The fierce Battle of Gingee on October 3, 1714, ended with the death of Raja Desing and the fall of Gingee Fort to Nawab Sadatullah Khan. As the dust settled, the Nawab consolidated his control over the fort, while the tragic aftermath saw Desing’s wife choose sati and his followers honor their fallen leader with memorials. Drawing from Narayana Pillai’s Chronicle and Tamil ballads, this blog post explores the events following the battle, including the Nawab’s actions, the funeral rites, and the enduring tributes to Desing, Mohabat Khan, and his legendary horse.
The Nawab’s Consolidation of Power
After defeating Raja Desing on October 3, 1714, Nawab Sadatullah Khan, the Faujdar of the Carnatic, entered Gingee Fort and established his authority. He proceeded to Nazaratghad in Padshahbagh, seating himself in the Kalyanamahal, the grand hall once used by Desing’s father, Swarup Singh. The Nawab secured the treasury and other key areas, placing them under seal to ensure control. He also took charge of critical fort locations, including the Baratkhana (armory) and Chowkipara (guard quarters). All Padshahi officials, army officers, amirs, rajas, and Nawab’s aides saluted him and presented nazar (tribute), affirming his dominance over Gingee.
Desing’s Wife and the Act of Sati
The Nawab sent word to Desing’s wife and others in the palace, announcing his assumption of the fort’s governance. Desing’s wife responded with heart-wrenching resolve, addressing the Nawab as her father and declaring that she could not live after her husband’s death. She requested permission to become a sati, ascending Desing’s funeral pyre to join him in death. Despite her firm decision, the Nawab ensured all necessary arrangements were made to honor her wishes. The cremation of Desing’s body and his wife’s immolation took place the next morning on the bank of the tank dug by Ram Shetty during Rajaram’s era, a solemn event marking the tragic end of Desing’s lineage.
Funeral Rites and Memorials
The funeral ceremonies were conducted by Alup Singh’s son, a nephew of Raja Desing, with expenses covered by the Nawab’s treasury, reflecting Sadatullah Khan’s respect for protocol despite the conflict. Desing’s followers, loyal to their fallen leader, were permitted to retain their positions within the fort’s administration, maintaining continuity. However, they sought to honor Desing’s memory in a lasting way. With the Nawab’s permission, they received a cowle (grant) to establish a new town near Kadalimalai, the site of Desing’s final stand. There, they built a temple dedicated to Desing, enshrining his legacy.
The followers also recovered the bodies of Mohabat Khan, the son of Valudavur’s killedar, and his two friends who died alongside Desing. After burying them on the outskirts of Gingee near Ram Shetty’s tank, they constructed tombs in their honor. A tomb was also built for Desing’s legendary horse, celebrated in Tamil ballads for its role in the battle. At the site of Desing’s cremation, his followers created a flower garden, planting a pipal and a margosa tree, symbols of reverence and remembrance.
The Departure of the Bundelas
Desing’s Bundela followers, hailing from their ancestral region of Bundelkhand, sought and received the Nawab’s permission to return home. Their departure marked the end of the Bundela presence in Gingee, closing a chapter begun by Swarup Singh’s appointment as killedar. The return of these warriors to Bundelkhand reflected the personal toll of Desing’s defeat and the shifting power dynamics in the Carnatic under Mughal control.
The aftermath of the Battle of Gingee solidified Nawab Sadatullah Khan’s authority over the region, ending the brief but defiant rule of Raja Desing, who had challenged Mughal orders over unpaid arrears inherited from his father, Swarup Singh. The Nawab’s respectful handling of Desing’s funeral and his wife’s sati, along with allowing memorials, showed a blend of pragmatism and sensitivity in consolidating power. The temple at Kadalimalai and the tombs near Ram Shetty’s tank became enduring symbols of Desing’s courage, immortalized in Tamil ballads and local lore.
Note: This post draws on Narayana Pillai’s Chronicle and Tamil ballads for a detailed account of the aftermath of the 1714 Battle of Gingee.
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