posts in Mysore, he assembled his army at Bangalore, where he mustered 83,000 men[1], a force which, in regard to efficiency, if not strength, surpassed any previously collected in Southern India. His system of maintaining scouts and spies was perfect, the commissariat under Púrnaiya was well organized, and every precaution was taken to ensure success, not omitting the customary religious ceremonies. Having gathered his forces at the heads of the passes, and issued his instructions to the commanders of the several columns, he suddenly, in July, 1780, swept down upon the plains like an avalanche, carrying destruction with him.
Muhammad Alí had warned the Madras Government of the intended invasion, although, beyond mere professions of fidelity to their cause, he had furnished neither money nor troops to assist them. His rapacity made him chary of proffering aid in the former shape, while his soldiers were in a state of mutiny owing to deferred pay. Haidar moreover had kept his secret well, while the Madras Council, having no proper intelligence department, had no means of penetrating his designs, and it was not
- ↑ The detail given by Wilks is as follows:
Stable horse 14,000 Sillahdár horse 12,000 Savanúr Contingent 2,000 Infantry Disciplined 15,000 Veteran Peons 12,000 Selections from local establishments 18,000 Peons of Palegárs 10,000 83,000
