Biography of Nasir Jang: The Second Nizam of Hyderabad
Mir Ahmad Ali Khan Siddiqi Bayafandi, known as Nasir Jang, was born on February 26, 1712, to Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I, the founder of the Hyderabad State, and his wife Saeed-un-nisa Begum. As the son of a prominent Mughal viceroy, Nasir Jang was steeped in the traditions of Mughal governance and military leadership. His grandfather, Ghaziuddin Khan, had served as a general under Emperor Aurangzeb, embedding a deep sense of loyalty to the Mughal Empire in the family. Nasir Jang’s official title was Humayun Jah, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Ahmad Ali Khan Siddiqi Bahadur, Nasir Jung, Nawab Subadar of the Deccan, but he is most famously known as Nasir Jung or Nasir Jang.
From an early age, Nasir Jang was groomed for leadership. He served as his father’s deputy in Hyderabad from 1737 to 1741 during Asaf Jah I’s absence in Delhi, gaining experience in administration and military affairs. However, his ambition led to a bold attempt to seize power in 1741, which was thwarted by his father at the Battle of Eid Gah Maidan in Aurangabad on July 23, 1741. Despite this rebellion, Asaf Jah I pardoned him, and Nasir Jang was appointed governor of Aurangabad from 1745 to 1746, further honing his administrative skills.
Ascension to the Nizamship
Following the death of Asaf Jah I on May 22, 1748 (Fasli 1158), Nasir Jang ascended the throne of Hyderabad on June 2, 1748, at Burhanpur. His ascension was not without controversy, as a succession crisis erupted in the Deccan and Carnatic. Muzaffar Jang, his nephew and grandson of Asaf Jah I through his daughter, claimed the subahs of Hyderabad and the Carnatic, supported by his father, Mutawassil Khan, and Chanda Sahib, a key political figure. British records from Fort St. George in 1749 suggest that Asaf Jah I had considered appointing Muzaffar Jang as his successor due to dissatisfaction with Nasir Jang’s conduct, though he ultimately reconciled with his son.
Nasir Jang’s rule was immediately challenged by this rival claim, which drew in European powers—the French supporting Muzaffar Jang and Chanda Sahib, and the British backing Nasir Jang and Muhammad Ali Khan Walajah, son of the late Nawab Anwaru’d-din Khan. This conflict became a central theater of the Second Carnatic War (1749–1754), a proxy struggle between the French and British East India Companies.
The Carnatic Campaign and Military Movements
In 1749, Muzaffar Jang and Chanda Sahib, allied with the French under Joseph François Dupleix, defeated and killed Nawab Anwaru’d-din at the Battle of Ambur, capturing Arcot. Nasir Jang, apprised of this challenge, initially marched north to the Narmada River at the invitation of his brother, Ghaziuddin Khan of Delhi, but returned south in early 1750 to confront the threat. By March 1750, he arrived at Gingee Fort with a massive army of 300,000 men, including cavalry, 1,300 elephants, and 800 cannons, establishing his authority as the subahdar of the Deccan.
Nasir Jang’s forces were joined by Muhammad Ali Khan with 6,000 cavalry and English troops under Major Stringer Lawrence at Valudavur, near Pondicherry. The French, plagued by internal dissent and desertions, retreated toward Pondicherry after a cannonade, prompting Muzaffar Jang to surrender to Nasir Jang in May 1750. Deceived by promises of protection sworn on the Quran, Muzaffar Jang was arrested, though his captivity was relatively lenient. Nasir Jang offered Chanda Sahib Trichinopoly with a mansab jaghir, but Chanda Sahib’s demand for Arcot strained negotiations.
Despite his numerical superiority, Nasir Jang’s court was divided, with factions supporting either him or Muzaffar Jang. His apparent indolence allowed Dupleix to exploit discontent among the Pathan nawabs of Kurnool, Savanore, and Cuddapah, leading to French victories at Tiruvati and the capture of Gingee Fort in July 1750.
Struggles and Decline
Nasir Jang’s reign was marked by strained relations with his own court, particularly with his diwan (chief minister), who sought to undermine him. The diwan colluded with the French and instigated rebellion among the Pathan nawabs, who were resentful of Nasir Jang’s demands for tribute. This internal discord weakened his position as he attempted to consolidate power in the Carnatic.
By mid-1750, Nasir Jang had moved his camp to Arcot, intending to stay through the rainy season. His failure to decisively counter French advances and the growing influence of Dupleix further eroded his authority. The English, supporting Muhammad Ali, suffered defeats near Tiruvati, and Nasir Jang’s inability to reinforce his allies highlighted his strategic shortcomings.
Assassination
On December 16, 1750, Nasir Jang’s reign came to a tragic end when he was assassinated at Dupleix-Fathabad (Sarasangupettai) near Gingee by Himmat Khan, the Nawab of Kadapa, a disgruntled ally. The assassination, orchestrated amidst internal betrayals and French collusion, allowed Muzaffar Jang to be released from captivity and ascend as the third Nizam. Nasir Jang was buried at the Mausoleum of Hazrat Burhan ud-Din Gharib in Khuldabad.
Nasir Jang’s brief rule was a microcosm of the Mughal Empire’s decline, characterized by internal divisions, regional rebellions, and the rising influence of European colonial powers. His military campaigns, though initially formidable, were undermined by factionalism and strategic missteps. His death marked a turning point in the Second Carnatic War, paving the way for French dominance in the short term and setting the stage for the eventual rise of the English East India Company.
Nasir Jang left only one daughter, and his legacy is remembered as that of a ruler caught in the turbulent transition from Mughal to colonial dominance in South India. His life, as chronicled by contemporaries like Ananda Ranga Pillai, reflects the ambition, loyalty, and tragedy of an era defined by shifting alliances and relentless power struggles.