Malik Maqbul Tilangani: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Vizier of Delhi Sultanate (d. 1369)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
'''Malik Maqbul''' ('''Mala Yugandarudu ) from Mala Community of Warangal''' also referred to as '''Khan-i-Jahan Maqbul Tilangani'''<ref name=Delhiinfo>[https://www.delhiinformation.in/tourism/tombs/khanijahanstomb-tombofmaqbulkhan.html Khan-i-Jahan's Tomb - Tomb of Malik Maqbul Khan], Delhi Information, retrieved 17 April 2019</ref> and '''Jahan Khan'''<ref name=Kulke/>) was a commander in the [[Kakatiya Empire]], who rose to become the [[Vizier|Wazir]] of the [[Delhi Sultanate]] under [[Firuz Shah Tughluq]] ({{reign|1351|1388}}).<ref name="sen2">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9-38060-734-4 |pages=97}}</ref>
{{infobox person
| name              = Malik Maqbul
| known_for          = {{ubl|[[Tughlaq dynasty|Tughlaq]] military leader|[[Vizier|Wazir]] of the [[Delhi Sultanate]]}}
| death_date        = 1369
| resting_place      = [[Tomb of Khan-i Jahan Tilangani]]
}}
'''Malik Maqbul''' (Malla Yugandharudu{{sfn|Wagoner|Rice|2001|p=48}}), also referred to as '''Khan-i-Jahan Maqbul Tilangani'''<ref name="Delhiinfo">[https://www.delhiinformation.in/tourism/tombs/khanijahanstomb-tombofmaqbulkhan.html Khan-i-Jahan's Tomb - Tomb of Malik Maqbul Khan], Delhi Information, retrieved 17 April 2019</ref> and '''Jahan Khan'''<ref name="Kulke" /> (d. 1369), was an Indian commander in the [[Kakatiya Empire]] who was converted to [[Islam]] and rose to become the [[Vizier|Wazir]] of the [[Delhi Sultanate]] under [[Firuz Shah Tughlaq]] ({{reign|1351|1388}}).<ref name="Jayapalan 2001">{{cite book | last=Jayapalan | first=N. | title=History of India | publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distributors (P) Limited | year=2001 | isbn=978-81-7156-928-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6L6avTlqJNYC | access-date=2023-08-26 | page=70}}</ref> He was appointed as the governor of [[Hyderabad]] in service of the Delhi Sultanate and he ruled and governed all the lands of present day [[Telangana]] on behalf of the Delhi Sultanate.<ref name="sen2">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9-38060-734-4 |pages=97}}</ref>


== Career in Warangal ==
== Career in Warangal ==
Malik Maqbul, born Nagaya Ganna, was a commander of the [[Kakatiya Empire]] under [[Prataparudra]] ({{reign|1289|1323}}). Marana's ''Markandeya Puranamu'' (in Telugu) names him as "Nagaya Ganna Vibhudu" and describes him as the commander (''Kataka paludu'') of [[Warangal Fort]], the capital of Kakatiyas. The term ''Vibhudu'' (meaning "Lord") implies that he was very high up in the hierarchy.{{sfn|Wagoner|Rice|2001|p=48}}
Malik Maqbul or Malla Yugandharudu (also called Gannama Nayaka), was a commander of the [[Kakatiya Empire]] under [[Prataparudra]] ({{reign|1289|1323}}). Marana's ''Markandeya Puranamu'' (in Telugu) names him as "Pedda Malla Devudu" & "Gannavibhudu" and describes him as the commander (''Kataka paludu'') of [[Warangal Fort]], the capital of Kakatiyas.{{sfn|Wagoner|Rice|2001|p=48}} The term "Malla Devudu" (meaning "Lord") implies that he was very high up in the Kakatiya administrative hierarchy.


