1844.] Political Events in the Carnatic, from 1564 to 1687. 423 



4. The dissolution of the Hindoo monarchy in the rapid course of 

 human events was throughout the Carnatic followed by long series of 

 disorder, of anarchy, and of confusion, whence their laws, institu- 

 tions, and privileges were involved in an obscurity,* that renders it 

 difficult to clear up difficulties arising from the intermixture of new 

 arrangements with ancient customs ; but it is hoped, that the follow- 

 ing notes taken in the course of examining several documents that 

 have fallen in our way, if they do not satisfactorily explain some of 

 these obscurities, may at least excite to a clearer development. 



5. After that battle, in which Ram Raaz, and almost the whole of 

 the ancient nobility fell, the country around the capital was laid 

 waste, and the remains of the great families being dispersed, the city 



A. D. 1567. speedily fell to decay, as an European traveller desscribes 

 it two years afterwards,t and recent inspection confirms the accuracy 

 of that description. 



6. It appears, that the aliies after the battle;}; marched as far as 

 Anagoondy, and their advanced troops penetrated to Beejanuggur itself, 

 which they plundered, committing all manner of excess ; but Venka- 

 tadri, the brother and representative of the late sovereign, giving the 

 places which had been formerly wrested from the allies, (the Duab, 

 Mudcull, Rachoor, Adoni, Aulingpoor and Bagratal from Adil Shah ; 

 and Kowillconda, Bankul (Pangull,) and Kunpoor (Gunpoor,) from 

 Cootub Shah,) the victors without availing themselves further of the 

 advantage they had obtained, were satisfied, took leave of each other 

 at Rachoor, and returned to their several dominions without leaving 

 any garrison, occupied South of the Toombuddra,§ excepting Adoni 



* It is remarkable that this obscurity prevailed no where in a greater degree than in 

 the immediate vicinity of our presidency of Fort St. George, where until recently, a 

 very imperfect knowledge prevailed of the various successions or changes of govern- 

 ment in the lower country. 



f Caesar Fredrick's Voyage A. D. See Asiatic Miscellany, Vol. I, p — — The 



remains of Beejanuggur were minutely examined in December 1800. — See Journals. 



X For the Hindoo account of this memorable battle, see the Ham-Raja Chentra, 

 which enters into details descriptive of Hindoo manners, but differing much from the 

 Mahomedan authors in regard to circumstances in the war and battle. — See collection 

 of Memoirs for the History of the Beejanuggur Government of the Carnatic. 



§ For the details, see Scott, Vol. II, p. 298 and 299, also the Tarik Adil Shahee, a 

 Persian MS. Ccelconda, Pancull and Gunpoor are hill fortresses, capitals of Circars 

 north of the Kistna and South of Hydrabatl. Mudcull, Kachoor and Bagreetal are 

 in the Duab. Adoni is South of the Toombuddra. 



