An account of the conquest of Koorg, and the reduction of Kalikote, (Calicut), &c.; events which occurred in the year 1181, Hijri. A.D. 1767.

FROM the time of the Kings of Bijapoor, the Zemindárs of this part of the country, (meaning the south of India), such as the Chiefs of Koorg, Kalikote, (Calicut), &c., paid each of them a pro­portionate Paishkush, at the capital of the Kings; through the medium of the governor of the Souba Sura, and after the fall of that dynasty, they paid their customary tribute to the Názim, or Soubadár of the Dukkun, that is, to the Nawaub Asof Jah; sometimes without denial or delay, and sometimes when troops were marched towards them to enforce payment. In the last days, however, of the Nizámut of Asof Jah, who, by reason of the arro­gance and incursions of the Mahrattas, and his constant conflicts with them, had no leisure to collect or confirm the dues of Government in this quarter, the whole of these men, taking advantage of the opportunity thus afforded them, rebelled, and without further hesitation each became a sovereign prince in his own territory. The governors of the Souba Sura, also, who had been ordered by the Názims of the Dukkun to correct and chastise the irregularities of these Zemindárs, not only slothfully neglected their duty, but, from the influence of bribes, connived at the irregularities of the Poligars. When, however, by the strength of his arms, and the exertion of his courage, the power of the Nawaub increased he reduced them all to subjection, and drew them into the circle of those obedient to his commands, making them the ser­vants of his will, and the slaves of his policy. At this latter period, however, from the incursion of the Mahrattas into the Nawaub’s country, and the Nawaub’s full occupation in repelling them, they again became insubordinate in their own districts, lifted up their heads to rebellion, plundered and murdered the garrisons of the Nawaub, stationed in all the forts in their vicinity, and reduced the whole country under their own authority. These cir­cumstances having been reported to the Nawaub, and he being now relieved from the Mahratta contest, he, like an angry lion, marched by the way of Nuggur and the sea-shore, towards that wild desert, (Koorg); and having collected six or seven hundred fishermen, with their boats, and directed his supplies and stores to be sent by sea, he himself marched with his regular and irregular infantry, and artillery, and fell on the heads of these rebels like a sudden calamity. The first on whom he fell was the Poligar of the Bul district, who, when he had an opportunity, had attacked the dependencies of Seringaputtun, and plundered them, carrying off the goods and cattle of the peasants of the Sirkar.* This violence had unsettled the minds of the people, and made them abandon their homes. The re-assurance of their minds, and their safety and comfort, the Nawaub thought could, therefore, by no means be so well secured or established as by the destruction of these rebels. He consequently attacked them briskly, and plundered and devastated their country. Not being able openly or alone to oppose the invincible Nawaub, the Poligar abandoned his fort, and, with his property and family, slunk away like a fox, to the protection of the forest, and, in confederacy with the Chief of Koorg, prepared for war. The Nawaub, seeing this, left a strong detachment in the fort of Bul, and instantly marched forward, and courageously threw himself into the terrible forests and wilds of Koorg, like a wild elephant, and near Akrubnar, (a town or village so called), a great and well contested battle was fought between him and the Poligar of Bul— so fiercely contested, indeed, that, at the commencement of the engagement, the discipline and order of the Nawaub’s troops had nearly given way. While, however, they were in this state, the Nawaub himself, with a few brave men, under the thick cover of the trees, marched and attacked the rear of the enemy, and wielded the sword with such vigour, that the great actions of Rustum and Isfendiar were again presented to the admiration of the world; so that most of the rebel Chiefs and soldiers were slain, or ran away, and some sought refuge among the troops of the Khodadad.

Tippoo Sultaun, Hydur’s son, on this day first displayed the innate courage of his nature, and the honour he obtained by his prudence and bravery, enlightened his daring countenance. The mode in which the circumstance occurred was this:— When Hydur, with his select band, attacked the rebels, and overthrew them, Tippoo, who was then only eighteen years of age, fortunately obtained a clue to the place where the dependents, (that is, the women,) of the Poligar had taken refuge. This place was five or six miles from the field of battle, and through a thick dark forest, as full of turnings and windings as the curls of a Lady’s ringlets. With two or three thousand brave and experienced men, Tippoo, by a forced march, came suddenly upon them, and, although the guardians of the honour, (the women), of the Poligar were aware of their coming, and steadily opposed their advance with spears, swords, and matchlocks, yet the bravery of Hydur’s men was irresistible, and their first attack effaced the memory of the great actions performed by the brave son of Zal, (an allusion to Rustum the hero of the Shah Namah). The rebel guards, giving their honour to the winds, saved themselves by covering or concealing themselves under the robes* of the women, and some even dressed themselves like women, and trembling fell down before the swords of the brave soldiers; and some, who fought fearlessly, were slain without accomplishing their object. The fortunate son of Hydur, therefore, rubbing the forehead of gratitude and thanksgiving on the threshold of the true and only giver of victory, with (the honour of the dis­honoured) the women, and other valuables, returned to his father, and was received with great favour and distinction.