The period from 1734 to 1750 in the Carnatic was marked by political upheaval, internal strife, and external invasions, particularly involving the Nawabs of Arcot, regional Nayaks, and the rising Maratha power. This era saw the ambitious rise of figures like Chanda Sahib, the tragic fall of Rani Minakshi, and the devastating Maratha expeditions, culminating in significant shifts in regional power dynamics. Drawing from contemporary newsletters, Tamil and Telugu chronicles, and other historical sources, this blog post explores the complex interplay of power, betrayal, and conquest in the Carnatic during this turbulent period.
Tanjore and Madura: A Prelude to Chaos (1734–1739)
The years 1734–1739 were a dark chapter for the Tanjore kingdom, characterized by domestic anarchy, rebellions, and the dominance of Saiyad Khan, a notorious Muslim adventurer. Internal dissensions and rival pretenders destabilized the region, creating a power vacuum that invited external intervention. In Madura, a parallel crisis unfolded, driven by intense rivalry between Rani Minakshi, the widow of Vijayaranga Chokkanatha Nayak (r. 1706–1732), and Bangaru Tirumala, the father of her adopted son and designated successor.
Vijayaranga Chokkanatha Nayak’s piety had weakened his authority, and upon his death in 1732, Rani Minakshi assumed control of Madura, adopting a boy from a collateral branch to secure the succession. However, Bangaru Tirumala, allied with Dalavay Venkatacharya, sought to depose her, setting the stage for external interference. The Tamil History of the Karnataka Governors suggests that Rani Minakshi invited Chanda Sahib, a rising adventurer under Nawab Dost Ali Khan of Arcot, to intervene, possibly to counter Bangaru’s ambitions.
Chanda Sahib’s Rise and the Fall of Trichinopoly
In 1734, Nawab Dost Ali Khan dispatched his son Safdar Ali and Chanda Sahib, his son-in-law, on an expedition to the south. Their campaign, detailed in the newsletters of the Madura Mission, capitalized on the disarray in Tanjore and Madura. Chanda Sahib’s role was pivotal, as he skillfully exploited the factional disputes in Madura to expand Arcot’s influence.
Bangaru Tirumala offered Safdar Ali 30 lakhs to oust Rani Minakshi, but the Rani countered with a promise of one crore rupees to Chanda Sahib, securing his support on the condition of an oath sworn on the Quran to protect her rule. Chanda Sahib was admitted into Trichinopoly Fort, swiftly sidelining Bangaru Tirumala and his son, who were sent to Madura. However, Chanda Sahib’s ambitions extended beyond mere mediation. According to the Tamil Chronicle, his strategy was to eliminate Bangaru Tirumala in Minakshi’s name, then depose her to establish himself as governor of Trichinopoly under the Nawab, with the ultimate goal of independence from Arcot.
By 1736, Chanda Sahib returned to Trichinopoly, capturing Dindigul and Madura and consolidating his control over the region. Rani Minakshi, realizing she had been betrayed, became a prisoner in her own fort and, in despair, reportedly took poison and died. Bangaru Tirumala fled to the forests of Sivaganga, his hopes of reclaiming power dashed.
Maratha Incursion and the Battle of Damalcherry (1740)
The Maratha intervention in 1736, led by Raghuji Bhonsle and Fateh Singh, marked a turning point in Carnatic politics. Emboldened by the completion of their campaign against Janjira, the Marathas, under the direction of Chhatrapati Shahu, turned their attention southward. The expedition, supported by Babuji Nayak’s claims to the Carnatic, aimed to exploit the region’s instability.
In 1740, the Marathas advanced into the Carnatic, confronting Nawab Dost Ali Khan at the Battle of Damalcherry, fought at the Damalcheruvu Pass. Dost Ali, awaiting reinforcements from his son Safdar Ali, was defeated and killed in the battle. The Marathas plundered Arcot, seizing its treasures, and turned their attention to Trichinopoly, where Chanda Sahib had entrenched himself. Safdar Ali, wary of Chanda Sahib’s growing power, negotiated with the Marathas, redirecting their aggression toward his rival.
The Marathas besieged Trichinopoly, where Chanda Sahib sought aid from his brother, Bade Sahib, governor of Dindigul and Madura. Bade Sahib’s forces were defeated at the Battle of Koduttalam, four kurohs from Trichinopoly, and he was killed. With his position untenable, Chanda Sahib surrendered, and the Marathas captured Trichinopoly, entrusting it to their ally, Murari Rao of Gooty. Chanda Sahib was taken prisoner to Maharashtra.
Raghuji Bhonsle’s campaign was further emboldened by the deaths of Peshwa Baji Rao and his brother Chimnaji Appa, removing key restraints on his ambitions. He defied the new Peshwa and Fateh Singh, encouraging Safdar Ali to resist Maratha demands for chauth and sardeshmukhi, further destabilizing the region.
The Nizam’s Intervention and the Fate of Bangaru Tirumala (1743)
In 1743, Nizam-ul-Mulk, the Mughal viceroy of the Deccan, intervened in the Carnatic to restore order. Bangaru Tirumala, still seeking to reclaim his position, approached the Nizam for support. Anwaruddin Khan, appointed by the Nizam as Nawab of Arcot, was tasked with overseeing Bangaru’s welfare. However, the Pandyan Chronicle alleges that Anwaruddin poisoned Bangaru while he resided in Arcot as a pensioner, though this claim is considered improbable by some historians. Bangaru’s son returned to Sivaganga, where the family’s influence faded.
The period from 1734 to 1750 in the Carnatic was defined by treachery, ambition, and shifting alliances. Chanda Sahib’s rise and fall, Rani Minakshi’s tragic end, and the Maratha invasions reshaped the political landscape, weakening the Nayak kingdoms and strengthening external powers like the Marathas and the Nawabs of Arcot. The Battle of Damalcherry and the fall of Trichinopoly underscored the volatility of the region, setting the stage for further European involvement in the Carnatic Wars. This era remains a testament to the complex interplay of local and external forces in 18th-century South India.
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