The Chiefs of the Mahrattas, during this time having taken leave of the Paishwa, proceeded to take possession of the forts of the Mysore territory contiguous to their frontier, and accordingly Purus­ram, the Chief of Mirch, took some forts and towns in his neighbourhood:— some by force and some by intimidation and capitulation, and annexed them to his own district. Budruzzumán Khán the Sáhib Soubah of the fort of Dharwar, having strengthened that fort by the collection of stores of provisions, arms, and ammunition, was besieged, and for eight or nine months did justice to his station (the Killadári) and his courage, but when his ammunition and provisions began to fail, he being without resource, made a regular capitula­tion and surrendering the fort to his enemies, he was made prisoner by the Mahrattas, with two thousand men;*— he, however, with his party was confined in one place, but at length his base enemy (the Paishwa) from the wickedness of his disposition, ordered his servants to put the Khán in irons, and send him to Poona; when the Khán heard of these orders he recited the Lahowl* on the violated faith of the agreements made by these scoundrels, and giving up all hope of preserving his life, he bravely with his companions retired fighting as he went towards Nuggur.* The Mah­rattas in the meantime, in number like ants and locusts, crowded round his party and attacked them on all sides with musket and sword, and notwith­standing all the brave soldiers of the Sultán could do in their defence, they were overpowered, and after destroying thousands of the infidels, the Khán being wounded, was made prisoner, and he was put in irons, and confined on the Hill of Nurgoonda, and his followers were all trodden under the hoofs of the Mahratta horse. The whole of the towns and villages of that part of the country, therefore fell into the possession of the soldiers of the Mahratta army. Hurri Punt Phurkia, also, after taking pos­session of different parts of the country, advancing by the route of Hurpun Hulli, placed a man named Shoom Shunker, the Poligar of that district, (who was in attendance on him as an Omeidwar, or volunteer,) on the Musnud of his hereditary possessions. He next reduced the Souba of Sura under his authority. The Chief of Mirch Purus­ram, after having captured and garrisoned the forts of Dharwar, Angola, Murjan, Sanore, &c. marched to Chituldroog, and sending the terms of capitula­tion to Dowlut Khán, (the Killadár) engaged if he would join him and give up the fort, that no injury should be done to him or his property, and that a jageer of four lakhs of rupees should be con­ferred on him:— this faithful servant, however, being then occupied in planning how he should destroy his enemies, affected to accept these con­ditions, and in reply sent word that at night he himself would visit the Mahratta, and in his presence make the necessary arrangements according to his wishes. Purusram was delighted with this answer and remained in expectation of the visit. When night arrived, however, the Sultán’s faithful servant with two risalas of the Assud Illahees and one thousand irregular foot, quitting the fort with a determination to penetrate to Purusram’s tent and there do the best he could, marched into their camp.

When he had arrived in the centre of the camp, one of the soldiers being drunk fired off his musket, but, although, Dowlat Khán in the first burst of his anger ordered him to be put to death; still, the report of the musket roused the whole of the Mahrattas and they got themselves in readiness to receive their enemy. Dowlat Khán now, there­fore, stretched forth the arm of courage, and with his keen sword, cut and slashed the garment of life off the bravest of the Hindoo soldiers, and prostrated multitudes of them on the field of death, and at length the whole of the enemy’s troops were scattered and dispersed, and they with their officers took the road to Sura, and the brave Dowlat Khán by his enterprize and valour thus conquered his enemies, and with all the baggage of their army, the tents, arms, accoutrements and some horses with saddles and trappings returned victorious to his quarters. The chief of Mirch now marched from Sura and arrived at Mudgiri, and appointed a certain Mahdoo, his sister’s son to take the fort of Mudgiri, while he himself with supplies of provisions and cattle marched to join the English army,— during this time the Com­mander-in-Chief of the English, in the space of fifteen or twenty days, having put his army in order, (restored their materiel,) marched towards Seringaputtun by the route of Burdi and Chen Puttun, but the infantry of the Commander-in-Chief of the Sultán’s army who were posted in ambush in the forest of Makri, during the dark nights gained many signal advantages over the army of the enemy, and every night captured five or six hundred Bunjaras, (men who carry corn about for sale,) with their bullocks laden with corn, and returned after cutting off the noses and ears of the men, and whoever brought in a nose, received a hoon or a pagoda (as a reward,) any one who brought in an ear, received a purtab (or half a pagoda,) for every bullock with his load, five rupees; and for every horse two hoons were given:— Every day, therefore, the Kuzzaks attacked the enemy in front and in rear, and exceedingly harassed and distressed their soldiers, often threw the followers into confusion, and almost all their bullocks laden with grain and stores were driven off and taken by them, and to that height was this harassing warfare carried on, that when the English army arrived in the neigh­bourhood of Kurri Khet, (or as it is usually written Karighat,) there were no provisions or stores left in that army. It happened also that this was the rainy season and the water of the River Kauveri rushed down its bed with the greatest violence,— before the arrival of the English army, however, the Sultán had raised four or five batteries in front to oppose their passage and had armed them with musketry and guns, and the brave Sipahdárs according to orders with their men, took up their stations in each to defend them.