected  from  his 
Zanana,  all  his  money,  and  valuables  in  gold,  silver, 
and  precious  stones,  and  placed  them  in  bags,  and 
having  consoled  and  comforted  his  family  and  de- 
pendants ;  he  with  two  or  three  hundred  well 
moimted  horse,  taking  with  him  his  bags  of  gold 
and  jewels,  crossed  the  river  in  baskets,*  and,  march- 
ing all  night,  arrived  the  next  morning  at  Anikul. 
Having  made  his  arrangements  here  in  an  hour  or 
two,  Hydur  next  addressed  a  letter  to  Kubeer  Beg, 
the  Kiladar  of  Bangalore  informing  him  that  he 
might  expect  him  there.  That  worthy  friend,  on 
hearing  of  the  approach  of  Hydur,  was  well  pleased ; 
but  as  the  chief  civil  officers^  (Huzaurian),  were 

'  These  lia'^ket  boats  appear  to  have  been  used  in  Ireland,  and 
there  called  Corragh»  they  are  described  as— Carabus-parva  scapha 
ex  vimine  facta  quae  contexta  crudo  corio  genus  navigii  praebet. 


78 

the  servants  of  the  Raja^  he  was  apprehensive 
of  them,  and  he  therefore  devised  the  following 
plan.  Under  pretence  of  visiting  some  gardens  in 
the  vicinity,  he  assembled  the  civil  officers  of  the 
fort,'  and  took  them  out  with  him ;  giving  orders, 
to  the  guards  at  the  gates,  not  to  oppose  the  en- 
trance of  Hydur  Ali  Khan  Bahadur,  and  his  fol- 
lowers, as  he  was  coming  to  the  fort  on  particular 
business  from  Seringaputtun.  The  Mirza,  after 
this,  dispatched  a  letter,  inviting  him  to  Bangalore. 
As  soon  as  Hydur  saw  this  letter,  from  his  trusty 
well  wisher,  he  with  great  satisfaction  marched  into 
the  fort ;  and,  having  quietly  placed  guards  of  his 
own  men  on  the  gates  and  Posterns,  he  now  made 
himself  easy.  After  staying  out  an  hour  or  two, 
the  Mirza  returned  with  the  officers,  and  imme- 
diately visited  Hydur,  who,  by  his  presents  and 
promises  to  the  officers  and  men  of  the  old  garrison, 
so  completely  won  their  hearts,  that  they  all  agreed 
to  serve  him,  and  sacrifice  their  lives  for  him  when- 
ever required. 

After  the  settlement  of  this  affair  Hydur  imme- 
diately  sent  for  all  the  bankers  and  merchants  of 
the  city,  and  having  given  them  assignments,*  or 
drafts,  for  the  amount,  he  took  fifty  Lakhs  of  Ru- 
pees from  them.     He  also  informed  M eer  All  Ruza 


79 

Khan  of  his  arrival  alone  at  Bangalore^  and  the  cir- 
cumstances which  led  to  his  arrival^  and  requested 
him  to  (5ome  to  him.  He  likewise  wrote  to  M ukh- 
doom  Sahib,  at  Pondicherry,  informing  him  of  the 
treachery  of  the  ungrateful  Brahman,  the  incursion 
of  the  M ahrattas,  at  the  invitation  of  that  seditious 
person  ;  and  his  (Hydur's)  having  in  consequence 
sought  refuge  at  Bangalore^  without  troops  or 
stores^  and  he  requested  Mukhdoom  to  join  him 
immediately.  When,  however,  Meer  All  Ruza 
Khan,  with  his  troops,  amounting  to  about  two 
thousand  regular  infantry,  (Bar,^)  three  hundred 
horse,  a  thousand  irregular  foot,  and  five  guns, 
arrived,  Hydur  felt  still  more  confident ;  and,  being 
now  strong  in  heart,  he  threw  up  batteries"  or  out- 
works at  Busoon  Goori  and  Hussoor,  and  en« 
camped  there,  occupying  himself  in  collecting  horse 
and  foot. 

When  the  ungrateful  Brahman  found,  on  the 
next  day,  that  the  lion°  had  left  his  old  huntmg 
ground,  and  had  hoisted  the  standard  of  valour  in 
the  manhood-testing  field  of  Bangalore,  spreading 
the  terror  of  his  name  in  all  quarters  of  the  world, 
he  proceeded  with  a  few  men  to  Hydur's  encamp- 
ment and  having  seized  all  the  property  remaining 

The  word  jy  signifies  a  wall  of  a  town,  a  hedge,  &c. 

m     I        **  n 

*ld/V  J*\r^  Signifies  a  lion  in  arabic. 


80 

there,  he  carried  it  into  the  fort^  and  placed  the 
fimiily^and  the  fortunate  son  of  Hydur/  (then  about 
seven  years  of  age),  in  an  empty  Iiouse  near  the 
All  M usjid,  which  at  that  time  was  a  Hindu  temple, 
and  posted  a  guard  over  them.  He  next,  without 
the  least  delay,  began  to  remove  and  to  replace  the 
Killadars  and  Talookdars  of  Mysore,  or  the  com- 
manders of  forts  and  districts,  and  assembled  a 
body  of  troops,  for  the  conquest  of  Bangalore. 

In  the  intermediate  time  Esajee  Beenee,  with  his 
heavy  force,  arrived,  like  a  hungry  hawk,  pouncing 
on  its  prey,  and  the  Brahman,  estimating  his  arrival 
as  an  instance  of  the  greatest  good  fortune,  sug- 
gested to  him  the  plan  to  be  pursued  in  regard  to 
Hydur,  and  made  him  a  present  of  Hydur's  ele- 
phants, about  thirty  in  number,  (which  he,  Hydur, 
was  training,  and  for  which  he  had  paid  a  large  price,) 
with  other  valuables.  Then  sending  him  with  in- 
junctions  to  capture  the  fort  of  Bangalore,  and 
make  Hydur  AH  prisoner,  he  speedily  followed, 
with  a  force  of  nine  thousand  horse,  fourteen  thou- 
sand foot  and  a  train  of  heavy  guns,  and  soon 
also  arrived  there. 

"  In  one  manuscript  a  yerae  is  inserted  here— 4W«e  "  from  whose 
forehead  rank  and  dignity  shone  resplendent" — giving  notice  to 
the  world  heforehand. 

The  rank  and  dignity,  which  all  might  see 
Resplendent  od  his  hrow,  told  what  the  man  would  he. 


81 

In  the  meanwhile^  the  Mahrattas  had  raised  a 
terrible  storm  in  the  vicinity  of  Bangalore,  and  had 
so  pillaged,  and  destroyed  the  people,  that  most  of 
the  towns  and  villages,  from  the  constant  ravages 
of  that  ill  omened  army,  were  left  without  an  in- 
habitant.P  But,  during  these  proceedings  what- 
ever approaches  were  pushed  on,  trenches  dug, 
or  batteries  raised,  to  breach  the  fort,  were  ren- 
dered of  no  avail ;  for  the  soldiers  of  Hydur  fre- 
quently sallied  forth,  and  burned  their  trenches, 
and  victoriously  repelled  their  assaults. 

At  this  time,  Mukhdoom  Sahib,  according  to 
Hydur*s  requisition,  having  taken  leave  of  the 
French  at  Pondicherry,  with  the  same  worn  out 
body  of  troops,  the  state  of  which  has  been  before 
described,  arrived  by  forced  marches  at  Tyag 
Gurh  ;  and,  having  taken  fbur  guns  from  the  top  of 
the  mountains,  brought  them  along  with  him,  and, 
marching  through  the  Pass  of  Tippoor,  arrived  at 
Kishengiri.  Here  he  took  some  necessary  supplies 
of  provisions  and  ammunition,  from  Asud  Khan 
Mahkari,  the  Foujdar,  and,  giving  him  a  receipt  for 
the  same,  then  marched  by  Rai  Kote  to  Anikul. 

Upon  hearing  of  Mukhdoom's  arrival  there  raging 
like  a  mad  elephant,  with  a  large  force,  the  Brahman 
and  the  Mahrattas,immediately  determined  to  attack 

Q 


82 

him.  Accordingly,  with  their  plundering  horse  and 
foot  they  let  loose  their  courage  for  the  fight,  and, 
although  camel-hearted,*»  they  being  in  numbers  like 
locusts,  arrayed  themselves  in  great  force  against 
him  on  the  field.  Mukhdoom  Sahib,  nevertheless, 
did  not  give  the  game  out  of  his  hands ;  but 
arranged  his  artillery  and  infantry  on  the  lower 
grounds,  while  he  himself,  with  his  light-bridled 
and  well-trained  horse,  intending  to  give  them  a 
lesson,  kept  the  higher  parts  of  the  ground.  The 
two  Surdars,  (the  Brahman  and  Mahratta),  in  their 
pride,  not  estimating  the  bravery  of  their  oppo- 
nents, as  they  appeared  few  in  number,  imme- 
diately charged  them,  and  Mukhdoom  Sahib  re- 
tiring with  his  horse,  and  giving  the  signal  to  rise 
to  the  parties  he  had  placed  in  ambush,  they  imme- 
diately rose,  and  opening  a  heavy  fire  of  artiUery 
and  musketry,  killed  a  great  number  of  the  infidel 
Mahrattas.  Nor  did  they  withdraw  their  hands 
while  they  had  power  fi-om  slaying  and  plundering 
their  enemies,  and  thousands  on  both  sides  were 
stretched  on  the  field  of  death. 

The  Mahrattas  were  defeated,  and  fled ;  but, 
towards  the  evening,  they  reassembled,  and  sur- 
rounded and  besieged  Mukhdoom's  lions,  buzzing 
round  them  like  flies  continually.     Mukhdoom, 

4  Cowards. 


83 

therefore,  forwarded  a  letter  to  Hydur  All,  stating 
his  arrival  at  Anikul,  with  stores  and  ammunition, 
and  his  being  surrounded  and  besieged  by  the  Mah* 
rattas  and  Brahman*s  troops. 

On  receiving  this  letter,  Hydur,  by  using  his  in- 
telligence and  prudence  to  the  best  end,  and  agree- 
ably to  the  rules  of  those  who  love  to  overcome 
difficulties,  immediately  wrote  and  despatched  a 
letter  to  Nundi  Raj,  informing  him  that  the  Brah- 
man, Khundi  Rao,  had  followed  the  path  of  treachery 
and  rebellion,  and  that  he  himself  had  been  com- 
pelled to  abandon  his  station  and  property,  and 
separate  himself  from  his  family.  He  also  made 
known  to  him  the  arrival  of  his  troops  from  Pondi- 
cherry,  and  their  being  prevented  from  joining  him 
by  the  two  vile  Infidels,  the  Mahrattaand  Mysorean, 
and  their  want  of  some  place  of  support  or  refuge. 

When  the  Dulwai  heard  the  terms  of  this  letter 
from  that  great  and  illustrious  man  his  old  friend- 
ship again  warmed  his  heart,  and  he  became 
convinced  that  the  misfortunes  which  had  before 
befallen  him  arose  from  the  villany  of  this  Brah- 
man. He,  therefore,  wrote  a  kind  and  conso- 
latory letter  in  reply,  with  a  note  to  the  Killa- 
dar  of  Anchiti  Droog,  directing  that  provisions 
should  be  supplied  to  Mukhdoom  Sahib's  troops, 
and  that  they  should  be  allowed  to  seek  support 
and  refuge  under  the  protection  of  the  guns  of  that 


84 

hill  fort,  the  garrison  there  being  his.     This  note 
Hydur  immediately  forwarded,  with  corresponding 
suggestions  of  his  own,  to  M ukhdoom  Sahib.  Mukh- 
doom,  who,  in  opposing  his  enemies  and  preserving 
his  own  troops,  had  been  for  three  or  four  days 
exposed  to  great  difficulties,  but  who,  notwithstand- 
ing he  had  two  armies  to  contend  with,  had  never 
quitted  the  field,  however  pressed  by  force  or  ar- 
tifice;'  and  who,  during  all  this  time,  whilst  op- 
pressed by  the  want  of  water,  forage,  com,  and 
carriage,  had  still  maintained  himself  in  the  same 
place  by  dint  of  hard  fighting ;  on  receiving  the 
letters  of  his  master,  and  the  orders  of  Nundi  Raj, 
immediately  formed  his  troops,  and  attacked  his 
opponents,  and  the  two  worthless  chiefs,  finding 
they  could  not  resist  his  brave  soldiers,  retired  like 
foxes  before  them ;  but,  nevertheless,  still  continued 
to  surround  the   victorious  army,  and   occupied 
themselves  in  playing  off  their  treacherous  wiles. 
Mukhdoom,  however,  without  fear  or  hesitation, 
with  his  right  and  left  wings  under  the  command 
of   his   experienced    officers   of   horse  and  foot, 
marched,  still  keeping  up  a  hot  fire,  straight  to  the 
Droog,  before  mentioned,  and  forwarded  the  order 
of  Nundi  Raj  to  the  KiUadar.     The  Killadar,  on 
receiving  it,  immediately  admitted  the  troops  to 
the  protection  of  the  hill  fort,  and  furnished  them 


85 

with  provisions  and  articles  needful  to  them  of  all 
kinds^  at  reasonable  prices,  and  he  thereby  obtained 
great  credit. 

The  Mahrattas,  however,  when  they  saw  this 
state  of  affairs,  sent  for  their  artillery,  commenced  a 
distant  fire  on  M ukhdoom's  troops,  and  also  made 
incessant  attacks  on  them.  One  day  and  two  nights 
passed  in  this  way,  but,  on  the  third  night,  Mukh- 
doom,  with  some  brave  and  experienced  officers,  two 
hundred  (Kulahposh)  Europeans,'  and  two  thousand 
regular  infantry,  after  climbing  hills,  and  descend- 
ing vallies,  in  the  darkness  of  the  night,  arrived  in 
the  rear  of  the  enemjr's  camp,  and  made  such  a  fierce 
attack  on  them,  that,  losing  with  their  senses  all 
power  to  fight,  they  fled  to  the  deserts  of  shame  and 
bitter  reflection,  and  the  two  inexperienced  chiefs, 
that  is  Esajee  Beenee  and  the  seditious  Rao,  seeing 
this  sudden  calamity,  alone,  without  any  covering 
for  their  heads  or  feet,  fled  and  escaped  from  the 
conflict.  Of  their  troops,  some  who  awakened  from 
their  sleep  of  forgetfulness  laid  hold  of  their  swords 
and  muskets,  and,  making  no  distinction  between 
friend  and  foe,  slew  each  other;  the  rest,  both 
horse  and  foot,  each  seizing  his  opportunity,  fled 
from  this  trial  of  manhood,  and,  by  tears  and  sup- 
plications, saved  their  lives  from  the  hands  of 
Hydur's  blood  drinkers. 


86 

Haying  gained  a  great  victory^  Mukhdoom  re- 
joicing had  his  conquest  proclaimed  by  his  loud 
kettle  drums^  on  the  portals  of  the  world ;  and,  in 
the  mornings  with  the  baggage  of  the  defeated 
Mahrattas,  their  guns  and  stores,  which  lay  about 
in  heaps,  he  returned  to  his  ground  of  encampment. 
The  next  day  the  two  defeated  chiefs  again  col- 
lected their  followers  ;  and,  Uke  crows  cawing  with 
cries  of  ha  and  hoo,  notwithstanding  their  dis- 
persion, and  the  confusion  of  their  faculties,  again 
assembled  in  one  place. 

About  this  time,  Nundi  Raj  wrote  to  the  Mah- 
rattas,  that  Hydur  All  Khan  was  the  pillar  of  the 
Mysore  State,  and  that  he  had  not  only  established 
just  claims  on  that  state,  but  that  he  might  be  con- 
sidered its  master ;  that,  at  this  time,  a  low  servant 
of  his,  a  Brahman,  according  to  the  verse,  "  When 
the  lair  is  empty  the  fox  gives  himself  all  the  airs 
of  the  lion,"*  being  spoiled  by  the  favor  and  kind- 
ness of  his  master, — verses,  "  He  who  is  wicked 
will  never  fail  to  do  evil — the  faithless  man  can 
never  be  trusted, — had  rebelled  against  him,  but 
that  his  labour  was  useless,  for  this  wicked  action 
could  not  be  profitable  to  him — "  Confidence  can- 
not be  placed  in  a  low  man  for  more  than  a  hour 
or  two — The  scum  which  rode  at  the  top,  soon 

^  When  from  his  lair  the  lion's  g^ne, 

The  lion's  airs  the  fox  puts  on. 


87 

sinks  to  the  bottom  of  the  vessel"" — '*  And  that  it 
was  not  worthy  of  them  (that  is  the  Mahrattas)^  that 
they  should  interfere  thus  for  him  in  the  govern- 
ment of  the  Mysore  country,  that  if  they  wished  to 
obtain  the  money  due  for  the  Chouth,  or  Tribute^ 
they  should  first  consider  how  they  might  obtain  its 
pajrment^  and  afterwards  return  home^  without  loss 
or  damage.**  After  the  receipt  of  this  letter  from 
Nundi  Raj^  the  Mahratta  put  less  confidence  in  the 
Brahman,  Khundi  Rao,  and  some  angry  words 
passed  between  them ;  and  as  the  Mahrattas  had 
suffered  much  from  the  troops  of  Hydur,  they  con- 
ceived it  their  best  policy  to  return  home,  and,  ac- 
cordingly Esajee  made  known  his  intentions  to  Hy- 
dur,  demanding,  at  the  same  time,  a  sum  of  money. 
In  reply  Hydur  pleaded  his  poverty,  from  the  loss  of 
his  property,  which  had  been  plundered  through  the 
intrigues  and  rebellion  of  the  Brahman ;  but  he  pro- 
mised that,  as  soon  as  he  should  have  established  his 
power,  and  had  time  to  regulate  his  departments,* 

"  The  man  who  has  a  wicked  mind 
Wicked  ever  wilt  thou  find  : 
Put  in  a  faithless  man  no  trust. 
Not  for  an  hour  can  he  be  just : 
The  scum,  that  floated  on  the  top, 
Down  to  the  bottom  soon  will  drop. 


88 

the  aoiount  should  be  paid.  The  M ahrattas  now 
requested  he  would  give  up  to  them  the  Barh  M ahl ; 
and,  as  they  strenuously  insisted  on  this  gift,  Hydur, 
to  please  them,  and  as  a  temporary  expedient,  sent 
an  order,  written  in  the  name  of  Asud  Khan  Mah- 
kurri,  the  Foujdar  of  Kishengiri,  to  give  up  the  dis- 
trict of  the  Barh  M ahl.  Sealing  it  with  his  large 
seal,  but  without  enclosing  it  m  an  envelope,  he 
thus  despatched  it  to  the  Mahrattas ;  and  Esajee, 
delighted  to  obtain  it,  and  conceiving  that  all  is  gain 
which  is  saved  out  of  a  burning  house,  immediately 
marched  from  the  vicinity  of  Bangalore. 

Hydur  now,  with  the  rapidity  of  lightning,  march- 
ed, and  joined  the  force  of  M ukhdoom  Sahib,  and 
encamped  outside  the  fortress  of  Bangalore  with  his 
troops  and  stores.  He  then  secretly  wrote  to  the 
Foujdar  of  the  Barh  M ahl,  that  it  was  merely  with  a 
view  to  expediency  and  his  own  security,  that  he  had 
written  an  order  to  him,  without  an  envelope,  to 
give  up  the  Barh  M ahl  district ;  but  that  he,  (the 
Foujdar),  was  to  keep  his  station,  with  all  his  force 
and  ability,  perfectly  independent,  and  on  no  ac- 
count to  allow  the  Mahratta  to  enter  or  possess 
himself  of  the  fort.  The  prudent  Foujdar,  there- 
fore, independent,  and  at  his  leisure,  provided  for 
the  defence  of  his  forts. 

In  the  mean  time,  Esajee,  the  Beenee,  arrived 


89 

with  his  deceptious  orders  at  Kishengiri,  and  for- 
warded it  to  the  Foujdar^  with  his  own  demand 
of  the  surrender  of  the  fort.  On  receiving  the 
order  that  able  and  obedient  man  demanded  a 
repetition  of  it  in  his  name^  with  the  signature  of 
his  master^  and  the  impression  of  his  private  seal  ;^ 
and  further  intimated^  that  he  could  never  think  of 
giving  up  forts  and  territory  to  a  single  order,  and 
that  not  even  enclosed  in  an  envelope.  When  the 
Mahratta  insisted  on  an  authentic  repetition  of  the 
order^  Hydur  plainly  told  him,  that  no  order  or 
signature  should  be  repeated ;  and  the  Mahratta 
saw,  by  such  a  manly  answer,  that  his  negociation 
had  been  baffled,  and  that  there  was  no  use  in 
squabbling  about  it,  as  the  country  could  never  be 
retained  in  his  possession. 

While  he  was  in  this  distress,  his  intelligencers 
brought  him  information,  that  Hydur,  with  the 
troops  of  Meer  All  Ruza  and  Mukhdoom  Sahib,  had 
left,  like  a  hungry  Uon,  his  lair  in  the  fort  of  Ban- 
galore, and  had  encamped  on  the  plain  of  Jugni ; 
and  that  his  eye  was  eagerly  directed  to  his  ene- 
mies, as  to  a  flock  of  sheep.  The  heart  of  the 
Mahratta  failed  him  when  he  heard  this,  and  he 
marched  off»  without  attaining  his  object. 

The  Brahman,  Khundi  Rao,  when  the  Mahratta 

V 


90 

« 

moved  towards  the  Barh  Mahl  had  slunk'  back  to 
Seringaputtun.  Hydur  AU,  with  his  victorious 
troops,  now  marching  by  the  route  of  Makri  Droog, 
placed  garrisons  of  his  own  in  that  Droog,  and  at 
Ootri  Droog,  Chenraiputtun,  Cheenaputtun,'  &c.  ; 
and  then  proceeded,  by  the  Mooti  Talaub,  and 
Churkoli,  towards  Periaputtun,  to  meet  Nundi 
Raj. 

At  this  time  letters  arrived,  secretly  despatched 
from  the  grandmother  of  the  Raja,  to  the  effect 
that,  at  this  moment,  in  consequence  of  the  impru- 
dent and  selfish  views,  and  enmity  of  the  foolish 
chiefs  or  ministers,  the  power  of  their  ancient 
house,  or  family,  had  become  so  totally  disordered, 
that  most  of  the  seditious  and  rebellious^  were  wait- 
ing opportunities  to  seize  and  take  possession  of 
the  territory  and  wealth  of  their  state.  That  in 
these  circumstances  if  he,  Hydur,  who  was  their 
thrice  fortunate  (adopted)  son,  would  return,  and 
restore  the  government  to  some  order,  place  her 
unfortunate  family  in  safety  and  comfort,  and  en- 
courage and  promote  the  welfare  of  the  country,  it 
would  be  only  consistent  with  his  name  and  cha- 
racter. 

When  Hydur  became  acquainted  with  the  con- 
tents of  these  letters,  he  seized  them  as  pledges  and 

^„J>'  ■  Also  called  Muddoor.  J^^ 


91 

patents/  establishing  his  claim  to  the  supreme  au- 
thority of  the  Khodadad^  (the  name  which  Hydur 
All  gave  to  the  state  of  Mysore,) ;  and,  putting  the 
letters  into  his  pocket,  he  wrote  and  forwarded  a 
a  conciliatory  epistle  in  reply.  From  this  place 
he  marched  straight  to  visit  Nundi  Raj,  and  met 
him  at  a  fortunate  moment,  and  after  having  en* 
joyed  their  meeting,  they  began  to  converse  on 
the  villany  and  ingratitude  of  the  Brahman,  upon 
whom  Nundi  Raj  bestowed  a  few  curses,  and  then 
advised  how  he  should  be  displaced  and  punished. 
Hydur  therefore  immediately  got  his  troops  in  rea- 
diness to  attack  him,  and  Nundi  Raj,  also,  placed 
the  force  he  had  with  him  consisting  of  two  thou- 
sand foot,  a  thousand  regular  infantry,  and  seven 
hundred  horse,  under  Hydur's  command  for  the 
same  purpose. 

Khundi  Rao,  meanwhile,  with  a  body  of  troops 
amounting  to  seven  thousand  horse,  twelve  thou- 
sand foot,  and  Manuel  the  European  at  the  head  of 
eight  hundred  Chittikars,  with  ten  or  twelve  guns, 
was  likewise  on  his  march,  to  attack  Hydur ;  but, 
although  he  affected  to  make  Periaputtun  his 
ground  of  encampment,  still,  from  the  fear  of  the 
manhood  of  Hydur  s  character  and  the  promptitude 
of  his  hand  and  sword   against  his  enemies,  he 


92 

trembled  day  and  night ;  indeed^  his  fears  so  pre- 
vailed that  he  could  neither  eat  nor  sleep.  It 
happened^  too,  that  in  his  encampment  a  horse 
broke  his  heel  ropes  one  night,  and  fell  upon 
another  horse,  and  both  began  neighing"^  and  kick- 
ing each  other.  This  creating  much  alarm  in  his 
camp,  the  men  and  women  within  it  began  to  cry 
out,  "  the  enemy  are  come !  the  enemy  are  come !" 
and  the  alarm  was  so  great,  that  they  all  fell  into 
such  confusion,  that  some  from  fright  laid  hold  of 
their  swords,  and  blindly  slew  each  other,  and 
most  of  the  merchants,  having  lost  their  goods 
in  the  tumult,  stmck  the  hand  of  grief  on  the  fore- 
head of  their  bad  luck.  When,  however,  the  morn- 
ing dawned,  and  they  could  discover  nothing  of 
the  Kuzzaks  of  Hydiu:*s  army,  (the  burners  of  their 
enemies,)  whom  they  so  much  feared,  they  became 
ashamed  of  their  foolish  alarm,  and  ventured  to 
take  a  little  rest. 

Hydur,  on  the  other  hand,  on  hearing  of  the  mis- 
chief that  had  be&Uen  the  Brahman's  troops,  was 
much  comforted,  and  next  day  formed  the  right 
and  left  wings  of  his  army,  and  marched  straight  to 
his  enemy.  The  Brahman*  also  put  his  troops  in 
readiness,  and  formed  them  in  good  position  and 

«  ZooDnardir,  alluding  to  the  Brahminical  string. 


93 

order ;  but,  nevertheless,  the  heavy  fire  of  Hydur's 
guns  and  musketry  at  once  defeated  his  force,'  which 
was  totally  dispersed. 

Khundi  Rao,  therefore,  mounting  a  horse,  swift  as 
lightning,  and  wet  with  the  sweat  of  shame,  flew  hke 
a  hail  storm  ;  and,  passing  through  a  thousand  diffi- 
culties and  dangers,  escaped  to  Seringaputtun.     His 
cavalry  with  their  horses,  and  his  entire  infantry, 
regular  and  irregular  battalions,  with  their  arms  and 
accoutrements,  became,  as  they  were  before,  the 
servants  of  Hydur,  the  friend  of  the  soldier,  and 
prepared  to  oppose  his  enemies.     Hydur,  (the  poor 
man*s  friend  as  he  is  called,)  now  marched  after  the 
fugitive  Brahman,  and  crossing  the  river,  (Cauvery), 
by  the  ford  of  Choongul,  encamped  with  his  troops 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Manai  Mundup,  where, 
having  placed  his  largest  guns  in  one  battery,  he,  for 
an  example,  fired  a  few  shot  at  the  Dewaun  Khana, 
or  palace,  of  the  Raja,  to  frighten  the  inmates  of 
the  women's  apartments.   As  soon  as  the  shot  struck 
the  Zanana,  (women's  apartments),  a  mighty  cry 
arose  from  them,  and  the  whole  of  the  women,  with 

'  Hydur  in  all  his  battles  seems  to  have  been  indebted  most  to 
his  artillery,  (or  *3U-  ^J^\)  and  his  Kuropeiui  and  regcdar  infantry 
under  Manuel,  Lalii  and  other  French  and  Portuguese.  These offi* 
cers  appear  to  have  done  duty  with  the  artillery  in  time  of  need,  as 
was  the  case  when  Baillie's  detachment  was  defeated,  the  blowing 
up  of  the  tumbril  being  entirely  ascribed  to  Lalli. 


94 

great  noise  and  clamour^  went  to  complain  to  the 
Raja.  Frightened  out  of  his  senses  at  the  tumult 
and  wailing  of  the  women^  the  Raja  despatched  a 
messenger  to  Hydur,  to  tell  him  that^  from  the 
commencement  of  the  government  of  his  family^  and 
the  foundation  of  the  capital^  to  the  present  time, 
no  one  of  their  servants  had  acted  as  he  had  done, 
nor  had  any  one  of  them  presumed  to  fire  guns  or 
muskets  at  his  (the  Raja's)  house ;  and  he  requested 
Hydur  would  send  orders  to  his  artillery  men  to 
desist  from  such  insolence  and  outrage,  and  then 
signify  to  him,  (the  Raja),  what  was  his  object  In 
reply  to  this  message,  Hydur  sent  word,  that  he 
was  the  faithful  adherent  of  the  Raja,  and  his  go« 
vernment,  but  that  an  ungrateful  servant,  an  enemy 
of  his,  had  sought  refiige  in  the  fort ;  and,  therefore, 
those  upon  whom  rested  the  responsibility  of  the  de- 
fence of  the  State,  had  used  the  presumption  and 
insolence  of  which  the  Raja  complained ;  but  that, 
if  this  man  were  given  up  to  him,  he  was  the  same 
friend  he  had  ever  been. 

The  Raja,  being  unable  to  evade  this  application, 
had  no  remedy,  and  therefore,  after  exacting  from 
Hydur  the  most  solemn  covenant,  that  he  would 
not  put  the  Brahman  Khundi  Rao  to  death,  he 
placed  him  under  a  guard,  and  sent  him  to  Hydur, 
and  that  dispenser  of  good  to  the  world,  having  re- 


96 

gard  to  his  oath  and  engagement,  instead  of  im- 
paling or  dismembering  him,  which  punishment  he 
richly  merited,  put  him  into  an  iron  cage,  like  an 
inauspicious  crow,  and  sent  him  off  to  Bangalore. 
Verily,  if  a  man  eat  salt  from  the  table  of  his  mas- 
ter*s  benefits ;  or,  if  he  be  cherished  by  the  hand 
of  a  generous  patron,  and  ungratefully  betray  him, 
or  rebel  against  him ;  the  true  avenger  of  ingrati- 
tude, in  a  short  time  will  cause  him  to  be  taken  in 
the  net  of  his  own  perfidy — verses,  "  To  show  en- 
mity to  a  man  with  a  pure  breast,  is  only  enmity 
to  one*s  self,"  ''  whoever  unsheaths  his  dagger  at  a 
looking  glass  draws  it  on  himself." 


96 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

An  account  of  the  regulation  (perhaps  capture)  of  the  City  of 
Seringaputtun,  with  other  events  of  the  year  1171.  Hijri.  A.  D. 
1757.  September  14th. 

When  Hydur  had  thus  overcome  his  difficulties  in 
this  contest,  and  had  conquered  the  enemies  of  the 
Khodadad,  he  fulfilled  his  duty  in  offering  unli- 
mited thanksgiving  and  praise  to  the  Almighty  for 
his  favours;  and,  on  the  following  day,  he  sent 
word  to  the  Raja,  that,  if  it  were  permitted,  he,  his 
servant,'  would  visit  his  family  in  the  fort.  The 
Raja  with  great  readiness  and  pleasure,  gave  orders 
to  the  guards,  at  the  gates  of  the  fort,  to  admit 
Hydur;  and  he  himself,  under  pretence  of  taking 
the  air,  mounted  his  horse  and  went  to  meet  him. 
Having  arrived  at  his  encampment,  he,  to  obtain 
his  friendship,  showered  an  abundance  of  gold  and 
jewels  on  his  valiant  head,  and  presented  him 
ornaments  such  as  bracelets,  gorget,  &c.,  set  with 
jewels ;  bade  him  welcome,  and  congratulated 
him  on  his  victory  and  good  fortune ;  and  invited 


97 

him  to  the  fort.      Hydur,  however,  cautious  and 
penetrating,  considered   that  entering  the  fort  in 
company  with  the   Raja  would  be   an   act  quite 
incompatible  with  the  prudence  and  circumspection 
indispensable  to  understanding  men ;  and  he,  there- 
fore, made  an  excuse  that  the  day  or  hour  was 
an   unlucky  one,    and   put    off  his   visit    to    his 
family,  particularly  to  his  son  of  exalted  fortune, 
(whose  valuable  existence  was  in  truth  the  founda- 
tion of  the  Khodadad  State,)  until  the  next  day. 
Then,  having  made  a  present  to  the   Raja  of  a 
number  of  horses,  and  valuable  cloths  or  dresses, 
he  sent  him  off  to  the  fort,  and  remained  during 
that  night  where  he  was.     The  next  morning,  how- 
ever, taking  with  him  a  strong  body  of  troops,  he 
entered  the  fort,  and  posted  confidential  men  of  his 
own  on  the  gates,  posterns,  and  offices  of  the  fort, 
and  even  on  the  gates  of  the  Raja's  Hall  of  Audi- 
ence, and  his  Zanana,  he  placed  his  own  men.    He 
then  went  with  confidence  to  meet  his  family,  and 
enjoyed  himself  with  them  in  security.      Under 
pretence  of  transacting. some  business  of  his  own, 
he  next  visited  Nundi  Raj,  and,  with  the  policy  and 
regard  to  expediency  of  a  conqueror  and  statesman, 
having  pleased  or  satisfied  him,  he  took  him  and  his 
wife,  children,  relations,  and  dependents,  and  placed 
them  in  his  own  house ;  and,  then  prostrating  him- 

H 


98 

self  before  the  throne  of  the  all  powerful  Dispenser 
of  grace  and  favour,  his  drums  and  trumpets  made 
the  city  resound  to  their  joyful  strains.** 

In  truth,  why  should  he  not  do  so  ?     When  he 
had  restored  the  country  of  Mysore,  already  half 
dead,  to  new  life  and  vigour !     When,  many  times, 
purely  in  supporting  this   State  of  Mysore  ;  he, 
Hydur,  had  fought  with  the  Mahrattas  and  other 
rebels,'  and  by  his  great  courage  and  individual 
exertions  and  abilities,  had  defeated  them,  and  had 
himself  regained  and  brought  under  his  powerful 
hand  the  country  which  before  had  been  taken  or 
conquered!    When,  notwithstanding  all  his  labours 
and   anxiety,  the  envious  and  short  sighted  con- 
spired by  vain  arts  to  overthrow  the  house  and  for- 
tune of  that  brave  soldier  ;  turned  the  mind  of 
the   fooHsh   Raja   against  him,  excited   a  tumult 
to   his  prejudice  ;   and   when   all  the    hardships, 
and  travail,  he  had  suffered  in  the  protection  of 
the  country  was  about  to  be  gratuitously  thrown 
away  and  scattered  to  the  winds  by  the  designs 
of  his  enemies.     Then  it  was,  therefore,  that  God 
withdrew  him  from  the  anxiety  and  perplexity  of 
plans  and  schemes  for  the  defence  of  the  country 

^  The  Nobut  and  Nagara  of  the  Mussuhnans  are  very  musical. 
*  These  modest   gentlemen  the  Mussulmans  apply  the   term 
rebel  to  all  their  enemies. 


99 

against  its  enemies ;  kept  him  in  a  place  of  security, 
made  him  a  king^  in  territory  and  power  ;  and,  still 
more,  placed  him  beyond  the  stormy  sea  of  worldly 
interest  on  the  shore  of  safety,  and  made  him  the 
grateful  returner*  of  praises  and  thanksgivings  to 
God  for  the  great  benefits  he  had  received.  Verses. 
"  No  man  can  obtain  a  crown  without  courage.*' — 
*'  Those  who  aim  at  exaltation,  must  waste  by  the 
head  like  a  taper.""" 

But,  to  return, — ^for  some  days  and  nights  Hydur 
occupied  himself  in  regulating  the  broken  down  for- 
tunes of  the  Mysore  state,  in  discharging  the  disaf- 
fected, the  envious,  and  the  seditious ;  in  levying 
fines  on  the  corrupt  and  cowardly  civil  servants,  and 
removing  the  dishonest;  and  in  collecting  troops, 
stores,  &c.,  necessary  for  the  commander  of  an 
army ;  and,  finally,  having  administered  justice  to 
all,  he  attracted  the  hearts  of  the  people,  far  and 
near,  by  his  liberality,  his  favour,  his  kindness, 
and  his  affability,  and  thereby  gained  great  fame. 
Indeed,  he  undertook  no  measure  without  the 
deepest  consideration,  grounded  on   his  accurate 

ji  J  *— V^  ^  prince  or  a  Jagireddr. 

'  The  author  has  placed  here^^*-i^  for  j^^  or  the  participle 
passive  for  the  agent. 

■»  None  without  valour  ever  won  a  crown ! 

The  man  that  purposes  to  tread 
The  path  which  leads  to  empire  or  renown 
Must  waste,  like  tapers,  hy  the  head. 


100 

perception  of  the  best  policy.  His  fortunate  son, 
(Tippoo),  was  now  placed  under  the  best  masters, 
who  laboured  to  instruct  him  in  all  kinds  of  learn- 
ing. The  dependencies  of  Mysore,  which  are  like  a 
flower  garden,  now  received  anew  the  freshness  and 
colour  of  security,  and  the  hearts  of  those  who  were 
envious  of  the  prosperity  of  the  country  and  govern- 
ment became  like  the  flowers  of  a  garden  in  au- 
tumn, faded  and  dead.  Most  of  the  dependencies 
on  the  frontier,  which  had  been  lost  to  this  state 
from  the  incapacity  of  former  ministers  and  chiefs, 
by  the  exertions  and  abilities  of  Hydur,  that  Rus- 
tum  in  disposition,  were  regained  by  his  powerful 
and  grasping  hand ;  and  now  able  men  of  various 
tribes  and  nations,  artificers  of  all  countries,  and 
soldiers  who,  from  the  want  of  employment  and  the 
neglect  of  merit  by  the  former  rulers  of  Mysore,  had 
been  hiding  in  comers,  like  a  sword  in  its  sheath ; 
at  length  had  the  rust  and  dirt  rubbed  off*  the  face 
of  their  condition,  by  the  furbisher  of  appreciation, 
and,  by  the  aid  of  their  good  fortune,  like  the  spear, 
carried  their  heads  high,  and  presented  themselves 
erect  to  Hydur,  who  employed  them  in  service  pro- 
portionate to  their  abilities  and  merit.  According 
to  the  desire  of  that  cherisher  of  the  people,  mer- 
chants, also,  brought  precious  commodities  from 
every  part  of  the  world,  with  valuable  horses,  and 


101 

camels^  and^  in  addition  to  the  prices  they  demanded 
for  their  goods^  they  received  handsome  presents  ; 
many  thousands  of  pounds  being  expended  on  the 
security  of  the  servants  of  the  state  for  commission- 
ing articles  of  rarity,  and  soldiers  of  approved 
valour,  from  different  parts  of  the  world.  In  fact, 
in  performing  the  duty  committed  to  his  charge, 
every  one  strove  with  all  his  heart  to  ensure  its  ac- 
complishment. In  truth,  whenever  the  only  true 
Lord  desires  to  make  one  of  his  slaves  worthy  of 
the  government  of  a  country,  and  fit  to  be  the 
cherisher  and  defender  of  the  poor,  and  to  provide 
for  and  support  his  subjects,  he  makes  his  person 
the  object  of  the  regard  of  high  and  low,  and  his 
actions  the  profit  and  benefit  of  the  world.  Verse. 
*'  Good  fortune  comes  not  by  chance  as  they  say  it 
does."" 

But,  to  continue,  although  the  ungrateful  Brah- 
man had  received  the  reward  of  his  actions,  and  the 
root  of  mischief  and  rebellion  in  the  country  of 
Mysore  had  been  plucked  up,  still,  to  the  south- 
ward of  Seringaputtun,  or  rather  in  the  country  of 
the  Payeen  Ghaut,  that  is  to  say  Koimbatore  &c., 
where  the  vile  Brahman  had  sent  one  of  his  own  rela- 
tions, to  govern,  disorders  continued  to  prevail.  This 

■  Never,  (aa  some  have  idly  thought) 

Was  yet  by  chance  good  fortune  wrought. 


102 

base  born  fellow,  as  soon  as  he  heard  of  the  fate  of 
his  principal^  having  associated  with  him  a  number 
of  Naimars  and  seditious  persons,  created  a  great 
disturbance.  To  suppress  this  revolt,  and  punish 
him,  Hydur  dispatched  two  hundred  horse,  two  ri- 
salas,  or  regiments  of  regular  infantry,  and  a  thou- 
sand irregular  foot,  under  the  command  of  Syud 
Ismail,  his  brother  in  law,  accompanied  by  Surdar 
Khan,  a  very  brave  man. 

As  soon  as  the  Sikkah  "*  in  the  name  of  the  for- 
tunate Hydur,  by  God*s  gift  became  current,  and 
all  things  meet  for  kingly  power  and  state  were 
taken  possession  of  by  him,  such  as  the  treasury, 
gold,  and  jewels,  the  artillery  and  military  stores, 
Mukhdoom  Sahib  was  appointed  to  the  command 
of  the  fort  of  Seringaputtun  ;  and,  agreeably  to  the 
request  of  the  family  of  the  reigning  Raja,  Nundi 
Raj,  and  others,  the  customary  allowances  to  them 
were  confirmed,  and  the  Killadar  was  constituted 
the  Raja*s  steward  or  purveyor.  Hydur  himself, 
also,  on  a  certain  day,  and  at  a  fortunate  hour, 
visited  the  women's  apartments  of  the  Raja  and 
Nundi  Raj,  and,  after  consoling  them,  and  assuring 
the  Raja  of  his  care  of  his  country  p  and  authority, 
he  himself  presented  each  of  them  (name  by  name), 
with  trays  of  dresses,  or  valuable  cloths,  and  gold 

®  Impression  on  the  coin.  p  i^Ijj^ 


103 

and  jewels,  and  then  returned  home  to  enjoy  him- 
self. Some  of  the  Poligars  of  the  frontier,  as  the 
Koorg  Raja,  &c.  who  had  previously  placed  the 
cotton  of  forgetfulness  in  the  ears  of  their  under- 
standing, seeing  and  fearing  the  strength  and  good 
fortune  of  Hydur,  now  submitted  to  him. 

After  having  regulated  the  affairs  of  the  capital, 
Hydur  marched,  with  a  body  of  his  troops,  to  Ban- 
galore, to  pay  the  sum  of  money  he  had  borrowed 
or  taken  up  from  the  bankers  of  that  place,  and 
returned  highly  gratified  when  he  had  repaid  them. 
In  the  meanwhile,  Ismail  Sahib  and  Surdar  Khan 
had  finished  their  operations,  and,  having  taken 
prisoners  the  relations  of  the  Brahman  Khundi  Rao, 
they  returned  to  the  Presence. 

About  this  time,  Budr  uz  Zuman  Khan  Nayut, 
arrived  from  the  vicinity  of  Runjungurh,  with  the 
intention  to  enter  into  Hydur's  service  ;  and,  as 
Hydur  well  knew  both  his  father  and  grandfather 
he  esteemed  his  arrival  a  very  fortunate  occurrence, 
and  engaged  him  as  Bukhshi  to  the  regular  infantry 
Kutchuri,  at  five  hundred  rupees  a  month.  About 
this  period,  also,  Hydur  received  information  that 
the  Poligar  of  little  Balapoor,  vain  of  his  troops  and 
his  wealth,  had  raised  the  head  of  conceit  to  the 
clouds  of  folly,  that  he  had  allured  most  of  the 
peasantry  of  the  districts  of  Mysore  to  his  territory. 


104 

by  giving  them  advances  in  money;  that  it  was 
certain  he  entertained  no  fear  of  Hydur  s  lion  like 
troops;  that  without  coercion  he  would  never  be 
rendered  tributary  or  obedient ;  and  that  advice 
and  instruction  were  lost  on  him.  Hydur,  the  dis- 
penser  of  Justice,  therefore,  on  hearing  this,  deter- 
mined to  go  himself  and  root  him  out,  and  began 
to  collect  troops  and  stores  for  that  purpose. 


105 


CHAPTER  IX. 

The  march  of  Bosalat  Jung,  to  take  possession  of  the  Sonba  of 
Sara,  and  his  conquest  of  that  Souba,  by  the  aid  of  Hydur  All 
Khan  Bahadtir.  Also,  the  transfer  of  the  Sura  to  the  hands  of  the 
prudent  Hydur,  in  the  same  year,  1171  Hijri. — A.  D.  1757. 

After  the  decease  of  Sulabut  Jung,  in  the  year 
1166,  H.,  Nizam  AH  Khan,  Assud  Jung,  collected 
a  large  force  to  attack  the  Mahrattas;  and,  at 
the  time  Ballajee  Rao  Nana,  with  all  his  forces 
and  chiefs,  had  marched  to  reduce  the  province  of 
Khandeish,  finding  the  coast  clear,  he  by  long 
marches  reached  Poona,  which  he  plundered  and 
burned ;  he  moreover  destroyed  all  the  temples, 
killing  cows  in  them,  and  then  returned.  The 
Mahrattas,  however,  as  soon  as  they  heard  this  in- 
telligence, followed  Assud  Jung  by  forced  marches, 
and  overtook  and  surrounded  him  at  the  town  of 
Humnabad,  where  they  gave  him  such  a  defeat  that, 
in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  destruction  fell  on  the 
whole  of  the  force  of  the  Moghuls,  and,  abandon- 
ing all  his  baggage,  and  artillery,  Assud  Jung 
sought  refuge  in  the  fort  above  mentioned,  and  was 
besieged  there  ;  his  Ameers  of  old  standing  being 


106 

some  taken  prisoners,  but  mostly  slain.  At  length 
however,  his  affairs  being  remediless,  Assud  Jung 
entered  into  a  negotiation  with  the  Mahrattas,  and 
by  the  advice  of  Pothail  Das,  his  Dewaun,  or 
minister,  gave  up  a  country  producing  a  revenue  of 
seventy  Lakhs  of  Rupees;  also  two  cities,  the  capitals 

of  the  Sultans  of  the  Dukhun,  viz.  Burhanpoor  and 

>  

Bejapoor  besides  Ahmud  Nuggur,  Dowlutabad,  and 
the  Souba  of  Sura.  He  then  returned  to  Golconda, 
and  the  whole  of  this  territory  remained  in  the  hands 
of  the  Mahrattas  at  the  time  when  their  mighty 
army  was  defeated  and  destroyed  by  the  Serabdalli,"* 
near  Gunjpoor,  depending  on  Paniput  Kurnal,  and 
Ballajee  Rao,  from  excessive  grief  at  his  great  loss, 
died.  Seizing  the  favourable  opportunity  thus 
offered,  Meer  Shureef  All  Khan,  Busalut  Jung,  the 
governor  of  Adhooni,  determined  with  his  troops 
and  artillery  to  reduce  or  recover  the  Souba  of 
Sura ;  and,  with  the  assistance  of  Morar  Rao,  the 
Chief  of  Gootti,  and  the  Chief  of  Kurpa,  he  marched 
to  Huskote,  (called  by  Wilks  Ooscottu),  which  is  a 
fort  and  Purgana  depending  on  Sura,  garrisoned  by 
a  detachment  of  Poona  Mahrattas,  and  immediately 
laid  siege  to  it.  Mokhund  Sriput,  who  commanded 
there,  was  a  brave  man,  and,  having  strengthened  the 
works  of  the  fort,  he  defended  it  so  gallantly  that 

^  Afghans. 


107 

Busalut  Jung  of  himself^  with  his  large  force^  was 
obliged  to  send  to  Hydur  AIi  Khan  for  assistance. 
Hydur^  who  was  then  at  Bangalore^  occupied  in 
the  chastisement  of  Sami  Koora^  the  refractory  Poli- 
gar  of  little'  Balapoor,  and  also  in  the  regulation 
and  improvement  of  his  troops,  seeing  in  this  appli- 
cation an  opportunity  of  extending  his  authority, 
immediately  accepted  it,  and  joined  Busalut  Jung, 
but,  although  the  latter  invited  him  to  pay  him  a 
visit,  and  actually  prepared  to  receive  him,  he  de- 
clined, and  sent  word  to  him,  that  first,  he  must 
be  informed  what  service  he  was  expected  to  per- 
form, and  that,  having  obediently  executed  his 
commands  and  obtained  credit  for  the  performance 
of  them,  he  would  then  pay  him  a  visit.  Busalut 
Jung  replied,  by  requesting  him  to  attack  and  take 
the  fort.  Accordingly,  on  the  next  day,  the  expe- 
rienced Hydur  proceeded  round  the  fort,  to  recon- 
noitre and  examine  the  nature  of  the  ground.  He 
then  attacked  the  Town,  which  is  to  the  eastward  of 
the  fort,  and  took  it  at  the  first  assault ;  and,  having 
raised  his  batteries  there,  gave  orders  to  his  artillery 
to  fire  at  the  walls  of  the  fort  as  at  a  mark ;  and 
they  soon  drilled  them  as  full  of  holes  as  a  bird  cage. 
At  the  time,  however,  when  he  commenced  the 
fire  of  his  artillery,  he  wrote  to  Busalut  Jung,  that 


108 

he  was  about  to  fire  at  the  fort,  and  recommended 
him  to  take  care  of  himself;  and  his  (Hydur's) 
artillery  men,  agreeably  to  his  orders,  fired  a  few 
shot  from  heavy  guns  in  the  direction  of  the  Moghul 
camp,  which  was  about  a  fursung  to  the  westward 
of  the  forts,  merely  to  give  them  an  example  of  what 
he  could  do.  The  Moghuls  were  not  prepared  for 
this,  and  fell  into  much  confusion,  and  Busalut 
Jung,  changed  his  ground  of  encampment  to  another 
beyond  a  tank,  northward  of  the  fort. 

But,  to  return, — Hydur  continued  for  two  or  three 
days  firing,  and  battering  the  walls.  On  the  fourth 
day,  he  sent  a  message  to  those  in  the  fort,  that  he 
was  a  fortunate  soldier,  and  if  they  cared  at  all  for 
their  lives,  and  fortunes,  and  wished  still  to  enjoy 
them,  that  they  must  quit  the  fort,  and  they  should 
then,  without  molestation  from  any  one,  proceed 
with  their  property  where  they  liked, — that  if  not,  he 
would  storm  the  fort,  and  in  that  case  the  garrison 
with  their  wives  and  children  should  be  put  to  the 
sword.  The  Killadar,  however,  after  many  diffi- 
culties and  objections,  having  been  at  length  as- 
sured and  satisfied,  thought  it  best  to  submit 
peaceably  to  the  fortune  of  the  Khodadad,  and 
delivered  up  his  fort  to  Hydur,  who  placed  a  gar- 
rison of  his  own  in  it,  gave  the  Killadar  his  life  and 
property,  to  gratify  him  provided  carriage  for  his 


109 

baggage  as  he  required,  and,  with  the  consent  and 
advice  of  Busalut  Jung^  sent  him  to  Poona. 

The  next  day,  Hydur  wrote  to  Busalut  Jung, 
that  it  was  necesary  he  should  send  a  garrison  into 
the  fort,  that  he  might  withdraw  his.  The  prudent 
Busalut  Jung,  however,  thought  proper,  from  con- 
venience,  or  policy,  to  leave  the  fort  with  its  depen- 
dencies to  the  charge  of  Hydur,  and  marched  on 
towards  Sura.  In  two  or  three  days,  Hydur  had 
made  all  his  arrangements  for  the  charge  of  the  for- 
tress, and  then  marched,  with  his  victorious  troops 
and  artillery,  by  regular  stages,  to  the  environs  of 
Balapoor  the  greater,  where  he  encamped.  The 
governor  of  the  town.  Abbas  Kuli  Khan,  the  son  of 
Durgah,  Kuli  Khan,  recollecting  his  cruel  treatment 
of  Hydur  in  former  time,  and  fearing  retribution,  fled 
with  his  women  and  indispensable  baggage  to  Arkat. 
Hydur,  therefore,  on  hearing  this,  sent  a  garrison  of 
his  own  troops  into  the  fort,  and  then  marched  and 
joined  Busalut  Jung,  the  advanced  guard  of  whose 
army  he  selected  as  his  post.  Still,  however,  no  meet- 
ing or  visit  had  passed  between  them,  nor  had  they 
ever  spoken  to  each  other,  except  through  a  medium. 
When  they  arrived  near  Sura,  Hydur  encamped 
nigh  the  Eed  Gab,  to  the  westward  of  the  fort,  and 
the  Moghul  troops  took  up  their  position  on  a 
Tank,  to  the  eastward  of  the  fort,  which  they  sur- 


110 

rounded.  Batteries  were  now  thrown  up,  and  ap- 
proaches dug  and  carried  on,  and  a  sharp  fire,  and 
the  explosion  of  mines,  were  kept  up  continually. 

As  the  operations  against  this  fort,  also,  were 
committed  to  the  experience  of  Hydur,  by  degrees 
the  town  was  taken ;  and  batteries  being  raised, 
and  heavy  cannon  mounted  thereon^  the  walls  of  the 
fort  and  the  citadel  were  breached,  and  from  the 
constant  fire  of  the  guns,  the  shock  or  concussion 
of  which  broke  the  hearts  of  the  besieged,  the 
walls  were  completely  knocked  down.     But,  not- 
withstanding all   this,  Trimuk   Kishen,  the  Chief 
of  the  Souba,  did  not  lose  heart,  but  for  a  month 
continued  valiantly  to  perform  his  duty  as  Killadar. 
At  length,  however,  the  walls  being  levelled  with 
the  ground,  and  being  apprehensive  of  an  assault 
by  Hydur's  brave  troops,  he  thought  it  best,  for 
his  advantage,  to  seek   Hydur*s  protection,  and 
therefore  requested  that  his  and  his  garrison's  lives 
might  be  spared,  and  that  he  might  receive  Kowl, 
or  an  assurance  to  that  effect.     Hydur,  whose  for- 
tune was  ever  alert,  kindly  despatched  to  him  as- 
surances of  safety,  and   sent  for  him,  and  then 
placed  a  garrison  of  his  own  in  the  fort.     The 
dep6t  of  provisions  and  military  stores,  .which  the 
Mahrattas  had  collected  for  the  conquest  of  the 
Kamatic  Balaghaut  and  Payeen  Ghaut,  and  had 


Ill 

deposited  in  this  fort,  were  all  seized  by  him  and  ap- 
plied to  his  own  use ;  and^  without  any  delay^  or  the 
knowledge  of  any  one,  he  buried  under  ground  all 
the  heavy  artillery,  and  such  stores  as  he  wished  to 
reserve  for  himself,  and  throwing  out  four  or  five 
pieces  of  artillery  damaged  and  split  at  the  muzzles 
with  a  parcel  of  old  and  useless  stores,  he  sent  a 
letter  with  his  congratulations,  (Mobarikbadi),  on 
the  capture  of  the  place,  to  Busalut  Jung. 

The  next  day,  Busalut  Jung  mounted  his  horse, 
and  came  to  the  fort  to  inspect  it,  and  the  large 
magazine  of  military  stores,  guns,  &c,  which  the 
Mahrattas  were  said  to  have  kept  here,  and  of 
which  he  had  heard  so  much,  from  his  spies ;  the 
experienced  Hydur  first  met  him  outside  the  fort,  and 
then  accompanying  him  inside,  and  having  wheedled 
and  talked  him  over  with  fool-deceiving  words,  he 
presented  him  with  the  keys  of  the  fort,  and  showed 
him,  one  by  one,  the  articles  he  had  allowed  to  re- 
main.* However,  after  having  inspected  them  all, 
Busalut  Jung  took  only  three  large  guns,  which  had 
belonged  to  the  body  guard  of  the  murdered  Nawaub 
Nasir  Jung,  and  sent  them  to  his  camp,  and  then 
giving  the  remaining  stores  and  keys  and  the  regula- 
tion of  the  Fort  and  Souba  to  Hydur,  he  returned 
to  his  tents. 

•  The  author  of  another  life  of  Hydur,  states  that  Hydur  hul- 
lied  Bus&lut  Jung  into  the  surrender  of  the  fort  and  stores. 


112 

Some  three  or  four  days  after  this,  being  the  day 
Busalut  Jung  had  appointed  for  his  march  to  Ad- 
hooni,  he  sent  for  Hydur,  and  saluted  him  with 
the  title  of  Nawaub  Hydur  Ali  Khan  Bahadur 
Chuckmak*  Jung,  and  also  wrote  and  presented 
him  Sunnuds,  conferring  on  him  the  revenues  of  the 
entire  Souba  of  Sura,  with  the  Paishkush  or  tribute 
of  the  Poligars ;  he  also  added  the  district  of  Gurm 
Koonda,  with  its  fort  and  dependencies  saying  to  him 
spontaneously  '*  you  are  the  Chief  of  all  this  country ; 
and  the  creator  and  bestower  of  life,"  has  raised  you 
into  existence  on  purpose  to  protect  his  creatures ; 
may  you  be  fortunate  and  happy  in  the  possession 
of  this  country.*'''  In  short,  after  an  interchange 
of  the  usual  congratulations,  the  wise  Busalut  Jung 
quitted  the  Nawaub  Bahadur,  and,  with  a  large 
sum  of  money,  horses  and  elephants,  presented 
by  Hydur,  he  and  his  whole  army  returned  to 
Adhooni ;  and  as  he  was  not  able  to  take  the  guns 
before  mentioned  with  his  army,  he  left  two  on  a 
river  to  the  northward  of  the  fort.  One  gun  how- 
ever, which  had  belonged  to  the  Julow  or  body  guard 
of  the  Nawaub,  Nizam  al  Moolk,  Asof  Jah,  he,  with 

^  Chuckmak  is  the  name  given  by  our  Sipahees  to  the  flint  and 
steel  of  the  musket.— 7«r*wA. — Busdlut  Jung  knew  well  to  whom 
Hydur  owed  his  fame  although  he  himself  had  not  the  candour  tq 
acknowledge  it. 

X  I  should  think  this  speech  more  than  doubtful. 


113 

a  thousand  difficulties,  contrived  to  carry  with  him. 
It  is  not  to  be  concealed,  that,  at  the  time  Busa- 
lut  Jung  conferred  on  Hydur  the  titles  which  have 
been  mentioned,  Hydur,  from  a  wish  not  to  dis- 
please him  was  silent ;  but,  after  Busalut  Jung  had 
departed,  he  rejected  the  title  of  Jung,  and  styled 
himself  Nawaub  Bahadur.  In  short,  the  Nawaub 
remained  in  the  fort,  ten  or  fifteen  days,  and  hav- 
ing encouraged  and  assured  the  peasantry  he  ap- 
pointed Meer  Ismael  Hussein  to  the  charge  of  the 
Souba^  giving  him  strict  orders  to  repair  the  fort, 
and  then  returned  to  his  tents. 


114 


CHAPTER  X. 

The  inarch  of  Hydur  and  his  army  to  Chuk  or  little  Balapoor^ 
and  the  capture  of  that  place.  Also  the  conquest  of  the  Hill 
fort  of  Murg  Sura,  or  the  little  Sura  of  Pankoonda,  &c.  in  the 
year  1172,  Hijri.— A.  D.  1758. 

As  soon  as  the  Nawaub^  had  accomplished  the 
conquest  and  regulation  of  Sura^  he  determined  to 
attack  Balapoor  the  less^  which  it  had  been  his  in- 
tention to  have  done  long  before ;  and  he  there- 
fore marched  towards  that  place  with  his  whole 
force,  consisting  of  eight  thousand  horse,  ten  thou- 
sand regular  infantry,  and  twelve  thousand  irregular 
or  Karnatic  foot,  with  abundance  of  stores  and  ar- 
tillery. While  Hydur  was  on  his  route  thither, 
FyzuUah  Khan  Hybut  Jung,  who  was  the  son  of 
Meer  Mahummudi  Khan,  Jageerdar  of  Timri,  and 
the  son-in-law  of  Nawaub  Dilawar  Khan,  having 
quarrelled  with  his  father-in-law,  after  the  death  of 
his  wife,  hastened,  (making  use  of  his  head  for  his 
feet)'  to  the  service  of  the  Nawaub  Hydur,  and  was 

y  Hydur  although  raised  to  the  dignity  of  Nawauh  was  never 
considered  a  gentleman  hy  the  polished  part  of  the  population  of 
northern  India. 


115 

installed  in  office^  according  to  his  abilities  and  rank. 
When  the  Nawaub  arrived,  and  encamped  near  Ba- 
lapoor,  the  Poligar  of  that  place,  finding  himself  un* 
able  to  oppose  him  in  the  field,  shut  himself  up  in  the 
fort ;  and,  notwithstanding  the  Nawaub  took  great 
pains  to  induce  him  to  obey  his  orders,  this  unfortu- 
nate man  rejected  all  his  advances,  and  prepared  to 
defend  himself ;  he  also  solicited  Morar  Rao  Ghore 
Purria  to  give  him  assistance.  The  Rao,  therefore, 
with  his  whole  force,  amounting  to  twelve  thousand 
horse  and  foot,  came  to  his  aid,  and,  having  esta- 
blished himself  at  Goori  Bundah,  (some  place  ap- 
parently in  the  vicinity),  he  made  it  his  station,  and 
despatched  six  or  seven  thousand  horse,  to  attack 
the  army  of  the  Nawaub.  This  force,  however, 
only  fell  upon  and  plundered  the  foraging  parties  of 
the  Nawaub,  and  then  retired.  When  he  heard  of 
this  attack  the  Nawaub  was  much  irritated,  and 
with  a  detachment  of  his  bravest  soldiers,  he  imme- 
diately followed  and  tracked  the  route  of  the  Mah- 
rattas,  and  on  a  plain  to  the  westward  of  Nundi 
Gurh,  he  fell  in  with  them,  and,  at  the  first  charge 
defeated  them,  and  put  most  of  them  to  the  sword ; 
the  few  who  escaped  with  their  lives  leaving  their 
horses  and  arms  behind  them.  Near  two  thou- 
sand horses  were  taken,  on  this  occasion,  by  the 
troops  of  the  Nawaub.     Returning  victorious,  Hy- 


116 

dur  now  fixed  his  attention  solely  on  the  reduction 
of  the  fort.  By  his  orders,  the  troops  attacked  and 
took  the  Peenth  or  suburbs,  and,  raising  batteries 
there,  employed  themselves  in  firing  at  the  walls, 
and  exploding  mines/  Meanwhile,  although  the 
Rao  had,  ordered  his  troops  to  ravage  and  desolate 
the  dependencies  of  the  Sirkar  (Hydur's)  and  the 
Kuzzaks  of  his  army,  day  by  day,  continued  to  des- 
troy the  towns  and  villages  of  the  Khodadad  State, 
still  they  did  not  attempt  to  attack  Hydur*s  troops 
in  the  field.  The  Nawaub  was  kept  constantly  in- 
formed of  these  losses ;  but,  considering  that  his 
present  object  was  the  fort,  and  that  afterwards  at 
his  leisure  he  could  punish  the  Mahrattas,  for  their 
excesses,  he  affected  to  take  no  more  notice  of 
them  than  as  if  he  had  never  seen  or  heard  of  them^ 
devoting  his  whole  time  and  exertions  to  ensure  the 
capture  of  the  fort.  After  a  short  time,  therefore, 
the  walls  of  the  fort,  which  were-  of  earth,  were 
completely  battered  down  and  breached  on  one 
side,  and  the  Nawaub  consequently  gave  orders 
for  the  assault.  Yet  notwithstanding  the  state  of 
the  walls,  and  other  disadvantages,  the  besieged 
fought  so  bravely  in  the  breach,  that  they  beat 
off  the  storming  party,  and  put  them  to  flight.  The 
next  day  another  storming  party  tried  their  luck, 

*  4^1;i  (JH^^^^  perhaps  throwing  shells  into  the  town. 


117 

but  without  success.  The  Nawaub  was  now  obliged 
to  have  recourse  to  his  ingenuity  to  take  the  place, 
and  therefore,  with  great  labour,  raised  a  new  stage 
or  battery ,*"  in  front  of  the  gate  of  the  fort,  and 
gave  orders  to  batter  the  gate.  In  the  course  of 
one  or  two  days,  his  experienced  gunners  beat  down 
the  two  walls  which  masked  the  gate  ;  and,  as  soon 
as  the  besieged  Poligar  found  that  the  defences  of 
the  gate  were  battered  down,  he  began  to  reflect  on 
the  probable  result ;  and,  through  the  medium  of 
the  bankers  and  the  obedient  Poligars  who  attended 
the  camp  of  the  Nawaub,  he  forwarded  proposals  for 
an  accommodation,  and  requested  the  lives  of  the 
garrison  might  be  spared.  After  a  great  deal  of  dis- 
cussion, the  Nawaub  considering  him  with  the  eye 
of  kindness,  consented  to  receive  from  him  a  Nuz- 
zur  or  Paishkush  of  seven  Lakhs  of  Rupees,  and 
desist  from  the  prosecution  of  the  siege.  In  com- 
pliance also  with  the  Poligar's  request,  it  was  settled, 
that  Hydur  with  his  troops  and  artillery  should 
return  by  the  route  of  Dewun  Hully,  (called  by 
Wilks  Deonelly),  and  Bangalore,  to  Seringaputtun, 
and  that  the  amount  of  tribute  being  divided  into 
three  Kists,  or  payments ;  one  was  to  be  paid  at 
Dewun  Hully,  another  at  Bangalore,  and  the  last  at 
the  capital.     His  march  therefore  was  conducted 


118 

agreeably  to  the  prescribed  route  ;  the  Nawaub, 
however,  with  his  usual  caution,  left  in  the  batteries 
and  suburbs  a  thousand  matchlock  men,  under  the 
command  of  Juhan  Khan  Khokur''  and  Hussein 
Khan  Lodi,  until  the  payments  were  made ;  and 
he  also  left  seven  or  eight  boxes  of  ammunition  in 
their  charge. 

The  Rao,  on  hearing  of  this  accommodation 
immediately  made  a  forced  march  during  the  night, 
arrived  in  the  rear  of  the  fort,  and  apprized  the 
Poligar  of  his  arrival.  Overjoyed  at  this  intel- 
ligence, the  foolish  man  left  the  fort  immediately ; 
and  the  two  traitors  met,  and  consulted  how  they 
should  deceive  the  Nawaub.  The  Rao  having,  with 
flattery  and  deceiving  words,  allured  the  Poligar 
from  the  way  of  his  own  welfare,  drew  him  into  the 
net  of  his  wiles,  and  said,  ^*  you  see  the  walls  of  the 
fort  are  battered  down,  and  that  most  of  the  poor 
inhabitants,  and  soldiers,  have  been  destroyed  by  the 
fire  of  the  guns.  It  is  not  fit,  therefore,  that  you 
should  now  stay  here  ;  but  that  you  with  your 
family,  treasury,  gold,  jewels,  &c.  should  depart 
from  hence,  and  take  up  your  residence  at  the  hill 
fort  of  Nundi ;  and  the  money,  which  you  have  col- 
lected to  pay  to  the  Nawaub,  pay  to  me,  and  with 
that  same  money,  I  will  collect  a  body  of  troops,  and 

*  Tribesof  Afghans  well  known  in  India. 


119 

moreover  obtain  large  armies  to  your  aid  from  Hy- 
durabad  and  Poona,  and  thus  he,  Hydur,  shall  have 
his  due  punishment  The  period  of  the  Poligar's 
ruin  being  at  hand,  he  gave  the  selfish  words  of  the 
Rao  a  place  in  his  willing  ear,  and  acted  accord- 
ingly; for,  having  four  or  five  Lakhs  of  Rupees 
ready  to  pay  the  dividends  to  the  Nawaub,  he  gave 
them  to  the  Rao,  and  left  the  fort  also  to  his  care, 
and  retired  to  the  Hill  Nundi. 

The  Rao  now  posted  in  the  ruined  fort  two  thou- 
sand foot,  with  ammunition,  as  a  garrison  and  then 
returned  to  his  own  station.  On  the  following  morn- 
ing, the  garrison  manned  the  walls,  beat  their 
drums,  and  sounded  their  trumpets,  in  the  Mah- 
ratta  style,  and  then  assembled  suddenly  in  great 
numbers  at  the  gate.  Seeing  these  movements 
and  apprehending  treachery  from  them,  the  Na- 
waub's  detachment  manned  their  batteries,  and  were 
standing  ready  for  action,  when,  all  at  once,  fifteen 
hundred  of  the  Mahrattas  left  the  fort,  and  advanced 
rapidly  to  attack  them.  The  Nawaub's  men  being 
few,  and  they  also  scattered,  or  detached,  they  left 
the  battery,  and  assembled  in  the  Peenth,  or  suburb, 
and,  having  made  one  gate  strong,  they  remained 
quiet.  The  troops  from  the  fort  now  formed  a  cir- 
cle round  them,  and  commenced  a  brisk  fire  of 
musketry  and  rockets.     The  officers  of  the  Na- 


120 

waub's  infantry,  nevertheless  did  not  lose  heart,  but 
determined  to  sell  their  lives  dearly  ;  and  they 
therefore  strengthened  a  large  building  at  the  gate- 
way, and  defended  it  gallantly,  while  the  Khokur, 
(Afghan),  with  a  few  brave  fellows,  made  an  attack 
on  the  unlucky  Mahrattas,  and  with  the  sword  and 
spear  killed  a  great  many  of  them.  Some  of  the 
garrison  of  the  fort  also  were  taken  prisoners  by  stra- 
tagem, and  from  them  they  learned  the  state  of 
affairs  in  the  fort,  as  has  been  before  related.  The 
officer  above  mentioned  on  the  next  night,  des- 
patched, therefore,  the  prisoners  to  Hydur,  with  a 
letter,  stating  what  had  occurred  by  the  treachery 
and  misconduct  of  the  ill  fated  Poligar,  and  then 
waited  for  succour. 

On  his  receiving  this  letter,  and  hearing  the  state- 
ment of  the  prisoners,  Hydur  became  as  furious  as 
an  enraged  lion,  and  with  his  troops  and  artillery 
made  a  forced  march^  back  from  Dewun  HuUy,  and 
arrived  at  the  fort,  round  which  the  cavalry  of  the 
Rao  were  stationed,  and  they  being  attacked  re- 
ceived such  a  defeat  from  Hydur's  Bedes  or  Kuz- 
zaks  that  they  fled  and  never  looked  behind  them 
until  they  arrived  at  Goori  Bundah.  Perceiving 
the  advantage  which  Hydur  had  gained,  his  officers 
who  were  on  the  alert  in  the  Peenth  or  suburb, 

0  ^ULJ 


121 

immediately  hoisted  his  standard  on  the  gate  and 
beat  their  drums.  The  Nawaub  on  seeing  this 
was  highly  pleased,  and,  having  entered  the  sub- 
urb, he  occupied  the  same  batteries  he  had  before 
raised,  and  ordered  his  artillery  and  infantry  to 
give  the  fort  a  shower  of  shot.  Hydur  remained 
only  two  days  before  the  fort,  when  he  assaulted 
and  took  it,  and  directed  some  of  the  men  belonging 
to  the  artful  Rao  to  be  put  to  death,  and,  for  an  ex- 
ample, some  had  their  noses  and  ears  cut  off,  and 
were  sent  bleeding  to  join  their  comrades  with  the 
Rao.  All  Ruza  Khan  was  then  appointed  to  com- 
mand the  fort ;  and  having  given  him  strict  charge  to 
take  the  hill  fort  of  Nundi,  and  the  unfortunate  Po- 
ligar,  Hydur  marched  off  to  Goori  Bundah,  with 
his  victorious  army,  to  attack  Morar  Rao.  The 
Rao,  however,  finding  himself  unequal  to  contend 
with  Hydur,  marched  to  Goori  Koonda,  a  place  in 
his  own  possession.  The  Nawaub  Bahadur  after  a 
siege  of  two  or  three  days,  reduced  Goori  Bundah, 
and,  leaving  a  detachment  there,  he  moved  on. 

When  Hydur  arrived  near  Goori  Koondah,  the 
Rao  mounted  his  horse,  and  with  his  cavalry,  infan- 
try and  artillery,  took  post  ready  to  receive  him. — 
The  Nawaub  having  placed  his  regular  and  irregular 
infantry  and  artillery  in  ambush,  in  the  dry  bed  of 
a  river,  now  ordered  off  all  his  light  horse  to  the 


122 

front,  to  attack  the  Rao's  troops,  but  when  the  Rao*s 
cavalry  attempted  to  charge  them  in  a  compact* 
body,  Hydur's  horse,  before  the  enemy  came  near 
turned  their  backs  and  fled  at  speeds  The  Rao's 
horse,  who  were  rendered  very  bold  by  this  flight, 
followed  them,  and  while  they  were  in  pursuit,  all 
at  once,  the  troops  in  ambush  rose  up,  and  received 
them  with  such  a  volley  of  cannon,  and  musketry, 
that  to  this  day  their  loss  remains  inscribed  on  the 
page  of  time ;  for  the  troops  of  the  Rao  were  scat- 
tered like  grain  shaken  out  of  a  slit  bag,  and  they 
did  not  drink  water  until  they  arrived  at  the  walls 
of  Gooti.  The  Rao  also  fled  his  own  way.  Hydur, 
victorious,  advanced  ;  and,  after  a  siege  of  seven 
days,  took  Goori  Koondah,  and  from  that  place 
marched  towards  Pen  Koondah,  where  also  the  Rao 
had  a  garrison.  He  first,  however,  took  and  for- 
tified the  Ghauts,  or  passes,  and  then,  by  succes- 
sive assaults  on  the  hill  fort,  in  a  month  took  it, 
after  which  he  proceeded  to  attack  the  hill  fort  of 
Murg  Sura.  The  commandant  of  that  fort,  who 
was  a  brave  man,  prepared  however  to  oppose 
him,  and  on  his  approach,  by  the  continual  fire 
of  his  guns  and  musketry,  he  killed  a  great  many 
of  the  Nawaub's  troops.  The  Nawaub  being  in 
great  anger  at  this,  gave  orders  to  his  officers  for 


123 

the' immediate  investment  of  the  fort,  and,  under 
the  cover  of  the  rocks  to  make  an  assault,  while  he 
himself  took  his  station  on  a  hill  to  the  northward 
of  the  fort,  but  adjoining  to  that  on  which  it  stood ; 
and,  having  mounted  some  large  guns  on  that  hill, 
he  sent  to  the  Killadar  a  Kowl  Nama,  or  a  sum- 
mons and  terms  for  his  surrender.  The  terms  not 
being  accepted,  Hydur,  who  was  much  annoyed 
gave  orders  to  the  marksmen  among  his  artillery- 
men to  fire  at  a  particular  part  of  the  rocks,  which 
rose  above  the  middle  of  the  mountain,  and  beneath 
which  stood  the  houses  and  buildings  of  the  fort, 
full  of  inhabitants  ;  and,  as  these  rocks  were 
knocked  to  pieces  by  the  cannon  balls,  the  frag- 
ments killed  a  number  of  the  besieged,  and  scat- 
tered the  rest  so  effectually  that  the  garrison  of  the 
fort  lost  the  power'  of  defence.  Seeing  his  sol- 
diers in  this  inefficient  state,  the  Killadar  became 
alarmed,  and  after  begging  their  lives  might  be 
spared,  he  gave  over  the  fort  to  the  servants  of  the 
Nawaub,  and  himself,  seeking  Hydur  s  protection, 
was  allowed  his  life  and  property. 

Meer  AM  Ruza  Khan  who,  meanwhile,  was  besieg- 
ing the  hill  of  Nundi,  by  exerting  the  greatest  skill 
and  bravery,  reduced  the  besieged  to  such  extremi- 
ties, that  being  in  all  respects  without  resources,  the 


124 

Poligar  surrendered  it  to  the  Meer,  and  sought  the 
asylum  of  the  Khodadad.  The  Meer,  agreeably  to 
Hydurs  orders,  despatched  the  captive  Poligar, 
and  his  family  to  Bangalore ;  and  of  his  sons  two 
were  made  Mussulmans.  One  of  them  died,  but 
the  other,  named  Sufdur  Khan,  is  now  living,  and 
with  his  troops  was  received  into  the  Nawaub's 
service. 

Budruzzuman  Khan  was  appointed  governor  of 
the  newly  captured  fort. 

When  the  dependencies  of  that  country,  which, 
in  truth,  may  be  likened  to  the  Garden  of  Eden, 
fell  into  the  powerful  hands  of  the  Nawaub,  he 
rubbed  the  forehead  of  his  hopes  on  the  threshold 
of  the  Creator  of  the  Universe,  pure  from  wants  or 
desires ;  and,  this  being  done,  appointed  and  des- 
patched intelligent  agents,  and  faithful  and  able 
Killadars,  to  the  different  parts  of  the  country. 
The  Nawaub  himself  halted  some  days  at  Sura,  to 
make  arrangements  for  the  government  of  that 
district. 


125 


CHAPTER  XI. 


An  account  of  the  conquest  of  Bednore,  otherwise  called  Hydur 
Nugger,  and  other  forts  and  towns  of  that  country,  in  the  year 
1173,  Hijri.     A.  D.  1759. 

As  the  knowledge  of  the  good  or  bad  state  of  diffe- 
rent countries,  and  the  hearing  of  intelligence  de- 
scribing the  policy  and  ability  of  both  friend  and  foe, 
form  the  rule  of  conduct  of  the  sovereigns  of  the 
field  of  empire,  and  guide  the  actions  or  measures  of 
the  conquerors  of  the  world ;  it  was  the  constant 
custom  of  the  Nawaub  Hydur  to  receive  daily  news 
from  all  districts  of  his  own  kingdom,  far  and  near, 
and  from  the  dependencies  of  friend  and  stranger ; 
and  every  night,  after  making  himself  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  details  of  the  state  of  all  coun- 
tries, as  the  government  of  the  Zemindars,  and 
Rajas  ;  that  of  the  Nizam  ^  of  the  Dukhun,  the  Na- 
zim^  of  Poona,  the  Soubadar  of  the  Camatic  Payeen 
Ghaut,  &c. ;  he  retired  to  his  private  apartments,  to 
take  his  rest.     For  the  performance  of  this  arduous 

'  ^L«  M^\  ^   J^li  w\  from  the  root  Jai     - 


126 

but  indispensable  duty,  which  required  so  much  care 
and  caution,  intelligencers  of  talent,  and  Kasids,  or 
messengers,  who  from  head  to  foot  were  eyes  and 
ears ;  able  spies ;  secret  writers,  unequalled  in  the 
age,  and  correspondents  quick  of  hand,  and  of  great 
understanding ;  were  stationed  in  every  quarter  of 
the  country,  and  by  these  men  correct  accounts  of 
all  occurrences  were  written  and  forwarded  daily. 
It  happened  at  this  time,  that  they  all  wrote  respect- 
ing the  country  of  Nuggur,  describing  that,  from  its 
beauty  and  verdure,  it  bestowed  splendour  on  the 
Balaghaut  country,  nay,  that  it  might  be  said  to  be 
equal  to  the  Gardens  of  Paradise. —  Versed  "  If  any 
one  burned  with  grief  enters  Nuggur,^  were  he  even 
as  a  bird  roasting  on  the  spit,  he  would  regain  his 
wings  and  feathers."^ — In  fact,  that  the  fertility  of 
the  country  was  the  envy  of  Kashmeer,  for  on  it  de* 
pended  many  cities,  pleasant  and  rich^  and  its  beau- 
tiftil  fields  and  meadows  gave  delight  to  the  heart  of 
the  beholder ;  that  moderate  rains  fell  there  for  six 
months  in  every  year,  which  gave  life  and  verdure 
to  the  hearts  of  the  withered  vegetation  and  the  ani^^- 

*  The  following  is  called  iDsha  Tirazi,  i^yj^   ^ » 

*  One  copy  says  Bednore. 

1   If,  burnt  up  with  grief,  into  Nuggur  you  enter. 

Though  as  bad  as  a  bird's  on  the  spit  be  your  plight. 
In  that  beautiful  country,  of  pleasure  the  centre. 
Your  wings  and  your  feathers  you'll  renovate  quite. 


127 

mal  creation ;  that  the  trees  of  the  forest  and  gardens 
were  mostly  cocoa  nut,  and  date,  like  the  stature  of 
the  lovely,  with  their  heads  erect;  that  the  fruit 
trees,  were  of  all  kinds,  laden  with  their  pleasure- 
giving  store,  and  the  sandal  trees,  filled  the  hearts 
and  palates  of  men  of  all  countries  with  fragrance  ; 
that  the  perfume  of  the  flowers  and  sweet  smelling 
herbs,  and  the  early  fruits  of  the  country  soothed  the 
sickly  and  gave  rest  to  the  unquiet  soul ; — that,  the 
rosy  cheeked  and  moon  faced  damsels  there  with 
forms  straight  as  the  poplar,  like  a  rose  garden, 
ever  flourishing,  adorned  with  the  colour  and  per- 
fiime  of  loveliness,  practised  stealing  the  heart, 
while  speciously  delighting  the  eye ;  and  clothing 
their  slender  forms  in  elegant  apparel,  with  their 
subduing  smiles  and  glances  conquer  and  enslave 
amorous  young  men ;  that,  the  rivers  and  streams  of 
that  flowery  and  ever  blooming  country  are  like  the 
sea,  ever  flowing,  and  the  lakes  and  reservoirs  ever 
full  to  the  brim,  like  the  fountains  of  a  generous 
heart ;  that,  the  inhabitants  of  all  classes  in  that 
country  lived  freely,  and  were  wealthy  ;  but  that 
they  had,  always  kept  their  eyes  on  the  path  of  the 
brave  man  of  the  field  of  battle,  that  is,  they  had 
looked  anxiously  for  the  conquest  of  their  country 
by  some  just  and  distinguished  chief,""  for  this  reason 

"*  Meaning  Hydur. 


128 

that  that  delightful  country  had  fallen  into  the  hands 
of  a  wild  race^  and  a  low  minded  fearless  woman 
wearing  the  dress  of  a  man,  exercised  unlimited 
authority  there  ;  that,  in  former  times,  this  district 
or  province  was  under  the  authority  of  the  Soubas 
or  governors  of  Sura,  but  that,  at  present,  having 
rebelled,  the  ruler  had  neglected  to  forward  the 
Paishkush  or  tribute,  and,  notwithstanding  the  suc- 
cessors of  her  former  governors  still  existed,  the 
Rani  was  ambitious  of  being  independent,  and 
had  lately  formed  an  illicit  connexion  with  a  slave, 
and  the  country,  with  all  its  fertility  and  riches, 
like  the  eyes  of  the  blind,  had  become  totally  de- 
prived of  light,  while  the  hearts  of  the  people,  by 
the  tyranny  and  oppression  of  the  dissolute  Rani, 
were  sorely  afflicted  ;  that,  the  sounds  of  complaint 
and  grief  were  heard  in  every  street  and  market ; 
that  on  all  sides,  thieves  and  robbers  laid  hold  on 
the  property  of  the  poor  ;  that  the  men  were 
ashamed  of  obeying  their  ruler,  and  had  shut  them- 
selves up  in  their  houses,  and  the  women,  licentious, 
fearless,  and  drunk  with  the  wine  of  immodesty,  or- 
namenting their  hair,  and  (painting)  their  faces,  gave 
themselves  up  to  sensuality,  and  the  men  had  no 
power  to  correct  or  reprove,  even  the  women  of 
their  own  families ;  and  that,  they  gave  themselves 
up  to  dalliance  in  the  open  streets,  and  markets, 


129 

and  walked  about   in  eager  expectation   of  their 
lovers." 

Truly,  if  rulers  noted  for  want  of  sense  be  ap- 
pointed to  govern  and  protect  a  country,  what 
hopes  of  comfort  or  safety  can  be  entertained  by 
their  subjects.  It  appeared,  therefore,  improper  that 
the  government  of  such  a  fine  province  should  be 
held  by  such  a  person,  and  that  a  bad  woman 
should  govern  so  beautiful  and  fertile  a  country 
was  unreasonable ;  besides  this,  she  had  rebelled 
against  the  government.**  There  was  a  man,  (it 
was  said,)  a  descendant  of  the  chiefs  of  that  coun- 
try ;  but  he  was  void  of  sense  and  intelligence, — 
for,  notwithstanding  he  had  laboured  and  schemed 
much,  in  the  hope  to  obtain  the  chief  authority, 
he  could  effect  nothing ;  and  it  was,  therefore, 
evident  how  proper  and  likely  a  man  he  was  to  be 
qualified  for  government,  who  was  more  ignorant 
and  incompetent  than  the  Rani  herself.  Did  he 
not  know  the  noble  master,  (Hydur),  to  whom 
this  fine  extensive  country  and  high  office  should 
fail? 

In  short,  on  hearing  these  joyous  tidings,  the 
fortunate  Nawaub  immediately  despatched  search- 

°  Some  punning  verses  on  the  word  ^jj  omitted. 

o  All  this  rigmarole  is  intended  to  prove  that  Hydar  AH  had  a 
right  to  dispossess  the  unfortunate  Rani  of  her  territory  and 
wealth,  and  perhaps  to  take  her  life. 

K 


130 

ing  spies  and  able  intelligencers  on  this  business 
with  orders  to  collect  correct  information  respecting 
the  government  of  Nuggur ;  the  abilities  of  those 
who  conducted  it :  the  amount  of  the  revenue,  the 
number  of  the  troops ;  and  to  make  themselves 
thoroughly  acquainted  with  these  matters,  and 
write  a  full  and  distinct  account  of  them.  He  then 
marched  with  a  strong  force  towards  Chitul  Droog, 
and,  from  policy,  and  to  make  an  impression,  he 
gave  orders  to  take,  plunder,  and  destroy,  the  de- 
pendencies of  that  place.  His  fearless  Kuzzaks,  in 
consequence,  immediately  spread  themselves  over 
the  whole  of  its  Talookas  or  districts,  to  the  Ghaut 
of  the  Droog,  and  levelled  every  town  and  village 
to  the  ground.  The  Nawaub,  however,  marched 
straight  to  the  Droog,  where  the  Poligar  of  that 
place  took  the  head  of  submission  out  of  the  veil  of 
rebellion,  and  entered  the  circle  of  obedience  ;  and 
agreeably  to  the  directions  of  the  Nawaub,  paid  two 
Lakhs ^  of  Rupees,  in  lieu  of  Paishkush,  and  one 
Lakh  of  Rupees  as  a  present,  and  was  allowed  his 
life  and  property,  and  he  and  his  troops  accom- 
panied the  army.  In  the  meantime,  the  spies  and 
intelligencers  had  proceeded  with  the  greatest  speed 
to  Nuggur,  and  had  examined  closely  the  state  of 
that  country,  and  they  described  the  whole  in  detail 

P  A  Lakh  is  100,000. 


131 

to  the  Nawaub.  About  this  time,  also,  the  person* 
who  was  ambitious  of  obtaining  the  government  of 
Bednore,  and  who,  as  has  been  already  stated,  de- 
sired an  opportrnity  to  establish  his  claim,  had 
sought  reftige  in  Chitul  Droog,  and,  under  the  aus- 
picious star  of  his  good  fortune,  was  introduced  to 
the  Nawaub.  This  person  promised  and  engaged, 
through  the  medium  of  the  Chief  of  Chitul  Droog, 
to  gird  his  loins  in  the  service  of  the  Nawaub  ;  and 
stated  that  he  considered  the  service  of  that  victori- 
ous Chief  as  an  honour  to  his  house  ;  and  that  he 
entreated  the  Nawaub  to  proceed  quickly  to  the 
punishment  of  the  Rani,  whose  government  was  a 
display  of  caprice,  and  who,  like  a  man,  galloped 
over  the  field  of  licence,  and  extinguish  the  torch  of 
her  immodesty'  with  the  water*  of  the  sword,  and 
give  to  the  world,  (the  people  of  which  had  their 
lives  on  their  lips  from  her  oppression,  and  tyranny,) 
comfort,  consolation,  and  a  new  life.  Seeing  that 
the  appearance  of  things  was  conformable  to  his 
hopes  and  wishes  ;  the  Nawaub  Bahadur  agreed  to 
the  prayer  of  this  man ;  and,  having  arrayed  the 
right  and  left  wings*  of  his  army,  the  main  body,* 

4  This  person  is  said  by  a  French  author  (an  officer  in  Hydor's 
service)  to  have  been  the  son  of  the  late  Raja  or  Rana  of  Bednore. 
'  The  Rani  is  always  spoken  of  disrespectfully  by  this  author. 

