Mīr Bakhsh ʿAlī (, ), or simply Bakhsh Ali, was a statesman best known for serving as the Faujdar of Barisal Division (Barisal) during the reigns of Mughal Empire Shah Alam II and Nawab of Bengal Mubarak Ali Khan.
Career
Ali was a significant figure in the administration of
Mughal Bengal, particularly during the decline of the
Mughal Empire and the rise of the East India Company's colonial power.
In September of 1779, Bakhsh Ali found himself embroiled in a contentious dispute with Jayanarayana, the last
Zamindar of
. Jayanarayana, seeking redress, lodged a formal complaint with the East India Company, accusing the
Faujdar of Bakla (Barisal) of impeding the smooth administration of his
zamindari estate. However, this very grievance, far from bringing any alleviation, only served to exacerbate Jayanarayana's predicament, culminating in the catastrophic consequence of his estate being seized and auctioned off by the Company.
By December of that same year, Company officials in the eastern districts of Bengal brought to the attention of Governor-General
Warren Hastings grave accusations concerning Bakhsh Ali's deplorable conduct. It was asserted that he was perpetrating acts of brutality and misconduct throughout every
pargana within the jurisdiction of Sarkar Bakla (Barisal). In light of the gravity of these allegations, British commercial and administrative officers, deeply perturbed by the extent of his transgressions, were compelled to draft formal petitions and issue stern reprimands, so as to address the egregious nature of his behaviour.
On the 19th of January, 1780, Nawab Mubarak-ud-Dawlah, in a letter to Governor-General Warren Hastings, conveyed that he had taken decisive action in the matter at hand, dispatching agents vested with warrants for Ali's apprehension. He had specifically enjoined the Faujdar of
Jahangir Nagar to ensure that Ali was swiftly conveyed to
Murshidabad without delay, whereupon his arrival a meticulous and exhaustive investigation would be undertaken. The Nawab further assured that, following the completion of this inquiry, Hastings would be duly apprised of the outcome. Should the allegations against Ali be substantiated, the Nawab vowed to mete out such punishment as the gravity of the offence warranted. In addition, he entreated the Company to appoint a fitting successor to Ali, so as to preserve the integrity and smooth functioning of the criminal justice system in Barisal, ensuring that no further disruptions would imperil its efficacy.
See also
