Malwa Sultanate, a Medieval Age Muslim Kingdom, notable for Sultani legacy and glorious history. The region was once a part of the Delhi Sultanate. How Malwa became an independent Sultanate from the most dominant Sultanate of 14th century is indeed a remarkable history. Malwa Sultans were most notable for building some exceptional architectures in Malwa region.
The historic region of Malwa consisted present state of Madhya Pradesh and south eastern Rajasthan.
History of Malwa Sultanate
Malwa Sultanate history began from Ghurid Dynasty’s rebel in 1392. But the Ghurid control over Malwa region didn’t last more than 4 decades. Khalji Dynasty thereafter dethroned the Ghurids in 1436 and ruled until late 16th century.
Foundation of Malwa Sultanate
Dilawar Khan Ghuri, is recognized as the founder of independent Malwa Sultanate. Tughlaq Shah II, the Sultan of Delhi, appointed him as the governor of Dhar between 1390-91. But Dilawar soon realized the situation of declining Delhi Sultanate. He took advantage of this crisis and suspended paying his tribute. However, despite his rebel, Dilawar hadn’t declared his independent sultanate until 1401.
Rule of Ghurid Dynasty
Dilawar Khan finally founded Malwa Sultanate in 1401. He initially ruled from Dhar, the first capital of the independent Sultanate of Malwa. Later he shifted the capital of Malwa to Mandu. Dilawar Khan, the founder of Malwa Sultanate, also renamed his capital Mandu as Shahidabad. After Dilawar Khan died in 1406, his son Hoshang succeeded the throne of Malwa.
Hoshang Shah, the first legitimate Muslim ruler of Malwa, promoted religious tolerance and invited Rajputs to settle in the region. He was supportive of temple construction and also favored the Jain community. Hoshang Shah established Hoshangabad and fortified Mandu, making it a prominent fortress. Hoshangabad Fort of Mandu is indeed a classic representation of Malwa Architecture.
Muzaffar Shah of Gujarat Sultanate invaded Malwa, assuming Hoshang Shah poisoned his father, Dilawar Khan. He defeated and imprisoned Hoshang. Later, on begging of Hoshang, he released him.
Establishment of Khalji Dynasty at Malwa
Mahmud Shah of Khalji Dynasty assassinated Mohammad Shah, son of Hoshang Shah, and founded Khalji Dynasty at Malwa Sultanate in 1436. Mahmud Khalji was a significant ruler of Malwa Sultanate who ruled until 1469 and led the empire to its peak. He engaged in several battles, including notable conflicts against Rana Kumbha of Mewar.
History of Mewar and Malwa Rivalry
Sultan Mahmud Khalji was lifelong rival of Rana Kumbha. He had given shelter to Mahpa Panwar who assassinated Rana Mokal. Rana Kumbha conquered Malwa to capture the assassin of his father. The Mewar Army defeated the Malwa Army at the Battle of Sarangpur in 1437. Rana Kumbha captured Mahmud Khalji from Mandu Fort. He was kept in prison at Chittor Fort for six months before being released.
Rivalry of Mewar and Malwa continued further. Mahmud Khalji tried to retaliate and further engaged in couple of clashes with Rana Kumbha. But he was comprehensively defeated in the battles of Mandalgarh and Banas (1442-46). He captured Mandalgarh in 1456 but couldn’t keep it more than a year. Sultan Mahmud also seiged Kumbhalgarh Fort in 1458, but eventually decided to retreat. The Battle of Mewar (1467) was the last campaign of Mahmud Khalji against Rana Kumbha. He again had to retreat suffering heavy losses.
Rivalry with Mewar had a great significance in the history of Malwa Sultanate. Mahmud Khalji had several conflicts with Rana Sanga as well. Successive battles with Mewar eventually led the decline of Malwa Sulatane by early 16th century.
Rule of Gujarat Sultanate
After 1519, Malwa Sultanate started declining. Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat sensed the opportunity and invaded Mandu. Malwa Sultan Mahmud Shah II surrendered to Bahadur Shah on 25 May 1531, thus established Gujarat Sultanate reign at Mandu.
Mughal Emperor Humayun invaded and captured Mandu fort in 1535. However, the Gujaratis reclaimed Mandu the next year.
