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34 that he would cherish him like a tótá (parrot), a promise which he kept by keeping him in an iron cage, and feeding him on rice and milk till the end of his life.

The Nizám Salábat Jang, who was of inferior capacity, had two younger brothers, named Basálat Jang and Nizám Alí Khán, by the latter of whom he was deposed and imprisoned in 1761. The other brother, Basálat Jang, who was in charge of the Adoni district bordering on Mysore, deemed the occasion favourable for extending his own possessions, and accordingly meditated the reduction of Sírá; but finding the place strongly occupied by the Maráthás, who had seized it four years before, he advanced upon Hoskote, not far from Bangalore. Haidar, ascertaining that he was unable to seize that town, entered into negotiations with him, with the result that Haidar, on the payment of three lacs, was appointed Nawáb of Sírá, and proclaimed as Haidar Alí Khán Bahádur, a title which Basálat Jang had no authority whatever to bestow, but which was afterwards openly assumed by Haidar.

On the departure of Basálat Jang, after the occupation of Sírá, Haidar Alí turned his attention to the reduction of the Pálegárs of Chikka Ballapúr, Raidrúg, Harpanhalli, and Chitaldrúg, all of whom were compelled to submit to his authority and to pay tribute. While Haidar was encamped near Chitaldrúg, his assistance was solicited to replace on the masnad an individual who gave himself out to be