ShivaniSikri at 07:54, 12 January 2026

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{{Short description|1741 battle in Odisha}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Phulwari
| place = Phulwari, [[Odisha]]
| date = 3 March 1741
| result = [[Bengal Subah]] victory<ref name=":2" />
| commander1 = [[Alivardi Khan]] Sayyid Ahmad Khan Manikchand{{AWOL}} [[Mir Jafar]] [[Mir Qasim|Qasim Ali Khan]] Musaheb Khan Dilir Khan Aslat Khan
| commander2 = [[Lutfullah Tabrizi]] [[Agha Baqer Khan]]{{WIA}} Allauddin Muhammad Khan Abed Khan{{Turncoat}} Mukhlis Ali Khan{{Turncoat}} Muqarrab Khan{{Turncoat}} Mujtaba Ali{{KIA}} Mir Ali Akbar{{KIA}} Mir Abdul Aziz{{KIA}}
| combatant1 = {{flagicon image|Bengal subah flag (Nautical).svg}} [[Bengal Subah]]
| combatant2 = [[Odisha]] [[Subah]]
| strength1 = 10,000 or 12,000<ref name=":1" />
| strength2 = Unknown soldiers 300 cannons
| casualties1 = Unknown
| casualties2 = 300 killed All artilleries captured
| territory = [[Odisha]] annexed to [[Bengal Subah]]<ref name=":3" />
| partof = [[Capture of Odisha (1741)]]
}}

The '''Battle of Phulwari''' on 3 March 1741 was a decisive engagement at the plains of Phulwari, near [[Balasore]] in present-day [[Odisha]] in Eastern India. In 1740 A.D. [[Alivardi Khan]] became the Nawab Bengal Subah deposing [[Sarfaraz Khan]] in the [[Battle of Giria]]. [[Lutfullah Tabrizi]] also known as Rustam Jang and Murshid Quli II, the Deputy Governor of Odisha, refused to accept Alivardi's suzerainty. He sought to avenge his brother-in-law Sarfaraz Khan and asserted independence. This ensued conflict between the two and Alivardi's forces clashed with Lutfullah Tabrizi's in a battle in the plains of Phulwari. Faced with betrayals, and a fierce counterattack led by [[Mir Jafar]], the battle ended in Lutfullah Tabrizi's defeat, the death of key commanders, and the severe wounding of his son-in-law [[Agha Baqer Khan|Mirza Baqar]], solidifying Alivardi's control over Bengal, [[Bihar]], and Odisha.

== Background ==
Alivardi Khan then the governor of Bihar marched from Patna into Bengal, defeated and killed [[Sarfaraz Khan]] ({{Reign|1739|1740}}) at the [[Battle of Giria]] on 10 April 1740, and became the Nawab of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Sarkar|1964|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.43007/page/n68/mode/1up 45]}}{{Break}}{{Harvard citation no brackets|Datta|1939|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.279485/page/n64/mode/1up 42]}}</ref> [[Lutfullah Tabrizi]], the son-in-law of [[Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad Khan]] and Deputy Governor of Orissa (Odisha) refused to acknowledge the authority of Alivardi Khan. At first he tried to make an agreement with Alivardi. His wife Dardana Begam persuaded him to avenge her half-brother Sarfaraz’s death. Subsequently he declared independence.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Sarkar|1964|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.43007/page/n69/mode/1up 45]}}{{Break}}{{Harvard citation no brackets|Datta|1939|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.279485/page/n64/mode/1up 42]}}</ref>

== Prelude ==
Lutfullah Tabrizi left his wife Dardana Bagum and son Yahya Khan at the with all his wealth at the [[Barabati fort|fort of Barabati]].<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Banerji|1951|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32062/page/n150/mode/1up 77]}}</ref> In December 1740, he marched from [[Cuttack]] with his two sons-in-law, [[Agha Baqer Khan|Mirza Baqar Khan]] and Allauddin Muhammad Khan. Crossing [[Balasore]] he reached at the plains of Phulwari{{Efn|Four miles north of [[Balasore]] town.{{sfn|Datta|1939|p=43}}}} and encamped there, forming a round circle of 300 [[Cannon|cannons]] around the tents.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Datta|1939|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.279485/page/n65/mode/1up 43]}}</ref>

