Who is Balkhi from Beneath a Marble Sky: A Novel of the Taj Mahal and what is their importance?

Balkhi is the monstrous servant Aurangzeb brings back from the wars in Persia. He is known to be a killer, and Aurangzeb uses him to intimidate both Jahanara and Ladli. He is killed when he trips the booby trap chasing Jahanara through the secret corridor.