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Bahadur Shah

Type Figure Region Gujarat Time c. 1500–1537 Also known as Sultan Bahadur of Gujarat、Sultan of the late Gujarat Sultanate

Bahadur Shah (c. 1500–1537), Sultan of Gujarat (r. 1526–1537), famed for martial prowess and the most ambitious ruler of the late sultanates.

Timeline

  1. c. 1500–1526Ahmedabad · GujaratBahadur was a grandson of Sultan Mahmud Begada of Gujarat and a son of Muzaffar II. In his early years he twice fled the sultanate amid political turmoil, taking exile in the Deccan and Malwa and accumulating military experience. In 1526, taking advantage of a succession dispute, he defeated his rivals and acceded as sultan after his father's sudden death.
  2. 1526–1535Ahmedabad · GujaratIn 1531 he annexed the Sultanate of Malwa, extending his power inland. In 1535 he besieged and captured the Rajput fortress of Chittor, incorporating it into his domains, bringing the Gujarat Sultanate to its greatest territorial extent. During the same period he actively introduced Ottoman artillery technology to counter the Portuguese and maintained diplomatic contacts with Suleiman I, seeking naval support.
  3. 1535–1537Diu · Gujarat coastIn 1535 Mughal emperor Humayun, taking advantage of Bahadur's engagement at Chittor, marched into Gujarat, forcing Bahadur to cede territory and sign a treaty. In 1537, while negotiating near Diu Island with the Portuguese governor Nuno da Cunha, he was apparently murdered aboard a Portuguese warship, falling into the sea and drowning. His death ended the Gujarat Sultanate's independent efforts against the Portuguese and the Mughals.

Sources