Mir Kasim as an Administrator:
Mir Kasim was the ablest Nawab among the successors of Ali Vardi Khan. Already he had given a proof of his administrative ability as the faujdar of Rangpur and Purniah. He transferred his capital from Murshidabad to Monghyr. Probably he wanted to start at the new capital with a clean slate, away from the atmosphere and intrigues of Murshidabad. The Nawab also wanted to be at a safe distance from Calcutta so that he might be less under the supervision and interference of the Company.
Mir Kasim also sought to recognise and modernise his army on the European pattern. Arrangements were made for the manufacture of fire-locks and guns at Monghyr. The Nawab had to safeguard himself against Shahzada Ali Gauhar who was still in Bihar and was a constant source of danger to the position of Mir Kasim. Moreover, Mir Kasim had plans for the expansion of his territory northward at the expense of the Nepalese.
Mir Kasim also sought to suppress the refractory zamindars of Bengal and Bihar who had on several occasions defied the authority of the old Nawab. These anti-state rebellions might become the focal points for malcontents in the state.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Ramnarayan, the Deputy Subahdar of Bihar, was banking on English support for defence of the Nawab’s authority. Ramnarayan had never accepted Jaffar’s accession to power and it was only Clive’s intervention that had saved him from Mir Jaffar’s anger.
Encouraged by the English, Ramnarayan arrogated to himself the position of an independent ruler. His loyalty to Mir Kasim also was suspect. In spite of repeated reminders from the Nawab, Ramnarayan did not submit the accounts of the revenues of Bihar. Mir Kasim could not tolerate the open defiance of his authority. Fortified with the support of Governor Vansittart, Mir Kasim suspended Ramnarayan and later dismissed him and put him to death.