Islam Khan V

Updated on Nov 27, 2023

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Reign 17–18th century Name Islam V Religion Islam		Died 1734 Shahjahanbad Successor Barkhurdar Khan III
Father Barkhurdar Khan I, Islam Khan IV

Islam Khan V (died 21 Safar 1147 AH / 1734 AD) was one of the prominent Emir and nobleman during the Mughal empire. He was entitled 'Islam Khan' and ‘Barkhurdar Khan’ by Emperor Bahadur Shah I and remained in many important posts during the successive rules of Bahadur Shah I, Jahandar Shah, Farrukhsiyar, Rafi ud Darajat, Shah Jahan II and Muhammad Shah.

Biography

Barkhurdar Khan II aka Mian Kheesa was the son of Barkhurdar Khan I and great-grandson of Islam Khan I. Barkhurdar Khan II was Mansabdar Punj Hazari (5,000) and also entitled 'Islam Khan' by Shah Alam I and had Mansab 'Darogha Dīwān-e-Khās' (Superintendent of the Diwan-i-Khas) and Khalat-e Fakhra and Khalat-e Barani. He was 'Mir Atash' (the ‘master gunner’) to Bahadur Shah I before retirement from court, but was restored to his rank of 5,000 (3,000 horse), and appointed Mir Tuzak Awwal (chief Mir Tuzak / quarter-master general).

This ‘Islam Khan’ (d. 1144 AH, 1731–2 AD) was one Mir Ahmad, first ‘Barkhurdar Khan’, then ‘Islam Khan’, son of Safi Khan (d. 1105 AH 1693–4 AD), the second son of Abdus-salam, first ‘Ikhtisas Khan’, then ‘Islam Khan’, Mashhadi, (d. 1057 AH 1647-8).

This Islam Khan played a crucial role in negotiating a settlement during the crises of clash between many noblemen (clash of the nobles) with Sayyid Brothers.

Awards and honours

Shah Alam I alias Bahadur Shah I in his first Juloos (royal procession / parade) on early days of Rabi' al-thani awarded the title Islam Khan, Mansab 'Darogha Dīwān-e-Khās' (Superintendent of the Diwan-i-Khas) along with Khalat-e Fakhra, Naqqara and ‘Ilm’

Shah Alam I in his second Juloos on 9 Dhu al-Qi'dah appointed him ‘Darogha Topkhana’, a store of Armory (military)

Shah Alam I in his third Juloos on 15 Jumada al-awwal awarded him ‘Khalat-e Barani

In the third Juloos of Shah Alam I on 13 Shawwal, prince awarded him ‘Khalat

Islam Khan was appointed as 'Mir Atash' (the ‘master gunner’) to Shah Alam I

Shah Alam I in his fourth Juloos on 8 Jumada al-Thani awarded Khalat in praise of 'Mir Atash'

‘Islam Khan Bahadur Mir Atash’ was included in the front-runner battalion in a war during fourth Juloos on 19 Shawwal of Shah Alam I

Shah Alam I in his fourth Juloos on 22 Shawwal awarded Khalat-e Chaar Parcha

Shah Alam I in his fifth Juloos on 19 Rajab 1123 AH (1711 AD) appointed Islam Khan as ‘Mir Tuzak Awwal’ (chief Mir Tuzak / quarter-master general) along with Khalat-e Fakhra

Shah Alam I in his fifth Juloos 1711 AD awarded Islam Khan Mir Atash with Mansabdar Punj Hazari (5,000) and 2000 + 500 Sawar

On Friday 15 Dhu al-Hijjah, in the second Juloos of Emperor Farrukhsiyar, 'Islam Khan' and his close relative Khan Zaman Khan Ali Asghar attended the Friday prayer along with Emperor Farrukhsiyar

On 20 Muharram in the second Juloos of Muhammad Shah, he got the opportunity to meet and discuss the king at Masjid Moth

Islam Khan V (Barkhurdar Khan II) along with his close relative Khan Zaman Khan Ali Asghar were invited to attend the marriage ceremony of the prince of Shah Alam I

In some last dates of Muharram in the 6 Juloos, he was appointed as ‘Bakshigiri Tan’ (Salary officer) in place of Aitamuddaula. He was also awarded with Khalat-e Khas and one ornate 'Qabza-i dhup' (canopy). However, on 12th Shaban 1125 AH, 2 September 1713, Ghazi-uddin Khan (Ahmad Beg) obtained charge of the retinue (jalau), vice Islam Khan, who had held it in addition to his principal office of Mir Tuzak.

Death

Hakim Syed Zillur Rahman in his book ‘Hayat Karam Husain’ quoted his date of death as 21 Safar 1147 AH / 1734 AD with reference to Tarikh-i Mohammadi while other authors mentioned his death date as 1144 AH / 1731–32 AD.

Family history

The family of Barkhurdar Khan belonged to Salim Chishti. Islam Khan I was his forefather. This family maintained the traditions of receiving title 'Islam Khan' from Mughal emperors.

It is interesting to note that where one of the daughters of Qazi Syed Rafi Mohammad was married to Qazi Ghulam Mustafa, another daughter Sahib Daulat was married to Barkhurdar Khan II. Because of this relation, Islam Khan V was close to Khan Zaman Khan Ali Asghar. Both achieved important posts in the court of Mughal kings.

Marriage and children

Barkhurdar II married Sahib Daulat, the daughter of Qazi Syed Rafi Mohammad and had two sons – elder son Ghulam Baqi aka Maddan was also entitled ‘Barkhurdar Khan’ (Barkhurdar III), while his younger son Ghulam Mohammad aka Saddan was killed (martyred) during the fight between the English forces and Shuja-ud-Daula in 1765. Ghulam Baqi was married to his cousin (daughter of Mah Bibi bint Qazi Syed Rafi Mohammad and Noorul Haq ibn Mian Abdur Rahman of Tijara)

References

Islam Khan V Wikipedia

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