Wazir Khan (Lahore)

Shaikh Ilam-ud-din Ansari (died 1641),[1] known by his royal title Wazir Khan, was a native of Chiniot, whose family migrated to Lahore.[2] He rose to be one of the court physicians to the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in Lahore, and was in due course, over a long lifetime of service, made a Mughal noble. He remained Chief Qadi at Lahore for some time.[3]

Shaikh Ilam-ud-din Ansar
Wazir Khan
Mughal Governor
Governor of Lahore
Reign1631 – 1641
Governor of Agra
Reign1628 – 1631
Born1560's A.D
Punjab Mughal Empire
Died1641 C.E
Lahore Mughal Empire
ReligionSikh
OccupationGovernor
The Wazir Khan Mosque

From 1628 to 1631 he served as the governor of Agra after which he was appointed as the governor of Lahore. He held this post until approximately 1640/1641, when he was reappointed as governor of Agra.[1]

He is best known today for founding Wazirabad, a city near the river Chenab in Punjab, and building the famous Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore. The title of 'Wazir Khan' by which he is remembered by posterity was granted him by Shah Jahan, and literally means a 'Wazir', or Vizier, a 'Minister/High Court Official'.

Relation with Sikhs

He had been an admirer of Guru Arjan because of the parayer Sukhmani Sahib which is said to have givden him relief. After which he had become a Sikh.[4]Thus when Guru Arjan was to be executed by the Mughal Emperor he did everything he could to save the Guru, but it was in vain.[5]

During the time of Guru Hargobind Wazir Khan kept his support of the Guru. When the Guru was arrested by the emperor Khan begged for the Guru's release.[6][7]After the first battle between the Sikh and the Mughals Khan convinced Shah Jahan that there wasn't value in taking further action against the Guru. He said, "Sire, the Guru is not a rebel and hath no design on thine empire. He hath ever been the support of the state... Is it not a mircale that with not fully seven hundred men he destroyed an army of seven thousand." Hearing this the emperor was convinced to take no further action against the Guru.[8][9]

Afterward Kahn continued to aid the Guru throughout his life.[10]

References
  1. Koch, Ebba (2006). The complete Taj Mahal : and the riverfront gardens of Agra. Richard André. Barraud. London: Thames & Hudson. p. 45. ISBN 978-0-500-34209-1. OCLC 69022179.
  2. For other family connections in Lahore also see the articles on Fakir Khana and Hakim Ahmad Shuja
  3. Dr AMK Islahi, Puranay Lahore ki Tareekh, Eik Jaeza (Urdu:A History of Old Lahore, An Evaluation), Lahore: Chand Publishers Anarkali, 1997, p.128
  4. Macauliffe, Max (2015). The Sikh Religion Its Gurus, Sacred Writings And Authors Vol. 4. Creative Media Partners. p. 11. ISBN 0344857069.
  5. "Sikh Encyclopedia".
  6. Macauliffe, Max. The Sikh Religion Vol.4. p. 26. ISBN 0344857069.
  7. The Life and Teachings of Guru Hargobind. Singh Brothera. pp. 21–27.
  8. Max Arthur The Sikh Religion Page. 96
  9. Singh, Santhok. Suraj Prakash Granth. pp. Raas 8.
  10. Sikh Religion Max Arthur


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