Bengal under the Later Nawabs
The Basics
Bengal was the richest province of the Mughal empire. Its Nawab also controlled Bihar and Odisha. As central Mughal power declined after Aurangzeb, Murshid Quli Khan rose to prominence. He was appointed Dewan of Bengal in 1700. He became Governor of Bengal in 1717. He ruled Bengal independently while still sending tribute to Delhi. He crushed zamindar uprisings. He converted jagir lands into khalsa lands. He introduced revenue-farming. He gave agricultural loans called taccavi to cultivators. These reforms strengthened the treasury. They also increased pressure on peasants. Many old zamindars were replaced by new revenue-farmers. This created a new landed aristocracy, mainly of Hindu zamindars and mahajans. Murshid Quli Khan died in 1727. His son-in-law Shuja-ud-din succeeded him and ruled until 1739. In 1740, Alivardi Khan, Deputy Governor of Bihar, defeated Shuja-ud-din's son Sarfaraz Khan at Gheria. He killed Sarfaraz Khan and made himself Nawab. He paid tribute to the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah to legitimise his rule.
Sign up free for the full concept, practice MCQs and PYQs