Mughal conquest of Sylhet

This article is about Mughal conquest of Sylhet. For Muslim conquest of Sylhet, see Conquest of Sylhet.

Mughal conquest of Sylhet
Part of Mughal conquest of Bengal
Date October 1611 – April 1612 Location Sylhet Result Mughal victory Territorial changes Bokainagar, Matang, Taraf, Baniachang, Sylhet annexed to the Mughal Empire
Belligerents
Mughal Empire Bengal Subah	Baro-Bhuyan's of Sylhet Supported by: Dimasa Kingdom [1]
Commanders and leaders
Islam Khan I Shaikh Kamal Shaikh Abdul Wahid Mirza Nathan (WIA) Mahmud Khan Bahadur Ghazi Islam Quli Raja Ray Haji Shamsuddin Baghdadi  † Qurban Ali Shuja'at Khan Ihtimam Khan Sona Ghazi Mutaqid Khan Sayyid Adam  † Shaikh Achha  † Mirza Qasim Beg Iftikhar Khan  † Kishwar Khan  † Shaikh Qasim Mubariz Khan Tuqmuq Khan Mirak Bahadur Jalair Mir Abdur Razzaq Qaza Khan Hatim Beg Mirza Kachkana Mirza Beg Aymaq Khwaja Asl Adil Beg	Bayazid of Sylhet   Khwaja Usman   † Nasir Khan  Dariya Khan  Khwaja Mahli Khwaja Mumriz Wali Mandu-Khel Pahlwan  † Khwaja Wali Shir-i-Maydan Khwaja Ibrahim Khwaja Daud Khwaja Yaqub Asad Khan Jalal Khan Nasir Khan
Strength
Islam Khan: 1,000 cavalry 5,000 musketeers 300 elephants 300 or 3,000 boats Shuja'at Khan: 1500 cavalry 4,000 musketeers Shaikh Kamal: 1,000 cavalry 4,000 musketeers 100 elephants	5,000 or 5,200 cavalry [a] 10,000 infantry [b] 140 or 150 elephants [c]
Casualties and losses
Heavy	Heavy

The Mughal conquest of Sylhet refers to the military campaigns and eventual incorporation of the Sylhet region (present-day northeastern Bangladesh) into the Mughal Empire during the early 17th century. Following the fall of the Bengal Sultanate and the fragmentation of eastern Bengal into semi-independent Afghan chieftaincies and local zamindari estates after 1576, the Mughals faced prolonged resistance in east Bengal.

The decisive conquest of Sylhet occurred in 1611–1612 during the reign of Emperor Jahangir (r. 1605–1627), when two Mughal forces under Shuja'at Khan and Shaikh Kamal dispatched by Subahdar Islam Khan I simultaneously launched operations against key Afghan leaders Khwaja Usman of Bokainagar and Bayazid Karrani of Sylhet. After Usman's defeat followed by Bayazid's submission, Sylhet and its territories within were formally annexed within the Bengal Subah.

Background

Main article: Mughal conquest of Bengal

Following the collapse of Karrani rule in Bengal, the region splintered into semi-independent territories held by Afghan chieftains and local zamindars, forming the Baro-Bhuyans confederacy that fiercely resisted Mughal authority. ^[2]

Khwaja Usman, the last Baro-Bhuyan was the most formidable Mughal opponent in Bengal. Following Odisha campaign by Man Singh I in 1593, Usman was granted fiefs in Faridpur. Soon Man Singh's cancellation of their grants made Usman to revolt and establish himself in the Mymensingh District. He allied with Isa Khan and established his stronghold at Bokainagar in eastern Mymensingh, with fortified posts at Hasanpur and Egarasindur on the Brahmaputra's eastern bank the frontier line with Mughal territory. He repeatedly fought Raja Man Singh alongside Isa Khan, later allied with Isa's son Musa Khan in resisting Mughal campaigns, and maintained close ties with Afghan leaders Bayazid Karrani of Sylhet and Anwar Khan of Baniachong. After Musa Khan's submission Islam Khan sent envoy to Usman to acknowledge the Mughals as suzerain. Usman's refusal prompted Islam Khan to carry expedition against him. ^[3] In 1605, following Akbar's death, Usman Khan mastered 20,000 followers and declared himself independent. ^[4] He conquered the kingdom of Subid-Narayan in the Ita pargana in present day Kamalganj Upazila. ^[5]

