Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/407

Book V the modes of any warfare which had ever been seen in these countries; and they were no sooner departed than the Colleries swarmed abroad again into all the subjected districts that lay exposed to their depredations, whilst their chiefs confederated to prevent by more effectual means the establishment of Maphuze Khan's authority. From this time, these countries became a field of no little conflict, and continued so for several years, which renders it necessary to explain the various interests which produced the present confusions, fertile afterwards of more.

When Allum Khan in the beginning of the year 1752 marched from Madura to the assistance of Chunda-saheb, then besieging Tritchinopoly, he left the countries of Madura and Tinivelly under the management of three Pitan officers, named Mahomed Barky, Mahomed Mainach, and Nabi Cawn Catteck; the first of these was generally known by the appellation of Mianah, the second of Moodemiah; but Nabi Cawn Catteck by his own proper name. The Nabob Mahomedally, when asked by the presidency of Madrass for proofs to invalidate the pretensions of the government of Pondicherry, produced a writing said to be signed by these three officers, and dated the twenty-ninth of November, 1752; by which they acknowledged his sovereignty over the countries of Madura and Tinivelly; and professed themselves his servants and subjects. At tins time, Chundasaheb indeed had perished; but the Nabob himself was involved in such difficulties by the resentment of the Mysoreans, that there does not appear any reason why the Pitans should give such a declaration; unless they did it from a conviction of the very little advantage which the Nabob could derive from it. It is certain they never afterwards heeded these professions of obedience, but continued to act without coutroul, and acted only for themselves; granting immunities, remitting tributes, and even selling forts and districts for presents of ready money. This venality coinciding with the spirit of independance and encroachment common to all the Polygars, procured them not only wealth, but attachments. In this mode of licentious government they continued agreeing amongst themselves in the division of the spoil, and ruling with much power, until the expedition of colonel Heron; when Mianah, who commanded in the the city of Madura