Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah
Mansur-ul-Mulk (Victory of the Country)
Siraj-ud-Daulah (Light of the State)
Hybut Jang (Horror in War)
Nawab Nazim of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa
Reign 9 April 1756-23 June 1757
Predecessor Alivardi Khan
Successor Mir Jafar
Born 1733
Died 2 July 1757
Spouse
Lutfunnisa Begum
Zaibunnisa Begum
Umdadunnisa Begum
Issue
Umme Zohra
Full Name Mirza Muhammad Siraj-ud-Daulah
Father Zain ud-Din Ahamed Khan
Mother Amina Begum
Religion Shia Islam
Military Career
Allegiance Alam of the Mughal Empire
Rank Nawabzada, Nawab
Battles Battle of Plassey
Mirza Muhammad Siraj-ud-Daulah (1733-1757) commonly Known as Siraj-ud-Daulah was the last independent Nawab of Bengal. He made Nizamat Imambara in Murshidabad west Bengal in 1740. The end of his reign marked the start of the rule of the East India Company over Bengal and later almost all of the Indian subcontinent.
Siraj succeeded his maternal grandfather Alivardi Khan as the Nawab of Bengal in April 1756 at the age of 23. Betrayed by Mir jafar, Ghosite Begum and many other. Mir Jafar the commander of Nawab's Army. Siraj lost the Battle of Plassey on 23 June 1757. The froces of the East India company under Robert Clive invaded and the administration of Bengal fell into the hands of the company.
Early Life and Background
Siraj was born to the family of Mirza Muhammad Hashim and Amina Begum in 1733. Soon after his birth Alivardi Khan Siraj's maternal grandfather was appointed the Deputy Governor of Bihar. Amina Begum was the youngest Daughter of Alivardi Khan and Princess Sharfunnisa Begum the paternal aunt of Mir Jafar. His father Mirza Muhammad Hashim was the youngest son Haji Ahamad the elder brother of Alivardi Khan. Siraj great grandfather was Mirza Muhammad Madani who was of either of Arab or Turkey ancestry 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. His great grandmother belonged to the Tukic Afshar tribe of Khorasan. Through her he was a grandnephew of Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad Khan the two having shared a common ancestor in Nawab Aqil Khan.
Siraj was regarded as the fortune child of the family. He received the special affection of his grandfather and was raised at the Nawab's palace with all necessary education and training suitable for a future Nawab. Young Siraj also accompanied Alivardi Khan on his military ventures against the Marathas in 1746. In May 1750 Siraj revolted against his grandfather and seized Patna but quickly surrendered and was forgiven. In May 1752 Alivardi declared Siraj as his successor. The former later died on 9 April 1756 at the age of eighty.
Reign as Nawab
Bust of Siraj-ud-Daulah's nomination to the Nawab ship aroused the jealousy and enmity of his maternal aunt Ghaseti Begum, Mir Jafar, Jagat Seth, Mehtab Chand and Shaukat Jang. Ghaseti Begum possessed huge wealth which was the source of her influence and strength. Apprehending serious opposition from her Siraj-ud-Daulah seized her wealth from Motijheel Palace and placed her under confinement. The Nawab also changes in high government positions by giving them to his own favourites. Mir Madan was appointed Bakshi in place of Mir Jafar. Mohanlal was elevated to the rank of peshkar of his Dewan Khane and he exercised great influence in the administration. Eventually Siraj suppressed Shaukat Jang governor of purnia who was killed in a clash.
Black Hole of Calcutta
Pindari's loyal to Siraj ud-Daulah carry out the Black Hole of Calcutta atrocity 20 June 1756.
During this period the British East India Company was increasing their influence in the Indian subcontinent particularly in Bengal Siraj Soon grew to resent the politico military presence of the East India Company in Bengal. In particular he was angered at the company's alleged involvement with and instigation of some members of his own court to a conspiracy to oust him. His charges against the company were broadly threefold. Firstly that they strengthened the fortification around the Fort William without any intimation or approval secondly that they grossly abused trade privileges granted them by the Mughal rulers-which caused heavy loss of customs duties for the government and thirdly that they gave shelter to some of his officers for example Krishnadas, son of Rajballav who fled Dhaka after misappropriating government funds. Hence when the East India company began further enhancement of military strength at Fort William in Calcutta Siraj ordered them to stop. The company did not heed his directives consequently Siraj retaliated and captured Calcutta Siraj (for a short name Alinagar) from the British in June 1756. The Nawab gathered his forces together and took Fort William. The British captives were placed in the prison cell as a temporary holding by a local commander but there was confusion in the Indian chain of command and the captives were left there overnight and many of them died.
