A History of the Mahrattas v2.c38.33

v2.c38.33

Nizam Ally had scarcely reached his capital, when Tippoo, probably apprised of what had taken place, with premeditated insult set up some absurd pretensions to the sovereignty of Beejapoor, and called on Nizam Ally in consequence to adopt his standard of weights and measures.⁴ Nizam Ally took little pains to obtain an explanation, until in the month of October Tippoo was said to have taken the field for the purpose of invading that part of the Moghul territory which lay south of the Kistna. An envoy from Hyderabad was immediately dispatched to Tippoo’s camp for the purpose of temporizing, and another to Poona, in order to hasten the projected operations of the alliance. Nana Furnuwees, however, was not only unprepared, but various affairs of internal government prevented him at that moment from supporting his ally. Nizam Ally, therefore, was glad to prevent hostilities through his envoy at Seringapatam, which he effected, not so much by any forbearance of Tippoo, as by his want of preparation for war.