Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/430

422 place. The fort which commands these districts is called Chevelptore, and is situated at the foot of the western mountains, about 45 miles south-west of Madura, The troops stationed for the defence of the fort and districts, were under the command of Abdul Rahim, a half brother to the Nabob and Maphuze-Cawn, the same with whom Lieutenant Innis marched into those countries in the year 1751, and of Abdull-mally another relation to the family: the foot, excepting 200 Sepoys, were the usual rabble allotted to the guard of villages; but there were 500 horse, esteemed the best in Maphuze-Khan's service, who proud of their prowess, and their quality of Mahomedans, held the enemy, as Indians, and of no military reputation, in utter contempt, and encouraged their own commanders to risque a battle; in which they were surrounded, but with sufficient gallantry, and considerable loss, cut their way through, and retired to Chevelpetore. Here Abdull Rahim and Abdull-mally intended to maintain themselves, until succours should arrive, either from Madura or Tinivelly; but the men of the cavalry, dissatisfied for want of pay, and fearful of losing their horses through want of provisions during the siege, marched away, and many of them joined the enemy: the fort was immediately invested and soon after reduced, but the two commanders escaped again. This success encouraged the Madura Polygars, who had hitherto only looked on, to join according to their promise; and the whole camp now consisted of 25000 men, of which 1000 were cavalry. Their chiefs animated by this superiority of numbers determined to give battle to Maphuze-Cawn at Tinivelly, before they attacked the city of Madura, By this time Maphuze-Cawn had prevailed on Catabominaig, by the cession of some districts and the promise of other advantages, to join him with the forces of the eastern Polygars, and had likewise levied all the horse and foot of whatsoever kind which could be procured; but his principal strength was the 1500 horse he had before, and the body of 1000 Sepoys belonging to the company under the command of Jemaul Saheb, whose losses had been recruited with effective men. The battle was fought on the 21st of March, within seven miles of Tinivelly, and was maintained with more obstinacy than usual in the tights of this country, until Moodemiah fell;