Haidar's authority being now firmly established, he commenced a scrutiny into the several departments of the State. He appointed Mír Muhammad Sádik his minister of finance, and Shámáiya his head of police, with full powers, not only to prevent crime, but to extract by force, and even torture, the substance of all the wealthy men who came under his observation. Nor did this Bráhman hesitate to avail himself of the foulest means to extort money for the service of his patron. Flogging was freely resorted to in order to mulct the revenue officials of their ill-gained accumulations, while all the bankers in the country were forced to pay heavy contributions for State expenses. Even the troops did not escape Haidar's exactions, inasmuch as he gradually introduced a system of payment called the das máhi, or ten months' pay in the year instead of twelve. The mounted troops, who horsed themselves, were paid for only twenty days in the month, the balance being supposed to be made up by the plunder which they were allowed to retain at Haidar's own valuation.
Having crushed the Kadapa Nawáb, Haidar next sought to attach the Sávanúr Nawáb, Abd-ul-Hakím, to his interests by a nuptial alliance; and, in accordance with his suggestions, that chief's eldest son married Haidar's daughter, while Abd-ul-Hakím's daughter was married to Karím, Tipú's brother. The tribute payable by the Nawáb was reduced by one
who had the misfortune to attract his attention. Bakshí Begam's tomb is at Vellore.