On hearing of Lutfullah Tabrizi's advance, Alivardi started from [[Murshidabad]] in January 1741 with his nephew, Sayyid Ahmad alias Saulat Jung, at the head of 10,000 or 12,000 [[cavalry]], into Orissa.<ref name=":1">{{Harvard citation no brackets|Datta|1939|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.279485/page/n65/mode/1up 43]}} "On hearing of [[Lutfullah Tabrizi|Rustam Jang]]'s advance, he started from [[Murshidabad]] in the month of January, 1741, with his nephew Sayeed Ahmad (surnamed Maham-ud-daulah Saulat Jang) at the head of ten or twelve thousand [[cavalry]], leaving Haji Ahmad and [[Nawazish Muhammad Khan|Nawazish Muhammad]] (Shahamat Jang) in charge of the government of Bengal"{{Break}}{{Harvard citation no brackets|Haque|1980|p=|pp=[https://archive.org/details/muslim-administration-in-orissa-1980/page/202/mode/1up 201–202]}} "On hearing of Murshid Quli's advance, Alivardi started from Murshidabad in January 1741, with his nephew Sayeed Ahmad (surnamed Maham-ud-daulah Saulat Jang) at the head of ten or twelve thousand cavalry, …"{{Break}}{{Harvard citation no brackets|Banerji|1951|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32062/page/n151/mode/1up 78]}} "[[Ghulam Husain Salim]] puts the strength of 'Aliwardi's army at one lakh cavalry and infantry in the place of the modest twelve thousand of [[Ghulam Hussain Khan|Ghulam Husain]]."</ref> [[Ghulam Husain Salim]] writes Alivardi’s army made of 100,000 cavalry and [[infantry]]. According to [[Madala Panji|Madla Panji]], Alivardi the number is 500 elephants, 4,000 cavalry and one lakh infantry.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Haque|1980|p=[https://archive.org/details/muslim-administration-in-orissa-1980/page/202/mode/1up 202]}}</ref> The figures are over exaggerated.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Datta|1939|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.279485/page/n65/mode/1up 43]}}</ref>

Marching to [[Midnapore]], Alivardi reached to [[Jaleswar|Jalasore]]. There he crossed the [[Subarnarekha River]] and encamped at Ramachandrapur, three miles near the plains of Phulwari. Despite being near Lutfullah Tabrizi's camp, Alivardi could not attack due to severe provisions shortage caused by Midnapore zamindars failure to supply as the zamindars of Orissa who were loyal to Lutfullah Tabrizi intercepted the supplies. In the meantime, [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] [[bargis]] raided his camp. Alivardi being pressed decided to make peace with Lutfullah Tabrizi, but Alivardi's general Mustafa Khan advised entrenching through the rains and renewing the campaign afterward.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Haque|1980|p=[https://archive.org/details/muslim-administration-in-orissa-1980/page/202/mode/1up 202]}}{{Break}}{{Harvard citation no brackets|Datta|1939|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.279485/page/n66/mode/1up 44]}}{{Break}}{{Harvard citation no brackets|Banerji|1951|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32062/page/n153/mode/1up 79]}}</ref>

== Battle ==
Conflicts erupted when Mirza Baqar, instigated by Abed Khan sallied forth from his camp a contingent composed of Barha [[Sayyid]] soldiers and launched an assault on Alivardi's forces. In the initial onslaught, Alivardi captured the entirety of Lutfullah Tabrizi's [[artillery]], which had been left inadequately guarded due to Mirza Baqer's early assault. Lutfullah Tabrizi came out to help Mirza Baqer. Despite the significant loss, Lutfullah Tabrizi, Mirza Baqar, and their troops fought vigorously which forced portion of the Bengal soldiers to flee the battlefield, leaving their commander on the brink of defeat. Alivardi was pushed two miles away from the battlefield. Seeing Alivardi in distress, Manikchand, peshkar of the [[Bardhaman Raj|Raja of Burdwan]], secretly offered to join Lutfullah Tabrizi's side with his troops for personal safety, but Mirza Baqar, suspecting his sincerity, opposed the proposal.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Haque|1980|pp=[https://archive.org/details/muslim-administration-in-orissa-1980/page/202/mode/1up 202–203]}}{{Break}}{{Harvard citation no brackets|Datta|1939|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.279485/page/n67/mode/1up 45]}}</ref>

Lutfullah Tabrizi gained the upper hand on the battlefield but faced betrayal from his generals. Abed Khan entered into a secret agreement with Mustafa Khan, Alivardi's commander. Pretending to launch an attack on the enemy, Abed Khan advanced with his soldiers, only to defect to the opposing side. This betrayal was soon followed by similar actions from several other army officers, including Mukhlis Ali Khan, Muqarrab Khan, and a number of [[Pashtuns|Afghan]] generals.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Haque|1980|p=[https://archive.org/details/muslim-administration-in-orissa-1980/page/203/mode/1up 203]}}{{Break}}{{Harvard citation no brackets|Datta|1939|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.279485/page/n67/mode/1up 45]}}</ref>

