Khandesh: a sultanate in balance between Gujarat and Malwa

Abstract

One of the longest-lived of the sultanates in fourteenth and fifteenth century South Asia, the kingdom of Khandesh under the Faruqi dynasty survived from 1382 to 1601. Located in the Tapti valley, their capital moved from Thalner to Asirgarh and Burhanpur. Khandesh managed to survive because of its ability to serve as an ally, a vassal, and a subsidiary to more powerful neighbours as required by circumstances. There is reason to believe that the artisanal and crafts traditions of Khandesh mirror the political affiliations and aspirations of the Faruqi rulers. The material expression of Khandesh is therefore inextricably tied up with the sultanates of Gujarat, and particularly Malwa. In this context, it is important to understand the material culture of Khandesh as part of the cultural continuum from Sindh to Malwa. The sultanate of Gujarat, which has riverine connections with both Khandesh and Malwa, controlled their access to the sea, and therefore also had a hold over those two polities. Thus, the sultanates of Gujarat, Khandesh, and Malwa need to be understand as a single cultural zone and the architecture of the Faruqi sultanate of Khandesh can be read as a product of this cultural formation.