After the death of Najam-ud-Daulla, his younger brother "Saif-ul-Mulk, Suja-ud-Daulla, Shahmat Jang (Sword of the Country, Hero of the the State, Arrow in War)" Nawab Saif-ud-Daulla was placed on theMasnad (Throne) at an age of 17 years. The Management devolved upon Munny Begum (Gaddinashin
Begum) his mother. A treaty was concluded on the 19th May, 1766, in which the Company engaged to pay
him the reduced stipend of Rs 41,86,131 and 9 Anas (1Rs = 12 Ana's), namely Rs 17,78,854 and 1 Ana for his household and Rs 24,07,277 and 8 Anas for the support of the Nizamat.Muhammad Reza Khan, Dullavram and Jagat Seth were allowed to continue in their offices.
The amount of Stipend fixed was probably in consideration of the yield of the Jagir or akta lands, which lay dispersed throughout the province in small dismembered allotments, which had been assigned for the maintenance of the dignity and household of the Nazim. Of the 16 lac Rupees which in 1765, his brother, Najam-ud-Daulla had paid the Company upon bond, 3 lakhs were repaid to Saif-ud-Daulla and the balance, which remained due to the Nawab, he gave as a fund, to be disposed of in the same manner as the 5 lakhs bequeathed to Clive by Mir Jafar.He was formally installed on the
Khahar Balish,
at Murshidabad Fort, on 22
nd May 1766 (confirmed by Emperor Shah Alam
II 27
th June 1766).
Though the old Masnad remained in the Nawab's palace at Murshidabad, real authority passed into the chamber of the Directors in London. They considered, however that the majesty and the dignity of the Government still resided in the Nawab and his ministers, and these only were known to the inhabitants as the power to whom they were accountable.
Saif-ud-Daulla, after sending the usual
Nazars, procured from the Emperor Shah Alam of Delhi
sanads and
farmans for the
Subahdariand
Foujdari of the three provinces, and the rank of "
Hast Hazari"
(
commander of eight thousand horses). His supremacy over the three Subahs was acknowledged
without any resistance. Nawab
Muhammad Reza Khan, as before, owing to the minority of the Nawab,
held the post of
Naib, and obtaining more powers than before over the Nizamat affairs,
directed his attention to the government of the estate. The Governor and his Councillors took upon themselves
the superintendence of the State affairs and the protection of the country.
Muhammad Reza Khan appointed his own favourites,
Ismail Ali Khanand
Mir Abdul Ali and others, aides-de-camp and tutors to the young Nazim.
At that time the affairs of the Government were conducted in the following manner ::
Muhammad Reza Khan [
Mozuffer Jang],
Raja Shitab Rai,
and
Jisarut Khan, in Bengal, Bihar, and Dacca respectively, after
discharging their State duties, submitted twice a week their administration reports and other papers to the Governor.
The Foujdars and other officers of every place after conducting the Nizamat affairs, submitted reports
to the Naib Nazim, and the Naib conducted the affairs with the advice of the Political Resident.
And also from that time, at the intercession of Muhammad Reza Khan, the
Naibs,
Dewans,
Qanungos, and
Mohurirs etc., who had hitherto been paid by percentage
commission, began to receive fixed monthly pay. Muhammad Reza Khan received three lakhs, and Dewans
Raja Mahendra and
Dullavram,
two lakhs each and
Shitab Rai one lakh yearly.
The system of paying by commission was abolished altogether.
After taking the Dewani, Clive removed the Supreme
Kutcheri (
Court)
from the
Nizamat Kila (
Fort)
to the
Moti Jheel garden-house of
Nawajesh Muhammad alias
Shahmat Jang, son-in-law and nephew
of
Alivardi Khan,
and there celebrated the "
Poonneah" ceremony.
Muhammad Reza Khan carried on the Dewani alone till the year 1770 AD when
Mr. Becher succeeded
Mr. Francis Sykes, and a
second Resident
Mr. Morrison was appointed with limited power and authority.
Muhammad Reza Khan finding himself reduced in power tried to extricate himself from their hands.
From this year the date of the payment of Nizamat pensions etc., and the regulation of other State affairs
were transferred from the lunar to the solar year.
As the Europeans privately imported into this country ammunition and weapons,
a Nizamat customs house was established at Murshidabad to check the private
importation of arms and ammunition by Europeans.
In 1770, a great epidemic of small pox raged
in Murshidabad and 63,000 of its inhabitants died, one of the victims being Nawab Saif-ud-Daulla himself
on 10
th March 1770. His mortal remains lie in
Jafarganj Mokbara.