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📜 Babur to Sikandar Shah Suri – The Afghan Period in the Punjab Hills (Early 16th Century–1555)
🏹 Babur’s Invasion and the Rise of Mughal Power (A.D. 1525–1526)
⚙️ Background:
- In the early 16th century, Babur’s invasion brought the Punjab hill areas (including Kangra, Nurpur, and Dhameri) into historical prominence.
📍 Key Events:
| Year | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1525 | Babur establishes foothold in Punjab | Set up outposts at Lahore and Sialkot. Advanced via Malot (near Kangra). |
| 1525 | Capture of Daulat Khan | Babur captured Punjab’s Governor, Daulat Khan, who was hiding near Kangra. |
| 1525 | Relation with Hill Chiefs | Babur did not directly encounter the Kangra Raja. |
| 1526 | Battle of Panipat | Babur defeated and killed Sultan Ibrahim Lodhi, ending the Delhi Sultanate. |
| 1526 | Founding of the Mughal Empire | Babur established the Mughal Empire in India. |
🧠 Mnemonic: “L-S-M-K” → Lahore, Sialkot, Malot, Kangra (Babur’s route in 1525)
🏰 Sher Shah Suri’s Expansion and Kangra Campaign (A.D. 1540–1545)
👑 Sher Shah Suri’s Reign:
- Ascended the throne in A.D. 1540, overthrowing Humayun.
- Expanded Afghan control across North India, including Punjab and its hill regions.
⚔️ Sher Shah’s Kangra Expedition:
| Year | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| c. 1541–1542 | Campaign in Kangra Hills | Sher Shah sent General Khawas Khan to conquer the Kangra Hills. |
| After conquest | Hamid Khan Kakar was appointed Governor/Administrator of the region. | |
| 1545 | Death of Sher Shah Suri | Died in an explosion during the siege of Kalinjar Fort (Bundelkhand). |
| Successor | Islam Shah Suri | Continued Afghan rule and fortified Mughal frontiers. |
🏗️ Islam/salim Shah Suri (A.D. 1545–1553)
- Son and successor of Sher Shah Suri.
- Built the Maukot Fort (also called Mankot Fort), located between Pathankot and Nurpur.
- Strengthened Afghan control in Punjab and the Shivalik foothills.
⚔️ Sikandar Shah Suri and the Fall of the Afghan Power (A.D. 1553–1555)
👑 Succession:
- After Islam Shah’s death, his successor was Sikandar Shah Suri (nephew of Sher Shah).
📍 Key Events:
| Year | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1555 | Battle of Sirhind | Humayun defeated Sikandar Shah Suri — marking the restoration of Mughal rule. |
| After defeat | Retreat to Maukot Fort | Sikandar Shah Suri fled to Maukot (Mankot), near Pathankot and Nurpur — a fort built earlier by Islam Shah Suri. |
| Refuge & Allies | Took refuge with Raja Bakht Mal of Nurpur, his friend and ally. | |
| Sources | Waqiat-i-Mushtaqi (by Rizakulla) | Provides details of Afghan rule and movements around Dhameri (Nurpur) and Kangra during this period. |
🏰 Status of Kangra Fort
- Although Sher Shah and Sikandar Shah made incursions into the region, historians agree that the Kangra Fort remained unconquered (“virgin”).
- It was finally captured by Emperor Jahangir in A.D. 1620 — the first confirmed Mughal occupation.
🗺️ Summary Timeline
| Year | Event | Key Persons |
|---|---|---|
| 1525 | Babur reaches Lahore–Sialkot–Malot | Babur, Daulat Khan Lodhi |
| 1526 | Battle of Panipat – Mughal Empire founded | Babur, Ibrahim Lodhi |
| 1540 | Sher Shah Suri ascends Delhi throne | Sher Shah Suri |
| 1541–42 | Kangra Hills campaign | Khawas Khan, Hamid Khan Kakar |
| 1545 | Death of Sher Shah | Sher Shah Suri |
| 1545–1553 | Reign of Islam Shah | Islam Shah Suri |
| c. 1550s | Construction of Maukot Fort | Islam Shah Suri |
| 1553–1555 | Reign of Sikandar Shah Suri | Sikandar Shah Suri |
| 1555 | Defeated at Sirhind by Humayun | Humayun, Sikandar Shah Suri |
| 1555 | Sikandar flees to Maukot, aided by Bakht Mal | Sikandar Shah, Bakht Mal (Nurpur) |
| 1620 | Kangra Fort finally captured by Jahangir | Jahangir |
⚡ Key Facts for Quick Recall
- Babur’s Route (1525): Lahore → Sialkot → Malot (near Kangra).
