Adham Khān

Mughal captain

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July 23, 2026

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Adham Khan was a Mughal captain who served under Emperor Akbar. His life ended abruptly in 1562 when he murdered Shams-ud-din, a minister, in the audience hall. In response to this act, Akbar ordered Adham Khan's execution by being thrown from the palace terrace twice. This event highlights the swift and severe justice administered during Akbar's reign.1

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8 Strange Deaths in the Mughal Empire
Adham Khan
Adham Khan was the foster brother of Akbar and also served as a general in the Mughal ruler’s army. During Akbar’s conquest of the Malwa region in India, Adham Khan was accused of under-reporting the spoils of the war and appropriating much of it for…
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Adham Khan was the foster brother of Akbar and also served as a general in the Mughal ruler’s army. During Akbar’s conquest of the Malwa region in India, Adham Khan was accused of under-reporting the spoils of the war and appropriating much of it for…
Read More

India
The early years
…rapidly to Sarangpur to punish Adham Khan, the captain in charge of the expedition, for improper conduct. Second, he appointed Shams al-Dīn Muḥammad Atgah Khan as prime minister (November 1561). Third, at about the same time, he took possession of Chunar, which had always defied Humāyūn.
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…rapidly to Sarangpur to punish Adham Khan, the captain in charge of the expedition, for improper conduct. Second, he appointed Shams al-Dīn Muḥammad Atgah Khan as prime minister (November 1561). Third, at about the same time, he took possession of Chunar, which had always defied Humāyūn.
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