Bahadur Shah's invasion of Deccan

Bahadur Shah's invasion of Deccan
Date 1528–1529 A.D Location Deccan Region Result Nizam Shahi victory Territorial changes Mahur and Pathri captured by Burhan Nizam Shah I Bahadur Shah occupied Ahmednagar briefly but retired after peace treaty was signed Bahadur Shah failed to capture Galna and Daulatabad
Belligerents
Ahmednagar Sultanate Supported by Bijapur Sultanate Qutub Shahi dynasty Mughalia Sultanate Bidar Sultanate	Gujarat Sultanate Supported by Berar Sultanate Bengal Sultanate Baglana Kingdom Khandesh Sultanate Malwa Sultanate
Commanders and leaders
Burhan Nizam Shah I Sabaji Koli Ismail Adil Shah Haider-ul-Mulk Quli Qutb Shah Zahīr ud-Dīn Muhammad Babur Amir Barid I	Bahadur Shah Mukhhas-ul-mulk  † Muhhib-ul-Mulk  † Khanwand Khan  † Aladdin Imad Shah Jafar Khan Nasiruddin Shah Muhammad Shah I
Strength
6,000 Cavalry 100 War Elephants sent by Ismail Adil Shah	100,000 Cavalry 900 War Elephants 20,000 reinforcements
Casualties and losses
Unknown but heavy as compared to Gujarat Sultanate	3000 killed by Ahmednagar Sultanate of Deccan

Bahadur Shah's invasion of Deccan ^[1] is a military campaign of Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat against the Deccan Sultanates in the early 16th century. Aiming to expand his domain beyond Gujarat, Bahadur Shah invaded the Deccan and fought other regional powers like the Bahmani Sultanate and its successors. It was characterized by battles, shifting alliances, and political maneuvering, which culminated in changes in political equations in western and central India. Initial successes aside, his campaigns did include opposition from local rulers and threats from outside, including mounting Portuguese influence, which certainly affected the outcome.

First invasion

Bahadur Shah seized the moment and decided that it was very necessary to intervene in the Deccan. He left for Deccan from his capital during the rainy season (1528 A.D.). ^[2] He came to Halol and later, in the year 1529 A.D., journeyed to Baroda, where he remained for a month or so. After Baroda, he moved directly towards the Deccan. On the way joined him Jafar Khan, son of Alauddin Imad Shah, and later at Vandarbar, he met Muhammad Shah I and his ally Alauddin Imad Shah. ^{[2] [3]}

Bahadur Shah, however, rallied with the splendid reinforcement of some 80,000-100,000 cavalry and 900 elephants, marched with the total momentum through Galna toward Daulatabad. ^[4] They encamped near the town. ^[3] The sheer force of the army demoralized the garrison. ^{[5] [3]} Not a few days later, it learned that a contingent of Nizam Shahi troops ambushed Bahadur Shah's vanguard. The contingent, though defeated in the end, dealt a death-blow to several enemy nobles, including Mukhlis-ul-Mulk and Muhibb-ul-Mulk. ^[5]

Bahadur Shah summoned the fort under siege, laying siege by such a force that it created a commotion in Burhan Nizam Shah. Contending that he needed to further buy time, Burhan sent an envoy to Bahadur Shah, promising submission, provided he was ensured safe conduct. ^[6] Bahadur Shah gave the necessary assurances, and the envoy left with such assurances that Burhan would appear at court within ten days. ^[7]

Upon the expiry of the time agreed upon, Burhan Nizam Shah sent another envoy, asking for an extension of ten days. This raised some suspicion in Bahadur Shah, who warned the envoy that if Burhan failed to fulfill his promise this time, he would reduce Daulatabad to its very foundations. Nor did this threaten correction Burhan. Angry at perceived treachery, Bahadur Shah ordered a concerted assault on the fortress. The work continued without victory or accomplishment for twenty days. ^[4] Bogged down by inaction, Bahadur Shah decided to march against Bidar for vengeance upon Ali Barid. ^[8]

On the road to Bidar, Bahadur Shah was met by envoys of Burhan Nizam Shah, Ali Barid, Ismail Adil Shah, and Khudawand Khan Banthri, brought him presents from their rulers, and pleaded on Burhan's behalf. ^[6] They maintained that the true aggressor in the attack was Imad Shah, who first started the aggression against Burhan when Imad Shah had taken the fort of Mahur from Burhan's officials, which forced Burhan to respond in self-defense. ^[9] Bahadur Shah was convinced by the complaint, changed his mind, brought about a peace treaty between Burhan Nizam Shah and Alauddin Imad Shah, and then returned to his kingdom. ^[4]

Second invasion

In 1529, Jafar Khan, the son of Alauddin Imad Shah, sought the assistance of Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, asserting that Burhan Nizam Shah had breached a recent treaty by withholding elephants and territory. ^[10] Thus Bahadur Shah marched forth on a campaign, marching through Dabhoi and Daharavah into which joined Shah Muhammad I of Khandesh and Alauddin Imad Shah. At Mulher, Raja Bahas Jut of Baglana submitted and was given the title Bahar Khan before being sent to raid Burhan's territory and stop Portuguese help. ^[11]

