Battle of Shakar Kheda

In 1714, Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar appointed Nizam-ul-Mulk (also known as Nizam, Nizam I, and Asaf Jah I) as Viceroy of the Deccan. Deccan consisted of six Mughal governorates (Subah): Khandesh, Bijapur, Berar, Aurangabad, Hyderabad, Bidar, and Carnatic region was sub-Subah administered partly by the governor of Bijapur and Hyderabad. In 1721, Nizam was commissioned to Delhi and became Prime Minister of the Mughal Empire. His differences with the court nobles led him to resign from all the imperial responsibilities in 1723 and leave for Deccan.^{[2]: 143 [3]: 95}

Under the influence of Nizam's opponents, Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah issued a decree to Mubariz Khan, the governor of Hyderabad, to prevent the Nizam from taking the Deccan province under his control. Nizam and Mubariz Khan confronted each other at Shakar Kheda (a valley in present-day Buldhana district, Berar Subah, 140 kilometres (87 mi) from Aurangabad), resulting in the Battle of Shakar Kheda.^{[2]: 93–94}

It is reported that Mubariz Khan initiated a march from Hyderabad to engage Nizam-ul-Mulk in battle. The conflict between the two factions resulted in an encounter at Shakar Kheda, during which Nizam-ul-Mulk emerged victorious despite facing significant challenges. The battle ultimately led to the demise of Mubariz Khan. However, there is no available source to verify this information. It is reported that the officers and soldiers who took part in the battle received rewards in the form of cash and titles following Nizam-ul-Mulk's decisive victory. According to historical accounts, Mubariz Khan, a prominent figure, embarked on a march from Hyderabad to engage in battle with Nizam-ul-Mulk The latter, who was a skilled military leader, was reportedly well-prepared for the impending conflict. The two factions met at Shakar Kheda, where they clashed in a fierce battle. Despite facing great odds, Nizam-ul-Mulk emerged victorious and succeeded in killing Mubariz Khan, who was a formidable opponent.

However, there is no available citation to corroborate this information. Following Nizam-ul-Mulk's decisive victory, it is reported that officers and soldiers who had participated in the battle were rewarded with cash and titles. The rewards were a testament to the bravery and valour displayed by the soldiers during the battle. However, the exact nature and extent of the rewards are unclear.^{[citation needed]}