Sher Khan’s Entry into Jharkhand and Initial Conflicts (1536-1539)
- 1536: Sher Khan entered Jharkhand through Rajmahal, reaching God.
- Conflict with Maharath Chero: Sher Khan fought against Maharath Chero, the king of Jharkhand, forcing him to surrender.
- 1539: Maharath Chero attempted to resist again, but the Mughal influence continued to grow in the region.
The Arrival of Akbar and Mughal Influence on Chhotanagpur (1556-1605)
- Political Change: Akbar’s reign brought a new political shift in Chhotanagpur.
- 1585: Shahbaz Khan’s invasion led the local king of Chhotanagpur to accept Mughal suzerainty.
- 1589: Raja Bhagwat Rai entered into an agreement with the Mughals, becoming a Malguzar.
- Increased Conflicts: During Akbar’s reign, there were intensified conflicts and military activities among smaller kingdoms like Singhbhum and Palamu.
Jahangir’s Rule and the Struggle of the Nagavanshi Kings (1605-1627)
- Nagavanshi Resistance: King Durjan Sal of the Nagavanshi dynasty refused to submit to the Mughals and demanded independence.
- 1615: Jahangir sent Zafar Khan to invade Jharkhand, but Durjan Sal lured him with diamonds and gifts, gaining temporary independence.
- Strengthening the Kingdom: Durjan Sal built a new capital and reinforced his kingdom.
- Post-Durjan Sal: After Durjan Sal’s death in 1627, the region saw renewed conflict with the Mughals.
Mughal Pressure and Struggle of Chero Kings (1627-1640)
- 1632: Chhotanagpur was made a jagir of Bihar’s Subedar, expanding Mughal influence.
- Chero Revolts: The successors of Durjan Sal continued to fight against the Mughals, with Chero kings leading multiple rebellions.
- 1636: Mughal invasions continued, but the Chero kings’ resistance maintained regional stability.
Chhotanagpur Under Shahjahan and Mughal Rule (1640-1707)
- Mughal Dominance: Shahjahan’s reign marked the full establishment of Mughal control over Chhotanagpur.
- Continued Resistance: Despite Mughal invasions, local rulers and rebels continued to challenge their dominance.
Study of the Relationship Between Local Rulers and the Mughals
- Raghunath Shah & Medini Rai: Local rulers like Raghunath Shah and Medini Rai managed their relationship with the Mughals by balancing between submission and resistance.
- Political Struggles: These interactions reflect the complex political strategies employed by local rulers to preserve their autonomy within the Mughal imperial system.
History of Military Conflicts
- Conflicts in Palamu & Kokrah: Military struggles in Palamu and Kokrah show how the fight for power in medieval India took on a military form.
- Royal Treasures: Transactions involving royal treasures played a vital role in these military conflicts.
- Invasions: Mughal generals like Shaista Khan and Itiqad Khan’s invasions, and the surrender of Pratap Rai, exemplify the complex military dynamics of the period.
Culture and Religious Construction
- Raghunath Shah’s Temple Construction: Raghunath Shah and his successors constructed significant temples, showcasing the region’s cultural and religious richness.
- Architectural Significance: Studying these temples reveals how local rulers used architecture to display power and foster religious identity.
Local Politics and Strategic Importance of Forts
- Construction of Forts: Forts like Palamu Fort and Nagpuri Gate were crucial in local politics.
- Strategic Importance: These forts were not only military strongholds but also symbols of power and regional control.
- Political Stability: The forts helped maintain political stability and secured the rule of local kings.
The Palace and the Administration of Bengal
- Sher Shah and Rajmahal: Rajmahal became an important administrative center during Sher Shah’s reign.
- 1592: The capital of Bengal was moved from Rajmahal, altering the region’s political landscape.
- Conflict Over Teliagarhi: Sher Shah’s son, Jalal Khan, fought against the Mughals over the control of Teliagarhi.
Mughal Rulers and Bengal
- Suleiman Karrani & Akbar: In 1572, Suleiman Karrani acknowledged Akbar’s suzerainty, followed by Daud Karrani’s declaration of independence.
- Akbar’s Intervention: Akbar sent “Khan-i-Jahan” and Todar Mal to Bengal in 1575 to regain control.
- Giddhaur and Deoghar: Raja Puran Mal of Giddhaur established a Shiva temple at Deoghar in 1596.
Importance of Rajmahal
- Transfer of Capital: In 1612, the capital of Bengal was moved to Dhaka, but Rajmahal had been a significant administrative center before this shift.
- Shahjahan’s Rule: Shuja made Rajmahal his capital before wars forced a change in administration.
- Bernier’s Report (1666): Bernier described Rajmahal as a hunting ground and trading center, but due to the shifting Ganges and security issues, Dhaka became the new capital.
Wars and Conflicts in Rajmahal
- 1622 Revolt: Shahjahan rebelled against his father and engaged in conflicts in the Deccan, affecting Rajmahal.
- Succession Conflicts: Rajmahal played an important role during the war for succession between Shuja and other royal princes.
Expansion of the Mughal Empire
- War of Succession (1657): A succession war between Shuja and other princes led to the shift of Bengal’s administrative center from Rajmahal to Dhaka.