Siege of Kandahar (1605–1606) explained

Conflict:Siege of Kandahar
Partof:Mughal-Persian Wars
Date:November 1605 - January 1606
Place:Kandahar
Result:Mughal victory
Territory:Kandahar remains in Mughal India
Combatant1:Safavid Iran
Combatant2:Mughal India
Commander1:Shah Abbas Of Persia
Husayn Khan
Commander2:Jahangir of Hindustan
Šāh Beg Khan

The siege of Kandahar lasted from November 1605 to January 1606 and was led by Safavids to take the Mughal frontier city of Kandahar.[1] After two months of constant assaults, the relief army forced the Persians to retreat. Thus, resulted in a decisive victory for the Mughal Empire.

Background

The Mughals had obtained the city of Kandahar in 1595, after the Mughal army advanced to the city's governor, Moẓaffar-Ḥosayn Mirzā, and negotiated with him a surrender.[2] The Safavid ruler, Shah Abbas, was shocked by the loss of the important fortress but as main Iranian concerns lay with the equally powerful Ottomans at their westernmost territories, he abstained from military action, preferring to negotiate a settlement.

Battle

When Emperor Akbar died on October 27, 1605, the Safavid governor of Herat, Hosayn Khan, moved to recapture the city on behalf of the Safavids by the order of Shah Abbas while the Indians were distracted with other matters. The city, defended by governor Šāh Beg Khan, held out against the Safavid siege until the next year when the new emperor, Jahangir, sent an army that lifted the siege.[3]

Aftermath

Kandahar was surrendered to the Mughals.[4] [5] Abbas repudiated Hosayn's actions in a letter to Jahangir, and both sides reestablished normal relations, though Kandahar would remain a controversial affair between both parties.

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Book: Middle East Conflicts from Ancient Egypt to the 21st Century. A series of conflicts between the Safavid and Mughal Empires fought over possession of the strategic city-fortress of Kandahar in Afghanistan. In 1595 two Safavid princes defected to the Mughal court, surrendering the fortress to Emperor Akbar (1542-1605).. Spencer C. Tucker . 2019 . An Encyclopedia and Document Collection [4 Volumes] · Volume . 847. 978-1-4408-5353-1 .
  2. Iranica 2011
  3. Book: Medieval History of India. 9781932705546. 4 April 2003. chopra. Pran nath. January 2003. Sterling Publishers Pvt. .
  4. Book: World history encyclopaedia . 978-1-85109-930-6. 4 April 2014. Andrea. Alfred J.. January 2011. Bloomsbury Publishing USA .
  5. Book: Conquest in the Islamic world . 9781932705546. 4 April 2011. Mikaberidze ·. By Alexander ·. January 2011. Bloomsbury Publishing USA .