But as Háider-náic is now going to cut so great a figure in our history, it is proper to part with our subject for a while, in order to give some account of that extraordinary man. Háider-náic originally was a Commander in the service of the French in Decan, in which he commenced by serving as a Náic, which Some account of Háider-náic. signifies a Commander of ten or fifteen men. By degrees he rose to the offices of Djemaat-dar, Soobadar Comidan (Commandant,) which last is the highest title of command to which one can attain amongst the nations of hat-wearers. What appears very singular, is that notwithstanding that superior station, the surname of Náic stuck to him ever after. In the sequel he served the Radjahs of Decan, made himself a character, and acquired much power; and becoming famous little by little, he was taken into the service of the Radja of Malavar*, where in a little time, he fell out with that Prince’s Divan, who according to the custom of that country, disposed of the revenues and expenditures of that Prince, and directed all his Councils absolutely. Háider-náic, who despised that Minister’s pusillanimity, as much as he confided on his own valour and talents, had the boldness to fall upon him in broad day-light, and to kill his rival; after which he took possession of his office. From that day he acted with an absolute sway in every thing, but still with the policy of leaving the Radja alive, and in his usual employment. That Prince is still alive; and whenever his keeper thinks is proper, he is produced in public as an ancient relic; at which time he never fails to pay him every mark of respect and veneration. After his establishing in this manner his authority over the Malavar, he thought proper to march to the assistance of Nizam-aaly-qhan, son to Nizam-el-mulk, Sovereign of the Decan, who having fallen out with the English, and with Mahmed-aaly-qhan, Viceroy of Arcat, had marched at the head of an army, and given them a great battle, in which he was assisted by Háider-náic, with his person and a body of troops. But the English having obtained the victory, Nizam-aaly-qhan in despair of his defeat, obstinately remained on the field of battle, resolved rather to perish in the field than to survive his defeat. It was at this moment he was descried by Háider-náic from afar, who being informed of his despair and resolution, galloped up to him, and made use of force and violence to turn his elephant about, and to make him quit the field of battle. Nizam-aaly-qhan consented at last, but told him that it was under condition that he (Háider-náic) would provide for his obtaining his revenge of that defeat. The other promised it; and really after having spent some time in making his preparatives, he turned about, and fell on the English; or else, he let Nizam-aaly-qhan depart, and then in a few days he turned about, faced the English again; but was defeated and obliged to fly for life. Either from some particular emergency, or from the concourse of destiny, he was obliged to turn his back, and to return to his own country. But the English, bent on his pursuit, arrived in his dominions, where they took, one after another, whatever fortress opposed their passage; and after having established contributions in the country, they used to proceed forward. These many sieges having given him time to collect his resources, he quickly repaired to a strong fortress of his, deposed there most of his baggage, and having taken out of it as much provisions and ammunition as would serve for some days all his He fights the English with a variety of successes, but in general with advantage. troops, he turned about, and by rapid marches, he fell suddenly upon the English, and gave them a great defeat. But as the van­quished army continued in a body, and after having been drawn up in battle array, wanted to renew the combat, he at once dis­appeared from before them, without their being able to know any thing of his motions; and having marched by roads which nobody suspected, he suddenly made his appearance before Mendradj (Madras), which was empty of troops, and where there were no preparatives made against his coming; and he surrounded it on all sides. The Governor and principal men seeing no resource at hand, set open the gate of amity, went to meet him, and made a treaty with him, by which the troubles ended by a peace. But this peace having afforded some repose to Háider-náic, he returned to his own country, and diligently employed himself in disciplin­ing his troops, and in providing every implement necessary for war and conquest. After a length of time had elapsed, a dispute arose between the Marhattas and himself, in which he was shame­fully beaten, and obliged to fly to his country, where he soon repaired his losses. The Marhattas meanwhile overawed by his superiority of genius, and intimidated by his art of finding resources, united with Nizam-aaly-qhan, and undertook to demolish his power, and to ruin him totally. For this purpose they joined twenty-five thousand horse of their own, to some thousand more, which Nizam-aaly-qhan had sent them under the command of Cala-qhan-dhonsa; and they made an irruption into his dominions. Háider-náic finding that he could not stand against such a force, abstained for a whole year from encountering the enemy. But yet he constantly kept at the distance of some miles, without losing sight of him, unless he sometimes chose to make a stay; and then he was always provided with such a numerous body of pioneers, and such an immense artillery, as enabled him at any time to fortify a good post, and to tarry there; nor did his enemies dare to attack him in such a fortified camp. Nevertheless with all this good countenance, he wisely concluded that in time, his country would be ruined by such a warfare; and he sought his safety in a treaty of peace, by which he gave a deal of money to the Marhattas, to Nizam-aaly-qhan, and to the latter’s General, Cala-qhan; and in this manner he extricated himself from his difficulties.

