subject to the Subahdar (Viceroy) of the Deccan, the Nizam of Hyderabad.

Though he was defeated in 1690 by the Marathas, Zulfikhar Ali Khan was not to leave the Marathas to go on. He made all efforts to gather men, ammunition and money for a successful war with them. In 1697, he rose against the Marathas with a strong reinforcement and defeated them near Tanjore. In 1698, he recaptured Ginjee also. In the critical efforts of Zulfikhar Ali Khan, to strengthen his army, Fort St. George's Governor Elihu Yale, the founder of Yale college, later to grow into Yale University in the U.S.A., helped in all possible ways. When a rebellion broke out in the Mughal army in latter years, Governor Yale rushed to Zulfikhar's rescue and the rebellion was suppressed by Zulfikhar Ali Khan.

Zulfikhar Ali Khan had a friendly relationship with the East India Company and with Governor Yale in particular. To improve their relationship with the Nawab, the East India Company used to send him presents now and then and assist him at the time of his need. In return for the assistance extended by the East India Company, during the war against the Marathas and the rebellion, Zulfikhar Ali Khan obtained "firmans" confirming the existing grants for the factories of Madras, Masulipatnam, Madapallam, Vizagapattinam, Fort St. David, Cuddalore and Porto Novo and making new grants of Egmore, Purasawalkam and Tondiarpet.

Zulfikhar Ali Khan, being the son of a responsible Officer of the Empire, enjoyed great influence with the Emperor, apart from being the Commander of the Mughal Army. He was the Governor of all the territories of the Emperor, South of the river Krishna. As the events went, it was the strong will and tireless efforts of Zulfikhar Ali Khan that made possible the recapture of the lost territories of the Mughals from the Marathas. It can therefore be said that he had earned the title of the Nawab by dint of his tireless efforts rather than bestowed with it.