■  Keenness — temper. 


132 

and  advanced  and  rear  guards/  he  gave  the  com- 
mand of  each  to  brave  experienced  officers,  and,  the 
next  morning  but  one,  he  marched  towards  Nuggur, 
his  worthy  son  of  victorious  presage  acompanying 
him.  At  every  station  and  encampment  on  the 
march,  Hydur,  by  his  affability  and  presents,  raised 
great  hopes  among  the  inhabitants  of  that  country, 
and,  to  stimulate  the  cultivation  and  prosperity  of 
the  land,  he  gave  them  every  assurance^  of  safety. 
In  every  town  or  fort,  also,  where  his  army  encamp- 
ed, he  sent  for  the  whole  of  the  poor,  and  persons 
without  employment,  of  all  classes,  and  by  favours 
and  gifts  gained  their  hearts,  and  enrolled  them 
among  his  own  servants.  Those,  however,  who  left 
the  circle  of  obedience  to  his  commands,  and  did  not 
attend  to  his  advice  and  instructions,  but  prepared 
to  oppose  him,  those  he  endeavoured  by  all  means 

to  make  prisoners  or  destroy.   From  this  cause,  fear 

> 

and  trembling  came  over  the  people  of  the  country, 
and  the  mass  of  peasantry,  civil  officers,  command- 
ants of  forts,  &c.  through  the  medium  of  Hydur's 
son,  (Tippoo,)  submitted  and  offered  their  obedi- 
ence, and  obtained  encouragement  in  proportion  to 
their  merits.  When  Hydur's  troops  arrived  and 
encamped  two  stages  on  this  side  Nuggur,  the  spies, 
who  had  been  before  secretly  ordered  there,  pre- 


133 

sented  themselves,  and  stated  that  the  Rani  was 
much  alarmed  and  grieved,  that  she  took  no  rest  day 
or  night,  and  was  immersed  in  deep  reflection  : — 
that  she  had  given  over  all  regulation  of  the  affairs 
of  government,  and  had  determined  to  die ;    but 
that  she  still  hoped,  by  management  and  deceit, 
the  payment  of  the  Paishkush,  and  by  presenting 
valuable  presents,  that  she  might  turn  Hydur  from 
his  purpose ;  and,  indeed,  just  at  this  time,  accord- 
ing to  the  statement  of  the  spies,  the  Rani  did  send 
confidential  embassadors  with  presents,  and  a  sup- 
plicatory letter.     These  Vakeels,  after  paying  their 
respects   to    Hydur,   presented    the    articles   and 
rarities   intended   for  gifls,    and    stated   that   the 
Rani  would  pay  a  yearly  sum  of  1 00,000  Hoons  or 
Pagodas,""  besides  a  tribute  of  other  valuable  ar- 
ticles, such  as  Foful/  Dates,  Sandal  wood,  Kakul, 
(a  particular  kind  of  wood),  black  pepper,  &c.,  and 
that,  as  long  as  she  lived,  she  would  be  submissive 
to  his  orders,  and  pay  tribute  ;  and  that  she  hoped 
the  country  would  be  restored  to  her  charge,  as  a 
gift  from  him,  so  that,  under  the  shade  of  his  pro- 
tection, she  might  be  safe  from  all  enemies.     To 
this,  Hydur  returned  for  answer,  that  if  she  desired 
or  hoped  for  safety,  present  comfort,  tranquillity  of 

*  About  three  and  half  rupees  each. 

y  This  tree  is  like  a  date  tree,  perhaps  Betel  nut. 


134 

mind,  and  the  preservation  of  her  honour,  she 
must  come  without  hesitation  to  the  army ;  and 
that,  then,  she  might  proceed  with  every  comfort  to 
the  fort  of  Seringaputtun,  the  asylum  and  stronghold 
of  modesty  and  virtue^  where  she  might  reside,  and 
receive  from  him  an  allowance  proportioned  in 
every  respect  to  her  wants. 

The  Vakeels  returned  to  the  Rani  with  this  mes- 
sage, and  reported  to  her  the  commands  of  the  Na- 
waub.  The  Rani,  free  from  restraint,  proudly 
rejected  the  terms  of  this  proposal ;  and  right  or 
wrong,  foolishly  prepared  to  defend  herself ;  with 
this  intent,  she  intrigued  with  Abdul  Hukeem, 
Khan  of  Shanoor,  sending  a  large  sum  of  money 
to  him,  and  entreating  his  assistance.  Abdul 
Hukeem  agreed  to  her  request,  and  immediately 
despatched  two  thousand  horse  and  four  thousand 
foot,  to  assist  her ;  and  himself  with  a  large  force 
and  artillery,  advanced  and  encamped  on  the  river 
Bala.  The  troops  sent  in  aid  entered,  meanwhile, 
the  fort  of  Nuggur,  from  the  hills  and  forests  sur- 
rounding the  fort. 

As  soon  as  this  intelligence  reached  Hydur,  he 
became  violently  incensed,  and^  moving  forward,  en- 
camped within  one  stage  of  Nuggur.  Then  sending 
for  his  officers,  he  despatched  them  to  take  the  forts 
and  towns  near  Nuggur,  while  he  himself,  with  a  body 


135 

of  his  infantry  and  cavalry,  commanded  by  his  bravest 
officers,  marched  and  invested  the  fort  of  Nuggur. 
The  officers  Hydur  had  detached,  had,  in  the  mean- 
time, after  much  fighting,  taken  and  plundered 
most  of  the  towns  and  forts,  in  the  neighbourhood, 
and  those  who  demanded  quarter  were  sent  in 
troops  to  Hydur.  While  they  were  thus  engaged^ 
Hydur  was  employed  day  and  night  in  the  invest- 
ment of  Nuggur  ;  and  by  raising  batteries,  and 
taking  up  ground  by  degrees  for  the  attack,  he  so 
straightened  the  field  of  action  on  the  garrison,  that 
it  became  small  as  the  eye  of  a  needle ;  and  the 
garrison,  quitting  all  the  places  they  had  fortified 
outside,  retired  into  the  fort,  and  manned  the  walls. 
Although  the  garrison  had  in  a  short  time  lost  the 
power  of  defending  themselves,  their  senses  being 
dissipated  and  though  fear  for  their  lives  and  the 
honour  of  their  women  had  taken  possession  of 
their  hearts,  still,  in  faithful  performance  of  their 
duty  to  the  Rani,  (the  writer  always  affects  to  speak 
of  this  lady  with  great  disrespect)  who  herself  be- 
haved with  as  much  steadiness  and  courage  as  a  man, 
they  remained  stedfast  at  their  posts,  and  defended 
themselves  bravely.  Nay,  even  although  the  Na- 
waub's  brave  soldiers  daily  killed  troops  of  them 
with  their  cannon,  and  musket  balls,  and  the  sword, 
and  burned  numbers  of  them  with  the  fire  of  hope- 


136 

lessness  and  despair  ;  stilly  notwithstanding  all  this 
calamity  and  misery,  the  garrison  continued  to 
fight  ;  they  were  killed,  but  not  subdued.  The 
Afghan  troops,  also,  with  great  insolence  did  their 
part  in  aid  of  the  fort  and  attacked  the  batteries  of 
the  besiegers  repeatedly,  but  w^ere  always  defeated ; 
and  although,  in  a  short  time,  the  besieged  saw 
their  field  of  battle  still  more  straightened,  and  the 
field  of  flight  and  desertion  appeared  to  them  wider 
than  the  plain  of  the  day  of  Judgment,  still  the 
siege  was  so  strict  and  close,  that  they  could  not 
escape  with  their  lives  ;  and,  being  without  resource, 
they  determined  that  they  would  fight  as  long  as 
they  were  able,  and  after  that,  by  changing  their 
clothes,  try  to  save  themselves,  and  penetrate  to 
some  other  country. 

When  the  Nawaub  found  that  the  town  and  forts 
in  the  vicinity,  the  commandants  of  which  were 
brave  men,  had  been  conquered,  and  that  the 
siege  of  the  fort  of  Nuggm*,  defended  by  a  woman, 
had  been  protracted  to  so  great  a  length ;  also, 
that  the  rains,  which  bring  distress  upon  man  and 
beast,  were  at  hand,  and  consequently  his  opera- 
tions must  be  soon  brought  to  a  close,  he,  on  the 
day  on  which  the  siege  had  continued  one  year, 
gave  his  troops  orders  to  make  the  assault ;  grant- 
ing them  free  permission  to  retain  all  their  plunder. 


137 

all  articles  of  gold  and  silver,  and  likewise  all  hand- 
some Hindoo  women  who  might  be  taken.  The 
cavalry,  therefore,  quitting  their  horses,  and  the 
infantry  stepping  out  at  the  charging  pace,"  marched 
up  the  breach,  firing  vollies,  and,  mounting  the 
walls  and  bastions,  made  the  air  resound  with 
shouts  of"  take  and  kill!"*  Every  one  who  made 
opposition  to  them  became  the  butt  of  the  ball  and 
bayonet,  and  the  food  of  the  blood-red  sword. 
When  the  manlike  Rani  saw  her  affairs  in  this 
condition,  she  first  set  her  palace  on  fire,  that  is, 
her  ornamented  sleeping  apartments,  which  had 
been  built  and  beautified  by  her  husband,  Shoom 
Shunkur,  with  Chinese  bricks  and  tiles,  washed 
and  set  in  gold ;  the  interstices  being  gold,  and  the 
doors  and  walls  ornamented  with  jewels.  She  next 
burned  most  of  her  boxes  of  jewellery,  or  beat  them 
to  pieces  in  an  iron  mortar;  and  then, accompanied 
by  only  two  or  three  damsels,  or  slave  girls,  she 
escaped  on  foot  by  the  way  of  a  water  drain,**  with 
her  life  only,  to  Kooli  Droog,  five  kose  from 
Nuggur,  a  very  strong  place,  surrounded  by  a  thick 
forest.  This  place  she  strengthened  still  more,  and 
remained  "there,  lea^^ng  the  whole  of  the  country, 
treasures,  and  valuables,  of  her  husband  and  fore- 
fathers to  the  iron  grasp  of  the  renowned  Nawaub. 


138 

As  soon  as  the  Nawaub  knew  that  the  Rani  had 
escaped,  he  placed  a  garrison  in  the  fort  of  Nuggur 
and  immediately  followed  her  steps,  and  invested 
the  mountain  fort,  with  every  care  and  caution,  and 
closely  besieged  it.  The  siege  continued  for  some 
time ;  but,  at  length,  after  a  month's  resistance, 
when  the  garrison  had  been  completely  subdued  by 
the  bravery  of  Hydur's  troops,  they  surrendered  the 
hill  to  the  Nawaub,  and  the  Rani  being  taken  was 
brought  to  the  presence.  This  being  effected,  the 
Nawaub  returned  to  the  fort  of  Nuggur,  and  put 
the  Rani  in  prison,  and  afterwards,  placing  her  in 
a  meeana  or  palankeen,  he  despatched  her  by  the 
route  of  Sura  to  Seringaputtun.  He  then,  with 
the  greatest  pomp  and  display  of  force,  and  at  a 
fortunate  moment,  made  his  entry  into  the  fort 
of  the  capital  of  Bednore,  bestowing  honour  on 
the  seat  of  Government;  and  for  fifteen  days  he 
held  a  banquet,  during  which  season  of  festivity  he 
enjoyed  the  sound  of  music  and  the  abundance  of 
good  things  provided  for  the  feast.  He  then  gave 
to  the  poor,  the  religious,  the  musicians,  and 
dancing  women,  presents  of  gold  and  silver  orna- 
ments, valuable  cloths,  and  shawls.  Also,  to  the 
brave  chiefs  of  his  army,  and  his  soldiers,  who  had 
distinguished  themselves  by  their  gallantry,  and  had 
perilled  their  lives  in  this  conquest,  besides  what 


139 

they  obtained  in  the  assault  of  the  fort,  which,  by 
Hydur's  orders,  was  what  they  could  take,  of  heaps 
of  gold  and  silver,  valuable  stuffs,  jewels,  pearls, 
arms  of  all  kinds,  and  a  great  number  of  beautiful 
women,  the  value  of  all  which  was  sufficient  to  place 
them  above  all  wordly  wants,  to  these  valiant  men 
he  now  again  gave  costly  presents  and  honorary 
dresses,  gold  bracelets,  pearl  necklaces,  jewelled 
gorgets,  splendid  swords,  and  lastly,  jageers  or  fiefe 
(for  conditional  service),  according  to  their  rank  and 
respective  capacities.  Hydur  likewise  selected  a 
man  of  the  name  of  Oojni,  a  Kolur,  an  old  servant 
of  his,  and  an  intelligent  able  man,  and,  having 
given  him  the  title  of  Raja  Ram,  committed  the 
charge  of  Nuggur  to  him,  giving  him  orders  to  re- 
pair the  fort,  and  its  defences ;  and,  having  bestowed 
on  it  the  name  of  Hydur  Nuggur,  he  again  entered 
his  tents. 


110 


CHAPTER  XII. 

An  accoant  of  the  incursion  of  the  Afghans  of  Shanoor,  who 
came  to  the  aid  of  the  imprisoned  Rani  of  Bednore,  and  the 
punishment  of  the  Chief  of  Shanoor,  by  the  sharp  sword  of  the 
Nawaub  Bahadur,  with  the  conquest  of  other  places,  occurring  in 
the  year  1175.  Hijri.     A.D.  1761. 

During  the  period  the  Nawaub  was  occupied  in 
the  siege  and  assault  of  Nuggur,  the  Afghans  of 
Shanoor,  who  had  arrived  to  the  aid  of  the  Rani, 
were  the  cause  of  great  annoyance  to  the  troops  of 
Hydur,  and  even  prevented  the  arrival  of  their  pro- 
visions and  supplies ;  in  fact,  they  let  slip  no  oppor- 
tunity of  giving  the  Nawaub  a  good  deal  of  trouble ; 
and,  although  the  Bukshi,  Hybut  Jung,  was  ap- 
pointed to  oppose  them,  still,  encamping  under 
cover  of  the  forests  and  hills,  they  fought  his 
detachments  daily,  sometimes  beating  them,  and 
being  themselves  sometimes  beaten.  The  Nawaub, 
therefore,  after  he  was  freed  from  the  necessary 
arrangements  for  the  safety  of  the  dependencies  of 
the  fort  of  Nuggur,  which  was  effected  in  about  two 
years,  in  person  marched  straight  towards  Shanoor. 


141 

And  on  the  morning  of  his  arrival,  when  the  Kuzzak 
horse  appeared  wheeling  round  the  Afghan  army, 
the  Afghans  who  thought  them  the  horse  of  Hybut 
Jung,  advanced  quickly  into  the  field  of  ambush  to 
oppose  them,  like  men  without  discretion  or  fore- 
sight. The  Nawaub,  therefore,  gave  orders  to  the 
regiments  of  regular  infantry,  the  horse,  foot,  and 
artillery,  all  which  were  posted  in  ambush  im- 
mediately in  front  of  them,  to  fire  and  charge ;  and 
accordingly,  firing  vollies,  they  rushed  upon  the 
Afghans,  and  most  of  their  men  of  valour  and  chiefs 
of  note,  were  sent  to  eternity  by  the  showers  of 
cannon  and  musket-balls  in  that  charge.*  Having 
lost  their  presence  of  mind,  the  rest  of  the  Afghans 
fled,  and  never  drew  the  breath  of  courage  until  they 
reached  the  river  Bala.  Hukeem  Khan,  the  Chief 
of  the  Afghans,  having  also  lost  his  senses,  left  the 
whole  of  the  baggage  of  his  army,  that  is,  his  tents, 
standards,  drums,  camels,  elephants,  &c.,  and  retired 
to  his  capital.  The  Nawaub,  however,  followed 
close  on  his  heels,  and  appointed  his  Kuzzaks,  (pre- 
datory horse)  to  pursue  him  from  the  field  of  battle 
to  the  gates  of  the  fort ;  and  they  took  many  of 
his  cavalry  and  their  horses,  nor  did  they  draw 
back  their  hands  from  the  discomfiture  of  their 
enemies.     The  Khan  of  Shanoor,  being  thus  com, 

^  Toorki  i  A 


142 

pletely  humbled,  attempted  no  further  opposition  ; 
but,  taking  the  road  of  safety,  made  peace  by  pay- 
ing a  krore  of  rupees — versed  "  Who  did  (evil), 
who  did  not  find  (retribution)  ?"• 

In  place,  however,  of  the  sum  demanded,  the 
Khan  gave  up  elephants,  camels,  tents  of  velvet, 
bechobas  embroidered  with  gold,  (a  kind  of  tent 
without  a  pole,)  Boorhanpoor  cloths,  of  great  value, 
arms  of  costly  price,  and  a  sum  of  money.  These 
articles  the  chiefs  of  former  times  had  accumulated 
at  the  expense  of  hundreds  of  thousands  of  pounds ; 
but  all  these  articles  were  at  once  given  up,  and 
then  he  was  released  from  the  violence  of  Hydur*s 
brave  soldiers. 

When  the  Nawaub  had  completed  his  airange- 
ments  here,  he  placed  garrisons  in  the  forts  of 
Bangalore,  Chenolee,  Hurnee,  &c.,  and  then  re- 
turned victorious  to  Nuggur ;  and  from  that  place 
despatched  Hybut  Jung,  with  a  large  force,  to- 
wards Hurpun  Hully,  Kunakgiri,  &c.,  to  reduce 
the  Poligars  of  the  Suba  of  Sura,  and  to  collect  the 
amount  due  for  the  customary  tribute  or  Paishkush ; 
there  being  due,  also,  from  every  Poligar,  besides 
the  Paishkush,  one-tenth  for  the  horse-shoeing  of 

•  What  man  e'er  yet  performed  a  guilty  deed. 

But  righteous  retribution  was  his  meed  ? 


143 

the.Foujdari/  Hydur  himself,  at  the  same  time, 
crossed  the  Ghauts  to  the  westward  of  Nuggur,  to 
reduce  the  forts  and  country  on  the  sea-side  de- 
pending on  that  state;  and  Mirza  Husseini  Beg, 
his  brother-in-law,  the  maternal  uncle  of  Kureem 
Sahib,  the  Nawaub's  youngest  son,  was  sent  with  a 
detachment  to  reduce  Buswa  Rai  Droog. 

As  soon  as  he  obtained  his  audience  of  leave,  the 
Mirza  marched  to  the  sea-side,  and,  having  seized 
some  fishermen's  boats,  embarked  with  his  followers, 
and  sailed  towards  the  Droog,  which  lies  about  two 
fiirsungs  (nine  or  ten  miles)  distant  from  the  shore, 
and  is  surrounded  by  salt  water.  When  they  ar- 
rived there,  he  with  his  troops  encompassed  the 
hill,  and  despatched  a  message  to  the  garrison,  in- 
forming them  of  the  capture  and  plunder  of  the 
town  of  Nuggur,  and  the  captivity  of  the  Rani; 
sending  also  a  separate  Kowl  Nama  from  himself. 
The  garrison  losing  heart  (at  this  intelligence),  after 
three  days,  surrendered  without  resistance.  Having 
placed  a  strong  garrison  on  the  hill,  the  Mirza  re- 
turned with  the  whole  of  the  property  of  Shoom 
Shunker,  the  Raja  of  Nuggur,  deposited  there  for 
safety,  which  consisted  of  two  or  three  boxes  of 
pearls  and  diamonds,  two  boxes  of  jewelry,  two 
elephant  housings,  richly  embroidered  and  curiously 

'  One-tenth  of  tlic  tribute  ?  ^**-» 


144 

wrought  in  gold  and  silver,  a  jewelled  chain  for  the 
foot  of  an  elephant,  two  sets  of  gold  and  silver  bells 
for  the  necks  of  the  royal  elephants,  and  two  gold 
embroidered  saddles.  These,  on  his  return,  he 
presented  to  the  Nawaub,  and  was  highly  com- 
plimented by  him. 

The  Nawaub  himself,  having  in  a  very  short  time 
settled  and  regulated  that  part  of  the  country,  and 
having  placed  strong  garrisons  in  the  forts  of  Mirjan 
and  Angola,  (which  are  on  the  boundary  of  the 
Kokun  Ghauts,  and  were  built  by  Syfe  ul  Moolk, 
the  governor  of  the  Kokun,  an  ameer  of  the  Adil 
Shahi  dynasty,)  also  in  Gorial  Bunder  (Mangalore) 
Sudasheo  Gurh,  Mykuni,  Moleer,  Honawur,  Pykul, 
&c.,  returned  to  Seringaputtun . 

When  Hybut  Jung,  with  a  large  body  of  troops, 
had  taken  leave  of  the  Nawaub,  he  marched  to 
Kunakgiri,  and  having  realized  there  three  years' 
Paishkush,  or  two  Lakhs  of  rupees,  he  next  pro- 
ceeded to  Hurpun  HuUy,  and,  by  fair  and  foul 
means,  made  the  Poligar  of  that  place  pay  three 
Lakhs  of  rupees.  He  then  marched  to  Chitul 
Droog,  and  obtained  four  Lakhs  of  rupees  Paish- 
kush from  the  Poligar,  and,  marching  thence  by 
Jureemli  and  Goori  Kota,  arrived  at  Rai  Droog, 
from  the  Chief  of  which  he  demanded  the  tribute. 
In  his  reply,  the  Chief  pleaded  poverty,  and  de- 
scribed the  devastated  condition  of  his  country,  and 


146 

delayed  payment  of  the  tribute  under  different  pre- 
texts. It  is  not,  however,  to  be  suppressed,  that 
the  Poh'gar  of  Bellari  had  made  an  excursion  into 
his  territory,  and  had  plundered  and  laid  it  waste. 
Hybut  Jung  however,  for  an  example,  besieged  the 
little  fort  of  Kanikul,  depending  on  the  Droog,  and 
laboured  to  effect  its  capture.  The  Poligar,  there- 
fore, assembled  five  or  six  hundred  cavalry  and  two 
thousand  foot,  and,  by  occupying  the  roads  in  the 
vicinity,  stopped  all  supplies  for  the  army.  At  this 
time,  which  was  the  period  of  the  return  of  the 
Nawaub  from  Nuggur,  he  despatched  a  letter,  by  a 
pair  of  camel  sowars,  or  riders,  to  Hybut  Jung,  re- 
quiring .him  to  send  him  from  his  force  a  thousand 
able  men,  without  arms.  Hybut  Jung  accordingly 
selected  a  thousand  young  men  from  his  division, 
and  despatched  them  from  the  northward  of  Rai 
Droog  to  Simoga,  under  an  escort  of  five  hundred 
horse  and  two  battalions  of  regular  infantry,  with 
arms.  This  body  of  troops  had  proceeded  two  or 
three  frirsungs  (ftirsung  here  apparently  means 
kose),  when  suddenly  the  horse  and  foot  of  the 
Poligar  made  their  appearance,  and,  at  first  pre- 
tending to  be  friends,  charged  the  escort  without 
hesitation;  and  although  the  escort  fired  briskly, 
and  the  horse  attacked  the  enemy,  sword  in  hand, 
still  the  infantry  of  the  Poligar,  having  the  cover 


146 

and  protection  of  the  forest,  mastered  and  threw 
them  all  into  confusion,  and  most  of  the  old  sol- 
diers or  men  of  experience  were  without  pity  put 
to  the  sword.  Some,  however,  escaped  from  the 
carnage  to  the  protection  of  the  mountains. 

When  Hybut  Khan  heard  this  he  left  his  bat- 
teries, and  marched  with  his  collected  force,  and, 
in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  attacked  the  troops 
of  the  Poligar,  and  gave  them  such  a  defeat,  that 
the  runaways  did  not  look  behind  them  until  they 
reached  the  ditch  of  the  Droog  before  mentioned. 
He  then,  in  the  same  place,  that  is,  to  the  east- 
ward of  Rai  Droog,  planted  his  colours,  and  pitched 
his  tents,  and  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Poligar,  stating 
that  his  insubordination  arose  from  the  kindness 
and  lenity  with  which  he  had  been  treated  by  him, 
(Hybut  Jung) ;  and  that  certainly  he  had  intended, 
by  every  means  in  his  power,  to  intercede  with  the 
Nawaub,so  as  that  the  Poligar's  district  or  country* 
might  remain  to  him  as  it  was  without  diminution, 
and  then  return  with  a  good  name  for  mildness 
or  lenity ;  but  that,  now,  he  was  not  to  look  for 
any  indulgence,  but  wash  his  hands  of  his  life  and 
property.  When  the  letter  was  received  by  the 
Poligar,  and  he  understood  its  contents,  he  des- 
patched Kistnapa,  his  Dulwai,  or  Minister,  to  in- 


147 

tercede  for  the  pardon  of  his  offences ;  and  by  his 
negociations  he  engaged  to  pay  three  lakhs  of 
rupees  as  a  Paishkush^  two  lakhs  for  his  rebellion, 
and  one  lakh  as  a  present  for  his  life.  He  also  paid 
for  all  the  property  and  cattle  belonging  to  the 
detachment  he  had  attacked  and  destroyed,  every 
article  being  returned ;  and,  after  this,  Hybut  Jung, 
taking  the  Dulwai  and  the  money  with  him,  pro- 
ceeded to  the  presence.  About  this  time,  Meer 
All  Ruza  Khan  was  appointed  to  the  Foujdari  of 
Sura,  and  took  leave. 


148 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

An  account  of  the  Invasion  of  Mysoor,  by  the  Pabhwa  Siwaee 
Madhoo  Rao,  Mahratta,  and  his  taking  a  number  of  Forts,  and 
the  Souba  of  Sura,  &c.,  with  other  events  of  the  year  1076,  Hijri. 
A  J).  1762. 

When  Ballajee  Rao  Nana,  the  Poona  Paishwa  or 
Purdhan  (Minister),  died,  Siwaee  Madhoo  Rao,  his 
son,  seated  himself  on  the  Musnud  of  his  Govern- 
ment, and  remained  for  some  time  occupied  in  the 
internal  regulation  of  his  own  dominions ;  sometime 
after  that,  however,  he  began  to  collect  troops^stores, 
and  heavy  artillery,  so  that  he  at  length  assembled 
near  one  hundred  thousand  horse,  sixty  thousand 
Pindarehs,  and  fifty  thousand  matchlock  foot,  in 
addition  to  the  troops  of  Ali  Bahadur,  the  son  of 
Shumshire,  Bahadur,  (who  was  a  son  of  Ballajee 
Rao  Nana)  and,  with  this  immense  force,  he  made 
an  incursion  into  the  Kamatic  Balaghaut.    An  ab- 
ridged account  of  Ali  Bahadur  is  as  follows : — ^ 

^  I  have  been  compelled  to  change  the  form  of  the  narrative 
here,  as  the  account  of  Ali  Bahadur  in  the  original  is  a  long 
pne&thesii. 


149 

After  the  ruin  of  the  Adil  Shahi  dynasty^  a  Hindos- 
tani  dancing  girl  travelled  from  Bijapoor  to  Poona^ 
and  took  up  her  residence  in  that  city.  This  woman 
being  the  most  beautiful  and  most  accomplished 
dancer  of  her  time^  Ballajee^  beguiled  by  the  ele- 
gance of  her  person  and  accomplishments,  fell  in 
love  with  her,  and  selected  her  for  his  bedfellow, 
and,  being  deceived  by  his  professions,  this  vile 
woman  consented.*  Being  fond  of  each  other, 
after  sometime  a  son  was  bom,  who  was  brought 
up  by  his  mother  as  a  Muhammadan.  When, 
however,  this  boy  grew  up  to  manhood,  his  father, 
that  is  Ballajee  Rao,  gave  him  the  title  of  Shum- 
shire  Bahadur,  with  a  munsub,  and  jageer  of  twelve 
thousand  horse.  This  Bahadur  was  present  in  the 
battle  of  the  Sirabdalli  (the  battle  of  Paniput),  with 
the  Rao,  and  was  killed  there,  with  him ;  and  his 
son,  AH  Bahadur,  was  there  also. 

In  reference  to  the  Pindarehs,  it  is  not  unknown 
that  they  are  a  low  tribe  of  robbers  ^  entertained  by 

some  of  the  princes  of  the  Dukhun,  to  plunder  and 

lay  waste  the  territories  of  their  enemies,  and  to 

serve  for  guides,  or  as  an  example  to  their  own 

troops.     They  give  these  men  no  certain  pay  from 

^  It  is  to  be  recollected  that  it  is  a  Muhammadan  who  writes 
this  work. 

^    iij>^^  This  word  in  Turkish  signifies  a  He-Goat,  and  I  can 
find  no  other  interpretation. 


150 

their  treasury;  but  when  the  troops  halt^  these 
people  bring  hay  and  wood  to  the  camp  for  sale, 
and  the  price  of  these  articles  provides  them  with 
necessary  subsistence.     In  time  of  active  service, 
they  are  highly  pleased  to  obtain,  from  the  Com- 
manding Officer  of  then:  army,  permission  to  plun- 
der; and  then  they  lay  waste  the  country  of  an  enemy 
so  completely,  that  even  the  owl  and  bat  would 
be  afraid  of  such  a  desart.     Indeed,  in  time   of 
war,  they  generally  pay  the  Chief  of  their  army  a 
sum  of  money,  under  the  denomination  of  horse- 
shoeing ^  money.    But,  to  return,  when  Madhoo 
Rao  marched  towards  Mysore,  he  visited  Shanoor, 
and  took  the  Hakim  or  chief  of  that  place,  and 
his  troops  with  him.     He  next  sent  for  Morar 
Rao,  and  then,  crossing  the  river  Tungbhudra,  by 
the  Gooraknauth  Ghaut,  marched  by  the  route  of 
Chituldroog,  (the  Poligar  of  which  also  accom- 
panied his  army),  to  the  Souba  of  Sura*    The  Meer 
before  mentioned,  (Meer  Ali  Ruza  Khan,)  on  the 
first  day,  marched  out  of  the  fort  with  his  troops, 
and  having  viewed  the  Mahratta  army,  he  returned, 
and  prepared  to  defend  himself.     The  Rao  sta- 
tioned his  artiUery  on  a  tank,  to  the  northward  of 
the  fort,  and  began  to  breach  the  fortifications  at 
a  considerable  distance.     The  Meer,  however,  de- 


151 

fended  himself  for  ten  or  twelve  days ;  and  then, 
after  exacting  good  conditions,  gave  up  the  keys  of 
the  capital  of  the  Souba  to  the  Mahratta,  and  he 
himself  entered  his  service ;  Madhoo  Rao,  treating 
him  with  great  kindness,  and  keeping  him  about  his 
person.  Madhoo  Rao  next  marched  to  Mudgiri, 
and,  after  a  siege  of  about  a  month,  took  that 
hill  fort,  and  leaving  there  a  garrison  of  his  own 
men,  marched  onward. 

The  Nawaub  although  he  marched  to  Bangalore, 
with  the  whole  of  his  horse,  foot,  and  artillery, 
yet,  from  the  strength  of  the  Mahratta  army, 
which  was  ten  times  more  numerous  than  his  own, 
he  did  not  consider  it  piudent  to  come  in  contact 
with  them ;  agreeing  with  the  words  of  the  wise— 
Verse^  "You  may  overcome  a  proud  enemy  by 
humbling  yourself,  Ac." "  Making,  therefore,  no 
opposition,  he  returned  to  Seringaputtun,  and  threw 
up  batteries  round  the  fort  for  its  protection,  and 
also  stationed  his  artillery,  and  his  regular  and 
Kamatic  infantry  in  different  places,  and  remained 
at  his  own  quarters,  in  perfect  readiness.  All  this 
seeming  n^ligence,  or  quiet  indifference,  °  was 
however  put  on  merely  to  try  and  ascertain  the 

m  Humility  if  thou  wilt  show. 

Thou  may'st  o'ercome  a  haughty  foe. 


152 

intentions,  strength,  courage,  and  ability,  of  the 
Mahrattas;  and  Hydur*s  stable  horse,  and  the 
PindarehSj  were  kept  concealed  in  the  jungle  or  fort 
of  Makuri  Droog^  and  had  orders  to  make  plun- 
dering expeditions  against  the  enemy. 

After  sweeping  hill  and  dale,  mountain  and  forest, 
the  Mahrattas  at  length  sat  down  before  the  fort  of 
Nijigul,  and  despatched  a  summons,  demanding 
the  surrender  of  the  fort  from  Hydur^s  Killadar, 
whose  name  was  Sirdar  Khan,  a  brave  man,  of 
good  family,  and  faithful  to  the  Nawaub.  That 
trustworthy  and  brave  oflScer,  however,  who,  by  his 
ability  and  liberality,  had  secured  the  affections  of 
his  men,  and  was  certain  of  their  loyalty,  replied 
to  the  summons  by  sending  them  a  few  cannon 
balls;  upon  which,  being  much  incensed  by  the 
steadiness  and  courage  of  Sirdar  Khan,  Madhoo 
Rao  immediately  assaulted  the  place,  in  hopes  to 
break  down  the  defences.  The  Mahratta  troops 
came  on,  making  a  great  noise,  like  a  swarm  of 
bees  buzzing  round  their  honey.  But  Sirdar  Khan, 
who  thought  himself  more  than  equal  to  a  thou- 
sand Mahrattas,  advanced  with  his  men,  and  made 
the  breasts  of  his  enemies  butts  for  his  cannon  and 
musket  balls  and  arrows,  and  killed  a  great  number 
of  them  ;  aud  from  the  marks  of  their  blood  on  the 
stone  steps  and  rocks  of  the  mountain,  he  acquired 


153 

honourable  distinction/  and  remained  victorious. 
The  Mahrattas,  having  received  a  total  defeat^  re- 
tired. Nevertheless,  they  did  not  delay  before 
they  again  made  another  very  gallant  attack,  which, 
however,  had  again  the  same  result,  and  the  colour 
of  their  faces  departed.  The  next  day  Madhoo ' 
Rao  mounted  his  elephant,  and,  all  being  ready, 
he  gave  his  officers  and  troops,  horse  and  foot, 
orders  again  to  assault  the  hill  fort.  On  this  day 
also,  this  gallant  officer.  Sirdar  Khan,  faithful  to 
his  master,  fought  desperately,  and  succeeded  in 
repelling  the  Mahrattas  ;  and,  from  the  conti- 
nual fire  of  the  artillery  and  musketry,  from  the 
foot  of  the  mountain  to  the  walls  of  the  fort,  heaps 
of  the  assailants  lay  rolling  in  their  blood.  Seeing 
this  carnage,  the  Mahratta  began  to  pause  and 
reflect ;  and,  having  raised  the  hopes  of  the 
Poligar  of  Chituldroog  and  others,  by  valuable 
presents,  and  the  promise  of  the  remission  of  their 
Paishkush  for  two  years,  and  giving  orders  also 
to  put  to  death  the  whole  of  the  garrison,  he 
employed  them  to  take  the  fort.  The  Poligars 
having  in  consequence  directed  their  own  Bedurs,  "^ 

®  Alluding  to  a  Hindu  custom. 

p  In  speaking  of  Madhoo  Rao,  the  author  generally  calls  him 
the  Chief  Mahratta,  or  the  Ghuneem,  or  Plunderer. 
4  Footmen,  i^parently. 


154 

men  particularly  well  acquainted. with  the  country, 
to  attack  the  fort^  now  sent  them  on  for  that 
purpose.  These  men,  therefore^  climbing  up  at 
the  back  of  the  mountain,  through  a  thousand 
difficulties  and  dangers,  scaled  the  walls  and  towers, 
by  the  help  of  ladders,  and  ndsed  their  shouts  of 
''  Koo!  Koo!*'  Sirdar  Khan,  although  he  with  a 
party  of  his  men,  immediately  attacked  them  des- 
perately, and  killed  many  of  them,  yet  the  garrison, 
seeing  their  enemies  in  the  fort  cutting  off  heads, 
became  so  terrified,  that  they  threw  away  their 
arms,  and  at  the  same  time  their  lives.  Sirdar 
Khan  was  wounded,  and  taken  prisoner.  Madhoo 
Rao,  however,  sent  for  this  brave  man,  whose 
forehead  shone  bright  with  courage,  and  seated 
him  in  the  place  of  honour,  and,  bestowing  on 
him  great  commendations,  took  him  on  with  him. 
Leaving  a  detachment  in  Nijigul,  Madhoo  Rao 
marched  forward ;  but  the  Nawaub's  Kuzzaks  made 
great  havoc  among  his  foraging  parties,  and  also 
attacked  his  advance  and  rear  guards,  and  dis- 
played so  much  bravery,  that  the  Pindarehs  of  the 
Mahratta  camp,  who,  in  thieving,  cheating,  and 
roguery  of  all  kinds,  were  the  ablest  men  of  their 
time,  were,  by  the  daring  and  villany  of  Hydur's 
Kuzzaks,  completely  outdone,  and  unable  to  leave 
their  camp.     The  Mahrattas  themselves,  also,  not- 


155 

withstanding  the  strength  of  their  army,  were 
frightened  at  the  Nawaub*s  troops.  But,  to  return — 
in  time  Madhoo  Rao  took  Balapoor  the  greater; 
and  intending,  in  the  first  place,  to  reduce  the  forts 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Puttun,  and  make  the 
Poligars  of  that  quarter  join  and  assist  him  in  the 
conquest  of  the  capital  of  the  Khodadad  State,  he 
directed  his  march  towards  Balapoor  the  less. 
Budruzzuman  Khan,  who  was  Foujdar  there,  see- 
ing the  strength  of  the  Mahratta  army,  was  alarmed, 
and  considered  that  opposition  could  be  of  no  avail ; 
nevertheless,  Budruzzuman  Khan  was  a  brave  and 
fiiithful  man  ;  but  the  state  of  a  man's  temperament 
is  never  long  the  same,  and,  according  to  his  view 
of  the  case,  it  seemed  to  him  that  his  best  policy 
lay  in  surrendering  the  fort,  and  he  accordingly 
gave  up  the  keys,  and  those  of  the  stores,  to  Mad- 
hoo Rao,  and,  being  allowed  to  depart  freely,  he 
retired  to  Kirpa. 

The  Mahrattas  now  marched  to  Kolar;  and, 
taking  a  siun  of  money  from  Delawiu:  Khan,  they 
allowed  him  to  retain  his  Jageer.  They  then 
besieged  the  hill  and  fort  of  Murwakul,  in  which 
was  a  garrison  of  the  Nawaub*s ;  and,  after  several 
assaults,  and  the  loss  of  thousands  of  brave  men, 
the  fort  was  taken,  and  the  Killadar  and  garrison 
all  put  to  the  sword.    From  that  fort  they  marched 


156 

towards  Goorum  Kondah^  which  fort  was  also  in 
charge  of  one  of  Hydur*s  officers  ;  and,  after  some 
opposition,  they  took  that  also.  Madhoo  Rao  gave 
this  fort  in  Jageer  to  Meer  AH  Ruza  Khan,  who  was 
with  him  as  an  Omeidwar, '  and  whose  father  and 
grandfather  had^  in  former  times,  held  its  Killadari 
or  command  for  several  generations,  with  authority 
to  raise  a  thousand  horse,  and  two  or  three  thou- 
sand foot,  to  keep  the  country  on  that  side  in  sub- 
jection, and  with  strict  orders  to  reduce  the  Po- 
ligars. — Madhoo  Rao  then  marched  to  attack 
Puttun. 

The  Nawaub  had  however  obtained  information 
of  his  design ;  and,  with  the  whole  body  of  his 
cavalry  sought  cover  in  the  Jungul  of  Makuri,  and 
waited  there,  like  a  hungry  lion  looking  out  for 
his  prey.  While  he  was  thus  waiting,  it  happened 
that  suddenly  the  advanced  guard  of  the  Mahrattas, 
which,  in  the  Persian  language,  is  technically  called 
Beeni-i-Usakir,  ■  with  a  great  quantity  of  stores, 
provisions,  artillery,  and  the  standards  of  the 
Paishwa,  arrived,  and  encamped  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Ootri  Droog,  ignorant  of  the  presence 
of  the  Nawaub's  troops.  The  first  day  they  halted, 
and  the  next  day  resolved  to  proceed,  to  besiege 
the  fort  of  Seringaputtun ;  all  the  Mahratta  troops 

'  A  volunteer.  '  The  nose  of  the  army. 


167 

being  void  of  apprehension  of  meeting  with  the 
Nawaub*s  forces.  Having  received  this  information 
from  their  encampment^  the  Nawaub  forbade  and 
prevented^  for  the  whole  day,  a  single  man  of  his 
force  from  quitting  the  Jungle,  keeping  them  in 
constant  readiness.  But,  as  soon  as  night  drew 
on,  the  Nawaub  marched,  and,  about  midnight, 
came  upon  the  rear  of  the  unwary  Mahrattas,  and 
attacked  them  so  vigorously  and  successfully,  that, 
with  all  their  overwhelming  numbers,  amounting 
to  between  ^  forty  and  fifty  thousand  men,  they 
lost  the  use  of  their  senses ;  and,  unable  to  stand 
against  the  sword  and  spear,  mostly  hid  themselves 
in  rice  and  camel  bags,  •  which  they  had  previously 
emptied,  and  some,  by  the  active  employment  of 
their  hands  and  feet,  and  by  resorting  to  a  hundred 
tricks  and  subterfuges,  escaped  from  the  battle. 
Some  Chiefs  of  the  Mahrattas,  with  abject  fear, 
laid  their  heads  under  the  feet  of  the  horses  of 
the  Nawaub*s  brave  soldiers ;  and  the  Commanding 
OflScer  of  the  Mahrattas,  mounting  a  horse  without 
a  saddle,  fled  to  his  great  camp  or  head  quarters. 
Victorious  in  a  degree  above  all  his  former  vic- 
tories, the  Nawaub  ordered  his  drums  to  beat  and 
trumpets  to  sound  for  joy,  and  despatched  the 
whole  of  the  Mahratta  spoil,  as  artillery,  standards. 


158 

&c.  to  Seringaputtun^  and  took  up  his  ground  of 
encampment  on  the  same  spot. 

When  Madhoo  Rao  heard  of  the  shameful  defeat 
which  his  Beenee,  or  advanced  guard,  had  received, 
he  was  greatly  afflicted,  his  colour  fled,  and  he 
shed  the  fast  tears  of  sorrow  and  anger,  and  bitterly 
reproached  the  pale  trembling  officer,  who,  afler 
the  destruction  of  his  troops,  had  found  means  to 
escape,  saying  to  him  in  great  displeasure  **  by  thy 
folly  thou  hast  cut  off  the  Paishwa's  nose,*"*  mean- 
ing that  he  had  lost  or  sacrificed  the  Paishwafs 
honour. 

Madhoo  Rao  after  this,  left  the  neighbourhood 
of  Chintamuni,  where  he  was  encamped,  and  went 
to  seek  refuge  in  the  mountains  of  Ambajee  Droog. 
At  this  time  the  Nawaub,  by  a  night  march,  sur- 
rounded the  fort  of  Balapoor  the  greater,  carried  it 
without  difficulty  at  the  head  of  his  cavalry,  and 
put  the  whole  of  the  Mahratta  garrison  to  the 
sword,  and  the  next  morning  he  returned  to  Ma- 
kurri  Droog.  When  this  intelligence  reached  also 
Madhoo  Rao,  it  threw  him  into  great  perplexity. 

About  this  time,  also,  an  officer  from  the  Ma- 
hratta camp,  with  five  or  six  thousand  horse,  plun- 
dering the  country,  as  they  went,  arrived  in  the 
Barh   Mahl ;  they  were,   however,  followed  and 

™  A  pun  on  the  word  Beenee. 


159 

tracked  by  Hydur^s  Kuzzaks,  and  by  their  exer- 
tions entirely  dispersed  or  destroyed.  And  here, 
is  it  not  natural  to  pause,  and  consider  how  won- 
derful it  was,  that,  notwithstanding  the  exceeding 
great  number  of  the  Mahratta  host,  the  intrepidity 
of  the  Nawaub's  Pindarehs  so  straightened  them  that 
they  dared  not  quit  the  ground  of  their  encamp- 
ment. The  words  of  the  holy  book,*  "  How  often 
has  a  small  company  conquered  a  large  army."^ 
were  thus  completely  verified. 

After  this,  however,  the  Nawaub,  consulting  his 
good  sense  and  discretion,  and  adapting  his  conquer- 
ing policy,  to  the  times;  according  also,  to  the 
verse f  *'  A  wise  man  will  not  give  cause  of  offence.** — 
**  To  a  proud  enemy  he  will  be  humble  : — "  When 
fire  flames  high  water  is  thrown  on  it.** — '*  No 
one  would  put  out  fire  by  adding  fire,"* — he  des- 
patched several  able  ambassadors  to  Madhoo  Rao^ 
with  some  presents,  which  had  fallen  into  his  hands 
in  the  plunder  of  their  camp,  seven  lakhs  of  ru- 
pees in  money,  and  a  message  to  this  effect ;  that 

r     Full  oft  have  mighty  hosts  been  known 
By  scanty  bands  to  be  o'erthrown ! 

*     The  wise  man  studies  never  to  offend. 
And  to  a  haughty  foe  will  humbly  bend : 
When  blazes  high  the  flame,  we  water  throw. 
Nor  heap  on  fire,  and  make  it  fiercer  glow. 


160 

"  it  was  not  just  for  men  of  rank  and  courage, 
(meaning  Madhoo),  without  cause  to  slay  the  poor 
or  plunder  the  peaceable,  but  that  there  was  no 
help  for  what  was  past ;'  that  it  became  the  dignity 
of  Madhoo  Rao  to  withhold  his  hands  from  slaying 
and  plundering  God's  creatures,  and  restrain  his 
heart  from  devising  injiu-y  to  mankind ;  that  he 
should  return  to  his  own  country,  where  he  would 
recommend  that  the  money  now  sent  should  be  de- 
posited in  his  treasury,  and  be  received  by  him 
as  the  profit  or  the  produce  of  his  invasion ;  and 
that  he  might  consider  the  Khodadad  state,  (Mysore) 
as  the  aid  and  support  of  his  own.**  ^ 

When  these  able,  clear-sighted  agents  reached 
Madhoo  Rao,  they  delivered  their  message  to  him 
in  distinct  terms,  and  handing  over  the  money,  with 
fair  and  flattering  words,  brought  him  to  agree  to 
extinguish  the  fire  of  discord,  and  make  peace. 
Madhoo  Rao,  who  had  done  nothing  in  two 
years  and  three  months,  in  that  time  had  made  no 
permanent  acquisition  in  Mysore,  but  on  the  con- 
trary, had  witnessed  on  all  sides  the  ruin  of  his  own 
army  ;  now,  therefore,  saw  his  best  policy  in  the 
terms  of  the  message,  and  accepted  the  propositions 

^  All  this  is  addressed  to  Madhoo  Rao,  hut,  I  do  not  helieve  H y- 
dar  ever  sent  such  a  message. 


161 

of  the  Nawaub ;  sending  to  him  the  prisoners  he 
had  made  of  the  Nawaub's  troops^  with  presents  of 
money  and  clothes;  and,  after  that,  returned  to 
Poona. 

The  Nawaub,  with  his  army,  followed  the  Mah- 
rattas  as  far  as  Balapoor  the  less,  and  then  Visited 
the  Talookas  or  districts  plundered  by  them,  where 
he  pleased  the  hearts  of  the  farmers  and  husband- 
men, by  advances  and  aids  of  money,  bullocks  for 
the  plough,  seed  and  instruments'"  for  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  land,  and  he  moreover  gave  strict  orders, 
to  foster  the  population,  and  increase  the  cultivation, 
and  remitted  the  share  of  produce  belonging  to 
government  for  one  year.  He  then  returned  to 
Bangalore. 

At  this  time.  All  Zuman  Khan  Nayut,  who  was 
married  to  a  sister-in-law  of  Budruzzuman  Khan, 
arrived  at  the  presence,  as  the  agent  of  Muhammad 
Yousuf  Khan,  commandant  of  Mudhra,  (Madura), 
against  whom  Muhammad  All  Khan,  the  chief  of 
Arkat,  had  marched  a  body  of  troops  falsely  accus- 
ing him  of  rebellion.  All  Zuman  was  sent  to  solicit 
aid  to  repel  this  attack.  As,  however,  the  Nawaub 
had  objects  of  great  necessity  and  importance  on 
hand,  he  did  not  consider  it  convenient  or  safe  at 
that  period  to  detach  any  part  of  his  army.     For 

M 


162 

some  time  therefore  the  negotiation  was  prolonged^ 
on  different  pretexts,  until,  about  this  period,  the 
chief  of  Arkat  defeated  the  commandant,  and  the 
fort  was  taken,  through  the  treachery  of  Seonas 
Rao,  a  Brahman  of  Tanjore  and  other  Jamadars, 
and  the  said  commandant  was  impaled :  the  date 
of  his  execution  will  be  foimd  in  the  words ;  '  the 
rebellious  commandant/"*  Meer  All  Zuman  Khan, 
after  this,  remained  with  the  Nawaub,  who,  being 
pleased  with  his  polished  manners,  his  mild  disposi- 
tion, and  the  charms  of  his  conversation,  made  him 
a  constant  companion.  Sometimes,  however,  he 
was  offended  with  him,  or  treated  him  with  caprice. 
Being  a  very  stout  man,  the  Khan  was  not  able  to 
mount  a  horse,  and  therefore,  when  he  went  out, 
Hydur  was  used  to  give  him  the  loan  of  his  own 
elephant 

About  this  time,  also,  Fyze  UUah  Khan  Hybut 
Jung,  who  had  quarrelled  with  his  father-in-law, 
Delawur  Khan,  sought  refuge  with  the  Nawaub,  to 
prefer  a  claim  he  had  on  that  person,  to  jewels  and 
articles  of  value,  belonging  to  his  wife ;  and,  oppor- 
tunities offering  themselves,  he  repeatedly  com- 
plained to  the  Nawaub,  and  excited  him  greatly 
against  Delawur  Khan.  The  Nawaub,  therefore, 
despatched  his  own  elephant,  with  the  equipage  and 


163 

a  few  horse,  to  Kolar^  with  a  summons  for  Delawur 
Khan. 

The  Khan  being  a  wise  man,  and  seeing  that  his 
ruin  impended,  and  fearing  the  mischief  produced 
by  his  foolish  son-in-law,  also  that  he  could  not 
with  safety  to  his  life  reject  or  refiise  the  Nawaub's 
invitation,  without  any  equivocation  set  out  on 
his  journey.  When,  however,  the  Nawaub  heard 
of  the  venerable  Khan's  arrival,  he  took  the  veil  of 
enmity  off  his  honest  heart,  and  advanced  to  the 
enclosures  of  his  tent,  to  meet  and  do  him  honour, 
bringing  him  into  the  tent,  and  seating  him  on  the 
Musnud  with  himself,  with  all  the  respect  and  defer- 
ence which  distinguish  a  man  of  perfect  good  breed- 
ing,— ^as  one  of  the  poets  says,  *^  That  man  is  perfect 
among  the  perfect,  who  shows  he  is  master,  while 
humble  as  a  slave/*  Hydur  told  the  Khan  that  he 
must  have  considered  him,  (Hydur),  as  one  of  his 
most  faithful  servants,  to  have  made  so  long  a  jour- 
ney to  see  him ; — that  he,  Hydur,  was  an  ignorant 
man,  who  yet  had  much  to  learn ;  but  he  hoped 
that,  by  his  advice  and  instruction,  he  might  be 
brought  to  the  good  way.  After  Hydur  had  been 
gratified  by  the  visit  of  the  worthy  Khan,  and  had 
been  made  acquainted  with  the  real  facts  of  the 

*  Perfect  among  the  perfect  men 
That  man  wiU  surely  be. 
In  whom,  while  humble  as  a  slave, 
We  can  the  master  see. 


164 

case,  he  considered  the  claim  of  Hybut  Jung  to  be 
entirely  false,  and  discharged  it  from  his  mind.  The 
sons  of  Hybut  Jung,  whom  Delawur  Khan  had 
brought  with  him,  were,  however,  sent  to  their 
father ;  and  a  separate  tent,  being  cleared  and 
provided  with  articles  of  use  and  comfort,  Dela- 
wur Khan  was  placed  therein,  and  proper  servants 
appointed  to  attend  him,  and  for  his  expenses  a 
thousand  rupees  a  month  were  allowed  ;  besides 
which,  he  ate  twice  a  day  at  the  Nawaub's  table. 
About  this  time,  likewise,  Noor  Ulabsar  Khan  the 
son  of  Dileer  Khan,  and  the  nephew  of  Delawur 
Khan,  was  selected  by  the  Nawaub  as  his  son-in- 
law,  and  the  usual  marriage '  ceremonies  were  duly 
performed. 

After  awhile,  the  Nawaub,  intending  to  reduce 
the  Poligars  in  the  vicinity  of  Kolar,  and  Murwakul, 
marched  a  force  in  that  direction  ;  and,  at  the  same 
time,  by  the  mediation  of  Khaki  Shah  Durvesh, 
one  of  the  Nawaub's  counsellors,  Hybut  Jung,  and 
Muha  Mirza  Khan,  the  Bakshi  of  the  Paigah,«  (a 
person  who  had  been  sent  for  from  Aurangabad,  and 
treated  with  great  distinction  and  honour,)  Meer  All 
Ruza  Khan,  by  the  promises  of  a  large  Jageer,  and 
an  increase  of  rank,  was  invited  and  induced  to  re- 

^  The  name  of  Hydur's  daughter  married  on  this  occasion  was 
Paupa  Bibi,  according  to  Mr.  Marriott. 

9  Troop  of  horse. 


165 

turn  to  the  presence  ;  and,  as  he  was  a  brother-in- 
law,  and  otherwise  related  to  the  Nawaub,  he  re- 
turned with  confidence,  and,  to  secure  his  attach- 
ment, the  Nawaub  presented  him  with  the  hill  fort 
of  Goorum  Koondah,  and  the  whole  of  the  district 
of  Dindigul  in  Jageer,  and  also  honoured  him  with 
an  order  to  enlist  troops. 

The  Nawaub  in  about  six  months  had  reduced 
the  Poligars  of  that  vicinity ;  that  is,  the  Poligar 
of  Punganoor,  Mudun  Pally,  Komneer  Palah,  &c. ; 
and,  having  finished  his  arrangements,  he  returned 
to  Seringaputtun,  where  he  remained  for  two  years, 
occupied  in  pleasure  and  enjoyment ;  also,  in  the 
collection  of  military  stores  for  future  conquest,  in 
the  acquisition  of  which  he  expended  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  rupees  in  gold  and  jewels,  as  he  like- 
wise did  in  the  enlistment  of  horse  and  foot,  and 
the  purchase  of  horses. 

Yaseen  Khan,  Wanti  Koodri,  came,  about  this 
time,  from  Nuthur  Nuggur,  otherwise  Trichinopoly, 
and  entered  the  Nawaub's  service.  Muhammad 
Omar,  commandant,  about  this  time  fell  sick  and 
died,  and  his  son  Muhammad  All,  who,  during  the 
life  of  his  £ither  was  a  Soubadar,**  was  promoted  to 
the  command  of  the  same  Risala. 

As  soon  as,  in  all  respects,  his  army  was  ready 

**  Native  captain. 


166 

for  the  field,  the  Nawaub  turned  his  thoughts  to  cer- 
tain arrangements  required  at  Nuggur,  and  marched 
thither  with  a  well  appointed  force.  On  this  expe- 
dition he  took  with  him  Delawur  Khan ;  and,  on 
the  days  of  march  or  action,  the  venerable  Khan 
was  mounted  on  Hydur's  own  elephant,  and 
marched  surrounded  by  the  horse  of  Hydur's  stable 
or  Paigah,  and  accompanied  by  his  Julow  or  per- 
sonal guard.  Hydur  himself  rode  on  horseback, 
and  in  front  of  the  regular  infantry,  and  artillery. 
From  Nuggur  he  despatched  a  force  under  the 
command  of  Vinkut  Rao,  Mooshrif,  (inspector),  a 
faithful  officer  in  his  service,  accompanied  by  Hy- 
but  Jung,  towards  Shanoor ;  that,  by  this  manifes- 
tation, they  might  collect  an  adequate  Paishkush 
from  the  chief  of  that  place,  and  also  reinforce  cer- 
tain garrisons  in  that  neighbourhood.  In  about  a 
twelvemonth,  the  Nawaub  returned  to  Puttun,  and 
remained  there  for  some  time. 


167 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


The  Second  Invasion  of  Mysore  by  Sewaie  Madhoo  Rao,  and 
the  march  of  the  Nawaub  Bahadiir  to  the  neighbourhood  of 
Shanoor,  to  oppose  him ;  with  other  events  of  the  year  1078, 
Hejm.   A.D.  1766. 


TVhen  Madhoo  Rao,  after  peace  had  been  con- 
cluded, returned  for  the  first  time  from  the  Kar- 
natic  Balaghaut  to  Poona,  he  left  a  Thana,  or 
garrison,  in  Sura.  The  Killadar  of  that  place,  now 
hearing  of  the  assembling  of  the  Nawaub's  army, 
and  his  advance  towards  Nuggur  for  the  regulation 
of  his  affairs  there,  and  becoming  alarmed,  des- 
patched a  full  account  of  these  matters  to  Madhoo 
Rao,  who  being  also  troubled  and  perplexed,  and 
considering  his  own  destruction  to  be  threatened 
by  the  assemblage  of  the  Nawaub's  forces,  again 
commenced  to  collect  his  troops  and  chiefs.  Having 
commenced  his  march  towards  Mysore,  he  des- 
patched a  body  of  troops,  to  reduce  all  the  forts 
on  the  frontier,  which  were  held  by  the  Killadars 


168 

of  the  Nawaub.  Hearing  of  the  march  of  the 
Mahratta  army,  the  Nawaub  marched  also  with 
his  victorious  troops  by  the  route  of  Seo  M ooka,  (or 
Simoga,)  and  Buswa  Puttun  ;  and,  having  crossed 
the  Tung  Bhudr^  advanced  to  Hur  Hur,  and  Amee, 
and  from  that  to  Meduk,  known  also  by  the  name 
of  Shikarpoor,  where  he  encamped. 

The  army  of  the  Mahrattas,  after  taking  the 
forts  before  mentioned,  marched  towards  the  Na- 
waub, and  encamped  about  three  miles  distant  from 
him,  and  the  next  morning  advanced  to  attack  him. 
The  Nawaub  was,  however,  all  ready  to  receive 
them,  and  his  troops,  ready  formed  for  battle,  kept 
their  ground.  The  Poligar  of  Chitul  Droog,  with 
his  force,  was  present  with  the  Nawaub's  army  on 
this  occasion.  The  Mahrattas  now  surrounded  the 
Nawaub's  troops,  forming  a  ring  round  them ;  but, 
although  they  charged  desperately,  still  the  Ghazies, 
or  Mussulmans,  constantly  repelled  them  with  the 
greatest  steadiness  and  courage,  and  maintained 
their  ground  throughout  the  whole  of  the  day.  At 
night,  however,  the  Nawaub  quitted  that  ground, 
and  marched  straight  to  Cheroli,  Anoti,  and  Jara, 
and  there,  placing  his  rear  to  the  Jungul,  he  en- 
camped ;  and  for  the  further  security  of  his  camp, 
he  mounted  his  artillery  in  batteries  on  all  the 
rising  grounds  surrounding  it;  and,  being  in  rea- 


169 

diness^  he  waited  for  an  opportunity  to  destroy  his 
enemies.  After  the  Nawaub  had  taken  up  this 
position,  Madhoo  Rao  was  not  able  to  march  and 
quit  him,  or  to  attack  any  other  place.  The  Chief 
of  Shanoor,  however,  had  made  a  treaty  with  the 
Mahrattas,  and  gave  them  his  aid. 

After  a  few  days,  therefore,  parties  of  both  armies 
daily  met  in  the  field,  and  did  justice  to  their  man- 

« 

hood  by  keeping  the  field  of  battle  constantly  oc- 
cupied by  combatants.  The  Mahrattas  likewise 
placed  on  the  top  of  a  small  hill  all  the  guns  of  their 
artillery  which  carried  furthest,  and  from  thence  can- 
nonaded the  Nawaub's  camp,  and  caused  great  in- 
convenience to  his  camp  followers.  To  remedy  this, 
the  Nawaub,  after  some  consideration,  one  night 
marched  with  a  body  of  five  thousand  matchlock 
infantry  marksmen,  about  fifteen  hundred  horse, 
and  four  light*  guns  of  his  Julow,  or  guard,  all 
selected  men,  leaving  the  rest  of  his  army  under 
the  charge  of  Hybut  Jung  Bukhshi,  and  the  re- 
gulation of  the  treasury  and  Tosheh  Khana,  &c.,  to 
the  superintendence  of  Delawur  Khan ;  the  Na- 
waub's object  being  to  make  a  night  attack,  he 
marched,  under  cover  of  the  thick  jungle,  straight 
on  the  Mahratta  artillery.  The  time,  however,  was 
unlucky,  and  the  hour  favourable  to  his  enemies ; 


170 

for,  by  reason  of  the  badness  of  the  roads,  his  troops 
being  obliged  to  cut  down  the  trees  to  obtain  a 
passage ;  by  the  time  they  had  arrived  on  a  plain 
near  the  Mahratta  artillery^  night  vanished,  and 
the  morning  shone  forth  brightly.     The  Mahrattas, 
therefore,  being  aware  of  the  approach  of  the  Na- 
waub's  troops,  immediately  surrounded  him,  and, 
setting  up  shouts  of  *'  take,  and  kill  I "  and  curvet- 
ting^ and  leaping  their  horses,  charged  on  all  sides. 
The  Nawaub  had  very  regularly  and  skilfully  formed 
his  infantry  into  a  fort,  or  square  ;  ^  but,  although 
he  gave  orders  to  commence  a  fire  from  his  guns, 
not  one  of  them  would  go  off,  and  fire  seemed 
to  take  no  more  effect  on  them  than  on  so  much 
ice.    At  length  the  Nawaub  himself  dismounted 
from  his  horse,  and,  taking  a  match  in  his  hand, 
placed  it  on  the  touch-hole  of  the  gun.     It  was, 
however,  of  no  use,  as  the  fiise  did  not  take  fire  ; 
and  now,  hopeless  of  any  service  from  his  artillery, 
he  kept  off  the  Mahrattas  by  a  sharp  fire  firom 
his  musketry,  and  still  fought  to  the  very  extent 
of  his  means.     At  last,  the  Mahrattas,  like  a  flight 
of  crows,  charged  in  a  body  and  mixed  with  the 
Nawaub*s  troops,  shoulder   to  shoulder,  and  the 

^  Any  one  who  has  seen  the  Mahratta  cavalry  about  to  charge, 
will  understand  this  description. 

'  A  hollow  square. 


171 

ranks  of  the  Nawaub's  troops  were  broken,  and 
thrown  into  confusion^  and  their  lives  uselessly  lost. 
Vinkut  Rao>  the  Dewaun^  was  killed^  and  All  Zuman 
Khan,  wounded ;  and  some  of  the  Nawaub's  troops, 
under  pretence  of  bringing  aid  or  ammunition,  ran 
away.  When  they  saw  the  field  their  own,  the  Mah- 
ratta  army  followed  the  fiigitives,  and  as  long  as 
they  were  able,  plundered  and  slew  them.  The 
Nawaub,  by  his  intelligence  and  activity,  escaped 
from  the  slaughter,  and  like  the  sun  without  a 
peer,  and  alone,  sat  down  under  a  tree,  and  sur- 
veyed with  wild  passion  the  field  so  favourable  to 
his  enemies.  Just  at  this  time,  a  drummer  with 
his  drum  arrived  at  the  place  where  he  sat,  and 
stood  before  him.  Thinking  his  arrival  a  very 
fortunate  occurrence,  and  a  happy  presage  of  the 
fortune  of  his  troops,  the  Nawaub  ordered  him 
to  beat  (a  charge),  and  he  accordingly  beat  his 
drum  in  such  a  way  that  the  sound  shed  terror 
on  the  Mahrattas  ;  and  they  fearing,  from  the 
beating  of  the  drum,  that  a  re-inforcement  had 
arrived  to  the  aid  of  the  discomfited  Mussulmans, 
left  all  the  baggage  they  had  taken,  and  began 
to  run  away.  The  Nawaub  had  scarcely  collected 
the  remainder  of  his  force,  which  the  sword  had 
left  to  him,  and  arrived  in  the  plain,  when  Hybut 
Jung,  with  the  artillery,  regular  infentry,  and  ca- 


172 

valry,  arrived  to  his  aid  by  a  forced  inarch.  The 
Nawaub*s  mind  now  being  fully  at  ease,  he  took 
the  troops  with  him,  followed  the  enemy  at  speed, 
and  gave  orders  to  his  artillery  and  infantry  to 
fire  as  fast  as  they  could,  to  break  the  heads  and 
legs  of  the  runaway  Mahrattas  and  their  horses ; 
which  they  did  successfully.  The  Mahrattas  now 
retired,  dragging  with  them  their  guns ;  but,  leav- 
ing their  dead  and  wounded  on  the  field,  for  want 
of  time  to  carry  them  away.  They,  however, 
carried  off  the  artillery  which  they  had  captured. — 
When  the  Mahratta  army  was  out  of  sight,  the 
Nawaub  collected  all  his  own  dead,  and  wounded, 
with  the  wounded  Mahrattas,  and  brought  them 
to  his  camp,  and  ordered  their  wounds  to  be 
sewn  up  and  dressed,  giving,  at  the  same  time, 
the  allowance  of  Murhum  Putti,  (a  compensation 
in  money  for  wounds),  to  every  one. 

The  Mahrattas,  with  their  troops,  now  marched 
towards  Binkapore,  where  they  halted ;  and,  as  the 
rainy  season  had  arrived,  they  placed  themselves 
in  cantonments  there.  The  Nawaub  halted  on 
the  same  ground,  (that  of  the  battle.) — Madhoo 
Rao,  however,  notwithstanding  the  rainy  season, 
despatched  Gopal  Rao,  the  chief  of  Mirch,  with 
his  force,  to  plunder  and  destroy  the  coimtry  on 
the   other  side   the  river   Tung    Bhudr.      Gopal 


173 

Rao,  therefore,  crossing  that  river  at  the  ford  of 
Horul,  advanced,  plundering  the  people,  and  firing 
the  villages,  all  the  way  he  went.  From  the 
Poligars  of  Hurpun  HuUy,  Rai  Droog,  &c.,  he  col- 
lected the  Paishkush  by  force,  and  plundered  the 
dependencies  of  Chitul  Droog,  and  filled  the  four 
quarters  of  the  Karnatic  with  the  noise  and  tumult 
of  calamity  and  oppression.  Gopal  Rao,  having 
made  the  teeth  of  rapacity  sharper  than  the  claws  " 
of  a  dog,  with  perfect  confidence,  and  a  loose 
rein,  encamped  near  Hussdroog,  a  dependency  of 
Chituldroog. 

When  this  intelligence  reached  the  Nawaub,  he, 
leaving  the  whole  of  his  troops  and  baggage  in  the 
same  place,  with  only  six  thousand  stable  horse, 
nine  thousand  Sillahdars,"  four  thousand  regular 
infantry,  and  six  guns,  lightly  equipped,  marched 
secretly  and  rapidly  towards  them,  and,  on  the 
third  night,  he  fell  bravely  on  the  Mahrattas,  who 
were  seized  by  the  hand  of  death,  and  ignorant 
of  the  change  brought  about  by  the  revolution 
of  the  heavens,  pouring  such  a  fire  upon  them, 
that  all  at  once  their  union  as  a  body,  and  the 
firmness  of  their  minds,  were  broken  by  fear,  and 

°*  A  queer  simile. 
"  The  SiUahddr  is  a  trooper  hired  with  his  horse  and  arms  at  a 
certain  rate  of  pay  for  all. 


174 

they  were  scattered  as  the  falling  leaves  before 
the  desolating  winds  of  autumn.  Those  men  only 
of  the  Mahrattas  who,  throwing  down  their  arms, 
abandoned  their  horses,  and,  shewing  their  teeth, 
held  up  the  hand  of  supplication  for  mercy  to 
Hydur's  brave  soldiers,  were  spared.  The  officer 
in  command  of  the  Mahratta  troops,  whose  name 
is  above  mentioned,  (Gopal  Rao),  withdrawing  the 
hand  of  courage  and  honour  from  all  things  de- 
noting his  rank  and  authority,  took  what  was 
present  of  his  property,  and  some  plunder  obtained 
by  his  rapacity  and  oppression ;  and,  in  astonish- 
ment, repeating  these  lines, — *'  Every  one  carries 
away  some  worldly  goods,** — *'we,  for  our  parts, 
have  withdrawn  our  hearts  from  the  things  of  this 
world/'  accompanied  by  a  few  men,  escaped  on  one 
side,  and  took  the  road  to  Sura.  The  camp  fol- 
lowers, and  women  of  the  soldiers,  all  that  had 
escaped  the  sword,  and  were  seeking  their  safety  by 
flight,  never  stopped  until  they  arrived  at  the  pro- 
tection of  the  ditch  of  the  fort  at  Sura.  Some,  by 
a  thousand  stratagems  and  labours,  fled  with  all 
speed,  and  falling  and  rising  again,  and  thinking 
every  moment  the  last,  arrived  at  the  head  quarters 
of  the  Poona  army.  The  victorious  Nawaub  re- 
mained the  whole  of  that  day  on  the  Mahratta 
ground  of  encampment,  and  collected  all  the  bag- 


176 

gage;  as  tents^  standards,  and  arms,  and  having 
laden  with  them  all  the  elephants,  horses,  and 
camels,  taken  from  the  enemy,  and  setting  fire  to 
the  remainder,  which  lay  about  in  heaps,  he  re- 
turned to  his  camp. 

When  the  Mahratta,  (Madhoo  Rao),  heard  of 
this  exploit  of  the  Mujahidan,  or  Mussulmans,  he 
became  convinced  he  would  scarcely  be  able  to 
preserve  his  own  life  in  the  present  campaign, 
and  was  fearful  that,  by  some  sudden  change, 
his  power  and  authority  might  be  scattered  to 
the  winds.  About  this  time,  also,  the  Kuzzaks 
of  the  Nawaub*s  army,  who,  in  the  arts  of  de- 
ceiving and  plundering  their  enemies  might  be 
considered  perfect,  by  changing  their  dress  and 
altering  the  cut  of  their  beards,  &c.,  joined  the 
foraging  parties  of  the  Mahrattas  without  sus- 
picion ;  and,  after  associating  with  them  for  some 
time  without  discovery,  when  they  found  an  oppor- 
tunity, raised  a  tumult,  which  might  be  likened 
to  that  of  the  day  of  judgment,  among  their 
quondam  friends,  relieving  them  from  the  charge 
of  five  thousand  horses,  nineteen  elephants,  and 
ninety  head  of  camels,  besides  slaying  them  with- 
out compunction. 

When  Madhoo  Rao  saw  his  troops  in  these 
difficulties,  and  that,  notwithstanding  their  great 


176 

number^  they  could  take  no  rest  at  night  for  fear  of 
attack ;  that,  during  the  day,  for  fear  of  their  lives, 
they  did  not  dare  to  quit  their  encampments;  that, 
above  all,  from  the  violence  of  the  rains  of  that  year, 
the  earth  was  more  over-flowed  with  water,  than 
the  eyes  of  an  unfortunate  lover;  and  that  both 
men  and  beasts  had  lost  the  use  of  their  limbs  from 
extreme  heat  and  cold,  and  that,  like  as  if  frozen, 
many  of  them  slept  in  the  arms  of  death ;  when, 
therefore,  Madhoo  Rao  found  himself  surrounded 
by  such  difficulties,  his  heart  gave  way,  and,  with- 
out the  accomplishment  of  his  projects,  and  after 
the  lapse  of  one  year  and  some  months,  by  the 
mediation  of  able  Vakeels  or  Ambassadors,  the  war 
was  concluded,  on  the  payment  of  two  Lakhs  of 
rupees,  (by  Hydur),  although,  in  its  prosecution, 
Madhoo  Rao  had  incurred  the  expense  of  a  great 
many  Lakhs.  After  this  settlement,  Madhoo  Rao 
returned  to  his  capital,  Poona. 

The  Nawaub,  victorious,  after  making  some 
necessary  arrangements  in  that  quarter,  returned 
by  the  route  of  Nuggur,  happy  and  rejoicing. 
When  he  arrived  at  Seringaputtun,  Delawur  Khan, 
pretending  to  be  sick,  obtained  leave  of  absence 
and  retired  to  Kolar;  from  which  place,  secretly 
.  and  at  night,  he,  with  his  baggage,  valuables,  wo- 
men, and  his  whole  household,  without  any  evident 


177 

cause,  took  the  road  to  the  Payanghaut ;  and,  on 
his  arrival  there,  selected  Arkat  as  his  residence 
The  Nawaub,  when  he  heard  of  his  flight,  was 
much  surprized ;  but  lost  no  time  in  sending  a 
detachment  of  troops  to  garrison  the  fort  of  Kolar, 
and  took  possession  of  the  district  for  himself. 


N 


d 


178 


CHAPTER  XV. 

An  account  of  the  conquest  of  Koorg,  and  the  reduction  of 
Kalikote,  (Calicut),  &c. ;  events  which  occurred  in  the  year  1 181» 
Hijri.    A.D.  1767. 

Prom  the  time  of  the  Kings  of  Bijapoor^  the 
Zemindars  of  this  part  of  the  country^  (meaning 
the  south  of  India),  such  as  the  Chiefs  of  Koorg, 
Kalikote,  (Calicut),  &c.,  paid  each  of  them  a  pro- 
portionate Paishkush,  at  the  capital  of  the  Kings  ; 
through  the  medium  of  the  governor  of  the  Souba 
Sura,  and  after  the  fall  of  that  dynasty,  they  paid 
their  customary  tribute  to  the  Nazim,  or  Soubadar 
of  the  Dukkun,  that  is,  to  the  Nawaub  Asof  Jah  ; 
sometimes  virithout  denial  or  delay,  and  sometimes 
when  troops  were  marched  towards  them  to  en- 
force payment  In  the  last  days,  however,  of  the 
Nizamut  of  Asof  Jah,  who,  by  reason  of  the  arro- 
gance and  incursions  of  the  Mahrattas,  and  his 
constant  conflicts  with  them,  had  no  leisure  to 
collect  or  confirm  the  dues  of  Government  in  this 
quarter,  the  whole  of  these  men,  taking  advantage 
of  the  opportunity  thus  afforded  them,  rebelled. 


179 

and  without  further  hesitation  each  became  a  sove- 
reign prince  in  his  own  territory.  The  governors 
of  the  Souba  Sura,  also,  who  had  been  ordered  by 
the  Nazims  of  the  Dukkun  to  correct  and  chastise 
the  irregularities  of  these  Zemindars,  not  only 
slothfuUy  neglected  their  duty,  but,  from  the  in- 
fluence of  bribes,  connived  at  the  irregularities  of  the 
Poligars.  When,  however,  by  the  strength  of  his 
arms,  and  the  exertion  of  his  courage,  the  power 
.  of  the  Nawaub  increased  he  reduced  them  all  to 
subjection,  and  drew  them  into  the  circle  of  those 
obedient  to  his  commands,  making  them  the  ser- 
vants of  his  will,  and  the  slaves  of  his  policy.  At 
this  latter  period,  however,  from  the  incursion  of 
the  Mahrattas  into  the  Nawaub's  country,  and  the 
Nawaub's  full  occupation  in  repelling  them,  they 
again  became  insubordinate  in  their  own  districts, 
lifted  up  their  heads  to  rebellion,  plundered  and 
murdered  the  garrisons  of  the  Nawaub,  stationed  in 
all  the  forts  in  their  vicinity,  and  reduced  the  whole 
country  under  their  own  authority.  These  cir- 
cumstances having  been  reported  to  the  Nawaub, 
and  he  being  now  relieved  from  the  Mahratta 
contest,  he,  like  an  angry  lion,  marched  by  the 
way  of  Nuggur  and  the  sea-shore,  towards  that 
wild  desert,  (Koorg) ;  and  having  collected  six  or 
seven  hundred  fishermen,  with  their  boats,  and 


180 

directed  his  supplies  and  stores  to  be  sent  by  sea^ 
he  himself  marched  with  his  regular  and  irregular 
infantry,  and  artillery,  and  fell  on  the  heads  of 
these  rebels  like  a  sudden  calamity.  The  first  on 
whom  he  fell  was  the  Poligar  of  the  Bui  district, 
who,  when  he  had  an  opportunity,  had  attacked 
the  dependencies  of  Seringaputtun,  and  plundered 
them,  carrying  off  the  goods  and  cattle  of  the 
peasants  of  the  Sirkar.®  This  violence  had  un- 
settled the  minds  of  the  people,  and  made  them . 
abandon  their  homes.  The  re-assurance  of  their 
minds,  and  their  safety  and  comfort,  the  Nawaub 
thought  could,  therefore,  by  no  means  be  so  well 
secured  or  established  as  by  the  destruction  of  these 
rebels.  He  consequently  attacked  them  briskly,  and 
plundered  and  devastated  their  country.  Not  being 
able  openly  or  alone  to  oppose  the  invincible  Na- 
waub, the  Poligar  abandoned  his  fort,  and,  with  his 
property  and  family,  slunk  away  like  a  fox,  to  the 
protection  of  the  forest,  and,  in  confederacy  with 
the  Chief  of  Koorg,  prepared  for  war.  The  Na- 
waub, seeing  this,  left  a  strong  detachment  in  the 
fort  of  Bui,  and  instantly  marched  forward,  and 
courageously  threw  himself  into  the  terrible  forests 

**  The  historian  feelingly  describes  the  plunder  of  the  Nawanb's 
territory,  but  makes  very  slight  mention  of  the  territories  of  other 
states  ravaged  and  desolated  by  him. 


181 

and  wilds  of  Koorg,  like  a  wild  elephant,  and  near 
Akrubnar,  (a  town  or  village  so  called),  a  great  and 
well  contested  battle  was  fought  between  him  and 
the  Poligar  of  Bui— so  fiercely  contested,  indeed, 
that,  at  the  commencement  of  the  engagement,  the 
discipline  and  order  of  the  Nawaub's  troops  had 
nearly  given  way.     While,  however,  they  were  in 
this  state,  the  Nawaub  himself,  with  a  few  brave 
men,  under  the  thick  cover  of  the  trees,  marched 
and  attacked  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  and  wielded 
the  sword  with  such  vigour,  that  the  great  actions 
of  Rustum  and  Isfendiar  were  again  presented  to 
the  admiration  of  the  world ;  so  that  most  of  the 
rebel  Chiefs  and  soldiers  were  slain,  or  ran  away, 
and  some  sought  refuge  ampng  the  troops  of  the 
Khodadad. 

Tippoo  Sultaun,  Hydur's  son,  on  this  day  first 
displayed  the  innate  courage  of  his  nature,  and  the 
honour  he  obtained  by  his  prudence  and  bravery, 
enlightened  his  daring  countenance.  The  mode  in 
which  the  circumstance  occurred  was  this : — When 
Hydur^  with  his  select  band,  attacked  the  rebels, 
and  overthrew  them,  Tippoo,  who  was  then  only 
eighteen  years  of  age,  fortunately  obtained  a  clue 
to  the  place  where  the  dependents,  (that  is,  the 
women,)  of  the  Poligar  had  taken  refuge.  This 
place  was  five  or  six  miles  from  the  field  of  battle. 


182 

and  through  a  thick  dark  forest,  as  full  of  turnings 
and  windings  as  the  curls  of  a  Lady's  ringlets. 
With  two  or  three  thousand  brave  and  experienced 
men,  Tippoo,  by  a  forced  march,  came  suddenly 
upon  them,  and,  although  the  guardians  of  the 
honour,  (the  women),  of  the  Poligar  were  aware  of 
their  coming,  and  steadily  opposed  their  advance 
with  spears,  swords,  and  matchlocks,  yet  the 
bravery  of  Hydur's  men  was  irresistible,  and  their 
first  attack  effaced  the  memory  of  the  great  actions 
performed  by  the  brave  son  of  Zal,  (an  allusion  to 
Rustum  the  hero  of  the  Shah  Namah).  The  rebel 
guards,  giving  their  honour  to  the  winds,  saved 
themselves  by  covering  or  concealing  themselves 
under  the  robes'  of  the  women,  and  some  even 
dressed  themselves  like  women,  and  trembling  fell 
down  before  the  swords  of  the  brave  soldiers ;  and 
some,  who  fought  fearlessly,  were  slain  without 
accomplishing  their  object.  The  fortunate  son  of 
Hydur,  therefore,  rubbing  the  forehead  of  gratitude 
and  thanksgiving  on  the  threshold  of  the  true  and 
only  giver  of  victory,  with  (the  honour  of  the  dis- 
honoured) the  women,  and  other  valuables,  returned 
to  his  father,  and  was  received  with  great  fovour 
and  distinction. 

^  SpL>       ^  ^^^^  worn  by  women  in  India,  extending  from  the 
hip  to  the  ancle. 


183 

When  the  Poligar  saw  the  miserable  state  of  his 
dependents  and  servants  he  was  thrown  into  deep 
affliction;  but  now^  in  addition  to  this,  he  was 
doomed  to  hear  of  the  plunder  of  his  house,  and 
the  capture  of  the  women  of  his  family ;  and,  over- 
whelmed by  this  calamity,  striking  the  hand  of 
grief  on  the  head  of  his  pride,  he,  in  the  most 
abject  manner,  with  his  hands  bound,  accompanied 
by  some  of  his  servants,  presented  himself  to 
Hydur,  and,  like  a  slave  girding  his  loins  to  service, 
was  obedient  to  the  orders  he  received.  He  also 
brought  valuables,  treasure,  and  elephants'  teeth,  of 
which  there  was  about  fifty  camel  loads,  collected 
in  a  long  period  by  his  forefathers,  and  presented 
them  to  Hydur,  who,  pitying  his  condition,  re- 
ceived him  with  favour  and  encouragement,  took 
him  with  the  army,  and  soon  after  gave  him  back 
his  women  and  his  territory ;  and  having  taken 
assurances  from  him,  for  the  protection  of  the 
peasantry,  and  the  improvement  of  the  country, 
Hydur  marched  on. 

Hearing  of  the  ruin  and  desolation  which  bad 
fallen  on  the  Poligar  of  the  Bui  district,  part  of 
which,  indeed,  he  had  seen,  the  Koorg  Chief  began 
to  fear  what  would  befal  himself;  and  he,  therefore, 
commenced  to  devise  means  to  secure  his  own 
safety.      The  result  of  his  reflections  being  that 


184 

submission  to  the  Nawaub  was  the  best  and  safest 
pohcy,  he  submitted,  became  tributary,  and  paid  a 
large  sum  of  money,  and  Kkewise  gave  valuable 
presents  of  the  rarities  of  the  country.  By  these 
means,  he  was  received  as  one  of  those  to  whom 
forgiveness  is  extended^  The  Nawaub,  however, 
placed  a  garrison  of  his  troops  in  the  fort  of  Mur- 
kera ;  but  left  the  country  in  his  possession,  and 
proceeded  further  on.  All  Raja,  the  Chief  of 
Cananore,  who  was  a  Muhammadan,  and  of  the 
tribe  called  Mapilla,"^  rejoiced  at  the  success  and 
conquests  of  a  Muhammadan  Chief,  and  con- 
sidering obedience  to  him  as  an  increase  of  honour 
to  himself,  submitted  without  delay,  and  entered 
into  public  affairs,  in  aid  and  support  of  the  Na- 
waub's  measures.  Hydur,  also,  by  presents  and 
kindness,  gained  his  confidence ;  and,  because  this 
chief  was  known  to  be  well  acquainted  with  the 
secrets  of  that  country,  he  associated  him  in  his 
plans,  and  marched  to  the  reduction  of  the  en- 
virons of  Kalikote,  The  rebels  of  that  place,  who 
were  of  the  Naimar  caste,  brave  and  hardy,  as 
they  undoubtedly  were,  were  soon  conquered  by 
the  ability  and  bravery  of  Hydur ;  some  were  slain, 
and  some  were  put  in  irons.     The  Poligar  of  Char- 

*i  The  MapiUas  are  the  descendents  of  Arabs,  by  Teer  or  Nair 
iwomen ;  they  follow  the  religion  of  their  fathers,  althoagh  their 
name  signifies  that  they  are  the  sons  of  their  mothers. 


185 

kul  being  likewise  subdued^  his  wealth  and  country 
were  assumed  by  Hydur ;  but,  as  he  was  not  taken 
alive^  being  slain^  his  son^  who  was  about  seven 
years  old,  and  a  prisoner,  was  honoured  by  being 
adopted  by  Hydur,  and  was  named  lyaz  Khan. 
This  young  man  had  other  brothers.  In  short, 
when  the  Nawaub  prepared  to  commence  the  siege 
of  KaUkote,  the  Chief  of  the  Naimars,  seeing  that 
his  affairs  were  going  to  ruin,  that  all  his  country 
had  been  conquered  by  the  brave  soldiers  of  the 
Nawaub,  that  he  was  not  able  to  oppose  him  in 
open  fight,  nor  had  he  the  means  of  escaping  from 
him,  and,  being  therefore  resourceless,  despatched 
Vakeels  with  presents,  and  provisions'  for  the  army, 
and  the  tribute  money,  and  asked  forgiveness  of 
his  offences.  The  Nawaub,  from  convenience  and 
policy,  called  the  Envoys  to  the  presence;  and, 
having  severely  reproved  them,  he  honoured  the 
Chief  with  a  Kowl  Nama,  or  security,  to  set  his 
mind  at  ease,  and  sent  for  him ;  and,  after  they 
had  met,  Hydur  gave  him  his  life  and  property,  and 
forgave  his  offences,  but  took  the  country  out  of 
his  hands,  and  instead  of  it  gave  him  a  monthly 
pension,  and  thus  freed  himself  from  all  further 
trouble  with  him.' 

*  Taking  possession  of  the  Poligar's  country,  under  written 
assurances  of  life  and  property. 


186 

When  this  intelligence  became  known  in  that 
neighbourhood,  that  the  Nawaub  received  those 
imder  the  shadow  of  his  protection  who  sought  his 
forgiveness,  and  that  he  punished  the  rebels  to  his 
authority  with  a  strong  arm,  by  plunder  and  desola- 
tion, and  to  such  a  degree,  that  the  names  and 
signs  of  them  and  their  families  were  no  longer 
found  on  the  page  of  existence^  the  Naimars  and 
Mapillas  placed  the  ring  of  obedience  in  the  ear  of 
their  affections^  and  bound  the  girdle  of  devotion  on 
the  loins  of  service.  From  this  place  the  Nawaub 
marched  to  Koochi  Bundur,^  from  the  inhabitants 
of  which  neighbourhood  he  exacted  a  large  sum  of 
money,  and  drew  the  whole  of  the  Naimars  under 
his  authority.  The  Chief  of  Malabar,  also,  dread- 
ing the  courage  and  lion-like  qualities  of  Hydur  s 
soldiery,  and  fearing  lest  his  territories  should  be 
ravaged,  sent  Hydur  twenty- eight  elephants,  and 
seven  Lakhs  of  rupees,  as  a  present ;  and,  by  that 
means,  turned  him  away  from  his  quarter.  The 
victorious  Nawaub  remained  nearly  two  years 
making  arrangements  for  the  regulation  of  the 
Naimars  of  the  hilly  tract  of  country,  and  the 
neighbourhood  of  Coimbetoor,  &c. ;  and  Sirdar 
Khan,  an  officer  of  great  courage,  was  appointed 
Subadar  of  that  province,  with  a  sufficient  military 

Cochin,  on  the  Malabar  coast. 


