Indian Antiquary Vol 46

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 258

244
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[OCTOBER, 1917
tion with him and explained that he had been entrusted with the task of reinstating Raja Muttu Tirumalai Naik, and that, as His Highness was come in person, he was relieved of his task. He, therefore, gave up the fort to the Nizam and went to Poona." Asaf Jah immediately took possession of the fort and despatched, we are told, messengers to Bangaru Tirumala, summoning him and the king to meet him. The interview took place at Trichino poly. The Nizam was gracious enough to acknowledge the sovereign power of Vijaya Kumara, but imposod, as a condition of his restoration, the payment of 30 lakhs promised to the Marathas and the payment of the tribute of three lakhs every year. A written agreement bearing the signature of the boy-king was prepared to this effect; and the Nizam then returned by way of Arcot to Hyderabad in accordance with this arrangement.
The Nizam's Treachery. ff the Nizam had left Vijaya Kumâra to rule as of old at Trichinopoly, his motive can be pronounced to be sincere, but there are ample reasons for believing from his subsequent conduct that his sympathy with the Naik chief was a pretence, and the document he got from hin a sham. For, the same manuscript tells us that when the Nizam proceeded to Arcot; he took Bangaru and Tirumala with him practically as prisoners, though he assured them that they were to be his friends and guests. "Subsequent to their arrival at Arcot, Safdar Ali Khan died and, as his children were young, the Nizam gave it in charge of Alivardi Khan till the children' of Safdar could be competent to manage the affairs of Government. He also charged him to conduct the Karnå akaprince, Vijaya Kumâra, to Trichinopoly and reinstate him on his ancestral throne, and receive and remit the tribute due from him. Giving these instructions to Alivardi Khan in the presence of Baigâru Tirumala and further directing him to return (to the North) when these affairs were adjusted, the Nizam iturned to his own dominions." But no sooner was the back of his master turned on hin than Alivardi Khan became an indifferent agent of his. He had been apparently, at least, ordered to instal the Nâik king promptly, but either a secret understanding with his master, or his own unwillingness to part with the extensive and beautiful region from Trichinopoly to Cape Comerin, made him a tardy executor of his superior's command. Baigâru Tirumala did not see that he was a dupe and a plaything in the hands of his Musalman allies, and with characteristic simplicity, he asked Alivardi Khan to basten his favour, but the latter gave a plausible reply that he would devote himself to his service after the country was reduced to order. At the same time he allotted to the royal exiles the daily stipends of 100 pagodas and Rs. 100 respectively till their return with himself to their capital. As for Bangáru, he seems to have believed entirely in the sincerity of his Muhammadan friend. So ardent a believer in it was he, that he spared no efforts to help him in the restoration of order in the discontented province of Arcot. When the people of Veikatagiri and Kalahasti, for instance, defied the power of Anwaru'd-din and defeated, with great slaughter, his armies, Bangaru Tirumala it was, we are informed, that
* This was in August 1742. The fact is, as grant Duff says, Murari Rao had never been loyal to his own countrynen. He was guided solely by his interests, and he would fight on behalf of Europeans and Mughals if he could gain advantage. The Nizam recognised him as Chief of Gooty, and he in return gave up Trichinopoly and went away.
: This is wrong. He had been mordered in 1742 and Nizam's invasion was caused by that.
4 Anwaru'd din was appointed for Carnatic payinghat and Hidayat Muhyu'd din Khan (Muzaffar Jang) for the Carnatic Proper, with Adoni as jagir and Bijapur for headquartere (Duff).