Najib ad-Dawlah: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Mughal serviceman}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
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| name        = Najib ad-Dawlah
| name        = Najib ad-Dawlah
| title      = ''Nawab'' <br> ''Mir Bakshi'' <br>''Mukhtar Khas'' <br> ''"Excellence of the State"'' <br> ''"Noble one of the State"'' <br>
| title      = ''Nawab'' <br> ''Mir Bakshi'' <br>''Mukhtar Khas'' <br> ''"Excellence of the State"'' <br> ''"Noble one of the State"'' <br>
| birth_date  =  
| birth_date  =Early-18th Century
| death_date  = 30 October 1770
| death_date  = 30 October 1770
| module          = {{Infobox military person
| module          = {{Infobox military person
                       | embed        = yes
                       | embed        = yes
                       | allegiance  = [[File:Flag of the Mughal Empire (triangular).svg|24px]][[Mughal Empire]] (''Mir Bakshi'' of Alamgir II) <br>[[File:Flag of the Mughal Empire (triangular).svg|24px]] [[Mughal Empire]] (in service of Shah Alam II)
                       | allegiance  = [[File:Flag of the Mughal Empire (triangular).svg|24px]][[Mughal Empire]]<br>(''Mir Bakshi'' of<br> [[Alamgir II]]) <br>[[File:Flag of the Mughal Empire (triangular).svg|24px]] [[Mughal Empire]]<br>(in service of<br>[[Shah Alam II]])
                       | branch      = [[File:Flag of the Mughal Empire (triangular).svg|24px]][[Mughal Army]] <br> [[File:Flag of the Rampur State.svg|24px]][[Rohilkhand|Nawab of Najibabad]]  
                       | branch      = [[File:Flag of the Mughal Empire (triangular).svg|24px]][[Mughal Army]] <br> [[File:Flag of the Rampur State.svg|24px]]
[[Kingdom of Rohilkhand]]  
                       | rank        = [[Ispahsalar]], [[Plenipotentiary]]  
                       | rank        = [[Ispahsalar]], [[Plenipotentiary]]  
                       | battles      = [[Mughal-Maratha Wars]], [[Third Battle of Panipat]], [[Capture of Agra Fort]]
                       | battles      = [[Mughal-Maratha Wars]] <br> [[Third Battle of Panipat]] <br> [[Capture of Agra Fort]]
                       }}
                       }}
|image=Najibkhan Rohilla.jpg}}
|image=Najibkhan Rohilla.jpg|succession=[[Mughal Army|Commander-in-Chief of The Mughal Empire]]|reign-type=Office holding|reign=1756{{snd}}1759|years_active=1740{{snd}}1770 <br> (30 years)|suc-type=[[Mughal Emperor|Padishah]]|successor=[[Alamgir II]]|child=[[Zabita Khan]]|issue=[[Zabita Khan]]|issue-type=Children|predecessor=[[Mirza Najaf Khan]]|pre-type=Successor}}


[[File:The Third battle of Panipat 13 January 1761.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The [[Third battle of Panipat]], 13 January 1761, Najib ad-Dawlah and [[Shuja-ud-Daula]], standing left to [[Ahmad Shah Durrani]], shown on a brown horse.]]
[[File:The Third battle of Panipat 13 January 1761.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The [[Third battle of Panipat]], 13 January 1761, Najib ad-Dawlah and [[Shuja-ud-Daula]], standing left to [[Ahmad Shah Durrani]], shown on a brown horse.]]


'''Najib ad-Dawlah''' ({{lang-ps|نجيب الدوله}}), also known as '''Najib Khan Yousafzai''' ({{lang-ps|نجيب خان}}), was a [[Rohilla|Rohilla Yousafzai Pashtun]] who earlier served as a [[Mughals|Mughal]] serviceman but later deserted the cause of the Mughals and joined [[Ahmed Shah Abdali]] in 1757 in his attack on Delhi. He was also a House chief in the 18th century [[Rohilkhand]], who in the 1740s founded the city of [[Najibabad]] in [[Bijnor district]], [[India]]. He's was great cause for winning [[Third Battle of Panipat]]  
'''Najib ad-Dawlah''' ({{lang-ps|نجيب الدوله}}), also known as '''Najib Khan Yousafzai''' ({{lang-ps|نجيب خان}}), was a [[Rohilla|Rohilla Yousafzai Afghan]] who earlier served as a [[Mughals|Mughal]] serviceman but later deserted the cause of the Mughals and joined [[Ahmed Shah Abdali]] in 1757 in his attack on Delhi. He was also a House chief of [[Kingdom of Rohilkhand|Rohilkhand]], and in the 1740s founded the city of [[Najibabad]] in [[Bijnor district]], [[India]]. He was instrumental in winning the [[Third Battle of Panipat]].