187 

force  attached  to  him ;  and  then,  after  having  given 
him  orders  to  punish  the  insubordinate  in  that 
neighbourhood,  Hydur  marched  to  reduce  the 
Poligar  of  Dindigul. 


188 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


An  account  of  the  incursion  of  Trimuk  Rao  Mama,  the  ma- 
ternal uncle  of  Madhoo  Rao,  into  the  Karuatic  Balaghaut,  and 
the  terrible  defeat  the  troops  of  the  Nawaub  sustained  in  the 
battle  of  the  hill  of  Churkooli,  a  place  about  four  or  five  miles  to 
the  northward  of  Seringaputtun  ;  and,  lastly,  Trimuk  Rao's  boot- 
less return  to  Poona ;  with  other  fearful  events  of  the  year  1 1 82» 
Hijri.  A.D.  1768. 

Madhoo  Rao  having  returned  from  his  first  and 
second  expeditions  without  success^  and  brooding 
over  his  failures,  in  the  same  fit  of  despondency 
was  seized  by  the  palsy,"  and  died.  Narayen  Rao, 
his  brother,  succeeded  him,  and  remained  for  some 
time  occupied  in  his  own  regulations  and  govern- 
ment. After  that,  however,  the  thorn  of  his 
shameful  failure  in  the  Balaghaut,  wounding  his 
heart,  to  relieve  himself  from  painful  reflection  and 
sorrow,  he  formed  a  deep  scheme  or  plan,  and  des- 
patched Trimuk  Mama,  his  maternal  uncle,  with 
a  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  horse,  and  sixty 

U  I  ~  •  • 


189 

thousand  foot,  and  a  hundred  pieces  of  light 
artillery,  to  conquer  that  country,  and  he  himself 
proceeded  to  Sitara. 

As  soon  as  Trimuk  had  received  his  orders 
to  proceed  to  this  quarter,  he  marched  on,  and 
soon  arrived  in  the  Balaghaut ;  and  all  the  Poli- 
gars  of  this  part  of  the  country,  such  as  Morar  Rao, 
the  Chituldroog  chief,  the  Ruttun  Giri,  the  Mer- 
kaisi,  the  Khut,  Kumneer  chiefs,  &c.,  who  had  all 
been  spared  by  the  heavy  hand  of  the  Nawaub, 
all  now  at  once  turned  against  him,  and  joined 
the  Mahrattas ;  and  every  one  took  upon  himself 
the  responsibility  of  guarding  the  Mahratta  camp, 
and  escorting  supplies  to  their  army.  The  chiefs 
of  Shanoor  and  Kirpa,""  also,  followed  the  same 
path.  Trimuk,  consequently  advanced,  and  took 
possession  of  some  forts,  depending  on  Puttun, 
which  were  out  of  repair,  or  not  well  garrisoned, 
and,  giving  them  over  in  charge  to  his  own  officers 
and  men,  he  marched  towards  Puttun,  and,  with 
the  hand  of  oppression,  plundered  and  destroyed 
the  poor  inhabitants  of  the  country,  and  so  com- 
pletely desolated  most  of  the  towns  and  districts, 
that  they  have  not  been  repeopled  to  this  day. 
In  whatever  place  his  ill-omened  troops  encamped, 
were  it  but  for  a  single  day,  that  place  remained 

▼  CaUed  Cuddapfth.  by  WUks. 


190 

uninhabited  for  years,  and  the  abode  of  bats  and 
owls ;  and  on  whatever  ground  the  plundering 
troops  of  this  oppressor  halted,  even  but  for  an 
hour  or  two,  from  beneath  the  earth  cries  of 
Aman,""  (mercy,)  and  the  sound  of  lH  Hafeez," 
(God  the  Protector),  arose,  and  reached  the  ears  of 
the  oppressed  world/  When  Trimuk  found  that  the 
plains  of  this  part  of  the  country  were  free  from 
the  presence  of  the  raging  lion,'  he,  without  any 
constraint  or  fear,  extended  his  steps  to  the  plun- 
der of  the  wealth  and  property  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  Balaghaut.  The  Nawaub,  however,  when 
he  came  to  know  Trimuk*s  intentions,  and  his  in- 
vasion of  this  neighbourhood,  returning  rapidly 
with  his  troops  and  artillery,  arrived  at  Seringa- 
puttun ;  and,  after  making  some  arrangements 
there,  marched  by  the  way  of  Chenputtun,  towards 
the  jungul  of  Makri  Droog^  with  this  intention, 
that,  whenever  the  Mahratta,  (Trimuk),  should 
besiege  Puttun,  he  would  attack  and  harass  his 
rear.  Having  arrived  and  obtained  cover  there, 
he  remained  waiting  for  an  opportunity  to  carry 
his  design  into  effect,  while  Trimuk,  on  hearing 
that  the  Nawaub  had  arrived  near  the  said  Droog, 
immediately  marched  with  his  troops  and  artillery 
in  that  direction.     The  Nawaub,  being  also  in- 


191 

formed  of  this  movement,  marched  at  night,  and 
having  defeated  the  advanced  guard  of  the  Mah- 
rattas,  he  entered  the  mountains  of  Milekote.  On 
the  following  day,  the  Mahrattas  moved  from  their 
encampment,  and  besieged  Milekote. 

The  first  day  of  the  siege,  the  Nawaub,  with 
the  whole  of  his  regular  infantry  and  artillery,  made 
an  attack  on  the  Mahrattas ;  and,  by  a  constant 
fire  of  artillery,  and  vollies  of  musketry,  drove  them 
off  the  field  of  battle.  Notwithstanding  this,  the 
troops  of  Trimuk  still  surrounded  the  fort,  at  a  dis- 
tance. Hydur,  meanwhUe,  maintained  his  position 
for  fifteen  or  twenty  days,  and  kept  the  hill  against 
his  enemies,  fighting  hard  with  them  every  day.  At 
length,  however,  as  his  provisions  were  failing  him, 
and  as  he  could  procure  no  hay  or  com  for  his 
horses,  he  determined  to  return  to  his  capital, 
Puttun.  At  night,  therefore,  Hydur  cut  down  the 
jungul  at  the  back  of  the  hill,  and,  having  despatched 
his  artillery  under  Meer  All  Ruza  Khan,  he  himself, 
with  his  horse  and  regular  foot,  marched  to  amuse 
and  occupy  the  Mahrattas,  and,  after  forming  his 
lines,  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  and  displaying 
his  strength  to  them,  he  marched  on. 

The  road  to  the  rear  of  the  mountain  was,  how- 
ever, very  bad,  the  surface  being  up  and  down, 
and  full  of  ravines  and  holes,  and  the  guns  and 


192 

stores  were  not  able  to  get  on,  until  by  the 
exertion  of  great  labour*  they  proceeded  seven 
or  eight  miles.  At  this  distance,  the  jungul  or 
forest  ended ;  the  night  also  closed,  and  morning 
appeared.  The  Mahratta  scouts,  or  sentinels,  now 
gave  information  to  IVimuk  Rao,  that  the  Na- 
waub's  artillery  and  stores  were  proceeding  to- 
wards Puttun ;  and,  immediately  on  hearing  this 
intelligence,  he  marched  off  all  his  troops,  with  strict 
orders  to  take  the  artillery,  and  bring  it  back  to 
him  ;  he  himself  following.  By  this  time  the 
Nawaub  had  advanced  four  Fursungs^  (perhaps 
Kose),  and  had  arrived  near  Kurri  Goorah,  (a 
place  situate  north-east*  from  Puttun,  and  three 
or  four  Fursungs  distant  from  that  town,  when  he 
heard  that  Trimuk,  like  a  salamander  had  at- 
tacked his  fire  department,  or  artillery  and  am- 
munition, and  had  not  only  taken  the  whole,  but 
was  actually  returning  with  it.  Hydur  imme- 
diately gallopped  off  with  his  cavalry,  to  the  main 
body  of  his  enemies,  who,  being  crowded  round 
the  artillery,  formed  as  good  a  mai  k  as  a  butt  on 
a  mound,  and  attacking  and  breaking  in  upon  them 

^  Nearly  sixteen  miles.     A  Kose  is  one  mile  and  a  half;  a 
Fursung,  four  miles  and  three  quarters. 


193 

on  one  flank,  he  dispersed  them,  and  reached 
his  guns,  **  and  then,  without  stopping,  marched 
straight  from  that  place  towards  his  capital,  having 
his  horse  in  the  centre,  and  his  right  and  left 
wings,  and  his  advanced  and  rear  guards,  formed 
of  his  regular  and  irregular  infantry,  and  artillery, 
and  keeping  up  a  continual  fire.  In  this  movement, 
notwithstanding  troop  after  troop  of  the  Mahratta 
cavalry  leaped  or  sprang  their  horses  against  the 
rampart  formed  by  his  infantry,  the  fire  of  his  ve- 
terans blackened  the  faces  of  their  manhood,  and 
sent  them  away  in  despair.  During  this  time,  how- 
ever, the  Mahrattas  had  placed  seven  or  eight  long 
guns  on  the  bank  of  the  Mooti  Tulaub,  or  Pearl 
Tank,  and  had  blocked  up  the  road  of  safety  to 
the  Nawaub's  troops ;  and  from  that  position  they 
commenced  a  brisk  fire,  the  shot  of  which  threw 
the  Nawaub's  baggage  and  followers  into  great  con- 
fusion. The  Nawaub,  therefore,  taking  with  him  a 
number  of  his  brave  fellows,  and  two  guns,  ad- 
vanced, fighting  desperately;  and,  not  giving  the 
enemy  time  to  draw  off  the  guns  or  retire  in  safety, 
fell  on  them  hke  the  stroke  of  fate,  and,  at  one 
charge,  took  their  guns  and  ammunition,  and  this 
done,  halted  there.  As  the  whole  of  the  Nawaub's 
army  and  artillery  had  come  up  from  the  rear,  they 


^j^  ijKsriyj  It  appears  he  could  not  retake  his  guns. 

O 


194 

halted  there  also,  for  a  short  time,  to  take  their 
breakfast ;  and  although  the  wiser  servants  of  the 
Nawaub,  and  the  experienced  officers  of  his  govern- 
ment, represented  to  him  that  for  that  day  he  had 
better  plant  his  standard  and  pitch  his  tents  where 
he  was;  and  that  the  next  morning  they  might 
proceed  with  perfect  ease  to  the  capital,  still,  as 
the  heavenly  bodies  do  not  always  revolve  after  the 
same  fashion,  and  those  intrusted  with  the  decrees 
of  fate  are  not  always  guided  by  the  same  rules ; 
so,  the  ruin  of  the  God-given  •  state  had  arrived, 
and  there  was  no  help  for  it !  "  In  truth,  an 
unlucky  day  will  never  be  seen  fortunate."* — "  On 
his  burial  night  no  one  will  sleep  in  his  house.** — 
"What  fate  has  from  eternity  prescribed," — ^'^ power 
has  no  choice  but  to  meet  at  the  appointed  time.** 
The  suggestions  of  the  able  men  about  the  Na- 
waub  did  not  agree  with  his  opinion  for  the  reason 
that "  When  ruin  comes  to  any  one,  folly  or  madness 
shuts  up  the  path  of  wisdom.** — "  On  an  unlucky 
day  sense  or  wisdom  is  taken  away ;  **  and  the  Na- 
waub,  therefore,  let  go  the  thread  or  clue  of  care 
and  caution ;  and,  after  eating  and  drinking  what 
was  presented  to  him,  he  arose,  and  the  troops, 
forming  by  his  directions,  commenced  their  march. 
The  forces   of  the  Mahrattas   were,  in  num- 


195 

bers,  like  ants  or  flies,  and,  surrounding  him  as 
he  moved  on,  they  made  continual  attacks  on 
him.  On  their  arrival  near  the  hill  of  Churkooli, 
it  chanced  that  a  shot  from  one  of  the  Mahratta 
guns,  fired  at  a  considerable  distance,  fell  among 
a  string  of  camels  carrying  rockets,  and  threw  them 
into  disorder ;  and,  in  the  tumult  and  crowd  of 
men,  the  rockets  took  fire,  and  flying  among 
the  baggage  and  followers,  threw  them  into  utter 
confusion.  To  increase  their  misfortunes,  a  rocket, 
which  had  taken  fire,  fell  on  one  of  the  boxes 
of  ammunition,  and  blew  it  up ;  and  in  the  black 
cloud  of  smoke,  which  rose  up  to  heaven,  many 
of  Hydur's  brave  soldiers  were  carried  up  to  a 
great  height,  and  then  cast  down  head  foremost 
on  the  ground.  Fate  having  thus  broken  the 
bonds  of  discipline  and  order,  which  held  the 
army  together,  the  enemy's  Pindarehs,  taking  ad- 
vantage of  this  disaster,  like  a  new  bride  in  the 
house  of  a  son-in-law,'  with  the  greatest  confidence 
insinuated  themselves  into  the  mass ;  and,  notwith- 
standing the  Nawaub's  troops  used  their  arms  with 
effect,  and  resisted  to  the  utmost,  they  could  avail 
themselves  nothing,  but  were  completely  subdued 
and  cut  up ;  and,  therefore,  like  the  humblest  and 
most  patient,  they  bore  whatever  insult  or  injury 


196 

the  Mahrattas  chose  to  inflict  on  them.  Lala 
Mean,  the  favorite  ^  son-in-law  of  Shahbaz  Sahib, 
after  making  a  desperate  resistance,  and  giving 
worthy  proof  of  his  courage,  drank  the  cup  of 
martyrdom.  Meer  Ali  Ruza  Khan,  and  All  Zu- 
man  Khan,  with  many  other  chief  officers,  were 
taken  prisoners,  and  most  of  the  soldiers,  both 
horse  and  foot,  considering  flight  as  a  stain  upon 
their  honour,  fought  as  long  as  they  could  stand, 
and  then  resigned  their  heads,  as  a  religious  offer- 
ing or  sacrifice,  to  the  swords  and  spears  of  the 
Mahrattas.  Yaseen  Khan,  Wunti  Koodri,  a  faith- 
fiil  friend  and  servant  of  the  Nawaub*s,  who  was  in 
some  respects  like  him  in  person,*^  entered  the 
ranks  of  the  Mahrattas,  and  gave  himself  out  for 
the  Nawaub  ;  and,  having  taken  more  draughts  of 
the  Sherbet  of  sword  wounds  than  his  strength 
could  bear,  was  lying  senseless  on  the  ground, 
when  the  stupid  Mahrattas  thinking  he  was  the 
lion-hearted  Nawaub,  and,  rejoicing,  took  him  up 
and  carried  him  away  to  Trimuk  Rao.  Thus  the 
whole  of  the  equipment  of  the  army,  which  had 
been  collected  with  so  much  labour,  was  now  plun- 
dered and  trampled  beneath  the  hoofs  of  the  Mah- 
ratta  horse,  and  the  excellent  store  department,  and 
artillery,  small  and  great,  all  fell  into  the  hands  of 


197 

the  Mahrattas.  The  Nawaub,  however,  while  he 
repeated  these  h'nes.  Verse ^ — "If  thou  art  fortunate, 
it  is  not  owing  to  thy  prudence.** — '^  Or  if  thy  plans 
be  bad,  it  is  not  thy  fault." — *'  Be  resigned  and  con- 
tented, and  live  happy." — ^*  Thou  art  not  qualified 
to  know  any  thing  about  fate,  good  or  bad,** — 
mounted  the  hill  of  Churkooli,  and,  standing  on  a 
millstone,  viewed  on  all  sides,  with  furious  anger, 
the  victorious  career  of  these  wild  men,  the  Mah- 
rattas, as  they  charged  and  pursued  his  troops.  At 
that  moment,  Ghazi  Khan  Bede,  (a  Pindara),  pre- 
sented himself,  and  with  the  greatest  difficulty 
forced  him  from  the  field,  and,  attended  by  only 
fourteen  good  horse,  escorted  him  to  Puttun. 

The  Nawaub,  however,  in  his  absence  from  his 
brave  son  Tippoo,  who  had  been  separated  from 
his  side  in  the  battle,  lost  all  rest  and  peace  of 
mind;  and  was  overwhelmed  with  affliction,  and 
having  visited  the  tomb  of  the  saint,  Kadur  Wuli, 
a  Peer  Zadah,  which  is  situated  N.  E.  (Eesani)  of 
the  fort,  near  the  bank  of  the  river  Kauveri,  he 
made  his  arrival  known  to  Meer  Ismael  Khan, 
who  was  commandant  of  the  fort.  Having  made 
all  necessary  arrangements  in  the  fort,  Meer  Ismael 
waited  for  his  coming  and  when  the  time  of  even- 
ing* prayer   arrived,   Hydur's   son,   of  auspicious 


198 

presage^  came  in  without  injury,  attended  only 
by  two  or  three  horsemen^  and  in  the  garb  of  a 
Mahratta  Pindara.  The  Nawaub's  Ufe  was  restored 
to  him  by  the  sight  of  his  son,  and,  immediately 
entering  the  fortj  he  threw  open  the  door  of  his 
treasury  of  gold  and  jewels,  and  to  every  horseman 
or  foot  soldier  who  had  escaped  from  that  disastrous 
battle,  he  gave  his  two  handsful  of  gold,  and  to 
every  man,  who  returned  with  his  horse  and  arms, 
he  gave,  besides  an  honorary  dress,  a  present  of 
five  handsful  of  gold.  "  The  fortunate  Feridoon 
was  not  an  angel.** — ^^  He  was  not  formed  of  musk 
and  amber."* — ^  He  owes  his  name  to  his  liberality.** 
— ^'  Give  and  thou  shalt  be  Feridoon.**^ 

But,  (to  return  to  the  combat,)  Muhammad  AM, 
commandant,  when  he  saw  his  troops  in  this  con- 
dition, and  being  at  the  same  time  ignorant  of  the 
safety  of  Hydur,  determined  to  devote  himself  to 
death,  and  repeated  to  himself  the  following  lines. — 
^'  I  call  myself  a  man  as  long  as  I  have  life  in  my 
body," — "  but  of  what  use  will  my  life  be  if  I  be 
without  manhood.** — "  To  be  fearfid  in  the  day  of 

^         To  angel  birth  had  Feridoon  no  claim ; 

Neither  of  musk  and  amber  was  he  formed : 
His  heart  a  largely-bounteous  spirit  warm'd ; 
And  thus  he  gain*d  a  never-dying  name. 
Be  of  thy  gifts  as  liberal  as  he. 
And  thou  thyself  a  Feridoon  shall  be. 


199 

battle^  is  for  cowards.'* — '''It  is  the  custom  of  brave 
men  to  leave  their  heads  on  the  field  of  battle."  The 
commandant,  therefore,  with  the  utmost  coolness 
and  bravery,  collected  his  own  men,  with  others  of 
Hydur's  troops,  and  mounting  the  hill,  and  taking 
advantage  of  the  cover  of  the  rocks,  without  water 
or  food,  and  carrying  on   his   body  three  sword 
wounds,  and  still  keeping  up  his  courage,  he  fought 
till  the  evening.    During  this  time,  his  well  sustained 
fire  of  musketry  slew  numbers  of  the  Mahrattas,  and 
every  one  of  the  Nawaub's  men,  who  was  able,  by 
every  art  and  means  in  his  power,  joined  the  brave 
commandant's  company,  and  fought  valiantly.    Tri- 
muk  Rao  himself  was  pleased  with  his  courage  and 
devotion,  and,  by  the  medium  of  Muhammad  You- 
suf,  a  commandant  in  his  own  service,  sent  them  a 
Kowl  Nama,  or  assurance  of  safety,  and  by  that 
means  at  night  brought  down   the  gallant   com- 
mandant and  his  party  with  their  arms,  to  whom 
he  also  sent  a  dinner.     The  arms  of  his  men  were, 
however,  taken  from  them,  and  a  guard  was  placed 
over  them.     And  now,  at  the  instance  of  his  mas- 
ter, the  oflScer  of  Trimuk,  however  much  by  fair 
words  and  every  art,  he  endeavoured  to  induce 
Muhammad  All  to  accept  service  with  the  Mah- 
rattas, still,  the  brave  commandant  refused;  but, 
to  please  and  deceive  them,  he  said,  that,  if  they 
would  give  him  leave  to  return  once  to  Puttun,  he. 


200 

after  he  was  cured  of  his  wounds,  would  bring  his 
family,  and  then  serve  them  according  to  the  best 
of  his  judgement  and  ability.      The  next  night, 
therefore,  he  was  released,  and  marched  towards 
Puttun,  with  sixteen  hundred  men.     On  his  route 
it  happened,  accidentally,  that  two  thousand  Mah- 
ratta  matchlock  men  were  stationed  as  an  outlying 
picket,  or  outpost,  about  two  fursungs  from  the 
camp,  and  were  sleeping  in  great  security,  with  their 
arms  stacked  or  piled  ^  about  them.      The  com- 
mandant, on  seeing  them,  thought  them  a  valuable 
prize,  and  with  his  unarmed  men  having  broken 
with  stones  the  heads  of  those  who  were  lying 
about,  and  having  seized  all  their  arms  and  ammu- 
nition, he  marched,  firing  at  the  Mahrattas,  until 
he  arrived  near  the  fort  of  Seringaputtun,  where  he 
learned  that  the  Nawaub  was  safe,  and  soon  after 
joined  him.      On   the  commandant*s  arrival,  the 
Nawaub,  knowing  his  fidelity  and  his  bravery,  and 
having  heard  the  fire  of  the  muskets  of  his  party, 
(when  engaged  with  the  enemy),  returned  thanks  to 
God ;  and,  considering  the  life  of  that  brave  man  as 
one  of  the  best  supports  of  his  government  he  em- 
braced him  warmly,  and   made   him  presents  of 
honorary  dresses,  money  and  a  new  musket,  or 
rifle,  fabricated  in  his  own  arsenal. 

The  fort  was  now  strengthened  on  all  sides,  by 


201 

new  works,  and  guns  were  mounted  on  them  ;  and 
being  quite  prepared,  the  Nawaub  waited  for  his 
enemy,  he,  however,  was  daily  engaged  in  enlisting 
recruits,  and  collecting  warlike  stores. 

The  victorious  Mahrattas  now  despatched  to  the 
Souba  of  Sura,  the  prisoners  of  the  Nawaub's  troops, 
which  they  had  made.  Meer  All  Ruza  Khan,  how- 
ever, (who,  after  much  solicitation,  had  entered  the 
service  of  Madhoo  Rao  and  been  appointed  to  the 
government  of  Gurum  Kondah,  but  who,  after  that, 
in  consequence  of  his  ties  of  kindred,  with  the  Na- 
waub, had  again  returned  to  him,  deserting  the 
Paishwa's  service,)  was  sent  for  by  Trimuk,  who, 
after  reproving  him  in  no  very  proper  or  delicate 
language,  despatched  him  a  prisoner  to  Poona.  Still 
believing  that  Yaseen  Khan  was  no  other  than  Hy- 
dur  AH,  himself,  Trimuk  Rao  had  a  separate  tent 
pitched  for  him,  and  all  means  were  taken  to  con- 
sole and  comfort  him,  and  he  was  requested,  with 
much  importunity,  to  send  for  his  family  and  his  son 
Tippoo.  Yaseen  Khan,  being  a  prudent  man,  who, 
merely  from  gratitude,  endeavoured  to  shield  his 
master  from  injury,  (under  the  shadow  of  whose  pro- 
tection thousands  and  thousands  of  men  found  sub- 
sistence), and  who  had  borne  the  hardships  of  the 
fight,  and  had  made  convenient  to  himself  both  the 
heat  and  cold  of  fortune,  laughed  in  his  sleeve  at 


202 

the  soft  flattering  words  of  Trimuk,  but  gave  him 
no  answer.  When,  however,  in  the  course  of  about 
eight  or  ten  days,  Trimuk  was  informed,  that  the 
Nawaub  was  safe,  and  that  he  was  assembling 
troops,  collecting  stores,  and  mounting  guns,  to 
strengthen  the  fort,  he  became  aware  that  his  pri- 
soner was  one  of  the  Nawaub's  faithful  and  devoted 
servants,  and  was  ashamed  of  his  own  want  of  dis« 
cemment ;  and  he  marched  forthwith  to  attack  the 
fort.  He,  therefore,  raised  batteries,  commenced  to 
carry  on  his  approaches,"  and  opened  the  fire  of  his 
guns.  The  rumour  of  the  generosity  and  profusion 
of  the  Nawaub,  was,  however,  so  prevalent  in  Trim- 
uk*s  camp,  that  most  of  the  brave  and  experienced 
soldiers,  who  served  under  him  with  degradation" 
and  despondency,  taking  their  arms  and  horses,  re- 
paired to  Hydur,  enlisted  in  his  service,  and  pre- 
pared to  chastise  his  enemies.  In  a  very  short 
time,  ten  or  twelve  thousand  horse,  and  regular  in- 
fantry, were  thus  collected,  and  the  Nawaub  had 
gained  the  hearts  of  his  servants  to  such  a  degree 
that  all  were  ready  to  die  for  him,  and  breathed  no- 
thing but  defiance.**  One  night,  therefore,  Hydur 
sent  for  Muhammad  All,  commandant,  and  said 
"  the  Mahrattas  having  become  insolent,  fearless, 

^f  CI^U^  "  Being  in  the  service  of  a  Kafir. 


203 

and  very  rash,  we  have  determined  that  their  cor- 
rection shall  fall  to  the  share  of  our   Khodadad 
(state) ;  but  what  is  your  advice  T     The  brave  and 
veteran  commandant  in  reply  immediately  took  the 
responsibility  of  the  plan  on  his  own  experience 
and  ability,  and,  with  two  thousand  matchlocks, 
lightly  equipped,  leaving  the  city  by  the  Mysore 
gate,  and  then  crossing  the  river  and  passing  under 
cover  of  the    walls  of  the   Soomar   Peenth,   or 
suburb,  he  fell  upon  the  enemy,  stationed  near  the 
Eed  Gah,  to  tlie  amount  of  three  thousand  foot 
belonging  to  the  Poligar  of  Chitul  Droog  and  two 
thousand  foot  belonging  to  Morar  Rao,  who  with 
four  guns  and  one  thousand  horse  had  established 
themselves  there  ;  these  troops  he  immediately  at- 
tacked, and  with  sword  and  bayonet  roused  the  men 
whose  fortunes  were  sleeping,  from  the  bed  of  life, 
and  those  awake,  whose  good  fortune  was  also  sleep- 
ing, were  laid  to  rest  in  the  bed  of  eternity.     The 
remainder  both  horse  and   foot,  were  made  pri- 
soners, and  their  hands  tied  behind  them,^  and 
placing  all  the  arms  and  equipment  of  the  defeated 
party  on  their  heads,  sent  them  with  their  horses 
and  guns  to  Hydur.     He  for  his  own  part  remained 
in  the  same  place  about  two  hours,  and  in  the 
morning  returned  victorious.      The  Chief  of  the 
Droog  and  Morar  Rao  escaped  with  shame  and  dis- 


204 

grace**.  The  Nawaub  was  rejoiced  at  this  victory, 
and  beat  his  drums^  and  fired  a  salute  on  the  oc- 
casion. The  Mahrattas,  however,  being  very  nu- 
merous now  without  any  fear  or  hesitation  raised 
a  large  and  very  strong  battery  on  the  north  of 
the  Kurri  Khet '  Hill,  and  near  the  river,  this  was 
called  the  Khas  or  Trimuk's  battery  and  they 
mounted  some  large  guns  on  it  and  by  the  shot  and 
shells*  from  this  battery  the  people  in  the  fort  suf- 
fered much.  The  brave  commandant  seeing  this 
presumption  of  the  Mahrattas,  and  the  injury  sus- 
tained, was  exceedingly  angry  and  several  times 
represented  to  the  Nawaub  that  if  he  had  permis- 
sion he  would  raise  a  storm  on  Trimuk  Khas's 
battery,  and  compel  the  occupiers  to  quit  it,  and 
that  then  he  would  give  the  rest  of  the  Mahratta 
troops  a  great  shock  by  pouring  voUies  of  arrows 
and  musketry  on  them.*  The  Nawaub,  however, 
was  alarmed  at  this  proposition  considering  the  im- 
mense army  of  the  Mahrattas,  and,  therefore,  kept 
him  back ;  he,  however,  by  importunity  and  repeated 
requests  at  length  obtained  leave.     "  Oh  truly  the 

'  This  hill  is  called  Karighat  by  Mr.  Thornton  and  others. 


^  A  strictly  literal  translation  of  this  book  would  be  an  absurd- 
ity.— I  have  therefore  in  some  places  deviated  from  the  original, 
but  not  more  than  I  could  help. 


205 

hearts  of  the  brave  are  restless  as  quicksilver  until 
they  efifect  the  destruction  of  their  enemies" — hav* 
ing  therefore  obtained  leave  he  set  out  at  night  with 
three  thousand  regular  infantry  and  one  thousand 
Karnatic  foot,  taking  nothing  with  him  but  his  am- 
munition  marched  by  the  road  of  Sosili  and  having 
crossed  the  river  at  the  distance  of  two  Kose  and 
taking  the  cover  of  the  forest, "*  he  proceeded  above 
the  villages  of  Kurkawul,  and  Arkera,  and  pass- 
ing towards  the  small  hills  of  Hurroor,  advanced 
steadily  straight  from  the  rear  to  the  battery  under 
the  pretence  of  being  a  reinforcement  and  relief 
to  the  Mahrattas  stationed  in  it.  The  Mahrattas 
in  charge  of  the  battery  hearing  of  the  relief  of  the 
advanced  parties'"  were  highly  pleased  and  anxiously 
expecting  them ;  when  the  brave  commandant 
found,  that  the  time  was  favourable  and  his  good 
fortune  aiding  him,  and  that  by  deceiving  his 
enemies  he  would  attain  his  heart's  desire,  he 
without  any  hesitation  marched  into  the  battery 
and  instantly  gave  his  orders  to  his  men  to  attack, 
and  throwing  their  hand  grenades'"  on  the  heads 
of  these  worshippers  of  pride,  they  raised  out  of 
them  the  black  smoke  of  destruction,*  and  with 
the  merciless  sword  cut  off  the  heads  of  the  sol- 
diers, pioneers,  and  men  lying  in  the  battery  and 
trenches,  and  laid  them  up  in  heaps.     They  then 


206 

buried  all  the  larger  guns,  but  the  light  guns,  being 
more  useful  and  available,  were  sent  oflf  to  the  pre- 
sence. Although,  as  soon  as  they  were  aware  of 
this  assault,  the  Mahrattas  behaved  very  gallantly 
in  attacking  the  Nawaub's  troops,  and  trying  hard 
to  regain  the  battery  and  expel  them,  still  they 
could  efifect  nothing,  and,  placing  their  hands  on 
their  heads,  they  returned  hopeless.  The  com« 
mandant  having  thus  conquered  his  enemies,  before 
the  rising  of  the  sim,  levelled  the  trenches  and 
battery  with  the  earth,  and,  setting  fire  to  the 
materials,  returned  to  the  presence,  and  was 
honoured  by  being  addressed  by  the  title  of  Son  by 
Hydur,  and,  moreover,  received  the  praise  and 
applause  of  all  ranks. 

When  Trimuk  saw  the  distressed  state  of  his 
troops,  and  their  want  of  confidence,  he  gave  up  all 
thoughts  of  restoring  the  battery,  and  commenced 
to  plunder  and  devastate  that  part  of  the  country, 
which  had  as  yet  remained  untouched ;  and,  having 
spread  abroad  his  Pindareh  horse,  he  and  his  army 
took  up  their  encampment  in  the  plain  of  Chuttur ; 
while  here,  however,  on  the  day  of  the  Hindu  Eed, 
Trimuk  with  his  officers  mounted  their  horses, 
and  came  from  the  eastward  of  the  hill  called 
Kurri  Khet,  to  bathe  at  the  confluence  of  the  two 
rivers,  which  is  called  by  the  Hindus  Sungum, 
and   is  near  the   Lai   Baugh.      Having  received 


207 

intelligence  of  this  movement,  the   Nawaub  im- 
mediately sallied  out  of  the  fort  with  his  troops, 
and  took  his  station   near   the    Mana    Munduf, 
(or  Mundip),  and  placed  his  son  Tippoo,  with  all 
the  horse,  in  ambush  near  the  temples  of  Kurun- 
kote,  (written  also  Kurun  Koor),  which  are  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river.     The  brave  commandant, 
Muhammad  AH,  with  the  gallant  Ghazi  Khan,  and 
four  thousand  matchlocks,  four  hundred  Pindarehs, 
and  four  guns,  for  display,  and  after  the  manner 
of  scouts,  or  an  advanced  guard,  were  sent  to  the 
south  of  the  hill  above   mentioned.     When  the 
cavalcade  of  the   Mahratta  Chief  arrived  at  the 
river,  they  dismounted,  and  began  to  amuse  them- 
selves, and  swim  about  in  the  water;   the  horse- 
men of  their  rear  guard  following,  caracoling  and 
curvetting  as  they  came  along.     The  commandant, 
in  the  meanwhile,  posted  his  guns  and  matchlock 
infantry  in  the  dry  bed  of  a  nullah,  or  river,  and 
made  a  concerted  sign  to  Ghazi  Khan ;   and  that 
brave  man  no  sooner  saw  it  than,  with  two  or 
three  hundred  tried  men,  he  galloped  towards  the 
rear  guard,  and  by  tricks  and  wiles,  and  teaching 
the  fools  how  to  play  the  lion,  drew  them  gradually 
in  front  of  the  guns  and  musketry  of  the  ambus- 
cade, and  having  brought  them  there,  his  whole 
party  suddenly  facing  about  dispersed,  and  every 


208 

one  retiring  placed  himself  under  cover  of  the  con- 
cealed party.  The  commandant  now  suddenly 
charged  them,  and  with  the  fire  of  his  guns  and 
musketry  broke  their  ranks,  and  sent  a  great  many 
to  their  eternal  abodes.  In  this  skirmish,  two  or 
three  Chiefs  of  the  Mahrattas  were  killed,  and  the 
elephant  which  carried  the  flag  and  kettle  drums 
was  also  killed.  As  soon  as  the  body  of  the  ene- 
my's troops  became  disordered,  Ghazi  Khan,  and 
Hydur's  son,  esteeming  this  a  most  favourable  op- 
portunity, galloped  their  horse  at  once  into  the 
midst  of  the  fugitives ;  and,  as  long  as  they  had 
strength,  withdrew  not  their  hands  from  spoil  and 
slaughter;  following  the  fugitives  half  a  fursung, 
taking  four  or  five  thousand  horses,  and  two  thou- 
sand prisoners,  and  then  returning  with  them, 
and  a  great  quantity  of  plunder.  The  face  of 
Trimuk,  on  his  hearing  this  intelligence,  became 
yellow ;  and,  in  the  greatest  haste  and  trepidation, 
with  his  clothes  wet,  and  his  lips  dry,  he  returned 
and  encamped  near  the  Mooti  Talaub,  or  Tank. 
The  Nawaub  manifested  great  joy  at  this  victory, 
and,  prostrating  himself  at  the  threshold  of  the  High 
and  Mighty  Bestower  of  all  blessings,  returned 
his  thanks,  and,  beating  his  drums  in  honour  of  his 
victory,  entered  the  fort.  But,  to  say  the  truth, 
the  skirmishing  and  fighting  of  the  brave  men  of 


209 

both  armies  continued  daily:  but,  for  the  most 
part,  the  Mahrattas  were  worsted  and  put  to  flight. 
Trimuk,  therefore,  now  put  a  stop  to  the  fighting, 
and  began  to  plunder  and  devastate  the  country  of 
the  Payan  Ghaut,  that  is,  the  territory  in  the  Na- 
waub's  possession  to  the  southward  of  Puttun, 
namely,  Koimbetoor,  Palghaut,  and  Dindigul ;  be- 
cause he  had  heard  that  supplies  from  those  parts, 
escorted  by  the  Naimars  and  Mapillas,  arrived  in 
the  camp  of  the  Nawaub;  and,  moreover,  that 
levies  of  horse  and  foot  were  made  there,  and  that 
considerable  bodies  of  these  troops  had  joined  the 
Nawaub's  camp.  In  consequence  of  this,  he  raised 
a  storm  of  mischief  in  that  unfortunate  country,  and 
destroyed  and  desolated  it  to  that  degree,  that  not 
a  root  of  green  herb  or  blade  of  grass  remained  in 
the  earth,  all  being  torn  up ;  and  even  the  branches 
of  the  trees  of  that  depopulated  waste  held  out  their 
oppressed  hands,*  to  crave  mercy  from  the  giver 
of  life.  The  commanders  of  forts,  however,  in  that 
direction,  strengthened  their  posts,  and  defended 
and  preserved  them  well. 

When  Trimuk  departed  to  the  Payan  Ghaut, 
the  Nawaub  prepared  to  follow  him,  and  had  ac- 
tually planted  his  colours,  and  pitched  his  tents, 

'  Alluding  perhaps  to  the  position  assumed  by  the  Brahmans 
when  asking  alms. 


210 

near  the  hill'^  which  has  been  before  mentioned. 
The  commandant,  Muhammad  Ah,  however,  re- 
presented to  him,  on  this  determination,  that  his 
quitting  his  capital  at  that  time  was  not  advisable, 
lest  any  treachery  or  sedition  should  arise;  for, 
that  the  enemies  of  his  power  were  innumerable, 
while,  on  the  contrary,  those  friends  and  servants 
who  were  ready  to  sacrifice  their  lives  for  him  were 
few ;  that  he  had  better  take  the  matter  into  his 
deepest  consideration ;  that  he,  (the  commandant), 
would  exert  himself  to  the  extent  of  his  ability, 
and  not  fail  in  devoting  his  life  to  his  service ;  but 
that  it  was  necessary  Hydur's  son,  Tippoo,  should 
be  left  in  the  Barh  Mahl  district,  with  the  whole 
of  the  cavalry  and  Kuzzaks  or  Pindarehs.  The 
Nawaub  adopted  this  advice,  and  accordingly  des« 
patched  his  son  with  six  or  seven  thousand  horse, 
all  he  could  collect,  to  the  Barh  Mahl ;  while  the 
commandant,  with  four  thousand  regular  infantry, 
two  thousand  Kamatic  foot,  and  six  guns,  followed 
him.  The  two  divisions  joined  on  the  Ghaut  of  Rai 
Kote,  and  the  Prince  (Tippoo),  with  all  his  horse 
encamped  in  the  plain  of  Kauveri  Puttun,  while 
the  commandant,  Muhammad  All,  with  his  troops, 
remained  at  Kishengiri. 

At  that  time  intelligence  arrived,  that  four  or 

T  Karighat. 


211 

five  thousand  M ahratta  horse,  with  stores  in  great 
quantity,  and  cattle  innumerable,  being  plunder 
which  they  had  taken  from  the  army  of  the  Na- 
waub,  and  in  the  country  of  the  Balaghaut  and 
Payanghaut,  and  accompanied  by  the  bankers  of  the 
Mahratta  camp,  with  great  store  of  gold  and  jewels, 
had  come  in  obedience  to  the  orders  of  Trimuk, 
from  the  Ghaut  of  Tuppoor,  and  passing  above  the 
towns  of  Wanambari  and  Tripatoor,  and  across  the 
pass  or  mountains'  of  Kurunpaut,  were  marching 
direct  to  Poona.  As  soon  as  he  had  heard  these 
tidings,  the  brave  commandant  marched,  at  night, 
with  five  hundred  regular  infantry,  two  hundred 
Chittikars, '  and  a  thousand  irregular  foot,  by  the 
road  of  Gungindi  Pala,  (the  Poligar  of  which  was 
still  obedient  to  the  Nawaub) ;  and,  descending  by 
the  Ghaut  of  Tubul  PuUi,  took  up  a  position  on 
the  side  of  a  hill,  on  the  road  to  Kurunpaut,  and 
there  halted,  despatching  the  Chittikars  to  the  top 
of  the  Ghaut,  which  belonged  to  the  dependencies 
of  the  Nazim  of  Arkat.  It  is  to  be  observed  here, 
that  the  Arkat  chief  was  then  acting  in  concert,  or 
secret  collusion,  with  the  Nawaub,  and  that,  con- 
sequently, the  guards  at  the  gates  of  the  Ghauts 

•  The  Chittikars  arc  so  called,  I  believe,  from  their  clothing. 
Perhaps  the  tiger-striped  cotton. 


212 

offered  no  impediment  to  their  march.  The  Chit- 
tikars,  therefore,  took  possession  of  the  gates  of  tlie 
Ghauts,  which  were  fortified  by  walls  and  towers, 
and,  after  that,  they  remained  there.  It  happened, 
the  next  day,  that  the  Pindarehs  of  the  Mahrattas, 
with  an  immense  quantity  of  baggage,  and  herds 
and  droves  of  cattle  and  horses,  came  on  without 
any  suspicion  or  apprehension,  in  truth,  like  game 
coming  of  its  own  accord  to  the  kitchen  to  be 
roasted.  The  vigilant  commandant  soon  knew  of 
their  coming,  and  immediately  sent  information  to 
his  concealed  parties  in  the  Ghaut,  while  he  him- 
self remained  in  readiness  where  he  was.  In  the 
meanwhile,  when  the  Mahrattas  advanced  nigh 
the  gate  of  the  Ghaut,  and  their  rear  guard  arrived 
opposite  the  hill,  where  the  commandant  had  sta- 
tioned himself,  he  attacked  their  rear  like  a  furious 
lion,  pouring  volley  upon  volley  on  them.  On 
hearing  this  fire,  the  parties  in  ambush  in  the  Ghaut, 
rushing  forward,  charged  them  in  front,  beating 
their  drums,  and  with  the  sword  and  bayonet,  made 
as  many  holes  in  the  breasts  of  their  antagonists  as 
there  is  in  a  bird  cage  ;  while  those  who  attacked  in 
the  rear,  broke  the  backs  and  sides  of  their  enemies 
with  their  spears  and  muskets.  When  the  ofiicers 
and  soldiers  of  the  Mahrattas  saw  that  the  road  of 
their  safety  was  as  small  as  the  eye  of  an  elephant. 


213 

they,  in  a  cowardly  manner^  without  making  that 
resistance  which  they  might  have  done^  and  leaving 
all  their  baggage^  hid  themselves  in  the  caves  and 
ravines  of  the  mountain.  The  commandant  now 
made  his  two  detachments  form  a  junction^  and, 
collecting  the  baggage  and  stores  of  the  fugitives, 
with  their  horses,  and  bullocks,  and  the  bags  of 
silver  and  gold,  placed  the  plunder  in  loads  on  th  e 
heads  of  the  prisoners,  and  sent  them,  by  the  route 
of  the  Ghaut  of  Tubul  PuUi,  to  Kishengiri,  under 
the  escort  of  the  Kamatic  infantry.  As  for  himself, 
he  halted  where  he  was,  near  a  pool  of  water,  at 
the  foot  of  the  Ghaut.  No  sooner,  however,  had  he 
done  so,  than  a  detachment  of  Mahratta  cavalry, 
which  had  come  up  in  the  rear  of  the  escort  and 
baggage,  arrived,  and,  seeing  the  small  number  of  his 
party,  instantly  surrounded  them,  and  commenced 
sniping  at  them  ft*om  a  distance.  The  commandant 
had  sustained  their  attack  for  near  two  hours,  when, 
taking  advantage  of  the  cover  given  by  the  hedges 
and  bushes,  he  got  close  to  the  Mahrattas,  and 
gave  them  such  a  warm  discharge  from  his  mus- 
ketry, that  at  once  two  or  three  hundred  horsemen, 
horse  and  man,  fell  killed  or  disabled.  The  rest, 
pushing  their  horses,  fled  as  fast  as  they  could,  and 
the  commandant,  quitting  the  ground  victorious, 
crossed  the  Ghaut  to  Kishengiri. 


214 

When  Trimuk  heard  of  the  plunder  and  disper- 
sion of  his  detachment,  he  discovered  that  the  Ghaut 
of  Kurunpaut  was  a  dependency  of  the  Nazim  of 
Arkat,  and  was  therefore  surprised  how  it  was  pos- 
sible the  troops  of  the  enemy  should  penetrate 
there ;  he  consequently  inferred  that  some  col- 
lusion had  subsisted  between  the  two  chiefs,  that  is> 
Muhammad  All  Khan  and  the  Nawaub,  and,  further 
inferred,  that  in  the  event,  (which  he  hoped  God 
would  forbid,)  those  chiefs  should  unite  together  to 
attack  the  Mahrattas,  and  shut  the  passes  of  the 
mount^s,  on  their  route,  the  honour  of  the  Paishwa 
might  be  thereby  endangered,  and  many  lives  use- 
lessly lost.  Trimuk,  therefore,  made  forced  marches 
from  that  quarter,  and,  having  crossed  the  Ghaut 
of  Tuppoor,  encamped  near  the  town  of  Ootangiri. 
The  commandant,  Muhammad  Ah,  immediately  ap- 
prised Tippoo  of  the  arrival  of  tlie  Mahrattas,  and 
advised  him  to  march  to  Puttun.  As  soon,  however, 
as  that  fortunate  and  brave  young  man  knew  of  the 
rapid  march  of  the  Mahrattas,  he  sent  the  whole  of 
his  baggage  and  followers,  that  is,  his  tents,  stores, 
colours,  &c.,  to  Puttun^  and  he  himself,  with  a 
body  of  three  or  four  thousand  horse,  marched 
towards  Trimuk's  force.  It  happened,  on  that 
day,  that  the  Mahratta  light  troops  had  foraged  to 
wards  Dhurrumpoori,  and  thrown  that  neighbour- 


215 

hood  into  great  disorder,  and  had  plundered  several 
towns,  and  were  then  busy  in  collecting  wood  and 
forage.  Tippoo  soon  joined  these  men,  and  affected 
to  collect  wood  and  grass,  as  they  did ;  but  he  was 
looking  out  for  an  opportunity,  which  at  last  he 
found.  Having  made  up  their  loads,  the  Mahrattas 
put  them  on  their  horses,  camels,  and  elephants, 
and,  without  any  precaution  as  to  friend  or  foe, 
marched  towards  their  own  encampment.  Tippoo, 
the  moment  he  was  able,  threw  upon  the  ground  the 
loads  from  his  horses,  and,  without  delay,  stretching 
forth  the  hands  of  manhood,  with  little  trouble,  put 
the  Mahrattas  into  such  confusion,  that,  from  the 
shouts  of  '^  kill  and  take,"  ^  fear  fell  on  their  hearts, 
and  they  saw  no  remedy  but  to  fly,  and  save  their 
lives.  Tippoo,  in  consequence,  with  three  or  four 
thousand  horses  and  bullocks,  fifty  or  sixty  camels 
belonging  to  Trimuk*s  Tosha  Khana,  or  wardrobe, 
and  fifteen  or  twenty  elephants,  with  other  equip- 
ments of  the  M ahratta  army,  returned  victorious  to 
Puttun.  Trimuk,  struck  with  alarm  at  this  attack, 
marched  with  his  army  to  Kauveri  Puttun,  and  en- 
camped there.  The  commandant,  however,  having 
on  the  same  night  obtained  information  of  the  en- 
campment of  the  Mahrattas,  and  having  his  force  in 
readiness,  determined  to  surprise  them  by  an  attack 


216 

under  cover  of  the  darkness,  and  he  marched  for 
that  purpose.  It  liappened,  that  by  the  time  he 
had  arrived  near  their  encampment,  the  night  was 
spent,  and  the  cock  sounded  his  loud  call  to  at- 
tention, and  to  arouse  the  lovers  of  sloth ;  he,  the 
commandant,  therefore,  quickly  countermarched, 
and  sought  refuge  in  the  low  ground,  near  the  foot 
of  the  mountain  of  Gugungurh.  Trimuk,  also, 
halted  during  that  day  where  he  was ;  but  was 
still  ignorant  of  the  arrival  of  that  lion  of  the  field 
of  valour,  who,  from  the  morning  to  the  evening  of 
the  same  day,  passed  his  time  under  the  cover  of 
the  jungul.  But  at  night,  when  the  veil  of  sleep 
and  forgetfulness  was  thrown  over  the  world,  he, 
having  all  in  readiness,  attacked  the  left  wing  of 
the  Mahrattas,  and  most  gallantly  captured  the 
whole  of  their  stores  and  artillery,  and  released 
.  several  prisoners,  who  had  been  taken  in  the  con- 
fusion of  the  defeat  at  Churkoli,  and  were  still 
confined  in  the  Mahratta  camp.  Having  com- 
pletely dispersed  the  followers  and  baggage  of  the 
enemy,  and  set  fire  to  their  tents  and  standards, 
the  commandant,  before  the  rising  of  the  sun,  re- 
turned with  five  hundred  horses,  six  elephants,  and 
eleven  camels,  laden  with  treasure;  and,  skirting 
or  keeping  close  to  the  hills,  entered  Rai  Kote. 
He,  however,  still  marched  on,  and,  at  night,  pro- 


217 

ceeded  to  Anikul,  where  he  had  scarcely  arrived 
when  Trimuk,  having  been  informed  of  the  pre- 
sumption of  the  Nawaub's  troops,  despatched  his 
light  horse  in  pursuit  of  them,  he  himself  following. 
When  the  commandant  arrived  at  Khan  Khanhully, 
the  Mahratta  troops  had  anticipated  him^  and  had 
occupied  and  blocked  up  the  roads  by  which  he 
could  pass  with  safety,  and  they  then  surrounded 
him.     The  brave  commandant,  nevertheless,  halted 
all  day  in  a  ruined  fort,  and  at  night,  having  lighted 
fires  all  over  his  ground  of  encampment,  and  hung 
up  old  dirty  clothes  on  the  walls  and  gates^  he, 
with  his  troops,  passing  to  the  rear,  through  nar- 
row and  deep  roads,  jungul,  and  over  high  and  low 
grounds,  with  much  labour,  but  without  the  know- 
ledge of  the  enemy,  arrived  after  his  march,  on  the 
rear  of  their  picquets.     The  Mahrattas,  meanwhile, 
seeing  the  fires,  and  the  white  cloths  hung  upon 
the  gates  and  walls,  thought  Hydur's  troops  still 
remained  in  the  fort,  and.  without  fear  left  their 
horses  picketted,  and  were  busily  occupied  in  smo- 
king their   hookahs,  and  cooking  their  victuals. 
They  were  thus  employed,  when,  all  at  once,  the 
commandant,  the  deceiver  of  his  enemies,  arrived 
on  the  heads  of  the  picquets,  and  commenced  to 
fire  upon  them,  and  also  opened  a  fire  from  his 


218 

guns,  which  were  loaded  with  grape.  The  picquets, 
although  numerous,  were  soon  dispersed;  but  a 
body  of  five  or  six  thousand  cavalry,  in  armour, 
behaved  with  the  utmost  gallantry ;  for,  although 
the  shot  from  the  cannon  and  musket  rained  upon 
them  on  all  sides,  so  that  scarce  any  one  could 
escape  with  his  life,  from  the  field,  they  still,  with 
the  greatest  bravery,  gallopped  at  speed  straight 
into  the  ranks  of  their  enemies,  and  fought  so  des- 
perately. Verse  J  *^  Yes,  men  will  never  clothe  them- 
selves in  the  garb  of  hermaphrodites,*** — ^that  they 
soon  killed  and  wounded  five  or  six  hundred  of  the 
commandant's  matchlock  men.  Nevertheless,  the 
fortunate  and  brave  commandant,  victorious,  with 
the  horses  and  arms  of  those  that  had  been  slain, 
and  taking  his  wounded  with  him,  contrived,  under 
the  cover  of  the  Makri  jungul,  to  retire  safely  to 
Puttun.  The  remainder  of  the  Mahratta  picquets, 
on  account  of  the  darkness  of  the  night,  could  not 
come  to  the  assistance  of  those  which  were  at- 
tacked, but  fled  into  their  own  lines,  and  informed 
Trimuk  of  the  plunder  and  dispersion  of  his  ad- 
vanced post ;  and  he,  being  placed  in  great  difl&- 
culties  by  the  enterprise  and  stratagems  of  the 

*^  Whoever  bears  roan's  heart  within  his  breast, 
Will  ne*er  like  base  hermaphrodite  be  dress'd. 


219 

Nawaub's  troops^  fell  into  deep  reflection,  and, 
leaving  his  ground  of  encampment,  marched  by 
the  route  of  Munda,  towards  Milekote.  There  he 
encamped,  and  remained,  until  the  Nawaub,  by  the 
advice  of  the  wisest  of  his  counsellors,  but  ex- 
tending his  views  particularly  to  the  advancement 
of  the  peace  and  happiness  of  mankind,  despatched 
a  person,  of  the  name  of  Apajee  Ram  as  an  agent, 
to  arrange  the  terms  of  peace  with  Trimuk,  (for  it 
is  a  saying  of  the  wise, — "  True  and  straightforward 
men  have  (often)  no  choice  but  to  seek  the  friend- 
ship of  the  crooked." — "  The  arrow  is  compelled  to 
obey  the  bow/') 

Trimuk,  however,  walking  in  his  own  conceited 
proud  way,  declined  making  peace ;  but  still  kept 
the  Vakeel  or  agent  near  him,  giving  him  sometimes 
a  few  words  of  good  advice,  and  frequently  boasting 
of  his  prowess.  The  Vakeel  wrote  all  this  to  the 
Nawaub;  but,  after  a  short  time,  the  Mahratta 
turned  his  heart  from  this  country,  (Mysore),  and, 
being  foiled  on  every  side  by  the  arms  of  the  Na- 
waub, bent  his  thoughts  on  the  pillage  of  Nuggur, 
a  country  very  wealthy  and  populous ;  and,  accord- 
ingly, he  despatched  his  tents,  (Paishkhana,)^  in 
that  direction.  Hydiur's  agent  informed  his  master 
of  this  plan ;  at  the  same  time  advising  and  press- 


"jliU 


220 

ing  him  to  make  some  provision  for  defence  in  that 
quarter. 

On  hearing  these  tidings^  the  Nawaub  was  thrown 
into  deep  thought,  and  sent  for  the  commandant, 
(Muhammad  Ali),  apprised  him  of  the  intentions  of 
the  Mahrattas,  and  consulted  him  as  to  the  method 
by  which  their  design  might  be  defeated.  The  brave 
commandant  again  immediately  took  the  whole  re- 
sponsibility of  the  expedition  on  his  courage  and 
ability,  and  rose  up  to  depart;  and  the  Nawaub 
ultimately  sent  him  forth  with  six  thousand  veteran 
matchlock  men,  ten  guns,  and  two  thousand  of  his 
stable*  horse,  to  achieve  the  discomfiture  of  the 
Mahrattas. 

As  soon  as  he  was  dismissed,  the  brave  com- 
mandant marched,  by  the  route  of  Periaputtun,  to 
the  Koorg  Ghaut,  named  Siddapoor.  The  Koorg 
chief,  however,  having  at  that  time  unfiurled  the 
standard  of  rebellion,  by  treacherously  cutting  off 
the  heads  of  the  Nawaub's  garrison  stationed  in  the 
fort  of  Murkera,  and  taking  the  whole  country  into 
his  possession,  had  occupied  the  road  in  force ;  so 
that  the  commandant  could  not  pass  that  way.  The 
commandant  did  not  consider  his  involving  himself 
in  hostilities  with  this  wild  but  cunning  race,'  as 
consistent  with  his  views  and  convenience,  and  he 

•  JJa-^^  The  Koorg  people. 


221 

therefore  retired,  and  continued  his  march,  leaving 
the  forests  of  Koorg  to  the  left.  Knowing,  how- 
ever, that  the  passage  of  troops,  with  heavy  baggage, 
over  mountains  and  through  forests,  was  difficult,  if 
not  impossible,  he  took  with  him  only  four  thousand 
well  trained  light  infantry,  and  two  hundred  good 
horse,  and  left  the  rest  of  the  troops,  artillery, 
horse,  tents  and  baggage,  under  the  care  of  Assud 
Khan,  commandant,  and  Jehan  Khan,  Khokur, ' 
Risaldar,  and,  having  at  night  despatched  them  to 
the  presence,  he  himself,  without  guns,  and  with  his 
small  force  alone,  took  post  on  some  high  ground. 
When  the  day  broke,  Trimuk  became  acquainted 
with  the  arrival  of  the  lion  commandant  in  the 
field,  and,  being  aware  of  his  having  sent  his  artil- 
lery to  Puttun,  he .  immediately  despatched  troop 
after  troop  of  his  force,  to  pursue  in  that  direction, 
and  he  himself  mounted  his  horse  and  followed  their 
track.  The  scouts  or  sentinels  of  the  commandant, 
who  were  stationed  on  a  small  hill,  and  who  had 
sent  out  spies  in  all  directions,  now  reported  to  their 
commanding  officer,  that  troops  of  M ahratta  horse 
were  marching  on  the  road  by  which  the  artillery 
on  the  night  before  had  proceeded.  The  expe- 
rienced commandant,  the  moment  he  heard  this  in- 
telligence, gave  orders  to  his  men  to  fire  vollies  in 
the  air ;  his  object  being  to  attract  the  enemy  to  his 

B  A  tribe  of  Afghans. 


222 

quarter,  that  the  artillery  might  arrive  unmolested 
at  the  Presence  ;  and  so  it  happened,  for  the  Mah- 
ratta  horse,  at  the  report  of  the  first  discharge,  im- 
mediately returned,  and  attacked  his  party.  When 
the  commandant  had,  by  his  address  and  ability, 
drawn  off  the  Mahratta  troops  to  his  side,  he  faced 
about,  and  began  to  retire  by  easy  paces  through 
the  jungul  of  Makri.  Before,  however,  he  could 
attain  the  skirts  of  the  forest,  Trimuk  himself  ar- 
rived; and,  with  all  his  horse,  surrounded  and 
attacked  him,  sniping^  at  him  and  galling  him  with 
a  distant  fire.  The  commandant  had  scarcely  time 
to  arrange  and  post  his  men  in  ambush,  when,  all 
at  once,  a  body  of  fifty  or  sixty  thousand  horse, 
gallopped  on  to  the  charge,  and,  with  sword  and 
spear,  engaged  rank  to  rank,  and  hand  to  hand. 
Having  warned  his  men,  who,  ready  formed  on  their 
ground,  had  loaded  and  were  silent,  the  valiant  com- 
mandant now  gave  the  word  to  fire  ;  and  the  brave 
and  experienced  fellows  arose  and  poured  such  close 
and  heavy  voUies  *  on  their  enemies,  that  the  earth 
ttembled  at  the  shock,  and  the  ears  of  the  heavens, 
were  deafened  at  the  sound. 

For  two  hours  the  battle  raged  with  the  utmost 
violence ;  the  troops  of  the  commandant  advanc- 
ing and  firing  ;  and,  from  their  heavy  fire  and 
desperate  charges,  it  is  estimated  that  not  less 


223 

than  ten  thousand  brave  fellows  of  the  Mahratta 
army,  slept  the  sleep  of  death ;  for,  they  fought 
in  such  throngs,  that  they  had  no  room  to  turn 
or  retreat,  and  their  lives  were,  therefore,  thrown 
away.    About  forty  or  fifty  chiefs  of  note  among 
the  Mahrattas  were  killed  on  this  occasion.     The 
standard  and  Howda  elephants,  and  camels,  bear- 
ing the  kettle  drums,  were  also  killed  or  wounded 
by  musket  balls.      (Translation  of  some  verses, 
from  the  Shah  Nama  apparently) — ^^  In  that  field 
contested  by  the  brave** — "  Strife  was  awake,  and 
Safety  asleep  *• — "  Peace  had  fled  many  fiirsungs 
away'* — ''  And  Fate  in  the  mean  time  was  in  the 
midst  (of  the  throng)  doing  its  own  work" — '*  The 
road  of  Life  was  lost*' — ''  The  horseman  fell  under 
his  horse's  hoofs,** — '^  Death  like  a  shadow  fell  on 
every  one.** — ''  So  fast  did  the  souls  of  men  fly  hand 
in  hand,  (to  Paradise)  that  even  Death  bit  his  hand 
in  grief" — '^  One  shouting  take,  and  kill,'* — ''  The 
other  opening  his  mouth  to  wail," — "  The  brother 
bewailing  his  brother" — ''  The  mother  weeping  for 
the  blood  of  her  son" — '*  The  father  mourning  for 
his  son,* — ^^  And  the  son  shedding  fast  and  bitter 
tears  for  his  uncle  and  father." — But,  to  return, — a 
river  of  blood  flowed  from  that  field,  and  the  Mah- 
rattas sustained  a  shameful  defeat,  and  they  fled  so 
frtst  that  the  plain  was  too  narrow  for  them,  and  the 


224 

Mussulmans,  planting  their  feet  firm  in  the  field  of 
honour,  remained  victorious. 

On  seeing  the  condition  of  his  own  army,  and 
the  intrepidity  of  the  Muhammadans,  Trimuk  was 
greatly  enraged,  and  became  heated  like  a  horse* 
shoe  in  a  forge,  and  having  sent  for  his  artillery 
he  established  his  batteries  in  front  of  the  Mussul- 
mans, and  gave  orders  to  commence  firing.  His 
artiUery  men  fired  from  a  considerable  distance, 
but  as  if  firing  at  a  mark ;  and  their  balls  gave 
great  annoyance  to  the  troops  of  the  commandant, 
damping  their  ardoiu-  by  breaking  their  arms  and 
legs ;  so  that  one  hundred  and  fifty  excellent  sol- 
diers lost  their  lives  without  advantage.  But,  al- 
though it  went  very  near  that  the  discipline  and 
order  of  the  troops  were  entirely  broken,  and  the 
page  of  the  book  of  shame  disclosed,  still  the  able 
conimandant,  having  given  the  curl  of  manhood 
and  intrepidity  to  the  moustache  of  perseverance, 
arrested  the  wavering  of  those  who  had  acquired 
the  properties  of  quicksilver,  and,  having  cahned 
and  allayed  their  disorder,  he  gave  orders  that 
those  men  who  were  desperately  wounded,  and  the 
bodies  of  the  slain  of  the  Mahrattas,  of  whom  a 
great  number  had  fallen,  should  be  dragged  to- 
gether, and  piled  round  his  troops  Uke  a  breast- 
work.    Then,  he  himself,  with  his  confidence  firm. 


225 

and  a  pure  faith,  perfonned  his  ablutions,^  after 
which,  turning  towards  the  Kibleh,  he  repeated  with 
a  loud  voice  the  iJzan  or  call  to  prayer.  He  next 
encircled  or  stockaded  his  position  with  branches  of 
trees;  and  made  his  men  lie  down  in  their  ranks. 
From  this  time,  the  saintly  influence  of  the  com- 
mandant appeared  evident ;  for,  after  he  had  re- 
peated the  call  to  prayer,  though  the  Mahrattas 
fired  thousands  of  cannon  shot  at  his  party,  all 
passed  over  their  heads,  and  injured  no  one.  "  If 
the  sword  of  the  world  fly  out  of  the  scabbard  ** — 
"  It  will  not  cut  a  vein  except  by  God's  com- 
mand.**" In  fact,  the  Mahrattas,  by  the  evening, 
had  expended  many  Tumbrils  of  ammunition,  but 
had  effected  nothing,  and  could  obtain  no  advantage 
over  this  little  party.  At  night,  therefore,  they 
drew  off  their  guns,  and  returned  to  their  encamp- 
ment, which  was  about  two  Fursungs  distant. 

The  commandant,  who  had  so  manfully  fought, 
and  with  his  brave  companions,  had  maintained  the 
field  without  food  or  water  the  whole  day,  and 
thereby  gained  so  much  honour,  at  night,  finding  the 

it*^  rubbing  the  face  &c.  with  sand  or  earth  instead  of 

water. 

1 


■■  Though  the  sword  of  the  world  from  the  scabbard  should  fly. 
Not  a  vein  could  it,  cut,  unless  bidden  from  on  high. 

Q 


226 

coast  clear,  without  fear  marched  with  his  men  form- 
ed in  order  of  battle  towards  Mysore,  leaving  all  his 
wounded,  whose  power  of  movement  had  been  cut 
off  by  the  balls  of  the  enemy,  on  the  field  of  battle, 
telling  them  to  be  of  good  cheer,  for  that  he  would 
send  Doolies"  for  them  from  Astara,  a  town  on 
the  road  to  Nuggur.  The  Mahratta  picquets  and 
videttes,  on  the  flank  on  which  they  marched,  al- 
though they  were  quite  aware  of  his  movement,  and 
had  mounted  their  horses,  and  formed  to  the  right 
and  left  of  the  road,  looking  on,  still  offered  no  op- 
position to  the  night  travellers ;  nor  did  they  make 
any  report  of  their  march  to  Trimuk,  but  wilfully 
allowed  them  to  pass,  and  even  extolled  their  ac- 
tions as  they  marched  along.  When  the  morning 
appeared,  the  foolish  Mahratta,  posted  his  guns 
in  the  same  place  they  had  before  occupied,  and 
commenced  to  fire  ; — but,  when  the  sun  had 
risen  high,  and  the  veil  of  cowardice  was  withdrawn 
from  before  their  eyes,  they  found  the  field  clear  of 
the  Mussulmans,  and,  running  forward,  soon  ob- 
tained information  of  them  from  the  wounded  who 
were  left  the  ground,  and  a  clear  detail  of  what 
had  occurred  the  night  before.  Trimuk,  therefore, 
hastened  off  to  Astara  ;  and  the  commandant,  with- 
out opposition  from  any  one,  entered  the  fort  of 

°  A  kind  of  litter  in  which  sick  men  are  carried. 


227 

Mysore.  On  the  same  night  the  Prince,  (Tippoo), 
with  five  or  six  thousand  horse,  and  two  or  three 
thousand  regular  and  irregular  foot,  attacked  an 
escort  of  the  Mahrattas,  coming  from  Poona,  con- 
sisting of  eight  thousand  horse  and  ten  thousand 
irregular  infantry,  conveying  an  immense  supply  of 
stores,  provisions,  and  treasure,  which  was  carried 
on  thirty  elephants,  a  hundred  camels,  and  fifty 
mules,  and  accompanied,  also,  by  merchants  with 
gold  and  jewels  of  great  value,  and  a  supply  of  am- 
munition. These  men  were  encamped  near  Chund- 
raiputtun,  perfectly  at  their  ease,  and  not  having 
the  slightest  intimation  of  a  night  attack,  Tippoo, 
therefore,  at  once  assailed  them  and  put  forth  the 
hand  of  exertion  to  the  slaughter  and  plunder  of  the 
convoy ;  in  such  wise,  that  he  did  not  allow  one 
among  them  to  escape  in  safety,  or  fail  to  take  every 
article  of  the  least  value  belonging  to  the  Mahrattas^ 
including  their  treasure  ;  and,  this  done,  he  sent 
them  all  off  to  the  capital,  Puttun,  or  rather  to  his 
illustrious  father,  while  he  himself  marched  towards 
Nuggur. 

On  hearing  of  this  exploit,  Trimuk  let  fall  the 
hands  of  weakness  on  the  earth  of  despair,  and 
drew  his  head  deep  into  the  collar  of  reflection,  being 
unable  to  divine  what  he  should  do  in  the  end,  or 
by  what  means  he  should   subdue  the  victorious 


228 

Mussulmans.  While  he  was  in  this  state  of  sus- 
pense^ a  pair**  of  Hurkaras^  brought  news  from 
Poona,  that  Raghoba  had  murdered  his  nephew 
Narayen  Rao,  and  had  seated  himself  on  the  Mus- 
nud,  and  was  making  his  own  arrangements  in  the 
government.  On  receiving  this  intelligence,  Tri- 
muk  was  immersed  in  the  whirlpool  of  dismay  and 
affliction,  and  considered  that  the  best  thing  he 
could  now  do  was  to  make  peace ;  and,  therefore, 
by  the  medium  of  the  Nawaub's  Vakeel,  he  began  to 
trace  his  steps  in  the  path  of  conciliation.  He,  how- 
ever, insisted  on  being  paid  the  expenses  of  his 
army ;  for  which  he  had  disbursed  Krores  ^  of  rupees. 
The  astute  Vakeel  returned  for  answer,  in  the 
words  of  the  Nawaub  Bahadur,  that  all  the  wealth 
of  the  (Mysore)  state  was  taken  at  the  field  of 
Churkooli ;  that  even  the  wearing  apparel  of  the 
Nawaub  was  presented  to  the  army  of  the  Paishwa, 
on  that  occasion ;  and  nothing  was  left — that  the 
whole  of  the  country  had  become  a  grazing  field 
for  the  Poona  horse  ;  that,  consequently,  the  state 
now,  (instead  of  paying),  required  assistance ;  that 
the  profits  of  present  peace  would  be  seen  in  the 
future  prosperity  of  the  Mysore'  state ;  that  (the 
Nawaub  hoped)   Trimuk  by  any  means  would  be 

i^jy^  Hindi.  p  Letter  carriers. 

4  A  Krore  is  ten  millions. 

'  The  terms  used  here  are  amhiguous. 


229 

generous  enough  to  return  to  his  own  country  ;  and 
that  he  was  to  consider  the  increase  of  the  pros- 
perity of  Mysore  as  an  increase  of  his  own  dignity. 

In  fine,  the  offer  of  such  cajoling  and  fool-deceiv- 
ing words  and  the  payment  of  two  hundred  thou- 
sand rupees,  having  satisfied  Trimuk,  he  released 
the  prisoners  of  Churkooli  and  the  Nawaub  was 
allowed  to  remain  unmolested.     Trimuk  now  from 
the  pressing  circumstances  of  the  time,  considering 
his  own  safety  as  victory  and  conquest,  withdrew 
his  garrisons  from  the  forts  depending  on  Seringa- 
puttun,  and  dismissed  his  prisoners  with  presents 
and  honorary  dresses ;  and  having  appointed  Ba- 
pojee  Sindiah  to  the  government  of  the  Souba  of 
Sura,  he  commenced  his  march  to  Poona ;    and, 
from  political  motives,  joined  the  camp  of  Raghoba. 
The  Kuzzaks  of  the  Nawaub,  however,  followed  his 
camp   to   the  river   Tungbhudra,  and   under  the 
cover  of  the  hills  and  jungles,  slew  many  of  the 
Mahrattas,  took  many  prisoners,  and  returned  with 
great  spoil.    After  enduring  much  mortification,  and 
discomfort,  Meer  All  Ruza  Khan,  by  the  mediation 
of  Nana  Fumavees,  was  allowed  to  quit  the  Mah- 
rattas, and  again  joined  the  Nawaub,  and  Gurum 
Khoondah  and  Dindigul  were  again  assigned  to  him 
in  Jageer. 


230 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


The  usurpation  of  Raghoba,  the  uncle  of  Narayen  Rao»  and  his 
invafiion  of  the  Balaghaut  country ;  and,  at  length,  his  hopeless 
and  fugitive  retreat.  Also,  the  conquest  by  the  Nawaub,  during 
this  opportunity,  of  the  countries  of  Badami,  Hulihul,  Nowul- 
goondah,  Dharwar,  &c. ;  with  other  events  of  the  year  1 1 83, 
Hijri,  A,D.  1769. 


When  Narayen  Rao  was  murdered  at  the  insti- 
gation of  his  uncle  Raghoo,  by  the  instrumentality 
of  the  relations  of  Muhammad  Yoosuf,  commandant^ 
Raghoo,  who,  from  the  time  of  the  government 
of  Balajee  Rao  and  Madhoo  Rao^  had  been  in  con- 
finement, seated  himself  on  the  Musnud,  and  made 
his  own  arrangements  to  carry  on  the  govern- 
ment ;  sending  some  of  the  chiefs  of  the  Mahratta 
state,  whom  he  had  attracted  to  his  party,  with  a 
large  force  towards  Hydurabad.  The  Nazim*  of 
that  place  although  he  with  his  troops  and  artillery 
soon  entered  the  field  to  oppose  the  invaders, 
still,  from  the  immense  force  of  the   Mahrattas, 

■  The  author  writes  N^im  for  Nizdni,  out  of  contempt. 


231 

and  because  the  Moghul  soldiers  are  a  motley  as- 
semblage of  proud,  indolent,  and  effeminate  men, 
could  not  stand  against  the  Mahrattas  in  the  field, 
but  in  one  battle  was  overthrown,  and  his  troops  fled, 
leaving  their  master  at  the  mercy*  of  the  Mahrattas. 
When  he  saw  that  his  troops  would  not  fight,  but 
that   they  fled   to  their  own  homes,  abandoning 
their  artillery,  stores  and  ammunition,  to  the  enemy, 
the  chief  of  Hydurabad  was  obliged   to  sue  for 
peace,  Rooknuddowla,  his  minister,  being  unable 
to  carry  on  the  war  any  longer.     Monsieur  Ray- 
mond, a  Frenchman,  however,  with  two  thousand 
regular  infantry,  and  two  guns,  formed  round  the 
body  guard  and  elephant  of  the  Nizam,  and,  fight- 
ing the  whole  way,  safely  escorted  him  to  the  fort 
of  Budur.     Raghoba,  nevertheless,  still  followed 
him,  and  besieged  the  fort,  and  compelled  the  Ni- 
zam to  assign  to  him  in  the  fullest  and  most  satis- 
factory manner,  the  revenues  of  certain  districts, 
such  as  Budur,  Ourungabad,  Berar,  &c.     He  then 
turned  his  steps  and  his  views  towards  the  conquest 
of  the  Balaghaut,  or  the  country  belonging  to  the 
Nawaub,  and  marched  thither.     During  this  time, 
Fumavees,  the  prime  minister  at  Poona,  who  had 
remained  at  the  capital,  pretending  to  be  sick,  now 
forming  a  deep  plan,  secretly  wrote  to  the  Nizam 

^  The  Author  says  they  left  him  in  the  hands  of  the  Mahrattas. 


232 

of  Hydurabad,  that  Raghoba,  being  insane  and  in-* 
stigated  by  an  insatiable  desire  to  obtain  wealth  and 
rule,  had  murdered  his  own  brother's  son,  who  was 
the  rightful  heir  to  the  musnud,  or  throne  of  that 
country,  and  had  himself  usurped  the  chief  authority, 
and  that  it  was  desirable  the  Nizam  should  unite  with 
the  Mahrattas,  and  put  him  out  of  the  way.     He 
also  wrote  and  despatched  letters  in  the  same  strain, 
to  the  Nawaub.     The  Nawaub,  with  his  newly 
reformed  army,  was  holding  himself  in  readiness, 
and  looking  out  for  times  and  opportunities,  when 
the  minister  above  mentioned  wrote  also  to  the 
chiefs  of  the  Mahratta  government,  who  in  the 
dialect  or  language  of  their  nation  are  called  Put- 
kuh,"  and  who  from  policy  had  accompanied  Rag- 
hoba ;  that,  they  might  be  sure  the  sinner  Raghoba 
had  smeared  the  blood  of  his  nephew  on  the  fore- 
head of  his  own  condition,""  and  that  he  had  hung 
round  his  neck  the  Zoonnar,  (or  Braminical  cord,) 
of  infamy   and   shame,   and   was  now  dark  and 
entirely  reckless.     It  was  therefore,  he  said,  only 
consistent  with  their  loyalty  that  they  should  unite 
and  take  revenge  on  him ;  that  the  wife  of  the 
murdered  Narayen  Rao  was  with  child,  and  should 
be  considered  as  the  sovereign  and  heir  to  the  go- 

^  Alluding  to  the  custom  of  the  Brahmins,  who  mark  their  fore- 
heads with  sandal,  and  a  red  powder,  to  denote  their  caste  and  sect. 


233 

vernment,  and  that  they  should  not  turn  aside 
from  her  authority ;  and  that  it  was  evident  what 
worldly  advantages  they  might  expect  from  a  man 
who  acted  so  barbarously  to  his  own  nephew.  The 
Mahratta  chiefs,  with  the  army,  when  they  were 
acquainted  with  the  contents  of  this  letter,  became 
satisfied  that  no  one  could  ever  be  profited  by  a 
connection  with  Raghoba,  and  therefore  every  day 
some  one  of  them,  with  his  contingent,  returned 
without  Raghoba's  knowledge  to  Poona ;  and,  be- 
sides this,  troops  of  his  best  soldiers  left  the  camp 
under  the  pretence  of  joining  the  picquets,  or  out 
guards,  and  thence  returned  to  their  homes.  In 
fact,  Raghoba's  army  in  marching  from  Budur,  to 
Rai  Droog,  to  which  place  they  had  proceeded  by 
the  route  of  Gopul,  Bahadur  Bundah,  and  Kunuk- 
giri,  was  completely  disbanded,  except  the  Kuzzaks 
or  Pindarahs,  a  body  whom  he  had  himself  col- 
lected, and  which  amounted  to  about  thirty  thou- 
sand men,  and  they  were  the  only  troops  remaining 
with  him.  When  Raghoba  saw  that  so  much  disaf- 
fection had  crept  into  his  camp,  that  the  key  to  the 
authority  of  the  government  was  lost ;  that  the 
chief  of  Hydurabad,  according  to  the  hint  given 
him  by  Nana  Furnavees,  was  also  actively  occu- 
pied in  collecting  troops,  and  military  stores ;  also, 
that,  the  Poona  Chiefs,  who  had  separated  them- 


23i 

selves  from  his  army,  had  united  with  an  intention 
to  punish  him,  were  actually  following  him  like  a 
hawk  pursuing  a  partridge  ;  and  lastly,  that  the 
road  of  safety  was  closed,  and  the  field  of  murder, 
and  rapine  wide  open ;  he  became  uneasy  and  per- 
plexed, and  began  to  seek  the  path  of  accommodation 
with  the  Nawaub.     He  therefore  despatched  a  Va- 
keel, with  a  request  for  aid,  and  for  the  Chouth,  or 
fourth  part  of  the  revenue  of  Mysore.     The  Na- 
waub, however,  seeing  his  actual  necessities,  and 
the  disordered  state  of  his  affairs,  declined  to  grant 
his  requests ;  and,  in  apology,  urged  the  ruined  state 
of  the  country,  and  the  plunder  and  destruction  of 
his  property  and  resources,  and  wrote  plainly,  in 
answer,  that  he  must  be  excused  from  agreeing  to 
any  such  measures.  Raghoba,  however,  from  policy 
again  sought  his  protection,  and  offered  the  whole  of 
the  Souba  of  Sura ;  and  not  only  that,  but  declared 
that  the  whole  of  the  country  on  this  side  of  the 
river  Kishna,  to  Badami,  Jali  Hulli,  &c.,  should  be 
given  up  to  the  Nawaub's  officers ;  but  for  this,  the 
Nawaub  was  to  furnish,  by  any  means  in  his  power 
ten  Lakhs  of  rupees.     As  the  Nawaub  lent  a  wil- 
ling ear  to  this  proposition,  Raghoba  despatched  his 
half  brother,  Bajee  Rao,  with  three  hundred  horse, 
to  withdraw  the  garrison  from  the  fort  of  the  Souba 
of  Sura. 


235 

When  this   chief  arrived  there,  he    forwarded 
Raghoba's  letter  to  Bapojee  Sindiah,  the  governor, 
requiring  the  fort  to  be  delivered  up.      Bapojee, 
however,  got  the  guns  of  the  fort  in  readiness,  and 
sent  for  answer,  that  Raghoba  was  the  murderer 
of  his  nephew,  and  what  power  or  authority  had  a 
foolish,  unfortunate  man,  like  him,  to  issue  orders  to 
the  officers  of  the  Chief  of  the  Poona  State,  that 
is,  to  the  children  of  Balajee  Rao  Nana  ; — and  that 
if  the  messengers  wished  to  preserve  their  lives,  they 
had  better  take  themselves  off,  as  if  they  did  not,  he 
would  blow  every  ungrateful  rascal  among  them 
from  the  mouth  of  a  gun.     On  hearing  this  sturdy 
message,  Bajee  Rao,  losing  all  courage,  took  the 
road  to  Seringaputtun,  where  he  was  introduced  to 
the  Nawaub  Bahadur,  and  represented  to  him  the 
measures  necessary  for  the  conquest  of  the  Souba 
Sura  &c. ;  and,  in  consequence,  the  prince,  (Tip- 
poo),  was  sent  with  him,  accompanied  by  a  large 
force. 

At  this  very  time,  letters  to  the  Nawaub  arrived 
from  the  minister,  above-mentioned  (Furnavees), 
to  the  effect — '*  that  he  was  on  no  account  to  move 
or  act  on  the  deceitful  words  of  the  murderer  of  his 
nephew,  namely  Raghoba;  that  please  God,  after 
the  punishment  of  that  wicked  man,  all  arrangements 
relative  to  the  brave  Nawaub's  possessions  and  dig- 


236 

nity  would  be  settled  by  the  Chief  and  ministers  of 
Poona  on  a  sure  footing  (this  part  is  rather  obscure) 
and  that,  even  now,  the  Nawaub  was  to  consider 
the  punishment  of  that  villain  Raghoba  as  incum- 
bent on  him.** 

The  Nawaub  therefore,  in  compliance  with  the 
request  of  the  minister,  marched  with  a  large  force 
from  his  capital,  and  encamped  at  Chundrai  Puttun. 
Tippoo,  on  leaving  his  father  had  marched,  with 
the  Rao  before  mentioned,  to  Sura,  where  he  found 
the  Killadar  ready  for  action.  But  having  thrown 
up  batteries,  and  attacked  the  works,  he  in  two  or 
three  months  took  the  fort,  and,  leaving  a  garrison 
there,  moved  on  quickly  to  Mud  Giri,  and  in  four 
days  finished  the  conquest  of  the  fort  of  that  place, 
and  made  all  necessary  arrangements.  He  then 
proceeded  to  Chundrai  Droog,  which  he  besieged, 
and,  at  the  end  of  a  month,  by  a  gallant  attack  on 
the  place,  he  took  it. 

The  Nawaub  having  marched  from  Chundrai 
Droog,  proceeded  by  slow  stages  to  Tumkoor ; 
when  Raghoo,  seeing  the  field  of  prosperity  and 
safety  closed  against  him  on  all  sides,  hearing  of  the 
warlike  demonstrations  of  the  Nawaub  Bahadur, 
his  neglecting  to  send  the  money  required  of  him, 
and  the  capture  of  his  forts  by  the  bravery  of  the 
Prince  (Tippoo)  and  being  grieved  to  the  heart  by 


237 

these  accounts,  he  saw  no  remedy  but  to  fly,  and 
save  his  life  as  best  he  could.  He,  therefore,  with 
the  troops  he  had  present,  about  sixteen  thousand 
horse,  commenced  his  return,  bootless,  and  wound, 
like  a  black  snake,  his  devious  way  to  Hindustan 
through  the  mountainous  and  woody  parts  of  the 
country ;  the  troops  of  Poona  and  Hydurabad  fol- 
lowing him  successively  to  Boorhanpoor,  and  from 
that  to  Khandees,  and  Gujurat. 

The  Nawaub,  considering  this  opportunity  very 
fortunate,  now  marched  on,  and,  without  the  least 
opposition  from  any  one,  took  possession  of  Gopul, 
Bahadur  Bunduh,  Mondergi  Droog,  Gujindur  Gurh, 
&c.,  all  belonging  to  the  Mahrattas.  Some  of  the 
Talookas  and  forts  were  taken  by  force  of  arms ; 
but  mostly  they  surrendered  from  fear.  He  also 
collected  Paishkush  from  all  the  Poligars  of  that 
neighbourhood;  and,  having  honoured  the  Poligar  of 
Surhutti  with  a  Khilut  and  presents,  he  left  the 
charge  of  that  quarter  to  his  management,  and, 
marching  on,  in  a  very  short  time  made  conquests 
of  Nowul  Goondah,  Jalli  Hulli,  and  Badami ;  and,  at 
length,  arrived  near  Hoobli  and  Dharwar. 

It  is  not  to  be  concealed  here,  that,  in  former 
time,  that  is,  after  the  conquest  of  Nuggur,  the 
Nawaub,  by  management  or  stratagem,  but  accord- 
ing to  the  desire  of  Meer  Rustam  Khan  Farooki,  the 


238 

governor  on  the  part  of  Asof  Jah,  took  possession 
of  Dharwar,  and  stationed  a  garrison  of  his  own  in 
it,  giving  the  Meer  above  mentioned  according  to 
his  rank,  five  hundred  rupees  a  month,  and  after- 
wards the  office  of  Bukshi,  or  paymaster  of  horse. 
When,  however,  Madhoo  Rao  marched  towards  the 
Balaghaut,  he  took  this  place,  and  retained  it  in  his 
possession.  The  Nawaub  Bahadur  now  promised 
the  Killadar,  whose  name  was  Biswunt  Rao,  a  re- 
lation of  Gopal  Rao,  the  Chief  of  Mirch,  certain 
Jageers  and  Inams,  or  presents,  if  he  would  give 
up  the  fort,  but  he,  not  agreeing  to  this  pro- 
position, the  fort  was  besieged,  and  a  fire  com- 
menced on  it  from  a  distance.  While  the  siege  was 
proceeding,  Hydur  formed  a  deep  plan  to  take  the 
fort ;  and,  on  the  third  night,  he  sent  for  a  pair  of 
Hurkaras  of  the  Mahratta  tribe,  inhabitants  of  Mirch, 
who  were  acquainted  with  the  names  of  the  chief 
persons  there,  and  with  the  Mahratta  dialect,  and 
ordered  a  letter  to  be  written,  as  from  the  minister 
of  the  chief  of  the  Mirch  state,  who,  at  that  time 
was  Soobrao  Tatia,  the  elder  brother  of  Purusram 
Bhao ;  but  he  having  followed  in  pursuit  of  Rag- 
hoba,  his  agent,  a  man  named  Appaja  Rao  was  in 
charge.  The  letter  was  to  this  effect : — '*  That  in- 
formation had  been  received  that  Hydur  All  Khan 
Bahadur,  with  a  strong  force,  had  arrived  at  Dhar- 


239 

war,  and  that  he  intended  to  make  a  conquest  of 
that  place.  It  was  therefore  necessary  that  he,  the 
Killadar,  should  perform  well  the  duties  of  his  sta- 
tion, and  exert  himself  to  repel  the  enemy,  that 
relief  should  soon  be  sent,  and  that,  until  the 
arrival  of  this  aid  he  was  to  take  care  he  was  not 
betrayed.**  When  the  letter  was  wiitten,  it  was 
placed  in  a  cover,  and,  the  seal  of  Appajee  Ram,  one 
of  the  Nawaub's  own  servants  being  affixed,  it  was 
then  forwarded  on.  Having  changed  their  dresses, 
the  Hurkaras  entered  the  fort,  and  detailing  the  cir- 
cumstances as  from  the  agent  of  the  Mirch  state,  pre- 
sented the  letter,  promising  aid.  The  commandant 
of  the  fort,  at  the  contents  of  this  letter,  was  highly 
pleased,  and  repaired  and  strengthened  the  walls 
and  towers,  and  remained  ready  for  the  attack. 