Suri Invasion at Malwa
History of Malwa Sultanate took a pause with the invasion of Sher Shah Suri in 1542. The Suri ruler captured Mandu Fort and appointed his trusted Shuja’at Khan as the Governor of Malwa. Suri Dynasty’s realm at Malwa under Shuja’at Khan continued peacefully for a decade.
Restoration of Independent Sultanate of Malwa
Baz Bahadur, the son of Shuja’at Khan succeeded his father in 1555. Suri Dunasty was already weakening then with the death of Hemu, at the Second Battle of Panipat. Baz Bahadur took the advantage and declared independent government, which restored Malwa Sultanate once again.
But unfortunately, Sultan Baz Bahadur didn’t focus much on strengthening his army. He was more involved in artworks. His romantic lovestory with Queen Roopmati eventually brought downfall of Malwa Sultanate. Mughal Emperor sent his foster brother Adam Khan to invade Malwa in 1561. Mughal Army led defeated weak Malwa Army in the Battle of Sarangpur on 29 March 1561. Some legends mention that Adam Khan had a deep attraction over Rani Roopmati which primarily casued the Mughal invasion at Mandu. However, it concluded with defeat of Malwa army, self poisioning of Rani Roopmati. Baz Bahadur, the last Sultan and ruler of Malwa Sultanate, refuged to Khandesh.
The Battle of Sarangpur eventually ended the realm of Malwa Sultanate and established Mughal rule at Malwa.
Legacy of Malwa Sultanate
Malwa Sultanate had left an enormous Sultani legacy along with its rich history. The city of Mandu still houses some incredible architectures and artworks bearing the legacies of Malwa Sultans.
Malwa Architectures
Malwa Architectures are mostly concentrated within Mandu region, the capital of Malwa Sultanate. Older Malwa Architectures bear the glimpses of contemporary Hindu temples, perfectly blended with Islamic architectures.
Mandu Fort
Hoshang Shah, the second Sultan of Malwa constructed the Mandu Fort, on a ruined fortress. Mandu Fort, the largest fortress in India has 40 kilometers (25 miles) long rampart. Jami Masjid (mosque) is the largest monument inside the Mandu Fort. An inscription in the mosuqe mentions that Hoshang Shah began the construction of Jami Masjid and finished by Mahmud Khalji.
Mandu Fort has many historical monuments that display the architectural heritage of Malwa Sultans. One of the notable structures is the Hindola Mahal, which is a grand Durbar hall. Another significant complex is the Ashrafi Mahal, which consists of a group of buildings built over a long period of time.
Tomb of Hoshang Shah
The tomb of Hoshang Shah, built in 1440, is India’s first marble tomb. Legend says that Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan sent his architect to study its architectural features. The famous Taj Mahal, built in 1632, definitely took inspiration from Hoshang Shah Tomb.
Malwa Paintings
The era of Malwa Sultanate had produced many beautiful illustrated manuscripts, mostly renowned as Malwa paintings. Kalpa Sutra (1439), a famous manuscript from Mahmud Khaji’s reigning period, originates from Mandu. Another interesting Malwa manuscript is the Nimat Nama, a book about cooking, adorned with paintings of Ghiyas-ud-Din Shah. There are also other notable manuscripts like the Miftah-ul-Fuzala, a rare word dictionary, the Bustan painted by Haji Mahmud, and the Aja’ib-us-San’ati. Additionally, there is the Anwar-i-Suhaili, which is currently housed in the National Museum in Delhi.
Malwa Coins
Malwa Sultanate coinages are similar to the other Islamic coins featuring no pictorial representations but only the script. Hoshang Shah issued gold, silver and copper coins during his reign. His gold and silver tanka (unit currency) weighted around 11 grams. One side of his coins featured his name, Hoshang Shah Al-Sultan and the other side had the name of the mint, Dar Al-Mulk Shahdiabad.
Taj-ud-Din Muhammad Shah I issued coins in gold, silver, and copper in his rule between 1435 and 1436.
Ala Al-Din Mahmud Shah I had revolutionalized the Malwa Sultanate coinage system, by issuing several denominations. His gold coins had two denominations- One Tanka and Five Tanka. Silver coins, on the other side, had three denominations- One Tanka, Half Tanka, and One-Eighth Tanka.