Step back into the vibrant and complex world of 18th-century South India, where the Mughal Empire’s influence stretched far beyond the northern plains to the lands below the Krishna River. The Carnatic region, a patchwork of coastal plains and rugged uplands, was a crucible of power, ambition, and shifting allegiances. From the Nawabs of Arcot to the Maratha chiefs and Pathan rulers, the political landscape of the Carnatic was a fascinating mosaic of dominions and dependencies. Join us as we explore the intricate divisions of the Carnatic under Mughal dominion, uncovering the interplay of Payanghat and Balaghat, and the legacies of empires like Golconda and Bijapur.
The Carnatic: A Land of Coastal Plains and Upland Forts
The Carnatic, a vast region in South India, was a cornerstone of Mughal influence below the Krishna River in the 18th century. Stretching from the Guntur Circar in the north, marked by the Gundalakama River, to the southern tip of Cape Comorin, it encompassed a diverse landscape of coastal Payanghat (below the Ghats) and upland Balaghat (above the Ghats). This region, under the nominal control of the Nawab of Arcot, was a blend of direct dominions and tributary territories, each with its own rulers and histories.
The Carnatic was divided into three sub-regions:
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Northern Carnatic: From the North Pennar River to the Guntur Circar.
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Central Carnatic: Spanning the North Pennar to the Coleroon River.
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Southern Carnatic: South of the Coleroon, a region more tributary than directly controlled by the Nawab.
The distinction between Payanghat (the coastal lowlands east of the Eastern Ghats) and Balaghat (the upland plateaus west of the Ghats) was critical, shaping the region’s political and economic dynamics. Let’s dive into how these divisions were influenced by the Mughal Empire and its interactions with regional powers like Golconda and Bijapur.
The Hyderabadi-Carnatic: A Blend of Coast and Uplands
The Hyderabadi-Carnatic, originally conquered by the Golconda Sultanate and later administered from Hyderabad, was a key component of the Carnatic’s political structure. This region was split into:
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Payanghat Portion: Encompassing the coastal strip from Guntur to the modern South Arcot district, this area formed the core of what became the Subah of Arcot, ruled by the Nawabs of the Carnatic. It included parts of Northern and Central Carnatic, thriving as a hub of trade and maritime activity.
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Balaghat Portion: Comprising five circars—Sidhout, Gandikotta, Gurrumkonda, Cumbum, and Gooty—this upland region was later carved into smaller states. Four of these circars formed the petty state of the Pathan Nawabs of Cuddapah, while Gooty fell to the Maratha Ghorepade family, whose leader Murari Rao shone in the Anglo-French wars of the 18th century.
The Hyderabadi-Carnatic reflected the Mughal strategy of integrating diverse territories under centralized control, balancing coastal wealth with upland strongholds.
The Bijapuri-Carnatic: Upland Dominance and Coastal Ambitions
The Bijapuri-Carnatic, shaped by the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur in the 17th century, was predominantly a Balaghat domain. Its heartland included upland districts like Bangalore and Sera, where Bijapuri commanders like Randaula Khan and Shahji (father of Shivaji) established control. The region also extended to coastal Payanghat strongholds, including Vellore, Gingee, and Tanjore, showcasing Bijapur’s ambition to dominate both plains and plateaus.
The Bijapuri-Carnatic relied on forced tributes from local chiefs in areas like Harpanahalli, Kundapur, Anegodi, Bednore, Chitaldrug, and Mysore. However, the circars of Adoni and Nandyal, south of the Tungabhadra River, were excluded from the Carnatic, as was Savanur-Bankapur. This region’s political structure highlighted the decentralized nature of Bijapuri rule, with local chiefs retaining significant autonomy under the threat of tribute enforcement.
The Two Carnatics and the Nawabs of Arcot
By 1713, the Nawabs of Arcot emerged as pivotal players in the Carnatic’s political scene. Nawab Saadatullah Khan governed the “Two Carnatics”—a combination of the Payanghat portion of the Hyderabadi-Carnatic and the Balaghat portion of the Bijapuri-Carnatic—for four years. This dual governance was a delicate balancing act, as the Balaghat regions were increasingly controlled by the Pathan Nawabs of Cuddapah and the Maratha chief of Gooty.
As power consolidated, the region saw the rise of additional Nawabs, including those of Cuddapah, Sira, Arcot, Kurnool, and Savanur. These rulers, alongside the independent kingdoms of Mysore, Travancore, Madura, and Tanjore, shaped the political landscape south of the Krishna. The Nawabs of Arcot, in particular, leveraged their coastal Payanghat territories to strengthen trade and diplomacy, navigating alliances with European powers like the British and French.
A Tapestry of Power and Legacy
The Carnatic under Mughal dominion was a dynamic region where empires, local chiefs, and emerging European powers jostled for control. The interplay of Payanghat and Balaghat created a unique political and cultural landscape, blending Mughal administration with regional traditions. From the coastal trade hubs of the Hyderabadi-Carnatic to the fortified uplands of the Bijapuri-Carnatic, this region was a microcosm of South India’s complexity in the 18th century.