The Institutes of Akbar 372: 144. Gha’zi’ Kha’n i Badakhshi’.

372

In MSS. Ghazi is often altered to Qazi, and Badakhshi to Bakhshi, and as Ghazi Khan’s first title was Qazi Khan, his name is often confounded with No. 223. Other Ghazi Khans have been mentioned above, on pp. 367, 384.
Ghazi Khan’s name was Qazi Nizam. He had studied law and Hadis under Mulla Isamuddin Ibrahim, and was looked upon as one of the most learned of the age. He was also the murid of Shaikh Husain of Khwarazm, a renowned Sufi. His acquirements procured him access to the court of Sulaiman, king of Badakhshan (No. 5), who conferred upon him the title of Qazi Khan. At the death of Humayun, Sulaiman wishing to profit by the distracted state of the country, moved to Kabul and besieged Mun’im (No. 11). After the siege had lasted for some time, Sulaiman sent Qazi Khan to Mun’im to prevail on him to surrender. But Mun’im detained him for several days, and treated him ‘to the most sumptuous fare, such as Badakhshis cannot enjoy even in peaceful times.’ The good dinners made such an impression on Qazi Khan, that he advised Sulaiman to raise the siege, as there was no lack of provisions in the fort. Sulaiman thereupon returned to Badakhshan.
Subsequently, Qazi Khan left his master, and went to India. At Khanpur, he was introduced to the emperor on his return from Jaunpur (Akbarn. III, 85). He received several presents, and was appointed Parwancha writer (p. 263). Akbar soon discovered in him a man of great insight, and made him a commander of One Thousand. He also bestowed upon him the title of Ghazi Khan, after he had distinguished himself in several expeditions.
In the 21st year, Ghazi Khan commanded the left wing of Man Singh’s corps in the war with the Rana. Though his wing gave way, he returned with the troops and joined the van, and fought bravely. He then received Awadh as tuyul, and distinguished himself in Bihar against the rebellious grandees.
He died at Awadh in the 29th year (992) at the age of seventy, about the same time that Sultan Khwajah died (No. 108).
Ghazi Khan is the author of several works (vide Badaoni III, 153).
The sijdah, or prostration, which formed so important a part in the ceremonies of the court, was his invention (vide p. 159, note).
His son Husamuddin. Akbar made him a commander of One Thousand, and sent him with the Khan Khanan (No. 29) to the Dak’hin. Suddenly a change came over Husam, and though a young man, he expressed to the commander his wish to resign the service and live as faqir at the tomb of Nizamuddin Aulia in Dihli. The Khán Khánán persuaded him in vain to give up this mad idea; but Husám next day laid aside his clothes, smeared his body over with clay and mud, and wandered about in the streets and bazars. Akbar permitted his resignation. Husám lived for thirty years as an ascetic in Dihlí. Khwájah Bágí Billah (born at Kábul and buried at Dihlí) conferred on him power of ‘guiding travellers on the road of piety.’ He died in 1034. His wife was Abulfazl’s sister. She gave at the request of her Husband her ornaments to Darwishes, and fixed an annual sum of 12000 Rupees as allowance for the cell of her husband. Vide Tuzuk, p. 30.