House of Ganesha explained

House of Ganesha
Native Name Lang:bn
Other Names:Banī Gaṇesh
Type:Royal house
Country:Bengal Sultanate
Region:Bengal
Etymology:Name of Raja Ganesha
Origin:Disputed
Founder:Raja Ganesha
Final Ruler:Shamsuddin Ahmad Shah
Titles:Sultan
Members:Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah
Traditions:Sunni Islam (formerly Hinduism)

The House of Ganesha (Bengali: গণেশ রাজপরিবার, Persian: {{Nastaliq|بنی کنس) was the second royal house of the late medieval Sultanate of Bengal. It is named after its founder Raja Ganesha, a wealthy Hindu nobleman, who succeeded the former Ilyas Shahi dynasty. His son embraced Islam and ruled as Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah, and was succeeded by his son Shamsuddin Ahmad Shah.

History

The Ganesha dynasty began with Raja Ganesha in 1414, from the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. After Raja Ganesha seized control over Bengal, he faced an imminent threat of invasion. Ganesha appealed to a powerful Muslim holy man named Qutb al Alam to stop the threat. The saint agreed on the condition that Raja Ganesha's son, Jadu, would convert to Islam and rule in his place. Raja Ganesha agreed and Jadu started ruling Bengal as Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah in 1415.

Qutb al Alam died in 1416 and Raja Ganesha was emboldened to depose his son and return to the throne as Danujamarddana Deva. Jalaluddin was reconverted to Hinduism by the Golden Cow ritual. After the death of his father, Jalaluddin once again converted to Islam and started ruling again.[1] Jalaluddin's son, Shamsuddin Ahmad Shah ruled for only 3 years due to chaos and anarchy. The dynasty is known for its liberal policies as well as its focus on justice and charity.

List of rulers

Titular Name(s)Personal NameReign
Raja Fandu

Bengali: রাজা ফন্দু
Ganesha

Bengali: গণেশ
1414-1415, 1416-1418
Sultan Jalal ad-Din

Bengali: সুলতান জালালউদ্দীন
Muhammad Shah

Bengali: মুহাম্মদ শাহ
1415-1416, 1418-1433
Sultan Shams ad-Din

Bengali: সুলতান শামসুদ্দীন
Ahmad Shah

Bengali: আহমদ শাহ
1433-1436

Notes and References

  1. Biographical encyclopedia of Sufis By N. Hanif, pg.320