Nawayath Sultanate
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Nawayath Sultanate | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late 13th century–1350s | |||||||||||||
 Extent of Nawayath Sultanate | |||||||||||||
| Status | Independent Kingdom until 1340 A.D. Subordinate to Unknown Kingdom of Gersoppa from 1340.[Note 1] | ||||||||||||
| Capital | Honnavar | ||||||||||||
| Common languages | Konkani Kannada Nawayathi | ||||||||||||
| Religion | Islam | ||||||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||||||
| Sultan | |||||||||||||
• Late 13th Century–Early 14th Century | Hasan Nakhuda | ||||||||||||
• Early 14th century–1350s | Jamaluddin Nakhuda | ||||||||||||
| Historical era | Medieval | ||||||||||||
• Established | Late 13th century | ||||||||||||
• Disestablished | 1350s | ||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| Today part of | India | ||||||||||||
Nawayath Sultanate (13th century C.E. to 14th century C.E.) also known as Hunnur Sultanate, was a tiny kingdom on the coast of Karavali, present-day Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It was probably established by Nawayath merchant Hasan Nakhuda at Hospattan, the village in Honnavar. It remained a sovereign kingdom until 1340, when the Harihara-nripala, the king of the unknown kingdom of Gersoppa, who controls the eastern part of the Sultanate, established his suzerainty over Sultan Jamaluddin. Unlike most of the kingdoms of the Indian Subcontinent, it was capable of marine warfare and possessed two of the most notable ships, namely the Tarida and the Ukairi.[Note 2]
The sultanate has patronized many architectural works, but they are under ruins, uninhabitable, or have vanished from the map of history, including the mosque built by Sultan Hasan Nakhuda, which resembles the grand mosque of Baghdad, the Mirjan Fort,[2] and the Fort of Hospattan in Honnavar.
Origin
[edit]The Sultan Hasan and Jamaluddin were from the Nawayath community, who are descendants of the Arabs. The term has been given different meanings by different authors, such as Suyuti, who describes Nawayath as the corrupt word of Banu-Wayat; it means children of Wayat who are the descendants of Abdullah-Wayat.[3] Conversely, Jafar Sharif presents an alternative origin, asserting that it comes from the Arabic term 'Nuwa-A-ay-t'hay', which translates to 'newcomer'.[4] Wilk supports the meaning given by Jafar Sharif but he describes the word Nevayet has the indian origin which may be the corruption of Hindustani and Marathi terms.[5] Another opinion is that it is apparently a Konkani word connected with Sanskrit nava (i.e., new) and implying new convert.[6]
Victor D'Souza concluded by not being satisfied with the perspectives provided by various authors. He asserts that it is implausible that the term navayat is the widespread distortion of the expressions for "newcomer" in several languages. Nor is it likely that individuals speaking different languages collectively chose the Sanskrit terms, as if by mutual agreement, to designate these newcomers. Furthermore, other expressions, such as those who arrived by boat or new converts, cannot be deemed as accurate terms. However, he determined that sailors represent a sensible interpretation of Navayats.[3]
History
[edit]Hasan Nakhuda
[edit]Jamaluddin Nakhuda's father, according to Ibn-e Batuta's narrative, erected a huge mosque similar to Grand Mosque of Baghdad after capturing Sindapur and founded a city there.[7] Hasan Nakhuda may have served as governor of Sindapur under Kadambas, like in the 11th century, a Muslim named Sadhan, son of Muhammad of Arabia, who served as governor.[1]
Jamaluddin Nakhuda
[edit]Sultan Jamaluddin Muhammed was pious to his religious duties and was one of the powerful rulers on the coast of Kanara. Tributes were paid to him by the Malabar king on a yearly basis because of his maritime power.[7] In 1338, Vira Ballala III stationed his army at Barkur to check the aggressive activities of Sultan Jamaluddin, who was threatening to overthrow the alupa king, the brother-in-law and vassal of Vira Ballala III.[1] In 1343, a fleet of 52 vessels departed for Sindapur upon receiving a message from the king of Sindapur's son, leading to the capture of Sindapur. Subsequently, in 1344, the king of Sindapur launched a surprise assault while the Sultanate's army was scattered throughout the region, with no available information on the outcome of this conflict.[8]
Cultural Influence
[edit]Hindus and Jains were impacted by the religious and moral code of Muslims. When it comes to the art of fighting, they imitate Muslims, while in the ground force and navy, the majority of officers were Muslim. Conversely, the livelihood of Muslims was shaped by Jains. It was common to use hot water and rice, yet wheat could be readily imported from other nations. Each individual was provided with a separate plate and spoon for dining. Moreover, on a plate with rice, various types of curries were placed, a practice influenced by Hindus that persists to this day.[9]
