NELLORE. 263 The first fact in the modern annals of Nellore is the settlement of the English at ARMAGON (Armeghon) in 1625. Expelled by the Dutch from the Spice Islands by the Massacre of Amboyna in 1623, the East India Company was induced to turn its attention to the Coromandel coast. The earliest factories were planted at Vasulipatan and Pettapoli, now Nizámpatam, in 1611; but fourteen years later, Mr. Francis Day, the future founder of Madras, being probably still pressed by Dutch rivalry, migrated southward to the little village of Durgaráyapatnam (or Durgarázapatam). Here he built a fort, and called its name after Armugam Mudelliar, the head-man of the village, who had shown him hospitality. Fourteen years afterwards, in 1639, Armagon in its turn gave way to Fort St. George or Madras; and its historic name is now preserved only by an insignificant lighthouse. Nellore town first emerges into history during the Karnátik wars of the 18th century, when the English and French were contesting the supremacy of the East. It formed part of the dominions of the Nawab of the Karnátik, and possessed considerable strategic importance as commanding the northern high road and the passage of the Penner. In 1753 it was the appanage of Najib-ullá, a brother of the Nawab Muhammad Ali, whom English support had placed upon the throne. In that year, a military adventurer, named Muhammad Komal, drove Najib-ullá out of Nellore, and threatened to sack the Tirupati (Tripatty) Pagoda, which had been pledged to the English. Muhammad Komal repulsed the first detachment that was sent against him from Madras; but shortly afterwards he was defeated and taken prisoner, though with the loss of the English officer in command. Nellore was the scene of a more serious affair in 1757, when Najib-ullá himself rebelled against the authority of his brother, the Nawab. An arny of 10,000 men was marched against hin, including a contingent under the command of Colonel Forde, which consisted of 100 Europeans, 56 Kaffirs (sic in Orie), 300 Sepoys, I 18-pounder, 3 6-pounders, and a howitzer. Najib-ullá left the town of Nellore to be defended by a garrison of 3000 men, assisted by 20 Frenchmen from Masulipatam. After a few days' bonbardment from the artillery, a breach was made in the mud wall, which Colonel Forde thought practicable; but the storming party, composed of the entire English contingent, was repulsed with loss, and Colonel Forde was shortly afterwards recalled to Madras. Najib-ullá renained in arms through the following year, and played off the Maráthás and Basálat Jang against the English. At last, in the beginning of 1759, when he heard that the French besieging army under Lally had been compelled to withdraw from before Madras, he sent in his submission, and was reappointed Governor of the District, at an annual tribute of 30,000
