Ilyas Shahi dynasty


The Ilyas Shahi dynasty was the first independent Turkic Muslim ruling dynasty in late medieval Bengal, which ruled from the 14th century to the 15th century.
It was founded in 1342 by Shamsuddin Iliyas Shah.
After Shamsuddin's death, his son Sikandar Shah ascended the throne. Sikandar would rule for the next 30 years and built the Adina Masjid in Pandua in 1368 and Kotowali Darwaza in Gauḍa. Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah, son of Sikandar Shah succeeded the throne and established friendly relationships with the Ming Empire of China and encouraged trade. During his reign, Ma Huan, a Chinese traveller visited Bengal.

Raja Ganesha

In 1415, political confusion and weakness of the Ilyas Shahi dynasty led to it being overthrown by Raja Ganesha. After his death, his son Jadu assumed the title of Jalal-ud-Din Muhammad Shah. He was succeeded by his son, Shams-ud-Din Ahmad Shah. He was killed by his nobles in 1436.

Second Ilyas Shahi Dynasty

After the death of Shams-ud Din Ahmad, the rule of the Ilyas Shahi dynasty was restored by Mahmud Shah, a descendant of Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah, who ascended the throne in 1437 as Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah I. In 1487, the last ruler of this dynasty Jalal-ud-Din Fath Shah was killed by his Habshi commander of the palace guards, Sultan Shahzada, who ascended the throne under the title, Barbak Shah. With this, the Ilyas Shahi dynasty's rule over Bengal came to an end.

List of rulers