Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad Khan
Mirza
Motamul ul-Mulk (Guardian of the country)
Shuja-ud-Daula (Hero of the state)
Asad Jang (Lion in War)
Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad
Nawab Nazim of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa Reigen 1 July 1727-26 August 1739 Predecessor Murshid Quli Khan successor Sarfaraz Khan Full name Mirza Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad Khan (Mirza Deccani).
Born Around 1670
Burhanpur Died 26 August 1739 ( aged 68-69)
Murshidabad Buried Roshnibagh, Murshidabad spouse Zinat-ud-nisa Begum (Azim un -nisa) (m. before 1712)
Durdana Begum Sahiba Issue
Mirza Asadullah Khan (Sarfaraz Khan)
Mirza Muhammad Taqi Khan Bahadur
Nafissa Begum Shiba
Durdana Begum Shiba
Father Nawab Jan Muhammad Khan (Mirza Nur ud-Din Muhammad)
Khan was the Nawab of Bengal. He married Zainab un-nisa Begum and Azmat un-nisa Begum, the daughter of Murshid Quli Khan by Nasiri Banu Begum. Shuja-ud-Din's third wife was Durdana Begum Sahiba. After the death of his father-in-law on 30 June 1727,he ascended to the Masnad of the Nawab.
Early life.
Born at Burhanpur, Deccan, Mirza Shuja ud-din Muhammad Khan claimed himself of Turkic Afshar descent when he ascended the throne. But he was in all documented Hindu, Mughal and European accounts a native convert from Bihar whose ancestors worked in the Deccan. shuja's father Mirza Nur-ud-din, son of Nawab Aqil Khan,had held a prominent post in Burhanpur under the Mughals and he himself had been given charge of Ilkandal, a dependency of Hyderabad. It was in Burhanpur that Shuja first came into contact with Murshid Quli Khan, who also originated from the city. He married the latter's daughter Zinat un-nisa and had a son, Sarfaraz Khan.
Rise to power
In absence of a direct heir, Mudshid Quli Khan nominated his grandson Sarfaraz Khan to the Masnad. Murshid Quli Khan died in 1727 and Sarfaraz Khan was to ascend to the Masnad. Then, Shuja ud-din was the Subahdar of Odisha with Alivardi Khan as Naib. Murshid Quli Khan was not generally pleased of the inclusive and people friendly policies of Shuja ud-Din. Accordingly, when Sarfaraz Khan was announced heir, Shuja ud-Din was disturbed at the idea of being in the employment of his son. Alivardi Khan and his brother Haji Ahmed convinced Shuja ud-Din that he himself was more suitable for this position. With support from Alivardi and Haji he made preparations for a take over. He received support from Mughal Emperor, Muhammad Shah in Delhi, who was ready to help him. Shuja ud-Din marched at the head of a large army towards Murshidabad, the capital of the Nawabs of Bengal. To avoid a conflict in the family, the dowager Begum of Murshid Quli Khan intervened, and her son-in-low Shuja-ud-Din ascended to the Masnad of Bengal after Sarfaraz Kahn abidicated in favour of his father. By August 1727, Shuja-ud-Din was firmly established and recognised as the second Nawab of Bengal.
As a the sing of gratitude for supporting him, he sent a huge amount of money from his revenue collection to the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah and in return the Mughals recognised him as Motamul ul-Mulk, Shuja ud-Din Daula and Asad Jang, establishing diplomatic ties. He also received the personal Mansab of a Haft Hazari, with seven thousand troopers, besides a fringed Palki, together with the insignia of the Mahi Order, and a Khilat consisting of six pieces of robes, precious stones, a jewel-mounted sword, and a royal elephant with a horse.
Reign.
Shuja-ud-Din was known as to be brave, Liberal and generous. The only factor that went against him in terms of having a long rule, was his age.
Administration.
The Siyar-ul-Mutakherin mentions that with regard to private disputes between man and man, he trusted no one, but sending for the parties, he would listen patiently and leisurely to the story of each, and with much judgement drew his conclusion, and pronouncing the decree, caused it to be extended with punctuality. Consequently animated a scrupulous regard for justice, and always inspired by fear of God, he uprooted from his realm the foundations of oppression and tyrannies.
shuja detested the high handed policies of Murshid Quli Khan and had them reversed immediately. His detest was so extreme household goods of Murshid Quli Khan to his arch enemies, the Hindu Zamindars. By this act he raised four million rupees. He had Nazir Ahmed and Murad Farrash, the employees of Murshid Quli khan, who were notorious for their high handedness, executed and confiscated their effects. He tore down most of the buildings constructed by Murshid Quli and had newer and bigger construction done in their place. He allowed the growth and prosperity of his subordinates who respected and gave him fullest loyal services in return. Unlike Murshid Quli, he was not feared and never extracted loyalty but rather commanded the same.
Re-alignment of administrative districts.
