Hydur was the great grandson of this Wulli Muhammad. He was born in the year 1721, at the town of Kolar, a dependency of the Karnatic Balaghaut province. It is needless for me to enter into the events of his life, as they are detailed in the following pages; but it may be as well to remark, that his introduction to power arose from his engagement, through the medium of his cousin Hydur Sahib, to serve the Raja of Mysore; and that, while he remained in his service at Seringa­puttun, by artfully availing himself of the imbecility of the Raja, and the dissensions of his ministers, he gradually dispossessed the one, and imprisoned and put to death the others; and in a very short time became the Nawaub of the Karnatic Bala­ghaut Chukmuk* Jung. The title assumed, (for I doubt its validity conferred by Busálut Jung,) and the territory obtained, by the most unqualified ingratitude and treachery.

His career, which preserved a perfect consistency to the end, was, however, at length, arrested by Sir Eyre Coote; and although Hydur is said to have died of a cancer in his back, it is probable that the checks and defeats, which he sustained from that brave and accomplished officer hastened his death, which occurred in 1781.*

In reference to Hydur’s character, it may be said that his best qualities were his judgment and decision. He was from policy, and perhaps from superstition, more indulgent to the Hindoos than his son Tippoo; but, he was never exceeded by any one in perfidy and cruelty. His bad faith, (the author of this work calls it ‘governing or conquering policy,’)* seems to have pervaded every action of his life. In proof of this see his conduct to the unfortunate Rajas of Mysore, to Nundi Raj,* (who whatever he might be otherwise was certainly the best friend Hydur ever had), to the Mahrattas, to his English prisoners, to his benefactor Busálut Jung; to Morar Rao, (or, as he is called by Orme, Morari Row,) and, indeed, to every one who had the misfortune to come in contact with him.

There may, nevertheless, be some apology or palliation for this in the peculiar circumstances of his rise, and situation, in the character of the people with whom he had to deal,— and in the tenets of his religion, which, I believe, as understood by most classes of Muhammadans,* scout all notion of keeping faith with Christians and idolaters, unless when convenient; but, perhaps, more than all, in the laxity of principle common to public men in most countries, and particularly in India, where, as in his case, it was under less controul than in Europe.

I do not, however, think that the charge of avarice, made against him, is well grounded. Such an army, as he commanded, never could have been assembled without a very lavish expenditure; as those who know any thing of the constitution of native armies in India will, I believe, allow.

The secret of Hydur’s success against his country­men, appears to have consisted chiefly in his clear perception and ready adoption of the advantages of European discipline, and in the employment of Europeans, and those who were trained in their mode of warfare. Abundant proof of this will be found throughout his life. The officers in whom he most depended, and who most effectually served him, although, they are but slightly noticed in this work, were all French or Portuguese; as, for instance, Messieurs Manuel, Lally, Jani, Raymond, &c.

In stating that the author manifests a strong bias towards his master, some times apparently at the expense of truth, it is but fair to remark, that, unlike other Muhammadan authors, he has seldom spoken disparagingly of the British troops, whom, on the contrary, he admits to have been Hydur’s most gallant opponents, and whom Hydur himself, according to him, with the frankness of a brave soldier, describes as “lions ranging over the face of the whole earth.”

Such expressions as the “stormy, warlike English,” “the lions ranging over the face of the earth,” and others of the same tenor, plainly indicate the opinion entertained by Hydur of the prowess of the British army in India.*

After premising thus much, I am bound to make my public acknowledgements for the flattering assistance and encouragement which I have received from the following distinguished Oriental scholars.

I am under the greatest obligations to the late much lamented Earl of Munster; not only for the confidence placed in me, implied in his lordship’s offering me the translation of the Neshauni Hyduri, but, from the advantages I have derived from his extensive knowledge of Oriental military customs and literature.

To the Right Hon. Sir Gore Ouseley, I beg leave to offer my most thankful acknowledgements, for the kind assistance I have ever obtained from him, and which I trust he will permit me to say, no Oriental scholar of the present day is able to give with more critical judgment and precision.

To Professor Forbes, and Mr. Bland, I am under great obligations for their kindness in lending me copies of this work; since, by the collation of these copies, I have been enabled to ascertain the meaning of many passages, which must otherwise have been left unexplained.

To Mr. Shakespeare, Professor of Hindostani, I am also much obliged, for his kindness in pointing out to me a work, on the life and character of Hydur, in the Hon. East India Company’s library. Of this I have availed myself by a partial translation.

To the Rev. J. Reynolds, Secretary to the Orien­tal Translation Committee of the Royal Asiatic Society, I also beg leave to offer my best thanks, for his uniformly kind suggestions and advice.

In presenting this translation of the life of Hydur Alí to the public, I beg leave to observe, that no one can be more sensible of its defects than I am. In justice to myself, however, I think I may state with some confidence that it is translated as closely as the difference which exists between the two lan­guages will admit, unless the risk be incurred of rendering it uncouth to an English reader by making it a verbal translation.

In conclusion I beg leave to subjoin that a literary friend, Mr. Davenport, having obligingly versified part of the English translation of the Persian poetry in this book, I have taken the liberty to place his verses at the bottom of the page, and write this as an acknowledgement of his kindness and ability.