The city of Jaunpur is located on the Gaumti River, thirty-four kilometers north of Banaras. The governor of Jaunpur, Malik Sarwar (Sultanu Sharq), took advantage of the Delhi Sultanate's mounting weakness and the invasion of Timur in Delhi and declared independence in 1394 CE. He ruled over Awadh as well as a major portion of the Ganga Yamuna doab, including Kannauj, Dalmau, Kara, Sandeela, Bihar, and Tirhut. The Sharqi dynasty was founded on his shoulders. During this time, the Sharqi style of architecture emerged as a distinct architectural style. The Sharqi style of architecture can be seen in the Atala Masjid, Jama Masjid, and Lal Darwaja Masjid. In this article, we will discuss the Provincial Kingdoms of Eastern India in Jaunpur which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Important Rulers of the Jaunpur Dynasty

Malik Sarwar (1394 – 1399 CE)

• Malik Sarwar was the founder of the Jaunpur Dynasty.
• Firuz Shah Tughluq appointed him as the curator of the royal jewelry and gave him the title of "Khajah-i-Jahan" in 1389 CE.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Malik Sarwar (1394 – 1399 CE)

Mubarak Shah (1399-1402 CE)

• Mubarak Shah's origin or lineage is unknown to us.
• According to some Persian chronicles, such as Nizam-ud Din, his title was actually 'Qaranful,' which means 'dark-colored clove.'
• Malik Sarwar, his adopted father, may have called him 'Qaranful' because of his pale complexion.
• Malik Sarwar bestowed the title of Malik-ush Sharq to Mubarak Shah during his lifetime and placed him in charge of the central government's affairs.
• Mallu Iqbal stormed Jaunpur as soon as he learned of Malik Sarwar's death and the accession of his adopted son Mubarak Shah to power.
• Mallu Iqbal marched to Qannauj, where he camped on the Ganges' banks.
• Sultan Mubarak Sharqi, on the other hand, marched with a big army of Rajputs, Afghans, Mughuls, and Tajiks and reached the opposite side of Mallu Iqbal's camp.
• They eventually withdrew to their own capitals without engaging in any armed action. This was the Delhi Sultan's first invasion of Jaunpur.
• He was in power for around three years.
• He is said to have produced coins in his name, but none have been discovered so far.

*For detailed notes on this topic, check this link Mubarak Shah (1399 – 1402 CE)

Ibrahim Shah (1402 – 1440 CE)

• Shams-ud-din Ibrahim Shah, Mubarak Shah's younger brother, succeeded him (1402-1440 CE).
• He was the greatest ruler of the Sharqi dynasty, and Jaunpur became an important center of learning during his reign.
• His kingdom stretched from Bihar in the east to Kanauj in the west.
• He was a supporter of Islamic learning, and the famous Atala Masjid in Jaunpur was built during his reign.
• He was surrounded by foes on all sides when he ascended the throne in 1402.
• Despite the fact that he launched wars and fought with practically all of his neighbours, he was careful not to make any of them his sworn and permanent enemies.
• His statesmanship is evident in his dealings with local chiefs like the Rajputs of Tirhut and Ujjainia.
• Sultan Ibrahim was thus able to consolidate and expand his kingdom's borders, resulting in increased economic and tax resources.
• A huge library on music and dance was established at Kara.
• A conference on music was held at Kara which was presided by Sultan Ibrahim Shah himself.
• Musicians and artists from all around India gathered.
• Sangitasiromani, a huge musical piece, was the result of their collaboration.
• This demonstrates how Ibrahim shah exhibited deep cultural features and promoted popular subjects such as music, which appealed to both the elite and the general public.

