Mughal Rule Interrupted
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Contents Author’s Comments �������������������������������������������������������������������� xi Raiders from the North – The Mughals �������������������������������������xv Chapter 1: The Isfahan Connection ������������������������������������1 Chapter 2: Mughals Enter in India ��������������������������������������7 Chapter 3: Mughal Rule Interrupted ���������������������������������13 Chapter 4: Walking through the Suri Dynasty Rule ��������17 Chapter 5: Re-establishment of Mughal Rule ������������������21 Chapter 6: Consolidation of Mughal Rule Begun ������������27 Chapter 7: Mughal Governance in Place ��������������������������31 Chapter 8: Mughals Passage to the East ���������������������������35 Chapter 9: Bengal Governed by the Mughals �������������������43 Chapter 10: Mughal’s Stay in Bengal ���������������������������������49 Chapter 11: Mu rshidabad – before the Arrival of Mughals ������������������������������������67 Chapter 12: Mughals Arrived and Ruled Murshidabad ����77 Chapter 13: Mu ghals’ Murshidabad – Post Murshid Quli Khan ���������������������������95 x Contents Chapter 14: Murshidabad Ruled by Afshar Nawabat �������99 Chapter 15: Mu rshidabad Glory Ended under Najafi Nawabat ���������������������������������������111 Annexure ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������119 References & Acknowledgements ����������������������������������������������133 Chapter 1 The Isfahan Connection Year was 1690 AD and place was Isfahan. An Iranian merchant Haji Shafi Isfahani had just returned to his native place Isfahan, Capital city of Persia from Deccan India. Haji Safi was a merchant from Ispahan City in the district of Jabal, Persia, situated on the Zendarud. Isfahan was made the capital city by the fifth Safavid ruler Shah Abbas I. Safavids rulers were traditionally allied with the Mughals in India against the Uzbeks, who always coveted the province of Khorasan (Iran). Iranian formed a component of the early Mughal Nobility in India. It began when Humayun got Kandahar won for Safavid ruler and in return Humayun received help for re-establishing Mughal rule in India. It further strengthened after Humayun returned from Persia. Akbar patronized the Iranians so as to counter the influence of the Turanis. His son Jahangir used them to limit the influence of the old Safavid ruler Abbas Shah I nobility. Role of Iranian i.e. Persian-speaking people was considerable during the period of Emperor Aurangzeb. Iranian immigrants in the Mughal Empire composed of immigrants and their descendants were reinforced 2 Mughal’s Murshidabad Connection continually by newcomers from Iran. Iranian immigration to India was not a temporary phenomenon belonging to a specific period. Starting from the foundation of the Mughal Empire in the sixteenth century when many members of the Iranian elite were invited to the Mughal court till even at the zenith of the dynasty’s prosperity in the seventeenth century under Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, the Mughals welcomed Iranian immigrants and gave them high positions. Iranian had been migrating from different regions of the Safavid Iran owing to various social and political reasons. They came from several strata of the society, having been military commanders, civil bureaucrats, merchants, scholars and professionals like physiciens and Architects. In India they were found employment both through Mansabs and lower offices. In doing so it appeared that a distinction was always made between those who came with some administrative experience and those without it. Sometimes as under Aurangzeb the family background was also given preference over experience. During this period a considerable number of Iranian moved between the Deccan and the kingdoms of Bijapur and Golkunda. Both under Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb the Iranis held largest number of Mansabs as compared with other racial groups. They seemed to have enjoyed particular preference in appointments as central ministers. Historical data provided that as many as forty two immigrants came from central regions of Safavid empire such as Isfahan and Qazvin. Out of them 10 persons were reported to be from Isfahan. A few of them were Persian speaking Tajiks. The Tajiks, often called “men of the pen” The Isfahan Connection 3 were men of learning and mainly in charge of civil and religious matters. Persian being the language of court and administration, those Persian-speaking people with bureaucratic skills and a specialized knowledge of Persian culture were highly valued at the Mughal court. Some of the immigrants moved to India of their own free will. Unable to prosper in Safavid society, they moved to India without hesitation. In this case, the immigrants could return to Iran, or at least keep in touch with their friends and relatives there. When Haji Shafi Isfahani moved to India for the first time from Isfahan, Persia was under the eighth Safavid Shah King Suleiman I (early name Safi II) who ruled between 1666 and 1694 AD. That time India was ruled by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Emperor Aurangzeb was mostly occupied during that period with his South India campaign. Haji Shafi found engagement as a high ranking Mughal officer in Deccan region. During the discoures of his duty at that time he come accros a poor Hindu boy (possibly from a Brahmin family from Deccan region). Observing that the boy possessed a keen interest in mathematics he felt interested in him. He bought the boy and offered him all his paternal affections to bring him up. He made him muslim and gave him the name Muhammad Hadi and took him to Persia. Muhammad Hadi while in Persia grafted the refinement, discipline and wisdom of the Persians by his patron Haji Shafi. When Haji Shafi returned to India a few years later Hadi also accompanied him. Haji Shafi became Diwan-i-tan of the empire of Delhi in 1668 and again in 1689 before retiring in February 1690. In the interval 4 Mughal’s Murshidabad Connection he had been Diwan of Bengal. All through these periods Mohammad Hadi learnt the work of Diwani department by practice under the best of masters. When Haji Shafi retired in 1690 he decided to return to Persia. Twenty year old young Hadi also accompanied him. Five years later Haji Shafi died in Persia. After the death of his patron Muhammad Hadi returned to India. On his return Muhammad Hadi got employed for some time under another Persian Haji Abdullah Khorasani, the Diwan of Berar. Hadi’s extraordinary talent and ability in revenue matters soon came to the knowledge of the Emperor Aurangzeb. He inducted him into his own service and appointed him Diwan of Hyderabad and faujdar of Yelkondal. His honesty and ability soon earned him the confidence of the emperor. Towards the last phase of 17th century Mughal Empire’s financial affluence was waning very fast. Contributions from three Subahs viz., Bengal, Hyderabad and Mandu were able to provide reliefs to the Empire through their strong financial supports. Great administrator Emperor Aurangzeb understood if he was to hold on the reign these three Subahs were to be managed with strong hands. Emperor remained in look out for honest hardworking Mughal financial officers around whom Mughal’s future assumed to be clinging. Suitable opportunity for Muhammad Hadi was to be opened soon. This was to assume a greater significance later in the matter of Mughals connection to Bengal and Murshidabad. Iranians played important roles in the Mughal Empire starting from the period of Babur, the founder Emperor. The Isfahan Connection 5 There was a significant influx of migrants from the Safavid Empire into Bengal particularly in the post-Akbar period. Persian administrators and military commanders were enlisted by the Mughal government in Bengal during Emperor Aurangzeb as well. Murshidabad has been grateful to this Safavid Iranian Haji Safi Isfahani and his adopted son Muhammad Hadi for the history written there by the later.