The Rise of Najib-ud-daula
Summary
Drawing upon a Persian manuscript preserved in the British Museum, this article traces the early career and meteoric rise of Najib Khan (later Najib-ud-daula), an 18th-century Rohilla Afghan military leader who became regent of the Mughal Empire. Najib entered the service of Ali Muhammad Khan, the Rohilla chief of Aonla, as a foot-soldier but quickly distinguished himself for bravery and organisational skill. Within a year he became a jamadār commanding troops and managing supplies. When Safdar Jang, the Nawab of Awadh, allied with the Marathas against the Rohillas, Najib defended encampments near the Kumaon hills and repeatedly reinforced threatened positions. His courage during battles and ability to maintain discipline earned him promotion; he married the daughter of a powerful Afghan officer, further enhancing his status. As conflicts with the Marathas intensified, Najib crossed the Ganges to take possession of estates and established firm administration in territories like Chandpur and Nagina. After Ali Muhammad Khan’s death, Najib manoeuvred between rival factions and eventually secured the title of Najib-ud-daula. By 1757 he had become regent of the Mughal Empire in Delhi, guiding imperial policy and organising resistance against the Marathas and Sikhs. The article highlights his political acumen, noting that he balanced loyalty to the Mughal emperor with independent ambition. It also describes his death and legacy, portraying him as one of the last effective Mughal statesmen.
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Conclusion
The article portrays Najib-ud-daula as a self-made military commander whose strategic abilities and alliances enabled him to rise from humble origins to the pinnacle of power during the declining years of the Mughal Empire. His story illustrates how individual ambition, opportunism and loyalty intersected in the turbulent politics of 18th-century North India. The author concludes that Najib’s regency delayed but could not prevent the empire’s fragmentation.