Zayn al-Abidin the Great

Ghiyath al-Din Shah Rukh Shahi Khan (Persian: غیاث الدین شاه رخ شاهی خان, romanized: Ghiyāth al-Dīn Shāh Rukh Shāhī Khān; 25 November 1395 – 5 April 1470), commonly known as Zayn al-Abidin the Great, was the ninth sultan of the Kashmir Sultanate, ruling first from 1418 to 1419 and then from 1420 to 1470. He was famously called Budshah (Great King) by his subjects.

The first 35 years of his reign are described by Jonaraja in the Rajatarangini Dvitiya, while the subsequent years are described by his pupil, Srivara, in the Rajatarangini Tritiya. The Sultan also composed poetry in Persian under the pen name of Qutb.

Under Zayn al-Abidin’s five-decade rule, Kashmir flourished with a remarkable economic stability, which spurred significant commercial growth. Diplomatic missions were dispatched to foreign lands, enhancing trade networks and boosting the region's commercial standing. This led to the expansion of bustling central markets in Srinagar and Anantnag. His reign also witnessed a vibrant cultural renaissance, with advancements in education, literature, and poetry. Additionally, Kashmiri architecture evolved, incorporating elements of Indo-Islamic styles, further enriching the region's heritage.

Zayn al-Abidin was succeeded as sultan by his son, Haji Khan, later known as Haider Shah.