Who was the founder of Sultanate of Gujarat?

The Sultanate of Gujarat was founded by Zafar Khan, who later assumed the title of Muzaffar Shah I. Originally appointed as the governor of Gujarat in 1391 by Nasir-ud-Din Muhammad bin Tughluq IV of the Delhi Sultanate, Zafar Khan took advantage of the instability following Timur's invasion [t1][t3]. In 1407, he formally declared independence and established the Muzaffarid dynasty [t1][t4]. While his grandson Ahmad Shah I (reigned 1411–1442) is often celebrated as the 'real founder' due to his administrative consolidation and the founding of the capital city, Ahmedabad, in 1411, the political independence and the sultanate itself were initiated by Zafar Khan [t4][t6][t7]. Therefore, Zafar Khan (Muzaffar Shah I) is the historical founder of the independent kingdom [t2][t9].

Sources

1. [1] https://jogamayadevicollege.ac.in/uploads/1586365190.pdf
2. [2] https://ahmedabad.nic.in/history/
3. [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujarat_Sultanate