Shihabuddin Omar facts for kids

Shihab-ud-din Omar was a very young ruler who became the Sultan of the Khalji Dynasty in India. He was the fourteenth Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate. He ruled for a very short time in 1316. After his father, Alauddin Khalji, passed away, Shihab-ud-din Omar became sultan. He was just a child, and a powerful general named Malik Kafur helped him take the throne. Later, his brother, Qutb-ud-din Mubarak, took over as the main ruler and eventually became the new Sultan himself.

Early Life

Shihab-ud-din Omar was born around 1310 or 1311. A historian from the 14th century, Isami, wrote about his family. Shihab-ud-din was the son of Sultan Alauddin and a woman named Jhatyapali. Jhatyapali was the daughter of Ramachandra, a ruler from the Yadava family who was loyal to Alauddin.

Becoming Sultan

In his last years, Sultan Alauddin Khalji became very ill. During this time, his trusted slave-general, Malik Kafur, took control of the government.

Choosing the Next Ruler

Alauddin's oldest son, Khizr Khan, was put in prison at Gwalior. He was accused of planning to harm his father. After this, Malik Kafur called a meeting of important officers. They met by Alauddin's bedside to decide who would be the next sultan.

It was decided that Shihabuddin would become the new sultan. Malik Kafur would act as his regent, meaning he would rule for the young sultan. According to historian Isami, Alauddin was too weak to speak at the meeting. However, everyone agreed that his silence meant he approved of the decision. At this time, Shihabuddin was only a little over six years old.

The Announcement

Alauddin Khalji died on the night of January 3-4, 1316. The very next day, Kafur gathered all the important officers and nobles. He announced that Shihabuddin was the new Sultan. Kafur read an order that he said was from Alauddin. This order stated that Alauddin had removed his eldest son, Khizr Khan, from being the heir. Instead, Shihabuddin was named as the successor. Alauddin's other sons were told to show their respect to the new young Sultan.

His Time as Sultan

Shihabuddin's full royal title was "al-sultan al-azam shihab al-dunya wa'l din abu'l muzaffar umar shah al-sultan."

Kafur's Control

During Malik Kafur's short time as regent, Shihabuddin's role was very small. He only appeared in a short court ceremony each day. After this ceremony, Kafur would send Shihabuddin back to his mother. Then, Kafur would hold separate meetings to give orders to the various officers.

To keep his power, Kafur took harsh actions against Alauddin's family. He had Alauddin's sons, Khizr Khan and Shadi Khan, blinded. He also imprisoned Alauddin's senior queen and another adult son, Mubarak Shah. Some historians say that Kafur even married Alauddin's widow, Jhatyapalli, who was Shihabuddin's mother. This might have been a way for Kafur to make his power seem more legitimate.

End of His Reign

The former bodyguards of Alauddin Khalji were not happy with Kafur's actions against the royal family. They decided to kill Kafur. After Kafur was killed, his murderers freed Mubarak Shah, Alauddin's imprisoned son.

Mubarak Shah was first appointed as the regent, just like Kafur had been. In April 1316, Mubarak Shah took control of Shihabuddin. He then became the Sultan himself. Shihabuddin was moved to Gwalior, where he passed away later that same year.