Nawab Alivardi Khan- Bengal's Great Azadar

Nawab Alivardi Khan  

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Nawab AliVardi Khan deserves to be remembered as a great patron of Muharram mourning related rituals in 18^th century Bengal. It is unfortunate that he is mostly remembered as an able ruler, s brilliant administrator and his dedication in re-building the war-torn towns and villages of his kingdom  even under the constant shadow of enemy invasions.However, he needs to be acknowledged as a   great azadar as well,for he made gallant efforts to promote muharram ceremonies despite pitted against heavy odds throughout his 16 year old regime.it was his inspiration that had turned his maternal grandson Siraj-Ud-Daula into a great admirer of martyrs of Karbala.Had Siraj not lost Battle of Plassey in 1757, the political history of India would have been altogether different.His defeat led to establishment of colonial rule in India and the British used all sorts of tactics to reduce the participation of hindus in Muharram processions.They were apprehensive of the large scale  participation of people from all walks of life in Muharram rituals and always considered assemblies of devotees as a potential threat to their empire.It is the outcome of British policy that splendour and grandeur once associated with Muharram ceremonies during the rule of Alivardi Khan are no longer visible in Bengal in the present era.      

Born in 1671, Alivardi Khan was Nawab of Bengal during 1740–1756.He was the son of Mirza Muhammad Madani, who served Azam Shah, the son of the  Mughal Emperor  Aurangzeb. His mother was a descent of the Turkish tribe of Afshar.Historians assert that his reignof 16 years was mostly engaged in various wars yet he paid equal attention to propagation of Muharram ceremonies. He even invited scholars from Iran to deliver lectures on the philosophy of Imam Hussain to create awareness about his sacrifice among his subjects. Alivardi also encouraged Murshidabad style of painting. An exceptionally ambitious painting produced by this school represents the climax of the Muharram festival by night in the old wooden Imambara at Murshidabad and includes the central mosque or Madina, the only part of the structure to survive a disastrous fire in 1846.The Tazias  have been deposited in the central Madina and the standards in the surrounding arcades, after they had been taken in procession through the streets. The artist has successfully pictured the brilliant illuminations with light from the candelabra, lamps and girandoles reflected in mirrors and the pieces of glass sewn into the black hangings. Like the durbar scene it is depicted from the artist’s viewpoint on the ground but without the excessive elongation of the figures.  A contemporary historian Ghulam Hussein Salim has eulogized Alivardi Khan as an avid patron of art and culture.

Alivardi breathed his last on april 9,1756 at the age of 80 or so. Before leaving for his heavenly abode, Nawab was able to firmly established Muharram ceremonies in Bengal. Alivardi lies buried in Khushbagh in Murshidabad.His grandson from daughter’s side, Siraj- Ud- Daula succeeded him in April 1756 at the age of 23.Despite his short life , Siraj also proved to be a worthy successor of Alivardi Khan as a great Hussaini.He is credited with reerection of Murshidabad Imambara too.  (References available on request. Photo Courtesy Google Images )