Page 59 - Journeys Through Society-7

After reaching the Deccan, Nizam-ul-Mulk founded
Shah as the governor of Awadh. Burhan had earlier
helped Muhammad Shah in overthrowing the Sayyid the autonomous state of Hyderabad in 1724. The
Mughal emperor, unable to punish the Nizam,
brothers and had helped him in consolidating his
position. confirmed him as the Viceroy of the Deccan and
granted him the second title of Asaf Jah in 1725. The
Gradually, Saadat Khan reduced Awadh to the status
Nizam as well his successors were practically
of his personal territory by consciously reducing the
independent of the Mughal emperor, though they
Mughal influence in the state. He appointed his own
continued to recognise the latter as their sovereign.
loyal servants to various important positions. Not all
The Nizam undertook various reforms to stabilise the
the revenue collected reached Delhi.
newly founded state. To begin with, he revived
Saadat Khan was succeeded by his nephew, Safdar
agriculture and industry by giving incentives to
Jung, under whose reign the state of Awadh extended
farmers and artisans. Secondly, he established peace
up to Rohilkhand. The rulers of Awadh succeeded in
and order by suppressing all disaffected nobles and
establishing peace and justice, curbing lawlessness,
curbing down theft and robbery. Thirdly, he also made
improving the revenues of the state and organising a
several efforts to stop the plundering raids of the
powerful military force.
Marathas. When he failed in this, he bought peace
with them by signing the Treaties of Mungishiregaum
(1728), Warna (1731) and Durai-Sarai (1738).
The Carnatic was a Mughal province which had grown
rich from its flourishing textile trade. When its
governor died, the Nizam occupied its capital, Arcot
and placed his own nominee on its throne to gain
control over the province.
Saadat Ali Khan Safdar Jung
The Nizam’s death in 1748 caused wars of succession
They also extended royal patronage to the growth of
in Hyderabad and the Carnatic. The English and the
art and literature. In the 19th century however the
French took opposite sides in these wars, which ended
constant interference of the British led to a decrease
with the second carnatic war.
in the authority and power of the Nawabs of Awadh.
Bengal
Wow Fact
Murhid Quli Khan became the governor of Bengal in
Asaf Jah I single-handedly instituted the title 1717. This was the beginning of a new phase in
of the Nizam, which became the dynastic Bengal’s history, marking the advent of independence
title of all the successive rulers of the State of
Hyderabad. from the authority and control of Delhi. He shifted the
capital of Bengal from Dhaka to Murhidabad
(northern part of modern West Bengal). He declared
Hyderabad
himself the nawab and paid only nominal allegiance
The founder of the autonomous
to the Mughal Emperor.
state of Hyderabad was Chin
Murshid Quli Khan was succeded by Shuj-ud-Din
Qilich Khan. The Mughal
(1727-1739) and Alivardi Khan (1740-1756) though an
emperor, Farruk Siyar, while
efficient ruler, he had to face continual attacks by the
appointing him as the Viceroy of
Marathas and rebellion from the Afghans. To attain
Deccan in 1713, conferred on
peace, he allowed many concessions to the Marathas.
him the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk
He maintained good relations with the Europeans but
and the Nizam occupied this
post till 1715. Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah did not allow them to increase their military presence.
Siraj-ud-Daula (1756-57), Alivadi’s favourite grandson
ascended the throne after him.
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