Siraj-ud-Daulah

Siraj ud-Daulah
Mansur-ul-Mulk (Victory of the Country) Siraj ud-Daulah (Light of the State) Hybut Jang (Horror in War)
Siraj ud-Daulah
Nawab of Bengal Nazim of Bihar and Orissa
Reign	9 April 1756 – 2 June 1757
Predecessor	Ali Vardi Khan
Successor	Mir Jafar
Spouse(s)	Lutf-un-nisa
Issue Qudsia Begum Sahiba
Full name Mirza Muhammad Siraj ud-Daulah
Father	Zain ud-Din Ahmed Khan
Mother	Amina Begum
Born	1733 Murshidabad, Bengal Subah
Died	12 July 1757 Murshidabad, Company Raj
Buried	Khushbagh, Murshidabad
Religion	Shi'ite Islam
Military career
Allegiance	Mughal Empire
Service/branch	Nawab of Bengal
Rank	Nawabzada, Nawab
Battles/wars	Battle of Plassey

Mirza Muhammad Siraj ud-Daulah (Urdu: میرزا محمد سراج الدولہ‎, Bengali: নবাব মীর্জা মোহাম্মেদ সিরাজউদ্দৌলা), more commonly known as Siraj ud-Daulah (1733 – July 2, 1757), was the last independent Nawab of Bengal. The end of his reign marked the start of British East India Company rule over Bengal and later almost all of South Asia.

Siraj succeeded his maternal grandfather, Alivardi Khan as the Nawab of Bengal in April 1756 at the age of 23. Betrayed by Mir Jafar, then commander of Nawab's army, Siraj lost the Battle of Plassey on 23 June 1757. The forces of the East India Company under Robert Clive invaded and the administration of Bengal fell into the hands of the Company.

Siraj was born to Zain ud-Din Ahmed Khan and Amina Begum in 1733, and soon after his birth, Siraj's maternal grandfather, was appointed the Deputy Governor of Bihar. Accordingly, he was raised at the Nawab's palace with all necessary education and training suitable for a future Nawab. Young Siraj also accompanied Alivardi on his military ventures against the Marathas in 1746. Siraj was regarded as the "fortune child" of the family. Since birth Siraj, had special affection from his grandfather. In May 1752, Alivardi Khan declared Siraj as his successor. Alivardi Khan's died on 10 April 1756 at the age of eighty.

Siraj succeeded Alivardi Khan as the Nawab in April 1756 at the age of 23, under the titles of Mansur-ul-Mulk (Victory of the Country), Siraj ud (Light of the State) and Hybut Jang (Horror in War). Siraj-ud-Daulah's nomination to the Nawabship aroused the jealousy and enmity of his maternal aunt, Ghaseti Begum (Mehar-un-nisa Begum), Mir Jafar and Shaukat Jung (Siraj's cousin). Ghaseti Begum possessed huge wealth, which was the source of her influence and strength. Apprehending serious opposition from her, Siraj ud-Daulah seized her wealth from Motijheel Palace and placed her under confinement. The Nawab also made changes in high government positions giving them his own favourites. Mir Mardan was appointed Bakshi (Paymaster of the army) in place of Mir Jafar. Mohanlal was elevated to the rank of peshkar of his Dewan Khana and he exercised great influence in the administration. Eventually Siraj suppressed Shaukat Jang, governor of Purnia, who was killed in a clash.