15 Facts About I'tisam-ud-Din

I'tisam-ud-Din became the first South Asian to travel to Europe, in the modern era, in 1765.

I'tisam-ud-Din was a munshi serving the Nawabs of Bengal as well as the British East India Company.

I'tisam-ud-Din had written the text of the 1765 Treaty of Allahabad.

I'tisam-ud-Din belonged to a Bengali Muslim family of Syeds from the village of Panchnur, they had been respected family who had been Sheikhs, near the town of Chakdaha within Nadia district in the Mughal Empire's Bengal Subah The contemporary Bengali historian Shabnam Begum equates his grandfather, Sheikh Syed Shahab-ud-Din, to Shihabuddin Talish, author of the Fathiya-i 'Ibriya, an account of Mir Jumla's invasion of Assam.

I'tisam-ud-Din's ancestors settled in Bengal after fleeing the Mongol invasion of Persia and Mesopotamia.

I'tisam-ud-Din came from a privileged background, in which he was well educated and fluent in the Arabic, Bengali, Hindustani and Persian languages.

I'tisam-ud-Din's elder brother was a mufti and adviser to the Nawab of Bengal, Alivardi Khan.

I'tisam-ud-Din began his career as a munshi to Mir Jafar in Murshidabad.

I'tisam-ud-Din fought alongside Mackinon and the Company against Mir Qasim in 1763 during the Battle of Giria and the Battle of Udhwa Nala.

I'tisam-ud-Din assisted Colonel Carnac in a battle from Faizabad to Shora-Shapur.

I'tisam-ud-Din visited Mauritius, Madagascar, the Cape of Good Hope and Ascension Island.

I'tisam-ud-Din returned to Bengal after a three-year absence due to food problems.

I'tisam-ud-Din was later employed by the British East India Company in negotiations with the Maratha Empire.

I'tisam-ud-Din travelled with John Hamilton to Pune and drew up treaties and settled peace.

I'tisam-ud-Din was the first Indian to visit England and describe the journey.