Mirza Najaf Khan
Mīrzā Najaf Khān Bahādur, simply known as Mirza Najaf Khan (1723 – 26 April 1782) was an adventurer of Safavid lineage who came to Delhi around 1740 from Iran after Nader Shah had displaced the Safavid dynasty in 1736.
Najaf Khan | |
|---|---|
Najaf Khan Zulfiqar al-Dawlah | |
| Mir Bakshi of the Mughal Empire | |
| In office c. 1772 – 26 April 1782 | |
| Monarch | Shah Alam II |
| Preceded by | Najib al-Dawlah |
| Succeeded by | Najaf Quli Khan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1723 Safavid Empire |
| Died | 26 April 1782 Delhi, Mughal Empire |
| Resting place | Najafgarh, near Delhi |
| Relations | Najaf Quli Khan (adopted son) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Mughal Empire |
| Years of service | 1772-1782 |
| Rank | Mir Bakhshi (Commander-in-Chief) |
| Battles/wars |
|
He became a courtier of Mughal emperor Shah Alam II (1740 – 1782). He married his sister into the family of the Shia Nawab of Awadh, which resulted in him gaining the title of Deputy Wazir of Awadh. He served during the Battle of Buxar, and he was the highest commander of the Mughal army from 1772 till his death in April 1782.