Muqarrab Khan

Aurangzeb leads the Mughal Army during the Siege of Satara.

Muqarrab Khan of Golconda (titled Khan-Zaman Fath Jang) was the most experienced commander in Golconda, during the reign of Abul Hasan Qutb Shah. Muqarrab Khan is known to have been an ally of Afzal Khan and defended Golcondas southern realms against Maratha raids.

Muqarrab Khan was a political rival of Abul Hasan Qutb Shah's cruel Brahman viziers Madanna and Akkanna.^[1][2]

After Abul Hasan Qutb Shah, escaped from his administrative duties by retreating into the Golconda Fort along with 1000 women who were known for their mastery in music and song. Muqarrab Khan had become the de facto ruler of Golconda.^[3]

Mughal service

Defection to the Mughal Empire

Before, Aurangzeb and his forces initiated the Siege of Golconda, Muqarrab Khan the most experienced commander in Golconda, defected to the Mughals. Muqarrab Khan and his forces proved their fighting experience and worth against the Maratha when he led a contingent that eventually hunted-down Sambhaji at Sangameshwar and brought him to Aurangzeb.^{[citation needed]}

Capture of Sambhaji

Sambhaji and his men were captured by Muqarrab Khan and his Mughal contingent of 25,000. When Sambhaji was presented before the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, he the emperor knelt in prayer and thanksgiving to Allah^{[citation needed]}. When Sambhaji, was questioned for the atrocities he had committed, he responded with insults to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, which were tolerated, but he sealed his fate by insulting the Prophet Muhammad^{[citation needed]}. A panel of Qadi's of the Mughal Empire indited and sentenced Sambhaji to death for slaying innocent people, torture, arson, looting and massacre of good Muslims particularly for the atrocities committed during his ravaging of Burhanpur and its populace.^{[4][5][6][7][citation needed]}

See also

• Mughal Empire
• Abul Hasan Qutb Shah

References