Alivardi Khan
Shuja ul-Mulk (Hero of the Country)
Hashim ud-Daula (Sword of state)
Mahabat Jang (Horror in War)
Nawab of Bengal
Nawab Nazim of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa
Reign 29 April 1740- 9 April 1756
Predecessor Sarfaraz Khan
Successor Siraj-ud-Daulah
Born 1676 Deccen Died 10 April 1756 Khushbagh, Murshidabad
Spouse Sharfunnesa
Issue Ghaseti Begum
Maimuna Begum
Amina Begum
Full Name: Shuja ul-Mulk Hashim ud-Daula Mahabat jang Mirza Muhammad Alivardi Khan.
Father Name; Mirza Muhammad Madani
Mother a Daughter of Nawab Aqil Khan Afshar
Religion: Shia Islam
Allegiance: Mughal Empire
Service: Nawab of Bengal
Alivardi Khan was the Nawab of Bengal from 1740-1756. He toppled The Nasiri Dynasty of Nawabs and assumed power himself. He is also known for his victory during the battel of Burdwan against the Maratha Empire During the Maratha invasion of Bengal.
Early Life
Born in one of the cities of the Deccan in 1676 he was originally given the name Mirza Muhammad Ali. His father Mirza muhammad Madani who was of either Arab or Turkish Descent was the son of a foster brother of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Madani himself began his career as a cup-bearer under the latter's son Azam Shah. Muhammad Ali's mother belonged to the Turkic Afshar tribe of Khorasan Through her he was a cousin of Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad Khan. The two having shared a Grandfather in Nawab Aqil Khan.
Like their father he and his elder brother Mirza Ahmad found favour under Azim Shah. Muhammad Ali Was named Superintendent of the filkhana as well as being given responsibility over the Zardozkhana. However following Azam Shah's death in 1707 the family fell into poverty. They migrated to Cuttack in Orissa then under the deputy governorship of their relative Shuja-ud-Din. Finding employment with the latter Muhammad Ali amd mirza Ahmad proved themselves capable in supporting his government latter even aiding Shuja-ud-Din is becoming Nawab of Bengal.
Rise to Power
In 1728 Shuja-ud-Din promoted Muhammad Ali to Faujdar of Rajmahal and entitled him as Alivardi Khan. In 1733 he was assigned as the Naib Nazim of Bihar. A year later he was titled Shuja-ul-Mulk Hassemm ud-Daula and Mahabat Jang and rank of Paach Hazari Mansabat (The rank holder of 5000) by Nawab Shuja-ud-Din and returned to Azimabad.
Alivardi aspired for larger authority. On 10 April 1740 in the Battel of Giria, he defeated and killed Shuja-ud-Din's Successor Sarfaraz Khan. Thus he took control of Bengal and Bihar. Then on 3 march 1741 he defeated Rustam Jang deputy governor of Orissa and a relative to Sarfaraz khan in the Battel of Phulwarion. Orissa also came under Alivardi's control.
Reign
Immediately after his usurpation of power Alivardi had his takeover legitimized by the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah and resumed the policies of Murshid Quli Khan. He also chose Faujdars from various regions such as Patna, Dacca and Orissa.
Since 1742 the Maratha Empire raided Bengal repeatedly ravaging its territories Alivardi Almost immediately had a long ditch called the Maratha ditch dug around Calcutta. Alivardi was a brilliant artillery tactician though his armies were overrun by the large force of the of the Marathas from Berar who had arrived to pillage and plunder the territories of Bengal under the command of Raghoji Bhonsle.
In the year 1747 the Marathas led by Raghoji Begum to raid pillage and annex the territories of the Alivardi. During the Maratha invasion of Orissa its subedar Mir Jafar completely withdrew all froces until the arrival of Alivardi and his Mughal army at the Battel of Burdwan where Raghoji and his Maratha froces were completely routed, the enraged Alivardi then dismissed the shamed Mir Jafar.
Alivardi's defending armies were overrun in orissa in the year 1751 despite receiving some assistance from Shuja-ud-Daula. But Orissa was ultimately surrendered to the ravaging Marathas by the Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur. These Marathas raids would continue until 1751 when a peace treaty was settled between Ahmad Shah Bahadur Alivardi and Raghoji.
In 1750 Alivardi faced a revolt from Siraj-ud-Daulah his Daughter's son who seized Patna but quickly surrendered and was forgiven, Alivardi Also subdued the revolt of a few of a few unruly Afghans who were trying to separate Bihar from his administration.
According to some historians Alivardi Khan's regain of 16 years was mostly engaged in various wars against the Marathas. Towards the end he turned his attention to rebuilding and restoring Bengal.
Cultural and Musical Development
A young woman playing a Veena to a Parakeet a symbol of her absent lover. Painting in the provincial Mughal style of the Nawab of Bengal.
Alivardi Khan was a patron of various musical instruments such as the Veena and Khol drums. He also patronized many manuscripts of the Shahnameh.
Death and Succession
Alivardi Khan died of dropsy at 5 am on 9 April 1756 aged at last 80. He was succeeded by his daughter's son Siraj-ud-Daula who was aged 23 at the time. He was buried in Khushbag next to his mother grave.
Family
Unlike many of his contemporaries Alivardi had only one wife Sharfunesa. They had three daughters of whom at last two married son's of his elder brother Haji Ahmad . Alivardi outlived of his son-in-law and having had no sons of his own he was succeeded by his maternal grandson Siraj-ud-Daulah. Alivardi's issue are as follows:
Mehrunnesa (Ghaseti Begum) married Nawazish Muhammad Shahmat Jang governor of Dhaka.
Maimuna Begum married to Sayyid Ahamed Saulat Jang govornor of purnia
(1749-1756) and had one son :
Sukmat Jang
Amina Begum married Zainuddin Ahamed Haibat Jang govornor of Patna (1740-1747)
Siraj-ud-Daulah (Nawab of Bengal)
Ikram-ud-Daulah
Mirza Mahdi
Alivardi also had a number of half siblings including Muhammad Amin Khan Muhammad Yar Khan who served under him as a general and governor of Hugil respectively. His half sister Shah Khanum was the wife of Mir Jafar who later claimed the throne of Bengal in 1757. the Historian Ghulam Hussain Khan was also a relative.
Well done. I learn Bengal history from this site
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