Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/70

46 field of action for English energies in the Carnatic – that extensive province in the south of India wherein Madras is situated, which comprehends the former dominions and dependencies of the Arcot Nabobs, and extends from the eighth to the sixteenth degree of north latitude. This province had been either partially or entirely subject to the Mogul emperors from 1310 till 1717, when it was wrested from them by Nizam-ool-Moolk, the Soubahdar of the Deccan. In 1743 Anwar-ud-Deen was appointed Nabob of the Carnatic by the Nizam, his capital being Arcot; but on his death in battle in 1749, his dominions were seized on by Chunda Sahib, a relation of the family, to the exclusion of Mahomed Ali, the rightful heir, as son of the late Nabob. This was the state of affairs when the death of Nizam-ool-Moolk threw the whole Carnatic into a state of convulsion, brought the European settlers into fierce collision, and paved the way for the ultimate triumph of the English.

The deceased Nizam left several sons, the eldest of whom was Mozuffur Jung, with whom Chunda Sahib determined to make common cause in the struggle that was sure to ensue for the succession; and he also enlisted On the same side Mons. Dupleix, who assisted them with a force from Pondicherry of four hundred Europeans, and two thousand Sepoys, under the command of Mons. d'Auteuil. But another competitor for the musnud of the Deccan appeared in the person of Nazir Jung, a younger brother of Mozuffur's, who entered the Carnatic at the head of a numerous army, and sought the assistance of the English. This was immediately granted, and a body of six hundred Europeans, commanded by Major Lawrence, was sent to his camp, which was now in sight of that of Mozuffur Jung.

While the French and English were thus preparing for hostile action in Asia, the two nations in Europe were at peace; but collision for the present was prevented by a mutiny in the French force, which induced Mons. d'Auteuil to withdraw from the field and march back to