The march of the victorious standards towards Kirpa, and the capture of Huleem Khan, the governor of that place. Also, the conquest of Gunjee Kota, &c., occurring in the year 1191, Hijri.— A. D. 1777.

THE Nawaub was three years in conquering Chitul Droog; but, as soon as that was accomplished, and the fort and its dependencies had been taken and occupied by the agents of the Nawaub, he nominated a certain Dowlut Khan, an old servant, who was originally of the Naimar or Nair tribe, to take charge of the Droog, and the management of the dependencies was in all respects committed to his discretion. In reference to this man it is proper to mention, that, at the time Nundiraj resided near Suttimungul, the Nawaub being employed in making arrangements with the Poligars of that quarter, and in collecting the Paishkush, Dowlut Khan, then a boy, was taken prisoner or fell into his hands there, and was brought up by him in tenderness and care as one of his own children.

The Nawaub, with his army, now passed to this side of the Ghaut; and encamped some days at Mungul; and here, for the purpose of testing or trying the service and loyalty of his Foujdárs (civil servants) and Sirdárs or officers of his army, and of the high officers of government, the obedience of the Poligars, &c., in short, to ascertain also who was his friend and who his enemy— he concealed himself, for some time, and gave out or caused a report to be spread, that he was dead, and at night a chest as a bier was despatched to Puttun, filled with Utr or essence of roses, and Ubeer,* under the charge of certain singers* or chanters. When the evidence of this news was seen in the chest or coffin, the cries of grief and lamentation extended through the army and country, and the sound of weeping and wailing was heard from every door, and every tent and pavilion, until it rose to the heavens. Sighs and moans burst spontaneously from every breast, and dismay oppressed the hearts of the officers of the army and the governors of forts. Notwithstanding the hearts of all were broken with anguish, still, among the officers of the army and the troops, no diminution or excess in the duty of the camp was manifest; neither did any breach of the regulation or order of the civil government of the country occur. The Prince also, (Tippoo), did not in any matter rashly put himself forward. When, however, this political lying report of the Nawaub’s death, he having all his faculties alive, was received by Huleem Khan, he immediately made presents of sweetmeats* to his friends, and beat his Nobut or kettle drums, for joy. It happened, however, that intelligent and observant spies wrote an account of this insulting act to the presence, and, at the relation of the circumstance, the flames of Hydur’s wrath burned furiously, and he resolved on the destruction of Huleem Khan.

After a short time, having satisfied his mind as to the fidelity of his officers, and servants, he took his seat on the throne of wealth and power; and, in reward of this good service, he distinguished them, and made their hearts glad, by giving all of them presents and dresses of honour. He then displayed his victorious standards, and the army marched towards Kirpa,* to punish the Afghans. This was scarcely done when letters arrived, from Meer Alí Ruza Khan, stating that the Afghan of Kirpa, Huleem Khan, had withdrawn his foot from the circle of obedience and friendship, and that his troops were formed ready to oppose the Nawaub; that a line of soldiers had been drawn up on the road, to stop the passage or advance of Alí Ruza Khan; and that he, (Huleem Khan), had also posted artillery and rockets on the road, to impede their progress; and that he was still collecting troops. On hearing these tidings, the anger of Hydur flamed violently, and he hastened on with all his brave troops to that quarter, by forced marches.

When the Hakim or Chief of Kirpa heard that the lion of the field of battle was advancing with a large army, he trembled with fear at the approach of the strong armed soldiers of the Nawaub, and despatched Muhammad Ghiaus, as his embassador, to the Nawaub, to solicit the pardon of his offences. The Vakeel arrived, and, after kissing the ground, performed to the utmost of his ability his duty towards the Afghan; and, seeking his master’s advan­tage, desired that the edifice of enmity should be replaced by the foundations of kindness and friendship, in opposition to the usage of former days. In reply to these propositions, the Nawaub said, “your master pretends friendship for me openly, but in secret he has raised the head of pride, and followed the path of intrigue, and enmity; and, on hearing the report of my death, he in joy distributed sweet­meats for the good news, and expelled my Anchi Wala or newswriter from the town.— Good God! with all this disgusting pride, and malice, and folly, is it possible he can expect grace or forgiveness?— Gratitude for the many benefits and favours which I conferred on him, and for having kept the tender plant of his fortune and condition flourishing in the garden of maintenance, has been all forgotten.— ‘His fortune will be of his own making.’— Now, therefore, tell your master to get ready to defend himself; for we shall very soon reach him.”

After the unsuccessful embassador had been thus despatched, spies brought intelligence, that the Afghan of Kirpa had assembled his troops, and had placed them under the command of his nephews; that is, under the sons of Kurma Mean, (the son of Mujeed Khan,) whose names were Husseini Mean, and Saeed Mean, and had despatched them towards Dhoor. In fact, a very severe action was at that time fought between the Afghans and Meer Sáhib,* and in that engage­ment the Afghans were victorious. As soon as this intelligence reached the Nawaub, he advanced rapidly with his horse, foot and artillery, and, at about midnight, fell on the heads of these men like sudden death; and, with rockets and musketry, broke the chain of their order, and many of these wicked Afghans were thus made food for the edge of the unsparing sword. Nevertheless, the com­manders of the Afghans, although they were inex­perienced, and mere boys, planted their feet firmly and fearlessly in the field of manhood, and, with Nagaras beating, and mounted on elephants, retired towards Kirpa. The Nawaub, with all his horse, had followed them four fursungs, as far as Balsan Hully, when night ended, and the light of the morning appeared. The Kuzzaks, Silahdárs, and the Dustadárs, of the victorious army now sur­rounded and hemmed in the Afghans; and, from the first fragrant breeze of the morning until mid-day, the drums and trumpets never ceased to sound the charge, nor the market of hard blows from con­stant traffic. Every individual Afghan gave such proofs of his skill in the use of the sword, that their prowess is still recorded in the page of memorable events; and the young lads, mounted on their ele­phants, plied their arrows with both hands so fast, and gave such proofs of courage, that two thousand brave and experienced men of the Nawaub’s army were slain by them. At length, however, all this intrepidity and pride ended in flight, and the Afghans were forced to throw away their shields, and seek refuge in the small fort, the Hulli, above mentioned and there they remained.

The artillery, according to the Nawaub’s orders, now opened their fire, and, battering the walls of the fort, soon levelled them with the ground. When they saw that they were neither able to fight nor retreat, the foolish young men surrendered and were made prisoners with Sidi Hulal and three hundred Afghans; and the whole of the elephants, horses, and military stores, that is, bows, arrows, spears, swords, and tents, heaps on heaps, fell into the possession of the servants of the Nawaub.