Hoshang Shah
Encyclopedia
Originally known as Alp Khan, he had taken the title of Hoshang Shah or Hushang Shah Gori, when he was crowned the second King of Malwa. Alp Khan's father Dilawar Khan
Ghori had belonged to the court of Firozshah Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi. Dilawar Khan Gori was appointed governor of Malwa probably by Firuz of the house of Tughlaq, but made himself independent of the Delhi Sultanate
for all practical purposes in 1401. Thus he had practically come to Mandu
in 1401 as the first King of Malwa. Dilawar had also shifted the capital from Dhar
to Mandu
, renaming it Shadiabad, the city of joy. Hoshang Shah showed promise of being equally able and much bolder than his father. In fact, he was far more ambitious and did not care what steps he took to achieve his ambition.
There is an interesting story of how he obtained the finest elephants from Orissa
. The year was 1421. Hoshang Shah was furious to know that the King of Orissa refused to send him the best elephants in Orissa. One fine morning, he left Mandu
, taking a thousand soldiers with him. His destination was Jajpur, Orissa. They disguised themselves as merchants and carried with them several things not readily available in Orissa. Hoshang Shah also led a team of excellent horses, taking care to choose the kind particularly favoured by the King of Orissa. Everyone knew the latter’s love for bright bay, bright chestnut and grey horses. Hoshang Shah was sure he could not fail to be impressed by the ones he was taking along.
It took them a full month to reach Orissa
from Mandu
. Their disguise was so perfect that no one suspected that they were anything but ordinary merchants.
When the king came to inspect the horses, Hoshang Shah’s men captured him. Hoshang Shah let him free only after the king promised to gift 100 of the very best elephants and to let him out of Orissa safely. Thus Hoshang Shah marched back to Mandu in triumph.
Hoshang Shah ruled Malwa for 27 years. Despite being a warrior, he had a sympathetic heart and was dearly loved by his subjects. He was also an impartial ruler and extended his patronage to other religions. He is also remembered for his wonderful taste in architecture
. It was he who made Mandu one of the most impregnable forts of India.
At Dhar
, the old capital of the kingdom of Malwa, two mosques were built wholly out of the remains of old buildings; the domes and pillars of these mosques were of Hindu
form. But the buildings at Mandu
, where the capital was soon transferred, were marked by the predominance of Muslim traditions. Among the many buildings of splendid architectural beauty built in the fortified city of Mandu
, situated in an extensive plateau over-looking the Narmada River
, the following deserve mention - the Jami Masjid, which was planned and begun by Hushang Shah and completed by Mahmud Khalji, the Hindola Mahal
, the Jahaj Mahal, Hushang Shah's tomb, and Baz Bahadur
's and Rani Rupamati's palaces.
The Hoshangabad
city in Madhya Pradesh
, India
, was earlier called Narmadapur after the river Narmada
, however later the name was changed to Hoshangabad. The district takes its own name from the head quarters town Hoshangabad which was founded by "Sultan Hushang Shah Gori", the second king of Mandu
(Malwa) in early 15th century.
Hushang waged alliance with the Indian dynasty of the Pranoktas in the battle against the Chalukyas. Hoshang never thought he would be defeated in the memorable battle that cost him his wife.
Dilawar Khan
Dilāwar Khān Ghaurī or Dilāwar Khān Ghōrī was governor of the Malwa province of central India during the decline of the Delhi Sultanate. After serving at the court in Delhi, he was appointed governor at Dhar in A.H. 793/C.E. 1390-91. Dilāwar Khān took the title of 'Amid Shāh Dā'ūd and caused the...
Ghori had belonged to the court of Firozshah Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi. Dilawar Khan Gori was appointed governor of Malwa probably by Firuz of the house of Tughlaq, but made himself independent of the Delhi Sultanate
Delhi Sultanate
The Delhi Sultanate is a term used to cover five short-lived, Delhi based kingdoms or sultanates, of Turkic origin in medieval India. The sultanates ruled from Delhi between 1206 and 1526, when the last was replaced by the Mughal dynasty...
for all practical purposes in 1401. Thus he had practically come to Mandu
Mandu
Mandu or Mandavgad is a ruined city in the Dhar district in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh state, central India. The distance between Dhar & Mandu is about 35 km. In the 11th century, Mandu was the sub division of the Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdom...
in 1401 as the first King of Malwa. Dilawar had also shifted the capital from Dhar
Dhar
Dhār is located in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh state in central India. It is the administrative headquarters of Dhar District. The town is located west of Mhow, above sea level...
to Mandu
Mandu
Mandu or Mandavgad is a ruined city in the Dhar district in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh state, central India. The distance between Dhar & Mandu is about 35 km. In the 11th century, Mandu was the sub division of the Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdom...