Mžik says that Shaikh Muhammed Nagauri considered his male and female slaves unclean and did not have his food prepared by them because of his belief in untouchability.[7][10]
Mahdi Husain rejects Mžik's remark about untouchability. According to him, the aforementioned Shaikh was a saint with strict habits who carefully avoided any chance of contamination or impurity when performing his devotional practice. For this reason, he was concerned about his servants.[7]
Education
[edit]There were 13 educational institutions dedicated to the education of female students, while 23 schools catered to the male student population. Furthermore, the female population during that historical period displayed a remarkable proficiency in memorizing the Quran. It is evident that there is a surplus of individuals holding the titles of alim and fazil residing within the specified geographical region.[9]
Travellers
[edit]Friar Jordanus
[edit]In the year 1328,[11] a French missionary and explorer embarked on a visit to the kingdom, during which he meticulously documented a detailed and succinct narrative recounting his expedition to Bhatigala, a place also recognized as Bhatkal. Historical records indicate that the ruler of Bhatigala was affiliated with the Saracens, denoting his adherence to the Islamic faith. According to the insights of Yule, it is probable that Jordanus was making a veiled reference to the sovereign of Honnavar, thereby shedding light on the intricate web of political and religious dynamics prevalent during that era.[12]
Ibn Battuta
[edit]The Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta visited the sultanate in 1343. According to Ibn Battuta, "The sultan of Hunnur, Jamal-ud-din Muhammad, son of Hasan, is one of the best and most powerful rulers, but he is subordinate to a heathen raja (Sultan) named Haryab." He met Faqqi Ismail (also known as Faqqi Ismail Sukri) of Bhatkal[Note 3] and the local Qazi Nuruddin Ali, and received hospitality from Shaikh Muhammed Nagauri (an-Naqauri). He speaks about their social, economic, religious, cultural, and administrative factors. He fought a battle of Sindapur alongside them and returned with victory; a year later, under uncertain circumstances, he was unable to return to Hunnur without giving further account.[7]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ According to Goarge Moraes, "The first record of Harihara I in Kanara is dated Sarvadhari A.D. 1348, when his minister Gautarasa was ruling the Mangalore."[1]
- ^ The Ukairi was a kind of long, pointed, low, uncovered warship that could be propelled by sails as well as by oars. It carries sixty oars and could be covered with a roof at the time of war, whereas the Tarida was a kind of ship built in such a way that one could mount a horse and ride inside and then come out riding after putting on one's armour.
- ^ In the article titled "Bhatkal Thousand Year old Party System," the author states that Faqqi Ismail Sukri was the Khateeb (orator) of Bhatkal at the time it was visited by Ibn Battuta.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Moraes, George M. (1939). "Haryab of Ibn Batuta". Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. 15: 37–42.
- ^ Vyjay, Sandy N. (2019). "Karnataka's forgotten fort". Deccan Herald.
- ^ a b S. D'souza, Victor (1955). "The Navayats Of Kanara (1955)". Kannada Research Institute Dharward.
- ^ Herklots, Gerhard Andreas; Sharif, Ja'far (1832). "Qanoon-e-Islam, or, the Customs of the Moosulmans of India : compromising a full and exact account of their various rites and ceremonies from the moment of birth till the hour of death". London : Parbury, Allen.
- ^ Wilks, Mark (1989). "Historical sketches of the South of India in an attempt to trace the history of Mysore : from the government of that state, extinction of the Mohammedan Dynastu in 1799, founded chiefly on Indian authorities. Vol 1". New Delhi : Asian Educational Services.
- ^ Yule, Henry; Burnell, A. C. (Arthur Coke) (1886). "Hobson-Jobson : being a glossary of Anglo-India colloquial words and phrases, and of kindred terms, etymological, historical, geographical and discursive". London : Murray.
- ^ a b c d e Battuta, Ibn (1976). Husain, Mahdi (ed.). The Rehla of Ibn Battuta. Oriental Institute Baroda. pp. 177–181. In this citation, the Nakhuda (ship owner) and Faqqi (Jurist) have been translated, which should not be the case. Till today, it is used as the surname of a person.
- ^ Moraes, George M (1931). The Kadamba Kula. Bombay B X Furtado And Sons.
- ^ a b Nadvi, Syed Abu Zafar (1947). Mukhtasar Tareekh i Hind (in Urdu). pp. 160–162.
- ^ Battuta, Ibn (1911). Mžik, Hans von (ed.). Die reise des Arabers Ibn Ba???a durch Indien und China (14. jahrhundert) (German ed.). University of Michigan Library.
- ^ Barbosa, Duatre (1918). Dames, Mansel Longworth (ed.). The Book Of Duarte Barbosa Vol. 1. Hakluyt Society. p. 187.
- ^ Jordanus, Catalani (1863). Yule, Henry (ed.). Mirabilia descripta : the wonders of the East. London : Printed for the Hakluyt Society.
- ^ محمد الیاس, فقیہ احمدا ندوی. بھٹکل ہزار سالہ جماعتی نظام دارالقضاء (in Urdu). شعبہ نشرواشاعت جماعت المسلمین بھٹکل. pp. 11–16.