Jump to content

Draft:Siege of Ahmednagar (1609)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  • Comment: No substantial edits made since being dratified; there is evidence that the siege happened, but not significant coverage on the siege as a primary topic in secondary sources EmeraldRange (talk/contribs) 20:40, 6 January 2025 (UTC)


Siege of Ahmadnagar
Date1609 A.D
Location
Result Nizam Shahi victory
Territorial
changes
Ahmadnagar Captured by Malik Ambar of Ahmadnagar Sultanate.
Belligerents
Mughal Empire Ahmadnagar Sultanate
Commanders and leaders
Khawaja Mirza Safavi
Khan Jahan Lodi
Mahabat Khan
Azam Khan
Malik Ambar

After occupying surrounding areas of Ahmednagar, in 1609 A.D Malik Ambar the Prime minister of Ahmadnagar Sultanate laid siege to Ahmednagar.[1] The Governor of the Fort Khwaja Mirza Safavi put off a great defence against Malik Ambar, but Ambar effectively cut off the communication of the garrison. Khawaj Mirza Safavi sought the assistance of Khan Khana who himself haven't recovered from his defeat at Jalanpur.[1] At the end Khwaja Mirza Safavi agreed to surrender the Fort in exchange for the safe retreat of the garrison, Malik Ambar accepted his terms but eventually betrayed him.[2][3][4]

Siege

[edit]

After having subjugated all the surrounding districts of Ahmadnagar, Malik Ambar launched a siege of the fort proper. The Mughal general Khwaja Mirza Safavi, defended stoutly. Malik Ambar cut the garrison from its source of external supplies, cutting its lifeline to procure supplies. Now in distress, Khawaja Mirza asked for Khan Khanan's support.[1] However, Khan Khanan was distracted, for he had lost recently in the battle field to Malik Ambar in the area of Jalanapur.[5][6] After several unsuccessful attempts to break the siege, the besieged Mughal garrison agreed to surrender the fort on the condition that Malik Ambar's forces would withdraw approximately 10 to 12 kilometers from the site. This is when the Mughals retreated from the fort and commenced their withdrawal on or before May 12, 1609.[2] However, as reported by the traveler William Finch, "they suddenly issued upon the unprovided enemy and made a great slaughter." Even if this could be seen as betrayal on the part of Malik Ambar, one could well say that he did nothing to break the morality norms of his times.[1]

Here the Moguls found themselves exposed to severe suffering. Their supply of provisions having been exhausted, it could not be replenished from local sources. Famine conditions prevailed in the army, taking a heavy toll of men, horses and beasts of burden. On the other hand, the Dakhnis (the army of Ambar) were ever fresh and keen to fight.... Ambar now took advantage of the opportunity presented to him. He attacked and captured the fort of Ahmednagar, compelling the Mogul commandant to evacuate it, as all hope of aid had vanished.

— Ali (1995)[7]

Aftermath

[edit]

Khan Jahan Lodi was despatched by Jahangir to recapture Ahmadnagar reached Burhanpur, things were at a precarious stage. Recent failures had tilted the scale insofar as perceiving Khan Khanan's status. He had now become a laughing stock, a target of ridicule.[1] Soon after the arrival of the Prince, a section came out against the Commander-in-Chief and began enjoying his failures. His perverted versions of reports to the Emperor made him a laughing stock in the court. Khan Jahan joined the group and successfully convinced the Emperor to recall Khan Khanan, allowing him to take complete control of the Deccan campaign and gain all the credit for its success.[2] He promised the Emperor that he would complete the conquest of Ahmadnagar and Bijapur within two years, even promising never to show his face again if he failed. Consequently, Khan Jahan Lodi was given supreme command, with Azam Khan being appointed as his assistant.[1] Mahabat Khan was assigned to look into the Mughal losses in the Deccan and to accompany Khan-i-Khanan to the court. Even after bolstering Khan Jahan Lodi with 2,000 elite soldiers, 10,000 cavalry, seasoned generals, and a budget of Rs. 3,000,000, the Mughals struggled to combat Malik Ambar's guerrilla strategies.[1] The internal conflicts among the commanders further undermined their efforts, ultimately resulting in Khan Jahan Lodi's defeat.[2]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Tamaskar, B. g (1978). The Life and Work Of Malik Ambar. Delhi., Idarah-i Adabiyat-i. pp. 84–88.
  2. ^ a b c d Shyam, Radhey (1966). The Kingdom Of Ahmadnagar. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 260–261.
  3. ^ Chandra, Satish (2005). Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals Part - II. Har-Anand Publications. p. 198. ISBN 978-81-241-1066-9.
  4. ^ SRIVASTAVA, ASHIRBADI LAL (1986). THE MUGHAL EMPIRE (1526-1803 A.D). SHIVA LAL AGARWAL,AGRA. pp. 271–272.
  5. ^ Ali, Shanti Sadiq (1996). The African Dispersal in the Deccan: From Medieval to Modern Times. Orient Blackswan. p. 72. ISBN 978-81-250-0485-1.
  6. ^ Yimene, Ababu Minda (2004). An African Indian Community in Hyderabad: Siddi Identity, Its Maintenance and Change. Cuvillier Verlag. p. 113. ISBN 978-3-86537-206-2.
  7. ^ Yimene, Ababu Minda (2004). An African Indian Community in Hyderabad: Siddi Identity, Its Maintenance and Change. Cuvillier Verlag. p. 113. ISBN 978-3-86537-206-2.

Category:Battles involving the Mughal Empire Category:Battles involving India Category:Battles involving the Deccan sultanates Category:Ahmadnagar Sultanate Category:Sieges of the early modern period Category:Conflicts in 1609 Category:1610s in the Mughal Empire