Xah Murad
First Emir of Bukhara from 1785 to 1800
About Xah Murad
Lived 1749 – 1800.
Shah Murad (Chagatai and ), also known as Beg-i Jan, alternatively titled Amir al-Mu'minin (lit. 'Commander of the Faithful'), Amir Ma'sum Ghazi or Padishah Ghazi in Bukharan historiography, was the first Amir of the Emirate of Bukhara from 1785 to his death in 1799. His father was Ataliq Daniyal Biy (1758–1785). After Daniyal Biy's death, Shah Murad came to power.
Youth Shah Murad was born in 1749 in Kermine into the family of a representative of the Uzbek aristocracy, Danial-Biy (1758-1785). He was the eldest of his eleven siblings. His mother was from the Uzbek Qongirat tribe. Shah Murad was the beloved son of his father, who affectionately called him Beg-i Jan. His political activity began during the life of Daniyal Biy. At first, he was the governor of Kermine but later was appointed as governor in Qarshi. From his youth, Shah Murad was inclined towards Sufism and spent his days in khanaqahs and mosques praying. He declined the wealth inherited from his father and wanted it distributed among the common folk. He introduced Islamic laws into the Bukharan administration. Amir Shahmurad built the city of Islamabad near Marv.
Political life In 1785, he launched a campaign against the Qajar Principality of Merv, intending to use it as a base for raids against Iran. He killed the governor, Bayram 'Ali Khan Qajar, and fully conquered the region in 1788.
Historian Ahmad Donish (1827-1897) suggested periodizing the history of Central Asia on the basis of the rule of the most prominent rulers, the so-called renovators of the century, among whom he included Amir Ma'sum, that is, Shah Murad. At the same time, along with these renovators, there were also the most knowledgeable scientists who advanced in the states of Maverannahr. Shah Murad maintained diplomatic relations with the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire.
Shah Murad died in December 1799 and was succeeded by Haydar bin Shah Murad.
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Important facts
Family & relationships
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Xah Murad's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Xah Murad?
First Emir of Bukhara from 1785 to 1800
When was Xah Murad born?
Xah Murad was born in 1749 in Bukhara.
When did Xah Murad die?
Xah Murad died in 1800 in Bukhara.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Xah Murad. https://biography.guide/xah-murad/
MLA: "Xah Murad." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/xah-murad/.
Chicago: "Xah Murad." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/xah-murad/.
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