[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Bengal, Orissa and the North-East](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east) › [Riyāẓ al-salāṭīn](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin) › [The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam) › 26 # Riyaz al-salatin 26: Sarkars South of the Ganges and West of the Bhagirati (Hughli.) The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam) 26 - **Language:** English ### Sarkars South of the Ganges and West of the Bhagirati (Hughli.) ### [26.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.26.1) 16. Sarkar Udner, or Tandah, comprising the greater portion of Murshidabad district, with portion of Birbhum. Fifty-two mahals; revenue Rs. 6,01,985. Sulaiman Shah Kararani, the last but one of the Afghan Kings of Bengal, moved the seat of Government to Tandah from Gaur in 1564 A.C., that is, 11 years before the ruin of the latter. — (Ain-i-Akbari, Vol. II, p. 130n.) 17. Sarkar Sharifabad, south of the preceding, comprising remaining portions of Birbhum, and a large portion of Burdwan districts, including the town of Burdwan. Twenty-six mahals; revenue Rs. 5,62,218. 18. Sarkar Sulaimanabad, so called after Sulaiman Shah, King of Bengal, comprising a few southern parganas in the modern districts of Nadia, Burdwan and the whole north of Hughli district. Panduah on the E. I. R. belonged to this Sarkar. The chief town of the Sarkar called Sulaimanabad (afterwards changed to Salimabad) was on the left bank of the Damudar, south-east of the town of Burdwan. Thirty-one mahals; revenue Rs. 4,40,749. 19. Sarkar Madaran, extended in a semicircle from Nagor in western Birbhum, over Raniganj along the Damudar to above Burdwan, and from there over Khand Ghosh, Jahanabad, Chandrakona (western Hughli district) to Mandalghat at the mouth of the Rupnarain river. Sixteen mahals; revenue Rs. 2,35,085. The above 19 Sarkars which made up Bengal Proper in 1582, paid a revenue on khalsa lands (crown lands) inclusive of a few duties on salt, hats, and fisheries, Rs. 6,33,7,052. ### [26.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.26.2) According to Grant the value of jagir lands was fixed at Rs. 4,348,892, so that in 1582 A.C. and from before it, Rs. 10,685,944 was the total revenue of Bengal. — (See J.A.S., 1873, p. 219.) This was levied from ryats in specie, as the equivalent of the sixth share of the entire produce of the land, claimed by the sovereign as his share. — (See Ain-i-Akbari, pp. 55 and 63, Vol. 2.) This rent-roll remained in force during the reign of Jahangir. Under Shah Jahan, the boundaries of Bengal were extended on the south-west, Mednipur and Hijli having been annexed to Bengal, and in the east and north-east by conquests in Tipperah and Koch Hajo; and when Prince Shuja was made Governor of Bengal he made about 1658 A.C., a new rent-roll which shewed 34 Sarkars and 1,350 mahals, and a total revenue, in khalsa and jagir lands, of Rs. 1,31,15,907. — (See J.A.S., 1873, p. 219). Shuja's rent-roll remained in force till 1722 A.C., an addition having been made, after the re-conquest of Chittagong, and conquest of Assam and Koch Behar in Aurangzeb's time. In of the country of Bengal was Rajah Bhagirat, of the Khatri tribe. For a long period he held the sovereignty of Bengal. At length he went to Delhi and was killed with Darjudhan in the wars of the Mahabharat. His period of rule was 250 years. After this, 23 persons amongst his descendants, one after another, ruled for a period of nearly 2,200 years. ### [26.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.26.3) After that, the sovereignty passed from his family to Noj Gouriah, who belonged to the Kyesth tribe, and for 250 years he and his eight descendants ruled. The fortune of sovereignty passed from his family also to Adisur, who was also a Kyesth, and eleven persons, including himself and his descendants, ascending the throne, ruled for 714 years over the Kingdom of Bengal. And afterwards the sovereignty passing from his family to Bhiipal Kyesth, the latter with his descendants, forming ten persons, ruled over this kingdom for a period of 698 years. When their fortune decayed, Sukh Sen Kyesth with his descendants, numbering seven persons, ruled over the Kingdom of Bengal (Bangalah) for 160 years. And these sixty-one persons ruled absolutely over this kingdom for a period of 4,240 years. And when the period of their fortune was over, their fortune ended. Sukh Sen, of the Boido caste, became ruler, and after ruling for three years over this kingdom, died. After this, Ballal Sen, who built the fort of Gaur, occupied the throne of sovereignty for fifty years, and died. After this, Lakhman Sen for seven years, after him Madhu Sen for ten years, after him Kaisu Sen for fifteen years, after him Sada Sen for eighteen years, and after him Nauj for three years ruled. When the turns of these were over, Rajah Lakhmania, son of Lakhman, sat on the throne. At that time, the seat of government of the Rais of Bengal was Nadiah, and this Nadiah is a well-known city, and a seat of Hindii learning. ### [26.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.26.4) At present, though compared with the past, it is dilapidated and in ruin, still it is famous for its learning. The astrologers of that place, who were known over the world for their proficiency in astrology and soothsayings, unitedly at the time of delivery, informed Lakhmania's mother, that at this hour, an unlucky child would be born, who would bring about bad luck and misfortune, and that if it be born after two hours, it would succeed to the throne. This heroine ordered that both her legs should be bound together, and she should be suspended with her head downwards; and after two hours she came down, and the child was brought forth at the auspicious moment, but its mother died. Rajah Lakhmania for eighty years occupied the throne. In justice, he had no equal, and in liberality he had no match. It is said that his gifts amounted to no less than one hundred thousand. Towards the end of his life, when the perfection of the period of his sovereignty approached decay, the astrologers of that place said to Rajah Lakhmania: "From our knowledge of astrology, we have come to know, that shortly your sovereignty would come to an end, and that your religion would cease to be current in this kingdom." Rai Lakhmania, not regarding this prediction as truthful, put the cotton of neglect and ignorance in his ear, but many of the elite of that city secretly moved away to different places. ### [26.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.26.5) And this prediction was fulfilled by the invasion of Malik Ikhtiaru-d-din Muhammad Bakhtiar Khilji, as will be soon related hereafter. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.26](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.26) · Pramāṇa