, renaming it Shadiabad, the city of joy. Hoshang Shah showed promise of being equally able and much bolder than his father. In fact, he was far more ambitious and did not care what steps he took to achieve his ambition.
There is an interesting story of how he obtained the finest elephants from Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
. The year was 1421. Hoshang Shah was furious to know that the King of Orissa refused to send him the best elephants in Orissa. One fine morning, he left Mandu
Mandu
Mandu or Mandavgad is a ruined city in the Dhar district in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh state, central India. The distance between Dhar & Mandu is about 35 km. In the 11th century, Mandu was the sub division of the Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdom...
, taking a thousand soldiers with him. His destination was Jajpur, Orissa. They disguised themselves as merchants and carried with them several things not readily available in Orissa. Hoshang Shah also led a team of excellent horses, taking care to choose the kind particularly favoured by the King of Orissa. Everyone knew the latter’s love for bright bay, bright chestnut and grey horses. Hoshang Shah was sure he could not fail to be impressed by the ones he was taking along.
It took them a full month to reach Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
from Mandu
Mandu
Mandu or Mandavgad is a ruined city in the Dhar district in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh state, central India. The distance between Dhar & Mandu is about 35 km. In the 11th century, Mandu was the sub division of the Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdom...
. Their disguise was so perfect that no one suspected that they were anything but ordinary merchants.
When the king came to inspect the horses, Hoshang Shah’s men captured him. Hoshang Shah let him free only after the king promised to gift 100 of the very best elephants and to let him out of Orissa safely. Thus Hoshang Shah marched back to Mandu in triumph.
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
. It was he who made Mandu one of the most impregnable forts of India.
At Dhar
Dhar
Dhār is located in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh state in central India. It is the administrative headquarters of Dhar District. The town is located west of Mhow, above sea level...
, the old capital of the kingdom of Malwa, two mosques were built wholly out of the remains of old buildings; the domes and pillars of these mosques were of Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
form. But the buildings at Mandu
Mandu
Mandu or Mandavgad is a ruined city in the Dhar district in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh state, central India. The distance between Dhar & Mandu is about 35 km. In the 11th century, Mandu was the sub division of the Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdom...
, where the capital was soon transferred, were marked by the predominance of Muslim traditions. Among the many buildings of splendid architectural beauty built in the fortified city of Mandu
Mandu
Mandu or Mandavgad is a ruined city in the Dhar district in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh state, central India. The distance between Dhar & Mandu is about 35 km. In the 11th century, Mandu was the sub division of the Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdom...
, situated in an extensive plateau over-looking the Narmada River
Narmada River
The Narmada , also called Rewa is a river in central India and the fifth largest river in the Indian subcontinent. It is the third largest river that completely flows within India after Ganges and Godavari...
, the following deserve mention - the Jami Masjid, which was planned and begun by Hushang Shah and completed by Mahmud Khalji, the Hindola Mahal
Hindola Mahal
The Hindola Mahal , is a large meeting hall, or durbar, in the ancient Indian city of Mandu, Madhya Pradesh. Today the Hindola Mahal is a tourist destination in the ruined city.- History :...
, the Jahaj Mahal, Hushang Shah's tomb, and Baz Bahadur
Baz Bahadur
Miyan Bayezid Baz Bahadur was the last sultan of Malwa, who reigned from 1555 to 1562. He succeeded his father, Shuja'at Khan. He is known for his romantic liaison with Roopmati, a singer of Rajput birth....
's and Rani Rupamati's palaces.
Hoshangabad
Hoshangabad is a city and a municipality in Hoshangabad district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is a city in the central india region, located on the south bank of the Narmada River, and is the administrative center of Hoshangabad District.-History:mohammed bharmal & abdeali batawalaThe...
city in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, was earlier called Narmadapur after the river Narmada
Narmada River
The Narmada , also called Rewa is a river in central India and the fifth largest river in the Indian subcontinent. It is the third largest river that completely flows within India after Ganges and Godavari...
, however later the name was changed to Hoshangabad. The district takes its own name from the head quarters town Hoshangabad which was founded by "Sultan Hushang Shah Gori", the second king of Mandu
Mandu
Mandu or Mandavgad is a ruined city in the Dhar district in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh state, central India. The distance between Dhar & Mandu is about 35 km. In the 11th century, Mandu was the sub division of the Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdom...
(Malwa) in early 15th century.
Hushang waged alliance with the Indian dynasty of the Pranoktas in the battle against the Chalukyas. Hoshang never thought he would be defeated in the memorable battle that cost him his wife.