Pusapati Peda Vijayarama Raju I

The French - Vizianagarma friendship evaporated with the assassination of Pedda Vizayaramaraju, at the camp site of Bobbli in his very tent, as his successor Ananda Raju II(1732-1760) strongly suspected the French compliance and the conduct of Bussy in the entire tragic episode. The latter’s efforts to gain complete control and establish total domination have alarmed him. Having become highly antagonistic toward the French, Ananda Raju turned towards the English who were by the time already deeply involved in the power rivalry. He established contact with Clive then stationed at Calcutta and the latter within characteristic foresight readily responded to the invitation of Ananda Raju by sending troops under the command of Col. Forde to assist him. Meanwhile, Anand Raju himself took initiativee and on 2nd September 1758 marched upon the French settlement at Vizagapatam and hauled down their flag.

On 15th November 1758, a treaty was concluded between the English and Anand Raju which made them equal partners in their mission of ousting the French from the Northern Circars. This they have accomplished by scoring signal victories over the French in the battles of Candore or Chandurti (11k.m. north-east of Pithapuram, East Godavari District) fought on 7th December 1758 and Machilipatnam on 8th April 1759. These battles were justifiably of Davenport Adams (Episodes of Anglo- Indian History), undone the work of Duplex (1697-1763) and Bussy and finally dissolved the dream of French- Indian empire. However, having freed itself from the French menace with the actual and active help of Vizianagaram, the English found it convenient to reveal their real colours by not honouring the terms of the treaty on the ground that it was not approved by the Court of Directors. Had Ananda Raju not passed away prematurely on 25th February 1860 at Rajahmundry, stricken with small- pox, he would have definitely endeavoured to oust the unfaithful English. But unfortunately that was not to be.