History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c84.s1.t5: § 6. Ibrahim Khan's supine rule.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c84.s1.t5
- Language
- English
§ 6. Ibrahim Khan's supine rule.
v5.c84.s1.t5.1
Shaista Khan was succeeded by Khan Jahan Bahadur (a brother of Azam Khan Kokah) for a few months (1688-1689), and then came Ibrahim Khan in June 1689, as permanent subahdar. He was an old man of mild disposition and sedentary habits and a great lover of books. Without strength of purpose or capacity for action, he let matters drift, till the administration of the province entirely broke down, and every one did what he liked. But Ibrahim Khan's character had some redeeming features ; the English traders call him "the most famously just and good nabob," and the Muslim historian records that "he did not allow even an ant to be oppressed." He personally administered justice, was free from venality and caprice, and promoted agriculture and commerce. [Riyaz. tr. 231.] His first act after coming to Bengal was to make terms with the
v5.c84.s1.t5.2
His very interesting will is given in the Proceedings of the Ind. Hist. Records Commission, 1923. Fidai Khan died at Dacca on 25 May 1678. Azam entered Dacca on 29 July 1678 and left it on 6 Oct. 1679; his only achievement was the recapture of Gauhati, [Ch. 32 § 4.] Shaista Kh. died at Agra in April 1694, aged 92 lunar years. (Storia, ii. 322.)
v5.c84.s1.t5.3
English and invite them to settle in Bengal again. [Letter dated 2 July 1689, in *Madras Diary*, 7 Oct.]
v5.c84.s1.t5.4
But Bengal in the late 17th century was no place for a bookworm. During the closing years of Aurangzib's reign, as reports came of the Emperor's increasing difficulties in the Deccan and of disasters to his arms here and there in that far-flung battle line, the lawless elements in Bengal, as elsewhere, seized the opportunity presented by Ibrahim Khan's supine administration and slothful unmartial character. The many Afghans settled in North Orissa brooded over their lost empire in Hindustan and were ever ready for a rising. The storm burst in 1696 and for the first time broke the deep peace which Bengal had enjoyed ever since the days of Jahangir.