amount of the land revenue dependant on Madras, including the circars, has been stated, in page cxiv, at 725,000l. per annum. The dominions of Tippoo Sultan, who ftyles himself Regent of Myfore, begin on the weft of the ridge of mountains beyond Dalmacherry, Sautgud, and Attore; and extend fouthward to Travancore and Madura; northward to Soonda and Vifiapour (inveloping Adoni, the territory of the late Bazalet Jung) north-eastward to Guntoor and Ongole; and weftward to the fea. They comprehend, generally, the provinces of Myfore, Bednore, Coimbettore, Canara and Dindigul; befides his late father's conquefts to the northward, which are Meritch, or Meritz, Soonda, Chitteldroog, Harponelly, Sanore-Bancapour, Roydroog, Gooty, Condanore, Canoul, and Cuddapah. Tippoo's present territory exceeds very confiderably, both in extent and revenue, that of his rival the Nabob of Arcot: but probably it will, for some time at least, require a Prince of confiderable talents, to prevent a state, composed of such discordant parts, from falling to pieces. A defcendant of the Hindoo King of Mysore, whom Hyder dethroned, is living; and kept a ftate prifoner at Seringapatam, Tippoo's capital. He is occafionally fhewn to the populace: and the circumstance of his being permitted to live, is a ftrong proof how much the popular prejudices prevail, in favour of the family of their ancient Kings. It was part of the plan of operations of the fouthern army, under Colonel Fullarton, in 1783, to march from Coimbettore to Seringapatam, in order to liberate this Prince, and encourage the people of Myfore to throw off their allegiance from Tippoo: and it was the opinion of many fober perfons that it might have fucceeded, if circumftances had permitted Col. Fullarton to undertake it. The general character of Tippoo, is that of a man of high ambition; with great abilities for war and finance; cruel, to an extreme degree; and obftinately attached to his [ .cxxxix ] his fchemes. He is unquestionably, the most powerful of all the native Princes of Hindooftan; but the utter deteftation in which he is held by his own fubjects, renders it improbable that his reign will be long. His dominions are very extenfive; and although the imperfect state of the geography of the western part of the peninfula, does not permit me to mark their northern boundary, yet it is pretty certain that it touches the river Kiftnah, on the fouth of the city of Vifiapour: and therefore, the extent of Tippoo's territory, or kingdom, from the valley of Ootampaliam on the fouth, to the Kiftnah on the north (or rather N NW) can In breadth, it is northern part of the peninfula, not be less than 550 British miles. in the wideft place, that is, in the the breadth is at least 330 miles; but less than 150 in the parallel of Tritchinopoly; and further fouthward, it ends in a point. In page xcvi, its area has been compared to that of Great Britain; which is taken at 96,400 fquare British miles: and the country of Tippoo is fuppofed to contain 21 fquare degrees; which in the parallel of 14, produce about 97,650 B. miles. By the peace of 1782, Hyder was to relinquish all, but his ancient poffeffions: how far his fucceffor has fulfilled the terms of the treaty, I am not informed but the term, ancient poffeffions, was too general, or rather too vague, to be understood in any particular fenfe. The revenue of Tippoo, has been stated at four crores of rupees,. or as many millions fterling. His military establishment is very great; being no less than 72,800 regulars, including 740 Europeans under the command of French officers: befide troops in the frontier garrifons, to the amount of 49,000. The remainder of his force, confifts of irregulars of various defcriptions, and amounts. to 33,000 and upwards: fo that the whole force of Tippoo, is reckoned 155,000; of which, near 73,000, are of a clafs much fuperior to any troops that have ever been raised and difciplined by a native [cxl] a native of India *. His defire of extending his kingdom, will keep him at perpetual variance with the Poonah Mahrattas, or the Nizam, or both; as it is only on their fide, that any acquifitions can be made, without quarreling with the English. Hyder long meditated the conqueft of the Travancore territory, fituated at the extreme of the peninfula; but was prevented by the English. Tippoo, is faid to have intentions of the fame kind. The reader may eafily collect, from a curfory view of the map, how hurtful to the intereft of the Carnatic, fuch a revolution would prove: fince it implies alfo the transfer of the Cochin territories, and all the tract lying on the weft of the Gauts. I have been favoured with the following particulars, relating to Tippoo Sultan's military. establishment; and which may be depended on. REGULARS. Cavalry Sepoy Infantry, Hindoos and Mahomedans Topaffes (or Hatmen) that is, the defcendants of Portuguese and other 27,400 36,000 7,300 Europeans, Infantry Auxiliaries from the Rajahs of Rydroog, Darwar, Harponelly, Sanore, &c. Horfe Peons (Irregulars) 7,000 10,300 13,000 26,300 |
