Malik Ambar | |
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Peshwa of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate | |
In office 1600–1626 | |
Monarchs | Murtaza Nizam Shah II Burhan Nizam Shah III |
Succeeded by | Fath Khan |
Personal details | |
Born | 1548[4] Harar, Adal Sultanate[4] |
Died | 13 May 1626 Khuldabad, Ahmadnagar Sultanate | (aged 77–78)
Spouse | Bibi Karima |
Children | Fateh Khan Changiz Khan |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar |
Malik Ambar (1548 – 13 May 1626) was a military leader and statesman who served as the Peshwa (Prime Minister) of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate and its de facto ruler from 1600 until his death in 1626.[5]
Originally a slave from modern day Ethiopia, Malik was sold from place to place by many slave merchants and eventually brought to India, where he was bought by his last owner, the Peshwa of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate. Ambar rose through the ranks at Ahmadnagar, where he created a mercenary force numbering greater than 50,000 men. It was based in the Deccan region and was hired by local kings. Malik became a popular Prime Minister of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, showing administrative acumen.[6]
He is also regarded as a pioneer in guerrilla warfare in the region. He is credited with carrying out a revenue settlement of much of the Deccan, which formed the basis for subsequent settlements. He is a figure of veneration to the Siddis of Gujarat. He challenged the might of the Mughals and Adil Shahs of Bijapur and raised the low status of the Nizam Shah.[7][8]