Shams ul-Umara, Shams ul-Mulk, Shams ud-Daula, Nawab Muhammad' Abu’l Fath Khan Bahadur, Taigh Jang Bahadur ['Abu’l Khair Khan II] [Imam JungIII] was an Indian nobleman and founder of the House of Paigah.
Abu'l Fateh Khan was born to Nawab Muhammad Abu’l Khair Khan, Shamsher Bahadur, and Imam Jang I, the Governor of Shikohabad under Mughal EmperorAurangzeb. Muhammad Abu’l Khair Khan was granted the hereditary title of Khan and rose to the command of an Imperial mansab of 2,500 zat under Emperor Aurangzeb; his statesmanship was noticed by Nizam-ul-Mulk (the then Prime Minister of Mughal, and later founder of Asaf Jahi dynasty and known as Nizam I) and was appointed as Deputy Governor of Malwa and Khandesh.
He joined Nizam on his way to Deccan and accompanied him in the battles against Maratha. During Nizam I's campaign to Delhi to negotiate and stop Nadir Shah, Khan safeguarded his Nizamat in Deccan and defeated a rebellion by his son Salabat Jung. During his career under Nizam I, he was appointed Qila DarofDhar (1724), FaujdarofNabinagar, Mandu (1724), and later elevated to Naib Subadar, Deputy Governor Khandesh and Aurangabad. He was buried in Burhanpur. His titles are Khan Bahadur, Shamsher Bahadur, and Imam Jang I. He had two sons: 1st Abul Barakat Khan Imam Jung II, who was shot to death during his father's lifetime while inspecting the fort near Poona, which was captured from Maratha Empire. He is buried in Burhanpur.
Abu'l Fateh Khan commanded several battles. He commanded The Battle of Udgir (1760 AD) against Balaji Baji Rao Peshwa III, accompanied Nizam Ali Khan Asaf Jah II in all his campaigns, commanded Campaign Adoni against Tipu Sultan 1200 H (1781 AD), and commanded the Battle of Nirmal (1783 AD) against Ehtasham Jung (Zafar ud Dowla Dhaunsa). Abul Fatah Khan died at Pongel while on his way to face Tipu Sultan during the 2nd Mysore War on 1 January 1791. He is buried in the Paigah Tombs.
Abu’l Fateh Khan married Ladli Begum Sahiba, the second daughter of his cousin, Muhammad Amjad Khan Bahadur. They had a son named Amir e Kabir Shams-ul-Umra I.
Tomb of Abu’l Fath Khan Bahadur, Taigh Jang BahadurPaigah Coat of Arms
After the death of Abu'l Fateh Khan, his son inherited his titles and estate and married Sahibzadi Bashir unnisa Begum Sahiba, the youngest daughter of Asaf Jah II, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, and Nawab Mir Nizam Ali Khan. This began the tradition of the Nizam's daughters marrying noble young men from Paigah. These men also served as Amirs, holding honorary monarchal (standard) behind the Nizam.[2]
