cond son, Nasir
Jang, and Ahmad Shah at once confirmed the nomination.[2] But those
were not the days when a succession to vast power and great
territories went unopposed. A claimant to the sovereignty of the
Deccan soon appeared in the person of Muzaffar Jang, grandson of the
late Subahdar, and at the moment holding the government of Bijapur.
Not sufficiently powerful to press his claim without assistance
Muzaffar Jang proceeded at once to Satara, enlisted the Marathas in
his cause, persuaded them to release Chanda Sahib, and to supply him
with troops. The arrangement between the two princes was that, in
case of success, Muzaffar Jang should become Subahdar of the Deccan,
Chanda Sahib Nawab of the Karnatik. It is necessary to state these
facts clearly, because the war, thus initiated, formed the basis of
the continued hostilities {45}between the French and English after
peace had been proclaimed in Europe.

[Footnote 2: Elliott's _History of India_, pp. 112-3, vol. viii.]

The reader may recollect that in the earlier part of this book[3] I
have shown how Chanda Sahib had formed a very high opinion of the
French and how he had cultivated their friendship. Resolving now to
avail himself of former favours, he made overtures to Dupleix, and
obtained from him promise of substantial assistance. These promises
were kept, and, towards the end of July, 1749, a detachment of French
soldiers joined the armies of the two conspirators at the Damalcherri
Pass. A few days later (August 3) they met at Ambur the army of
Anwar-ud-din, completely defeated it, slew Anwar-ud-din himself, took
prisoner his eldest son, the Ma'afuz Khan who had been defeated by
Paradis at St. Thome, and forced the second son, Muhammad Ali, to
save himself by flight to Trichinopoli. Marching straight to Arcot,
Muzaffar Jang proclaimed himself Subahdar of the Deccan, and Chanda
Sahib to be Nawab of Arcot. As the French had espoused the cause of
Chanda Sahib it was natural that the English should sustain the
claims of the rival. This rival was Muhammad Ali, the son of the late
Nawab, just escaped from the field of Ambur. The two pretenders,
whose cause had been adopted by the French, then proceeded to
Pondicherry. There Dupleix, whose vision on political matters was
remarkably clear, insisted that before committing themselves
{46}further, they should rid themselves of the only possible rival
then at large, and should march against Trichinopoli. This they
hesi