Indian History Part 80 – Humayun Section V: Interlude II: The Demise of the Sur Dynasty

Canberra, 09 May 2020 It is obvious that Sher Shah had not anticipated such a sudden death without warning, especially since he was in extremely good health. Therefore, although he had two sons, he had not yet nominated one of them as his successor. It fell to the senior Afghan nobles to choose the next […]

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Indian History Part 80 Humayun Section IV: Interlude – The Ambitious Sher Shah Sur

Canberra, 2 May 2020 [The description of the 15-year reign of the Sur dynasty, founded by Sher Shah after the defeat and flight of Humayun, is being included as two independent chapters within the section on Humayun. While Sher Shah and his successors did indeed rule North India during Humayun’s exile; neither did they leave […]

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Indian History Part 80 Humayun Section III: An Empire is Lost

Canberra, 27 April 2020 After having defeated and forced Humayun back to Agra, Sher Shah returned to Bengal and evicted the Mughal governor, Jahangir Kuli, installed by Humayun. Sher Shah knew for certain that he would have to fight Humayun again and therefore wanted to consolidate his territories as soon as possible. More importantly, he […]

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Indian History Part 80 Humayun Section II: Trouble Brews in the East

Canberra, 12 April 2020 Although no material gains had been made in the campaign that he had mounted to Gujarat and Malwa, on his return to Agra Humayun celebrated his ‘victory’ with full-fledged revelry that lasted for nearly a year.  Meanwhile Afghan power was resurgent in Bihar, now under the able leadership of Sher Khan. […]

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Indian History Part 80 Humayun – The Sentimental Dreamer Section I: A Royal Inheritance

Canberra, 10 April 2020 On his deathbed, Babur introduced his eldest son Humayun as his successor to a specially convened council of nobles and ministers. He then went on to advise the prince, to whom he had bequeathed his kingdom, ‘do naught against your brothers, even though they may deserve it’, an instruction that the […]

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Indian History Part 79 Babur – First of the Great Mughals Section V: A Dynasty is Established

Canberra, 6 April 2020 On arrival at Agra, Babur was presented a magnificent diamond by Humayun his son, who had taken charge of the Lodi capital. The stone had been given to Humayun by the family of the Raja of Gwalior who had taken shelter in the Agra fort, since the Raja had died in […]

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Indian History Part 79 Babur – First of the Great Mughals Section IV: Winning a Critical Encounter

Canberra 3 April 2020 The Lodi advance party was met by the right flank of the Mughal army under Humayun, Babur’s eldest son. The Mughals were able to defeat and rout the Lodi forces with the Mughals taking 100 prisoners and capturing eight elephants. Babur was overjoyed, not only because of the success, but since […]

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Indian History Part 79 Babur – First of the Great Mughals Section III: Hindustan Beckons

Canberra, 28 March 2020 ‘A few days later, after the army had been mustered, the persons acquainted with Hindustan were summoned and questioned about its every aspect. The consultation ended with a decision to march on Hindustan. In Shaaban [January AD 1505] when the Sun was in Aquarius, we rode out of Kabul for Hindustan.’ […]

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Indian History Part 79 Babur – First of the Great Mughals Section II A Tiger Comes of Age

Canberra, 26 March 2020  On 6 Muharram AH 888, 14 February AD 1483, a son was born to Omar Shaikh Mirza, the ruler of Fergana, and his wife Qutluq Nigar Khanum. He was named Zahir ud-Din Muhammad—Defender of the faith, Muhammad. Zahir was born in mid-winter in a ramshackle castle, the eldest son, although he […]

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Indian History Part 79 Babur-First of the Great Mughals Section I Background: The Central Asian Nomads

Canberra, 22 March 2020 For millennia the nomadic tribes of North-Central Asia have sustained themselves by herding their animals and exercising their unique ability to hunt en masse. Their pasturages were in the more habitable areas of the bleak desert that was their home, they moved along the minor watercourses and when needed, found refuge […]

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