Three  or  four  days  after,  the  Nawaub  selected 
two  Risalas  of  foot  and  three  hundred  horse,  from 
his  Mahratta  and  Rajpoot  soldiers,  and,  clothing 
them  like  Mahrattas,  sent  them  on  the  road  from 
Mirch  towards  the  fort,  and,  encircling  this  detach- 
ment, the  Nawaub  appointed  a  separate  body  of 
troops,  to  fire  at  them  from  their  guns  and  mus- 
ketry, without  ball.  When  the  report  of  the  firing 
was  heard  by  the  garrison,  they  were  much  (re- 
joiced that  the  aid  which  they  expected  had  ar- 
rived,) and  opened  the  gates  of  the  fort  in  readi- 


240 

ness  to  receive  their  friends.  The  officer  com- 
manding Hydur's  troops  above  mentioned  accord- 
ingly entered  the  fort,  and  requested  the  Killadar 
to  assemble  his  men  in  one  place,  and  put. them 
under  his  authority,  that  they  might  be  in  readi- 
ness to  make  a  sortie  at  night,  on  the  enemy  and 
put  them  to  the  rout  ;  and  he  also  required  that 
his  (Hydur's)  men  should  be  stationed  on  the 
walls  and  at  the  gates,  as  they  had  travelled  and 
were  fatigued.  The  foolish  Killadar  did  as  he  was 
directed,  that  is  to  say,  he  assembled  all  his  men 
in  one  place.  The  experienced  officer  (Hydur's) 
having  now  sent  a  few  matchlock  men  to  different 
parts  of  the  walls  they  made  signs  to  the  horsemen 
outside  the  fort,  who  immediately  dismounted,  and 
leaving  their  horses,  ran  on  and  laid  hold  on  the 
Killadar,  whose  hands  they  tied  behind  his  back ; 
and  then,  having  seized  the  arms  of  the  garrison, 
they  made  prisoners  of  every  one  of  them.  The 
fort  having  been  thus,  by  the  felicitous  fortune  of 
the  Nawaub,  taken  without  opposition,  his  brave 
officer,  after  returning  thanks  to  God,  the  giver  of 
all  gifts,  fired  a  salute  in  honour  of  his  success ;  and 
the  Nawaub,  hearing  the  guns,  became  certain  that 
the  fort  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  Khodadad 
Sirkar.  The  next  morning,  therefore,  he  came  to 
the  fort,  and  having  made  the  requisite  arrange- 


241 

ments,  (for  the  good  keeping  of  his  conquest)  he 
returned  to  his  tents. 

Having  thus  in  one  year  taken  all  these  forts  and 
districts,  he  placed  in  all  the  hill  forts  strong  gar- 
risons, with  brave  officers,  to  command  them,  and 
able  civilians,  to  fill  their  respective  departments. 
He  also  settled  accounts  with  all  the  Poligars  of 
that  quarter,  and  collected  from  them  an  immense 
amount.  Of  this,  however,  he  sent,  by  his  Vakeel, 
five  Lakhs  of  rupees,  and  some  valuable  presents, 
to  the  minister  Furnavees,  at  Poona,  to  remove 
any  bad  impressions  or  feeling  which  might  have 
arisen  from  his  taking  possession  of  the  country ; 
and  then,  victorious,  he  returned  to  Seringaputtun. 

Bajee  Rao,  the  half  brother  of  Raghoo,  was  now 
sent  for  by  the  Nawaub,  who  told  him  that,  if  he 
wished,  he  might  have  permission  to  go  to  any 
place  he  chose ;  but  Bajee  Rao,  aware  of  the  un- 
fortunate condition  of  his  brother,  and  knowing  that 
all  the  Ameers  of  Poona,  and  the  Moghul  chiefs  of 
Hydurabad,  were  the  inveterate  enemies  of  him  and 
his  family,  and  were  seeking  their  destruction  by 
all  the  means  in  their  power,  and  seeing,  therefore, 
that  he  had  no  asylum  but  the  Nawaub,  and  that  his 
safety  and  prosperity  in  all  respects  were  centered 
in  him,  said  in  reply,  that  he  hoped  the  Nawaub 
would  consider  him  as  one  of  his  old  servants,  and 

R 


242 

employ  him  in  some  office,  that  he  might  have  an 
opportunity  of  shewing  his  attachment,  by  his  de- 
votion to  his  service.  The  Nawaub,  therefore, 
having  cast  an  eye  of  compassion  on  this  poor 
man,  raised  him  to  the  command  of  five  hundred 
horse,  and  gave  him  an  elephant,  Howdah,  and 
standard,  and  enrolled  him  among  his  old  servants. 

About  this  time,  a  Brahman,  named  Poornea,  who 
was  in  a  low  station,  as  a  servant  to  a  certain 
banker,  named  Andan  Sheth,  at  an  allowance  of 
two  Hoons,  (Pagodas)  a  month,  and  who  being  a 
good  accountant  in  the  Kinhiri,  (Canara)  language, 
was  also  employed  in  some  way  connected  with 
the  Tosha  Khana,  and  whose  method  of  keeping 
the  accounts  had  pleased  the  Nawaub,  was  taken 
from  the  service  of  the  banker,  and  placed  in  charge 
of  the  Duftur''  of  the  Kinhiri  accounts,  with  a  com- 
petent salary.  Kishen  Rao,  also  a  Brahman,  had 
charge  of  the  Hindi  or  Mahratta  Duftur,  and  these 
two  together  kept  in  good  order  the  accoimts  of 
the  receipts  and  disbursements  in  the  Tosha  Khana 
and  treasury."" 

As  the  Nawaub,  after  his  return  from  his  last  ex- 
pedition, employed  himself  in  collecting  arms  and 
stores  of  all  descriptions,  and  also  in  raising  horse 
and  foot,  in  a  very  short  time,  he  collected  and  kept 

^  Account  book.  ir^Vc  Aiy>- 


243 

ready  in  a  very  perfect  degree  the  means  of  at- 
tack and  defence  ;  for  troops  of  brave  and  ex- 
perienced soldiers,  with  horses  and  arms  complete, 
flocked  to  his  victorious  standard,  where  they  were 
entertained  in  his  service,  and  placed  in  the  receipt 
of  pay  according  to  their  merits.  His  Dustahs 
that  is,  his  stable  horse,  or  household  cavalry,  be- 
came in  appearance  like  a  Gul  Dustah,  (a  handful 
of  roses)  ;  his  matchlock-men,  or  infantry,  were 
clothed  in  red,  yellow,  green,  or  black  broad  cloth ; 
and  near  a  thousand  head  of  camels,  taken  from 
the  Mahratta  army,  were  trained  to  carry  swivels/ 
He  had  also  two  or  three  thousand  select  cavalry,  in- 
telligent and  brave  men,  clad  in  complete  armour. 
His  irregular  infantry,  blood-drinkers,  were  assem- 
blied  from  every  country.  He  had,  moreover,  twenty 
thousand  horse,  and  sixteen  thousand  regular  in- 
fantry, with  nearly  forty  thousand  Kamatic  foot, 
and  having  these  always  ready  for  service,  he  re- 
mained free  from  apprehension.  The  noise  of  his 
victories,  and  the  destruction  of  his  enemies,  re- 
sounding through  all  parts  of  the  world,  troops  of 
brave  men,  well  equipped  and  mounted,  flocked  to 
him,  not  only  from  Hind,  and  the  Dukhun,  but 
even  from  Iraun  and  Tooraun  ;  and,  giving  them 
high  pay,  he  retained  them  in  his  service. 


244 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


An  account  of  the  encroachments  or  nsurpations  of  the  Elnglish 
in  the  country  of  the  Kamatic  Payangbaut,  by  the  instrumentality 
of  Muhammad  Ali  Khan,  Surajuddowla ;  and  the  detail  of  the  war 
commenced  by  the  Chief  of  the  Dukhun,  Niz&m  Ali  Khan,  in  con- 
cert with  the  Nawaub,  Bahadtir.  Also,  a  description  of  the  battles 
fought  between  the  Elnglish,  and  the  courageous  Nawaub,  in  the 
commencement  of  the  year  1185,  Hijri. — A.  D.  1771. 


When  Muhammad  Ali  Khan,  the  Soubadar  of 
Arkat,  after  the  murder  of  his  father  and  the  Na- 
waub  Nasir  Jung,  was  besieged  in  the  fort  of  Nu- 
thur  Nuggur,  (Trichinopoly,)  and  Hussein  Dost 
Khan,  otherwise  called  Chunda  Sahib,  aided  by  the 
Frenchmen  of  the  port  of  Pondicherri,  was  en- 
deavouring to  take  that  fort;  the  besieged  Khan 
sought  and  obtained  succour  from  the  chiefs  of 
Mysore,  and  the  governor  of  the  port  of  Devna 
Puttun ;'  and  by  their  assistance  gained  the  victory 
over  his  enemies ;  and  the  head  of  Chunda  Sahib 
was  gratuitously  given  to  the  winds.     The  Chief  of 

■  Fort  St.  David,  I  believe. 


245 

Mysore  having  been  driven  away  by  the  violation 
of  the  treaty  made  with  him  by  Muhammad  All, 
as  has  been  before  related,  the  latter,  by  the.  help 
of  the  English,  conquered  the  French,  and  took  the 
city  of  Pondicherri.     Having  then  without  opposi- 
tion completed  the  reduction  *  of  Arkat,  Muhammad 
AU  plundered  all  the  Munsubdars  and  Jageerdars 
of  that  Souba,  belonging  to  the   Nowayut  tribe, 
raised  the  standard  of  independence,  and  rebelled 
against  the  Nizam   of  Hydurabad.*"     Now,  there- 
fore, when  the  Nizam  was  relieved  from  the  con- 
flict with  Raghoo  and  his  pursuit, — that  Prince  con- 
sidering that,  as  Muhammad  All  Khan  had  rebelled 
against  him,  and  by  the  powerful  aid  of  the  English 
had  usurped  the  country  and  wealth  of  the  Karnatic 
Payanghaut,  it  was  necessary  to  punish  him,  but 
knowing,  also  that  he  could  not  alone  contend  with 
the  troops  of  Surajuddowla  and  the  English  com- 
bined, he  desired  that,  by  the  aid  of  the  Nawaub 
Bahadur,  he  might  be  enabled  to  displace  Muham- 
mad All,  and  take  possession  of  the  Karnatic  him- 
self.    After  having  consulted  with  his  Chiefs  upon 
the  subject,  and  framed  his  plans  for  this  end,  he 
wrote  to  the  Nawaub,  setting  forth  that  a  body  of 
English   merchants,  through    the  medium  of  the 

^  These  statements  are  not  very  clearly  expressed  in  the  original. 


246 

rebellious  Souba  of  the  Karnatic,  had  taken  into 
their  heads  a  vain  desire  of  chieftainship  and  rule, 
and  had  fearlessly  raised  the  standard  of  usurpa- 
tion in  that  quarter ;  and  that  his,  the  Nizam's 
desire  was,  that,  in  conjunction  with  that  pride 
of  the  house  *"  of  power  and  good  fortune,  (meaning 
Hydur,)  they  should  regain  the  country  which  had 
been  thus  lost.  The  Nawaub  lent  a  willing  ear 
to  these  proposals,  and  with  his  troops  remained 
ready  for  service.  In  the  mean  time,  the  Nizam  with 
his  army  marched  to  Adhoni,  and,  taking  his  brother^ 
Busalut  Jung,  with  him  proceeded  by  the  road  of 
Kurpa  Kumoul  to  Cheenputtun. 

Another  historian  has,  however,  related  this 
occurrence  in  a  different  manner  He  states,  that 
Muhammad  Ah'  Khan  Surajuddowla,  when  he 
heard  of  the  prowess  and  discipline  of  the  Nawaub's 
troops,  and  the  promptitude  of  his  military  equip- 
ments, became  perplexed  and  uneasy,  and  regard- 
ing the  spring  of  the  Nawaub's  fortunes  as  the 
autumn  of  his  own  prosperity,  and  moreover,  ap- 
prehensive that  the  affair  of  Trichinopoly^  where 
he  had  so  grossly  violated  his  faith^  still  rankled 
like  a  thorn  in  the  breast  of  the  Nawaub,  and,  God 
forbid !  lest  he  should  consequently,  turn  his  views 
towards  Arkat,  and  with  the  energy  of  the  Khoda* 
dad,  seize  his  country  and  wealth ;  he,  (Muham- 
mad All),  therefore,  intimated  his  wish  to  the  En- 

^^JJU-  Family. 


247 

glish,  that  the  governor  of  Madras,  otherwise  Chena- 
puttun,  should  send  a  Vakeel  with  a  body  of  troops 
to  Hydurabad,  and  persuade  the  Nizam  to  under- 
take the  conquest  of  the  Balaghaut ;  and  they,  in 
consequence,  having  done  this,  prevailed  so  far  with 
the  Nizam,  that  he  suddenly  marched  with  a  large 
force  towards  that  province.  His  secret  plans, 
however,  were,  that  he  would  first  meet  the  Na- 
waub  Bahadur,  and  ascertain  his  views,  and,  under 
the  contingency  of  favourable  opportunity,  if  he, 
the  Nawaub,  should  be  daunted  by  his  warlike 
manifestations,  he  might  then  seize  upon  his  terri- 
tory, and  retain  it  in  his  own  hands ;  and  if  not, 
still,  that  he  the  Nizam  might  be  able  to  operate 
advantageously  in  the  destruction  of  his  rebel  Sou- 
badar.  He,  however,  still  kept  the  English  troops 
in  his  suite  ;  but.  Monsieur  Raymond,  his  servant, 
with  two  thousand  matchlock  infantry  was  always 
present  with  him. 

But,  to  return — when  the  Nizam  raised  his  tent 
in  the  plain  of  Chenputtun,*  he  sent  for  the  Nawaub 
to  visit  him  ;  but,  although  the  Nawaub,  also,  with 
his  army  and  artillery,  had  encamped  eastward  of 
Muddoor,  (a  short  distance  from  Chenputtun),  still 
as  he  considered  that  his  meeting  with  the  Nizam 

^  Chinaputtun  and  Madoor  are  in  the  Mysore  territory,  I^at. 
12.30  North. 


248 

should  be  deferred  to  another  time,  he  sent  his  son, 
(Tippoo),  with  a  well  appointed  force  ;  Meer  All 
Ruza  Khan,  Mukhdoom  Sahib,  Meer  Ismail  Sahib, 
Ghazi  Khan,  Muddoo  Khan,  &c.,  all  of  whom  were 
experienced  officers  being  appointed  to  accompany 
him.  Five  elephants,  and  ten  beautiful  horses,  were 
sent  likewise  as  presents. 

When  the  Prince  arrived  near  the  Nizam's  tent, 
the  crash  of  the  drums  and  kettle  drums  of  his 
body  guard  struck  fear  to  the  ears  of  the  Nizam, 
who,  ascending  a  balcony  on  his  tent,  saw  and 
admired  (nevertheless)  the  pomp  and  parade  of 
Tippoo's  cavalry  escort;  and  the  discipline  and 
order  of  his  troops.  The  Nizam,  after  that,  received 
him  with  great  liberality  and  kindness,  and,  having 
gained  his  heart  by  honied  words  and  phrases,  ad- 
dressed him  by  the  title  of  Nuseebuddowla,*  and, 
casting  his  plans  and  schemes,  aside,  consulted  him 
on  the  feasibility  of  chastising  Muhammad  All 
Khan,  the  Soubadar  of  Arkat,  and  the  English ; 
and  then  dismissed  him,  with  the  present  of  a  Khi- 
laut,  and  the  shawls  the  Nizam  himself  wore. 

Tippoo  now  returned  to  his  father,  and,  on  his 
arrival,  related  with  minute  exactness  every  word 
spoken  by  the  Nizam  on  this  occasion.  Agreeing 
in  the  objects  and  wishes  of  the  Nizam,  the  Nawaub 

*  The  fortune  of  the  State. 


249 

Bahadur  marched  on  with  his  army,  and  the  Nizam 
giving  the  Enghsh  their  dismission,  sent  them  off. 
These  two  powerful  chiefs  now  united^  and  having 
passed  the  Barh  Mahl  district,  they  encamped  on 
this  side  the  pass  of  Chungum,  where,  on  the  op- 
posite side,  at  the  same  time  arrived  also  a  Colonel 
Hewit/  or  Howard,  an  English  officer  with  a  body 
of  five  thousand  regular  infantry,  and  a  thousand 
soldiers,  ^  or  Europeans,  to  secure  the  pass  against 
the  Nawaub,  and  this  officer  had  taken  up  his 
quarters  in  a  small  fort,  on  the  other  side  of  the 
pass  of  Chungum.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  the 
two  Chiefs  had  received  information  of  the  arrival 
of  the  English  army,  they  dispatched  a  force  in 
advance,  to  besiege  the  above  mentioned  fort. 
This  force  accordingly  marched  in  the  night,  and 
surrounded  the  English  troops,  stationing  them- 
selves as  scouts  or  reconnoitering  parties,  and  then 
began  plundering  and  killing  the  stragglers,  and 
followers,  of  the  English  troops.  When  the  colonel 
became  aware  of  the  great  strength  of  the  com- 
bined armies,  he  acted  according  to  the  saying, 
"  Whosoever  strikes  his  naked  hand  on  steel," — 
"  is  sure  to  bruise  his  knuckles  ;"*'  and,  seeing  that 

'  Written  Cl^ji^  *  >^^  ^   *Xcl- 

Who  strikes  with  naked  hand  the  steel. 
His  knuckles  sorely  bruised  ah&W  feel. 


250 

his  stay  there  was  not  advisable,  he  the  same  night 
marched  on  the  route  to  Tumamul.  The  Chiefs 
of  the  advanced  guard  immediately  sent  to  their 
masters  an  account  of  the  Colonel's  march ;  and, 
on  receiving  this  intelligence,  the  Nizam  and  Hydur 
immediately  followed  him.  At  the  distance  of  two 
Fursungs,  (about  seven  miles,)  from  their  encamp- 
ment, the  Nuwaub,  who  had  hastened  his  march, 
overtook  the  English  troops,  and  commenced  on 
them  a  fire  of  cannon,  from  different  points.  The 
Colonel,  nevertheless,  having  taken  up  his  ground 
on  the  slope  or  skirt  of  the  hills,  halted  there,  and 
with  his  guns  and  musketry  broke  the  heads  and 
necks  of  his  assailants  until  the  evening ;  and,  how- 
ever, great  and  vigorous  were  the  efforts  and  exer- 
tions of  Hydur's  and  the  Nizam's  troops,  to  plunder 
and  destroy  this  detachment,  they  were  of  no  avail. 
The  English  troops,  however,  suffered  much  from 
want  of  water,  and  many  were  killed  by  the  con- 
tinual shower  of  cannon  balls  which  fell  on  them. 
At  night,  therefore,  the  Colonel  above  mentioned^ 
with  his  troops,  in  order  of  battle,  proceeded  to 
Tumamul,  and  the  two  Chiefs,  Hydur  and  the  Ni- 
zam, encamped  on  the  river  of  Kilpauk,  whence 
they  pushed  forward  strong  outposts  on  all  sides  of 
the  English  troops. 

The  Nizam  now,  after  a  consultation  with  Rukn- 


251 

uddowla^  sent  a  message  to  the  Nawaub  Bahadur,  de- 
siring that  he  should  despatch  a  body  of  his  own  troops, 
well  acquainted  with  the  country,  to  plunder,  and  lay 
waste  the  Souba  of  Arkat,  and  the  vicinity  of  China- 
putt  un,  (Madras),  &c.  and  likewise,  to  collect  cattle, 
and  provisions ;  that  they  might  strike  fear  and  dis- 
may into  the  hearts  of  Muhammad  All  Khan,  and 
the  English.  Although,  in  time  of  need,  the  Na- 
waub did  not  mind  attacking  a  wild  elephant,  still 
he  did  not  relish  this  division  of  his  army  ;  the  Ni- 
zkm,  however,  was  so  importunate  and  troublesome 
in  this  matter,  and  used  words  so  exciting,  and  was, 
besides,  so  infatuated  in  his  opinion  of  his  own 
troops,  that  at  length  he  prevailed,  and  brought 
the  Nawaub  to  consent  to  despatch  his  cavalry, 
regular  and  irregular  infantry,  and  light  guns, 
under  the  command  of  his  son  (Tippoo),  selecting, 
to  accompany  him,  Meer  AK  Ruza  Khan,  Mukh- 
doom  Sahib,  Muhammad  All,  commandant,  Ghazi 
Khan,  &c.  Chiefs  of  note, — and  he  was  acccordingly 
despatched  to  that  quarter ;  the  Nawaub  leaving 
himself  but  few  troops, — that  is  to  say,  five  or  six 
hundred  horse  of  his  own  stable,*  two  thousand 
regular  infantry,  four  thousand  foot,  and  his  artil- 
lery ;  but  all  ready  for  action.  Hybut  Jung  was 
nominated  to  the  command  of  the  troops  remaining 


252 

with  the  Nawaub.  The  Nawaub,  however,  at  that 
time  had  not  let  fall  the  reins  of  caution  ;  and,  as  he 
had  no  confidence  at  all  in  Rooknuddowla,  and  the 
other  Chiefs  of  the  Moghul  army,  wherever  he  en- 
camped he  surrounded  his  encampment  with  a 
stockade,  or  an  abattis,^  and  to  this  defence  he 
directed  there  should  be  four  gates  or  roads,  on  each 
of  which  he  stationed  strong  guards  and  artillery. 

When  the  English  officer  arrived  at  Turnamul, 
he  detailed  the  strength  of  the  combined  armies, 
(Hydur's  and  the  Nizam's),  and  their  numerous 
artillery,  to  the  government  of  Madras ;  and  Gene- 
ral Smith,  a  brave  and  able  officer,  who  was  then 
employed  m  urgent  duties  near  Nuthur  Nuggur, 
(Trichinopoly,)  was  despatched,  by  the  governor  of 
Madras,  to  oppose  the  Nizam  and  Hydur,  with  four 
thousand  regular  infantry,  eight  hundred  Euro- 
peans,^ three  thousand  horse  of  the  Souba  of  Arkat, 
four  thousand  Karnatic  foot,  and  a  great  quantity  of 
provisions  and  stores  ;  and  he  proceeded,  by  forced 
marches,  by  the  route  of  Runjun  Gurh,  and  arrived 
at  Turnamul.  When  these  two  Sirdars  or  officers, 
blood-drinkers,*  met  and  made  themselves  acquainted 
with  the  strength  and  description  of  the  Nawaub's 
and  Moghul  armies,  they  did  not  estimate  the  Mo- 
ghul army  at  the  value  of  a  grain  of  barley.     After 


253 

having  halted  for  a  week,  they  formed  their  troops, 
and  marched  on,  straight  forward,  without  deceit  or 
guile,  like  lions,  to  attack  the  combined  armies ; 
firing  their  guns  as  they  moved  on.  The  Nawaub, 
with  the  same  number  of  troops  that  remained  with 
him  occupied  his  ground  of  encampment,  and  di- 
rected his  artillery  men  to  open  their  fire  on  their 
enemies.  The  Nizam,  in  the  meanwhile,  had  sta- 
tioned hinself  on  the  right  flank  of  the  English 
troops,  and  was  firing  away  with  his  guns,  without 
aim  or  object.  His  horse,  also,  in  number  like 
ants,  or  locusts,  surrounded  the  English  army  in 
clusters.  The  English  officers,  however,  by  their 
penetration  and  experience,  soon  perceiving  that 
the  Nawaub  had  arranged  his  troops  in  the  best 
order  and  position  possible,  and  had  kept  his 
ground  firmly,  and  that  the  Moghul  army,  like  a 
herd  of  timid  deer,  was  standing  about  without 
order,  now,  with  a  view  to  deceive  their  opponents, 
advanced  quickly  from  the  flank,  and  immediately 
charged  the  Nizam's  body  guard,  giving  them 
several  quick  discharges  from  the  guns,  and,  with 
very  little  fighting,  completely  routed  them,  and 
took  the  whole  of  their  cattle,  stores  and  artillery, 
with  the  tents,  standards,  and  Bazar  of  their  camp. 
Spiritless  and  ashamed,  the  Nizam  now  quitted  the 
field,  and  retreated,  venting  his  spleen  in  cursing 


254 

the  want  of  judgment  shewn  by  his  Dewaun,  Rookn- 
uddowla,  and  the  rest  of  his  Ameers  and  Khans. 
His  troops,  who  had  never  been  engaged  in  a  hard 
fought  or  well  contested  battle,  left  their  master  to 
his  fate,  and,  like  a  flock  of  sheep  at  the  sight 
of  a  wolf,  were  so  scattered,  that  even  round  the 
elephant  of  the  Nizam,  scarcely  two  thousand  horse 
remained.  On  witnessing  this  want  of  colour,  the 
Nawaub  bestowed  many  maledictions  on  the  female 
relations"  of  the  runaways,  and  ordered  his  artillery 
off  quickly  to  Singar  Peeth  ;  but  he  himself  re- 
mained on  the  field  with  ten  light  guns.  The 
English  oflBcers  having  completely  plundered  the 
Moghul  camp,  now  returned  to  attack  Hydur. 
The  brave  Nawaub,  dragging  off  his  guns,  and  fire- 
ing,  and  retiring  step  by  step,  halted  and  fought, 
occasionally,  at  different  points  on  his  route.  The 
Nizam;  at  length,  arrived  at  Singar  Peeth,  where  he 
encamped ;  and  the  Nawaub,  sorely  displeased  at 
the  irregularity  and  disorder  of  the  Moghul  army, 
pitched  his  tents  at  the  distance  of  a  fursung  from 
them ;  while  the  English  General  and  his  troops, 
victorious,  encamped  on  the  battle  field.  The  Na- 
waub now  quickly  despatched  his  camel  riders  and 
Hurkaras,  (messengers,)  \>ith  letters,  to  his  son 
Tippoo,  who  had  been  plundering  the  country  in 


255 

the  environs  of  Madras, commanding  him  to  return. 
He,  also,  sent  a  message  to  the  Nizam,  to  the  ef- 
fect,— that  the  expectations  formed  of  his,  the  Ni- 
zam's, brave  troops  and  the  ability  and  experience 
of  his  Ameers  and  officers,  had  been  well  proved, 
in  as  much  that,  in  time  of  need,  not  a  thousand 
men  with  their  arms,  nor  one  Ameer  of  respecta- 
bility had  remained  with  the  stirrup — i.  e.  the  Ni- 
zam ;  that  with  such  troops  therefore,  strong  only 
in  numbers  and  shew,  it  was  evident  they  could 
never  expect  to  conquer  the  stormy,  warlike, 
English ; "  that  the  wisest  course  to  be  followed, 
was,  that  the  Nizam  should  encamp  at  Kaveriput- 
tun  ;  and  he,  (Hydur,)  his  particular  friend,  by 
every  art  and  device  which  knowledge  could  supply, 
would  oppose  and  defeat  the  English,  and  put  them 
to  flight.  The  Nizam  followed  his  advice,  and  ac- 
cordingly marched  from  this  place,  and  encamped 
at  the  said  town  of  Puttun, 

In  the  meanwhile,  until  the  arrival  of  his  son,  the 
Nawaub  moved  about  in  the  vicinity  of  Singar 
Peeth,  Barh  Mahl,  and  Ootangiri,  and  when  Tip- 
poo  arrived,  with  all  the  officers  and  troops,  and 
great  store  of  provisions  and  cattle,  the  Nawaub 
was  freed  from  all  thought  and  apprehension  ;  and^ 
having  ranged  his  right  and  left  wings  in  order  of 
battle,  he  remained  in  readiness  for  action.     At  this 


256 

time,  the  Nizam,  sending  his  Ameers  to  Hydur, 
begged  with  great  importunity  that  he  would  visit 
him  ;  and,  although  the  Nawaub  in  his  heart  was 
unwilling  to  accede  to  his  request,  yet  to  keep  on 
friendly  terms  with  him,  he  marched  with  his  army, 
and  they  met,  and  embraced  and  conversed  to- 
gether. They  then  consulted  how  they  were  to 
overcome  their  strong  enemy,  and  the  Nawaub, 
seeing  on  the  forehead  of  the  Nizam  the  signs  of 
grief  for  the  late  defeat,  essayed  to  comfort  him,  and 
said,  with  a  view  to  his  encouragement,  that  victory 
and  defeat  came  from  God ;  that  similar  mischances 
had  often  befallen  kings  and  princes  of  great  renown, 
who,  nevertheless,  had  attained  the  very  highest* 
ranks  of  fame  for  strength  of  mind  and  courage ; 
and  that  it  was  only  consistent  with  the  character 
of  Chieftainship,  that  he  should  not  allow  the  rust 
of  doubt  and  despondency  to  rest  on  the  clear 
mirror  of  his  heart,  nor  permit  the  dust  of  shame  or 
regret  to  stick  to  the  skirt  of  his  intentions  and 
projects.**  That  he  recommended  therefore  that 
with  the  care  and  caution  worthy  men  of  rank  and 
station,  he,  the  Nizam,  should  march  with  his  army 
to  Huskote ;  and  he,  Hydur,  his  well-wisher,  by 
policy  and  management  would  subdue  his  enemies, 
and  conquer  the  Karnatic  Payanghautin  the  best  and 
easiest  manner.   The  Nizam  agreed  to  this  proposal 

®  A  verse  omitted. 


257 

and  marched  towards  Huskote.  Rooknuddowla, 
however,  his  minister,  with  Manuvvur  Khan,  Kur- 
nooli,  Ismail  Khan,  Elichpoori,  Rai  Rumba,  and 
twenty  thousand  horse,  were  attached  to  the  Na- 
waub,  and  remained  with  him. 

The  Nawaub  now,  with  his  own  troops,  and  ac- 
companied by  Rooknuddowla,  crossed  the  Ghaut 
of  Tubul  Pulli,  and  besieged  Amboor  Gurh,  which 
was  held  by  an  English  garrison,  and  left  no  means 
untried  to  take  the  place.  Khaki  Shah,  a  Fuqeer, 
a  companion  and  friend  of  the  Nawaub's,  was  here 
killed  by  a  cannon  shot  from  the  fort.  As  soon 
as  the  Chiefs  of  the  English  army  became  aware 
of  the  siege  they  advanced  by  forced  marches,  by 
the  route  of  Karnatic  Gurh,  Dhoby  Gurh,  Kylas, 
and  Pulli  Koonda,  to  Amboor.  The  Nawaub, 
therefore,  when  he  heard  of  the  arrival  of  the  Eng- 
lish troops,  raised  the  siege,  and  encamped  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Vud  Cheri  and  Bapun  Pilli. 

The  English  officers  halted  for  one  day  at  Am- 
boor Gurh,  and,  on  the  next,  advanced  to  attack 
the  Nawaub.  As  soon  as  they  approached  near  to 
his  army,  he  placed  his  cavalry  under  the  command 
of  his  son,  Tippoo,  and  forming  the  right  wing,  and 
committing  his  left  to  the  command  of  Rooknud- 
dowla, and  others,  he  posted  himself  in  the  centre 
with  his  artillery,  his  bravest  senior  officers,  and 

s 


i 


258 

Muhammad  All  commandant.  In  the  meantime,  the 
English  officers,  by  their  skill  comprehending  the 
Nawaub's  disposition  of  his  army,  despatched  one 
battalion  and  two  companies  of  soldiers,  (Europeans) 
with  two  guns,  to  attack  Rooknuddowla ;  and  two 
battalions  of  natives,  and  a  risala  or  regiment  of 
Frengis,  (also  Europeans),  with  four  guns  to  attack 
Tippoo  ;  and  the  general,  (Smith,)  himself,  marched 
straight  forward  to  attack  the  centre  or  main  body. 
In  a  moment,  the  flames  of  mortal  strife  blazed 
forth,  and  the  brave  mussulmans,  steady  as  rocks, 
planted  their  feet  firmly  on  the  ground;  and,  from 
voUies  of  artillery  and  musketry,  they  passed  rapidly 
to  the  active  employment  of  the  sword  and  spear, 
hand  to  hand.    Verses.^  "  The  fire  of  rage  seized 
both  the  right  and  left  wings," — "  The  world  again 
saw  the  tempest  of  Noah." — "  On  every  side  glitter- 
ing poisonous  spears," — "  like  the  eye  lashes  and 
glances  of  the  languishing  fair." — "  From  the  bloody 
darts  or  spears  flashing  in  the  sun," — ''  the  heart 
became  like  the  Ruby  Mountain  of  Budukshan.'' — 
"  From  the  blood  of  the  brave,  and  the  dust  of 
the  army," — "  the  earth  became  red,  and  the  sky 
black."**     The  troops  of  Rooknuddowla,  however, 

P  Battle  of  Dhoby  Gurh. 
<»  Then,  upon  both  the  wings  the  fire  of  rage 

Seized,  and  the  world  such  tempest  saw  once  more 
As  that  of  Noah's  days.     On  every  side 


259 

from  the  attack  of  one  battalion,  and  a  few  shot 
from  their  guns,  cowardly  gave  up  their  ground, 
and  did  not  draw  breath  until  they  arrived  at  Wan- 
um  Bari.     But,  before  the  English  could  defeat  the 
main  body,  Tippoo,  with  his  victorious  horse,  had 
charged  them  several  times,  and  then  attacked  their 
rear  guard,'  (Chundawul),  which  was  commanded 
by  two  Jamadars,  named  Ibrar  Khan,  and  Asrar 
Khan,  and  consisted  of  three  thousand  horse  and 
four  thousand  foot,  having  in  charge  stores  of  pro- 
visions and  cattle  collected  by  them ;  and,  like  a  lion 
springing  on  a  herd  of  deer,  he  fell  upon  this  body, 
and  sunk  the  boats*  of  their  existence  in  the  whirl- 
pool of  eternity.      A  deadly  shock  was  thereby 
given  to  this  force,  and  the  whole  were  dispersed, 
and  put  to  flight ;  the  military   reputation  of  the 
officers  above    mentioned   was   destroyed  ;  tents, 
standards,  loads  of  baggage,  grain,  &c.  were  burned, 
and  several  officers  and  soldiers  of  the   English 

The  glittering  poisonous  spears  were,  quivering,  seen. 

Like  glances  and  eye  lashes  of  the  fair. 

Who  softly  languishes.     From  darts  and  spears, 

Ensanguin'd,  flashing  in  the  sun,  the  heart 

Assumed  the  semblance  of  the  ruby  mount 

Of  Budukshan.     From  blood  of  heroes  spilt. 

And  clouds  of  dust  raised  by  contending  foes. 

Red  did  the  earth  become,  and  black  the  skies. 

■  This  confusion  of  images  is  contrary  to  Asiatic  rule. 


260 

army  taken  prisoners,  with  their  horses  and  palan- 
kins ;  and,  having  effected  this,  Tippoo  returned. 
On  seeing  this  condition  of  affairs,  the  General 
to  preserve  his  cattle  and  baggage,  instantly  halted.* 
The  Nawaub  Bahadur,  in  speed  outstripping  the 
lightning,  now  fell  upon  the  battalion  sent  to  pur- 
sue Rooknuddowla ;  and,  in  one  irresistible  charge, 
overthrew  it,  and,  with  such  spoil  as  had  fallen 
into  his  hands,  returned  to  Wanum  Bari.  Tippoo, 
also,  returned  victorious,  and  rejoined  the  Nawaub's 
force.  The  English  officers  and  army  remained 
on  the  field  of  battle. 

The  Nawaub  now  sent  for  Rooknuddowla,  and 
made  him  listen  to  a  bitter  expostulation ;  for  he 
told  him  that,  without  doubt,  his  companions  were 
fine  fellows  for  shewing  their  heels,  and,  there- 
fore, it  was  better  that  he  and  his  city  champions 
should  return  to  his  master,  seeing  that,  by  the  ex- 
ertions of  such  men,  hte,  the  Nawaub,  could  never 
expect  to  see  the  face  of  victory,  and  God  forbid 
that  the  contagion  of  their  cowardice,  or  want»of 
manhood,  should,  by  association  and  companionship 
infect  his  gallant  fellows,  and  cast  their  courage 
and  enterprise  to  the  winds.  As  Rooknuddowla 
in  reply,  repeated  his  boasting  and  did  not  wish 
to  go  away,  it  was  settled  that  he  should  always 

— >^    Ceased  his  pursuit,  according  to  Marriott* 


261 

encamp  at  the  distance  of  half  a  Fursung,  (two 
miles),  from  Hydur's  army,  and  that  none  of  his 
men  should  enter  Hydur's  camp  ;  but,  in  case  of 
need,  messages  should  be  sent  by  Hurkaras. 

But,  to  return — after  four  days,  the  English 
officers,  with  their  army,  marched  towards  Wanum 
Bari.  The  Nawaub,  on  this,  quitted  his  encamp- 
ment, and  the  first  day  encamped  at  Tripatoor,  the 
next  day,  he  marched  with  his  troops  and  artillery, 
and  pitched  his  tents  near  Kavuri  Puttun,  in  a 
plain,  surrounded  by  a  plantation  of  Saul  trees"  and 
a  marsh  or  deep  mud.  Here  he  threw  up  round 
his  army,  four  batteries,  or  redoubts,  and  mounted 
guns  in  them.  Rooknuddowla  was  stationed  outside 
the  limits  of  his  camp.  The  English  General  now 
left  the  troops  attached  to  the  Colonel,  (Hewitt), 
in  charge  of  Wanum  Bari  and  Tripatoor,  and  he 
himself  encamped  on  the  slope  of  a  hill,  at  the  dis- 
tance of  one  measured  Fursung  from  the  army  of 
tho.  Nawaub.  The  outposts'"  of  the  Nawaub,  how- 
ever, pressed  the  English  army  closely  on  the 
flanks,  and  on  one  side,  the  horse  of  Rooknuddowla 
were  stationed  to  guard  the  road.  At  night,  how- 
ever. General  Smith,  intending  to  make  a  nocturnal 
attack,  got  his  troops  in  readiness,  and  marched  by 

"  Saul  is  a  tree,  the  wood  of  which  is  used  in  bailding  ships,  &c. 
A^ub  or  **i«     Signifies  scouts  or  reconnoitring  parties. 


262 

the  very  road  which  was  held  by  the  brave^  picquets 
of  Rooknuddowla ;  and,  although  these  troops  were 
fully  aware  of  what  was  going  on,  they  gave  no  in- 
telligence to  the  Nawaub,  neither  did  they  make 
any  opposition,  but  on  the  contrary  retired  out  of 
their  enemy's  reach — "  Not  every  woman  is  a 
woman,  nor  every  man  a  man.** — ^'  God  has  not 
made  the  five  fingers  of  the  same  length,**  ^  until 
the  time  when  the  General,  with  much  exertion, 
had  arrived  near  the  camp  of  the  Nawaub.  From 
the  ignorance  of  his  guides,  however,  his  troops  had 
been  led  among  the  Saul  trees,  and  into  the  marsh 
or  mire  ;  so  that  his  guns  had  stuck  fast  in  the 
mud,  and  they  had  all  been  much  delayed  and  dis- 
tressed, and  by  this  time  the  harbinger  of  morning, 
the  cock,  sounded  his  awakening  call  to  the  sleep- 
ing army,  that  is,  the  dark  night  suddenly  broke 
into  the  light  of  the  morning,  and  the  soldiers, 
awakening  in  the  batteries  of  the  Nawaub,  began 
to  pour  forth  such  a  fire  from  their  guns,  and  other 
arms,  as  soon  made  the  Saul  plantation  like  a  bed 
of  spring  roses,  with  the  blood  of  the  English 
troops  wading  through  the  mud  ;  and  at  the  same 
moment,  also,  the  picquets  of  the  Nawaub  arrived 

*  Ironically  brave. 
J^   *^j^j^  ^  \::^  Oj  Oj  j^  *^ 


263 

in  their  rear,  treading  on  their  heels,  and,  with 
arrows  and  musketry,  made  the  red  coats  drink  the 
red  wine  of  death. 

The  same  night,  having  concerted  and  taken  the 
path  of  union  with  the  English,  Rooknuddowla  made 
a  treaty  with  them ;  and  although  he  on  one  side 
was  all  in  readiness,  pretending  to  give  aid  to  the 
Nawaub,  yet,  in  fact,  he  was  only  looking  out  for 
an  opportunity,  to  attack  and  plunder  his  army. 
The  Nawaub,  therefore,  who  had  before  heard  that 
his  conduct  shewed  evidently  a  siding  with  the 
English,  being  now  confirmed  in  his  opinion  by  the 
circumstance  of  his  being  in  readiness,  and  yet  giv- 
ing to  the  Nawaub  no  warning  or  information  of 
the  night  attack,  clearly  perceived  that  he  and  his 
troops  were  changing  sides,  and  he,  therefore, 
ordered  to  Payindah  Khan  Bukhturi,  Risaldar,  to 
advance  with  his  Risala,  and  fire  a  few  cannon  shot 
at  him,  by  way  of  congd,  and  that  drove  him  away. 
The  General,  (Smith),  in  despair,  now  wheeled 
about,  and  returned  to  his  own  ground  of  encamp- 
ment. 


264 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


An  account  of  the  establishment  of  a  lasting  peace  between 
Niz^  All  Khan  and  the  English,  without  the  knowledge  of  the 
Nawaub  fiahadi6r,  by  the  intrigaes*  of  Rooknuddowla  ; — and  of 
the  battles  which  followed,  about  two  months  after,  between 
the  English  and  the  Nawaub,  near  Nuggur,  Trichinopoly,  and  the 
Barh  Mahl ;  with  an  account  of  the  victories  gained  by  Hydnr's 
gallant  army  in  the  same  year,  and  the  re-establishment  of  Peace, 
1185,  Hijri.— A.  D.  1771. 

W^HEN  the  General  had  returned  to  his  ground  of 
encampment,  and  Rooknuddowla  proceeded  to  the 
presence  of  the  Nizam  of  Hydurabad,  he  persuaded 
him  to  make  peace  with  the  English  Bahadur  ;  and, 
having  settled  the  articles  of  the  treaty,  opened  a 
communication  with  the  English  by  letter.  The  next 
day  the  English  army  marched  back,  and  took 
the  road  to  Amboor  Gurh.  The  Nawaub  was 
surprised  at  this  movement,  and  fell  into  deep 
thought ;  when  Hurkaras  arrived,  with  intelligence 
that  the  Nizam  had  marched  from  Huskote  to- 


265 

wards  the  Ghaut  or  pass  of  Kurunpat^  and  that 
his  Vakeels  or  ambassadors  had  reached  the  Eng- 
lish camp^  and  also  that  Rooknuddowla,  had  pro- 
ceeded to  visit  Muhammad  AH  Khan.  The  Na- 
waub  was  now  convinced  that  that  old*  wolf,  the 
Nizam,  was  playing  some  artful  tricks,  and  that  he 
was  travelling  in  the  path  of  treachery  and  deceit. 
Nevertheless,  as  "  men  of  courage,  do  not  put  their 
trust  in  the  aid  of  others" — "  the  canopy  or  tent 
of  the  heavens,  stands  without  pole  or  pillar,'*^  and 
relying  on  the  exertions  of  his  faithful  servants, 
the  Nawaub  formed  his  plans,  and  was  ready  to 
carry  them  into  execution,  when  the  Nizam,  for  the 
security  of  his  dominions,  and  by  the  advice  of 
Rooknuddowla,  gave  to  the  English  government, 
as  payment  for  a  subsidiary  force  to  aid  and  defend 
him,  the  country  of  Sikakole,""  and  Rajbunduri,  the 
collection  of  the  customs  of  which  was  thirty  Lakhs 
of  rupees ;  and  which  was  first  under  the  authority 
of  Anwuruddeen  Khan,  and  afterwards  assigned  for 
pay  to  Monsieur  Bussy,  a  French  officer.  Having 
done  this,  he  without  the  knowledge  of  the  Nawaub, 

*>  The  man  who  owns  a  firm  courageous  soul 
Relies  not  on  the  aid  another  lends  : 
Nor  prop,  nor  huttress,  keeps  sustained  the  whole 
Of  heaven's  vast  canopy  that  o'er  us  hends. 

^  Spelt  by  the  English,  Chicacole. 


266 

returned  to  Hydurabad,  by  the  route  of  Kirpa^  and 
Kumole. 

But,  to  continue — In  two  months  and  a  few  days, 
General  Smith  and  Colonel  Hewitt  collected  to- 
gether a  force,  and  made  preparations,  with  the  in- 
tention, of  conquering  the  Kamatic  Balaghaut,  ac- 
cording to  the  instructions  of  the   Nizam  ;  and, 
taking  with  them  Muhammad  AH  Khan,  the  Souba 
of  Arkat,  they  advanced  from  Amboor  Gurh.     The 
Nawaub,  however,  not  thinking  it  prudent  to  oppose 
the  English  openly  in  the  field,  harassed  them  with 
his  Kuzzaks  or  predatory  horse  only,  and  despatched 
the  heavy  baggage  of  his  army,  with  his  heavy 
artillery,  towards  Anikul  and  Makri  Droog ;  remain- 
ing with  his  horse,  foot,  and  rockets,  &c.,  ready  for 
battle.    In  the  mean  time,  he  attacked  the  English 
army  on  all  sides,  with  parties  of  his  light  troops, 
while  he  himself  was  forming  schemes  to  destroy  his 
powerful  opponents.     At  this  period,  his  Hurkaras 
brought  intelligence  that  by  the  route  of  Nuthur 
Nuggur,  (otherwise  Trichinopoly,)  and  from  Tan- 
jore,  a  large  convoy  of  stores  under  the  escort  of 
two  thousand  foot,  a  thousand  English  musketeers, 
four  hundred  horse,  and  two  guns,  was  advancing, 
by  the  Ghaut  of  Chungum,  to  join  the  English 
army,  and  that  they  had  a  great  number  of  cattle 

^  Written  Kuddapah  by  the  English. 


267 

with  them.  The  Nawaub,  therefore,  who  was  look- 
ing out  for  news  bringing  such  good  luck,  marched 
without  delay,  and,  keeping  under  cover  of  the 
hills  and  forests,  brought  the  day  of  Judgment  on 
the  convoy  and  its  escort ;  for,  at  the  first  attack, 
the  escort  were  mostly  killed,  and  the  whole  of 
the  convoy  taken.  The  English  General  was 
thrown  into  perplexity  by  this  occurrence,  and, 
having  encamped  at  Tripatoor,  he  sent  to  Madras 
for  stores  and  provisions.  At  this  time  news  was 
brought  from  Nuggur,  that  an  English  army  had 
arrived  from  Bombay,  and  had  taken  the  fort  of 
Gorial  Bundur,  (Mangalore),  and  was  spreading 
terror  over  that  country ;  and  that  it  was  to  be 
feared  the  territory  of  Nuggur  would  likewise  soon 
fall  into  their  hands.  Tippoo  was,  therefore,  des- 
patched with  two  thousand  regular  infantry,  four 
thousand  horse,  and  a  thousand  irregular  foot,  to 
protect  and  defend  that  quarter ;  while  Hydur  him- 
self remained  involved  in  the  tempest  of  battle  and 
slaughter,  with  these  two  officers,  Smith  and  Hewitt. 
Other  letters  were  now  received,  from  the  Chiefs  of 
Koimbatoor  and  Kalikut,  that,  on  the  side  of  Nu- 
thur  Nuggur,  a  Captain,  with  two  or  three  thousand 
regular  infantry,  and  four  thousand  KuUars,*  the 
servants  of  Ram  Raja,  the  Poligar  of  Malabar,  had 


268 

entered  Karroor  ;  and  that  his  intention  was  to  re- 
duce the  districts  in  that  vicinity.  On  hearing  this, 
Hybut  Jung  was  appointed,  with  four  thousand 
horse,  to  repel  these  invaders. 

When  Tippoo  arrived  by  forced  marches  at 
Gorial  Bundur,  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
English  army,  there,  strengthened  the  works  of  the 
fort,  and,  to  the  distance  of  a  Fursung,  surrounded 
them  with  redoubts,  which  he  occupied.  Tippoo 
wrote  an  account  of  this  to  his  father,  whose  sole 
object  being  the  order  and  safety  of  his  territories^ 
he  considered  the  reduction  of  that  part  of  the 
country  necessary,  prior  to  all  other  measures, 
and  he,  therefore,  taking  with  him  four  Risalas 
of  regular  infantry,  with  four  guns  and  selecting 
two  thousand  good  horse,  from  the  whole-  of  his 
army  ;  left  the  rest  of  his  troops,  his  tents,  stand- 
ards, drums  &c.  to  the  charge  of  Meer  All  Ruza 
Khan,  Mukdoom  Sahib,  and  Muhammad  All, 
commandant,  with  Ghazi  Khan  Beed,  &c. ;  and  in 
the  space  of  a  week,  entered  the  fort  of  Nuggur. 
He  then  despatched  orders,  to  collect  men,  to 
all  the  Killadars  and  officers  in  that  neighbour- 
hood, and,  in  about  ten  or  twelve  days,  assem- 
bled twenty  thousand  of  the  peasantry  of  the 
country.  Having  provided  these  recruits  with 
wooden  muskots  of  ebony  and  also  furnished  them 


269 

with  standards  of  black,  white,  and  yellow  cloth, 
one  flag  or  Beiruk,  being  assigned  to  a  thousand 
men,  he  moved  forward  with  this  showy  semblance 
of  a  force.     When  he  arrived  near  the  batteries  of 
the    English,   he  formed    his  lines,   and,   having 
marched,  and   countermarched  his  troops  before 
them,  he  encamped  on  an  open  space  on  some  high 
ground,  and  ordered  his  son,  (Tippoo),  to  attack 
the  batteries  in  flank.     This  being  done,  Tippoo, 
after  some  fighting  succeeded  in  taking  them,  and 
putting  the  infantry  stationed  in  them  to  the  sword. 
This  success  having  thrown  the  enemy  into  some 
confusion,  the  chief  officer  of  the  English,  from 
fear  of  the  Nawaub,  whose  army  appeared  numerous, 
while  his,  (the  officer's)  troops  were  but  few ;  and 
with  a  view,  also,  to  preserve  his  men,  which  is  the 
duty  of  every  commanding  officer ;  left  the  batteries 
the  same  night,  and  took  the  road  to  the  fort.     In 
this  movement  two   European  soldiers  ran  away 
from  their  comrades,  and  came  to  Tippoo,  and  gave 
information  of  the  retreat  of  the  English.     Tip- 
poo instantly  despatched  this  intelligence  to  his 
father ;  but  before  the  Nawaub  could  put  his  force 
in  motion,  or  the  retreating  parties  of  the  enemy 
could  reach  the  fort,  he  with  the  greatest  rapidity, 
moving  on  the  flank,  advanced  before  them,  and 
keeping  up  a  smart  fire,  entered  the  fort,  and  put 


270 

to  the  sword  those  of  the  garrison  who  were  man- 
ning the  walls.     The  Nawaub,  on  hearing  the  news, 
followed  with  his  cavalry  at  a  gallop,  treading  on 
his  heels,  and  i-ained  a  storm  of  arrows  and  rockets 
on  the  devoted  detachment  of  the  English  ;  and,  at 
length,  their  order  being  broken,  and  the  men  terri- 
fied, they  abandoned  the  road  to  the  fort,  and  re- 
tired to  the  sea  side.     The  troops  of  the  Nawaub, 
however,  dashed  out  after  them  to  the  sea  shore,  and 
the  whole  were  taken  or  put  to  death.  The  command- 
ing officer  of  the  English  troops  however  embarked 
on  a  vessel  lying  ready  to  receive  him,  and  disap- 
pointed, and  hopeless,  bent  his  course  to  Bombay. 
After  having  left  a  strong  garrison  in  the  fort  of 
this  sea  port,  (Mangalore),  the  Nawaub  returned 
with  his   European  prisoners,  and,  in  six  weeks, 
arrived    at    Bangalore.      By  this   time,  the   two 
officers.  Smith  and  Hewitt,  had  taken  the  forts  of 
Wanumbari,  Tripatoor,  Gugungurh   Nutkul,  and 
Jug  Deo,  and  also  the  small  fort  of  Dhurumpoori, 
(after  Payindah  Khan,  the  Risaldar,  who  commanded 
there,  was  slain),  with  the  Hill  Fort  of  Kishengiri, 
which  was  plundered.     Abdurrusheed  Khan,   the 
Dewaun  of  the  Nawaub  Muhammad  Ali  Khan,  was 
also  appointed  to  the  charge  of  the  Barh  Mahl  •/ 

f  The  historical  account  of  the  Barh  Mahl,  or  twelve  Parganas, 
is  to  be  found  in  the  Persian  copy  of  Mr.  Marriott  only. 


271 

and  the  general,  having  crossed  the  Kunuk  Goon- 
dah,  Droog,  or  Ghaut,  reduced  the  forts  of  Hus- 
soor,  Mashti,  Moorwakul,  Kolar,  and  Huskote. 

It  is  to  be  obser>'ed  here,  that,  in  the  reigns  of 
the  Kotab  Shahi  dynasty,  the  Barh  Mahl  district 
was  included  in  the  Souba  of  Arkat,  which  Souba 
was  depending  on  Hydurabad  ;  but,  when  Bahadur 
Shah,  the  son  of  Alumgeer,  gave  Kirpa  in  Jageer  to 
Abdunnubbee  Khan,  the  nephew  of  Azum  Khan 
Meeana,  the  Barh  Mahl  was  added  to  that  district. 
But,  to  return — Muhammad  AU  Khan  of  Arkat  had, 
at  this  period,  taken  up  his  residence  at  Kolar,  but 
had  sent  for  Morar  Rao,  Ghoor  Purria,  from  Gooti, 
to  his  assistance,  and  was  making  his  own  arrange- 
ments, when  the  Nawaub  returned,  and  re-entered 
his  camp,  and  disposed  his  army  in  the  best  order. 

The  English  army,  with  the  army  of  the  Rao  be- 
fore mentioned,  was  now  encamped  near  the  town 
of  Nursipoorum,  when  the  Nawaub  finding  one 
night  a  favorable  opportunity,  marched  towards 
them  to  make  a  night  attack,  and,  on  arriving  there, 
without  hesitation  gallantly  attacked  and  plundered 
the  whole  of  Morar  Rao's  force,  and  the  Rao  him- 
self, being  wounded,  took  to  flight,  leaving  all  his 
guns  and  stores  behind  him.  Some  English  sol- 
diers, and  horsemen  of  Muhammad  All  Khan,  were 
among  the  killed  and  wounded,  on  this  occasion. 


274 

without  any  fear  or  caution.    On  hearing  this,  the 
Nawaub  immediately  despatched  two  guns  and  a 
thousand  matchlock  men  after  them  ;  and  these  in- 
telligent brave  fellows  attacked  this  sleepy  convoy, 
and  at  one  charge  having  thrown  the  escort  into 
confusion,  made  prisoners  of  them,  and  brought 
them  and  their  bullocks  to  the  Nawaub,  who  im- 
mediately attached  the  bullocks  to  bis  own  artillery^ 
and,  after  three  days,  moved  towards  Hurroor. 
The  Captain,  before  mentioned,  being  much  alarmed 
that  his  detachment  and  supplies  did  not  return^ 
and  by  the  want  of  intelligence  respecting  them 
and  being  also  ignorant  of  the  arrival  of  the  Nawaub, 
despatched  six  hundred  regular  infantry,  and  two 
hundred  Europeans,  with  four  guns,  to  Karroor. 
This  detachment  had  marched  about  four  fursungs, 
when  the  Nawaub  heard  of  them,  and  he  imme- 
diately despatched  his  horse  to  surround,  and  draw 
them  on  towards  the  range  of  his  artillery.     The 
horse,  accordingly,  by  caracoling  round  them,  and 
by  pouring  showers  of  arrows  and  rockets  on  them^ 
drew  them  gradually  on  to  the  front  of  the  artillery, 
when  they  dispersed  and  retired.     Supposing  that 
the  cavalry  were  those  of  Hybut  Jung  only,  the 
officer  who  commanded  the  English  detachment 
took  little  or  no  notice  of  them,  but  proceeded  on, 
when,  all  of  a  sudden,  the  artillery  opened  its  fire. 


275 

and  the  discharges  followed  so  quickly  that  the  de- 
tachment fell  into  confusion.  The  Kuzzak^  or  light 
horse,  who  were  on  the  watch  for  such  an  oppor- 
tunity, leaping  their  horses,  dashed  forward,  and 
without  fear  plunged  into  the  midst  of  the  fugitives, 
and  with  the  sword  and  spear  destroyed  many 
guiltless'  lives  ;  and  although  the  men  of  this  coun- 
try, [the  Dukhun,]  had  their  lives  spared  on  asking 
quarter,  not  one  of  the  Frengis,**  or  Europeans,  ex- 
cept two  little  boys,  nine  or  ten  years  of  age,  were 
left  alive. 

After  this  battle,  the  Nawaub  marched  on,  and 
pitched  his  camp  opposite  the  fort  of  Hurroor, 
whence  he  sent  the  following  message,  by  these  two 
boys,  to  the  captain  commanding  in  the  fort.  *'  Be- 
hold the  Nawaub  Bahadur,  like  sudden  death,  is 
upon  your  head.  He  has  defeated  and  plundered 
the  armies  of  General  Smith  and  Muhammad  Alf 
Khan,  and  has  sent  his  army  with  his  officers  to 
conquer*  Arkat,  while  he  himself  has  arrived  by 
forced  marches  with  his  personal  guard,  to  complete 
your  destruction.  He  has  also,  put  to  the  sword 
all  the  convoy  or  escort  on  the  road  to  Karroor, 
with  the  garrison  of  that  fort,  and  if  you  have  any 
wish  to  prolong  your  life,  you  must  come  and  seek 

i 

A  word  of  very  wide  fignification. 


276 

the  protection  of  the  Nawaub's  skirt.  If  not,  the 
Nawaub  has  determined  that  on  the  morrow  he  will 
not  spare  the  life  of  a  single  man." 

The  little  artless  boys,  who  had  seen  with  their 
own  eyes  the  men  of  their  party  destroyed,  and 
were  still  in  great  alarm,  entered  the  fort,  and  re- 
lated every  circumstance  with  minute  exactness  to 
the  Captain.  The  Captain,  therefore,  being  a  simple 
honest  man,  was  deceived  by  this  lying  story,  and 
relinquished  all  intention  of  defending  the  fort,  and 
getting  into  his  palankin,  accompanied  by  two  or 
three  servants,  one  or  two  pioneers,^  and  seven  foot 
soldiers  he  went  out,  and  met  the  Nawaub.  The 
Nawaub,  who  was  highly  pleased  at  his  arrival,  by 
consoling  and  comforting  him,  quieted  his  appre* 
hensions,  and  then  ordered  a  separate  tent  to  be 
pitched  for  him  and  sent  him  off  to  occupy  it.  He 
did  not,  however,  allow  any  of  his,  the  Captain's,  ser- 
vants except  the  pioneers,  to  remain  with  him. 

When  the  Captain  had  retired  from  the  presence, 
and  entered  the  tent,  and  saw  that  none  of  his 
servants  had  remained  with  him,  he  sat  down 
alone  in  the  chair  of  despondency  looking  about 
him,  and,  placing  the  telescope  of  the  discernment 
of  truth  on  the  stand  of  patience,  he  viewed  the 
wide  extent  of  the  region  of  understanding,^  and 


277 

asked  himself,  what  kind  of  business  is  this,  and 
how  will  it  end  r — In  the  meanwhile  the  civil  ser- 
vants of  the  Nawaub  arrived,  and,  in  sweet  words 
and  soft  language,  began  to  treat  with  him,  respect- 
ing the  surrender  of  the  fort,  and  the  military  and 
other  stores  contained  therein,  and  requested  he 
would  give  an  order,  to  that  effect,  on  the  second 
in  command  in  the  fort,  who  was  ready  with  his 
troops  to  defend  it ;  and,  notwithstanding  the  Cap- 
tain objected  and  resisted  the  demand  to  surrender 
the  fort,  unless  after  he  was  permitted  to  return,  the 
Nawaub*s  servants  would  not  allow  his  words  any 
weight,  but  by  fair  and  foul  means,*  they  at  length 
compelled  him  willing  or  unwilling,  to  write  an 
order  to  surrender  the  fort,  and  stores,  agreeably  to 
the  schedule  made  of  them ;  and  then  they  returned 
to  the  presence." 

The  Nawaub  now  despatched  four  Risalas  or  bat- 
talions of  regular  infantry,  and  a  thousand  irregular 
foot,  with  this  order.  The  officer  who  was  second  in 
command  no  sooner  saw  the  writing  of  his  superior, 
than  he  without  hesitation  gave  a  return  of  the 
troops,  composing  the  garrison,  and  the  guns,  and 
stores,  with  the  keys  of  the  fort,  to  the  Nawaub's 
officer,  and  quitted  the  fort,  of  which  the  Nawaub's 

*  9^j^\  J-4UU  ^r.Je-'  J^\y^   is.hj 
™  By  this  it  appears  they  extorted  the  order  required  hy  torture. 


278 

troops  took  possession^  and  all  the  valuable  stores 
were  appropriated  by  the  Khodadad  government. 
The  servants  or  troops  of  the  Ram  Raja^  and  the 
Kullers,  who  formed  a  part  of  the  garrison^  the  Na- 
waub  marched  three  times  round  his  camp^  as  an 
offering,  or  sacrifice,  for  the  safety  of  his  troops, 
and  they  were  then  dismissed.  A  few  prisoners,"  of 
the  English  garrison,  were  sent  to  be  confined  in  dif- 
ferent forts  of  the  kingdom ;  and  thus,  victorious, 
crossing  by  forced  marches  the  Ghaut  or  pass  of 
Gujul  Hutti,  the  Nawaub  returned  to  make  head 
once  more  against  the  English  army. 

At  that  period  the  General,  who  had  returned 
from  Huskote,  and  had  pitched  his  tents  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Kolar,  despatched  two  battalions 
and  four  hundred  Europeans,  to  fetch  supplies, 
which  had  been  collected  and  deposited  in  the 
small  fort  of  Hussoor,  and  when  the  escort  for  these 
supplies  had  proceeded  by  night  to  Hussoor,  and  had 
taken  charge  of  the  cattle  and  provisions,  they 
marched  with  them  the  next  night  on  their  return. 
The  Nawaub  at  the  same  time,  marched  from  Ani- 
kul,  in  pursuit  of  this  convoy  and  escort,  and  de- 
tached Muhammad  Ah,  conunandant,  with  four 
thousand  regular  infantry,  and  guns,  to  attack  the 
fort  of  Hussoor ;  while  he  himself,  in  the  vicinity  of 

^  He  put  the  rest  to  death  most  likely. 


279 

Nidra  Mungul^  fell  in  with  the  convoy,  and,  sur- 
rounding them,  raised  the  clamour  of  the  Resurrec- 
tion'' and  the  tempest  of  destruction  around  them. 
The  fearless  Kuzzaks  now  gallantly  exercised  their 
predatory  calling  ;  for,  notwithstanding  they  lost 
some  of  their  best  men  in  the  attack,  they  drove  off 
the  whole  of  the  bullocks,  with  their  loads,  even  to 
the  bullocks  of  the  artillery  ;  and,  moreover  relieved 
the  shoulders  of  (many  of)  the  escort  of  the  heavy 
burthen  of  their  heads.  On  all  sides,  the  field  of 
battle  was  straightened  by  bitter  enmity,**  and  it 
went  near  that  a  great  loss  had  fallen  on  the  de- 
tachment. Their  commanding  officer,  however, 
withdrew  his  men  into  a  ruined  fort,  which  was 
hard  by ;  and,  by  a  continual  fire  of  cannon  and 
musketry,  repelled  his  assailants. 

While  matters  were  in  this  state,  Muhammad 
AH,  commandant,  after  having  placed  a  garrison  in 
the  fort  of  Hussoor,  returned  to  the  camp  with  the 
stores  and  prisoners,  which  he  had  taken ;  and, 
being  now  appointed  to  the  plunder  and  destruction 
of  this  detachment,  he  attacked  them  like  a  raging 
lion,  and,  battering  one  side  of  the  fort,  soon 
breached  the  walls,  while  he  kept  his  men  ready  for 
the  assault.    At  this  time,  the  General  of  the  Eng- 

®  A  favourite  fig^ore  with  the  author. 


280 

lish  troops,  who  was  encamped  at  Kolar,  hearing 
the  report  of  the  guns  and  musketry,  knew  that  his 
convoy  had  been  vigorously  attacked,  and,  in  con- 
sequence, despatched  a  body  of  troops  to  reinforce 
them.  When,  therefore,  after  great  difficulties 
and  trouble,  these  detachments  of  English  troops 
joined,  the  power  of  the  besiegers  became  much 
contracted,  and  the  English  marched  at  night  and 
joined  their  own  camp.  A  single  bag  of  grain 
or  stores,  however,  never  arrived  in  the  English 
camp. 

The  Nawaub,  after  this,  marched  and  besieged 
Huskote,  in  which  was  an  English  garrison,  and  at- 
tacked it  on  all  sides.  The  officer  who  commanded 
in  the  fort,  however,  repelled  several  assaults  with 
the  greatest  gallantry,  and  made  known  his  situation 
to  the  general,  who  instantly  marched  from  Kolar 
towards  Huskote.  The  Nawaub's  scouts  or  out- 
posts immediately  apprised  him  of  the  Generars 
advance,  and  he,  therefore,  despatching  the  whole 
of  his  cavalry,  under  the  orders  of  his  son  Tippoo 
and  Meer  All  Ruza  Khan,  towards  the  Enghsh 
army  to  amuse  them,  he  himself  remained  with  his 
regular  and  irregular  infantry,  to  take  the  fort. 
He  now  ordered  the  brave  commandant,  Muham- 
mad All,  to  plant  ladders *>  against  the  towers  and 


281 

gates  ;  and  with  great  exertion  and  bravery,  the 
assailants  by  their  aid  mounted  the  walls.  The  gar- 
rison of  the  fort  being  few  in  number,  they  had  not 
power  to  repel  the  assault  of  such  a  multitude  ;  and, 
therefore,  threw  away  their  shields,  i.  e.  surrendered. 
The  merciful  Nawaub  gave  the  garrison,  who  had 
defended  themselves  with  great  bravery,  the  surety 
of  their  lives  and  property,  and  brought  them  out 
of  the  fort,  in  which  he  placed  a  garrison  of  his  own. 
He  was  preparing,  with  his  artillery,  and  regular 
and  irregular  infantry,  to  repel  the  English  army, 
when  the  general  himself,  with  his  best  troops,  ar- 
rived in  front  of  the  town  of  Huskote,  under  the  im- 
pression that  the  fort  still  remained  in  possession  of 
his  Killadar  or  officer. 

The  Nawaub,  who  had  now  no  choice  but  to  light 
up  the  flames  of  battle,  arranged  his  artillery  as 
quickly  as  possible,  in  the  plain  of  the  Eedgah/  and 
fired  away  with  such  vivacity,  that  the  concussions 
of  the  guns  shook  the  breast  of  the  earth  to  her 
centre,  and  thousands  of  men  were  slain.  The 
General,  meanwhile,  prevented  his  men  from  throw- 
ing away  their  lives  or  limbs  uselessly,  by  making 
them  shelter  themselves  in  the  low  grounds,  and 
then  calmly  resigned  himself  to  the  will  of  God. 

'  A  mosque  built  to  celebrate  the  Eedikorban,  and  £edi  Fltr 
festivals  of  the  Mussulmans. 


282 

The  Nawaub  now  signified  to  the  officers  of  the 
guards  on  the  prisoners  who  had  been  taken^  of 
the  garrisons  of  Nuthur  Nuggur,  Huskote^  &c. 
that  they  should  release  two  or  three  men ;  and 
this  being  done^  these  persons  soon  reached  the 
General,  and  detailed  to  him  the  circumstances 
which  had  occurred  at  Huskote^  and  the  present 
condition  of  the  garrisons  of  Hydur  Nuggur,  Nu- 
thur Nuggur,  and  Hurroor.  On  hearing  these 
statements  the  General  hesitated,  and  having  halted 
during  the  day,  from  anxiety,  he,  in  the  evening, 
returned  to  Kolar,  leaving  the  heavy  baggage  of  his 
army,  with  two  or  three  pieces  of  artillery ;  one  of 
which,  with  its  muzzle  broken,  still  lies  there,  as  a 
remembrance. 

Having  taken  possession  of  the  abandoned  bag- 
gage, the  Nawaub  now  advanced  and  encamped  at 
Nursing- poorum,  where  Hurkaras  brought  intelli« 
gence,  that  a  convoy  of  provisions  was  advancing 
by  the  Ghaut  of  Tubul  PuUi,  to  join  the  English 
camp,  under  the  escort  of  two  thousand  regular 
infantry,  a  thousand  Poligar  foot,  and  a  thousand 
horse.  On  hearing  this,  the  Nawaub  himself  with 
his  light  artillery,  and  regular  and  irregular  infantry, 
marched  and  took  post  in  ambuscade  in  front  of 
the  Pass.  The  next  day,  the  convoy  having  passed 
the  Ghaut,  and  arrived  at  Pudnainchuro,  the  Gha- 


283 

ziaun^  (the  Nawaub*s  troops,)  sallied  forth  from 
their  ambush,  and,  commanded  by  the  Nawaub, 
attacked  it  on  every  side,  and,  like  the  famished  at 
a  table  laden  with  dainties,  they  put  forth  the  hand 
of  plunder,  and  with  the  pitiless  sword  slew,  and 
then  trampled  many  men  of  the  escort  under  the 
hoofs  of  their  horses  ;  and  the  whole  of  the  pro- 
perty and  stores  taken  being  appropriated  to  the 
Nawaub's  provision  and  store  departments,  he  then 
returned. 

When  this  news  reached  the  General,  in  whose 
army  provisions  and  stores  became  scarce,  he  fell 
into  deep  thought  and  perplexity,  from  the  prospect 
of  a  famine  in  his  camp  ;  and  the  Nawaub,  seeing 
that  the  General  confined  himself  in  his  movements 
to  the  conquest  of  the  towns  and  Talookas  of  the 
Balaghaut,  resolved  that  he  himself,  with  the  whole 
of  his  army,  would  march  to  the  Payanghaut.  Ac- 
cordingly, having  crossed  by  the  pass  of  Rai  Kote, 
he  took  the  fort  of  Kishingiri ;  and  then,  placing 
garrisons  in  the  forts  of  Tripatoor  and  Wanumbari, 
he  burned  most  of  the  towns  depending  on  Am- 
boor.  Plundering  as  he  went,  he  next  marched 
by  the  districts  of  Amboor  Gurh,  Santgurh,  Rai 
Vellore,  Dhobigurh,  Amee,  and  Jeeth-peenth,  (or 
Chittapet,)  to  Tumamul,  where  he  encamped. 
From  this  place  he  detached  his  son,  (Tippoo,)  to- 


284 

wards  Madras,  and  Meer  All  Ruza  Khan,  towards 
Tujawur,  (or  Tanjore,)  and  Nuthur  Nuggur,  and 
Ghazi  Khan,  Maha  Mirza  Khan,  &c.,  towards  Chi- 
toor  and  Niloor,  to  plunder  the  cities  and  towns 
in  those  quarters ;  and,  in  a  very  short  time,  the 
whole  of  that  part  of  the  country  was  swept  by  the 
besom  of  plunder  and  destruction,  and  most  of 
the  population  perished  under  the  hoofs  of  the 
Nawaub's  cavalry. 

The  General,  on  hearing  of  this,  and  the  pillage 
of  the  Payanghaut  districts,  was  immersed  in  the 
whirlpool  of  anxiety  ;  and  now,  being  compelled,  of 
necessity  marched  by  the  Ghaut  of  Kurrunpat  to 
Sautgurh,  and  thence  towards  Rai  Vellore  where 
he  halted. 

Muhammad  All  Khan,  when  he  saw  the  two 
lions,  (General  Smith,  and  Hydur,)  blood  drinkers, 
making  these  exertions  from  manly  emulation,  and 
purely  for  the  honour  of  their  respective  govern- 
ments, and  in  the  mean  time  shedding  blood,  and 
plundering  and  destroying  God's  people  uselessly ; 
moreover,  that,  notwithstanding  the  destruction  of 
thousands  of  brave  men,  their  hands  were  not  yet 
withdrawn  from  slaughter ;  and  that,  in  his  Muham- 
mad Alf  s  wish  to  obtain  the  country  of  the  Bala- 
ghaut,  the  whole  of  the  Payanghaut  would  be  lost ; 
after  considering  all  this,  he,  therefore,  wrote  letters 


285 

to  the  General,  and  persuaded  him  to  entertain 
thoughts  of  peace.  Then,  having  appointed  Nujeeb 
Khan  and  Danishmund  Khan  his  plenipotentiary 
Vakeels,  he  despatched  them  with  four  lakhs  of 
rupees,  and  friendly  letters  and  presents,  to  the 
Nawaub,  and,  following  the  path  of  friendship  and 
truth,  he  manifested  his  wish  to  make  peace. 
The  Nawaub  Bahadur,  who,  also,  in  his  engage- 
ments with  the  English,  had  obtained  nothing  but 
hard  blows  and  loss ;  who  was  laden  with  a  burden 
of  hundreds  of  thousands  of  debt,  and  who  was 
himself  seeking  peace ;  was  in  his  heart  rejoiced 
beyond  measure,  by  the  application  of  Muham- 
mad All  Khan,  accepted  his  presents,  and  with 
great  satisfaction,  despatched  All  Zuman  Khan,  and 
Mehdi  AH  Khan  Nayut,  as  his  ambassadors. 

When  these  able  deputies  arrived,  and  met  Mu- 
hammad All  Khan,  they  arranged  the  preliminaries 
of  the  treaty  in  the  best  possible  way,  and  laid  such 
a  strong  foundation  to  the  conditions  of  peace  and 
amity,  that  on  no  account  should  tbe  Chiefs  of 
these  two  governments  ever  again  quarrel,  but,  on 
the  contrary,  assist  and  support  each  other.  In- 
cluded in  this  negociation,  the  Vakeels  of  the  Na- 
waub again  obtained  the  release  from  Muhammad 
All,  of  the  Nowayut  dependents,  that  is  to  say, 
the  relations  of  Chunda  Sahib,  also  the  relations 


286 

of  Imam  All  Bukhshi^  and  their  Zenanas,  or  wo- 
men. Those  persons  and  others  being  released  from 
the  prisons  of  Muhammad  AM  Khan,  solely  from  the 
Nawaub's  regard  for  his  tribe,  the  Vakeels  returned 
successful. 

By  this  peace  the  Khan  also  transferred  the  Ta- 
looka  of  Kurroor  to  the  Nawaub,  and  it  was  taken 
possession  of  by  his  (the  Nawaub's)  officers.     But, 
besides  this,  most  of  the  Munsubddrs,  •  and  Jageer- 
dars,  of  the  tribe  before  mentioned  (Nayut)  as,  for 
instance,  Mehdi  Khan,  the  Chief  of  Awul  Goondi, 
Moortuza  Hussein  Khan,   Munsubdar   of  Girkut 
Palli,  Muhammad  Tuki,  the  Jageerdar  of  Wundi- 
wassi ;  Muhammad  Saeed  Khan,  the  Munsubdar  of 
Pur-Mokulgurh ;  and  also  the  Ilakadars,  Muham- 
mad All  Khan  Powloori,  and  Herasut  Khan  Saut- 
gudi,  who,  from  the  oppression  of  Muhammad  All 
Khan^  were  sorely  afflicted  and  distressed.     To  all 
these  he  sent  pecuniary  assistance^  and  carriage, 
and  invited  them  to  come  to  him  ;  and  when  they 
arrived,  he  gave  to  every  one  service  according  to 
his  rank  and  abilities,  such  as  the  office  of  Bukh- 
shi,  or  other  civil  offices,  and  honours.     Many  in- 
habitants of  the  city  and  towns  of  Arkat,  Vellore, 
&c.,  also,  who,  being  neglected,  felt  aggrieved,  and 
had  retired  from  public  life,  now,  taking  advan- 

■  Mantub  is  a  stated  rate  of  pay  for  military  service. 


287 

tage  of  the  time  offered  for  the  appreciation  of 
their  merits^  and  considering  the  opportunity  as 
presented  by  their  good  fortune,  visited  the  liberal 
and  discriminating  Nawaub,  and  according  to  their 
titles  or  claims  were  entertained  in  his  service. 
The  chain  of  strife  and  discord  being  thus  cut 
asunder  by  the  shears  of  four  lakhs  of  rupees,  the 
Nawaub  returned  victorious  to  the  Balaghaut  pro- 
vince. 


288 


CHAPTER  XX. 

The  march  of  the  Nawaub  and  his  troops  towards  Kirpa,  Kur- 
nole»  Bellari,  &c.,  and  the  collection  of  an  adequate^  Paishkosh 
(tribute)  from  the  Chiefs  of  the  above  districts ;  with  other  con- 
quests, made  in  the  end  of  the  same  year  1185,  Hijri. — A,  D. 
1771. 

At  the  period  when  the  Nawaub  had  marched  to 
oppose  the  English,  the  Chief  of  Kirpa,  Abdul  Hu- 
leem  Khan,  considering  the  time  favourable  to  his 
plans,  despatched  his  horse  to  ravage  and  plunder 
the  districts  and  towns  depending  on  the  Nawaub, 
and  the  towns  belonging  to  the  Souba  of  Sura,  and 
Kurum  Goonda,  and  the  villages  of  the  tributary 
Poligars  of  that  Souba,  were  in  consequence  laid 
waste.  In  the  same  way,  Munuwwur  Khan,  the 
Chief  of  Kurnole,  in  concert  with  the  Chief  of  Gud- 
wal,  exerted  himself  to  do  as  much  injury  as  he  could. 
The  Naik  of  Bullari,  whose  name  was  Doodapa, 
also  insolently  caused  a  great  disturbance  in  the 
dependencies   of  Rai  Droog,  &c  ;    and   continual 


289 

accounts  of  these  excesses  arrived  at  the  hearing  of 
the  Nawaub's  servants.  The  settlement  of  that  quar- 
ter was,  nevertheless,  postponed  by  the  Nawaub  to 
the  end  of  the  war  with  the  red  faced  blood  drinkers, 
(i.  e.  the  English),  At  this  time,  therefore,  as  the 
heavenly  mind  of  the  Nawaub  was  set  at  rest  by  the 
conclusion  of  treaties  of  peace  with  them,  he  sent 
off  to  Puttun"*  the  heavy  baggage  of  his  army  with 
the  dependents  and  families  of  the  Nowajmts  or 
Nayuts ;  and  himself,  with  a  determination  to 
punish  his  enemies,  accompanied  by  all  his  horse, 
and  regular  and  irregular  infantry,  the  whole  of 
which  amounted  to  fifty  or  sixty  thousand  men, 
accompanied  also  by  his  Atash  Khana,*  or  artillery 
raining  fire,  he  proceeded  by  easy  stages,  as  if  tra- 
velling for  pleasure  to  see  the  country,  toward 
Kirpa,  and  he  gave  orders  to  a  party  of  his  Kuzzaks 
to  omit  no  means  of  laying  waste  the  country  in 
the  vicinity  of  Kirpa  ;  (and  they  obeyed  his  orders 
so  thoroughly,)  as  to  leave  not  one  of  the  well 
wishers  of  that  enemy,  (the  Chief  of  that  place), 
alive. 

When  this  intelligence  was  carried  to  the  Chief 
of  Kirpa,  he  became  exceedingly  alarmed  and  saw 
no  resource  for  his  present  and  future  welfare  but 

"  In  this  book  Puttun  means  SeringaputtuQ. 

V 


290 

to  seek  refuge  with  the  servants  of  the  Nawaub,  and 
he  therefore  despatched  a  Vakeel  with  five  lakhs  of 
rupees  in  money,  two  elephants,  and  four  horses, 
with  jewelled  or  embroidered  saddles  and  equip- 
ments, as  a  present  together  with  petitions  for  the 
forgiveness  of  his  offences,  great  and  small,  and 
offering,  as  to  the  future,  strong  and  repeated  as- 
surances that,  from  this  time,  he  would  never  place 
the  foot  of  presumption  beyond  the  boundary  of 
obedience  to  the  Nawaub's  commands,  but  would 
act  according  to  his  orders ;  and  as  a  mode  of 
manifesting  the  strength  of  his  attachment,  he 
further  offered  to  send  a  portion  of  his  troops  to 
serve  as  subsidiaries  with  the  Nawaub*s  army. 

This  petition  the  Nawaub  granted  from  political 
motives,  and  also  accepted  the  money  and  presents, 
according  to  the  verse,  "  What  comes  unasked, 
is  given  of  God" — "  refrise  not  what  is  sent  by 
God.**^ —  and  placed  them  in  his  treasury,  and 
having  written"  some  directions,  in  the  way  of  advice, 
for  the  regulation  of  the  Khan's  conduct,  now  and 
hereafter,  and  which  might  serve  as  the  rule  of  his 
life  and  welfare,  he  then  despatched  a  newswriter 
to  his  capital,  with  proper  presents,  and  honorary 
distinctions. 

y  What  comes  unasked,  by  God  is  given  ; 
Refuse  not  then  the  gift  of  heaven. 


291 

Budruzzuman  Khan,  who  formerly  gave  up  the 
fort  of  little  Balapoor  to  the  Paishwa,  M adhoo  Rao, 
and  thereby  threw  the  dust  of  shame  on  his  own 
head,  and  had  since  accepted  the  service  of  the 
Hakim  of  Kirpa,  now  through  the  intercession  of 
All  Zuman  Khan  his  brother-in-law,  had  an  assurance 
of  safety  sent  to  him  ;  and,  forgiving  his  faults,  the 
Nawaub  invited  him  to  return,  bestowing  on  him 
the  Khilut,  or  honorary  dress  of  pardon,  and  re- 
storing him  to  his  former  office  of  Bukshi. 

The  Nawaub  now  immediately  marched  on,  and 
passing  by  the  environs  of  Gunjee  Kote,  belonging 
to  the  Kirpa  Chief,  arrived  at  Bheekun  Pulli.  The 
Killadar  of  that  place,  who  was  of  the  Syud  family 
of  Gholaum  Ah,  otherwise  called  Guloo,  at  first  got 
ready  to  fight ;  and,  his  insolence  and  folly  produc- 
ing a  kind  of  frenzy,  he  fired  a  few  gun  shots  at 
the  Nawaub's  body  guard;  the  Nawaub  himself 
being  present,  and  riding  his  favourite  elephant, 
called  Poon  Guj.  The  Nawaub  was,  therefore, 
bound  in  honour  to  require  and  demand  that  this 
insolent  fellow  should  be  punished  in  a  way  that 
might  serve  for  a  warning  to  others,  and  accord- 
ingly, gave  orders  to  his  brave  officers  to  attack 
him  with  their  companies ;  upon  which  they  in- 
stantly encircled  him,  putting  forth  their  hands  to 
plunder  and   lay  waste.     Seeing  this  ravage,  the 


A 


292 

Killadar  threw  down  his  shield,  and,  placing  the 
ring  of  obedience  and  service  in  the  ear  of  his  life/ 
despatched  a  Vakeel  with  a  present  of  fifty  thousand 
rupees,  and  he  was  then  allowed  to  remain  unmo- 
lested. At  the  same  time  his  cousins,  Meer  Hussein 
AU  Khan,  and  Meer  Assud  All  Khan,  being  desirous 
to  serve  the  Nawaub,  presented  themselves  to  him, 
and  were  appointed  Bukshis  of  horse. 

The  Nawaub  now  marched  two  stages  towards 
Gudwal,  the  Poligar  of  which  place,  fearful  of  the 
overwhelming  attacks  of  the  Nawaub,  and  trembling 
like  a  reed  shaken  in  the  wind,  despatched  a  Vakeel 
with  two  lakhs  of  rupees,  and  some  other  presents, 
and  also  with  petitions  for  his  Hfe  and  safety ;  and 
having  done  this,  he  considered  himself  out  of 
danger.  When  the  Vakeel  with  the  money,  pre- 
sents and  letters,  arrived  at  the  presence,  he  de- 
livered his  message  with  much  humility  and  suppU- 
cation.  From  forethought  and  expediency,  the 
Nawaub  accepted  his  money  and  presents,  and 
then  marched  in  another  direction. 

Although  tlie  Nawaub  passed  with  his  army  by 
the  dependencies  of  Gooti^  that  is  to  say,  those  of 
Morar  Rao,  yet,  from  policy,  he  took  especial  care 
that  no  injury  should  be  done,  either  to  the  Rao 
or  the  inhabitants  of  that  part  of  the  country ;  but 


293 

marched  on  hastily  to  Kurnole.  As  soon  as  Mun- 
uwwur  Khan  was  apprised  of  the  arrival  of  the  Na- 
waub  Bahadur's  army,  he  determined  to  oppose 
them,  and  got  his  troops  in  readiness,  pitched  his 
tents,  and  raised  his  standards,  outside  the  town. 
A  fanatical  devotee,  named  Shah  Miskeen,  the 
Khan's  Moorshud  or  spiritual  director,  in  whom 
the  Khan  placed  great  faith  and  all  whose  com- 
mands he  obeyed,  (to  such  an  extent  that  no  chief 
of  his  rank  was  ever  so  obedient  to  his  spiritual 
guide  as  he,)  now  said  *'  Munuwwur,  rejoice  ;  for  I 
will  make  thy  enemies  flee."  The  Khan  was  so  over- 
joyed, at  hearing  these  glad  tidings,  that  he  nearly 
fainted  ;  and,  being  now  happy,  fancied  he  should 
certainly  conquer  the  Nawaub's  gallant  army. 
The  Nawaub,  when  he  became  aware  of  the  inten- 
tions of  the  Khan,  committed  the  right  and  left 
wings  of  his  army  to  his  bravest  officers,  and, 
mounted  on  an  elephant,  he  himself,  with  his  most 
devoted  troops,  taking  post  in  the  centre,  his  artil- 
lery in  front,  advanced  opposite  the  walls  of  the  town, 
and  there  halted ;  his  intention  being  to  attack  im- 
mediately and  take  the  town  and  its  chief  together. 
At  this  time,  the  mad*  Shah  or  Devotee  above 
mentioned,  sitting  upon  a  naked  or  uncaparisoned 
elephant,  and  accompanied  by  two  or  three  hundred 


294 

Afghans^  careless  of  life,  advanced  towards  the 
Nawaub's  army.  On  seeing  this,  a  number  of  the 
Nawaub's  companions,  and  Khans,  addressed  him 
several  times  intimating  that  he  ought  to  relinquish 
the  attempt  to  conquer  this  place,  in  respect  that  it 
was  under  the  protection  of  one  of  God's  most  per- 
fect Walis,  or  saints  ;  that  the  Aktab/  Outad,* 
and  Oulia,*  whenever  they  cast  an  eye  of  fevour 
on  any  one,  placed  him  in  security  from  all  evil  and 
danger;  that  the  manifestation  of  this  intention 
might  be  the  cause  of  loss  and  injury  to  the 
Khodadad  government,  and  God  forbid  that  in 
the  result  his  mind  should  be  disturbed  or  person 
injured;  that  it  was  best,  therefore,  that  the 
Nawaub  should  encamp  his  army  in  some  place, 
(near),  and  halt  there,  imtil  the  Afghan  of  Kurnole 
should,  of  his  own  accord,  present  himself  with  his 
hands  tied,  ready  to  obey  the  Nawaub's  com- 
mands ;  and  that,  in  this  matter,  haste  was  not  be- 
coming the  servants  of  the  Nawaub/  The  Nawaub, 
on  hearing  these  opinions,  and  suggestions,  so  dis- 
honourable to  a  man  of  courage  and  determination, 
was  much  irritated,  and,  looking  angrily  in  the  faces 

*  Kotub,  is  the  polar  star. 

**  Wutud,  is  a  tent  peg, — symbolical  of  strength,  also  height,  &c. 

•  Wuli  is  a  friend  or  a  saint — all  these  are  degrees  of  religious 
attainment  among  the  Mussulmans. 

'  Meaning  the  Nawaub  himself. 


k 


296 

of  these  weak*  men^  demanded  of  them  if  his  troops 
also  were  not  under  the  protection  of  some  Wali, 
Kotub,  or  saints  th^  he  and  his  troops  should  be 
supposed  to  be  without  support  or  aid?  Nearly 
the  whole  of  those  who  were  present,  now  wisely 
held  their  tongues^  and  were  silent ;  but^  some 
took  the  liberty  to  reply,  '*  Yes,  certainly  they 
were.*'  The  Nawaub  then  said,  "  in  that  case,  the 
saint  who  protects  our  army,  will  dispute  Mrith 
and  oppose  him  who  protects  this  place  ;**  and,  in 
the  mean  time,  we  ourselves  will  remove  the 
clouded  brain  from  the  vain  head  of  Munuwwur 
Khan  ;  for,  added  he,  "  I  will  stretch  the  neck  of 
his  presumption  with  the  halter  of  degradation,  and 
not  allow  him  to  remain  alive/*  After  sapng  this 
he  drove  on  his  elephant,  and  had  advanced  aboujt 
the  distance  of  a  musket  shot,  when  the  &natic 
Shah  above  mentioned,  who  had  determined  to 
charge  and  overthrow  the  Nawaub's  troops  sud- 
denly turned  about  and  retreated  into  the  fort,  and 
retiring  to  the  women's  apailments  of  his  house, 
crept  into  a  dark  room,  where  he  said  to  the  Khan, 
"  Oh,  Munuwwur  I  whatever  thou  hast,  give  up  to 
this  brave  man,  and  make  peace;  only  thy  fort 
will  we  not  give  up  to  him."  On  hearing  these 
words  from  his  priest,  the  Khan  gave  up  all  heart, 

^  Called  Kuuole  aod  Kumole. 


