Ibrahim Adil Shah II

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Ibrahim Adil Shah II (1556 - 1627), of the Adil Shahi dynasty was the king of Bijapur Sultanate.

[edit] Early life

Ali Adil Shah I had no issues and after his death confusion prevailed in the city. The nobles of the kingdom decided to support Ibrahim, son of Tahmash Adil Shah and nephew of Ali Adil Shah I as the King. At the time of his accession to throne he was just nine years. During this phase General Kalim Khan assumed power and managed the affairs of the state. In a short time Kalim Khan was eager to over throw Ibrahim Adil Shah I. His administration had gone barbaric and was even uncivil to Chand Bibi, the widowed queen.

During this time Chand Bibi, instigated General Kishwar Khan against Kalim Khan, Kishwar Khan attacked Kalim Khan, who was captured while fleeing and was behahed in the fort. After Kalim Khan's death General Afzal Khan became the care taker while, Ibrahim Adil Shah II was still a minor. In the mean time Chand bibi thought that Kishwar Khan has become ambitious and arrogant, while Afzal was marching against Nizamshah and KutubShah Kishwar Khan was managing the affairs of the state. With the help of General Mustafa Khan of Bankapur, Chandi bibi hatched a plan to eliminate Kishwar Khan. Kishwar Khan's spies planted in the place infomed him about this. Kishwar Khan sent troops against Mustafa Khan. Mustafa Khan was captured and killed in the battle. Chand bibi publicly accused Kishwar Khan of treachery. In turn, Kishwar Khan got her imprisioned at the Satara fort and tried to declare himself the king.

Kishwar Khan's plans went futile when the news reached army and General Ikhalskhan marched to Bijapur. Kishwar Khan was forced to flee Bijapur and tried a his luck at Ahmednagar. On not being entertained in the court of Ahmednagar he fled to Golconda. At Golconda he was identified by spies and was murdered. Afzal Khan had died, while leading one of the marches and for Ikhalskhan's dutiful service to Chandbibi and the minor king, was appointed Guardian and care taker.

[edit] Ibrahim Adil Shah's reign

A portrait of Ibrahim Adil Shah II

The fifth king of the Adil Shahi dynasty is known in the Indian history as "Jagadguru Badshah." He tried to bring in cultural harmony, between the Shiyas and the Sunnis and between Hindus and Muslims through music. He was a great lover of music, played musical instruments, sang and composed praises of Hindu deities Saraswati and Ganapati. He wrote the book Kitab-E-Navras (Book of Nine Rasas) in Dakhani. It is a collection of 59 poems and 17 couplets. According to his court-poet Zuhuri, he wrote it to introduce the theory of nine Rasas, which occupies most important place in Indian aesthetics, to acquaint people who were only brought up in Persian ethos. The book opens with prayer to Saraswati, the Goddess of learning. He claimed that his father was divine Ganapati and mother the Holy Saraswati. For him, the Tanpura personified learning -- "Ibrahim the tanpurawala became learned due to grace of god, living in the city of Vidyanagari" (Vidyanagari is the earlier name of Bijapur.)

Ibrahim II publicly declared that all he wanted was Vidya or learning, music, and Guruseva (serving the teacher.) He was a devotee of Hazrat Banda Nawaj, the Sufi saint of Gulbarga. He has composed a prayer to him to bestow Vidya or learning and charitable disposition.

He founded a new township Navraspur to give concrete shape to his musical conception or idea of a musical city. He had a temple built inside the precincts of the palace which still exists. Considering that Islam does not recognize music as a path of devotion, it is surprising on the part of this king not only to master it but trying to popularize it, and govern through it.

Bijapur attracted best musicians and dancers of the period because the king was famous as a great connoisseur and patron of music and it was a unique privilege to get recognition from him.

bhaka nyari nyari bhava ek kaha turuk kaha barahaman

Whether a Muslim or a Brahmin with different language--emotion is the same.

nouras soor juga joti ani saroguni yusat sarasuti mata ibrahim parasada bhayi dooni

Oh mother Saraswati! Since you have blessed Ibrahim, his work Navras will last for long

He has composed poems on his wife Chand Sultana, his Tanpura Motikhan and his elephant Atish Khan. He spoke Marathi, Dakhani, Urdu and Kannada languages fluently, and like his predecessors, employed several Hindus in top posts.