Amir Kulal

Who was Amir Kulal?

Shams ud-Din a descendant of Nabi Muhammad. Saif ud Din Hamza (sometimes called Saif ud-Din Kulal) was also Amir (chieftain) of Tribe of Kulal (Amir-i-Kulal), hence the title Amir. After Saif ud-Din Hamza’s death Shams ud-Din took up the role of head of the tribe by which time his reputation as a scholar and religious figure had spread through Turkistan, and the title Amir-i-Kulal had become synonymous with Shams ud-Din, which stays to this day. He had number of students who later became prominent figures in history including Baha-ud-Din Naqshband and Amir Timur. He is buried at Sokhar (Sukhar), near Bukhara. After rise of the Timurid Dynasty a symbiotic relationship began between the houses of Amir Timur and Amir Kulal which continued through the Mughal line in India.

It might be noted here that Amir Kulal’s grandfather (also called Shams ud-Din) was the spiritual mentor of Barlas Tribe and Turghai (Amir Timur’s father) and is buried at Shahrisabz. Sometimes Amir Kulal’s grandfather is confused with Amir Kulal (both having the same name).