Ali Khan ascended the throne as ‘Ali Shah Chak’. Like his brother Husain Shah, ‘Ali Shah too was a just and wise ruler. He showed great respect twards saints and friars . Although the Chaks were Shia’s and the Shia’s of Kashmir are condemned like the Sunnis of Balkh. It appears on the testimony of a great Sunni leader, the lieutenant of Sultan-ul-Arifin Shaikh hamnza Makhdum, namely, Baba Daud Khaki, that this ruler was good to the Sunnis.
An impostor from Iran dressed in the grab of a darvish and named Shah Arif came to Kashmir. He claimed relationship with the reigning Safavi King, but was found out. Soon after his accession, ‘Ali Shah put an end to all feuds among his nobles. He appointed Sayyid Muhammad Mubarak Baihaqi, who was a Sunni, as his prime minister. Syed Muhammad Mubarak Baihaqi whom we have known in the course of the struggle between Muhammad Shah and Fath Shah. Sayyid Muhammad Mubarak was the Son of Sayyid Ibrahim Baihaqi. These Baihaqis descended from Sayyid Muhammad Baihaqi, the father-in-law of Bad Shah and had migrated to Kashmir during the time of Sultan Sikandar from Baihaq a district to the North-West of Nishapur in Iran. They took a very prominent part in the politics of Kashmir during the days of the Later Shah-Miris.
Sayyid Mubarak Baihaqi, ‘Ali Shah’s prime minister, a brave man indeed, seems to have been a person singularly disposed towards peace, and settling affairs by tact. He showed great wisdom on several occasions: notably in securing the King’s pardon for ‘Ali Chak, son of Nauruz Chak, who had been imprisoned for rebellion. He also restored peace and amity between the monarch and his son Yusuf Khan who had killed, in an altercation, Ibrahim Khan, popularly known as Ibba Khan, the son of Ghazi Chak.
Bahadur Singh, the raja of Kishtwar, who had ascended the gaddi in 1570 A.C. was defeated twice in succession. After his first defeat in 1572 A.C., the Raja offered to the Badshah’s grandson, Yaqub Khan, his sister Shankar Devi. This lady, later on, gained the sobriquet of Fath Khatun and subsequently took her husband, when he was defeated by Akbar, to Kishtwar. The Raja also promised to maintain the annual tribute. When he was defeated the second time in 1574, the Raja gave his son Narain Singh as hostage, and renewed his pledge for payment of tribute. The same year ‘Ali Shah received Qazi Sadr-ud-Din and Maulana ‘Ishqi, Akbar’s ambassadors, with a message of matrimonial alliance. He thereupon sent his niece, Husain Shah’s Daughter, who had previously been sent back by Akbar, along with presents. He also included Akbar’s name in the Friday sermon and struck coin in the Emperor’s name, indicating that he owned Akbar as his suzerain.
In 1984 A.H. (1576 A.C.) Kashmir suffered from a famine which lasted for three years. Food had become so scarce that, at times, people actually stooped to cannibalism. Zaiti Chak, popularly known as Zait Shah, was a zealous darvish and a disciple of Shaikh Hamza Makhdum. When ‘Ali Shah asked Zaiti how long the famine was to last, Zaiti frankly told him that the cessation of famine would synchronize with his death. The King met his death while playing Polo in the plain of ‘Idgah, as the pommel of his saddle entered his stomach. Before his death, however, he saw his son, Yusuf, crowned King to prevent Abdal Khan Chak, his own brother, from creating any mischief. Abdal Khan Chak was eventually killed by Sayyid Mubarak Baihaqi, the Vazir-i-Azam.
Reference:
Sufi,G.M.D (1996). Kashmir Under The Mughals. Kashir: Being A History Of Kashmir(pp.225-227) Delhi:Capital Publishing House.
