Nawab Sheikh Abdullah of Ghazipur

Nawab Sheikh Abdullah, urf Abdul
Nawab of Ghazipur Nawab of Ballia Nawab of Mau Jageerdar of Ghazipur,Gorakhpur,Bahraich&Khairabad Raja of Qasimabad Estate
Reign	•1717-1738, as a deputy Subahdar of Bihar and jagirdar of Khairabad,Bahraich and Gorakhpur •1738–1744, as the Nawab of Ghazipur Sarkar
Predecessor	Rustam Ali Khan
Successor	Fazal Ali Khan
Born	c. 1680 Qasimabad,
Died	1744 Ghazipur
Burial	Nawab Bagh, Nawab Kila burzi
Issue	four sons • Fazal Ali Khan • Karam-Ullah • 2 other
Names Nawab Sheikh Abdullah urf Nawab Abdul Khan
Father	Muhammad Qasim
Religion	Sunni, Islam

Nawab Sheikh Abdullah (1680–1744) also known as Nawab Abdul Khan or Abdullah Khan, was a Nawab of Ghazipur, during the time of Awadh dynasty. He was a powerful man of his time. Sheikh Abdullah was a notable figure of his time, known for his administrative abilities and significant contributions to the region of Ghazipur. Originally from the town of Dharwara in pargana Zahurabad,. His father, Sheikh Muhammad Qasim was a zamindar of Dharwar (later Kasimabad) . Abdullah was well-educated, having pursued his studies in Delhi, where he later joined the imperial service, quickly demonstrating his competence. He served in the court of Mughal emperor, Farrukhsiyar and later became Nawab of Ghazipur in 1738.

Biography

Nawab Sheikh Abdullah, or also known as Nawab Abdul Khan was a, son of Nawab Muhammad Qasim of Dharwar (later renamed Qasimabad), was a distinguished noble and administrator during the Mughal era. Educated in Delhi, Abdullah gained insights into courtly affairs and administrative practices, which paved the way for his remarkable career. Initially serving in the court of Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar, from 1713, his talent earned him the favor of Sarbuland Khan, Subahdar of Bihar, who appointed him as his deputy in 1717. Abdullah's tenure was marked by competence and integrity, though his rising influence provoked the jealousy of rivals, particularly Fakhr-ud-Daula, leading to his expulsion from Patna.

Seeking new opportunities, Abdullah allied with Saadat Ali Khan, the Nawab of Oudh, who appointed him governor of Gorakhpur, Bahraich, and Khairabad. This role strengthened his position, allowing him to consolidate power in the region. After his father's death in 1739, Abdullah established a fort at Qasimabad, honoring his father's legacy.

His relationship with Saadat Ali Khan and later Safdar Jang, the Nawab of Oudh, elevated his status further. At first, the holdings of Murtaza Khan transferred to Sadat Ali . Saadaat Ali Khan sub-leased these territories (Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Banaras, and Chunar) to his friend, Rustam Ali Khan. Rustam Ali Khan had no interest in managing the territories himself, and someone named Mansa Ram (father of Balwant singh of Banaras) ended up becoming the actual administrator. In 1738, Nizam Rustam Ali Khan retired from office. Ghazipur was given to Sheikh Abdullah, son of Muhammad Qasim, for the revenue demand of ₹3 lakh, while the remainder was given to Mansa Ram(father of Balwant singh). Safdar Jang entrusted Abdullah with the governance of Ghazipur, in 1738. In Ghazipur he undertook significant infrastructure and architectural projects. He constructed forts at Qasimabad and Jalalabad, a bridge over the Mangas River, the Nawab's Bagh garden, and several religious and civic structures/monuments, including a mosque, an imambara, and a palace known as Chihal Satun. In 1742, he founded a fort and market at Abdulpur, later renamed Bahadurganj. These works reflect his vision of enhancing the region's infrastructure and cultural heritage.

Ruines of Qasimabad fort build by Sheikh Abdullah in 1739

A painting of 1784 showing the view of Nawabganj Palace built by Sheikh Abdullah in 1736

A painting of Nawabganj palace made by a British painter

Sheikh Abdullah passed away in 1744, leaving behind a complex legacy. He had four sons, His eldest son, Fazal Ali Khan, initially succeeded him but faced governance challenges, marked by mismanagement and conflict in his early years. First his younger brother Karam Ullah Khan, was then given the charge as Fazl Ali was absent from the district, but Karam Ullah died in 1748. Then Fazal Ali reclaimed Ghazipur with Safdar Jang's backing, Fazal Ali's estate was very big included today's Azamgarh ,Ballia, Mau, Khairabad and districts with a revenue demand of more that ₹5 lakh. He remained as the Nawab of Ghazipur till 1757, after which the Sarkar of Ghazipur got into the control of Balwant singh of Banaras. Fazal Ali's lineage eventually waned, leaving the family's legacy to Abdullah's other descendants. Though some of his direct descendents lived at Patna, in year 1900.

There was one of Nawab Abdul urf Sheikh Abdullah 's his grandson and nephew of Fazal Ali Khan, named Nawab Muhammad Azim Ali Khan, in 1788, who succeeded all his ansistoral property of Qasimabad ,after the sarkar of Ghazipur came directly under the control of Banaras estate, Although he was also awarded a pention of rupees 1 lakh. The old building of Nawabganj palace was handed over to some descendent of Fazl Ali in Patna. Muhammad Azim Ali Khan became the Nawab of Zahurabad region, and established his zamindari estate named Qasimabad estate with its capital being, Bahadurganj. Bahadurganj was a small zamindari estate till the abolishment of zamindari act in 1952, it was governed by Muhammad Azim's descendents by mutual corporation.

A picture of the runies of Sheikh Abdullah's tomb built by Fazal Ali after his father's death in 1744, many of his family members including his father Muhammad Qasim is buried here.

Today, Sheikh Abdullah's tomb is in Nawab's Bagh in Ghazipur and remains a symbol of his enduring impact on the region's history. His tomb is known as Nawab qila burzi by the locals. Originally it was a very large compound spread over 30 acres and consisted many building, but it is now not well maintained by the government.