Ghaziuddin Haider

Ghaziuddin Haider (1815-1843) naib nazim of Dhaka from 1834 (or 1836 as mentioned by taifoor) to 1843. Ghaziuddin Muhammad Haider was quite young when he assumed the responsibilities after the death of his father Qamruddaula. Being tender aged, he fell under the evil influence of Mir Jewan, the stable keeper of his father. Ghaziuddin ignominiously turned out his old teacher, Mir Agha Ghulam Ali. Always encircled by a band of sycophants and flatterers, he was addicted to wine. Kite flying, buffalo and cockfighting, wedding ceremonies and funeral rites of his pet birds, dogs and cats were his favourite pastimes. People called him the 'pagla nawab'. Sometimes he pardoned his worst enemies and was kind to the poor.

For his immoral activities the English government stopped the allowances of Ghaziuddin amounting to Rs 4500/. Heavily in debt he had to mortgage a portion of his properties to the Hindu businessmen. A portion of his properties was sold by auction. The Basakh weavers of Dhaka purchased the gorgeous state hawdah of the family with heavy silver mounting (which they used to exhibit in the janmastami processions). The then rich people of Dhaka acquired many unique precious jewellery of the house. A precious emerald called daria-i-noor is said to have been purchased by khwaja alimullah, the ancestor of the nawabs of Dhaka. After some time, however, the English restored his allowances.

Ghaziuddin, an uneducated youth with immoral character, was extremely extravagant for which the government had to make over his estates to an agent. His health was impaired and he contacted incurable diseases. He died childless in 1843 when he was only 28. On his death, the title Naib Nazim became extinct and his properties fell in possession of others. The English allowed him a military funeral. The side of his father in the husaini dalan premises buried him. [KM Karim]