296 

and  the  strength  of  his  loins  was  broken  by  the 
staff  of  fear.  He,  therefore,  sent  his  Dewaun,  or 
minister,  to  the  Nawaub,  with  presents  and  provi- 
sions for  a  feast ;  and  intreated  he  would  encamp, 
and  promised  the  payment  next  day  of  as  large  a 
sum  of  money  as  he  was  able  to  collect. 

Casting  the  eye  of  favour,  and  the  compassionate 
regard  of  a  master,  on  the  condition  of  that  repre- 
sentative of  an  ancient  house,  the  Nawaub  agreed 
to  accept  his  propositions,  and  pitched  his  tents 
and  standards  to  the  westward  of  the  fort,  on  the 
bank  of  the  river  Tungbhuddra,  and  entered  his 
tents,  until  the  money  was  paid,  until  that  however, 
he  would  not  allow  the  Dewaun  to  return  to  the  fort. 
The  next  day,  in  lieu  of  five  lakhs  of  rupees,  which 
sum  he  had  engaged  to  pay,  the  Khan  sent  out  a 
quantity  of  money,  and  ornaments  of  gold,  and 
silver,  and,  in  sweet  flattering  language,  professed 
great  regard  and  friendship  for  the  Nawaub,  and 
thus  escaped  his  ire  and  vengeance. 

The  Nawaub,  desiring  much  to  conquer  and  put 
in  order  other  places,  took  the  amount  above  men- 
tioned, and  on  the  next  day  marched  by  the  road 
of  Tripeti  Goondeh,  and  Pundeh  Goondeh,  to 
Kupthal,  in  the  environs  of  BuUari,  where  he  en- 
camped his  victorious  army,  with  the  intention  of 
reducing  the  Poligar  of  that  place,  and  of  leaving 
a  garrison  of  his  own  in  his  forts ;  to  cast  the  dread 


297 

of  his  victorious  army  into  the  heart  of  Busalut 
Jung,  the  Chief  of  Adhoni,  who  was  secretly  in- 
triguing with  Morar  Rao,  and  inciting  him  to  the 
plunder  of  the  Mysore  territory.  Under  the  shew, 
therefore,  of  lighting  a  fire  among  the  villages  of 
Rai  Droog,  the  Nawaub  ordered  the  Risaldars  of 
the  regular  and  irregular  infantry  to  employ  the 
bravest  among  their  number  to  run  on  approaches  * 
against  the  fort  of  Rai  Droog,  to  breach  the  lower 
and  endeavour  to  take  the  upper  or  Mountain  fort. 
Accordingly,  by  the  exertions  of  thirty  days,  the 
tower  or  bastion  at  the  north  east  angle  of  the 
lower  fort  was  battered  down,  by  the  continual  fire 
of  the  guns,  and  at  night  they  made  an  assault* 
The  besieged  Naik,  however,  defended  himself 
bravely,  and  did  not  suffer  fear  to  influence  his 
exertions ;  but  successfully  beat  off  the  storming 
party.  The  resolution  displayed  by  the  Naik,  excited 
the  violent  anger  of  the  Nawaub,  who  brought  his 
large  guns  under  the  sweep  of  the  hill  to  the  north, 
where  he  ordered  his  artillery  to  batter  the  walls  of 
the  Mountain  fort.  The  sureties  of  conquest,  that 
is,  the  artillery-men,  now  threw  some  large  stones 
from  mortars  ^  into  the  women's  apartments  of  the 
Naik,  on  seeing  which,  the  women,  in  great  distress 
and  confusion,  filled  the  air  with  their  cries,  and 

i  They  are  called  g^nt  in  the  origioal. 


•   •• 


298 

obstinately  insisted,  that  the  Naik  should  imme- 
diately enter  into  communication  with  the  Na- 
waub  to  make  peace,  and  pay  him  whatever  sum  of 
money  he  demanded ;  and,  they  declared,  that,  if  he 
had  not  money  enough,  they  would  give  up  all  their 
most  valuable  ornaments,  "  for,''  said  they,  '*  should 
the  Nawaub,  which  God  forbid,  take  the  fort,  our 
honour  would  certainly  not  remain  inviolate."  The 
Naik  being  by  this  means  agitated  and  perplexed, 
sent  a  messenger  of  peace  to  the  Nawaub,  agreeing 
to  pay  two  lakhs  of  rupees,  and  thus  he  entered 
the  list  of  those  who  were  spared  by  Hydur. 

At  this  period,  spies  or  intelligencers  sent  informa- 
tion to  the  Nawaub,  that  Tattia  Mahratta,  the  Chief 
of  Mirch,  at  the  instigation  of  Govind  Rao,  the  son  of 
Imrut  Rao,  the  Chief  of  Gujindurgurh,  had  marched 
a  body  of  troops,  with  an  intention  to  lay  waste  and 
destroy  the  country,  under  the  government  of  the 
Sirkar  Khodadad,  (the  Mysore  State ;)  and  that  he 
was  raising  disturbances  near  Badami  and  Dharwar. 
As  the  Nawaub  was  now  compelled  to  reduce  this 
fort,  and  to  chastise  the  Mahrattas,  he  accorded  the 
petitions  of  the  Poligar,  and  taking  two  lakhs  of 
rupees  in  money,  and  leaving  a  newswriter  there, 
he  marched  on,  and,  having  crossed  the  river 
Toongbhuddra  at  the  Ford  ofGoruknat,he  by  long 
marches  arrived  at  Binkapoor.     The  enemy,  being 


299 

aware  of  the  rapid  advance  of  the  Nawaub,  lost 
their  senses,  from  the  fear  of  the  desperate  valour 
of  his  troops,^  and  returned  hopeless  to  Mirch. 

The  Nawaub,  therefore,  now  returning,  arrived 
at  Shahnoor,  where  Hukeem  Khan  advanced  to 
meet  him ;  and,  having  professed  his  friendly  senti- 
ments, he  presented  the  expenses  of  the  army  for 
ten  days,  amounting  to  a  hundred  and  thirty-five 
thousand  rupees,  as  a  gift,  and  was  thus  freed  from 
further  trouble.    From  this  place  he,  Hydur,  moved 
on,  and,  passing  Sirihutti,  Dumul,  and  Kunugiri,  and 
collecting  an  adequate  Paishkush  from  the  Poligars 
of  that  quarter,  he  next  pitched  his  tents  at  Be- 
januggur,  otherwise  called  Anigoondi,  and  Tum  or 
Timraj,  the  Chief  of  that  place,  was  sent  for  by  the 
Nawaub  to  visit  him.     As,  however,  these  Chiefs  are 
the  descendants  of  Kishenraj,^  and  Ramraj,  Chitri, 
they  salute  or  make  obeisance  to  no  one.     In  former 
times,  the  country  of  the  two  Karnatics,  and  even 
the  Dukhun  from  the  forts  of  Malabar  to  the  banks 
of  the  Nurbudda,  were  subject  to  their  authority. 
But  the  power  of  these  Princes  was  broken  and  de- 
stroyed, by  the  energies  of  the  officers  and  troops 
of  the  Kings  of  Islam,  namely,  Kotub  Shah,  Adil 
Shah,  and  Nizam  Shah,  in  the  environs  of  Nyaul 
Kote,  a  town  on  the  banks  of  the  Kishna,  in  972, 

cMj^  '  Meaning  apparently,  Ram  and  Krishna. 


300 

Hijri.  The  words  *'Ram  Raja"  died  on  the  day 
of  Adeena,** — give  the  date  of  his  death.  Sultan 
Alumgeer  during  his  reign  gave  the  descendants  of 
this  line  of  Princes,  to  provide  for  their  subsistence, 
the  three  districts  of  Howeli  Anigoondi,  Durwajee, 
and  Gungawati,  as  the  writer  of  these  lines  has 
detailed,  in  his  History  of  the  rise  and  fall  of  these 
Princes,  called  the  Tuzkirut  ul  Biladwul  Ihkam. 

But  to  return — when  the  Nawaub  sent  to  Timraj 
he  pretended  to  be  very  sick,  and  sent  his  son,  with 
some  presents  and  a  lakh  of  rupees,  and  begged  he 
might  be  spared.  Having  taken  into  consideration 
the  high  rank  of  the  ancestors  of  Timraj  and  their 
former  greatness,  the  Nawaub  excused  him  the  pay- 
ment of  his  Paishkush,  and  sent  him  from  the  pre- 
sence an  honorary  dress,  confirming  him  in  all  his 
possessions.  Hydur  then  marched,  by  the  route  of 
HurpunhuUy  and  Jureemli,  to  the  neighbourhood 
of  Chitul  Droog.  The  Poligar  there,  from  fear  of 
the  spoliation  and  desolation  of  his  country,  sent  a 
Vakeel  to  the  Nawaub,  with  three  lakhs  of  rupees 
as  a  present,  and  one  lakh  of  rupees  as  one  day^s 
entertainment  for  the  army,  representing  his  de- 
votedness,  and  that  he  Was  obedient  to  the  Nawaub's 
orders.  The  Nawaub  accepted  the  money,  and 
allowed  him  to  rest  under  his  powerful  protection  ; 

-    Friday,  ,  • ,  j<  j^  ^^  ^\^  j^ 


301 

and  having,  by  suggestion  and  advice,  pointed  out 
the  path  he  was  to  pursue,  he  despatched  an  able 
newswriter  and  register  to  the  residence  of  the 
Poligar. 

Hydur  then  marched  by  the  route  of  Boka 
Puttun,  and  encamped  in  the  environs  of  Gulwari. 
The  Nawaub  here  gave  orders  for  the  attendance 
of  the  Poligar  of  that  place,  whose  eccentricity  and 
folly  had  frequently  reached  his  ears.  It  is  to  be 
remarked  here,  that  the  said  Poligar  was,  without 
doubt,  entirely  void  of  sense  and  understanding. 
He  was  an  opium  eater,  and  spent  all  the  revenue 
of  his  Talooka,  or  district,  in  the  purchase  of  opium. 
He  was  accustomed,  sometimes,  to  mount  up  into 
the  balcony  of  his  house,  and  enjoy  the  prospect  of 
his  hills  and  dales ;  and  there  happening  to  be  op- 
posite his  little  fort  a  pond  full  of  water,  and  a 
small  hill  beyond  it,  he  used  to  ask  his  minister, — 
"  If  we  had  a  quantity  of  pure  opium  as  large  as 
that  hill,  and  as  much  milk  as  that  pond  or  tank 
would  hold,  how  long  would  it  last  ?"  The  minister 
would  answer,  "  Perhaps  about  a  month  ;**  upon 
which  the  Poligar  would  reply,  "  What — do  you 
take  a  man  to  be  like  a  sparrow,  that  he  should 
pick  a  bit  here  and  there,  and  drink  by  drops  ?" 
"  If  any  one  could  finish  the  whole  of  it  in  a  week, 
then,  indeed,  I  should  call  him  a  man."     If  he  sat 


302 

down  in  the  morning  to  wash  his  mouth  and  his  face, 
it  was  mid-day  before  he  had  finished,  even  although 
his  servants  did  their  best  to  arouse  him.  His  ge- 
neral food  was  rice  and  milk,  and  his  wife,  after  she 
had  caused  it  to  be  cooked,  usually  sent  a  servant  girl 
to  call  him  to  dinner.  But  it  was  not  until  the  girl 
had  well  shaken  his  head,  and  his  shoulders,  and  re- 
peated to  him  that  his  dinner  was  ready,  that  he 
rose  and  retired  to  the  women's  apartments  to  eat. 
He  also  had  planted  a  small  garden,  about  the  dis- 
tance of  a  musket-shot  from  the  town ;  but,  when- 
ever he  wished  to  walk  in  his  garden,  it  took  him  a 
week  to  get  ready.  When,  however,  his  ministers 
had  at  last  roused  him,  and  he  had  walked  to  the 
garden,  after  an  hour  or  two  he  would  ask  his  ser- 
vant, "  How  many  days  is  it  since  we  left  home, 
and  in  how  many  days  shall  we  return  T  The  ser- 
vant in  answer,  would  say,  that  they  would  reach 
home  after  two  or  three  stages,  when  the  Poligar, 
laughing,  would  reply,  **  No,  no,  we  are  not  pigeons, 
that  we  should  fly  so  swift  as  that !"  But,  in  fact, 
there  are  so  many  stories  told  of  this  man,  that  it 
would  be  impossible  to  relate  them  all. 

When,  by  the  order  of  the  Nawaub,  this  foolish 
man  attended  his  Durbar,  the  Nawaub,  seeing  the 
stamp  of  folly  on  his  forehead,  called  to  him  to  ad- 
vance, and  then  said, — "  How  is  it  with  you,  and 


303 

what  have  you  brought  me  for  a  present  ?" — He, 
with  his  hands  respectfully  crossed,  replied, — "  By 
your  auspicious  fortune,  there  is  in  my  treasury  no- 
thing but  two  or  three  maunds  of  opium ;  but  there 
are  also  two  hundred  cows,  giving  milk,  and  a  few 
jewels  of  gold  and  silver  are  on  the  person  of  your 
female  servant,  *  meaning  his  wife,*  if  it  be  your 
pleasure  I  will  present  them  to  you."  The  Nawaub 
laughed  very  heartily  at  his  absurdity,  and  gave 
him  leave  to  return  home,  and  allowed  him  to 
retain  his  town,  to  fiimish  him  subsistence,  but, 
stationed  in  it  an  Ameen,  to  regulate  the  admini- 
stration of  the  Talooka.  The  Nawaub  then  re- 
turned to  his  capital,  Puttun. 


304 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

An  account  of  the  celebration  of  the  Marriage  of  the  S&hibzada," 
Prince.  Tippoo,  also  that  of  the  daughters  of  Shahbaz  S&hib ; 
and  the  Marriage  of  Hydur's  own  daughter,  the  year  1185* 
Hijri.— A.D.  1771. 

When  the  Nawaub  Bahadur  was  freed  from  the 
war  with  the  English,  and  his  arrangements  with 
the  Poligars,  &c.,  and  had  returned  \dctorious  to 
his  capital,  he  determined  to  celebrate  the  nuptials 
of  the  Princes  and  Princesses ;  and,  therefore,  with 
the  greatest  pleasure,  demanded  for  his  son  the 
daughter  of  Imam  Sahib  Bukhshi,  Nayut,  whom  he 
had  brought  from  Arkat,  and  he  ordered  the  prepa- 
rations for  the  banquet,  &c.  to  be  made.  The 
ladies  of  the  curtain  of  chastity  and  purity,  that  is, 
the  mother  of  the  Prince,  and  the  wife  of  Hydur 
Sahib,  the  elder,  would  not,  however,  agree  to  the 
marriage  of  this  lady  ;  but,  agreeably  to  the  choice 
of  the  bridegroom  himself,  and  that  of  their  family, 

°  I  have  translated  *J«j-^w  Prince  as  I   know  no   other 
equivalent  when  speaking  of  Tippoo. 


lb 


305 

selected  Rukba  Banoo,  the  daughter  of  Lala  Mean, 
(who   was    killed    at    Churkoli,)    and    the    sister, 
by   both    parents,   of    Biirhan-ud-din  Sipahsalar. 
The  Nawaub,  being  angry  at  the  rejection  of  his 
choice,  gave  orders  that  the  Prince  should  be  mar- 
ried **  to  both  these  ladies  the  same  night.     Those, 
therefore,  to  whom  charge  was  given  to  prepare  the 
banquet  for  this  happy  occasion,  commenced  the 
music  of  congratulation  on  both  sides,  ^  and  the  feast 
was  spread,  and  the  customary  forms  of  rejoicing, 
agreeably  to  the  usages  of  the  Dukkanees,  were  all 
celebrated   in   royal  style  and  fashion ;    and,  for 
nearly  a  month,  the  streets  and  markets  of  the  city 
were  ornamented,  like  the  nuptial  chamber  of  the 
bride  and  bridegroom,  and  the  fame  and  noise  of 
the  royal  banquet  extended  to  all  parts  of  the  world. 
The  joyful    entertainment,  music,   and   all   other 
appliances  of  delight,  were  provided  so  abundantly, 
that,  during  the  whole  time,  little  and  great,  low 
and  high,  either  among  the  servants  of  the  govern- 
ment,  or  the  inhabitants  of  the  city,  never  dried " 
their  hands  from  eating  and  drinking.     The  chief 
officers  of  the  army,  the  brave  men  of  the  body 
guard,  the  servants  of  the  household,  and  the  danc- 

f^ykM^    ^^  ^  The  bride  and  brideg^om. 

4  It  will  be  recollected  that  the  people  of  Hindustan  use  their 
fingers  alone  in  eating. 

X 


306 

ing  girls,  with  countenances  lovely  as  Venus,  like 
brides  and  bridegrooms,  arrayed  in  their  various 
coloured  raiment,  excited  by  their  beauty  the  envy 
of  the  ever  blossoming  rose  garden,  and  the  poor 
and  needy  of  the  world,  by  the  gifts  of  pearls,  and 
jewels,  made  on  this  marriage,  were  placed  inde- 
pendent of  poverty  and  want. 

At  length,  at  the  fortunate  and  blessed  moment, 
after  the  ceremony  of  riding  in  procession,  the  bride- 
groom was  first  taken  to  the  gate  of  the  Nayut's 
house,  and,  after  the  reading  of  the  Khotba  and 
Nikah,  and  the  performance  of  other  marriage  cus- 
toms, the  bridegroom  was  again  mounted,  and  taken 
to  the  respected  gate  of  Lala  Mean,  where  all  the 
ladies  of  the  Nawaub's  family,  and  all  his  relations 
assembled,  and  gave  their  sanction  to  the  Khotba  and 
Nikah,  and,  with  the  assistance  of  able  bride's  wo- 
men, the  ceremonies  of  Julwah,  &c.,  were  performed 
to  their  perfect  satisfaction,  and  the  sun  and  moon 
were  placed  in  auspicious  conjunction.  In  truth, 
it  is  the  nature  of  most  men  and  women,  that  al- 
though women  of  their  own  tribe  may  be  the 
poorest'  in  the  country,  still  they  hold  them  in 
respect  and  honour,  and  disparage  the  women 
of  other  tribes  by  hints  and  allusions,  even  while 
allowing  their  claim  to  lineage  and  nobility.     But, 


307 

to  return  —  when  they  had  finished  all  this  cele- 
bration and  congratulation,  the  two  honourable 
ladies  were  placed  in  the  Serai  of  the  prince,  and 
there  remained. 

After  this,  came  the  marriage  of  the  two  daughters 
of  the  deceased  Shahbaz  Sahib.  Shahbaz,  after  the 
increase  of  the  power  and  wealth  of  the  Nawaub, 
retired  to  his  own  house,  and  died  of  disease  at 
Kolar,  leaving  three  daughters,  and  one  son,  named 
Abdulkadir,  who  was  slain  in  his  youth  by  a  can- 
non ball  at  the  battle  of  Anooti.  The  eldest  daugh- 
ter, whose  mother  was  a  lady  of  Shahbaz  Sahib's 
tribe  or  family,  was  married,  during  the  life  of  her 
father,  to  Lala  Mean,  and,  consequently,  now  be- 
came the  mother-in-law  of  the  prince,  Tippoo. 
The  other  two  daughters  were  by  a  wife  of  a  dif- 
ferent tribe,  not  a  first  marriage.  The  Nawaub 
now,  therefore,  honoured  Turbeut  All  Khan  Na)ait, 
by  bestowing  one  in  marriage  on  him;  and  the 
other  he  married  to  Yasin  Sahib,  the  son  of  Yakoob 
Sahib,  Jamadar,  one  of  the  most  noble  among  the 
families  of  the  Dukhun,  and  after  the  most  liberal 
fashion  of  that  country.'  After  this,  again  being  high- 
ly pleased  with  the  mild  disposition,  the  propriety 
of  language  and  manners,  and  the  correctness  of 

*  This  detail  is  so  involved  in   parenthesis,  as  to  he  almost 
unintelligible. 


308 

conduct  of  Hafiz  Syud  Ali,  (the  son  of  Shah  Sahib 
Dukkuni,)  a  worthy  friend  and  companion  of  the 
Nawaub ;  who  had  been  deputed  on  an  embassy 
to  Hydurabad^  and  had  there  negotiated  a  peace, 
and  strengthened  and  improved  the  relations  of 
amity  between  the  Chief  of  Hydurabad  and  the 
noble  Nawaub  ;  and  who,  without  the  know- 
ledge of  the  Nizam,  or  his  ministers,  with  much 
address  had  purchased  a  great  quantity  of  valuable 
articles  and  jewels  of  great  price,  and  had  forward- 
ed them  to  the  Nawaub  ;  and,  also,  had  engaged  a 
number  of  brave  and  experienced  men,  well  known 
for  their  courage,  and  had  sent  them  to  the  pre- 
sence ; — taking,  into  consideration  all  these  ser- 
vices, and  wishing  to  mark  his  approval  of  them, 
he  honoured  him  by  uniting  him  in  marriage  to 
his  own  daughter,  and  thus  exalted  his  head  in 
both  worlds. 

As  these  affairs  were  all  completed  in  about  a  year, 
the  Nawaub  next  occupied  himself  in  the  regulation 
of  the  affairs  of  his  territories,  and  despatched 
officers  of  justice  to  all  quarters ;  that,  wherever 
thieves,  highway  robbers,*  and  cut  purses,  had  ex- 
tended the  hand  of  depredation  and  cruelty,  they 
might  be  punished  ;  and,  wherever  the  foundations 
of  oppression  and  tyranny  had  been  raised,  they 

.1 


rj 


309 

should  cause  them  to  be  pulled  down.  As  soon  as 
the  Nawaub  had  completed  the  internal  arrange- 
ments of  his  state  affairs,  he  appointed  his  confi- 
dential servants  to  the  charge  and  possession  of 
different  governments  and  countries,  and  next  em- 
ployed his  time  in  collecting  warlike  stores,  and 
soldiers  of  approved  valour,"  (like  Roostum  and 
Isfendiar) ;  so  that,  in  a  short  time,  he  assembled 
under  the  shade  of  his  victorious  standard  expe- 
rienced and  able  men  from  all  tribes ;  and,  giving 
pledges  of  safety  and  aid  to  merchants,  and  the 
leaders  of  Karwans  of  all  countries,  he  attracted 
(many  of  those  persons,  bringing  with  them)  bales 
of  precious  stuffs,  droves  of  fleet  horses  from  Irak 
and  Daman,""  and  troops  of  the  bravest  men  of  Iran 
and  Tooran,  who  had  been  invited  to  enter  his  ser- 
vice, and  whom  by  Hberal  treatment  he  made  the 
slaves  of  his  will.  He  also  appointed  active  dis- 
ciplinarians, to  exercise  and  teach  his  troops,  and 
maintained  near  two  thousand  able  spies  and  news- 
writers,  in  all  parts  of  his  dominions,  and  even  in 
Hydurabad,  Poona,  Madras,  DehU,  Bengala,  Iran, 
Tooran,  and  Kabul,  and  was  supplied  with  intel- 
ligence by  them  which  he  heard  with  great  interest 
and  discrimination.  But,  especially  in  every  dis- 
trict of  the  tributary  Poligars  depending  on  him, 

*^^  ^  Also  written  Maun. 


310 

(for  he  was  never  at  ease  respecting  them),  he  em- 
ployed spies  and  secret  intelligencers,  one  upon 
another,  and  required  from  them  the  most  minute 
information  and  a  copious  diary.  He  also,  at  an 
immense  expense,  collected  all  implements  of  war, 
as  guns,  firelocks,  and  other  European  articles,  from 
the  ports  of  the  French,  Dutch  and  Portuguese 
nations. 


311 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


The  invasion  of  Tatia  Mahratta  the  Chief  of  Mirch,  Grovind 
Rao,  the  son  of  Imrut  Rao,  and  Suhoo  Rao  Ghatkia,  &c..  Chiefs 
of  the  Mahrattas,  from  Poona,  with  the  intention  to  ravage  and 
conquer  the  country  depending  on  the  Nawaub  Bahadur.  Also, 
the  incursion  of  Ibrahim  Khan,  Dhoonsa,  with  the  same  purpose, 
from  Hydurabad ;  and  the  making  prisoners  the  chiefs  of  the 
Mahrattas,  by  the  hands  of  the  brave  soldiers  of  the  Nawaub's 
army.  The  retreat  also  of  Dhoonsa,  without  attaining  his  object 
and  the  conquest  of  Bullari  by  the  Nawaub ;  all  which  occured  in 
the  year  1187.  Hijri.— A.  D.  1773. 

A\  HiLE  the  Nawaub  Bahadur  remained  in  Puttun, 
and  was  occupied  in  making  some  particular  ar- 
rangements, and  collecting  troops  and  stores  ;  Busa- 
lut  Jung,  the  Chief  of  Adhooni,  and  the  promoter 
of  strife,  Morar  Rao,  combining  and  concerting  to- 
gether, wrote  and  despatched  letters  to  the  Nizam 
of  Hydurabad,  and  the  chief  persons  at  Poona,  con- 
taining a  request  that  they  would  despatch  troops 
into  this  country,  (Mysore,)  and  pluck  up  the  tender 
plant  of  the  Nawaub's  prosperity  and  greatness, — 
for,  in  the  increase  of  his  power  and  might,  they 


312 

saw  involved,  to  a  certainty,  their  own  decay  and 
ruin.  They  then  remained  waiting  or  looking  out 
for  opportunities.  Although  he  knew  well  the  ini- 
mical intentions  of  these  treacherous  people,  still, 
before  some  overt  act  on  their  part  authorized  him, 
the  Nawaub  did  not  consider  it  consistent  with  his 
character  for  courage  and  the  conquest  of  his 
enemies  to  molest  or  annoy  any  of  them.  Seem- 
ingly like  a  listening  deer,  he  was  silent ;  but,  in 
reality,  like  a  hunting  leopard,  he  was  waiting  an 
opportunity  to  spring  upon  his  prey,  when,  all  at 
once,  his  spies,  from  the  banks  of  the  Toongbhud- 
dra,  successively  brought  him  intelligence,  that,  the 
Governor  of  Mirch  had  again  associated  several 
Chiefs  of  the  Mahrattas  with  him,  and  was  raising 
disturbances  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Badami  and 
Dharwar ;  that,  although  the  minister  of  Poona  was 
adverse  to  his  plans,  still  he,  vain  and  conceited  in 
himself,  had  raised  the  neck  of  pride,  and  was 
marching  in  the  direction  of  Mysore  ;  that  the  Na- 
zim  of  Hydurabad,  agreeably  to  the  request  of  the 
Chief  of  Adhooni  and  the  Hakim  of  Gootti,  had 
also  despatched  Ibrahim  Khan  Dhoonsa,  with  a  well 
appointed  force,  artillery,  and  warlike  stores,  to  this 
quarter,  that  as  a  soldier  Dhoonsa  considered  no  one 
his  equal,''  and  was  exceedingly  vain  of  the  discipUne 


313 

of  his  troops,  and  the  excellence  of  his  artillery ; 
and  that  he,  like  a  mad  elephant,  with  the  proboscis 
of  fury   raised,   was   advancing  towards   Mysore. 
Also,  that  the  Chief  of  Adhooni  had  despatched  his 
troops  to  take  Bullari,  and  that  Sufdur  Jung,  the 
Commander  in  Chief  of  his  army,  and  the  French- 
man, Monsieur  Lalli,  who  had  the  title  of  Roostum 
Jung,  had  already  besieged  that  town,  and  were 
prosecuting  their  operations ;   but  that  the  Naik, 
who  defended  the  place,  had  fought  manfully,  and 
vigorously   repelled   his   enemies.      The   Nawaub 
now,  therefore,  appointed   Muhammad   Ah'  com- 
mandant, with  five  thousand  regular  infantry  and 
seven  thousand  horse,  and  the  troops  of  Bajee  Rao, 
to  attack  and  repel  them,  and  he  himself  set  them 
forward  on  their  march  towards  Dharwar.     The 
gallant    Commandant    accordingly  marched   with 
such  speed  that,  in  fifteen  days,  he  arrived  at  Dhar- 
war, and  finding  to  the  north  of  the  fort  an  open 
plain,  and  the  dry  bed  of  a  river,  forming  a  good 
ground  of  encampment,  placing  the  river  in  his 
front,  he  planted  his  standard  and  encamped  there. 
The  tents,  however,  were  not  yet  pitched,  nor  had 
the  loads  of  baggage  fallen  from  the  backs  of  the 
bullocks,  camels,  and  elephants,  when  the  Chiefs  of 
the  enemy  it  being  the  day  of  the  Dussura,*  with 

*  A  festival  of  the  Hindoos. 


314 

the  whole  of  their  force,  guns  and  stores,  ready  for 
action,  came  on  by  troops,  to  make  a  display  of 
themselves,  and  exercise  their  horses,  and  also  with 
the  intention  to  encamp  in  that  very  spot  of  ground 
which  two  days  before  they  had  seen  unoccupied 
by  the  Nawaub's  lions.  Taking  no  account  what- 
ever of  the  commandant's  force,  which  appeared  to 
them  small,  while  they  in  number  were  near  thirty 
thousand  horse  and  twenty  thousand  foot  with  six- 
teen guns,  they  without  any  hesitation  advanced  the 
whole  together,  officers  and  men,  and  at  once  came 
on  to  the  attack.  The  brave  commandant,  with 
great  activity,  posted  his  artillery  in  advance,  and 
formed  his  lines  of  musketry  in  the  rear  of  the 
guns  ;  having  stationed  on  his  right  wing  the  Ban- 
dars^  or  rocket  men.  When,  therefore,  the  Mah- 
rattas  had  rashly  advanced  within  musket  shot,  all 
at  once  his  guns,  which  had  been  loaded  with 
grape  shot,  and  were  ready  for  the  match,  succes- 
sively opened  their  fire, — the  volHes  of  musketry  be- 
ing given  with  aim  and  precision  on  the  enemy's  main 
body — and,  like  as  the  ears  of  wheat  and  barley  cut 
by  the  sickle  at  harvest  are  scattered  over  the  face 
of  the  ground,  so,  the  bodies  of  the  Mahrattas  were 
scattered  on  the  field  of  death.  In  the  rear,  again, 
the  cavalry,  stretching  forth  the  hands  and  arms 

y  Bhandars. 


316 

of  courage,  and  shouting*  *'  Aid  from  God  and 
victory  near," — threw  the  dust  of  defeat  on  the 
heads  of  the  conquered.  The  rocket  men,  also, 
firing  from  the  flank,  (apparently  formed  enpotence) 
lighting  up  the  fire  of  strife,  burned  the  camp  fol- 
lowers and  baggage  of  the  M ahrattas  like  dry  wood 
in  the  oven  of  devastation. 

But,  to  return — The  day  of  feasting  became  to 
the  Mahrattas  a  day  of  mourning ;  and  Tatia,  who 
was  a  fat  heavy  man,  at  the  shock  of  the  thunder  of 
the  artillery  and  musketry  trembled  so,  that  he  lost 
his  seat  and  fell  from  his  horse  on  the  ground,  and 
rubbed  the  forehead  of  his  timiditv  on  the  earth  of 
supplication.  The  other  cowardly  Chiefs,  who,  from 
the  clouds  of  smoke  rising  from  the  guns  and  mus- 
ketry  in  this  hard  fought  battle,  lost  their  way  to 
safety,  who,  from  the  lightning  of  the  swords  of  the 
brave,  lost  the  sight  of  their  understandings,  and, 
the  range  of  whose  intellect  was  pierced  through,  or 
fixed,  by  the  flashing  points  of  the  spear,  javelin  and 
mace,  now,  in  the  hope  of  saving  their  lives,  covered 
themselves  with  the  clothes  of  the  wounded  and, 
with  their  bodies  uninjured,  crying,  and  wailing, 
rolled  themselves  about  on  the  ground.  The  vic- 
torious Kuzzaks,  now  put  forth  the  hand  of  plun- 
der, and  took  freely  of  all  they  liked  to  their  heart's 


~  * 


316 

content,  &c.    The  brave  commandant,  for  this  great 
and    unexpected    victory,    prostrated    himself    in 
thanksgiving  before  the  throne  of  the  true  bestower 
of  all  victory,  and   having  twice*  performed  his 
thanksgiving  devotions,  the  Mahratta  Chiefs  were 
dragged  forward,  in  number  ten  or  twelve,  the  head 
of  the  whole  being  Tatia,  and  they  were  then  con- 
fined in  a  tent  under  a  strong  guard.     Of  the  ele- 
phants, camels,  and  horses,  with  other  plunder,  of 
which  an  incredibly  great  quantity  was  taken,  half 
was  given  to  the  Silahdars,  who  in  this  battle  had 
perilled   their  lives  nobly.      To  each  of  the  Fa- 
keers,  or  religious  mendicants,  who  accompanied 
him,  and  of  whom,  whether  he  was  travelling  or 
stationary,  forty  or   fifty  always  remained   round 
that  generous  man's  door,  he  gave  one  horse  or 
camel.     The  Mahratta  females  who  were  taken  he 
divided  among  the  dissipated  and  such  as  were 
fond  of  women.     He  then  encamped  on  the  same 
ground,  the  twin^  of  victory,  and  despatched  to  the 
Nawaub  a  congratulatory  letter  on  this  unexpected 
success,  with  a  list  or  return  of  half  the  plunder 
taken,  and  likewise  the  names  of  the  Chiefs  taken 
prisoners. 

^  I  do  not  understand  this  well,  but  it  is  so  in  the  original. 


317 

When  the  Nawaub  had  heard  the  terms  of  the 
letter  from  his  distinguished  servant,  and  the  lists 
of  the  captured  property,  he,  in  presence  of  those 
assembled  round  him,  involuntarily  broke  out  in 
expressions  of  admiration,  at  his  valour  and  judg- 
ment ;  and  immediately  gave  orders,  that  a  salute 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  five  guns  should  be 
fired,  as  a  testimony  of  gladness  and  thanksgiving 
for  this  victory,  and  also  that  his  drums  should  beat 
the  rejoicing  for  good  news.     He  also  conferred  on 
the  commandant  kingly  presents  ;  a  jewelled  girdle 
and  a  horse  with  saddle  and  housings  of  gold,  and 
he  exalted  the  standard  of  his  rank  and  estimation 
above  all  other  of  the  officers  and  Khans  of  his 
court. —  Verse.  "  He  raised  him  above  his  fellows" — 
"  and  distinguished  him  with  great  honour  and  con- 
fidence.** 

During  this  time,  the  newswriters  of  Rai  Droog 
frequently  wrote  to  the  Nawaub,  that  Busalut 
Jung's  commander  in  chief,  although  he  had  be- 
sieged the  hill  fort  of  Bullari  closely  for  three 
months,  had  effected  nothing;  that  the  besieged 
Naik  had  made  frequent  sorties  at  night,  and  had 
attacked  the  batteries  of  the  besiegers,  and  had 
killed  a  great  many  of  the  Moghuls  f  and  that 
Dhoonsa,  with  his  ill  omened  force,  had  arrived 

^  The  troops  of  Hydurabad  are  always  called  Mogbuls  in  tliis 
work. 


318 

near  Kunukgiri  and  Gopul^  and  that  the  people  of 
the  country  were  terrified  at  his  tyranny  and  cruelty. 
As  soon  as  he  had  heard  the  contents  of  these 
letters^  the  Nawaub  immediately  despatched  his 
orders  to  the  commandant^  styling  him  Ghoonsa^*' 
to  this  eflTect,  that  he,  the  Nawaub,  had  conferred 
on  the  commandant  the  title  of  Ghoonsa,  and  that 
he  had  appointed  him  to  oppose  the  further  pro- 
gress of  Dhoonsa;  that  he,  (Ghoonsa),  was  to 
proceed  as  early  as  possible,  and  attack  Dhoonsa, 
and  chastise  him  as  he  deserved  ;  and  that,  please 
God,  he  the  Nawaub  would  also  fall  on  him  Uke 
sudden  death,  by  the  route  of  Rai  Droog.  He 
also  commanded  him  to  send  his  prisoners  to 
the  presence.  Immediately  on  receiving  the  Na- 
waub's  mandate,  the  commandant  got  his  troops 
in  readiness,  and  marched  by  forced  marches  to- 
wards the  army  of  Dhoonsa.  In  the  meanwhile 
agreeably  to  the  orders  of  the  Nawaub,  the  pri- 
soners and  spoil  were  sent  to  Puttun,  under  the 
escort  of  a  thousand  regular  and  two  thousand 
irregular  foot. 

The  Nawaub  now  marched  from  his  capital,*  Put- 

^  Ghoonsa  means  the  fist,  or  a  blow  with  the  fist,  in  Hin- 
dastanni ;  and  Dhoonsa,  I  believe,  a  rude  push,  or  shove ;  but 
there  appears  to  be  some  joke,  or  conceit,  in  these  names. 

*  All  mention  of  the  unfortunate  Raja  of  Mysore  and  his  family 
is  avoided  from  the  time  of  his  imprisonment. 


319 

tun,  and  proceeded  towards  Ruttun  Giri,  where  he 
halted.      Then,  leaving  there  all   heavy  baggage, 
the  camp  followers  and  artillery,  under  charge  of 
Purnia,  a  Mutsuddi  oftheTosha  Khana,  (wardrobe 
or  storeroom  of  presents)  who  was  appointed  thence- 
forth Chief  officer  of  the  baggage  and  followers, 
he  with   the  light    horse,'  and   the   regular  and 
irregular  foot,    lightly   equipped,   with   only   four 
meals    of  provisions  ready    cooked,   marched    on 
at  such  a  rate,  that,  after  crossing  mountains  and 
forests  for  two  days  and  two  nights,  on  the  third 
night,  he,  like  an  arrow  speeding  from  the  bow  to 
the  mark,  reached  the  camp  of  Busalut  Jung.     In 
obedience  to  his  orders,  his  brave  troops  attacked 
it  on  every  side,  and,  with  the  discharge  of  rockets,*^ 
matchlocks,  arrows,  and  camel-swivels,  he  drove  the 
dark  vapours  of  pride  out  of  the  bodies  of  that  force. 
The  horse  and  foot,  of  the  Moghul  army,  therefore, 
who  hitherto,  like  the  knot  of  the  Pleiades,  had  pre- 
served the  form  of  a  compact  body,  being  wholly 
unprepared  for  the  arrival  of  such  a  sudden  cala- 
mity, at  once,  became  loosened,  and  separated  like 
the  daughters*"  of  the   bier;    and,   some  rubbing 

'  L<f^  light,  Turkish  a  whip. 

fs  Epithets  denoting  the  execution  done  by  these  arms  are 
omitted,  being  nearly  the  same  throughout  the  book,  such  as 

jjti  iJ^  jyti  ^j^  &c.  **  A  constellation  so  called. 


320 

their  hands,  and  some  their  eyes,  but  mostly  beat- 
ing their  heads  and  wailing,  put  forth  the  foot  of 
flight ;  but  whole  troops  of  them  sleeping  on  their 
beds,  striking  out  their  hands  and  feet,  drank  to  the 
full  of  the  Sherbet   of  the   brave   blood-drinkers' 
swords,  and  lay   stretched  out   at   length  on  the 
giound.      The  commanding  officer  of  the  army, 
thinking  the  day  of  resurrection  had  arrived,  ran 
away  with  naked  feet,  and  now  rising,  now  falling, 
sought  refuge  with  the  detachment  of  Monsieur 
Lalli,  which  compared  with  the  rest  of  the  army, 
remained  in  some  degree  collected  and  in  order. 
There  he  found  safety,  and  the  gallant  Frenchman, 
now  binding  the  waist-belt  of  courage  tight  round 
the  loins  of  enterprise,  having  collected  the  remain- 
der of  his  men,  whom  the  sword  had  spared,  and  a 
few  Kaim  Khani   horse,  formed  them  in  regular 
array,  with  closed  ranks,  and,  preceded  and  followed 
by  two  light  guns,  marched  by  night  to  Adhooni, 
But  the  whole  of  the  baggage  of  his  troops,  tents, 
standards,  and   even  to   the  women   of  the   Mo- 
ghuls,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Nawaub's  brave 
warriors. 

When  the  clamour  of  the  trumpets,  horns,  drums, 
and  kettle  drums,  beating  and  sounding  the  rejoic- 
ing for  victory,  rose  to  the  skies, — the  Naik,  or 
Chief  of  the  fort,  frightened  beyond  measure,  lighted 


321 

up  torches  and  blue  lights^  and  despatched  a  mes- 
senger to  learn  the  news.  No  sooner  was  he  made 
aware  of  the  forced  march  of  the  Nawaub,  and  the 
defeat  of  the  M oghul  army,  than,  not  thinking  his 
situation  at  all  improved  by  these  circumstances, 
and  trembling  like  a  reed  at  the  lion-like  attack  of 
the  Nawaub,  he  at  once  so  entirely  lost  his  senses 
and  his  manhood,  that,  with  his  women,  a  few 
friends,  and  some  money  and  valuable  jewels,  he 
descended  by  the  back  part  of  the  mountain,  and, 
making  night  marches,  and  crossing  deserts  and 
hills,  proceeded  towards  Bejapoor ;  but,  to  the  pre- 
sent day,  no  one  has  discovered  the  place  of  his 
retreat.  All  the  property  of  his  state,  all  his  house- 
hold goods,  arms,  drums,  and  nagaras,  all  which 
had  been  collected  by  the  Naiks  of  former  genera- 
tions, he  left  to  the  servants  of  the  Nawaub. 

The  Nawaub  was  delighted  with  this  piece  of 
good  fortune ;  and,  leaving  a  strong  garrison  to 
defend  the  fort,  with  strict  orders  to  repair  the  walls, 
he  with  his  army  marched  towards  Adhooni,  and 
encamped  in  the  plain  of  Gulbayen.  Thence,  he 
despatched  a  message  to  Busalut  Jung,  that,  by 
enduring  privation  and  hunger  for  two  months, 
in  their  endeavour  to  burn  their  enemies,  his  army 
had  been  greatly  distressed — and  that  two  months* 
pay,  being  by  the  accounts,  ten  lakhs  of  rupees,  he 

Y 


322 

was  required  to  send  that  sum.  Busalut  Jung, 
who,  in  consequence  of  the  defeat  of  his  army,  and 
the  plunder  of  his  baggage  and  property ,**  had  been 
deprived  of  rest  and  appetite,  was  paralyzed  by 
this  requisition,  but,  knowing  the  critical  situation 
in  which  he  stood,  he  collected  some  money  from 
his  treasury,  and  a  sum  from  the  pledging  of  his 
valuable  jewels ;  and,  without  any  further  hesita^ 
tion,  despatched  the  ten  lakhs  of  rupees,  affect- 
ing, after  the  manner  of  the  wolf,  a  disposition  to 
be  friendly.*  Having  done  this,  he  was  allowed  to 
remain  unmolested. 

The  conquering  Nawaub  now  marched  on,  de- 
termined to  punish  Dhoonsa,  who  had  swept  the 
districts  of  Gujindurgurh  and  Kunukgiri  with 
the  besom  of  destruction,  and  who  had  arrived 
in  the  vicinity  of  Kunchungurh.  Muhammad  All 
Ghoonsa,  also,  had  arrived  in  Dhoonsa's  rear,  by 
the  route  of  Kuduk,  Sirhutti,  and  Dumul.  When 
Dhoonsa  heard  of  the  defeat  and  dispersion  of  the 
Moghul  troops,  the  conquest  of  the  fort  of  BuUari, 
the  exaction  of  a  sum  of  money  from  the  Chief  of 
Adhooni,  and,  also,  of  the  Nawaub's  near  arrival 
to  attack  and  punish  him,  his  courage  forsook  him^ 
and,  without  obtaining  his  desire,  he  made  a  quick 
retreat  to  Hydurabad.     The  Kuzzaks  of  the   Na- 


b     ••    * 


323 

waub's  army  followed  him,  however,  to  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Raichore,  and  took  a  great  quantity  of 
the  baggage  of  his  army,  and  also  two  guns,  forty 
or  fifty  camels  of  his  Tosha  Khana,  or  treasury, 
and  three  elephants  carrying  tents,  after  which  they 
returned. 

At  the  period  when  the  Nawaub,  by  his  sudden 
night  attack,  had  put  to  flight  the  Moghul  army, 
and  had  taken  BuUari,  Morar  Rao  had  left  his 
capital  to  the  charge  of  Pali  Khan,  and  he  himself 
with  his  troops  took  up  their  quarters  in  Dhoonsa's 
camp,  and  tried  to  persuade  him  to  attack  and  sub- 
due the  Province  of  the  Balaghaut.  Huleem  Khan, 
the  Hakim  of  Kirpa,  also,  and  the  Poligar  of  Chi- 
tul  Droog,  at  the  instigation  of  the  same  firebrand, 
expelled  the  newswriters  of  the  Nawaub  from  their 
towns,  and  with  their  troops  and  stores  assisted 
Dhoonsa  ;  but,  when  they  found  he  did  not  attend 
to  their  interested  advice,  and  returned  to  Hydura- 
bad,  all  three  of  these  wicked  promoters  of  strife 
returned,  likewise,  to  their  homes,  ashamed  of  them- 
selves ;  and  counter-marcliing  also  from  that  side  of 
the  country,  the  Nawaub  honoured  Bullari  with 
his  presence. 


324 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

The  Conqaest  of  Gooti  and  Soondoor,  and  the  capture  of  that 
tyrant,  and  incendiary,  Morar  Rao,  which  occurred  in  the  same 
year  1187,  Hijri.— A.  D.  1773. 

Although  the  Nawaub  had  m  every  way  aided 
Morar  Rao,  and  had  never  himself  molested  him, 
but,  on  the  contrary,  with  a  view  to  gain  his  friend- 
ship, had  even  condescended  to  call  him  uncle,^ 
Morar  had,  nevertheless,  often  exerted  his  most 
strenuous  efforts  to  pluck  up  the  tender  plant  of 
the  Nawaub*s  greatness  and  power.  From  the 
viciousness  of  his  disposition,  he  was  sealing  his 
own  ruin — '*  the  sting  of  the  scorpion  is  not  struck 
from  enmity," — *'  it  is  from  his  nature."  In  this  pur- 
suit he  spared  neither  gold  nor  words,  spoken  or 
written.  Long  before  this,  at  the  time  of  the  inva* 
sion  of  Trimuk  Mama,  the  able  Vakeels  of  the 
Nawaub  had  made  a  lasting  treaty  with  Trimuk  on 
the  best  possible   terms ;  when  this   scorpion   by 

^     Hindustanni. 


325 

nature  struck  his  sting  into  the  negociation,  and 
stinnulated  Trimuk  to  attempt  the  destruction  of 
the  Khodadad  Sirkar.  This  caused  a  dreadful 
shock  to  the  Nawaub's  power,  in  the  day  or  battle 
of  Churkoli,  and  the  recollection  of  that  event  pro- 
duced in  the  Nawaub's  heart  an  effect  like  salt  upon 
a  wound.  As  Morar  Rao's  existence  therefore  ap- 
peared to  be  the  source  of  pure  trouble,  and  the  cause 
of  detriment  to  the  props  and  pillars  of  his  state,  the 
Nawaub  occupied  himself  in  considering  how  he 
might  break  down  his  power.  Nevertheless,  as  a 
close  friendship  and  intimacy  subsisted  between 
Morar  Rao  and  Busalut  Jung,  and  as  they  were 
friends  both  at  the  banquet  and  in  the  field,  the 
Nawaub  was  rather  apprehensive  of  their  united 
strength,  for  as  the  wise  say,  "  two  hearts  united  will 
cleave  a  mountain,*'^  '^  and  scatter  a  host.**  Thanks 
to  God,  the  defeat  of  the  Moghuls  removed  half  the 
difficulty,  and  the  junction  of  the  Rao  with  Dhoonsa 
furnishing  a  pretext*  for  his  destruction,  the  Na- 
waub desired  that,  as  this  opportunity  offered  itself, 
he  might  at  once  remove  him  out  of  the  way ;  for, 
in  his  own  mind,  he  was  convinced  that,  while  that 
incendiary  lived,  the  conquest  and  regulation  or 
subjection  of  the  Khodadad  or  Mysore  territory 
would  never  be  fully  accomplished.     After  having 

^  Ferbad  and  Shircen. 


326 

completed  his  arrangements  at  Bullari^  he  there- 
fore made  the  conquest  of  Gooti^  and  the  capture 
of  that  dangerous  and  intriguing  man^  the  object 
of  his  conquering  energies,  and  he  accordingly 
marched  in  that  direction. 

The  Rao,  who  had  left  Dhoonsa's  army  without 
obtaining  his  object,  had  returned  to  Gooti,  his 
capital,  and  had  fallen   into  the  midst  of  doubt 
and  perplexity.     The  Nawaub,  therefore,  sent  for 
him  under  pretence  of  a  wish  to  see  him.     Well 
aware,  however,  of  the  folly  of  his  conduct,  even 
while  he  received  no  molestation  from  the  Nawaub, 
and  fearing  that  treachery  aiming  at  his  life  might 
be  intended  to  him  at  the  meeting,  Morar  Rao  re- 
vised to  attend.      The   Nawaub  then  sent  him 
another  message,  to  the  effect  that  the  entire  Ta- 
looka  of  Soondoor  should  be  given  up  to  him,  as  a 
provision  for  his  support  and  maintenance,  provided 
he  would,  without  hesitation  or  demur,  deliver  up, 
to  the  agents  of  the  Khodadad  government,  the  hill 
and  fort  of  Gooti  and  its  dependencies  which  for- 
merly were  held  in  possession  by  the  Naibs  of  the 
Kings  of  Dehli ;  after  which  he  might  govern  Soon- 
door  to  his  heart's  content.  The  Pagan  also  refused 
to  listen  to  this  proposal ;  and  being  surrounded 
by  a  strong  body  of  soldiers,  he  at  once  rejected 
the  conquering  policy  of  the  Nawaub,  and  prepared 
to  defend  himself. 


327 

The  Nawaub  now  gave  orders  to  the  Risaladan 
of  the  regular  and  irregular  in&ntry^  to  encircle 
the  fort,  and  then  commence  the  attack  with  their 
artillery  and  musketry,  and,  having  on  all  sides, 
run  on  approaches,"'  (saps,  trenches,  zigzags,)  the 
besieged  were  reduced  to  great  difficulties.  The 
Nawaub's  Kuzzak  or  predatory  horse,  at  the  same 
time,  agreeably  to  his  orders,  guarded  the  hill  and 
forest  so  effectually,  that  no  man  had  power  to 
pass  through  them,  for  they  rendered  it  impossible 
for  birds  to  take  wing  from  the  fort,  or  even  for 
locusts  or  ants  to  pass  through  their  cordon ;  and 
however  often  the  besieged  Rao  wrote  to  the  chief 
of  Poona,  soliciting  aid,  and  describing  his  impend- 
ing ruin,  and  the  determination  of  the  Nawaub  to 
destroy  him,  yet,  for  the  most  part,  the  Nawaub*B 
picquets  seized  the  letter  carriers,  and  brought  them 
in,  and  took  especial  care  to  prevent  the  chief  of 
Poona  from  knowing  any  thing  about  him.  In 
fact,  before  intelligence  of  the  siege  arrived  at 
Poona,  which  was,  at  last,  conveyed  by  the  letters 
of  Busalut  Jung,  who  made  it  known  to  all,  two  or 
three  months  had  elapsed,  and  the  garrison  was  re- 
duced to  the  greatest  extremity.  The  Rao  saw 
that,  in  a  short  time,  the  fort  would  depart  from 
his  possession,  and  that  his  wealth,  family  and  de- 


328 

pendents,  would  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  brave 
anny  of  Islam.     And  now,  to  complete  his  misfor- 
tunes, the  water  of  the  mountain,  by  which  the 
fort  was  supplied,  it  being  the  hot  season,  failed,  or 
dried  up,  like  the  heart  of  the  poor  man  ;  and  his 
stores   of  provisions   and    ammunition    also    had 
abandoned  him,  or  were  exhausted  like  the  days 
of  his  youth.      Being  therefore  entirely  helpless, 
he   despatched   Pali   Khan,   his   minister,   to    the 
Nawaub,  to  tender  his  submission,  and  beg  the  for- 
giveness of  his  former  offences.  When  the  Nawaub 
became   aware  of  his  humility,  his    supplications 
and  his  forlorn  state,  he  cast  the  eyes  of  royal"  com- 
passion on  his  hopeless  condition,  and  returned  him, 
by  his  agent  Pali  Khan,  a  kind  and  conciliatory 
letter,  with  a   Kowl  Nama,  or  assurance  of  the 
safety  of  his  life  and  property,  and  invited  him  to 
meet  him.     When  the  Rao  descended  from  the  top 
on  the  hill  in  a  palankin,  attended  by  only  two 
or  three  servants,  and  entered  the  camp,  the  Na- 
waub ordered  a  separate  tent  to  be  cleared  for  his 
accommodation,  and  placed  him  in  it,  sending  a 
garrison  of  his  own  men  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  and 
giving  up  to  the  Rao  his  house,  that  is,  the  whole 
of  his  Zunana**  or  women's  apartments,  with  the 

^  The  same   kind  of  royal   compassion  a  tiger    feels  for  a 
bullock  or  an  antelope.  °  ijoU«  Aa^ 


329 

necessary  ftirniture  or  utensils,  the  wearing  apparel 
or  clothes  in  use,  and  such  jewels  and  gold  and  silver 
ornaments  as  were  of  small  value.  But  the  pearls, 
and  jewels  of  great  price,  jewelled  ornaments,  and 
other  articles  becoming  the  use  of  a  prince,  with  the 
arms  and  warlike  stores,  and  all  articles  of  value, 
the  Nawaub  took  for  himself.  With  respect  to  the 
dancing  women  of  the  Telinga  tribe,  of  whom  dur- 
ing the  Rao*s  government  many  companies^  had 
been  attracted  by  his  liberality,  and  of  whom  some 
had  become  rich  by  his  gifts,  while  some  even  had 
possession  of  towns  in  Jageer,  all  of  whom  sought 
refuge  in  the  Mahl  of  the  Rao,  on  the  top  of  the 
mountain,  when  the  siege  commenced  ;  to  these, 
excepting  the  Jageers,  the  Nawaub  restored  the 
whole  of  their  property.  Some  of  the  young  girls, 
(virgins)''  of  that  profession,  with  the  consent  of  their 
masters  or  owners,  he  purchased  for  his  own  Natik- 
sal,'  and  consigned  them  to  his  women's  apart- 
ments, of  these  some  Taifas  or  companies  he  sent  to 
Gunjam,  a  suburb  to  the  south  of  the  fort  of  Serin- 
gaputtun,  on  the  bank  of  the  river  Kauveri,  built  by 
himself,  and  some  to  Bangalore.  The  imprisoned 
Rao  however  much  he  entreated  to  be  allowed  to 

r   A  school  for  siuging  and  dancing  kept  in  the  Hurum   of 
most  princes. 


330 

visit  the  Nawjiub,  received  for  answer,  that  the  Na- 
waub  had  then  no  leisure  ;  but  that,  after  his  return 
to  Puttun,  please  God,  he  would  accord  his  request, 
and,  having  committed  him  to  the  care  of  confiden- 
tial men,  and  sent  him  off  to  Puttun,  the  Nawaub 
occupied  himself  in  the  conquest  of  Soondoor. 

At  this  time,  the  Nawaub*s  spies  brought  intelli- 
gence, that  forty  thousand  Mahratta  horse  had  been 
despatched  from  Poona,  to  assist  Morar  Rao,  and 
that  they  had  encamped  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Gokak  Peenth.  Having  completed  his  arrange- 
ments in  the  district  of  Soondoor,  the  Nawaub  con- 
sidered it  incumbent  on  him  to  punish  these  in- 
fidels,' and  had  arrived  at  Husspeenth,  with  that 
intention,  when  the  chiefs  of  the  Mahrattas,  hearing 
of  the  conquest  of  Gooti  and  Soondoor,  the  capture 
of  the  Rao,  and,  also,  that  the  Nawaub  was  pre- 
pared to  attack  them,  they  returned  to  Poona. 

During  this  period,  the  Nawaub,  from  motives  of 
policy,  manifested  displeasure  towards  the  brave  Mu- 
hammad All,  intending  thereby  to  repress  his  pride 
in  the  greatness  of  his  abilities  and  in  the  respect 
shewed  to  him,  and  a  disposition  to  tread  the  path 
of  insubordination ;  the  pretence  being  that  he  gave 
elephants  and  camels  to  other  officers,  and  to  Fu- 
queers,  without  first  asking  permission,  and  he  was 


331 

therefore  for  some  time  removed  from  his  Risaldari 
or  command.  In  secret,  however,  the  Nawaub 
esteemed  him  more  than  ever.  Muhammad  All 
himself  also  quitted  his  Risala,  and  assumed  the 
cap  and  garb*  of  a  Fuqueer,  and  cared  very  little 
about  the  matter. 

At  this  time,  also,  Kishnapa,  the  Minister"  or 
secretary  of  the  chief  of  Rai  Droog,  after  receiving 
the  Sunnud,  or  written  authority,  from  Hydur,  to 
recover  the  little  fort  of  Hurrial,  which  is  situate 
four  kose  south  of  BuUari,  and  is  a  dependency 
of  the  Droog,  after  a  siege  of  three  months,  took 
that  fort.  Morar  Rao  had  taken  possession  of  this 
fort  by  force,  and  had  placed  a  garrison  in  it.  The 
Rao  had  also  seized  upon,  and  attached  to  the 
Souba  of  Gooti,  the  Talooka  of  Vinkut  Giri,  which 
is  situated  at  the  head  of  the  Tubulpully  Ghaut, 
and  was  formerly  under  the  authority  of  the  Poligar 
of  Churkul.  This  fort  was,  therefore,  at  the  same 
time,  placed  under  the  government  of  the  Sirkar 
Khodadad."" 


^  Sirkar  means  the  head  of  afiairs  and  is  therefore  applied  to 
the  state.  In  India  all  governments  and  authorities,  great  or 
small,  are  denominated  Sirkar,  by  themselves  and  those  connected 
with  them. 


332 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


An  account  of  the  conquest  of  Chitul  Droog,  and  the  capture 
of  Bhurma  N&ik,  the  rebellious  Poligar  of  that  Fort ;  and  other 
events  of  the  year  1188,  Hijri. — A.  D.  1774, 

After  the  Nawaub  had  made  a  prisoner  of  Morar 
Rao,  and  thereby  cut  up  the  root  of  mischief  and 
sedition,  he  was  more  at  ease  in  his  mind;  and, 
having  also  completed  his  arrangements  for  Gooti 
and  Soondoor,  he  determined  next  to  punish  that 
head  of  the  list  of  rebellious  personages,  the  Poligar 
of  Chitul  Droog,  and  in  pursuance  of  this  resolve, 
he  turned  his  ensigns,  the  emblems  of  victory,  in 
that  direction.  The  cause  was,  that,  in  order  to 
favour  the  Nawaub's  enemies,  who  had  invaded  and 
plundered  his  country,  and  had  raised  the  standard  of 
injustice  and  wrong  to  oppress  and  disturb  the  pea- 
santry of  Mysore,  that  insolent  infidel  "^  had  intrigued 
and  combined  with  them  and  had  exerted  himself  to 
the  utmost  in  laying  waste  the  Nawaub's  territory  and 


333 

in  ruining  God's  people,  the  poor  inhabitants  of  this 
country,  seeking  his  advantage  in  the  injury  and 
destruction  of  others.     Outwardly,  indeed,  and  with 
great  sycophancy,  he  affected  to  manifest  perfect 
devotion  to  the  Nawaub,  while,  in  secret,  he  em- 
ployed his  time  in  conspiring  to  destroy  and  root 
out  the  foundations  of  the  Khodadad  government. 
It  was  consequently  necessary,  and  in  fact,  indis- 
pensible,  to  break  the  pride  of  that  insolent  infidel, 
and  root  him  out,  if  only  to  preserve  the  peace  of 
the  country ;  especially  as  Kishnapa,  the  Purdhan 
or  minister  of  Rai  Droog,  who  had  often  without 
cause  suffered  indignities  at  the  hand  of  this  Poligar, 
and  whose  country  had  been  ravaged  by  him,  now 
incited  and  stimulated  the  Nawaub  to  attack  Chitul 
Droog,  and  even  engaged  to  pay  for  the  whole  of 
the  powder  and  ball  which  would  be  used  in  the 
siege.      The   urgent  persuasion   and   entreaty   of 
Kishnapa  determined  the  Nawaub  in  his  purpose. 
At  the  same  time,  also,  having  resolved  to  attack 
Goori  Kota,  Jureemla,  and  Mulkalchuro,  towns  or 
forts  which  were  in  possession  of  the  brothers-in-law 
of  that  infidel  Poligar,  the  Nawaub  despatched  Hy- 
but  Jung,  with  a  large  force,  to  attack  the  Poligar 
of  Hurpunhully,  and  take  possession  of  his  territory. 
An  abstract' account  of  the  cause  of  these  move- 


334 

ments,  is  as  follows  : — At  the  time  the  Nawaub  was 
marching  to  attack  Raghooba,  a  man^  one  of  the  civil 
servants  ^  of  HurpunhuUy,  who  had  been  bom  and 
bred  in  the  service  of  that  state,  and  was  intimately 
acquainted  with  the  secrets  of  that  government, 
sought  the  service  of  Hydur  All ;  he  was  received 
and  entertained  among  the  most  respectable  class 
of  servants,  and  was  also  appointed  to  enlist  foot  sol- 
diers in  that  quarter.     Having  by  degrees  perfected 
his  knowledge  of  all  matters,  great  and  small,  rela- 
tive to  that  state,  he  began  to  compass  and  contrive 
the  ruin  of  his  old  masters ;  and  as  the  Poligar  of 
HurpunhuUy,  whose  name  was  Jug  Shoom  Shunkur, 
was  a  prudent  man,  after  he  became  acquainted  with 
the  man's  intention,  being  afraid  of  the  loss  of  his 
property,  and  the  desolation  of  his  country,  and 
thinking  it  best  to  repair  the  dykes  or  mounds  of  the 
reservoir  before  the  waters  broke  forth,  he  addressed 
a  letter  to  the  Nawaub,  containing  a  request  that 
the  person  in  question  should  be  sent  by  the  Na- 
waub, to  his  residence,  and  stating  that  the  Paish- 
kush,  or  tribute,  should  be  forwarded  through  his 
agency.     To  this  proposition  the  Nawaub  agreed 
and  despatched  the  incendiary  to  the  Poligar,  with 
a  newswriter,"  named  Vinkut  Nursoo,  having  given 
him  strict  orders  to  do  his  duty  to  the  Sirkar  (of 

y  Tliis  man's  name  is  never  mentioned. 


335 

Mysore).  When  this  man  arrived,  and  met  the  Po- 
ligar,  the  latter  with  sweet  and  oily  words,  gained 
complete  possession  of  his  heart,  and  he  was  pre- 
sented with  an  honorary  dress,  a  string*  of  pearls,^ 
jewelled  gorget,  and  golden  armlets ;  and  the  Poligar 
said  to  him,  "  the  government  of  our  state  must 
now  depend  on  your  wisdom  and  judgment ;  and 
when  we  have  a  wise  and  an  old  faithful  servant 
like  you  to  aid  and  direct  us,  how  can  we  receive 
injury.**  By  this  gross  flattery,  the  heart  of  the 
fool  was  drawn  into  the  snare  of  deceit. — *'  A  fool 
can  always  be  deceived  by  a  wise  man,** — "  by  food, 
or  drink,  or  dress,  or  the  tongue,'* — and  at  once 
he  was  introduced  by  the  Poligar  into  all  the  busi- 
ness of  the  state  and  all  was  placed  at  his  dis- 
cretion, even  so  far  as  to  be  allowed  to  enter  the 
Poligar's  particular  residence,  that  is,  the  women's 
apartments,  and  was  supplied  with  all  kinds  of  de- 
licacies for  his  eating  and  drinking.  But,  the  wise 
say, — "  from  the  bad  to  expect  good  is  pure  folly,** — 
"  will  you  feed  a  scorpion  to  wound  you  ?** — The 
man,  therefore,  proud  of  his  employment  by  the 
Nawaub,  and  insolent  from  the  patience  and  indul- 
gence of  the  Poligar,  which,  however,  was  merely 
political,  began  to  tyrannise  over  the  servants  of 
the  Raj  or  state,  and  to  distress  the  poor  people, 


336 

whom,  with  the  peasantry  of  that  country,  he  vexed 
or  grieved  without  cause.     Indeed,  without  fear  or 
hesitation  he  did  whatever  he  chose ;  and,  in  addition 
to  all  this  oppression  and  cruelty,  he  stretched  forth 
the  hand  of  lust  on  all  beautiful  women,  the  wives, 
and  property  of  others,  and  daringly  violated  their 
chastity.     The  people  were  consequently  driven  to 
extremities  by  his  t3rranny,  and  complained  against 
him  to  the  Poligar.     He,  however,  simply   gave 
them  for  answer,  that  what  the  person  in  question 
did,  he  considered  to  be  for  the  advantage  of  the 
state ;  and  that  if  they  could,  for  a  short  time,  wait 
with  patience  under  his  government,  they  might, 
stay,  but  if  not,  let  them  depart  in  safety.     Many 
of  the  most  respectable  persons  in  the  service  of  the 
Poligar,  being  entirely  discouraged  on  hearing  this, 
left  their  houses  and  the  country ;  yet,  notwith- 
standing the  heart-breaking  distress  of  the  people 
of  all  ranks,  the  Poligar  never  attempted  to  inter- 
pose, or  restrain  this  disturber  of  the  public  peace ; 
but,  on  the  contrary,  daily  made  him  happy  by 
presents  and  favours. 

At  length,  one  morning,  the  Poligar  sent  for  his 
own  horse,  with  saddle  and  trappings  of  gold  set 
with  jewels,  and,  with  much  instance  and  intreaty, 
made  this  person  mount,  and  sent  him  home.  At 
this  time,  however,  it  had  very  nearly  happened 


337 

that  from  this  man's  tyranny  and  oppression,  some 
great  evil  had  befallen  the  Poligar^s  state ;  and  he, 
therefore,  laid  a  deep  scheme.  Seeing  that  the 
man  was  perfectly  at  his  ease,  and  that  he  put  forth 
the  hand  of  oppression  without  scruple  or  fear,  to 
rob  people  of  their  wealth  and  honour,  the  Poligar, 
on  the  same  evening,  when  about  ten  hours  of  the 
day  had  passed,  placed  a  number  of  armed  men  in 
concealment,  and  then  sent  for  the  man  to  his  hall 
of  audience.  On  his  arrival,  he  told  him  he  had 
something  to  say  to  him  in  private,  and  pointed  to- 
wards the  room  in  which  the  armed  men  were  con- 
cealed. The  fool,  seized  by  the  hand  of  death,  no 
sooner  entered  the  apartment  than  he  found  his 
head  under  the  sword  of  retribution,  and  he  ceased 
from  troubling  mankind  any  longer. 

As  soon  as  this  was  transacted,  the  Poligar  gave 
himself  a  wound  on  the  hand  with  a  pen- knife,  and, 
with  the  blood  trickling  down  from  this  wound, 
sent  for  the  Nawaub's  newswriter,  and  said  to  him, 
'*  an  accident  has  happened,  which  is  neither  fit  to 
be  heard  nor  related ;  for,  notwithstanding  the  kind- 
ness and  indulgence  I  have  ever  shewn  to  this  un- 
grateful person,  still  he  could  not  depart  from  his 
evil  nature,  but,  without  cause,  drew  his  dagger 
upon  me,  intending  to  make  himself  the  heir  to  my 
possessions  and  wealth.     In  these  circumstances, 

z 


33S 

my  faithful  servants  have  put  him  to  death.  These 
facts,  as  they  are  stated  to  you,  put  into  becoming 
language,  and  make  them  known  to  the  Nawaub, 
that  doubt  or  suspicion  may  not  enter  his  mind/' 
Having  said  this,  he  secretly  seized  all  the  property 
in  the  man^s  house,  and,  placed  it  in  his  Tosha 
Khana,  or  treasury ;  and  in  the  night,  with  the 
intention  of  providing  for  his  safety  and  that  of 
his  property,  he  despatched  all  his  women,  trea- 
sure, and  articles  of  necessity,  to  the  opposite  bank 
of  the  river  Tungbhuddra  and  himself,  wdth  his 
horse  and  foot,  lightly  equipped,  marched  off  to 
the  mountains  of  Narayen  Gir,  leaving  his  capital  to 
be  defended  by  his  brave  and  trustworthy  servants. 

When  the  letter  of  the  newswriter,  detailing 
the  above  events,  reached  the  Nawaub,  he  imme- 
diately perceived  that  the  Poligar  had  been  making 
up  a  false  story,  to  conceal  his  treachery,  and  had 
acted  so  daringly  from  the  fear  that  his  secret 
movements  and  actions  would  be  disclosed.  The 
Nawaub,  therefore,  in  great  anger,  and  with  all 
the  parade  and  energy  of  conquest,  marched  a  body 
of  troops  in  that  direction.  Fyze  UUah  Khan,  one 
of  the  wisest  and  most  experienced  men  of  his  age, 
who  commanded  these  troops,  although  he  accord- 
ing to  the  Nawaub's  orders,  made  a  forced  march 
there,  and  besieged  the  forts  of  Oojni  and  Kootoor^ 


339 

and,  to  inspire  fear  despatched  his  horse  to  plunder 
the  towns  and  villages  of  the  district,  still  drew  the 
Pohgar  into  the  snare  of  his  stratagems,  and,  by 
wise  reproof,  corrected  him  and  brought  him  to  the 
right  path.  But,  as  the  Poligar  was  fearful  of  the 
consequences  of  his  acts,  he,  with  the  repentance 
and  humihty  of  the  wise,  came  forward  and  agreed 
to  pay  seventy  thousand  rupees,  as  a  composition 
for  his  offence,  exclusive  of  the  usual  tribute,  and 
requested  he  might  be  forgiven.  He  also  sent  a 
Vakeel  with  these  proposals  to  the  Khan  above 
mentioned,  who  despatched  the  Poligar's  letter,  with 
one  of  his  own,  to  the  Nawaub.  Being  desirous  to 
reduce  or  conquer  the  country  depending  on  the 
Droog,  (Chitul  Droog),  the  Nawaub,  with  a  view  to 
the  policy  of  the  time,  despatched  an  honorary 
dress  of  forgiveness,  and  a  Sunnud,  confirming  the 
Poligar  in  the  possession  of  his  country,  through  the 
medium  of  Fyze  UUah  Khan,  and  likewise  sent  for 
the  money  with  the  Poligar's  troops,  to  strengthen 
his  force.  The  Poligar,  therefore,  being  now  reas- 
sured, returned  to  his  capital,  and,  along  with  the 
money  in  question,  despatched  thence  two  thousand 
foot,  and  three  hundred  horse,  in  aid  of  the  Na- 
waub; after  which  he  was  allowed  to  remain  as 
before. 

The  Nawaub  now  completed  the  conquest  of 


340 

Goori  Kota,  Kunkupa,  Molkalchur,  Dudheree, 
&c.,  and  left  strong  garrisons  in  each  place.  But 
although,  through  the  medium  of  other  Poligars, 
who  were  then  with  the  army,  the  Nawaub  sent 
requisitions,  by  writing  and  otherwise,  to  the  Poli- 
gar  of  the  Droog,  (Chitul  Droog),  proposing  that 
he  should  give  up  his  capital,  to  the  agents  of  the 
Nawaub,  and  accept  service,  and  a  Jageer  of  fifty 
thousand  rupees  annually,  in  lieu  thereof,  he  re- 
fused, and  from  pride  and  insolence,  would  not 
listen  to  the  advice  or  promises  of  the  Nawaub, 
but  advanced  further  and  further  in  the  field  of 
opposition.  As,  however,  he  felt  aware  that  at 
that  moment  he  had  not  strength  to  oppose  or  con* 
tend  openly  with  the  gallant  troops  of  Hydur,  he 
considered  that  the  best  remedy  in  this  case  was  to 
fill  up  his  hill  fortress,  (which  for  its  magnitude 
and  strength  holds  a  very  high  rank),  with  provi- 
sions and  munitions  of  offence  and  defence.  He 
moreover  filled  up  all  the  ghauts  leading  to  or  be- 
longing to  the  fort,  with  foot  soldiers,  he  had  col- 
lected together,  and  which  body  amounted  to  two 
thousand  brave  men,  with  two  guns,  and  two  thou- 
sand horse  ;  and,  having  their  arms  in  good  order, 
they  remained  ready  for  the  attack.  The  infidel 
Chiefs  or  officers  likewise,  being  with  one  heart  and 
one  voice  bent  on  fighting  the  army  of  Islam,  and 


341 

having  sanctioned  or  confirmed  their  determina- 
tion with  oaths,  prepared,  at  the  signal  of  their  mas- 
ter, to  arrange  all  things  necessary  for  the  defence. 
The  Nawaub,  however,  with  a  very  large  army, 
and  a  body  of  excellent  artillery,  after  the  exertions 
and  labours  of  a  year,  and  the  loss  of  the  lives  of 
thousands  of  brave  men,  took  the  ghauts  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  fort ;  and,  when  he  arrived 
near  the  walls  of  this  very  strong  hold,  he  gave 
orders  to  his  brave  fellows  seeking  fame,  to  sur- 
round, and  attack  it  on  all  sides.  Every  day,  also 
the  infidels,  armed  to  the  teeth,  came  out  firom 
the  fort,  and  gallantly  assailed  the  bravest  and 
noblest  of  the  Ghazies,  or  Mussulman  soldiers.  On 
the  side  of  the  Nawaub,  the  noble  and  distinguished 
Khans,  and  Foujdars,  with  their  brave  companions, 
came  forward,  and  ranged  themselves  in  front  and 
in  line  with  the  ranks  of  the  infidels,  and  daily, 
with  arrows  and  the  sword,  sent  great  numbers  of 
them  to  hell.*^  Agreeably  to  the  orders  of  the  Na- 
waub, all  the  pioneers  of  the  victorious  army  with 
hatchets,**  and  axes,  were  meanwhile  employed  in 
cutting  down  the  woods  or  jungle,  on  the  same  hills 

^  It  ought  to  be  mentioned  perhaps,  that  epithets  such  as* 
"  arrows  splitting  the  hard  rock," — **  the  weU-watered  sword/' 
*'  the  artillery  roasting  and  burning  their  enemies/'  &c.  are  omitted 
as  unnecessary. 


342 

near  the  fort,  which,  in  the  face  of  the  enemy,  they 
surrounded  with  a  strong  stockade.  They  also 
raised  batteries  under  the  slope  of  the  hill,  which 
lies  to  the  westward  of  the  fort,  and  mounted  guns 
in  them,  and  from  thence  continually  battered  the 
walls  to  breach  them.  But  although,  in  a  few  days, 
the  walls  were  levelled  with  the  ground,  and  the 
towers  and  gates  were  dismantled  and  afforded  no 
shelter,  still  the  besieged,  every  night  formed  a  new 
wall  of  earth  in  their  places  to  cover  themselves, 
and  sallied  out  from  the  fort,  and  raised  the  con- 
fusion of  the  day  of  judgment  among  the  guards 
and  sentinels^  at  the  batteries;  and  taking  the 
heads  of  the  slain  and  t}dng  them  to  a  string,  they 
hung  them  round  their  necks,  like  red  roses  and 
thus  returned,  and  received  rewards  from  their 
Chiefs  for  the  deeds  they  had  done. 

The  Nawaub  now  began  to  revolve  in  his  great 
mind,  that  the  siege  had  continued  to  a  consider- 
able length,  but  that,  with  all  the  exertions  of  his 
brave  army,  the  insolent  Poligar  had  not  yet  been 
reduced.  He,  therefore,  by  presenting  Muhammad 
All  land  in  gift  and  Jageer,'  soothed  and  conci- 
liated him,  and  sent  for  him  to  the  presence.  Mu- 
hammad All,  in  his  reply,  asked  what  he  (the 
Nawaub)  wanted  with  him,  and  what  he  required 


343 

from  a  poor  man  who  had  abandoned  the  wicked 
world  ?     On  receiving  this  impudent  answer,  the 
Nawaub,    outwardly    affected    great    anger,    and 
despatched  AH  Zuman   Khan,    Budrooz    Zuman 
Khan,  and  Ghazi  Khan^  to  bring  him  to  the  pre- 
sence ;  and  they  immediately  went  to  his  tent, 
and,  with  soft  and   hard  words,  brought  him  to 
reason,  and  presented  him  to  the  Nawaub.    Hydur, 
notwithstanding  his  regard  for  him,  addressed  him 
in    angry   language,  and  said,   *'  Ai   Sahiban,   O 
Friends,  say,  if  a  low  fellow  among  my  servants  takes 
upon  himself  to  make  presents  of  camels  and  ele« 
phants,  what  should  I,  his  master,  be  able  to  give  ?" 
— Those  present  replied,    *'  BuUi    (or  true)   the 
fault  is  great ;  but,  agreeably  to  the  exceeding  kind- 
ness of  our  master,  it  ought  to  be  forgiven ;  for, 
'  of  a  truth,  God  loves  the  righteous*  or  merciful."' 
Muhammad  All,  rash  and  impudent,  notwith- 
standing the  signs  and  hints  of  his  companions, 
broke  out,  and  said,  *'  my  honoured  ^  master,  the 
presents  and  gifts  made  by  me  were   purely  for 
the  increase  and  advantage  of  your  own  service  ; 
for,  as  the  wise  say,  '  a  labourer  pleased  or  well 
rewarded  will  do  the  more  work.'    And  you  will 
also  please  to  consider,  that  honours,  and  increase  of 
pay,  the  gifts  of  districts,  towns,  Jageers,  &c.  re- 


344 

mained  entirely  in  your  own  hands."    But,  to  be 
concise,  after  a  few  words,  mixed  up  with  advice, 
he  received  a  dress  of  honour,  restoring  him  to  his 
rank,  with  a  Gorget  and  Jomala,  or  a  string  of 
pearls.     As  a  return  for  the  dresses  and  presents  he 
had  received  Muhammad  Ah'  now  asked  for  an  in- 
crease of  pay  monthly,  for  the  men  attached  to  his 
troop,  or  division,  that  they  might  exert  themselves 
the  more  heartily  in  the  Nawaub's  service ;  and  the 
Nawaub,  after  many  objections,  increased  their  pay 
by  adding  two  rupees  to  the  monthly  allowance  of 
each  man ;  and  he  then  despatched  him  to  attack 
his  enemies,  and  take  the  fort. 

No  sooner  had  the  brave  commandant  arrived 
among  his  own  people,  than  he  sold  the  Gorget, 
pearls,  and  dresses  of  honour,  he  had  received,  and 
with  the  proceeds  purchased  the  materials  for  a 
feast ;  and,  having  caused  a  most  delicious  dinner 
to  be  cooked,  divided  it  among  the  Fuqueers  or  reli- 
gious mendicants,  and  his  own  men,  and  the  same 
night,  accompanied  by  the  HurpunhuUy  and  Rai 
Droog  foot  soldiers,  he,  like  an  angry  lion,  assaulted 
and  took  a  battery,  which  might  be  called  the  nose 
of  the  fort,  and  upon  which,  indeed,  the   whole 
strength  of  the  mountain  depended ;  and  with  four 
Risalas  of  regular  and  two  thousand  irregular  in- 
fantry, and  six  guns,  he  fixed   his  station  there. 


345 

The  Chief  of  the  fort,  at  the  head  of  two  or  three 
thousand  infidels,  now  determined  to  attempt  the 
recovery  of  this  strong  position,  and  exerted  himself 
strenuously  to  effect  its  recapture ;  but  still,  every 
time  they  attacked  it,  the  welcome  intelligence,* 
"  God  will  aid  thee,  and  give  thee  a  great  victory,** 
sounded  in  the  ears  of  the  Mussulman  troops.  As 
the  soldiers  of  the  enemy  now  grew  weaker  every 
day,  they  were  not  able  to  contend  openly  with 
the  brave  Moslems;  and,  fear  seizing  on  them, 
they  no  longer  dared  to  step  beyond  the  walls  of 
the  fort.  When,  however,  the  garrison  was  re- 
duced to  extremities,  troops  of  them  of  all  tribes, 
fearing  the  loss  of  their  property  and  honour^  crept 
out  of  the  fort,  under  pretence  of  fetching  wood  and 
water,  and  joined  the  Nawaub's  army,  and  only  five 
or  six  thousand  men,  of  the  Bedur  tribe,  had  the 
courage  to  exert  themselves  in  defending  the  fort. 

The  Nawaub,  however,  seeing  that  the  Chief  of 
the  infidels  was  a  very  brave  man,  and  that  the 
keepers  of  the  walls  were  also  stout  of  heart,  was 
convinced  that  the  fort  would  not  immediately  sur- 
render, and  that,  by  obstinately  persevering,  he 
would  only  gratuitously  sacrifice  the  lives  of  his 
brave  men.     He  therefore  left,  under  cover  of  the 

bi^Lr^  ^^  ^r^  J  Women. 


346 

surrounding  hills,  an  ambuscade,^  consisting  of  five 
thousand  foot,  two  thousand  regular  foot,  and  a 
thousand  horse,  and  gave  them  orders  to  look  out 
for  an  opportunity,  and  all  at  once  to  attack,  and, 
having  taken  the  fort,  make  the  Poligar  prisoner. 

The  Nawaub  himself,  decamping  from  the  foot  of 
the  mountain,  now  pitched  his  tents  four  fursungs 
from  that  place.  His  plan  was  this,  that  if  the 
Poligar  left  the  fort,  and  presumed  to  follow  him, 
he  might  attack  him  on  all  sides  at  once,  and  des* 
troy  him.*  If,  on  the  contrary,  the  Poligar  did  not 
follow  him,  it  was  his  purpose  to  give  to  his  (the 
Nawaub's)  tributary  or  dependent  Poligars  the 
charge  and  government  of  all  the  towns  and  vil- 
lages depending  on  the  Droog,  that  they,  with  a 
view  to  their  own  advantage,  might  use  every  art 
to  seize  and  make  him  prisoner. 

On  the  day  the  Nawaub  marched,  he  set  fire  to 
the  materials  of  the  batteries  and  trenches,  which 
were  of  wood,  and  had  been  collected  at  a  great  ex- 
pense. As  soon  as  the  besieged  became  acquainted 
with  this  movement,  the  whole  of  them,  with  the 
greatest  impudence,  manned  the  battlements  and 
towers  of  the  fort,  beat  their  drums,  and  began 
yelling  and  howling  like  a  pack  of  hounds.     Meer 

^  Take  off  bis  head  like  an  ivory  ball  with  the  Choukan  of  the 
sword. 


347 

All  Ruza  Khan  marched  from  the  same  encamp- 
ment, with  his  own  troops,  for  the  purpose  of  the 
celebration  of  his  marriage  with  the  daughter  of 
Meer  Gholaum  Ali  Khan,  otherwise  called  Guloo- 
maen,  the  Jageerddr  of  Bikhun  Pilly,  to  whom  he 
was  affianced ;  and  also  to  find  out  the  intentions, 
plans,  and  strength,  of  Huleem  Khan,  and  to  receive 
the  Paishkush  or  tribute  due  from  him.  He  there- 
fore marched  towards  Kirpa.  The  Nawaub  himself 
halted  a  week  in  the  same  place. 

At  this  time,  the  season  for  the  breezes  of  victory 
to  wave  the  Hyduri  standard,  was  fast  approaching ; 
for  the  sons  of  the  Chief  of  Juremla  arrived  in  the 
camp.  This  Chief  vvas  the  father-in-law  of  the  Po- 
ligar  of  the  Droog,  and,  during  the  siege,  was  in 
the  fort  with  him  ;  but,  after  the  siege  was  raised, 
he  obtained  leave  of  the  Poligar  to  pay  his  de- 
votions at  the  shrine  of  an  image,  the  temple  con^ 
taining  which  was  situated  at  the  foot  of  a  small 
hill,  at  the  distance  of  a  fursung  from  the  fort,  and 
thither  he  proceeded  with  a  few  horse  and  foot. 
The  motive  of  this  journey  was,  however,  entirely 
misrepresented  to  the  Poligar  by  interested  persons, 
and  he  was  informed  that  his  brothers-in-law  had 
proceeded  with  an  intention  to  visit  the  Nawaub,  and 
negociate  for  the  release  of  their  own  Jageers,  that 
they  might  be  free  from  being  molested  by  him. 
The  infatuated  Poligar,  on  hearing  this  trumpery 


348 

story,  became  jealous  and  suspicious  of  them,  and 
ordered  his  executioners  to  follow  them ;  and  they 
accordingly  followed,  and  cut  off  the  head  of  his 
innocent  father-in-law,  and  plundered  his  house. 
His  sons,  who  were  adoring  the  idol,  had  not 
lifted  up  their  heads  from  their  prostration,  when 
the  news  of  the  murder  of  their  father  and  the 
plunder  of  his  house  arrived.  This  intelligence 
caused  a  sudden  revolution  in  the  feelings  and  sen- 
timents of  the  brothers  ;  and,  plunged  in  astonish- 
ment and  grief,  they  consulted  as  to  what  they 
should  do  in  such  circumstances,  and,  swifter  than 
the  wind  or  lightning,  they  turned  the  bridle  of 
their  views  and  intentions  towards  the  Nawaub's 
camp,  where,  through  the  medium  of  the  Vakeel  of 
the  Poh'gar  of  Hurpunhully,  who  bore  the  same 
degree  of  relationship  to  them  with  the  Poligar  of 
Chituldroog,  they  were  presented  to  the  Nawaub, 
and  immediately  placed  the  sandal  of  devotion  on 
the  forehead  of  friendship  and  obedience,"  and  were 
made  happy  with  Royal  dresses  and  presents. 

The  Nawaub  having  granted  the  Sunnuds  of  the 
Talookas  of  the  Droog  to  these  devoted  friends, 
after  the  Droog  or  hill  fort  should  have  been  con- 
quered, both  the  brothers  strove  the  more  to  stimu- 

°>  Alluding  to  a  custom  of  the  Hindoos,  who  draw  lines  of  pul- 
verised sandal  wood  on  their  foreheads  to  denote  their  sect. 


349 

late  and  incite  him  to  attack  the  fort,  and  moved 
on  before  him.  The  Nawaub,  therefore,  accord- 
ing to  the  suggestions  of  these  intelligent  well- 
wishers,  again  marched  to  the  fort,  and  appointed 
his  Chief  officers  and  Foujdars  to  the  points  of  at- 
tack. The  brave  Mussulmans  now,  in  the  course 
of  a  week,  gave  convincing  proofs  of  their  power  to 
break  down  the  forts  and  overcome  their  enemies ; 
and  by  a  path,  shewn  to  them  by  guides,"  such  a 
path  as  the  eyes  of  fancy  never  figured,  nor  the 
imagination  of  the  learned  ever  conceived,  they 
made  their  attacks.  After  a  little  fighting,  the 
bonds  which  united  the  garrison  of  the  fort  were 
broken  asunder,  and,  like  falling  leaves  in  autumn^ 
they  were  dispersed  and  scattered  on  all  sides, 
while  the  besiegers,  now  fearlessly  mounting  the 
hills,  beat  their  drums,  in  token  of  victory,  and 
watered  the  swords  and  spears  of  their  resentment 
in  the  blood  of  the  infidels,  and  beat  the  black  dust 
of  existence  out  of  the  bodies  of  the  unfortunate 
garrison. 

