In October 1714, Raja Desing (Tej Singh), the young and defiant commander of Gingee Fort, faced his final battle against Nawab Sadatullah Khan’s overwhelming forces. His refusal to surrender the fort, inherited from his father Swarup Singh, led to a dramatic clash that ended in tragedy. Drawing from Narayana Pillai’s Chronicle and Tamil ballads, this blog post recounts the gripping events of Desing’s last stand, from his daring river crossing to his heroic fight, cementing his legacy.
The Nawab’s Advance and Desing’s Defiance
Nawab Sadatullah Khan, the Faujdar of the Carnatic, marched on Gingee with a massive army of 30,000, including 5,000 cavalry, 10,000 infantry, and contingents from allies like Bangaru Yachamanayaka of Venkatagiri and the Nayak of Kalahasti. Encamped at Kadalimalai, the Nawab’s forces began plundering Gingee’s dependent territories, gradually advancing toward the fort. Raja Desing, commanding just 350 horse and 500 soldiers, faced an overwhelming foe. Despite the lack of resistance from his killedari forces, Desing sought aid from his ally, Mohabat Khan, son of the killedar of Valudavur, who arrived with 50 horse and two friends to bolster Desing’s defense.
Ignoring warnings of bad omens from his supporters, Desing prepared for battle. He visited his wife, instructing her to protect her honor if he did not return, and rallied his followers, warning that the “army of the Muhammadans” was approaching. Allowing those unwilling to fight to stay behind, Desing led 200 horse and Mohabat Khan toward Arcot, determined to confront the Nawab’s forces head-on.
The Daring River Crossing at Varahanadi
Desing’s small force reached the banks of the Varahanadi River, swollen with floods in the month of Arppisi (September–October). Undeterred, Desing spurred his horse into the raging waters, followed by Mohabat Khan and about 100 cavalry. The river, though not deep, could have been crossed safely by waiting a few hours, but Desing’s impatience drove him forward. Only half his force made it across, leaving the rest on the near bank. With just 100 horse, Desing marched toward the Nawab’s army, showcasing his reckless courage.
The Fierce Battle and Desing’s Valor
Informed of Desing’s approach, Sadatullah Khan sent Daulat Khan with a contingent, ordering him to capture Desing alive. As Desing and Mohabat Khan charged, Daulat Khan’s forces spread out to encircle the small band. The battle was fierce, with Desing’s troops losing 50 men and some fleeing, but Mohabat Khan and his two friends fought loyally by Desing’s side. They killed many of the Nawab’s soldiers before falling themselves. Alone and enraged, Desing targeted Daulat Khan, who was mounted on an elephant. In a daring maneuver, Desing’s horse reared onto the elephant’s flank, allowing him to pierce Daulat Khan with his lance before galloping back toward Gingee.
The Tragic Death of Raja Desing
Sadatullah Khan, still intent on capturing Desing alive, advanced on his own elephant, urging his troops not to kill him. However, one soldier severed the forelegs of Desing’s horse, forcing him to fight on foot. Despite the Nawab’s orders, Bangaru Yachamanayaka, an allied leader, also advanced, urging his men to capture Desing. A jamadar from Yachamanayaka’s contingent approached Desing with a shield for protection, but Desing transfixed him with his spear. Enraged, Yachamanayaka ordered his men to strike Desing down. A sepoy, with a loaded gun and burning wick, fired, killing Desing instantly.
On Sunday, October 3, 1714 (Fasli 1123, Jaya year, Arppisi month, date 2), about an hour after sunrise, Sadatullah Khan entered Gingee Fort, carrying Desing’s body. The brief but intense battle marked the end of Desing’s 10-month rule, which began in January 1714 after his father’s death.
Raja Desing’s defiant stand against Sadatullah Khan’s overwhelming forces cemented his legend as a fearless warrior. His claim to Gingee, based on his father Swarup Singh’s miras from Emperor Alamgir, clashed with Mughal demands for 70 lakhs in unpaid arrears, leading to his tragic end. The battle, vividly recounted in Narayana Pillai’s Chronicle and Tamil ballads, underscores Gingee’s role as a symbol of resistance in the Carnatic. Unlike Swarup Singh’s well-documented conflicts with the English, Desing’s brief rule lacks detailed Madras records, but his story of valor endures in local lore.
Desing’s death left Gingee under Mughal control, ending the Bundela family’s hold on the fort. The clash highlighted the tensions between local rulers and Mughal authority, compounded by regional alliances and the English presence at Fort St. David. Desing’s courage, though doomed, remains a powerful chapter in Gingee’s history, inspiring tales of heroism.
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