The Niẓām Shāhīs

Fischel, Roy S.

Abstract

The Niẓām Shāhīs were an Islamic dynasty in the Deccan Plateau, India. Founded by Malik Ḥasan Baḥrī Niẓām al-Mulk, his son Aḥmad established its independence from the Bahmanī Sultanate around 896/1490. The sultanate emerged as one of the most powerful in the Deccan, and their capital Aḥmadnagar became a centre of arts and Islamic learning. Central authority began to decline later in the century, and in 1009/1600 the Mughals conquered Aḥmadnagar. Thereafter, Niẓām Shāhī sultans remained only symbols of sovereignty, whereas actual power passed to magnates and military commanders. The Mughals eliminated the dynasty in 1045/1636.

Citation

Fischel, R. S. (in press). The Niẓām Shāhīs. Leiden

• Other Type: Other
• Acceptance Date: Mar 21, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Jan 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jul 14, 2016
• Book Title: Encyclopaedia of Islam, 3rd edition
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1573-3912_ei3_COM_30117