- Punjab Governor: Daulat Khan Lodhi (captured by Babur).
- Sher Shah’s General: Khawas Khan.
- Administrator of Kangra: Hamid Khan Kakar.
- Sher Shah’s Death: 1545 (Kalinjar Fort).
- Islam Shah’s Work: Built Maukot Fort (between Pathankot & Nurpur).
- Sikandar Shah’s Refuge: Maukot Fort after defeat at Sirhind (1555).
- Afghan Records: Waqiat-i-Mushtaqi by Rizakulla.
- Nurpur Connection: Raja Bakht Mal — ally of Sikandar Shah Suri.
- Kangra Fort: Remained unconquered till Jahangir (1620).
📜 Accession & Surrender of Sikandar Shah (A.D. 1556–1557)
🔹 A.D. 1556
- Akbar succeeded to the Mughal throne.
- He was the first Mughal ruler to plan the conquest of Nagarkot (Kangra).
- Some sources claim he captured Nagarkot, but these are contradicted by other records.
🔹 Pursuit of Sikandar Shah
- Akbar’s camp was likely at Nurpur.
- His army pursued Sikandar Shah Suri, who had allied with Raja Bakht Mal of Nurpur.
- This event is mentioned in the Tabakat-i-Akbari.
🔹 A.D. 1557
- Sikandar Shah invaded Punjab.
- Akbar advanced against him; Sikandar took refuge in a fort between Pathankot and Nurpur, built by Salim Shah Sur (son of Sher Shah).
⚔️ The Siege
- The Mughal army besieged the fort for eight months.
- Due to scarcity of food grains, Sikandar Shah sued for peace.
🤝 Surrender (July 1557)
- Akbar accepted the terms of surrender.
- Sikandar Shah was allowed to retire to Bengal.
- He was granted Bihar and Kharid districts in jagir.
- He left his son as a hostage.
- Sikandar died two years later (c. 1559).
🏰 Kangra’s Role
- A contingent from Kangra likely participated in the siege.
- Kangra’s chief Raja Dharam Chand was too old to take part.
- Kangra was among the first Punjab Hill States to submit to Akbar.
👦 Hostage Policy
- Akbar introduced the policy of sending hostages (a son or relative of a hill chief) to the Mughal Court.
- By Jahangir’s reign, there were 22 young princes from hill states in Mughal attendance.
⚔️ Revolts in Kangra & Hill States under Akbar (1556–1605 A.D.)
1️⃣ First Revolt – First Mughal Campaign in Kangra (A.D. 1572)
Causes:
- Akbar suspected Raja Jai Chand of Kangra of disloyalty.
- Raja Ram Chand of Guler captured Jai Chand on Akbar’s orders.
- Jai Chand’s son Bidhi Chand, believing his father dead, rebelled with support from Raja Gopi Chand of Jaswan.
Mughal Response:
- Akbar had granted Nagarkot (Kangra) as jagir to Raja Birbal.
- Khan Jahan Hussain Quli Khan, Viceroy of Punjab, led the campaign with Birbal.
- Route: Pathankot (Paithan) → Dhameri (Nurpur).
- Nurpur ruler ‘Choto’ (Takhat Mal) (relative of Jai Chand):
- His father Bakht Mal allied with Sikandar Shah in 1556 and was executed by Bairam Khan after surrendering at Mankot.
- Takhat Mal was installed as ruler afterward.
- Remembering his father’s fate, Takhat Mal stayed in his fort and sent two vakils (envoys) with offerings.
Major Events:
- Kotla Fort (20 miles from Nurpur) captured by Mughals and restored to Raja Ram Chand of Guler.
- Previously held by Dharam Chand & Jai Chand of Kangra.
- Mughal garrison left at the fort.
- Siege of Nagarkot Fort began but was lifted due to uprisings in Punjab (Ibrahim Hussain Mirza & Masud Mirza, Akbar’s relatives, invaded Punjab).
- Raja Gobind Chand of Nagarkot later aided the Mughals against the Mirzas.
Outcome:
- Kangra ruler paid five mans of gold as ransom.
- Mughals withdrew; Kangra Fort remained unconquered.
- Rebellion suppressed temporarily; Mughal influence grew.
2️⃣ Second Revolt – The Great Rebellion (A.D. 1588–1589)
Causes:
- Opposition to Mughal interference and Todar Mal’s confiscation of land (66 villages).
