operations, such as are but too common in all Asiatic courts, but a detail of which is altogether foreign from a work like the present.[1]
This, however, was no sooner accomplished than the weak and imbecile monarch of Mysore discovered that he had only made an exchange of masters; for Hyder having vigorously applied himself to destroy the remnants of the royal army, and to strengthen his own, was soon in a condition to dictate terms to his sovereign. An arrangement was concluded which gave to the successful adventurer everything but the title of royalty. Districts were set apart sufficient to provide a moderate revenue for the personal expenses of the Rajah; while the entire management of the remainder of the country, and all the functions of government, were transferred to Hyder.
In the year 1761 Hyder, whose authority was now firmly established over Mysore, entered into an alliance with Nizam-ul-Moolk, the Soubahdar of the Deccan, who conferred upon him the title of Hyder Ali Khan Bahander. In the course of this year, he extended his dominions to the eastward, by the capture of the fort of Oussoor, and to the westward, by seizing, on some frivolous pretence, a portion of the Coorg country – an almost inaccessible tract, lying among the stupendous mountains that form the western boundary of the Table-land. In 1762 he invaded and usurped the Biddenoor country – a fruitful district lying to the northward of Mysore, the Rajah of which he put to death; and, having changed
- ↑ On one of these occasions Hyder sat in dhurna with the troops before the residence of Nunjeraj to obtain an arrear of pay. This ceremony is described by Lord Teynmouth as follows: –"The Brahmin who adopts this expedient proceeds to the door or house of the person against whom it is directed. He there sits down in dhurna, with poison, or a poniard, or some other instrument of suicide in his hand, and threatening to use it if his adversary should attempt to molest or pass him. He thus completely arrests him. In this situation the Brahmin fasts; and, by the rigour of the etiquette, which is seldom infringed, the unfortunate object of his arrest ought also to fast; and thus they both remain until the institutor of the dhurna obtains satisfaction. In this, as he seldom makes the attempt without resolution to persevere, he rarely fails; for if the party thus arrested were to suffer the Brahmin sitting in dhurna to perish by hunger, the sin would for ever lie on his head."