He began his career in 1743 as an immigrant from the village [[Swabi]], District [[Swabi]] [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] as a soldier. He was at first an employee of [[Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III|Imad ul mulk]]. He deserted the cause of the Mughals and joined [[Ahmed Shah Abdali]] in 1757 in his attack on Delhi. He was then appointed as ''Mir Bakshi'' of the Mughal emperor by [[Ahmad Shah Abdali|Abdali]]. Later in his career he was known as '''Najib ad-Dawlah, Amir al-Umra, Shuja ad-Dawlah'''.<ref>[http://etawah.nic.in/history2.htm History of Etawah] [[Etawah]] Official website.</ref> From 1757 to 1770 he was governor of [[Saharanpur]], ruling over [[Dehradun]]. Many architectural relics of the period of Rohilla he oversaw remain in Najibabad, which he founded at the height of his career as a [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] minister.<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Najibabad |volume=19 |page=156 }}.</ref>
He began his career in 1743 as an immigrant from the village [[Swabi]], District [[Swabi]] [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]], as a soldier. He was an employee of [[Imad-ul-Mulk]] but later deserted the cause of the Mughals and joined [[Ahmed Shah Abdali]] in 1757 in his attack on Delhi. He was then appointed as ''Mir Bakshi'' of the Mughal emperor by [[Ahmad Shah Abdali|Abdali]]. Later in his career he was known as '''Najib ad-Dawlah, Amir al-Umra, Shuja ad-Dawlah'''.<ref>[http://etawah.nic.in/history2.htm History of Etawah] [[Etawah]] Official website.</ref> From 1757 to 1770, he was governor of [[Saharanpur]], ruling over [[Dehradun]]. Many architectural relics of the period of Rohilla, the remains in Najibabad, were overseen by him, which he founded at the height of his career as a [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] minister.<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Najibabad |volume=19 |page=156 }}.</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
[[Najib Khan]] belonged to the UmarKhel section of [[Mandanh]] [[Yousafzai]]. He migrated from Mohallah Nazar Khel village [[Swab]]{{dn|date=July 2021}}, district [[Swabi]], now [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]. He was born in Nazar Khel, village Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He migrated in 1739 to join his uncle Bisharat Khan, who had settled with his families of [[Pakhtuns]] at Bisharatnagar, near [[Rampur, Uttar Pradesh|Rampur]].{{citation needed|date=July 2012}} In 1749, [[Ali Mohammed Khan]], who had captured most of [[Rohilkhand]] by 1740, gave Najib Khan a northern portion,<ref name=bij/> where he established the present day city of [[Najibabad]], a state of [[Najibabad]] independent from other Rohilla tribes, and received the title, ‘Najib ad-Dawlah’.
[[Najib Khan]] belonged to the Umar Khel section of the [[Mandanh|Mandanr]] [[Yousafzai]]. He migrated from Mohallah Nazar Khel village [[Swabi]], district [[Swabi]], now [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]. He was born in Nazar Khel, village Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He migrated in 1739 to join his uncle Bisharat Khan, who had settled with his families of [[Pakhtuns]] at Bisharatnagar, near [[Rampur, Uttar Pradesh|Rampur]].{{citation needed|date=July 2012}} In 1749, [[Ali Mohammed Khan]], who had captured most of [[Rohilkhand]] by 1740, gave Najib Khan a northern portion,<ref name=bij/> where he established the present day city of [[Najibabad]], a state of [[Najibabad]] independent from other Rohilla tribes, and received the title, ‘Najib ad-Dawlah’.
[[File:Patthargarh fort outside Najibabad, 1814-15.jpg|250px|right|thumb|''Patthargarh fort'' outside [[Najibabad]], built by Najib ad-Dawlah in 1755. 1814-15 painting.]]
[[File:Patthargarh fort outside Najibabad, 1814-15.jpg|250px|right|thumb|''Patthargarh fort'' outside [[Najibabad]], built by Najib ad-Dawlah in 1755. 1814-15 painting.]]
[[File:Najibabad, 19th century.jpg| 250px|right|thumb| [[Najibabad]], {{circa}} 1784–94, the triple domed Jami Mosque and the entrance gate to the [[Rohilla]] palace]]
[[File:Najibabad, 19th century.jpg| 250px|right|thumb| [[Najibabad]], {{circa}} 1784–94, the triple domed Jami Mosque and the entrance gate to the [[Rohilla]] palace]]


