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Sayyid Lashkar Khan-Nasir Jung II, also known as Mir Isma'il (died 1757 A.D.) , was a prominent diplomat and served as the Prime Minister of Hyderabad, holding the title of Diwan, under the rule of Salabat Jung.He was one of the prominent prime ministers who had intelligence in war tactics. He had worked under the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah as well as under Nizam Salabat Jung.

Early Life

His name was Mir Isma'il and his ancestors hailed from Sirpul near Balkh. His lineage traces back to Mir Saiyid Ali Divanah, whose shrine in a village in Punjab is highly revered, and who was a descendant of Shah Ni'mat Ullah Vali. His uncle, Saiyid Hashim Khan, served in the royal court. Since Mir Isma'il's father passed away when he was young, Hashim Khan raised him. Mir Isma'il joined the ranks of the 'Ser Servants of the Special Brotherhood', a term referring to the Mughal Mansabdars, and was granted the title of Musafir Khan. In the first year of Muhammad Shah's reign, during the battle with Alam 'All Muk, he, along with Nizam-ul-Mulk, displayed exceptional courage, defeating their adversaries in combat. Nizam-ul-Mulk later portrayed his bravery to the King at the latter's request. As a result, he was appointed faujdar of Attock.

Career

He later resigned from this position and traveled to the Deccan to join Nizam-ul-Mulk, where he was appointed Bakhshi of Sayar Sarkar (the customs) and received the title of Saiyid Lashkar Khan. He then spent a period settling disputes in Rajbandari in Farkhundabunyad (Hyderabad). For a while, he was the governor of Aurangabad. Then, he went with Nizam-ul-Mulk to Upper India and helped during Nader Shah's invasion of India.

Under Nasir Jung Against Marathas

When the disturbance of Baji Rao I, the general of Raja Shahu Bhonsle, which took place in the Deccan led to the battle with Nasir Jung the Martyr, and the Baji Rao having received a severe chastisement died shortly afterwards, Ismail, at the request of (Nizam-ul-Mulk) Bahadur, went and offered consolation to the brother and son of the deceased and established cordial relations. He again went to Upper India with the said Bahadur and returned to the Deccan in 1153 A.H. After the death of Nasir-ud-Daula he was appointed as the Deputy Governor of Aurangabad, and had the rank of 4,000 with 2,000 horse and was given the title of Bahadur and the gift of a flag and a drum. In the time of Nasir Jung the Martyr, he received the title of Nasir Jang. He was temporarily relieved of his duties as Governor of Aurangabad for a brief period.After the battle of Pondicherry, he once again became the Governor of Aurangabad.

Nasir Jung instructed all the Mughal tributaries and dependents in the Carnatic region to join him as he advanced towards the South. Upon his arrival in the Carnatic, Murari Rao Ghorpade, the Raja of Mysore, the Nabobs of Cuddapah, Kurnool, and Savanoor, Muhammad Ali of Arcot, and the English at Fort St. David quickly allied with him.

The English agreed to support Nasir Jung in this campaign after receiving a grant from Muhammad Ali for the territories of San Thome, Trivendipuram, and Poonamalli.

Prior to their arrival, Nasir Jung had dispatched the Pathan Nawabs of Cuddapah and Kurnool, along with Syed Lashkar Khan, to capture Adoni and Rayachoti, the Subah of Muzaffar Jung. Sayyid Lashkar Khan successfully seized Rayachoti and raised the Nizam's flag there.

Rebellion of Nasir Jung

During the rebellion led by Nasir Jung against Nizam ul Mulk Asaf Jah I, with the assistance of his uncle Muzaffar Jung, Nasir Jung attempted to seize power but was ultimately defeated by his father at the Eid Gah Maidan in Aurangabad on 23rd July 1741. Shah Nawaz Khan had supported Nasir Jung in this rebellion, while Sayyid Lashkar Khan fought on the side of Nizam ul Mulk Asaf Jah I. Nasir Jung sustained severe wounds during the battle. When the driver of his own elephant was killed, Nasir Jung bravely took his place. At one point, his brother-in-law, Mutawassil Khan, aimed an arrow at Nasir Jung, but his son Hidayat Moideen Khan, who was also on the elephant, intervened, saving his uncle's life. Sayyid Lashkar Khan, an experienced officer who knew Nasir Jung well, demonstrated respect and courtesy by saluting him and offering him a seat on his own elephant. Touched by this gesture, Nasir Jung accepted and was subsequently taken as a prisoner to Aurangabad.