Sir William Meredith during the Parliamentary inquire into Robert Clive's actions in India vindicate Siraj-ud-Daulah of any charge surrounding the Black Hole incident. A peace was however agreed upon with Siraj-ud-Daulah and the persons who went as ambassadors to confirm that peace formed the conspiracy by which he was deprived of his kingdom and his life.
Nizamat Imambara
Nizamat Imambara of murshidabad was built by Siraj-ud-Daila. It is biggest imambargah in the subcontinent.
Shia Islam Was introduced to Bengal during the governorship of Shah Shuja (1641-1661 AD) son of Shah Jahan. From 1707 AD to 1880 AD, the Nawabs of Bengal were Shias. They built huge Imambargahs including the biggest of the subcontinent built by Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula The Nizmmat Imambara. The Nawabs of Bengal and Iranian merchants in Bengal patronised azadari and the political capital Murshidabad and the trading hub Hoogly attracted Shia scholars from within and outside India.
Conspiracy
The Nawab was infuriated on learning of the attack on Chandernagar. His former hatred on the British returned but he now felt the need to strengthen himself by alliances against the British. The Nawab was plagueg by fear of attack from the north by the Afghans under Ahmad Shah Durrani and from the west by the Marathas. Therefore he could not deploy his entire force against the British for fear of being attacked from the flanks. A deep distrust set in between the British and the Nawab. As a result Siraj started secret negotiations with Jean Law chief of the French factory at Cossimbazar 30 miles south of Murshidabad.
Popular discontent against the Nawab flourished in his own court. The Seths the traders of Bengal were in perpetual fear to their wealth under the reign of Siraj contrary to the situation under Alivardi Khan reign. They had engaged Yar Lutuf Khan to defend them in case they were threatened in any way. William Watts the company representative at the court of Siraj informed Clive about a conspiracy at the court to overthrow the ruler. The conspirators included Mir Jafar, the paymaster of the army Rai Durlabh, Yar Lutuf Khan and Omichund, a Sikh merchant and several officers in the army. When communicated in this regard by Mir Jafar, Clive referred it to the select committee in Calcutta on 1 May. The committee passed a resolution in support of the alliance. A treaty was drawn up between the British and Mir Jafar to raise him to the throne of the Nawab in return for support to the British in the field of Battle and the bestowal of large sums of money upon them as compensation for the attack on calcutta. On 2 May clive broke up his camp and sent the troops to Calcutta and half to Chandernagar.
Mir jafar and the Seths desired that the confederacy between the British and himself be kept secret from Omichund but when he found out about it he threatened to betray the conspiracy if his share was not increased to three million rupees. Hearing of this Clive suggested an expedient to the committee. He suggested that two treaties be drawn the real one on white paper containing on reference to Omichand and the other on red paper containing Omichand's desired stipulation to deceive him. The Members of the Committee signed on both treaties but Admiral Watson signed only the real one and his signature had to be counterfeited on the fictitious one. Both treaties and spearate articles for donations to the army, navy squadron and committee were signed by Mir Jafar on 4 June.
Lord Clive testified and defended himself thus before the House of Commons of Parliament on 10 May 1773 during the Parliament inquiry into his conduct in India.
Omichund his confidential servant as he thought told his master of an agreement made between the English and Monsieur Dupree to attack him and received for that advice a sum of not less than four lacks of rupees. Finding this to be the man in whom the nawab entirely trusted it soon became our object to consider him as a most material engine in the intended revolution. We therefore made such an agreement as was necessary for the purpose and entered into a treaty with him to satisfy his demands. when all things were prepared and evening of the event was appointed Omichand informed Mr Watts who was at the court of the Nawab that he insisted upon thirty lacks of rupees and five percent. Upon all the treasure that should be found that unless that was immediately complied with he would disclose the whole to the Nawab and that Mr Watts and the two other English gentlemen then at the court should be cut off before the morning. Mr watts immediately on this information dispatched an express to me at the council. I did not hesitate to find out a stratagem to save the lives of these people and success to the intended event. For this purpose we signed another treaty. The one was called the red the other the white treaty. This treat was signed by everyone except admiral Watson and i should have considered myself sufficiently authorised to put his name to it by the conversation I had with him. As to the person who signed Admiral Watson's name to the treaty whether he did it in his presence or not i cannot say but this I know that he thought he had sufficient authority for so doing. This treaty was immediately sent to Omichand who did not suspect the stratagem. the event took place and success attended it and the house I am fully persuaded will agree with me that when the very existence of the company was at stake and the lives of these people so precariously situated and so certain of being destroyed it was a matter of true policy and of justice to deceive so great a villain.