Imad-ul-Mulk appointed Najib ad- Dawlah as the governor of [[Saharanpur]].<ref name="ReferenceA">Third Battle of Panipat by Abhas Verma {{ISBN|9788180903397}} Bharatiya Kala Prakashan</ref> In 1757, Najib ad-Dawlah, who was then the governor of [[Saharanpur]] under [[Mughal Empire]], invaded the city of [[Dehradun]], with his army of [[Rohillas]], and ruled the area for the next decade. His rule was known for its administration, and development of land resources, leading to widespread development and prosperity in the area, with emphasis on agriculture and irrigation. Many mango groves created during the area still exist today. Though after his death in 1770, the Maratha forces expelled the Rohillas from the Dun<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=olP_A60L-CMC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false ] p. 57</ref>
Imad-ul-Mulk appointed Najib ad- Dawlah as the governor of [[Saharanpur]].<ref name="ReferenceA">Third Battle of Panipat by Abhas Verma {{ISBN|9788180903397}} Bharatiya Kala Prakashan</ref> In 1757, Najib ad-Dawlah, who was then the governor of [[Saharanpur]] under [[Mughal Empire]], invaded the city of [[Dehradun]], with his army of [[Rohillas]], and ruled the area for the next decade. His rule was known for its administration, and development of land resources, leading to widespread development and prosperity in the area, with emphasis on agriculture and irrigation. Many mango groves created during the area still exist today. Though after his death in 1770, the Maratha forces expelled the Rohillas from the Dun.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=olP_A60L-CMC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false ] p. 57</ref>


==Conflict with Marathas==
==Conflict with Marathas==
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===Third Battle of Panipat===
===Third Battle of Panipat===
{{Main article|Third battle of Panipat}}
{{Main article|Third Battle of Panipat}}


In the [[Third battle of Panipat]], during the Maratha Conquests, he allied himself with the [[Durranis]] led by [[Ahmad Shah Durrani]] (also known as [[Ahmad Shah Abdali]],<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V18_340.gif Najibabad Tehsil & Town] [[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]], 1909, v. 18, p. 334.</ref> against the [[Maratha]]s. Najib Khan was clever enough to understand changed ground realities after [[Third Battle of Panipat|third battle of Panipat]]. His brilliant political acumen was used by [[Ahmed Shah Abdali]] to isolate Marathas & preventing them from getting even single ally during their conflict with Durrani's power. His opposition to signing of treaty, with Marathas was the main cause of battle being fought at Panipat. He not only provided, [[Ahmed Shah Abdali]], with 40,000 [[Rohilla]] troops but also 70 guns to the combined forces. He also convinced [[Shuja-ud-Daula]], the [[Nawab of Oudh]], to join Ahmad Shah Abdali's forces against the Marathas. In this battle, the Maratha's were defeated and as a consequence [[Rohilla]] [[Pakhtuns]] increased in power. However, the Marathas recovered in a short duration of 10 years and under Mahadji Schinde recaptured Delhi in 1771, reinstalling the weakened Mughal emperor Shah Alam II to the throne, under Maratha suzerainty.
In the [[Third battle of Panipat]], during the Maratha conquests, he allied himself with the [[Durrani Empire]] led by [[Ahmad Shah Durrani]] (also known as [[Ahmad Shah Abdali]],<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V18_340.gif Najibabad Tehsil & Town] [[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]], 1909, v. 18, p. 334.</ref> against the [[Maratha]]s. Najib Khan was clever enough to understand the changed realities after the Third battle of Panipat.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}} His brilliant political acumen was used by [[Ahmed Shah Abdali]] to isolate Marathas & preventing them from getting even single ally during their conflict with Durrani's power.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}} His refusal to sign treaty with Marathas, was the main cause of battle at Panipat. He provided, [[Ahmed Shah Abdali]], with 40,000 [[Rohilla]] troops and 70 guns to the combined forces. He also convinced [[Shuja-ud-Daula]], the [[Nawab of Oudh]], to join Ahmad Shah Abdali's forces against the Marathas. In this battle, the Maratha's were defeated and as a consequence [[Rohilla]] [[Pakhtuns]] increased in power. However, the Marathas recovered in a short duration of 10 years and under Mahadji Schinde recaptured Delhi in 1771, reinstalling the weakened Mughal emperor Shah Alam II to the throne, under Maratha suzerainty.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}


