The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.271

v4.c20.271

The affairs of the provinces of Bengal, Bihār and Orissa now claim our attention. The pernicious practice of uniting several rich provinces under the government of a viceroy to whom, and not to the emperor, the actual governor of each province was immediately subordinate was now as firmly established in this region as in the Deccan. Prince ‘Azīm-ush-Shān had held these three provinces and that of Allahābād in addition, and when the Sayyid brothers, who had been his deputies in Allahābād, left their province with the object of placing Farrukh-siyar on the throne Ja‘far Khān,¹ who had been the prince’s deputy in Bengal, governed the three provinces, from which Allahābād was then separated, as viceroy. Ja‘far Khān had died in 1726, when Khān Daurān, who never concerned himself with the affairs of these provinces, was formally appointed viceroy, while the government of the provinces was actually carried on by Shujā‘-ud-dīn Muhammad Khān, Ja‘far Khān’s son-in-law, who had been his deputy in Orissa, and received, on his promotion, the title of Shujā‘-ud-Daula. He ruled the provinces ably and well for thirteen years and died on 24 March, 1739, while Nādir Shāh was at Delhi. He was succeeded, as a matter of course, the hereditary principle being by now established in the great provincial governments, by his son Sarfarāz Khān, who bore the title of ‘Alā-ud-Daula. Sarfarāz Khān was pious and devout, but weak, and attempted to favour his own personal servants at the expense of his father’s old advisers, who were too strong for him. He also attempted to interfere in the administration of Bihār, the governor of which, appointed by his father, was ‘Alī Vardī Khān, entitled Mahābat Jang. ‘Alī Vardī wrote to an old friend at court and offered, for a commission as viceroy of the three provinces and written permission to expel Sarfarāz Khān, a gift to the emperor of ten million rupees. He had also a private wrong to avenge. Sarfarāz Khān had attempted to take away the wife of his grandson, Sirāj-ud-Daula,² and to marry her to his own son. ‘Alī Vardī’s prayer was supported by an accusation that Sarfarāz had obeyed the order in a letter sent by Nādir Shāh to his father, but received after his father’s death, and had caused the *khutba* to be read in the invader’s name.³ It was also suggested that if Sarfarāz Khān were captured or slain his father’s considerable wealth would escheat to the crown. Money was scarce at Delhi, and these offers were very welcome, but time was required for the completion of the transaction and it was not until March, 1740, that ‘Alī Vardī received his commission.