Siege of Trichinopoly (1741)
Encyclopedia
The Siege of Trichinopoly took place in early 1741 during an extended series of conflicts between the Mughal Empire
and the Maratha Empire
for control over what is now southern India
. Raghuji Bhonsle's Maratha army successfully starved out the town, compelling the surrender of Chanda Sahib
on 26 March 1741.
of southern India was under the dominion of Asaf Jah 1
, the Nizam of Hyderabad, who was technically a viceroy to the Mughal emperor, but actually acted somewhat independently. The Nizam had appointed Muhammed Saadatullah Khan
as Nawab of the Carnatic
in 1710. Saadatullah died in 1732, directing that he be succeeded by his nephew, Dost Ali Khan
. Dost Ali refused to pay chauth
(a form of tribute) to the Marathas that his predecessors had paid. Following the death of the Maratha Rajah of Trichinopoly in 1736, Dost Ali sent his son-in-law and diwan, Chanda Sahib
, to the province, claiming its tribute payments were in arrears. He inveigled himself into the court of Rani Minakshi, who was acting as regent for her young son. Abusing her trust, he seized the fortress and threw her into prison, where she is said to have died of grief. Dost Ali rewarded Chanda Sahib with the title Nawab of Trichinopoly.
The Maratha Peshwa
, offended by the loss of Trichinopoly, sent Raghuji Bhonsle to organize a military expedition into the Carnatic in 1739. In early 1740 Raghuji led an estimated 50,000 man army south toward Arcot, Dost Ali's capital, and Dost Ali and Chanda Sahib mobilized to meet him. The Nizam's military forces were occupied on his northern borders, and he was unable to provide significant assistance. These two forces first met at the Demal Cheru Pass on 20 May 1740. The Marathas were victorious, killing Dost Ali and forcing Chanda Sahib to flee to Trichinopoly. Dost Ali's successor, Safdar Ali Khan
, negotiated tribute payments to the Marathas to ensure their recognition of his rule. Chanda Sahib had been expecting the Marathas to besiege Trichinopoly after their dealings at Arcot, so he was surprised to learn that they withdrew to the north after making the deal with Safdar Ali. He consequently began divesting himself of stores and siege supplies.
. However, Raghuji's forces closely blockaded the city, and the lack of food and other provisions compelled Chanda Sahib to surrender on 26 March 1741.
Dost Ali's rule came to an end in 1742 when he was murdered by his brother in law, Muhammed Saadatullah Khan II
. Both of them refused to pay tribute as expected to the nizam, who in 1743 led an 80,000 man army into the Carnatic to reassert his control of the area. He deposed Saadatullah, and laid besieged Murrarao Ghorpade
in Trichinopoly. That siege ended on 29 August 1743 when the nizam essentially bought Murrarao off to change sides.
These events preceded the involvement of the French
and British
trading companies' significant military involvement in the area, which began with the 1746 First Carnatic War.
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
and the Maratha Empire
Maratha Empire
The Maratha Empire or the Maratha Confederacy was an Indian imperial power that existed from 1674 to 1818. At its peak, the empire covered much of South Asia, encompassing a territory of over 2.8 million km²....
for control over what is now southern India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Raghuji Bhonsle's Maratha army successfully starved out the town, compelling the surrender of Chanda Sahib
Chanda Sahib
Chanda Sahib was the Nawab of the Carnatic between 1749 and 1752. His birth name is Husayn Dost Khan. He was the son-in-law of the Nawab of Carnatic Dost Ali Khan, under whom he worked as a Dewan. He belonged the Muslim Nait community which had ruled the Carnatic under the Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Khan...
on 26 March 1741.
Background
In the 1730s, the Carnatic regionCarnatic region
The Carnatic coast is the region of South India lying between the Eastern Ghats and the Coromandel Coast, in the modern Indian states of Tamil Nadu, south eastern Karnataka and southern Andhra Pradesh....
of southern India was under the dominion of Asaf Jah 1
Qamar-ud-din Khan, Asaf Jah I
Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan Siddiqi was a Mughal nobleman the founder of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. He established the Hyderabad state, and ruled it from 1720 to 1748...
, the Nizam of Hyderabad, who was technically a viceroy to the Mughal emperor, but actually acted somewhat independently. The Nizam had appointed Muhammed Saadatullah Khan
Muhammed Saadatullah Khan I
Muhammed Saiyid was the Dewan to Daud Khan till 1710, when he was himself appointed as the Nawab of the Carnatic. Moved the capital from Gingee to Arcot....
as Nawab of the Carnatic
Nawab of the Carnatic
Nawabs of the Carnatic , ruled the Carnatic region of South India between about 1690 and 1801. They initially had their capital at Arcot,vellore city...
in 1710. Saadatullah died in 1732, directing that he be succeeded by his nephew, Dost Ali Khan
Dost Ali Khan
Ali Dost Khan, often referred to as Dost Ali Khan by most historians, was Nawab of the Carnatic from 1732 to 1740. He was the son of Ghulam Ali Khan, brother of the Nawab Saadatullah Khan. His childless uncle adopted him as heir, and he succeeded his uncle in 1732.Dost Ali Khan had two sons, Safdar...
