Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah |
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| Nawab of the Carnatic Amir ul-Hind Walla Jah Umdat ul-Mulk Asaf ud-Daula |
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| Portrait of Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah by George Willison (1775). | |
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| Reign | 3 August 1749/12 June 1752 – 13 October 1795 |
| Predecessor | Anwaruddin Khan Chanda Sahib(Disputed) |
| Successor | Umdat ul-Umara |
| Spouse(s) | Nawab Begum Sahiba |
| Issue | |
| Muhammad Ishaq Khan Umdat ul-Umara Amir ul-Umara (eighteen sons and twenty-one daughters) |
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| Full name | |
| Amir ul Hind, Walla Jah, 'Umdat ul-Mulk, Asaf ud-Daula, Nawab Muhammad 'Ali Anwar ud-din Khan Bahadur, Zafar Jang, Sipah-Salar, Sahib us-Saif wal-qalam Mudabbir-i-Umur-i-'Alam Farzand-i-'Aziz-az Jan, Biradarbi Jan-barabar [Nawab Jannat Aramgah], Subadar of the Carnatic. | |
| Noble family | Rowther (Anwariyya Dynasty) |
| Father | Anwaruddin Khan |
| Mother | Fakhr un-nisa Begum Sahiba |
| Born | 7 July 1717 Delhi, Mughal Empire (modern day India) |
| Died | 13 October 1795 (aged 78) Chepauk, Carnatic Sultanate (modern day Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India) |
| Burial | Outside the gate of the Gunbad of Shah Chand Mastan, Tiruchirappalli |
Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah (born July 7, 1717 – died October 13, 1795) was an important ruler in South India. He was known as the Nawab of the Carnatic from 1749 until his death. A Nawab was a powerful governor or ruler in the Mughal Empire.
Wallajah declared himself Nawab in 1749. However, another ruler named Chanda Sahib also claimed the title. After several battles, Wallajah's forces and his British allies won. In 1752, Wallajah was officially recognized as the Nawab. The Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II also approved his rule in 1765.
Wallajah was a strong ally of the British East India Company. He supported them in the Carnatic Wars against Chanda Sahib and the French. During his time, the Carnatic region became closer to the British. This also reduced the influence of the French in the area.
In 1768, Wallajah built the Chepauk Palace. This palace was designed in a special style called Indo-Saracenic. It became his main home. After the palace was built, Wallajah moved the capital of the Carnatic from Arcot to Chepauk. Chepauk remained the capital until 1855.
Contents
Early Life and Rise to Power
Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah was born on July 7, 1717, in Delhi, a major city in India. His father, Anwaruddin Muhammed Khan, was the Nawab of Carnatic before him. His mother, Fakhr un-nisa Begum Sahiba, came from a noble Persian family.
Wallajah became the Nawab of Arcot in 1749. But he was officially crowned in 1752. This happened after his rival, Chanda Sahib, was defeated in the Siege of Arcot. Wallajah often called himself the Subedar (governor) of the Carnatic in his letters. He wrote to the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II about this.
Wallajah's Time as Nawab
Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah received many important titles from the Mughal Emperor in 1750. These included "Siraj ud-Daula" and "Anwar ud-din Khan Bahadur." He was also given the governorship of the Carnatic region.
Later, in 1760, Emperor Shah Alam II gave him more titles. These included "Walla Jah" and "Sahib us-Saif wal-qalam," which means "Master of the Sword and Pen." In 1763, the Treaty of Paris recognized him as an independent ruler. The Emperor of Delhi confirmed this in 1765.
Wallajah was well-liked by his people and his British allies. Sir John Macpherson, a British official, spoke highly of him. He said he loved "the old man" (Wallajah) and sent him supplies.
The Nawab was an ally of the British East India Company. However, he also wanted to be a powerful leader in South India. He had rivals like Hyder Ali of Mysore, the Marathas, and the Nizam of Hyderabad. Wallajah could sometimes be unpredictable. For example, he promised to give Tiruchirappalli to Hyder Ali in 1751 but did not. This led to many conflicts between Hyder Ali and the British.
In 1780, Hyder Ali attacked the Carnatic region. This happened because the British had taken a French port that Hyder Ali protected. Much of the Second Anglo-Mysore War was fought in Wallajah's territory.
By the 1780s, the Carnatic Sultanate was in debt from earlier wars. Wallajah's alliance with the British also affected the East India Company financially. To protect his land, the Nawab paid the British a large sum of money each year. British soldiers were also stationed in his forts.
Important Battles and Conflicts
The Carnatic Wars
The Carnatic Wars were a series of conflicts in the 1700s. They involved the British, French, and various Indian rulers. Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah played a key role in these wars.
Siege of Trichinopoly (1751–1752)
After his father was killed in the Battle of Ambur in 1749, Wallajah fled to Trichinopoly. Chanda Sahib, with French help, tried to surround the city. However, Chanda Sahib needed money and supplies. He decided to attack Tanjore first. Then, his Maratha enemies forced him to move north.
In April 1752, British soldiers led by Stringer Lawrence and Robert Clive helped Wallajah. They entered Trichinopoly and attacked Chanda Sahib's forces. This made Chanda Sahib lift the siege and retreat. Chanda Sahib later surrendered to Maratha forces. He preferred to surrender to them rather than the British.
Siege of Arcot (1751)
On August 26, 1751, Wallajah sent 600 troops to attack Arcot. He was supported by 200 British soldiers and 300 Indian soldiers (sepoys). They marched from Madras towards Arcot.
When Chanda Sahib heard about the loss of Arcot, he sent his son, Raza Sahib, to take it back. Raza Sahib had 4,000 of his best troops and 150 French soldiers. On September 23, Raza Sahib entered the town and surrounded the fort.
On November 14, Raza Sahib attacked Wallajah's British allies. A spy had warned the British about the attack. The attackers tried to climb the fort walls where the moat was dry. But the British fired heavily and stopped them. Wallajah and his British forces won this battle. After this victory, Wallajah was officially declared the Nawab of Arcot.
Battle of Golden Rock (1753)
On June 26, 1753, Wallajah supported British forces against the French. The French were helped by troops from Mysore. Wallajah sent his men to help the British. He also met with the British commander, Stringer Lawrence, to plan their alliance. The British won this battle. This helped them keep their influence in Trichinopoly.
Chepauk Palace: A New Home
In 1764, after the Carnatic Wars, Wallajah wanted to build a palace. He wanted it near the British Fort St. George. This would be his home and show his close ties with the East India Company. However, there wasn't enough space.
Instead, Wallajah built a palace in Chepauk. This palace eventually became the capital of the Carnatic. It was built by an engineer named Paul Benfield and finished in 1768. It was one of the first buildings in India to use the Indo-Saracenic style. This style blends Indian and Islamic architectural ideas.
The palace was completed in 1768. It has two main parts: Kalas Mahal and Humayun Mahal. Kalas Mahal became Wallajah's official home.
Originally, Humayun Mahal was a single-story building with a large hall in the middle. Later, changes were made to it. A first floor was added, and a new entrance was built.
Death and Legacy
Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah died in Madras on October 13, 1795. He was buried near the Gunbad of Shah Chand Mastan in Trichinopoly.
His son, Umdat ul-Umara, became the next Nawab. Later, Umdat ul-Umara was accused of supporting Tipu Sultan. Tipu Sultan was the son of Hyder Ali and a rival of the British. This happened during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.
Images for kids
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Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah
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Wallajah witnessed two of Tipu Sultan's sons being taken hostage to Vellore during the Anglo-Mysore Wars.
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Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah meeting with Stringer Lawrence.
See also
- Nawabs of Arcot
