Zafar Khan assumed the title ‘Muzaffar Shah’ and formally established the independent state of Gujarat Sultanate in 1391 AD*. He defeated Husang Shah of Malwa. Muzaffar Shah was the ruler of Gujarat in the first phase from 1391-1403 and in the later phase from 1404-1411 AD. However, Ahmad Shah is known as the real founder of the independent Sultanate of Gujarat.
*Note: Though Muzaffar Shah I was an independent ruler of Gujarat in 1391, the Mughal sultanate of Delhi indirectly ruled there until 1403.
Jafar Khan, who was from Gujarat, was appointed governor of Gujarat in 1391 by Muhammad Shah ( Tughlaq Dynasty). He also declared Gujarat an independent state from the Delhi Sultanate in 1401.
Muzaffar Shah I [1391-1403 & 1407-1411]
- Jafar Khan was from Gujarat.
- He took the title ‘Muzaffar Shah I’.
- His father was Wajih-ul-Mulk.
- 1391: He was appointed governor of Gujarat by Nasiruddin Muhammad Shah III (Tughlaq Dynasty of Delhi Sultanate) in 1391.
- 1392: Battle of Kamboi: Jafar Khan attacked and killed Farhat-ul-Mulk and occupied Anhilwada Patan. There he established a village named ‘the City of Victory’ or Jitpur village.
- 1393: First warlike expedition: Jafar Khan attacked Rao of Idar because he did not want to pay taxes.
- 1394: Jafar Khan attacked Rao of Junagah.
- He built Jumma Mosque after demolishing the Somnath temple.
- 1396: Sambhar and Dandwana were annexed to his territory.
- 1403: His son, Tatar Khan, imprisoned him and ascended to the throne. Tatar Khan took the title Muhammad Shah.
- 1407: Jafar Khan established an independent state of Gujarat.
- He attacked Malwa, defeated Husang Shah, and captured the capital, Dhar.
- 1411: Muzaffar Shah I died and his grandson Ahmad Shah I ascended the throne of Gujarat.
Info: Tatar Khan was killed by his uncle, Shams Khan. Jafar Khan was released and became sultan again.
Ahmad Shah (1411 -1443 AD)
- Ahmad Shah was the grandson of Muzaffar Shah.
- 1411: He ascended the throne of independent Gurajar at the age of 19.
- 1413: He founded the city of Ahmedabad in 1413 AD.
- 1413: He shifted his capital from Patan to Ahmedabad.
- 1417: He repelled the Gujarat invention of Hushang Shah.
- 1419 1420 1422 1438: He attacked Malwa four times.
- 1429: Ahmad Shah defeated Bahmani army.
- He ruled for more than 30 years.
- He captured Girnar in Saurashtra but returned to the local king instead of taxes.
- He was the first to introduce Jizya tax on Hindus in Gujarat.
- He attacked the Hindu shrine of Singpur and destroyed many temples.
- At the same time, various forts like Idar fort, Girna fort came under his control.
- 1423: Notable architectural achievements of his period are the Jam-i-Masjid and the Teen Darwazas of Ahmedabad.
- 1442: Ahmad Shah died.
Info: In retaliation for his father’s (Tatar Khan) death, Ahmad Shah killed his grandfather Muzaffar Shah by forcing him to swallow poison.
Muhammad Shah II [1442-1451]
- He was the eldest son of Sultan Muhammad Shah I.
- 1442: After the death of his father Muhammad Shah I, he ascended the throne.
- He defeated Raja Hari Rai in his first campaign against Idar.
- 1449: He attacked Champaner but failed to conquer.
- 1451: He died from illness.
Mahmud Begarha [1459-1511]
- The most famous Sultan of Gujarat was Mahmud Begarha.
- His real name was Fath Khan.
- Full name: Abu’l Fath Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah I.
- Ahmad Shah captured the fort of Girnar (Junagadh) but returned the fort to Saurashtra Raja in return for tribute.
- 1469: Mahmud Begarha conquered the fort of Girnar.
- He built the new city of Mustafabad at the foot of the fort.
- Girnar became the second capital of Gujarat.
- He destroyed many famous temples of Dwarka.
- 1508-1509: He attacked the Portuguese with the help of Pharaoh of Egypt but remained unsuccessful.
- 1479: Champanir fell in 1454 AD when he attacked the fort of Champanir.
- He built a city called Muhammadabad near Champanir.
- 1511: Mahmud Begarha died.
Info: Sanskrit scholar Udayaraja was his poet laureate. He wrote the book Raja Vinoda.
Info: He took multiple titles such as Sultân al-Barr, Sultân al-Bahr, Sultan of the Land, Sultan of the Sea.
Later rulers
- Later prominent rulers were: Shams-ud-Din Muzaffar Shah II, Qutb-ud-Din Bahadur Shah, Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah III, Ghiyas-ud-Din Ahmad Shah III, Shams-ud-Din Muzaffar Shah III.
- Mahmud allied with the Sultan of Egypt to defeat the Portuguese navy and suppress the Portuguese.
- After his death independent rule in Gujarat began to decline.
- 1526-1537: Bahadur Khan captured the capital of Malwa and the fort of Mandu. He is second. Mamud imprisoned Khalji and occupied Malwa.
- The last ruler of Gujarat was Muzaffar III.
- 1572: Emperor Akbar later annexed Gujarat to the Mughal Empire.
List of Muzaffarid Rulers
- Muzaffar Shah I (1401–1403, 1407–1411)
- Muhammad Shah I (1403 ~ 1407)
- Ahmad Shah I (1411 – 1443)
- Muhammad Shah II (1443-1451)
- Ahmad Shah II (1451-1458)
- Mahmud Beghada (1459 – 1511)
- Muzaffar Shah II (1511 – 1526)
- Sikandar Shah (1526)
- Mahmud Shah II (1526)
- Bahadur Shah (1526–1537)
- Muhammad Shah III (1537)
- Mahmud Shah III (1537-1554)
- Ahmad Shah III (1554-1561)
- Muzaffar Shah III (1561-1573)