*For detailed notes on this topic, check this link Ibrahim Shah (1402 – 1440 CE)

Mahmud Shah (1440 – 1457 CE)

• Mahmud Shah, the son of Ibrahim Shah succeeded to the throne in 1440.
• He was Ibrahim's elder son, who conquered Chunar's fort but failed to conquer Kalpi.
• He invaded Delhi in 1452 CE but was defeated by Bahlol Lodhi. Later, he attempted to take Delhi once more and marched towards Etawah.
• Finally, he signed a peace treaty acknowledging Bahlul Lodi's sovereignty over Shamsabad. However, this peace treaty did not survive long.
• In 1456-57, the two monarchs renewed their feud over the subject of Shamsabad, which was to be given over to Bahlol Lodi.
• When Bahlol did not get the land, he marched with his army to Shamsabad. When Bahlul attempted to conquer Shamsabad, the soldiers of Jaunpur stood in his way.
• During this time Mahmud Shah died because of his illness, and his son Bhikhan took over as Mahmud Shah's successor.
• Sultan Mahmud shah enjoyed art and architecture as much as his father.
• Beautiful buildings, palaces, and great mosques have been constructed throughout his reign to demonstrate this.
• During this time, his city, Jaunpur, was also graced with splendid mosques, the most notable of which was the Lal Darwazah Masjid (Ruby Gate Mosque) constructed in 1450 CE.
• The majestic mansion of his favorite queen, Bibi Raji, was built next to it at the same time.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Mahmud Shah (1440 – 1457 CE)

Muhammad Shah (1457-1458 CE)

• Sultan Mahmud Sharqi's eldest son, Muhammad Shah Sharqi, was also known as Bhikan Khan.
• Following Mahmud's death, the Sharqi amirs and queen Bibi Raji anointed Muhammad Shah Sultan.
• Sultan Muhammad Shah decided to make peace with Delhi Sultan Bahlol Lodi as his first priority.
• Muhammad's succession was unquestionable, but his authoritarian character alienated Hasan Khan, Jalal Khan, and Qutb Khan, as well as several of his nobles.
• Hussain Khan, certain Sharqi amirs, and Bibi Raji have resolved to eliminate Muhammad Sharqi in Qannauj.
• In 1457, Husain Khan declared himself king and issued coins in his honor, naming himself Husain Shah.
• Sultan Muhammad died in a battle against Hussain Khan, he was murdered by an arrow shot by Mubarak Gung, a faithful noble of Hussain Khan.
• He was laid to rest near Rae Bareli in Dalmau.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Muhammad Shah (1457 – 1458 CE)

Hussain Shah Sharqi (1458 – 1505 CE)

• Hussain Shah Sharqi inherited an extensive kingdom from his father, Sultan Mahmud Shah Sharqi.
• Kingdom was stretched from 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.
• He reduced the king of Orissa to submission and conquered the strong fort of Gwalior also.
• 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.
• Hussain Shah was a brilliant musician as well as a brilliant music inventor.
• 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.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Hussain Shah Sharqi (1458 – 1505 CE)

Art and Architecture

• Jaunpur's Sharqi monarchs were noted for their support of learning and building.
• In Jaunpur, the Atala Masjid, the Lal Darwaza Masjid, and the Jama Masjid are the most noteworthy specimens of Sharqi architecture.
• Although Firuz Shah Tughluq built the foundation for the Atala Masjid in 1376, it was completed by Ibrahim Shahin 1408.
• In 1430, Ibrahim Shah constructed another mosque, the Jhanjhari Masjid.
• During the reign of the following ruler, Mahmud Shah, the Lal Darwaja Masjid (1450) was constructed.
• During the reign of Hussain Shah, the Jama Masjid was constructed in 1470.

Jama Masjid, Jaunpur

Conclusion

The Jaunpur Sultanate was an Islamic state in northern India that reigned from 1394 to 1479. From 1390 to 1394, Malik Sarwar, the first monarch of the dynasty, was a wazir under Sultan Muhammad Shah Tughluq and established himself as an independent ruler of Jaunpur in 1394. Ibrahim Shah was the most important ruler of this dynasty. They were patrons of art and music and were known as Shiraz of India due to the development of music. After seventy-five years, the kingdom of Jaunpur, which had emerged from the ruins of the Delhi Sultanate as an independent entity, was reintegrated into the Sultanate.

