Introduction
- For the districts in Delhi, see Safdarjung (Delhi).
Abul Mansur Mirza Muhammad Muqim Ali Khan better known as Safdar Jang (Hindi: सफ़्दरजंग, Urdu: صفدرجنگ) (b. c. 1708 – d. 5 October 1754), was the Subadar Nawab of Oudh (the ruler of the Indian state of Oudh, also known as Awadh) from 19 March 1739 to 5 October 1754. He was a descendant of Qara Yusuf from the Kara Koyunlu.
Biography
In 1739 he succeeded his father-in-law and maternal uncle, the Burhan ul Mulk Saadat Ali Khan I to the throne of Oudh, apparently by paying Nadir Shah twenty million rupees. The Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah gave him the title of "Safdar Jang".
Safdar Jang was an able administrator. He was not only effective in keeping control of Oudh, but also managed to render valuable assistance to the weakened Muhammad Shah. He was soon given governorship of Kashmir as well, and became a central figure at the Delhi court. During the later years of Muhammad Shah, he gained complete control of administration in the Mughal Empire. When Ahmad Shah Bahadur ascended the throne at Delhi in 1748, Safdar Jung became his Wazir ul-Mumalik-i-Hindustan or Chief Minister of Hindustan. He was also made the governor of Ajmer and became the "Faujdar" of Narnaul. However, court politics eventually overtook him and he was dismissed in 1753. He returned to Oudh in December 1753, and made Faizabad military headquarter. He died in October 1755 at the age of 46 years in Sultanpur near Faizabad.
Tomb
Safdar Jang's Tomb was built in 1754 and is situated on a road now known as Safdar Jang Raod, in New Delhi.
Several other modern structures near the tomb also carry his name today like Safdar Jang Airport and Safdar Jang Hospital