Himmat Bahadur Khan (died 13 February 1751), also known as Himmat Khan or Himayat Bahadur Khan, was a Pathan Nawab of Kurnool during the mid-18th century. He ruled as a semi-independent governor under the nominal suzerainty of the Nizam of Hyderabad. Himmat Bahadur is best known for his role in the Second Carnatic War, where he assassinated Nasir Jung, the Nizam of Hyderabad, in 1750. This act shifted the balance of power in the Deccan region, briefly elevating his ally Muzaffar Jung to the throne. However, Himmat Bahadur’s involvement in subsequent rebellions led to his own death shortly thereafter. He belonged to the Panni Pashtun tribe, part of a lineage of Afghan-origin rulers who established control over Kurnool in the early 18th century.
Early Life and Ancestry
Himmat Bahadur Khan was born into the Panni Pashtun (also known as Panni Afghan) family, a tribe with roots in Afghanistan that migrated to India during the Mughal era. The Panni Pashtuns played a significant role in the military and administrative affairs of southern India, particularly in the Deccan. The Nawabship of Kurnool was founded by Daud Khan Panni around 1690–1710, who served as a military commander under the Mughal Empire and later under the Nizam of Hyderabad. Daud Khan established Kurnool as a jagir (feudal estate), which evolved into a semi-autonomous state.
Some sources vary the dates slightly, with Himmat Bahadur’s accession placed around 1740–1744, possibly after a brief rule by another relative like Daud Khan II. Little is known about Himmat Bahadur’s early life, but he inherited a tradition of military prowess and alliances with regional powers, including the Nizams and European colonial forces.
Reign
As Nawab of Kurnool, Himmat Bahadur governed a territory in the Rayalaseema region of present-day Andhra Pradesh, India. Kurnool was strategically important due to its position in the Deccan Plateau, serving as a buffer between the Mughal-influenced north and the Carnatic region in the south. His rule was marked by alliances with other Pathan Nawabs, such as those of Cuddapah (Kadapa) and Savanur, forming a loose confederation of Afghan-origin rulers.
During his reign, Himmat Bahadur navigated the complex politics of the declining Mughal Empire and the rising influence of European powers, particularly the French and British East India Companies. He received titles and jagirs from the Mughal court, including the title “Himmat Bahadur” (meaning “courageous and brave”) and additional lands like Raichur and Adoni as rewards for his services. His administration focused on military strength, as Kurnool was often involved in conflicts over succession in Hyderabad.
Role in the Second Carnatic War
Himmat Bahadur played a pivotal role in the Second Carnatic War (1749–1754), a conflict driven by the succession dispute in Hyderabad and Arcot, exacerbated by French and British rivalries. Nasir Jung, the second Nizam of Hyderabad, faced a challenge from his nephew Muzaffar Jung, who was supported by the French under Joseph François Dupleix. Himmat Bahadur, along with other Pathan Nawabs like Abdul Nabi Khan of Cuddapah and Abdul Karim Khan of Savanur, initially allied with Muzaffar Jung and the French against Nasir Jung, who had British backing.
Assassination of Nasir Jung
On 16 December 1750, during a battle near Gingee (in present-day Tamil Nadu) at a site known as Sarasangupettai or Dupleix-Fathabad, Himmat Bahadur assassinated Nasir Jung. According to accounts, Nasir Jung approached Himmat Bahadur’s contingent to receive a salute amid the chaos of battle. Instead of returning the salute, Himmat Bahadur raised his musket and shot Nasir Jung at close range, killing him instantly. Nasir Jung’s head was then severed and paraded on a spear, causing his army to scatter. This act was reportedly part of a conspiracy with French commander La Touche, who had promised rewards to the Pathan Nawabs.
The assassination allowed Muzaffar Jung to claim the throne as the third Nizam of Hyderabad on 31 December 1750. Himmat Bahadur was rewarded with the title “Rustam Jang” and additional jagirs.
Death
Himmat Bahadur’s triumph was short-lived. Dissatisfied with the rewards from Muzaffar Jung and the French—particularly the influence of French officer Charles de Bussy—the Pathan Nawabs rebelled. On 13 February 1751, during a march through the Eastern Ghats at Lakkireddipalle (near Rayachoti in Kadapa district), a confrontation erupted. Himmat Bahadur blocked Muzaffar Jung’s elephant with his own and fired a shot, killing the new Nizam. However, in the ensuing melee, Himmat Bahadur was himself mortally wounded and died on the battlefield. The rebellion also claimed the life of Abdul Majid Khan of Savanur, while Abdul Nabi Khan of Cuddapah escaped but was later captured and executed.
Following Himmat Bahadur’s death, his son Munawar Khan succeeded him as Nawab of Kurnool, ruling until 1792.