Humayun – Struggle for Empire in North India

Humayun succeeded the throne at the age of 23 of Mughal Empire after Babur died in the December, 1530. The major problem arises before Humayun was the unsettlement of administration and ambitions of begs who wanted to assert themselves. Other than that, the conflict with Humayun’s younger brother as Timurid princes took shelter under him, conflict with the ruler of Gujarat (Bahadur Shah) etc. also poses challenges to him. The regions of Afghanistan and Punjab were under the domination of Kamran, brother of Humayun.

There are different interpretations of the reign of Humayun by historians. As some of them said that he was inactive in administration in the few years of his beginning rule. Also, Mirza Haider Dughat, a noble of Mughalistan, was also appointed governor of Lahore, wrote in his work, Tarikh-i-Rashidi, that some bad habits like eating of opium were causes the downfall of him. The practice of wine consuming and opium eating was common at that time on central Asia.

Early years of Humayun and rise of Bahadur Shah of Gujarat

Within six months of ascending the throne of Empire, Humayun besieged the powerful throne of Kalingar in Bundelkhand and after this the forts of Bayana, Gwalior and Dholpur were also conquered to protect Agra from south. Thus, He spent almost two years in the consolidation of his empire. Now he was ready to gave his full attention to Eastern Rajasthan, Gujarat and Malwa.

Bahadur Shah who was the son of Muzaffar Shah of Gujarat ascended the throne of Malwa in c. 1526. He was a powerful ruler and hence, some Afghan nobles even approached him to ascended the throne of Jaunpur. He tried to conquer Chittor twice, failed in first attempt and but sieged in second attempt. He avoided direct conflict with Mughal for many years after hearing about the victory of Babur in first battle of Panipat.

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Humayun’s Campaign of Gujarat

After took over Chittor by Bahadur Shah, the direct conflict was inevitable and hence He marched from Agra in early 1535 via Raisen, Sarangpur to Ujjain. It was a surprise for Bahadur Shah as he was expecting that Humayun will march through Chittor. This step created nervousness in the camp of Bahadur Shat as Humayun cut off the route of Shah to Mandu (capital of Malwa) if he wants to retreat to his capital.

Rumi Khan, the master-gunner of Bahadur, was confident with his powerful guns but the defensive approach of Rumi Khan was failed after two months when fort fell. Thus, Bahadur Shah come face to face at Madasor. Humayun took strategic approach and hence cut off the food supplies to Bahadur’s camp. As a result, the acute shortage of food occurs and soldiers started to die. Thus, the defensive approach of Rumi Khan failed immensely.

After that Bahadur fled to Champaner form to Diu as Humayun chased him out of the Champaner as well. Thus, Humayun completed the task of expelling Bahadur Shah from Gujarat. Thus, within ten months of span of leaving Agra, Humayun conquered Malwa and Gujarat. But failed to understand the local condition of Gujarat and Hence, he doubted the capacity of Askari, a Hindu noble, whom he appointed as Governor of Gujarat.

After the campaign of Gujarat, Humayun went for Bengal where he faces Afghan ruler, Sher Shah Suri. Sher Shah Suri was the tough opponent and was the biggest challenge to Humayun whom Sher defeated at the Battle of Kannauj in May, 1540. After that He fled to Central Asia to took shelter and reassemble his power to challenge the Surs after the death of Sher Shah. He reconquered the Empire from Surs in c. 1555 but he didn’t live long after that he died as he fall from the top floor of his library. This was the end of a chapter of Mughal Dynasty.