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powerful and quite independent states. But, the rulers of these states did not break their

formal relations with the Mughal emperor. They had occupied high Mansabdari positions
and enjoyed the trust and confidence of the emperors.
bengal

The territory comprising modern West Bengal, Bangladesh and parts of

Assam, Orissa, Bihar and Jharkhand was a province of Mughal Empire.
The Governor as in Awadh, was known as a Nawab. Following decline
of the Mughal Empire, it sought independence from the Mughals on
payment of tribute. Murshid Quli Khan had been appointed as the naib to
the governor of the province. He quickly rose in ranks and seized all the
power. He controlled over local resources and revenue administration
Murshid Quli Khan of the state. He transferred all Mughal jagirdars to Orissa. As his capital
city Murshidabad grew in capital, he ordered complete reassessment of the revenues of
Bengal. The zamindars were forced to borrow money from bankers and money lenders to

pay rent. Many others had to sell their lands to big zamindars in order to pay the rent.
Murshid Quli Khan died in 1725 and was succeeded by his son-in-law, Suja-ud-din. He also
died in 1739 and was succeeded by his son Sarafraz Khan. There after Bengal entered a
phase of uncertainty. The last ruler of the medieval Bangal was Alivardi Khan who ruled from
1740 to 1756. There were continuous attacks by the Marathas. It may also be mentioned
that the English East India Company was also trying for the province of Bengal. From 1740,
the East India Company also entered the fray of revenue collection. They had already
begun to patronise the banking house of Jagat Seths who had by them become extremely
prosperous. The company had also obtained trading rights for this province and was fighting
its way regional revenue system.

awadh

Burhan-ul-Mulk Saadat Khan was appointed Subedar of Awadh in 1722
and he founded an independent state of Awadh. Awadh was a prosperous
region, controlling the rich alluvial Ganga plain and the main trade
route between North-India and Bengal. Burhan-ul-Mulk also held the
combined offices of Subadari, diwani and faujdari. In order to efficiently
manage the political, financial and military affairs of the province of
Awadh, he combined offices of subadari, diwani and Fajudari. He tried
to reduce Mughal influence in the Awadh region as under:
• He reduced the number of jagirdars appointed by the Mughals. Burhan-ul-Mulk Saadat

• He also reduced the size of jagirs and appointed his own loyal Khan
servants to the vacant positions.
• To prevent cheating, the accounts of jagirdars were checked.
• Special officers were appointed by the Nawab to re-examine the revenues of all the
districts.
• Number of Rajput zamindaris and the agriculturally fertile lands of the Afghans of
Rohilkhand were also seized.

84 Social Studies-7