Najib ad-Dawlah
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 |
| Children | Zabita Khan |
| 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 (Pashto: نجيب الدوله), also known as Najib Khan Yousafzai (Pashto: نجيب خان), 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 Maneri, 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]
Najib Khan belonged to the Umar Khel section of the Mandanr Yousafzai. He migrated from Nazar Khel village, now in the Swabi district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. His father was Asalat Khan.[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 created during the area still exist today. Though after his death in 1770, the Maratha forces expelled the Rohillas from the Dun.[8]
Conflict with Marathas
[edit]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 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]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]
Conflict With Sikhs
[edit]In February 1764, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia on hearing the ill treatment of the Hindus by Muslim led a strong body of the Dal Khalsa in to the upper Ganga Doab region, the Sikhs plundered several key cities, including Saharanpur, Shamli, Kandhla Ambli, Miranpur, Mandi Dabwali, Muzaffarnagar, Jawalapur, Kankhal, Landhaura, Najibabad, Nagina, Moradabad, Chandausi, Anupshahar, and Garhmukteshwar. In response to the Sikh raids, Najib ad-Dawlah] mobilized his forces to punish the Sikhs. However, despite his efforts, the Sikhs employed guerrilla tactics, evading direct confrontation and continuing to harass the enemy.[15]
Tahmas Khan Miskin, a contemporary historian who fought alongside Najib ad-Dawlah, described the Sikhs' unorthodox methods: "In that year, 40,000 of their horsemen crossed the Yamuna and disturbed and looted the Saharanpur and Meerut districts. Nawab Najib Khan, for a month or two, moved in every direction where the Sikhs were reported to be roving, in order to protect the country, and fought and usually defeated them. As they did not make a firm stand anywhere to offer battle, he had to run back after them, but they did not give up their jackal tricks.", Eventually, Najib-ud-daulah recognized the futility of continued conflict and opted for a diplomatic solution. He offered the Sikhs a substantial bribe of eleven lakhs of rupees, effectively ending the hostilities.[16]
The riches collected from Ganga Doab and Rohilkhand were immense, and Jassa Singh allocated one-tenth of the booty to rebuild Amritsar, which had been destroyed by Ahmad Shah Durrani. This reconstruction project held great significance for the Sikh community. Jassa Singh entrusted the task to Sahib Rae Chaudhri and later Bhai Des Raj, overseeing the project himself for four years until its completion at a cost of 14 lakhs.[17]
Suraj Mal, was unexpectedly killed in a battle with Najib-ud-Daulah on December 25, 1763. His son, Jawahar Singh, and the entire Jat community vowed to avenge his death. Over the next year, Jawahir prepared extensively for war, hiring Maratha and Sikh forces for support. Najib-ad-daulah, alarmed by these preparations, sent an envoy to Ahmad Shah Abdali in Kandahar to request help, as Najib feared the impending attack. Meanwhile, Jawahir Singh marched to Delhi in November 1764 to lay siege to Najib. During this time, the Sikhs, seizing the opportunity, raided Najib’s territories like Saharanpur and Meerut, looting villages and causing widespread destruction.
Facing delays in the siege due to the lack of commitment from his Maratha ally, Jawahar Singh sought help from the Sikhs, promising payment and involving thousands of their soldiers. Despite some tensions between Jawahir and the Sikh leaders, they agreed to assist in blocking access to the city from the north while Jawahir and the Marathas attacked from the east. For nearly 20 days, fighting raged around Delhi, with the Sikhs cutting off supplies and Najib’s forces resisting fiercely using matchlocks and rockets. Skirmishes were intense, and one notable incident involved a Sikh warrior in silver armor being killed, leading to a fierce struggle over his body.
By January 9, 1765, Jawahar Singh had taken control of most of Delhi, forcing Najib to retreat into the fort and seek help from the Marathas. However, another major battle on January 25, 1765, near the Horse Market and Sabzi Mandi resulted in heavy casualties but no decisive outcome. In February 1765, news of Ahmad Shah Abdali’s advance toward Delhi forced the Sikhs to suddenly retreat to Punjab, leaving the siege incomplete and Jawahar Singh without their support.[18][19]
The Sikhs constantly harassed Najib. Between 1764 and 1767, they reduced his income from one crore to seventy lakhs. They attacked areas north of Karnal in Haryana, which were under imperial control. Najib tried to confront them but was defeated. As the Sikhs advanced toward Delhi, they caused destruction along the way. Najib tried to stop them near Delhi but failed again. Frustrated and helpless, he even considered retiring to Mecca or an unknown place, like Hindu ascetics.
Najib informed the Queen-Mother in the Red Fort that he was unable to deal with the Sikhs. He wrote to Emperor Shah Alam II, who was in Allahabad, asking him to take over the administration of Delhi as he could no longer manage. Najib said he had defended the empire earlier against the Jats and Marathas but now felt powerless against the Sikhs. In despair, he abandoned Delhi and moved to Najibabad.
In December 1768, the Sikhs attacked the upper Ganga Doab and defeated Najib. Their raids continued through 1769 and 1770. Najib, overwhelmed by the growing strength and numbers of the Sikhs, lost his determination.[20]
Administrator of Delhi
[edit]
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.[21]
Death
[edit]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.[22]
Successor
[edit]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.[23] His cemetery is still in present day, Najibabad, where the Pathargarh Fort still exists.
Desecration of his tomb
[edit]His son Zabita Khan was defeated by the Marathas,[24] 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.[25]
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]- 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]Further reading
[edit]- 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]- ^ 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 Manri.
- ^ Nuruddin Husain (1952). An Account of Najibuddaulah. p. LIII.
in the year 1708 in the village of Manri about 25 kos from Peshawar.
- ^ a b History of Bijnor District The Imperial Gazetteer of India, 1909, v. 8, p. 194-195.
- ^ a b 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
- ^ Hari Ram Gupta (October 2001). The Sikhs Commonwealth or Rise and Fall of the Sikh Misls. Munshilal Manoharlal Pvt.Ltd. ISBN 81-215-0165-2.
- ^ Hari Ram Gupta (October 2001). The Sikhs Commonwealth or Rise and Fall of the Sikh Misls. Munshilal Manoharlal Pvt.Ltd. ISBN 81-215-0165-2.
- ^ Singh, Khushwant (11 October 2004). A History of the Sikhs: 1469–1838 (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-567308-1. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- ^ Gupta, Hari Ram. History of the Sikhs, Vol. III: Sikh Domination of the Mughal Empire, 1764-1803. Munshilal Manoharlal. ISBN 978-81-215-0213-9. Page 329. Accessed 8 January 2025.
- ^ Singh, Khushwant (11 October 2004). A History of the Sikhs: 1469–1838 (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-567308-1. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ Gupta, Hari Ram. History of the Sikhs, Vol. III: Sikh Domination of the Mughal Empire, 1764-1803. Munshilal Manoharlal. ISBN 978-81-215-0213-9. Page 63. Accessed 8 January 2025.
- ^ "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.