. Dost Ali refused to pay chauth
Chauth
Chauth was a tax or tribute imposed, from early 18th century, by the Maratha Empire in India. It was nominally levied at 25% on revenue or produce, hence the name....
(a form of tribute) to the Marathas that his predecessors had paid. Following the death of the Maratha Rajah of Trichinopoly in 1736, Dost Ali sent his son-in-law and diwan, Chanda Sahib
Chanda Sahib
Chanda Sahib was the Nawab of the Carnatic between 1749 and 1752. His birth name is Husayn Dost Khan. He was the son-in-law of the Nawab of Carnatic Dost Ali Khan, under whom he worked as a Dewan. He belonged the Muslim Nait community which had ruled the Carnatic under the Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Khan...
, to the province, claiming its tribute payments were in arrears. He inveigled himself into the court of Rani Minakshi, who was acting as regent for her young son. Abusing her trust, he seized the fortress and threw her into prison, where she is said to have died of grief. Dost Ali rewarded Chanda Sahib with the title Nawab of Trichinopoly.
The Maratha Peshwa
Peshwa
A Peshwa is the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Emporer Shivaji created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. Prior to 1749, Peshwas held office for 8-9 years and controlled the Maratha army...
, offended by the loss of Trichinopoly, sent Raghuji Bhonsle to organize a military expedition into the Carnatic in 1739. In early 1740 Raghuji led an estimated 50,000 man army south toward Arcot, Dost Ali's capital, and Dost Ali and Chanda Sahib mobilized to meet him. The Nizam's military forces were occupied on his northern borders, and he was unable to provide significant assistance. These two forces first met at the Demal Cheru Pass on 20 May 1740. The Marathas were victorious, killing Dost Ali and forcing Chanda Sahib to flee to Trichinopoly. Dost Ali's successor, Safdar Ali Khan
Safdar Ali Khan
Safdar Ali Khan was the son of Dost Ali Khan. After the death of his father in the battlefield at Ambur in 1740, he escaped to Vellore. In the same year, he was recognised as the Nawab of the Carnatic by the British....
, negotiated tribute payments to the Marathas to ensure their recognition of his rule. Chanda Sahib had been expecting the Marathas to besiege Trichinopoly after their dealings at Arcot, so he was surprised to learn that they withdrew to the north after making the deal with Safdar Ali. He consequently began divesting himself of stores and siege supplies.
Siege
The move by the Marathas, however, appeared to be a ruse, as they turned around and advanced on Trichinopoly with great speed. Although sources are uncertain as to the exact date the siege began, it appears to be have been underway by January 1741. Chanda Sahib had fortuitously evacuated his family and those of others to Pondicherry, where they took refuge with the FrenchFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. However, Raghuji's forces closely blockaded the city, and the lack of food and other provisions compelled Chanda Sahib to surrender on 26 March 1741.
Aftermath
Chanda Sahib and his son were taken to the Maratha stronghold at Satara. Chanda Sahib was imprisoned until he was able to escape in 1748; he then resumed his role as an antagonist of the Marathas, aided and abetted by the French. The Marathas installed Murrarao Ghorpade to govern Trichinopoly.Dost Ali's rule came to an end in 1742 when he was murdered by his brother in law, Muhammed Saadatullah Khan II
Muhammed Saadatullah Khan II
Muhammad Sa'id Sa'adatullah Khan II was Sahib Zada of Safdar Ali Khan, Nawab of Arcot. After the assassination of Safdar Ali Khan in 1742, Murtaza Ali claimed for himself the Nawabship of the Arcot , Chanda Sahib who was taken prisoner to Satara by Maratha leader Raghoji Bhonsle had managed to...
. Both of them refused to pay tribute as expected to the nizam, who in 1743 led an 80,000 man army into the Carnatic to reassert his control of the area. He deposed Saadatullah, and laid besieged Murrarao Ghorpade
Siege of Trichinopoly (1743)
The Siege of Trichinopoly took place in 1743 during an extended series of conflicts between the Mughal Empire and the Maratha Empire for control over what is now southern India. An army led by Asaf Jah I, the Nizam of Hyderabad, besieged the town of Trichinopoly, which was governed by Murrarao...
in Trichinopoly. That siege ended on 29 August 1743 when the nizam essentially bought Murrarao off to change sides.
These events preceded the involvement of the French
French East India Company
The French East India Company was a commercial enterprise, founded in 1664 to compete with the British and Dutch East India companies in colonial India....
and British
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
trading companies' significant military involvement in the area, which began with the 1746 First Carnatic War.