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Nawab Fazl Ali Khan (1710-1760s)( also spelled as Fazal Ali Khan), was a Nawab of Ghazipur

Biography

Fazl Ali (1700–1760s) was a significant political figure in the Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh during the 18th century. He was the eldest son of Abdullah, a prominent ruler in the region. Following Abdullah's death in 1744, Fazl Ali was absent from Ghazipur, and his younger brother Karam-ullah was appointed as the governor. Fazl Ali subsequently appealed to Safdar Jang, the Nawab of Awadh, and secured the governorship by agreeing to an additional payment of one lakh rupees. Along with this, he received the titles Saif Jang and Mumtaz-ul-Mulk. Karam-ullah, unwilling to openly oppose his brother, sought the support of Nawal Rai, Safdar Jang's deputy, who appointed Shahbaz Khan to act as an agent in Ghazipur to monitor Fazl Ali’s administration. Fazl Ali’s tenure faced criticism, leading to his removal in 1747 and the reinstatement of Karam-ullah as governor. Fazl Ali subsequently joined Safdar Jang’s court and participated in the campaign against Ahmad Shah Abdali’s forces, where he played a notable role in supporting the Mughal army. This earned him the favor of Safdar Jang, and following Karam-ullah’s death in 1748, Fazl Ali was restored as governor of Ghazipur. At this time, the annual revenue demand was raised to five lakh rupees.

In 1750, Safdar Jang suffered a defeat at the hands of the Bangash Nawab of Farrukhabad. As part of this conflict, Muhammad Amin Khan occupied Ghazipur, forcing Fazl Ali to leave without resistance. However, the Pathans could not maintain their hold on the district, and Fazl Ali regained control the following year. In 1754, after Shuja-ud-Daula succeeded Safdar Jang as Nawab of Awadh, Fazl Ali was removed from his position due to revenue shortfalls, and Muhammad Ali Khan was appointed in his place. Muhammad Ali Khan, however, faced difficulties maintaining order in the region, and Fazl Ali was reappointed as governor. His jurisdiction was expanded to include Azamgarh.

During this period, Fazl Ali’s administration encountered challenges, and in 1757, Shuja-ud-Daula’s deputy, Bani Bahadur, and Raja Balwant Singh of Banaras were sent to Ghazipur to address the situation. Fazl Ali attempted resistance but was defeated and fled to Patna. The governorship of Ghazipur was subsequently transferred to Balwant Singh, with an annual revenue demand of eight lakh rupees. Fazl Ali acquired a considerable estate during his tenure, often through forced sales. His property holdings reportedly amounted to 1,647 villages and parts of 47 others. These acquisitions were later treated as invalid by Raja Balwant Singh, and attempts to reclaim the lands in 1788 proved unsuccessful. However, a pension was awarded to Azim Khan, Fazl Ali’s nephew and Abdullah’s grandson.

Fazl Ali’s tenure as governor of Ghazipur reflects the complexities of 18th-century regional politics in North India. His interactions with Safdar Jang, Shuja-ud-Daula, and other prominent figures of the period highlight the shifting alliances and administrative challenges of the time. His rule, though marked by periods of success and influence, also faced significant opposition and eventual decline in the face of changing political circumstances. Fazl Ali died in 1760s and was buried at his ansistoral toumb of Nawab kila burzi at Ghazipur , near his father, later after 1788, probably Muhammad Azim Ali Khan, established/restored their ansistoral Qasimabad estate at Ghazipur.