Ali Mardan Khan was a
Kurd of the Zig tribe, and son of Safavid official
Ganj Ali Khan. In 1624, Ali Mardan Khan inherited his father's position when he was appointed governor of
Kerman,
Sistan, and Qandahar by the Safavid emperor Shah Abbas. Like his father, Ali Mardan Khan governed from the city of Qandahar. In 1625, control of Kerman was handed over to
Tahmasp Qoli Khan for administrative reasons. In 1632, Ali Mardan Khan began a series of correspondences with the Mughal court, culminating in the official surrender of his territories (including Qandahar) to the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in March 1638. The likely reason for his actions was fear of assassination by the Safavid ruler Shah Safi, who had already caused the death or disappearance of several prominent individuals in the Safavid government. The handover of Qandahar's fortress was highlighted in Mughal and Safavid chronicles, being applauded and condemned respectively. Ali Mardan Khan's defection was generously rewarded by Shah Jahan, who sent him several gifts. , c.1640 Ali Mardan Khan experienced a meteoric rise in Mughal government, becoming a member with important responsibilities and a highly favoured noble of Shah Jahan. By the year 1643, he had become the highest ranked in the Mughal nobility by reaching a rank of 7000
zat (infantry) and 7000
sowar. He was also honoured with the title
Amir al-Umara (lord of the lords). Early in his tenure (1638) he was appointed governor of
Kashmir; he was later additionally appointed to the
Punjab, and finally was moved to a strategic position as governor of Kabul, which he held until his death. In 1657, Ali Mardan Khan fell ill and died due to a pandemic in the
Indian subcontinent. He was buried in the tomb of his mother, today the
Tomb of Ali Mardan Khan. == Family ==