Siraj ud-Daulah
Siraj ud-Daulah | |
---|---|
Mansur-ul-Mulk (Victory of the Country) Siraj ud-Daulah (Light of the State) Hybut Jang (Horror in War) Nawab of Bengal | |
Nawabzada, Nawab | |
Battles/wars | Maratha invasions of Bengal Battle of Plassey |
History of Bangladesh |
---|
|
Bangladesh portal |
Mirza Muhammad Siraj-ud-Daulah (1733 – 2 July 1757), commonly known as Siraj-ud-Daulah
Siraj succeeded his maternal grandfather, Alivardi Khan as the Nawab of Bengal in April 1756 at the age of 23. Betrayed by Mir Jafar, the commander of Nawab's army, Siraj lost the Battle of Plassey on 23 June 1757. The forces of the East India Company under Robert Clive invaded and the administration of Bengal fell into the hands of the company.
Early life and background
Siraj was born to the family of
Siraj was regarded as the "fortune child" of the family. He received the special affection of his grandfather and was raised at the Nawab's palace with all necessary education and training suitable for a future Nawab. Young Siraj also accompanied Alivardi on his military ventures against the
Reign as Nawab
Siraj ud-Daulah's nomination to the Nawab ship aroused the jealousy and enmity of his maternal aunt,
Black Hole of Calcutta
During this period, the British
Sir William Meredith, during the Parliamentary inquiry into Robert Clive's actions in India, vindicated Siraj ud-Daulah of any charge surrounding the Black Hole incident: "A peace was however agreed upon with Surajah Dowlah; and the persons who went as ambassadors to confirm that peace formed the conspiracy, by which he was deprived of his kingdom and his life."[11]
Nizamat Imambara
Shi'ism was introduced to Bengal during the governorship of
Conspiracy of British
The Nawab was infuriated on learning of the attack on Chandernagar. His former hatred of the British returned, but he now felt the need to strengthen himself by alliances against the British. The Nawab was plagued by fear of attack from the north by the Afghans under
Popular discontent against the Nawab flourished in his own court. The Seths, the traders of Bengal, were in perpetual fear for their wealth under the reign of Siraj, contrary to the situation under Alivardi's reign. They had engaged Yar Lutuf Khan to defend them in case they were threatened in any way.[17] William Watts, the Company representative at the court of Siraj, informed Clive about a conspiracy at the court to overthrow the ruler. The conspirators included Mir Jafar, the paymaster of the army, Rai Durlabh, Yar Lutuf Khan and Omichund (Amir Chand), a Sikh merchant, and several officers in the army.[18] When communicated in this regard by Mir Jafar, Clive referred it to the select committee in Calcutta on 1 May. The committee passed a resolution in support of the alliance. A treaty was drawn up between the British and Mir Jafar to raise him to the throne of the Nawab in return for support to the British in the field of battle and the bestowal of large sums of money upon them as compensation for the attack on Calcutta. On 2 May, Clive broke up his camp and sent half the troops to Calcutta and the other half to Chandernagar.[19][20][21][22]
Mir Jafar and the Seths desired that the confederacy between the British and himself be kept secret from Omichund, but when he found out about it, he threatened to betray the conspiracy if his share was not increased to three million rupees (£300,000). Hearing of this, Clive suggested an expedient to the committee. He suggested that two treaties be drawn – the real one on white paper, containing no reference to Omichund and the other on red paper, containing Omichund's desired stipulation, to deceive him. The Members of the Committee signed on both treaties, but Admiral Watson signed only the real one and his signature had to be counterfeited on the fictitious one.[23] Both treaties and separate articles for donations to the army, navy squadron and committee were signed by Mir Jafar on 4 June.[24][25][26][27]
Lord Clive testified and defended himself thus before the House of Commons of Parliament on 10 May 1773, during the Parliamentary inquiry into his conduct in India:
"Omichund, his confidential servant, as he thought, told his master of an agreement made between the English and Monsieur Duprée [may be a mistranscription of Dupleix] to attack him, and received for that advice a sum of not less than four lacks of rupees. Finding this to be the man in whom the nawab entirely trusted, it soon became our object to consider him as a most material engine in the intended revolution. We, therefore, made such an agreement as was necessary for the purpose, and entered into a treaty with him to satisfy his demands. When all things were prepared, and the evening of the event was appointed, Omichund informed Mr Watts, who was at the court of the nawab, that he insisted upon thirty lacks of rupees, and five per cent. upon all the treasure that should be found; that, unless that was immediately complied with, he would disclose the whole to the nawab; and that Mr. Watts, and the two other English gentlemen then at the court, should be cut off before the morning. Mr Watts, immediately on this information, dispatched an express to me at the council. I did not hesitate to find out a stratagem to save the lives of these people, and secure success to the intended event. For this purpose, we signed another treaty. The one was called the Red, the other the White treaty. This treaty was signed by everyone, except admiral Watson; and I should have considered myself sufficiently authorised to put his name to it, by the conversation I had with him. As to the person who signed Admiral Watson's name to the treaty, whether he did it in his presence or not, I cannot say; but this I know, that he thought he had sufficient authority for so doing. This treaty was immediately sent to Omichund, who did not suspect the stratagem. The event took place, and success attended it; and the House, I am fully persuaded, will agree with me, that, when the very existence of the company was at stake, and the lives of these people so precariously situated, and so certain of being destroyed, it was a matter of true policy and of justice to deceive so great a villain."[28][29]
Battle of Plassey
The
Death
Siraj-ud-Daulah was executed on 2 July 1757 by Mohammad Ali Beg under orders from Mir Miran, son of Mir Jafar in
Siraj-ud-Daulah's tomb is located at Khushbagh, Murshidabad. It is marked with a simple but elegant one-storied mausoleum, surrounded by gardens.[31][self-published source?]
