Home > Indian History > History of India > Sayyid Brothers in Later Muhgal Politics
Sayyid Brothers in Later Muhgal Politics
The Sayyid brothers played a vital role in the Muhgal politics, which determined the course of the administration.

Share this Article:

Sayyid Brothers in Later Muhgal PoliticsThe Sayyid Brothers-Abdullah Khan and Hussain Ali played the most important part in Muhgal politics from 1713 to 1720. They were the leaders of the Hindustani Party. The Hindustani Party was formed in order to secure the anti-Muhgal and the quasi-nationalist interest that creep up during the time of the later Mughals.

The Sayyid Brothers were the descendants of a Prophet. Though the name of the Prophet has not yet been known, the historians have opined that the Prophet settled in the Doab region of the Muzaffarnagar districts for centuries. The Sayyids therefore are ingrained in the Indian society. Sayyid Miyan, the father of the Sayyid brothers (Abdullah Khan and Hussain Ali) used to serve as the Subahdar of Bijapur and Ajmer in the Muhgal period. After the death of Aurungzeb, there followed a war of succession for the Muhgal Throne. In this war of succession these two brothers joined in the army led by Bahadur Shah. In this way they came in contact with the later Muhgal politics. The Sayyid brothers were duly rewarded Emperor Bahadur Shah. In 1708 prince Azim-us-Shan appointed Hussain Ali in an assignment at Bihar. The prince Azim-us-Shan also appointed Abdullah Khan as his deputy in the province of Allahabad. It was because of these Sayyid Brothers, that Farukhshiyar ascended the throne of Delhi after his father Azim-us-Shan.

Farukhshiyar after his accession to the throne appointed Sayyid Abdullah Khan as his official or Chief Minister. Moreover he conferred him the titles like Qutb-ul-Mulk, Yamin-ud-daula, and Sayyid Abdullah Khan Bahadur, Zafar Jung etc. The younger brother Hussain Ali was appointed Mir Bakshi or virtual commander in Chief. He was also conferred with several prestigious titles. Khafi Khan, the contemporary of Farukhshiyar held that the appointment of the Sayyid brothers to such a high post excited the jealousy of the Turani and the Irani councilors of the Muhgal court. Thus the Sayyid brothers entered in the Muhgal politics in the later years.

The most active noble in the anti-Sayyid alliance was Mir Jumla, a favorite of the Emperor. The incompetent emperor gave Mir Jumla the right to use his authority. At the same time Sayyid Abdullah Khan, being a chief minister declared that no mansabs or promotions or appointing officers could exercise the emperor`s authority without his permission. Hence the enmity initiated between Mir Jumla and the Sayyids. Differences between the Sayyids and the emperor culminated when Hussain Ali was appointed as the Subhadari of Deccan. But Hussain Ali could not move to Deccan leaving his brother bare to the politics of the Muhgal court. In due course there developed differences of the Sayyid brothers with the emperor. Finally it was declared that Hussain Ali would in person to assume the Subhadari and Mir Jumla would be sent out of Delhi to assume the Subhadari of Patna.

However the reconciliation could not really satisfy the emperor. Out of his grudge against Hussain Ali the emperor appointed Daud Khan, the Subahdar of Gujrat to kill Hussain Ali. But Hussain Ali discovered the plot and finally killed Daud Khan. But Farukhshiyar again intrigued against Hussain Ali. But Hussain Ali with the help of his tactical measure overcame all the plots against him. Instead of establishing an imperial authority in Deccan, Hussain Ali made a reconciliation with the Marathas. He signed a treaty with Shahu in 1719. He conceded great concessions to the Marathas in return of the armed supporting his struggle for supremacy in Delhi.

