The accession of the mighty Prince, high in dignity, His Highness Tipú Sultán, to the throne of Mysore, and the advance of the armies under Generals Lang and Stuart towards Wandiwash, with other events of the year 1197, Hijri.— A. D. 1781-2.
WHEN the sun of the Nawáb Hydur’s prosperity and power, which had attained its utmost height, shewed a disposition to decline, and the bright star of the constellation of his Sovereignty fell from the zenith of grandeur to the depths of disease and death,* (in the original, affliction,) the Kháns, and the Pillars of the State, that is to say, Muhammad Alí, Commandant, Budruzzumán Khán, Maha Mirza Khán, Gházi Khán, abu Muhammad Mirdah, Purnia, Kishen Rao, &c., not relinquishing from their grasp the administration of the current business of the government; but, on the contrary, taking up the ground of loyalty and obedience, fulfilled the conditions of faith and gratitude, and continued on the same footing all the customary duties, usual during the life of the pardoned Nawáb, Hydur; and, at night, after the due discharge of the offices to the dead, the coffin containing the body was filled with essences and perfumes, and despatched, without the knowledge of any other persons, to Seringaputtun; and the servants who were acquainted with these transactions were seized, and confined separately, each without the knowledge of the others, that they might not be divulged.
It is proper to mention here, that at the time the Nawáb determined to attempt the conquest of the Carnatic Payanghaut, he also gave orders to form, or plant, the Lal Bágh, or Garden, to the southward of the town or suburb of Gunjam, on this side the river Kauverí, and also to build in that garden a Musjid, which, in the time of Tipú Sultán, was called Musjidi &xc1;ksá.
In front of the Musjid also, a mausoleum, covered by a dome, was erected; to superintend the building of which a Darogha was specially appointed. At the period of Hydur’s death this mausoleum was finished, and his body was therein deposited.
To be concise, the well affected Kháns for the present appointed Kurím Sáhib, (the brother of Tipú) to the office of Dewán, as the Náíb of his father; and they conducted the government with such admirable policy, that not a particle of sedition or disturbance occurred, either in the civil administration of affairs, or in the army; and the officers and men of the army remained fully assured of the perfect health and safety of the Nawáb, and with the sanction of the Dewán, and to quiet and still the minds of the Foujdárs, and other officers of the State, their monthly pay, agreeably to the Hydurí regulations, was issued to all; and the same day, one thousand horse were detached to Nellore, and two thousand marched towards the English camp. Still, in the midst of all this rigid policy and secresy, the spring and spirit of the whole army, high and low, were changed, and depressed, as it were by inspiration, to the gloom and darkness of mourning; and, at times, involuntary sighs broke forth from the breasts of both officers and soldiers.
In the mean time, however, the attached and devoted Maha Mirza Khán was appointed and despatched with letters, containing an account of the death of Hydur, to the exalted presence of that offspring of prosperity and honour; the tree bearing the fruit of dignity and majesty, the conqueror of the world, Tipú Sultán, who at that time was enlightening the environs of Koimbetore and Palghaut by his presence, and in earnestly requesting him immediately to direct his steps towards the camp, they made use of every expression of solicitation and entreaty.
The Sultán on being acquainted with these events, notwithstanding he in private received assurances from the faithful Mirza, and had his mind set at ease by the oaths of the officers of the army, still, was much troubled and disturbed at the appointment of Kurím Sáhib to the high office of the Dewání; but when this auspicious intelligence reached the ears of his understanding,— verses. “Do not listen to any one, but put thy foot in the stirrup,”— “for success and victory are hastening to meet thee,”— “a hawk cares not for a sparrow,”— “do not fear thine enemies,”— “what injury can a lion receive from a lame fox.”— He did his faithful well wishers the honour to accede to their requests, and arrived at the camp by forced marches.
As soon as this glorious intelligence, diffusing joy, reached his hearty friends, the tongue of time sang the following verses:* “Come on, for the victorious ensigns of the King have arrived,”— “The cry of good news and victory has reached the sun and moon,”— “The resplendency of thy good fortune has thrown off the veil from the face of vic tory,”— “The perfectly just has arrived to redress the complaints of the oppressed,”— “The heavens gave promise of him to the people of the age,”— “The time is propitious, now the King has arrived.”
At once, therefore, the chiefs and officers of the government, with Kurím Sáhib, proceeded to meet and honour the arrival of Tipú Sultán, and were dignified by being admitted to do homage (kissing the ground) to that resource of the world; and after the customary demonstrations of mourning, at a fortunate hour,— verses. “Such as would bestow blessings on the propitious signs of heaven,”— “and make the drum of rejoicing resound to the skies,”— on a Saturday, in the commencement of the year 1197, Hijri,* he was seated on the throne of dignity and majesty, and the offerings of felicitation on his accession were presented.