Page:History of the French in India.djvu/303

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SAL AT JANG BECOMES SUBADAR. 281 a triumphant entry into Aurangabad on June 29. Here chap. Salabat Jang, in the presence of Bussy and all the ^ nobles of the province, was solemnly invested as Subaclar 175^ of the Dakhan, on the authority of a firman stated to have been received from the imperial court of Delhi, but regarding the authenticity of which there are very grave doubts. Here we must leave him, and with him for a time the indefatigable Bussy, revolving great schemes, which, had all gone well in the Karnatik, would undoubtedly have produced abundant fruit in their season. We can leave them indeed with the greater satisfac- tion at this conjuncture, because, regard being had to the influence exercised by Dupleix, it constitutes the period at which French domination in India may be said to have attained its zenith. A glance at the map of India will show the enormous extent of country, which, in the spring of 1751, recognised the moral supremacy of Pondichery. The entire country between the Vindhya range and the river Krishna, exceeding the limits of the territory now known as that of the Nizam, was virtually ruled by a French general ; for a French army occupied the capital, and French influence pre- dominated in the councils, of the Subadar. South of the Krishna again, the Governor of French India had been constituted by the Muhammadan Subadar of the Dakhan Nawwab of the entire country, a country comprehending, be it remembered, the Karnatik ; and, theoretically, Maisur, the kingdoms of Tanjur, Trichina- palli, Kochin, and the provinces of Madura and Tini- velli. If indeed the French Governor did not hold these places under his own sway, it was mainly because it was a part of his settled policy to keep his authority in the background, and to govern through the Princes of the country. It was for this reason that he had made over the Karnatik to Chanda Sahib, and contented himself with exercising a moral influence, amounting, in