Home > Indian History > History of India > Saadat Ali Khan I
Saadat Ali Khan I
Saadat Ali Khan I was the Subahdar Nawab of Awadh and the son of Muhammad Nasir. Saadat Ali Khan I was born as Muhammad Amin Musawi.

Share this Article:

Saadat Ali Khan I, Subahdar Nawab of AwadhSaadat Ali Khan, also known as Saadat Ali Khan I, was the Subahdar Nawab of Awadh and the son of Muhammad Nasir. He became the Subahdar Nawab of Awadh on 26th January 1722 and remained in the position till the year 1739. When he was 25 years of age, Saadat Ali accompanied Muhammad Nasir, his father, and participated in the final campaign of Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor to stand against the Maratha in the Deccan. Emperor Aurangzeb honorably awarded him the title Khan Bahadur for his commitment and unfaltering services. Saadat Ali Khan I was born as Muhammad Amin Musawi to father Muhammad Nasir Musawi, who was a Shia Muslim merchant of Khurasan. During the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, his grandfather migrated to India. His father became a very important official during the rule of Bahadur Shah I. Saadat Ali Khan is the progenitor of the Nawabs of Awadh.

Rule of Saadat Ali Khan I
After the inauguration of the reign of Muhammad Shah, Saadat Ali Khan I was appointed as the faujdar or garrison commander of Bayana. He received the title of Saadat Khan Bahadur. He became governor of Agra on 15th October, 1720 AD. Saadat Ali Khan was given the title of Captain of the Imperial Body Guards on 12th January, 1721 AD. Later in the year 1722 AD, he became the governor of Awadh and also became the army-in-charge of Gorakhpur on 9th September, 1722 AD, with the title of Saadat Khan in place of Raja Girdhar, who became the governor of Malwa. Under him, Awadh included 5 districts, namely, Lucknow, Bahraich, Gorakhpur, Faizabad and Khalilabad. The borders of the region extended to Kannauj in west, Bihar in east, Himalayan hills in north and Kara-Manikpur of Allahabad province in south. The province was 230 miles wide with a total of 1,01,71,080 Bigha in area, from Gorakhpur to Kannauj and from northern hills to Kara-Manikpur.

Since the reign of Aurangzeb, The region was engulfed in chaos and mismanagement that was created by the local kings, jagirdars and zamindars. Saadat Ali Khan implemented several steps to bring the situation in control and to improve the condition of the province. He constructed a palace near Ayodhya and established the city of Faizabad and made it the capital of the new government. Due to his effective management policies, the financial condition of the province improved. Due to his efforts for the betterment of the state and the people, Muhammad Shah gave him the title of Burhan-ul-Mulk, as he was very pleased with his service.

In 1728 AD, Saadat Ali Khan I expanded the periphery of the state on the eastern border by bringing Chunar, Ghazipur, Jaunpur and Banaras under his rule from Jagirdar Murtaza Khan. He was also one of the prominent commanding Mughal generals during the Battle of Karnal which was fought against Nadir Shah.

Saadat Ali Khan, the Subahdar Nawab of Awadh was captured in the battle and he died in the year 1739, the night before the mass execution in Delhi by Nadir Shah. He was buried in the mausoleum of Sayadat Khan, his brother, at Delhi. He had only one daughter who was married to the son of Sayadat Khan, named Abul Mansur Khan Safdar Jung (Muhammad Muqim), who became the next government of Awadh by succeeding Saadat Ali Khan I.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.