Tarikh-e-Amroha - Part 1
Amroha is originally derived from
the Sanskrit compound word _Amrovanam_, which means “place of mangoes.” Various
rulers of the Chandravanshi dynasty founded numerous cities. One king of this
dynasty, Vashpan, who ascended the throne in 1212 BCE, left Hastinapur and went
to Indraprastha. In the 20th generation of this king was Raja Amarjodah, who
sat on the throne in 434 BCE. This king is said to be the founder of Amroha.
During the reign of Balban, for
some time Khwaja Ki Amroha was governed by Malik Izzuddin Ghori. Probably
Mohalla Chah Gauri, which the public calls Gauri Kuan, is named after this same
governor. During the reign of Sultan Muizuddin Kaiqubad, the said Malik was
among the king’s close confidants and leading nobles.
In the reign of Sultan Muizuddin
Kaiqubad, the governor of Amroha was Malik Ambar Sultani. This man was very
influential and capable. He built Amroha’s old Jama Masjid, known as the mosque
of Mohalla Sado, in 1287 CE. Along with it, he also established Madrasa
Moizziya. The buildings of the madrasa and Dar-ul-Iqama were also at this very
site where residential houses now stand. Adjacent to it was also a khanqah.
Students of exoteric and esoteric sciences would come and benefit.
The Mongols, instead of attacking
from the north and west, entered through the foothills of the Siwaliks and
invaded the province of Amroha. These people, passing through the skirts of the
Siwaliks, entered the Amroha region from the southern direction of District
Bijnor. They plundered Amroha and the Amroha region thoroughly and devastated
towns and settlements.
As soon as Alauddin Khalji
received news of the Mongol attack, he sent Malik Kafur, i.e. Malik Naib, and
Ghazi Malik Tughlaq with a huge army to confront the Mongols, with instructions
to reach Amroha with utmost speed and not leave a single Mongol alive.
Accordingly, the two armies met within the limits of Amroha and a very fierce
battle ensued. By God’s will, the army of Islam was victorious.
This battle took place on the
banks of the Rahab River, i.e. the Ramganga River. Both sides fought
wholeheartedly, but the outcome was against the Mongols. Both their commanders
were captured, thousands were killed in this battle, and those who were
captured were sent to Delhi along with their two commanders.
In this battle, a great deal of war booty fell into the hands of the royal army; the number of horses alone was 20,000. Due to the fear of Mongol attacks, a military cantonment was established in Amroha and a considerable force remained here.
Among Sultan Alauddin Khalji’s
close companions and trusted nobles was Malik Hunar Badruddin Zafar Khan, who
had no equal in bravery and valor, whose very name inspired fear and terror
among the Mongols. A large part of his army was stationed here, and this noble
amir himself also resided in Amroha for some time.
In that era, the region of
Amroha, including Nais Korba, Jawahar, and the entire Jatt area, was all
_khalisa_ [crown land], and its revenue was spent on the royal army.
Sultan Alauddin Khalji’s eldest
son, Prince Khizr Khan, who was also the heir to the sultanate, resided in
Amroha for some time by royal order. Hazrat Amir Khusrau has written an account
of Khizr Khan’s arrival in Amroha in his masnavi _Dawal Rani_.
_Source: Tarikh-e-Amroha - Mahmud
Ahmad Abbasi_
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