190 likes | 194 Views
Mughal Successor States: 1719-1760s. Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah and Hyderabad. The “Nawabs” and the their states. “nawab” comes from the Persian naib , which means “deputy.”
E N D
Mughal Successor States: 1719-1760s Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah and Hyderabad
The “Nawabs” and the their states • “nawab” comes from the Persian naib, which means “deputy.” • Although the Nawbas of Bengal, Awadh, and Hyderabad were independent from the Mughal Emperor by the mid-18th c. the fiction of Mughal supremacy was preserved • The khutba continued to be read in the Mughal Emperor’s name, and coins struck in his name as well.
Hyderabad—a singular case? • Unlike the Northern Nawabi states Hyderabad had a more contentious relationship with the Mughal court • This was based on the tensions b/w the founder of the state Nizam-ul Mulk and the nobles at court—particularly Zulfikar Khan and the Sayyid Brothers. • As the head of the powerful Turani (Central Asian) faction the Nizam was free to oppose these groups from an independent base
Nizam-ul Mulk’s Family Background • Part of the new nobility formed under Aurangzeb • Grandfather came from Bukhara during the 1658 succession crisis, hired by Aurangzeb • Father moved from Bukhara as well to join family in 1660s. • Nizam-ul Mulk the first generation to be born on Indian soil
Family background Cont. • Family from an orthodox Sunni background with very close connections to Aurangzeb’s reforms • Grandfather held positions in army and administration, including subedaris and as sadr (head of religious donations) • Father a high-level commander before being blinded by smallpox • All three generations had extensive experience in deccan under Aurangzeb, and their beliefs were shaped in that environment
Succession Struggles, 1708-1719 • When Bahadur Shah came to the throne Nizam-ul Mulk was given the subedari of Awadh, but also kept distant from politics • Zulfikar Khan and the Nizam did not get along, however Azim-us-Shan cultivated him • During the 1712 succession struggle Nizam-ul Mulk and Turanis stay aloof from the battle causing the defeat of Zulfikar Khan and Jahandar Shah
After 1713 • Sayyid Brothers anxious to have Nizam-ul Mulk kept away from capital, but also suspicious of letting him create a base in the deccan • Given the subedari of the Deccan province three time, recalled twice • 1713-1715 • 1720-22 • 1722-1748 (becomes independent)
Why did Nizam-ul-Mulk disapprove of the Emperor’s two favorites—Haider Quli Khan and Kuki Jiu? • What were Nizam-ul-Mulk’s relationship with the Marathas like during this period? • Why did the Mughals fail to curb rebellion in Rajasthan? • For Chandra, what does the failure of Nizam-ul-Mulk to guide imperial policy indicate?
Areas of tensions b/w Nizam-ul Mulk and Sayyid Bros. • Don’t see eye-to-eye on negotiating with Marathas and Rajputs—Sayyid bros. want to reconcile, Nizam-ul Mulk favors suppression • Disagree about jizya • Have different power bases—the Sayyids with local gentry and Khanzads, the Nizam with newer Sunni aristocracy and Turanis
Pattern of recall and engagement • In 1713 Nizam-ul Mulk had gone to the Deccan with the intention of removing the Marathas, who were internally divided • Repudiated their claims to sardeshmukhi and chauth • Orders a new assessment of revenue, more soliders • Is recalled when Marathas complain, retreats to his jagirs in north and announces his “retirement”
Reign of Muhammad Shah • Nizam sent back to the Deccan where things are deteriorating in 1720. • This time creates a series of secret accords with Marathas. • Is called back to court in 1722 to become Wazir, a position that he had long coveted. • Muhammad Shah was hoping to regain control by playing with strong group of nobles against the other
New Strategy and Independence • In 1723 meets the Peshwa in Malwa and concludes a secret treaty to keep Marathas from expanding north • Attempts to clean up the politics of Delhi, but finds resistance on multiple levels • Returns to Deccan and begins a new phase of consolidating power in the Deccan.
Consolidating Power • Creates agreements with local zamindars and deshmukhs to bring in revenue • Relies on contracts with revenue farmers in areas that were further away from capital of Aurangabad • Negotiates with Marathas an agreement to use his own revenue collectors for Chauth rather than allowing a parallel system of revenue collection to exist • Until death in 1748, system functions smoothly • After 1748 French and English become embroiled in succession struggle at Hyderabad, henceforth English have a resident at the court and the Nizams of Hyderabad become dependent on English protection.
Questions for Grewal Reading • According to Grewal why were the Mughals unable to stop the Sikh rebels from becoming powerful after they successfully put down Banda’s rebellion in 1715? • In what ways were the Sikhs’ rise to power different from that of the Mughal successor states such as Hyderabad? • Compare and contrast the Sikhs with the Marathas (particularly from Gordon’s text). In what ways are they similar or different? • How egalitarian was Sikh rule?