258
தஞ்சை மராட்டிய
Then Chanda Saheb marched his troops against Tiruchirappalli. One Alam Khan, who was serving Pratap, proved treacherous, left him, proceeded to Madurai, and from there he went to Tiruchirapalli to help Chanda Saheb. Muhammad Ali was now helped by the rulers of Thanjavur and Ramanathapuram, Wijaya Raghunatha Tondaiman, Nandi Raja of Srirangapattinam, and Murarji Ghorpade. Alam Khan while fighting with Manoji died of a gun shot.
The fight between Chanda Saheb and Muhammad Ali continued for a long time. Owing to ân economic blockade Chanda Saheb became desperate. So losing hopes, he secretly went to Manoji for refuge. He was sent to Thanjavur. Muhammad Ali. Morarji Ghorpade and the English demanded he person of Chanda Saheb. Manoji executed Chanda Saheb on 3-6-1752. On 21–4-1752 Manoji siezed Koviladi. Muhammed Ali ceded the districts of Koviladi and Elangadu to Pratap.
There ensued a fight between Muhammad Ali and Nanda Raj for the possession of Tiruchirapalli. Leaving an army at Tiruchirapalli, Muhammad Ali was proceeding to Madras, and the brother of Morarji attacked him at Tiruvadigai but died in the battle. On hearing this, Morarji Ghorpade retreated to his place, Gooti; Nandi Raja also left for Srirangapatam.
Now Tulaja married two wives Rajkumara Bai and Mohana Bai.
A new Governor who was posted at Pondicherry, Monsieur Lally by name, attacked Thanjavur and fled away after defeat. ---
Later on, he besieged Madras. The English sought the help of Pratap. The Thanjavur troops, along with the troops of Muhammad Usuf Khan, marched to Madras. The French returned after utter defeat.
On two occasions when Pigot, the English governor landed at Pondicherry and when he besieged Karaikal, Pratap sent his army to help the English.
Then Pratap relieved Manoji from his post as Sirkhel and posted Dubir pandit.
Muhammad Ali demanded Pratap to pay the arrears of peshkush. The Engliih now mediated and made a settlement that Pratap should pay a lower sum as peshkush through the English.
Tulaja had now a daughter by his second wife Rajkumara Bai.