Conquest

Early conflicts

In October 1611, Islam Khan led an army consisted of 1,000 cavalry, 5,000 musketeers, 300 elephants and 300 or 3000 war boats, besides the entire navy of Musa Khan and other zamindars. ^{[6] [7] [8]} The Mughal forces under Islam Khan's trusted officers, ^[d] Shaikh Kamal and Shaikh Abdul Wahid, advanced with the main land army from Dhaka to Hasanpur, situated south of Bokainagar and established camp there. Ihtimam Khan, commanding the fleet, and Mirza Nathan thana later joined the land army via Egarosindur. Due to seasonal flood the combined land-naval assault on Bokainagar failed. With the naval component unfeasible, Islam Khan shifted to a land-based attack. Under Islam Khan's orders, Shaikh Kamal and Abdul Wahid marched from Hasanpur to Bokainagar, while Ghiyas Khan stayed at Shah Bandar with the entire fleet, ready for any emergency. Hearing Islam Khan's campaign against Khwaja Usman, Anwar Khan of Baniachang voluntarily surrendered to the Mughals. Anwar was allowed to retain his territory and ordered to march with his fleet against Usman. ^{[9] [10]} At Egarosindur he entered into a plot with imperial officers Mahmud Khan, Bahadur Ghazi, Islam Quli and Raja Ray against Islam Khan. The conspiracy failed before it could be carried out. Anwar subsequently fled to Baniachang. Islam Khan dispatched Raj Satrajit and Mubariz Khan against Anwar. The superior Mughal forces under Islam Khan quickly overwhelmed Afghan resistance, leading to divisions within Khwaja Usman's ranks. Two Afghan chiefs, Nasir Khan and Dariya Khan of Tajpur, defected to join the imperial side. Alarmed by these desertions and fearing further losses, Usman evacuated Bokainagar and withdrew to Sylhet, seeking refuge with Bayazid Karrani. ^{[11] [12] [13]}

By the end of November 1611, the imperial army captured the fort of Bokainagar. Islam Khan then carried out campaigns against Khwaja Mahli and Khwaja Mumriz of Taraf and Pahlwan, zamindar of Matang as well as Anwar Khan. ^[14] Anwar Khan who fled to Baniachang offered naval battle to Raja Satrajit. Failing to stand against the mighty army he sued peace. Islam Khan then sent Haji Shamsuddin Baghdadi with a strong force against the Afghan zamindars of Matang and Taraf. First Haji Shamsuddin captured the fort of Taraf after heavy fighting. Next he marched against Matang. Pahlwan deciding to fight, charged upon Haji Shamsuddin and killing him in the encounter. Shamsuddin's adopted son Qurban Ali gathered the troops and made a counterattack upon Pahlwan, killing him in the process. Thus, both Taraf and Matang were annexed to the Mughal Empire. ^{[15] [16]}

War with Khwaja Usman

In January 1612, Islam Khan renewed his campaign against Usman. He simultaneously directed campaign against Usman in Uhar ^[e] and Bayazid in Sylhet. A force was composed under Shuja'at Khan consisted of large cavalry and infantry, including 500 picked cavalries of Islam Khan and 4,000 musketeers while fleet and war-boats under Ihtimam Khan and Sona Ghazi zamindar of Sarail respectively. Shaikh Kamal with 1,000 picked cavalries of Islam Khan, 4,000 musketeers, 100 elephants and entire fleet seized from Musa Khan, was given the command of the expedition against Bayazid. After long marching Shuja'at Khan finally reached at fort of Taraf. ^[17] The forces against Bayazid also had generals like Mubariz Khan, Tuqmuq Khan, Mirak Bahadur Jalair and Mir Abdur Razzaq. ^[18]

