Ali Shah Chak

Ali Shah (Persian: عَلی شاہ, romanized: Alī Shāh, lit. 'Exalted King'; Persian pronunciation: [ali:]) born Alī Shāh Chak (Persian: عَلی شاہ چَک, Kashmiri: علی شاہ ژَھک) was the third Chak Sultan^[1] succeeding his brother Husain Shah Chak who abdicated the throne in 1570.^[1] He was crowned as the 21st Sultan of Kashmir^[2] and ruled the Sultanate till 1578. Ali Shah appointed his long time faithful friend Sayyid Mubarak as his Wazīr. He died in December 1578 and was buried in Srinagar, Kashmir.^[3]

Ali Shah, although was involved mainly in internal and civil issues, was a just and able ruler. He looked after the welfare of the Sultanate and the subjects.^[4] Leading a simple and modest life, he treated all his ministers and councillors equally. With a considerate character, he was kind towards his rivals and even forgave the ones who took up arms against him.^[5] Being tolerant and liberal minded, he gave special status to the Sunnis, Pandits and the other ethnic and religious groups.^[6] He also appointed his Sunni Orthodox friend Sayyid Mubarak to the post of Wazīr.^[7] Nevertheless, his authority and rule was widely appreciated and his impartial attitude was greatly accepted by the public.