After the war, he was made ''Mir Bakshi'' of Mughal emperor.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=MS_jrForJOoC&pg=PA19&lpg=PA19&dq=najib-ud-daula+mir+bakshi+panipat&source=bl&ots=DTbxN0kBj2&sig=Ng7JmOKynW3jDk_9mg3P5VWTpQE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ANUXUOW4Es7MrQeXpIGwCg&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=najib-ud-daula%20mir%20bakshi%20panipat&f=false History of Modern India, 1707 A. D. to 2000 A. D]</ref> He had to become ruler of Delhi state with empty treasury & territory confining to boundaries of Delhi city.
After the war, he was made ''Mir Bakshi'' of Mughal emperor.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=MS_jrForJOoC&pg=PA19&lpg=PA19&dq=najib-ud-daula+mir+bakshi+panipat&source=bl&ots=DTbxN0kBj2&sig=Ng7JmOKynW3jDk_9mg3P5VWTpQE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ANUXUOW4Es7MrQeXpIGwCg&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=najib-ud-daula%20mir%20bakshi%20panipat&f=false History of Modern India, 1707 A. D. to 2000 A. D]</ref> He had to become ruler of Delhi state with empty treasury & territory confining to boundaries of Delhi city.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}


Najib Khan was a [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] soldier of fortune; he attained the hand of the daughter of [[Dunde Khan]], one of the chieftains of the [[Rohilkhand]] [[Pathans]]. Rewarded by this ruler with the charge of a district, now [[Bijnor]], in the North-west corner of [[Rohilkhand]], he had joined the cause of [[Safdarjung]], when that minister occupied the country; but on the latter's disgrace had borne a part in the campaigns of Ghazi-ud-din. When the Vizier first conceived the project of attacking the government, he sent Najib in the command of a Mughal detachment to occupy the country, about Saharanpur, then known as the Bawani Mahal, which had formed the jagir of the Ex-Vazir Khan Khanan.
Najib Khan was a [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] soldier of fortune; he attained the hand of the daughter of [[Dunde Khan]], one of the chieftains of the [[Rohilkhand]] [[Pathans]]. Rewarded by this ruler with the charge of a district, now [[Bijnor]], in the North-west corner of [[Rohilkhand]], he had joined the cause of [[Safdarjung]], when that minister occupied the country; but on the latter's disgrace had borne a part in the campaigns of Ghazi-ud-din. When the Vizier first conceived the project of attacking the government, he sent Najib in the command of a Mughal detachment to occupy the country, about Saharanpur, then known as the Bawani Mahal, which had formed the jagir of the Ex-Vazir Khan Khanan.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}


This territory thus became in its turn separated from the Empire and continued for two generations in the family of Najib. He ruled the dwindled Empire for nine years, and died a peaceful death, leaving his charge in an improved and strengthened condition, ready for its lawful monarch.
This territory thus became in its turn separated from the Empire and continued for two generations in the family of Najib. He ruled the dwindled Empire for nine years, and died a peaceful death, leaving his charge in an improved and strengthened condition, ready for its lawful monarch.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}


===Administrator of Delhi===
===Administrator of Delhi===
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==Death==
==Death==
After protecting [[Rohilkhand]], [[Delhi]] and [[Agra]] for nearly ten years as regent of the [[Mughal Empire]] he fell ill and died on 30 October 1770<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V02_446.gif Rule of Shah Alam, 1759-1806] [[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]], 1909, v. 2, p. 411.</ref>
After protecting [[Rohilkhand]], [[Delhi]] and [[Agra]] for nearly ten years as regent of the [[Mughal Empire]] he fell ill and died on 30 October 1770.<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V02_446.gif Rule of Shah Alam, 1759-1806] [[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]], 1909, v. 2, p. 411.</ref>


