Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c8.s2.2

v1.c8.s2.2

On the death of Shujā (13th March, 1739), his son, Sarāfrāz Khān (entitled Alā-ud-daulah Haidar Jang) became *subahdār* of Bengal, Bihār and Orissā. But this youthful ruler's excessive licentiousness, which (as so often happens in the East) he indulged in under the cloak of constant devotion to religious practices and resort to the society of theologians, caused a rapid decline in the administration. The evil was aggravated by the new Nawāb's jealous hostility to Alivardi Khān and his elder brother Hāji Ahmad, who had been the ablest and best-equipped officers during the last two reigns. Alivardi, knowing that his life and honour would be attacked by his worthless master whenever he could be caught at a disadvantage, decided to strike the first blow in self-defence. With remarkable skill and courage, he led an expedition from Patna (where he was deputy governor) into Bengal, defeated and slew Sarāfrāz at the battle of Gheriā (10th April 1740), and made himself Nawāb of the three provinces, afterwards securing the recognition of his act of might from the Emperor by profuse bribery. This act of usurpation opened the flood-gate of trouble on Bengal by encouraging in others the desire to imitate his illegal violence and open defiance of the imperial Government. [*Siyar*, ii. 101—105.]