Critics
Siraj ud-Daulah has gained a positive reputation in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan for his opposition to the beginning of British rule over India.
After the death of Alivardii Khan, his immature grandson became the nawab of Bengal, taking the name Miirza Mohammed Siraj-Ud-Daola. In addition to his young age, he had many kinds of defects in his character and conduct.
Historian Sushil Chaudhary argued that Siraj ud-Daula’s villainous character is a misrepresentation.[33]
Legacy
The end of Siraj ud-Daulah's reign also ended Bengali autonomy and marked the beginning of British power in India. In the Bengali version of the end of his rule, Mir Jafar and Robert Clive are the villains and Siraj is the victim. Even though he is rarely if ever depicted as an attractive person, he is regarded as having been sinned against, rather than as a sinner. As the movement for Indian independence gathered strength, Siraj along with
Siraj's legacy has become the subject of cultural war between those who want to offer some moral defense for Western imperialism as a civilizing mission and those who see the colonial period as one in which the strong exploited the weak, and reject the contention that Europe had much to offer India in terms of culture or that Europeans conducted themselves in a morally superior way.
Chayamanab (2022) is a Bengali novel has been written by Soumen Jana based on his tragic life.
Namesakes
- Siraj ud Daula College, Karachi, Pakistan
- Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah Government College, Natore,[34] Bangladesh
- Masjid-e-Siraj ud-Daulah, Bangladesh
- Siraj-ud-Daula Road, Karachi[35]
- Nabab Siraj ud-Daulah Road, Chittagong, Bangladesh
- Nawab Siraj-Ud-Daulah Sarani, Kolkata, India[36]
- Siraj ud-Daulah Park, Old Dhaka,[37] Bangladesh
- Siraj-ud-Doula Hall, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University,[38] Bangladesh
- Nawab Siraj Ud-Daulah College, Kushtia, Bangladesh
- Siraj-ud-Daula Road, Kushtia,[39] Bangladesh
- Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah Hospital,[40] Bangladesh
- Nawab Siraj ud Daulah Road, Narayanganj, Bangladesh
In popular culture
- Shiraz-Ud-Dowla (1927), Indian silent film directed by Dhanjibhai K. Desai.[41]
- Sirajuddaula (1938), musical opera by Nimalendu Lahiri.[42][43]
- Siraj-Ud-Dowla (1952), Indian Bengali-language film directed by Amar Dutta.[41]
- Ami Sirajer Begam (1960), historical novel set in Bengal by Sri Parabat.[44]
- Sirajuddaula (1965), play by Sikandar Abu Zafar.[45][46]
- Nawab Sirajuddaula (1967), an Indian Bengali-language film directed by Ramchandra Thakur, starring Bharat Bhushan.[47]
- Nawab Sirajuddaula (1967), a Bangladeshi film directed by Khan Ataur Rahman featuring Anwar Hossain.
- Ami Sirajer Begam (1973), an Indian Bengali-language film directed by Sushil Mukhopadhyay, starring Ajitesh Bandopadhyay. Based on the 1960 novel by Sri Parabat.
- Nawab Sirajuddaula (1989), remake of the 1967 film by Khan Ataur Rahman.
- Ami Sirajer Begum (2018), Indian Bengali-language historical television soap opera.
- "Zindabahar" Bangladeshi TV-series directed by Bangladesh Television
See also
- Nawabs of Bengal
- List of rulers of Bengal
- History of Bengal
- History of Bangladesh
- History of India
- Shia Islam in India
- Battle of Chandannagar
- Siraj ud Daula College
Notes
- ^ Other spellings exist including the corruption "Sir Roger Dowler"[4] which is also used in phrases such as "Sir Roger Dowler method" referring to early non-systematic and distorting Romanisation schemes for Devanagari script.[5]
- ^ Ġulām Ḥusain chaklim (1902). The Riyazu-s-salatin, A History of Bengal. Translated by Salam, Maulavi Abdus. Calcutta: The Asiatic Society. p. 363-370.