When  the  Chief  heard  the  drums  within  the 
fort,  and  saw  the  heads  of  his  men  rolling  about 
on  the  plain  of  revenge,  like  the  balls  of  boys  at 
play,  he  understood  well  that  fortune  was  now 
bidding  him  farewell,  and  that  the  genius'*  of  wealth 

cyt^Jjr^  Men  who  trace  footsteps.  ** 


350 

and  prosperity  was  about  to  depart  from  him.  He 
did^  indeed^  leave  his  house  armed  and  ready  for  the 
fight,  but,  when  he  saw  that  most  of  his  bravest  com- 
panions were  killed  or  wounded,  and  that  the  few 
men  round  him  were  without  arms,  rubbing  their 
hands,  and  shedding  tears,  the  feet  of  his  firmness 
failed  him,  and  he  stood  hke  a  picture  painted  on  a 
wall ;  till  the  brave  Commandant  with  other  officers 
came  upon  him  and  seized  and  made  him  prisoner, 
and  brought  him  to  the  presence,  in  the  year  1191. 
H,  Committing  him  with  his  women  and  children 
to  the  care  of  his  confidential  servants,  the  Nawaub 
sent  him  and  them  to  Puttun.  The  Nawaub  distin- 
guished and  rewarded  every  brave  officer  and  sol- 
dier in  his  army,  on  this  occasion,  by  giving  them 
presents,  dresses  of  honour,  and  increase  of  pay.^ 

P  An  anonymous  author  relates,  that  on  taking  Chitul  Droog. 
Hydur  ordered  the  Raja  to  be  thrown  from  the  top  of  a  precipice 
and  he  was  dashed  to  pieces  :  he  says,  moreover,  that  his  name 

was  Sir  Sookh  Todur. 


351 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


The  march  of  the  victorious  standards  towards  Kirpa,  and  the 
capture  of  Huleem  Khan,  the  governor  of  that  place.  Also,  the 
conquest  of  Gunjee  Kota,  &c.,  occurring  in  the  year  1191,  Hijri. — 
A.  D.  1777. 


The  Nawaub  was  three  years  in  conquering  Chitul 
Droog;  but,  as  soon  as  that  was  accomplished, 
and  the  fort  and  its  dependencies  had  been  taken 
and  occupied  by  the  agents  of  the  Nawaub,  he 
nominated  a  certain  Dowlut  Khan,  an  old  servant, 
who  was  originally  of  the  Naimar  or  Nair  tribe, 
to  take  charge  of  the  Droog,  and  the  management 
of  the  dependencies  was  in  all  respects  committed 
to  his  discretion.  In  reference  to  this  man  it  is 
proper  to  mention,  that,  at  the  time  Nundiraj 
resided  near  Suttimungul,  the  Nawaub  being  em- 
ployed in  making  arrangements  with  the  Poligars 
of  that  quarter,  and  in  collecting  the  Paishkush, 
Dowlut  Khan,  then  a  boy,  was  taken  prisoner  or 
fell  into   his   hands  there,   and   was   brought   up 


352 

by  him  in  tenderness  and  care  as  one  of  his  own 
children. 

The  Nawaub,  with  his  army,  now  passed  to  this 
side  of  the  Ghaut;  and  encamped  some  days  at 
Mungul ;  and  here,  for  the  purpose  of  testing  or 
trying  the  service  and  loyalty  of  his  Foujdars  (civil 
servants)  and  Sirdars  or  officers  of  his  army,  and  of 
the  high  officers  of  government,  the  obedience  of 
the  Poligars,  &c.,  in  short,  to  ascertain  also  who 
was  his  friend  and  who  his  enemy — he  concealed 
himself,  for  some  time,  and  gave  out  or  caused  a 
report  to  be  spread,   that  he  was   dead,   and  at 
night  a  chest  as  a  bier  was  despatched  to  Puttun, 
filled  with  Utr  or  essence  of  roses,  and  Ubeer,"" 
under  the  charge  of  certain  singers '  or  chanters. 
When  the  evidence  of  this  news  was  seen  in  the 
chest  or  coffin,  the  cries  of  grief  and  lamentation 
extended  through  the  army  and  country,  and  the 
sound  of  weeping  and  wailing  was  heard  from  every 
door,  and  every  tent  and  pavilion,  until  it  rose  to 
the  heavens.    Sighs  and  moans  burst  spontaneous- 
ly from  every  breast,  and  dismay   oppressed   the 
hearts   of  the   officers  of  the   army  and  the  go- 
vernors of  forts.     Notwithstanding  the  hearts  of  all 
were  broken  with  anguish,  still,  among  the  officers 

<i  A  sweet  smelling  wood  much  used  in  India. 

'  ^y«3jJ^  Men  who  chant  verses  on  the  birth  of  Muhammad. 


353 

of  the  army  and  the  troops,  no  diminution  or  excess 
in  the  duty  of  the  camp  was  manifest ;  neither  did 
any  breach  of  the  regulation  or  order  of  the  civil  go- 
vernment of  the  country  occur.  The  Prince  also, 
(Tippoo),  did  not  in  any  matter  rashly  put  himself 
forward.  When,  however,  this  political  lying  re- 
port of  the  Nawaub's  death,  he  having  all  his 
faculties  alive,  was  received  by  Huleem  Khan,  he 
immediately  made  presents  of  sweetmeats  •  to  his 
friends,  and  beat  his  Nobut  or  kettle  drums,  for 
joy.  It  happened,  however,  that  intelligent  and 
observant  spies  wrote  an  account  of  this  insulting 
act  to  the  presence,  and,  at  the  relation  of  the 
circumstance,  the  flames  of  Hydur's  wrath  burned 
furiouslv,  and  he  resolved  on  the  destruction  of 
Huleem  Khan. 

Ailer  a  short  time,  having  satisfied  his  mind  as 
to  the  fidelity  of  his  officers,  and  servants,  he  took 
his  seat  on  the  throne  of  wealth  and  power ;  and, 
in  reward  of  this  good  service,  he  distinguished 
them,  and  made  their  hearts  glad,  by  giving  all  of 
them  presents  and  dresses  of  honour.  He  then 
displayed  his  victorious  standards,  and  the  army 
marched  towards  Kirpa,*  to  punish  the  Afghans. 
This  was  scarcely  done  when  letters  arrived,  from 
Meer  AU  Ruza  Khan,  stating  that  the  Afghan  of 

"  A  custom  in  India  on  hearing  good  news.  ^  Cuddupah. 

A   A 


354 

Kirpa,  Huleem  Khan,  had  withdrawn  his  foot  from 
the  circle  of  obedience  and  friendship,  and  that  his 
troops  were  formed  ready  to  oppose  the  Nawaub  ; 
that,  a  line  of  soldiers  had  been  drawn  up  on  the 
road,  to  stop  the  passage  or  advance  of  AH  Ruza 
Khan ;  and  that  he,  (Huleem  Khan),  had  also 
posted  artillery  and  rockets  on  the  road,  to  impede 
their  progress;  and  that  he  was  still  collecting 
troops.  On  hearing  these  tidings,  the  anger  of 
Hydur  flamed  violently,  and  he  hastened  on  with  all 
his  brave  troops  to  that  quarter,  by  forced  marches. 
When  the  Hakim  or  Chief  of  Kirpa  heard  that 
the  lion  of  the  field  of  battle  was  advancing  with  a 
large  army,  he  trembled  with  fear  at  the  approach 
of  the  strong  armed  soldiers  of  the  Nawaub,  and 
despatched  Muhammad  Ghiaus,  as  his  embassador, 
to  the  Nawaub,  to  solicit  the  pardon  of  his  offences. 
The  Vakeel  arrived,  and,  after  kissing  the  ground, 
performed  to  the  utmost  of  his  ability  his  duty  to- 
wards the  Afghan ;  and,  seeking  his  master's  advan* 
tage,  desired  that  the  edifice  of  enmity  should  be  re- 
placed by  the  foundations  of  kindness  and  firiendship, 
in  opposition  to  the  usage  of  former  days.  In  reply 
to  these  propositions,  the  Nawaub  said,  '*  your 
master  pretends  friendship  for  me  openly,  but  in 
secret  he  has  raised  the  head  of  pride,  and  followed 
the  path  of  intrigue,  and  enmity  ;  and,  on  hearing 


355 

the  report  of  my  death,  he  in  joy  distributed  sweet- 
meats for  the  good  news,  and  expelled  my  Anchi 
Wala  or  newswriter  from  the  town. — Good  God  ! 
with  all  this  disgusting  pride,  and  malice,  and  folly, 
is  it  possible  he  can  expect  grace  or  forgiveness  V — 
Gratitude  for  the  many  benefits  and  favours  which 
I  conferred  on  him,  and  for  having  kept  the  tender 
plant  of  his  fortune  and  condition  flourishing  in  the 
garden  of  maintenance,  has  been  all  forgotten. — 
*  His  fortune  will  be  of  his  own  making.' — Now, 
therefore,  tell  your  master  to  get  ready  to  defend 
himself;  for  we  shall  very  soon  reach  him." 

After  the  unsuccessful  embassador  had  been 
thus  despatched,  spies  brought  intelligence,  that 
the  Afghan  of  Kirpa  had  assembled  his  troops, 
and  had  placed  them  under  the  command  of 
his  nephews;  that  is,  under  the  sons  of  Kurma 
Mean,  (the  son  of  Mujeed  Khan,)  whose  names 
were  Husseini  Mean,  and  Saeed  Mean,  and  had 
despatched  them  towards  Dhoor.  In  fact,  a  very 
severe  action  was  at  that  time  fought  between 
the  Afghans  and  Meer  Sahib,"  and  in  that  engage- 
ment the  Afghans  were  victorious.  As  soon  as  this 
intelligence  reached  the  Nawaub,  he  advanced 
rapidly  with  his  horse,  foot  and  artillery,  and,  at 
about  midnight,  fell  on  the  heads  of  these  men  like 
sudden  death  ;    and,  with  rockets  and  musketry, 

«  Meer  Ali  Ruza  Khan. 


356 

broke  the  chain  of  their  order,  and  many  of  these 
wicked  Afghans  were  thus  made  food  for  the  edge 
of  the  unsparing  sword.  Nevertheless,  the  com- 
manders of  the  Afghans,  although  they  were  inex- 
perienced, and  mere  boys,  planted  their  feet  firmly 
and  fearlessly  in  the  field  of  manhood^  and,  with 
Nagaras  beating,  and  mounted  on  elephants,  retired 
towards  Kirpa.  The  Nawaub,  with  all  his  horse^ 
had  followed  them  four  fursungs,  as  far  as  Balsan 
HuUy,  when  night  ended,  and  the  light  of  the 
morning  appeared.  The  Kuzzaks,  Silahdars,  and 
the  Dustadars,  of  the  victorious  army  now  sur- 
rounded and  hemmed  in  the  Afghans ;  and,  fi-om 
the  first  fragrant  breeze  of  the  morning  until  mid- 
day, the  drums  and  trumpets  never  ceased  to  sound 
the  charge,  nor  the  market  of  hard  blows  from  con- 
stant traffic.  Every  individual  Afghan  gave  such 
proofs  of  his  skill  in  the  use  of  the  sword,  that  their 
prowess  is  still  recorded  in  the  j)age  of  memorable 
events  ;  and  the  young  lads,  mounted  on  their  ele- 
phants, plied  their  arrows  with  both  hands  so  fast, 
and  gave  such  proofs  of  courage,  that  two  thousand 
brave  and  experienced  men  of  the  Nawaub's  army 
were  slain  by  them.  At  length,  however,  all  this 
intrepidity  and  pride  ended  in  flight,  and  the  Afghans 
were  forced  to  throw  away  their  shields,  and  seek 
refuge  in  the  small  fort,  the  Hulli,  above  mentioned 
and  there  they  remained. 


357 

The  artillery,  according  to  the  Nawaub's  orders, 
now  opened  their  fire,  and,  battering  the  walls  of 
the  fort,  soon  levelled  them  with  the  ground. 
When  they  saw  that  they  were  neither  able  to  fight 
nor  retreat,  the  foolish  young  men  surrendered  and 
were  made  prisoners  with  Sidi  Hulal  and  three 
hundred  Afghans  ;  and  the  whole  of  the  elephants, 
horses,  and  military  stores,  that  is,  bows,  arrows, 
spears,  swords,  and  tents,  heaps  on  heaps,  fell  into 
the  possession  of  the  servants  of  the  Nawaub. 

After  being  blessed  with  this  victory,  the  Nawaub 
marched  on,  and  captured  the  town  of  Kirpa  at  the 
first  assault ;  and,  from  the  pomp  and  magnificence 
of  his  army,  of  victorious  presage,  the  environs  of  that 
town  became  the  envy  of  the  starry  heavens.  The 
Nawaub  here  placed  the  captured  Afghans  in  a  tent 
near  his  own ;  the  two  brave  young  chiefe  were, 
however,  imprisoned  in  their  own  house. 

The  next  day  the  Nawaub  directed  the  arms  of 
the  Afghan  prisoners  should  be  taken  fi*om  them ; 
fearing  that,  as  they  were  rash,  foolish,  men,  they 
might  attempt  some  act  of  violence  or  treachery. 
When,  therefore,  Abou  Muhammad,  the  Mirdah  or 
chief  officer  of  the  Peons'"  or  messengers  of  the 
Presence,  a  man  of  great  respectability,  and  an  old 
and  faithful  servant,  went  to  them  to  ask  for  their 
swords  and  shields,  he  at  first  desired  to  get  posses- 


358 

sion  of  them  by  stratagem  ;^  and  accordingly  he 
said  to  the  Afghans^  "  Gentlemen,  I  beg  to  inform 
you^  that  the  Nawaub  is  perfectly  enchanted  by  the 
skill  and  excellence  of  your  sword  practice ;  he 
wishes  therefore  to  be  allowed  to  inspect  your  arms, 
and,  for  your  honourable  service  will  present  each 
of  you  better  arms,  from  his  own  armoury.**  In 
answer  to  this  the  Afghans  unanimously  declared 
that,  while  the  loan  of  their  lives  remained  with 
them,  their  swords  should  never  come  into  his 
hands.  When  the  Mirdah  returned  to  the  Nawaub 
with  this  insolent  answer  of  the  Afghans,  the  Na^ 
waub  immediately  ordered  a  number  of  matchlock 
men  to  proceed  to  terrify  them  with  their  match- 
locks and  bayonets,  and  take  ppssession  of  their 
weapons. 

When  the  musketeers  went  and  stood  before 
them,  the  Afghans  saw  that  the  issue  of  their  affair 
depended  on  the  point  of  the  bayonet  and  the 
mouth  of  the  musket,  and  four  brothers  of  their 
number,  the  sons  of  Abdurrizak  Khan,  Dowlut  Zai, 
whose  names  were  Jubbar  Khan,  Suttar  Khan, 
Ruhman  Khan  and  Kadur  Khan,  all  Chiefs  among 
that  tribe,  careless  of  life,  after  repeating  the  Fa- 
tiheh,""  madly  drew  their  swords  and  sallied  forth. 

*  The  first  chapter  of  the  Koran. 


359 

Killing  five  or  six  matchlock  men  on  their  way^  they 
took  the  path  to  the  Nawaub's  tents.  On  their 
arrival  there,  however,  the  spear  men  and  the  sen- 
tinels of  the  guard  killed  three  of  these  men  at  the 
door  of  the  Nawaub's  tent ;  but  the  fourth  or  the 
remaining  one  rushed  into  the  tent.  Aware  by 
some  means  or  other  of  his  approach,  the  Nawaub 
with  his  dagger  ^  slit  down  the  wall  of  the  tent,  and 
escaped  to  the  Dewaun  i  Aum,or  the  tent  of  public 
audience,  and  the  rash  perfidious  Afghan,  seeing 
the  tent  empty,  began  to  repeat  the  Lahowl,'  to 
signify  his  astonishment  and  mortification,  and 
rubbed  the  back  of  his  sword  on  his  foot.  But, 
while  he  was  doing  this,  an  executioner  stole  be- 
hind him,  and  separated  his  head  from  his  body. 

From  this  circumstance,  the  Nawaub  conceived 
a  bad  opinion  of  the  whole  of  these  men, — Truly, — 
*^  If  one  man  of  a  tribe  commit  a  fault/' — **  neither 
the  respectability  of  the  little  or  great  is  spared," ' — 
and  Hydur,  in  his  anger,  therefore  gave  orders  to 
his  hard-hearted  executioners  to  cut  off  the  hands 
and  feet  of  the  Afghan  prisoners  at  the  joints  with 
axes  and  saws,  and  thereby  gave  a  bitter  potion,  as 
an  example,  to  the  tongue  and  palate  of  the  rest ; 
and  these  men,  with  the  blood  streaming  from  their 

^  Gulistan. 


360 

legs  and  arms,  were  carried  through  the  streets  and 
lanes  of  the  town,  and  were  then  left  outside  the 
walls.  Some  of  them,  however,  to  save  their  lives, 
pretended  to  be  Syuds^  and  Shaikhs,  and  thereby 
escaped  punishment. 

After  this  occurrence,  the  Nawaub  sent  a  party 
of  steady  experienced  infantry  into  the  town,  and 
despatched  the  Kuzzaks,  or  plundering  horse,  to- 
wards the  fort  of  Sudhote,  where  the  Chief  of  the 
Afghans,  (Huleem  Khan),  had  sought  refuge.  The 
horse,  before  mentioned,  having  marched  by  night 
to  Sudhote,  began  to  plunder,  and  destroy  the 
country  near  the  fort.  In  the  morning,  the  Hakim 
or  Chief,  seeing  troops  upon  troops  of  these  bravoes 
plundering  and  setting  fire  to  the  houses,  he  sent 
out  a  man  to  enquire  the  reason.  His  messenger 
on  his  return,  told  him  that  the  army  of  the  Na- 
waub had  defeated  his  troops,  and  that  the  hands 
and  feet  of  the  Afghans,  in  consequence  of  their 
violence,  as  has  been  before  related,  had  been  cut 
off*  with  the  hatchet  and  saw  of  anger  and  revenge. 
Also  that  the  Nawaub  had  taken  the  city  of  Kirpa 
at  the  first  assault,  and  that  the  horse  near  the  fort 
were  his  light  cavalry,  sent  forward  to  plunder. 
Huleem  Khan,  on  hearing  this,  fell  into  deep  fear  ; 

^  Syud  is  a  name  given  to  the  descendents  of  the  Prophet. — 
Shaikh  signifies  a  chief  or  an  elder. 


361 

and,  with  the  counsel  and  advice  of  certain  of  his 
short  sighted  Khans,  proclaimed,  that  all  his  servants 
and  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  with  their  women 
and  families, property,  money  and  jewels,  should  dur- 
ing the  night  retire  to  the  hill  country,  near  Chitul 
Droog ;  and  they  accordingly  proceeded  thither.  It 
happened,  however,  that  the  keen-sighted  Kuzzaks 
had  some  intimation  of  this  movement,  and  that  mul- 
titudes of  men  and  women,  with  great  quantities  of 
heavy  baggage,  and  articles  of  value,  such  as  gold 
and  jewels,  were  quitting  the  fort,  and  journeying 
towards  the  hilly  country  ;  and  they  immediately 
set  out  after  them  at  speed,  and,  attacking  them  on 
the  road,  omitted  no  indignity  or  cruelty  in  plun- 
dering the  night  wanderers,  and  without  compunc- 
tion seized  on  their  wealth,  violated  their  women, 
and  falling  in  with  some  Afghans,  (who  apparently 
had  charge  of  these  people)  they  put  them  to  death 
and  then  returned. 

The  foolish  Khan,  when  he  heard  these  circum- 
stances, was  greatly  afflicted,  and  ashamed  at  his 
want  of  prudence.  The  next  day  the  Nawaub 
himself  mounted  his  horse,  and,  with  his  army  and 
artillery,  marched  to  Sudhote  ;  and,  having  en- 
circled the  fort  like  a  ring,  he  encamped  there. 
The  Khan,  having  no  power  to  oppose  the  lion- 
hearted  troops  of  Hydur,  and  being  without  re- 
source, again  despatched  Muhammad  Ghiaus  to  the 


362 

presence,  with  professions  of  complete  submission, 
and,  being  ashamed  of  his  conduct,  begged  pardon 
for  his  former  offences.  When  the  Nawaub  became 
acquainted  with  his  sorrow  and  abject  humility,  his 
generous  spirit  and  comprehensive  clemency  came 
into  operation,  and  he  contented  himself  with  de- 
manding ten  lakhs  of  rupees,  and  the  fort  of  Gunjee 
Kota,  as  the  price  of  his  forgiveness.  As  Huleem 
Khan  had  not  even  two  lakhs  of  rupees  in  his  trea- 
sury, this  requisition  of  the  Nawaub  plunged  bim 
into  deep  thought,  and  uncertainty  ;  and  the  silence 
and  delay  which  were  thus  occasioned  by  this 
shuffler  continued  so  long,  that  the  Nawaub,  in 
anger,  ordered  Meer  All  Ruza  Khan  to  attack 
and  take  Gunjee  Kota  ;  accordingly,  he,  who  was 
only  looking  out  for  such  times  and  such  orders, 
marched  with  his  own  troops,  and  besieged  the  hill 
fort,  and  after  the  labours  of  a  week,  he  took  it, 
and  despatched  his  letter  of  congratulation  on  its 
capture  to  the  Nawaub,  who  appointed  an  able 
Ameen,  or  collector,  and  a  brave  governor,  to  es- 
tablish and  preserve  order  in  the  fort,  and  its  de- 
pendencies, and  then  recalled  the  Meer  to  the 
presence. 

When  the  news  of  the  capture  of  Gunjee  Kota 
reached  Huleem  Khan,  he  became  still  more  dis- 
ordered^ in  his  senses  than  he  was  at  first ;   but. 


3G3 

being  remediless,  he  despatched  his  Dewaun  or 
minister,  Abdurrusool  Khan,  accompanied  by  Mu- 
hammad Ghiaus,  to  the  presence.  These  men  de- 
livered their  verbal  message  in  language  replete  with 
eloquence,*^  and  in  terms  remarkable  for  their  pro- 
priety and  elegance,  to  the  effect  that  Abdul  Huleem 
Khan  had  drawn  the  head  of  shame  under  the  hood 
of  repentance,  and  that  he  had  assembled  his  family 
and  children  in  one  apartment,  and  had  surrounded 
it  with  a  store  of  gunpowder,  and  that,  with  a  port- 
fire in  his  hand,  he  was  waiting  the  result  of  their 
message ;  but  that,  if  his  life  could  be  spared,  he 
was  a  man  who  might  render  acceptable  or  approved 
service  to  the  Nawaub,  and  therefore  that  they 
begged  the  Nawaub  would  take  him  by  the  hand. — 
"  To  have  pity  on  any  one's  misfortunes  shews 
greatness." — *^  To  grant  any  one  his  desire  is  great- 
ness." 

The  Nawaub,  having  well  considered  the  giief 
and  deep  humility  of  the  embassadors,  at  length 
spoke,  and  said,  *'  my  first  wish  is  that  you  would 
allow  two  flags,  with  two  companies  of  matchlock 
men,  merely  for  the  honour  of  our  name,  and  to 
shew  the  friendship  which  connects  our  families,  to 
remain  in  your  fort  for  two  hours  ;  and,  after  that, 
I  will  draw  the  pen  of  pardon  through  the  list  of 

^  v/Vj  air 


364 

your  offences,  great  and  small.**  When  the  em- 
bassadors, well  pleased,  returned  therefore  to  their 
master,  and  made  him  acquainted  with  all  the  Na- 
waub  had  said,  and  persuaded  and  urged  him  to 
conform  to  the  orders  of  the  Nawaub,  he  whose 
horse-  shoe  was  in  the  fire,  that  is,  whose  necessities 
were  pressing,  with  the  appetite*  of  a  religious  beg- 
gar, listened  with  a  willing  ear,  and  ordered  his 
servants,  both  horse  and  foot,  who  garrisoned  the 
fort,  and  were  ready  for  action,  and  who  had  fre- 
quently requested  permission  to  light  up  the  fire  of 
contention,  and  commence  the  attack,  to  leave  the 
fort.  Some  of  the  Khans,  also,  who  had  placed  the 
foot  of  courage  in  the  field  of  opposition  to  these 
orders,  were  dismissed  with  sour  looks;  and  Hu- 
leem  Khan  sat  still,  waiting  patiently.  The  Na- 
waub, meanwhile,  having  cleared  the  rust  of  uncer- 
tainty from  the  mirror  of  his  heavenly '  mind,  des- 
patched to  the  fort  four  thousand  regular  infantry, 
of  the  red  and  yellow  regiments,  with  two  victorious 
ensigns,  to  the  commanding  officer  of  which  detach- 
ment however  he  gave  secret  orders.  Immediately 
on  entering  the  gates  of  the  fort  therefore  the  officer 
left  half  his  men  at  the  gate  and  ramparts  adjoining, 

'^llrH  ^^  ^^  &^ 

9Ja\j^o  (JL^t^X^     Looking  towards  or  at  the  abode  of  the 
angels. 


3G5 

and  he  himself  with  the  remainder,  proceeded 
straight  like  an  arrow,  and  seized  the  mild  Huleem, 
who  was  then  sitting  in  his  Hall  of  Audience.  Hav- 
ing made  him  a  prisoner,  he  put  him  into  a  palan  - 
kin,  and  sent  him,  with  his  personal  and  other 
servants,  to  the  presence.  All  this  having  been 
effected,  the  whole  of  the  city  and  suburbs  were 
committed  to  the  charge  of  Meer  Ali  Ruza  Khan ; 
and,  the  Nawaub's  mind  being  then  at  ease,  he  re- 
turned to  his  capital,  Seringaputtun,  where  he  gave 
himself  up  to  pleasure  and  enjoyment. 

Abdul  Huleem  Khan,  however,  with  his  women, 
relations,  and  other  dependents,  were  brought  to 
Seringaputtun,  and  imprisoned  in  the  Gunj  Aum 
suburb,  and  a  sufficient  allowance  was  made  for 
the  expences  of  his  establishment.  His  son-in-law, 
named  Syud  Muhammad,  escaped  by  night  with  his 
wife  to  Naugpoor  ;  but  his  other  son-in-law,  whose 
name  was  Behlole  Khan,  remained  with  him.  In 
the  course  of  time,  they  all,  one  after  another,  left 
this  vain  perishing  scene,  and  thus  escaped  the 
wasting  troubles  and  miseries  of  this  world. « 

8  From  Hydur's  character,  there  appears  hut  little  doaht  that 
their  departure  was  hastened  by  his  kind  offices. 


366 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

An  account  of  the  Marriage  of  Hydur  AlPs  youngest  son, 
Kureem  S4hib,  with  the  daughter  of  Hukeem  Khan,  Meeana,  the 
Governor  of  Sanore;  and  the  Betrothal  of  the  Nawaub's  own 
daughter,^  the  rose  of  the  Garden  of  Purity  and  Chastity,  to  the 
Son  and  Successor  of  Hukeem  Khan,  in  the  capital,  Puttun, 
1192,  Hijri.— A.  D.  1778. 

At  a  former  time,  the  Nawaub  selected  and  ob- 
tained in  marriage  the  bright  star  of  the  constella- 
tion of  Chastity,  the  daughter  of  Mehdi  Beg,  a 
Jamadar,  who  commanded  two  hundred  horse  at 
Arkat.  The  circumstances  of  the  case  were  these, 
that  after  this  officer's  death,  his  two  sons  Hussaini 
Beg  and  Moraud  Beg,  with  their  sister,  leaving  Arkat 
to  obtain  service,  had  arrived  in  Mysore,  where  the 
Nawaub  sought  and  married*  their  sister.  This 
lady  had  a  son,  who  was  named  Kureem  Sahib, 
and  also  a  daughter ;  but,  after  giving  birth  to  the 
latter,  she  died  of  a  mortal  disease,  and  departed  to 

**  The  Lady*8  name  it  appears  was  Kennie  Sahibeh. 
'  This  work  is  rather  remarkable  for  the  length  of  its  paren- 
theses and  digressions. 


367 

Paradise,  A  Bayadere,  or  dancing  girl,  named 
ZohrehjJ  a  favourite  of  the  Nawaub's,  brought  up 
the  son  and  daughter  with  great  care  and  tender- 
ness, until  they  reached  years  of  discretion ;  and 
the  Nawaub  himself  regarded  this  son  with  increase 
of  favour.  At  this  time,  therefore,  the  mind  of  the 
Nawaub  being  at  rest  from  the  prosecution  of  his 
measures  ^  for  the  prosperity  of  the  Khodadad  state, 
he  began  to  think  of  the  marriage  of  his  son,  and 
make  arrangements  for  its  celebration.  Hukeem 
Khan,  the  Afghan  Chief  of  Shanoor,  was  not  well 
affected  to  the  Nawaub,  and  had  frequently  deviated 
from  the  path  of  confidence  and  friendship,  but  the 
political  views  of  the  Nawaub  required  that  the 
enmity  and  hatred,  which  had  subsisted  between 
them,  on  both  sides,  should  be  replaced  by  relation- 
ship and  marriage,  and  that  thereby  comfort  and 
assurance  should  be  given  to  the  mind  of  the  Khan. 
He,  therefore,  despatched  Vakeels,  with  letters  of 
congratulation  on  the  projected  marriage,  inform- 
ing him  that  he  abandoned  his  claim  for  tribute 
from  his  possessions.  At  the  same  time,  to  pro- 
duce an  effect,  there  followed  in  the  rear  of  these 
embassadors,  a  strong  body  of  troops,  under  pre- 
tence of  foraging,  but  well  supplied  with  stores, 
and  ready  for  action.     When  these  able  embassa- 

J  Venus.  ^jji  J  (jJj 


368 

dors  arrived  at  Shanoor,  they  visited  Hukeem  Khan 
and  presented  their  letters,  and  also  delivered  a 
verbal  message  to  him,  to  the  effect  that,  for  the 
possession  of  dominion  enjoyed  but  a  few  days,  and 
which  at  most  could  last  but  a  short  period,  it  was 
best  that  the  dust  of  enmity  and  strife  should  be  al- 
layed by  a  sprinkling  of  the  pure  water  of  peace 
and  good  will,  and  that  the  carpet  of  opposition  and 
distrust  should  be  rolled  up  and  removed,  and  the 
foundations  of  intimacy  and  friendship  raised  and 
strengthened  by  the  ties  of  family  connexion ;  and 
that,  acting  together,  they  might  wage  war  with  great- 
er effect  on  the  infidels,  and,  that  as  a  result  of  their 
union,  the  whole,  body  of  the  Mussulman  people, 
and  the  high  and  low  of  all  tribes,  might  repose  hap- 
pily on  the  couch  ^  of  comfort  and  safety,  and  con- 
tinually offer  up  prayers  for  the  lasting  prosperity 
of  their  government.     The  well  weighed  words  of 
the  embassadors  made  a  strong  impression  on  the 
heart  of  the  noble  Khan,  and,  like  the  gentle  rain, 
washed  away  the  dust  of  doubt  and  enmity  from 
his  mind  ;  so  that  at  length  he  lent  the  ear  of  ac- 
ceptance, and  cast  the  eyes  of  thankfulness,  on  the 
wise  and  salutary  message  of  the  Nawaub,  and  the 
contract  of  agreement  and  friendship  was  arranged 
and  settled,  on  the  following  terms, — That  Hukeem 


369 

Khan's  daughter  should  be  united  to  the  Prince™ 
in   marriage,  and   that   the  sister   of  the   Prince, 
the  emblem  of  chastity,  should  be  united  to  the 
eldest   son  of  the   Khan.     It   is  to   be   observed 
here,  that  the  attainment  of  this  great  object  arose 
from  the  following  causes ;  the  Nawaub,  from  his 
high  rank  and  station,  the  abundance  of  his  means, 
his  prosperity  and  excess  of  wealth,  had  no  peer 
or  equal  among  the  newly  risen  chiefs  of  power 
and  rank ;  the  proud  and  haughty  chiefs  of  dif- 
ferent parts,  whom  the  sultans  and  governors  of 
former  times,  with  great  armies  and  mighty  prepa- 
rations, had  vainly  spent  years  in  labouring  to  sub- 
due, he,  on  the  contrary,  in  a  very  short  time,  by 
his  personal  bravery  and  conquering  sword,  had 
completely  overthrown  and  destroyed ;  and  to  that 
degree  did  he  exert  himself,  in  the  subjection  of  the 
proud  and  insubordinate,  that,  in  the  towns  or  dis- 
tricts of  Mysore,  the  name  of  rebel  or  rebellion  no 
longer  existed ;  and  whenever,  he  heard  of  a  strong- 
hold in  the  possession  of  a  rebel  or  an  enemy,  he, 
either  by  the  force  of  policy,  or  by  strength  and 
courage,  cast  down  the  walls,  and  destroyed  it.     His 
victorious  standards,  also,  to  which  ever  quarter  they 
might  be  directed,  never  lowered  their  heads  until 
they  threw  the  ensigns  of  their  enemies,  reversed, 

B    B 


370 

into  the  dust  of  disgrace  and  contempt.     Instances 
of  this,  are  to  be  found  in  the  ruin  of  the  power  of 
Morar  Rao,  the  Naik  of  Chitul  Droog,  and  the 
Afghan  of  Kirpa ;  and  the  weight  of  these  examples 
threw  terror  into  Hukeem  Khan*s  soul,  but,  most  of 
all,  the  advance  of  the  detachment  of  troops,  follow- 
ing the  embassadors,  gave  him  the  greatest  uneasi- 
ness.   But,  if  it  had  not  been  so,  the  pride  and  inso- 
lence of  the  Afghan  race  are  too  well  known,  to 
need  further  mention.    In  short,  the  fortimate  Khan 
accepted   the   oflfer  of  the   Nawaub  with  thank- 
fulness, and  despatched  by  the  Vakeels"  letters, 
couched  in  the  style  and  language  of  congratu- 
lation and  friendship,  vnth  presents  and  honorary 
dresses ;  and  next  occupied  himself  in  preparing 
the  feast  and  ornamental  arrangements  of  the  bridal 
day.     The  Nawaub  having  therefore  his  mind  at 
ease,  now  invited  the  consenting  Khan,  with  his 
family  and  servants,  to  his  capital,  Seringaputtun  ; 
and,  having  completed  the  forms  of  felicitation  to 
his  worthy  and  honourable  son,  and  done  the  ho- 
nours of  the  royal  feast  and  banquet,  the  two  pro- 
pitious stars  were  placed  in  real  conjunction  at  the 
fortunate  hour  ;  and  in  the  same  form,  and  with  the 
same  ceremonies,  the  sister  of  the  bridegroom  was 
married  to  Abool   Khire   Khan,  otherwise  Khira 

°  Ambassadors  or  Agents. 


371 

Mean,  the  son  of  Hukeera  Khan,  After  the  leisure 
consequent  on  the  celebration  of  these  marriages, 
the  distinguished  Khan,  leaving  his  daughter  and 
son  and  a  body  of  troops  with  the  Nawaub,  re- 
turned to  Shanoor,  and  the  Nawaub  remained  at 
his  capital. 


372 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


The  second  expedition  of  the  Nawaub  Bahadiir,  to  conqner  the 
country  of  the  Kamatic  Payanghaut,  at  the  instigation  of  the 
N&zim  of  Hydorabad,  and  the  Poona  ministers,  in  the  year  1 194, 
Hijri. — A.  D.  1780. — With  an  account  of  the  victories  gained 
by  the  lion  hunting  Moslems  in  that  expedition. 


The  causes  and   materials  of  the  grandeur  and 
power  of  the  house  of  Hydur  increasing  day  by  day, 
and  every  one  of  his  Khans  and  brave  officers  being 
distinguished  for  affection  to  his  person,  and  devo- 
tion to  his  service,  the  fame  of  his  conquests,  and 
the  destruction  of  his  enemies,  and  the  report  of 
his  liberality,  and  the  protection  afforded  to  the 
poor  by  this  nourisher  of  mankind,  penetrated  to 
all  quarters  of  the  world ;   and   as  at  all  times, 
the  world  shared   and   enjoyed   the  benefits  dis- 
pensed from  the  table  of  his  bounty,  and  as  the 
shower  of  gold  from  his  generous  hand  continually 
moistened  and  refreshed  the  garden  of  the  hopes 
and  desires  of  all  kinds  of  men,  the  result  was,  that 


373 

the  whole  of  the  towns,  fortresses,  and  cities  of  My- 
sore assumed  a  new  form  of  beauty  and  splendour  ; 
for  at  that  period,  no  Chief  of  high  military  talent 
and  power  remained,  the  Nawaub  alone  excepted, 
who,  with  the  strong  hand  of  power,  and  by  the  art 
of  subduing  his  enemies,  had  broken  the  necks  of 
those  who  had  raised  them  in  pride**  and  vain  glory, 
and,  by  his  daring  and  intrepidity,  had  drawn  the 
whole  of  the  cautious  and  wily,  both  infidels  and 
Mussulmans,  into  the  net  of  subjection  and  ser- 
vitude.    The  heavenly  p  mind  of  the  Nawaub,  there- 
fore, now  that  the  bride  of  wealth  and  dominion 
had  fallen  into  the  close  embraces  of  his  conquering 
fortune,  being  content  and  at  ease  on  all  sides,  re- 
sided at  Puttun,  enjoying  himself,  and  occupied,  al- 
so, in  the  collection  of  warlike  stores,  brave  soldiers, 
horses  of  Arabia  and  Irak,  powerful  elephants,  &c. 
Viewing,  however,  the  number  of  his  troops,  the 
splendour  of  his  equipments,  and  the  pomp  of  his 
court,  the  thorn  of  grief  and  jealousy  penetrated 
the  hearts  of  the  envious  Chiefs  of  the  Dukhun ; 
that  is,  the  hearts  of  Nizam  Ali  Khan,  and  the 
Chief  of  the  Mahrattas,  and  to  break  down  the 
power  of  that  nourisher  of  the  poor,  and,  dispenser 
of  benefits,   (Hydur),  they  exerted  their  utmost 
endeavours.     At  this  time  therefore  when  the  foun- 


374 

dations  of  the  kingdom  and  kingly  fortunes  of  Hydur 
were  doubled,  he  having  chastised^  and  made  obe- 
dient to  his  will,  most  of  the  insubordinate  Rajas  of 
that  part  of  the  country  who  in  greatness  and  pride 
had  raised  their  heads  to  the  clouds  ;  nay,  from  day 
to  day,  had  increased  his  ascendency  so  rapidly,  that 
their  fear  was  lest  he  should  wrest  the  whole  of 
the  Telingana  and  Mahratta  countries  from  them, 
they  laid  deep  schemes  and  plans,  and,  agreeing  in 
word  and  spirit,  they  both  despatched  embassadors, 
with  presents  and  dresses  of  honour  of  great  value 
to  the  capital  of  the  Khodadad  state,  who,  with  a 
friendly  tongue,  and  openly  manifesting  great  re- 
gard, delivered  their  message,  to  the  effect  that 
the  blood  shedding  English  had  usurped  or  made 
themselves  masters  (of  part)  of  this  country,  and  that 
they  had  also  taken  entire  possession  of  the  pro- 
vince of  Bengal,  "  the  mole  on  the  cheek  of  Hind  ;" 
that  the  whole  of  the  province  of  the  Kamatic  Pay- 
anghaut  they  considered  as  their  military  fief,  and 
that  their  power  increased  every  day ;  that  they, 
(the  English)  kept  Muhammad  Ali  Khan  as  a 
hired  servant,  and  reigned  under  the  shadow  of 
his  name ;  that,  more  particularly,  the  infidel  Rag- 
hoo,  the  assassin  of  his  son,"*  had  by  their  assist- 
ance effected  the  plunder  and  destruction  of  the 

^  Nephew. 


375 

country  of  the  Paishwa,  that  is,  the  Mahratta  em- 
pire ;  that  most  of  the  peasantry,  payers  of  taxes, 
of  that  country,  had  been  ruined  and  destroyed 
by  him;  that  he  had  cast  away  from  his  wicked 
heart  all  remembrance  of  benefits  he  had  received 
from  the  Paishwa's  government;  and  though,  by 
the  mercies  of  the  eternal,  and  the  aid  of  good 
fortune,  he  had  received  signal  punishment/ still 
the  present  danger  was  that,  from  the  remaining 
of  the  English  in  this  country,  the  flames  of  strife 
would  be  lighted  up  again  and  again.  To  avert 
this  evil,  they  urged,  that  when  the  conditions  of 
amity  should  be  firmly  established  between  the 
three  families,  their  enemy  would  then  have  no 
power  to  contend  with  or  intrigue  against  them ; 
that  it  was  necessary,  therefore,  nay,  indispen- 
sable, for  them  united  to  remove  the  English  out 
of  the  way,  and  then  they  might  reign  in  peace, 
and  without  the  intermeddling  of  strangers,  and 
that,  they  had  agreed  and  sworn  to  keep  the  fol- 
lowing engagement,  namely,  that  whenever  either 
of  the  contracting  parties,  should  have  an  object  to 
attain,  they  should  proceed  together,  and  together 
use  their  best  efforts  to  effect  the  same.  As,  for 
instance,  that  they  two  had  agreed  and  sworn,  and 

'  Perhaps  alluding  to  the  defeat  of  the  English  detachment  at 
Tulligaum. 


376 

had  bound  the  girdle  of  endeavour  tight  round  the 
loins  of  their  courage,  to  do  away  with  the  tyranny 
of  the  English  of  Bombay.*  What  measures,  there- 
fore, did  the  glory  of  the  house  of  prosperity  and 
power,  (Hydur,)  propose  or  advise  in  the  matter? 
But  at  all  events  Hydur  might  be  certain  that, 
when  all  the  contracting  parties  united  in  heart 
and  word,  the  conquest  of  the  Karnatic  Payan- 
ghaut,  and  even  the  whole  of  Hindustan,  might  be 
accomplished  in  a  very  easy  manner.  '*  When  two 
kings  unite  in  heart,  there  is  no  path  left  for  se- 
dition.**— "  In  peace,  if  two  kings  light  a  lamp  " — 
"  their  cities  and  armies  will  be  illuminated  ;** — "  but 
if  they  turn  their  faces  to  the  battle  field," —  "  they 
bring  calamity  upon  the  earth  from  heaven." — 
"  Better  is  it  therefore,  that  we  should  turn  our 
faces  to  peace,*' — "  and  adopt  liberal  sentiments  to- 
wards each  other.**  In  these  measures  it  was,  they 
said,  necessary  no  delay  nor  negligence  should 
occur.  God  forbid  that  a  difficulty  should  arise, 
the  remedy  of  which  might  not  be  easily  obtained, 
even  by  the  united  strength  of  the  brave  troops  of 
all  parties. 

On  hearing  this  deceitful  language,  the  Nawaub, 
who,  by  his  caution  and  penetration  surpassed  all 
other  the  most  renowned  Kings  and   Princes,  re- 

*  Tulligaum. 


377 

fused  to  lend  a  willing  ear  to  their  proposals,  and, 
in  reply,  said,  "  Your  stimulating  words  of  advice 
are  Arom  the  tongue,  not  the  heart,  and  to  listen  to 
such  fool-deceiving  propositions,  would  doubtless 
be  highly  imprudent  and  dangerous  for  this  rea- 
son,— that  the  reins  and  direction  of  your  govern- 
ment and  policy  are  in  the  hands  of  incompetent, 
avaricious,  and  indolent,  ministers  ;  —  and  that, 
knowingly  and  willingly,  in  many  places  and  in  the 
most  critical  times,  shameful  deception  and  trea- 
chery have  been  practised  by  them,  and  undoubt- 
edly the  same  will  occur  again  ;  and,  that  in  case  of 
such  a  recurrence,  the  contracts  and  treaties  made 
between  the  parties,  would  be  cut  sharp  off."  That 
nevertheless,  following  the  dictates  of  his  high  cou- 
rage, the  protection  of  the  weak,  he  "  had  bound 
up  his  loins  to  exertion  in  this  cause,"  "  and  that 
all  the  warlike  materials  to  destroy  their  enemies 
were  ready,"  that,  his  prudence,  however,  would 
not  allow  him  to  admit,  or  his  frank  heart  to  be- 
lieve, their  assertions,  when  they  declared  that, 
reposing  confidence  in  their  boasting  troops,  and 
effeminate  Ameers,  they  intended  to  fight,  or  fancied 
they  could  contend  with,  the  lions,*  ranging  over 
the  face  of  the  whole  earth,  or  suppose  that  they 
could  bear  the  weight  of  the  labour  and  anxiety  of 

^  Meaning  the  British  troops. 


378 

such  an  undertaking  on  their  indolent  minds.  He 
called  to  their  recollection,  that  the  people  they  so 
hated  (the  English,)  were  united  among  them- 
selves, both  in  heart  and  language,  and  it  was 
for  this  reason  that,  in  all  places  and  times,  they 
were  so  successful.  If,  however,  -they,  (Nizam  All 
and  the  Mahratta,)  were  sincere  in  the  policy  on 
which  they  had  apparently  decided,  they  were  to 
advance  towards  that  country,  (the  Carnatic,)  with 
their  troops  in  the  best  order,  and,  with  all  the 
strength  of  their  artillery  and  warlike  stores ;  and 
he  himself  would  be  ready  at  that  time.  But,  if 
they  decided  otherwise,  he  requested  they  would 
trouble  him  no  more  on  the  subject. 

When  the  Eelchees,  or  embassadors,  detailed 
to  their  respective  masters  this  just  answer  of 
the  Nawaub,  they  on  both  sides,  sanctioned  and 
strengthened  the  articles  of  this  treaty  with  the 
most  solemn  "  oaths ;  and  the  future  arrangement 
of  the  country,  and  the  establishment  of  their 
power,  such  as  might  be  required,  being  repeat- 
edly discussed,  they  opened  to  each  other  their 
ultimate  views  and  determination.  It  was,  there- 
fore, concluded,  that  the  Mahrattas,  with  the  whole 
weight  of  their  forces,  should  put  the  horse ""  of 

^  Alluding  to  the  p^me  of  Chess,  the  Kuight. 


379 

attack  in  motion  for  the  conquest  of  Bombay ;  that 
the  chief  of  Hydurabad,  with  his  army  of  city 
soldiers,  should  march  to  take  possession  of  Mutchli 
Puttun,  and  Raj  Bunduri ;  ^  and  that  the  Nawaub 
should  direct  his  conquering  ensigns  towards  Arkat. 
In  conformity  to  this  plan  of  operations,  both  the 
princes  pitched  their  tents  and  standards  outside 
the  walls  of  their  respective  capitals,  and  ordered  a 
muster  of  their  officers  and  troops. — The  Nawaub 
Bahadur,  although  he  was  nearly  certain  that  the 
Moghuls  and  the  Mahrattas  were  neither  true  of 
tongue  nor  heart,  and  that  they  would  not  continue 
to  the  end  in  the  same  mind,  still,  after  maturely 
considering  the  strong  treaties,  and  conditions  of 
agreement,  which  they  had  newly  contracted,  took 
upon  himself,  with  a  firm  confidence,  the  responsi- 
bility of  the  war,  and,  having  despatched  gold, 
jewels,  and  rich  cloths,  to  the  two  grasping  poten- 
tates, and  thus  made  them  happy,  he  set  free  his 
determination  to  make  the  conquest  of  the  Karnatic 
Payanghaut,  and  despatched  a  letter  to  the  address 
of  Muhammad  All  Khan,  requiring  him  to  deliver 
up  the  fort  of  Nuthur  Nuggur,  (Trichinopoly,)  in 
conformity  to  his  treaty  or  agreement,  the  ac- 
count of  which  was  fully  given  in  a  former  part  of 
this  work.     As  Muhammad  did  not  return  a  pro- 

^^  Ma.sulipatam  and  Porto  Novo. 


380 

per  answer,  the  Navvaub,  immediately  commanded 
the  attendance  of  his  Ameers,  Khans,  and  Foujdars, 
and,  in  a  very  short  time,  in  obedience  to  his  pro- 
clamation, his  chief  officers,  with  their  troops  and 
military  stores,  marched  to  the  capital.     Accord- 
ing to  his  engagements,  therefore,  the  Nawaub  with 
his  brave  army, — (  Verse,  "  An  army  that  never  felt 
the  bitterness  of  defeat :"    "  Troops   that    never 
tasted  the  poison  of  flight,  or  despair  :**  "  horses 
under  them  like  raging  lions.**     "  Spears  in  their 
hands  like  the  twisted  serpent:")* — directed  his 
standards  towards  Arkat.      But,  previous  to  the 
commencing  of  their  march,   he  gave  orders  to 
muster  his  forces,  and  those  to  whom  the  charge 
was  consigned,  presented  the  Nawaub  with  a  re- 
turn of  twelve  thousand  horse  of  his  own  Paigah  or 
guard,  ten  thousand  Kuzzak  or  predatory  horse, 
fifteen    thousand    Sillahdar    horse,  ^    twenty-four 
thousand  regular  infantry,  and  sixty  thousand  irre- 
gular foot,  with  seventy  guns,  exclusive  of  the  Poli- 
gar  chiefs,  with  their  contingents. 

About  the  middle  of  the  month  of  Rujub,  1194, 

y  Independent  horsemen,  who  are  engaged  horse  and  man. 


381 

H.,  the  Nawaub  descended  by  the  Ghaut  or  Pass 
of  Chungum,  and  pitched  his  tents,  high  as  the 
sun  and  moon,  in  the  environs  of  Kilpauk,  *  and, 
from  the  same  encampment,  detached  his  youngest 
son,  Kureem  Sahib,  with  the  Kuzzak  horse,  towards 
Muhmood  Bundur,  while  he  himself,  with  his  innu- 
merable army,  marched  on  and  took  the  small  hill 
fort  of  Tumamul.  He  then  besieged  the  fort  of 
Jeet '  Peeth,  and  gave  orders  to  his  conquering  sol- 
diers to  attack  the  town.  After  the  commandant, 
who  was  a  Sikh,  named  Gooroo  Buksh,  had  held 
out  with  great  spirit  two  or  three  days,  he  was 
killed  at  one  of  the  gates  of  the  fort,  and  the  fort 
was  therefore  taken.  From  hence  the  Nawaub, 
after  leaving  a  detachment  at  the  fort  of  Dhobi 
Gurh,  despatched  his  son  Tippoo,  with  a  strong 
body  of  troops,  to  reduce  Arni  and  Tumri ;  and 
then,  turning  his  victorious  standards  towards  the 
capital  of  Arkat,  encamped  near  Nimukpeeth  and 
Ghalibpoora,  and  next  invested  the  fort  and  town 
of  Alumpunah,  against  which  he  ordered  batteries 
to  be  raised.  The  chiefs  in  the  fort,  namely,  Achna 
Pundit  a  Brahman,  (otherwise  called  Raijee  Naib, 
Souba,  and  who  had  also  the  title  of  Raja  Beerbur, 
Bahadur,  the  founder  or  builder  of  the  Alum  Punah), 
and  Nujeeb  Khan,  Salar  Jung,  Bahadur,  with  five 

»  Written  also  Kalispauk.  •  Chittapet. 


382 

thousand  regular  infentry,  two  thousand  horse,  and 
four  hundred  dismounted  Ashraf,  (that  is,  men  of 
good  families,)  held  themselves  in  readiness  to  repel 
their  enemies,  and  filled  the  capital  with  stores  of 
provisions,  arms,  ammunitions,  and  materials  for 
defence,  and  then  arranged  themselves  for  action. 
Two  or  three  thousand  Ashraf  inhabitants  of  the 
place,  of  all  tribes,  who  rose  in  arms  merely  to 
defend   their  families   and  preserve  their  honour, 
were  conciHated  by  a  daily  allowance,  or  subsis- 
tence, in  money,  and  the  show  of  a  great  deal  of 
deference  and  respect ;  and  the  gates  and  bastions 
of  Alum  Punah  also  being  confided  to  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  Muhlas,^  they  fought  desperately. 

Kureem  Sahib,  meanwhile,  when  he  moved  off  to 
Mahmood  Bundur,  met  with  no  resistance;  and 
having  by  night  marches  arrived  at  the  town,  he 
surrounded,  and,  at  the  first  assault,  bravely  took 
possession  of  it,  and  plundered  the  houses  of  all  the 
wealthy  merchants,  bankers,  and  traders,  of  bales 
on  bales  of  merchandise,  and  bags  on  bags  of  gold 
and  jewels.  The  next  day,  the  whole  of  the  wealth 
and  commodities  taken  from  all  the  merchants,  who 
had  expended  millions  of  rupees  in  commissioning 
or  procuring  them  from  different  parts  of  the  world, 
for  the  purpose  of  barter,  were  collected  in  one  place. 

^  Quarters  of  the  town. 


383 

Amongst  the  rest  was  the  whole  of  the  property  of  a 
certain  Muhammad  Mokrim,  a  man  of  the  Bohra  *" 
tribe,  the  Chief  of  all  the  merchants,  and  the  owner 
of  three  or  four  merchant  ships,  who  about  this 
time  had  purchased  thirty-five  Jhawah  or  young 
elephants,  of  eight  or  nine  years  old,  sixty  Tankun, 
or  ponies  of  Manilla  and  Pegu,  and  also  cloths 
of  great  value,  and  dresses  of  honour  from  the 
countries  of  Bengal,  Bunaras,  China,  Kashmeer, 
Boorhanpoor,  Mutchliputtun,  &c.  All  these  articles 
were  taken,  and  laden  on  elephants,  camels,  bul- 
locks, and  carts ;  and  with  the  merchant  to  whom 
they  had  belonged,  and  his  dependents,  as  prisoners, 
were  sent  to  the  Nawaub. 

The  Prince,  (Tippoo),  after  he  had  taken  leave 
of  his  father,  proceeded  to  Ami,  and  encamped 
there,  and  gave  orders  to  attack  the  fort.  Budruz- 
zuman  Khan  Bukshi,  accordingly  raised  a  strong 
battery,  to  the  westward  of  the  fort,  and  in  one 
day  fired  a  number  of  cannon  shot  into  the  place. 
The  Killadar,  or  commandant,  whose  name  was 
Hussain  All  Khan,  and  who,  even  in  his  dreams, 
had  never  heard  of  battle  or  fighting,  much  less 
witnessed  any  thing  of  the  kind,  lost  all  heart,  and, 

^  The  Bohras  are  a  tribe  of  newly  converted  Mussulmans,  re- 
siding mostly  in  the  N.  western  Provinces  of  India ;  they  are 
chiefly  merchants  and  traders. 


384 

ornamenting  himself  with  his  unworthy  arms,  and 
taking  the  keys  of  the  fort,  he  sought  the  presence 
of  the  Khan  above  mentioned,  and,  through  his 
mediation^  was  presented  to  the  Prince,  and  deli- 
vered up  the  keys  as  a  Paishkush  to  his  servants. 
He  then  represented,  that  in  the  fort  there  were 
many  houses  inhabited  by  Syuds,  or  descendents  of 
the  prophet ;  and  being  in  fear  lest  the  Syudanian, 
their  women,  might  be  insulted  or  violated,  he  had 
given  up  the  fort  and  its  dependencies ;  but  that, 
otherwise,  he  would  have  defended  them  as  long 
as  he  had  life.     The  Prince,  at  hearing  this  foolish 
story,  laughed  outright,  and  having  placed  a  gar- 
rison in  the  fort,  Sidi  Imam,  an  experienced  officer  ac- 
cording to  the  orders  of  the  Nawaub,  was  appointed 
its  Commandant.     Taking  with  him   the   former 
Killadar,  the  Prince  then  marched  towards  Tumri, 
the  Chief  of  which  also  gave  up  his  honour  to  save 
his  life,  and,  without  a  shot  from  either  gun  or 
musket,   surrendered   the   fort.      Still   advancing, 
therefore,  Tippoo  took  possession  of  the  small  forts 
of  Trivatoor,  Gulwa,  Kaveripauk,  &c.,  and,  placing 
strong  garrisons  in  each,  returned  to  join  his  own 
army. 

It  is  proper  to  mention  here,  that,  while  the 
lion-hearted  Nawaub,  thus  threw  terror  and  dismay 
into  the  country  of  the  Payanghaut,  Nizam   All 


385 

Khan  under  pretence  of  sickness,  did  not  stir  from 
his  capital ;  and  the  Mahrattas,  also  after  some  move- 
ments,  having  by  treaty  obtained  possession  of  the 
person  of  Raghoo  *  from  the  English  of  Bombay, 
remained  where  they  were,  and  gave  no  assistance 
whatever  to  the  Nawaub. 

^  The  usarper  Raghoonanth. 


c  c 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


The  adTBDce  of  the  En^ish  Army,  under  the  command  of 
General  Monro,  from  the  vicinity  of  Madrai,  towards  Gonjee, 
and  that  of  the  detachment  under  Colonel  BaiUie  from  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Kottoor  Mungulgiri,  and  the  defeat  and  deatniction 
of  the  troops  under  the  command  of  the  Colonel.  Alao*  the  Con- 
quest  of  Arkat,  and  the  taking  prisoner  of  Shnkoh-nl-Moolk 
Nuseer-nd-dowla,  Abdul  Wahab  Khan,  the  brother  of  Muhammad 
Alf  Khao,  Sorfij-ud-dowla,  in  the  strong  Hill  Fort  of  Chnnder 
Giri  1  and  an  account  of  the  different  succeBses  obtained  in  the 
sameyear  1195,  Hiiri.— A.  D.  1780. 


When  the  Nawaub  Bahadur,  with  his  numerous 
army,  marched  to  the  conquest  of  the  Payanghaut  • 
country,  Muhammad  Ah'  Khan,  the  goTemor  of  the 
Payanghaut,  who  previously  at  the  instigation  of  his 
enemies  had  imprudently  disbanded  his  own  army, 
and  in  their  place  retained  a  few  militia  indispen- 

*  Hie  Balaghaat  extends  according  to  the  map,  from  Gaotoor 
to  Nundidroog,  or  thereabouts.  The  Payanghaut,  which  signifies 
the  foot,  or  below  the  Ghauts,  or  mountains,  is  apparently  the 
Eastern  Coast  of  India,  from  Vellore  to  Namkool. 


387 

sable  to  his  service,  of  whom  but  a  small  part  where 
matchlock  men,  was  completely  humbled,  and,  in 
order  to  keep  off  Hydur's  fierce  lions,  he  insisted 
on  the  support  and  aid  of  the  English. 

The  commanding  oflScer  of  the  English  troops, 
whose  name  was  General  Munro,  with  six  thousand 
regular  infantry,  one  thousand  five  hundred  regular 
cavalry,  and  two  thousand  European  soldiers,  all 
being  equipped  and  ready,  marched  fi*om  Madras, 
by  the  route  of  Choongul  Peeth  (Chingleput)  and 
the  mountains  of  Sewram,  to  Gunjee,  to  oppose  and 
drive  back  the  conquering  Hydur/  Colonel  Baillie, 
at  the  same  time,  marched  from  the  neighbour- 
hood of  Kottoor,  which  district  Busalut  Jung,  the 
Chief  of  Adhoni,  fearful  of  the  incursions  of  the  Na- 
waub,  had  given  to  the  English,  with  whom  he  had 
contracted  a  close  intimacy,  for  the  payment  of  the 
Colonel's  troops,  and  the  whole  of  the  collections 
of  the  Talooka  were  committed  to  his  authority. 
Having  been  appointed  to  the  superintendence  of 
that  Souba,  the  Colonel,  now  that  circumstances  ren- 
dered it  necessary,  marched  with  three  thousand  re- 
gular infantry,  and  four  hundred  Europeans,  (who 
had  arrived  from  Killabundur),and  eight  guns,  by  the 
route  of  Wankul  and  Nellore,  towards  Arkat.     The 

^  Hydur  is  almost  always  described  as  a  Lion,  which  his  name 
also  signifies. 


Nawaub,  on  hearing  this  news>  immediately  des- 
patched Tippoo,  with  the  Nawaub's  own  Paigah, 
the  Sillahdars,  and  four  light  guns '  to  keep  off  the 
force  of  the  Colonel ;  and  the  whole  of  the  Kuz- 
zalts,  (predatory  horse)  and  rocket-men,  were  placed 
under  the  command  of  Sidi  Hillal  Khan  Bukshi,  a 
servant  of  the  Afghan  of  Kirpa,  who  was  taken 
prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Balsun  HuUi,  and  was  en- 
tertained and  received  in  the  highest  rank  of  the 
Nawaub's  servants.  This  man,  an  active  and  brave 
soldier,  was  despatched,  with  the  light  troops,  to 
harass  the  camp  of  the  general,  that  he  might  sur- 
round it,  and,  by  continual  noise  and  desultory  at- 
tacks, stop  the  supplies,  and  shut  up  the  road  against 
all  reinforcements,  (to  the  aid  of  the  Colonel.) 

In  the  mean  time,  Prince  Tippoo,  terrible  as  a 
lion,  fell  in  with  and  engaged  the  force  of  Colonel 
Baillie,''  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Sutweer,  or  Suto- 
bur,  and  blocked  up  the  road  of  safety  to  his  detach- 
ment; keeping  up  an  incessant  cannonading,  sniping, 
and  skirmishing  with  that  body.  Although  the 
Colonel,  notwithstanding  the  number  and  constant 
attacks  of  Hydur's  brave  men,  showed  no  appre- 

•  Gallopers,  itpparentlv.  The  nnmber  of  reg^ular  cavalry  with 
Geoeral  Monro,  is  said,  in  one  MS.  to  have  been  five  hundred 
only. 

"  The  mannacript  appeara  rather  defective  at  this  part,  to  ua 
the  moat  interetting  in  the  book. 


389 

hension  of  them^  but  marched  on,  fighting,  to  the 
neighbourhood  of  Tukool  and  Purimpauk,  a  town 
about  six  kose  from  Gunjee,  still,  however,  from  the 
superiority  in  numbers  of  the  conquering  army,  he 
was  reduced  to  great  difficulties,  to  which  was  added 
the  total  want  of  wood  and  forage.  The  General 
(Munro)  therefore,  selected  from  his  army  fourteen 
first  companies,  called  in  the  language  of  the  English, 
grenadiers,  and  these,  with  some  stores  of  provi- 
sions, bottles  of  wine,  and  ammunition,  &c.  he  de- 
spatched to  the  Colonel's  assistance  ;  while  he  him- 
self halted,  intending  to  move  on  as  soon  as  the 
Colonel  had  joined  him ;  and  had  the  Colonel  made 
a  night  march  afler  the  companies  had  formed  a 
junction  with  him,  he  would,  undoubtedly  without 
any  difficulty  or  danger,  have  arrived  at  Gunjee ; 
but  it  happened  that  his  troops  were  overpowered 
by  fatigue,  and,  to  rest  and  relieve  them,  he  halted 
for  the  night. 

The  moment  the  Nawaub  heard  this  intelligence, 
he  quitted  the  siege  of  Arkat,  and,  with  his  army, 
the  emblem  of  victory,  he  arrived  by  a  forced  night 
march,  and  effectually  closed  all  the  roads  of  escape 
to  Colonel  Baillie's  force ;  and,  having  posted  his 
guns  in  readiness  on  all  sides,  he  waited  for  an  op- 
portunity to  begin  the  attack ;  however,  the  same 
night,  in  order  to  increase  the  confusion  and  terror 


390 

in  the  country,  he  detached  five  thousand  horse 
towards  Chitore,  and  the  country  of  the  PoUgars 
of  that  quarter. 

As  soon  as  the  morning  dawned,  and  the  king 
of  the  heavenly  travellers,  drawing  his  conquering 
sword  from  the  scabbard  of  the  east,  put  to  flight 
the  starry  host,  the  Colonel  commenced  his  march. 
The  Nawaub,  meanwhile,  having  arrayed  his  troops 
with  the  greatest  skill  and  care,  now  gave  orders 
for  the  attack,  and  the  officers  of  his  regular  in- 
fantry and  artillery  took  up  their  positions.  On 
one  flank,  Muhammad  AH,  the  brave  commandant, 
Shiukh-Oonsur,  and  others,  and  the  regiment  of 
Chittikars,  of  whom  Monsieur  Jani,  a  Frenchman, 
was  the  commandant,  lighted  up  the  Are  of  mortal 
strife.  On  the  other  flank  Monsieur  Lalli,  the 
Frenchman,  who  had  been  the  servant  of  Busalut 
Jung,  but,  after  the  defeat  of  his  troops  near  Bellarif 
being  discharged  from  his  service,  was  entertained 
by  the  Nawaub,  with  a  body  of  two  thousand  regular 
infantry,  five  hundred  Europeans,  or  Portuguese,  * 
and  a  hundred  Allemand  horse,  now  zealous  in  the 
Nawauh's  cause,  by  pouring  perpetual  volleys  of 
balls  and  bullets  on  the  English,  so  straightened 
the  field  of  battle  on  their  troops,  that,  notwith- 
standing the   bravery  and  great  exertions  of  the 


391 

Colonel,  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  join  the  main 
army.  But,  although  the  thunder  of  the  guns,  the 
deadly  storm  of  musket  balls,  and  the  lightning  of 
the  rockets,  made  dreadful  havoc  among  the  troops 
and  followers  of  the  Colonel,  still  they  stood  firm, 
until  mid-day,  under  cover  of  a  grove  of  palm  trees, 
close  to  the  town  of  Purimpauk.  Soon  after  this, 
however,  Lalli,  the  Frenchman,  discovering  with  the 
telescope  of  his  intellect  and  science,  the  position  of 
the  enemy's  ammunition,  fired  a  shot  from  a  heavy 
gun  at  the  Colonel's  tumbrils,  all  of  which  had  been 
collected  in  one  place.  By  accident,  the  ammuni- 
tion blew  up,  and,  by  the  shock  of  the  explosion, 
the  bonds  ^  of  union  of  the  Colonel's  force,  were 
broken  up.  Seeing  this  opportunity,  the  brave 
horsemen  of  the  Paigah  or  household  cavalry,  on 
one  of  the  flanks,  like  a  thunder  cloud  in  the  spring 
season,  rushing  and  shouting  charged  the  broken 
troops  in  a  body,  and  plying  the  bow  and  arrow 
and  the  keen  sword,  they  gashed  the  heads  and 
breasts  of  their  enemies.  On  the  other  flank,  the 
Sillahdars,  like  the  blazing  lightning,  fell  on  and 
destroyed  the  harvest  of  the  array  of  their  enemies^ 
and  dyed  their  blue  swords,  red  as  the  ruby,  in 
their  blood.  With  but  little  labour,  therefore,  the 
soldiers  of  the  Colonel's  force,  with  their  officers. 


and  all  the  camp  followers,  were  crushed  under  the 
hoofs  of  the  Nawaub's  horse.  This,  however,  was 
not  done  without  the  loss  of  two  or  three  thou- 
sand of  the  bravest  men  of  the  conquering  army.' 
At  length,  the  Colonel  (Baillie),  with  a  number  of 
officers,  was  taken  prisoner,  by  the  address  or  ma- 
nagement of  the  French  officers. 

After  the  conclusion  of  the  battle,  the  Nawaub 
immediately  marched,  intending  in  his  mind  to  at- 
tack the  army  of  the  General,  which  was  repoang 
very  comfortably  at  Gunjee.  He  however  en- 
camped at  the  distance  of  two  iursungs,  giving 
orders  to  his  Kuzzaks,  or  light  cavalry,  and  Sillah- 
dars,  to  exercise  the  greatest  vigilance,  as  scouts 
or  picquets,  in  surrounding  the  General's  army. 
When,  however,  the  General  heard  of  the  defeat  of 
Colonel  Baillie's  force,  and  his  having  been  taken 
prisoner,  he,  being  himself  full  of  doubt  and  an- 
xiety, threw  all  his  heavy  guns  and  heavy  ba^age 
into  the  reservoir,  or  tank,  of  the  Temple  at  Gun- 
jee ;  and  at  night  took,  with  his  force,  the  road  to 
Choongul  Peeth,  (Chingleput).  The  Nawaub,  when 
aware  of  his  retreat,  followed  him,  in  the  darkness 
of  the  night,  to  Sewram ;  but  finding  that  no  ad- 
vantage was  to  be  obtained,  he  detached  his  horse 
to  surround  the  General's  army,  and  also  appointed 

'  About  the  number  of  Baillie's  detachment. 


393 

one  of  his  confidential  servants,  with  a  force,  to 
take  possession  and  charge  of  the  fort  of  Girgut 
Paleh;  then,  returning  from  the  pursuit,  he  that 
day  encamped  at  Gunjee. 

On  the  following  day,  the  Nawaub  again  sur- 
rounded the  city  and  fort  of  the  Dar-ul-Amareh, 
(Arkat),  and  issued  his  orders,  to  his  Risaldars  of 
the  regular  and  irregular  infantry,  and  the  Poligars 
attending  his  camp,  to  attack  and  take  that  strong 
fortress.  On  all  sides,  therefore,  deep  trenches  were 
dug,  batteries  raised,  and  approaches  by  sap  pushed 
on  ;  and,  with  continual  firing,  the  walls  were  soon 
battered  down,  and  breached,  and,  moreover,  by 
throwing  the  ColoneFs  (Baillie)  shot  and  shells  and 
rockets  into  the  town,  the  inhabitants  were  cast  into 
the  greatest  consternation  and  confusion.  Yet,  not- 
withstanding, all  this  discomfort  and  misery,  the 
defenders  of  the  city  held  out  gallantly  for  three 
months,  and  manfully  withstood  the  assaults  of  the 
rank  breakers™  of  Hydur's  army.  It  is  proper  how- 
ever, to  mention,  that  the  citadel  was  defended  by 
two  companies  of  Europeans,  and  three  hundred 
recruits,  disciplined  after  the  European  fashion,  who 
had  lately  arrived  from  Rai  Vellore,  and  were  ready 
for  the  defence.  In  short,  on  both  sides,  exertions 
were  made  to  that  extent  that  the  son-in-law  of  the 


m 


tJ^ 


394 

Nawaub,  Syud  Hafez  All  Khan,  was  killed,  in  the 
western  battery,  by  a  cannon  ball ;  and  many  of  the 
chief  officers  and  men  of  the  victorious  army  were 
also  slain.  On  the  other  side,  Syud  Fureed-ud-din 
Khan,  the  Kurrooreh  of  the  city,  that  is,  the  chief  of 
alt  the  Kotwals  of  the  province,  a  prudent  and  a 
brave  man,  was  likewise  slain  by  a  cannon  ball.  The 
walls  of  the  city,  however,  having  been  battered 
down,  the  besieged  became  very  much  strmght- 
ened ;  and,  fh)m  the  loss  of  the  brave  Syud,  great 
disorder  fell  into  their  discipline  and  arrangements, 
in  so  much  that,  being  terrified,  every  one  kept 
his  house,  and  cast  away  his  confidence  and  man- 
hood. 

At  the  expiration  of  this  time,  one  night,  towards 
morning,  the  Nawaub  gave  orders  to  assault  the 
works ;  and  his  most  tried  and  experienced  men 
having,  on  all  sides,  planted  their  ladders  against 
the  walls  of  the  town,  they  at  one  assault  took  the 
place,  and  by  plundering  and  slaying  their  enemies, 
completed  their  conquest.  Achna  Pundit,  who  was 
sleeping  comfortably  in  his  own  house,  was  taken 
prisoner  with"  his  family,  as  also  were  Urshed  Beg 
Khan,  Chishti  Yar  Khan,  the  Commander  of  the 
dismounted  men,  Syud  Humeed,  Tumboo  Nair, 
Commandant,  &c.  Nujeeb  Khan,  however,  crept 
into  the  Ark  or  citadel,  and  shutting  himself  up 


396 

with  the  English  troops,  placed  himself  m  secu- 
rity. 

The  next  morning,  the  Nawaub  visited  the  city, 
and,  in  all  the  streets  and  markets,  caused  safety  to 
be  proclaimed  to  the  people,  (particularly  to  the 
poor  and  destitute,)  that  none  of  his  troops  might 
oppress  or  lay  hand  on  the  wealth,  or  women  of  the 
people  of  the  city,  and  he  gave  safety  of  life  and 
property  to  all  the  inhabitants.     In  the  course  of 
two  or  three  days,  the  Nawaub  gave  orders  for  the 
presence  of  Nujeeb  Khan,  and  of  the  officer  com- 
manding the  English  troops,  who  still  firmly  main- 
tained the  Ark  or  citadel ;  and  his  ministers  accord- 
ingly, despatched  the  terms  of  capitulation,  sealed 
with  the  seal  of  the  Nawaub ;    and,  manifesting 
towards  them  every  courtesy  and  kindness,  invited 
them  to  the  presence,  and  Nujeeb  Khan,  reposing 
confidence  in  the  word  of  the  Nawaub,  presented 
himself  to  him  with  his  body  of  regular  infantry 
and  the  Europeans,  and  the  Nawaub  sent  him  to 
Cheena  Puttun,  (Madras,)  under  the  escort  of  a 
small  party  of  light  cavalry.      The  Khans  above 
mentioned,  with  other  men  of  high  rank  of  Arkat^ 
were  employed  by  the  Nawaub  in  suitable  offices, 
according  to  their  degree  and  ability,   and   with 
liberal  salaries.     They  were,  moreover,  honoured 
with    dresses,  and  presents   of  gold  and  jewels. 


396 

Syud  Humeed,  commandant,  a  man  of  high  re- 
putation, was  honoured  with  a  One  M unzil  Palkee, 
and  four  hundred  rupees  a  month,  and  was  ap- 
pointed to  command  a  body  of  four  thousand 
matchlock  men.  To  Meer  Sadik,  (the  grandson" 
of  Meer  Ahmud  Khan,  Jageerdar  of  Wuhul  Koor, 
one  of  the  Munsubdars  of  the  Souba  Sura,)  who 
had  been  for  a  long  time  Kotwal  of  the  Bazar  of  the 
Nawaub*s  army,  and  was  also  intelligencer  and  coun- 
sellor to  the  Nawaub,  was  given  the  Soubadari  of 
the  city  of  Arkat. 

About  this  time,  the  Nawaub's  Hurkaras  re- 
ported to  him,  that  Abdul  Wahab  Khan,  the  bro- 
ther of  Muhammad  All  Khan,  had  committed  the 
fort  of  Chitore  to  the  care  of  his  Dewaun,  whose 
name  was  Rai  Bhojung,""  and  to  the  Poligars  of 
Mokuli,  Vinkut  Giri,  Mogul,  and  Bhingari;  that 
he  himself  had  strengthened  and  repaired  the  hill 
fort  of  Chundur  Giri,  and  was  busily  occupied  in 
enlisting  horse  and  foot ;  and  that  it  appeared  his 
intention,  after  collecting  troops,  was  to  march  to 
Cheena  Puttun,  (Madras),  and  join  the  English 
army,  and  then  attack  that  of  the  Nawaub.  On 
hearing  this  news,  the  Nawaub  determined  to 
march  immediately   to   that  quarter.      Meer  All 

°  By  the  female  side. 

•  In  this  part  there  is  some  slight  difference  in  the  MSS. — 
but  I  have  followed  that  belonging  to  Her  Majesty's  Library. 


397 

Ruza  Khan  (who  had  halted  one  night  at  Chitore, 
when  he  returned  with  his  troops  from  Kirpa^ 
and  had  received  the  hospitahty  of  Abdul  Wahab 
Khan^  and  had  then  acquitted  himself  of  the  ob- 
ligation, by  advising  and  even  earnestly  soliciting 
the  Khan,  by  message,  if  he  had  any  intention  of 
seeking  the  honour  of  an  introduction  to  the  Na- 
waub,  to  join  the  Nawaub's  army,  before  any  troops 
were  ordered  against  him :  and,  if  not,  that  he 
should  fly  for  refuge  where  he  might  be  safe,  seeing 
that,  if  he  contemplated  opposition  to  the  Nawaub, 
he  might  expect  his  own  destruction,  and  the  ruin 
of  his  family  and  children,  the  Khan,  however,  being 
then  involved  in  doubts  and  uncertainty,  left  the 
fort  of  Chitore  to  the  care  of  his  servants,  and  made 
Chundur  Giri  his  residence  and  refuge,  and  he  re- 
mained there,  expecting  a  visit  from  Hydur,)  at  this 
time,  therefore,  immediately  arose,  and  represented 
to  the  Nawaub,  that  Abdul  Wahab  Khan  had  quar- 
relled with  his  brother  and  that  although  he  intended 
to  visit  the  Nawaub  he  had  been  too  unwell  lately 
to  carry  his  intention  into  effect ;  that  at  all  events, 
what  power  had  the  poor  man  that  he  should  rise  up 
in  opposition  to  the  Nawaub ;  and  that,  whenever 
the  Nawaub  chose  to  command  him,  he  would  at- 
tend without  delay. 

After  the  state  of  the  Khan  had  been  ascertained, 


398 

the  march  was,  therefore,  put  off,  and  Meer  Moin- 
ud-diD,  otherwise  called  Syud  Sahib,  the  nephew  of 
the  Meer,  who  was  ennobled  by  the  office  of  Bukh- 
shi  to  a  Dustah  or  regiment  of  horse,  was  sent  with 
a  strong  force  to  that  quarter  to  bring  him  to  the 
presence.  The  Meer^  before  mentioned,  was  also 
detached  with  his  division  of  troops^  to  reduce  the 
tributary  Poligars  of  the  Souba  of  Arkat ;  that  is,  the 
Nairs  of  Kalistri,  Vinkutgiri,  Bimraj,  &c.  The  Prince 
Tippoo  with  five  thousand  regular  foot,  two  thou- 
sand (Ahsham)^  foot,  and  a  thousand  horse  was 
sent  to  reduce  the  western  forts  of  that  Souba^  and 
to  take  possession  of  that  part  of  the  frontier. 

When  Syud  Sahib  was  despatched  on  his  mission 
by  the  Nawaub,  he  made  a  forced  march  by  night, 
and  surrounded  the  fort  of  Chitore,  which  he  sum- 
moned to  surrender.  The  officers  commanding  the 
garrison  of  the  fort  having,  however,  stated  the 
orders  of  their  master  as  an  excuse  or  apology  for 
not  obeying  the  summons,  and  preparing  to  defend 
themselves  the  Syud  commenced  the  siege,  and 
placed  the  foot  of  manhood  in  the  field  of  exertion 
to  capture  the  fort.  On  the  second  day  he  esta- 
blished some  guns  on  a  hill,  to  the  southward  of 
the  fort,  and  at  the  end  of  ten  days  the  brave  be- 

P  Meer  Ali  Ruza  Khan. 

^  a\JL^.\     Irregular  infantry  with  swords  and  matchlbcks. 


399 

siegers  mounted  the  walls^  and  notwithstanding  the 
great  strength  of  the  fort,  it  was  taken  by  assault. 
The  commandant  of  the  fort  and  others  were 
placed  in  confinement,  and  haying  consigned  the 
fort  to  the  care  of   his  brave  and  experienced 
soldiers,  the  Syud  marched  towards  Chundur  Gin. 
On  the  first  day  that  he  encamped  before  the  town, 
he  despatched  a  message  to  the  besieged  Khan,  that 
the  Nawaub  wished  to  see  him,  and  that,  if  his  safety 
was  precious  to  him,  he  must  attend  immediately. 
Having  neither  power  to  resist,  nor  strength  to  flee, 
the  Khan  was  struck  with  fear  and  astonishment, 
and  sought  advice  and  assistance  in  replying  to  the 
summons,  from  his  family  and  his  Khans,  and  thus 
deferred  sending  an  answer.     It  happened,  at  this 
time,  that  the  cavalry  of  the  Nawaub's  army  ad- 
vanced towards  the  mountains,  to  forage  for  grass 
and  wood,  and  the  careless  short-sighted  Killaddr, 
without  the  knowledge  of  his  master,  opened  a  fire 
from  the  guns  of  the  fort  upon  them, — Truly,  many 
kings  of  great  renown,  and  many  princes  of  great 
power,  have  seen  the  face  of  ruin,  and  have  been 
reduced  to  beggary  and  want,  by  foolish  and  inex- 
perienced servants. — This  conduct  threw  the  com- 
mander of  the  Nawaub's  troops  into  great  difficulty, 
and  he  became  satisfied  that  the  Khan  intended  to 
resist  the  Nawaub.     He,  therefore,  immediately  des- 


400 

patched  a  detailed  account  of  what  had  occurred, 
and  of  the  Khan's  neglect  in  not  sending  an  answer  to 
his  invitation,  and  selecting  a  position  for  a  gun  on 
the  slope  of  the  mountain,  and  near  the  walls,  he 
then  fired  a  few  shot  into  the  fort  on  the  summit. 
It  chanced  that  the  first  shot  fired  struck  the  Zu- 
nana  or  women's  apartments^  and  caused  a  great 
concussion ;  so  much  so,  that  cries,  of  grief  and 
alarm  burst  forth  from  the  inmates  of  the  MuhL 
When  the  besieged   Khan  saw  the  effect  of  the 
lightning-raining  gun,  the  order  of  the  Nawaub's 
foot  and  horse,  and  the  promptness  with  which  they 
had  seized  the  position  on  the  slope  of  the  moun- 
tain, he  gave  up  all  his  hesitation  and  delay,  and 
his  fears  excited  such  a  tmnult  in  his  nerves  and 
veins,  that  he  became  paralytic.      He,  therefore, 
retired  into  his  Zunana,  and,  entering  the  chamber 
of  chagrin,  laid  himself  down  on  the  bed  of  inex- 
perience.   No  sooner  had  he  done  this  than  another 
ball,  like  the  sighs  breathed  by  the  widow  and  or- 
phan, flew  up  straight  from  below,  penetrated  his 
kitchen,  and  struck  a  cauldron  full  of  victuals  on 
the  fire-     In  short,  from  the  rapid  arrival  of  shot, 
one  afler  another,  the  besieged  Khan  sent  a  request, 
on  the  part  of  the  Begum,  his  wife,  to  this  effect, 
that,  as  her  husband  was  unwell,  she  begged  the 
artillery  men  might  be  directed  to  desist  from  firing ; 


401 

and  if  it  was  intended  to  take  possession  of  the 
fort,  and  country,  they  were  welcome,  and  might 
take  them,  for  they,  the  besieged,  had  no  choice 
but  to  submit  to  the  Nawaub.  Syud  Sahib  conse- 
quently took  possession  of  the  fort  and  its  depend- 
encies, and,  placing  there  an  experienced  Foujdar, 
to  superintend  the  affairs  of  that  country,  brought 
the  Khan  with  his  Zunana,  or  family,  to  the  presence, 
and  the  Nawaub,  after  some  time,  despatched  them 
under  a  strong  escort  to  Seringaputtun.  The 
Khan's  son,  however,  whose  name  was  Abdussumud 
Khan,  and  his  title  Dileer  Jung,  was  honored  with 
the  Daroghahship  of  the  Silladar  Kutchiri,  at  a 
salary  of  three  hundred  rupees  a  month. 

During  this  time,  the  Prince,  (Tippoo,)  young 
and  fortunate,  in  the  space  of  one  month  took  the 
forts  of  Mahi  Mundul  Gurh,  and  Kylas  Gurh, 
(which  is  called  Husseinabad),  near  Rai  Vellore ; 
and  then,  with  a  large  force,  and  abundance  of  guns 
and  stores^  marched  towards  Sautgurh,  which  is 
one  of  the  greatest  among  the  fortresses  of  the 
Kamatic  ;  and,  like  the  seven'  heavens  in  strength 
and  height,  towers  fearfully  above  all  the  rest. 
WuUi  S!luhammad  Khan,  the  Killadar  of  this  strong 
place,  Syud  Mukhdoom,  Risaldar,  and  Muhammad 
Mowla,  who,  with  two  thousand  regular  infantry, 

'  A  pun  on  the  name  apparently. 

D  D 


402 

were  appointed  to  defend  this  fortress,  although 
they  had  with  them  good  store  of  provisions,  am- 
munition, and  other  necessaries  to  sustain  a  siege, 
still  the  unpropitious  salt'  of  Muhammad  All  Khan 
had  no  hold  on  their  gratitude.  The  Prince, 
mounted  on  an  elephant,  marched  on  to  the  plain 
before  this  hill  fort,  with  his  drums  and  trumpets 
soimdmg  and  beating  before  him,  and  then  halted 
for  two  or  three  hours,  and  forming  the  lines  of  his 
regular  and  irregular  infantry,  and  his  Julowdars, 
or  body  guard,  he  manoeuvred  and  marched  them 
about,  while  his  horse  in  troops  formed  knots  ^  or 
divisions,  and  threw  the  fear  of  their  imposing  dis- 
play into  the  hearts  of  the  garrison  of  the  fort ; 
they  then  encamped  at  the  distance  of  one  fur- 
sung  beyond  the  river.  A  man  with  a  genius  for 
poetry,  who  had  heard  the  tramp  of  the  cavalry, 
and  had  seen  the  discipline  and  order  of  the  columns 
of  march,  and  the  splendour  of  the  ensigns  and 
standards,  starred  with  gold,  repeated  without  hesi- 
tation this  quatrain, — ^^  It  may  be  said  the  heavens 
are  beneath  thy  horses  feet ;" — "  the  pleiades  are 
the  marks  of  his  shoe  nails  ;" — "  thy  victorious 
standards  on  the  day  of  battle,  are  like  the  Alifs 
of"^ — "  of  a  truth  we  have  gained  a  victory/ 

■  Pay  or  service.  •  *j\^    Circles  perhaps. 

vil     From  the  Koran. 


403 

In  short,  when  the  officers  and  men  in  the  fort 
saw  the  order  of  the  troops,  the  readiness  of  the 
artillery,  and  the  numbers  of  the  cavalry,  fear 
seized  on  their  souls,  and  they  gave  up  their  man- 
hood gratuitously ;  and  as  they  could  not  hope  to 
fight  successfully  with  Hydur*s  Ghazies,  they  made 
a  present  of  the  keys  of  the  fort  to  the  servants  of 
the  victorious  prince,  and  asked  their  lives.  The 
prince  gave  them  security,  both  private  and  public, 
and  having  appointed  a  governor,  with  a  strong 
body  of  musketeers,  to  the  charge  of  the  fort,  he 
marched  to  attack  Amboor  Gurh,  which  is  about 
three  measured  Kose  distant.  The  hill  fort  of  Am- 
boor, however,  had  an  European  officer  in  command 
with  a  garrison  of  brave  soldiers,  and  he  did  justice 
to  his  command  for  fifteen  days;  until  the  walls 
were  breached,  and  the  army  of  the  prince  having 
agreeably  to  his  orders,  raised  batteries  on  a  small' 
hill,  to  the  Northward,  and  adjoining  that  of  the  fort, 
and  having  with  three  guns  battered  the  walls  down, 
the  governor,  reduced  to  extremity,  surrendered 
the  fort  to  the  servants  of  Tippoo.  Zein  ul  Abideen 
Daduni  Nayut,  who  was  the  son-in-law  of  Assud 
Khan  Muhkuri,  the  Foujdar  of  Kishengiri,  was  ap- 
pointed by  Hydur  to  the  command  there,  and  had 
charge  also  to  repair  the  walls  of  this  hill  fort. 
Tippoo  now  returned  to  his  father,  and  was  ho- 
noured with  innumerable  gifts  and  rewards. 


404 

The  Meer^  above  mentioned^  in  a  short  time  re- 
duced by  force  all  the  Poligars"^  before  enumerated, 
and  drew  them  into  the  net  of  tribute  and  obedience  ; 
and,  bringing  with  him  the  presents,  the  tribute 
money,  and  the  Poligars,  he  returned  to  the  pre- 
sence. 

Although  the  brave  Muhammad  Ali  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  conquest  of  Rai  Vellore,  he  was 
afterwards  superceded  by  the  Prince  Tippoo,  who 
was  employed  on  the  same  command ;  and  they 
together,  in  attacking  the  hills  and  the  fort,  era- 
ployed  every  art,  and  made  every  effort.  Colonel 
Lang,  however,  who  commanded  there,  was  a  brave 
man,  and  a  soldier  of  great  experience,  and  he  de- 
fended and  maintained  all  three  of  the  Hill  forts^ 
that  is  Sajira,  Gojira,  and  M ortuza  Gurh,  with  the 
fort  at  the  foot  of  the  hills  ;  nor  did  he  suffer  doubt 
or  fear  to  enter  his  heart,  but  defended  his  charge 
valiantly. 

