25 Facts About Randaula Khan

Randaula Khan, spelt Ranadulla Khan, was a leading Indo-African general and viceroy of the Bijapur Sultanate during the 17th century.

Randaula Khan governed the southwestern region of the Sultanate from his administrative seat at Mirjan.

Randaula Khan was a key player in the Sultanate's politics, particularly during Mughal-Bijapur conflicts in the early 17th century.

Randaula Khan is remembered for leading conquests that expanded Bijapur southwards into the Karnataka region in the mid-17th century.

Randaula Khan was the son of Farhad Khan and nephew to Khairiyat Khan, both leading African nobles of the Bijapur Sultanate.

Randaula Khan governed the southwestern region of the Bijapur Sultanate as his family's hereditary fief, namely the southern Konkan region and Kanara.

Randaula Khan's administration extended from Ratnagiri in the west, southwards around Portuguese Goa to Karwar and Mirjan.

Randaula Khan played a key role in court politics in the years after Mohammad Adil Shah ascended Bijapur's throne in 1627.

Randaula Khan was a follower of Mustafa Khan, and while Mohammad Adil Shah initially carried out an alliance with the Mughals over the Nizam Shahis demise, the Mughals soon upset Bijapur by taking control of Dharpur, which caused the sultan to switch to an anti-Mughal policy and ally with the Nizam Shahis to combat the Mughals.

Around 1633, Randaula Khan was able to convince Fath Khan, ruler of the Nizam Shahi Sultanate, to oppose the Mughals; this led to the Siege of Daulatabad.

Randaula Khan participated in this siege alongside Shahji Bhonsle, disrupting Mughal efforts to capture the Nizam Shahi fort of Daulatabad by leading skirmishes upon the Mughal forces, disrupting communication lines, and smuggling supplies to aid the fort's garrison.

Randaula Khan was deputed to aid Shahji in attacking the Mughals' conquests in the former Nizam Shahi kingdom, in order to distract the Mughals from the Siege of Parenda.

Randaula Khan was deputed to ally with the Mughals in stopping Shahji; him and Mughal general Khan Zaman besieged Shahji at the fort of Mahuli, where Shahji surrendered and entered Bijapur's service.

Around this time, factionalism in the court of Bijapur grew, and Randaula Khan led the charge in carrying out the assassination of Khawas Khan, leading to Mustafa Khan becoming the leading noble.

In 1638, Randaula Khan was made commander-in-chief of the Bijapur armies deputed by Mohammad Adil Shah to undertake expeditions in the south.

Randaula Khan was assisted by another influential African of Bijapur, Siddi Reihan, in his exploits.

Keng Nayak asked for the principality of Sera, ruled by Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka, in return; Randaula Khan deputed Afzal Khan who conquered its fort.

Randaula Khan headed towards Bangalore and conquered the town from its ruler Kempe Gowda in three days.

Randaula Khan instated Shahji Bhonsle as the governor of the conquered territory.

Randaula Khan then headed southwards with Shahji and led a campaign against Kantiraya Narasa Raja, ruler of Mysore.

Randaula Khan pursued the latter, defeated him, arrested him, and shortly after killed him; this encouraged several local nayaks of Karnataka to submit to Bijapur's authority.

Randaula Khan subsequently brought a number of local rajas under Bijapur's control through the armed assault of Afzal Khan, conquering Chiknayakanhalli, Belur, Tumkur, Belapur, and Kunigal.

In 1643, armed expedition into the south was renewed and Randaula Khan successfully besieged the fort of Tikri.

Randaula Khan then returned to Bijapur again, and died the same year.

Randaula Khan was the leading example of successful generals involved in this effort.