Battle of Daulambapur

On 4 February 1612, the Mughal imperial forces formed their battle array with Shuja'at Khan commanding the centre, assisted by Mutaqid Khan and Ihtimam Khan; the van was led by Mirza Nathan with support from Sayyid Adam, Shaikh Achha, Mirza Qasim, and Sona Ghazi; the right wing was entrusted to Iftikhar Khan, the left wing to Kishwar Khan, and the advance reserve to Shaikh Qasim. Islam Khan sent Abdus Salam to Shuja'at Khan with 1000 cavalry as reinforcement. ^{[19] [20]} Usman hearing the Mughal advance marched from his capital with a large army. He personally led the centre with 2,000 picked cavalry, 5,000 infantry, and 40 war-elephants; Khwaja Wali commanded the left wing with 1,000 cavalry, 2,000 infantry, and 30 elephants; Shir-i-Maydan held the right wing with 700 cavalry, 1,000 infantry, and 20 elephants; the van was entrusted to Khwaja Malhi, Khwaja Ibrahim, and Khwaja Daud with 1,500 cavalry, 2,000 infantry, and 50 elephants. ^[21] According to Mirza Nathan, the Afghan army had about 5,000 cavalry, 10,000 infantry and 150 elephants. ^[22] On 12 March 1612, a decisive battle unfolded at Daulambapur ^[f] between the Mughal imperial forces and Afghan forces led by Khwaja Usman. The Mughals began with a false alarm that disrupted their vanguard, leading to chaos. The Afghans exploited this, defeating the imperial right wing and killing commander Iftikhar Khan, while also crushing the left wing and killing Kishwar Khan and officer Sayyid Adam. The Mughal vanguard commander Mirza Nathan was severely wounded, and the imperial center under Shuja'at Khan was broken. Mirza Nathan mistakenly killed his own ally Shaikh Achha in the chaotic conflict. Afghan victory seemed assured until Mughal horseman Shaikh 'Abdul Jalil shot Khwaja Usman through the eye, killing him. Though Usman killed his attacker, he died from the wound, and the Afghans, losing their leader, abandoned the field. The battle of Daulambapur ended in a dramatic reversal, with the Afghans fleeing despite their earlier dominance. ^{[23] [24]} The Afghans took Usman's dead body to Uhar and buried in a hidden tomb and his wives, daughters, except one married to Daud were put to death were also buried beside him. ^{[25] [26] [5]}

On 4 March 1612, Khwaja Wali, Khawaja Mahli, Khwaja Ibrahim, Khwaja Daud, Khwaja Mumriz and Khwaja Yaqub, the minister Wali Mandu-Khel, other chiefs like Asad Khan, Jalal Khan, Nasir Khan, Usman's brothers, sons and other Afghan notables totalling 400 men, submitted and were accepted by Shuja'at Khan. ^{[27] [28]}

Conquest of Sylhet

Islam Khan reinforced Shaikh Kamal with Bihar troops and supplies to proceed against Bayazid in Sylhet. Shaikh Kamal reached the Surma River near fort of Sylhet and began devastating raids to force submission. Bayazid dispatched his brother Ya'qub at the head of a large number of Afghan chiefs to build a fort check the invaders. Raja Satrajit and others were ordered to make a fort opposite to that of Ya'qub. ^{[29] [30]} Satrajit crossed the Surma River and captured the fort after a week of fighting. Raja of Kachar strengthened Bayazid and Ya'qub with a large force. Raja Satrajit could not withstand the renewed assault, quickly surrender the captured fort and retreating across the Surma River to new fortifications. After further fierce fighting that strained the imperial forces, news of Khwaja Usman's defeat broke the morale of Bayazid and his men. He left Sylhet to Mubariz Khan and proceeded to Dhaka with Shaikh Kamal and officially submitted to Islam Khan. Thus, Sylhet was annexed to the Bengal Subah, and administrative arrangements were made. ^{[31] [32]}

Aftermath

Shuja'at Khan posted troops at Uhar and garrisons in the forts of Taraf and Sarail. Ihtimam Khan commander of Mughal flotilla in Bengal died at Sarail. The kinsmen of Khwaja Usman were taken to Dhaka on 8 April 1612. Islam Khan disbanded the army of the Afghans and his relatives were kept in strict confinement. ^{[27] [28]} Shuja'at Khan was bestowed the title Rustam-i-Zaman (transl. Rustam of the Age). ^{[33] [34]} Bayazid, his brother and Afghan chiefs also faced similar situation. ^[31] A Mughal faujdar with many revenue collectors were appointed in Sylhet. The region served as a Mughal military post to carry out further campaigns in north-eastern frontier. ^[35]

See also

• Mughal conquest of Jessore
• Mughal conquest of Odisha
• Mughal conquest of Bakla
• Mughal conquest of Bhulua

Notes

1. Khwaja Usman: 2,000 cavalry, Khwaja Wali: 1,000 cavalry, Shir-i-Maydan: 700 cavalry, Others: 1,500 cavalry
2. Khwaja Usman: 5,000 infantry, Khwaja Wali: 2,000 infantry, Shir-i-Maydan: 1,000 infantry, Others: 2,000 infantry
3. Khwaja Usman: 40 elephants, Khwaja Wali: 30 elephants, Shir-i-Maydan: 20 elephants, Others: 50 elephants
4. According to Baharistan-i-Ghaibi, the other notable officers participated in the expedition were Shaykh ‘Abdu’l-Wahid, Shaykh Kanjal, Qaza Khan alias Mir Shairf Gulabi, Mubariz Khan, Ihtimam Khan, Tuqmaq Khan, Mirak Bahadur Jala’ir, Mirza Nathan, son of Ihtimam Khan, Mirza Kazim Beg, Hatim Beg, Mirza Kachkana, son of Mirza Yusuf Khan, ‘Abdu’r-Razzaq Shirazi, Mirza Quli, Mirza Beg Aymaq, Khuja ‘Asl, and ‘Adil Beg
5. Identified Patanushar, in Moulvibazar District
6. The place called by Nathan Daulambapur, probably Daulatpur, about eight miles west of Moulvibazar.

