Sikandar Adil Shah

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Sikandar Adil Shah (1672-1686)

Sikandar, an infant of four years was placed on the throne of Bijapur in 1672. The history of his reign is really the history of regents and wazirs. It was a period marked by chronic civil war among the factious nobles, independence of the provincial governors, paralysis of the central administration, occasional Mughal invasions, secret alliance but pretened hostility with the Marathas, and final absorption of Bijapur in the Mughal Empire.

Thus, the all round deterioration further crippled the political situation. The prestige of Bijapur was so seriously damaged by internal disruptions that the Mughal general Diler Khan almost coerced and humiliated Sikandar. Despite several sacrifices and desperate attempts on the part of Sikandar, he could not satisfy the growing greed of the Mughals. Sikandar’s alliance with Sambhaji further aggravated the Mughal-Bijapur relations. At last Aurangzeb himself marched out in 1685 with a large army to fulfil the ambition of his life. After desperately defending his capital and standing the prolonged siege of 1685-1686, Sikandar succumbed to the Mughals, and on 12th September 1686 Bijapur was occupied and annexed by Aurangzeb. He was buried at foot side of his spiritual teacher Hazrat Naimullah Hashmi in the open yard in the New Market Place of Bijapur.

Thus ended the glorious career of about two centuries of the great Adil Shahi Monarchy. The gradeul and glory of the Adil Shahs is still alive in their mighty and lofty monuments and specimens of fine arts.

[edit] References

• Wakiyate Mamlakate Bijapur by Basheeruddin Dehelvi.
• Tareekhe Farishta by Kasim Farishta
• External Relation of Bijapur Adil Shahis.

Preceded by Ali Adil Shah II

Adil Shahi Rulers of Bijapur 1486–1672

Succeeded by Aurangzeb