Page:History of the French in India.djvu/295

 DUPLEIX RECEIVES THE CHIEFS AT PONDICHERY. 273 Muzaffar Jang on one side and the confederate Naw- c ^| p - wabs on the other, reserving the jewels only without " division to Muzaffar Jang. Any claim which the French 1750. might have upon the latter for the part they had played in helping him to his dignities, he left entirely to his own generous impulses. Having thus, and by some other arrangements, which it is unnecessary to detail, effected an amicable settle- ment of all misunderstandings, Dupleix prepared for the solemn investiture of Muzaffar Jang as Subadar of the Dakhan, in the presence of his tributaries and vassals. This imposing ceremony — a ceremony notice- able as indicating the period when French power in India had almost attained its zenith — took place in a magnificent tent pitched in the great square of Pondichery, The splendours of that day, the honours granted to Dupleix, the high position he assumed, have scarcely yet been obliterated from the traditions of Southern India. Let us imagine, as we well can, either side of the gorgeously draped tent lined by the armed nobles of the Dakhan. Muzaffar Jang enters and takes his seat at the head of the assembly. Quickly behind follows the Governor of French India, and presents to the Subadar, as he salutes him, the offering due to his rank. Muzaffar Jang advances to meet the French Governor and places him on a seat designedly placed there, and betokening a rank equal to his own. To them thus seated, though nominally only to the Subadar, the assembled nobles offer their gifts. On the conclusion of this ceremony, the Subadar rises, and proclaims the honours he proposes to confer on his French ally. He declares him Nawwab or Governor of the country south of the river Krishna up to Cape Kumari (Comorin), including Maisur and the entire Karnatik ; he bestows upon him as a personal gift the fort of Valdavur, about nine miles to the north-west of Pondichery, with the villages and lands dependent upon T