Murshid Quli Khan was Bengal's first Nawab, reigning from 1717 until 1727 who carved out a semi-independent state for himself. Murshid Quli Khan was born as Surya Narayan Mishra,a Hindu Brahmin and adopted as a son by Haji Shafi, a Persian who had moved to India. Haji Shafi renamed him Mohammed Hadi. He served the Mughal empire in many positions and earned a reputation for himself.Murshid Quli Khan and his successor Nawabs ruled as autonomous monarchs in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, yet they never openly denounced suzerainty of Mughals.This article will explain to you about Murshid Quli Khan(1717-27) which will be helpful in Modern Indian History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Murshid Quli Khan - Early Life

• Murshid Quli Khan was born in Deccan in 1670 as Surya Narayan Mishra, a Hindu. This assertion is supported by the book Ma'asir al-umara.
• He was sold to a Persian named Haji Shafi when he was around eleven years old, and he was circumcised and given the name Mohammad Hadi.
• In the early 1690s, Shafi fled the Mughal court and returned to Persia with Murshid Quli Khan.
• Murshid returned to India about five years after Shafi's death and served for Abdullah Khurasani, the Diwan of Vidarbha in the Mughal Empire.
• His competence in tax affairs, he was noticed by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and played an essential part in implementing Fatawa Alamgiri's sharia-based financial plans.
• Murshid Quli Khan was appointed Dewan of Bengal in 1700 and reigned until his death in 1727.

Murshid Quli Khan - Diwan of Bengal

• Around the year 1700, Aurangzeb appointed Quli Khan as Diwan of Bengal.
• Azim-us-Shan, the Mughal emperor's grandson, was the province's subahdar at the time.
• He was dissatisfied with this appointment because he intended to utilise the state money to support his quest to take the Mughal throne following Aurangzeb's death.
• Quli Khan proceeded to Jahangirnagar (modern-day Dhaka) immediately after being assigned to the post and moved employees from the services of Azim-us-han's to himself, infuriating Azim-us-Shan.
• He attempted to protect his province's interests by stopping the English East India Company from collecting taxes.
• His son-in-law, Shujauddin Khan, took over the government and conquered Bihar's Suba to become a part of Bengal.
• Murshid Quli Khan and his successor Nawabs ruled as autonomous monarchs in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, yet they continued to provide income to the Mughal emperor on a regular basis.

Murshid Quli Khan - Reign

• Until Aurangzeb's death in 1707, all of the subahdar's powers were vested in Quli Khan.
• In 1717, Farrukhsiyar bestowed the title of Zafar Khan on Quli Khan and appointed him Subahdar of Bengal, making him the first person to hold both the rank of subahdar and diwan at the same time.
• He declared himself Nawab of Bengal, becoming the province's first independent nawab.
• Murshidabad was designated as the new capital, replacing Dhaka.
• Quli Khan established the Mal Jasmani system, which was akin to France's generals, in place of the Mughal jagirdari system.
• He obtained security bonds from the contractors, known as Ijaradars, who would subsequently receive the land revenue.
• Though there were numerous jagirdars initially, they were quickly pushed out by the contractors, who were known as zamindars.
• Quli Khan maintained his policy of giving a portion of the gathered wealth to the Mughal Empire.
• He did so even when the empire was in decline and the emperor had little influence, as power was increasingly consolidated in the hands of kingmakers.
• With Murshidabad being the capital of Bengal, Quli Khan was obliged to construct buildings and offices in order for work to be carried out from that city.
• He constructed a palace, known as a Diwan khana, in the city's Dugharia district ("office of revenue collection", a court of exchequer).
• He also constructed an inn and a mosque for foreign visitors.
• In 1720, he built a mint in the city. In 1724, he built the Katra Masjid mosque in the city's eastern outskirts, where he was interred following his death.
• Quli Khan died on June 30, 1727. Sarfaraz Khan, his grandson, took over as his successor at first.
• Quli Khan is buried under the steps leading to the main floor of Katra Masjid, a five-bayed rectangular mosque built by himself in accordance with his intentions.

Murshidabad - During Murshid Quli Khan

• Murshidabad residents used to take part in a variety of celebrations during Quli Khan's rule.
• The Punyah, which happened in the last week of the Bengali month of Chaitra, was one among them. It was attended by the zamindars or their representatives.
• The event that was celebrated with the most pomp and splendor, however, was Mawlid, which commemorated the birth of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. People from neighbouring regions travelled to the city to celebrate Mawlid.
• Quli Khan ordered that chirag, or lights, be lit in all religious buildings, including mosques and imambararas.
• Quli Khan also followed the Mughal custom of conducting a durbar in the city, which was attended by local bankers, foreign visitors, and representatives from European corporations.
• As commerce increased, a new class of businesspeople emerged, who also attended his durbar.
• Due to his religious disposition, Quli Khan faithfully observed Islam, and guests were fed twice a day according to Islamic standards.

