Asian ruler smuggled in by deck hand (4)
I believe the answer is:
khan
'asian ruler' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'in by deck hand' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'KHAN' is hidden within 'by deck hand'.
'smuggled' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for khan that I've seen before include "Eastern potentate" , "Eastern emperor" , "Title of rulers and officials in central Asia" , "Mongol or Tartar ruler" , "Imran --, cricketer" .)