Zain-ul-Abidin

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Zain-ul-Abidin or full name Ghiyas-ud-Din Zain-ul-Abidin (r. 1420-1470), the seventh or eighth was Sultan of afghanischstämmigen and since the mid-14th century across much of the region Kashmir ruling Shah -Miri Dynasty . His popular nickname was Bud Shah ("great king").

biography

Zain-ul-Abidin was a later son of Sikandar Butshikan (r. 1389-1413). He only came to power when his older brother Ali Shah (ruled 1413–1420) decided to make a pilgrimage to Mecca . Ali Shah broke off the pilgrimage and tried to regain his throne by military means. His further fate is unclear.

Zain-ul-Abidin proved to be a peaceful ruler who was also more tolerant in religious matters. Nevertheless, at the beginning of his rule he faced unrest or uprisings in Ladakh and Baltistan and led a military expedition to the areas conquered by his grandfather. However, he maintained friendly relations with other neighboring states and so his rule was not accompanied by military activities.

At the end of his life, his three sons Adam Khan, Haji Khan and Bahram Khan took measures to have him deposed, which he successfully prevented. Ultimately, Haji Khan succeeded him as heir to the throne. His mausoleum is in Srinagar .

politics

Zain-ul-Abidin's policy is characterized by his ability to create a balance of interests. So he delegated most of the lower jurisdiction to the village communities. In addition, he financed numerous irrigation projects and bridge construction. He implemented tax breaks and abolished the jizya head tax for non-Muslims; He also banned the slaughter of cows , but allowed the tradition of 'voluntary' widow burns to continue. In the end he even went so far as to ask the Hindus who had fled Kashmir during his father's rule to return. He had the Mahabharata and other Hindu scriptures translated into Persian .

literature

  • Mohibbul Hasan: Kashmir Under the Sultans. Aakar Books, Delhi 1959 (reprint 2005), ISBN 978-81-87879-49-7 .
  • NK Zutchi: Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin. An Age of Enlightenment. Saujanya Books, Srinagar 2012, ISBN 978-81-8339-194-8 .

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Zain-ul-Abidin
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Zain-ul-Abidin, Ghiyas-ud-Din (full name); Shah, Bud
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Indian ruler
DATE OF BIRTH before 1413
DATE OF DEATH 1470