Ahmadnagar, India

AHMADNAGAR, capital of the former kingdom of the Niẓām Shah dynasty on the west coast of India. Under Burhān Niẓām Shah I (1510–53), a Shi'a Muslim, it became a center of Hindu-Muslim culture and learning. Among the scholars attracted to his court and enjoying its atmosphere of complete religious tolerance were some Marranos from Portugal, including Sancho Pirez, who became a favorite of the king and was a friend of Garcia d'Orta . Garcia refers in his Colloquia (no. 26) to "Jews in the territory of Nizamuluco [Niẓām Shah]." A Jewish settlement also existed in the port of the kingdom, Chaul (now Revanda).

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Source: Encyclopaedia Judaica. © 2008 The Gale Group. All Rights Reserved.