Siege of Bidar

Siege of Bidar
Part of Mughal-Bijapur War 1657-1686
Gateway to Bidar Fort
Date 2–29 March 1657 (1657-03-02 – 1657-03-29)(3 weeks and 6 days) [1] Location Bidar Result Mughal victory Territorial changes The Mughal Empire annexed northern territories ruled by the Adil Shahi dynasty
Belligerents
Mughal Empire	Adil Shahi dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Aurangzeb	Sidi Marjan  †
Strength
50,000–100,000 men	5,000 Total 1,000 cavalry 4,000 infantry

The siege of Bidar was a twenty-seven day siege mounted by the Mughal Empire against the Adil Shahi dynasty's garrison at Bidar, then controlled by Mohammed Adil Shah, Sultan of Bijapur. The garrison was commanded by Sidi Marjan, who eventually surrendered and then died of his wounds.

Battle

Aurangzeb and his army advanced towards Bijapur and besieged Bidar. ^[2] The Kiladar (governor or captain) of the fortress, Sidi Marjan, defended it with 1,000 cavalry and 4,000 infantry. Sidi Marjan was mortally wounded when a gunpowder magazine exploded. After twenty-seven days of hard fighting Bidar was captured by the Mughals. ^[3]

Aftermath

The wealthy city of Bidar became part of the Mughal Empire. ^[4]

Notes and references

Notes

1. Jadunath Sarkar (1978) [1955]. House of Shivaji (3rd ed.). Orient Longman. p. 110. ISBN   978-0-8364-0343-5.
2. Prasad 1974 , p. 524: "[Aurangzeb] marched in the direction of Bijapur and on reaching Bidar laid siege to it.
3. Prasad 1974 , p. 525: "The Qiladar of the fort was Sidi Marjan ... who had under his command 1000 horse and 4,000 foot ... Several sorties took place in which the advantage lay alternately with the Bijapuris and the Mughals. But in the end the Mughals by their superiority in numbers carried the day. They were helped by an explosion of powder magazine in the fortress ... Sidi Marjan and two of his sons were badly burnt ... The Mughals, taking advantage of this unfortunate incident, made a dash into the fortress ... Sidi Marjan who was mortally wounded saw no alternative but to submit to the invaders ... Thus was the fort of Bidar taken after a siege of 27 days."
4. Prasad 1974 , p. 526: "Peace was made with the Sultan. He agreed ... to surrender to the Mughals the forts of Bidar, ..."

References

• Prasad, Ishwari (1974). The Mughal Empire. Allahabad: Chugh Publications. OCLC   1532660.