Mirza Najaf Khan

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Najaf Khan
نجف خان
Prince of the
Mughal-Sikh wars

Mīrzā Najaf Khān Bahādur, simply known as Mirza Najaf Khan (1723 – 26 April 1782) was an adventurer[1] of Safavid lineage who came to Delhi around 1740 from Iran after Nader Shah had displaced Safavid dynasty in 1736. He became a courtier of Mughal emperor Shah Alam II (1740 – 1782). He married his sister into the family of the Shia Nawab of Awadh, which resulted in him gaining the title of Deputy Wazir of Awadh. He served during the Battle of Buxar, and he was the highest commander of the Mughal army from 1772 till his death in April 1782.[2][3]

Mughal Army during the reign of Shah Alam II
.

Career

He was more successful than his predecessor

misls to cause panic among the Mughals to continuously keep Najaf Khan's forces busy.[2] He is also credited for renaming the city of Aligarh, formerly known as Kol.[6]

Death

He died on April 26, 1782, after serving Mughal throne for forty two years.[5][2]

He started to suffer long bouts of fever and illness immediately after as he was appointed

Vakil-i-Mutlaq or regent of Mughals in 1779 at the age of 42. Court rumors had started against the rise of this Shia courtier. Kahir-ud-Din Illahabadi wrote in Ibratnama that Najaf Khan became close to eunuch Latafat Ali Khan who regularly supplied Najaf Khan with wine and dancing girls. Najaf became obsessed with an experienced prostitute introduced by Latafat. Nafaj spent much of his time drinking with this prostitute, until he fell seriously sick, feverish and weak to the extent "it could no longer be cured treated". In reality his time in sickness was spent in "pain and suffering, spitting blood".[7]

Tomb of Mirza Najaf Khan

"Mirza Najaf Khan's Tomb"' near

Lodhi Gardens.It is an uncompleted tomb. Set in a lush modern landscaped garden, this tomb is inside an enclosed boundary. There is a beautifully ruined entrance to the tomb complex set at a distance from the base platform of the tomb. In the middle of the area enclosed by the boundary, lies a large and beautiful square red stone platform with another smaller platform on top with a flat roof and no dome. Inscription marked grave of Mirza Najaf Khan and his daughter, Fatima (died 1820 CE), are inside two marble cenotaphs.[2][8][3][9]

Gallery
  • Mirza Najaf Khan's Tomb entrance
    Mirza Najaf Khan's Tomb entrance
  • Mirza Najaf Khan tomb's enclosure wall
    Mirza Najaf Khan tomb's enclosure wall
  • Mirza Najaf Khan's tomb
    Mirza Najaf Khan's tomb

See also

References

  1. ^ B. Singh, Rahul (2015). City Level Projects – Rejuvenation of Najafgarh Waterway – Vision for Delhi (West Zone). Delhi Urban Art Commission. pp. 11–12.
  2. ^ a b c d Najaf Khan's Tomb, Delhi information
  3. ^ a b c City Improbable: Writings, Khushwant Singh, 2010, Pp. 203
  4. ^ Henry George Keene (1907). Hindustan Under Free Lances, 1770-1820: Sketches of Military Adventure in Hindustan During the Period Immediately Preceding British Occupation. Brown, Langham & Company. p. 66.
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-969-35-0888-8
    .
  6. ^ "Najafgarh: A Kingmaker in the Capital". 2 January 2021.
  7. William Dalrymple, 2019, The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company
  8. ^ Delhi Travel Guide 2017: Must-see attractions, T Turner,2015
  9. ^ The Archæology and Monumental Remains of Delhi, Carr Stephen, 1876, Pp.282
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mirza_Najaf_Khan&oldid=1215328508"