Isa Khan Manj, was a Punjabi Muslim warlord from the Manj tribe of the cis-Sutlej territory in the Mughal Empire.[1] [2] [3] He is credited with the killing of the Mughal prince Azam Shah during the Battle of Jajau, and for establishing an independent territory that defied Mughal authority.
Isa Khan Manj belonged to the Manj Rajput tribe of the Jalandhar Doab. Although the Manj mostly identify as Rajput, some in Gurdaspur have been known to classify as Jats. As the son of Daulat Khan Manj, originally from Sirhind, Isa Khan started life as an ordinary zamindar. [4]
Isa Khan Manj collected an armed retinue, grabbing land and plundering trade caravans. He constructed the Isa Khan Kot.[5]
During the Battle of Jajau in 1707, he served Shah Alam I. Despite adverse weather and lack of water, Isa Khan struck Azam Shah with a bullet to the head, effectively ending Azam Shah's three-month reign.[6] As a reward, he was appointed Deputy Faujdar of Jalandhar with a rank of 1500 zat and 1000 horses.[7]
In 1711, Isa Khan Manj in the Battle of Hoshiarpur inflicted a severe defeat on the Sikhs who had risen up against the Mughals under Banda Singh and sacked the provincial capital of Sirhind a year prior.[8] For his military services in helping enthrone Jahandar Shah, he was made a mansabdar of 5000, and the deputy Faujdar of the Doab. However, he forcibly collected rent for himself and the imperial officers were not able to collect from the jagirs in the region. He gained control of the land extending from Badresa at the Beas river to his headquarters at Tihara along the Sutlej.[9] He killed Kapura Brar, the chief of Kotkapura and an ancestor of the dynasty of the Faridkot state.[10] He plundered the caravans of Delhi and Lahore.[11] In 1718, he rose in rebellion against the Mughals,[12] instigated by Khan-i Dauran. During this time period even the Lahore governor Abd al-Samad Khan famed for suppressing Banda Singh's rebellion could not proceed from Delhi to Lahore without precautions.
Isa Khan's increasing influence and royal favors emboldened him to intercept trade caravans and pillage neighboring parganahs, forcing out Mughal officials. He expanded his zamindari and influence in Punjab, defeating numerous armies of the faujdars. In 1718, Isa Khan openly defied Mughal authority. Abdus Samad Khan, the Lahore Subah governor, initially preferred negotiation, but Isa Khan rejected peace overtures.
Abdus Samad Khan then dispatched Shadab Khan Heshgi, an Afghan, to root out Isa Khan. In a battle near the village of Thara, Isa Khan fought with 3000 horsemen, repelling Shadab Khan. However, after witnessing his father's death in the battle, Isa Khan charged at the fleeing Shadab Khan in a fit of rage, leading to his own demise.