Decay of Mughal Empire

Essays

The Horrific Finale: Glimpses of Hindu Persecution by Murshid Quli Khan

The Horrific Finale: Glimpses of Hindu Persecution by Murshid Quli Khan

The final episode of our series on Murshid Quli Khan narrates some horrific stories of Hindu persecution in Bengal under his regime.

The Bigotry of Murshid Quli Khan and the Farman that Founded Kolkata

The Bigotry of Murshid Quli Khan and the Farman that Founded Kolkata

Murshid Quli Khan was a fanatical Shia who ran his administration strictly according to the diktats of the Quran

The Tragic Tale of Sitaram Ray, the Last Hindu King of Bengal

The Tragic Tale of Sitaram Ray, the Last Hindu King of Bengal

Raja Sitaram Ray was a self-made Hindu king who built a small empire by the dint of his talent, bravery and leadership. He was also the last Hindu king of Bengal, executed by Murshid Quli Khan.

Building a Pit of Human Shit as the Revenue Model of Murshid Quli Khan

Building a Pit of Human Shit as the Revenue Model of Murshid Quli Khan

Murshid Quli Khan adopted extremely savage methods of torture to extract revenue from the Bengal province

“The Bengal Province is being Sucked by a Double Set of Leeches!”

“The Bengal Province is being Sucked by a Double Set of Leeches!”

Murshid Quli Khan's radical Ijtara revenue system outrages the old elite of Bengal who complain to the Mughal emperor

Murshid Quli Khan’s Ijtara System and Bengali Cinema

Murshid Quli Khan’s Ijtara System and Bengali Cinema

As the Subahdaar of Bengali, Murshid Quli Khan introduces the Ijtara system of revenue collection which has far-reaching consequences lasting up to the early 20th century

The Pathetic Breakdown of the Mughal Dynasty and the Resurgence of Murshid Quli Khan

The Pathetic Breakdown of the Mughal Dynasty and the Resurgence of Murshid Quli Khan

Aurangzeb's grandson Azim-us-Shan dies in a botched up war for succession, which is followed by another series of such wars. In the end, Murshid Quli Khan is elevated as the Subahdaar of Bengal, which begins a new chapter in his career.

Aurangzeb’s Death and Murshid Quli Khan’s Exile to the Dakkhan

Aurangzeb’s Death and Murshid Quli Khan’s Exile to the Dakkhan

Aurangzeb’s death changes Murshid Quli Khan's fortunes for the worse. His enemy Azim-ud-din now takes revenge by banishing Quli to the Dakhhan

Murshid Quli Khan: The Brahmana who Founded Murshidabad

Murshid Quli Khan: The Brahmana who Founded Murshidabad

The first episode of a comprehensive history of Murshid Quli Khan, Aurangzeb's confidant and the first Nawab of Bengal

Bahadur Shah Zafar's Profligate Spending Financed by British Pension

Bahadur Shah Zafar's Profligate Spending Financed by British Pension

The second and concluding part of our series on life inside Bahadur Shah Zafar's Red Fort shows how he and his royalty indulged in extravagant spending and led a reckless life.

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