MYSORE , CANARA, AND MALABAR. 66 $

expects charity. They pray only to Vilhnu and to the gods of his family, and abhorthe worfhip of Siva, or of his followers the Saktis .

15th July. — I went three codes to the place which in our maps is called ChinnaBalabaram; the nature of which name no one here underftands. By the Muflul-mans it is called, Chuta Balapour, and the native appellation is Chica Bala-pura.The country the whole way has been arable; but at prefent a great part of it isuninhabited, and one of the fineft rice-grounds that I have ever feen above the Ghatsis quite wafte. About forty years ago Chica Bala-pura belonged to Narayana Swami,a Polygar, who pofleffed alfo Doda Bala-pura, Devund-hully, and Silagutta, a countryproducing a yearly revenue of 100,000 pagodas, or 33,579k os. qd. He refidedchiefly at Chica Bala-pura, and Nandi-durga was his principal ftrong hold; from theftrength of -which he had been able to refill the power of the Muflulmans of Sira.This place then contained a thoufand houfes of merchants or traders; and, althoughnot a fortrefs of much ftrength, it was a mart of great importance. Iiyder, afterreducing the neighbouring countries, laid fiege to it; and the Raja, unable to refill,agreed to pay 100,000 pagodas ; but after fome delay the Muflulman was perfuadedto go away with only 60,000. Thefe the Raja levied by a contribution from themerchants of this town, which was not given without great reluctance, and is confi-dered as the commencement of their misfortunes. Soon after, the Raja of Gutticoming to the affiftance of his friend Narayana Swami, that Polygar became refrac-tory, and again drew upon himfelf the anger of Plyder, who took all his forts, andexpelled him from the country. The place continued to enjoy confiderable profperityunder Plyder, although, in confequence of the contribution exacted by the Raja,many of the mercantile houfes had withdrawn ; for in India , as elfewhere, merchantscannot endure to be taxed. They were foon after entirely difperfed by the tyrannyof Tippoo $ but he'added much to the ornament and ftrength of the fort. On thearrival of Lord Cornwallis the Raja was rein Hated; and, after the retreat of theBritilh army, like the other Polygars who had been reftored to their countries, he re-fufed fubmiffion to Tippoo . Iflimael Khan, the father of one of the Sultan’s wives,was fent with an army to reduce them. In befieging one of the forts he met withconfiderable lofs; and it was only from its ammunition having been exhaufted, thatthe place furrendered. It is faid, that the garrifon, confiHing of feven hundred men,obtained terms of capitulation which were not obferved; the chief officers werehanged, and every foldier had either a hand or a leg cut off with the large knife ufedby the Madigaru, who in this country are the dreflers of leather, the only favourlhewn to the garrifon was the choice of the limb that was to be amputated. A fimilarpunifhment was at the fame time inflicted on 700 of the neighbouring farmers, whohad occafionally ftolen into the place, and affifted in its defence. As they had nomeans of flopping the hemorrhage, except by applying rags dipped in boiled oil; andas many were too poor, and the greater part, on fuch an occaiion, too friendlefs toprocure affiftance, a fmall proporton only of thefe wretches furvived. Some of themare here now, and fubfift by begging ; and the meflenger of Purnea, who attends me,was prefent at the execution, as one of Tippoo ’s foldiers. This barbarous punifh-ment had, however, the defired effect; and every Polygar inflantly quitted thecountry. In the laft war, the heir of the family returned, and for five months oc-cupied the place. The people here feem to be attached to him; but tbofe of Silaguttaconfider him as a ruffian, like mod other Polygars. The Myfore government offeredhim terms, which he defpifed. Rather than accept of any thing lei's than what hisvol. viii. 4 Q family