Nawab Sayyid Hussain Ali Khan Barha

Nawab Sayyid Hussain Ali Khan Barha (1666 – 8 October 1720), was a kingmaker of the later Mughal Period. Best known for ordering the death of the Emperor Farrukhsiyar largely in attempt to halt the numerous assainatin attempts that the latter had ordered against him and his brother Abdullah Khan Barha. Hussain Ali Khan rose as a kingmaker in early 18th century India, when he was also the de jure ruler of Aurangabad, ruler of Ajmer by proxy and Subedar of the Deccan

Both Hussain Ali Khan and his brother, Abdullah Khan II, had a hand in the installation or deposition (or both installation and deposition) of several emperors to the throne at Delhi, including: Bahadur Shah I, Jahandar Shah, Furrukhsiyar, Rafi ud Darajat, Shah Jahan II,Ibrahim and Muhammad Shah. and eventually became de facto rulers of the sub-continent by the early 18th century, at a time when India's economy was the largest in the world.

Early Life and Family

Barha was the second son of the Nawab of Ajmer, Sayyid Mian Abdullah Khan I. His family were descendants of the fourth Rashidun Caliph, Ali, and after migrating in ancient times to India, the family quickly became established as nobles of the sword a status they held under various empires, notably including the Delhi Sultanate and later the Sur Empire. Under the Mughals the family was firmly regarded as old nobility and by the reign of Aurangzeb they held the prestige of being Nawabs of Ajmer or Dakhin, premier realms typically reserved for princes of blood.

He started his early career as a Faujdar under Aurangzeb's reign and eventually gained higher positions after backing Bahadur Shah I in the succession war ensuing Aurangzeb's death.

Biography

Hussain Ali Khan served as Bakhsi (the premier general or defence minister of the empire, with powers often extending beyond the war office) of the Mughal Empire and personally oversaw the end of Ajit Singh's rebellion. He is noted by William Irvine to have been "Really friendly to the poor and non-oppressive in disposition." During his time as the ruler of Aurangabad, Barha began a reservoir, a bridge and other works for the public.

Death

He was eventually assassinated by Turkish nobles also known as the Turani faction. On the pretext of presenting a petition concerning his malnourished troops, Haider Beg Dughlat fatally stabbed Hussain Ali Khan as his attention was diverted to reading the petition. Haider Beg Dughlat was immediately killed by Hussain Ali Khan's fourteen year old nephew Sayyid Nurallah Khan (Sayyid Nur Ali) who was himself immediately killed by Mughal troops. According to the historian Khizr Khan, Hussain Ali Khan was buried in his fathers tomb at Ajmer.

Titles

Upon helping the Emperor Farrukhsiyar to the throne of Delhi, Hussain Ali Khan Barha was awarded with the position of Mir Bakshi and granted the following titles and appellations: Umdat-ul-mulk, Amir-ul-Umara, Bahadur, Feroze Jung, Sipah Sardar.

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