- Raja Todar Mal, Akbar’s finance minister, converted territories into imperial demesne.
- 66 villages seized from Kangra Valley, and Rihlu annexed from Chamba.
- In A.D. 1582, near Dasuha (Hoshiarpur), Akbar thought of visiting the Nagarkot Temple but abandoned the idea.
- Hill chiefs wished to restore autonomy.
- Revolt led by Raja Bidhi Chand of Kangra, forming a confederation from Jammu to Kangra.
- Raja Basu of Nurpur (son of Takhat Mal) joined the rebellion.
Mughal Response:
- Akbar sent Zain Khan Koka (his foster brother) with a large army.
- Hullan Hussain Umri Beg suppressed Raja Basu.
- Mughals advanced from Pathankot to Satluj, crushing the rebels.
Outcome:
- 13 hill rulers surrendered at the Mughal court.
- Trilok Chand, son of Bidhi Chand, was sent as a hostage (Mian).
- Rebellion failed; Mughal control reaffirmed.
3️⃣ Third Revolt – The Second Rebellion (A.D. 1594–1595)
Causes:
- Renewed local resistance led by Raja of Jasrota, Rai Bahadur Buzara (Jammu region).
- Aim: restore autonomy after previous defeats.
Nature:
- Limited participation; Raja Bidhi Chand (Kangra) and Raja Basu (Nurpur) stayed neutral.
- Revolt mostly confined to northern hill chiefs.
Mughal Response & Outcome:
- Suppressed by Mirza Rustam Qandhari, Sheikh Farid (Bakshi), and Jagat Singh of Amber.
- Sheikh Farid received the title Murtaza Khan.
- Mughal authority reestablished; no territorial loss.
4️⃣ Fourth Revolt (A.D. 1602–1604)
- Led by Raja Basu of Nurpur.
- Akbar sent Madhu Singh Khushwaha to suppress it.
- Madhu Singh retreated; Raja Basu retained his mansab of 1500.
🧩 Summary Table
| Revolt | Year | Leader(s) | Cause | Mughal Commander | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1572 | Bidhi Chand (Kangra), Gopi Chand (Jaswan) | Suspicion & arrest of Raja Jai Chand | Khan Jahan Hussain Quli Khan, Raja Birbal | Ransom paid; Kangra Fort unconquered |
| 2nd | 1588–89 | Bidhi Chand (Kangra), Raja Basu (Nurpur) | Land confiscation, anti-Mughal alliance | Zain Khan Koka, Hullan Hussain Umri Beg | Rebellion crushed; 13 chiefs submitted |
| 3rd | 1594–95 | Raja of Jasrota (Rai Bahadur Buzara) | Renewed resistance | Mirza Rustam Qandhari, Sheikh Farid (Murtaza Khan) | Quickly suppressed |
| 4th | 1602–04 | Raja Basu of Nurpur | Local revolt; assertion of independence | Madhu Singh Khushwaha | Basu retained mansab (1500); revolt failed |
📚 Key Dates & Figures to Memorize :
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1556 | Akbar’s accession; pursuit of Sikandar Shah |
| 1557 (July) | Sikandar Shah surrenders; given Bihar & Kharid |
| 1572 | 1st Kangra Revolt |
| 1582 | Akbar near Dasuha — considers visiting Nagarkot |
| 1588–89 | Great Rebellion |
| 1594–95 | Second Rebellion |
| 1602–04 | Fourth Revolt (Raja Basu of Nurpur) |
| By Jahangir’s reign | 22 hill princes at Mughal court (hostage policy) |
king at jahangir 1605 : trilok chand in Kangra …… hari chand II in 1612
Jahangir’s First Attempt to Capture Kangra Fort
- When: The attempt began in A.D. 1615.
- Who Led: Jahangir sent a force commanded by Sheikh Farid Murtaza Khan (governor of Punjab).
- Who Assisted: The Mughal force was assisted by Raja Suraj Mal of Nurpur and Raja Man.
- Source: These events are detailed in Jahangir’s autobiography, “Tazuk-i-Jahangiri“.
Why It Failed
- Conflict: Before the siege of Kangra fort could begin, “differences developed” between Sheikh Murtaza Khan and Raja Suraj Mal.
- Recall: Jahangir recalled Raja Suraj Mal, who was then sent to the Deccan in October A.D. 1616.
