Page:Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan.djvu/53

 CHAPTER VIII

The Nizám joins Haidar Alí, who attacks the English – War from 1767 to 1769

The Peshwá's ally, Nizám Alí, who had been forestalled by the more speedy action of the Maráthás, now appeared on the scene, too late to reap any fruits from the enterprise. Nizám Alí was accompanied by an English corps, but it soon became evident that he contemplated throwing over the compact which he had made with the Madras Government, and allying himself with Haidar, for the purpose of invading the country below the gháts. He succeeded in cajoling the English authorities at Madras by various pretences till the Mysore ruler had made all his preparations. Their combined armies, amounting to 42,860 cavalry, 28,000 infantry, with 109 guns, then descended into the low country, and attacked Colonel Joseph Smith, who was in command of the British troops on the frontier. Haidar at first contented himself with harassing the English by intercepting all supplies, but being urged on by the Nizám, their joint forces attacked Smith near the fort of Changama, where they were repulsed with considerable loss.