Quick Facts
Biography
Mīrzā Muḥammad I'tiṣām al-Dīn Pãchnūrī, (Bengali: মির্জা মোঃ ইতেশামুদ্দীন, Persian: ميرزا محمد اعتصام الدين), or was a Mughal diplomat and the first educated Indian and Bengali to travel to Europe, in 1765. He was also a munshi serving the Nawabs of Bengal as well as the East India Company. He had also written the text of the 1765 Treaty of Allahabad.
Early life
He was born in the village of Panchnur, Chakdaha, Nadia in the Mughal Empire's Bengal Subah as Syed Muhammad I'tisam al-Din. He was born into a Bengali Muslim family and his father's name was Sheikh Tajuddin, the son of Shahabuddin. His birthplace, Kazipara Masjid, still stands today and his ancestors are said to have arrived after the Battle of Pandua. It is also said his ancestors were trying to flee a Mongol invasion in Persia. He came from a privileged background, in which he was well educated and fluent in the Arabic, Bengali, Hindustani, and Persian languages. His elder brother was a mufti and adviser to the Nawab of Bengal, Alivardi Khan. Munshi Salimullah, who worked under Mir Jafar, trained I'tisam to also become a munshi and taught him the Persian language.
Career
He began his career as a munshi to Mir Jafar in Murshidabad. On the accession of Mir Qasim, he entered the service of the East India Company's Major Martin Yorke and Park and took part in a campaign against Raja Asad uz-Zaman Khan of Birbhum. After the battle, Emperor Shah Alam II recognised his efforts in Azimabad.
Later, I'tisam served under Captain Mackinon as paymaster for an orphanage. He fought alongside Mackinon and the East India Company against Mir Qasim in 1763 during the Battle of Giria and the Battle of Udhwa Nala. Bardette also made I'tisam the Tehsildar of Kutubpur.
Travel to Europe
In 1765, he entered the service of John Carnac. During this time, Shah Alam II offered I'tisam the title of Mirza if he was willing to work under him as well as the opportunity to travel to Europe. In Murshidabad, he set off with Captain Archibald Swinton on a diplomatic mission to the court of King George III to send a letter from Shah Alam II and 1 lakh takas. I'tisam was also accompanied by his servant, Muhammad Muqim. After three weeks at sea, Swinton revealed to I'tisam that neither the letter from Shah Alam nor his tribute of a lakh of takas was on board as it had been seized by Robert Clive. Robert Clive later on sent the money to the English king, on his own behalf to suppress contact between England and the Mughals. I'tisam taught Swinton the Arabic tales of Kalila and Demna. As such I'tisam never was never to meet George III and instead accompanied Swinton to Nantes via the southern coast of Africa. In Nantes, Swinton left for England while I'tisam remained in France for a month travelling to Calais as well.
From Calais, I'tisam took a ship to Dover, reaching Britain in 1766. He remained in London for three months before reuniting with Swinton in Oxford, where they assisted Sir William Jones with South Asian manuscripts, the translation of the Persian book Farhang-i-Jahangiri into English and Jones' book, A grammar of the Persian language. During his time, he also taught the Persian to those who intended to work in the Mughal Empire.
Return to Asia
He returned to Bengal after a three-year absence due to food problems. He was later employed by the East India Company in negotiations with the Maratha Empire. He travelled with John Hamilton to Pune and drew up treaties and settled peace.
In 1785, he published the Shigurf-nama-i-Wilayat (or 'Wonder Book of England'), in the Persian language, detailing his travels. He was the first educated Indian and Bengali to visit England and describe the journey. The work has been translated into English, Hindustani and Bengali.
Written works
- Treaty of Allahabad
- Shigurf Namah i Vilayat
- Nasab Namah
Death
It is estimated that he passed away in 1800.