The role of Pashtuns in the war of succession of Mughals (1657-58)

[Samandri]

The retreat of Dara from Agra made Aurangzeb the master of Indian empire. On being defeated at Samugarh , Dara at once decided to retreat from Delhi to Punjab, then held by his faithful deputy Ghairat Khan. From Lahore he wrote to tribes of Peshawar to enlist and send robes of honour, inviting them to join him . Khattak chief Khushal Khan didn’t oblige Dara and refused any kind of help and assistance. However Malik Bahaku, chief of Yusufzai tribe, assured all kind of help and assistance to Dara .Aurangzeb after a hurried coronation ceremony in Delhi started towards the Punjabi in pursuit of Dara.

Many of the Dara’s treacherous officers began to desert him and joined Aurangzeb army. The future seemed absolutely dark for Dara Shikoh. His allies under the leadership of Malik Bhaku Yusufzai were waiting for Dara at Indus near Attock when Khushal’s uncle Feroz Khan attacked them. In this battle Yusufzais were defeated. Said Khan, brother of Bhaku Khan got killed in the battle and Khattaks seized the boats..Dara after assessing unfavorable circumstances , proceeded to Multan instead of Peshawar.

Aurangzeb awarded a large number of his nobles in order to win them over. The Pashtun leading men also became recipient of many favours, their mansabs were raised. In this war of succession Afghans remained loyal to Aurangzeb. In one of the battle Daler Khan Daudzai showed exemplary courage and got greatly wounded but Dara had to flee from battle field. When Aurangzeb set out in pursuit of Dara Shikoh. Who had fled to Multan and afterward Bhakkar, he took in his train some noted Afghan tribal chiefs also. Hazbar Khan, Purdil Khan, Janbaz Khan Kheshgi and other Afghan chiefs went along with him.


Dara Shikoh

When Dara fled to Bhakkar, Aurangzeb deputed a strong force to pursue him. Purdil Khan, Inayat Miyana, and Diler Khan with about 10,000 soldiers were sent against against him.Hereafter, Misri Afghan, Gulam Mohammad Afghan, Yusuf Niazi, Imam Afridi, and others were also engaged in the pursuit of Dara Shikoh. Thus a large number of Afghans remained involved in the task of crushing the fugitive Prince.

Subsequently Dara was handed over to the representative of Aurangzeb by Malik Jewan Panni, a Pashtun zamindar of Dhadar (Bolan, Balochistan).. Malik Jewan was granted the title of Bakhtiar Khan , a robe of honour and the rank of hazarai in 1659 AD by the Emperor. Thus Aurangzeb fully utilized the support of many Pashtun tribes against his rivals , in war of succession , yet he continued to look towards Pashtun chiefs with some distrust and suspicion.



References:

1- Afzal Khan Khattak, Tarikh-e-Murasa

2- S.M.Jaffar , Peshawar ,Past and Present

3- Khafi Khan, Muntakhib-ul-lubab

4- Sagui Mustaad khan, Maasir-i-Alamgiri
The role of Pashtuns in war of succession of Mughals (1657-58) | History of Pashtuns

 

[Samandri]

Traditionally Yusufzais were staunch enemies of Mughals but Malik Bahaku, their chief, decided to try his luck at the Mughal court. He appeared at Shah Jahan's court at Delhi for nominal submission. Bahaku was successful in gaining the support of Dara Shikoh , the eldest son of Shah Jahan and on the interference of Dara Shikoh, Bahaku was pardoned and his territories were restored to him. Thus Mughal-Yusafzai's strained relations turned into normal for the first time. Yousafzai's chief was also awarded and honored in the Royal court. Unfortunately Dara Shikoh lost in the war of succession, Yusufzai had fought many battles against khattaks and other Aurangzeb's allies in the region as supporters of Dara Shikoh.