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{{short description| | {{short description|Afghan Rohilla Chief and Mughal serviceman (1707/1708–1770)}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}} | {{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}} | ||
{{Infobox | {{Infobox noble | ||
| name | | name = Najib-ud-Daula | ||
| title | | title = ''Nawab'' <br> ''[[Mir Bakhshi]]'' <br>''Mukhtar Khas'' <br> ''"Excellence of the State"'' <br> ''"Noble one of the State"'' | ||
| birth_date | | birth_date = {{circa|1707–1708}} | ||
| death_date | | death_date = 30 October 1770 | ||
| module | | birth_place = Nazaŕ Khēl, [[Kabulistan|Kabul Subah]] <br/>{{small|(present-day [[Swabi District]], [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]])}} | ||
| module = {{Infobox military person | |||
| embed = yes | | embed = yes | ||
| allegiance = [[File:Flag of the Mughal Empire (triangular).svg|24px]][[Mughal Empire]]<br>(''Mir | | allegiance = [[File:Flag of the Mughal Empire (triangular).svg|24px]][[Mughal Empire]]<br>(''[[Mir Bakhshi]]'' of<br> [[Alamgir II]]) <br>[[File:Flag of the Mughal Empire (triangular).svg|24px]] [[Mughal Empire]]<br>(in service of<br>[[Shah Alam II]])<br>{{flagicon image|Abdali flag.png|border=}} [[Durrani Empire]] | ||
| branch = [[File:Flag of the Mughal Empire (triangular).svg|24px]][[Mughal Army]] <br> [[File:Flag of the Rampur State.svg|24px]] | | branch = [[File:Flag of the Mughal Empire (triangular).svg|24px]][[Mughal Army]] <br> [[File:Flag of the Rampur State.svg|24px]] | ||
[[Kingdom of Rohilkhand]] | [[Kingdom of Rohilkhand]] | ||
| rank = [[Ispahsalar]], [[Plenipotentiary]] | | rank = [[Ispahsalar]], [[Plenipotentiary]] | ||
| battles = [[Mughal-Maratha Wars]] <br> [[Third Battle of Panipat]] <br> [[Capture of Agra Fort]] | | battles = [[Mughal-Maratha Wars]] <br> [[Third Battle of Panipat]] <br> [[Capture of Agra Fort]]<br />[[Battle of Delhi (1764)]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
|image= | | image = Equestrian painting of Nawab Najib-ud-Daula, circa 18th century.png | ||
| caption = Equestrian painting of Nawab Najib-ud-Daula, circa 18th century | |||
| succession = [[Mughal Army|Commander-in-Chief of The Mughal Empire]] | |||
| CoA = | |||
| 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]] | |||
| tenure = | |||
| pre-type = Successor | |||
}} | |||
[[File:The Third battle of Panipat 13 January 1761.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The [[Third | [[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, inflicting the largest number of fatalities in a single day reported in a classic formation battle between two armies.]] | ||
'''Najib ad-Dawlah''' ({{ | '''Najib ad-Dawlah''' ({{langx|ps|نجيب الدوله}}), also known as {{nowrap|'''Najib Khan Yousafzai'''}} ({{langx|ps|نجيب خان}}), was an [[Afghan (ethnonym)|Afghan]] [[Yousafzai]] [[Rohilla]] who earlier served as a [[Mughals|Mughal]] serviceman but later deserted the cause of the Mughals and joined [[Ahmad Shah Durrani|Ahmad Shah Abdali]] in 1757 in his [[Sack of Delhi (1757)|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|Bijnor]], [[India]]. He was instrumental in winning the [[Third Battle of Panipat]] and has been regarded as one of the greatest generals of [[Indian subcontinent|India]] in the 18th century.<ref>Sarkar, Jadunath (1932) ''Fall of the Mughal Empire''</ref> | ||
He began his career in 1743 as an immigrant from | He began his career in 1743 as an immigrant from Nazar Khel, [[Swabi]] (of the [[Umar Khel|Umarkhel]] subbranch of [[Mandanr]] Yousafzais) as a soldier. He was an employee of [[Imad-ul-Mulk]] but got alerte from going influence of Marhattas and by advise of [[Shah Waliullah Dehlawi|Shah Waliullah]], he invited [[Ahmad Shah Durrani|Ahmad Shah Abdali]] in 1757 to attack on Delhi and secure the Muslims place in India. He was then appointed as ''[[Mir Bakhshi]]'' 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 Umar Khel section of the [[ | [[File:Najib Khan Yousafzai.png|thumb|Depiction of Najib ad-Dawlah, from ''Itihāsa Saṁgraha'' (1908) by [[Dattatray Balwant Parasnis|Dattatraya Balavant Parasanis]]]] | ||
Najib Khan belonged to the Umar Khel section of the [[Mandanr]] [[Yousafzai]]. He migrated from Nazar Khel village Swabi, now in the [[Swabi District|Swabi]] district of the [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] province of [[Pakistan]]. His father was Ajam.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=USVuAAAAMAAJ&q=swabi |title= The Mughals, the English & the Rulers of Awadh, from 1722 A.D. to 1856 A.D.: A Kaleidoscopic Study |author= Hamid Afaq Qureshi · |date= 2003 |page=51 |quote=He belonged to the Umar Khail Yusufzai tribe of the Afghans and was a resident of Nazar Khel, Swabi. }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=k8YRDyRKZgYC&q=Najib+Khan+swabi|title= An Account of Najibuddaulah |page=LIII |author= Nuruddin Husain |date=1952|quote=in the year 1708 in the village of swabi about 100km from Peshawar. }}</ref> He migrated in 1739 to join his uncle Bisharat Khan, who had settled with his families of [[Pashtuns|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 town of [[Najibabad]], a state of [[Najibabad]] independent from other Rohilla tribes, and received the title, ‘'''Najib-ud-Daula'''’. | |||
