Malik Ibrahim Bayu (also spelled Baya) was a Sufi saint of Suhrawardiyya order and a warrior who arrived in South Bihar, India, in the 14th century and defeated the tribal Kol chiefdoms, who had been oppressing the local Muslims. He was a contemporary of Sharfuddin Yahya Maneri, Syed Ahmed Jajneri, Muzaffar Shams Balkhi, Shah Ahmed Sistani and Syed Ahmad Charamposh.[1]

Malik Ibrahim Bayu
Mausoleum of Malik Ibrahim Bayu in Bihar Sharif
BornGhazni, Afghanistan
Died20 January 1353 CE (13th Dul Hajj 753 AH)
Rohtasgarh, Rohtas District, Bihar
ClanMalik
OccupationMilitary general, Governor

He was sent in a war with Raja Birthal, in which he defeated Raja Birthal and became the first Muslim conqueror and the governor of Bihar.[2] Malik Ibrahim Baya tomb is protected under Archaeological Survey of India and is a tourism spot in Bihar Sharif.[3]

Early life

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Malik Baya was a distinguished military general, and a Sufi saint as well. When the Abbasids persecuted his ancestors, they escaped to Ghazni. He was born and raised in Ghazni.[citation needed]

Malik Baya received his education and military training in Ghazni and then he came to Delhi to serve under the tutelage of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.

History

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Malik Baya belonged to Suhrawardiyya order. He came to India during the time of Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq and became commander-in-chief in 1324. The word Bayu' is the twisted from a Persian word Beya (lit. Come on).

Malik Baya after his first victory over Bihar, went to inform the matter to Muhammad bin Tughlaq, who being pleased with his remarkable win said: malik biya benasheen (lit. O Chief come and Sit down).[4]

During the reign of Sultan Tughlaq, even though the State of Bihar was under the control of Delhi, for all practical purposes, its rulers were autonomous. The Sultan received numerous complaints against the Raja Bithal, the Governor (Subedar) of Bihar, who was not only a tyrant but also a rebel against the Sultan of Delhi.[citation needed]

The Sultan sent his general, Syed Ibrahim Malik, to punish Raja Bithal. After a fierce battle, the Raja was killed and his army was defeated. The conquest of Bihar was a remarkable achievement, and on this occasion, the Sultan conferred upon Malik Baya the title of "Madarul Mulk" means Malik or Saif-o-Daulat (Administrator or King of Sword and Wealth).[5]

In Bihar, Malik Baya led many expeditions such as Deora and Khatangi etc. and defeated Raja Baithal and was appointed as a Governor of Bihar by Mohammad bin Tughlaq. Syed Ibrahim Malik also served as Governor of Bihar and general for a few years from 1351 to 1353, during the reign of Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq. During his reign, he fought his last pitched battles with Raja Hans Kumar and conquer Rohtasgarh Fort.

Death and legacy

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Malik Baya died on Sunday, 13th Dul Hajj 753 AH corresponding to 20 January 1353 AD. His body was brought to Bihar Sharif for burial, where he had lived nearly his entire life with his family, relatives, and kinsmen.

He was buried on Peer Pahadi, Bihar Sharif and the foundation stone his Makbara was led by Sharfuddin Yahya Maneri and it was constructed by Malik Daud, elder son of Baya.[1][6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Hussain, Syed Amjad. "Malik Ibrahim Baya: A Revered Figure in Bihar's History and Sufi Tradition". New Age Islam. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  2. ^ "IBRAHIM BAYA MAQBARA". bt-stage.argildx.com. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Alphabetical List of Monuments – Bihar « Archaeological Survey of India". asi.nic.in. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  4. ^ Hanif, N. (2000). Biographical Encyclopaedia of Sufis: South Asia. Sarup & Sons. p. 160. ISBN 978-81-7625-087-0.
  5. ^ "HISTORY - Syed Mallicks".
  6. ^ Askari, Syed Hasan (1984). Aspects of the Cultural History of Medieval Bihar. Kashi Prasad Jayswal Research Institute. p. 7.

Sources

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