Munim Khan
Munʿim Khān (Persian: منعم خان) was a Mughal general under both emperors Humayun and Akbar. He was titled Khān-i-Khānān ('Khan of Khans') when Emperor Akbar appointed him as Prime Minister of the Mughal Empire in 1560. In 1564, he became the Subahdar of Jaunpur. Munim Khan was the first Mughal governor of Bengal Subah from 1574 to 1575.[1]
Munʿim Khān Khān-i-Khānān | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Munim Khan (seated, right) having a Robe of Honour presented to Daud Khan Karrani (left) | |
| Vakil of the Mughal Empire | |
| In office 1560-1564 | |
| Preceded by | Bairam Khan |
| Subahdar of Jaunpur | |
| In office 1564-1574 | |
| Subahdar of Bengal | |
| In office 1574-1575 | |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Khan Jahan I |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 March 1525 Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh |
| Died | 23 October 1575 (aged 50) Khwaspur Tandah, Bengal Sultanate |
| Children | Ghani Khan Sahila Banu Begum |
| Parent |
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Early life and family
Khan was a Persianised Turk whose ancestors originally hailed from the city of Andijan in present-day Uzbekistan. His father's name was Miran Beg Andijani, and his foster brother was Mirza Askari.[1]
Career
In 1560, Bairam Khan retired from his role as the Empire's Vakil (prime minister) and Mughal emperor Akbar then appointed Munim for this role. Under Akbar's orders, Munim went into war with Mah Chuchak Begum who had transgressed but was defeated by her in Jalalabad and Munim's son, Ghani Khan, was executed.[2] After the Uzbeks of Jaunpur rebelled, Munim Khan was tasked as the Governor of Jaunpur and the eastern districts. Khan was promoted to a Mansabdar (military commander) of 5000 soldiers, which was the highest rank at the time.[1]
Expeditions against Daud Khan Karrani
Akbar sent Khan to suppress the independent Sultan of Bengal, Daud Khan Karrani, who had refused to recognise the Mughal Empire. After initially failing, Munim Khan successfully took control of Hajipur and Patna. Khan was then appointed as the Subahdar (governor) of Bengal (which included Bihar at the time). He later captured the erstwhile capital of Bengal, Khwaspur Tandah, on 25 September 1574.[1] During the Battle of Tukaroi, held on 3 March 1575, Munim Khan forced Daud Karrani to sign a treaty which left only Odisha under Daud's control. Munim Khan then transferred Bengal's capital from Tanda to Gaur.
Personal life
Munim Khan had 8 concubines, and was the father of two children:
- Ghani Khan - executed in Kabul at the orders of Empress Mah Chuchak Begum.
- Sahila Banu Begum - married to Emperor Jahangir in 1607
Death
Munim died on 23 October 1575 in Tanda after fleeing an epidemic plague at Gaur. After his death, Daud Khan Karrani re-captured Gaur.[1]
References
- Husain, AKM Yaqub (2012). "Munim Khan Khan-i-Khanan". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- Rekha Misra (1967). Women in Mughal India, 1526–1748 A.D. Munshiram Manoharlal. p. 24.
External links
Media related to Munim Khan at Wikimedia Commons