Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/468

 434 HISTORY OF INDIA. [Book IIL

A.D. 1744. probably judged it good policy to give an exemplification of the hereditary

principle in appointing to tlie nabobsliip, and was therefore easily induced to

Nizam-ui- ovcrlook anv irrefjularities in the nomination of Mahomed Saa^d. At the

Moolk'sar. .

ningemeuts .samc time, lie made little sacrifice, as he retained poasession of the person of the natic. infant nabob, and administered the government by one of his officei-s, Kiiojah Abdulla, as deputy. After this arrangement, he marched vvith his whole army to Trichinopoly to expel the Malirattas, and succeeded, by presents and pro- mises, without being obliged to strike a blow. Having thus settled matters to his satisfaction, he returned to Golconda. Kliojah Abdulla, who had accom- panied him, remained in command of the army till the spring of 1744, when he took formal leave, with the intention of resuming the government of Arcot. The very next day he was found dead in his bed, without 'isible marks, but certainly not without the suspicion of poison. Assuming that he was poisoned, public opinion agi-eed in fixing the crime on the person who profited most by it. Anw,ir u Tlus was Auwap-u-din, who immediately stepiied into the place which had

din, Nabob, ...

of Aroot. belonged to Khojah Abdulla, and lost no time in setting out for Arcot. The young nabob, however, still stood in his way. It is almost needless to say that it was not long, and that another assassination, to which Anwar-u-din and the infamous Mortiz Ali were believed to be the instigators, made the nabobship once more vacant. Anwar-u-din was forthwith confu-med in the office, no longer as deputy but as principal. He was, however, most impopular. The stain which was fixed on him as the supposed murderer or associate in the murder of Mahomed Saaed could not be wiped away by all his protestations; and the inhabitants of the nabobship could not be reconciled to one who, even if he could be supposed innocent of the murder, did in fact owe his government to the extinction of their favourite race of native princes.

HisvaciUat- It has already been seen how Anwar-u-din interfered in the hostilities

ing conduct.

between the British and the French, and passed from the one side to the other according as he imagined that his interest might be affected. Owing to his uncertain and vacillating conduct, Dupleix appears to have become satisfied that, as he could never be useful to him as an ally, the true policy would be to cripple him as an enemy, by giving him full employment at home. The most eflfectual means for this purpose were easily discovered. Chunda Sahib was still a prisoner with the Malirattas, but had so many powerful connections in Ai'cot, that could he obtain his Hberty, and be set up as a claimant for the nabobship, he would probably carry the national feeling along with him. In the event of his success, French interests might be greatly extended by express stipulations previously entered into for that purpose ; and even in the event of his failure, more oppor- tunities might occur of forming new and valuable connections with native powers. A scheme so much in accordance with the ambitious views which Dupleix had long entertained was not to be delayed, and he therefore began at once to give effect to it by employing some of the members of Cliunda Sahib's