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134 CHAPTER VIII.

Affairs of the Carnatic – Birth and Character of Hyder Ali – He enters the Service of Mysore – His great Courage and rapid Rise – Imbecility of the Rajah, and Supremacy of the Prime Minister – Hyder puts down the latter, and takes his Place – He usurps the Sovereign Authority – Extends his Territories by Conquest – Is defeated by the Mahrattas and buys them off – Conquers Malabar and Coorg – Formidable Confederacy against him – Dissolves it, and forms a Coalition against the English – Territorial Possessions and Resources of the contending Parties at this Period – Battle of Trinomaly – Hyder Deserted by the Nizam – Successes of the British – Hyder singularly foiled in a Night Attack – The British on the point of Defeat saved by a Stratagem – Dreadful Scene at Bangalore – Gallant Defence by an English Sergeant – Repeated Success of Hyder – Destruction of Captain Nixon's Detachment – Critical Condition of the English – Hyder compels them to a Treaty of Peace.

During these transactions in Bengal, which extended the British possessions on the Ganges over the finest portion of that vast region, the interests of the Company were threatened in the south by the sudden and ominous growth of an adverse power, which subsequently swept over the Carnatic with the rapidity and withering influence of a destructive meteor.

The father of Hyder Ali, by descent a Punjaubee, had held the rank of naick, or non-commissioned officer in the service of Mysore; but on his death had left his family unprovided for. At this time Hyder was not more than seven years of age, and his advance towards manhood gave little indication of future greatness; the sports of the field occupying a large portion of his time, and the remainder being surrendered to voluptuous enjoyments. Having entered the Mysorean service as a volunteer, he soon distinguished himself by extraordinary courage and self-possession, and in time advanced to the command of a body of freebooters, who, under his auspices, victimised both friends and enemies. By a series of