Historic Alleys

 And the treasure that vanished

In the previous post, we discussed the intriguing story of a Nair boy who was captured by Hyder, converted, and eventually became the Governor of Bednore (also called Bednur, Bidanoore — present-day Nagaram in the Konkan) and Mangalore. That was Ayaz Khan, or Hyat Sahib (as the British called him), the Nawab of Bednore, who was the Chirakkal chela (slave) favored by Hyder, which greatly angered and disgusted Tipu. But that was how it was, and Ayaz ruled over Bednore, a strategically located district that held significant treasures, a large 13th-century fort, an armory, and a mint.