A History of the Mahrattas v2.c42.17

v2.c42.17

In the Carnatic, south of the Toongbuddra, Tippoo had stationed two officers, Budr-ul-Zeman Khan and Kootub-ud-deen, at the head of about five thousand men, a few of whom were cavalry, but the greater part regular infantry. The Moghuls, as the Mahrattas were proceeding towards Dharwar, moved from Pangul to cross the Kistna in order to besiege Kopaul and Buhadur Benda; on which Kootub-ud-deen, with the whole of the horse and a part of the infantry, advanced to observe their motions, whilst Budr-ul-Zeman threw himself into Dharwar. The defences of this fortress are principally of mud, and though irregular, and now greatly decayed, were then very strong. It is situated in a plain, having an outer and an inner ditch from twenty-five to thirty feet wide and nearly as many feet deep. Adjoining to the fort on the south side and outflanking it to the eastward is a town or Pettah, defended by a low mud wall and a ditch of no strength. The garrison, on being reinforced, consisted of seven thousand regular and three thousand irregular infantry.