Thread by @GujaratHistory

After the death of Amir Saiyad Mubarak Bukhari, his son Saiyad Miran became heir of his estates but Sultnat powerful Amirs Wazir Itimadkhan & Imad-ul-Mulk seized his estates. Later Wazir Itimadkhan gave estate of Dholaka,Kapadvanj,Bahiyal,Thasara & Vadasinor back to Saiyad Miran.

In rule of Gujarat child Sultan Ahmedshah 3rd, Sultnat Amir became powerful. They defied authority of Sultan & acted like independent rulers. They quarrelled with each other. Such Amir were Wazir Itimadkhan, Bharuch governor Imad-ul-Mulk Rumi & Surat governor Rajak Khudawandkhan.

In mid 16th century, some African origin Amirs (nobles) became very powerful in Gujarat Sultnat. Originally they were slaves from Abyssinia, so they were known as Habasi/Sidi. Later they were freed & became Amir. Famous Habasi Amir were Miftah Ulughkhan, Juzarkhan, Bilal & Yakut.

In 1559 Surat governor Rajab Khudawandkhan invited his brother-in-law Bharuch governor Imad-ul-Mulk to Surat when he was on way to Daman. When Imad-ul-Mulk entered Surat fort, he was killed by his brother-in-law (wife's brother) Surat governor Rajab Khwaja Safar Khudawandkhan.

Bharuch governor Imad-ul-Mulk's son Changizkhan decided to avenge his father's murder. So he gathered an army of 20000 soldiers & marched to Surat. Surat governor Rajab sought the help of the Portuguese by promising them to hand over Surat & Rander ports of Gujarat Sultnat.

In 1559 Goa Portuguese Viceroy Constantino de Braganza sent a naval fleet of 18 ships to Surat to help Rajab against Changizkhan. When the Portuguese fleet reached Surat, Surat governor Rajab refused to hand over them Surat. Changizkhan attacked Surat & besieged Surat fort.

one day when Rajab was out of Surat fort, he was caught by Changizkhan's soldiers. When he was produced before Changizkhan,he ordered to kill his father's murderer Rajab. After Rajab's death, deputy governor Karahasan Jahangir was made Surat governor.Changizkhan returned Bharuch.

Bharuch governor Imad-ul-Mulk was very powerful Amir of Gujarat Sultnat.He is mentioned as 'King of Khambhat' in Portuguese history annals.His estate was region between Mahi & Narmada rivers.After his murder his son Changizkhan became heir of his estate & governorship of Bharuch.

In 1559-60 AD, Changizkhan built a beautiful Roza (tomb) of his father Imad-ul-Mulk on the famous hill of Baba Saiyad near Bharuch. It had a Persian stone inscription of 1560. Baba Saiyad was a Muslim Saint & preacher who came to Gujarat to preach Islam in 920 AD.

In 1560 Bharuch governor Changizkhan quarrelled with African origin Amir Juzarkhan Habasi. A battle was fought between Habasi/Sidi army under Juzarkhan & Changizkhan. Juzarkhan was defeated by Changizkhan who named his dogs with the names of Habasi Amirs to humiliate them.

In 1561 Gujarat puppet & captive child Sultan Ahmedshah 3rd tried to free from captivity & authority of Wazir Itimadkhan. He conspired with other Amirs to kill Wazir Itmadkhan. His plan was informed to Wazir by spies. So Wazir Itimadkhan decided to kill drunkard Sultan Ahmedshah.

On 21-4-1561 Gujarat Sultan Ahmedshah 3rd was invited by Amirs Wajih-ul-Mulk & Razi-ul-Mulk to palace of Wajih-ul-Mulk which was near Sultan's Bhadra palace. Itimadkhan was hidden in palace. When Sultan entered into palace,he was killed by kicks & beating by Itmadkhan's servants.

On night of Monday 21-4-1561 Gujarat 13th Sultan Ahmedshah 3rd was murdered by his Wazir Itimadkhan.Dead body of Sultan was thrown in sands of Sabarmati river near Bhadra fort of Ahmedabad. Next day, his body was found.Sultan was buried in Badshah Hazira at Manek Chowk,Ahmedabad.

In 1561 Gujarat Sultnat Wazir Itimadkhan murdered child Sultan Ahmedshah 3rd who had no heir. Wazir Itimadkhan crowned 12 years old boy Nathu/Nannu alias Halim as Gujarat Sultan Muzffarshah 3rd. His intention was to keep boy Sultan Muzffarshah 3rd his puppet & titular Sultan.

Gujarat 14th & last Sultan Muzffarshah 3rd was a scam of Wazir Itimadkhan.Actually Sultan Muzffarshah 3rd was a son of shepherd whose beautiful wife was kept by late Sultan Mahmudshah 3rd in his Zenana.Muzffar was not of royal blood but Wazir declared him of royal family on oath.

After 1540 decline of Gujarat independent Sultnat began.Gujarat was in chaotic condition due to weakened Sultnat authority.Sultnat Amirs (nobles) became powerful.They fought with each other.Movements of their private armies & absence of central power resulted in chaos in Gujarat.

As Gujarat was in chaotic condition Sultnat senior Amirs (nobles) accepted Sultan Muzffaeshah as Gujarat Sultan imposed by Wazir Itimadkhan though Gujarat Sultan Muzffarshah 3rd was not of royal blood.Wazir Itimadkhan distributed estates & lands to Amirs to please them.

