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50 come with a sufficient force, and garrisoned both villages." On hearing this he halted there that night.

When Basavapa in the fort heard these tidings, he said to Devanna the (desai) commandant: "Go by night, enter [their] camp, wait upon the captains, and say, By the goodness of God (Sri Devuni cripa valla) the village is again in our hands: hereafter we will act according to your directions: tell them all the details, and return." So saying he dismissed [Devanna] who accordingly marched and spoke to the captains (sardarlu) who were well pleased that the goods had now returned to the hand of the owner: then they arose and went home to Karpa.

14. During these troubles, the bank of the Buccapatnam Tank had burst near (Nalla guṭṭala) the Black hills. Basavappa Nayadu granted there new (cowl) leases to two villages, and also to the district, and increased the population: he went about from village to village, encouraging the villagers: he bestowed vestments and vessels upon them, and caused them to carry on cultivation.

15. Six months passed thus. The (subedar) commandant of Hirehāl, and the commandant of Kuditini, both wrote reports to [their master] Murari Rao [the Mahratta chieftain]. On reading these he was much pleased, [and in reply he wrote a letter and sent it to them, wherein he said²] "Take good care of Sidda Ramappa, and as soon as a letter is received from Basavapa written from Anantapuram, give [Sidda Rama] as a present, suitable clothes, vessels, and some men to accompany him; so send him home to [his] village." [Z]

16. Such being the case, Basavappa strengthened his dominion at Anantapuram and wrote to the two Subedars, Sivappa and Zantangi Rao of Kuditini, that on the day of the full moon in the month Margasira, when the car festival to Saint Virupaxa takes place, the astral hour will be lucky for crowning, &c. [the young laird Siddappa]; adding details of all he was doing there. Both of them, on receiv-