| Safdarjung | |
|---|---|
| Nawab of Oudh | |
| Reign | 1737–1753 |
| Full name | Abul Mansur Mirza Muhammad Muqim Ali Khan SAFDURJUNG |
| Titles | Nawab-Wazir Nawab Wazir al-Mamalik Wazir ul-Hindustan (Prime Minister of India) Subedar of Kashmir, Agra & Oudh Khan Bhadur Meer-e-Atash Firdaus Aaramgah[nt 1] |
| Born | 1708 |
| Birthplace | Nishapur, Khurasan, Persia |
| Died | October 5, 1754 |
| Place of death | Sultanpur, India |
| Buried | Safdarjung's Tomb, Safdarjung Road, New Delhi |
| Predecessor | Burhan ul Mulk Sa'adat Khan |
| Successor | Shuja-Ud-Daulah |
| Royal House | Nishapuri |
Safdarjung (Hindi: सफदरजंग, Urdu: صفدرجنگ) (b. c. 1708 – d. 5 October 1754) was the Subadar Nawab of Oudh from 19 March 1739 to 5 October 1754.[1]
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Safdarjung was born as Muhammad Muqim in Khurasan, Persia and migrated to India in 1722.
He succeeded his father-in-law and maternal uncle, the Burhan ul Mulk Saadat Ali Khan I to the throne of Oudh, apparently by paying Nadir Shah two crores of rupees. The Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah gave him the title of "Safdarjung".[2]
Safdarjung was an able administrator. He was not only effective in keeping control of Oudh, but also managed to render valuable assistance to the weakened Muhammad Shah. He was soon given governorship of Kashmir as well, and became a central figure at the Delhi court. During the later years of Muhammad Shah, he gained complete control of administration in the Mughal Empire. When Ahmad Shah Bahadur ascended the throne at Delhi, Safdarjung became his Wazir ul-Mamalik-i-Hindustan or Chief Minister of India. However, court politics eventually overtook him and he was dismissed in 1753.[2]
After the accession of Ahmad Shah in 1748, he made sufdarjung his Chief Minister and gave him the charge of "Harem". He was also made the governor of Ajmer and became the "Faujdar " of Narnaul. This was fact that all the power of Mughal Empire was bestowed upon Safdarjung by the end of second half of 18th century. Apart from these responsibilities of Delhi Safdarjung has not neglected the Oudh and its prosperity, which he considered as his family property. Due to corrupt policy of Delhi court and confrontation with Ahmad Shah, he came to Oudh in Dec' 1753 AD, where he died in Oct'1755 AD at the age of 46 years.[2]
The Safdarjung's Tomb, built in 1754 is now situated on a road known as Safdarjung Road, in New Delhi.[3]
There are several other structures that carry his name today in the area, like Safdarjung Airport, Safdarjang Hospital, Safdarjung Terminal, and a nearby residential neighbourhood of Safdarjung (colony).
| Preceded by Borhan al-Molk Mir Mohammad Amin Musawi Sa`adat `Ali Khan I |
Subadar Nawab of Oudh Mar 19 1739 – Apr 28 1748 (1st time) |
Succeeded by post abolished |
| Preceded by new creation |
Nawab Wazir al-Mamalik of Oudh Apr 28 1748 – May 13, 1753 (acting to 29 Jun 1748) |
Succeeded by post abolished |
| Preceded by new creation |
Subadar Nawab of Oudh Nov 05 1753 – Oct 05 1754 (2nd time) |
Succeeded by Jalal ad-Din Shoja` ad-Dowla Haydar |