The Children of Ethiopian`s in Medieval India
The Famous Malik Ambar

By Tedla M.Gebeyehu

In Medieval India one of the most famous Ethiopian who elevated himself to a position of great authority was the celebrated Malik Ambar 1550-1626. Malik Ambar, whose original name was Shambu, was born around 1550 in Harar, Ethiopia.

After his arrival in India, Ambar was able to raise a formidable army and achieve great power in the west Indian realm of Ahmadnagar. Ambar was a brilliant diplomat and administrator . He encouraged manufactures and built canals and mosques . He gave pensions to poets and scholars, established a postal service, and ultimately became one of the most famous men in India.

In those Medieval times, there was a long-standing trade between Ethiopia and India was accompanied export of Ethiopian Gold, Ivory, Cattle, Spices, Seeds, Slaves, Wild Animals etc. Indian export of Silks, cotton, Jewels,Iron, Steel, Precious Stones, sugar, vessels, cloth and many more. All this trade activities between Ethiopia and India documented by Travellers, Traders, Explorers, Historians,Writters,Merchants in different times by different Nationalities like Cummonk, Kosmos Indikopleustes, Tome Pires, Ludovico di Varthema,Andrea Corsali, Dimashki, Francisco Alvres, Duarte Barbosa, Miguel de Castanhoso, Thomas and many more.

This trade relations between the two Countries opened the way to many Ethiopians to Immigrate in many parts of India. Such men, women and children,who Immigrated to Indiain in those days Known as Siddis, Hapshis, a corruption of the Arabic word Habash, or Abyssinian. but no dought the word includes other Africans who Immigrated to the area as well like west Africans from Niger area. This Ethiopians established settlements in many parts of India like Deccan, in the north-west especially Gujarat and Gulf of Cambay, in the east of the sub-Continent, in Bengal which they were engaged in extensive Red sea trade. Those Ethiopians (Hapshis, Siddis) played a major role in Indian history, they rise from slavery to the highest positions. Several established ruling Dynasties. Hapshis, Siddis (Ethiopians) are known to have arrived in India as early as the thirteenth century.

The first Hapshis of whom we have record was Jamal ad-din yaqut, who is reported to have won the favor of Queen Radiyya 1236-1240 in the kingdom of Delhi.In the second decade of the sixteenth century a European traveler named Armando Cortesao noted that:-
" The people who govern the kingdom ( Bengal ) are Abyssinians (Ethiopians). These men are looked upon as knights; they are greatly esteemed; they wait on the kings in their apartments. The chief among them are eunuchs and these come to be kings and great lords in the kingdom. Those who are not eunuchs are the fighting men. After the king, it is to this people that the kingdom is abedient from fear."

Back to main page!