Hussain Shah Sharqi was the last ruler of the Sharqi dynasty who ruled from 1458 to 1505 CE, in the Jaunpur region of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. He fought multiple battles with Bahlul Lodhi, Delhi Sultanate. Hussain Shah took the name Gandharva and made substantial contributions to the development of Khyal, a Hindustani classical music genre. He also composed ragas (melodies) like Malhar-syama, Jaunpuri-asavari, and Jaunpuri-basant. He also constructed Jama Masjid around 1470 CE. In this article, we will discuss the Important Ruler of the Jaunpur Sultanate Hussain Shah Sharqi (1458 – 1505 CE) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Hussain Shah Sharqi - Background

• Hussain Shah Sharqi inherited an extensive kingdom from his father, Sultan Mahmud Shah Sharqi.
• Kingdom was stretched from the Bengal in the east to almost the gates of Agra in the west, and from the foothills of the Himalayas in the north to the kingdom of Malwa, including Baghelkhand in the south.
• He saw Bahlul Lodhi, the ruler of Delhi as a rival since he possessed lands that should have belonged to his wife.
• His wife was the daughter of Sultan Alauddin Alam Shah, the last ruler of the Sayyid dynasty.
• Hussain Shah began a career of conquest towards Bahlul Lodhi which was sustained till 1478 AD.
• He reduced the king of Orissa to submission and conquered the strong fort of Gwalior also.
• He extended his power over Bayana and Miwat, whose chiefs accepted his vassalage.
• He conquered Etawah, a strategic town on the bank of the Yamuna that was a bone of contention between the Sharqis and the Lodhis.
• He attempted a desperate conquest of Delhi but was defeated by Bahlul Lodhi, who attacked the Sharqi soldiers after a truce.

Conflict with Bahlul Lodhi

• Hussain Shah, the last emperor of the Sharqi dynasty, saw Bahlul Lodhi, the ruler of Delhi as a rival.
• In 1458, Hussain Shah signed a four-year peace treaty with Bahlul Lodhi to avoid war.
• In 1478, Hussain arrived on the banks of the Yamuna with a strong army to capture Delhi.
• Sultan Bahlul Lodhi attempted to negotiate peace by proposing to keep only Delhi and control it as Hussain Shah's vassal as Lodhis became very weak during this time but Hussain Shah declined.
• Sultan Bahlul crossed the Yamuna and beat him as a consequence.
• Hussain Shah consented to a truce but afterwards took Etawah and marched with a large army towards Delhi, where he was again beaten by Bahlul Lodhi.
• He was also able to reach an agreement this time again with Bahlul.
• Hussain Shah was finally beaten on the banks of the river after successive defeats in the battles of Senha, Rapri, and Raigaon Khaga by Bahlul Lodhi.
• He escaped to Bengal, where ruler Alauddin Hussain Shah granted him refuge and there he spent his final days.
• In 1486, Bahlul Lodhi ascended to the kingdom of Jaunpur with his son Barbak Shah Lodhi and this way Sharqi dynasty ended to rule Jaunpur.

Hussain Shah Sharqi as Musician

• Hussain Shah was a brilliant musician as well as a brilliant music inventor.
• According to the author of the Mirat-i-Aftab-numa, he was given the title of Gandharva, which is adjacent to the title of Nayak.
• A Gandharva is a skilled musician who can perform in both the past and the present, and Baz Bahadur and Tansen fit under this category.
• He was, to our knowledge, the greatest exponent of Khayal, so much so that he is credited as the founder of Khayal in numerous music books.
• Khayal differs significantly from Dhrupad, the traditional Hindu music system.
• It is believed that each note of Khayal dissolves into the next quickly, wave after wave, and exquisite heavenly melodies hover in the air.
• Hussain Shah was a musical innovator who introduced new ragas to Indian music.
• He invented a raga called Zunglah, which appears to be a hybrid raga, combining indigenous and Perso-Arab scales.
• Jaunpur had the reputation of being the Shiraz of India due to the development of music.

Conclusion

Hussain Shah, the last monarch of the Sharqi dynasty was the musician-king of Jaunpur. In 1458 AD, his mother, Bibi Raji, installed him on the throne of Jaunpur, which he inherited from his father, Sultan Mahmud Shah Sharqi. He fought against Bahlul Lodhi for Delhi and Agra and he was one of the most versatile musicians. Sikandar Lodhi, the successor of Bahlul Lodhi, annexed Jaunpur to the Delhi Sultanate, effectively ending the Sharqi dynasty.

FAQs

Question: Who was Hussain Shah Sharqi?

Question: What were the significant achievements of Hussain Shah Sharqi during his reign?

Question: How did Hussain Shah Sharqi contribute to the architectural development of Jaunpur?

Question: What was the relationship between Hussain Shah Sharqi and the Delhi Sultanate?

Question: How did Hussain Shah Sharqi influence the cultural and intellectual life of Jaunpur?

