Canberra, 04 November 2020 ‘What is immediately striking as we look at the portraits of Jahangir and compare his face with that of his father is the contrast between the two. Akbar appears self-contained; there is about him the inner orientation of a man who has to prove himself to no one but himself. In […]
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Tag Archives: Humayun
Indian History Part 81 Akbar Section IV: The Conquering Emperor (1)
June 28, 2020 
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Canberra, 28 June 2020 SETTING THE SCENE Akbar continued the policy followed by Biram Khan, of steady and ceaseless expeditions to expand the territorial spread of the Empire. Akbar is supposed to have said, as reported by Abul Fazl and quoted by Bamber Gascoigne in his book, The Great Mughals (page 72), ‘a monarch should […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 81 Akbar Section II: The Regency Years
June 8, 2020 0 Comments
Crackenback, 08 June 2020 After the victory at Panipat, Akbar and Biram Khan marched directly from the battlefield to Delhi. Akbar still did not outwardly indicate the strength of character and resources of intellect that would become his predominant characteristics as he grew into manhood. It would seem that even his ‘guardian’ or ‘protector’ Biram […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 81 Akbar Section I: A Boy-King is Inaugurated
May 31, 2020 0 Comments
Canberra, 31 May 2020 About two months before his death, Humayun had made an unusually wise decision, which would have long-term implications for the future of the Mughal Empire in India: he made Biram Khan, whose steadfast loyalty and military leadership had been primarily instrumental in regaining the throne of Delhi for the Mughals, the […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 80 Humayun Section VII: Hindustan Regained
May 23, 2020 0 Comments
Canberra, 23 May 2020 Free of his rebellious brothers at last, Humyaun’s first thought was to expand his territorial holdings—he contemplated an invasion of Kashmir, the reason for which has never been well-established. However, he was dissuaded by his nobles who pointed him towards his inheritance in India. Humayun then moved along the River Kabul […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 80 Humayun Section VI: The Mughal Revival
May 16, 2020 0 Comments
Canberra, 16 May 2020 The exiled Humayun reached Shal on his way to find shelter in Kandahar, where he was informed that Askari was close at hand with a large force to apprehend him. Humayun changed his plans and decided to flee to the Persian border with his wife, while leaving behind his son and […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 80 – Humayun Section V: Interlude II: The Demise of the Sur Dynasty
May 9, 2020 0 Comments
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 […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 80 Humayun Section IV: Interlude – The Ambitious Sher Shah Sur
May 2, 2020 0 Comments
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 […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 80 Humayun Section III: An Empire is Lost
April 27, 2020 0 Comments
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 […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 80 Humayun Section II: Trouble Brews in the East
April 12, 2020 0 Comments
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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