An account of the Nawaub’s last expedition, that is to say, his departure for his eternal abode in Paradise: and some account of the goodness of his disposition, his habits, his abilities, and the rules of conduct he prescribed to himself; with other matters. Also, the death of General Coote, which occurred before the death of the Nawaub, in the same year, Hijri, 1196.— A. D. 1781-2.

THE Nawaub, after the battle of Arnee, retreated* and encamped in the plain of Trivatoor. In the month of Zikad, 1196, Hijri, after an accidental scratch on his shoulders, the support of the world, a deadly boil or abscess made its appearance, and when this was shown to an able physician, he having examined it, conceived it to arise from a dis­ordered stomach, and endeavoured to remedy it by depletion and purgative medicines. No relief, how­ever, followed this practice; and, the abscess becoming larger daily, the pain broke down Hydur’s strong frame, and the physician, having afterwards ascertained the distinctive signs of the disease, stated in private to the Nawaub, that it was a dis­ease called Surtan,* and that its best remedy was the application of a sheep’s liver; and that stimulat­ing medicines, by dispelling the vapours of the body, and cleansing the blood, were the most likely to cure it.

As soon, however, as the Nawaub heard that the name of the disease was Surtan, he became certain that his last hour had arrived. He, however, did not allow fear or apprehension to assume a place in his mind, but remained absorbed in the order and regulation of his army and kingdom. About this time, spies brought intelligence, that that able officer General Coote had left this transitory world. On hearing this, the Nawaub sighed deeply, and said, “he was a wise and an able man, that he should by his experience have kept on equal terms with us.”* But, to return— In this state he remained a short time on the plain of Timri, and in the environs of Rani Peenth, and again some time at Mahimundul Gurh; and from that he proceeded, by easy stages, to Poona, a town, two Kose north of Arkat, where he pitched his tents. Here, how­ever, of a sudden, the disease assumed great malignity, and completely prostrated his strength and spirits; and he was at length obliged to take to his bed. Yet, notwithstanding his ministers frequently represented the necessity of sending for his son Tippoo,— for that the Prince, had long desired to pay his duty to his father,*— he in reply merely said “Why do you trouble me in this manner?” At length, however, he sent for his Moonshi, (secretary), to the presence, and ordered him to write to the Prince, to the following purport, “that he was to make all necessary arrangements in that quarter, (where he was stationed) as quickly as possible, and then return; that he was deeply to consider the result of all the necessary relations, and connexions* of the government small and great; and that, if troops were necessary to his aid, he should send for them; for that, in matters of state, he had given him power to act at discretion or as he pleased; and that he was not to neglect or forget his duties to the government for a moment.” The next day the Nawaub threw open the doors of his treasury, and gave all the soldiers of his army every Kutcheri or regiment separately, the amount of one month’s pay as a gift. On the last day of Mohurrum il Huram, he asked his attendants what was the date of the month, they replied, “this is the last day of the month Zi Huj, and to-night is the first of Mohurrum.”* He then directed that water might be made ready for him to bathe, and, although the phy­sician objected to his bathing, they turned him out of the tent, and the Nawaub bathed. Then, having put on clean clothes, he repeated some prayer or invocation on his finger, rubbing his face; and at the same time despatched two thousand horse to plunder and ravage the country of the Poligars north of Arkat, and five thousand horse towards Madras, for the same purpose, and to alarm the people there. He next sent for some of his officers, and gave them strict orders for the regulation of their departments, and afterwards swallowed a little broth, and laid down to rest. The same night his ever victorious spirit, took its flight to Paradise.— Verses.* “Be he a beggar or a conquering king,”— “both must depart from this pleasant abode (the world)”— “When death follows any one,”— “He allows not a moment’s delay,”— “In this chapter all are powerless; lovers and friends,”— “Wife and children,”— “The body, which has been nurtured in wealth and lux­ury,”— “must at last sleep in the cold grave.”— “The soldiers of death fear no armies;”— “They do not fear the warrior,”— “A revolution of this round empty world.”— “And at once Hydur, and what belonged to Hydur, passed away.”

Although a detail of the (excellent) disposition, and the powerful abilities of that pardoned great man, (Hydur), is far beyond the reach of either tongue or pen, still according to usage, one (good quality) for a thousand is here presented.

In penetration, and in store of practical wisdom, the deceased Nawaub took the lead from all the State Ministers, Princes, and Kings of former days. In grandeur of display, and in abundance of the ele­ments or principles of opulence and greatness, he had no equal.* He was the friend and protector of the soldier, and was altogether full of kindness and generosity. His court was magnificent; but, except himself, few dared to speak therein. What­ever he desired to be done, he himself ordered, and the rest of the assembly had no choice but to give their assent. He did not like great talkers, (or makers of long speeches;) the subject of conversa­tion in his assemblies was generally relative to the order and regulation of kingdoms and empires, or to swords, muskets, jewels, horses, elephants, or invigo­rating medicines. His understanding was wonder­ful. He entertained, to a boundless extent, the pride of rank and station, and the noble desire to attempt great things; but of foolish pride, or vain glory, he had none; he had expelled them from his mind. In all the cities and towns of his territory, besides news­writers, he appointed, separately, secret writers, and spies, to patrol the streets at night; and from them he received his intelligence. From morning till night, he never remained a moment idle. He was a slave to the regulation of his working establishments,* or manufactories, and, if any one of the officers or over­seers of the works was indolent, or neglectful, he sent for him, and punished him according to his offence; telling him, at the same time, “We gave charge to you of this work, relying on your honesty and fidelity, why have you spoiled it?” When he sat down to table, he ate of all the dishes present; he, however, showed most fondness for salt and sour dishes. He finished his dinner with rice and peas.* He was not fond of sweet dishes. In his journeys or marches, he mostly subsisted on parched gram, (Cicer arietinum,) almonds, and dry bread, made of rice, or jowar, (Holcus spicatus,) and Khush-khush Soorkh, or as at is called in this coun­try, Raggi, (Cynosurus coracanus,) with which he appeared well contented. In his dress, he was very fond of red, and na furmani, or purple, and the chintz of Boorhanpoor; the latter he wore con­tinually. The turban he wore on his fortunate head was red or purple, one hundred hands, or cubits, in length. When he took his seat on the Musnud, he laid before him a shining short sword,* or dagger, with a hilt studded with diamonds.