After [[Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq|Ghiyasuddin Tughluq's]] son and general Ulugh Khan ([[Muhammad bin Tughluq]]) captured Warangal in 1323, Ulugh Khan himself took over the Governorship of what is now a new province of "Teling" (Telangana) in the Sultanate. Nagaya Ganna was converted to Islam and named Malik Maqbul to find a place in the new regime. When Ulugh Khan left for Delhi soon afterwards, he left Warangal in the charge of Malik Maqbul, who became its new governor. Ulugh Khan succeeded Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq as the new [[Delhi Sultanate|Sultan of Delhi]] under the name Muhammad bin Tughluq.{{sfn|Wagoner|Rice|2001|p=48}}{{sfn|Somasekhara Sarma|1945|loc=p.&nbsp;25, footnote 1}}
After [[Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq|Ghiyasuddin Tughluq's]] son and general Ulugh Khan ([[Muhammad bin Tughluq]]) [[Siege of Warangal (1323)|captured Warangal]] in 1323, Ulugh Khan himself took over the Governorship of what is now a new province of "Teling" (Telangana) in the Sultanate. Gannaya was captured and converted to [[Islam]], given the name Malik Maqbul and found a place in the new regime. When Ulugh Khan left for Delhi soon afterwards, he left Warangal in the charge of Malik Maqbul. Ulugh Khan succeeded Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq as the new [[Delhi Sultanate|Sultan of Delhi]] under the name Muhammad bin Tughluq.{{sfn|Wagoner|Rice|2001|p=48}}{{sfn|Somasekhara Sarma|1945|loc=p.&nbsp;25, footnote 1}}


The new regime was beset with rebellions and the Muslims were not welcomed as rulers. The coastal region around [[Rajahmundry]] slipped out immediately after Ulugh Khan's departure, the area south of [[Krishna river]] in 1325, [[Bhadrachalam]] area in 1330 and western Telangana between 1330–1335.{{sfn|Rama Rao|1947|p=297}} The Sultan marched on South India in 1334 in order to suppress the rebellions, but his army was struck by an epidemic, and he was forced to return to Delhi.{{sfn|Jackson|1993|p=268}} Soon afterwards, [[Musunuri Kapaya Nayaka]] captured Warangal, and Malik Maqbul fled to Delhi. Facing significant losses in his army due to the epidemic, the Sultan was in no position to recover Telangana.{{sfn|Jackson|1993|pp=268–269}}
The new regime was beset with rebellions and the Muslim governors were not welcomed as rulers. The coastal region around [[Rajahmundry]] slipped out immediately after Ulugh Khan's departure, the area south of [[Krishna River]] in 1325, [[Bhadrachalam]] area in 1330 and western Telangana between 1330–1335.{{sfn|Rama Rao|1947|p=297}} The Sultan marched on South India in 1334 in order to suppress the rebellions, but his army was struck by an epidemic, and he was forced to return to Delhi.{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=268}} Soon afterwards, captured Warangal, and Malik Maqbul fled to Delhi. Facing significant losses in his army due to the epidemic, the Sultan was in no position to recover Telangana.{{sfn|Jackson|1999|pp=268–269}}


==Career in Delhi==
==Career in Delhi==
Malik Maqbul was initially made the governor of [[Multan]] and sent to administer [[Punjab region|Punjab]].<ref>T. H. Beale and [[Henry George Keene (1826–1915)|H. G. Keene]], ''[https://archive.org/details/orientalbiograp00benggoog/page/n7 An Oriental Biographical Dictionary]'', W. H. Allen, 1894, p. 214</ref>
Malik Maqbul was initially made the governor of [[Multan]] and sent to administer [[Punjab]].<ref>T. H. Beale and [[Henry George Keene (1826–1915)|H. G. Keene]], ''[https://archive.org/details/orientalbiograp00benggoog/page/n7 An Oriental Biographical Dictionary]'', W. H. Allen, 1894, p. 214</ref> When he was the governor of Cambay, the Moroccan traveller [[Ibn Battuta]] met him who was on his journey towards south of India.


