20 Facts About Alivardi Khan

Alivardi Khan was the fourth Nawab of Bengal from 1740 to 1756.

Alivardi Khan toppled the Nasiri dynasty of Nawabs by defeating Sarfaraz Khan in 1740 and assumed power himself.

Alivardi Khan faced separatist rebellions in Bihar as well as a revolt from his grandson Siraj ud-Daulah, though these were suppressed.

Alivardi Khan spent the latter part of his reign rebuilding Bengal.

Alivardi Khan was a patron of the arts and resumed the policies of Murshid Quli Khan.

Alivardi Khan maintained a politically neutral stance with the European powers in the subcontinent and prevented any infighting amongst them in his dominions.

Originally Mirza Bande or Mirza Muhammad Ali, Alivardi Khan was a native of the Deccan who was born in 1676.

Alivardi Khan defeated a rebellion in Orissa led by Mirza Baqir Khan, and invading Orissa a second time, he subdued the Barha Sayyids with great difficulty, and installed a brave warrior Shaikh Masum as governor.

Immediately after his usurpation of power, Alivardi had his takeover legitimized by the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah and resumed the policies of Murshid Quli Khan.

Alivardi Khan chose Faujdars from various regions such as Patna, Dacca and Orissa.

Alivardi Khan was a brilliant artillery tactician, though his armies were overrun by the large force of the Marathas from Berar who had arrived to pillage and conquer the territories of Bengal under the command of Raghoji I Bhonsle.

Alivardi Khan's defending armies were overrun in Orissa in the year 1751, despite receiving some assistance from Shuja-ud-Daula.

In 1750, Alivardi Khan faced a revolt from Siraj ud-Daulah, his daughter's son, who seized Patna.

Alivardi Khan saved Bengal from the effects of war of succession in Austria through proper vigilance and precautions, unlike south India, which got caught up in it.

Alivardi Khan maintained a policy of neutrality towards European powers and forbade the British, French and Dutch to have any hostility against each other in his dominion.

Alivardi Khan was a patron of various musical instruments such as the Veena and Khol drums.

Alivardi Khan was buried in Khushbagh next to his mother's grave.

Alivardi Khan was succeeded by his daughter's son, Siraj-ud-Daula, who was aged 23 at the time.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Alivardi Khan had only one wife, Sharfunnesa.

Alivardi Khan outlived his sons-in-law and, having had no sons of his own, he was succeeded by his maternal grandson Siraj ud-Daulah.