Malik Sarwar (1394–1399 Ce), A Significant Ruler Of The Jaunpur Sultanate

One of Firuz Shah Tughluq's most important lords, Malik Sarwar Khan Jahan established the Jaunpur Sultanate in 1394 and controlled the region from 1394 until 1399. He put down the uprisings at Koil, Etawah, and Kanauj. He also held control over Awadh, Kara, Sandila, Bahraich, Bihar, Dalmau, and Tirhut. Both the monarch of Lakhnauti and the Rai of Jajnagar acknowledged his authority and sent elephants to him. 

 

•    The Jaunpur Dynasty was founded by Malik Sarwar.

 

•    Shams Siraj Afif, a contemporaneous chronicler who penned the Tarikh-i Firuz Shahi in 1398, claims that Firuz Shah Tughluq gave him the title of "Khajah-i-Jahan" and installed him as the curator of the royal jewellery in 1389 CE.

 

•    He was a gifted and honorable man, and as a result, he was elevated to Shahnah-i Shahr of Delhi from the position of custodian of royal jewellery.

 

•    Malik Sarwar served as the Shahnah-i Shahr, or mayor (of Delhi), during Firuz Shah's reign.

 

•    Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah II Tughluq (1394–1413 CE) appointed him as the administrator of Jaunpur and gave him the title "Malik-us-Sharq".

 

•    Soon after, Malik Sarwar proclaimed himself king and assumed the title "Atabak-i-Azam." During his rule, Jaunpur was embroiled in a century-long conflict with the Ujjainiyas of Bhojpur in present-day Bihar.

 

•    The Ujjainiya commander Raja Harraj initially defeated Malik Sarwar's soldiers, but the Ujjainiyas were defeated in subsequent battles and turned to guerilla warfare as they withdrew into the woods. 

 

•    Malik Sarwar was a strong ruler with a dominating presence.

 

•    When he arrived in Jaunpur, the entire region and its surroundings were in a state of open insurrection.

 

•    Zamindars withheld money and demolished defenses.

 

•    Malik Sarwar adopted a firm strategy, putting an end to the insurgency from the beginning, repairing the forts, and manning them with experienced commanders.

 

•    The zamindars were so drawn to his majesty and grandeur that they started contributing to his income on a regular basis.

 

•    He welcomed the sufis of his period to his reign and liked their company.

 

•    He frequently showed reverence to Khwaja Shaikh Ali of Rajgir in Bihar, who was a disciple of his.

 

•    On the ruins of Yagi Mandal, one of Raja Vijaya Chandra's structures, he erected a royal house that he called Badi Manzil (The Wonderful House).

 

•    In addition, he changed Jaunpur's name to Dar-us Surr (The Abode of Bliss) and completed the fort that Firuz Shah Tuqhluq had started.

 

In 1394 CE, Malik Sarwar established the Jaunpur Dynasty. By capturing Koil (modern Aligarh), Sambhal (Moradabad), and Rapri (Shikohabad), he expanded his territory. His domain extended westward from Qannauj to Bhojpur and northward from Aligarh to Tirhut in Bihar, bordering the Nepalese border and the Himalayan Tarai region. Malik Sarwar passed away in November 1399. For over four years and six months, he was in power. After his death, Malik Qaranfal, his adopted son, took his position and was granted the title "Mubarak Shah".