A History of the Mahrattas v1.c29.50

v1.c29.50

A.D. 1765.—Mahdoo Rao’s intention was to cut away the thick woods which surrounded Annawutty, and get between Hyder and Bednore, which the Mahrattas had no sooner begun to carry into execution than Hyder decamped with precipitation. The country was so close that, for the two first days, the Mahrattas could only harass the rear of Hyder’s army; but on the third day the country becoming more open, a body of the Peishwa’s troops was moved between Hyder and Bednore, which compelled him to stand an action.² His troops were attacked with impetuosity, and many of them immediately sought shelter in the woods. Hyder reached Bednore with only two thousand five hundred horse and ten thousand infantry, the rest of his army being for the time dispersed, and several thousands of them destroyed. As the Mahrattas advanced, all the garrisons surrendered on the first summons, except Anuntpoor, which held out for some time, until Hyder had got together some of his dispersed army, when he entered upon a negotiation with Rugonath Rao, to whom both the conduct and conclusion of the treaty were wholly entrusted.³ Hyder engaged to restore all districts and places wrested from Moorar Rao Ghorepuray, to relinquish all claims on the Nabob of Savanoor, and to pay thirty-two lacks of rupees to the Peishwa.⁴ The terms were by no means approved of by Mahdoo Rao; but having once granted full authority to his uncle he adhered to the agreement, and made no objection where an attempt to remedy what was defective would have been a departure from good faith.¹ He quitted the Carnatic, and recrossed the Kistna in the end of February.