[[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 | 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 [[Rohilla|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 in the region created during the era still exist today.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=olP_A60L-CMC] p. 57</ref> | ||
==Conflict | ==Conflict against the Marathas== | ||
===Battle of Delhi (1757)=== | ===Battle of Delhi (1757)=== | ||
[[Ahmad Shah Abdali]]'s [[Sack of Delhi (1757)|invasion of 1757]] left Najib in effective control of Delhi who was appointed to the post of [[Mir Bakhshi]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/> He had become the de facto ruler of Delhi, while the [[Mughal emperor]] was left with no actual power. Najib's religious precept, [[Mian Qutb Shah]], who was not a [[Rohilla]] by caste and was the ruler of [[Saharanpur]], was in charge of the defence of the Red Fort of Delhi from the Marathas, while Najib commanded the artillery to stop the entry of the Marathas into the city.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC&dq=qutb+khan+rohilla+najib&pg=PA230 |title= Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813 |author= Jaswant Lal Mehta |date=2005 |page=230 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eGwwAQAAIAAJ&q=qutb+khan+rohilla+najib |title= History of the Sikhs |author= Hari Ram Gupta |page=339 |date=1999 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |quote=Qutb Shah Rohilla, Najib's religious precept |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=TmU9AAAAMAAJ&q=qutb+shah+religious+precept |title=Marathas and Panipat |date=1961 |publisher=Panjab University |author= Hari Ram Gupta }}</ref> 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.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC&dq=marathas+in+control+of+delhi&pg=PA229 Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813]</ref> | |||
[[Ahmad Shah Abdali]]'s invasion of 1757 left Najib in effective control of Delhi who was appointed to the post of | |||
===Third Battle of Panipat=== | ===Third Battle of Panipat=== | ||
In the [[Third | 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 Panipat.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}} His brilliant political acumen was used by [[Ahmad Shah Durrani|Ahmad 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, [[Ahmad Shah Durrani]], 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 the [[Rohilla]] increased in power. Marathas had some recovery after 10 years and under Mahadji Schinde had [[Capture of Delhi (1771)|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 | After the war, he was made ''[[Mir Bakshi]]'' of Mughal emperor.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=MS_jrForJOoC&dq=najib-ud-daula+mir+bakshi+panipat&pg=PA19 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 | Najib Khan was a [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] soldier of fortune; he attained the hand of the daughter of Dunde Khan Barech, 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.{{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.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}} | ||
==Administrator of Delhi== | |||
{{Main|Capture of Agra Fort}} | {{Main|Capture of Agra Fort}} | ||
[[File:IGI1908India1765a.jpg|thumb|250px|right|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)''.]] | [[File:IGI1908India1765a.jpg|thumb|250px|right|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 people|Jat]] uprisings led by Raja [[Suraj Mal]]. During one massive assault, the | As the Administrator of [[Delhi]] and the imperial heartlands including [[Agra]], Najib ad-Dawlah, was unsuccessful in halting the [[Jat people|Jat]] uprisings led by Raja [[Suraj Mal]]. During one massive assault, the Jats and their leaders overran the [[Army of the Mughal Empire|Mughal]] garrison at [[Agra]], plundering the city and looting the two silver gates to the entrance of the famous [[Taj Mahal]] in 1764.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Culture/Archit/TajM.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991006091033/http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Culture/Archit/TajM.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 October 1999|title = MANAS | UCLA Social Sciences Computing}}</ref> | ||
==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== | ||
After his death he was succeeded by his son [[Zabita Khan]]. His cemetery is still in present day | After his death he was succeeded by his son [[Zabita Khan]]. Zabita Khan's step-brother, Kallu Khan was born from the daughter of Dundi Khan and Najib Khan.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MGdXAAAAMAAJ&q=Dundey+Khan+brother |title=Life of Hafiz Rahmat Khan |page=174 |author=Altaf Ali Brelvi |date=1966}}</ref> His cemetery is still in present-day [[Najibabad]], where the [[Pathargarh Fort]] still exists. | ||
== | ==Desecration of his tomb== | ||
