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Baz Bahadur, a contemporary of greatest Mughal emperor Akbar, was the ruler of Muslim kingdom of Malwa with his capital at Mandu which is home to an impressive array of architectural marvels. Mandu is presently in the Dhar district of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Perched on the southwestern edge of the Malwa Plateau at an altitude of 2000 feet the fortress town of Mandu commands panoramic views of the Nimar Plains below.
As Baz Bahadur was given to pleasure, wine, women, and music, Baz Bahadur loved to spend his
time in the company of musicians and singers and used to indulge in
sensual pursuits. He is known in history more for his love-life
rather than the administrative skills and military exploits.
Baz Bahadur's Palace / Image Credit
Built by Baz Bahadur, the
palace's unique features are its spacious courtyards surrounded by halls and
high terraces which afford a superb view of the surrounding
countryside. The palace is famous for acoustics
Baz Bahadur was the eldest son of Shuja'at or Shujawal Khan, who ruled Malwa independent as the viceroy of the Sur dynasty during the reign of Islam Shah. After his father Baz Bahadur became its next governor who later asserted his independence and became the ruler of the province. Shujawal Khan died in 1556, the year in which Akbar became Mughal emperor.
Contemporary writer, Nizamu-d din, author of
Tabakat-i-Akbari, writes about Baz Bahadur, “Baz Bahadur was the most
accomplished man of his day in the science of music and in Hindi song. He spent
much of his time in the society of musicians and singers.” His love for his
Hindu wife Rupmati, who was proficient in reciting poetry, is still remembered
by the bards of Mandu.
As a result of the above, the affairs of the state came to a
standstill. This was used as a pretext to invade Malwa by Akbar, an imperialist
by instinct. He sent his nobles Adham Khan, son of Maham Anaga (Akbar’s foster
mother) and Pir Muhammad to conquer Malwa in 1961. According to some school of
though, one of the causes for the invasion was Adham Khan’s infatuation for Baz
Bahadur’s queen, Rupmati, who was of exquisite beauty.
Soon after ascending to the throne in 1556, Baz invaded Garah Katanga (a territory, abounding in hills and jungles in the Gondwana region presently forming parts of the northern districts of the state of Madhya Pradesh) which was ruled by a valiant lady Rani Durgavati, a Chandela Princesses of Mahoba and regent of her son Vir Narayan. Baz was repulsed by the forces of Durgavati.
Baz Bahadur, who had hitherto neglected the administration
of his kingdom, awoke from his slumber and faced the enemies but was defeated
in the battle of Sarangpur (now in Rajgarh district in Madhya Pradesh), fought
on March 29, 1561 and fled to Khandesh and Burhanpur. All his treasure and
several other wives fell into the hands of Adham Khan and Pir Muhammad whose
methods to conquer Malwa and their oppression in the Malwa kingdom have been
described by the contemporary historian Badauni, who had accompanied the Mughal
army.
When it was found that Rupmati ran the risk of being
captured by Adham Khan, a eunuch of Baz Bahadur's harem caused wound to her
with a sword. She later consumed poison and killed herself.
Baz Bahadur however, managed to recover Malwa soon. Akbar
sent his general Abdulla Khan Uzbek once again to incorporate the province to
Mughal empire. Baz Bahadur was once again defeated in 1562 and fled to Mewar
where he was sheltered by Rana Udai Singh, son of Rana Sanga and ruler of
Mewar. Thereafter, Baz Bahadur fled to Gujarat. After living a life of a
wanderer he finally submitted to Akbar and according to according to Faizi, he
was granted a Mughal mansab. Badauni, however says, he was
imprisoned for some time when he surrendered to the Mughal court. He says that
he died soon after his release.
According to Abul Fazal, the court historian of Akbar, mentions that thirty six singers enjoyed the
patronage of Akbar’s court. Baz Bahadur was one of these thirty six singers and
has been described as 'a singer
without rival ' by Abul
Fazal.
