41¾ x 18½in. (106 x 47cm.)

This important historical document is dated to the month of Jumada al-Akhar of the 46th regnal year of Aurangzeb (r. 1658-1707). It authorizes the transfer of authority over the fortress of Muhammadabad (Bidar) and Paranda in the Deccan to Jalal al-Din Khan, following the removal of Ghairat Khan from these posts. The reverse of the firman has a seal with the titles Amir al-'Umara and is dated AH 1113/1701-02 which corresponds to the 46th regnal year of Aurangzeb. This is probably the same Jalal al-Din Khan who in 1688 had already been appointed as qiladar (fort commander) at Golconda (Maria Sardar, Golconda through time, a mirror of the Evolving Deccan, Ann Arbour, 2007, p. 189).