His son [[Zabita Khan]] was defeated by | His son [[Zabita Khan]] was defeated by a [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]]-[[Maratha Confederacy|Maratha]] force,<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Bijnor |volume=3 |page=928}}</ref> led by [[Mahadji Sindhia]] (Shinde) ordered by Emperor [[Shah Alam II]] in 1772 and the [[Pathargarh Fort|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 [[Third Battle of Panipat|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 | 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|Hafiz Rahmat Khan Barech]] was killed in battle 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> | ||
==In popular culture== | ==In popular culture== | ||
| Line 76: | Line 90: | ||
* [http://www.freeonlinebooks.org/displaybook1.php?chapter_id=4&id=792 Najib-ud-Daula at Dehli] ''The Fall of the Moghul Empire of Hindustan'', by [[Henry George Keene (1826–1915)|H. G. Keene]]. 1887, Part II, Chapter II, 1764. | * [http://www.freeonlinebooks.org/displaybook1.php?chapter_id=4&id=792 Najib-ud-Daula at Dehli] ''The Fall of the Moghul Empire of Hindustan'', by [[Henry George Keene (1826–1915)|H. G. Keene]]. 1887, Part II, Chapter II, 1764. | ||
* ''The Fall of the Mughal Empire'' by [[Jadunath Sarkar]] | * ''The Fall of the Mughal Empire'' by [[Jadunath Sarkar]] | ||
☆ | ☆ | ||
Azad Patan Qabayel by Allabakhash Yousafi. | Azad Patan Qabayel by Allabakhash Yousafi. | ||
☆ | ☆ | ||
Yousafzai Sardar Awr Hukamraan, Prof.Bakhtiar, Arshad Publishers, Swabi, 2012. | Yousafzai Sardar Awr Hukamraan, Prof.Bakhtiar, Arshad Publishers, Swabi, 2012. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist|2}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:ad-Dawlah, Najib}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:ad-Dawlah, Najib}} | ||
[[Category:1770 deaths]] | [[Category:1770 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:Mughal Empire people]] | |||
[[Category:Indian people of Afghan descent]] | |||
[[Category:Indian people of Pashtun descent]] | [[Category:Indian people of Pashtun descent]] | ||
[[Category:People from Bijnor district]] | [[Category:People from Bijnor district]] | ||
[[Category:City founders]] | |||
[[Category:Rohilla]] | [[Category:Rohilla]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Pashtun people]] | ||
[[Category:18th-century births]] | |||
[[Category:18th-century Indian Muslims]] | [[Category:18th-century Indian Muslims]] | ||
[[Category:People from Swabi District|Daula, Najib]] | |||
[[Category:People from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] | [[Category:People from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] | ||
[[Category:Kingdom of Rohilkhand]] | |||
Latest revision as of 17:46, 21 February 2026
Najib-ud-Daula | |
|---|---|
| Nawab Mir Bakhshi Mukhtar Khas "Excellence of the State" "Noble one of the State" | |
 Equestrian painting of Nawab Najib-ud-Daula, circa 18th century | |
| Commander-in-Chief of The Mughal Empire | |
| Office holding | 1756 – 1759 |
| Successor | Mirza Najaf Khan |
| Padishah | Alamgir II |
| Years active | 1740 – 1770 (30 years) |
| Born | c. 1707–1708 Nazaŕ Khēl, Kabul Subah (present-day Swabi District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) |
| Died | 30 October 1770 |
| Issue | |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | .svg){kind=small} Mughal Empire(Mir Bakhshi of Alamgir II) Mughal Empire(in service of Shah Alam II)  Durrani Empire |
| Service/ | Mughal Army 
Kingdom of Rohilkhand |
| Rank | Ispahsalar, Plenipotentiary |
| Battles/wars | Mughal-Maratha Wars Third Battle of Panipat Capture of Agra Fort Battle of Delhi (1764) |
Najib ad-Dawlah (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), also known as Najib Khan Yousafzai (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), was an Afghan Yousafzai Rohilla who earlier served as a Mughal serviceman but later deserted the cause of the Mughals and joined Ahmad 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, India. He was instrumental in winning the Third Battle of Panipat and has been regarded as one of the greatest generals of India in the 18th century.[1]
He began his career in 1743 as an immigrant from Nazar Khel, Swabi (of the Umarkhel subbranch of Mandanr Yousafzais) as a soldier. He was an employee of Imad-ul-Mulk but got alerte from going influence of Marhattas and by advise of Shah Waliullah, he invited Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1757 to attack on Delhi and secure the Muslims place in India. He was then appointed as Mir Bakhshi of the Mughal emperor by Abdali. Later in his career he was known as Najib ad-Dawlah, Amir al-Umra, Shuja ad-Dawlah.[2] 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.[3]
Biography[edit | edit source]
Najib Khan belonged to the Umar Khel section of the Mandanr Yousafzai. He migrated from Nazar Khel village Swabi, now in the Swabi district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. His father was Ajam.[4][5] 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,[6] where he established the present day town of Najibabad, a state of Najibabad independent from other Rohilla tribes, and received the title, ‘Najib-ud-Daula’.
