Mirza Badi-uz-Zaman Safavi

Shah Nawaz Khan
Shahzada of the Safavid Empire
Died 14 March, 1659
Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Burial Ajmer Sharif, Ajmer
Spouse Nauras Banu Begum
Issue Dilras Banu Begum
Sakina Banu Begum
Mirza Muhammad Ahsan Safavi
Mirza Mu‘azzam Safavi
3 other daughters
Full name
Badi-uz-Zaman Safavi
House Safavid
Father Mirza Rustam Safavi
Religion Shia Islam

Badi-uz-Zaman Safavi (died 1659) better known by the title, Shahnawaz Khan, and popularly known as Mirza Deccan; was a prince of the Safavid dynasty of Iran (Persia) and a powerful amir at the Mughal court during Emperor Shah Jahan's reign. He was also the father-in-law of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and his younger brother, Prince Murad Baksh.

Family and lineage

Shahnawaz Khan was the son of Mirza Rustam Safavi,[1] who rose to eminence during Emperor Jahangir's reign. Khan belonged to the lineage of the old Mashad princes of Iran - his great-grandfather was the son of Shah Ismail I Safavi of the Safavid Empire.[2]

He was married to Nauras Banu Begum,[3] the daughter of Mirza Muhammad Sharif. The couple were the parents of two sons and five daughters, including Dilras Banu Begum, who married Prince Muhi-ud-din (later known as Aurangzeb upon his accession), the third son of Emperor Shah Jahan in 1637. Another daughter of his married Aurangzeb's youngest brother, Prince Murad Baksh in 1638.[4]

At the Mughal court

Shahnawaz Khan was the Viceroy of Gujarat and was made ataliq to Shah Jahan's son, Prince Murad Baksh, at the time of his assignment to the Deccan.[5]

Shah Nawaz Khan was imprisoned by his son-in-law, Aurangzeb, in the Burhanpur fort in 1658 for not supporting him in the war of succession. Khan, instead of supporting his son-in-law, chose to support Aurangzeb's oldest brother, Crown Prince Dara Shikoh, the heir-apparent chosen by Emperor Shah Jahan. This resulted in a conflict of interests between Aurangzeb and him. Aurangzeb released him seven months later, upon the intercession of his eldest daughter Princess Zeb-un-Nisa and appointed him the viceroy of Gujarat.[6]

Death

Shahnawaz Khan died during the battle of Ajmer on 14 March, 1659,[6] and was buried in Ajmer Sharif, Rajasthan by the orders of Aurangzeb.

References

  1. ↑ Koch, Ebba (1997). King of the world: the Padshahnama. Azimuth Ed. p. 104.
  2. ↑ Annie Krieger-Krynicki (2005). Captive princess: Zebunissa, daughter of Emperor Aurangzeb. Oxford University Press. p. 1, 84, 92.
  3. ↑ Indian Historical Records Commission (1921). Proceedings of the ... Session, Volume 3. The Commission. p. 18.
  4. ↑ Waldemar, Hansen (1986). The Peacock Throne: The Drama of Mogul India. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 124.
  5. ↑ Balabanlilar, Lisa (2015). Imperial Identity in the Mughal Empire: Memory and Dynastic Politics in Early Modern South and Central Asia. I.B.Tauris. p. 186. ISBN 0857732463.
  6. 1 2 Sir Jadunath Sarkar (1925). Anecdotes of Aurangzib. M.C. Sarkar & Sons. p. 35.
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