Africans in India: From slaves to rulers

This painting shows a reservoir built by an Abyssinian eunuch in the 17th Century   

India and Africa have a shared history in trade, music, religion, arts and architecture,

but the historical link between these two diverse regions is rarely discussed.

Many Africans travelled to India as slaves and traders, but eventually settled down to play

an important role in India's history of kingdoms, conquests and wars.

Abyssinians, also known as Habshis in India, mostly came from the Horn of Africa !

Africans were successful in India because of their military prowess and administrative skills.

"African men were employed in very specialised jobs, as soldiers, palace guards,

or bodyguards; they were able to rise through the ranks becoming generals, admirals,

and administrators,"

This 17th-Century cloth painting depicts a procession of Deccani sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah.

African guards are seen here as part of the sultan's army.

                           

This 1887 painting from Kutch portrays the Sidi Damal, a religious, ecstatic dance form of

the Muslim Sidis who were brought to India from East Africa. 

Africans also brought their music to India.

This artwork dated 1640-1660 shows a player of the African lyre.

       

In this 1904 photo taken in Hyderabad in the Deccan region :

Africans guards are seen escorting a royal procession.

             

The most celebrated of the powerful Ethiopian leaders in India was Malik Ambar (1548-1626).

His mausoleum still exists in Khuldabad, near Aurangabad district in western India.

This painting shows Nawab Sidi Haidar Khan of Sachin.

The African-ruled state of Sachin was established in 1791 in Gujarat.

It had its own cavalry and a state band that included Africans, its own coats of arms, currency,

and stamped paper.

In 1948, when the princely states were incorporated into independent India and ceased to exist

Sachin had a population of 26,000 - 85% Hindu and 13% Muslim -