Ahmadnagar

Ahmadnagar or Ahmednagar , city (1991 pop. 222,088), Maharashtra state, W central India, on the Sina River. It is a district administrative center and has industries in cotton and cotton goods and copper and brass goods. The district has a significant sugar industry.

Founded in 1490, it became the capital of the important Deccan kingdom of Ahmadnagar; it was captured (1600) by Akbar's forces after heroic resistance. In the mid-18th cent. it was taken by the Marathas. The fort was used by British for political prisoners, including Nehru (1942-45).

Nizam Shahi Muslim dynasty of Ahmadnagar, based in the north-western Indian Deccan region, that flourished from 1490 to 1637. Its founder was Malik Ahmad who revolted against the BAHMANIS and set up an independent kingdom centred on a new capital, Ahmadnagar, which took its founder's name. His main achievement was the conquest of Daulatabad (1499). He and his successors then engaged in almost constant warfare. After abandoning an alliance with the Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagar, they participated in the final destruction of that city in 1565. The dynasty presented spirited resistance to subsequent Mogul encroachment into its territories but had lost all independent existence by 1637.

Akbar I ( the Great) (1542–1605) Emperor of India (1556–1605). Generally regarded as the greatest ruler of the Mogul Empire, he assumed personal control in 1560 and set out to establish Mogul control of the whole of India, extending his authority as far s as Ahmadnagar. Akbar built a new capital at Fatehpur Sikri and endeavoured to unify his empire by conciliation with Hindus. He also tolerated Christian missionaries.