504 Analysis of the Mackenzie Manuscripts. [June, 



ever, kept in waiting for a short time. In the interval Alagiri, to 

 whom the fort of Tanjore had been confided, affected airs of indepen- 

 dence by writing on terms of equality to Choka Natha ; and when 

 reproved for doing so, he returned no answer. Choka Natha was 

 deeply displeased ; but restrained, for the time, any expression of anger ; 

 considering that Alagiri had strengthened himself and could not be 

 assaulted without mature preparation : under these circumstances the 

 Mahratta chief approached. He was sent by the Visapur padshah, 

 with a small force to reduce Alagiri, which force he increased by 

 auxiliaries, derived from his two brothers at Bangalore, and Ginjee. 

 Alagiri went out to meet the invaders, and a pitched battle was fought, 

 with considerable numbers engaged ; when 400 Mahrattas, and 500 of 

 Alagiri's people fell ; and Alagiri being quite unable to inspirit his 

 people, so as to maintain the engagement, these fled, without looking 

 behind them, till they reached the fort of Tanjore. Thence Alagiri 

 sent a supplicatory letter to Choka Natha of Trichinopoly ; but the 

 latter guided by pride, and resentment (rather than by policy) refused to 

 interfere, or send any aid. Eckoji now laid siege to Tanjore and Ven- 

 cana, the aforementioned Viyogi brahman, it seems, was inside the 

 fort, busied in promoting disaffection. The manuscript states that 

 Alagiri finding himself in danger of being arrested, and imprisoned 

 in consequence of the machinations of the brahman, fled, with all his 

 family and immediate dependents, by night, and took refuge in Mysore. 

 In consequence Eckoji had the son of Vijaya Raghava mounted on 

 an elephant; and the said son, named Chenga Mala Dasu, made a 

 public entry into Tanjore. Eckojt committed the ceremonials of his 

 being crowned to the Niyogi brahman ; and retired to his troops with- 

 tout the walls. The ceremony of crowning took place. . Subsequently 

 the nurse pointed out the spot, in the palace, where the treasure, ac- 

 cumulated by the young man's ancestors, had been deposited ; whence 

 were taken twenty lacs of pagodas, and six lacs of pagodas in jewels. 

 With this treasure, a portion being reserved for the newly installed king, 

 munificent donations were made to Eckoji, and others who had been 

 concerned in the restoration. To defray the expenses incurred by the 

 troops, Eckoji received the districts of Combaconum, Manarkoil, and 

 Papavinasam ; the revenue arising from them to be so applied. It being 

 customary for a king to have a Vafaiwyi, or prime-minister, the gene- 

 ral voice was in a favor of an appointment of the Niyogi brahman, 

 named Vencana to that office, and arrangements to that end were be- 

 ing made ; when the young man, consulting his nurse, whom he regard- 

 ed as his mother, she strongly urged the appointment of the Chetty (or 



