Khwaja Kamal

Khwaja Kamal
Khwaja Kamal
خواجہ کمال
The last Subahdar of Berar Subah
Iwaz Khan; Azad-u’d Daulah Bahadur; Amir-al Umara
	In office; ?–1724

Last updated August 13, 2024

Iwaz Khan, the maternal uncle of Nizamul Mulk, lent his support to his nephew when he rebelled against the Sayyid Brothers, marching from Malwa to Deccan.^[3] Alongside his troops, Iwaz Khan sided with Nizamul Mulk, participating in both the Battle of Balapur and the Battle of Burhanpur, both of which resulted in victories for Nizamul Mulk and his allies against the Sayyid Brothers.^[1]^[4] Following this, Nizam honoured Iwaz Khan by the title 'Azad-u’d Daulah Bahadur' for his loyalty.^[2] Before departing for Delhi in 1722, Nizamul Mulk appointed Iwaz Khan as the Deputy of Deccan.^[5]

During the Battle of Shakar Kheda between the Mughal Empire and the Nizam, Iwaz Khan played a pivotal role in the victory of the Nizam's forces. He repelled a larger contingent of Mughal cavalry, totaling 9,000, which had been ordered by Mubariz Khan. This successful defense contributed significantly to the defeat of the Mughal forces and led to the establishment of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, marking the independence of the Nizam.^[6]

In 1724, Aiwaz Khan assumed the position of prime minister of the Nizam.^[7] As part of efforts to consolidate power, the Nizam sent an army commanded by Iwaz Khan to the Carnatic region in 1725, with the aim of suppressing Maratha revenue collections.^[8] Iwaz Khan led a successful campaign against Maratha tax collectors in the Carnatic region, effectively expelling them from the villages. In the ensuing clashes, the Marathas suffered significant losses and were compelled to withdraw. Expanding his operations, Iwaz Khan advanced into the Maratha-controlled Tanjavur Kingdom and seized Trichinopoly from Serfoji I. This action prompted a response from the Maratha Chhatrapati Shahu, who dispatched larger forces under Bajirao I and Fateh Singh Bhonsle.^[5] Iwaz Khan's forces achieved victory over the Marathas led by Bajirao and Fateh Singh, forcing them to retreat from the Carnatic region.^[9]

In August 1727, while Bajirao was pillaging Jalna, the Nizam urgently dispatched Iwaz Khan to take action. Despite Iwaz Khan's attempts to engage in a decisive battle, Bajirao continually evaded confrontation by swiftly moving through the countryside. In response, Iwaz Khan deployed rapid response units to pursue Bajirao, who retreated to Mahur and then towards Khandesh. Meanwhile, Nizamu’l-Mulk, foreseeing the threat to Burhanpur posed by Bajirao, strategically outpaced him to intercept. Faced with pursuit from both armies, Bajirao made his retreat march towards Gujarat.^[1]

Ranks and legacy

Khwaja Kamal was titled as 'Iwaz Khan' by Emperor Aurangzeb and 'Azad-u’d Daulah Bahadur' by Nizamul Mulk, was granted a Mansabdar of 5000/5000,^[2]^[10] earning him the title 'Amir-al Kabir' (the Great Amir).^[11] In recognition of his contributions, he was promoted to a rank of 7,000 zat and 7,000 horse,^[1] which made him 'Amir-al Umara' (Amir of Amirs).^[12] Known for his efficient administration and affinity for scholars and Sufis, he passed away in 1731 and was laid to rest at the Dargah of Sheikh Burhanu’d-Din in Khuldabad.^[1]

Upon the passing of 'Iwaz Khan, Nizāmu'l-Mulk expressed,

"Now I feel that I have to perform all the duties of a Sübahdar of Deccan"
— Nizamul Mulk, Asaf Jah, Haqiqatul- Alam, ^[1]

Iwaz Khan served as his most trusted advisor, and Nizamu'l-Mulk relied heavily on his counsel, never embarking on any campaign or daily administrative task without seeking Iwaz Khan's advice.^[1]