References

1. Sarkar 1943, p. 281 "When the first rumour of 'Usman’s discomfiture was found to be baseless, Bayizid and Ya'qub renewed the operations with greater vigour. The position of the Afghans was at this time strengthened by the arrival of a large force from the Raja of Kachar."
2. Karim, Abdul (2012). "Bara-Bhuiyans, The". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN   984-32-0576-6. OCLC   52727562. OL   30677644M . Retrieved 2 February 2026.
3. Roy 1968 , pp. 86–87
4. Roy 2015 , p. 177
5. Bhattasali 1942 , p. 401
6. Sarkar 1943 , pp. 261–262 "Towards the beginning of October, 1611 Islam Khan gathered a large army for the campaign against 'Usman. The land force consisted of 1000 picked Cavalry and 5000 musketeers (exclusive of those in the fleet), with 300 war-elephants, while the fleet was composed of 300 imperial war-boats, besides the entire navy of Musa Khan and the other loyal zamindars"
7. Roy 1968 , pp. 87–88 "The land force consisted of 1,000 picked cavalry and 5,000 musketeers with 300 war-elephants. The imperial fleet was composed of 3,000 imperial boats besides the fleet of Musa Khan and other loyal landlords. Towards the beginning of October 1611, the imperial expedition was despatched."
8. Borah 1936 , p. 102
9. Sarkar 1943 , p. 262
10. Borah 1936 , pp. 101–105
11. Roy 1968 , pp. 88–89
12. Sarkar 1943 , pp. 262–263
13. Borah 1936 , pp. 107, 110
14. Sarkar 1943 , p. 264
15. Roy 1968 , pp. 102–103
16. Borah 1936 , pp. 117–119
17. Sarkar 1943 , pp. 270, 273–274
18. Roy 1968 , p. 92
19. Sarkar 1943 , p. 274
20. Roy 1968 , p. 93
21. Sarkar 1943 , p. 275
22. Gommans 2002 , p. 178 "In March 1611, this army met its Afghan counterpart under Usman Khan near the village of Daulambapur. Although we are left without information about the size and composition of the Mughal forces, Mirza Nathan mentions that the Afghan army consisted of about 5,000 horse, 10,000 foot and, most importantly, 150 elephants."
23. Sarkar 1943 , pp. 275–278
24. Roy 1968 , pp. 95–97
25. Muazzam Hussain, Khan (2012). "Khwaja Usman". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN   984-32-0576-6. OCLC   52727562. OL   30677644M . Retrieved 2 February 2026.
26. Gommans 2002 , p. 178
27. Sarkar 1943 , p. 279
28. Roy 1968 , p. 100
29. Sarkar 1943 , pp. 280–281
30. Roy 1968 , pp. 103–104
31. Sarkar 1943 , p. 281
32. Roy 1968 , p. 104–105
33. Sarkar 1943 , p. 280
34. Roy 1968 , p. 101
35. Roy 1968 , p. 105

Bibliography

• Borah, M. I. (1936). "CHAPTER IX.". Baharistan-I-Ghaybi. Vol. 1. Gauhati, Assam: Narayani Handiqui Historical Institute.
• Sarkar, Jadunath, ed. (1943). The History of Bengal. Vol. II: Muslim Period. Delhi: B.R. Publishing Corporation. ISBN   81-7646-239-X.
• Roy, Atul Chandra (1968). History of Bengal: Mughal Period, 1526-1765 A.D. Vol. 3. Calcutta: Nababharat Publishers. Archived from the original on 2017-01-23.
• Gommans, Jos J. L. (2002). Mughal Warfare: Indian Frontiers and Highroads to Empire, 1500-1700. Routledge. ISBN   978-0-415-23989-9.
• Roy, Kaushik (2015-06-03). Warfare in Pre-British India – 1500BCE to 1740CE. Routledge. ISBN   978-1-317-58692-0.
• Bhattasali, Nalini Kanta (1942). "Early days of Mughal rule in Dacca". Islamic Culture. XVI.