Mirza Najaf Khan

He was more successful than his predecessor Najib ad-Dawlah, the Rohilla Afghan appointed by Ahmad Shah Durrani to protect the Mughal throne. Najaf Khan's rival in court of Shah Alam was Nawab Majad-ud-Daulah who used the Sikh misls to cause panic among the Mughals and continuously keep Najaf Khan's forces busy. Mirza Najaf Khan was an extremely capable commander, acquainted with European military tactics. He led several successful campaigns for the Mughal emperor. He has also been praised by contemporary biographers to be benevolent, loyal and polite. Due to courtly intrigue set by his rivals, like Abdul Ahad Khan, a coldness in relationship had developed between him and the emperor. However, the relationship had been mended by the time of his death due to Tuberculosis. during the reign of Shah Alam II. ==Death==

Najaf Khan died on April 26, 1782, after serving Mughal throne for forty two years. Mirza Najaf Khan had an adopted son Saif-ud-Daula Nawab Najaf Quli Khan, a Rathore Rajput who had converted to Islam from Hinduism. After Mirza Quli's death, there was a dispute about his possessions as he left no child to inherit them. Mirza Quli's widow, a sister of Ghulam Kadir, requested emperor for her adopted son on Mirza's position of deputy wazir but this claim was rivaled by Mirza Shafi Khan who had a great army and considerable resources in the Mughal court, Mirza was also the closest of relatives to Najaf. ==Tomb of Mirza Najaf Khan==

Mirza Najaf Khan's Tomb near Safdarjung Airport lies near to the Tomb of Safdarjung in the Lodi Gardens. It is an uncompleted tomb. Set in a lush modern landscaped garden, this tomb is inside an enclosed boundary. There is a beautifully ruined entrance to the tomb complex set at a distance from the base platform of the tomb. In the middle of the area enclosed by the boundary, lies a large and beautiful square red stone platform with another smaller platform on top with a flat roof and no dome. Inscription marked grave of Mirza Najaf Khan and his daughter, Fatima (died 1820 CE), are inside two marble cenotaphs. ==Gallery==

Najaf_Khan_Tomb_entrance.JPG|Mirza Najaf Khan's Tomb entrance Enclosure_wall_with_Tomb_of_Mirza_Najaf_Khan_2013-09-12_14-13-30.jpg|Mirza Najaf Khan tomb's enclosure wall Omb_of_Mirza_Najaf_Khan_c18.jpg|Mirza Najaf Khan's tomb ==See also==