Of the descendants of Africans in India known as Siddis, the greatest was the celebrated Malik Ambar (1550-1626). Malik Ambar, whose original name was Shambu, was born around 1550 in Harar, Ethiopia. After his arrival in India, around 1575, Ambar was able to raise a formidable army and achieve significant power in the West Indian realm of Ahmadnagar. Ambar was a brilliant diplomat and administrator. He encouraged manufactures and built canals and mosques. He gave pensions to poets and scholars, sent an African ambassador to the court of Persia, established a postal service, and ultimately became one of the most famous men in India.