After this peace, he passed ten or twelve years in rest and tranquillity; but spent this interval in making mighty preparatives. Sets up a cavalry of Persians and other foreign­ers, which he disciplines after a method of his own. He sent Embassadors with rich and curious presents to Kerim-qhan-zendi*, then master absolute of all Iran; and these in their master’s name requested leave to raise in his dominions some thousand men of cavalry. The permission being soon granted, the Envoys, who were furnished with large sums of money, soon brought from thence some thousand Persian Moghuls, all young vigorous men, commanded by proper officers of their own. On the other hand, he opened a correspondence with the French of Mauris, an island over against his country, and by their means he opened another correspondence with the Ministers of the French kingdom. Thither also he sent curious and rich presents. Meanwhile he imported into his country a number of excellent horses, which he got mounted by Bar-ghirs, or men which he paid* a part, as it is customary in India. These he disciplined in a manner particular to himself, teaching some thousands of them to form their ranks, and without break­ing them, to face about and attack on a full gallop some thousands of others opposite them. He also obliged the Moghul and Indian troopers that were in his service, to be exercised every day for nine hours together, in the evolutions and rules of moving and fighting in order; insomuch that he rendered them expert in their business, and capable of any service. To this numerous body of cavalry, he added seventy thousand musqueteers, armed with flint locks, and which he disciplined in the European manner. This mighty army was followed by a train of seven Provides a numerous infantry disci­plined after the European manner; and an immense artillery mounted and served in the English and French model. hundred pieces of artillery, mounted and served exactly in the English and French manner. After spending some years in these preparations, he became so conscious of his own strength, that he sallied forth, and conquered both from the Malavar Princes, and from the Marhattas, an extent of ground that yielded a revenue of about four Corors a year*. His army accoutred and furnished abundantly with every necessary, exactly as in Europe, is kept under the strictest order and discipline. They say that his eldest son, who is now his best General, does not dare to deviate a hair’s breadth from any of his orders; so far are any others from daring it themselves. One day he commanded him to be on horseback seven hours after sun set, and to go to such a spot. It happened that although he mounted at the proper time, it was however after a short delay. But that short delay was taken up; that very moment he sent for him back, His severity to his own son, considered as a Mili­tary officer. and made him undergo the punition of the whip. Nor was he less exact in other respects. On observing that the Moghul and Persian Officers in his army, were perpetually fighting amongst themselves, he sent for them, and represented to them in a moderate tone of voice, and in a friendly manner, “That as he had procured them from afar, and they had cost him already an immense sum of money, they ought to reserve themselves for his service, instead of killing and slaughtering each other as they did every day; he added, that as they were strangers in this country, they ought to live upon good terms with the Indians, and by all means upon terms of tenderness and love with their own countrymen.” But this friendly reprimand had no effect; and they went on in their usual way, above all, making no account of the Indians, and endlessly quarrelling and fighting amongst themselves, and against the others. Two or three times he repeated his reprimand, and two or three times he repeated it in vain. At last he grew tired, and one day he ordered two or three of those disobedient officers, to be seized and made fast to an elephant’s feet, where they were trampled to death. From that day they returned to order and obedience; and having tucked up the hem of obedience into the sash of zeal and submission, they are now brought under a strict discipline, and are at all times ready for immediate action. To defray such expenses, he has got possession of immense treasures, amassed from ancient times by the Princes of Decan for several ages past; nor is there in all Hindostan a power comparable to his in wealth, strength, splendour, discipline, and number of good troops. However, all this I mention upon general report; for after all, God only knows whether I am mistaken in that assertion. Háider-náic finding himself able to assert his rights, Gives the law to the Marhattas, with whom he makes a treaty. conceived now the design of recovering several territories which the Marhattas had wrested some years before from him; and he sent them word, that if they returned quietly those countries, and made a treaty with him, he would assist them with all his forces in their quarrel with the English; else, they must prepare for war. The Court of Poona which was now sensible of the importance of such an ally at such a critical time, concluded that it was as happy an offer as they might wish for; and having soon agreed to his demands, they proposed a treaty with him on these two conditions: The first, that he should himself come over to their assistance, and fight by their side. The second, that if his affairs did not permit him to come so far, then that he should invade the province of Arcat, carry ruin and devastation in every part of it, and keep in continual alarms, the armies and power of the English. Háider-náic, finding it impossible and inexpedient to join the Marhattas, accepted the second condition.