The  brave  Commandant,  (Muhammad  All,)  as- 
saulted the  batteries  on  the  Sajira  Hill,  two  or  three 
times ;  but,  as  fate  or  the  time  demanded,  returned 
unsuccessful,  and  received  no  thanks  for  his  labours. 
As  this  siege  was  difficult,  and  without  a  large  force, 
and  great  energy,  could  not  arrive  at  a  successful 
result,  Tippoo  wrote  in  detail  to  the  presence,  on 

^  Meer  All  Ruza  Khan.  ^  Kalistri,  Vinkut  Gin,  &c. 


405 

the  subject.  On  hearing  that  the  Colonel  of  Rai 
Vellore,  had  a  stout  heart,  and  that  he  was  not 
likely  to  be  soon  or  easily  conquered,  and  seeing 
that  it  was  far  from  prudent  to  allow  his  troops,  the 
ornaments  of  the  field  of  battle,  to  be  destroyed  in 
a  difficult,  impenetrable,  country,  amidst  forests 
and  mountains,  the  Nawaub  recalled  the  Prince, 
and  the  brave  Commandant,  to  the  presence; 
leaving  a  thousand  foot,  and  three  hundred  horse, 
to  maintain  the  siege  or  blockade,  and  to  prevent 
all  relief,  or  supplies  of  provisions,  from  entering 
the  fort. 

Hydur  then  detached  numerous  bodies  of  horse 
and  foot,  under  the  command  of  experienced  Bukh- 
shees,  to  subdue  the  southern  part  of  the  territory 
of  Arkat.  As,  for  instance,  Rustum  Ah  Khan,  Fa- 
rooki,  with  a  thousand  horse,  two  thousand  foot,  and 
one  Risala  of  regular  infantry,  was  sent  to  take  the 
Hill  fort  of  Jinjee ;  and  Roshun  Khan  Dustadar,  with 
two  thousand  foot,  one  Risala  of  regular  infantry,  a 
thousand  horse,  and  three  guns,  was  appointed  to 
reduce  the  Hill  fort  of  Purmokul,''  and  marched  in 
that  direction.  The  commander  of  the  latter  fort  was 
an  English  officer,  named  Captain  Joseph ;  he  had  a 
garrison  of  about  two  hundred  men  under  his  orders, 
and,  having  put  the  mountain  or  fort  into  a  state  of 

*  Permacoil. 


406 

defence^  he  remained  in  readiness.  Roshun  Khan 
encamped  to  the  westward  of  the  fort,  and,  having 
surrounded  it  with  cavalry,  despatched  a  message 
to  the  Commandant  of  the  fort,  requesting  him  to 
give  it  up,  and  adding  that,  in  reward  of  his  obe- 
dience to  this  summons,  the  presence,  (Hydur), 
would  be  entreated  to  give  him  the  command  of  a 
body  of  troops,  similar  to  those  of  Monsieur  Lalli. 
The  officer  in  the  fort,  however,  refused  to  listen 
to  his  propositions,  and  began  to  defend  himself. — 
The  Dustadar,  therefore,  gave  orders  that  the  in- 
fantry should  cross  to  the  northward  ^  of  the  fort,  to 
an  adjoining  hill ;  and,  after  arriving  there  they 
attacked  and  plundered  the  village  upon  it,  and  re- 
mained on  the  spot.  To  the  southward,  also,  is  a 
hill,  at  a  short  distance,  which,  in  old  time,  was 
fortified  with  a  wall  and  towers,  and  called  Chumar 
Tekri ;  but,  at  that  time  it  was  in  ruins.  At  the  foot 
or  on  the  slope  of  this  hill  was  likewise  a  tank,  the 
dyke  or  mound  of  which  being  cut  through,  guns 
were  brought  up,  and  directions  given  to  breach  from 
thence  the  walls  of  the  fort.  Yet,  with  all  this  ex- 
ertion, the  garrison  was  not  reduced ;  but,  on  the 
contrary,  frequently  sallied  forth  and  attacked  the 

T  Some  words  are  left  out  here  iD  all  the  MSS.  apparently ;  as 
is  common  in  this  work,  the  order  and  its  result  are  crowded  to- 
gether in  the  same  sentence. 


407 

batteries,  and  drove  the  besiegers  out  of  them. 
The  chief  officers  of  the  victorious  army  not  being 
careful,  the  besiegers  also  several  times  attacked 
the  hill,  and  were  put  to  flight. 

At  length,  however,  the  Khan  before  mentioned, 
put  forth  the  hand  of  oppression  and  violence,  and 
seized  the  women  belonging  to  the  garrison  of  the 
fort,  who  had  sought  refuge  in  the  towns  and  vil- 
lages which  had  fallen  under  the  authority  of  Hy- 
dur*s  officers ;  and,  making  them  prisoners,  caused 
them  to  be  dragged  to  his  camp,  where  they  were 
confined.  By  these  women  he  despatched  mes- 
sages to  their  husbands  and  brothers  in  the  fort, 
detailing  their  capture  and  dishonour  by  Hydur's 
soldiers;  but,  nevertheless,  the  garrison,  attached 
by  the  kindness  and  indulgence  of  the  command- 
ing officer  in  the  fort,  considered  the  cruel  and 
shameful  violation  of  their  women  as  of  less  mo- 
ment than  the  breach  of  their  fidelity  and  loyalty, 
and  took  not  the  least  notice  of  the  messages. 

Rustum  Khan,  who  had  proceeded  with  a  large 
body  of  troops  to  Jinjee,  subdued  in  one  week,  with- 
out fighting,  all  the  Hill  forts  there,  namely  Kishen 
Gurh,  Chuneidgurh,  and  Raj  Gurh,  which  last  is  the 
Chief  of  all  these  mountains;  and,  resembling  a 
single  mill-stone,  it  raises  its  head  on  high,  and  is 
indeed  a  place  of  peculiar  strength.     He  also  sub- 


408 

dued  Bander  Bundeh^  and  Dhoby  Bundeh,  which 
are  close  to  each  other ; — also  Kalakote,  the  fort, 
at  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  the  garrison,  an  Euro- 
pean officer,  and  a  certain  Syud  Mohi-ud-din  the 
Walajah  (or  Arkat)  Killadar,  being  taken  prisoners. 
These  persons  being  placed  under  a  guard,  he  next 
marched  towards  Turnamul,  Sulufgurh,  &c. 

The  victorious  Prince,  ■  with  a  large  force, artillery, 
and  stores,  was  now  despatched  from  the  presence, 
to  reduce  Pooloor,  Kurnatic  Gurh,  Tyaggurh,  and 
Rawut  Nellore,  &c.  Proceeding  by  rapid  marches, 
by  the  road  of  Dhoby  Gurh,  All  Abad,  Bagmar, 
Peenth  and  Pooloor,  he  arrived  at  the  fort  of 
Kamatic  Gurh,  the  height  of  which  reaches  the 
heavens,  and  which  has  no  equal  among  the  forts 
of  the  Kamatic  for  strength  and  command.  He 
encamped  on  the  plain  before  it,  taking  possession 
of  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  and  posting  musketeers 
and  archers  in  the  vicinity  of  the  pass  there  over 
the  mountains.  The  next  day,  although  several 
shot  were  fired  from  the  guns  below  to  the  top 
of  the  mountain,  yet,  from  the  great  height  of 
the  fort,  lofty  as  the  clouds,  no  injury  was  done 
to  the  walls.  Two  or  three  days  having  passed 
in  this  way,  on  the  fourth,  the  Prince,  who  had 

*  The  epithets  Julleel  Ulkadr  Walakadr,  &c.  vary  every  time 
which  makes  it  douhtfiil  sometimes  who  is  meant. 


409 

a  number  of  prisoners  in  his  camp  from  Arkat, 
despatched  some  of  them  to  apprize  the  besieged 
of  the  taking  of  Arkat,  the  destruction  of  the  Eng- 
lish army,  the  impossibility  of  their  receiving  re- 
inforcement, or  aid,  and  the  orders,  that  no  quarter 
should  be  given  to  the  besieged,  but  all  be  put  to 
death.  When  these  messengers,  therefore,  climbed 
up  the  mountain,  and  arrived  at  the  gate  of  the  fort, 
they  detailed  each  of  the  events  that  had  taken 
place,  as  the  retirement  of  Muhammad  All  Khan 
to  a  place  of  refuge,  the  destruction  of  the  English 
troops,  and  the  conquest  of  Arkat,  and  then  tried  to 
frighten  the  garrison,  by  advising  them  to  be  very 
speedy  in  surrendering  the  fort  to  the  noble  Prince, 
and  not,  by  waiting  for  an  assault,  throw  their  lives 
away  for  nothing ;  for,  that  the  Prince  had  actually 
given  orders  that  the  whole  of  them  should  be  put 
to  the  sword. 

On  hearing  these  fear-exciting  statements,  the 
people  of  the  fort  gave  up  their  confidence  and 
courage,  and  imagining  it  beyond  their  strength 
to  make  effectual  opposition,  the  Killadar  and  Com- 
mandant of  the  troops  were  obliged  to  request  per- 
mission to  deliver  up  the  fort,  on  condition  of  the 
safety  of  their  lives,  properties,  and  the  honour  of 
their  women  being  assured  to  them.  The  Prince, 
who  was  anxiously  looking  out  for  such  a  prize, 


410 

immediately  sent  them  a  Kowl  Nama^  or  an  assur- 
ance of  safety y  and  what  they  asked  was  accorded 
to  them,  and  the  whole  of  the  garrison  was  received 
under  his  protection.* 

The  fort  was  then  placed  under  a  man  of  ability, 
with  a  garrison  of  veterans,  and  the  Prince  moved 
on.     In  a  short  time,  therefore,  the  whole  of  that 
district  was  conquered.     The  Hill  fort  of  Rawut 
Nellore  was  taken  in  two  days,  and  the  Prince  then 
turned  the  head  of  his  fiery  steed  towards  the  con- 
quest of  Tyag  Gurh.     The  Killadar  or  Comman- 
der there,  an  English  officer,  who  had  with  him 
two  hundred  musketeers,  exerted  himself  bravely, 
in  opposing  and  resisting  his  enemies.     The  Prince 
encamped  his  troops  on  a  tank,  west  of  the  hill,  and 
at  night,  and  at  the  first  assault,  took  the  suburbs, — 
he  then  constructed  batteries  and  ordered  the  attack 
of  the  fort.    The  officers  and  men  of  the  regular  and 
irregular  infantry,  (artillery),  now  battered  the  walls, 
and  threw  shells  for  twenty-eight  days  successively, 
and  the  ramparts  being  breached,  they  made  them- 
selves ready  for  the  assault,  when,  by  accident,  the 
water  in  the  reservoir  of  the  mountain  became  dry 
as  the  heart  of  the  poor,  and  not  even  mud  remained. 
Although  the  officer  in  command  of  the  fort,  had 


*^**'^'j   There  seems  to  be  some  ambiguity  in  this  statement 
— denoting,  I  think,  that  the  terms  were  not  kept. 


411 

abundance  of  provisions  and  warlike  stores,   yet, 
being  without  water,  which  is  the  stay  of  Ufe,  and  by 
which  it  is  bound  or  kept  together,  he  saw  that  his 
only  resource  was  to  resign  the  fort  to  the  servants 
of  Hydur.     He,  therefore,  sent  propositions  to  the 
Prince,  requesting  him  to  desist  that  night  from  the 
attack,  and  that,  next  morning,  he  would  surren- 
der the   fort  into  the  hands  of  his  agents.     The 
Lion-hearted  Prince,  whose  disposition  was  mild  as 
that  of  an  antelope,  looking  kindly  on  his  entreaty, 
gave  orders  to  his  artillery  men  to  cease  firing,  or 
throwing  shells  into  the  fort ;  his  feelings  of  com- 
passion being  excited  for  the  poor  garrison.     The 
guards,  however,  remained  as  they  were  in  the  bat- 
teries. 

By  chance,  on  the  same  night  the  blessed  rain  fell 
out  of  season,  and  in  such  abundance  that  the  reser- 
voir above  mentioned,  and  other  pools  of  the  moun- 
tain, became,  like  the  eyes  of  a  despairing  lover,  full 
of  water.  After  the  night  had  passed,  and  day  had 
displayed  the  rosy  banners  of  the  sun  on  the  towers 
of  the  east,  the  officer  commanding  in  the  fort, 
putting  on  the  cocked  hat  of  conceit,^  with  a 
desire  to  show  himself  valiant,  and  casting  the 
dust  of  inexperience  on  the  forehead  of  his  con- 
tract, opened  a  fire  from  the  guns  of  the  fort  on 


»>  .^ 


cj;^  ^/  ^U^ 


412 

the  batteries.     By  this  faithless  conduct  the  Prince 
was  inflamed   with  anger,  and   gave  strict  orders 
to  take  the  fort.     The  artillery  men,  therefore, 
by  firing  the  guns  continually,  shook  the  hill  and 
foundations  of  the  fort  to  that  degree,  that,  in  one 
day,  the  reservoir  became  again,  like  the  faces  of 
the  false,  without  water  ;°  and,  notwithstanding  the 
officer  in  the  fort  was  ashamed  of  his  misconduct, 
and  with  great  submission,  and  crying  entreaty,* 
despatched  messengers  of  peace  to  the  batteries, 
no  attention  was  paid  to  his  words.     The  same 
night,  therefore,  agreeably  to  orders,  Tippoo's  brave 
soldiers  assaulted  the  fort,  and  poured  the  sherbet 
of  blood  down  the  thirsty  throats  of  most  of  the 
garrison  ;  and  many  guiltless  persons  were  put  to 
death.     The  officer  was  taken  alive.*     In  short,  in 
the  space  of  two  months,  the  whole  of  the  forts  and 
towns  of  that  quarter,  as  Durwachul,  Selimbur, 
Vinkuta  Peeth,  Bhoongiri,  &c.  being  taken,  were 
handed  over  to  the  charge  of  confidential  officers ; 
and,  with  his  Khans,  and  other  men  of  rank,  the 
Prince  returned  to  his  father's  camp. 

*^  Without  truth  or  eincerity.  ^^ 

*  The  Author  does  not  say  what  hecame  of  him. 


413 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

The  arrival  of  General  Coote,  a  very  able  ofScer,  at  Madras 
from  Bengal,  and  a  description  of  the  battle  of  Muhammad  Bun- 
der, and  the  death  of  Meer  Ali  Ruza  Khan.  Also,  the  march  of 
the  victorious  army  towards  Tanjore  and  Nuthurnuggur, '  and 
the  victories  then  gained  ;  being  the  year  1195,  Hijri,  1780. 


An  English  officer  of  rank,  named  General  Coote^ 
who  was  unequalled  among  his  compeers  in  ability, 
and  experience  in  war,  and  who  had  frequently 
fought  with  the  French  of  Phoolcheri,  ("Pondi- 
cherry)  in  the  Karnatic,  and  by  his  military  know- 
ledge and  talents  had  as  often  gained  the  victory 
over  them,  had  lately  returned  to  England;  but 
at  that  time  the  country  of  Bengal  being  a  new 
conquest,  and  requiring  regulation  and  settlement, 
he  was  ordered  from  England,*  that  he  might  him- 
self carry  the  necessary  arrangements  into  effect. 
Hearing,  however,  of  the  march  of  the  Nawaub's 

'  Trichinopoly.  ^\imm\Sj\ 


414 

army  to  the  conquest  of  the  Karnatic,  the  taking  of 
Arkat,  and  most  of  the  other  forts,  and  the  defeat 
of  the  English  troops,  through  the  pride  and  inso- 
lence of  young  officers,*"  this  commander  postponed 
till  a  future  time  the  regulation  of  affairs  in  Bengal^ 
and  with  six  hundred  Europeans,  and  two  battalions 
of  Bengal  Sipahees,  embarked  on  swift  sailing  ships, 
and  with  all  expedition  arrived  at  Madras.  On  the 
following  day,  he  visited  Muhammad  All  Khan,  Sura- 
juddowla,  who  had  left  Turmul  Ghurri,  or  Gurhi, 
and  now  resided  in  the  Motial  Peenth,  and  asked  him 
"  What  have  you  done  with  your  troops  ?"  Muham- 
mad All  replied,  "  I  have  been  deceived  in  putting 
too  much  reliance  in  the  aid  of  your  troops ;  and, 
in  consequence,  have  fallen  in  rank  and  respecta- 
bility. The  reason  of  this  is,  that  certain  English 
gentlemen  strongly  asserted  and  insisted,  that  one 
European  or  man  of  their  country  was  equal 
to  twenty  men  of  this  country,  that  is,  of  my 
servants,  as  had  been  often  seen,  and  why  should 
money  be  thrown  away  in  employing  such  useless 
men  ?  Relying  on  deceiving  words  like  these,  I 
have  disbanded  my  troops,  and  their  monthly  pay 
I  hand  over  to  you,  and  consequently  I  expect 
you  to  provide  for  my  defence."  The  General 
smiled  at  hearing  this  story,  and  said,  ^'  Some  wag 

*»  Referring  to  Baillie's  defeat. 


415 

has  told  you  this  out  of  fun  or  in  a  joke ;  but  it  is 
necessary  that  princes  should  maintain  forces  and 
state,^  to  the  extent  of  their  means,  otherwise  they 
may  soon  expect  to  become  beggars." 

In  fine,  Surajuddowla^  repenting  of  what  he  had 
done,  hid  the  face  of  shame  in  the  hood  of  patience^ 
and  assembling  two  or  three  thousand  musketeers, 
three  hundred  troop,  or  regular  horse,  and  two 
hundred  dismounted  cavalry,  the  worthy  or  appro- 
priate^ force  of  his  state,  and  taking  the  horses  of 
his  own  stables,  and  the  riding  horses  of  his  sons 
and  relations,  he  handed  them  over  to  the  General 
for  service.  The  whole  of  the  carriage  oxen  of  the 
merchants,  and  citizens,  were  also  borrowed  to  draw 
the  guns,  and  two  lakhs  (200,000)  of  Hoons  or  pa- 
godas* in  specie,  which  he  had  in  the  treasury, 
were  presented  to  pay  for  the  carriage  of  the  bag- 
gage of  the  army. 

Determining  to  chastise  the  brave  soldiers  of  the 
Nawaub,  the  General  now,  by  prudent  management, 
gradually  restored  the  confidence  of  the  before 
frightened,  dismayed  army,  and  encamped  with  them 
in  the  plain  of  Frengi  Koh,"*  (the  French  rocks,) 
where    he  expended    hundreds   of   thousands  of 

r       -^     • 

^  A  Pagoda  is  worth  about  seven  shilling^. 
"  St.  Thomas'  Mount. 


416 

pounds"  from  the  (E.  I.)  Company's  treasury,  and 
for  three  months  occupied  himself  in  disciplining 
his  troops,  enlisting  recruits,  and  collecting  provi- 
sions, (ships  continually  arriving  from  Bengal  laden 
with  corn),  and  procuring  military  stores,  ammu- 
nition, and  artillery.     To  convey  his  ammunition, 
tents,  &c.  he  sent  for  bullocks  from  the  Wankul 
and   Neeloor  districts,   which   had   not   yet  been 
ravaged  by  the  fury  of  the  Kuzzaks,  or  trodden 
under  the  hoofs  of  the  plundering  cavalry.     After 
he  had  thus  completed  all  his   arrangements,    he 
marched  forward  by  the  route  of  Choongul  Peeth 
(Chingleput),  but   with   great   care   and    caution. 
The  Nawaub,  on  hearing  this  news  despatched  his 
horse  in  front,  under  the  command  of  Sidi  Hillal, 
and  Gholaum  AH  Khan,  Bukhshi,  to  surround  and 
harrass  the  army  of  the  General,  and  himself  fol- 
lowed from  Arkat. 

In  this  time,  the  General  attacked  the  fort  of 
Girgit  Paleh,  which  was  garrisoned  by  the  Nawaub's 
troops ;  and,  surrounding  it  before  day  break,  by 
the  means  of  ropes  and  ladders^  his  men  mounted 
the  walls,  and,  with  musketry  and  the  bayonet, 
killed  all  those  who  manned  the  bastions.  After 
the  commandant  had  gallantly  defended  the  fort 
for  an  hour,  and  had  drank  of  the  cup  of  martyr- 


417 

dom,  the  General,  being  the  conqueror,  divided  the 
stores  found  in  the  fort  among  his  own  troops,  and 
marched  on,  and  that  day  encamped  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Achurwakum.     Roshun  Khan,  Dusta- 
dar,  who  was  employed  in  the  siege  of  Purmokul 
Gurh,*"  and  Rustum  All  Khan  Farooki,  who  also  had 
afterwards  been  appointed  to  take  that  hill  fort, 
having,  notwithstanding  their  great  exertions,  failed 
to  reduce  the  garrison,  now  left  their  batteries  as 
they  were,  behind  them,  and  joined  the  Nawaubs 
army.    The  next  day  the  English  General  marched, 
and,  under  cover  of  the  hills  and  forests,  arrived  at 
Purmokul,  where  he  conferred  high  honours  on  the 
brave  officer  who  commanded  there;  and,  taking 
him  with  the  army,  he  left  another  officer  in  charge 
of  that  mountain  fort.     The  next  day  the  General 
proceeded  on  the  road  to  Phoolcheri ;  (Pondicheri) ; 
but,  although  the  victorious  troops  (Hydur's,)  sur- 
rounded and  attacked  on  all  sides  the  English  army 
on  its  march,  and  considered  whatever  baggage  re- 
mained in  the  rear  as  their  own  property,  no  field 
was  found  qualified  for  an  open   fight.      Having 
reached  Phoolcheri,  the   General  obtained  grain 
and  provisions  from  the  mercenary  French  mer- 
chants of  that  place,  on  paying  for  the  same ;  and 
thence  marched  to  Kootoor,  where  he  arrived  safe, 

•  Permacoil  of  the  English. 
£    E 


418 

and  encamped  before  the  castle  or  fort,  and  sent 
for  his  supplies  of  grain  and  warlike  stores  by  sea 
from  Madras,  Mutchliputtun,  (Musulipatam)  &c. 

For  the  distance  of  two  ftirsungs  round  the  fort, 
the  Nawaub  had  raised  batteries,  and  mounted  can- 
non on  them,  and  was  prepared  for  action.  As» 
however,  the  General,  had  taken  up  his  position,  he 
kept  his  own  ground  of  encampment ;  and,  pre- 
tending the  sleep  of  the  hare,  appeared  occupied 
with  the  internal  regulation  of  his  troops  and  as  hav- 
ing no  intention  either  to  fight,  or  to  make  peace. 
Leaving,  therefore,  Meer  Ah  Ruza  Khan  with  his 
force,  Sidi  Hilal  with  five  thousand  horse,  and  Ghazi 
Khan,  with  other  officers,  to  make  head  against  the 
General,  he  himself,  with  the  whole  of  his  troops 
and  artillery,  &c.,  marched  towards  Mahmood  Bun- 
dur,^  and  the  forts  in  that  direction,  and  despatched 
the  Prince  Tippoo  (Walakudr)  with  seven  thousand 
horse,  four  thousand  regular  and  irregular  foot,  and 
five  guns,  towards  Tujawur  and  Nuthumuggur.^ 
With  this  force,  the  Prince  Tippoo  boldly  advanced 
into  the  country  of  Tujawur.  His  soldiers,  brave 
as  Roostum,  in  obedience  to  his  orders,  plundered 
and  destroyed  the  environs  of  that  town,  which  in 
population  and  fertility,  may  be  called  equal  to 
Kashmere :  the  whole  of  the  waters  of  the  rivers 

p  Porto  Novo.  <i  Tanjore  and  Trichinopoly. 


419 

Kavari  and  Kaveram  being  employed  for  irrigation ' 
in  the  same  districts^  and  therefore  not  suffered 
to  reach  the  sea.  The  habitations  and  idol  temples 
of  that  country,  which  threw  shame  on  the  best 
paintings  of  China^  and  resembled  the  beauties  of 
Paradise,  they  levelled  with  the  ground,  and,  setting 
fire  to  most  of  the  houses,  shops,  and  bazaars, 
they  laid  waste  the  whole  of  the  country.  Verses^ 
"  They  set  the  country  in  a  blaze  ;*' — "  they  took 
the  lock  or  latch,  and  set  fire  to  the  door." — *'  By 
the  hoofs  of  the  Islam  horse," — *'  plains  and  moun- 
tains were  rendered  undistinguishable. "  Sacks 
upon  sacks  of  corn,  herd  upon  herd  of  cattle,  flocks 
of  sheep  and  goats,  with  other  articles  considered 
worthy  the  notice  of  Hydur  were  sent  to  him. 
The  forts  of  Turkat  Pilly  and  Shagota,  attached 
or  belonging  to  that  Souba,  were  repaired  and 
strengthened,  and  having  appointed  a  body  of  troops 
to  that  quarter,  the  Prince  now  spurred  the  steed 
of  his  plans  and  projects  towards  Nuthurnuggur. 
Having  appointed  Amils,  independent  Killadars, 
and  large  garrisons, to  the  forts  of  Alianoor  and  Dyar 
Paleh,  he  marched  from  that  place  by  night,  and 
plundered  Seerung,  and  Jhumgiri,  ancient  temples, 
seated  between  the  waters  of  the  Kaveri  and  Kave- 
rum  held  in  great  veneration  by  the  Hindoos,  and 

4.,Sy,\^     Melons,  cucumbers,  &c. 


420 

the  gaze '  and  delight  of  the  world.     Verses. — ^^  The 
temples  of  sculptured  stone,  the  images  fair  and 
lovely/*  "  the  girls,  loving  and  wanton,  beauties  de- 
ceiving the  heart."  *   The  Kuzzaks  here  were  allowed 
to  keep  all  plunder ;  and  the  brave  fellows  therefore 
fearlessly  plunged  their  horses  into  the  river,  as  if 
they  had  been  dying  for  a  drop  of  cold  water,  and, 
crossing  over  the  stream,  put  forth  their  hands  to 
pillage,  and  a  great  quantity  of  gold,  jewels  and 
articles  of  value  fell  into  their  possession  ;  as  much, 
indeed,  as  they  desired.     The  young  men,  fond  of 
beauty  and  enjoyment,  obtained  lovely  virgins  and 
slave  girls-,  of  the  Brahmun  caste,  and  Bayaderes, 
beautiful  as  the  moon,  arrayed  with  ornaments  of 
gold  and  jewels,  to  their  hearts  desire,  and  warmed 
themselves  thoroughly  in  the  arms  of  beauty.     Of 
the  whole  of  the  plunder  taken,  one  fourth  was  re- 
turned to  the  Sirkar.     The  next  day,  the  Prince, 
worthy   a  crown,"*  crossed    both   the  rivers,   and 
marched  towards  Kalicote,  which  lies  six  fiirsungs 
to  the  eastward  of  the  fort  of  Trichinopoly ;  the 
Nawaub  himself  with  his  whole  army,  and  artillery, 
also  marched  in  the  same  direction.     On  the  road 
thither,  therefore,  the  Prince  met  his  father,  and, 

*  This  alludes  to  the  women  of  the  Pagodas  seemingly. 
■  A  pun  on  the  name  of  the  province,  j^>*w 


421 

having  kissed  the  border  of  his  carpet,  presented 
him  with  a  list  of  the  plundered  property,  and, 
having  deposited  the  articles  in  the  treasury,  re- 
ceived great  commendation. 

With  the  intention  to  reduce  as  many  of  the 
Purgunas,  and  towns,  of  that  country  under  his 
own  authority  as  he  possibly  could,  the  Nawaub 
marched  to  Trichinopoly,  and  despatched  his  horse 
in  front.  Surrounding  the  fort  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, the  Kuzzaks,  or  predatory  horse,  advanced  to 
the  ditch,  and  made  prisoners  of  many  of  the  women 
and  children  of  the  poor  people^  and,  after  killing 
some  few  men,  they  returned.  At  this  time,  an 
officer,  named  Mr.  Hall/  who  was  exercising  recruits 
opposite  the  gate  followed  the  Nawaub's  horse 
with  six  hundred  fine  young  men,  and  two  light 
guns  (gallopers),  and,  firing  as  they  moved  on, 
drove  the  horse  before  him  and  his  party.  This 
body  of  men  was  accompanied  by  thousands  of 
spectators  from  the  town.  The  horse,  retiring 
step  by  step,  and  waiting  for  a  favourable  opportu- 
tunity  to  charge,  took  the  road  to  Churgul  Paleh, 
which  lies  to  the  eastward  of  the  fort,  at  the  distance 
of  about  one  measured  fiirsung,  (near  four  miles)  ; 
the  Nawaub  himself,  however,  before  this  time,  had 
arrived  and  halted  there,  with  the  whole  of  his 
matchlock  men  and  the  artillery.     When  the  officer 


422 

before-mentioned,  therefore,  saw  the  horse  running 
away  from  him,  he  still  followed ;  and,  advancing,  ap- 
proached and  halted  within  the  distance  of  a  cannon 
shot  At  this  time,  the  Kuzzaks  came  quickly  to 
the  right  about,  "^  and  with  swords  drawn,  and  their 
lances  quivering,  gallopped  on  to  charge  the  body 
of  infiemtry ;  and  the  officer,  still  deceived,  keeping 
his  guns  in  front,  and  firing  as  he  advanced,  moved 
on  to  meet  them.  No  sooner,  however,  had  they 
arrived  at  the  plain  of  the  Paleh  above-mentioned, 
and  halted  there,  on  a  rising  ground,  when,  accord- 
ing to  the  Nawaub*s  orders,  on  one  side  the  Ihsham, 
(irregular  infantry),  blood-drinkers,  and  the  Risalas 
(regiments)  of  musketeers,  assailed  them,  and,  with 
arrows  and  musketry,  swept  away  these  rash  men 
from  the  field  of  existence.  On  the  other  side, 
the  cavalry  galloping '  forward,  charged  them ; 
and,  although  the  officer  kept  his  men  in  the  best 
position  and  order,  yet,  from  the  shouting  and 
noise  of  the  foolish  spectators,  who  had  crept  into 
his  ranks,  he  had  no  room  to  fire  a  volley,  so  that, 
in  despair,  he  struck  the  hand  of  his  rashness  on 
the  ground  of  desperation,  and  the  recruits,  smitten 
with  terror,  threw  away  their  arms,  and  plunged 
into  a  marsh  covered  by  crops  of  rice,  ^  where  they 


y  Shaul  is  also  a  tree,  the  wood  of  which  is  used  in  ship- 
building, teak. 


423 

stuck  fast.  In  a  short  time,  therefore,  the  horse 
with  swords  and  arrows,  the  foot  with  javelins  and 
maces,  and  the  musketeers  with  their  bayonets,  slew 
them  every  one ;  and  the  plain  was  more  stained 
with  the  blood  of  their  enemies  than  is  the  many 
coloured  face  of  the  heavens.  It  happened  that  the 
officer  who  commanded  the  detachment  put  his 
horse  to  its  speed,  that  he  might  not  fall  into  the 
hands  of  Hydur's  (Ghazies)  brave  soldiers  ;  but 
one  of  the  Nawaub's  horsemen,  whose  name  was 
All  Nowaz,  taking  the  lead  of  the  rest,  made  a  cut 
at  his  head  with  his  sword.  By  chance,  the  sweep 
of  the  sword  only  reached  his  hair,  which  was  cut 
off,  but  his  head  remained  uninjured,  and  he  es- 
caped into  the  fort  of  Trichinopoly. 

A  few  of  the  men,  spared  by  the  sword,  were 
made  prisoners;  and  those,  with  the  arms  and 
artillery  taken,  were  presented  to  the  Nawaub,  who, 
ordering  the  heads  of  the  slain  to  be  cut  off,  and 
packed  in  twenty  large  baskets,  sent  them  into 
the  fort  to  frighten  the  garrison,  with  a  message, 
directing  them  to  give  up  the  fort  to  his  officers 
immediately,  otherwise  he  would  soon  cut  off  their 
heads  in  the  same  manner.  Considering  this  town 
of  Paleh  as  a  place  of  victory,  or  good  fortune,  he 
pitched  his  tents  and  displayed  his  victorious  stan- 
dards there.     The  Prince,  with  the  troops  belong- 


424 

ing  to  Monsieur  Lalli,  was  appointed  to  the  western 
side  of  the  fort  (of  Trichinopoly) ;  and,  after  the  la- 
bour of  two  or  three  days,  the  materials  for  the  bat- 
teries and  the  assault,  such  as  ladders,  fascines,  and 
bundles  of  straw,  to  fill  up  the  ditch,  were  collected. 
Colonel  Lickson,  (Nixon),  Shadi  Khan,  the  Col- 
lector of  the  Revenue  there,  and  Mr.  Hall,  however, 
were  almost  without  resource,  for  want  of  troops, 
as  they  had  not  more  than  two  or  three  hundred 
men  with  them ;  but  to  supply  this  deficiency,  they 
gathered  together  all  the  people  of  the  city,  Hin- 
doo and  Mussulman,  took  them  into  daily  and 
monthly  pay,  and  appointed  the  blacksmiths  and 
goldsmiths  to  the  duties  of  the  artillery,  and  placed 
them  in  great  numbers,  for  show,  in  the  towers  and 
bastions.  The  Poligar  of  Turwur  Paleh,  also,  with 
two  hundred  foot,  having  strengthened  the  gates  of 
the  fort,  remained  in  readiness  to  defend  them. 

When  the  Nawaub  had  obtained  the  materials 
for  the  siege,  and  assault,  by  the  road  of  Churgul 
Paleh,  and  had  piled  them  up  in  heaps  near  the 
gate ;  and  the  Prince,  also,  from  the  Waroor  Paleh 
side,  had  collected  and  piled  up  materials  to  a  great 
amount,  near  the  Durgah  or  tomb,  of  Nuthur  Wulli," 
Surmusti  Kinaani,  and,  had  resolved  at  night  to  at- 
tempt the  capture  of  the  fort ;  letters  to  the  pre- 

»  The  name  of  a  Peer  or  Saint. 


425 

sence  unexpectedly  arrived,  from  Meer  All  Ruza 
Khan,  and  other  officers,  stating,  that  General 
Coote,  with  a  well  appointed  force,  had  left  Koda- 
loor,  (Cuddalore),  and  was  marching  to  Mahraood 
Bundur,  (Porto  Novo),  and  that,  if  the  Nawaub 
would  march  that  way  with  his  valiant  army,  he 
might  soon  and  easily  do  away  with  his  enemies. 
The  Nawaub,  on  hearing  this,  decamped  without  a 
moment's  delay,  and  made  a  forced  march  with  the 
whole  of  his  army  and  artillery ;  and  the  Prince, 
after  setting  fire  to  the  materials  for  forming  the 
batteries,  followed  as  quickly  as  he  was  able. 

When  the  General,  (Coote),  left  his  encampment 
and  his  advanced  guard,  which,  in  the  technical 
language  of  the  English,  is  called  picquet,*  had  ar- 
rived in  the  neighbourhood  of  Bagoor,  Sidi  Hillal, 
the  Bukhshi,  charged  that  body  with  his  cavalry, 
and,  they  actively  employing  their  bows,  spears, 
and  swords,  a  severe  action  followed ;  and,  on 
both  sides,  many  of  the  bravest  men  were  slain. 
Fate  decided,  also,  that  the  Bukhshi,  Sidi  Hillal, 
should  be  sent  to  Paradise,  by  a  shot  from  a  musket 
and  a  bayonet  wound.  On  the  same  day,  Lai  Khan 
the  Kayim  Khani,  deviated  from  the  road  of  honour, 
and  followed  the  path  of  treachery  and  ingratitude ; 
that  is  to  say,  he  deserted  with  his  Risala  of  horse. 


426 

and  joined  the  General's  anny.  General  Coote 
marched  straight  from  this  place  to  Mahmood  Bun- 
dur,  and  that  day  encamped  there.  At  night,  he 
made  an  attack  on  Selimbur,  (commonly  called  Chil- 
lambrum.)  The  Killadar,  or  oflScer  commanding  in 
that  fort ,  whose  name  was  Yousuf  Khan,  was,  how- 
ever, a  brave  soldier,  and,  with  three  hundred  men, 
defended  the  fort  gallantly  ;  and,  by  a  continual 
shower  of  musket  balls,  rockets  and  shells,  he  so  ef- 
fectually beat  off  the  assailants,  that  between  two  and 
three  hundred  of  the  English  army  lost  their  lives, 
without  any  advantage  gained.  The  General,  there- 
fore, submitting  to  the  exigencies  of  the  time,  re- 
turned to  Mahmood  Bundur,  without  effecting  his 
purpose  ;  and  scarcely  had  he  returned  when, 
behold !  the  Nawaub  arrived,  treading  on  his  heels, 
and  took  possession  of  the  head  of  the  route,  shut- 
ting up  on  all  sides  the  paths  of  safety.^  To  that 
end,  also,  he  posted  his  guns  on  the  sand  hills, 
which  lie  scattered  on  the  sea  shore,  like  little 
mountains,  and  gave  orders  to  open  their  fire. 
The  General,  meanwhile,  in  order  to  ascertain  the 
Nawaub's  plans,  ranged  his  troops  and  guns  in  lines 
on  the  beach,  placing  the  whole  of  his  followers  and 
baggage  near  the  waves  of  the  sea ;  and,  keeping  the 
eye  of  hope  on  what  the  agents  of  fate  might  bring 

^  He  caught  a  Tartar. 


427 

forth  from  the  womb  of  time,  waited  for  opportunities 
to  commence  the  action.  The  Nawaub,  also,  under 
cover  of  the  sand  hills,  sat  in  his  golden  chair,  like 
the  world-conquering  sun,  alone,  (without  an  equal,) 
and  closely  watched  the  movements,  of  both  armies, 
Meer  AH  Ruza  Khan  was  appointed  to  act  on  the 
rear  of  the  English  army,  and  the  Prince  and  Mon- 
sieur Lalli,  with  a  very  large  body  of  troops,  were 
stationed  to  block  up  their  retreat  or  passage.  The 
Risalas  or  regiments  of  the  gallant  Commandant, 
Syud  Humeed,  Shaikh  Oonsur,  Shaikh  Omr,  &c. 
formed  the  advanced  guard,  and  now  received  strict 
orders  to  attack  and  destroy  their  enemies.  The 
matchlock  and  artillery  men,  without  pity,*"  by  their 
fire,  burned  the  heads  and  breasts  of  those  who 
were  advancing,  or  taking  up  their  ground.  The 
rocketeers,  according  to  the  orders  they  had  re- 
ceived, each  man  taking  post  behind  the  Kewra 
(Spikenard)  trees,  of  which  many  grew  in  the 
neighbourhood,  fired  their  rockets  among  the  fol- 
lowers and  baggage  of  the  English ;  and  the  poor 
people,  frightened,  were  thrown  into  the  utmost 
confusion.  The  flames  of  war  thus  blazed  high, 
until  mid-day,  and  on  every  side  lay  heaps  of  dead. 
The  General   had  borne,  with  much  patience, 

®  This  will  bear  a  different  interpretation,  but  I  believe  this 
is  what  is  meant. 


428 

the  loss  of  a  great  many  of  his  soldiers  and  followers, 
when  two**  ships  arrived  from  Kodaloor,  and  an- 
chored opposite  his  army.  He  now  therefore  arose, 
forthwith,  and,  with  his  troops  formed  in  excellent 
order,  marched  straight  to  the  spot  where  the  Na- 
waub  himself  had  taken  his  station  ;  and,  notwith- 
standing the  horse  and  foot,  and  the  Risalas  of 
regular  infantry,  strove  to  impede,  and  arrest  his 
advance,  they  could  not  withstand  the  vigour  of  his 
charge,  but  fled  before  him,  and,  by  the  constant 
discharge  of  English  shot,  most  of  their  bravest 
men  were  killed  and  wounded.  On  becoming  ac- 
quainted with  the  intrepidity  of  his  enemies,  and 
the  useless  destruction  of  God's  creatures  being 
contrary  to  his  principles,  the  Nawaub  gave  orders 
that  the  guns  should  be  withdrawn  to  the  rear, 
and  that  the  troops  should  occupy  the  plain,  in 
as  wide  or  open  an  order  as  possible,  and  they 
anxious  to  preserve  their  fame,  did  as  they  were 
ordered.  At  this  moment  Meer  Ali  Ruza  Khan 
was  galloping,  at  the  head  of  his  cavalry,  along  the 
beach,  intending  by  an  attack  on  the  troops  and 
followers  of  the  English  army  to  throw  them  into 
confusion,  when,  of  a  sudden,  a  shot  from  a  can- 
non on  board  of  one  of  the  ships  struck  him  and 
broke  the  arm  of  his  valour,  and  threw  him  off  his 

**  Perhaps  a  two  decked  ship. 


429 

horse.  His  astonished  attendants,  with  cries  of 
grief  and  consternation,  assembled  round  their 
master,  and,  placing  him  in  a  Palkee,  carried  him 
to  the  presence.  The  Nawaub,  on  seeing  his  con- 
dition, was  struck  with  grief  and  compassion  ;  but, 
in  respect  to  the  exigencies  of  the  time,  he  bore  his 
loss  with  patience  and  constancy,  and  did  not 
even  bend  his  eyebrow  at  the  sight,  but  lifting  up 
the  curtain  of  the  Palkee,  with  his  own  hand,  he 
saw  that  the  eagle  of  his  (All  Ruza's)  soul,  at  one 
flight,*  had  winged  its  way  to  the  gardens  of  Para- 
dise. They,  therefore,  immediately  put  him  into  a 
coffin,' and  sent  it  off  to  Gurum  Koonda.  The  whole 
of  the  troops  of  Meer  All  Ruza,  his  treasure  and  va- 
luables, horses  and  elephants,  according  to  the  inven- 
tories, were  handed  over  by  the  Nawaub  to  the  Prince 
Tippoo,  (Walukudr),  who  was  his  own  sister's  son. 
Kumr-ud-din  Khan,  the  son  of  Meer  AKRuza  Khan, 
who  had  arrived  at  years  of  discretion,  and,  although 
the  son  of  a  lady «  of  his  Hurum,  was  a  very  worthy 
young  man,  and  endowed  with  the  best  qualities  of 
an  officer,  was  sent  for  to  the  presence ;  and  Hydur, 
passing  his  hand  over  his  head,  presented  him  with 
a  dress   of  mourning,  and  renewed  to  him   the 

*  LT-^f"  Some  copies  have,  "  with  one  smile  winged  its  way," 


430 

honours  and  distinctions  of  his  father,  as  kettle- 
drums, elephants,  the  umari,  &c.  and  that  he  might 
be  well  educated,  or  brought  up,  put  his  hand  into 
the  hand  of  the  Prince. 

On  that  day,  therefore,  on  which  occurred  a 
great  defeat  and  dispersion  of  the  victorious  troops, 
Hydur,  seeing  no  advantage  in  continuing  the 
action,  turned  his  line  of  march  towards  Vinkuta 
Peenth,  and  the  bodies  of  the  slain  of  his  army 
were  consigned  to  the  earth,  and  the  wounded, 
placed  in  Doolies  and  on  cots,^  were  sent  to  Arkat. 
S3aid  Sahib  was  despatched  from  the  same  ground 
of  encampment,  with  his  own  Dusta  and  a  party  of 
foot  soldiers,  to  conquer  the  country  of  Tanjore,  (or 
as  it  is  written,  Tujawur),  and  Nuthumuggur. 

The  General,  having  conquered  in  this  battle, 
again  returned  to  Phoolcheri,  (Pondicheri),  and 
from  that  place,  by  the  route  of  Purmokul  Gurh, 
and  Chungul  Peenth,*  entered  his  station  at  the 
French  Mountains ;  ^  but  at  no  place  did  he  halt 
more  than  one  or  two  days.  The  sanguinary 
Kuzzaks,  however,  in  the  mean  time,  attacked  and 
harassed  the  English  army  on  all  sides,  and  by  their 
exploits  effaced  the  memory  of  those  of  Roostum 
and  Isfendiar.  The  Nawaub  now  also  left  his  en- 
campment, and,  marching  by  the  route  of  Turwadi 

^  Litters  and  small  bedsteads.     *  Chingleput.     ^  The  Mount. 


431 

and  Beelpoor,  encamped  at  Tondivellum.  It  hap- 
pened that  some  of  the  Nawaub's  stable  horse, 
going  near  Purmokul  Gurh,  for  grass  and  wood, 
entered  a  garden  about  one  fursung  from  the  fort, 
and  began  collecting  forage  there.  The  officer, 
who  commanded  in  the  fort,  espying  them  from  the 
top  of  the  mountain,  despatched  a  Jamadar,  with  a 
party  of  infantry,  to  attack  them,  and  the  Jamadar 
advancing  to  the  garden,  under  cover  of  the  tank, 
belonging  to  the  town,  arrived  there  and  com- 
menced a  fire  to  disperse  them.  Being  surprised 
and  unprepared,  at  the  sound  of  the  discharge,  the 
horse  fell  into  confusion;  some  lefl  their  horses 
and  escaped,  and  some,  without  obtaining  any  thing, 
lost  their  lives.  The  aforesaid  Jamadar,  therefore, 
seized  the  horses  of  the  Nawaub's  men,  and  returned 
to  the  mountain. 

The  Chiefs  or  staff-officers  of  the  army  apprised 
the  Nawaub  of  this  occurrence,  stating  that  in  that 
neighbourhood  was  a  Hill  fort,  which  had  not  yet 
been  reduced  by  his  troops,  and  that  the  officer 
commanding  there  attacked  unnecessarily  both  the 
peasantry  and  the  soldiers  of  the  army,  and  that,  on 
that  day,  he  had  seized  several  horses  of  the  Paigah, 
after  killing  their  riders.  On  hearing  this,  the  fire 
of  Hydur's  rage  burned  furiously,  and  he  imme- 


432 

diately  ordered  his  army  to  assault  and  take  the 
fort.  He  himself,  left  his  encampment,  and  took 
his  station  on  the  giound  formerly  occupied  by 
Roshun  Khan.  His  brave  officers  now  crowded 
round  from  all  parts,  and  enclosed  the  Hill  fort,  like 
a  dot  in  the  centre  of  a  circle ;  the  Prince  and 
Monsieur  Lalli,  ran  trenches  or  the  sap  ^  from  the 
rear  of  the  mountain,  and  the  artillery  were  placed 
in  battery  to  breach  the  fort.  Tlie  foot  soldiers,  in 
the  mean  time,  notwithstanding  the  shot  showered 
fast  upon  them,  and  a  number  of  lives  were  saeri-' 
ficed,  ascended  the  hill,  under  cover  of  the  rocks^ 
and  established  themselves  at  the  foot  of  the  walls. 
Although  the  fort  was  garrisoned  by  three  hundred 
men,  with  abundant  stores  and  provisions,  yet  the 
Commandant,  smitten  with  the  beauty  of  one  of  the 
courtezans  of  the  town,  was  in  all  matters  desirous 
to  avoid  giving  her  pain  or  uneasiness ;  but,  when 
he  saw  her  readiness  and  importunity  to  make 
peace,  or  give  up  the  fort,  he  the  first  day  re- 
nounced her  love,  and  determined  to  plant  his 
foot  in  the  field  of  manhood,  and  defend  his  charge. 
After  that,  however,  her  obstinacy  exceeding  all 
bounds,  the  woman  wantonly  placing  the  hand  of 
pertinacity  on  the  garment  of  his  love,  and  shed- 


The  late  Earl  of  Munster,  whose  acquaintaDce  with 
Oriental  military  terras  was  very  extensive,  thought  it  probable, 
that  our  word  sap  was  originally  derived  from  this.  It  signifies 
a  ditch  or  trench  in  Arabic. 


433 

ding  tears,  said,  "  If  you  are  determined  to  fight, 
first  kill  me."  Some  other  persons,  also,  being  in 
league  with  her  in  this  plan,  and  the  disposition  of 
the  oflScer  being  mild,  he  consented  to  surrender. 
The  Soubadar"  of  the  garrison,  however,  whose 
name  was  Abdul  Kadur,  took  the  command  of  the 
fort  on  his  own  responsibility,  and  defended  it 
six  days ;  but,  being  killed  by  a  musket  shot 
on  the  seventh  day,  the  walls  of  the  fort  being 
much  shattered  and  beat  down,  courage  deserted 
the  garrison,  and  the  commanding  oflScer  submit- 
ted to  the  Nawaub,  and  surrendered  the  place  to 
his  agents.  The  Nawaub  immediately  placed  it 
in  charge  of  his  most  faithful  servants,  and,  giving 
them  orders  to  repair  the  works,  marched  towards 
Wandiwash. 

It  is  proper  to  mention  here,  that  the  General, 
hearing  of  the  siege  of  Purmokul  Gurh,  despatched 
two  Risalas  or  battalions  of  infantry,  with  a  convoy 
of  provisions  and  ammunition,  to  reinforce  the  gar- 
rison. This  body  of  troops  had  arrived  in  the 
vicinity  of  Achur  Wakum,  when  they  became  aware 
of  the  conquest  of  Purmokul,  and,  stealing  a  march 
by  night,  they  entered  the  fort  of  Wandiwash," 
and,  strengthening  the  fort,  remained  there.     But, 

"  A  Native  Captain  of  a  Native  regiment. 

F  F 


434 

although  the  circuit  of  the  fort  was  previously 
blockaded,  or  in  a  state  of  siege,  and  the  Nawaub 
himself,  for  three  or  four  days,  had  formed  his 
plans  to  reduce  it,  and  several  fearful  assaults  had 
been  already  made,  still,  as  certain  state  affairs  of 
the  utmost  importance  pressed  on  his  mind,  the 
Nawaub,  after  he  had  well  tried  and  ascert:ained 
that  the  Commandant  of  the  fort  had  a  stout  heart, 
and,  was  a  man  of  great  skill  and  experience,  ap- 
pointed Monsieur  Lalli,  Syud  Humeed,  and  Shaikh 
Oonsur,  to  take  the  fort,  and  he  himself  proceed- 
ed to  Arkat.  The  Frenchmen  and  other  officers 
having  raised  their  batteries  on  all  sides,  and 
mounted  guns  in  them,  began  to  batter  the  walls  of 
the  fort,  so  that,  in  a  short  time,  they  were  beaten 
down,  and  many  furious  assaults  were  made ;  but, 
in  spite  of  all  their  exertions,  the  officer  command- 
ing in  the  fort  did  not  allow  his  heart  to  fail  him, 
and  fought  valiantly,  being  uniformly  successftil  in 
beating  off  his  assailants. 

In  this  state  of  affairs.  Monsieur  Lalli  seeing  that 
the  siege  had  been  protracted  to  a  considerable 
length,  and  that  no  success  had  followed  their  at- 
tacks, and  also  that  the  officer  defending  the  fort  was 
a  man  of  consmnmate  experience,  consulted  with  the 
other  officers,  and  determined  on  the  following 
plan  : — viz.  that  a  body  of  their  troops  should  be 


435 

arrayed  as  English  soldiers,  and  separated  from 
their  army,  and  at  night  sent  to  the  distance  of  one 
stage,  by  the  route  of  Girgut  Paleh  and  Choongul 
Peenth  ;"*  and  that  a  French  officer,  who  understood 
the  English  language,  and  could  read  and  write 
English  perfectly  well,  should  be  appointed  with 
these  troops.  This  plan  was  carried  into  effect, 
and  Lalli  himself  enjoined  the  officer  to  do  his  best 
in  deceiving  the  Commandant  of  the  fort,  and  then 
sent  him  and  his  detachment  off  in  the  manner  above 
described.  In  pursuance  of  this  scheme,  the  French 
officer  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Killadar  or  Commandant 
of  the  fort,  purporting  that  he  was  appointed,  with 
a  large  force  from  Madras,  to  convey  supplies  to  the 
garrison,  and  to  aid  them  against  Hydur ;  that  he 
would  be  there  soon,  and  that  the  Killadar  should 
be  on  the  alert,  for  that  on  the  morrow,  at  about 
eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  he  would  enter  the  fort, 
and  attack  the  enemy.  When  the  letter,  which  was 
taken  by  a  pair  of  Hurkaras,  (letter  carriers,)  was 
received  by  the  commanding  officer,  although  the 
receipt  of  the  letter  gave  him  pleasure,  and  the 
reading  of  its  contents  made  him  smile,  still,  the 
name  or  signature  appended  to  it  surprised  and 
threw  him  into  doubt  and  suspicion  ;  for  he  knew 

®  Peenth,  a  suburb,  is  the  word  which  the  English  write  Pettah. 


436 

that  the  officer  named  had  been  deputed  to  Sika- 
kole    (Chicacole)    and  Gunjam,   to  collect  grain 
and  gun-bullocks.     This  was  well  known  to  the 
Commander  of  the  fort,  and,  therefore,  after  much 
consideration,  he  surmised — for  ''  good  sense   is 
half  a  miracle  **  ^ — that  this  most  likely  was  a  ruse 
or  deception  of  Monsieur  Lalli's,     Nevertheless, 
he  was  still  undecided  what  to  think,  when,  the 
next  day  a  sharp  fire  of  musketry  and  the  roar 
of  artillery  were  heard  from  the  road  indicated  by 
the  despatch  of  the  day  before.     The  Killadar  or 
officer,  hearing  this,  took  up  his  telescope,  and 
looking  out  sharply,  saw  two  bodies  of  troops  close 
together,  firing  at  each  other ;  but,  with  all  their 
firing,  no  signs  of  wounded  men,  could  be  descried 
by  the  telescope ;    on  the   contrary,  it  appeared 
merely  the  sound  of  powder  without  ball.     This 
cleared  away  the  officer's  doubts,  and  the  beauti- 
ful image  of  truth  *>  unveiled  her  radiant  face  to 
him,  and  he  became  certain  that  treachery  was  in- 
tended.  He,  therefore,  collected  the  garrison  on  the 
same  side  of  the  fort,  loaded  all  his  guns  with  grape- 
shot,  and  kept  them  in  readiness.     By  this  time 
the  false  reinforcement  had  arrived  near  at  hand^ 
and  the  officer  in  command  of  them  sent  a  mes- 
sage, by  a  Hurkaru,  that,  thank  God,  he  had  arrived 


437 

safe^  and  that  he  requested  the  gate  of  the  fort 
might  be  thrown  open,  that  he  and  his  men  might 
enter,  and  that  they  might  converse  with  each  other, 
and  dine  together, — The  Killadar,  in  reply,  inti- 
mated that  it  would  be  advisable  for  him  to  halt  his 
men  for  an  hour  or  two  on  the  Glacis,  that  is,  out- 
side the  ditch,  until  the  gate  could  be  opened  ;  for, 
that  a  strong  wall  had  been  built  behind  it,  which 
it  would  take  some  time  to  break  down,  and  there- 
fore, in  the  meanwhile,  they  had  better  rest  them- 
selves.  When  the  false  reinforcement  reached  and 
halted  on  the  brink  of  the  ditch,  the  Commandant 
of  the  fort  mounted  a  bastion,  and  having  carefully 
examined  the  movements  of  the  new  comers,  the  cut 
of  their  beards  and  moustaches,  &c.,  immediately 
gave  orders  to  his  artillery  men  and  musketeers  to 
open  their  fire.  This  cannonade  soon  beat  the  va- 
pour of  folly  and  the  affectation  of  valour  out  of 
their  empty  heads ! — ^A  terrible  blow  thus  fell  on  the 
officer  and  his  men,  who,  not  finding  time  to  take 
up  their  arms  and  baggage,  escaped  to  camp  with 
their  lives  only.  In  fine,  the  officer  in  the  fort, 
with  great  penetration,  saw  and  avoided  the  snare 
laid  for  him,  and  thus  gained  a  victory.  When  the 
Nawaub  heard  of  the  bad  management  of  the  siege, 
and  of  the  defeat  of  his  troops,  he  was  exceedingly 


438 

angry,  and  immediately  ordered  the  Frenchman  to 
the  presence  ;  the  other  officers  also  were  recalled 
with  their  troops,  but  the  fort  still  continued  to  be 
surrounded  or  blockaded  by  the  cavalry. 


439 


CHAPTER  XXX. 


An  account  of  the  arrival  of  Troops  from  Bengal  at  the  Port  of 
Madras,  and  a  description  of  the  Battle  in  the  vicinity  of  Sool 
Nuggur.  Also,  the  relief  of  the  Fort  of  Rai  Vellore,  by  General 
Coote,  with  great  difficulty  ;  the  Battle  of  Arnee  ;  and  the  attack 
and  overthrow  of  a  body  of  English  troops,  by  the  Prince  Tippoo, 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Puna  Nelloor,  a  dependency  of  the 
Souba  of  Tujavur  (Tanjore ;)  with  other  events  of  the  year  1 196, 
Hijri.— A.  D.  1781-2. 

TVhen  General  Coote,  after  the  battle  of  Mahmood 
Bundur,  (Porto  Novo,)  returned  to  Madras,  a  Colo- 
nel, that  is,  an  oflScer  of  high  rank,  arrived  from 
Bengal,  with  five  battalions  of  regular  infantry,  and 
two  regiments  of  Europeans,  with  military  stores, 
bullocks  to  draw  the  artillery,  treasure,  and  sixty 
or  seventy  vessels,  laden  with  grain.  The  General, 
at  the  arrival  of  these  reinforcements,  showed  him- 
self well  pleased,  and  in  congratulation  saluted  them 
with  his  guns.  In  about  two  months,  therefore,  his 
army  was  restored  to  condition,  and  taking  one  of 
the  sons  of  Muhammad  Ah  Khan,  Suraj-ud-dowla, 


440 

named  Syfe  ul  Moolk,  with  him,  he  moved  towards 
Turvaloor-i-Tahir  Khani,  like  a  tiger  looking  out 
for  his  prey,  with  the  intention  of  re- victualling 
the  garrison  of  the  fort  of  Rai  Vellore.  The 
Nawaub's  scouts  informed  him  of  the  march  of 
the  General,  while  he  was  encamped  at  Dysoor 
and  Walpundul,  and  he,  therefore,  marched  with 
his  troops  and  artillery,  by  the  route  of  Gun- 
dapoor,  otherwise  called  Kauveri  Pauk,  to  that 
quarter.  The  General,  however,  before  he  met 
the  Nawaub's  army,  made  night  marches,  from 
Trivalore  to  the  vicinity  of  Sool  Nuggur,  a  town 
on  the  road  of  the  hilly  country  of  Naglapoor  ;  and 
about  the  same  distance  as  Arkat  to  the  north- 
ward, and  there  he  encamped.  No  sooner  had  he 
done  this,  than  he  found  his  camp  surrounded  by 
the  Nawaub's  horse,  and  a  sharp  skirmish  ensued. 

The  next  day,  when  the  lion  of  the  heavens 
at  one  leap  or  bound  had  scattered'  the  starry 
host,  like  a  flock  of  sheep ;  and  had  risen  from 
the  plains  of  the  east,  with  his  jaws  and  claws 
stained  with  blood,  the  General  left  his  ground, 
and  advanced  to  an  extensive  plain.  He  had 
scarcely  reached  it,  before  the  Nawaub's  cavalry 
with  horses  as  swift  as  the  wind,  attacked  him  on  all 
sides,  and,  giving  up  all  consideration  either  of  their 

'  Devoured. 


441 

liveSj  or  those  of  others,  surrounded  the  General's 
troops  in  close  combat — and  to  what  extent  did  they 
not  exert  their  valour !    The  Nawaub  himself,  with 
his  artillery,  took  up  a  position  on  a  high  ground  on 
the  General's  route,  and  lighted  up  the  fire  of  war  in 
his  front.  On  the  right  flank,  the  Prince  determined 
to  imitate  in  his  attack  the  Battle '  of  the  last  day, 
and  a  total  dispersion  of  the  troops,  followers,  and 
baggage,  of  the  rear  guard,^  ensued ;  and,  at  one 
charge,  thousands  of  men  and  women  passed  under 
the  edge  of  the  sword,  perished  by  the  arrow,  and 
musket  ball ;  or  were  put  to  flight.     The  oflScers  of 
the  musketeers,  and  Ahsham,  or  irregular  foot,  with 
the  breath  of  the  musket,  and  rocket,  lit  up  the  fire 
of  battle  and  slaughter,  and  many  were  uselessly 
burned,  and  many  drowned  in  a  river  of  their  own 
blood.     In  fact,  a  great  multitude  of  officers  and 
men,  on  both  sides,  slept  on  the  field  of  death. 
The  army  of  the  General  in  this  action  received  a 
severe    blow ;   a   cannon  ball  from    one    of   the 
Nawaub's  guns  having  broken  the  leg  of  Colonel 
Stuart,  and  thereby  caused  the  commander  a  deep 
affliction;  but,  more  than  this,  another  shot  also 
struck  the  horse  of  Syfe  ul  Moolk,  by   which  he 
Syfe  ul  Moolk  was  thrown  on  the  ground,  and  his 

■  The  fight  ^ith  the  Dujj^  or  Antichrist. 


442 

brave  "*  heart  split  in  twain.  In  short,  it  went  very 
near  that  the  stone  of  defeat  and  dispersion  would 
fall  among  the  troops  of  the  General,  when  gloomy 
night  suddenly  arrived,  and  cast  a  veil  of  darkness 
over  the  world,  and  closed  the  contest  of  the  two 
fierce  lions. 

The  General  brought  that  night  to  an  end  with  a 
hundred  anxieties  and  sorrows,  and,  in  the  morning 
marched^  in  good  order  from  that  ground,  and 
without  halting  or  delay  in  any  place,  returned  to  the 
neighbourhood  of  Trivalore.  Syfe  ul  Moolk,  an  effe- 
minate young  man,  and  inexperienced  in  war,  and 
who  was  struck  with  terror  by  the  concussion  of 
the  cannon  ball,  was  seized  with  fever  and  ague,  and 
was  sent  home  safe  to  his  father.  The  Poligars  of 
Kalistri  and  Vinkut  Giri,  who  had  submitted,  and 
were  tributary  to  the  Nawaub,  and  were  in  atten- 
dance on  him,  now,  seeing  the  expedition  likely 
to  be  attended  with  an  unfavorable  issue,  and  that 
the  war  between  the  two  parties  was  not  likely  to 
come  to  an  early  conclusion,  quitted  the  Nawaub, 
with  their  troops,  and  joined  the  General,  taking  no 
account  of  the  Nizam,  the  lord  of  their  possessions.'' 

"  IronicaUy. 
^  The  au'hor  of  this  work  passes  over  the  relief  of  Vellore,  in 
silence. — The  march  of  the  General  here  mentioned  was  to  Vellore 
I  helieve. 

^  {Sumu;;tan. 


443 

The  Nawaub,  after  the  General  had  arrived  at  Tri- 
valore^  left  his  ground^  and  encamped  near  Kinchi, 
where  there  was  plenty  of  water  and  forage.  At  this 
time,  also,  the  Nawaub's  spies  gave  him  an  account 
of  the  arrival  of  the  French  fleet,  bringing  with  them 
Monsieur  Bussy,  the  commander  of  the  French 
troops.  Accounts  likewise  came  of  the  English 
army,  which  had  been  collected  from  Trichinopoly 
and  Tanjore,  and  had  marched  to  Naug  Puttun."" 

It  must  not  be  concealed  here,  that,  some  time 
before,  when  the  Nawaub  with  his  army  was  on  their 
march  towards  Tanjore,  the  Hollanders  of  Naug 
Puttun  immediately  deputed  a  person  to  wait  on 
him,  and  he,  having  arranged  and  confirmed  the  re- 
lations  of  peace  and  friendship  between  them,  they 
professed  obedience,  and  became  tributary  to  the 
Nawaub.  The  Nawaub,  therefore,  after  the  pre- 
liminary details  of  the  treaty,  entertained  the  agent 
with  kindness  ;  and,  at  a  fair  price,  purchased  from 
him  warlike  stores,  that  is  to  say,  guns  and  muskets, 
with  boxes  on  boxes  of  their  equipments  and  other 
necessary  articles,  such  as  glass  ware,  &c.  He  also, 
attached  a  body  of  two  thousand  irregular  foot  to 
the  Hollander,  for  his  aid  and  protection. 

When  the  General  proceeded  to  Madras,  and  the 
Nawaub  leaving  his  brave  troops  in  the  forts  of 

^  Negapatam. 


444 

Turkat  Pilly,  Shahgota,  and  the  Ghaut  of  Muniar 
Koodi,  followed  the  army  of  the  General,  and  march- 
ed to  this  quarter/  the  chief  English  officer  at  Trichi- 
nopoly  and  Tanjore,  according  to  the  orders  given 
by  the  Governor  of  Madras,  after  proof  of  the  in- 
sincerity of  the  Hollanders  in  furnishing  warlike 
stores  to  the  Nawaub,  collected  five  or  six  thousand 
troops,  and  some  large  g^ns,  and  marched  and  be* 
sieged  the  said  fort  of  Naug  Puttun,  and  exerted 
himself  to  the  utmost  to  effect  its  capture.  But, 
though  he  professed  a  wish  to  prevent  fighting,  and 
advised  the  surrender  of  the  fort,  his  advice  was 
without  avail,  and  the  result  was,  that,  giving  up 
all  care  for  his  life,  the  commandant  of  the  fort, 
with  his  own  troops,  and  the  foot  soldiers  sent  by 
the  Nawaub,  defended  himself  with  the  greatest 
manliness  and  bravery.  At  that  time  General 
Monro,  who,  since  the  period  of  his  turning  aside 
the  reins  of  perseverance  from  the  neighbourhood 
of  Ginjee,*  after  the  defeat  of  the  troops  under 
Colonel  Baillie,  had  not  been  employed  by  the  East 
India  Company  in  their  service,  but  had  remained 
at  his  own  house,  now,  according  to  the  advice  and 
recommendation  of  the  General,  (Coote,)  was  put 
on  board-ship  with  two  hundred  Europeans  and 
proceeded  to  that  quarter,  (Negapatam) ;  and,  in 

y  Madras  or  Arkat.  *  Sometimes  written  Kinchi. 


445 

the  course  of  about  ten  days,  after  the  destruction 
of  thousands  of  men,  on  both  sides,  he  took  the 
fort,  and  with  his  prisoners  again  returned  to 
Madras  by  sea, — Syud  Sahib,  although  he  laboured 
with  great  ardour  to  assist  and  relieve  the  Hol- 
landers, was  unsuccessful. 

Soon  after  this  event.  Colonel  Burgford  (intended 
for  Brathwaite,)  with  four  thousand  regular  infantry, 
seven  guns,  and  some  regular  cavalry,  left  Naug  Put- 
tun,  having  made  his  own  arrangements  for  the 
security  of  the  fort ;  and,  seeing  the  plain  clear  of 
Hydur*s  prowling  lions,  he  marched  to  Karical  and 
Tulingawari,  But  the  Prince,  the  destroyer  of  his 
enemies,  having  been  commissioned  with  his  invin- 
cible troops  to  the  conquest  of  that  country,  like  an 
arrow  parting  swiftly  from  the  bow  to  the  butt, 
arrived  there ;  and  encamped  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  those  towns.  There  being  at  this  time  a  report 
prevalent,  that  a  fleet  of  French  ships  had  arrived, 
the  Colonel  beforementioned  came  to  Tanjore  ;  and 
with  a  design  to  cover  Kuddalore,  in  case  the  French 
should  land  there,  marched  on  to  the  vicinity  of 
Puna  Nelore,  (which  lies  to  the  eastward  of  the  dis- 
trict of  Gomkurn,  and  is  situated  on  the  bank  of  the 
river  Kauverum,)'  and  encamped  in  a  cocoa  nut 
grove  there.     He  had,  however,  no  sooner  arrived 

•  This  river  in  one  copy  is  called  Goldum. 


446 

there,  than  spies  carried  the  intelligence  to  the 
Prince,  and  that  lion  of  the  field  of  battle  imme- 
diately marched,  following  his  footsteps ;  and  over- 
taking him,  at  night,  posted  his  artillery  round  the 
cocoa  nut  grove,  and  remained  on  the  alert.  In 
the  morning,  when  the  Colonel's  drums  beat  the 
generale  for  the  march,  the  Prince  ordered  his 
artillery  to  open  their  fire ;  and  the  men,  in  obey- 
ing, fired  with  such  precision,  that,  before  the 
Colonel's  troops  had  time  to  fall  in,  half  their  num- 
ber were  killed,  or  wounded,  by  the  fall  of  the 
cocoa  nut  trees,  cut  down  and  broken  by  the  shot. 
To  be  concise, — after  the  Colonel's  troops  were 
formed,  they,  with  their  guns,  came  out  to  the 
plain,  and,  for  an  hour,  or  two,  displayed  much 
bravery ;  but,  as  there  were  a  hundred  difficulties 
and  dangers  opposed  on  all  sides  to  their  passage, 
the  Colonel  repented  of  his  movement ;  and  was 
plunged  into  the  sea  of  anxiety  and  indecision^ 
and,  taking  possession  of  an  old  temple,  or  par 
goda,  which  was  on  the  plain,  he  made  that  his 
quarters  and  halted  there.  A  gentleman  of  the 
name  of  Sampson,**  however,  a  cavalry  officer 
charged  the  Nawaub's  Kushoon,  (a  brigade  of  In- 
fantry,) in  flank,  and  cut  his  way  through  them, 
and  took  the  road  to  Tanjore.     The  brave  horse  of 

**  Simpsou,  perhaps 


447 

the  Paigah,*^  however,  followed  him,  and  took  and 
brought  back  several  of  his  men,  with  their  horses, 
and  arms ;  Syud  Ghuffar,  Soubadar,  was  taken  on 
that  very  day. — But  to  return,  the  Prince  by  the 
constant  fire  of  his  artillery  knocked  down  the 
walls  of  the  old  temple,  and  devoted  the  whole  of 
those  who  sought  refuge  in  it  to  the  sword ;  *  not 
leaving  one  alive.  Then,  taking  possession  of  their 
baggage  and  stores,  he  marched  by  Lai  Peenth  to 
Kuddalore,  and  had  scarcely  encamped  in  front  of 
the  fort,  when  a  number  of  French  ships  arrived, 
and  anchored  in  the  roads. 

The  chief  officer  of  the  French  now  despatched 
a  summons  to  the  English  Commandant  of  the 
fort,  to  surrender ;  and  the  Commandant,  not  being 
of  opinion  he  could  resist,  returned  to  the  French 
general  a  detailed  statement  of  the  stores,  &c.  in 
the  fort,  and,  taking  his  receipt,  evacuated  the  fort, 
and  proceeded  by  sea  in  boats  to  Sudrung  Puttun, 
(called  by  the  English  Sadras),  a  fort  garrisoned  by 
the  Dutch,  where  they  disembarked.  At  that  time, 
also,  two  hundred  men,  with  two  guns  and  stores, 
had  arrived  from  Choongul  Peenth  at  that  fort  to 
besiege  it ;  and  both  these  detachments,  therefore, 
formed  a  junction.     After  some  negociation,  the 

^  Apparently  household  troops. 

**  Made  a  charitable  donation  of  them  to  the  sword. 


448 

Commandant,  who  had  no  intention  to  fight,  joined 
them,  and  they  destroyed  the  fort,  and  returned  to 
Choongul  Peenth. 

The  French  Commander-in-Chief,  with  his  army, 
consisting  of  four  or  five  thousand  troops,  all  Euro- 
peans, now  disembarked  at  Kuddalore,  and  the 
Prince,  after  the  lapse  of  two  days,  visited  him, 
and  having  renewed  and  strengthened  the  founda- 
tions of  worldly  friendship,  said,  '*  It  is  now  neces- 
sary that  you  with  your  gallant  army,*  without  fear 
or  delay,  should  turn  to  our  aid,  and  help  us  to 
destroy  and  root  out  our  enemies,  and,  when  that 
is  done,  each  of  us  will  then  return  to  his  own 
country.** — The  French  general,  however,  pleaded 
the  discomfort  and  length  of  the  sea  voyage,  and 
the  want  of  preparation  in  his  military  equipments, 
as  reasons  for  a  short  delay. — The  Nawaub,  also, 
hearing  of  the  arrival  of  the  French  at  Kuddalore, 
according  to  agreement,  their  meeting  with  the 
Prince,  and  his  endeavour  to  excite  them  to  do 
away  with  the  seditious  and  rebellious  people,  (the 
English,)  marched  towards  Beelpoor,  when  the 
Prince  met  him  there,  and  detailed  to  him  the  delay 
required  by  the  French,  and  other  matters.  The 
Nawaub,  therefore,  sent  them  some  bullocks,  to 

j\^^  j\jS  j»Xfr   melting  their  enemie«,  and  drinking 
their  hlood. 


449 

draw  their  guns,  and  some  other  articles  of  necessity, 
and  then  returned  towards  Arkat.  In  the  course  of 
the  march,  however,  the  scouts  and  spies  from  the 
outposts  which  surrounded  the  EngHsh  army,  came 
in,  and  reported  that  General  Coote,  with  a  very  large 
force,  exceedingly  well  equipped,  was  again  march- 
ing towards  Rai  Vellore,  under  cover  of  the  forest 
of  Naglapoor,  and  the  confines  of  the  territory  of 
Bom  raj  the  Poligar.  The  Nawaub,  therefore,  in- 
stantly put  the  whole  of  his  army  in  motion,  for 
that  quarter.  Syud  Humeed,  Shaikh  Oonsur,  and 
Monsieur  Lalli,  with  their  divisions  of  troops,  were 
sent  to  defend  Arkat ;  while  Kureem  Sahib,  with 
four  thousand  horse,  and  two  thousand  foot,  was 
despatched  towards  Madras,  that  he  might  shut  up 
the  road  against  all  reinforcements  and  convoys 
proceeding  to  join  the  English  army.  The  Na- 
waub himself  then  marched  on,  and,  leaving  the 
Prince  in  the  plain  near  Araee,  encamped  near 
Dhoby  Gurh.  During  this  time,  the  General,  tra- 
versing by  forced  marches,  high  and  difficult  moun- 
tains and  arid  plains,  arrived  from  the  environs  of 
Kulkeri  at  Rai  Vellore,  and  halted  there. 

It  is  not  to  be  omitted  here,  that,  after  the  battle 
of  Sool  Nuggur,  the  brave  Commandant,  (Muham- 
mad All),  notwithstanding  that  worthy  servant 
had  committed  no  fault  deserving  punishment,  was 

o  G 


460 

nevertheless,  accused  of  having  wilfully  neglected 
his  duty  in  opportunities  of  defeating  the  English. 
He  was  displaced,  therefore,  from  his  Risala,  and 
remained  in  the  suite  of  the  Nawaub,  with  only  one 
horse  for  his  own  riding.  About  this  time  a  number 
of  Bunjaras,^  belonging  to  the  victorious  army,  hav- 
ing with  them  about  four  or  five  thousand  bullocks, 
laden  with  grain,  were  proceeding  by  the  road  of 
Arnee  to  Arkat.  The  English  General  hearing  of 
this,  despatched  a  body  of  troops  across  the  Ghaut 
of  Kunumbari,  to  follow  and  way  lay  the  Bunjaras. 
The  officer  commanding  this  force  made  a  forced 
night  march,  and  took  the  whole  of  the  bullocks  and 
grain  ;  the  unfortunate  Bunjaras  being  dispersed  at 
the  first  volley.  As  soon  as  the  Prince  heard  of 
this,  he  followed  the  captors  of  the  grain,  with  a 
select  body  of  horse,  and  recovered  two  or  three 
thousand  of  the  bullocks,  by  making  desultory 
attacks  on  them ;  and,  after  this,  having  posted 
matchlock  men,  and  archers,  to  shut  up  the  road 
of  the  Ghauts  against  future  incursions,  he,  ac- 
cording to  the  Nawaub's  orders,  encamped  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Chunbargurh.  Still,  however, 
he  made  excursions^  every  day  in  the  direction 

'  A  tribe  of  Hindoos  who  carry  grain  about  on  bullocks  for 
sale. 

«  si;  V 


451 

of  Kylas,  and  Vellore/  and  sought  all  opportu- 
nities to  defeat  and  destroy  his  enemies.  It  hap- 
pened one  day,  while  he  was  thus  on  the  watch, 
that,  from  the  vicinity  of  Wanumbari  and  Amboor 
Gurh,  supplies  of  provisions  were  advancing  to 
the  Prince's  army  by  the  road  of  Pulligundah 
and  Balinjpoor;*  and  the  General,  becoming  ac- 
quainted with  the  advance  of  this  convoy,  detached 
four  hundred  musketeers  to  intercept  it.  When, 
however,  this  detachment  had  advanced  two  or 
three  fursungs,  tracing  the  route  of  the  supplies, 
they  had  arrived  safely  in  camp.  The  outlying 
picquets  hearing  of  the  detachment,  and  inform- 
ing the  Prince  of  its  approach,  he,  like  a  hungry 
lion,  sprang  after  them,  and  by  his  courage  and  by 
casting  the  terror  of  his  sword  and  bow  over  them, 
took  them  all  prisoners ;  and,  having  cut  off  the 
hands  and  noses  of  the  greater  part,  he  dismissed 
them. 

The  General  now,  after  enjoying  a  month  of 
leisure  and  ease,  having  put  his  troops  in  good  con- 
dition, advanced  by  the  route  of  Chunbar  Gurh 
straight  towards  Dhoby^  Gurh.  The  Nawaub,  also, 
got  his  troops  in  readiness,  and  gave  the  command  of 

^  Dylore.  *  J^J 

J  Hydur's  encampment  being  at  Dhoby  Gurh.     The  descrip- 
tion of  this  action  is  I  think  designedly  obscure. 


452 

the  right  and  left  wings,  and  the  main  body  of  his 
army,  to  the  most  honorable  and  faithful  of  his 
servants ;  and,  separating  his  baggage  and  followers 
from  his  army,  with  a  select  ^  body  of  men,  strong 
and  brave  as  Roostum,  ^  and  his  artillery  burning 
his  enemies,  remained  formed  for  action." 

It  happened,  at  this  time,  that  the  Nawaub  was 
seated  on  his  Koorsi,  or  chair,  in  a  garden  beneath  a 
banyan  tree,  and  was  viewing  the  various  evolutions 
of  the  troops,  when  the  disgraced  Commandant,  who 
was  standing  among  the  Nawaub's  body  guard,  im- 
mediately climbed  up  the  tree  like  a  rope  dancer^  " 
and  hid  himself  among  the  branches  and  leaves, 
in  such  a  way  that  the  Nawaub  should  know  no- 
thing of  the  matter.  It  chanced,  at  that  very  mo- 
ment, that  the  fortune  of  the  battle  turned,**  or  was 
reversed,  for  the  breeze  of  victory  began  to  blow 
on  the  standards  of  the  General ;  so  much,  indeed, 
that  at  one  charge  he  drove  all  the  advanced  parties 
before  him,  and,  rushed  on  straight  to  the  garden, 
like  a  whirlwind,  or  hurricane,  pouring  forth  the 
storm  of  his  fury.  The  Nawaub,  on  seeing  this  at- 
tack, ordered  his  officers  and  the  Bukhshees  to  draw 
the  artillery  from  under  the  cover  of  the  garden. 


*  chj  j*^^  uV  (^ 

°*  The  commencement  of  the  action  is  not  described. 


453 

and  bring  the  guns  to  bear  on  the  rear  ^  of  the 
General's  army ;  and  the  musketeers  and  archers 
to  keep  up  a  well  directed  fire  and  discharge 
from  both  flanks ;  and  these  orders  were  imme- 
diately put  in  execution.  At  this  time  the  Na- 
waub  sent  for  his  horse,  (a  bit  of  lightning),  to 
stand  near  him,  when  the  Commandant  called  out 
aloud,  from  the  top  of  the  tree,  *'  this  is  the  mo- 
ment for  a  man  to  show  his  manhood/*"*  The 
Nawaub,  looking  up  to  the  top  of  the  tree,  smiled, 
and  put  off  his  mounting  on  horseback.  The 
cavalry  of  the  body  guard  and  the  cuirassiers '  were 
now  put  in  requisition,  to  arrest  the  progress  of  the 
enemy.  The  mighty  elephants,  also,  armed  in  all 
ways,  were  drawn  up  along  the  front  as  a  wall, 
while,  Hke  lions,  the  conquering  troops  plying  their 
swords,  bows,  and  spears,  despatched  a  grejtt  mul- 
titude to  eternity.  But,  in  spite  of  this,  the  English 
troops,  perfectly  steady  and  unshaken,  withstood 
all  attacks,  and  with  their  muskets,  bayonets,  gal- 
loper guns,  and  howitzers, '  raining  fire,  kept  open 
the  gates  of  death  before  the  faces  of  their  oppo- 
nents, and  made  the  battle-field  like  a  rose-garden 


4  Intimating,  I  believe,  that  Hydarlshould  remain  where  he  was. 
**^^  This  word  signifies  a  bullock-cart  or  Ctirriage. 


454 

with  the  blood  of  the  faithful.  In  this  state  of  the 
contest,  the  Prince  Tippoo,  and  other  officers,  how- 
ever forcibly  they  represented,  that  this  was  not  a 
place  in  which  the  Nawaub  could  remain  ;  tliat,  the 
English  with  matchless  bravery,  had  arrived  near, 
and  that  the  Nawaub's  troops,  after  fighting  hard  to 
stop  their  progress  were  mostly  killed  and  wounded ; 
that,  the  plain  was  soaked  with  the  blood  of  the  slain 
on  both  sides ;  and  that  they  now  hoped  the  fire  of 
Hydur*s  anger,  would  be  extinguished  by  the  pure 
water  of  mercy  ;  still  the  Nawaub,  notwithstand- 
ing their  entreaties  and  arguments,  would  not  stir 
from  the  place,  but  ordered  another  line  of  mus- 
keteers, archers,  and  rocket*  or  riflemen  to  cover  the 
front  of  his  position,  and  there  he  remained.  The 
fiaithful  servants  of  the  Nawaub,  being  now  with- 
out resource,  thronged  under  the  tree,  and  having, 
by  signs  and  threats,  disturbed  and  alarmed  the 
brave  Commandant,  they  induced  him  to  come 
down  from  the  tree,  and  with  his  hands  tied,  to 
fall  at  the  feet  of  the  Nawaub,  whom  he  thus  ad- 
dressed. '^  Huzrut,  mount  your  horse,  this  is  a 
dangerous  place,  and  not  proper  for  you  to  remain 
in.  Leave  this  deserted  garden  to  the  crows  and 
owls,  "*  and  to-day  plant  your  victorious  standards, 
exalted  as    the   sun   and  moon,   in   the   plain  of 

"  Meaning  the  English  army,  apparently. 


455 

Arnee.  Please  God,  to-morrow  we  will  give  our 
enemies  such  a  defeat^  that  no  one  shall  be  able 
to  find  out  what  has  become  of  them  till  the  day 
of  Judgment.  The  Nawaub  after  this  mounted  his 
horse  and  rode  towards  Arnee. 

The  truth  is,  that  to  bear  the  infirmities  of 
temper  of  the  brave  man,  and  to  allow  him  every 
encouragement,  is  indispensable  to  all  kings  and 
princes.  In,  short,  the  commandant  alone,  Arom 
that  place  putting  his  horse  to  speed,  charged  like 
lightning  straight  into  the  ranks  of  the  English 
troops ;  and,  in  spite  of  the  showers  of  balls  falling 
around  him,  he  with  his  sharp  sword  having  cut 
down  a  drummer  and  a  standard  bearer,  notwith- 
standing he  himself  was  wounded  by  a  ball  in  the 
forehead,  and  had  received  a  bayonet  wound  in  his 
side,  brought  off  the  English  flag,  and  returned  to 
the  presence,  where  he  presented  it  to  the  servants 
of  the  Nawaub,  and,  in  his  honest  plain  spoken 
manner  said,  ^^  this  is  a  proof  of  what  cowards  can 
do.*'  As  a  reward  for  his  bravery  he  received  a 
thousand  praises  and  acknowledgments,  with  the 
honours  of  a  valuable  gorget,  a  dress  with  an  em- 
broidered vest,  pearl  necklace,  the  Nawaub's  own 
shawls,  &c. ;  and  he  also  raised  the  head  of  dignity, 
by  being  restored  to  his  rank""  and  command  in  the 
army. 


456 

But,  to  return — when  the  Nawaub  proceeded  to- 
wards Arnee,  and  encamped  there,  the  General  en- 
camped at  Dhoby  Gurh,  and  on  the  second  day  he 
marched  to  Ahabad.  The  troops  of  the  Nawaub, 
however,  still  vigorously  attacked  the  General's 
army  on  all  sides  ;  and,  by  suddenly  charging  them, 
and  plying  them  with  rockets,  they  carried  away 
strength  and  stability  from  the  feet  of  the  infidels. 
After  the  General  had  encamped  at  Aliabad,  the 
Nawaub  thought  he  perceived  that  his  views  lay 
towards  the  Ghaut  of  Chungum,  and  the  Barh 
Mahl ;  or,  that  he  was  preparing  to  march  to  Tri- 
chinopoly,  under  cover  of  the  hills  and  forests.  He, 
therefore,  marched  from  Arnee  towards  Bagmar 
Peenth,  where  he  displayed  his  victorious  standards, 
and  intimated  to  his  Kuzzaks,  and  rocket-men,  that 
they  should  have  free  liberty  to  plunder  as  much  as 
they  pleased  ;  and  eager  for  the  spoil  of  their 
enemies,  they  came  upon  the  heads  of  the  English, 
like  a  black  thunder  cloud,  and  rained  a  perfect 
storm  of  musketry  and  rockets  on  every  side  of  their 
army.  Many  of  the  men  and  women  from  Bengal, 
and  the  Sameris,^  (a  low  tribe  from  the  Karnatic), 
with  loaded  camels  and  bullocks,  were  taken  pri- 
soners and  made  slaves.  The  English  army  was, 
in  consequence,  thrown  into  confusion,  and  sought 

^  These  people  are  called  Dares  in  Hiodostan. 


457 

the  cover  of  the  river  Anumungalum,  where  they 
halted  till  the  evening.  In  the  course  of  the  night 
they  marched  on  to  the  front  of  Hydur*s  outposts ;'' 
for,  in  the  way  of  protection,  several  Risalas  of 
Musketeers,  and  four  or  five  pieces  of  cannon,  had 
been  posted  near  Amee,  to  command  the  road. 
Night,  however,  had  drawn  the  veil  of  sleep  and  for- 
getfulness  over  the  heads  and  faces  of  their  courage, 
when,  all  at  once,  the  English  made  an  attack,  and 
two  of  the  guns  were.taken.  The  battalion  of  Hydur 
All  Beg,  Risaldar,  who  was  then  advancing,  met  and 
mixed  with  the  troops  of  the  enemy  and  a  furious 
battle  followed,  in  which  a  great  number  of  men 
were  killed  and  wounded,  and  the  remainder  drew 
themselves  off  to  one  side  from  the  contest.  The 
General,  therefore,  pressed  on  and  surrounded  the 
fort  of  Arnee ;  and  determined  to  take  that  fort ; 
and,  certainly,  several  regiments  of  the  British 
exerted  themselves  nobly ;  for,  keeping  up  a  con- 
tinual fire,  they  advanced  even  to  the  gate.  Never- 
theless, the  Killadar,  whose  name  was  Sidi  Imam, 
behaved  like  a  hero,  in  repelling  his  enemies ;  and, 
by  a  continual  fire  of  cannon,  musketry,  rockets, 
hand-grenades,  and  stones,  he  beat  back  his  assail- 
ants. Indeed,  he  himself,  with  a  few  good  swords- 
men, leaving  the  fort  by  a  postern  gate,  fought  with 


458 

so  much  intrepidity,  that  the  stories  of  the  prowess 
of  Roostum  and  Isfendiar  were  thrown  into  the 
shade  by  his  actions,  and  a  river  of  blood  flowed 
from  the  field  of  battle.  But,  to  return — Even  the 
General  himself,  for  the  sake  of  justice,  was  com- 
pelled to  bestow  a  thousand  praises  on  the  bravery 
and  devotion  of  the  garrison ;  and,  suddenly  retiring 
from  the  fort,  he  forthwith  proceeded  on  the  road 
to  Wandiwash.  The  Nawaub  although  he  quickly 
followed  him,  could  find  no  opportunity  to  attack 
him  to  advantage  ;  he,  therefore,  encamped  on  the 
plain  of  Turwatoor,  and  the  General,  after  halting 
two  days  at  Wandiwash,  marched  towards  Madras. 
The  Nawaub  then  moved  towards  Timri,  where  he 
cantoned  his  troops  for  the  rainy  season. 