FAQs

Question: What was the Jaunpur Sultanate?

Question: Who was the founder of the Jaunpur Sultanate?

Question: What was the significance of Ibrahim Shah of Jaunpur?

Question: What led to the decline of the Jaunpur Sultanate?

Question: What are some notable architectural contributions of the Jaunpur Sultanate?

MCQs 

1. Who founded the Jaunpur Sultanate?

A) Alauddin Khilji

B) Malik Sarwar

C) Babur

D) Ibrahim Lodi

2. The Jaunpur Sultanate is best known for:

A) Extensive maritime trade

B) Architectural and cultural patronage

C) Agricultural reforms

D) Avoiding conflicts

3. Which ruler expanded the influence of the Jaunpur Sultanate?

A) Malik Sarwar

B) Ibrahim Shah

C) Alauddin Khilji

D) Akbar

4. The decline of the Jaunpur Sultanate was primarily due to:

A) A lack of cultural initiatives

B) Constant conflict with regional powers like the Lodis

C) Economic prosperity

D) Strong central governance

5. Jaunpur's architecture is best known for:

A) Wooden carvings

B) Indo-Islamic design elements

C) Colonial influences

D) Hindu temple architecture

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the historical significance of the Jaunpur Sultanate in medieval Indian history.

Answer: The Jaunpur Sultanate, founded by Malik Sarwar in 1394, emerged as a powerful regional kingdom after the decline of the Delhi Sultanate. Under the Sharqi dynasty, it became a center for culture, learning, and Indo-Islamic architecture, exemplified by the Atala Masjid. The Sultanate's rulers promoted Islamic culture, education, and the arts, contributing to the region's distinct identity. Its decline, marked by conflicts with the Lodis, highlights the challenges of regional kingdoms in maintaining power amidst shifting political landscapes.

Q2: Analyze the contributions of the Sharqi dynasty to the cultural and architectural heritage of Jaunpur.

Answer: The Sharqi dynasty, led by rulers like Malik Sarwar and Ibrahim Shah, made significant contributions to Jaunpur's cultural and architectural heritage. They patronized Islamic education, established madrasas, and built monumental structures like the Atala Masjid, showcasing a blend of Indo-Islamic design. The dynasty’s emphasis on learning and art transformed Jaunpur into a cultural hub, leaving a lasting legacy in architecture and regional identity.

Q3: Evaluate the reasons behind the decline of the Jaunpur Sultanate.

Answer: The decline of the Jaunpur Sultanate was primarily due to ongoing conflicts with powerful neighboring entities like the Lodis. Internal strife, weakened governance, and constant warfare strained its resources, undermining its stability. The inability to maintain a strong central authority, coupled with external threats, marked its downfall, reflecting the broader challenges faced by regional kingdoms during this period in Indian history.

Previous Year Questions on Provincial Kingdoms and Jaunpur

1. UPSC CSE 2018

Question: Assess the impact of regional kingdoms like Jaunpur on the cultural and political landscape of medieval India.

Answer: Regional kingdoms like the Jaunpur Sultanate played a crucial role in shaping medieval India's cultural and political landscape. The Jaunpur Sultanate, under the Sharqi dynasty, promoted Indo-Islamic architecture, education, and cultural exchange, transforming the region into a hub of learning. Politically, such kingdoms reflected the decentralization of power following the decline of larger empires like the Delhi Sultanate, often leading to conflicts and power struggles that shaped regional dynamics.

2. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Discuss the role of architecture in showcasing the cultural legacy of the Jaunpur Sultanate.

Answer: The architecture of the Jaunpur Sultanate, particularly under the Sharqi dynasty, reflects its rich cultural legacy. Structures like the Atala Masjid exemplify Indo-Islamic design, incorporating intricate arches, domes, and calligraphy. The architectural patronage of the Sultanate highlighted its commitment to blending cultural and artistic traditions, making Jaunpur a center of architectural innovation and symbolizing the regional identity of medieval Indian kingdoms.