Company Bahadur Part 7 The Conquest of Mysore Section I: Background

Kiama, NSW, 1 May 2024 Peninsular India, the South, has always been distinct—culturally, linguistically, and socio-economically—from North India, pursuing its own individual path and nurturing separate characteristics; a phenomenon that is perhaps true even today in the 21st century. The region has always maintained its own power structure, being partially subordinate to the hegemons of […]

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Company Bahadur Part 6 Warren Hastings Section III: A Star Ascendent

Canberra, 11 April 2024 The trial and execution of Raja Nand Kumar turned Hastings’ official fortunes. Although the Council continued to oppose and criticise his actions, their obstructiveness was ineffective. They had lost their ability to control or even repudiate the GG’s actions. Francis tried to re-introduce Clive’s dual-government system, purely because Hastings had abolished […]

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Indian History Volume XI Part I Immediate Post-Plassey Period

Goa, 27 January 2024 The exact date for the start of the English period in Indian history is difficult to determine. The period could be considered to have started with the eruption of the Anglo-French rivalry in the sub-continent, which was in itself an extension of the War of Austian Succession in Europe that started […]

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Europeans in India Part 11 The English Annexation of Bengal: Prologue – From Traders to Territorial Powers

Canberra, 1 July 2023 By the 1760s it was obvious that in the struggle for dominance in the Indian sub-continent, the English had been successful. A feeble attempt by the French in 1782, to recapture their former position was a short passing phase of no great import. The English owed their success to three main […]

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Europeans in India Part 10 Anglo-French Rivalry Section IV: End of French Power

Canberra, 19 June 2023 Prior to leaving Pondicherry, Dupleix carefully briefed his successor, Godeheu, regarding all military operations in progress and strongly advised to let de Bussy continue to stay at the Nizam’s court, specifically to strengthen the French hold over the newly ceded territories of Northern Sarkars. He also emphasised the need to provide […]

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The Marathas Part 11 Beginning of the Maratha Confederacy

Canberra, 30 October 2021 Aurangzeb’s death initiated the inevitable succession struggle. Shah Alam, the eldest surviving son based in Peshawar, reached Delhi first and claimed the throne after taking over the treasury. Azam Shah from Ahmednagar opposed him and started the march north, without concluding any formal agreement with the marauding Marathas. On the advice […]

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Indian History Part 68 The Qutb Shahis of Golconda-Hyderabad Section VI: The Obliteration of a Dynasty

Singapore, 27 December 2018 Abdullah Qutb Shah left no male heirs to succeed him. He had three daughters—the eldest was married to the Mughal prince Muhammad Sultan, who was imprisoned for life by his father during the succession struggle for the Mughal throne. The second was married to Mirza Nizam ud-Din Ahmed of Mecca who […]

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Indian History Part 68 The Qutb Shahis of Golconda-Hyderabad Section V: Plateauing and Decline

Canberra, 08 December 2018 Muhammad Quli was succeeded to the throne by Muhammad Qutb Shah, the son of his brother Muhammad Amin who had pre-deceased him. The nephew Muhammad was also Muhammad Quli’s son-in-law, having married his daughter Hayat Bakshi Begum in 1607. There was some fear amongst the nobles that other contenders to the […]

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Indian History Part 68 The Qutb Shahis of Golconda-Hyderabad Section IV Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah

Canberra, 1 December 2018 FOCUS ON CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Ibrahim left behind six surviving sons and was succeeded by his third son, Muhammad Quli. Obviously some palace intrigue took place, as the eldest did not automatically ascend the throne. It is highly likely that Muhammad was elevated to the throne by ambitious nobles since he was […]

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