In the meantime Emperor Farukhshiyar decided to appoint Muhammad Murad in place of Abdullah Khan. Farukhshiyar collected a large army in order to defeat Abdullah Khan. Fearing a big army, Abdullah Khan also tried to enlist a big army against the emperor. However the general belief runs that Abdullah Khan was made prisoner. Hussain Ali rushed back towards Delhi carrying the Maratha Troops with him. As a result the clash between the Emperor Farukhshiyar and the Sayyid Brothers became inevitable. In the due course Abdullah Khan won over the important nobles like Sarbuland Khan, Nijam-ul-Mulk, Ajit Singh etc to his side. Now the Sayyid brothers confronted the Emperor Farukhshiyar with certain demands. The emperor also agreed to fulfill all their demands. But ultimately the Sayyid brothers killed the Emperor Farukhshiyar on 28thApril, 1719.

Thus after the death of Farukhshiyar, the Sayyid brothers became the masters of Delhi. They had the full control over the political situation at Delhi. They placed Rafi-ud-Dajarat, to the throne of Delhi. Thus the Sayyid brothers became the king makers of the Delhi throne. The emperors on the Delhi throne became the puppet and the Sayyids ran the administration. The contemporary records of Khafi Khan testify the stronghold of the Sayyid brothers in the Muhgal politics. From these records it is known that the Sayyids greatly leaned on the support of the Hindus. The Sayyid brothers lend the Hindu support in their struggle of supremacy in Delhi. Hence they owed to the Hindus. During their time many Hindus became the part of the Muhgal politics. During their time once again jiziya and slaughter of cows was abolished.

The Sayyid brothers becoming the sole authority of Muhgal politics reduced the status of the Turani and the Irani noblemen in the Muhgal court. This excited the jealousy of these nobles, who used to enjoy high status under Emperor Farukhshiyar. As a result they formed a force of counter-revolution against the Sayyid brothers. The leader of the Counter Revolution was Nizam-ul-Mulk. In order to subdue the counter-revolution, the Sayyid brothers shifted Nizam from Delhi. Nizam was appointed as the Subahdar of Malwa. In due course Nizam captured the forts of Asirgarh and Burhanpur in Deccan. Moreover Nizam also killed Alam Ali Khan, the adopted son of Hussain Ali, who was the Deputy Subahdar of the Deccan. Meanwhile in Delhi a plot was devised against the Sayyid brothers. Haider Khan ultimately killed Hussain Ali. Abdullah Khan with a big army set out to avenge his brother`s murder. But Abdullah Khan was defeated at Hasanpur and later he was poisoned to death. Thus the protracted career of the Sayyid brothers came to an end.


