Mohanlal (Dewan)

Career

It is claimed by few historian that he was born in Purnea. His appointment was controversial due to his religion; The Nawab's decision of elevating Mohanlal to the prominent position of his supreme Diwan caused the Muslim nobility, and in particular Mir Jafar, to take great offense. Mir Jafar was then the head of the armed forces, second only to the Nawab, and the elevation of a Hindu to a post above him was taken almost as a personal insult. He became one of the powerful vassal king of Purnea, when Ali Vardi Khan took the chair of Deputy Governor of Bihar in 1733. He was the close friend of Jainuddin Ahmed, son-in-law of Alivardi Khan. On the other hand, some historians also claimed that Mohanlal was born at Guptipara in Hooghly district.

In 1752 Alivardi Khan appointed him as one of the general and allotted a house at Kalandarbag, Murshidabad. Siraj took the chair of Nawab on 15 April 1756 and Mohan Lal was appointed Peskar. On 23 June 1757 in the Battle of Plassey, Siraj ud-Daulah faced off against the British, apparently with overwhelming force, but at the critical time Mir Jafar's men stood watching passively while the soldiers of Siraj ud-Daulah were decimated by the smaller, but much better armed British forces. In the said battle Mohan Lal and his fellow leader Mir Madan fought on the side of the Nawab's Army. After the death of Mir Madan, he wanted to attack the British army rapidly and advised Siraj ud-Daulah that the decision of retreat may be fatal for the Nawab. But the Nawab was already misguided by Mir Jafar did not consider Mohanlal's opinion.