Kurnool state was a small princely state during the Company rule in India.[1] It had its capital at the town of Kurnool in the present-day state of Andhra Pradesh and was eventually annexed by the East India Company.

History

Kurnool State was established by a Pathan general. It was ruled by Nawabs until the British Government took over in 1839.[2] Kurnool was initially under the suzerainty of the Nizam of Hyderabad. After the Nizam ceded the region to the East India Company, the nawab, Aluf Khan, agreed to pay a voluntary peishcush of rupees one lakh to the Company government.[3]

Uprising against the company

Ghulam Rasul Khan Bahadur (died on 12 July 1840) was the last Nawab of Kurnool.[1][4] He ruled from 1823 to 1839 until the kingdom was defeated by the East India Company.

The Wahhabi movement was popularised in India by Shah Ismail Dehlvi in the 18th century. Mubarez-ud-Daulah, younger brother of the Nizam of Hyderabad, Nasir-ud-Daulah, was inspired by the Wahhabi movement.[5] According to Thomas Herbert Maddock, Mubarez-ud-Daulah was instrumental in spreading the Wahhabi movement in the Deccan region.[6]

Nawab Rasool Khan of Kurnool was also influenced by the movement. When Mubarez-ud-Daulah learned of it, he struck a secret deal with him. According to the deal, Rasool Khan would set up a secret arsenal to manufacture arms. In return, Mubarez-ud-Daulah would provide monetary help.[5]

In c. 1835, a rumor spread that a Russian army was advancing towards India from Central Asia. It was also believed that the combined armies of Mubarez-ud-Daulah and Rasool Khan had overthrown the East India Company and defeated Nizam Nasir-ud-Daulah. Subsequently, the Maratha Empire would be restored and Mubarez-ud-Daulah would be appointed subahdar of Deccan by Mohammad Shah Qajar, the Shah of Persia.[5][7]

[8] On 12 October 1839, a war broke out between British Indian Army and the kingdom and continued for six days until the king was detained on 18 October. He was subsequently sent to Tiruchirappalli Central Prison where he died on 12 July 1840.[9][1][3]

Rulers

List of the Pathan nawabs of Kurnool-[10]

Nawab Reign
From Until
Khizr Khan Panni 1674 1677
Daud Khan Panni 1690 ?
Ibrahim Khan Panni ? 1724
Alif Khan I 1724 1733
Himayat Bahadur Khan 1733 1751
Munawar Khan 1751 1792
Alif Khan II 1792 1815
Muzaffar Khan 1815 1816
Munawar Khan 1816 1823
Ghulam Rasul Khan 1824 1839

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Mallampalli, Chandra (29 June 2017). A Muslim Conspiracy in British India?. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-19625-4.
  2. ^ Cahoon, Ben. "Indian Princely States K-Z".
  3. ^ a b Raju, P. Yanadi (2003). Rayalaseema During Colonial Times: A Study in Indian Nationalism. Northern Book Centre. ISBN 978-81-7211-139-7.
  4. ^ "Wahab Khan tomb in Kurnool to get a facelift". The Hindu. 2 July 2013 – via www.thehindu.com.
  5. ^ a b c Seshan, KSS (10 June 2017). "Mubarez-ud-Daulah's era: Of passion, rebellion and conspiracy". The Hindu. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  6. ^ Mallampalli 2017, p. 62.
  7. ^ Mallampalli 2017, p. 59.
  8. ^ "Bonhams : A silver seal made for Ghulam Rasul Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Kurnool (reg. 1823-39) South Deccan, dated AH 1239/AD 1823-24". www.bonhams.com.
  9. ^ Ahamed, Syed Naseer (28 November 2017). "Nawab of Kurnool Ghulam Rasool Khan A Great Freedom Fighter of India who fought against the British Empire".
  10. ^ Michell, George; Zebrowski, Mark (10 June 1999). Architecture and Art of the Deccan Sultanates. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-56321-5.

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