The Meer* above mentioned, in a short time reduced by force all the Poligars* before enumerated, and drew them into the net of tribute and obedience; and, bringing with him the presents, the tribute money, and the Poligars, he returned to the presence.

Although the brave Muhammad Alí was appointed to the conquest of Rai Vellore, he was afterwards superceded by the Prince Tippoo, who was employed on the same command; and they together, in attacking the hills and the fort, employed every art, and made every effort. Colonel Lang, however, who commanded there, was a brave man, and a soldier of great experience, and he defended and maintained all three of the Hill forts, that is Sajira, Gojira, and Mortuza Gurh, with the fort at the foot of the hills; nor did he suffer doubt or fear to enter his heart, but defended his charge valiantly.

The brave Commandant, (Muhammad Alí,) assaulted the batteries on the Sajira Hill, two or three times; but, as fate or the time demanded, returned unsuccessful, and received no thanks for his labours. As this siege was difficult, and without a large force, and great energy, could not arrive at a successful result, Tippoo wrote in detail to the presence, on the subject. On hearing that the Colonel of Rai Vellore, had a stout heart, and that he was not likely to be soon or easily conquered, and seeing that it was far from prudent to allow his troops, the ornaments of the field of battle, to be destroyed in a difficult, impenetrable, country, amidst forests and mountains, the Nawaub recalled the Prince, and the brave Commandant, to the presence; leaving a thousand foot, and three hundred horse, to maintain the siege or blockade, and to prevent all relief, or supplies of provisions, from entering the fort.

Hydur then detached numerous bodies of horse and foot, under the command of experienced Bukh­shees, to subdue the southern part of the territory of Arkat. As, for instance, Rustum Alí Khan, Farooki, with a thousand horse, two thousand foot, and one Risala of regular infantry, was sent to take the Hill fort of Jinjee; and Roshun Khan Dustadár, with two thousand foot, one Risala of regular infantry, a thousand horse, and three guns, was appointed to reduce the Hill fort of Purmokul,* and marched in that direction. The commander of the latter fort was an English officer, named Captain Joseph; he had a garrison of about two hundred men under his orders, and, having put the mountain or fort into a state of defence, he remained in readiness. Roshun Khan encamped to the westward of the fort, and, having surrounded it with cavalry, despatched a message to the Commandant of the fort, requesting him to give it up, and adding that, in reward of his obe­dience to this summons, the presence, (Hydur), would be entreated to give him the command of a body of troops, similar to those of Monsieur Lalli. The officer in the fort, however, refused to listen to his propositions, and began to defend himself.— The Dustadár, therefore, gave orders that the infantry should cross to the northward* of the fort, to an adjoining hill; and, after arriving there they attacked and plundered the village upon it, and remained on the spot. To the southward, also, is a hill, at a short distance, which, in old time, was fortified with a wall and towers, and called Chumar Tekri; but, at that time it was in ruins. At the foot or on the slope of this hill was likewise a tank, the dyke or mound of which being cut through, guns were brought up, and directions given to breach from thence the walls of the fort. Yet, with all this exertion, the garrison was not reduced; but, on the contrary, frequently sallied forth and attacked the batteries, and drove the besiegers out of them. The chief officers of the victorious army not being careful, the besiegers also several times attacked the hill, and were put to flight.

At length, however, the Khan before mentioned, put forth the hand of oppression and violence, and seized the women belonging to the garrison of the fort, who had sought refuge in the towns and vil­lages which had fallen under the authority of Hydur’s officers; and, making them prisoners, caused them to be dragged to his camp, where they were confined. By these women he despatched mes­sages to their husbands and brothers in the fort, detailing their capture and dishonour by Hydur’s soldiers; but, nevertheless, the garrison, attached by the kindness and indulgence of the command­ing officer in the fort, considered the cruel and shameful violation of their women as of less moment than the breach of their fidelity and loyalty, and took not the least notice of the messages.