After his return to [[Delhi]], Maqbul earned the trust of Tughlaq. He accompanied the sultan on an expedition to [[Gujarat]] to subdue the rebels in Broach. He put all the rebels to death and captured enormous amount of wealth.<ref>[[The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians]], Vol. III, H. M. Elliot, Adamant Media Corporation, p. 256, {{ISBN|1-4021-8212-0}}</ref> Subsequently, by making himself indispensable in the Delhi durbar (court), he became the [[finance minister]] and finally, the [[Vizier|Wazir]], of the [[Delhi Sultanate]] under [[Firuz Shah Tughluq|Feroz Shah Tughlaq]].<ref>Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq by M. Ahmed, 1978, Chugh Publications, New Delhi p. 46 and 95</ref> When Feroz Shah was away on a Campaign to Sind and Gujarat for six months and no news was available about his whereabouts Maqbul ably protected Delhi.<ref name=Kulke>{{Citation |last1=Kulke |first1=Hermann |last2=Rothermund |first2=Dietmar |title=A History of India |publisher=Routledge |edition=Third |year=1998 |isbn=0-415-15482-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TPVq3ykHyH4C |p=167}}</ref> He was the most highly favoured among the significant number of the nobles in Feroz Shah's court and retained the trust of the sultan.{{sfn|Jackson|1993|p=186}} Feroz Shah used to call Maqbul as 'brother'. The sultan even remarked that Khan-i-Jahan was the real ruler of Delhi. The fiscal and general administration were entirely left to Maqbul. On his part, Maqbul never exceeded his powers, and kept the sultan fully informed. He was also scrupulously honest. Although he did take presents from the governors of the provinces, he entered them in the royal treasury. He was also strict in collecting government dues. His powers, however, were restricted by the auditor (''mustaufi'') and by the Accountant-General (''mushrif''). Sometimes it led to bitter disputes in which the sultan mediated.<ref>Medieval India; From Sultanat to the Mughals, S. Chandra, 2007,  Har Anand Publications, p.122, {{ISBN|81-241-1064-6}}</ref> On one occasion, Maqbul threatened to leave for Mecca when he came into conflict with Ain-i-Mahru, the Accountant General. Sultan had to retrench Ain-i-Mahru. Maqbul was paid annually 13 [[lakh]] tankas over and above the expenses of his army and servants and separate allowances for his sons and sons-in-law. Maqbul also maintained a retinue of 2000 concubines.<ref>The Cambridge Economic History of India, T. Raychaudhuri and I. Habib, Orient Longman, 2005, p. 90, {{ISBN|81-250-2730-0}}</ref>
After his return to [[Delhi]], Maqbul earned the trust of [[Muhammad bin Tughluq]]. He accompanied the sultan on an expedition to [[Gujarat]] to subdue the rebels in [[Bharuch|Broach]]. He put all the rebels to death and captured enormous amount of wealth.<ref>[[The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians]], Vol. III, H. M. Elliot, Adamant Media Corporation, p. 256, {{ISBN|1-4021-8212-0}}</ref> Subsequently, by making himself indispensable in the Delhi durbar (court), he became the [[finance minister]] and finally, the [[Vizier|Wazir]], of the [[Delhi Sultanate]] under [[Firuz Shah Tughlaq]].<ref>Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq by M. Ahmed, 1978, Chugh Publications, New Delhi p. 46 and 95</ref> When Firuz Shah was away on a Campaign to [[Sindh]] and [[Gujarat]] for six months and no news was available about his whereabouts Maqbul ably protected Delhi.<ref name=Kulke>{{Citation |last1=Kulke |first1=Hermann |last2=Rothermund |first2=Dietmar |title=A History of India |publisher=Routledge |edition=Third |year=1998 |isbn=0-415-15482-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TPVq3ykHyH4C |page=167}}</ref> He was the most highly favoured among the significant number of the nobles in Feroz Shah's court and retained the trust of the sultan.{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=186}} Feroz Shah used to call Maqbul as 'brother'. The sultan even remarked that Khan-i-Jahan was the real ruler of Delhi. The fiscal and general administration were entirely left to Maqbul. On his part, Maqbul never exceeded his powers, and kept the sultan fully informed. He was also scrupulously honest. Although he did take presents from the governors of the provinces, he entered them in the royal treasury. He was also strict in collecting government dues. His powers, however, were restricted by the auditor (''mustaufi'') and by the Accountant-General (''mushrif''). Sometimes it led to bitter disputes in which the sultan mediated.<ref>Medieval India; From Sultanat to the Mughals, S. Chandra, 2007,  Har Anand Publications, p.122, {{ISBN|81-241-1064-6}}</ref> On one occasion, Maqbul threatened to leave for Mecca when he came into conflict with [[Ayn al-Mulk Mahru|Ain-i-Mahru]], the Accountant General. Sultan had to retrench Ain-i-Mahru. Maqbul was paid annually 13 [[lakh]] tankas over and above the expenses of his army and servants and separate allowances for his sons and sons-in-law. Maqbul also maintained a retinue of 2000 concubines.<ref>The Cambridge Economic History of India, T. Raychaudhuri and I. Habib, Orient Longman, 2005, p. 90, {{ISBN|81-250-2730-0}}</ref>


