78 CONQUEST OF MYSORE. 



did the conqueror invest himself with this high distinction, 

 than public prayers were offered for him instead of Shah 

 Allum. 



The increasing influence and lofty pretensions of this po- 

 tentate raised against him, in 1786, a confederacy the most 

 powerful that had for a long time been formed in Southern 

 India. The Mahrattas had repeatedly shaken to its foun- 

 dation the throne of Hyder ; and though now much dis- 

 united, they were still the greatest among the native powers. 

 They held possession of the person as well as the capital 

 of the Mogul, and had no rivals for empire unless in the 

 Afghan sovereigns. With the nizam, who ranked second 

 in strength and dignity, they formed an alliance, which had 

 for its object the subversion of the new kingdom in the 

 south, and the division between them of all its possessions. 

 So confident were the Mahrattas of a triumphant issue, that 

 they did not even call in their own contingents, and de- 

 clined courting the aid of the English, lest they should be 

 obliged to share with them the expected spoil. The con- 

 federates advanced towards the Toombuddra, the chief 

 barrier between their dominions and those of Tippoo ; they 

 besieged and took the strong fortress of Badamee ; and their 

 cavalry spread themselves over the country. The sultan 

 did not. attempt directly to oppose this invading force ; but 

 by a circuitous movement came rapidly upon Adonie or Ad- 

 wanee, the principal fortress of the nizam south of the 

 Toombuddra, and considered by this ruler so strong that he 

 had formed in it a sort of royal establishment, which in- 

 cluded the harems of his brother and nephew. The son of 

 Hyder pushed the siege with his characteristic impetuosity ; 

 but having prematurely attempted to storm a breach, found 

 it so bravely defended by its commander, that he sustained 

 a complete repulse. The confederate armies were thus en- 

 abled to come to its relief, and obliged him to retire. But it 

 was now the season of the year at which the Toombuddra 

 undergoes its periodical inundation, when it became neces- 

 sary for the allies to have the whole of their armies, their 

 materials, and supplies either on one side or on the other of 

 that, river. To transport so many men and so much bag- 

 gage to the southern bank, in the face of an active enemy, 

 appeared too hazardous ; they therefore recrossed to the 

 northern side, leaving Tippoo's dominions seciare during the 