- Leader’s Death: Soon after Suraj Mal’s recall, Murtaza Khan fell ill and died at Pathankot.
- Result: The first attempt to capture the fort failed.
The “Second Attempt” (Failed Preparations)
- New Leader Appointed: After Murtaza Khan’s death, Raja Man (ruler of Ambar/Jaipur) was appointed to lead the attack on Kangra fort. He was also possibly made the new governor of Punjab.
- Leader Killed: Before he could take charge, Raja Man was killed by a hill chief (Zamindar) named Sangram, who was probably the ruler of Jammu.
- Result: The siege of Kangra Fort was deferred again.
- Timeframe: This occurred at the end of A.D. 1616 or in January A.D. 1617.
Third Attempt (A.D. 1617) – Failed
This attempt was initiated after Jahangir’s discussion with Shah Jahan (Khuttam).
- Leaders: Shah Jahan appointed Raja Suraj Mal (who had rebelled in the first attempt) and Shah Quli Khan Mohammed Taqi (his Bakshi) to lead the expedition.
- Expedition Start: The army set out in September A.D. 1617.
- Suraj Mal’s Ploy: On the way, Suraj Mal began “quarrelling with Mohammed Taqi” with the goal of getting rid of him and gaining “supreme command.”
- Rebellion: After successfully getting Mohammed Taqi recalled (by declaring him incompetent), Suraj Mal’s “blood of rebellion” took over. He weakened the Mughal army by sending troops away on the “pretext of the shortage of supply.”
- Outcome: With the Mughal camp weakened, Suraj Mal openly revolted, ravaged the area, and plundered property. This attempt failed because its own commander rebelled.
- Suraj Mal’s End: Jahangir sent Rai Raiyan Sunder Dass to suppress the rebellion. Suraj Mal was forced to flee from Maukot and Nurpur forts to taragarh fort of Chamba(ruler of CHAMBA was balbhadra), where he died in A.D. 1619.
Fourth (Successful) Attempt (A.D. 1619-1620)
This final, successful attempt grew directly out of the campaign to suppress Suraj Mal’s rebellion.
- Leaders: The Mughal force was led by Rai Raiyan Sunder Dass.
- A New Ally: In response to Suraj Mal’s revolt, his younger brother, Jagat Singh, was summoned “in greatest haste” from Bengal.
- The Siege: Jagat Singh joined the Mughal army under Rai Raiyan in the expedition against the Kangra hills and assisted in the siege of Kangra fort.
- Outcome: After a “stout resistance,” the garrison ultimately surrendered in 16 November 1620. ruler of KANGRA : hari chand II
- Significance: This was the first time the Kangra fort was captured and garrisoned by the Mughal army.
Capture Date: Jahangir received the news of the fort’s capture on November 20, A.D. 1620
🕌 Jahangir’s Visit to Kangra (A.D. 1622)
- Date: January A.D. 1622.
- Route:
- Arrival: Via Siba and Guler.
- Return: Via Nurpur and Pathankot.
- Impact of the Visit:
- Jahangir was deeply “fascinated with the beauty of the valley.”
- He ordered a palace to be built for himself. The foundations were laid at Mauza Gargari, but the project was not completed, possibly because “Kashmir had greater attractions for him.”
- Commemoration at Kangra Fort:
- A gate in the fort was named ‘Jahangiri Darwaza’ by the Emperor’s order.
- A marble slab, inscribed with the date of conquest, was placed on this gate.
- This slab was presumably destroyed when Sansar Chand captured the fort in A.D. 1786.
👑 Interactions with Hill Chiefs
- During his visit, Jahangir was met by several Hill Chiefs.
- Raja of Chamba:
- His submission was a “great event” because the ruler of Chamba “had not obeyed any king nor sent offerings” and was considered the “greatest Zamindar in the Kangra hills.”
- The Raja at this time was likely Janardhan.
- He, along with his brother Bishambar, waited on Jahangir.
- Aftermath:
- Both Janardhan and Bishambar were killed the following year in a war against Jagat Singh of Nurpur.
- jagat Singh named dhameri as nurpur for nur jahan
⚔️ Kangra’s Resistance and Subordination
- Guerilla Warfare: Local efforts to recapture the fort from the Mughals persisted.
- This resistance began during the time of Raja Hari Chand.
- It was continued by Raja Chander Bhan Chand, who was eventually captured and imprisoned in Delhi.
- Final Outcome:
- The rulers of Kangra eventually “realized the futility” of their struggle against the “powerful foe” (the Mughals).
