kashmir Under The Mughuls [1586 A.C. To 1752 A.C.]

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Brave though the Chaks were, they lacked the qualities essential for the making of successful rulers and administrators. Hence the rapid close of their way extending over a generation-about 31 years. Early Mughul attempts begin with Babur, continue with Humayun and Mirza Haidar Dughlat, and are successful with Akbar. Akbar started interference with the affairs of Kashmir in the time of ‘Ali Shah Chak. Then he helped Yousuf Shah Chak against Lohar or Gauhar Shah Chak. Later, he detained Yusuf, and finally Yusuf’s son, Yaqub and annexd Kashmir. The Mughuls held Kashmir for 166 years. Disintegrating forces, however, gathered strength under the emperor Muhammad Shah, and Nadir Shah’s invasion in 1739 A.C., hastened the disruption of the gigantic fabric of the Mughul empire. Nadir Shah annexed Afghanistan. After his death, Ahmad Shah Durrani obtained complete control over Afghanistan and added Kashmir to his dominions when the Emperor Ahmad Shah, the son of Muhammad Shah, was on the throne of Delhi.

The Last effort of the last Chak:

After its conquest by Akbar in 1586 A.C. Kashmir did not readily submit the Mughul rule. Yaqub Shah, the ex-Chak King, was still exerting himself to regain his lost kingdom. Ibrahim Chak, Yaqub’s brother, and ‘Ali Malik Chadura, the brother of Malik Haider Chadura, joined him. They took the Mughuls unawares at Cher-Wani ( in the Badgam Tahsil). Yaqub Shah Chak re-entered Srinagar as King.

Sayyid Abul’l Maali Baihaqi, the second son of Sayyid Mubarak Khan Baihaqi, Shamsi Chak, Sayyid Husain Baihaqi and Shams Duli next worsted the Mughuls. The whole country was up in arms and the loss of Kashmir was imminent.

Qasim Khan, Mir Bahr, the conqueror and viceroy of Kashmir, at last sought help from Akbar who dispatched Sayyid Yusuf Khan Rizavi Mashhadi with a strong force of twenty-five thousand horse. The Emperor further instructed Muhammad Bat and Baba Khalil, two influential Kashmiri nobles then residing at his court, to accompany Sayyid Yusuf and render him all possible help. These nobles won over several powerful Chaks to their side. At the same time, Yaqub’s indiscreet behaviour towards his nobles and his unfair treatment of Hindus and Sunnis brought about his final overthrow in August 1589. After three year’s struggle with Akbar, Yaqub, then, surrendered to him, and retired to Kishtwar accompanied by Sayyid Abu’l Maali Baihaqi and Ibrahim Khan called Iba Khan. The independence of Kashmir was thus completely ended in 1589. Qasim Khan, Mir Bahr, came to the court with several Kashmiri nobles, leaving Sayyid Yusuf Khan Rizavi Mashhadi as governor in his place.

Reference:

Sufi,G.M.D (1996). Kashmir Under The Mughals. Kashir: Being A History Of Kashmir(pp.241-243) Delhi:Capital Publishing House.

 

 

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