‘Alau’d-din Ahmad Shah
# ‘Alau’d-din Ahmad Shah

‘Alau’d-din Ahmad Shah was the tenth sultan of the Bahmani Sultanate.

He was considered weak in administration. His reign is marked by rebellions.

The rift between the Dakhanis, or old-comers, and Afaqis, or new-comers worsened during his reign.

## Early life

Alauddin was the eldest son of Ahmad Shah I Wali.

## Reign

### Rebellion of Muhammad Khan

Muhammad was pardoned.

### Chakan massacre

The massacre further strained Dakhni-Afaqi relations.

### Rebellion of Jalal Khan

In 1455, Jalal Khan, a brother-in-law of Alauddin and the jagirdar of Nalgonda, declared himself king. This was due to a rumour of Alauddin's death as he had been suffering from a wound on his shin. Alauddin marched on Nalgonda, and Jalal's son Sikandar enlisted Mahmud Khalji to join their rebellion. In 1456, Mahmud invaded Berar.

At Mahur, Alauddin commanded a force of 180,000 men. He divided his army into three contingents. Faced with an army thrice the size of his own, Mahmud Khalji withdrew leaving behind a token force of 1000 men.

Mahmud Gawan was put in charge of suppressing the revolt. Jalal was pardoned by the sultan and allowed to retain Nalgonda.

### Public works and social welfare

Alauddin is credited with building a large hospital at Bidar. He endowed several villages, the revenue from which would fund the hospital.

## Death and succession

Alauddin died on 3 April 1458, from the malignant wound on his shin.

## Legacy

Alauddin was described as a benevolent ruler, but weak in administration.

## Family

### Wives

* Agha Zainab, daughter of Nasir Khan of Khandesh
* Ziba Chihra, daughter of the Raja of Sangameshwar

### Issue

* Humayun Shah, eleventh Bahmani Sultan
* Hasan Khan
* Yahya Khan