===Successor===
===Successor===
Firoz Shah gave an undertaking that the position of Wazir will be inherited by Maqbul's son. After the death of Maqbul in 1369 CE, his son Jauna Khan became the Wazir.<ref>Medieval India; From Sultanat to the Mughals, S. Chandra, 2007,  Har Anand Publications, p.161, {{ISBN|81-241-1064-6}}</ref> Jauna Khan was as competent as his father but he was no military leader. He failed in the conflict for succession, which began even during the lifetime of Feroz Shah. Jauna Khan was captured and executed. Also known as Junan Shah, he built seven large mosques in and around Delhi of which Khirki Masjid is very well known.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/sacred-seven/article2275143.ece | title=Sacred Seven | date=15 April 2007 | first=Abhilash | last=Gaur | newspaper=The Hindu | accessdate=3 May 2018 }}</ref>
Firoz Shah gave an undertaking that the position of Wazir will be inherited by Maqbul's son. After the death of Maqbul in 1369 CE, his son Jauna Khan became the Wazir.<ref>Medieval India; From Sultanat to the Mughals, S. Chandra, 2007,  Har Anand Publications, p.161, {{ISBN|81-241-1064-6}}</ref>
 
Jauna Khan was as competent as his father but he was no military leader. He failed in the conflict for succession, which began even during the lifetime of Feroz Shah. Jauna Khan was captured and executed. Also known as Junan Shah, he built seven large mosques in and around Delhi including [[Khirki Mosque|Khirki Masjid]] and [[Kalan Masjid]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/sacred-seven/article2275143.ece | title=Sacred Seven | date=15 April 2007 | first=Abhilash | last=Gaur | newspaper=The Hindu | accessdate=3 May 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Safvi |first=Rana |author-link=Rana safvi |date=2015-01-12 |title=Kalan Masjid, Turkman Gate, Delhi |url=https://ranasafvi.com/kalan-masjid-turkman-gate-delhi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518203008/https://ranasafvi.com/kalan-masjid-turkman-gate-delhi/ |archive-date=2024-05-18 |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Rana Safvi |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Monuments==
==Monuments==
[[File:Malik Maqbool tomb Delhi.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Malik Maqbul's tomb in Delhi]]
[[File:Malik Maqbool tomb Delhi.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Tomb of Khan-i Jahan Tilangani|Malik Maqbul's tomb in Delhi]]]]
Built in 1388 by Junan Shah (son of Malik Maqbul), his [[tomb]] ([[Tughluq tombs]]) <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.tcl?site_id=14206 |title=Khan-i Jahan Maqbul Tilangani Mausoleum<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=3 May 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120701173344/http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.tcl?site_id=14206 |archive-date=1 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Bunce, Fredrick W. 2004. Islamic Tombs in India: The Iconography and Genesis of Their Design. New Delhi: D.K. Printworld, 52-55</ref><ref>Sharma, Y.D. 2001. Delhi and its Neighbourhood. New Delhi: Directory General Archaeological Survey of India, 27, 118.</ref> was the first [[octagon]]al [[mausoleum]] to be built in Delhi. The only other octagonal mausoleum that pre-dates this tomb in the Indian subcontinent is the Tomb of Shah Rukn-i Alam in [[Multan]].
Built in 1388 by Junan Shah (son of Malik Maqbul), his [[Tomb of Khan-i Jahan Tilangani|tomb]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.tcl?site_id=14206 |title=Khan-i Jahan Maqbul Tilangani Mausoleum<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=3 May 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701173344/http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.tcl?site_id=14206 |archive-date=1 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Bunce, Fredrick W. 2004. Islamic Tombs in India: The Iconography and Genesis of Their Design. New Delhi: D.K. Printworld, 52-55</ref><ref>Sharma, Y.D. 2001. Delhi and its Neighbourhood. New Delhi: Directory General Archaeological Survey of India, 27, 118.</ref> was the first [[octagon]]al [[mausoleum]] to be built in Delhi. The only other octagonal mausoleum that pre-dates this tomb in the Indian subcontinent is the Tomb of Shah Rukn-i Alam in [[Multan]].
The mausoleum occupies the northwestern corner of [[Nizamuddin West]].<ref>Tomb of Telanga nawab: Anon (1997) Delhi, The Capital of India; Asian Educational Services. pp. 85. {{ISBN|81-206-1282-5}}, 9788120612822</ref> The plan is composed of an octagonal [[burial]] chamber wrapped by a larger [[octagon]]al veranda. The verandah has three arched openings on each side, with a finial bearing cupola crowning the central arches. A large raised dome sits on top of the central chamber. While the parapet wall of the veranda is articulated with crenellations, a slanting stone overhang ([[chhajja]]) runs beneath it, encasing all sides of the structure.
