Following the transfer of the administrative capital to Arcot, Gingee continued to be governed by Bundela officials, though its importance in the overall Mughal administrative system had diminished. The fortress remained strategically significant and continued to play an important role in regional politics.
Local Resistance and Administration
The Bundela governors faced ongoing challenges in maintaining control over their territory. Local resistance to Mughal rule continued in various forms, ranging from tax evasion to open rebellion. The governors had to maintain delicate balances between asserting Mughal authority and accommodating local customs and interests.
The administration of Gingee under the Bundelas was marked by several characteristics:
Military Focus: Given the fortress’s strategic importance, military considerations always took precedence in administrative decisions.
Cultural Accommodation: The Bundela governors, being Rajputs themselves, were generally more tolerant of Hindu customs and practices than many other Muslim administrators.
Economic Development: Despite political challenges, efforts were made to develop trade and agriculture in the region.
The Rise of Local Powers
As Mughal power began to decline in the early 18th century, various local powers began to assert their independence. In the Tamil country, this period saw the emergence of several important figures who would shape the region’s future.
One of the most significant of these was Desing Raja, a local chieftain who established himself in the Gingee region and challenged Mughal authority. Desing’s rebellion marked the beginning of the end of effective Mughal control over the fortress.
Desing Raja’s Rebellion
Desing Raja, whose name has become legendary in South Indian ballad and folklore, represented the resurgence of Hindu resistance to Muslim rule. His rebellion against the Nawab of Arcot became one of the most celebrated episodes in the later history of Gingee.
According to tradition, Desing sought the blessing of the deity at Singavaram before engaging in his final battle against Sadatullah Khan in 1714. The legend tells that the god, disapproving of Desing’s rashness, turned his head away in disappointment.
Despite his eventual defeat and death, Desing Raja’s rebellion marked an important turning point in the history of Gingee and the broader region. His resistance inspired others and contributed to the gradual weakening of Mughal authority in South India.