English
* •• •• When Sultan Ghiasu-d-din passed from the narrow human frame into the wide space of the soul, the nobles and the generals • This story speaks volumes in favour of the purity of the administration of justice that must have prevailed in the lntter part of the fourteenth century under the Masalman regime in Bengal. History foils to furnish an instance that can snrpass this, in exemplifying the honesty and sense of dnty of a humble peon, the judicial fearlessness and integrity of a judge, and the law-abiding natnro of a king. 2 Shaikh Hamid of Nagor belonged to Xagor in Jndhpiir. * For Coinage of this King, see Thomas’s Initial Coinage, J.A.S.B., 1867, pp. 68-70. From the circumstance that his early coins were struck at the mint-town of Mnazzamabad (territory whereof has been identified to have extended from the Megna to north-eastern Maimaosingh and the right bank of the Surmn), it would appear that he first acquired power in Eastern Bengal, and reigned first at Sunargaon, from which plaoe according to the Riynz he marched ont to fight against his father, Sikandar Shuh, who reigned at Pandnah. Snlfan Ghiisu-d-din must have invited Hafi* to hie court at Sunargaon, (as Hafiz died in <91 A.II.,) when, according to Sikandar Shih’s coins noticed hy Mr. Thomas, Sikandar Shah yet rnled at Pandnah. (See also J.A.S. for 1878, p. 258). 4 On the coins he ie called Saifn-d-din Abnl Majahid Hamzah §hah, son of Azam Shih (eee J.A.S. for 1873. p. 269). Ferishta says: “The Rajah B of the country did not draw their heads out of the yoke of obedienoe, and did not 112 of the array placed his son, Saifu-d-din, on the paternal throne styling him Sultan-u-s-Salatiu. One goes out, aud another comes in in his place: The world is never left without a master. He was sober in character, and generous and brave. He reigned over Bengal for ten years, and in the year 785 A.H. he died, and according to auother account, he reigued three years and seven months and five days. God knows the truth. t REIGN OP SHAMSG-D-DlN, 1 SON OF SUI/TANU-S- SALATlN. After the death of Sultanu-s-Salatin, his son, Shamsu-d-din, with the consent of the councillors and members of Government, ascended the throne, and according to ancient usages he observed the ceremonies attendant on assumption of sovereignty, and for a period was at ease and comfort. In the year 788 A.H. either by some natural disease, or by the stratagem of Rajah Kans, who at that time had become very powerful, he died. Some have written that this Shamsu-d-din was not an aotual but adopted son of Sultanu-s-Salatin, and that his name was Shahabu-d-din. Either way, he reigned for three years, four months, and six days. And the true account is, that Rajah Kans who was zamindar of Bath- uriah* attacking him, slew him, and usurped the throne. neglect or delay in paying revenae to him." According to the Tabaqat, he reigned 10 years. The coins discovered of him, were struck at Firazabad (or Panduah). . „ . l Feriahta says, that as the king was yoong and weak m intellect an infidel named Rajah Kins, who was attached to the court J executive and collection of taxes. The Tabaqat says that the king d.ed afte a quidt and peaceful reign of three years and a few months. Professor Blochmann identifies this king (whose comshavenot been discovered) with king Sbahabu-d-din Abu, " are noticed by Professor Blochmann in J.A.8, p. lor * Shill, according to Professor Blochmann’. theory, was a poppet k g- benami transaction," whilst Rajah Kans ruled over Bengal. _ 8 Professor Blochmann says (J.A.8.B., p. 26 or )• “The name of Bhaturiah does not ocour in the Aid, nor . before the tin. of Rnnnel’. Atta (1778) in which the name of Bh.tnmh m 113 USURPATION OF RAJAH KANS* ZAMINDAR. % When Sultan ShaiuBu-il-din died, Rajah Kans a Hindu Zamindar, subjugating tbe whole kingdom of Bengal, seated him¬ self on the throne, and commenced oppressions, and seeking to destroy the MuBalmans, slew many of their learned aud holy men. His aim was to extirpate Islam from his dominions. It is said one day Shaikh Badrul Islam, father of Shaikh Muinu-d- din ‘Abbas, sat down before that wretch, without saluting him. Thereupon he said : “ Shaikh, why did you not salute me ? ” The Shaikh said: “It Is ..ot- becoming for the learned to salute infidels, especially a cruel aud blood-shedding infidel, like thee, who has shed the blood of Mnsnlmans.” On hearing this, that unholy infidel kept silent, and, coiling like the serpent, aimed at killing him. One day he sat in a house which had a low aud narrow entrance, and summoned in the Shaikh. When the Shaikh arrived, he guessed the Rajah’s object, so he first put out his legs inside, and afterwards not bendiug the head, entered. That given to a large district east of Ualdab, bounded in the west by the Malta- nanda river and the Parnabhaba, its tributary, in the sooth by the left bank of the Ganges, in the east by the Knrntaya, and in the north by Dinajpur and GUoraghat. Bhatnriah therefore is the district to both sides of the Atrai river." Professor Blochmonn (J.A.S.B. for 1875, p. 287), identifies " Bha- turiah ” as part of old Barendra, in Bajshahi proper, between Amrul and Bagnra, and signifying Northern Rajahahi Proper including Tabirpur. Professor Bloohmanu also considers, that the nome “ Itajshahi” is connected with Bajah Kans, who was a Rajah-Shah, that is, a Hinda Rajah who aaoended a Musalman throne. 