The Nizamshahi Dynasty was established by Ahmad Bahari (1490 AD). Ahmad Bari’s real name is Malik Ahmed. He was the ruler of the Junnar dynasty of the Bahmani Empire. He built a new capital Ahmadnagar after his name. The fort of Junnar is better known as Shivneri Fort. This dynasty lasted till 1636 AD. Finally, Shahjahan captured this empire.
The kingdom was situated between the states of Gujarat and Bijapur in the northwest Deccan. In 1499, the Nizamshahi Dynasty captured the powerful Daulatabad fortress. In 1574, they also captured Berar. This article discusses Nizamshahi Dynasty for UPSC prelims and other competitive exams.
Malik Ambar
- Murtaza Nizam Shah III’s famous commander was Malik Ambar during his reign.
- His guerilla military style distracted the Mughals.
- He lost the city of Ahmadnagar to the Mughals in a battle in 1620.
- His death in 1626 caused great loss to Ahmadnagar.
- Malik Ambar’s introduced revenue system was based on King Todormal’s.
- Initially, revenue was fixed at two-fifths of the cultivated product. later it reduced to one-third.
Chand Bibi or Chand Sultana
- Chand Sultana was the widow of Sultan Ali Adil Shah (Bijapur).
- Hussain Nizam Shah I ( from Ahmednagar) was the father of Chand Bibi.
- She was the guardian of the minor Sultan Nizam Shah of Ahmadnagar.
- Akbar attacked Ahmadnagar during the reign of Chand Sultan.
- She spoke several languages such as Turkish, Arabic, Persian, Marathi, and Kannada.
- Ahmadnagar forces led by Chand Sultan put up strong resistance and peace was made with the Mughals.
- She fought against the imperialist policies of the Mughals by annexing the states of Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, Golconda, etc.
- Finally, Chandbibi was killed. The last Ahmadnagar Sultan was Murtaza Nizam Shah III.
List of Nizamshahi rulers
- Ahmad Nizam Shah I (1490-1510)
- Burhan Nizam Shah I (1510-1553)
- Hussain Nizam Shah I (1553-1565)
- Murtaza Nizam Shah I (1565-1588)
- Husain Nizam Shah II (1588-1589)
- Ismail Nizam Shah (1589-1591)
- Burhan Nizam Shah II (1591-1595)
- Ibrahim Nizam Shah (1595-1596)
- Ahmad Nizam Shah II (1596)
- Bahadur Nizam Shah (1596-1600)
- Murtaza Nizam Shah (1600-1610)
- Burhan Nizam Shah III (1610-1631)
- Husain Nizam Shah III (1631-1633)
- Murtaza Nizam Shah III (1633-1636)