05-07-2007, 07:38 PM
Deccan Chronicle, 76 may 2007
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->A lesson for the corrupt
Â
By Akhilesh Mithal
By the 18th Century the Mughal Empire had kept inva-ders out of India for 200 years (1526-1739). The excellence of the government provided can be judged from the steady increase the production of wealth.
<b>The revenue collected in the reign of Shah Jahan (1628-1658) was double that of Akbar (1556-1605). The war of succession following Shah Jahanâs illness in 1657 caused great damage to the military prowess of the Empire. Aurangzebâs Deccan campaign of 30 years sapped resources further. Aurangzeb lived so long (94 Islamic years) and his successor, a very old man at accession, died only five years later.</b>
The wars of succession that followed sapped the military prowess of the Empire further. Prosperity acted as an opiate. <b>No country in the world would yield the wealth that could accrue to a person from landing a plum job such as commander-in chief or Vizier to the Mughal.</b> <i>Corruption?</i>
Perhaps being a minister in India today is equally lucrative if illegal income is taken into account. <b>When Nadir Shah defeated the emperor Muhammad Shah at Karnal on 13 February, 1739, the invader initially agreed to depart after collecting a ransom of only two crores of rupees. This pact was destroyed by the ambitions of the Nawab Vizier of Awadh, Saâadat Ali Khan. </b>
The Commander-in-chief, Samsamuddowlah, Khan Dauran had created a job vacancy by dying in battle. That plum job had not come to Saâadat Ali Khan but gone to a rival. <b>The incensed and frustrated Saâadat Khan advised Nadir Shah to continue his advance into Shahjahanabad Dillee and collect many times two crores.</b>
Some twelve solid gold thrones each weighing over 1,250 kilos and studded with emeralds rubies and pearls (with the Peacock throne alone carrying jewels worth 50 lakhs at 18th century prices) were lost along with several tones of coined bullion and utensils. The total value of the loot is inestimable.
<b>The far-reaching effects of the Battle of Karnal (13th February 1739) on the administration of India were a dilution in the authority of the emperor. </b>
The history of Bengal provides an example of how values changed. The governor (Nawab Nazim) of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, Shuja Khan died at about the same time as the disastrous defeat. The kind of man he was can be judged from the account of a contemporary:
It would be difficult to mention all the good qualities of that worthy man. For there was not a man in his service whom he had not obliged by some personal favour, and â finding his dissolution at hand â he made a present of two monthâs wages to every nobleman, every man, civil or military, and to every soldier or trooper in his service, without excepting the servants of his household, or the women that attended as menial servants in his seraglio; and a few days before his death, he sent to ask pardon from every one of them, entreating their forgiveness.
He was so impartial an observer of justice, and a judge of so much benignity that the poorest suitor was sure of being in his presence upon a footing with his very son`85.
When Shuja Khanâs son Alauddowlah Sarfaraz Khan succeeded him to the musnud of Murshi-dabad all hitherto constant values such as the absolute authority of the Mughal Emperor and loyalty to the salt of patrons had been diluted.
It was "every man for himself".
<b>Alivardi Khan made a representation to the Emperor that he would present Rs one crore to the presence in addition to all the property of Alauddowlah Sarfaraz Khan if he were appointed to the post of Nawab Nazim Bengal Bihar and Orissa.</b>
In the battle that followed Alivardi Khan prevailed.
A grandson was born to him on the day of his victory, and he gave him his own name, Mirza Muhammad and the title Sirajuddowlah. He looked after his education and training and formally declared him as his heir on 6 th May, 1752.
The Battle of Plassey (Palaashee) in 1757 saw Mirza Muhammad Sirajuddowlah betrayed by Rai Durlabh Biswas and Mir Jaâafar. This was 250 years ago. <b>Is there a lesson for the corrupt in power today?</b>
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Again its group and individual dynamics and not any idea of a nation.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->A lesson for the corrupt
Â
By Akhilesh Mithal
By the 18th Century the Mughal Empire had kept inva-ders out of India for 200 years (1526-1739). The excellence of the government provided can be judged from the steady increase the production of wealth.
<b>The revenue collected in the reign of Shah Jahan (1628-1658) was double that of Akbar (1556-1605). The war of succession following Shah Jahanâs illness in 1657 caused great damage to the military prowess of the Empire. Aurangzebâs Deccan campaign of 30 years sapped resources further. Aurangzeb lived so long (94 Islamic years) and his successor, a very old man at accession, died only five years later.</b>
The wars of succession that followed sapped the military prowess of the Empire further. Prosperity acted as an opiate. <b>No country in the world would yield the wealth that could accrue to a person from landing a plum job such as commander-in chief or Vizier to the Mughal.</b> <i>Corruption?</i>
Perhaps being a minister in India today is equally lucrative if illegal income is taken into account. <b>When Nadir Shah defeated the emperor Muhammad Shah at Karnal on 13 February, 1739, the invader initially agreed to depart after collecting a ransom of only two crores of rupees. This pact was destroyed by the ambitions of the Nawab Vizier of Awadh, Saâadat Ali Khan. </b>
The Commander-in-chief, Samsamuddowlah, Khan Dauran had created a job vacancy by dying in battle. That plum job had not come to Saâadat Ali Khan but gone to a rival. <b>The incensed and frustrated Saâadat Khan advised Nadir Shah to continue his advance into Shahjahanabad Dillee and collect many times two crores.</b>
Some twelve solid gold thrones each weighing over 1,250 kilos and studded with emeralds rubies and pearls (with the Peacock throne alone carrying jewels worth 50 lakhs at 18th century prices) were lost along with several tones of coined bullion and utensils. The total value of the loot is inestimable.
<b>The far-reaching effects of the Battle of Karnal (13th February 1739) on the administration of India were a dilution in the authority of the emperor. </b>
The history of Bengal provides an example of how values changed. The governor (Nawab Nazim) of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, Shuja Khan died at about the same time as the disastrous defeat. The kind of man he was can be judged from the account of a contemporary:
It would be difficult to mention all the good qualities of that worthy man. For there was not a man in his service whom he had not obliged by some personal favour, and â finding his dissolution at hand â he made a present of two monthâs wages to every nobleman, every man, civil or military, and to every soldier or trooper in his service, without excepting the servants of his household, or the women that attended as menial servants in his seraglio; and a few days before his death, he sent to ask pardon from every one of them, entreating their forgiveness.
He was so impartial an observer of justice, and a judge of so much benignity that the poorest suitor was sure of being in his presence upon a footing with his very son`85.
When Shuja Khanâs son Alauddowlah Sarfaraz Khan succeeded him to the musnud of Murshi-dabad all hitherto constant values such as the absolute authority of the Mughal Emperor and loyalty to the salt of patrons had been diluted.
It was "every man for himself".
<b>Alivardi Khan made a representation to the Emperor that he would present Rs one crore to the presence in addition to all the property of Alauddowlah Sarfaraz Khan if he were appointed to the post of Nawab Nazim Bengal Bihar and Orissa.</b>
In the battle that followed Alivardi Khan prevailed.
A grandson was born to him on the day of his victory, and he gave him his own name, Mirza Muhammad and the title Sirajuddowlah. He looked after his education and training and formally declared him as his heir on 6 th May, 1752.
The Battle of Plassey (Palaashee) in 1757 saw Mirza Muhammad Sirajuddowlah betrayed by Rai Durlabh Biswas and Mir Jaâafar. This was 250 years ago. <b>Is there a lesson for the corrupt in power today?</b>
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Again its group and individual dynamics and not any idea of a nation.