Feroz Shah Tughlaq, ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty, founded the city of Jaunpur in 1359. Assuming the title ‘Khwajah-i-Jahan’, Malik Sarwar founded the Jaunpur Sultanate. Malik Sarwar also founded the Sharqi dynasty in this city in 1394. He was the vizier of the Tughluq ruler Nasiruddin Mamud Shah III. Here is a list of Independent Rulers of Jaunpur who ruled from 1392 to 1479 AD.
Malik Sarwar [1394 – 1399]
- 1389: Malik Sarwar took the title ‘Khwajah-i-Jahan‘.
- 1394: Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah Tughluq gave Malik Sarwar the authority of the eastern region of Jaunpur (appointed as governor of Jaunpur).
- He then received the name ‘Malik-us-Sharq‘ (Title of the East) from Tughluq.
- 1394: He proclaimed the concept of independence and took the title ‘Atbak-i-Azam‘.
- He conquered the territories of Kara, Ayodhya, Sandila, Dalmau, Bihar, Trihut etc.
- He fought multiple battles with Ujjainiyas and Bhojpur. Some of them were won and some lost.
Info: On the ruins of Raja Vijaya Chandra’s Yagi Mandal, Malik Sarwar built a royal palace that he called Badi Manzil.
Mubarak Shah [1399 – 1402]
- His real name was Malik Qaranfal.
- He was the adopted son of Mubarak Shah.
- 1399: Malik Sarwar was succeeded by his adopted son Mubarak Shah.
- After ascending to the throne, Mubarak Shah introduced coins bearing his name.
- Sermons were delivered in his name.
- Also Khutba was read in his name.
- He defeated Mallu Iqbal who tried to capture Jaunpur.
- 1402: He died and his brother Ibrahim Shah ascended the throne.
Info: According to historians Sir Wolseley Haig and R.C. Majumdar, Sharqi rulers are slave of African descent but Mubarak Shah was an Abyssinian slave
Info: Mubarak Shah was referred to by another name “‘Qaranful'”.
Ibrahim Shah [1402-1440 AD]
- The next ruler of Mubarak Shah was Ibrahim Shah.
- 1402: Ibrahim Shah took the name ‘Shamsuddin Mubarak Shah‘ and ascended the throne.
- During his period Jaunpur reached the peak of fame.
- He extended his empire to Bihar in the east and Kanauj in the west.
- He also troubled King Ganesha of Bengal.
- During his reign, Jaunpur became a center of Islamic education and culture.
- During this period the Sharqi style developed in architecture.
Info: During the reign of Ibrahim Shah, Tughluq Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah II took refuge in Jaunpur.
Mahmud Shah Sharqi [1440 – 1457]
- Mahmud Shah Sharqi captured Chunar region.
- He failed to conquer Kalpi.
- He was defeated by Kapilendra Deva Gajapati, the king of Orissa.
- 1452: He raided Delhi and was defeated by Bholul Lodi.
- After his death, his son Muhammad Shah became the king.
Muhammad Shah [1457 – 1458]
- 1457: He seized the throne.
- He formed an alliance with Bahlul Lodi.
- 1458: He was killed by his brother Hussain Shah’s army at Kanauj.
Hussain Shah Sharqi (Last Sultan of Jaunpur) [1458 – 1479]
- 1458: A four-year peace agreement was signed between Hussain Shah and Bahlul Lodi.
- Later he repeatedly raided Delhi, but was defeated by Bahlul Lodi.
- 1478: Bahlul Lodi defeated Hussain Shah Sharqi and made a treaty.
- 1479: He was again defeated by Bahlul Lodi across the bank of the Jamuna River.
- 1484: Bahlul Lodi conquered Jaunpur and annexed Delhi.
- He created many new kingdoms.
Info: Hussain Shah received the title of ‘Gandharva’.
Jaunpur as an architectural and cultural center
- 1376: Firoz Shah Tughlaq started the construction of Atala Mosque in 1376 and Ibrahim Shah completed it in 1404.
- Jaunpur was called ‘Siraj of the East‘ or ‘Siraj of India‘ for its excellence in education and culture.
- 1430: Ibrahim Shah built the Hanjhari Masjid.
- 1450: Muhammad Shah built the famous Red Gate Mosque (Lal Darwaja Masjid) at Jaunpur.
- 1470: One of the most notable architectural works of this era is the Jami Masjid built by Hussain Shah.
- The author of ‘Padmaavat‘, Hindi poet Malik Mohammad Jayasi lived in Jaunpur.
- Hussain Shah was a great patron of Hindustani Music and contributed to the raag Khayal.
- Hussain Shah also composed several melodies or raag such as Jaunpuri-basant.
- 1402: Ibrahim Shah first issued his own coins.
Info: Why is Jaunpur known as Siraj-e-hind? The Sharqi rulers were great patrons of art, music, and architecture. Jaunpur was an architectural hub (Atala Masjid, Jama Masjid, and Lal Darwaza Masjid) and Center of Learning during their period. That’s why Jaunpur is known as Siraj-e-hind.