==Successor==
==Successor==
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==Destruction of his tomb by the Marathas==
==Destruction of his tomb by the Marathas==
His son [[Zabita Khan]] was defeated by the [[Maratha Empire|Marathas]],<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Bijnor |volume=3 |page=928}}</ref> led by [[Mahadji Sindhia]] (shinde) in 1772 and the fort of Pathargarh was completely looted by the Marathas in the form of horses, elephants, guns and other valuable things, to avenge the deaths of Maratha Warriors who fall in the battle of Delhi and Panipat, Marathas also destroyed grave of Najib, scattering his bones all around.<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uPq640stHJ0C&q=1771+scindia&pg=PA8 | title=The Great Maratha Mahadaji Scindia| isbn=9788185431529| last1=Rathod| first1=N. G.| year=1994}}</ref>
His son [[Zabita Khan]] was defeated by the [[Maratha Empire|Marathas]],<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Bijnor |volume=3 |page=928}}</ref> led by [[Mahadji Sindhia]] (Shinde) in 1772 and the fort of Pathargarh was completely looted of horses, elephants, guns and other valuable things by the Marathas. This was done to avenge the deaths of Maratha warriors who fell in the battle of Delhi and Panipat, Marathas also destroyed the grave of Najib and scattered his bones.<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uPq640stHJ0C&q=1771+scindia&pg=PA8 | title=The Great Maratha Mahadaji Scindia| isbn=9788185431529| last1=Rathod| first1=N. G.| year=1994}}</ref>


A few years later, in the subsequent [[Rohilla War]], the Rohillas were attacked by [[Awadh]] with help from [[British East India Company]] forces. When [[Hafiz Rahmat Khan]] was killed, in April 1774, they were defeated, and Rohilkhand was plundered; and later, the Rohilla power east of the Ganges was ended, and the final treaty by which the territory was incorporated in [[Awadh]] was concluded at [[Lal Dhang]]. The District was ceded to the British by the [[Nawab of Awadh]], [[Saadat Ali Khan II]] in 1801.<ref name=bij>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V08_201.gif History of Bijnor District] [[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]], 1909, v. 8, p. 194-195.</ref>
A few years later, in the subsequent [[Rohilla War]], the Rohillas were attacked by [[Awadh]] with help from [[British East India Company]] forces. When [[Hafiz Rahmat Khan]] was killed, in April 1774, they were defeated, and Rohilkhand was plundered; and later, the Rohilla power east of the Ganges was ended, and the final treaty by which the territory was incorporated in [[Awadh]] was concluded at [[Lal Dhang]]. The District was ceded to the British by the [[Nawab of Awadh]], [[Saadat Ali Khan II]] in 1801.<ref name=bij>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V08_201.gif History of Bijnor District] [[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]], 1909, v. 8, p. 194-195.</ref>
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==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
* In the 1994 [[Hindi]] TV series ''[[The Great Maratha]]'', Najib's character was portrayed by [[Irrfan Khan]].
* In the 1994 [[Hindi]] TV series ''[[The Great Maratha]]'', Najib's character was portrayed by [[Irrfan Khan]].
* In the 2019 [[Bollywood]] film [[Panipat]], Najib, portrayed by [[Mantra (actor)|Mantra]], appears as one of the primary antagonists.
* In the 2019 [[Bollywood]] film [[Panipat]], Najib, portrayed by [[Mantra (actor)|Mantra]], appears as one of the primary antagonists.


==See also==
==See also==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:ad-Dawlah, Najib}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:ad-Dawlah, Najib}}
[[Category:1770 deaths]]
[[Category:1770 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:Indian people of Pashtun descent]]
[[Category:Indian people of Pashtun descent]]
[[Category:People from Bijnor]]
[[Category:People from Bijnor district]]
[[Category:Rohilla]]
[[Category:Rohilla]]
[[Category:1736 births]]
[[Category:1736 births]]
[[Category:18th-century Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:People from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]

Latest revision as of 17:39, 19 May 2022


Najib ad-Dawlah (Pashto: نجيب الدوله‎), also known as Najib Khan Yousafzai (Pashto: نجيب خان‎), was a Rohilla Yousafzai Afghan who earlier served as a Mughal serviceman but later deserted the cause of the Mughals and joined Ahmed Shah Abdali in 1757 in his attack on Delhi. He was also a House chief of Rohilkhand, and in the 1740s founded the city of Najibabad in Bijnor district, India. He was instrumental in winning the Third Battle of Panipat.

