Post-Mughal History of Rajmahal, Santhal Pargana, and Manbhum: A Detailed Chronicle (1707–1740)

The period following the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 marked a significant decline in Mughal influence across many regions of India, including present-day Jharkhand. The weakening central power led to political vacuum, local uprisings, and changes in administrative control. This blog explores key developments in Rajmahal, Santhal Pargana, and Manbhum during the early 18th century.

Manbhum in the Post-Mughal Era

• After the decline of Mughal power, the Nawab of Bengal was mostly preoccupied with internal issues in Bihar and Bengal.
• As a result, he could not focus on exerting control over Manbhum.
• The Nawab’s military strength had weakened, preventing them from penetrating the dense forests of Manbhum.
• The zamindars of Barabhum, like those of Manbhum, remained outside the control of Porahat, Ramgarh, or Chotanagpur rulers.
• During this time:
  • Jhalda was part of Panchakot State.
  • Barabhum was associated with Midnapore.
  • Patkum, Baghmundi, Nawagarh, Katras, Jharia, and Tundi were likely part of Ramgarh.
• Thus, it is evident that Manbhum remained largely unaffected by both Mughal and Maratha influence during this time.

Political Affairs in Rajmahal and Santhal Pargana

1707–1708: Power Struggles Begin

• After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, Azim-us-Shan left with 20,000 horsemen to support his father, Shah Alam I, in the war of succession.
• His son Farrukhsiyar stayed behind in Rajmahal with royal women and the treasury.
• Once Shah Alam ascended the throne, Azim-us-Shan returned to Rajmahal.

April 1708: Tensions with the British East India Company

• The British sent an envoy to Rajmahal with an offer of Rs. 15,000 to regain trade privileges.
• A month later, the company learned their envoy, Shivcharan, had unauthorizedly agreed to a bribe of Rs. 36,000.
• The company sent Fazal Muhammad, a trusted envoy, to bring Shivcharan back to Calcutta for inquiry.

October 1708: Escalation

• Fazal Muhammad returned with worse news:
  • Azim-us-Shan now demanded Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 1,00,000 to be deposited in the royal treasury at Surat.
• In retaliation, the company threatened to block Mughal ships at Hooghly and ordered all British employees to leave Bengal.

British Retaliation and Hostilities

• Azim-us-Shan imprisoned the company’s agent Mr. Couthorpe at Rajmahal.
• He demanded Rs. 14,000 for his release and for allowing company boats to pass.
• The British repeated their threat and began gathering employees in Calcutta, hoping to affect trade at Hooghly and Rajmahal.
• Most of Azim-us-Shan’s best captains had been British, making this a strategic move.

1709: Administrative Changes

• In 1709, Azim-us-Shan and his Diwan Murshid Quli Khan left Bengal for the imperial court.
• Sher Buland Khan was appointed administrator in their place.
• Sher Buland Khan also halted British boats but granted trade rights for Rs. 45,000.

1710–1711: Farrukhsiyar’s Rise

• In 1710, Farrukhsiyar returned to Rajmahal as his father’s representative.
• The British quickly sent a delegation to curry favor.
• In 1711, Khan Jahan Bahadur Izzud-daula became deputy administrator.
• He was favorable to the British, allowing their boats free passage and granting them trade freedom.

1712: Death of Shah Alam and Chaos

• After Shah Alam’s death in 1712, chaos followed.
• Izzud-daula fortified Rajmahal and tightened control over roads and communications.
• Despite this, he did not obstruct Farrukhsiyar, who declared himself emperor at Patna and advanced toward Murshidabad via Teliagadhi.

The Rise of Alivardi Khan

• In 1728, Alivardi Khan was appointed faujdar of the Chakla of Akbarnagar.
• Under his rule, people lived peacefully due to his effective administration.
• Persian chronicle ‘Muzaffarnama’ notes that Alivardi’s father was buried in Rajmahal.
• 19th-century surveyor Hamilton Buchanan also reported seeing a memorial for Alivardi’s father in Mosuha village near Rajmahal.

Events Leading to the Battle of Giria (1740)

• After becoming Deputy Governor of Bihar, Alivardi’s brother Haji Ahmad’s son-in-law, Ataullah Khan, became faujdar of Rajmahal.
• As part of a planned conspiracy involving Alivardi, Haji Ahmad, and some of Nawab Sarfaraz’s officials, Alivardi began marching from Patna to Bengal.
• Ataullah Khan supported him on the route through Teliagadhi to Akbarnagar.
• The Nawab of Bengal remained unaware of Alivardi’s intentions.
• On April 10, 1740, near Rajmahal at Giria on the eastern bank of the Bhagirathi River, Alivardi defeated and killed Nawab Sarfaraz, marking a significant power shift in Bengal’s history.