Page:Dupleix and the Struggle for India by the European Nations.djvu/80

Rh St. David, the Subáhdár of the Deccan, Nizám-ul-Mulk, had died, leaving a numerous family. Of his sons and grandsons only one was regarded as having immediate pretensions to succeed him. This was Muzaffar Jang, the son of a daughter, whom he had nominated himself. His eldest son was filling a high office at the court of Delhi; his second son, Nádir Jang, was a debauchee whom he had disinherited; and his three younger sons were in the harem. The rights of Muzaffar Jang to the succession had been confirmed by an Imperial farmán from the Emperor.

But, at the moment of the decease of the Subáhdár, the nominated heir was absent at Bíjápur, whilst the disinherited Nádir Jang was on the spot. The latter, disregarding his father's will and the farmán of the Emperor, seized his father's treasures and had himself proclaimed Subáhdár. Muzaffar Jang had at first the idea of invoking the assistance of the Maráthás, and proceeded for this purpose to the court of Puná. There he met Chandá Sáhib, son-in-law of the Dost Alí who had been Nuwáb of the Karnátik, and who, taken prisoner some eight years before by the Maráthás, had been kept since a prisoner from inability to pay the ransom demanded. Chandá Sáhib was personally allied with the French. Dupleix had received and protected his wife and family at Pondichery, where they still resided. The two princes soon became friends, and, acting on the advice of Chandá Sáhib, Muzaffar Jang opened negotiations with Dupleix. He represented to him that there were at