Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/410

402 Maphuze Khan proceeded, and encamped near the fort, which he could not take; but in this situation repressed the incursion of the Pulitaver's Colleries into the districts of Tinivelly, and content with this advantage, gave out with ostentation that he had settled the Country. These vaunts were soon contradicted. In the month of September, Moodemiah returned from Travancore, with a larger body of troops, and again defeated those of Calacad, who in this battle suffered more than in the former; for 200 of their horse and 500 Sepoys were made prisoners; and, what aggravated the loss, it was the time of harvest, when the rents are collected, of which the Travancores took possession, and maintained their ground. Maphuze Khan, nevertheless, continued before the Pulitaver's place; whose troops in the month of November, cut off a detachment of two companies of Sepoys which had been sent to escort provisions; they were of those belonging to the company, and the commanders of both were killed. No other military events of any consequence happened in these parts during the rest of the year.

The reduction and maintenance of Madura and Tinivelly, were not the only interests in the southern countries, which perplexed, and occupied the attention of the English presidency. In the month of June, they were surprized by a quarrel between their own allies the king of Tanjore and the Polygar Tondiman, which had proceeded to hostilities, before any suspicions were entertained of the animosity. It was obvious that this quarrel, if not timely reconciled, would produce the defection of one or other of them to the Nabob's enemies. The presidency, therefore, immediately ordered them, in peremptory terms, so cease all military operations; proffering, however, their mediation; and ordered captain Calliaud to enquire into the causes of the dispute; who after two journies to Tanjore, and several conferences with the king, with Monac-gee, and with Tondiman's brother, could only collect the following obscure account of it; so averse were all parties to tell the truth. In the year 1749, the king sent Monac-gee to attack Arandanghi, a fort of strength and note, belonging to the lesser Moravar. Monac-gee finding his own force insufficient, asked assistance of Tondiman, who stipulated in return, the cession of Kelli-nelli-cotah and its districts, valued at 300,000