Bairam Khan | |
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![]() Portrait of Bairam Khan, c. 1710–1740, Aga Khan Museum | |
Grand Vizier of the Mughal Empire | |
In office 1556 – March/April 1560 | |
Monarch | Akbar |
Succeeded by | Munim Khan |
Vakil of the Mughal Empire | |
In office 1556 – March/April 1560[1] | |
Succeeded by | Munim Khan |
Regent of the Mughal Empire | |
In office 1556 – March/April 1560 | |
Monarch | Akbar |
Personal details | |
Born | [2] Badakhshan (present-day Afghanistan, China or Tajikistan) | 18 January 1501
Died | 31 January 1561 Patan, Sultanate of Gujarat (present-day Gujarat, India) | (aged 60)
Spouse(s) | Jamal Khan's daughter Salima Sultan Begum |
Children | Abdul Rahim |
Profession | Chief advisor of Akbar, Military commander and commander-in-chief of Mughal army and Mughal Statesman |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Mughal Empire |
Years of service | c. 1517/1518–March/April 1560 |
Commands | Mughal Army |
Battles/wars | Battle of Ludhiana Battle of Khanwa Battle of Ghaghra Siege of Sambhal Battle of Chausa Battle of Kannauj Battle of Machhiwara Battle of Sirhind Second Battle of Panipat Battle near Gunecur (as the leader of a rebel faction of the Mughal Army) |
Muhammad Bairam Khan (Persian: محمد بیرم خان;[3] 18 January 1501 – 31 January 1561), commonly known as Bairam Khan or Bayram Khan was an important military commander, and later commander-in-chief of the Mughal army, a powerful statesman and regent at the court of the Mughal Emperors, Humayun and Akbar. He was also the guardian, chief mentor, adviser, teacher and the most trusted ally of Akbar.[4] Akbar honoured him as Khan-i-Khanan, which means "King of Kings".[5] Bairam was originally called Bairam "Beg", but later became honoured as Khan.[6][7] Bairam Khan was an aggressive general who was determined to restore Mughal authority in India.[4]