MALIK AMBAR: POWERFUL PRIME MINISTER OF ONE OF INDIA'S MOST IMPORTANT REGIONS

MALIK AMBAR: POWERFUL PRIME MINISTER OF ONE OF INDIA'S MOST IMPORTANT REGIONS 

By Dr. Runoko Rashidi  

Painting of Malik Ambar

Of the descendants of Africans in India known as Siddis, the greatest was the celebrated Malik Ambar (1550-1626). Malik Ambar, whose original name was Shambu, was born around 1550 in Harar, Ethiopia. After his arrival in India, around 1575, Ambar was able to raise a formidable army and achieve significant power in the West Indian realm of Ahmadnagar. Ambar was a brilliant diplomat and administrator. He encouraged manufactures and built canals and mosques. He gave pensions to poets and scholars, sent an African ambassador to the court of Persia, established a postal service, and ultimately became one of the most famous men in India.