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AFTER FRANCIS SWAIN WARD (C. 1734-1805)
Muhammad Ali Khan, Nawab of Arcot and the Carnatic
mezzotint of 1771, published 1772RCIN 618757
The South Asian ruling dynasty with whom George III and George IV had the closest relationship was the Wallajah dynasty of the Carnatic. The Carnatic was a Mughal province at the southernmost end of the subcontinent (encompassing modern-day Tamil Nadu). Its capital at Arcot lay just 65 miles west of Fort St George, the East India Company’s base in Madras.
Although a Muslim dynasty, the Nawabs of the Carnatic were patrons of both the Srirangam temple complex (seen in the background of this print) and the nearby Muslim shrine of the Sufi saint Nathar Wali. The two often co-ordinated the timings of their festivals and shared elephants and other regalia.
Although a Muslim dynasty, the Nawabs of the Carnatic were patrons of both the Srirangam temple complex (seen in the background of this print) and the nearby Muslim shrine of the Sufi saint Nathar Wali. The two often co-ordinated the timings of their festivals and shared elephants and other regalia.
