Page:Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan.djvu/32



the Mysore army under Nanjráj was still engaged in the hostilities above narrated, the new Nizám, Salábat Jang, accompanied by M. de Bussy, whose exploits in the Deccan had made him famous, marched on Seringapatam, and demanded a large sum as arrears of tribute, only a third of which, or eighteen lacs, could be raised on the spot. Even this sum was collected with great difficulty, the minister Devaráj resorting to every expedient to avoid payment. But, alarmed on hearing that the Maráthás were preparing also to invade Mysore, he resorted to forcible measures, such as plundering the temples and handing over the Crown jewels, to satisfy the Nizám's demands. The rumour that the Maráthás were approaching proved to be true. In March, 1757, the Peshwá Bálájí Bájí Ráo suddenly appeared before the capital, exacting the payment of a heavy contri-