| Shuja-ud-Daulah | |
|---|---|
| Nawab Wazir of Oudh | |
Nawab of Oudh Shuja ud Daulah |
|
| Reign | 1753–1775 |
| Full name | Jalal-ud-din Haider Abul Mansur Khan SHUJA-UD-DAULAH |
| Titles | Nawab-Wazir Nawab Wazir al-Mamalik Wazir ul-Hindustan (Prime Minister of India) Subedar of Kashmir, Agra & Oudh Khan Bhadur Asad Jang Arsh Manzil[nt 1] |
| Born | January 19, 1732 |
| Birthplace | Mansion of Dara Shikoh, Delhi |
| Died | January 26, 1775 |
| Place of death | Faizabad |
| Buried | Gulab-Bari, Faizahad [1] |
| Predecessor | Safdarjung |
| Successor | Asaf-Ud-Daula |
| Royal House | Nishapuri |
| Father | Safdar Jang |
| Religious beliefs | Shia Islam |
Shuja-ud-Daula (Hindi: शुजा उद दौला, Urdu: شجاع الدولہ)(b. January 19, 1732 – d. January 26, 1775) was the Subedar Nawab of Oudh from 5 October 1754 to 26 January 1775,[2] and the son of Muhammad Nasir.[3]
Though a minor royal, he is best known for his key roles in two definitive battles in Indian history - the Third Battle of Panipat which ended Maratha domination of India, and the Battle of Buxar that definitively established British domination.[1]
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After escaping from Delhi due to the murder of his father the Mughal Emperor Alamgir II, the young Prince Ali Gauhar was well received by Shuja-ud-Daula. The Nawab of Awadh and the newly appointed Mughal Grand Vizier Shuja-ud-Daula assured Prince Ali Gauhar that he and Najib-ud-Daula would initiate a struggle that would overthrow the Maratha if Prince Ali Gauhar would lead what remained of the Mughal Army against the expanding British East India Company in Bengal.[4]
Shuja's decision about whom to join as an ally in the Third Battle of Panipat was one of the decisive factors that determined the outcome of the war as lack of food due to the Afghans cutting the supply lines of Marathas was one of the reasons that Marathas could not sustain the day long battle. Their forces were weak due to starvation and also fighting facing the sun.
Shuja was earlier not very sure about whose side should he take before the Third Battle of Panipat. Marathas were still further south then and it would have taken them considerable time to reach Shuja's province. Considering the risk he had with upsetting Abdali with his huge army on his soil he took (albeit hesitatingly) the decision to join the Afghans and Najib (Najib-ud-Daula). His mother was of the opinion that he should join the Marathas as they had helped his father previously on numerous occasions. Eventually he was forced to join the Afghans that were led by Ahmad Shah Durrani, whose troops crossed the flooded Ganga river into his province.
Shuja is also known for his role in the Battle of Buxar, a battle that was no less definite in Indian history. He along with the forces of Shah Alam II and Mir Qasim were defeated by the British forces in one of the key battles in the history of British rule in India.
He again fought British with the help of Marathas at Kara Jahanabad and was defeated.On Aug 16, 1765 AD he signed the Treaty of Allahabad, which said that Kora and Allahabad district will go to Company and Company will get 50 lakh rupees from Oudh.[5] British will be allowed free trade in Oudh and will help each other in case of war with other powers, which was a very shrewd politics of the Company.[3]
To pay for the protection of British forces and assistance in war, Oudh gave up first the fort of Chunar, then districts of Benaras, Ghazipur and finally Allahabad.[1]
. Shuja ud Daula died on 26-01-1775 in Faizabad, the then capital of Awadh, and is burried in the same city. His burial place is a tomb and known as Gulab Bari (Rose Garden).
| Preceded by Abu´l Mansur Mohammad Moqim Khan |
Subadar Nawab of Oudh Oct 05 1754 – Feb 15 1762 |
Succeeded by post abolished |
| Preceded by new creation |
Nawab Wazir al-Mamalik of Oudh Feb 15 1762 – Jan 26 1775 |
Succeeded by Asaf ad-Dowla Amani |