Bengal: 1526-2014

 On, 21st April 1526, the great Mughal Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the battle of Panipath. It was the first battle of the series. Another two battles were also taken place of this historical place of Panipath. Panipath is a small village near Dellhi and present day it is an industrial town in Hariana. So far we know through the first battle of Panipath, the rules of Mughal emperor were established in the subcontinent.

The great Mughal Babur reigned from 1526-1530. Babur was a man of blue blood. He was the direct decendent of great Genghis Khan and Timur Lang. Babur’s mission was not completed through the battle of Panipath. But he has completed it through the battle of khanuwa (1527), a place near Agra. In this battle Babur with his great son Humayan who have become a great Mughal emperor after the death of his father defeated Rajputs and remaining Lodi warriors. After the battle of Khanuwa Mughal dynasty got its shape. But it experienced a great shock, after pre-mature death of the father of Mughal emperor Babur in 1530.

Humayan, the son of Babur started his reign in 1530 and continued till 1540. His reign severely interrupted by Suri dynasty. And finally in 1540 he was deposed by Sher Shah Suri. Sher Shah Suri continued till 1545. And Islam Shah Suri came to the power. He continued till 1554. After his death two of his sons Sikander and Adil Shah came to the throne, but were eliminated by Humayan’s restoration. Humayan backed to the power and became able of unify the empire. But he died in 1556 after one year of restoration, and left a unified state to his immature son Akbar. He was only twelve at the time of his inauguration as an emperor. But he got a regent named Barium Khan. He and Barium Khan defeated Himu at the second battle of Panipath on November 5, 1556.

Akbar’s victories during the siege of Ranthombor made his power unparallel and helped him to establish the splendid Mughal emperor. During his reign Akbar established many institutions and promulgated “Din-I-ilahi” a sin created creed derived from Islam. Akbar died on 27th October 1605 and Jahangir came to the power.

During the reign of Jahangir British East India Company established their relationship with the emperor. Actually Jahangir was a reluctant emperor and his wife Empress Nurjahan became the centre of power. At the end of his reign his sons became rebels and competed for power against their emperor father. Jahangir died in 1627. And his competent son Shahjahan, the builder, came to the power.

Shahjahan established many architectural buildings like Taj Mahal, Dillhi Jama Mosque, Red Fort, Shalimar Garden etc. Shahjahan finally deposed by his son Awrongojeb, in 1658 and died later in 1666 while living in captivation. Awrongojeb was a deeply practiced Muslim and a firm ruler. In the last 27 years of his ruling, he was engaged to subduing Marathas. Awrongojeb presented “Fatwa-E-Alamgir” and introduced Jijia, a non-muslim tax according to Islamic rule. Awrongojeb died in 1707. Actually this is the literal end of great Mughal emperor.

From Bahadur Shah 1, 1707 to BahadurShah II, 1857, an era of one hundred fifty years was ruled by 14 Mughal emperors. But their period was so volatile and highly affected by the rebel and challengers like Marathas, English and many of the local competitors. Ultimately they came to the verge of ruin by repeated wars, and finally removed by the British East India Company in 1857.

Since the time of establishment of great Mughal Empire to their failure in Sepoy Mutiny, Bengal was ruled by Hossain Shahi dynasty. The second ruler of Shahi Dynasty, Nasiruddin Nasrat Shah, was in power of Bengal. He ruled Bengal from 1518 to 1533. Hossain Shah Dynasty lasted till 1538.