MCQs

1. Who was the ruler of the Jaunpur Sultanate from 1458 to 1505 CE?

a) Sikandar Lodi

b) Ibrahim Lodi

c) Hussain Shah Sharqi

d) Ala-ud-Din Khilji

2. Which of the following is associated with the architectural contributions of Hussain Shah Sharqi?

a) Qutb Minar

b) Jaunpur’s Sharqi style of architecture

c) Humayun’s Tomb

d) Red Fort

3. Hussain Shah Sharqi was a ruler of which Sultanate?

a) Delhi Sultanate

b) Bengal Sultanate

c) Jaunpur Sultanate

d) Malwa Sultanate

4. What was a significant aspect of Hussain Shah Sharqi’s reign?

a) His conquest of Delhi

b) Patronage of art and culture

c) Expansion of the Mughal Empire

d) Introduction of new taxation systems

5. Hussain Shah Sharqi successfully resisted invasions from which Sultanate?

a) Delhi Sultanate

b) Bengal Sultanate

c) Mamluk Sultanate

d) Bahmani Sultanate

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the military and administrative achievements of Hussain Shah Sharqi and their impact on the Jaunpur Sultanate.

Answer: Hussain Shah Sharqi played a significant role in both the military and administrative development of the Jaunpur Sultanate. Militarily, he successfully defended his kingdom from invasions by the Delhi Sultanate, particularly during the reign of Sultan Sikandar Lodi. This allowed Jaunpur to retain its independence and prosper as a powerful state in northern India. Administratively, Hussain Shah strengthened the governance of his kingdom by introducing reforms that enhanced the efficiency of his administration. He consolidated his rule over the region by securing alliances with neighboring kingdoms and expanding the influence of the Sultanate. His ability to maintain a stable, independent kingdom helped ensure the prosperity and longevity of the Jaunpur Sultanate, which remained a key player in the politics of northern India for several decades.

Q2: Analyze the cultural contributions of Hussain Shah Sharqi and their significance for the Jaunpur Sultanate.

Answer: Hussain Shah Sharqi’s cultural contributions were crucial in shaping the intellectual and artistic landscape of the Jaunpur Sultanate. His patronage of literature, particularly Persian poetry, made Jaunpur an important center of learning and culture. He also promoted the arts and architecture, leading to the development of the Sharqi style of architecture, which blended traditional Islamic architectural forms with local influences. His support for scholars and poets fostered a rich intellectual environment, attracting thinkers from across the region. The construction of mosques, palaces, and other buildings under his reign left a lasting architectural legacy, which influenced the later Mughal architecture. Hussain Shah’s cultural contributions helped solidify Jaunpur’s reputation as a vibrant cultural hub and contributed to the flourishing of Indo-Islamic art and architecture in the region.

Q3: Explain the significance of Hussain Shah Sharqi’s military resistance to the Delhi Sultanate in preserving the Jaunpur Sultanate’s independence.

Answer: Hussain Shah Sharqi’s military resistance to the Delhi Sultanate, particularly during the reign of Sultan Sikandar Lodi, was critical in preserving the independence of the Jaunpur Sultanate. At a time when many regional kingdoms were absorbed into the Delhi Sultanate, Hussain Shah’s ability to successfully defend his kingdom ensured that Jaunpur remained a powerful and autonomous entity in northern India. His military campaigns not only deterred Delhi’s expansion into Jaunpur but also solidified his position as a formidable ruler in the region. The ability to maintain independence allowed Hussain Shah Sharqi to strengthen his administration, expand his territory, and promote cultural growth. His successful resistance to Delhi’s invasions marked a significant achievement in the defense of regional autonomy in medieval India, and it contributed to the historical importance of the Jaunpur Sultanate.

Previous Year Questions on  Hussain Shah Sharqi

1. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Evaluate the role of Hussain Shah Sharqi in strengthening the Jaunpur Sultanate.

Answer: Hussain Shah Sharqi played a pivotal role in strengthening the Jaunpur Sultanate through both military and administrative means. His resistance to invasions by the Delhi Sultanate ensured the kingdom’s continued independence and dominance in northern India. Militarily, he expanded his territories and maintained strong defense mechanisms. Administratively, he consolidated power by promoting efficient governance, enhancing the economic structure, and stabilizing the region. Hussain Shah’s rule also brought cultural prosperity, making Jaunpur an important center of Islamic culture and art. Through his military acumen and cultural patronage, Hussain Shah Sharqi significantly contributed to the development of the Jaunpur Sultanate, ensuring its prominence in the history of medieval India.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: Discuss the military achievements of Hussain Shah Sharqi and their impact on the political landscape of medieval India.

Answer: Hussain Shah Sharqi’s military achievements were instrumental in maintaining the political independence of the Jaunpur Sultanate during the 15th century. His success in repelling invasions from the Delhi Sultanate, particularly from Sultan Sikandar Lodi, secured Jaunpur’s sovereignty in northern India. By expanding his territorial control over neighboring regions and maintaining a strong military presence, Hussain Shah ensured that the Jaunpur Sultanate remained a significant power in the medieval Indian political landscape. His ability to defend his kingdom against powerful adversaries played a crucial role in preventing the consolidation of Delhi Sultanate power over the region, preserving the regional autonomy of Jaunpur for several decades.