Battle of Plassey
Robert Clive meeting with traitor Mir Jafar after the Battel of plassey dramatized painting by Francis Hayman
A plan depicting the position and movement of the opposing armies in the Battle of Plassey. A plan of the Battle Plassey fought on 23 June 1757 by Robert Clive against the Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah of Bengal.
The Battle of Plassey is widely considered the turning point in the history of the subcontinent marking the start of the British rule in India. After Siraj-ud-Dailah's conquest of Calcutta the British sent fresh troops from Madras to recapture the fort and avenge the attack. A retreating Siraj-ud-Daulah met the British at Plassey. He had to make camp 27 miles away from Murshidabad. On 23 June 1757 Siraj-ud-Daulah called on Mir Jafar because he was saddened by the sudden fall of Mir Mardan who was a very dear companion of Siraj in Battles. The Nawab asked for help from Mir Jafar. Mir Jafar advised Siraj to retreat for that day. The Nawab made the blunder in giving the order to stop the fight. Following his command the soildiers of the Nawab were returning to their camps. At that time Robert Clive attacked the soldiers with his army. At such sudden attack the army of Siraj-ud-Daulah become indisciplined and could think of no way to fight. So all fled away in such a situation. Betrayed by a conspiracy plotted by Jagat Seth, Mir Jafar, Krishna Chandra, Omichand and many other. He lost the Battle and had to escape. He rode away and went first to Murshidabad, specifically to Heerajheel or Motijheel his palace at Mansurganj. He orderd his principal commanders to engage their troops for his safety but as he was bereft of power due to the loss at plassey they ware reluctant to offer unquestion ing support. Some advice him to deliver himself up to the English but Siraj equated this with treachery. Other purposed he should encourage the army with greater rewards and this seemed to approve of. Yet the number in his retinue were considerably diminished. Soon he dispatched most of the woman of his harem to Purueah under the protection of Mohanlal with gold and elephants. Then with his principal consort Lutf-un-Nisa and very few attendants Siraj began his escape towards Patna by boat but was eventually arrested by Mir Jafar's soldiers.
Death
Tomb of Siraj ud-Daulah
Masouleum of Siraj-ud-Daulah at Khusbagh
Siraj-ud-Daulah was executed on 2 July 1757 by Mohammad Ali Beg under orders from Mir Miran, son of Mir jafar in Namak Haram Doerhi as part of the agreement between Mir Jafar and The British East India Company.
Siraj-ud-Daulah's tomb is located at Khushbagh, Murshidabag. It is marked with a simple but elegant one-storied mausoleum, surrounded by gardens
Critics and lrgacy
Siraj ud-Daulah has gained a positive reputation in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan for his opposition to the beginning of British rule over India.
In 1985, Sarkar wrote :
After the death of Alivardi Khan, his immature grandson became the nawab of Bangla, taking the name Miraz Moammad Siraj-ud-Daulah. In addition to his young age, he had many kinds of defects inhis character and conduct.
Two Shia historian who were in favour of Mir Jafar wrote of Siraj ud-Daulah.
Ghulam Husain Salim wrote :
Owing to Siraj-ud-Daulah's harshness of temper and induigence in violent language, fear and terror had sattle on the harts of everyone to such an extent, that on among the generals of the army or the nobelmen of the City was tree from anxiety. Among his officers, whoever went to wait on Siraj-ud-Daulah despaired of life and honour, and whoever returned without being disgraced and ill-treated offerd thanks to God. Siraj-ud-Daulah treated all the nobelmen and capable general of Mahabat Jang with ridicule and dollery and bestowed on each some contemptuous nick-name that ill-suited any of them. And whatever harsh expression and abusive epithet came to his lips, Siraj-ud-Daulah uttered them uttered them unhesitatingly in the face of everyone, and no one had the boldness to breath freely in his presence.