In 1733, he merged Bihar Subah with Bengal and divided the merged territory into four administrative division, and made the following changes in the administrative positions:
1. Elder son, Sarfaraz Khan: Nazim of the subah of Bengal.
2. Younger son, Muhammad Taqi: Naib Subahdar of Odisha .
3. Younger son-in-law, Mirza Lutfullah: Naib Nazim of Dacca.
4. Haji Ahmed: chief Counsellor.
5. Nawazish Muhammad Khan: Mir Bakshi.
6. Syed Ahmed Khan: Faujdar of Rangpur.
7. Zain ud-Deen Ahmed Khan: Faujdar of Rajmahal.
8. Pir khan: Faujdar of Hooghly.
By the end of his reign major Re-alignment in positions had to be effected. They were very impornant in context of the times to come.
1. Alivardi Khan: Naib Subahdar of Azimabad.
2. Elder son, Sarfaraz Khan: Naib Subahdar of Dacca.
3. Younger son-in-law, Mirza Lutfullah: Naib Subahdar of Odisha.
Revenue relief and settlement
Re-settlement of deprived Hindu Zamindars.
The Siyar-ul-Mutakherin also mentions that his equity was no less conspicuous towards the Zamindars and other landholders of Bengal. These persons, under Murshid Quli's administration, had been mostly kept in confinement, and tormented in such a variety of ways, that it would be a pity to spend paper and ink in describing them. Shuja after having firmly established his government, released such of the Zamindars and other landholders as he found on enquiry free from crime or fraud, as to the others, he ordered them a circle round his person. This being done, he asked them, how they would behave in future, should he release them. These poor people, who had been for year languishing in dungeons, surprised at this address, burst forth into enocomiums on his goodness, and after supplication haven to grant him a long and prosperous government, promised that henceforward they would pay the revenue with punctuality, and would prove obedient and dutiful servants. Engagements in their own handwriting, autheticated by the proper formalities, being taken from them, they confirmed them by the most solemn oaths. Shuja now sent for a number of rich dresses for each,according to his respective rank and station, so that there was not one in that assembly who did not receive a suitable present. This ceremony being over they were all released,
with injunction to transmit henceforward the revenue through the house of Jagat seth, Fateh Cand.
Revenue Settlement
Shuja-ud-Din is remembered as the most successful Nawab of Bengal who ushered in a reign of "rare" prosperity in Bengal, in the 18th century. He had the experience and the tact to handle a vast array of circumstances and learned well from Murshid Quli Khan. He was a firm follower of Islam and confiscated heavily to the converts Bengalis and Oriyas to Islam. His family including the previous kings were themselves recent convert Bengalis and Oriyas to Islam. His family including the previous kings were themselves recent converts Bengalis and Oriyas to Islam. He was known to be shrewd, firm, a well-educated and well-mannered person. He started an era of development in Bengal . While Murshid Quli hailed from the "Aurangzeb school of thought", Shuja was more of a realist, practical and a mild mannered person.
Siyar-ul-Mutakherin by Mir Gholam Hussein-Khan Tabtabai notes that the reign of Nawab Shuja-ud-din Muhammad was one of the best years of the 18th century for the Subah of Bengal. Well known to be a mild, just, secular and God fearing person Shuja was always interested in learning, jurisprudence and meeting new people who visited Murshidabad from other parts of the world. He was an able administrator and was tactful in dealing with the Mughal Emperor, Nawab of Oudh, Marathas, East India Company, his ambitious Nazims, his own son Sarfaraz Khan and ensured proper checks, balances and controls. He was vastly popular among his subjects as well as with the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah.
It is important to note that Shuja never engaged in conflict but managed his resources and manpower well enough to posture, never to attack. He had at his disposal the richest province in the country but had "problems" like Oudh, marauding Marathas and a weak Mughal Emperor. He preferred sending "supplies" to Delhi rather than "armies" to fight for the declining Mughals. He had advised caution while dealing with Nadir Shah and adopted a "hands off" approach on learning that Nadir had left Persia for Delhi. He however kept on sending a part of his revenue collection to Delhi and unlike the Nawab of Oudh kept away from the court intrigues in the Red Fort. It is ironical that Bengal suffered its worst famines and poverty levels one century later.
Death and succession.
A great perturbation was caused in 1739 by the approach of Nader Shah. Shuja ud-Din fell ill and fearing his death he sent Durdan Begum and his son to Odisha. He also appointed the Sarfaraz Khan as his heir and successor. He also rejected Sarfaraz Khan to regard Haji Ahmed, Alam Chand and Jagat Seth as his steadfast counsellor and was to follow their advice in all affairs of moment. But Sarfaraz Khan had no cordiality towards them and promised to obey Shuja ud-Din's commands, fearing to offend his dying father. Shuja ud-Din died on 26 August 1739 learning behind two sons and two daughters. He lies buried in Roshnibag in Murshidabad. Shuja ud-Din Muhammad Khan was succeeded by his son, Sarfaraz Khan. His death coincided with the invasion of Delhi by Nader Shah.
In that year, Alivardi Khan with the help of Jagat Seths and few of the magnets deposed and killed Sarfaraz Khan. Alivardi Khan then proclaimed himself as next Nawab of Bengal.
Shuja-ud-Din left behind a very rich and prosperous Bengal to a very average successor, Sarfaraz Khan who had contenders better than him. The Nasiri Dynasty lasted for another thirteen months and ended with Sarfaraz Khan.
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