Dalwái, or commander-in-chief. Armed with this authority Haidar endeavoured to effect a junction with the force at Seringapatam, but was outmanœuvred by Khande Ráo, and his ruin seemed inevitable. But he fabricated letters in the name of Nanjráj to the officers of the latter's troops, desiring them to surrender Khande Ráo in accordance with a pre-arranged agreement. These letters were designedly carried to Khande Ráo, who, fearing a conspiracy, abandoned his army, and fled to Seringapatam.
Haidar, hearing of Khande Ráo's flight, attacked his troops, and gained an easy victory, capturing all his guns and baggage, while the infantry readily sided with the conqueror. For some months he was actively engaged in reducing all the forts below the passes which had come into possession of Khande Ráo. During these operations he added largely to his following, and when his preparations were complete, he assembled his army on the banks of the Káveri, opposite to Seringapatam. After a few days of apparent inactivity, Haidar suddenly dashed across the river, and surprised the enemy's camp, scattering dismay among the troops, who at once acknowledged his authority. He then, after arranging for the Rájá's personal expenditure, demanded that the control of affairs should be made over to him, and that his treacherous friend Khande Ráo should be surrendered to his mercy. A story is told as to this last incident, to the effect that the ladies of the palace interceded for the unfortunate Bráhman, whereupon Haidar replied
