In the morning Tipu reached king Hyder Ali. Being sleepless in night his eyes got swelled.
Tipu said, “I have brought a good finding father.”
“What’s that?” Hyder Ali looked him with sleepless eyes.
‘‘Last night I have arrested Tubharjang.”
“Who is Tubharjang?”
“Commander of Nizam Hyderabad.”
“What are you saying Tipu?” Hyder Ali asked amazing—What bring commander of Hyderabad here?”
‘‘He came here to complete a mission. Your Highness.”
“What do you mean?”
“Father, he was sent on behalf of Nizam and the British. His job was to persuade you for friendship with British through Karim Shah…”
Thus Tipu narrated him the entire story.
Listening it Hyder Ali got stunned.
“That meant…first of all he broke in to out fort.”
“Yes father! And the reason is Karim Shah. His selfishness is famous not only in Mysore but in other states too, and the enemy had tried to get benefit of that.”
Hyder Ali shivered in anger. Being sleepless his eyes have become more red.
“I am going to prison Your Highness.”
“Yes, go and order the jailor to put sickles in his feet and cuffs in hands. Put iron ring in his neck. He is our enemy. He is not set free. It is my order.”
“Yes, dear father.”
Tipu turned and went out of the chamber.
q q
“What are you saying jailor?
Hearing jailor’s statement Tipu got stunned. His brain freezed and he could not speak for some time. Jailor told him that how Karim Shah threatened him and saying that it was king’s order.
“Feigning to be a friend behaves as an enemy.” Tipu wonder struck.
After thinking for a while Tipu was standing infront of Hyder Ali.
He told the entire episode to him.
After hearing Tipu Hyder Ali lost his cool. Immediately he called for Karim Shah.
Shameless Karim Shah made his presence.
“What is the order for me father?”
“Why did you get free that ungrateful person Tubharjang?”
Karim Shah didn’t reply.
He was fear struck seeing the terrible face of Hyder Ali.
“You have crossed all the limits of meanness today.”
“Pardon me, let me have a chance to say something.”
“There is nothing left with you to say, you traitor.”
“Father, I did so for goodwill.”
“Which goodwill?”
“Keeping Tubharjang in prison meant open declaration of enmity with Nizam. Nizam has become British friend and hostility with him means enmity with British reign. Nizam would have left no stone unturned. British armies might have reached for his help, shells might have thrown on the Mysore fort and the entire city would have ruined.”
“You think we would remain idle.”
“We would have done as possible as we could but we could not tackle the British armies.”
“You have done gravious wrong, Karim Shah.” Hyder ali said in vexation—‘‘If some other might have done this mischief then I would behead him.”
“Father…”
“Now tell me what did he say?” Hyder Ali asked angrily.
“He told me that Nizam has made friendship with British and for protection of Mysore you too befriend them. They will never attack on you.’’
“That’s why he was recommending you for friendship with British.”
“Yes, I want that there should not be any torcher upon the people and law and order in our state.”
“That is to say, you do not trust your arms. No confidence on your army…No confidence on father’s and brother’s arms. It means now Hyder Ali will have to ask for alms from British for maintaining peace and order…is it so?”
“No.”
“Get away from here. I am ashamed of that I have produced a coward, timid and selfish son like you.”
Karim Shah went out silently. He went in that direction where Tubharjang was hiding.
“Hyder Ali adjourn the royal court and sent a message through a runner to special court minister that after two hours he is supposed to meet him in Privy Council.
Two hours later, Hyder Ali and his minister were sitting close to each other.
Hyder Ali was explaining, “You set out for Maharashtra. Hand over a message to Nana Pharnavis, the Prime Minister there that British are invading us and we need your help. I have already sent Kamruddin but he didn’t return yet.”
“If you allow me I wish to say something.”
“Say without any hesitation?”
“You please wait for Kamruddin at least for two days more, he might be coming. If in the meantime he does not come then as per your order I shall setout. There is one more idea with me.”
“Please carry on.”
“Tubharjang was arrested by elder prince and younger prince got him freed deceptively. This situation is dangerous. If you get agree with me then issue order for strict watch for younger prince.”
“You are right, minister. I have fed up of his activities and frightened even.”
“Today he made friendship with Nizam and tomorrow he may befriend the British. Then consequences will be more horrible.”
Hyder Ali nodded his head in acceptance and said, “Tipu go at once, arrest Karim Shah and put him in front of me. He is going to be proved most dangerous for us.”
“What are you saying father?”
“He is not my son but a foe.’’ Hyder Ali moaned in torment. ‘‘He is an enemy of the dominion, enemy of subjects of Mysore. If he is not kept under close watch, the state will be ruined.”
“But Your Highness…”
“I didn’t want to listen anything. Go and present him in front of me. It is my order.” Hyder Ali said firmly.
Tipu understand the gravity of the situation. He turned out quickly.