Mal Jasmani system

• Mal Jasmani system is also known as Murshid Quli Khan's Malzamini revenue settlement.
• The terms malzamini, a derivative from the Persian mal, meaning the property of any sort, and zamin, meaning a guarantor or bondsman for the payment of rent or obligation, were used in the Bengali revenue procedure.
• It initially arose in 18th-century Bengali lexicon in conjunction with Murshid Quli Khan's income settlement.
• Murshid Quli Khan, the Diwan-Subahdar (1700-1727) of the Subah of Bengal, is believed to have insisted on new ijaradars (leaseholders) supplying security bonds, i.e., pre-guarantee, while entering yearly contracts for the collection and payment of the prescribed revenue on time.

Conclusion

With the collapse of the Mughal Empire following the death of Aurangzeb, Bengal became an autonomous viceroyalty for all practical purposes under Murshid Quli Khan, who justified the trust placed in him with competent administration that brought Bengal to the pinnacle of wealth. Murshid Quli Khan is referred to as Jafar Khan in some British records. He was born a Brahmin but was raised as a slave in Persia. He became a zealous Muslim and demolished several temples.

FAQs

Q1: Who was Murshid Quli Khan?

Q2: What were the key reforms introduced by Murshid Quli Khan?

Q3: Why is Murshid Quli Khan significant in the history of Bengal?

Q4: How did Murshid Quli Khan handle the finances of Bengal?

Q5: What role did Murshid Quli Khan play in Bengal's independence from the Mughal Empire?

MCQs

1. Who was the first Nawab of Bengal?

a) Siraj ud-Daulah

b) Mir Jafar

c) Murshid Quli Khan

d) Alivardi Khan

2. What major administrative change did Murshid Quli Khan implement in Bengal?

a) Introduction of the Mansabdari system

b) Shifting the capital to Murshidabad

c) Abolishing land revenue

d) Establishing trade monopolies

3. Murshid Quli Khan’s reforms primarily focused on which area?

a) Military conquests

b) Religious reforms

c) Revenue administration

d) Education

4. Which Mughal emperor appointed Murshid Quli Khan as the Nawab of Bengal?

a) Aurangzeb

b) Akbar

c) Farrukhsiyar

d) Bahadur Shah Zafar

5. What was one of the key economic policies of Murshid Quli Khan?

a) Banning foreign trade

b) Encouraging the export of Bengal’s textiles

c) Abolishing taxes

d) Introducing state-controlled factories

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1. Analyze the role of Murshid Quli Khan in shaping the political and economic landscape of Bengal in the early 18th century.

Answer: Murshid Quli Khan played a crucial role in shaping the political and economic landscape of Bengal by reorganizing its revenue system, shifting the capital to Murshidabad, and promoting trade. His administrative reforms increased the efficiency of land revenue collection, which allowed Bengal to become one of the wealthiest provinces of the Mughal Empire. By maintaining nominal allegiance to the Mughal emperor while exercising significant autonomy, Murshid Quli Khan laid the foundation for Bengal's near independence and future prosperity.

Q2. Discuss the significance of the capital shift from Dhaka to Murshidabad under Murshid Quli Khan’s rule.

Answer: The decision to shift the capital from Dhaka to Murshidabad under Murshid Quli Khan was significant for both political and economic reasons. Murshidabad became a central hub for trade and administration, facilitating closer ties with the commercial centers of northern India and the Deccan. The move also symbolized the growing autonomy of Bengal, as it distanced itself from Mughal administrative centers. This shift enhanced Bengal’s political stability and economic prosperity, making Murshidabad a thriving commercial capital.

Q3. How did Murshid Quli Khan’s administrative reforms contribute to Bengal’s economic prosperity?

Answer: Murshid Quli Khan’s administrative reforms, particularly in the area of land revenue, were pivotal to Bengal’s economic prosperity. By streamlining revenue collection, reducing corruption, and encouraging agricultural growth, Murshid Quli Khan ensured a steady and reliable income for the state. Additionally, his promotion of trade, especially in textiles, helped Bengal emerge as a key player in regional and international markets. His efficient governance fostered stability and growth, which contributed to Bengal’s wealth in the early 18th century.

Previous Year Questions on  Murshid Quli Khan

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2015

Question. Who was the first Nawab of Bengal, and what reforms did he introduce?

Answer: Murshid Quli Khan

Explanation: Murshid Quli Khan was the first Nawab of Bengal, appointed in 1717. He introduced key administrative reforms, especially in land revenue, which improved the economic stability of Bengal. His policies helped Bengal become a semi-independent and prosperous region within the Mughal Empire.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2017

Question. How did Murshid Quli Khan’s revenue reforms impact the economy of Bengal?

Answer: Murshid Quli Khan’s revenue reforms significantly improved the economy of Bengal by increasing the efficiency of tax collection and reducing corruption. His focus on promoting agriculture and trade, particularly in textiles, ensured a stable income for the state and allowed Bengal to become one of the wealthiest provinces.