Tag: Sher Shah Suri in Jharkhand

  • “Medieval History of Jharkhand and Chhotanagpur”

    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.