Baz Bahadur, the Musician Ruler of Malwa

Rewa Kund (A reservoir, built by Baz Bahadur with an aqueduct to provide Roopmati's palace with water) Image Credit 

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.