All the operations or measures undertaken by Hydur’s government, small or great, were superin­tended by himself in person; in so much, that even leather, the lining of bullock-bags, or tent-walls, and strands of rope, all passed under his inspection, and were then deposited in his stores. He kept all merchants, traders, and bankers, pleased with him, by making them kingly presents; and he also bought up their goods, with the greatest avidity, and at high prices. To horse dealers he gave presents of gold and raiment, besides the value of the horses he purchased; and so liberal was he, that if, on the road through his territories, any horse by chance died, he paid half the price of the horse, after the arrival of the tail and mane, with a certificate from the civil officers of the district. His loans, and advances of money were scattered like sand over the face of the earth. His estimate of the value of the brave and expe­rienced soldier, of whatever tribe or caste he might be, was very high; and any man, who had distin­guished himself by his bravery, he heartily cherished and protected, and used his endeavours to promote and exalt him. Any experienced person, acquainted with business, he appointed Amil,* Foujdár, or Ameen. He was, however, the enemy, of the indolent and luxurious; and the backs and sides of his negligent and extortionate servants were fre­quently softened by stripes of the whip. A man that had been removed from his place, after proof of neglect or mal-administration of his duties to government, or of extortion, extravagance, or oppression of God’s people, and whose delinquencies were attested by official persons, was never restored to his office. He placed all offices of responsibility in the hands of wise and honorable persons. In all his departments, territorial and fiscal, present or absent, he maintained a newswriter, certain Hur­karas, and a secret writer; each of whom, without being acquainted with the others, acquired a knowledge of every action of his servants good or bad. Sometimes by night, secretly, and covered with a Gileem or blanket, he went out, alone, into the streets and lanes of the city, to ascertain the con­dition of the inhabitants, the poor, and strangers; and in camp he usually did the same. His months and years were generally spent in marches and expeditions; and, in fact, he considered his life, and the success of his measures, as dependent on his continual movements about the country. The delight given by new scenery, or a new ground of encampment, fresh springs, and the grateful shade of the tent, in no circumstances did he ever forego. For he did even as God in the Koran has commanded, “Go walk forth in the earth,”* which passage plainly indicates the necessity for travel. In the training and education of his sons he took great pains, although he himself was apparently entirely illiterate, and had never learned to read or write. However, in the weight of his judgment, (delighting in difficulties,) given him by God, he surpassed all the learned and wise of his time; and, although sparing of speech, yet, when he did speak, his language was extremely pleasing and appropriate. To enable him to sign public documents, a qualifi­cation indispensable to rulers of kingdoms, he with much labour copied, until he could write, the form of one letter; the letter <Arabic> which he wrote reversed, in this manner <Arabic>. Yet, as has been before mentioned, he was very solicitous regarding the education of his sons, and appointed men of his court to the duties of tutors and servants to them, who made him acquainted with every particular relating to their manners and conversation; and sentinels, from the Nawaub’s guard, were placed around their houses or tents.

Whenever, the Sáhibzada, (Wala Kudr) Tippoo, was commissioned to repel enemies, or to attack forts, to whatever quarter he might be sent, he was first summoned to the presence, and the Nawaub with his own lips told him, that he had selected him for this service, because he found him worthy in all matters to be employed; that he committed a force of so many horse and foot, so many guns, and a treasury of so much money to his orders; and that he must take great care no neglect occurred, and, using great prudence and caution, return suc­cessful. He then dismissed him. The officers and men, who were placed under Tippoo on this occa­sion, were also sent for, and strictly enjoined that, as the Prince was young, they should never allow him to be separate from them, or peril himself by inconsiderate rashness; but, on the contrary, con­sider his safety at all times, as placed at their responsibility by their faith and agreement. When, fortunate and victorious, the Prince returned to the presence from his expedition, he was again placed under surveillance, as above related. In truth the well-bred and those who have acquired the senti­ments and manners of the exalted,* never allow their children to associate or play with the low* or vul­gar, and thereby fall, and be degraded from their station and rank.— Verse. “To avoid the friend­ship of bad men is profitable:” “the company of Assafœtida* will spoil the finest musk.”* It is very frequently seen, that the children of great men, by reason of too great liberty, the exceeding indul­gence of the Father, and the society of low people, have so far sunk from the footing of nobility, and rank, that, they have never again raised the head of respectability. But, to continue— The young Princes had permission to sleep in their Zunanas, or women’s apartments, only every fourth night.

On most occasions, Hydur used patiently to bear with the petulance and coarseness of the brave men in his service. As, for instance, one day, in the Nawaub’s Court, or assembly,* some recollections of the battle of Churkoli were introduced. The Nawaub* said, that on that day his whole army, had followed the path of cowardice; that, they had run away before his face; that no one with his sword in his hand had exerted himself faithfully; and, that they, (the officers,) to save their own lives, had sacrificed those of their men. Among those who were present there, was Yaseen Khan Wunti Koodri, who had followed the path of faith and honour in that battle, and who had there devoted, as a charitable donation* to the sword and spear, the whole of his body, and one eye; and he said, in answer, “Yes, Sir, (Bulli Huzrut,) what you say is true; for such occurrences arise from fate, and depend on the will and power of no man. Yet, this eye of mine, for what was it put out?— and for what man, (using a term of low abuse), did I lose the blessings of sight, the pleasure of behold­ing the lights and shades* of this many coloured world, the object and delight of life!”— The Nawaub smiled at this, and said,— “I did not mean you.”

One day, also, he gave the Commandant Muhammad Alí, some orders relative to a military movement; and the Commandant, to complete his charge, required a sum of money, or a military chest. The Nawaub, at this request, became very angry, and said “By this account thou takest monthly a large sum in gold, as much as thy mother’s dower, or marriage present,* and spendest it in all manner of ways, and now, the time having arrived when there is something to do, thou demand­est more money from me. Every piece of gold thou hast received up to the present day, I will recover from thee, and, after putting thee in irons,* thou shalt be added to the chain of thieves, or felons, deserving death, for thou hast spent much of the public money in worthless matters, and now, in time of need, thou wishest to reduce me to poverty.” The hard featured and impudent* Commandant, at this, turning his face from the Nawaub towards the Clerks of the Treasury, and, while speaking to them, alluding to the Nawaub, said “The depth of the Sirkar’s (Nawaub’s) understanding is evident! The old man is merely giving himself airs on his penetration and knowledge. In this matter money is indispensable, and, if not given, the measures of the government will be ruined.” This impu­dent address was heard by the Nawaub; but he, with the indifference of a great man, and the indulgence he was accustomed to allow his servants, took no notice of the impertinence of his insolent though faithful officer, and merely told the people of the Treasury to give that vulgar, greedy fellow, what he wanted. Occurrences similar to these happened frequently.