Imad-ul-Mulk appointed Najib ad-Dawlah as the governor of Saharanpur.[7] 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 in the region created during the era still exist today.[8]
Conflict against the Marathas[edit | edit source]
Battle of Delhi (1757)[edit | edit source]
Ahmad Shah Abdali's invasion of 1757 left Najib in effective control of Delhi who was appointed to the post of Mir Bakhshi.[7] He had become the de facto ruler of Delhi, while the Mughal emperor was left with no actual power. Najib's religious precept, Mian Qutb Shah, who was not a Rohilla by caste and was the ruler of Saharanpur, was in charge of the defence of the Red Fort of Delhi from the Marathas, while Najib commanded the artillery to stop the entry of the Marathas into the city.[9][10][11] 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.[12]
Third Battle of Panipat[edit | edit source]
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,[13] against the Marathas. Najib Khan was clever enough to understand the changed realities after Panipat.[citation needed] His brilliant political acumen was used by Ahmad 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, Ahmad Shah Durrani, 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 the Rohilla increased in power. Marathas had some recovery after 10 years and under Mahadji Schinde had 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.[14] 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 Barech, 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 Delhi[edit | edit source]
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.[15]
Death[edit | edit source]
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.[16]
Successor[edit | edit source]
After his death he was succeeded by his son Zabita Khan. Zabita Khan's step-brother, Kallu Khan was born from the daughter of Dundi Khan and Najib Khan.[17] His cemetery is still in present-day Najibabad, where the Pathargarh Fort still exists.
Desecration of his tomb[edit | edit source]
His son Zabita Khan was defeated by a Mughal-Maratha force,[18] led by Mahadji Sindhia (Shinde) ordered by Emperor Shah Alam II 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.[19]
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 Barech was killed in battle 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.[6]
In popular culture[edit | edit source]
- 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, appears as one of the primary antagonists.
See also[edit | edit source]
Further reading[edit | edit source]
- Najib-ud-Daula at Dehli The Fall of the Moghul Empire of Hindustan, by H. G. Keene. 1887, Part II, Chapter II, 1764.
- The Fall of the Mughal Empire by Jadunath Sarkar
☆ Azad Patan Qabayel by Allabakhash Yousafi. ☆ Yousafzai Sardar Awr Hukamraan, Prof.Bakhtiar, Arshad Publishers, Swabi, 2012.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Sarkar, Jadunath (1932) Fall of the Mughal Empire
- ↑ History of Etawah Etawah Official website.
- ↑ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 19 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 156..
- ↑ Hamid Afaq Qureshi · (2003). The Mughals, the English & the Rulers of Awadh, from 1722 A.D. to 1856 A.D.: A Kaleidoscopic Study. p. 51.
He belonged to the Umar Khail Yusufzai tribe of the Afghans and was a resident of Nazar Khel, Swabi.
- ↑ Nuruddin Husain (1952). An Account of Najibuddaulah. p. LIII.
in the year 1708 in the village of swabi about 100km from Peshawar.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 History of Bijnor District The Imperial Gazetteer of India, 1909, v. 8, p. 194-195.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Third Battle of Panipat by Abhas Verma ISBN 9788180903397 Bharatiya Kala Prakashan
- ↑ [1] p. 57
- ↑ Jaswant Lal Mehta (2005). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. p. 230.
- ↑ Hari Ram Gupta (1999). History of the Sikhs. p. 339.
- ↑ Hari Ram Gupta (1961). Marathas and Panipat. Panjab University.
Qutb Shah Rohilla, Najib's religious precept
- ↑ Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813
- ↑ Najibabad Tehsil & Town The Imperial Gazetteer of India, 1909, v. 18, p. 334.
- ↑ History of Modern India, 1707 A. D. to 2000 A. D
- ↑ "MANAS | UCLA Social Sciences Computing". Archived from the original on 6 October 1999.
- ↑ Rule of Shah Alam, 1759-1806 The Imperial Gazetteer of India, 1909, v. 2, p. 411.
- ↑ Altaf Ali Brelvi (1966). Life of Hafiz Rahmat Khan. p. 174.
- ↑ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 928.
- ↑ Rathod, N. G. (1994). The Great Maratha Mahadaji Scindia. ISBN 9788185431529.