Undeterred by these defections, Mirza Baqar launched a swift and forceful assault on the left wing of Alivardi's army, which was under the command of veteran generals such as [[Mir Jafar]] and [[Mir Qasim|Qasim Ali Khan]]. This sudden attack initially caused great disorder and confusion among the Bengal forces. Mir Jafar, however, promptly mounted a gallant resistance, counterattacking Baqer's troops and coming to the aid of Alivardi's defeated generals, including Musaheb Khan, Dilir Khan, and Aslat Khan. This action greatly inspired Alivardi's soldiers, who renewed their assault on the enemy. Lutfullah Tabrizi's generals Mujtaba Ali, Mir Ali Akbar, and Mir Abdul Aziz was slain alongside 300 Sayyid soldiers. Mirza Baqar was wounded seriously and was carried from the battlefield in a [[Litter (vehicle)|palanquin]]. The army abandoned the fight. Lutfullah Tabrizi fled for his safety.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Haque|1980|p=[https://archive.org/details/muslim-administration-in-orissa-1980/page/204/mode/1up 204]}}{{Break}}{{Harvard citation no brackets|Datta|1939|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.279485/page/n67/mode/1up 46]}}</ref> Thus Alivardi gained victory in the battle of Phulwari.<ref name=":2">{{Harvard citation no brackets|Haque|1980|p=[https://archive.org/details/muslim-administration-in-orissa-1980/page/206/mode/1up 206]}} "After his victory in the battle of Phulwari, Alivardi hurriedly advanced to Cuttack and seized two lakhs of rupees in cash and precious articles of the same value belonging to Murshid Quli."{{Break}}{{Harvard citation no brackets|Ray|1960|p=|pp=[https://archive.org/details/orissa-under-marathas-1960/page/7/mode/1up 7–8]}} "Consequently in a battle which was fought between Aliwardi Khan and Rustam Jang at Phulwari on 1741 the latter was defeated and fled away to the Deccan …"</ref>

== Aftermath ==
Lutfullah Tabrizi fled to [[Machilipatnam|Masaulipatam]] in the territory of [[Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah I|Asaf Jah Nizam-ul-Mulk]] in Deccan.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Datta|1939|p=|pp=47, 48}}</ref> Alivardi dispatched Mirza Khairullah Beg to capture Dardana Bagum and Yahya Khan. Ramchandradeva II of [[Khordha|Khurdah]], loyal to Lutfullah Tabrizi dispatched his general Shah Murad Khan. Mirza Khairullah Beg seized Lutfullah Tabrizi's treasure but his family fled.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Banerji|1951|pp=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32062/page/n153/mode/1up 79–80]}}</ref> He stayed at Odisha for two months and appointed Sayyid Ahmad Khan alias Saulat Jung, his second son-in-law as the Deputy Governor of Orissa<ref name=":3">{{Harvard citation no brackets|Sarkar|1964|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.43007/page/n69/mode/1up 45]}}{{Break}}{{Harvard citation no brackets|Ray|1960|p=[https://archive.org/details/orissa-under-marathas-1960/page/8/mode/1up 8]}}</ref> He also left Gujar Khan in command of three thousand cavalry and four thousand infantry.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Datta|1939|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.279485/page/n70/mode/1up 48]}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Battle of Giria]]
* [[Battle of Katwa (1742)|Battle of Katwa]]
* [[Battle of Rani Sarai]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |last=Datta |first=Kalikinkar |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.279485 |title=Alivardi and His Times |date=1939 |publisher=University of Calcutta |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Haque |first=Mohammed Anwarul |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Muslim_Administration_in_Orissa_1568_175.html?id=Co8eAAAAMAAJ |title=Muslim Administration in Orissa, 1568-1751 A.D. |date=1980 |publisher=Punthi Pustak |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/muslim-administration-in-orissa-1980 |archive-date=2021-07-01}}
* {{Cite book |last=Banerji |first=R. D. |author-link=R. D. Banerji |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32062 |title=History of Orissa |date=1951 |publisher=Prabasi Press |volume=II |location=Calcutta |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ray |first=Bhabani Charan |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Orissa_Under_Marathas_1751_1803.html?id=37A9AAAAMAAJ |title=Orissa Under Marathas, 1751-1803 |date=1960 |publisher=Kitab Mahal |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/orissa-under-marathas-1960 |archive-date=2024-01-21}}
* {{Cite book |last=Sarkar |first=Jadunath |author-link=Jadunath Sarkar |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.43007 |title=Fall Of The Mughal Empire 1739-1754 |date= |publisher=Orient Longman Ltd |year=1964 |edition=3rd |volume=I |language=en}}
{{refend}}

[[Category:Conflicts in 1741]]
[[Category:1741 in India]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Bengal Subah]]

Battle of Phulwari - Revision history

ShivaniSikri at 07:54, 12 January 2026