Peshwá claimed as being the overlord of Mysore in right of the Maratha succession to the sovereignty of Bíjapur. These exorbitant demands being rejected by Haidar, Madhu Ráo proceeded to occupy the country, overrunning all the northern and eastern districts, and establishing garrisons at the principal posts. He carried everything before him, but only met with a signal repulse in attacking Nijagal, an almost inaccessible fort about thirty miles north-west of Bangalore. This place, after an investment of three months, was at last taken by the desperate courage of the Pálegár of Chitaldrúg, who, at the head of his brave band of Bedars, succeeded in seizing the fortress by escalade. Madhu Ráo ordered the noses and ears of all the survivors of the garrison to be cut off, the only man who escaped mutilation being the commandant, Sardár Khán, whose undaunted behaviour before the Peshwá secured him immunity.
Madhu Ráo, whose movements had been attended with entire success, now fell ill and returned to Poona, leaving his maternal uncle Trimbak Ráo in command[1]. This chief, after reducing Gurramkonda, returned to the west, conquering several districts not yet seized by his nephew; but in the meanwhile Haidar had assembled a large force of cavalry and infantry, with
- ↑ Trimbak Ráo was a son of Hari Bhatt, the progenitor of the Patwardhan family, which was allied by marriage to the Peshwá, and, though Bráhmans by caste, gave many commanders to the Maráthá armies, especially Parasu Rám Bháo, who became notorious for the ruthless devastations which he committed in Mysore and the adjoining territory.
