| Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah | |
|---|---|
| as-Sulṭān al-ʿAẓam al-Muʿaẓẓam Nāṣir ad-Dunyā wa ad-Dīn Abū al-Muẓaffar Maḥmūd Shāh[1][2] | |
| 9thSultan of Bengal | |
| Reign | 1435–1459 |
| Predecessor | Shamsuddin Ahmad Shah Nasir Khan (usurper) |
| Successor | Rukunuddin Barbak Shah |
| Born | Bengal Sultanate |
| Died | 1459 Kahalgaon,Bengal Sultanate |
| Burial | 1459 |
| Issue | Barbak Fateh Sikandar |
| House | Ilyas Shahi |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
Nāṣiruddīn Maḥmūd Shāh (Bengali:নাসিরউদ্দীন মাহমুদ শাহ,Persian:ناصر الدین محمد شاه;r. 1435–1459– ) was the firstSultan of Bengal belonging to the restoredIlyas Shahi dynasty. Formerly a farmer, he was selected as the next ruler of Bengal by the erstwhile nobility in 1435 CE, and ruled the country for over twenty years. During his peaceful reign, Bengal saw significant architectural development.[3]
Mahmud was born in the 14th-century into an aristocraticBengali MuslimSunni family in theBengal Sultanate. His forefathers – theIlyas Shahis – were the inaugural dynasty of Bengal. Despite his family's long presence in the region, Mahmud's ancestors were ofSistani origin, hailing from what is now easternIran and southernAfghanistan. Mahmud experienced the rule of theGanesha dynasty that had usurped the throne of Bengal from Mahmud's relative SultanSaifuddin Hamza Shah. According to contemporary historianFirishta, Mahmud was living a quiet life as a farmer in rural Bengal during this period.[3]
The last ruler of the Ganesha dynasty, SultanShamsuddin Ahmad Shah, died in 1435-36 CE, without leaving any heirs. Firishta mentions one of the late Sultan's attendant, "Nasir ad-Din Ghulam", to have seized the throne after Ahmad's death. 18th-century historianGhulam Husain Salim claims that Ahmad himself was killed by two of his attendants, Shadi Khan and Nasir Khan, who fought amongst themselves with Nasir Khan eventually taking control.[4] Nevertheless, the nobles of Bengal deposed Khan within his short reign of either seven days, half a day or a few hours. After discovering Mahmud's royal ancestry, the nobles subsequently installed Mahmud to the throne.[5]
During his reign, theSharqi sultans ofJaunpur were involved in a deadly conflict with theLodhi sultans of Delhi.[6] This kept Nasiruddin Mahmud's kingdom in peace. He devoted his time to the task of reconstruction and development. He was also able to recoverBengal's military strength. According to historiansNizamuddin Ahmad andFirishtah, Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah was an ideal sultan. Another historianGhulam Husain Salim says that by his good administration the wounds of oppression inflicted by the previous SultanShamsuddin Ahmad Shah were healed.[6]Nasiruddin died in 1459 AD after a reign of twenty four years.[citation needed]
During his reign,Khan Jahan Ali conqueredKhulna andJessore. According to numismatic evidence, Nasiruddin Mahmud ruled over a vast kingdom bounded by the districts ofBhagalpur to the west,Mymensingh andSylhet to the east,Gaur andPandua to the north andHughli to the south.[6]
With the help of Khan Jahan Ali, Nasirudddin Mahmud made progress on Muslim settlements in different parts of Bengal. They constructed mosques, khanqas, tombs, and bridges, and excavated tanks. The significant mosques of his reign were the following :
The tomb of Khan Jahan Ali atBagerhat and the tomb of anAllama atHazrat Pandua were erected during his time. He himself laid the foundations of the citadel and palace at Gaur. Among them, a five-arched stone-bridge, part of the massive walls of the fort and the Kotwali Darwaza are still extant.[6]
Mahmud Shah of Bengal | ||
| Preceded by | Sultan of Bengal 1435–1459 | Succeeded by |