About  this  time,  spies  reported  that  in  conse- 
quence of  the  oppressions  of  the  magistrates  and 
petty  officers  of  Trichinopoly  and  Tanjore,  all  the 
towns  and  villages  of  Koimbetore,  Dindigul,  and 
Paulghaut,  were  deserted  and  left  with  a  lamp,^  i.  e. 
an  inhabitant ;  that  the  Peasantry  had  been  ruined, 
and  the  idolaters'  had  set  fire  to  the  mosques  and 
houses  of  the  people  of  Islam,  and  had  raised  the 
standard  of  rebellion  in  those  provinces,  far  and 
near ;  that,  promptly  seizing  the  opportunity,  the 
Naimars  of  Kalikote  had  also  trodden  the  path  of 


459 

deviation^  or  irregularity,  had  raised  the  head  of 
pride  and  insolence,  and  had  filled  the  country  with 
terror ;  and  that  they  had  sent  for  a  body  of  Enghsh 
troops,  from  Mudhura,  and  with  their  aid  continued 
to  plunder,  and  spill  the  blood  of  God's  people. 

When  this  news  reached  the  Nawaub,  he  des- 
patched the  Prince,  (Tippoo),  with  a  large  force 
and  artillery,  to  reduce  that  country  to  order ;  that 
is  to   say,  Koimbetore,  Paulghat,  &c.;   and  four 
thousand  horse,  under  the  command  of  Lala  Chu- 
beela  Ram,  with  the  Risala  of  Sultan  Singh  Silladar, 
were  sent  to  ravage  the  district  of  Nelloor,  and  to 
collect   grain  and  bullocks.     Maha   Mirza  Khan 
Bukhshi,  and  Noor-ulabsar  Khan,  with  two  or  three 
thousand    horse,  were  sent  to  take  possession  of 
the  districts  of  Kalistri,  Vinkut  Giri,  and  Bimraj, 
&c.,  the  territory  of  the  refractory  PoHgars.     A 
Finnan  also,  in  the  name  of  Mukhdoom  Sahib,  who 
was  Governor  of  the  country  south  of  Puttun,* 
and  other  officers  of  the  frontier,  was  issued  to  the 
effect,  that  the  Nawaub  had  heard  that  the  infidel 
Naimars  had  withdrawn  their  heads  from  the  collar 
of  obedience  and  service,  and  did  not  consider  them- 
selves restrained,  or  held  back,  from  plundering  their 
own  country,  and  it  was  therefore  necessary  they, 

*  Seringaputtun.     The  word  Puttun  signifies  a  city  and  it  is 
therefore  common  to  many  cities  in  India. 


460 

(the  officers),  should,  m  future,  to  the  utmost  of  their 
ability,  prevent  those  pagans  from  doing  any  injury 
to  the  peasantry  or  the  poor  inhabitants.  When 
this  Firman  was  received  by  Mukhdoom  Sahib,  he 
assembled  his  troops,  and,  with  the  officers  of 
revenue,  and  pioneers,^  marched  to  that  quarter. 

The  victorious  Prince,  after  quitting  his  father's 
presence,  had  proceeded  by  forced  marches  to 
Oontatoor,  by  the  route  of  Tyag  Gurh,  when  spies 
arrived  with  news,  that  a  body  of  troops  from  Tri- 
chinopoly  and  Tujawur,  (or  Tanjore),  had  joined, 
with  an  intention  to  reduce  the  forts  of  Turkat  Pilli, 
Shah  Gota,  and  the  Ghaut  of  Munniar  Koodi ;  that, 
although  Syud  Sahib  had  exerted  himself  to  the  ex- 
tent of  his  power  to  repel  these  troops,  he  had  been 
unsuccessful ;  for,  from  want  of  experience,  the 
officer  commanding  the  troops  with  him,  had  fre- 
quently been  shameftiUy  defeated  by  the  KuUurs "" 
of  Tondiman,  and  the  regular  cavalry  of  Tanjore ; 
and  was  so  cowed  or  disheartened,  that  it  was  pro- 
bable all  that  part  of  the  country  had  by  this  time 
been  overrun  and  conquered. 

Immediately  on  receiving  this  information,  the 
Prince  galloped  his  horse*  towards  that  quarter, 

^  These  are  called  in  the  language  of  the  country  Muniwar  and 
Kawulignr. 

y^VJlS  d  Shubdez— The  horse  of  the  Princess  Shirin. 


461 

and  arrived  there,  swift  and  sudden  as  the  stroke 
of  fate,  but,  before  the  period  at  which  the 
Prince  could  arrive  there,  a  circumstance  accident- 
ally occurred,  which  doubtless  may  be  considered 
as  very  surprising.  It  appears,  that  one  night  a 
party  of  English  troops  marched  from  Trichinopoly 
to  assault  the  fort  of  Turkat  Pilli,  and  that  a  detach- 
ment, (also  English),  marched  at  the  same  time 
from  Tanjore,  for  the  same  purpose  ;  and  that, 
without  the  knowledge  of  each  other,  both  these 
parties  at  the  same  time,  arrived  and  raised  ladders, 
and  at  one  assault  scaled  the  walls  and  towers  of 
that  fort.  The  garrison  not  being  able  to  oppose 
their  assailants,  escaped  by  a  postern  and  hid  them- 
selves in  some  place  near  the  fort.  On  one  side, 
one  of  the  parties  having  mounted  the  wall,  fired  a 
volley ;  the  party  on  the  opposite  side,  conceiving 
the  fire  proceeded  from  the  resistance  of  the  gar- 
rison, and  that  they  were  approaching,  also  advanced 
keeping  up  a  continual  fire.  In  this  way,  these 
parties  fought,  without  knowing  each  other,  for 
more  than  ten  minutes,  and  displayed  their  courage 
among  themselves,  until  near  six  or  seven  hundred 
men  on  both  sides  were  killed  or  wounded.  At 
this  time,  one  of  the  oflScers  called  out  to  his  men, 
in  the  English  language, "  forward,  and  charge  your 
enemies."     The  oflScer  on   the  other  side,  hearing 


462 

his  own  language,  called  out  aloud,  '*  Hold  your 
hands,  we  are  Englishmen,'*  and  (the  firing  being 
therefore  discontinued),  the  two  officers,  advancing, 
shook  hands  with  each  other,  and  felt  ashamed  of 
their  bad  look  out^  and  want  of  caution.  Then, 
taking  whatever  stores  were  in  the  fort,  they 
marched  towards  Shahgota.  The  next  morning 
the  infiantry  of  the  garrison  returned  into  the 
fort  and  remained  there  until  the  Prince  arrived, 
who,  when  he  heard  the  adventure  of  the  night 
before,  smiled  like  the  dawn  of  the  morning.  He, 
however,  withdrew  the  garrison,  and  left  the  fort 
empty. 

When  the  English  battalions  left  this  place,  they 
joined  some  of  the  Kullers  of  Tondiman  with  their 
force,  and  surrounded  and  assaulted  the  fort  of 
Shahgota.  The  officer  who  commanded  in  the 
fort  was  a  Soubadar,  of  the  name  of  Shaikh  Hu- 
meed,  and  he,  with  a  garrison  of  about  two  hun- 
dred men,  manned  the  walls  and  towers ; — and, 
not  suffering  himself  to  be  frightened  by  his  ene- 
mies,  defended  himself  with  great  spirit,  pouring 
such  a  heavy  fire  of  musketry,  with  all  kinds  of  fire- 
works or  missiles,  from  the  top  of  the  walls,  that 
the  assailants  could  not  stand  it,  but  fled  in  con- 
fusion. Having  collected  and  reformed  their  men, 
the  defeated  officers  were  about  to  try  a  second 


463 

assault,  when,  all  at  once,  the  sound  of  the  kettle- 
drums, and  trumpets  of  the  Prince's  army,  reached 
their  ears,  and  they  became  aware  that  a  reinforce- 
ment had  arrived.  They,  therefore,  made  haste  to 
retire,  under  cover  of  the  hills  and  jungle,  to  Sheo 
Gunga.  The  Prince  that  day  encamped  before 
the  fort ;  and,  atter  bestowing  on  the  Soubadar  a 
thousand  commendations  in  reward  for  his  gallant 
conduct,  made  him  a  present  of  a  pair  of  gold 
armlets,  a  puduk,  or  gorget,  and  a  jowmala,*  or  a 
string  of  pearls,  and  took  him  on  with  his  army. 

In  this  state  of  things,  news  arrived  from  the  Pass 
or  fort  of  Munniar  Koodi,  that  one  night  a  party  of 
English  troops  attacked  that  fort,  the  garrison  being 
absent  on  a  night  expedition  to  collect  cattle  and 
grain,  in  the  towns  depending  on  Sheo  Gunga ;  and 
that  the  Naik  of  the  fort,  with  twenty  soldiers,  and  a 
few  women,  belonging  to  the  soldiers  and  residing 
in  the  fort,  when  they  became  aware  of  the  arrival 
of  the  enemy,  not  knowing  they  were  English 
troops,  and  supposing  them  KuUurs  of  that  neigh- 
bourhood, shut  the  gate,  and  prepared  to  receive 
them.  All  the  women  therefore  assembled,  and 
mixing  cow-dung  and  water,  heated  pots  and 
kettles   full   of   this   mixture  over  the  fire,  until 

®  A  string  of  small  pearls   probably,  as  Jowmala  signifies  a 
string  of  barley. 


464 

the  assailants  had  placed  ladders  against  the  wall  and 
mounted,  when  the  women,  all  at  once  raising  a  great 
shout,  discharged  the  pots  full  of  this  boiling  hot 
water  on  the  heads  of  the  storming  party ;  while 
large  pieces  of  stone,  which  had  been  laid  in  order 
on  the  wall,  were  also  without  ceremony  cast  over 
on  them.  On  the  other  side,  the  little  garrison 
gallantly  pressed  forward  to  repel  the  enemy,  and 
pierced  the  breasts  and  heads  of  many  of  the  as- 
sailants with  balls  and  an*ows,  so  that  they  all  at 
once  took  to  flight.  Hearing  the  report  of  muskets 
from  the  fort,  the  foot  soldiers  of  the  garrison, 
who  had  gone  forth  to  forage,  or  make  a  night  at- 
tack, now  hastened  to  return,  and  for  the  honour 
of  the  Hyduri  state,  fell  briskly  upon  the  enemy's 
rear.  The  storming  party,  being  therefore  hopeless 
of  success,  retreated. 

The  Prince  was  highly  pleased  at  this  exploit, 
but  withdrew  the  garrison;  and,  having  sent  for 
them,  he  gave  to  each  of  the  foot  soldiers,  as  a  re- 
ward for  their  bravery,  a  silver  bracelet,  or  armlet, 
and  to  the  Naik,  a  pair  of  gold  armlets,  and  then 
marched  towards  Turwur  Paleh.  On  the  road, 
intelligence  reached  him,  that  the  Poligar  of  Tur- 
wur Paleh,  with  his  own  troops,  two  hundred 
English  soldiers,  and  the  servants  of  Itebar  Khan, 
the  Collector  of  revenue,  had  marched  from  Tri- 


4G5 

chinopoly  to  his  own  district ;  and,  having  collected 
much  grain  and  cattle  there,  were  returning  again 
to  Trichinopoly.  On  hearing  this,  the  Prince  im- 
mediately made  a  forced  march  in  that  direction, 
and  came  upon  the  heads  of  this  detachment  like  a 
thick  cloudy  just  as  their  officers  were  preparing  to 
cross  a  deep  river,  and  were  sending  over  their  bag- 
gage in  boats,  and  baskets.  The  Prince  instantly 
gave  orders  to  attack  and  plunder  them ;  and  the 
victorious  troops  rained  upon  them  on  all  sides  such 
a  storm  of  arrows,  rockets,  musket  balls,  &c.  that 
the  officers  of  the  enemy  only,  with  the  greatest 
difficulty,  rowing  hard  in  their  boats,  reached  the 
opposite  bank  in  safety.  The  soldiers  threw  them- 
selves upon  the  rushing  waters,  like  bubbles,  and 
strove  hard  to  escape,  by  striking  out  their  hands, 
and  feet,  and,  while  they  were  in  that  condition, 
some  of  Hydur's  brave  troops,  who  could  swim, 
cast  themselves  into  this  death-like  torrent,  shout- 
ing like  thunder,  and  in  their  rage  drowned  some, 
but  the  greater  part  they  drew  forth  like  fishes,  and 
cast  them  on  the  shore.  The  stores  of  grain,  &c. 
were  then  placed  on  the  heads  of  the  prisoners,  and 
despatched  to  the  presence. 

But,  to  return — The  victorious  Prince  placed  a 
strong  garrison  in  Turwur  Paleh,  under  the  com- 
mand of  an  officer  named  Mihi-ud-din  Khan,  Meh- 

H  H 


466 

niun,  and  he  himself  marched  straight  to  reduce 
Koimbetore,  &c.  The  English  army,  which  had 
left  a  garrison  in  the  small  fort  of  Kurroor,  and 
had  arrived  in  the  vicinity  of  Dharapoor,  on  hearing 
of  the  rapid  advance  of  the  Prince,  abandoned  the 
whole  of  the  heavy  stores  they  had  collected,  and 
the  same  night  entered  Kurroor.  From  that  place, 
however,  they  again  marched  at  night,  rashly  in- 
tending to  make  a  night  attack  on  the  Prince's 
army.  It  happened  that,  on  the  road,  a  spark  of 
fire  from  a  Hooka, '  which  some  one  was  smoking, 
was  carried  by  the  wind  to  a  box  of  ammunition, 
laden  on  a  bullock ;  and  that  exploding,  blew  up 
all  the  rest  of  the  boxes  of  ammunition,  and 
nearly  a  thousand  soldiers  were  blown  into  the  air, 
like  kites  and  crows,  and  burned  to  death.  The 
picquets  of  the  Prince's  army  were  first  apprized 
of  this,  by  the  concussion,  and  the  column  of 
smoke,  which  arose ;  and  they  immediately  marched 
and  attacked  the  English  on  all  sides,  and  killed 
the  greater  part  of  that  force. — A  few  men,  how- 
ever, with  a  thousand  difficulties,  and  disgraces, 
escaped  from  this  place  of  slaughter  and  destruc- 
tion to  Trichinopoly. 

Mukhdoom  Sahib,  who  was  sent  with  a  large 
force  to  punish  certain  rebellious  Naimars,  marched 

'  A  kind  of  tobacco  pipe. 


467 

on  to  their  districts/  and,  at  all  placeiS  wherever  he 
marched  or  halted,  he  seized  the  propetty  and  vio- 
lated the  wotnen  of  the  tebellioud  infidels,  and  left 
no  vestiges  of  their  habitations ;  and^  despatching 
troops  of  soldiers,  with  instructions  to  root  out 
the  rebels,  he  utterly  destroyed  the  Talookas  or 
districts  of  the  idolators.  In  the  meanwhile,  he 
took  up  his  residence  in  a  small  fort. 

At  length,  one  day,  a  party  of  these  pagans, 
with  a  body  of  English  troops,  which  had  arrived 
from  Mudhura,  marched  together,  attacked  this 
fort,  and  opened  a  fire  of  arrows  and  musketry 
on  it.  Mukhdoom,  whose  life  was  drawing  near 
its  close,  with  two  hundred  brave  fellows,  made 
a  sortie '^  from  the  fort,  and  the  enemy,  ac- 
cording to  an  agreement  previously  made  among 
them,  surrounded  him,  and  sought  to  take  him 
prisoner.  But  that  hero,  not  entertaining  the 
slightest  fear  of  the  mob  of  his  assailants,  and  the 
pride  of  Islam  seizing  him  by  the  skirt  of  his  honour 
and  station,  he  with  his  brave  soldiers  charged 
them,  like   a  falcon  in  the  midst   of  a   flight  of 

8  The  names  of  the  districts  are  not  mentioned,  except  that 
they  belonged  to  the  country  South  of  Puttun,  Kalistri,  Vinkut 
Giri,  &c. 


468 

pigeons^  and  a  river  of  blood  soon  flowed  from 
the  wounds  of  their  enemies^  inflicted  by  their 
spears  and  swords ;  but  he  himself  drank  the  cup 
of  martyrdom. 


469 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 


An  accouDt  of  the  Nawaub's  last  expedition,  that  is  to  say,  his 
departure  for  his  eternal  abode  in  Paradise  :  and  some  account  of 
the  goodness  of  his  disposition,  his  habits,  his  abilities,  and  the 
rules  of  conduct  he  prescribed  to  himself;  with  other  matters. 
Also,  the  death  of  General  Coote,  which  occurred  before  the 
death  of  the  Nawaub,  in  the  same  year,  Hijri,  1196. — A.  D. 
1781-2. 

The  Nawaub,  after  the  battle  of  Arnee,  retreated* 
and  encamped  in  the  plain  of  Trivatoor.  In  the 
month  of  Zikad,  1196,  Hijri,  after  an  accidental 
scratch  on  his  shoulders,  the  support  of  the  world, 
a  deadly  boil  or  abscess  made  its  appearance, 
and  when  this  was  shown  to  an  able  physician,  he 
having  examined  it,  conceived  it  to  arise  from  a  dis- 
ordered stomach,  and  endeavoured  to  remedy  it  by 
depletion  and  purgative  medicines.  No  relief,  how- 
ever, followed  this  practice;  and,  the  abscess  be- 
coming larger  daily,  the  pain  broke  down  Hydur's 
strong  frame,  and  the  physician,  having  afterwards 


470 

ascertained  the  distinctive  signs  of  the  disease^ 
stated  in  private  to  the  Nawaub^  that  it  was  a  dis- 
ease called  Surtan^^  and  that  its  best  remedy  was 
the  application  of  a  sheep's  liver ;  and  that  stimulat- 
ing medicines,  by  dispelling  the  vapours  of  the 
body,  and  cleansing  the  blood,  were  the  most  likely 
to  cure  it. 

As  soon,  however,  as  the  Nawaub  heard  that  the 

name  of  the  disease  was  Surtan^  be  became  certain 
that  his  last  hour  had  arrived.     He,  however,  did 

not  allow  fear  or  apprehension  to  assume  a  place  in 
bis  mind^  but  remained  absorbed  in  the  order  and 
regulation  of  his  army  and  kingdom.  About  this 
time,  spies  brought  intelligence,  that  that  able 
officer  General  Coote  had  left  this  transitory  world. 
On  hearing  this,  the  Nawaub  sighed  deeply,  and 
said,  **  he  was  a  wise  and  an  able  man,  that  he 
should  by  his  experience  have  kept  on  equal  terms 
with  us."^  But,  to  return^ — -In  this  state  he  re- 
mained a  3hort  time  on  the  plain  of  Timri,  and  in 
the  environs  of  Rani  Peenth,  and  again  some  time  at 
Mahimundul  Gurh ;  and  from  that  he  proceeded, 
by  easy  stages,  to  Poona,  a  town,  two  Kose  north 
of  Arkat,  where  he  pitched  his  tents.  Here,  how^ 
ever,  of  a  sudden,  the  disease  assumed  great  ma^ 
lignity,  and  completely  prostrated  his  strength  and 

J  A  Cancer  seemingly.  *^jijr*i  *^  j'  " 


471 

spirits ;  and  he  was  at  length  obliged  to  take  to  his 
bed.  Yet,  notwithstanding  his  ministers  frequently 
represented  the  necessity  of  sending  for  his  son 
Tippoo, — ^for  that  the  Prince,  had  long  desired  to 
pay  his  duty  to  his  father/ — he  in  reply  merely  said 
*'  Why  do  you  trouble  me  in  this  manner  ?"  At 
length,  however,  he  sent  for  his  Moonshi,  (secretary), 
to  the  presence,  and  ordered  him  to  write  to  the 
Prince,  to  the  following  purport, ''  that  he  was  to 
make  all  necessary  arrangements  in  that  quarter, 
(where  he  was  stationed)  as  quickly  as  possible,  and 
then  return ;  that  he  was  deeply  to  consider  the 
result  of  all  the  necessary  relations,  and  connexions™ 
of  the  government  small  and  great ;  and  that,  if 
troops  were  necessary  to  his  aid,  he  should  send 
for  them ;  for  that,  in  matters  of  state,  he  had  given 
him  power  to  act  at  discretion  or  as  he  pleased ; 
and  that  he  was  not  to  neglect  or  forget  his  duties 
to  the  government  for  a  moment."  The  next  day 
the  Nawaub  threw  open  the  doors  of  his  treasury, 
and  gave  all  the  soldiers  of  his  army  every  Kutcheri 
or  regiment  separately,  the  amount  of  one  month's 
pay  as  a  gift.  On  the  last  day  of  Mohurrum  il 
Fluram,  he  asked  his  attendants  what  was  the  date 

^  MSS.  of  the  Royal  Asiatic  Society. 

™  ^^>^^*>  di^Ujiy     This  paragraph  is  very  darkly  expressed. 


472 

of  the  month,  they  replied,  ''  this  is  the  last  day  of 
the  month  Zi  Huj,  and  to-night  is  the  first  of  Mo- 
hurrum.*'"  He  then  directed  that  water  might  be 
made  ready  for  him  to  bathe,  and,  although  the  phy- 
sician objected  to  his  bathing,  they  turned  him  out  of 
the  tent,  and  the  Nawaub  bathed.  Then,  having 
put  on  clean  clothes,  he  repeated  some  prayer  or  in- 
vocation on  his  finger,  rubbing  his  face  ;  and  at  the 
same  time  despatched  two  thousand  horse  to  plunder 
and  ravage  the  country  of  the  Poligars  north  of  Ar- 
kat,  and  five  thousand  horse  towards  Madras,  for  the 
same  purpose,  and  to  alarm  the  people  there.  He 
next  sent  for  some  of  his  officers,  and  gave  them 
strict  orders  for  the  regulation  of  their  departments, 
and  afterwards  swallowed  a  little  broth,  and  laid 
down  to  rest.  The  same  night  his  ever  victorious 
spirit,  took  its  flight  to  Paradise. —  Verses.''  **  Be  he 
a  beggar  or  a  conquering  king," — '*  both  must  de- 
part from  this  pleasant  abode  (the  world)" — "  When 
death  follows  any  one," — "  He  allows  not  a  mo- 
ment's delay," — "  In  this  chapter  all  are  powerless ; 
lovers  and  friends," — ''  Wife  and  children," — "  The 
body,  which  has  been  nurtured  in  wealth  and  lux- 
ury,"— "  must  at  last  sleep  in  the  cold  grave." — 

**  The  moDths  of  the  Muhammadans  are  as  is  well  known  Lunar. 


473 

'*  The  soldiers  of  death  fear  no  armies  ;* — '*  They 
do  not  fear  the  warrior," — "  A  revolution  of  this 
round  empty  world." — **  And  at  once  Hydur,  and 
what  belonged  to  Hydur,  passed  away." 

Although  a  detail  of  the  (excellent)  disposition, 
and  the  powerful  abilities  of  that  pardoned  great 
man,  (Hydur),  is  far  beyond  the  reach  of  either 
tongue  or  pen,  still  according  to  usage,  one  (good 
quality)  for  a  thousand  is  here  presented. 

In  penetration,  and  in  store  of  practical  wisdom, 
the  deceased  Nawaub  took  the  lead  from  all  the 
State  Ministers,  Princes,  and  Kings  of  former  days. 
In  grandeur  of  display,  and  in  abundance  of  the  ele- 
ments or  principles  of  opulence  and  greatness,  he 
had  no  equal.  ^  He  was  the  friend  and  protector 
of  the  soldier,  and  was  altogether  full  of  kindness 
and  generosity.  His  court  was  magnificent ;  but, 
except  himself,  few  dared  to  speak  therein.  What- 
ever he  desired  to  be  done,  he  himself  ordered,  and 
the  rest  of  the  assembly  had  no  choice  but  to  give 
their  assent.  He  did  not  like  great  talkers,  (or 
makers  of  long  speeches ;)  the  subject  of  conversa- 
tion in  his  assemblies  was  generally  relative  to  the 
order  and  regulation  of  kingdoms  and  empires,  or  to 
swords,  muskets,  jewels,  horses,  elephants,  or  invigo- 

P  In  the  original,  the  sense  is  repeated  in  other  words,  as  in 
other  Oriental  writings. 


474 

rating  medicines.  His  understanding  was  wonder- 
ful. He  entertained,  to  a  boundless  extent,  the  pride 
of  rank  and  station,  and  the  noble  desire  to  attempt 
great  things ;  but  of  foolish  pride,  or  vain  glory,  he 
had  none ;  he  had  expelled  them  from  his  mind.  In 
all  the  cities  and  towns  of  his  territory,  besides  news- 
writers,  he  appointed,  separately,  secret  writers,  and 
spies,  to  patrol  the  streets  at  night ;  and  from  them 
he  received  his  intelUgence.  From  morning  till  nighty 
he  never  remained  a  moment  idle.  He  was  a  slave  to 
the  regulation  of  his  working  establishments,'^  or  ma- 
nufactories, and,  if  any  one  of  the  officers  or  over- 
seers of  the  works  was  indolent,  or  neglectful,  he 
sent  for  him,  and  punished  him  according  to  his 
offence ;  telling  him,  at  the  same  time,  ''  We  gave 
charge  to  you  of  this  work,  relying  on  your  honesty 
and  fidelity,  why  have  you  spoiled  it  ?"  When  he 
sat  down  to  table,  he  ate  of  all  the  dishes  present ; 
he,  however,  showed  most  fondness  for  salt  and 
sour  dishes.  He  finished  his  dinner  with  rice  and 
peas. '  He  was  not  fond  of  sweet  dishes.  In  his 
journeys  or  marches,  he  mostly  subsisted  on  parched 
gram,  (Cicer  arietinum,)  almonds,  and  dry  bread, 
made  of  rice,  or  jowar,  (Holcus  spicatus,)  and 
Khush-khush  Soorkh,  or  as  at  is  called  in  this  coun« 

•->•  tJ'fc)    The  Pigeon  pea  or  cytisus  cajanus. 


475 

try,  Raggi,  (Cynosurus  coracanus,)  with  which  he 
appeared  well  contented.  In  his  dress,  he  was  very 
fond  of  red,  and  na  furmani,  or  purple,  and  the 
chintz  of  Boorhanpoor;  the  latter  he  wore  con* 
tinually.  The  turban  he  wore  on  his  fortunate 
head  was  red  or  purple,  one  hundred  hands,  or 
cubits,  in  length.  When  he  took  his  seat  on  the 
Musnud,  he  laid  before  him  a  shining  short  sword,* 
or  dagger,  with  a  hilt  studded  with  diamonds. 

All  the  operations  or  measures  undertaken  by 
Hydur*s  government,  small  or  great,  were  superin- 
tended by  himself  in  person ;  in  so  much,  that 
even  leather,  the  lining  of  bullock-bags,  or  tent- 
walls,  and  strands  of  rope,  all  passed  under  his 
inspection,  and  were  then  deposited  in  his  stores. 
He  kept  all  merchants,  traders,  and  bankers, 
pleased  with  him,  by  making  them  kingly  pre- 
sents ;  and  he  also  bought  up  their  goods,  with 
the  greatest  avidity,  and  at  high  prices.  To  horse 
dealers  he  gave  presents  of  gold  and  raiment, 
besides  the  value  of  the  horses  he  purchased ;  and 
so  liberal  was  he,  that  if,  on  the  road  through  his 
territories,  any  horse  by  chance  died,  he  paid  half 
the  price  of  the  horse,  after  the  arrival  of  the  tail 
and  mane,  with  a  certificate  from  the  civil  officers 
of  the  district.     His  loans,  and  advances  of  money 


476 

were  scattered  like  sand  over  the  face  of  the  earth. 
His  estimate  of  the  value  of  the  brave  and  expe- 
rienced soldier,  of  whatever  tribe  or  caste  he  might 
be,  was  very  high ;  and  any  man,  who  had  distin- 
guished himself  by  his  bravery,  he  heartily  cherished 
and  protected,  and  used  his  endeavours  to  promote 
and  exalt  him.  Any  experienced  person,  acquainted 
with  business,  he  appointed  Amil,*  Foujdar,  or 
Ameen.  He  was,  however,  the  enemy,  of  the  in- 
dolent and  luxurious ;  and  the  backs  and  sides  of 
his  negligent  and  extortionate  servants  were  fre- 
quently softened  by  stripes  of  the  whip.  A  man 
that  had  been  removed  from  his  place,  after  proof 
of  neglect  or  maladministration  of  his  duties  to 
government,  or  of  extortion,  extravagance,  or  op- 
pression of  God's  people,  and  whose  delinquencies 
were  attested  by  official  persons,  was  never  restored 
to  his  office.  He  placed  all  offices  of  responsibility 
in  the  hands  of  wise  and  honorable  persons.  In  all 
his  departments,  territorial  and  fiscal,  present  or 
absent,  he  maintained  a  newswriter,  certain  Hur- 
karas,  and  a  secret  writer  ;  each  of  whom,  without 
being  acquainted  with  the  others,  acquired  a  know- 
ledge of  every  action  of  his  servants  good  or  bad. 
Sometimes  by  night,  secretly,  and  covered  with  a 
Gileem  or  blanket,  he  went  out,  alone,  into  the 

'  Governor  of  a  district,  or  town,  and  Collector  of  Revenue. 


477 

streets  and  lanes  of  the  city,  to  ascertain  the  con- 
dition of  the  inhabitants,  the  poor,  and  strangers ; 
and  in  camp  he  usually  did  the  same.  His  months 
and  years  were  generally  spent  in  marches  and  ex- 
peditions ;  and,  in  fact,  he  considered  his  life,  and 
the  success  of  his  measures,  as  dependent  on  his 
continual  movements  about  the  country.  The  de- 
light given  by  new  scenery,  or  a  new  ground  of  en- 
campment, fresh  springs,  and  the  grateful  shade  of 
the  tent,  in  no  circumstances  did  he  ever  forego.  For 
he  did  even  as  God  in  the  Koran  has  commanded, 
''  Go  walk  forth  in  the  earth,""  which  passage 
plainly  indicates  the  necessity  for  travel.  In  the 
training  and  education  of  his  sons  he  took  great 
pains,  although  he  himself  was  apparently  entirely 
illiterate,  and  had  never  learned  to  read  or  write. 
However,  in  the  weight  of  his  judgment,  (delighting 
in  difficulties,)  given  him  by  God,  he  surpassed  all 
the  learned  and  wise  of  his  time ;  and,  although 
sparing  of  speech,  yet,  when  he  did  speak,  his 
language  was  extremely  pleasing  and  appropriate. 
To  enable  him  to  sign  public  documents,  a  qualifi- 
cation  indispensable  to  rulers  of  kingdoms,  he  with 
much  labour  copied,  until  he  could  write,  the  form 
of  one  letter ;  the  letter  ^  which  he  wrote  re- 
versed, in  this  manner  ^.     Yet,  as  has  been  before 


478 

mentioned,  he  was  very  solicitous  regarding  the 
education  of  his  sons,  and  appointed  men  of  his 
court  to  the  duties  of  tutors  and  servants  to  them, 
who  made  him  acquainted  with  every  particular 
relating  to  their  manners  and  conversation ;  and 
sentinels,  from  the  Nawaub's  guard,  were  placed 
around  their  houses  or  tents. 

Whenever,  the  Sahibzada,  (Wala  Kudr)  Tippoo, 
was  commissioned  to  repel  enemies,  or  to  attack 
forts,  to  whatever  quarter  he  might  be  sent,  he  was 
first  summoned  to  the  presence,  and  the  Nawaub 
with  his  own  lips  told  him,  that  he  had  selected 
him  for  this  service,  because  he  found  him  worthy 
in  all  matters  to  be  employed ;  that  he  committed 
a  force  of  so  many  horse  and  foot,  so  many  guns, 
and  a  treasury  of  so  much  money  to  his  orders ;  and 
that  he  must  take  great  care  no  neglect  occurred, 
and,  using  great  prudence  and  caution,  return  suc- 
cessful. He  then  dismissed  him.  The  officers  and 
men,  who  were  placed  under  Tippoo  on  this  occa- 
sion, were  also  sent  for,  and  strictly  enjoined  that, 
as  the  Prince  was  young,  they  should  never  allow 
him  to  be  separate  from  them,  or  peril  himself  by 
inconsiderate  rashness ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  con- 
sider his  safety  at  all  times,  as  placed  at  their  re- 
sponsibility by  their  faith  and  agreement.  When, 
fortunate  and  \actorious,  the  Prince  returned  to  the 


479 

presence  from  his  expedition,  he  was  again  placed 
under  surveillance,  as  above  related.  In  truth  the 
well-bred  and  those  who  have  acquired  the  senti- 
ments and  manners  of  the  exalted,""  never  allow  their 
children  to  associate  or  play  with  the  low  ^  or  vul- 
gar, and  thereby  fall,  and  be  degraded  from  their 
station  and  rank. —  Verse.  "  To  avoid  the  friend- 
ship of  bad  men  is  profitable :"  *'  the  company  of 
Assafoetida  *  will  spoil  the  finest  musk.**  ^  It  is  very 
frequently  seen,  that  the  children  of  great  men,  by 
reason  of  too  great  liberty,  the  exceeding  indul- 
gence of  the  Father,  and  the  society  of  low  people, 
have  so  far  sunk  from  the  footing  of  nobility,  and 
rank,  that,  they  have  never  again  raised  the  head 
of  respectability.  But,  to  continue — The  young 
Princes  had  permission  to  sleep  in  their  Zunanas, 
or  women's  apartments,  only  every  fourth  night. 

On  most  occasions,  Hydur  used  patiently  to  bear 
with  the  petulance  and  coarseness  of  the  brave  men 
in  his  service.  As,  for  instance,  one  day,  in  the 
Nawaub's  Court,  or  assembly, "  some  jecoUections 
of  the  battle  of  Churkoli  were  introduced.  The 
Nawaub  •  said,  that  on  that  day  his  whole  army, 
had  followed  the  path  of  cowardice ;  that,  they  had 
run  away  before  his  face ;  that  no  one  with  his 


1 


480 

sword  in  his  hand  had  exerted  himself  faithfully ; 
and,  that  they,  (the  officers,)  to  save  their  own 
lives,  had  sacrificed  those  of  their  men.  Among 
those  who  were  present  there,  was  Yaseen  Khan 
Wunti  Koodri,  who  had  followed  the  path  of  faith 
and  honour  in  that  battle,  and  who  had  there  de- 
voted, as  a  charitable  donation  **  to  the  sword  and 
spear,  the  whole  of  his  body,  and  one  eye ;  and  he 
said,  in  answer,  "  Yes,  Sir,  (Bulli  Huzrut,)  what 
you  say  is  true ;  for  such  occurrences  arise  from 
fate,  and  depend  on  the  will  and  power  of  no  man. 
Yet,  this  eye  of  mine,  for  what  was  it  put  out  ? — 
and  for  what  man,  (using  a  term  of  low  abuse),  did 
I  lose  the  blessings  of  sight,  the  pleasure  of  behold- 
ing the  lights  and  shades*^  of  this  many  coloured 
world,  the  object  and  delight  of  life  !" — The  Nawaub 
smiled  at  this,  and  said, — "  I  did  not  mean  you." 

One  day,  also,  he  gave  the  Commandant  Mu- 
hammad All,  some  orders  relative  to  a  military 
movement ;  and  the  Commandant,  to  complete  his 
charge,  required  a  sum  of  money,  or  a  military  chest. 
The  Nawaub,  at  this  request,  became  very  angry, 
and  said  "  By  this  account  thou  takest  monthly 
a  large  sum  in  gold,  as  much  as  thy  mother's 
dower,  or  marriage   present,**  and  spendest  it   in 

b         •<•  c  ■ 

j*^j^  Allusions  of  this  kind  are  considered  very  indelicate. 


481 

all  manner  of  ways,  and  now,  the  time  having  ar- 
rived when  there  is  something  to  do,  thou  demand- 
est  more  money  from  me.  Every  piece  of  gold 
thou  hast  received  up  to  the  present  day,  I  will  re- 
cover from  thee,  and,  after  putting  thee  in  irons,' 
thou  shalt  be  added  to  the  chain  of  thieves,  or 
felons,  deserving  death,  for  thou  hast  spent  much 
of  the  public  money  in  worthless  matters,  and 
now,  in  time  of  need,  thou  wishest  to  reduce  me 
to  poverty."  The  hard  featured  and  impudent' 
Commandant,  at  this,  turning  his  face  from 
the  Nawaub  towards  the  Clerks  of  the  Treasury, 
and,  while  speaking  to  them,  alluding  to  the 
Nawaub,  said  ''The  depth  of  the  Sirkar's  (Na- 
waub's)  understanding  is  evident  I  The  old  man 
is  merely  giving  himself  airs  on  his  penetration 
and  knowledge.  In  this  matter  money  is  in- 
dispensable, and,  if  not  given,  the  measures  of 
the  government  will  be  ruined."  This  impu- 
dent address  was  heard  by  the  Nawaub;  but 
he,  with  the  indifference  of  a  great  man,  and 
the  indulgence  he  was  accustomed  to  allow  his 
servants,  took  no  notice  of  the  impertinence  of 
his  insolent  though  faithful  officer,  and  merely 
told  the  people  of  the  Treasury  to  give  that  vulgar. 


I  I 


482 

greedy  fellow,  what  he  wanted.  Occurrences  similar 
to  these  happened  frequently. 

In  the  sciences  of  palmistry  and  physiognomy  * 
he  was  unequalled  in  his  time  or  age.  One  of  the 
keen  glances  of  his  exalted  understanding  did  an 
immense  deal  of  work.  As,  for  instance,  it  decided 
without  difficulty  the  enlistment  of  recruits,  the 
merits  of  horses  about  to  be  purchased,  and  their 
price,  the  appreciation  of  valuable  articles,  (as  the 
knowledge  of  the  kinds  and  worth  of  precious 
stones),  and  the  selection  of  them.  It  was  equally 
available  when  he  was  listening  to  the  subjects  of 
despatches,  territorial  and  revenue,  individual  ^  ap- 
phcations,  newspapers,  (Ukhbar),  and  in  issuing  im- 
mediate replies,  to  every  suitor,  and  to  every  one  of 
these  various  and  conflicting  details.  His  pro- 
found knowledge  also  of  the  quality  and  value  of 
arms,  and  instruments  of  war,  occasioned  him  no 
trouble,  but  came  to  him  as  it  were  instinctively. 
To  his  strength  of  memory  thousands  of  praises 
are  justly  due ;  for,  although  former  great  and 
mighty  kings,  and  rulers,  had  the  advantage  of 
learning  on  their  side,  yet  God,  the  true  preserver,* 
never  endowed  any  of  them  with  the  clear  intellect 
and  memory  of  Hydur. — Verses.  "  Every  man  is 

«*^   Signifies  memory  and  preservation. 


483 

made  for  his  work ;"  ''  the  ability  to  perform  his 
part  being  implanted  by  nature  in  his  mind." 

One  day,  a  religious  quarrel  took  place  between 
the  Shiahs  and  the  Soonnis,  and  the  dispute  had 
advanced,  from  the  tongue  and  words,  to  hands 
and  daggers,  when  the  Jasoos,  or  spies,  of  the  go- 
vernment reported  the  whole  to  Hydur.  The 
Nawaub  ordered  both  parties  to  be  brought  before 
him,  and  then  said  to  them,  ^*  What  foolish  dispute 
is  this ;  and  why  do  you  bark  like  dogs  at  each 
other  Y*  The  Soonni  here  replied,  "  Protector  of 
the  World,  this  spiteful  man  was  presumptuous, 
in  speaking  of  the  successors  of  the  last  of  the 
prophets,  Muhammad,  (on  whom,  and  on  his 
family  and  companions,  be  peace) ;  the  stars  of  the 
firmament  of  religion ;  and  he  even  went  so  far  as 
to  use  abusive  language  towards  them,  and  your 
slave,  at  hearing  him,  felt  as  though  a  thorn  had 
been  broken  in  his  heart."  The  Shiah  was  next 
asked,  in  the  same  way,  and  he,  according  to  the 
tenets  of  his  false  religion,  said  "  Abubukr  Sideek, 
the  first  Khalif,  did  so  and  so  to  Moortuza  All,  and 
Omr,  the  second  Khalifah,  did  so  and  so,  in  regard 
to  the  lovely  Fatima,  and  frequently  ill-treated  her. 
Knowing  this,  therefore,  why  are  the  descendents 
of  the  sons  of  Hussein  to  speak  respectfully  of  such 
men."     The  Nawaub,  in  his  wisdom,  not  wishing  to 


484 

hurt  the  reUgious  feelings  of  either  party,  asked  the 
Shiah,  "Are  those  persons  whom  you  reproach, 
alive  r  The  Shiah  answered,  "  No."  The  Nawaub 
then,  with  the  anger  natural  to  his  disposition,  said 
to  him,  ''  He  is  a  man  who  declares  his  opinion  of 
the  good,  or  evil,  of  another  before  his  face,  not 
behind  his  back.  Do  you  not  know  that  back-biting 
is  unlawful  ?  And  I  should  think  that,  as  you  act  in 
this  manner,  you  must  also  be  base  bom  J  If  you 
ever  again  waste  and  destroy  your  time  and  that 
of  the  Sirkar  in  such  an  irreverent,  wicked  dispute, 
you  may  rely  on  it  a  camel  bag^  and  a  mallet  will 
be  ready  for  you.**  ^ 

One  day,  in  Hydur^s  court  or  assembly,  people 
of  both  these  sects,  (Soonnis  and  Shiahs,)  were 
present ;  and  one  of  the  Soonnut  Jumaut  related 
an  anecdote  of  a  traveller,  who  was  proceeding  on  a 
journey  on  horseback.  It  happened,  that  the  road 
was  very  miry,  and,  all  at  once,  the  hoofs  of  the 
horse  sunk  in  a  quagmire,  and  he  stuck  fast.  The 
horseman,  therefore,  dismounted,  and  seizing  the 
bridle,  began  to  pull  him  out ;  saying, "  Come  forth^ 
by  the  truth  of  the  Sideek  Abubukr !"  The  horse, 
however,  did  not  move.  He  then  said, "  By  the  es- 
tablished justice  of  Huzrut"  (Omr,)  Farook,  come 

^\j^     Signifies  both.  JoJ^ 

^  Seemingly  alluding  to  some  kind  of  punishment. 

"*  Term  of  respect. 


485 

forth  !**    But  the  horse  made  no  movement.     He 
then  said,  "  By  the   strength  of  the  understand- 
ing of  Huzrut  Osman,  step  forward."     The  horse, 
however,  still  remained  stock  still.     At  length,  he 
exclaimed,  "  By  the  might  and  valour  of  the  great 
Moortuzvi,   or   Moortuza,  (All),  step   on !"     The 
moment  he  said  this,  the  horse,  plunging,  came  out 
of  the  mud.   The  horseman,  now  drawing  his  sword, 
said,  "  O  horse,  thou  art  become  a  heretic !  (Rafizi), 
thou  art  of  no  use  to  me ;"  and  with  one  stroke 
of  his  sword  he  cut  off  his  legs.     On  hearing  this 
story,  the  Nawaub"  smiled,  and  said,  "  A  won- 
derful fool  this  man  must  have  been !     Did  he  not 
know  that  he  who  was  the  strongest  brought  the 
horse  out  of  the  mire  !" 

Sometimes  he  was  fond  of  sporting  his  wit,®  or  of 
joking,  with  his  associates  or  companions,  particu- 
larly with  All  Zrnnan  Khan.  At  the  time  the  Souba 
of  Sura  was  conquered,  the  Nawaub,  one  day  mount- 
ed his  horse  to  look  at  the  city,  and  rode  through 
the  streets  and  lanes.  Now  it  is  the  fashion  of 
the  city,  that  there  are  many  tombs  in  front  of  the 
doors  of  the  houses,  and  also  in  the  streets  or  roads. 

°  This  story  shews  that  Hydur  All,  although  he  trimmed  be- 
tween the  two  parties,  like  most  uneducated  Mussulmen  in  India, 
was  a  Shiah. 


486 

The  Nawaub,  therefore,  asked  those  who  were  with 
him,  how  these  tombs  became  placed  in  the  middle 
of  the  town.  Those  persons  replied,  that,  apparent- 
ly, the  whole  space  had  been  formerly  waste  land ; 
but  now,  men  seeing  that  God's  people  were  pro- 
tected, and  the  peasantry  encouraged,  by  His  High- 
ness, they  had  assembled  from  all  parts  and  had 
built  the  city.  The  Nawaub  said, "  A  truce  to  your 
compliments !  Do  you  not  know,  that  these  men 
and  women  died  fighting  for  their  houses.*''* 

The  word  Lowndika,  which  means  the  son  of  a 
slave  girl,  a  term  much  in  use  among  the  Dukkanees, 
was  also  continually  on  the  tongue  of  the  Nawaub, 
and,  if  he  was  angry  with  any  one,  he  called  him 
by  this  name  ;  but,  it  was  also  used  as  an  endear- 
ing, fond,  appellation,  to  which  was  attached  great 
favour  ;  until,  one  day.  Ah  Zuman  Khan,  by  infer- 
ences and  hints  represented  to  him  that  the  word 
was  low,  discreditable,  and  not  fit  for  the  use  of 
men  of  knowledge,  and  rank.  The  Nawaub  smiled, 
and  said,  "  O  friend,  you  and  I  are  both  the  sons 
of  slave  women,  and  the  two  Husseins  only,  on 
whom  be  good  wishes^  and  Paradise,  (or  acceptance 
with  God,)  are  the  sons  of  a  Bibi,  or  lady."     These 

P  Alluding  perhaps  to  the  quarrelsome  character  of  the  Duk- 
kanees. 


487 

words  highly  pleased  those  who  were  present,  and 
they  fully  agreed  with  him,  for  this  reason,  that 
the  title  of  the  illustrious  mother'  of  those  great 
men  is  the  lady  or  Queen  of  both  worlds.' 

Whenever  he  despatched  a  body  of  troops  to  per- 
form any  particular  service,  he  was  never  free  from 
anxiety  respecting  that  force  ;  constantly  supplying 
them  with  all  things  necessary,  as  money,  military 
stores,  and  grain  for  men  and  cattle.  In  the  repairs 
of  the  forts  which  he  took,  and  the  construction  of 
new  walls  or  defences,  he  expended  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  pounds  ;  as,  indeed,  the  state  of  most 
of  the  strong  hill  forts  in  the  Payanghaut  and  Bala- 
ghaut  will  afford  sufficient  testimony. 

The  name  of  cut  purse,*  thief,  or  highway  robber, 
was  erased  from  the  records  of  the  cities,  towns, 
and  villages,  of  his  dominions  ;  and  if,  by  accident, 
any  highway  robbery,  &c.  was  committed,  the  Ka- 
wuligur,  or  guard,  of  that  part  was  impaled  without 
delay,  and  another  person  appointed  to  his  office  ; 
one  who  feared  God,  and  had  a  tender  heart.  He 
kept  his  troops  always  in  good  humour,  by  gifts 

'  Fatima. 
■  The  veneration  of  the  Shiahs  for  Fatima,  approaches  nearly 
to  the  devotion,  or  worship,  offered  to  the  Virgin  Mary  by  the 
Catholics. 


488 

and  favours,  and  his  peasantry  highly  pleased,  by 
(favourable)  assurances  and  agreements. 

During  the  whole  of  his  reign,  the  only  innova- 
tions he  made  were  in  the  impression  of  the  Hoon, 
or  Pagoda,  on  one  side  of  which  was  the  letter  ^  , 
and  on  the  other  dots  ;  and  in  the  half  pence"  or 
copper  coins,  the  currency  of  this  country,  on  one 
side  of  which  is  impressed  the  figure  of  an  elephant. 
The  reason  of  this  latter  was,  that  Hydur's  own 
elephant,  called  Poon  Guj,  an  extremely  handsome 
animal  in  its  form  and  proportions,  and  very  steady 
in  its  paces,  in  so  much  that  Hydur  prized  him 
above  all  his  other  elephants,  died  suddenly ;  and 
Hydur,  being  much  grieved  at  his  death,  to  perpe- 
tuate his  memory  had  his  figure  stamped  on  his 
copper  coinage.  He  made  no  other  change.  About 
this  time,  however,  being  one  day  very  angry  with 
his  Ohdedars,  and  Howalehdars,  the  civil  officers 
of  his  working  departments,  who  had  spoiled  some 
work  committed  to  their  charge,  by  chance  the  Da- 
rogha  or  master  of  the  mint  presented  himself,  and 
asked  the  Nawaub  what  device  he  would  have  struck 
on  his  new  copper  coinage.  Hydur,  in  a  violent 
passion,  told  him  to  stamp  an  obscene  figure  "^  on 
it ;  and  he,  agreeably  to  these  orders,  struck  that 
day  four  or  five  thousand  of  these  coins,  and  they 


489 

passed  among  the  currency  for  some  time.  At 
length,  certain  learned  men  made  a  representation 
to  the  Nawaub  on  the  subject,  and  the  coins  were 
called  in,  and  melted  down.  The  pence  and  half 
pence  of  the  elephant  are,  however,  still  current. 

Every  Monday  night,  whether  marching,  or  halt- 
ing, he  had  a  set  of  dancing''  girls,  with  foreheads 
like  Venus,  and  countenances  like  the  moon,  to 
dance  before  him.     In  the  time  of  the  Dussera,  the 
Eed  or  festival  of  the  Mahrattas,  although  this  was 
a  custom  of  the  Infidels,  to  follow  which  he  in  his 
heart  was  averse,  still,  with  a  view  to  please  and  gain 
the  affections  of  the  Mysoreans,  that  is,  the  descen- 
dants of  Jug  ^  Kishen  Raj  Oodere,  and  his  ministers ; 
for  to  the  deceased  Nawaub  every  heart  was  dear ; 
and,  also,  because  the  service  or  agency  of  infidels  is 
not  infidelity  ;  he  held  a  banquet  of  ten  days,  and 
the  sons  of  Kishen  Raj,  and  also  of  Nundiraj,  were 
admitted  to  the  presence ;  and,  for  two  or  three 
hours,  the  Nawaub  amused  himself,  by  seeing  fire 
works,  the  fighting  of  stags,  the  fierce  attacks  of 
buffaloes,  and  the  charges  of  elephants,  like  moun- 
tains, on  each  other,  and  the  boxing  and  wrestling 
of  strong  prize  fighters,  who  in  the  Dukkun  are  called 

'  See  an  account  of  the  Hindoo  Princes  of  Mysore  in  Col. 
Wilks's  History  of  that  country. 


490 

Jetti.  A  Ghirbal/  or  circular  enclosure,  having  been 
formed,  in  front  of  the  Jetti  Mahl,  or  theatre  for 
prize-fighting,  and  a  chained  tiger  placed  therein, 
asses,  to  which  strong  spirits  had  been  given  in- 
stead of  water,  were  let  loose  on  the  tiger ;  and, 
on  seeing  the  bounds  or  leaps  of  the  tiger,  and 
kicking  and  braying  of  the  asses,  the  Nawaub  was 
accustomed  to  laugh,  and  be  much  amused.  Abys- 
sinians,  also,  dressed  in  woollen  armour,*  with 
staves  of  sandal  wood,  were  set  to  fight  with  bears. 
Some  of  the  Nawaub's  bravest  servants,  at  their 
own  request,  were  also  selected  and  placed  in  the 
circle  against  a  fierce  lion  or  tiger.  In  firing  at  a 
mark,  with  a  musket  or  matchlock,  there  was  not 
in  the  world  the  Nawaub's  equal ;  for,  in  the  midst 

■ 

of  the  circle  was  fixed  a  plantain  tree,  and  the 
man  who  was  fighting  with  the  lion  was  ordered  to 
attack  him  round  or  under  cover  of  the  tree.  If  in 
the  event  the  brave  man  conquered,  and  slew  the 
lion  or  tiger,  he,  with  presents  of  gold,  dresses,  and 
increase  of  pay,  was  rendered  independent  of  all 
worldly  want ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  if  the  tiger  was 
conqueror,  and  had  cast  the  man  on  the  ground, 
the  Nawaub  took  up  his  matchlock,  and  fired  with 
such  unerring  precision  that  the  ball  passed  through 
the  tiger's  head,  and  the  man  rose  up  uninjured. 


491 

At  the  commencement  and  end  of  his  govern- 
ment, to  terrify  his  adversaries,  he  was  accustomed 
to  order  the  ears  and  noses  of  the  Mahratta  and 
other  prisoners  to  be  cut  off;  and  in  the  expedition 
to  Arkat,  at  the  suggestion  of  some  of  his  villainous 
eunuchs,  many  of  the  loveliest  maidens  there,  of 
any  tribe,  either  with  the  consent  of  their  parents 
or  relations,  or  by  force,  were  sent  for,  and  com- 
pelled to  submit  to  his  embraces.  Beautiful  Slave 
girls,  not  arrived  at  womanhood,  whom  he  had  ac- 
quired by  the  same  means,  were  also  sent  by  him 
to  the  Natuk  Sala,*  in  the  women's  apartments, 
(for  instruction  in  singing  and  dancing.)  The  Na- 
waub  was  accustomed  to  shave  his  beard,  mous- 
taches, eyebrows,  and  eyelashes.  He  was  very 
dark,  and  strong  bodied,  but  of  middle  size. 

The  impression  on  his  seal  was  the  following 
verse : 

"  Futteh  Hydur  was  manifested,  or  born,  to 
conquer  the  world.  There  is  no  man  equal  to  All 
and  no  sword  like  his." 

His  pocket  seal  bore  the  words  jJ-^  ^ 

In  fine,  from  the  beginning  of  the  rise  of  his 

•  The  theatre  of  the  Hindus. 
^  A  sword  taken  bv  Muhammad  from  an  Arab  at  the  battle  of 
Budr,  which  descended  to  Ali. 


492 

fortune^  to  his  deaths  his  conduct  was  distinguished 
by  vigilance,  experience,  and  wisdom. 

Some  person  found  the  date  of  his  decease  in  the 
following  sentence, 

"  Ah !  the  Lion  hearted  man  is  dead.** 
And  another  has  found  the  date  in  these  words, 

*'  The  life  or  soul  of  the  Balaghaut  is  gone." 

The  numerical  value  of  these  letters  gives  the 
date  1196  Hijri. 


>^V 


f- 


493 


SUPPLEMENTARY   NOTE. 


The  following  character  of  Hydur  Ali,  is  trans- 
lated from  a  Persian  work  called  Ahwali  Hydur 
Naik,  No.  1845, — in  the  East  India  Company's 
Library.  The  author  appears  to  have  been  a  cer- 
tain Mirza  Ikbal. 

This  book  which  is  written  with  apparent  can- 
dour, certainly  with  no  partiality  to  Hydur,  after 
premising  that  there  are  many  different  accounts 
of  Hydur's  origin,  states  that  he  himself  was  ac- 
customed to  assert  that  he  was  derived  from  the 
Kings  of  Bejapoor ;  and  that  when  their  Govern- 
ment ended,  and  Sultan  Sikundur,  the  last  King 
of  Bejapoor  was  killed,  he  left  a  son  eight  years  of 
age,  who  was  saved  from  his  enemies  and  with  a 
few  jewels,  taken  secretly  by  his  mother  to  Kirpa,  * 
where  he  remained  unknown  until  he  died,  leaving 
a  son  who  entered  the  service  of  the  Afghans  of 
Kirpa,  as  did  his  son  also. 

^  Cuddapah. 


494 

The  last  mentioned,  left  two  sons,  who  served 
the  Afghans  of  Kirpa  and  Kurnole  in  the  lowest 
grade  of  military  rank,  that  of  Naik,  or  corporal  of 
regular  infantry.** 

The  son  of  one  of  these  men  (whose  name  is 
not  mentioned,)  was  named  Muhammad  Naik. 
His  son  was  AU  Naik,  and  his  son  Futteh  Naik. 
Futteh  Naik  had  two  sons,  Hydur  Naik  and  Shah- 
baz  Naik.     Hydur  it  is  said,  was  born  at  Sura. 

When  Hydur's  fortunes  first  rose,  on  the  ruins 
of  those  of  the  Raja  of  Mysore,  his  humble  and 
agreeable  manners  attracted  from  all  parts  many 
adventurers  to  his  service  ;  and  it  appears  that,  in 
his  Durbars,  or  levees,  he  assumed  no  distinction  be- 
tween himself  and  one  of  his  private  troopers,  nor 
were  any  deductions  made  from  the  pay  of  his 
soldiery. 

When,  however,  the  Raja  of  Mysore  was  deposed, 
Hydur  began  to  raise  the  head  of  pride.  By  de- 
grees, he  became  strange,  and  forgetful,  asking  the 
names  of  his  former  friends,  and  requiring  from 
them  sundry  obeisances,  and  respectful  observances ; 
and,  when  his  territory  and  army  increased,  he  gave 
his  troops  only  a  month's  pay  in  six  weeks,  and  this, 
also,  with  the  deduction  or  difference  of  Shumsi 

^  jV  so  called,  perhaps,  because  when  formed  they  resemble 
a  waD,  or  hedge. 


495 

and  Kumri,  or  solar  and  lunar  months.  For  in- 
stance, if  a  man  was  engaged  in  the  service,  no- 
minally at  five  hundred  rupees  a  month,  he  was 
paid  for  a  period  of  six  weeks,  (called  there  a 
month),  by  Puttie,  or  Order,  three  hundred  rupees 
only ;  so  that,  in  fact,  he  received  but  two  hundred 
rupees  a  month,  and  so  with  the  rest,  in  propor- 
tion. 

As  his  troops  gradually  became  quiet  and  orderly, 
so  in  the  same  degree  did  he  become  vicious,  and 
they  were  exposed  to  abuse  and  the  whip,  or 
heavy  headed  cudgel,*  and  the  stick  or  rattan.^ 
Towards  the  end  of  his  reign  he  abandoned  all 
consideration  for  any  persons,  however  respectable ; 
these  persons,  too,  having  been  attracted  to  his 
service  by  delusive  promises  and  dissimulation. 
He  gave  them,  notwithstanding,  the  vilest  abuse, 
and  for  the  least  fault  put  them  to  death.  In  his 
Durbars  or  levees  no  one  dared  converse,  or  even 
whisper.  If  any  one  had  a  wedding  in  his  house, 
he  could  not  invite  any  friends,  except  through  the 
Nawaub,  and  the  agency  of  his  servants ;  and,  even 
then,  he  gave  his  Wordi  Hurkaras  ^  orders  to  go 
and  see  and  hear  what  was  said  and  done.  These 
men,  therefore,  were  in  general  bribed  not  to  tell 

g 

fc/«>/^  an  English  word  adopted  by  Hydur. 


49G 

the  truth  ;  but  he  believed  all  they  told  him.  If 
he  had  advanced  any  one  of  his  servants  money, 
the  third  part  of  his  pay  was  stopped  until  the 
amount  was  refunded ;  and  if  any  one  paid  the  debt 
on  demand,  he  was  accustomed  to  demand  interest, 
under  the  pretence  that  he  had  borrowed  the  money 
from  a  banker  for  him.  But,  when  he  had  obtained 
the  interest,  he  said  "  this  man  is  rich,  why  did 
he  borrow  money  from  me  ?  seize  his  goods," 
and,  accordingly,  his  property  was  sometimes  con- 
fiscated, or  stolen  by  thieves  set  on  by  Hydur's 
authority. 

When  he  was  on  the  field  of  battle,  contrary  to 
his  former  custom,  when  all  he  required  was  done  by 
the  influence  of  kindness  and  friendship,  now,  he 
looked  stedfastly  at  the  enemy,  and  said  to  his  own 
horsemen, — "  Do  you  see  that  man,  standing  yon- 
der with  his  soldiers  ?"  That  man  is  your  Father  ^ — 
you  must  kill  him,  or  be  killed ;  for,  if  you  come 
back  without  killing  him,  I  will  certainly  put  you 
to  death  myself  in  this  very  place ;"  as,  indeed,  to 
inspire  terror,  he  had  before  often  done.  And  when 
stimulated  and  forced  on  by  the  abuse  he  gave  them, 
the  horse  had  charged  the  enemy  he  sent  for  the 
Sauises  (grooms  or  horsekeepers)  of  the  cavalry, 

^  The  insiDuatioD  intended  to  be  conveyed  by  these  words 
18  not  to  be  expressed. 


497 

and,  giving  them  bamboos  and  shoes,  he  placed  them 
in  line,  himself  taking  post  in  the  rear  of  the  whole, 
and  giving  orders  to  them  to  strike  and  beat  any 
one  who  retreated.  The  poor  hoi'semen,  forced  on 
by  the  disgrace  of  the  stick,  and  the  torrent  of 
abuse  following  them,  gave  themselves  up  to  death 
uselessly.  He  never,  however,  took  the  pains  to 
bury  them  after  they  were  slain.  As  an  instance  of 
this  neglect ;  one  day,  that  a  great  battle  had  been 
fought  between  him  and  the  English  General  Coote, 
the  General,  after  the  battle  was  over,  despatched  a 
message  to  Hydur,  stating  that  his  (Hydur's)  horse- 
men had  done  their  duty,  and  fulfilled  the  condi- 
tions of  their  contract  with  him,  by  sacrificing  their 
lives  in  his  service,  and  that  it  was  now  time  he 
should  perform  Tiis  duty,  as  their  master,  and  direct 
some  one  to  bury  their  bodies.  Stung  by  the 
sharp  reproof  conveyed  in  this  message,  he  imme- 
diately sent  for  Meer  Muhammad  Sadik  Khan,  his 
Dewaun  or  Minister,  and  ordered  him  to  bury  them. 
In  reply,  however,  to  General  Coote,  he  merely 
said,  that  he  did  not  want  any  of  his  advice. 

If  any  one  was  sent  in  command  of  an  expedi- 
tion, and  was  delayed  or  unsuccessful,  he  was  on 
his  return  sent  for  to  the  presence,  and  severely 
reproached  by  Hydur  himself.  If,  on  the  contrary, 
he  did  his  work  soon  and  was  successful,  still,  on 

K  K 


498 

his  return^  he  was  abused  for  having,  (as  Hydur 
said),  sacrificed  the  lives  of  his  best  men  in  rash, 
and  profitless  attacks.  In  fact,  in  his  life  he  was 
never  known  to  praise  any  one.  In  all  his  mea- 
sures he  availed  himself  of  the  aid  of  threats  and 
violence,  to  instil  fear  into  men's  minds. 

He  was  accustomed  to  have  a  party  of  Bayaderes, 
dancing  women,  early  every  night  at  his  tents.  If 
the  woman,  who  danced  was  a  Hindu,  she  was  re- 
quired to  wear  a  white  dress ; — ^if  she  was  a  Mus- 
sulman woman,  a  dress  embroidered  with  gold.  In 
her  dancing,  however,  she  was  not  permitted  to 
laugh  or  smile,  or  display  any  wanton  steps  or  ges- 
tures ;  she  was  required  to  dance  and  sing  slowly. 
Let  there  be  ever  so  many  men  present,  the  atten- 
tion and  eyes  of  all  were  to  be'  fully  occupied, 
and  absorbed,  in  the  beauty  of  the  Nawaub  him- 
self alone.  If  any  of  the  men  present  cast  his  eyes 
towards  the  dancing  girls,  God  preserve  us!  the 
Nawaub  would  immediately  call  out  *'  Look !  look 
well  I  for  your  mother,  (meaning  the  dancing  girl), 
has  left  her  house,  and  is  occupied  in  dancing  in 
the  midst  of  her  husbands."  If  it  was  any  one  of 
his  friends,  however,  he  was  more  civil. 

During  his  government,  his  recruiting  for  the 
army  was  carried  to  that  extent,  that  he  even  en- 
listed blind  men.  The  reason  of  this  was,  that,  as 
be  was  riding  out  one  day,  a  blind  man  asked  him 


499 

for  alms^  and  he  desired  his  Chobedar,  (silver  stick), 
to  ask  the  beggar  if  he  would  take  service  with  him. 
The  beggar  consented,  and  Hydur  sent  him  off 
to  the  arsenal,  and  directed  that  he  might  be  em- 
ployed in  blowing  the  bellows  of  the  blacksmith's 
forge,  and  also  that  he  should  be  allowed  every 
year  two  cotton  cloths,  and  a  falam  or  five  annas, 
(about  seven  pence),  a  day  ;  and  when  the  artillery 
marched,  he  was  to  be  placed  on  one  of  the  artillery 
tumbrils  and  brought  along  with  them.  He  also 
directed  the  Darogha  of  his  artillery  to  enlist  as 
many  blind  men  as  he  could  find. 

In  the  taking  of  towns,  it  was  his  custom,  after 
the  plunder  of  the  inhabitants,  to  allow  them  to  re- 
main in  peace.  After  a  short  time,  however^  he 
was  used  to  assemble  the  DuUalah,  [women  who 
beat  the  Dohul,  (a  small  drum),  at  marriages ;  ] 
and,  as  they  are  free  to  enter  all  houses^  he  re- 
quired them  to  point  out  where  the  handsomest 
maidens  resided:  To  those  houses  he  sent,  and 
seized  the  girls,  and  had  them  brought  to  him  ;  and 
among  them  those  who  were  remarkable  for  their 
bloom  and  delicacy,  elegance  of  form,  length  of 
hair,  and  complexion,  he  placed  among  his  own 
women ;  and,  in  general,  these  women  were  most 
in  request '  by  him.     They  had  also  salaries,  or  es- 


500 

tablishments,  and  were  placed  under  the  Jamautdar 
of  the  women,  one  of  his  senior  wives ;  as  for  the 
rest,  he  never  sent  for  them  again,  but  either  re- 
turned them  to  their  parents,  or  partitioned  them 
amongst  his  followers.  In  this  way  he  collected  a 
great  number  of  women,  but  his  old  wives  were  the 
chiefs  of  all  the  new  ones. 

On  the  day  that  was  fixed  for  the  Nawaub  to 
visit  the  Mahl,  or  women's  apartments,  every  Chief 
lady  had  her  division  of  women,  dressed  in  a  differ- 
ent colour,  and  standing  apart ;  the  red  party,  the 
green,  the  violet,  the  yellow.  Some  wore  rose- 
coloured  dresses,  others  orange,  the  Nafurmani  or 
purple,  the  spotted,  white,  gold,  sandal,  and  Moky- 
yush.  On  these  occasions  they  sat  down  near  him, 
but  he  seldom  spoke  to  them  ;  nor  did  they  speak, 
except  his  first  wife,  the  sister  of  Meer  Ali  Ruza 
Khan,  the  mother  of  Tippoo.  He  was  always  very 
fond  of  her,  and  compelled  the  rest  of  his  women  to 
to  pay  their  respects  to  her  every  morning.  Some- 
times, however,  she  and  Hydur  used  to  quarrel. 
On  these  occasions,  he  bore  the  violence  of  the 
lady's  tongue  with  great  resignation  and  patience ; 
until,  at  length,  rising  up,  he  would  say, "  It  is  from 
fear  of  your  tongue  that  I  have  given  up  entering 
the  women's  apartments." 


501 

When  he  came  out  and  sat  down  in  his  private 
room^  he  was  accustomed  to  tell  his  friends,  such 
as  Ghoolaum  Ah  Khan^  Bahadur,  and  All  Zuman 
Khan,  that  Tippoo's  mother  had  treated  him  very 
harshly  indeed;  that,  he  had  not  the  courage  to 
answer,  or  argue  with  her;  that,  when  she  com- 
plained, he  had  no  choice  but  to  leave  the  apart- 
ment ;  but  that  still  he  was  fond  of  her,  because 
she  undertook,  in  her  own  person,  the  manage- 
ment of  every  thing  in  his  house,  and  laboured  for 
his  welfare ;  but  that  she  had  a  long  tongue  ^  and 
a  high  sounding  voice,  and  that  he  was  afraid  to 
listen  to  her.  However,  that  she  should  do  as  she 
pleased. 

Every  time  he  entered  the  women's  apartments 
she  was  the  first  person  he  called ;  desiring  her  to 
come  to  him.  She  in  reply,  would  say,  '*  What  do 
you  want  with  me  ?**  But  he  never  entered  the 
Mahl  without  taking  some  valuable  presents  to 
her. 

His  'eating  and  sleeping  was  always  outside  the 
Mahl,  but  every  night  two  or  three  of  the  ladies  of 
his  family  were  in  attendance  on  him. 

He  was  very  stedfast  in  his  word  to  his  Talook- 
dars,  (or  revenue  officers),  and  merchants ;  and 
with  these  two  classes  of  men  he  was  never  known 

i  "  From  morn  till  night  the  shrill  alarum  rung." 


502 

to  break  bis  faith.^  And  this  was  the  mode  of  his 
agreements*  If  any  of  bis  revenue  agents  &rmed  a 
district  from  him^  although  he  strpve  to  raise  thei 
amount  to  be  paid  as  high  as  possible^  yet,  if  any 
profit  was  derived  beyond  the  government  money^ 
he  never  took  more  than  the  precise  sum  stipulated  ; 
indeed,  many  persons  have  offered  him  the  surplus  : 
but  he,  in  reply,  said,  ^'  If  the  amount  contracted 
for  with  government,  bad  been  short,  I  should 
have  exacted  the  deficiency ;  and,  therefore,  if  the 
&rmer  gets  more,  I  have  no  right  to  interfere  be- 
tween him  and  his  good  fortune.**  If  he  confided 
to  any  one  the  charge  of  a  district,  God  protect 
him  if  he  took  to  the  value  of  a  blade  of  grass, 
besides  the  dues  assigned  to  him  by  Hydur!  he 
was  sure  to  be  flayed  alive.  Whenever  information 
arrived,  that  so  much  money  was  due  from  the 
farmer  of  the  revenue,  he  first  sent  for  him  and  de- 
manded the  money,  and,  if  it  was  not  paid,  he  pre- 
pared to  compel  him  by  oppressive  and  cruel 
means,  of  which  an  account  will  be  given  here- 
after. 

His  management  with  merchants,  generally,  was 
so  excellent  as  to  be  beyond  all  praise ;  but  more 
particularly  his  kindness  to  horse  dealers.  He,  how- 
ever, expected,  while  be  extended  his  favour  to 

^  He  never  kept  hia  faith  with  any  one  else. 


503 

them^  that  they  also  should  conform  to  his  pleasure, 
and  that  the  horses  they  brought  should  not  be  sold 
until  he  had  seen  them  ;  and  if  any  horse  died  after 
it  entered  his  boundaries^  and  the  tail  and  good 
evidence  of  the  fact  were  produced,  he  paid  half  the 
price  of  the  horse.  He  always  saw  the  horses  him- 
self, and,  having  seen  them,  fixed  their  prices. 
After  four  days  had  elapsed,  he  sent  for  the  mer* 
chants,  and  having  paid  them  separately,  for  as 
many  horses  as  he  had  approved,  he  presented 
them  with  an  order  for  the  discharge  of  the  Rah- 
dari  or  customs,  and  told  them  they  must  consider 
themselves  his  guests  the  next  day,  and  after  that 
depart.  When  the  morning  arrived,  he  sent  them 
a  number  of  measures  of  rice,  some  sheep,  butter, 
and  other  materials  for  a  feast.  The  result  of  his 
liberality  was,  that  horses  were  brought  to  him 
from  all  quarters ;  but,  if  any  horse  dealer  sold  a 
horse  before  Hydur  saw  it,  and  his  Hurkaras  be- 
came acquainted  with  the  circumstance,  he  would 
neither  buy  any  of  the  horses  himself,  nor  allow 
any  one  else  to  buy  them.  For  this  reason,  no 
other  person  could  get  a  good  horse ;  and,  if  they 
bought  any  of  the  horses  rejected  by  Hydur,  they 
were  generally  dear  and  good  for  nothing. 

As  he  never  gave  his  servants  leave  to  return  to 
their  own  countries,  they,  pining  to  visit  their  homes. 


504 

clothed  themselves  like  religious  beggars,  and  ran 
away  secretly  with  these  horse  dealers. 
-  Notwithstanding  the  great  riches  which  God 
from  his  hidden  treasures  had  granted  to  him,  he 
was  at  times  so  avaricious  that  even  the  pen  is 
ashamed  to  write  an  account  of  his  meanness. 
Sometimes^  however,  on  the  reverse,  he  became 
very  generous ;  but,  in  fact,  amassing  wealth  a(>- 
peared  to  him  as  the  renovation  of  his  faculties.^ 
Indeed,  many  men  followed  him  to  the  field,  and 
lost  their  Uves  there,  to  whom  or  to  whose  children 
or  relations,  he  never  gave  a  single  farthing.  He 
never  gave  his  dancing  girls,  who  every  day  danced 
before  him,  any  thing  beyond  their  yearly  allowance, 
except,  perhaps,  a  trifle  on  very  rare  occasions. 
On  those  days,  when  before  the  balcony  (of  the 
palace)  a  lion  net  was  suspended,  and  a  man  and  a 
lion  were  placed  in  the  area,  to  fight  together,  if  the 
lion  killed  the  man,  nothing  was  given ;  but  if  the 
man  killed  the  lion,  he  received  the  present  of  a 
golden  chain,  or  necklace.  In  general,  however, 
he  was  so  good  a  marksman  with  his  matchlock, 
that  he  did  not  suffer  the  Uon  to  kill  the  man. 

During  the  Dussiu'a  of  the  Hindus,  he  was  com- 
paratively liberal  to  his  fiiends,  the  prize  fighters, 
wrestlers,  &c. ;  but,  after  all  he  never  gave  much. 


605 

He  never  allowed  any  reduction  of  the  allowances 
of  the  Hindu  temples. 

His  memory  was  excellent ;  to  that  extent  that 
he  would  recollect  a  word  for  years.  Any  one 
whom  he  had  seen  twenty  years  before,  in  the  dress 
of  people  of  the  world,  he  would  recognize,  after 
that  period,  in  the  patched  garment  of  a  mendicant."" 
It  is  related  of  him,  that,  one  day,  he  told  the  Da- 
rogha  of  his  stable  to  bring  an  old  saddle,  which 
had  been  laid  by  and  neglected  for  a  long  time. 
When  it  was  brought  and  examined,  he  said, "  there 
is  another  saddle  missing ;  it  is  a  Mahratta  saddle, 
with  a  housing  of  yellow  broad  cloth,  moth-eaten, 
and  I  desired  it  might  be  wrapped  up  in  a  cloth, 
and  taken  care  of."  This  also,  on  search  was  found, 
and  he  had  given  the  orders  he  mentioned  eleven 
years  before. 

As  soon  as  morning  appeared,  he  sat  down  on 
his  chair,  °  and  washed  his  face.  During  this,  all 
his  Hurkaras  (spies  and  messengers)  stood  about 
him,  on  all  sides,  repeating  the  news  and  intelli- 
gence of  the  day  before.  His  memory  and  his 
hearing  were  equally  wonderful,  for  he  could 
readily  distinguish  and  comprehend  the  different 
voices,  and  details ;  this  was   really   astonishing. 


m 


°  Chowki,  a  kind  of  low  stool  or  chair. 


506 

The  people  of  Mysore  would  not  give  credit  to 
what  was  said  of  him ;  but,  on  trying  repeatedly, 
it  wa£  foimd  that  they  were  wrong,  and  this  is  the 
way  in  which  it  was  proved.  When  the  Hurkaras 
began  repeating  their  news,  whatever  did  not 
require  inquiry  was  passed  over  in  silence  by 
Hydur;  but,  any  news  which  required  examina* 
tion,  or  was  important,  after  listening  to  it,  he  stop* 
ped  all  further  talking,  and  entered  seriously  into 
the  investigation  of  its  truth. 

Hydur  All  was  a  plain  man,  and  free  from  vanity 
or  self  sufficiency.  He  was  not  fond  of  delicacies, 
nor  particular  in  what  he  ate.  He  gave  no  orders 
about  his  table,  but  ate  whatever  they  placed  be- 
fore him.  His  mode  of  living  was,  however,  not 
Uke  that  of  a  man  of  rank,  but  rather  like  that  of  a 
private  soldier.  At  his  table  twice  a  day  some  of 
his  most  intimate  friends  used  to  attend,  but  the 
shares,  and  food,  of  all  were  alike. 

In  his  dress,  also,  he  was  not  very  particular. 
He  did  not  wear  his  Jamah  (tunic  or  coat)  often ; 
but  a  vest,  open  in  front,  made  of  a  broad  kind 
of  white  cloth  which  is  called  in  India,  Doria,  that 
the  width  of  the  cloth  might  allow  of  its  being 
broad  at  the  breast. 

On  his  head  he  wore  a  red  turban,  of  a  hundred 
hands  in  length,  or  a  yellow  turban  of  Boorhanpoor 


607 

manufacture.  His  trowsere  were  made  of  Masu^ 
lipatara  chintz;  and  he  was  fond  of  chintz^  the 
ground  of  which  was  white,  strewed ""  with  flowers. 
He  wore  diamond  clasps  on  bis  wrists,  and  two  or 
three  diamond  rings  on  his  fingers.  He  slept  on  a 
small  silken  carpet;  and  this,  and  two  or  three 
pillows,  were  all  he  required  for  his  bed. 

He  was  not  fond  of  the  throne,  or  state  display, 
unless  on  the  festival  of  the  £^d ;  when,  if  some 
of  his  friends  reminded  him  of  it,  he  ordered  his 
throne  to  be  spread  or  arranged  in  form. 

On  Tuesdays  and  Fridays,  from  the  morning  to 
mid-day,  no  one  could  enter  his  presence ;  for  on 
that  day  he  was  shaved.  First  of  all  his  head  was 
shaved ;  after  that,  two  barbers  sat  down,  one  on 
each  side  of  him,  and  pulled  out  the  hair  of  his 
beard,  whiskers,  ^  and  eyebrows,  with  a  pair  of 
tweezers.  As  an  instance  of  his  plainness  ap- 
proaching to  folly,  it  is  related,  that  there  was  in 
his  service  a  one-eyed  man,''  named  Yasin  Khan, 
whose  nickname  was  Wunti  Koodri;  Wunti,  in 
the  Canarese  language,  signifying  one,  and  Koodri 
a  horse,  or  the  master  of  one  horse.  This  man 
always  served  singly  ;  and,  notwithstanding  he 
was  asked  to  accept  a  Risaldari,  (the  command 
of  a  regiment, )   he  constantly   refused,   and  for 


608 

that  reason  assumed  or  acquired  this  name.  Be- 
tween him  and  Hydur  there  was  frequently  a 
great  deal  of  wit  bandied  about,  in  the  public  Dur- 
bar, until,  sometimes,  it  degenerated  into  abuse. 
This  man  at  first  shaved  his  beard  and  whiskers 
like  those  of  the  Nawaub  Bahadur ;  but,  when  he 
became  old,  he  allowed  his  beard  to  grow  very  long. 
One  day,  using  an  indecent  expression,  the  Nawaub 
asked  him — why  he  allowed  his  beard  to  grow  so 
long.  In  reply,  he  said,  ^*  Men  call  those  eunuchs 
who  shave  their  beards  and  moustaches.**  This  was 
in  allusion  to  Hydur's  custom  of  shaving  his  beard, 
and  also  to  the  cause  of  Yasm  Khan*s  following  his 
example,  by  shaving  his. 

In  the  battle  fought  between  the  Nawaub  and 
Trimuk  Mama,  the  army  of  the  Nawaub  was  to- 
tally defeated,  and  his  baggage  plundered.  After 
the  battle,  the  Mahrattas  searched  about  every 
where,  that  they  might  take  Hydur  prisoner ;  and 
they  were  all  impressed  with  an  opinion,  that  any 
man  who  had  his  beard  and  moustaches  shaved  must 
be  Hydur  Naik.  In  these  circumstances,  Yasin 
Khan  Wunti  Koodri,  keeping  his  eye  on  the  faith 
and  gratitude  he  owed  his  master,  immediately 
shaved  oflF  his  beard  and  whiskers,  and  folding  a  tur- 
ban round  his  head,  after  the  manner  of  Hydur  Ali, 
mounted  a  large  horse,  and  with  three  or  four  horse- 


509 

men  ranged  over  the  field,  as  if  they  were  men  of 
rank  seeking  to  escape.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  the 
Mahrattas  saw  them,  they  made  sure  that  Yasin  was 
no  other  than  Hydur  AU  Khan  himself;  and  they 
seized  him  and  carried  him  to  their  officer.  In  the 
mean  time,  however,  Hydur  All  by  stripping  off  his 
clothes/  had  escaped,  and  had  reached  Seringaput- 
tun,  the  distance  being  about  three  Kose  (four  miles 
and  a  half).  When  the  Mahrattas  found  that  Hydur 
AU  Khan  had  escaped^  and  that  the  man  they  had 
taken  was  Yasin  Khan,  they  released  him  from 
confinement,  and,  from  that  day,  he  used  in  jest 
to  say,  that  he  was  the  true,  or  original,  Hydur 
AU  Khan* 

It  is  well  known  that,  from  the  commencement 
of  his  good  fortune  to  his  death,  Hydur  was 
very  fearful  of  treachery ;  and,  if  any  ambassa^ 
dor  came  to  him  from  a  foreign  State,  he  took 
every  precaution  for  his  own  security.  For  in- 
stance— when  the  late  Nawaub  Syud  Futteh  All 
Khan,  and  AU  Nowaz  Khan,  who  were  sent  by 
Wala  Jah  with  a  message  to  Hydur,  first  arrived, 
they  were  placed  in  a  Hindu  temple,  the  same 
which  he  had  converted  into  a  fort,  while  contend- 
ing with  the  Raja  of  Mysore ;  and,  as  it  was  on 
the  bank  of  the  river,  the  Nawaub  Syud  Futteh 


510 

Khan^  from  the  dampness  of  the  air^  was  seized 
with  an  old  complaint^  a  difficulty  of  breathing.  Of 
necessity,  Hydur  was  compelled  then  to  send  for 
them  to  the  fort,  where  he  gave  them  the  house 
of  Khundi  Rao ;  but  he  stationed  fifty  Hurkaras, 
(spies),  at  the  gate  of  their  house,  that  every  thing 
that  was  said  or  done  might  be  reported  to  him 
daily. 

But,  leaving  alone  cases  of  this  kind,  his  old  ser- 
vants, and  the  people  of  the  towns  in  his  territory, 
dared  not  speak  a  word  to  each  other  in  the  street. 
If  they  were  mixed  in  a  crowd,  or  friendly  to  each 
other,  the  spies  seized,  and  dragged  them  ofi*  to  the 
Durbar,  (hall  of  audience),  that  they  might  be 
punished.  In  like  manner,  no  one  dared  to  speak 
privately  with  another  in  his  assembhes, '  for  fear 
of  his  displeasure. 

Whoever  entered  his  dominions,  had  no  longer 
any  power  or  controul  over  himself ;  nor  had  he 
liberty  to  return  as  he  came,  until  he  received  a 
pass  or  permit  from  Hydur*s  Government.  By 
his  power  mankind  were  held  in  fear  and  trem-^ 
bling;  and,  from  his  severity,  God's  creatures, 
day  and  night,  were  thrown  into  apprehension  and 
terror.  Cutting  off  the  nose  and  ears  of  any  per* 
son  in  his  territories^  was  the  commonest  thing  im- 


511 

aginable  ;  and  the  killing  a  man  there^  was  thought 
no  more  of  than  the  treading  on  an  ant.  No  per- 
son of  respectability  ever  left  his  house  with  an 
expectation  to  return  safe  to  it. 

If  any  one  arrived  in  that  country,  (Mysore), 
who,  from  seeing  the  oppression  there  exercised, 
or  from  other  impediments,  did  not  ask  for  ser- 
vice, he  was  seized  and  examined,  and  was  then 
forced  to  accept  service,  or  was  turned  out  of  the 
town.  If  Hydur  gave  charge  of  a  district  on  the 
faith*  of  any  one,  he  had  no  power  to  take  a  farthing 
from  the  revenue  beyond  his  own  allowance.  But 
if  he  took  any,  and  it  was  found  out,  the  money  was 
demanded,  and,  if  paid,  well ;  but  if  it  were  not,  he 
was  seized  and  tied  with  ropes,  Kke  a  horse,  before 
and  behind,  and,  having  been  stripped  naked,  an 
order  was  given  to  flog  him  with  a  whip,  and  a 
number  of  Jowal  Doze,""  beat  him  cruelly  over  the 
back  and  loins,  after  which  salt  was  thrown  upon 
his  wounds.  If  he  complained,  he  was  beaten  on 
the  mouth  with  a  shoe  ;  and  if  he  cried,  red  pepper, 
dried  and  pounded,  was  thrown  in  his  eyes;  and 
he  was  tortured  in  this  way  every  day  for  a  month, 
if  he  did  not  agree  to  pay  the  money.  Besides  this, 
every  two  or  three  days,  iron  spits  or  rods  were 
made  red  hot,  and  he  was  burned  or  branded  all 

^V^»  "  Sewers  of  leaUiern  bags,  &c. 


512 

over  with  them/  This  was  in  addition  to  imprison- 
ment, starvation,  and  chains.  As  soon,  however,  as 
the  delinquent  had  paid  the  money,  Hydur's  rage 
was  softened,  and  he  presented  him  with  shawls, 
and  golden  chains,  and  again  offered  the  same 
office  to  the  poor  man  who  had  just  escaped  from 
death.  But,  if  he  refused  to  take  it,  the  fire  of 
Hydur's  wrath  was  rekindled.  His  cruelty,  how- 
ever, was  still  greater,  when  exerted  in  extorting 
money  from  the  Hindoos. 

The  author  of  the  above  character  says  that,  for 
six  weeks  after  Hydur  was  dead,  no  one  in  camp, 
except  a  very  few  of  his  chief  officers  ^  knew  of  his 
decease.  They  had  heard,  indeed,  that  he  was 
dangerously  ill,  but  no  more  was  known  until  Tip- 
poo  arrived  in  the  camp  ;  the  duty  in  all  the  depart- 
ments being  carried  on  with  the  same  regularity  as 
before. 

'  Of  Hydur's  cruelty  there  are  abundant  testimonies. 

^  Meer  Muhammad  Sadik  Khan,  Dewaun  Gholauro  Ali  Khan, 
Bukhshi,  Kureem  S^ib,  his  youngest  son,  and  Kumr-ud-din 
Khan,  the  son  of  Meer  Ali  Ruza  Khan. 


513 


A  statement  of  the  number  of  troops  in  the  service 
of  Hydur  AU  Khan,  the  chief  of  Seringapnttun, 
some  few  years  since,  added  to  a  inemoir  of  Hydur, 
by  Mirza  Ikbal,  for  Mr.  Richard  Johnson  of 
Madras. 

Hydur  Alf  s  stable  horse  .  .  5,000 
Bade  or  Pindara  horse  ....  4,500 
Sillahdars  or  men  enlisted  with  their 

horses  and  arms 7,000 

Workmen,  as  masons,  bricklayers,  &c.  14,000 
Bar,  or  regular  infantry           .         .         .  20,000 
Attending  the  Presence  or  body  guard  4,000 
Garrisons,  and  detachments  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  country  :  exceed- 
ing         100,000 

Africans  from  Habsh  and  Zung  Bar     .  1,400 

Hurkaras,  runners,  spies         .         .         .  1,700 

Pioneers 1,000 

Servants  of  the  household,  tent  Lascars, 

Chobedars,  &c.       .         .         .          .  700 
Blacksmiths  and  carpenters  in  the  ar- 
senals at   Chundur   Nuggur,  Se- 

ringaputtun.  Bangalore,  &c.     .         •  3,200 

162,500 


L    L 


I'KINTEO  BV  WILLIAM  NICUL.  SHAKSPEARE  PRESS.  PALL  MALL. 


lilliiiiiiHiiiniiiiiiiiiiii  I 

a  11015  04981  7886  ' 


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