Azadar Javed Khan- Forgotten and Unsung

Grave of Nawab Bahadur Javed Khan 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Nawab Bahadur Javed Khan is yet another forgotten azadar of Mughal India. His contribution to the promotion of Azadari in Delhi has remained a subject of minimal study. Western and Indian historians have preferred to portray him as a completely illiterate Khwajasara(Eunuch)  with no knowledge of administration and attributed his rise to power to his pampering the emperors ‘vices’ and humoring the queen Qudsia Begum, popularly known as Rahamdil Begum. His personality looks altogether different and he emerges as a great azadar when one refers to his description in the account of Dargah Quli Khan’s ‘Muraqqa-e-Delhi’ .Khan had stayed as member of Nizam Ul Mulk Asaf Jah’s entourage in Delhi from 1739-41 written his observations about life and culture of people in his personal diary. His accounts reveal that Javed Khan had erected an Ashurkhana where noted marsiyakhwans Mir Lutf Ali Khan used to recite elegies during Muharram. Mir Lutf was also entrusted with the responsibility of making arrangements for ‘majalis’ and treating the mourners with utmost care. It is also mentioned that Mir Lutf used to recite marsiyas and ‘manqabats’ from the ‘Diwan of Javed Khan.

 Javed Khan was the assistant controller of imperial ‘harem’. After Ahmed Shah, son of Qudsia Begum, ascended throne, Javed Khan earned phenomenal rise. The King raised him as  6 Hazari mansab with title as Roz-afun Khan( superintendent of the harem). Soon after Ahmad shah  elevated him further and gave all real power to him as the Superintendent of Diwan-i-Khas. The new position gave him power to control the entry of court councilors and confirm the appointments (arz-i-mukarraro). He even controlled the estate of Begums and Privy Purse of the emperor. He became 7 Hazari Mansabdar and bestowed with the title of Nawab Bahadur( Emperor’s Vicar). He was given insignia of the highest honor, ‘ Mahi-o-Maratib’, standard, banner, kettle drums and a fringed ‘Palki’. The Khwajasara attained such exaltedness that no noble could compete with him.

His growing power proved fatal for him. Nawab Safdar Jung who was also Persian like Nawab Bahadur, found Khwajasara’s immense influence on emperor and queen mother averse to his own political interests. He allegedly got Javed Khan assassinated in August, 1752.Nawab Bahadur lies buried in Shah-E-Mardan complex .His grave is simple and stands on a double platform. The lower platform is built of red sandstone while the upper is of marble. Those who visit the holy complex dedicated to Maula Ali are mostly ignorant of Javed Khan and his contribution to Azadari during later Mughal period. Historians may portray him as a sycophant but his immense contribution to Muharram ceremonies and patronage extended to marsiyakhwans in an era of chaos and court intrigues cannot be ignored and overlooked. 

It was his persuasion that filled the heart of Qudsia Begum with ardent affection for Ahle-Bait after she embraced Islam upon becoming a consort of King Muhammad Shah as ‘Udham Bai’. During the lifetime of her husband and son, Qudsia Begum did her best for propagation of Muharram and decorated Shah-E-Mardan with the handprint of Maula Ali. Under her influence, even Muhammad shah and her son Ahmed Shah also indicated Imami leanings in their conduct.Further, Javed also erected an Ashurkhana(Imambara) in his haveli near Delhi gate. It is worth mentioning here that Safdar Jung also used to organize majalis at his palatial palace but he is not credited with the commissioning any Imambara. It is ironical that research activities about azadars like Javed Khan are not being undertaken. As a result, Zakirs too remain ignorant about them and don’t mention their contribution from pulpit while addressing mourning assemblies. From this perspective, Dargah Quli Khan deserves full praise for observing and recording the life and culture of Delhi during his stay there from 1739-41 as member of the entourage of Nizam- ul- Mulk Asaf jah1.Had he not mentioned Javed Khan’s Ashurkhana, Mir Lutf khan as organizer of majalis and recitation of marsiyas from his Diwan, Javed Khan would have remained unknown forever.(References available on request).