- They “reconciled themselves to the status of subordinate Jagirdars of the Mughals.”
1623 : shah Jahan revolted against Jahangir .shah Jahan asked jagat Singh to raise petty hill chiefs against Jahangir .Jahangir sent Sadiq Khan (viceroy of Punjab ) and Madhu Singh (bro of jagat singh). the revolt suppressed and Madhu Singh became raja . then nur Jahan intervened and jagat Singh became king
1627 : shah Jahan ascended the throne . in 1634 he appointed jagat Singh of nurpur as fauzdar of bangash in kurram valley and kohat (Afghanistan and pakistan)
1641 : jagat Singh and his son rajrup Singh revolted . shah Jahan sent Murad Baksh , sayyid Khan bhadur ,aslat Khan and man Singh of guler. jagat Singh had fort in Maukot , nurpur and taragarh(chamba).evenntually jagat Singh lost and pardoned .1645 jagat Singh given khillat and died in Peshawar in 1646
aurangzeb never visited nagarkot . he ordered azim Khan, governor of Punjab to receive tributes from hill states because defaulting from 3 years . azim Khan ordered alif Khan . alif Khan went to raja kirpal chand who sent him to raja bhim chand of kahlur . so alif Khan went to bhim chand of kehlur who refused . hence battle of nadaun : 1690 bhim chand of kehlur vs alif Khan Mughal commander . guru gobind supported bhim chand . raja bhim chand katoch of Kangra and raja Dayal of bijarwal supported mughals ……… as rememberence , maharaja rajit Singh rebuilt gurudwara daswin padshahi in nadaun …………. also guler +basholi+nurpur defeated Mirza rezia beg , viceroy of nurpur in 1670.
later mughals :
after invasion of Ahmad shah abdali in 1748-68 , ghamand chand recovered most of Territories of Kangra except nagarkot fort
1781-82 : sansar chand and jai Singh kanhaiya captured nagarkot fort after last Mughal kiledar saif Ali Khan died
👑 Mughal Emperors and Contemporary Hill Rulers
Akbar
- Kangra: Dharam Chand, Jai Chand, Bidhi Chand
- Chamba: Pratap Singh Varman
- Nurpur: Raja Basu
Jahangir
- Kangra: Trilok Chand, Hari Chand II
- Nurpur: Raja Basu, Suraj Mal, Jagat Singh
- Kullu: Became tributary
- Bilaspur: Became tributary
Shah Jahan
- Nurpur: Jagat Singh
- Sirmaur: Karam Prakash
- Chamba: Prithvi Singh
Aurangzeb
- Chamba: Prithvi Singh
- Sirmaur: Subhag Prakash, Budh Prakash, Medini Prakash
- Bushahr: Kehri Singh
- Nurpur: Mandhata Prakash
- Bilaspur: Bhim Chand
Here is the same information reorganized by the Hill State (Area).
🏔️ Hill Rulers and Contemporary Mughal Emperors
Kangra
- Dharam Chand, Jai Chand, Bidhi Chand: Contemporary of Akbar
- Trilok Chand, Hari Chand II: Contemporary of Jahangir
Chamba
- Pratap Singh Varman: Contemporary of Akbar
- Prithvi Singh: Contemporary of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb
Nurpur
- Raja Basu: Contemporary of Akbar and Jahangir
- Suraj Mal, Jagat Singh: Contemporary of Jahangir
- (Jagat Singh): Contemporary of Shah Jahan
- Mandhata Prakash: Contemporary of Aurangzeb
Sirmaur
- Karam Prakash: Contemporary of Shah Jahan
- Subhag Prakash, Budh Prakash, Medini Prakash: Contemporary of Aurangzeb
Bilaspur (Kahlur)
- Became tributary: During Jahangir’s reign
- Bhim Chand: Contemporary of Aurangzeb
Kullu
- Became tributary: During Jahangir’s reign
Bushahr
- Kehri Singh: Contemporary of Aurangzeb
🏰 Mughal Kiledars (Governors) of Kangra Fort
Under Jahangir
- Nawab Ali Khan (Appointed as the first Mughal Kiledar)
- Humrat Khan
Under Shah Jahan
- Nawab Asadullah Khan
- Koch Quli Khan
Under Aurangzeb
- Sayyid Hussain Khan
- Hasan Abdullah Khan Pathan
- Nawab Sayyid Khalil Ullah Khan
Later Mughals
- Nawab Saif Ali Khan (The last Mughal Kiledar, served 1740–1783)