Daud Khan Karrani

Daud Khan Karrani (reigned 1573-1576) was the youngest son of Sulaiman Khan Karrani. During his father's reign, he commanded a massive army of 40,000 cavalry, 3,600 elephants, 1,140,000 infantry and 20,000 cannons. He invaded the southwestern regions of India.^[1]

Mughal-Afghan war

Daud Shah Karrani was not content with the sultanate of Bengal. He dreamt of being a second Sher Shah and to conquer the entire India. But he had a formidable foe on the way of achieving his goal-naming Akbar the great.

Invasion of Jamania

When Akbar was busy with his warfare in Gujarat, Daud Khan invaded Jamania near Ghazipur. The Afghan army razed the Jamania city to the ground and captuted the Jamania fort. Akbar order the governor of Jaunpur, Munim Khan, to proceed against Daud Khan. Munim Khan met his friend Ludi Khan, the Prime Minister of Daud Khan, in Patna and settled in peace. The agreement pleased neither Akbar nor Daud Khan. Ludi Khan was later punished to death by Daud Khan.^[2]

Battle of Patna

In 1573 Munim Khan attacked Bihar which forced Daud Karrani to retreat and take shelter in Patna. Daud Khan sent Katlu Lohani, Gujar Khan Karrani and Sri Hari against the Mughal army. Munim Khan along with Todar Mal and Mansingh made the first attack in Hajipur. After a fierce battle the Afghanis became at the verge of victory. Akbar then captured the neighboring fort of Hajipur which was the source of rations for the Afghan army. The Afghans fell in a distress and retreated to Bengal. Akbar returned to the capital after appointing Munim Khan as the governor of Bihar and Bengal. Todar Mal was also left to assist him.^[2]

Battle of Tukaroi

Main article: Battle of Tukaroi

On 3 March 1575 a fierce battle was fought between the Mughals and the Afghans in Tukaroi. The result was a draw and the Afghanis retreated to Katak, Orissa. The Mughals captured Tanda, the Afghani capital of Bengal. Munim Khan transferred the capital of Bengal from Tanda to Gaur. In the treaty of Katak, Daud Karrani ceded Bengal and Bihar to the Mughals. But he retained only Orissa as his possession. Six months later there broke out a plague and Munim Khan suddenly died in October 1575.^[2] The Mughal army was repulsed from Eastern Bengal by Kalapahar and Isa Khan. Daud Khan marched from Orissa to successfully recapture Gaur.

Battle of Rajmahal

Akbar sent a new army under the command of Khan Jahan Husain Quli Beg. He captured Teliagarhi and advanced towards Rajmahal. The two armies met in the battlefield of Rajmahal. The battle went on for many days. Akbar ordered the governor of Bihar, Muzaffar Khan Turbati and other generals to join. On the other side Daud Khan was accompanied by other principal Afghan leaders like Junaid, Qutlu Khan and Kalapahar.^[2] Finally after a fierce battle on 12 July 1576 Daud Khan was finally defeated and executed.

After his death, Bengal goes under direct Mughal rule with Subahdars being installed.

Preceded by Bayazid Khan Karrani

Karrani dynasty 1572-1576

Succeeded by -

See also

• List of rulers of Bengal
• History of India
• History of Bengal

References

1. ^ http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsFarEast/IndiaBengal.htm
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Daud Khan Karrani in Banglapedia