OUDII 489 The rise of the Marathás broke down the decaying empire of Aurangzeb, and the chieftains of Oudh at once acquired an almost complete independence. From time to time an energetic governor at Allahabad might endeavour to realize the revenue and justify the nominal sovereignty of Delhi; but the Hindu princes always met him in arms, and compelled him to relinquish the attempt. Meanwhile, the petty Rájás broke into internecine quarrels, and the ablest leaders enlarged their territories by the conquest of their neighbours. Thus the Kanhpurias of Tilol, the Bais of Daundia Khera, and the Bisens of Gonda acquired States larger than any that had existed in Oudh since the consolidation of the empire under Akbar. About the year 1732, Saádat Ali Khán, a Persian merchant of Naishápur, received the appointment of Subahdar of Oudli, and founded the Muhammadan dynasty which ruled down to our own times. His entry was opposed at first by the local llindu chieftains; but the Bais seem to have yielded without a blow, and the Kanhpurias after a sham resistance, while the Khichars of Fatehpur-historically a part of the Oudh viceroyalty-were only quelled after a doubtful battle. In the north, the Rájá of Gonda actually defeated the Nawab's troops, and retained his ancestral State as a separate fief, on payment of a small tribute. Saadat Khan was also Wazir of the empire, an office which continued hereditary in his family. Before his death, Oudh had become practically an independent State. Faizabad was his nominal capital, but he seldom resided in the town, being constantly absent on military enterprises. In 1743, Saádat Ali Khán died, and his son-in-law, Safdar Jang, succeeded to the office of Nawab Wazir, as well as to the principality of Oudh. A man of statesmanlike ability, he found himself exposed to constant attacks from the Rohillas on the one side and the Maráthás on the other. But the country enjoyed great internal prosperity under its two first Nawabs ; while the numerous wells, forts, and bridges which they built showed their anxiety to conciliate their Hindu subjects. With the reign of Safdar Jang's son, Shujá-ud-daulá (1753), a new state of affairs commenced. The Nawab attempted to take advantage of the war in Bengal between the British and Mír Kásim, to acquire for himself the rich Province of Behar. He therefore advanced upon Patna, taking with him the fugitive Enperor, Shah Alam, and the exiled Nawab of Bengal. The enterprise proved a failure, and Shujá-ud-daulá retired to BAXAR. In October 1764, Major Munro followed him up to that post, and won a decisive victory, which laid the whole of Upper India at the feet of the Company. The Nawab fled to Bareli (Bareilly); while the unfortunate Emperor joined the British camp.
