Jalal Khan Daudzai, known by his title Diler Khan, was a Mughal general who served under Aurangzeb and was the governor of

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. He was the son of Nawab Darya Khan Daudzai, a

mansabdar The Mansabdar was a military unit within the administrative system of the Mughal Empire introduced by Akbar. The word ''mansab'' is of Arabic origin meaning rank or position. The system determined the rank and status of a government official an ...

Pashtun Pashtuns (, , ; ps, پښتانه, ), also known as Pakhtuns or Pathans, are an Iranian ethnic group who are native to the geographic region of Pashtunistan in the present-day countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan. They were historically re ...

Afghan ethnicity, who had migrated to India in 1603. He is known to battle and kill Murarbaji, the military general of

Shivaji Shivaji Bhonsale I (; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680), also referred to as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the declining Adil ...

and the in-charge of Purandar Forts. He was also responsible for the Mughal victory over Shivaji in the Battle of Bhupalgarh.

Campaign against Marathas

All of Aurangzeb's attempts to overthrow

went in vain. So he sent Jai Singh, along with Diler Khan to overthrow the Marathas and establish Mughal rule in the Deccan. Diler Khan insisted on capturing Purandar Fort. But Mirza Jai Singh, being a shrewd and experienced general, knew that hoisting the Mughal flag on Purandar will not be easy. So he advised Diler Khan to move his army on Vajragarh. Purandar Fort was a short distance from Vajragarh. If Vajragarh is captured, the Mughal cannons could easily capture the Purandar Fort. On 13 April 1665, Diler Khan was successful in capturing Vajragarh. The Mughal army under Diler Khan and Jai Singh celebrated the victory over Vajragarh with booming of guns. Diler Khan then turned his attention to Purandar. On 16 May 1665, Diler Khan faced Murarbaji, the in-charge of Purandar Fort. Murarbaji fought valiantly but was killed by Diler Khan's arrow. But till his last breath, Murarbaji did not lose the Purandar Fort. Diler Khan and Jai Singh's efforts went in vain until the signing of the Treaty of Purandar in which Purandar Fort was to be handed over to the Mughals.

References

Mughal generals Year of birth unknown Year of death unknown Place of birth unknown Indian people of Pashtun descent {{asia-mil-bio-stub