Azam Khan (Subahdar)
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Azam Khan | |
|---|---|
| Grand Vizier | |
| In office 1628–1628 | |
| Monarch | Shah Jahan |
| Preceded by | Wazir Khan |
| Succeeded by | Afzal Khan Shirazi |
| 20th Subahdar of Bengal | |
| In office 1632–1635 | |
| Preceded by | Qasim Khan |
| Succeeded by | Islam Khan II |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1573 Sava, Iraq |
| Died | 1649 (aged 76) Jaunpur |
Mir Muhammad Baqir Iradat Khan, also known by his title Azam Khan, was a Mughal official who served as Subahdar of Bengal Subah from 1632 to 1635.[1]
Azam Khan's real name was Mir Muhammad Baqir.[2] He was originally from Iraq and came to Indian subcontinent during the reign of Jahangir. Jahangir appointed him as "Khan-i-Saman". Then, he was appointed as Subahdar of Kashmir.[2] Later, he was appointed as Mir Bakhxi too. Shahjahan honoured him with the title "Azam Khan", and appointed him as Grand Wazir in 1628.[2][3]
When Azam Khan was the ruler of Bengal, the English had warm relation with the authority.[2] During his tenure, Bengal faced chaotic administrative and military situation, because Assamese King Pratap Singh made sporadic raids in Kamarupa. For this, he was removed from his post and Islam Khan II appointed as Subahdar of Bengal.[2]
Azam Khan was then made the governor of Gujarat, and in 1641 marched against the zamindar of Jam who did not, like the other landholders, submit to his authority. He arrived at Nawanagar, the zamindar's seat. The Jam presented 100 Cutch horses and three lacs of mahmüdis and destroyed his mint where mahmudîs used to be coined,and waited upon him. He returned from there to Ahmadabad. After that he was made fief-holder of Mathura and built a serai and quarter there. After that he was made governor of Bihar, and in 1648 he was summoned to take charge of Kashmir. However, Azam represented that he could not stand the cold of that region, and he was appointed to Jaunpur in succession to Mirza Hasan Şafavi. In 1649, Azam Khan died at the age of 76. He was buried in a garden which he had constructed beforehand on the bank of the Gumti.[4]