The mausoleum occupies the northwestern corner of [[Nizamuddin West]].<ref>Tomb of Telanga nawab: Anon (1997) Delhi, The Capital of India; Asian Educational Services. pp. 85. {{ISBN|81-206-1282-5}}, 9788120612822</ref> The plan is composed of an octagonal [[burial]] chamber wrapped by a larger [[octagon]]al veranda. The verandah has three arched openings on each side, with a finial bearing cupola crowning the central arches. A large raised dome sits on top of the central chamber. While the parapet wall of the veranda is articulated with crenellations, a slanting stone overhang ([[chhajja]]) runs beneath it, encasing all sides of the structure.
The main entry to the structure is through the central arch of its south façade. The walls of the chamber are substantially thick. The [[mihrab]] is set in a stepped niche on the west wall of the chamber. A stairwell leading to the crypt below is also built into the western wall and accessed from inside a doorway. A large rectangular [[sarcophagus]] sits centred in the chamber beneath the dome in a two tiered arrangement. The tomb stands today in a very poor state of repair.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sanatani|first1=Rohit Priyadarshi|title=The Tomb of Khan - i Jahan Tilangani: A forgotten gem.|url=http://thespeakingarch.com/tomb_of_tilangani/|website=The Speaking Arch|accessdate=27 March 2015}}</ref>
The main entry to the structure is through the central arch of its south façade. The walls of the chamber are substantially thick. The [[mihrab]] is set in a stepped niche on the west wall of the chamber. A stairwell leading to the crypt below is also built into the western wall and accessed from inside a doorway. A large rectangular [[sarcophagus]] sits centred in the chamber beneath the dome in a two tiered arrangement. The tomb stands today in a very poor state of repair.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sanatani|first1=Rohit Priyadarshi|title=The Tomb of Khan - i Jahan Tilangani: A forgotten gem.|url=http://thespeakingarch.com/tomb_of_tilangani/|website=The Speaking Arch|accessdate=27 March 2015}}</ref>
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==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
* {{citation |last=Jackson |first=Peter |title=The Delhi Sultanate: A Political and Military History |url=https://archive.org/details/TheDelhiSultanateAPoliticalAndMilitaryHistoryCambridgeStudiesInIslamicCivilization/page/n6 |year=1999 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-54329-3}}
* {{citation |last=Jackson |first=Peter |title=The Delhi Sultanate: A Political and Military History |url=https://archive.org/details/TheDelhiSultanateAPoliticalAndMilitaryHistoryCambridgeStudiesInIslamicCivilization/page/n6 |year=1999 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-54329-3}}
* {{citation |first=M. |last=Rama Rao |title=The Fall of Warangal and After |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=10 |pages=292–297 |year=1947 |jstor=44137150}}
* {{citation |first=M. |last=Rama Rao |title=The Fall of Warangal and After |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=10 |pages=292–297 |year=1947 |jstor=44137150}}
* {{citation |last=Somasekhara Sarma |first=Mallampalli |title=A Forgotten Chapter of Andhra History: History of the Musunūri Nāyaks |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AnxAAAAAMAAJ |year=1945 |publisher=Andhra University/Ananda Press}}
* {{citation |last=Somasekhara Sarma |first=Mallampalli |title=A Forgotten Chapter of Andhra History: History of the Musunūri Nāyaks |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AnxAAAAAMAAJ |year=1945 |publisher=Andhra University/Ananda Press}}
* {{citation |first1=Phillip B. |last1=Wagoner |first2=John Henry |last2=Rice |title=From Delhi to the Deccan: Newly Discovered Tughluq Monuments at Warangal-Sult̤ānpurand the Beginnings of Indo-Islamic Architecture in Southern India |journal=Artibus Asiae |volume=61 |pages=77–117 |number=1 |year=2001 |jstor=3249963|doi=10.2307/3249963 }}
* {{citation |first1=Phillip B. |last1=Wagoner |first2=John Henry |last2=Rice |title=From Delhi to the Deccan: Newly Discovered Tughluq Monuments at Warangal-Sult̤ānpurand the Beginnings of Indo-Islamic Architecture in Southern India |journal=Artibus Asiae |volume=61 |pages=77–117 |number=1 |year=2001 |jstor=3249963|doi=10.2307/3249963 }}
 