- ^ Seid-Gholam-Hossein-Khan (1926). The Sëir Mutaqherin or Review of Modern Times. Vol. II. Calcutta: R. Cambray & Co. link to searchable text at the Packard Humanities Institute
References
- ^ Rizvi, Saiyid Athar Abbas (1986). A Socio-intellectual History of the Isnā ʼAsharī Shīʼīs in India: 16th to 19th century A.D. Vol. 2. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. pp. 45–47.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-061320-4.
- ISBN 9788187139690.
- ^ Abram Smythe Palmer. Folk-etymology: A Dictionary of Verbal Corruptions Or Words Perverted in Form Or Meaning, by False Derivation Or Mistaken Analogy. G. Bell and Sons, 1882. p. 557.
- ^ Francis Henry Skrine. Life of Sir William Wilson Hunter, K.C.S.I., M.A., LL.D., a vice-president of the Royal Asiatic Society, etc. Longmans, Green, and Co., 1901. p. 205.
- ^ Dalrymple, W. (2019),The Anarchy p78, London: Bloombsbury
- ^ ISBN 978-81-7646-239-6.
- ^ P. Sensarma (1977). The Military History of Bengal. Kolkata: Darbari Udjog. p. 172.
- ^ Subhan, Abdus (1970). "Early Career of Nawab Ali Vardi Khan of Bengal". Journal of Indian History. XLVIII (III). Trivandrum: University of Kerala: 536.
- ISBN 978-1-4088-6440-1.
- ^ ISBN 9780404016500.
- ^ S. A. A. Rizvi, A Socio-Intellectual History of Isna Ashari Shi'is in India, Vol. 2, pp. 45–47, Mar'ifat Publishing House, Canberra (1986).
- ^ Harrington, p. 25
- ^ Mahon, p. 337
- ^ Orme 1861, p. 145
- ^ Malleson, pp. 48–49
- ^ Bengal, v.1, p. clxxxi
- ^ Bengal, v.1, pp. clxxxiii–clxxxiv
- ^ Malleson, pp. 49–51
- ^ Harrington, pp. 25–29
- ^ Mahon, pp. 338–339
- ^ Orme 1861, pp. 147–149
- ^ Bengal, v.1, pp. clxxxvi–clxxxix
- ^ (Orme 1861, pp. 150–161)
- ^ Harrington, p. 29
- ^ Mahon, pp. 339–341
- ^ Bengal, v.1, pp. cxcii–cxciii
- ISBN 9780404016500.
- ^ The gentleman's magazine, and historical chronicle. Vol. 43. 1773. pp. 630–631.
- ^ "We all know Siraj-ud-Daulah lost the Battle of Plassey. How did he escape afterwards?". Scroll.in. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- ^ Basu, Saurab. "Trip Taken from June – 10th to 12th - 2006". Murshidabad – The Land of the Legendary ‘Siraj-ud-Daulah’ Unveiled. History of Bengal. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ISBN 81-7252-027-1.
- ^ "The Road to Plassey". 22 June 2020.
- ^ "Week-long agriculture technology fair begins in Natore". Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ "Siraj ud Daula Road, Karachi". pakistan-streets.openalfa.com.
- ^ "Nawab Siraj-Ud-Daulah Sarani, West Bengal". indiaplacesmap.com.
- ^ "6 suspected Huji operatives held in Dhaka". Prothom Alo.
- ^ "Siraj-Ud-Doula Hall". Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU).
- ^ "BGIC Branch Network - BGIC Ltd.BGIC Ltd".
- ^ "4 hospitals fined, two of them asked to shut". The Daily Star. 17 October 2015.
- ^ ISBN 9780851706696.
- ^ Various Artists - Topic (3 November 2014). "Sirajuddaula" – via YouTube.
- ^ "Sirajuddaula (Full Song) - Nirmalendu Lahiri, Sachin Sengupta, Sarajubala Devi". JioSaavn. 31 August 2012.
- OCLC 59608078.
- ^ http://web.dailyjanakantha.com/details/article/280339/সিকানদার-আবু-জাফরের-নাটক-সিরাজউদ্দৌলা-একটি-অনুভাবনা/
- ^ "My Academy :: Digital Book". myacademybd.com.
- ^ "Nawab Sirajuddaula (1967) - Review, Star Cast, News, Photos". Cinestaan.
- Akhsaykumar Moitrayo, Sirajuddaula, Calcutta 1898
- BK Gupta, Sirajuddaulah and the East India Company, 1756–57, Leiden, 1962
- Kalikankar Datta, Sirajuddaulah, Calcutta 1971
- Orme, R. (1861), A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan: from the year MDCCXLV; to which is prefixed A dissertation on the establishments made by Mahomedan conquerors in Indostan, vol. 2