Nawab, Sultan, and Badshah: Hierarchical Differences and Legal Authority in Medieval South Asia

In medieval and early modern South Asia, Muslim rulers used different titles to show their level of power and authority. The titles Nawab, Sultan, and Badshah were commonly used, but each had a different meaning and status. Sometimes their powers overlapped, especially when big empires became weak, but in general these titles showed a clear order of rank and authority among rulers.

1. Sultan

Meaning and Origin 

Derived from the Arabic word sulṭān, meaning “authority” or “power.” It emerged as a title for independent Muslim rulers in the Islamic world, often implying sovereignty while sometimes acknowledging the nominal spiritual authority of the Caliph.

Status and Authority

• A fully sovereign ruler of an independent kingdom or sultanate.
• Exercised complete control over military, administration, taxation, justice, and law within their domain.
• In theory, derived legitimacy from Islamic principles, with some early rulers seeking formal investiture from the Caliph.

Historical Examples 

• Rulers of the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526), including Qutb al-Din Aibak, Alauddin Khalji, and the Lodi dynasty.
• Independent Deccan Sultanates (e.g., Bijapur, Golconda, Bahmani).
• Later regional powers like the Bengal Sultanate.

Position in Hierarchy

• Independent sovereign, but typically for kingdoms rather than vast empires.
• Generally ranked below Badshah in imperial contexts.

2. Badshah (Padshah)

Meaning and Origin

Of Persian origin (pādshāh), literally “master king” or “king of kings.” It evoked pre-Islamic Persian imperial traditions (e.g., Shahanshah) and signified supreme, unchained sovereignty without deference to a Caliph.

Status and Authority 

• An emperor ruling a large, multi-regional empire.
• Held overlordship over subordinate rulers (including Sultans or Nawabs).
• Issued farmans (imperial decrees) binding across the realm and claimed ultimate legal and military supremacy.

Historical Examples

• Mughal emperors from Babur onward (e.g., Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb), who deliberately adopted Persianate titles to distinguish themselves from the “Sultan” tradition of the Delhi Sultanate.
• Some later regional rulers (e.g., Tipu Sultan of Mysore occasionally used variants).

Position in Hierarchy 

Highest rank: imperial, above Sultan and Nawab.

3. Nawab

Meaning and Origin 

From Arabic nāʾib (plural nuwwāb), meaning “deputy” or “representative.” Initially a gubernatorial title bestowed by higher sovereigns.

Status and Authority 

• Typically, a provincial governor or semi-autonomous ruler under a Sultan or Badshah.
• Authority derived from the overlord; included local administration, revenue collection, and justice, but subject to oversight or revocation.
• During Mughal decline (18th century), many became de facto independent.

Historical Examples

• Nawabs of Bengal, Awadh (Oudh), Arcot, and Bhopal under Mughal suzerainty.
• The Nizam of Hyderabad used a distinct but related title, though subordinate Nawabs existed under him.

Position in Hierarchy

• Lowest among the three: subordinate or regional, below Sultan and Badshah.

4. Key Differences at a Glance

5. Legal Authority

Legal powers varied by rank and historical context

Badshah: Highest authority—issued binding farmans across the empire, framed laws, appointed/dismissed subordinates, and served as the ultimate appellate court. Mughal Badshahs blended Sharia with customary and royal regulations, often without Caliphal oversight. 

Sultan: Independent within their realm—enforced Sharia, royal edicts, taxation, and justice. Some sought Caliphal legitimacy (e.g., Iltutmish), but most ruled autonomously. 

Nawab: Limited to their province—administered justice, collected revenue, and maintained order, but subject to confirmation or intervention by the superior (Sultan/Badshah). In practice, 18th-century Nawabs gained near-sovereign powers amid central decline.

6. Changing Nature of Titles

Titles were fluid amid political shifts: 

• Delhi rulers used “Sultan” until Babur’s adoption of “Badshah” to emphasize Persian-Timurid heritage.
• Mughal decline allowed Nawabs to assert independence (e.g., Bengal, Awadh assuming kingly styles).
• Some Nawabs later adopted “Badshah” under British encouragement to shed Mughal ties.
• Real power often diverged from nominal rank, influenced by military strength and alliances.

Conclusion

These titles showed different levels of power: a Nawab was a deputy or regional ruler, a Sultan was an independent king, and a Badshah was an emperor. The differences also reflect a change in political culture—from Turkic and Arabic traditions during the Delhi Sultanate to Persian-style imperial rule under the Mughals. Understanding these titles helps us see how power was organized in layers and how ideas of rule and sovereignty developed in medieval Indian history.