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India

History of Indian Drama
History of Indian Drama is rich with Vedas and Indian epics and has gradually changed with time and remains unaffected by any foreign influence.
History of Khajuraho Temple
Located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is country’s most magnificent groups of temples.
History of Ayurveda
History of Ayurveda dates back to 5,000 years old and is widely considered to be the oldest form of health care in the world.
History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History of Indian Photography
An overview of the development of photography, through the various stages in India.
History of Delhi
History of Delhi began with the advent of Indian regal dynasties. Delhi witnessed the rise and fall of Hindu dynasties, Muslims and the British as well.
History of Indian Radio
History of Indian Radio dates back to late 1930s with the first establishment of All India Radio in 1936 that improved further after independence.
History of Punjab
History of Punjab dates back to the 16th century; however its formation is traced in the great epic Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
History of Maharashtra
Maharashtra, the land of charismatic Marathas, unfolds the legend of diverse culture and tradition, keeping in pace with the modernity. The gallant history of Maharashtra is still echoed amidst its historical relics and archeological wonders.
History of Kerala
History of Kerala can be interpreted from the inscriptions of Ashoka, Mauryan Emperor. History of Kerala is as interesting as its wide-ranging geographical features that make the land a place of versatile appeal.
History of Bihar
History of Bihar goes back to the very dawn of the human civilizations. Many eminent personalities and leaders from Bihar contributed for India’s freedom struggle.
History of Assam
In the ancient Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, Assam was known as `Kamarupa` or `Pragjyotish`. In the Mahabharata, the Puranas, the Tantras there are references of Assam as Kamrupa kingdom.
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands dates back to the settlement of the East India Company in the territory of the Islands.
History of West Bengal
History of West Bengal is rooted in richness and is an important episode in the history of India. The history of Bengal played an important role in shaping the history of India.
History of Jharkhand
One of the fairly newer states, Jharkhand was carved out of the southern portion of Bihar in 2000. The history of Jharkhand is seeped with a variety of cultural significances starting from the Vedic era to Mughal period and finally the British administration.
History of Sikkim
History of Sikkim declares the pre historic culture and the colonial era hilly politics and the rules of Sikkim.
History of Nagaland
The history of Nagaland mainly revolves around and deals with the customs and economic activities of the Naga Tribes and how the state has evolved since the Indian Independence.
History of Mizoram
History of Mizoram includes the various historical events and incidents which occurred during the various ages, right from before the age of the Mughals.
History of Jammu & Kashmir
History of Jammu and Kashmir involves a series of political and geographical transformations from every ancient era to the modern times also. Even now, Jammu and Kashmir has its political tension between Pakistan and India.
History of Puducherry
Puducherry was invaded by different invaders in different times. The invaders include Pallava Kingdom of Kanchipuram, dynasties of the South, Cholas of Thanjavur, Pandyas and Muslim invaders.
History of Chandigarh
In 1947, the British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Punjab was also included in this partition. So, there was a need for a new capital for Punjab, as the old capital Lahore became part of Pakistan during the partition. So, in 1948, under the leadership of chief architect Mr. P.L. Verma the construction of Chandigarh city began.
History of Daman and Diu
During the early stage, i.e. from 8th to 13th century, Daman and Diu was part of Goa.
History of Lakshadweep
History of Lakshadweep defines the first settlement on these islands under the Union Territory of India that was ruled by Cheraman Perumal, who was the last king of Kerala.
History of Karnataka
History of Karnataka comprised of the different rulers of different dynasties of various religions like Hindus, Buddhists, and later the Muslims.
History of Goa
History of Goa dates back to the 3rd century BC and reflects the rule of the mighty rulers and gained its independence under Jawaharlal Nehru.
History of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh possesses a rich historical heritage of culture of the ancient tribes. Being a bordering state of India, Arunachal Pradesh also has a history of military unrest since ancient Indian age.
History of Andhra Pradesh
History of Andhra Pradesh traces its origin back to the 5th century BC. According to the inscriptions, Kuberaka, the oldest Kingdom in South India had an empire in the coastal Andhra during that period.
History of Himachal Pradesh
History of Himachal Pradesh narrates about the various settlements and dynasties that emerged in the region over time.
History of Uttarakhand
History of Uttarakhand finds mention in the early Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand, Manaskhand and Himavat. Uttarakhand is called as the Land of the Gods (Dev Bhoomi) because of its various holy places and shrines.
History of Rajasthan
The history of Rajasthan is dotted with tales of valor, chivalry, camaraderie and romance.
History of Tamil Nadu
History of Tamil Nadu reveals that this ancient place in South India was ruled by various kingdoms like the Pandyas Dynasty, Cholas Dynasty, Nayakas Dynasty and Pallavas Dynasty.
History of Haryana
History of Haryana depicts various events and influences that have cast a profound effect on the culture and people of the district. The place gained statehood on 1st of November 1966
History of Odisha
History of Odisha goes back a rather long way. Most of the history of the state is replete with the dynastic as well as tribal struggle for territorial superiority. Odisha is a place where one can find the religion, culture and history flow in away that lead to cultural amalgamation of early India.
History of Manipur
History of Manipur can be traced back to the prehistoric ages and this was followed by a number of rulers who reigned the land from age to age till it came under British rule and later joined the union of India.
History of Gujarat
History of Gujarat can be dated back to the 14th century that later witnessed the supremacy of many powerful dynasties.
History of Tripura
History of Tripura is dealing with the early mythological history and the history of British rule in North eastern part of India.
History of Meghalaya
The history of Meghalaya predominantly comprises of the three tribes of the state- Garo, Khasi and Jaintia tribes. Later on Meghalaya was formed by carving out two districts from the state of Assam.
History of Chhattisgarh
History of Chhattisgarh dates back to the era of epics and traces through the reign of powerful dynasties in India like Marathas. The area developed a rich cultural heritage during British era.