Murshid Quli Khan (c. 1660 – 30 June 1727), also known as Mohammad Hadi and born Surya Narayan Mishra, was the first Nawab of Bengal, who ruled from 1717 to 1727. Born in about 1670 to a Hindu family in the Deccan Plateau, Murshid Quli Khan was bought by the Mughal courtier Haji Shafi. After Shafi'i's death, he served under the Diwan of Vidarbha, where his abilities attracted the attention of the then Emperor Aurangzeb, who appointed him Diwan of Bengal around 1700. However, his appointment led to a bloody conflict with Azim-us-Shaan, the governor of the province. After Aurangzeb's death in 1707, he was transferred to the Deccan Plateau by Azim-us-Shan's father, the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah I. But in 1710 he was again made the Deputy Governor of Bengal. In 1717, he was appointed Nawab Nazim of Murshidabad by Farrukhsiyar.
During his reign, Murshid Quli Khan made significant reforms in the land management system, replacing the jagirdari system with the mal jasmani system, which later evolved into the zamindari system. He continued to send revenue from the state to the Mughal Empire. He received many titles from the Mughal emperors, such as Kartalab Khan, Murshid Quli Khan, Jafar Khan and Mutmin al-Mulk Ala'ud-Daula Jafar Khan Nasiri Nasir Jung Bahadur. He built the Katra Masjid in Murshidabad, where he was buried under the steps after his death. After his death on 30 June 1727, his son-in-law Shuja ud-din Muhammad Khan succeeded him.
Aurangzeb appointed Quli Khan as Diwan of Bengal around 1700. At that time, the Mughal emperor's grandson Azim-us-Shan was the governor of the province. He was not happy with this appointment as he wanted to use the revenue collected from Bengal to finance his campaign to seize the Mughal throne after Aurangzeb's death. Soon after Quli Khan's appointment, he went to Jahangirnagar (present-day Dhaka) and subjugated Azim-us-Shaan's officials, which angered Azim-us-Shaan.
Azim-us-Shaan planned the assassination of Quli Khan. Taking advantage of the non-payment of soldiers, he explained to them that Quli Khan was responsible for this. He convinced the soldiers to surround Quli Khan on the pretext of demanding pay and then kill him. But, Quli Khan was aware of this plan and told the soldiers that if they killed them, they would face the wrath of Aurangzeb. Azim-us-Shaan became alarmed by this incident and Quli Khan pretended to know nothing.
Quli Khan felt insecure in Dacca and so he shifted the civil office to Murshidabad. The city was located in the central part of Bengal and was also an important destination for European trading companies due to its location on the banks of the Ganges River. In 1703, Aurangzeb transferred Azim-us-Shaan to Bihar and appointed Farrukhsiyar as the formal governor of Bengal. Murshidabad quickly became a center of trade and administration.
During the reign of Quli Khan, the condition of the Hindu subjects was also good. He mainly employed Hindus in the revenue department as they were considered experts in this field and could also speak Persian fluently. Around 1720, Quli Khan banned the export of rice, ensuring local food security. His administrative reforms and economic policies formed a strong foundation for the future governments of Bengal.
Murshid Quli Khan's legacy includes the construction of the Katra Mosque in Murshidabad, where he was buried after his death. After his death on 30 June 1727, his son-in-law Shuja ud-din Muhammad Khan succeeded him. His rule is remembered for administrative reforms, economic strategies and harmonious inclusion of various communities in Bengal.
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