Understanding the Rohilla War of 1774

The question asks about the Nawab of Awadh who defeated the Rohillas in the famous Rohilla War of 1774. This was a significant conflict in the history of British India, involving the state of Awadh, the Rohilla chieftains, and the British East India Company.

Background of the Rohilla War

The Rohillas were an Afghan group who had established control over the region of Rohilkhand, located to the north-west of Awadh. There were ongoing tensions and disputes between the Rohillas and the Nawab of Awadh. A treaty in 1772 involved the Nawab, the Rohillas, and the British, where the Nawab agreed to pay the Rohillas a sum in exchange for their help against the Marathas. The Rohillas claimed the Nawab failed to uphold his part of the bargain, while the Nawab claimed the Rohillas did not provide the agreed-upon assistance.

The Conflict and Key Participants

In 1774, the Nawab of Awadh decided to invade Rohilkhand. He sought and obtained military assistance from the British East India Company, led by Warren Hastings, in exchange for a large sum of money. The combined forces of the Nawab and the British faced the Rohillas.

The key participants in the Rohilla War of 1774 were:

• The Rohillas (defeated)
• The Nawab of Awadh
• The British East India Company (allied with the Nawab)

Identifying the Nawab of Awadh in 1774

At the time of the Rohilla War in 1774, the Nawab of Awadh was Shuja-ud-Daula. He had ruled Awadh from 1754 until his death in 1775. He was also notable for his role in the Battle of Buxar in 1764.

The war resulted in the defeat of the Rohillas and the annexation of most of Rohilkhand by Awadh. This action significantly strengthened Awadh, but also deepened its reliance on the British East India Company.

Analysing the Options

Let's look at the provided options:

• Asif Jah Mirza: This name does not correspond to a Nawab of Awadh involved in the Rohilla War.
• Yamin-ud-Daula: This is a title, not the specific name of the Nawab of Awadh at the time.
• Shuja-ud-Daula: Shuja-ud-Daula was indeed the Nawab of Awadh who reigned during the Rohilla War of 1774 and led the forces that defeated the Rohillas with British support.
• Asaf-ud-Daula: Asaf-ud-Daula was the son and successor of Shuja-ud-Daula, becoming the Nawab of Awadh after his father's death in 1775. He was not the Nawab during the 1774 Rohilla War.

Based on historical facts, the Nawab of Awadh who defeated the Rohillas in the 1774 war was Shuja-ud-Daula.

Revision Table: Key Figures in Awadh History

Additional Information on the Rohilla War 1774

The Rohilla War of 1774 is often studied as an example of the British East India Company's increasing involvement in Indian political affairs. Warren Hastings' decision to lend British troops to the Nawab of Awadh was controversial and later became one of the charges against him during his impeachment.

The war also had significant consequences for the region of Rohilkhand, leading to political changes and increased influence of Awadh, and subsequently, the British, in that area.