Najib ad-Dawlah
Nawab
Mir Bakshi
Mukhtar Khas
"Excellence of the State"
"Noble one of the State"
Najibkhan Rohilla.jpg
Commander-in-Chief of The Mughal Empire
Office holding1756 – 1759
SuccessorMirza Najaf Khan
PadishahAlamgir II
Years active1740 – 1770
(30 years)
BornEarly-18th Century
Died30 October 1770
Issue
Military career
AllegianceFlag of the Mughal Empire (triangular).svgMughal Empire
(Mir Bakshi of
Alamgir II)
Flag of the Mughal Empire (triangular).svg Mughal Empire
(in service of
Shah Alam II)
Service/branchFlag of the Mughal Empire (triangular).svgMughal Army
Flag of the Rampur State.svg Kingdom of Rohilkhand
RankIspahsalar, Plenipotentiary
Battles/warsMughal-Maratha Wars
Third Battle of Panipat
Capture of Agra Fort
The Third battle of Panipat, 13 January 1761, Najib ad-Dawlah and Shuja-ud-Daula, standing left to Ahmad Shah Durrani, shown on a brown horse.

He began his career in 1743 as an immigrant from the village Swabi, District Swabi Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as a soldier. He was an employee of Imad-ul-Mulk but later deserted the cause of the Mughals and joined Ahmed Shah Abdali in 1757 in his attack on Delhi. He was then appointed as Mir Bakshi of the Mughal emperor by Abdali. Later in his career he was known as Najib ad-Dawlah, Amir al-Umra, Shuja ad-Dawlah.[1] From 1757 to 1770, he was governor of Saharanpur, ruling over Dehradun. Many architectural relics of the period of Rohilla, the remains in Najibabad, were overseen by him, which he founded at the height of his career as a Mughal minister.[2]

BiographyEdit

Najib Khan belonged to the Umar Khel section of the Mandanr Yousafzai. He migrated from Mohallah Nazar Khel village Swabi, district Swabi, now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He was born in Nazar Khel, village Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He migrated in 1739 to join his uncle Bisharat Khan, who had settled with his families of Pakhtuns at Bisharatnagar, near Rampur.[citation needed] In 1749, Ali Mohammed Khan, who had captured most of Rohilkhand by 1740, gave Najib Khan a northern portion,[3] where he established the present day city of Najibabad, a state of Najibabad independent from other Rohilla tribes, and received the title, ‘Najib ad-Dawlah’.

 
Patthargarh fort outside Najibabad, built by Najib ad-Dawlah in 1755. 1814-15 painting.
 
Najibabad, c. 1784–94, the triple domed Jami Mosque and the entrance gate to the Rohilla palace

Imad-ul-Mulk appointed Najib ad- Dawlah as the governor of Saharanpur.[4] In 1757, Najib ad-Dawlah, who was then the governor of Saharanpur under Mughal Empire, invaded the city of Dehradun, with his army of Rohillas, and ruled the area for the next decade. His rule was known for its administration, and development of land resources, leading to widespread development and prosperity in the area, with emphasis on agriculture and irrigation. Many mango groves created during the area still exist today. Though after his death in 1770, the Maratha forces expelled the Rohillas from the Dun.[5]

Conflict with MarathasEdit

Battle of Delhi (1757)Edit

Ahmad Shah Abdali's invasion of 1757 left Najib in effective control of Delhi who was appointed to the post of 'Mir Bakshi'.[4] He had become the de facto ruler of Delhi, while the Mughal emperor was left with no actual power. His forces had to clash with the advancing Marathas in Delhi in the Battle of Delhi (1757). Delhi was captured by Marathas and he was allowed safe exit from Delhi.[6]

Third Battle of PanipatEdit

In the Third battle of Panipat, during the Maratha conquests, he allied himself with the Durrani Empire led by Ahmad Shah Durrani (also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali,[7] against the Marathas. Najib Khan was clever enough to understand the changed realities after the Third battle of Panipat.[citation needed] His brilliant political acumen was used by Ahmed Shah Abdali to isolate Marathas & preventing them from getting even single ally during their conflict with Durrani's power.[citation needed] His refusal to sign treaty with Marathas, was the main cause of battle at Panipat. He provided, Ahmed Shah Abdali, with 40,000 Rohilla troops and 70 guns to the combined forces. He also convinced Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Oudh, to join Ahmad Shah Abdali's forces against the Marathas. In this battle, the Maratha's were defeated and as a consequence Rohilla Pakhtuns increased in power. However, the Marathas recovered in a short duration of 10 years and under Mahadji Schinde recaptured Delhi in 1771, reinstalling the weakened Mughal emperor Shah Alam II to the throne, under Maratha suzerainty.[citation needed]