As Bahadur Shah advanced towards Ahmadnagar, Burhan sought support from Ismail Adil Shah, Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk, and Babur. ^[12] The Mughal emperor was otherwise engaged and Qutb-ul-Mulk was tied down in Telangana, but Ismail Adil Shah and Ali Barid recognized the threat and contributed bodies. ^[11] Their efforts enabled Burhan to withhold Bahadur Shah from invading and prevent Gujarat from taking command of Ahmadnagar. ^[10]

Bahadur Shah of Gujarat invaded Berar to take Mahur, driving Burhan out but alarming Alauddin Imad-Shah, who urged him to go even further. ^[11] Meanwhile, in Bir, one of his camps saw a great defeat when Ali Barid ambushed a separate detachment, killing 3,000 troops and seizing their treasures. ^[13] Reinforcements sent from Khudawand Khan suffered severely, but still, Alauddin Imad-Shah's support made Burhan retreat to Junnar. ^[10]

For forty days Bahadur Shah camped in Ahmadnagar. During this time he built the platform, Kala Chabutra, and then he moved on to Daulatabad. ^[13] Burhan now hardly had enough reinforcements from Ismail Adil Shah and concentrated instead on reorganizing the forces. He appointed Kunwar Sen as Peshwa, raised troops, and fought a guerrilla war against the Gujaratis for three months. ^[11]

Eventually, with the aid of Ali Barid and Khwaja Jahan, Burhan marched toward Burhanpur, where Qaisar Khan and Muhammad Shah I led Bahadur Shah's army and inflicted a decisive defeat, forcing the Deccan forces into a retreat. The siege of Daulatabad had forced Bahadur Shah to step up his campaign. ^[14] Khanjai Khan, the commandant of the fort and son of Khanat Khan, made a stubborn defense on the vigilant, active side. At this point, Burhan Nizam Shah was harassed by the Gujarati forces, demoralized by his own defeat near Burhanpur. ^[14] Ala Barid brought his son into an alliance with Imad Shah by giving his daughter to him. Imad Shah sought Bahadur Shah's pardon, which was granted. On that understanding, Ala Barid offered to recognize Bahadur Shah's authority by promulgating his name in the khutba and coining his rupees. ^[15]

Bahadur Shah then advanced on the Pathri fort, where the Deccanis had taken refuge. The siege, however, continued to be prolonged, the fort remaining impregnable. ^[12] Looking to future developments, Bahadur Shah assigned Alp Khan to support Imad Shah in continuing the siege. Meanwhile, Burhan Nizam Shah, under tag of the Gujarati forces, negotiated peace with Imad Shah to restore his previously seized forts and elephants. Fears grew by the hour as to Bahadur Shah's ambition for total domination over the entire territory. ^[12] Khudawand Khan, now sinking under disillusionment over the campaign, counseled the breaking of the alliance. ^[11] Thus Alauddin Imad Shah permitted supplies to go to Daulatabad and retreated to Elichpur with the coming of the monsoons. ^[12]

After being let down by his strongest ally, the Sultan of Gujarat, the young Muhammad Shah I of Khandesh found himself in a serious position, particularly in a foreign country. ^[12] With nothing to gain by continuing hostilities and the monsoon season about to break, peace could not wait. The terms came out, however, too harsh for Burhan Nizam Shah and his ally, Alauddin Imad Shah, who were compelled to order the Khutba in the name of Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat. ^[13]

After the treaty, Bahadur Shah returned to Gujarat, and before he left the Deccan, Burhan Nizam Shah met him near Daulatabad, with Khwaja Ibrahim and Sabaji mediating for him. ^[16] As such, Bahadur Shah was pleased to have conferred Ibrahim the title of Latif Khan and Sabaji the title of Paitab Rai. ^[16] Burhan was at best partially conforming to the treaty, returning Muhammad Shah I’s elephants only upon requirement, while retaining those of Alauddin Imad Shah. ^[11] Muhammad Shah I, in achieving his primary aim, was not adamant in pursuing Burhan any more; then he formed a close alliance with him providing that Pathri and Mahur would remain under Ahmadnagar's influence. ^[16]

See also

• Ahmadnagar Sultanate
• Parviz's Deccan expedition
• Siege of Ahmednagar (1558–1559)
• Gujarat Sultanate

References

1. Shyam 1966, p. 67–72.
2. Shyam 1966, p. 67.
3. Farooqui 2011, p. 174.
4. Majumdar R.c. 1974, p. 463.
5. Shyam 1966, p. 68.
6. Ed. R. C. Majumdar 1974, p. 463.
7. Shyam 1966, p. 68–69.
8. Shyam 1966, p. 68-69.
9. Shyam 1966, p. 69.
10. Shyam 1966, p. 70.
11. Majumdar R.c. 1974, p. 463–464.
12. Shyam 1966, p. 71.
13. Ed. R. C. Majumdar 1974, p. 463–464.
14. Shyam 1966, p. 70–71.
15. Shyam 1966, p. 71–72.
16. Shyam 1966, p. 72.

Bibliography

• Shyam, Radhey (1966). The Kingdom of Ahmadnagar. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN   978-81-208-2651-9.
• Majumdar R.c. (1974). The Mughul Empire.
• Ed. R. C. Majumdar (1974). History and Culture of Indian People - 7 Mughal Empire (Ed. R. C. Majumdar).
• Farooqui, Salma Ahmed (2011). A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: From Twelfth to the Mid-Eighteenth Century. Pearson Education India. ISBN   978-81-317-3202-1.