{{refend}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Maqbul, Malik}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maqbul, Malik}}
[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
[[Category:Year of death missing]]
[[Category:Tughlaq dynasty]]
[[Category:Tughlaq dynasty]]
[[Category:Telugu people]]
[[Category:Telugu people]]
[[Category:Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:Delhi Sultanate]]
[[Category:People from the Delhi Sultanate]]
[[Category:History of Delhi]]
[[Category:Converts to Islam from Hinduism]]
[[Category:Converts to Islam from Hinduism]]
[[Category:Kakatiya people]]
[[Category:1369 deaths]]
[[Category:14th-century Indian people]]

Latest revision as of 16:15, 22 March 2026


Malik Maqbul
Died1369
Resting placeTomb of Khan-i Jahan Tilangani
Known for

Malik Maqbul (Malla Yugandharudu[1]), also referred to as Khan-i-Jahan Maqbul Tilangani[2] and Jahan Khan[3] (d. 1369), was an Indian commander in the Kakatiya Empire who was converted to Islam and rose to become the Wazir of the Delhi Sultanate under Firuz Shah Tughlaq (r. 1351–1388).[4] He was appointed as the governor of Hyderabad in service of the Delhi Sultanate and he ruled and governed all the lands of present day Telangana on behalf of the Delhi Sultanate.[5]

Career in Warangal[edit | edit source]

Malik Maqbul or Malla Yugandharudu (also called Gannama Nayaka), was a commander of the Kakatiya Empire under Prataparudra (r. 1289–1323). Marana's Markandeya Puranamu (in Telugu) names him as "Pedda Malla Devudu" & "Gannavibhudu" and describes him as the commander (Kataka paludu) of Warangal Fort, the capital of Kakatiyas.[1] The term "Malla Devudu" (meaning "Lord") implies that he was very high up in the Kakatiya administrative hierarchy.

