Padishah

history

Padishah, Badishah, or Badshah is a very prestigeous title derived from the Persian word Padshah, which is based on the better-known title "Shah", assumed by several islamic monarchs, notably these rulers, the first three commanding major muslim empires :

• the Shahanshah) of Iran (Persia);

• the Great Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and Caliph;

• the Sultan of Delhi as head of the vast Indian Moghul Empire, as well as his challenger Tipu Sultan (in full Padshah bahadur) in Khudadad (in fact Mysore and neighbouring conquests), and his former vassal, the former Nawab of Oudh;

• the King of Afghanistan.

Fictional usage

In Frank Herbert's Dune series, the Padishah Emperor is the supreme ruler of humanity, although his power is somewhat undercut by the Spacing Guild, the Bene Gesserit, and the Landsraad. He is also commonly refered to as "Emperor of the Known Universe" or "Emperor of a Million Worlds".