Regarding the political landscape of South India in the early 18th century, consider the following statements: 1. The Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah established the state of Hyderabad by asserting his independence from the Mughal centre while maintaining the facade of allegiance to the Emperor. 2. The Nawab of the Carnatic was an independent ruler whose position was inherited and was never subject to the authority of the Hyderabad Nizam or the Mughal Emperor. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? |ForumIAS

[A] 1 only

[B] 2 only

[C] Both 1 and 2

[D] Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Notes:

Explanation:

Statement 1: Correct. Nizam-ul-Mulk (Chin Qilich Khan) was the Mughal Subahdar (Governor) of the Deccan. He consolidated his power and made Hyderabad virtually independent around 1724 CE, while still nominally accepting the Mughal Emperor’s sovereignty (a common trend among successor states).
Statement 2: Incorrect. The Nawab of the Carnatic (Arcot) was initially a subordinate appointee (deputy Subahdar or Naib) of the Deccan Subahdar (the Nizam of Hyderabad). While he eventually became virtually independent, his position was derived from the Mughal system, and he was nominally subordinate to the Nizam.