Lad Malika: The Key To Chunar

Lad Malika, The Key To Chunar

The Story of Sher Shah Sur is a legendary one. The Bihari Afghan who deflated the Mughal Empire, and almost* established a lasting Afghan dynasty in the north. There were a number of reasons Sher Shah became great, and one of those reasons was Lad Malika.

Lad Malika was Sher Shah’s first wife. According to Sher Shah’s descendent, Abbas Khan Sarwani, she was a woman of great sagacity and wisdom, and someone who possessed the talent for government.

Before meeting Sher Khan she was married to one Taj Khan, They ruled their own little fiefdom around the Chunar Fort. They had hired few Central Asian generals, and managed their affairs well. However, they were still a small fish in a sea of growing sharks.

Taj Khan, however, had a problem. He had preferred Lad Malika over his other wives and sons. Not happy with the arrangement, Taj’s oldest son went after Lad with his sword. Taj, had gone to defend his wife and was struck, and later died from the wound.

There was now a succession crisis in the little kingdom. We have the sons of Taj Khan, technically heirs but with no loyalty from anyone in the military, and Lad Malika, who well versed in the art of politics had earned (and purchased) the loyalty of the generals.

It was probable that the lady could have ruled over the territory well, but for how long? It was not a question of capability, but of perception. Every kingdom around her would have perceived her as an ample target, and the sons of Taj would not rest either…

This is where Sher Khan entered the picture. As a growing power in the region, he offered her protection, the opportunity to continue ruling the fort on her own, and with no sons of her own, an added layer of legitimacy.

In accepting the deal, Sher Khan and Lad Malika also allowed the heirs and other wives of Taj Khan to live and move on peacefully, with the exception of the oldest son of Taj that had killed his father, who had his ears removed as punishment.

In accepting the marriage proposal, Lad Malika had given a handsome dowry to Sher Khan of gems and gold, in total value of around 9 lakh (900,000 coins for westerners). This initial sum was essential for funding his Afghan alliance, and his campaigns against Bengal and Bihar.

Lad is a prime example of a woman taking principal roles within the empires. Cunning, and politically savvy, It is assured that while Sher Shah was off conquering, the essential role of having a capable administration was taken care of.

South Asia, from Kabul, to the Deccan, to Bihar and Bengal, we see strong women taking roles outside of servitude, and having the ability to rule successfully. Stories undertold, but equally as worthy of attention.