Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khana who is known as 'Rahim' was a composer or poet in the times of Mughal Emperor Akbar, and one of his main nine ministers in his court, also known as the Navaratnas. He is mostly known for his Hindi couplets and his books on Astrology.  A Muslim by birth, Rahim was a devotee of Lord Krishna and wrote poetry dedicated to him. He was also an avid Astrolger and the writer if two important works in Astrology Khet Kautukam and Dwawishd Yogavali are still popular.

Early days of Rahim’s Life

In 1573 A.D, Akbar took Abdul Rahim on his battle march to Patan. In 1576 A.D, Abdul Rahim was appointed to Gujrat as Vazír Khan having the management of the province. In the 25th year, he was made Mir Arz, and three years later, ataliq to Prince Salim. Soon after, he was sent against Sulṭan Muzaffar of Gujrát. Abdul Rahim defeated Muzaffar two times.

After these two victories Akbar made Abdul Rahim a commander of five thousand, and gave him the coveted title of Khán Khánán. For this reason historians generally call him 'Mírza Khan Khanan'.

Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khana's role in Akbar's court

When Gujrat was finally conquered, Abdul Rahim gave his whole property to his soldiers, even his inkstand, which was given to a soldier who came last and said, he had not received anything. After the internal affairs of Gujrát are settled, Abdul Rahim rejoined the Court.

In the 34th year he did Persian translation of Babur's Chaghtai Memoirs. Towards the end of the same year he was appointed Vakíl and in 1591 A.D his jagir was transferred to Multan.

When Sulṭan Murad went with his troops for the conquest of the Dakhin, Akbar sent Abdul Rahim to his assistance. When Abdul Rahim, joined head quarters at Fort Chandor, 30 kms from Ahmadnagar, he was cold-shouldered by the Prince; and, in result of it, he hesitated to take an active part in the operations. Only on one occasion after Murad's departure from Ahmadnagar, he took a prominent part in the war. After a lot of struggle they charged the flank of the enemy and defeated them.

Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khana's Family

Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana was the son of Akbar’s trusted caretaker, Bairam Khan who had Turk ancestry. When Humayun returned to India, from his exile, his asked the nobles in court to forge matrimonial alliances with various zamindars, feudal lords, across the nation. While Humayun himself married the elder daughter of Jamal Khan of Mewat (present Mewat district of Haryana), he asked Bairam to marry the younger daughter. Abdul Rahim was born in Lahore in 1556 A.D.

His father Bairam Khan was murdered in Patan, Gujarat. Bairam Khan’s wife and young Rahim were brought safely to Ahmedabad, from there brought to Delhi and to royal court of Akbar. Akbar respected his works and also helped him in marrying him to Mah Banu, sister of Mirza Aziz Kokah, son of Ataga Khan, a noted Mughal noble.

Later, Bairam Khan's wife became the second wife of Akbar, which made Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khan Akbar’s stepson.

Last Days of Rahim’s Life

Abdul Rahim's memorable deeds are the victories of Gujrat and Sind and the defeat of Suhail Khan of Bijapur. During Jahangir's reign, he did nothing remarkable; and  wasn’t  treated with the respect, but he was allowed to retain his rank. For nearly thirty years, he had been serving in the Dak'hin. Every grandee, and even the princes, accused him of secret friendship with the rulers of the Dak'hin, and Abulfazl, on one occasion, gave his fatwá that Abdur rahim was a rebel.

His two sons were killed by Akbar's son Jehangir and their bodies left to rot at the Khooni Darwaza because Rahim was not in favour of Jehangir's accession to the throne at Akbar's death.

Abdul Rahim’s tomb is situated in Nizamuddin on the Mathura Road ahead of Humayun's Tomb in New Delhi, it was built by him for his wife in 1598 A.D, and later he was himself buried in it in 1627 A.D. Later, in 1753 A.D, marble and sandstone from this tomb was used for the making of Safdarjung's Tomb, also in New Delhi.

Why was Rahim Popular?

He is well known for his strange manner of giving alms to the poor. He never looked at the person he was giving alms to, keeping his gaze downwards in all humility. He was also popular for his bravery.

Apart from writing various dohas, Rahim translated Babur's memoirs from Chagatai language to Persian language, which was completed in 1589 A.D - 1590 A.D. His command over Sanskrit was very good. He wrote two books on Astrology, Kheta Kautukama and Dwawishd Yogavali.

The popularity of the poet is such that even today his couplets are recited in day-to-day language in northern India.

Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khana's Tomb

The tomb of Abdul Rahim Khan, entitled 'Khan-i-Khanan', lies on the east of Mathura Road, opposite Nizamuddin's shrine. Originally built of red sandstone, the tomb follows the pattern of Humayun's tomb. The tomb, which is square in shape, stands on a high pedestal with arches and cells on all sides. The structure is a double storeyed and has a high deeply recessed central arch on each side with several smaller arches all around. There are pavilions at the corners around the central dome and open halls extending from the middle of each side. The tomb lost its original grandeur in the later period because the red sandstone, marble and other stones that were used in its construction were removed and used to decorate Safdarjang's tomb.

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