After the war, he was made Mir Bakshi of Mughal emperor.[8] He had to become ruler of Delhi state with empty treasury & territory confining to boundaries of Delhi city.[citation needed]

Najib Khan was a Pashtun soldier of fortune; he attained the hand of the daughter of Dunde Khan, one of the chieftains of the Rohilkhand Pathans. Rewarded by this ruler with the charge of a district, now Bijnor, in the North-west corner of Rohilkhand, he had joined the cause of Safdarjung, when that minister occupied the country; but on the latter's disgrace had borne a part in the campaigns of Ghazi-ud-din. When the Vizier first conceived the project of attacking the government, he sent Najib in the command of a Mughal detachment to occupy the country, about Saharanpur, then known as the Bawani Mahal, which had formed the jagir of the Ex-Vazir Khan Khanan.[citation needed]

This territory thus became in its turn separated from the Empire and continued for two generations in the family of Najib. He ruled the dwindled Empire for nine years, and died a peaceful death, leaving his charge in an improved and strengthened condition, ready for its lawful monarch.[citation needed]

Administrator of DelhiEdit

 
Najib had much to do with the return of Mughal power in India after Panipat; note: the territories of those loyal to the Great Mogul in (Green).

As the Administrator of Delhi and the imperial heartlands including Agra, Najib ad-Dawlah, was unsuccessful in halting the Jat uprisings led by Raja Suraj Mal. During one massive assault, the Jats and their leaders overran the Mughal garrison at Agra plundering the city and looting the two silver gates to the entrance of the famous Taj Mahal in 1764.[9]

DeathEdit

After protecting Rohilkhand, Delhi and Agra for nearly ten years as regent of the Mughal Empire he fell ill and died on 30 October 1770.[10]

SuccessorEdit

After his death he was succeeded by his son Zabita Khan. His cemetery is still in present day, Najibabad, where the Patthargarh Fort still exists.

Destruction of his tomb by the MarathasEdit

His son Zabita Khan was defeated by the Marathas,[11] led by Mahadji Sindhia (Shinde) in 1772 and the fort of Pathargarh was completely looted of horses, elephants, guns and other valuable things by the Marathas. This was done to avenge the deaths of Maratha warriors who fell in the battle of Delhi and Panipat, Marathas also destroyed the grave of Najib and scattered his bones.[12]

A few years later, in the subsequent Rohilla War, the Rohillas were attacked by Awadh with help from British East India Company forces. When Hafiz Rahmat Khan was killed, in April 1774, they were defeated, and Rohilkhand was plundered; and later, the Rohilla power east of the Ganges was ended, and the final treaty by which the territory was incorporated in Awadh was concluded at Lal Dhang. The District was ceded to the British by the Nawab of Awadh, Saadat Ali Khan II in 1801.[3]

In popular cultureEdit

See alsoEdit

Further readingEdit

☆ Azad Patan Qabayel by Allabakhash Yousafi. ☆ Yousafzai Sardar Awr Hukamraan, Prof.Bakhtiar, Arshad Publishers, Swabi, 2012. ☆ Official Revenenue Record of Racial Tree Nazar Khel, village Swabi.

ReferencesEdit

  1. History of Etawah Etawah Official website.
  2. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Najibabad" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 19 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 156..
  3. 3.0 3.1 History of Bijnor District The Imperial Gazetteer of India, 1909, v. 8, p. 194-195.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Third Battle of Panipat by Abhas Verma ISBN 9788180903397 Bharatiya Kala Prakashan
  5. [1] p. 57
  6. Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813
  7. Najibabad Tehsil & Town The Imperial Gazetteer of India, 1909, v. 18, p. 334.
  8. History of Modern India, 1707 A. D. to 2000 A. D
  9. "MANAS | UCLA Social Sciences Computing".
  10. Rule of Shah Alam, 1759-1806 The Imperial Gazetteer of India, 1909, v. 2, p. 411.
  11. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Bijnor" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 928.
  12. Rathod, N. G. (1994). The Great Maratha Mahadaji Scindia. ISBN 9788185431529.