A History of the Mahrattas v2.c42.15

v2.c42.15

(Aug. 25.)—Hostilities on the part of the Mahrattas against Tippoo commenced on the 25th August by an attack upon a fortified village, from which the Mahrattas expelled the garrison with trifling loss. As they advanced, the country was rapidly occupied. The inhabitants assisted to expel Tippoo’s Sebundees, but the latter were easily reconciled to a change of masters, enlisted with Pureshram Bhow, and aided him in collecting the outstanding revenue. The Mahratta force, daily joined by small parties, soon amounted to ten thousand horse and three thousand infantry, exclusive of Captain Little’s detachment. With this army Pureshram Bhow arrived before Dharwar on the 18th September, and after much unnecessary exposure and considerable loss in reconnoitring, commenced the siege by firing cannon from a great distance during the day and withdrawing them at night; an absurd practice not unusual with Mahrattas.