Appointment as Bakshi of Bidar

Rustam Beg Khan was moved from the post of the Bakshi of Mahur sarkar to commanding the military forces (faujdari) in the same area. On the other hand, Saiyid Lashkar Khan was shifted from leading the military(faujdari) to managing the administrative affairs in sair and later was promoted to the position of Bakshi of Bidar.

Titles Given to Him

• Nasir Jung

Sayyid Lashkar Khan was given the title of Nasir Jung and was appointed as the commander-in-Chief of the armies. Qazi Muhammad Dayam was appointed Faujdar of Baklaua. Sayyid Sharif Khan, Subedar of Berar was given the title of Shujaat Jang.

• Vakil-ul-Mutlaq
• Rukn-ud-daulah
• Madar-ul-Maham

After the assassination of Raja Raghunath Das, Salabat Jung designated Saiyid Lashkar Khan as Vakil-i-Mutlaq and Madar-ul-Muham, bestowing upon him the title of 'Ruknud Daula'. The latter then assigned Allah Yar Beg Qalmaw the role of 'Bahadur Dil Khan' and placed him in charge of revenue management.

Military Career

Capture of Avandha Fort

Sayyid Lashkar Khan, a distinguished commander, was poised for the capture of Avandha Fort in Konkan. The strategic preparations orchestrated by Said Lashkar Khan for the siege of Avadha Fort were relayed to the Peshwa by Malhar Dadaji. Furthermore, Raghunath Ganesh informed the Peshwa about Sayyid Lashkar Khan's military movements towards Avandha Fort and the Nizam-ul-mulk's departure towards Dharur. As the deputy of the Marathas, Raghunath Ganesh provided intelligence to Shahuji indicating that the Nizam was indisposed in Hyderabad, his troops had successfully taken control of Avandha Fort, and his emissaries had been dispatched to Surat, although the purpose of their mission remained undisclosed. Malhar Dadaji made a valiant attempt to defend against the forces of Sayyid Lashkar Khan, however, proved unable to withstand the onslaught and consequently surrendered the Avandha Fort to him. Subsequently, Malhar Dadaji (Barve) relayed the news of the conquest of Avandha Fort by Sayyid Lashkar Khan to the Peshwa.

As the Prime Minister of Hyderabad

The French intervention in Hyderabad's affairs was met with disapproval by numerous individuals within Salabat Jung's court, who were eager to liberate the Nizam from this foreign domination. Leading the charge against the French influence in the Deccan was Syed Lashkar Khan, the Diwan. As a long-standing and reliable confidant of Nizamu'l Mulk, Syed Lashkar Khan consistently opposed foreign interference in the internal matters of the Hyderabad State, establishing himself as a prominent advocate for safeguarding the region's autonomy.

His Anti-French Plot and Dismissal

Bussy became ill and had to leave his position in January 1753, which ended his dispute with Dupleix. Realizing the mismanagement by Goupil, who he had left in charge, and the plots of Sayyid Lashkar Khan that threatened the French, Bussy saw it as his duty and honor to safeguard his achievements. Upon his return to Hyderabad, he threatened to form an alliance with the Marathas unless the four Circars of Rajahmundry, Ellore, Chicacole, and Mustafanagar were handed over to France. This would provide him with revenue to regain control of his army and the Deccan. Bussy managed to have Lashkar Khan removed and replaced with Chanavas Khan, a supporter of the French cause. He also appointed loyal governors to key positions. Lashkar Khan's victory over Raghuji Bhonsle in April 1754 near Nagpur in Berar further solidified his influence in Hyderabad and demonstrated his value to Salabat Jung.

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