Mir Shihab-ud-Din Siddiqi, known by his title Ghaziuddin Khan, was a leading military general and noble of the Mughal empire during the reign of emperor Aurangzeb. He was an important player in Mughal court politics, and played key roles in several military campaigns. A favoured noble of Aurangzeb, he was the father of Chin Qilich Khan, founder of Hyderabad State. He also founded a madrasa in Old Delhi, today known as Madrasa Ghaziuddin Khan, where he is buried.
Early life
Ghaziuddin Khan was born in Bukhara (in present-day Uzbekistan) as Mir Shihab ud-Din Siddiqi, in the year 1649. He was the eldest son of Abid Khan, who had emigrated to Mughal India earlier than him and later became a favoured noble of emperor Aurangzeb. Ghaziuddin Khan's grandfather was a prominent intellectual of Bukhara named Alam Shaikh, who traced his descent to renowned saint Shihabuddin Suhrawardi.
Career
Reign of Aurangzeb
Mir Shihab-ud-Din arrived in Mughal India around 1670, during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Accepted into the court, he was soon deployed as a commander in several military campaigns of the Deccan. He received the title Ghaziuddin Khan Bahadur' in 1684 due to his successes fighting against the Marathas. He additionally received the title 'Firuz Jang' (victorious in battle) in 1685. He also distinguished himself in 1681 by performing a dangerous mission during the rebellion of Aurangzeb's fourth son, prince Muhammad Akbar.
