Jafar Khan Tekeli (Shah Nawaz Khan, [1780], 1941)

Jafar Khan Tekeli

He was the son of Qazaq Khan whose father Muhammad Khan Sharaf-ud-Din Ughli was governor of Herat and guardian of Sultan Muhammad Mirza eldest son of Shah Tahmasp Safavi at the time of Humayun’s visit to Persia. The Shah’s farman ― which is a code of regulations for the polite and generous ― was addressed to him in reference to the hospitality to be shown to Humayun. Sharaf-ud-Din behaved as was proper, and earned encomiums by performing fitting service in receiving so valued a guest. After his death Qazaq Khan became the guardian of the Mirza, and the governor of Khurasan, and growing presumptuous did not behave with proper respect to the Shah. In 972 A.H., the Shah sent an army against him under the command of Ma’sum Beg Safavi ― who was the Vakil of the kingdom. It chanced that at this time Qazaq Khan was attacked by dropsy, and his following dispersed. He was compelled to shut himself up with Sultan Muhammad in the fort of Ikhtiyar-ud-Din. The Shah’s troops entered Herat and Qazaq Khan was induced to surrender by agreements and premises. In that condition he died. His properties came into the possession of Ma’sum Beg. After this catastrophe, Ja’far Beg ― who for his straightforward nature and courage was held in respect by his father ― took refuge with Akbar, and was favourably received. In 973 A.H. he was attached to Akbar’s stirrups in the pursuit of Khan Zaman Shaibani. After that, when ‘Ali Quli Khan’s offences were condoned, on condition that so long as Akbar was in those parts he would not cross the Ganges, and Akbar went off to visit the fort of Chunar, Khan Zaman ignorantly and foolishly crossed the river. Akbar on receipt of this news made a rapid march against him, and Ja’far Beg quickly came to Ghazipur, and distinguished himself by taking hold of some boats which contained Khan Zaman’s goods and chattels. He was promoted to the rank of 1,000 and granted the title of Khan.

Shah Nawaz Khan, The Ma'athir-ul-Umara, Being Biographies of the Muhammadan and Hindu Officers of the Timurid Sovereigns of India from 1500 to about 1780 A.D. Beveridge, H. (tr.). Revised, annotated and completed by Baini Prasad, vol. I, Calcutta, 1941. Pp. 721.