The mid-18th century in the Carnatic region of South India was a whirlwind of political intrigue, alliances, and battles, as Mughal authority waned and European powers like the French and English vied for influence. At the center of this turmoil was Nawab Anwaru’d-din Khan, whose life and death marked a pivotal shift in regional power dynamics. This blog post delves into his biography, the events leading to the Battle of Ambur in 1749, and the chaotic aftermath that reshaped the Carnatic.
Biography of Nawab Anwaru’d-din Khan
Nawab Anwaru’d-din Khan, born around 1672 in Gopamau, Hardoi District, Uttar Pradesh, India, was a prominent figure in the declining Mughal Empire. The son of Haji Muhammad Anwar, he joined the Mughal army during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb, rising through the ranks due to his military prowess and loyalty. Over the years, he served in various capacities, including as faujdar (military governor) of Ellore and Rajahmundry following the defeat of Mubariz Khan in 1724.
Anwaru’d-din’s career took a significant turn in 1744 when Nizam Asaf Jah I (Nizam-ul-Mulk), the powerful Viceroy of the Deccan, appointed him as the Nawab of the Carnatic. This appointment came amid a succession crisis after the death of Nawab Sa’adatullah Khan’s lineage. Anwaru’d-din was tasked with acting as guardian to the young Muhammad Sayyid Khan, the grandson of Safdar Ali Khan, until he came of age. However, following the mysterious murder of the boy prince in 1744, Anwaru’d-din was confirmed as the permanent Nawab, receiving the titles Amin us-Sultanat, Siraj ud-Daula, Nawab Haji Muhammad Jan-i-Jahan Anwar ud-din Khan Bahadur Mansur Jang Dilawar ul-Mulk.
As Nawab, Anwaru’d-din navigated a complex landscape of local chieftains, rebellious poligars, and emerging European colonial interests. He maintained cordial relations with the British East India Company while dealing with French ambitions under Governor Joseph François Dupleix in Pondicherry. His rule was marked by efforts to restore order, collect tributes, and balance alliances, but it was ultimately cut short by the succession disputes following Asaf Jah’s death in 1748. Anwaru’d-din died in battle at Ambur in 1749, becoming a key figure in the Second Carnatic War (1749–1754), which pitted French-backed claimants against British-supported ones.
The Looming Threat and Preparations for Battle
In the wake of Nizam Asaf Jah I’s death in 1748, the Carnatic plunged into chaos as rival claimants vied for control. Muzaffar Jang (Hidayat Mohiu’d-din Khan), grandson of Asaf Jah and backed by his father-in-law Mutawassil Khan, allied with the ambitious Chanda Sahib, who had been released from Maratha captivity. Together, they assembled a formidable force of 20,000 horsemen and 50,000 foot soldiers, descending into the Kolar plains in 1749 with French support orchestrated by Dupleix.
News of this invasion reached the aging Nawab Anwaru’d-din, who was in his late 70s. He swiftly assembled troops and munitions, summoning his son Muhammad Ali Khan for aid. Returning from the south, Anwaru’d-din passed through the strategic fortress of Gingee en route to Arcot, where he recruited additional soldiers. Accompanied by loyal commanders Najib Khan and Hussain Khan Tahir, he moved westward to block the enemy’s entry into the Arcot valley.
The invaders, however, had a significant advantage: French military expertise. Baza Ali, son of Chanda Sahib and a close ally of Dupleix in Pondicherry, joined his father with a contingent of French soldiers and artillery, positioning themselves in Anwaru’d-din’s rear. This French involvement was crucial, as Dupleix sought to install Chanda Sahib as Nawab to expand French influence in the region.
The Battle of Ambur (1749)
The Battle of Ambur, fought on August 3, 1749, near the town of Ambur in present-day Tamil Nadu, was a decisive clash. Anwaru’d-din’s forces, numbering around 20,000, faced a combined army of Muzaffar Jang, Chanda Sahib, and French auxiliaries, estimated at over 30,000 strong with superior artillery.
Despite his age, Anwaru’d-din fought valiantly, but the French cannons and disciplined infantry proved overwhelming. Historical accounts describe how he positioned his army with the Ambur fort at his back, but the enemy’s flanking maneuvers and artillery barrage led to heavy losses. Anwaru’d-din was killed in the fighting, reportedly struck by a cannonball or in close combat, marking the end of his rule. His death symbolized the shifting tides, as traditional Mughal cavalry tactics faltered against European military innovations.
Immediate Aftermath and Family Fates
With Anwaru’d-din’s death, his sons faced immediate peril. Mahfuz Khan, who had remained at Arcot, fled to Hyderabad for safety. Muhammad Ali Khan, hastening to Polur, retreated to the English stronghold at Fort St. David. There, through intermediary Raja Ananta Das, he secured English artillery, ammunition, and troops before withdrawing to Trichinopoly, where he entrusted Captain John Cope with fort defenses.
The victors, Muzaffar Jang and Chanda Sahib, triumphantly entered Arcot, reshaping administrative affairs to their liking. They then marched via Gingee to Pondicherry, where they celebrated for over a month. During this time, Muzaffar Jang honored Ananda Ranga Pillai, Dupleix’s influential Tamil diarist and courtier, with the title of Amir of the Carnatic, a palanquin, ornaments, and the governorship of Chingleput—reflecting French leverage in the alliance.
Financial woes plagued the new regime; desperate for funds, they attempted extortion around Fort St. David and Udayarpalayam but gained little. They then launched an expedition to Tanjore, besieging it to extract tribute from the Maratha ruler Pratapsingh.
Nasir Jang’s Intervention and Further Turmoil
News of these events reached Nasir Jang, Asaf Jah’s second son and self-proclaimed Nizam, who marched southward. He urged Dupleix to abandon his allies, threatening French factories on the Coromandel coast, and ordered seizures of Muzaffar Jang’s territories south of the Krishna.
By early March 1750, Nasir Jang reached the Chengama Pass, prompting Chanda Sahib and Muzaffar Jang to lift the Tanjore siege and retreat across the Coleroon toward Tiruvati. Nasir Jang’s forces occupied Gingee mid-March, allowing French troops there to depart peacefully. Mir Asadullah Khan, killadar of Chetpat, was confirmed in his districts after paying respects at Chengama.
In April 1750, Nasir Jang camped between Villupuram and Kalyanur, near Pondicherry. Muhammad Ali joined him with 6,000 horsemen, swelling the camp to vast proportions. Unrest brewed in the enemy camp; Muzaffar Jang, in despair, surrendered to his uncle (actually his maternal grandfather, but often referred to as uncle in sources), though without prior terms.
Muzaffar Jang’s captivity was lenient. By May 1750, Nasir Jang’s nobles advised forgiveness. Chanda Sahib was offered Trichinopoly with a jaghir but demanded Arcot too. Nasir Jang proceeded to Arcot for the rainy season.
The court divided sharply between supporters of Nasir Jang and Muzaffar Jang, foreshadowing further intrigue. This division would culminate in Nasir Jang’s assassination later in 1750, escalating the Carnatic Wars.
The Battle of Ambur and its aftermath were turning points in the Carnatic’s history, accelerating the decline of Mughal influence and amplifying European roles in Indian politics. Nawab Anwaru’d-din Khan’s biography—from a Mughal soldier to a regional ruler—illustrates the era’s volatility. His death opened the floodgates for French and British proxy wars, with figures like Chanda Sahib and Muhammad Ali Khan becoming pawns in a larger colonial game. These events, part of the broader Second Carnatic War, ultimately led to British dominance in South India, setting the stage for the subcontinent’s colonial future.