After Ghiyasuddin Tughluq's son and general Ulugh Khan (Muhammad bin Tughluq) captured Warangal in 1323, Ulugh Khan himself took over the Governorship of what is now a new province of "Teling" (Telangana) in the Sultanate. Gannaya was captured and converted to Islam, given the name Malik Maqbul and found a place in the new regime. When Ulugh Khan left for Delhi soon afterwards, he left Warangal in the charge of Malik Maqbul. Ulugh Khan succeeded Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq as the new Sultan of Delhi under the name Muhammad bin Tughluq.[1][6]

The new regime was beset with rebellions and the Muslim governors were not welcomed as rulers. The coastal region around Rajahmundry slipped out immediately after Ulugh Khan's departure, the area south of Krishna River in 1325, Bhadrachalam area in 1330 and western Telangana between 1330–1335.[7] The Sultan marched on South India in 1334 in order to suppress the rebellions, but his army was struck by an epidemic, and he was forced to return to Delhi.[8] Soon afterwards, captured Warangal, and Malik Maqbul fled to Delhi. Facing significant losses in his army due to the epidemic, the Sultan was in no position to recover Telangana.[9]

Career in Delhi[edit | edit source]

Malik Maqbul was initially made the governor of Multan and sent to administer Punjab.[10] When he was the governor of Cambay, the Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta met him who was on his journey towards south of India.

After his return to Delhi, Maqbul earned the trust of Muhammad bin Tughluq. He accompanied the sultan on an expedition to Gujarat to subdue the rebels in Broach. He put all the rebels to death and captured enormous amount of wealth.[11] Subsequently, by making himself indispensable in the Delhi durbar (court), he became the finance minister and finally, the Wazir, of the Delhi Sultanate under Firuz Shah Tughlaq.[12] When Firuz Shah was away on a Campaign to Sindh and Gujarat for six months and no news was available about his whereabouts Maqbul ably protected Delhi.[3] He was the most highly favoured among the significant number of the nobles in Feroz Shah's court and retained the trust of the sultan.[13] Feroz Shah used to call Maqbul as 'brother'. The sultan even remarked that Khan-i-Jahan was the real ruler of Delhi. The fiscal and general administration were entirely left to Maqbul. On his part, Maqbul never exceeded his powers, and kept the sultan fully informed. He was also scrupulously honest. Although he did take presents from the governors of the provinces, he entered them in the royal treasury. He was also strict in collecting government dues. His powers, however, were restricted by the auditor (mustaufi) and by the Accountant-General (mushrif). Sometimes it led to bitter disputes in which the sultan mediated.[14] On one occasion, Maqbul threatened to leave for Mecca when he came into conflict with Ain-i-Mahru, the Accountant General. Sultan had to retrench Ain-i-Mahru. Maqbul was paid annually 13 lakh tankas over and above the expenses of his army and servants and separate allowances for his sons and sons-in-law. Maqbul also maintained a retinue of 2000 concubines.[15]

Successor[edit | edit source]

Firoz Shah gave an undertaking that the position of Wazir will be inherited by Maqbul's son. After the death of Maqbul in 1369 CE, his son Jauna Khan became the Wazir.[16]

Jauna Khan was as competent as his father but he was no military leader. He failed in the conflict for succession, which began even during the lifetime of Feroz Shah. Jauna Khan was captured and executed. Also known as Junan Shah, he built seven large mosques in and around Delhi including Khirki Masjid and Kalan Masjid.[17][18]

