1844.] Political Events in the Carnatic, from 1564 to 1687. 599 



The two viziers came to no resolution for two days, while they ex- 

 amined into the accuracy of these representations, which they found 

 were very true, and that all the officers of the country were speaking in 

 the same manner, (or held the same sentiments.) The viziers then 

 replied to the vakeel and chief minister, " we cannot do this business 

 ourselves ; but we will give you a letter which you should both carry 

 and deliver to Eckojee Rajah, who is now at Treemullavoel, and you 

 can bring him, then all the business will be settled." Accordingly 

 the vakeel and ministers took that letter, and going to Treemullavoel, 

 delivered it to Eckojee Rajah, acquainting him of the misconduct of 

 the Naiker's warriors, and relations of the family who were in 

 Tanjore fort ; thereupon Eckojee Rajah set out secretly with some 

 of his troops to Tanjore, and after conferring with the two viziers, 

 went into the fort of Tanjore, accompanied by them in the Salleeva- 

 han Sakam year 1596, in the cycle Rachasa in the month of Mausee 

 in the day of Suptamee (or 7th) in the Sookala- Putchum. On that 

 day he came by the road leading to the gate of Tanjore fort, thence 

 now called Ali-Durwaja ; after advancing a short way, the Naik, his 

 relations, their followers and warriors from the Aramana (or palace) 

 advanced to oppose the Rajah sword in hand. In this conflict the 

 Naik of Tanjore and seven or eight of his cousins were slain, the 

 remaining Naikers fled in great confusion, whereupon the fort remain- 

 ed under his command. 



Then the two viziers composed the troubles which still in some 

 degree prevailed in the fort, and then came out by the East-gate and 

 encamped without the fort ; as they came out by this gate with victory, 

 therefore it is called Futteh Durwaja. The Rajah then delivered the 

 fort into the charge of the late chief minister, and went and encamped 

 without the fort with the two viziers. 



The Rajah then asked liberty of the two viziers to return to Banga- 

 lore, but they earnestly requested him to stay until their own differ- 

 ences were adjusted, for they were disputing to which of them this 

 country should now belong. 



Affairs were thus in suspense for two months, when intelligence ar- 

 rived that Aurungzebe having conquered all the several Padshahs of 

 Deckan, except Beejapoor, there was reason to suspect that the govern- 

 ment of Beejapoor also must soon fall. Abdul- AH and Cawdil Alas 

 Khan therefore considered if they remained disunited and quarrelling 

 among themselves, after Eckojee RajaKs departure they could not 

 preserve the fort ; that the Naikers of Trichinopoly were valiaut men ; 



