Page:Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan.djvu/80

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

CHAPTER XIII

Annexation of Kadapa—Haidar's Draconian
Rule—Royal Marriages

While engaged in the above enterprise, Haidar had despatched his brother-in-law, Alí Razá Khán, called Mír Sáhib, to enforce the submission of the Nawáb of Kadapa, Abd-ul-Halím Khán. The latter had, in the contest with the Maráthás, abjured the cause of Haidar and served with the Nizám, but Mír Sáhib failed to subdue the hardy Afgháns, who resolutely opposed him. Haidar, when the siege of Chitaldrúg was at an end, proceeded by forced marches to his assistance, and on reaching Dhúr, north of Kadapa, came in contact with the Afghán cavalry. These, finding themselves attacked by the whole of Haidar's horse, retreated to the town in good order, but being completely surrounded, were compelled to surrender. Haidar was only too glad to take into his service such of this brave band as could obtain securities for their allegiance, but among them were eighty troopers whose horses had been killed, and who could not find any one to be surety for them. They refused to be disarmed, and Haidar,