In 1561 there were 3 groups of Amirs-Gujarati, Turkish & African Habasi. They fought with each other. Wazir Itimadkhan was not brave but a shrewd diplomat. He kept land between Sabarmati & Mahi rivers for himself & gave Amirs estates in distant parts of Gujarat to keep them away.

Gujarat Wazir Itimadkhan was a shrewd diplomat. He kept Amirs fighting with each other. Leading foreign Amirs were Bharuch ruler Turkish Changizkhan & his son Rustamkhan, African Amirs Juzarkhan & Uloghkhan, Baloch Amir Fatehkhan and Afghan Amirs Sherkhan & Musakhan Fauladi.

In 16th century Khorasan origin Mirza chiefs of Delhi became rebel & revolted against Mughal emperor Akbar who expelled them from Delhi. They came to Gujarat & took asylum of Bharuch administrator Changizkhan. He planned to become Gujarat Sultan with help of refugee Mirza chiefs.

In 1567 Bharuch Turk administrator Changizkhan sent message to Gujarat Sultnat Wazir Itimadkhan to quit Ahmedabad & to go his estate. As Wazir Itimadkhan was not able to defend against Changizkhan,he left Ahmedabad with puppet Sultan Muzffarshah & went to Dungarpur (Rajasthan).

In 1567 Bharuch Amir Changizkhan with his army came Ahmedabad in absence of Wazir Itimadkhan & Sultan Muzffarshah. He took possession of Gujarat capital Ahmedabad & declared his intention to be Sultan of Gujarat. All Amirs including faithful of Itimadkhan supported Changizkhan.

Gujarat African origin Abyssinian Amir Juzarkhan & Alafkhan were loyal Amirs of Wazir Itimadkhan. They pretended to support Changizkhan.They planned to murder Ahmedabad possessor Turk Amir Changizkhan. One day they invited Changizkhan to play Chogan (polo) in Bhadra ground.

In 15th & 16th century in Gujarat Sultnat time game of Chogan-polo was played by royal family,high officials,Amirs in 'Maidan-i-Shah' in Ahmedabad. In Gujarat Sultan time Friday Bazar-Khas Bazar was held in area from Bijalighar,Bhadra,3 Darwaja where all types of goods were sold.

Changizkhan accepted invitation to play Chogan & came on horse with Habasi Amirs Juzarkhan & Alafkhan.When they reached between Bhadra Masjid & 3 Darwaza in game, Juzaekhan killed Changizkhan with one stroke of sword making 2 pieces of his body.They looted Changizkhan properties.

After murdering Ahmedabad ruler Amir Changizkhan, African Amirs fled to Vadodara. Gujarat Sultnat Wazir Itimadkhan wrote a letter to Mughal emperor Akbar from Dungarpur inviting Akbar to come to Gujarat & establish Mughal rule in Gujarat. No reply from Akbar received by him.

When Gujarat Sultnat Wazir Itimadkhan received news of murder of Changizkhan in Ahmedabad, he came to Ahmedabad from Dungarpur with Sultan Muzffarshah. Wazir sent again a letter to Mughal emperor Akbar with envoy Mir Abu Turab requesting Akbar to take Gujarat under Mughal power.

Gujarat Sultnat Wazir Itimadkhan wrote Akbar about political instability & prevailing chaos in Gujarat due to weakened Gujarat Sultnat. He also warned Akbar about Mughal rebels Mirza chiefs residing in Vadodara might grab Gujarat Sultanat & become powerful against Mughal power.

Meanwhile, Patan Jagirdar Amir Sherkhan Fauladi attacked Ahmedabad & besieged Ahmedabad fort.Gujarat puppet Sultan Muzffarshah 3rd fled from the captivity of Wazir Itimadkhan from Ahmedabad & took shelter from attacking Patan Amir Sherkhan Fauladi.

Mughal emperor Akbar decided to invade Gujarat before his rebel Mirza chiefs residing in south Gujarat grab Gujarat Sultnat. Akbar prepared a huge army for the Gujarat invasion. He & his army departed from Fatehpur Sikri, Agra on 2nd July 1572. Akbar reached Ajmer & camped.

Mughal emperor Akbar had great respect for Saint Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer. So, he stayed at Ajmer & visited Saint Dargah & prayed for his victory on Gujarat. He sent Khan Kalan with 10000 soldiers ahead of him on a quick march to Gujarat.Akbar advanced to Gujarat in slow march.

Akbar's advance troops under Khan Kalan reached Sirohi where they were attacked by Devda Rajputs of Sirohi.Khan Kalan was injured in this attack.When Akbar received this news he sent army to punish Sirohi Rajput.Akbar crossed Gujarat border & reached his first Gujarat halt Deesa.

Patan Jagirdar Sherkhan Fauladi who was besieging Ahmedabad fort fled to Saurashtra when he knew the arrival of Akbar in Gujarat. Sherkhan sent his family & 2 sons to Idar. Akbar sent Raja Bhagvandas's son Raja Mansingh to arrest Sherkhan's sons but they fled to mountain forest.

Akbar left Deesa & reached Gujarat's 2nd city Patan. Akbar's ex-army chief, teacher, adviser & mentor 'Khan-i-Khanan' Bairam Khan was murdered by rebel Mughal Mirza at Patan in 1561. His family was living in Patan. Akbar met Bairam Khan's minor son Abdul Rahim & consoled him.