Page:Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan.djvu/140

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TIPÚ SULTÁN

their headmen deported to Seringapatam. With this object he appointed sundry religious teachers to supervise their domestic morals and teach the true faith. Local officers were also nominated to collect the revenue. Having, as he imagined, put the people in the right path, and ensured their welfare in this world and in that to come, he marched to Coimbatore and Dindigal, wasting the territories of such minor chiefs as had withheld their allegiance. He returned in triumph to his capital, where he occupied himself in reforming his troops, dividing them into brigades, according to their several tribes, sayyads in one battalion and shekhs in another. On leaving Malabar, he had made over the government to Mír Ibráhím, who, by his exactions and disregard of all written engagements, precipitated a rebellion of so serious a nature that Tipú, though surprised at the ill-success of his own benevolent measures, was compelled to proceed in person to suppress the revolt.

Marching through Coorg with a large army, he sent detachments about the country to hunt down the rebellious Náirs, while he himself proceeded to Kútipúram. Here, two thousand of their race defended themselves and their families with resolution, but were soon obliged to surrender. This gave an opportunity to Tipú to show his apostolic zeal. Orders were issued that the whole of these unfortunates should be offered the alternative of becoming good Musalmáns, or, in case of non-compliance, that they should be banished to Seringa-