Previous Year Question
Who was the last ruler of ‘Jaunpur state’?
Mohammed Shah
Hussain Shah
Mubarak Shah
Ibrahim Shah
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
The independent Sharqi dynasty of Jaunpur was established towards the end of the fourteenth century. Its founder was Malik Sarwar, who was associated with the titles Khwaja-i-Jahan and Malik-us-Sharq.
The major Sharqi rulers followed in the order—Mubarak Shah, Ibrahim Shah, Mahmud Shah, Muhammad Shah and Hussain Shah.
Among them, Hussain Shah Sharqi was the last Sharqi ruler. He ascended the throne of Jaunpur in 1458 CE.
Hussain Shah fought prolonged struggles against the Lodi rulers of Delhi. His conflict particularly with Bahlol Lodi proved decisive for the independence of Jaunpur.
Bahlol Lodi ultimately took control of Jaunpur and Sharqi rule came to an end. Hussain Shah subsequently made several attempts to recover Jaunpur but could not regain it permanently.
He was later defeated by Sikandar Lodi as well and had to seek refuge in Bengal. Epigraphic studies explicitly identify him as the “last Sharqi king.”
Ibrahim Shah Sharqi was one of the most important rulers of the dynasty, and during the Sharqi period Jaunpur developed into an important centre of learning, literature and architecture. Jaunpur acquired the reputation of ‘Shiraz-i-Hind’, but Ibrahim Shah was not its last ruler.