THE UNSUNG MUGHAL HERO

By Arun B Chandran

I came across an often forgotten story from the annals of Indian History, which touched my heart and soaked my eyes and I would like to share it with you. The human emotions that are depicted in the story, like jealousy, thirst for power, opportunism etc. still holds good in our society. It also underlines the statement that ‘History is written by the victors’. It forces us to rethink on our perceptions about many historical personalities. I also wonder why this story has not caught the imagination of our major writers and film makers. I also hope to call their attention to this chapter of history through spreading it through this post.

                            Origins of this story can be traced to the times of the Great Mughal emperor Akbar. Towards the end of his reign Akbar was deeply concerned about his successor because two of his three sons died of addiction to alcohol and opium. His 3^rd son Salim(later known as Jahangir), was also addicted to these and was notorious for his mood swings. Several revolts lead by him also angered Akbar. Akbar’s mind turned to the young son of Jahangir – Khusrau, the hero of our story. Khusrau was equally loved by the courtiers and the clergy. He had an admirable personality, was efficient, talented and brave and was a brilliant commander. With time, he became the favorite prince of the countrymen.

The 'BLOODY' Mughal Throne

                       

                   The time just prior to Akbar’s death (1604-1605) saw a lot of political struggles inside the palace between Jahangir faction and Khusrau faction. It was so intense that Rajput princess ManBhai(Jahangir’s wife and Khusrau’s mother) committed suicide. Though Khusrau was favored by many influential nobles like Man Singh, the Jahangir factions led by Akbar’s senior wives were successful in influencing the senior umra on a decisive meeting. Thus, Jahangir came to throne.

                        Khurram was in house arrest after Jahangir’s ascendance, and only his wife, the daughter of Aziz khan Koka was allowed to meet him. During this period Jahangir tried to spread false allegations about his son, but his popularity did not decrease.

                        Meanwhile, Khurram escaped with a small band of his loyal soldiers and went to Lahore where he tried to raise an army. But, Jahangir was quick to react for the first time and perhaps for the only time as he send a big army under the able Dilwar Khan to fight Khusru. Khusru had to fight with a small army and was subsequently captured.

                        Khusru’s popularity was still so high that killing him would evoke anger among the masses. This was adviced to Jahangir, even by Khusru’s strongest critics. After capturing, Jahangir treated Khusru very cruelly. He was dragged between the cries of his soldiers whose skins were peeled off. Khusru was blinded by inserting a wire in to his eyes!

                        Later, Jahangir too felt affection for his son and tried to regain his vision but it was of little use. But, he was still afraid of Khusru’s popularity and used to tie or imprison Khusru when he moves out of the palace. Khusru’s wife was allowed to do anything freely due to Khusru’s ailing condition, but she stayed with him and gave him all support she could.

                        In 1615, Nur Jahan, Jahangir’s wife and the real head of Mughal Empire then, again looked to the still popular Khusru to oppose the rising status of Prince Khurram(later known as Shah Jahan). Shah Jahan was the son of Jahangir, but was born to his another wife. To continue her dominance, Nur Jahan asked Khusru to marry her daughter Ladli Beegum. Khusru knew that this was his ticket to get everything that he lost. If he marries her, he could eventually become the Mughal Emperor. He also knew that refusing it was the end of even all the little status that he enjoys now. But, he refused it, even after repeated attempts of persuasion by Nur Jahan and her brother Asaf Khan, who was a powerful noble then. For Khusru, his wife was his only love. She was the only one who supported him during all his bad times and he could not think of anybody else as his wife. It may be noted that this was a time when polygamy was very common and even kings of small kingdoms had large harems.

                        Later in 1617, Shah Jahan requested Jahangir to send Khusru to Deccan to assist him for a political mission there. But, his real intention was to not to allow Khusru to be at the Palace or capital as he knew that Khusru can be a threat to his ascendence to the Mughal throne.

                        In 1622 the conspiracy to kill Khusru was fully planned. A slave of Shah Jahan-RazaBahadur, asked permission to enter Khusru’s chamber at mid night. Khusru felt awkwardness in this and he refused permission. But,Raza forcefully entered the chamber and attacked Khusru. Khusru, inspite of his blindness fought him bravely and shouted at his soldiers to come, who did not come. After killing him, he was arranged well in the bed to make it feel as a natural death. Nobody appeared to know about Khusru’s death until his wife’s cries told them.

                        Shah Jahan reported that Khusru’s death was a natural one and so was the official statement. But, people knew that their favorite prince was murdered and sentiments in his support came from far extremes of the Empire like Gujarat and Lahore.

Khusru's Tomb

                        Khusru’s story forces us to rethink on our perceived images of the historical personalities.

Jahangir- a person notorious of his mood shifts and useless after thoughts (showing lack of vision) is known as “Great” Mugahal. The Mughal Empire decreased during his time and the practice when the wives and their relatives became the real head also started during his time. If Jahangir was “GREAT”, WHAT WAS KHUSRU?

Shah Jahan, who conspired to kill Khusru is known as a “Great Lover”, as he made the beautiful Taj Mahal fulfilling his wife’s last wish, which also banned him to marry any more. But, Shah Jahn had relations with many women till his death. But the love between Khusru and his wife is more pious. His wife thought that she married a future Emperor but stood selflessly with him during his periods of difficulties. Khusru also was completely loyal to his love. This can be observed when he refused to marry anyone else even when all the prosperity was offered to him against it. If Shah Jahan was a “GREAT LOVER”, WHO WAS KHUSRU?

                        It may also be added that fate struck both Jahangir and Shah Jahan cruelly, later in their life, as both of them had to suffer from the hands of their own sons.

                        We also need why a brave commander, admiring personality and a popular hero does not get a space of more than a paragraph in our common history text books, in spite of all his heroics. History should not be just about the chronology of kings and their achievements; it should move forward to look at things from people’s eyes to learn more about personalities like Khusru.