The History Of Hdur Naik

Front matter

THE mSTOEY

OF

HYDUR NAIK,

Chap. IV

The march of an army, under the command of Nundi Raj, agreeably to the request of Muhammad All Khan, Sur4j ud dowla, towards Nuthur Nuggur, otherwise called 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 Taloolcas, 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. VH.

An account of the treachery of the Chiefs of the Mysore state, and the base ingratitude of the proud and foohsh Brahman, Khundi 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. VHI.

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.

t

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 Alf Khan Bahadur. 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 march 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. XL

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 1175, 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 ef the Nawaub Bahadur to the neighbourhood of Shanoor, to oj^ose 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

Vlll

CHAP. XVI.

An account of the incursion of Trimuk Rao Mama, the maternol uncle of Madhoo Rao, into the Karnatic 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 bootless return to Fcona; with other fearful events of the year 11S2, Hijri, A.D. 1768'.p. 188

CHAP. XVII.

The usurpation of Raghoba, 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 Navraub, during this opportunity, of the countries of Badami, Hulihul, Nowulgoondah, 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 Karnatic Payanghaut, by the instrumentality of Muhammad Ali Khan, Surajuddowla; and the detail of the war commenced by the Chief of the Dukhun, Nizam All 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 Nizam AH Khan and the English, without the knowledge of the Nawaub Bahadur 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 Barb Mahl; with an account of the victories gained by H 3 ^dur s gallant army in the same year, and the re-establishment of Peace, 1185, Hijri.—A.D. 1771. . « ..p. 264

CHAP. XX.

The march of the Nawaub and his troops towards Kirpa, Kurnole, Bellari, &c., and the collection of an adequate Paishknsh (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. XXL

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

CHAP. XXIL

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 army. The retreat also of Dhoonsa, without attaining his object and the conquest of Bullari by the Nawaub; all which occurred in the year 1187, 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

CH^P. 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 1188, Hijri.—A. D. 1774.p. 332

X

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 GunjeeKota, &c., occurring in the year 1191, Hijri.— A. D. Mil .p. 351

CHAP. XXVI.

An account of the Marriage of Hydur All’s youngest son, Kureem Sahib, 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. XXVII.

The second expedition of the Nawaub Bahaddr, to conquer the country of the Karnatic Payanghaut, at the instigation of the Nazim 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, XXVIII.

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, Suraj-ud-dowla, in the strong Hill Fort of Chunder Giri; and an account of the different successes obtained in the same year 1195, Hijri.— k, D. 1780.p. 386

XI

CHAP. XXTX.

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 Ah Ruza Khan. Also, the march of the victorious army towards Tanjore and Nuthurnuggur, and the victories then gained ; being the year 1195, Hijri, 1780. p. 413

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 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 1196, ^ Hijri.—A. D. 1781-2.p. 439

CHAP. XXXL

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.

Supplementary Note .'.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 ray 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, with regard to their enemies these descriptions are as tame as it is possible for them to be, and some times so obscure, that withoixt 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 Ah, Tippoo, 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 oolla, for Fyze ullah; Ooscote, for Huskote ; Dunnully, for Dewun Hulli; 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 All. 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 Sumoodrum, 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,

b

^ See the Author’s Preface. The Balaghaut extends according to the map, N. and S. from the district of Guntoor to Nundi Droog, or there abouts. The Payeen Ghaut, which signifies the foot of, or below, the Mountains, is apparently the South Eastern coast, N. and S. from Nellore to Namkool, or thereabouts, but I have no means of ascertaining the precise extent of these Pro¬ vinces.

XVI made any reference to those of Orme/* Wilks, and others, on the history of Mysore and the wars of the Karnatic; 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 Ah' 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 Karnatic 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. , • xvn 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 cbnquered 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, Hydur’s claim.

f The Hon. M. Elphinstone calls them Nayucs, the Poligars of Bellari, Rai Droog, &c., are also called Ndiks. The word is,

I believe, derived from the Sanscrit.

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

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 Bejapoor; 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 ^

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

^ In the list of the Adil Shahi kings, which I have seen, I can find no Muhammad; hut 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 born 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 Seringaputtun, 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 ‘ goveniing 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,i’ (who whatever he might be otherwise was certainly the best friend 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, he 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 affairs of the East India Company at Madras.

P Nundi Raj is called Regent of Mysore by Orme.

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, w^here, 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

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.

XXll

. 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 " Ji.

X\1U 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.

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, and 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 advice.

In presenting this translation of the life of Hydur AH 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 fi’iend, 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.

The title page of the volume containing the various accounts of the Universe ; and the Book of Books “ describing the conditionof 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

tX-sr* 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

s Phenix.

^ Emerald mountains whichj tlie Muhammadans say,

siiiTound the earth.

God spreads his bounteous feast so wide, that, where Kaf rears his lofty peaks the Simorgh eats his share.

^ Koran.

xxvii

and insolence of idolaters 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 Ah' Khan Bahadur, Hydur Jung,—and Oomdut ool Moolk, Mubaruk ud Dowla, Tippoo Sooltaun, Ah Khan Bahadur, Huzubbur Jung;™

j Ic

A saddle cloth.

^ f

and i

^ 9 .

xxviii

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 hereaften*, 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 tlieir teeth. ® .

" A rough estimate of the Karnatic 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 Hindustan, 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.