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References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Khan, Yusuf Husain (1963). The First Nizam: The Life and Times of Nizamu'l Mulk Asaf Jah I. Asia Publishing House. pp. 117, 187, 209.
1 2 3 4 Malik, Zahiruddin (1977). The Reign of Muhammad Shah, 1719-1748. Asia Publishing House. pp. 225–226. ISBN 978-0-210-40598-7.
↑ Eaton, Richard M.; Faruqui, Munis D.; Gilmartin, David; Kumar, Sunil (2013-03-07). Expanding Frontiers in South Asian and World History: Essays in Honour of John F. Richards. Cambridge University Press. p. 24. ISBN 978-1-107-03428-0.
↑ Cheema, G. S. (2002). The Forgotten Mughals: A History of the Later Emperors of the House of Babar, 1707-1857. Manohar Publishers & Distributors. p. 164. ISBN 978-81-7304-416-8.
1 2 A Comprehensive History of India: 1712-1772, edited by A. C. Banerjee and D. K. Ghase. People's Publishing House. 1978. pp. 206–208.
↑ Sandhu, Gurcharn Singh (2003). A Military History of Medieval India. Vision Books. p. 203. ISBN 978-81-7094-525-3.
↑ Bilgrami, Syed Ali Asgar (1992). Landmarks of the Deccan: A Comprehensive Guide to the Archaeological Remains of the City and Suburbs of Hyderabad. Asian Educational Services. p. 90. ISBN 978-81-206-0543-5.
↑ Gordon, Stewart (2007-02-01). The Marathas 1600-1818. Cambridge University Press. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-521-03316-9.
↑ Wink, André (2007-12-03). Land and Sovereignty in India: Agrarian Society and Politics under the Eighteenth-Century Maratha Svarājya. Cambridge University Press. pp. 96–98. ISBN 978-0-521-05180-4.
↑ Nayeem, M. A. (1985). Mughal Administration of Deccan Under Nizamul Mulk Asaf Jah, 1720-48 A.D. Jaico Publishing House. p. 63. ISBN 978-81-7224-325-8.
↑ Adle, Chahryar; Habib, Irfan (1992). History of Civilizations of Central Asia: Development in contrast : from the sixteenth to the mid-nineteenth century. Unesco. p. 913. ISBN 978-92-3-103876-1.
↑ Rahim, Muhammad Abdur (1963). Social and Cultural History of Bengal: 1576-1757. Pakistan Historical Society. p. 167.

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[:1-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Khan, Yusuf Husain (1963). The First Nizam: The Life and Times of Nizamu'l Mulk Asaf Jah I. Asia Publishing House. pp. 117, 187, 209.

[:0-2] 1 2 3 4 Malik, Zahiruddin (1977). The Reign of Muhammad Shah, 1719-1748. Asia Publishing House. pp. 225–226. ISBN 978-0-210-40598-7.

[3] Eaton, Richard M.; Faruqui, Munis D.; Gilmartin, David; Kumar, Sunil (2013-03-07). Expanding Frontiers in South Asian and World History: Essays in Honour of John F. Richards. Cambridge University Press. p. 24. ISBN 978-1-107-03428-0.

[4] Cheema, G. S. (2002). The Forgotten Mughals: A History of the Later Emperors of the House of Babar, 1707-1857. Manohar Publishers & Distributors. p. 164. ISBN 978-81-7304-416-8.

[:2-5] 1 2 A Comprehensive History of India: 1712-1772, edited by A. C. Banerjee and D. K. Ghase. People's Publishing House. 1978. pp. 206–208.

[6] Sandhu, Gurcharn Singh (2003). A Military History of Medieval India. Vision Books. p. 203. ISBN 978-81-7094-525-3.

[7] Bilgrami, Syed Ali Asgar (1992). Landmarks of the Deccan: A Comprehensive Guide to the Archaeological Remains of the City and Suburbs of Hyderabad. Asian Educational Services. p. 90. ISBN 978-81-206-0543-5.

[8] Gordon, Stewart (2007-02-01). The Marathas 1600-1818. Cambridge University Press. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-521-03316-9.

[9] Wink, André (2007-12-03). Land and Sovereignty in India: Agrarian Society and Politics under the Eighteenth-Century Maratha Svarājya. Cambridge University Press. pp. 96–98. ISBN 978-0-521-05180-4.

[10] Nayeem, M. A. (1985). Mughal Administration of Deccan Under Nizamul Mulk Asaf Jah, 1720-48 A.D. Jaico Publishing House. p. 63. ISBN 978-81-7224-325-8.

[11] Adle, Chahryar; Habib, Irfan (1992). History of Civilizations of Central Asia: Development in contrast : from the sixteenth to the mid-nineteenth century. Unesco. p. 913. ISBN 978-92-3-103876-1.

[12] Rahim, Muhammad Abdur (1963). Social and Cultural History of Bengal: 1576-1757. Pakistan Historical Society. p. 167.

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Khwaja Kamal
خواجہ کمال

The last Subahdar of Berar Subah
Iwaz Khan Azad-u’d Daulah Bahadur Amir-al Umara
In office ?–1724