A History of the Mahrattas v2.c40.3.3

v2.c40.3.3

This premature attack was contrary to the orders of Nana Furnuwees; but as it had been made, he immediately directed Tookajee Holkar with a considerable force to support Gunnesh Punt and Pureshram Bhow; though he at the same time intimated to Tippoo his concern for the quarrel and his desire for an accommodation. Tippoo, whose motives will become apparent, expressed an equal readiness to meet his wishes, and even offered to pay two years’ tribute, provided his right of sovereignty was recognized in regard to Nurgoond. Nana Furnuwees, by the advice of Nizam Ally and on assurance that submission only was required from the Dessaye, acceded to what Tippoo proposed, and everything appeared to be settled except the mode of payment, for which a period of twenty-seven days was allowed, and the Mahratta army recrossed the Kistna.¹ But Tippoo had practised a gross deception:—Nurgoond left to its fate submitted; and the terms promised to the unfortunate Dessaye were not observed. After evacuating the fort, he and his family were treacherously seized; his daughter was reserved for the Sultan’s seraglio, and the rest were immured in Cabuldroog, where they perished. The fort of Kittoor,² which also belonged to a tributary Dessaye, had likewise been seized, and both that place and Nurgoond, before the opening of the fair season, were occupied by strong garrisons of the Sultan’s troops.