Alivardi Khan

Alivardi Khan came to power after defeating Sarfaraz Khan in the battle of Giria. He had overthrown the Nasiri Dynasty. He ruled from 1740 till 1756. Born on 10th May 1671, he was named Mirza Muhammad Ali, the son of Shah Quli Khan Mirza Muhammad Madani. Alivardi Khan was the founder of the Afshar dynasty.

Alivardi Khan`s father Mirza Muhammad Madani served as an employee to Azam Shah the son of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. After the death of Azam Shah, the family fell into poverty and Alivardi Khan came to Delhi and passed his days in extreme deficiency, often going without a meal. It was Shuja- Ud- Din Muhammad Khan who bestowed him with the title of Alivardi. Alivardi Khan advised him on the kingdom`s administrational and financial matters. He was then chosen as the deputy Nazim of Bihar in 1733, and was later entitled Mahabat Jang, for his brilliant economic reforms and efficient management skills in the ruling of Bihar.

In the year 1740 he defeated Sarfaraz Khan in the battle of Giria and became the Nawab of Bengal. He was recognized by the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah and was endowed with several titles like Shuja-ul-mulk and Husam-ud-daula. He was an able administrator and defended his territory from the enemies. As the Marathas invaded frequently it brought a major slow down in the region`s trade, agriculture and financial system. Under his dominion Bengal was twice attacked by the Nagpur kingdom by Raghoji Bhonsle in the year 1746 and 1750. He signed a peace treaty for war indemnity with the Marathas in 1951. Alivardi khan put up a brave fight against the Afghan invasions and this took a heavy toll on his health. Alivardi Khan nominated his grand son Siraj-ud-daula to be his heir. Alivardi died in the year 1756 and Siraj-ud-daula succeeded him as the next ruler.

Alivardi Khan, who was the Deputy Governor of Bihar was appointed by Shujauddin. Here the weak and arrogant administration of Fa-krudaullah had given rise to various political and economical disorders.

The whole province was in an unfocused and unsettled state. It was not an easy task of administration for Alivardi Khan. The Zamindars had become rebellious and turbulent. Alivardi Khan courageously faced the situation, restored order in Patna and thus won the confidence of his subjects and his army.

Alivardi Khan strengthened military establishment and appointed Abdul Karim Khan of Darbhanga District who had under him 1500 Afghan soldiers. The Banjara Tribe, who used to create disturbance in the State, were chastised and Alivardi Khan got an immense booty. He was a judicious and smart politician. He created dissensions among the Zamindars and thus weakened and suppressed them. Most of them submitted without any opposition. Raja Sunder Singh of Tekari and Kam-gar Khan and other defied his authority. They had ceased to pay the government dues. However they were suppressed and forced to pay all arrears. Rajas of Bettiah and Bhanwarah were also subdued. The Chakwars, belonging to the Bhumihar Brahmin community of Begusarai Subdivision, had become very powerful. They defied the authority of the Subadar of Bengal and the Emperor of Delhi. They had made themselves semi-independent and stopped the payment of the government. Alivardi Khan warned the young king of the Ghakwars who submitted after short resistance and acknowledged allegiance to Bengal and Delhi. The Afgan leader, Abdul Karim, was murdered as he showed his independent spirit.

Aliwardi also restored order in Bihar. He also developed its financial position by imposing additional taxes and thus stabilized his authority. He slew the debauch administrator, Sarfaraz Khan to realize his own end. Thus, after killing the son of Shujaddin, Aliwardi usurped the masnad of Bengal and Bihar and legalized his position by securing a "Farman" furor Delhi.

Aliwardi made Haibat Jang, his own son-in-law the Deputy Governor of Bihar. Haibat Jang placed Abdul Ali Khan in charge of the administration of Tirhut in addition to his duties as the Revenue Collector of Bihar and Biswak. Aaullah Khan was made the Fauzdar of Bhagalpur. Aliiwardi was now the undisputed master of West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. Haibat Jang consolidated his authority in Bihar with the help of his Dewan Rai Chin-taman Das. He chastised the Zamindars of Bhojpur District, Vir Bharat Singh and Uddant Singh the Afgan Fauzdar of Shahabad, Rohsan Khan, was in league with those Zamindars. He got him murdered with the cooperation of Raja Sunder Singh and Jaikissan Singh of Palamau he brought under control the powerful Raja of Ramgarh. He tried to improve the administration of Tirhut Sarkar and won the goodwill of Hindu Rajas who helped him in his administration. He reposed confidence into two Kayasthas kings, Raja Kiratchand and Raja Ramnarayan. He thus maintained the peace in Bihar by suppressing the Afghans.