| Ali-Vardi Khan | |
|---|---|
| Shuja ul-Mulk, Husam ud-Daula, Nawab Muhammad Alahvirdi (Alivardi) Khan Bahadur, Mahabat Jang, Nawab Nazim of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa | |
| Reign | 1740–1756 |
| Coronation | April 29, 1740 |
| Full name | Mirza Muhammad Ali (Alivardi Khan) (Alahvirdi Khan) |
| Born | May 10, 1641 |
| Birthplace | Deccan |
| Died | April 9, 1756 (aged 84) |
| Place of death | Murshidabad |
| Buried | Khushbag, Murshidabad |
| Predecessor | Sarfaraz Khan |
| Successor | Siraj-ud-Daulah |
| Offspring | Mehar un-nisa Begum (Ghaseti Begum) Munira Begum Amina Begum |
| Dynasty | Afshar |
| Father | Shah Quli Khan (Mirza Muhammad Madani) |
| Mother | a daughter of Nawab Aqil Khan Afshar |
| Religious beliefs | Islam |
Ali Vardi Khan (Bengali: আলীবর্দী খাঁ, Urdu: علی وردی خان; May 10, 1671 – April 9, 1756) was the Nawab of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa during 1740 - 1756. He toppled the Nasiri Dynasty of Bengal and took power as Nawab.
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His father was Shah Quli Khan Mirza Muhammad Madani and his mother was the daughter of Nawab Aqil Khan Afshar. His birth name was Mirza Muhammad Ali (Urdu: مرزا محمد علی). He was a Shia Muslim. His father was an employee of Azam Shah, the son of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Azam Shah also employed the sons of Mirza Muhammad. But after the death of Azam Shah, the family fell into poverty. His two sons Muhammad Ali and Mirza Ahmed managed to find employment under the Subahdar of Orissa, Shuja-ud-Din. After Shuja-ud-Din was promoted to Nawab, the two brothers' future prospects widened.
In 1728, Shuja-ud-Din promoted Muhammad Ali to Faujdar (General) of Rajmahal and entitled him as Ali Vardi Khan.[1] In 1733, he was assigned as the Naib Nazim (Deputy Subahdar) of Bihar. A year later he was titled Mahabat Jang and the rank of 5000 by Nawab Shuja-ud-Din. Ali Vardi Khan aspired for larger authority. On 10 April 1740 in the Battle of Giria, he defeated and killed Shuja-ud-Din's successor, Sarfaraz Khan.[1] Thus he took control of Bengal and Bihar. Then on 3 March 1741 he defeated Rustam Jang, deputy governor of Orissa and a relative of Sarfaraz Khan, in the battle of Phulwarion.[1] Orissa also went under control of Ali Vardi Khan.
Since 1742 Marathas raided Bengal repeatedly until 1751 when a peace-treaty was settled between Ali Vardi Khan and Raghoji I Bhonsle, the Maratha general of Nagpur Kingdom.[1] He also subdued the revolt of Afghans who were trying to occupy Bihar.[1] During his reign of total 16 years, he was mostly engaged in battles. Towards the end, he turned his attention to rebuilding and restoring his kingdom.
in 1741 while Alivardi was coming from Cuttack to Murshidabad by defeating Rustam Jung (the son in low of Sujauddin). Alivardi get the news of the Bargi on Jaigad. Mir Habib who was the Naib of Rustam, joined in the army of Bhaskar Pandit though Alivardi wanted to keep him in his own army because ha was a great warrior. But in a conspiracy eventually he joined to Bhaskar's army. After heard that Roghuji I Bhonsle had sent a army under Bhaskar Pandit. After heard the news Alivardi started to march Murshidabad.
In 1742, Alivari was attacked by the Bargis in night in 15th April. Alivardi had keep his army in Ranir Dighi under his general Mustafa Kahn and Nandalal. The Marathawere 2500 or more than in number. There were 24 generals under Bhaskar Pandit. He sent his 14 generals to attack and kill the people of Bengal. And the other 10 generals were sent to look after Alivardi and his army as they were captive. Bhaskar Pandit claimed to gain 10 lakh from Nawab. Though Alivardi have enough money to give him all at that very time. But he ignored to give the all. He thought that Bhaskar will think that he had so much money and he became very greedy. After two weeks Alivardi became in problem that they did not have enough food to spend the days. While it was raining Alivardi tried to escape but he was again captive. That time Alivardi's elder brother Haji Ahmedhelped him by send a huge amount of army and food. Alivardi escaped in eventually. While escape Nandalal was killed by Mir Habib who have now became the right hand of Bhaskar Pandit. First week of march, while Alivardi was in Katwa Mir Habib attacked Murshidabad and burnt the market of Dahabaza which is situated beside the west side of Ganga. Habib also destroyed the house of Mahatabrai Jagatseth in 5th march. In june Habib captured Hoogly and killed there's Fawjdar Muhammad Reja. In 26th september while Bhaskar was arranging to worship of Durgapuja Alivardi attacked them and killed many but the Marathas were successful to disappeared to Ramgad. Alivardi follwed them since Chilka Lake. In 1742 while Alivardi was busy to drive out the bargis from Bengal, a friend who is actually enemy came to bengal. He was the sebedar of Ayodhya, Safdar Jung. He declared that Mughal King Muhammd Shah employed him the king of Bengal. Aliardi tried to driven him out of Bengal but he was unable. This time Pashwa Balaji Rao came to bengal to rescue bengal from the fear of Bargis. They were both of Maratha clan. Bengal became the battlefield of Marathas and the Bargi. After driven out the Bargis from Bengal Balaji left bengal as he had got the news of death of his grandfather. But departure of Balaji the Bargi sardar Bhaskar Pandit appeared again. Alivardi became very angry at the attitude of Bargis. Bengal became in fear of Bargis. in 1744 Alivardi and his general Mustafa Khan palnned a conspiracy to kill Bhaskar Pandit. Then Alivardi called the Bhaskar and his 24 ganarals to Mankara which is situated in Murshidabad and 29 KM far from Palashi. Eventually Alivardi killed Bhaskar Pandit. But Raghuji Gaikawad, a general under Bhaskar Pandit and escaped from death. But Bengal can not free from the fear of Bargis.
He died in 16 April 1756. His grandson, Siraj-ud-Daula, succeeded him in April 1756 at the age of 23.
| Preceded by Sarfaraz Khan |
Nawab of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa 1740–1756 |
Succeeded by Siraj ud-Daulah |