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Henty, G. A. (George Alfred), 1832-1902

"Or, The Beginnings of an Empire"

The Rajahs of Mysore
and Tanjore are, I have learned, already in communication with
Pondicherry; and will, I believe, shortly acknowledge the son of
Chunda Sahib, whom Dupleix has declared ruler of the Carnatic. Murari
Reo has already openly joined the French. Their influence in the
Deccan is now so great that Bussy may be said to rule there.
"Now, there is a chief named Boorhau Reo, whose territory lies among
the hills, and extends from the plain nearly up to the plateau land of
the Deccan. His position, like that of many of the other small rajahs,
is precarious. In days like the present, when might makes right, and
every petty state tries to make profit out of the constant wars, at
the expense of its neighbour, the position of a chief, surrounded by
half a dozen others more powerful than himself, is by no means
pleasant. Boorhau Reo feels that he is in danger of being swallowed,
by the nizam or by the Mahrattas, and he earnestly desires to ally
himself with us; believing, as he says, that we are destined to be
masters here. I have assured him that, although gratified at his
expressions of friendship, we can enter into no alliance with him. The
position of his territory would enable him to be of great assistance
to us, in any war in which the whole force of the Deccan, controlled
as it is at present at Bussy, might be utilized against us in the
Carnatic.


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