Malik Sarwar Khan Jahan, who ruled from 1394 until 1399, was one of Firuz Shah Tughluq's most notable lords and founded the Jaunpur Sultanate in 1394. He suppressed the revolts at Koil, Etawah and Kanauj. He also had Awadh, Kara, Sandila, Bahraich, Bihar, Dalmau, and Tirhut under his power. The Rai of Jajnagar and the king of Lakhnauti recognised his authority and dispatched elephants to him. In this article, we will discuss the Important Ruler of the Jaunpur Sultanate Malik Sarwar (1394 – 1399 CE) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Malik Sarwar - Background

• Malik Sarwar was the founder of Jaunpur Dynasty.
• According to Shams Siraj Afif, a contemporary chronicler who wrote the Tarikh-i Firuz Shahi in 1398, Firuz Shah Tughluq appointed him as the curator of the royal jewellery and gave the title of "Khajah-i-Jahan" in 1389 CE.
• He was a talented and honorable man, and as a result, he was promoted from the position of custodian of royal jewellery to Shahnah-i Shahr of Delhi.
• Under Firuz Shah, Malik Sarwar was the Shahnah-i Shahr, or governor of the city (of Delhi).
• He was appointed governor of Jaunpur in 1394 CE and given the title "Malik-us-Sharq" by Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah II Tughluq (1394 - 1413 CE).
• He soon declared himself as an independent king and took the title of "Atabak-i-Azam."
• During Malik Sarwar's reign, Jaunpur was engulfed in a century-long war with the Ujjainiyas of Bhojpur in modern-day Bihar.
• Raja Harraj, the Ujjainiya chieftain, was initially successful against Malik Sarwar's soldiers, but the Ujjainiyas were beaten in following fights and retreated into the jungles, resorting to guerrilla warfare.

Reign of Malik Sarwar

• Malik Sarwar was a powerful monarch with a commanding presence.
• The entire territory and surrounding areas were in open revolt when he landed in Jaunpur.
• Zamindars withheld income and destroyed fortifications.
• Malik Sarwar pursued a tough approach, suppressing the insurgents from the start, restoring the forts, and garrisoning them with skilled commanders.
• His dignity and grandeur were so appealing to the zamindars that they became regular revenue payers.
• He enjoyed the company of his time's sufis and invited them to visit his kingdom.
• He was a disciple of Khwaja Shaikh Ali of Rajgir in Bihar, whom he paid respect to on multiple occasions.
• He constructed a royal palace on the remains of Yagi Mandal, one of Raja Vijaya Chandra's buildings, and named it Badi Manzil (The Wonderful House).
• He also finished the fort begun by Firuz Shah Tuqhluq and renamed Jaunpur as Dar-us Surr (The Abode of Bliss).

Conclusion

Malik Sarwar founded the Jaunpur Dynasty in 1394 CE. He increased his territorial extent by taking Koil (modern Aligarh), Sambhal (Moradabad), and Rapri (Shikohabad). His territory stretched from Aligarh to Tirhut in north Bihar, touching the Nepalese border and the Himalayan Tarai region and in the west it spread from Qannauj to Bhojpur. In November 1399, Malik Sarwar died. He ruled for almost five years and six months. He was replaced by his adopted son Malik Qaranfal, who was given the title "Mubarak Shah" after his death.

FAQs

Question. Who was Malik Sarwar?

Question. What was the significance of Malik Sarwar’s reign in the history of the Jaunpur Sultanate?

Question. How did Malik Sarwar rise to power in the Jaunpur Sultanate?

Question. What challenges did Malik Sarwar face during his rule?

Question. How did Malik Sarwar contribute to the cultural development of Jaunpur?

