Mughal–Afghan Wars

The Afghan-Mughal wars were a series of wars that took place during the 16th and 18th centuries between the Mughal Empire of India and different Afghan tribes and kingdoms.

The conflict over the lands in modern-day Afghanistan, which were crucial from a strategic standpoint for both sides, served as the primary catalyst for these conflicts. The Afghans struggled to protect their independence and resisted Mughal expansion while the Mughals worked to enlarge their empire and take control of the area.

Background

The Afghan-Mughal Wars had their roots in the complex political and military history of the Indian subcontinent in the 16th century. The Mughal Empire, under the leadership of Emperor Babur, had established its rule in northern India by defeating the Delhi Sultanate in 1526. However, the Mughals faced constant threats from various regional powers, including the Afghans, who controlled parts of present-day Afghanistan.

The Afghans, particularly the Pashtuns, were a tribal people who had a long history of resistance to foreign rule. They had previously fought against the Persian Safavids and the Uzbek Shaybanids, and were now opposed to Mughal expansionism. The Afghans had also suffered a major defeat against the Mughals in the Battle of Panipat in 1526, and had been forced to pay tribute to the Mughals.

However, the Mughal Empire was not immune to internal strife and conflict. In the 16th century, the Mughal Emperor Akbar faced rebellions from various regional governors and religious sects. This provided an opportunity for the Afghans to launch raids into India and destabilize Mughal rule.

History and phases

First Phase

Between Babur's fledgling Mughal Empire and the Lodi family-run Delhi Sultanate, there was a significant conflict known as the first phase Mughal-Afghan War that started in 1526.

At the time, a substantial portion of northern India had been governed by the Delhi Sultanate, a strong Muslim monarchy. However, internal conflicts and disagreements among the nobles made it weak and exposed to outside dangers.

The founder of the Mughal Empire and a descendant of Genghis Khan, Babur saw a chance to extend his realm and launched an invasion of India. On April 21, 1526, he led his army across the Hindu Kush mountain passes and overcame the Lodi dynasty's armies at the first Battle of Panipat.

The Mughal army's superior firepower and discipline, as well as its access to cutting-edge weapons like muskets and artillery, rendered the Lodi forces helpless against them. In the conflict, the Lodi Sultan Ibrahim Lodi was murdered, and Babur took control of Delhi and parts of northern India.

Second Phase

The second phase of the Mughal–Afghan Wars composed of Mughal and Sur empire conflicts. The Sur Empire was a short-lived Afghan dynasty that ruled over northern India from 1540 to 1556. The Sur Empire was founded by Sher Shah Suri, who had risen to power after defeating the Mughal Emperor Humayun in the Battle of Chausa in 1539 and again in the Battle of Kanauj in 1540.

Third Phase

The first major conflict between the Sur Empire and the Mughal Empire occurred during the reign of Akbar, the third Mughal emperor. In 1555, Akbar launched an invasion of the Sur Empire and defeated the Sur forces in the Battle of Sirhind.

The Sur-Mughal conflict would continue for several years, with both sides experiencing victories and defeats. However, the Mughals were ultimately able to prevail due to their superior military technology, organization, and resources. In 1556, Akbar's forces defeated the Sur army in the Battle of Machhiwara, and the Sur Empire collapsed soon after.

The Sur-Mughal conflict was a significant chapter in the history of northern India, as it marked the transition from the Sur Empire to the Mughal Empire and the consolidation of Mughal power over much of the subcontinent.

Fourth Phase

During the reign of Emperor Akbar, the Mughal Empire launched several military campaigns against the Karrani dynasty in an effort to expand its territory and assert its authority over Bengal. In 1575, the Mughals under the command of the governor of Bihar, Todar Mal, marched into Bengal and engaged the Karrani forces in a series of battles.

The Karranis, under the leadership of their king Daud Khan Karrani, put up a fierce fight against the Mughal forces and were able to cause significant casualties in the Mughal army. However, in the end, the Mughals were able to defeat the Karranis and capture their capital, Gaur.

The Karrani-Mughal conflicts were not limited to Bengal, as the Karranis and other Afghan groups also resisted Mughal rule in other parts of the empire, such as the northwest frontier region. However, the defeat of the Karranis in Bengal marked a significant victory for the Mughal Empire and allowed the Mughals to expand their control over eastern India.

Fifth Phase

During the reign of Akbar King, Akbar was willing to invade one of the Yousufzai country "Afghania". Akbar laid a siege to invade the Yousafzai country but Mughals army was failed. The siege took more than two months. The Akbar than sent one of his most intelligent and closest Minister whose name was Raja Birbal. But the Yousufzai tribesmen defeated the Mughal forces led by Birbal and Shujat Khan. This was the biggest Disaster to Mughal Empire in the reign of Akbar. According to Mughal historian Khafi Khan, More than 40,000 Mughals Soldiers and officers was killed by Yousufzai Afghans while Abd al-Qadir Badayuni's claim thats more than 8,000 Mughal soldiers and officers. were killed at the Karakar and Malandari Pass was consider one of the greatest military loss to Akbar and in Mughal History. Due to this Disaster, Akbar fell into grief and did not eat or drink for two days.

Sixth Phase

A territorial dispute over the Punjab region, which was strategically significant due to its location on the border between the two empires, started the conflict between the Durrani Empire and the Mughal Empire. Ahmad Shah Durrani and his forces invaded India in 1748 and 1752 and captured Lahore from Mughals.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mughal-Afghan Wars
Battles involving the Mughal Empire
Battles involving Afghanistan