1 The Tabaqat-i-Akbari merely notices Kins's osarption. Ferishta says that though not a Musalman, Kans was a friend (Sic.) of Musalmans. The Riy&z gives the best account baBed perhaps on local traditions. Mr. West- macott inacoorately identifies “ Rajah Kins ” of BhathunaU with Rajah Ganesh of Dinajpur.” Professor Blochinanu (I think correctly) identifies “Bajah Kins" with “Bajah Kins Narayan’’ of Tahirpur which latter is included in Bhathari&li. (See J.A.S.B., p. 287 for 1875). . Bajah Kins does not appear to have issued coins in his own name, but during bis rdgim a, posthumous ooina of Azam Shah (notiotd by Hon’ble Sir E. C. Baylej in J.A.S., 1874, p. 294n.) and coins in the name of Sbahabudin Bayasid §hih, a pnppet king or a benami king (notioed by Professor Bloch- tnann in J.A.S.B. for 1873, p. - 263). were issued, Rftjah Kius from the testimony of coins appears to have reigned from 810 A.H. to 817 A.H. or 1407 to 1414 A.O. bnt he appears to have aotnally wurped the government earlier in 808 A.H. u 114 infidel flew into rage, and ordered that the Shaiklj should be placed in a line with his brothers. Immediately, the Shaikh was killed, and the rest of the learned that very day were placed on a boat and drowned in the river. The Saint Nur Qutbu-l-‘Alam becoming impatient by reason of the oppressions of that infidel and his slaughter of the Mnsalmans, wrote as follows to Sultan Ibrahim Sharqi 1 who rnled at that time up to the limits of Behar: “ The ruler of this country, named Kans, is an infidel. He is committing oppressions, and shedding blood. He has killed many of the learned and holy men, and destroyed them. At present, he is aiming to kill the remainder of the Mnsalmans, and to extir¬ pate Islam from this country. Since to help and protect Musal- mans, is a duty incumbent on Musalraan sovereigns, accordinly I intrude on your valuable time with these few lines. I pray for your auspicious arrival here, for the sake of the residents of this country, and also in order to oblige me, so that Mnsalmans may be rescued from the oppressive load of this tyrant. Peace 1 Sharasu-d-din Ibrahim Shih Sharqi, king of Jaunpur, reigned from 804 to 845 A.H. (1401-1441 A.C.) The Sharqi kingdom was created in 795 A.H. by Sultan Mahmud, son of Sultan Alauddin Sikondar Shah, son of Sultan Mohammad, Bon of Sulf.an Firuz Shah Tnghluk, oatine to the increasing feebleness of the Delhi Empire. The Sharqi kingdom, extended from Qanuj to Behar. Mahmud first bestowed the title of Snltan-ns-Sharqi on Malik Sarwnr, a ennnch who already held the title of Khajah-Jabsn. The following table will be nsefal A.H. A.C. Khajah Jahan ... 800 1397 Mubark Shah ... 803 1400 ShamsQd*din Ibmhim Shah 804 1401 Mahmnd Shah ... ... 845 1441 Muhammad Shah .. 856 1461 Husain ... 856 1451 The last took refuge in the court of Alau-d-din Husain ghafc, kiDg of Bengal about 900 A..H. or 1497 B.-C. JauDpur continued to be governed by the Lodi dynasty till the defeat and death of Ibrahim, grandson of Bahlol at Paniput by Babar in 1 1626 A.C. A local kingdom was fora short time established under Bahadur Khan, governor of Behar; it was recovered by Humayun, passed again into the hands of Slier ghah and his son Salim Shah. Jannpur continued under the AfghaflS Akbar in the 4iQ 7 ea * o his reign took possession of' it through Ali Qnli Khan. In 1676, the Vice¬ regal court was removed to Allahabad, and Jaunpor was thenrforth governed by a Nazim-See Jarretfs Tr. of Ain, Vol. 11, pp. and also Badaoni, Vol. I, pp. 264, 272, 278, 816, 807, Pers. text. 115 be on you.” When this letter reached Sultan Ibrahim, the latter opened it with great respect, and read it. Qazi Shahabu-d-diu Jannpuri who was one of the scholars of the time, and the chief of the body of the learned men, and who was highly respected by Sultau Ibrahim who used to seat him on a silver chair on auspi¬ cious occasions, also used his great persuasions and said : “ You ought to set out quickly ; for in this invasion both worldly and religions benefits are to be obtained, namely the country of Benga will be subjugated, and you would also meet the Saint Shaikh Nur Qutbu-l-‘Alam, who is the fountain-head of both worldly and eternal boons, and you would also bo doing a pious deed by avenging the oppression of Muhammadans.