MCQs

1. Which Sultanate did Malik Sarwar rule?

A) Delhi Sultanate

B) Bengal Sultanate

C) Jaunpur Sultanate

D) Malwa Sultanate

2. What was one of the main challenges faced by Malik Sarwar during his reign?

A) Conflict with the Mongols

B) Resistance from the Delhi Sultanate

C) Decline of trade routes

D) Invasions from the Marathas

3. What was Malik Sarwar’s role before he became the ruler of Jaunpur?

A) Governor of Bengal

B) Military commander under earlier sultans

C) Prime Minister of Delhi Sultanate

D) Religious scholar

4. Malik Sarwar’s rule is associated with which of the following?

A) Expansion of the Delhi Sultanate

B) Consolidation of Jaunpur Sultanate’s power

C) Establishment of the Mughal Empire

D) Fall of the Vijayanagara Empire

5. What is Malik Sarwar known for besides his military achievements?

A) Establishing the Mughal Empire

B) Patronizing art and culture in Jaunpur

C) Defeating the Marathas

D) Introducing administrative reforms in Bengal

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of Malik Sarwar’s reign in the history of the Jaunpur Sultanate.

Answer: Malik Sarwar’s reign (1394-1399 CE) was marked by the consolidation of the Jaunpur Sultanate’s power, which had been under political instability following the earlier sultans. By successfully asserting his control, Malik Sarwar ensured the region’s political and military stability. His military prowess helped defend the sultanate against the Delhi Sultanate’s attempts to reassert dominance. Under his rule, the sultanate became an important regional power, and his administrative measures laid the groundwork for future expansion and growth. Though his reign was relatively short, Malik Sarwar played a crucial role in shaping the future trajectory of the Jaunpur Sultanate.

Q2: How did Malik Sarwar’s military campaigns affect the relationship between the Jaunpur Sultanate and the Delhi Sultanate?

Answer: Malik Sarwar’s military campaigns played a significant role in defining the relationship between the Jaunpur Sultanate and the Delhi Sultanate. The Delhi Sultanate, under Sultan Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud, sought to reassert control over the region, but Malik Sarwar resisted these attempts, often engaging in battles to protect the independence of Jaunpur. His successful defense and the strategic alliances he forged allowed the Jaunpur Sultanate to maintain its autonomy for a considerable period. These conflicts reflected the power struggles between regional sultanates and the Delhi Sultanate, which were a common feature of the medieval period in India.

Q3: Analyze the cultural contributions of Malik Sarwar during his reign in Jaunpur.

Answer: While Malik Sarwar is primarily remembered for his military and political achievements, he also contributed to the cultural development of Jaunpur. He patronized the arts, which led to the flourishing of Indo-Islamic architecture and Persian culture in the region. Under his rule, Jaunpur became a center for the synthesis of Persian and Indian cultural elements, particularly in the fields of poetry and architecture. The architectural legacy of his reign includes several significant structures that symbolize the cultural and political prosperity of the Sultanate. His court was also a hub for scholars and artists, contributing to the broader cultural landscape of medieval India.

Previous Year Questions on Malik Sarwar

1. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: "Examine the role of Malik Sarwar in the consolidation of the Jaunpur Sultanate."

Answer: Malik Sarwar played a critical role in consolidating the Jaunpur Sultanate during his reign. He overcame the political instability that followed the reign of earlier rulers and successfully expanded the sultanate's territory. Through strategic military campaigns, Malik Sarwar defended Jaunpur from external threats, particularly from the Delhi Sultanate. His leadership ensured that the sultanate maintained its independence, and his reign set the stage for its later growth and prominence in the region.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: "What were the political challenges faced by Malik Sarwar during his rule, and how did he address them?"

Answer: Malik Sarwar faced significant political challenges during his reign, especially from the Delhi Sultanate, which sought to control the region. He managed these challenges by securing his power base and fortifying his kingdom. His military campaigns against Delhi's incursions were pivotal in maintaining Jaunpur’s independence. Additionally, Malik Sarwar had to navigate internal rebellions and maintain stability within his own administration. Through a combination of military strength and strategic alliances, he successfully addressed these political challenges and ensured the survival of the Jaunpur Sultanate.