Monuments[edit | edit source]

Malik Maqbul's tomb in Delhi

Built in 1388 by Junan Shah (son of Malik Maqbul), his tomb[19][20][21] was the first octagonal mausoleum to be built in Delhi. The only other octagonal mausoleum that pre-dates this tomb in the Indian subcontinent is the Tomb of Shah Rukn-i Alam in Multan. The mausoleum occupies the northwestern corner of Nizamuddin West.[22] The plan is composed of an octagonal burial chamber wrapped by a larger octagonal veranda. The verandah has three arched openings on each side, with a finial bearing cupola crowning the central arches. A large raised dome sits on top of the central chamber. While the parapet wall of the veranda is articulated with crenellations, a slanting stone overhang (chhajja) runs beneath it, encasing all sides of the structure. The main entry to the structure is through the central arch of its south façade. The walls of the chamber are substantially thick. The mihrab is set in a stepped niche on the west wall of the chamber. A stairwell leading to the crypt below is also built into the western wall and accessed from inside a doorway. A large rectangular sarcophagus sits centred in the chamber beneath the dome in a two tiered arrangement. The tomb stands today in a very poor state of repair.[23]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Wagoner & Rice 2001, p. 48.
  2. Khan-i-Jahan's Tomb - Tomb of Malik Maqbul Khan, Delhi Information, retrieved 17 April 2019
  3. 3.0 3.1 Kulke, Hermann; Rothermund, Dietmar (1998), A History of India (Third ed.), Routledge, p. 167, ISBN 0-415-15482-0
  4. Jayapalan, N. (2001). History of India. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors (P) Limited. p. 70. ISBN 978-81-7156-928-1. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  5. Sen, Sailendra (2013). A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books. p. 97. ISBN 978-9-38060-734-4.
  6. Somasekhara Sarma 1945, p. 25, footnote 1.
  7. Rama Rao 1947, p. 297.
  8. Jackson 1999, p. 268.
  9. Jackson 1999, pp. 268–269.
  10. T. H. Beale and H. G. Keene, An Oriental Biographical Dictionary, W. H. Allen, 1894, p. 214
  11. The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians, Vol. III, H. M. Elliot, Adamant Media Corporation, p. 256, ISBN 1-4021-8212-0
  12. Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq by M. Ahmed, 1978, Chugh Publications, New Delhi p. 46 and 95
  13. Jackson 1999, p. 186.
  14. Medieval India; From Sultanat to the Mughals, S. Chandra, 2007, Har Anand Publications, p.122, ISBN 81-241-1064-6
  15. The Cambridge Economic History of India, T. Raychaudhuri and I. Habib, Orient Longman, 2005, p. 90, ISBN 81-250-2730-0
  16. Medieval India; From Sultanat to the Mughals, S. Chandra, 2007, Har Anand Publications, p.161, ISBN 81-241-1064-6
  17. Gaur, Abhilash (15 April 2007). "Sacred Seven". The Hindu. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  18. Safvi, Rana (12 January 2015). "Kalan Masjid, Turkman Gate, Delhi". Rana Safvi. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  19. "Khan-i Jahan Maqbul Tilangani Mausoleum". Retrieved 3 May 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  20. Bunce, Fredrick W. 2004. Islamic Tombs in India: The Iconography and Genesis of Their Design. New Delhi: D.K. Printworld, 52-55
  21. Sharma, Y.D. 2001. Delhi and its Neighbourhood. New Delhi: Directory General Archaeological Survey of India, 27, 118.
  22. Tomb of Telanga nawab: Anon (1997) Delhi, The Capital of India; Asian Educational Services. pp. 85. ISBN 81-206-1282-5, 9788120612822
  23. Sanatani, Rohit Priyadarshi. "The Tomb of Khan - i Jahan Tilangani: A forgotten gem". The Speaking Arch. Retrieved 27 March 2015.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]