Malik Ambar : Harar to Aurangabad

Approximately thirty kilometers from the beautiful city of Aurangabad is a solitary structure- a 17th-century tomb constructed in memory of Malik Ambar- a Siddi by origin and one of the few personalities of medieval Indian history that managed to challenge the Mughal regime's monopoly. Complete with minarets, domes, and arches, it is one of the few structures that is a testament to the rich confluence of African and Indian cultures. Although the architecture is not particularly influenced by African architecture, it is a symbol of the interaction between the two communities.  

It is surprising how little we read of Malik Ambar in both educational sources as well as popular culture, considering how dramatic his life was. Spanning eighty years, his life included diverse travels, interactions with a wide range of communities, and a dramatic rise from rags to riches. 

Born in the Harar province of Ethiopia, Africa in 1548, his hardships began at a very young age when he was sold as a slave and taken to the Port of Mocha in Yemen. From there he traveled first to Baghdad, Iraq, and then to Ahmadnagar in India. It was in Baghdad that he received an education. The twenty years that he spent in Ahmadnagar, serving the Regent Minister of the Sultan of Nizam Shahi played a key role in his ascent to the status of a ruler. In fact, it was after Chengiz Khan's death that Ambar raised a "rebel army" and spearheaded a movement against the Mughals in the Deccan. Maneuvering his way through diplomatic complications and resistance to his African identity, Malik managed to find the city of Aurangabad and rule over it. 

Malik Ambar's contribution to Indian history is multi-faceted and just as significant as any other ruler of Indian origin. Failing to acknowledge this is also a part of the larger racist attitude we have toward the community. 

A man who traveled halfway around the world and rose from the bottom ranks of the slave trade to the highest mark of nobility deserves to be heard. 

Here is a story map to visually experience Malik Ambar's incredible journey!

Citations

1. Black Past- https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/ambar-malik-1548-1626/

2. http://double-dolphin.blogspot.com/2016/04/tomb-of-malik-ambar-khuldabad-aurangabad.html#:~:text=The%20tomb%20of%20Malik%20Ambar%20is%20to%20the%20North%20of,built%20by%20Malik%20Ambar's%20himself 

- Neelima