Q. With reference to the Kingdom of Mysore prior to the rise of Haider Ali, consider the following statements:
1.The kingdom was founded by the Wodeyar Dynasty in the 17th century, following the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire.
2.By the mid-18th century, the Wodeyar ruler was a titular head, with the real power being wielded by two powerful ministers, Nanjaraj (the Dalwai or commander-in-chief) and Devaraj (Sarvadhikari or finance minister).
3.The Mysore kingdom was the primary ally of the French against the English in the Carnatic Wars, a policy established by the Wodeyar ruler.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: B
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct. The Wodeyar family gained prominence after the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire (Battle of Talikota, 1565) and established their independent kingdom.
- Statement 2 is correct. Before Haider Ali’s ascent, the Wodeyar King was marginalized, and power was centralized in the hands of the Dalwai Nanjaraj and Sarvadhikari Devaraj, making the state financially weak.
- Statement 3 is incorrect. The primary ally of the French in the Carnatic was the Nawab of the Carnatic (under different contenders), and the Nizam of Hyderabad. Mysore maintained its independence and was not a primary French ally in the Carnatic Wars.
