Mughal Family Feud

Moderate vs. Clergy

Liberal court of Emperor Akbar

Khusrao meets Guru Arjan Dev

The fugitive prince during his flight from Agra to Lahore, in April 1606 met the fifth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Arjan Dev at Tarn Taran to seek his blessing. He seems to have already been acquainted with the Sikh Guru through his grandfather Akbar. There is every probability that the prince, in his early boyhood, might have even visited the abode of the gurus in the company of Akbar. That is why he sought the blessings of the Guru in his hour of struggle. It is said that Guru Arjan Dev received the prince in the midst of the Sikh congregation. Sikh followers of the Guru gave a sum of five thousand rupees to the prince by way of help.

End of Rebellion

Prince Khusrau laid siege of Lahore but he underestimated the swiftness of his father's response. Dilawar Khan, the governor of Lahore strengthened and sealed the defenses before Khusrau's army could reach the city. Simultaneously, a punitive force of over 50,000 was assembled at Agra and launched towards the enemy. Unable to break Lahore's defenses, Khusrau had no option but to turn and flee towards Kabul but they were surrounded by Jahangir's army while crossing the Chenab. Khusrau captured and brought before his father in chains.

Captured Khusrao with Jahangir laid siege of Lahore but he underestimated the swiftness of his father's response., the governor of Lahore strengthened and sealed the defenses before Khusrau's army could reach the city. Simultaneously, a punitive force of over 50,000 was assembled at Agra and launched towards the enemy. Unable to break Lahore's defenses, Khusrau had no option but to turn and flee towards Kabul but they were surrounded by Jahangir's army while crossing the Chenab. Khusrau captured and brought before his father in chains.

Grisly Punishment

Prince Khusrau was first brought to Delhi, where a grisly punishment was meted out to his supporters. He was seated in grand style on an elephant and paraded down Chandni Chowk, while on both sides of the narrow street, the noblemen and barons who had supported him were held at knife-point on raised platforms. As the elephant approached each such platform, the luckless supporter was impaled on a stake (through his bowels), while Khusrau was compelled to watch the grisly sight and listen to the screams and pleas of those who had supported him. This was repeated numerous times through the entire length of Chandni Chowk.

Execution of Khusrao Supporters at Chandni Chowk, Delhi Khusrau's life was spared, but he was condemned to a fate almost as terrible. He was blinded and then thrown into a dungeon. was first brought to Delhi, where a grisly punishment was meted out to his supporters. He was seated in grand style on an elephant and paraded down Chandni Chowk, while on both sides of the narrow street, the noblemen and barons who had supported him were held at knife-point on raised platforms. As the elephant approached each such platform, the luckless supporter was impaled on a stake (through his bowels), while Khusrau was compelled to watch the grisly sight and listen to the screams and pleas of those who had supported him. This was repeated numerous times through the entire length of Chandni Chowk.

Execution of Guru Arjan Dev

Guru Arjan Dev was arrested on order of Jahangir and imprisoned in the house of Chandu Shah, the Dewan of Lahore where he was tortured and executed. Execution of Guru Arjan Dev The result was a scarring of the Sikh psyche that would reverberate for centuries and ultimately destroy the Mughal empire forever. The result was a scarring of the Sikh psyche that would reverberate for centuries and ultimately destroy the Mughal empire forever.

Brotherly Love Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan).

Jahangir invites Khusrao to Mughal Court Soon after the blinding of Khusrau, Jahangir, possibly in a fit of remorse, ordered his physicians to restore his son's vision. With their efforts, Khusrau was spared the horror of total blindness and he was even allowed to come for court proceedings. Khusrau’s popularity and his return to court alarmed his step-brother(Shah Jahan). Jahangir ordered Khurram to handle the rebellion in South, he put in a condition to hand Khusrau in his custody. Jahangir refused initially but gave in in insistance by his wife Noor Jahan. Khusrau was now a man on borrowed time. The end came in January 1622 when under Shah Jahan’s order, Raza Bahadur entered his chambers in the middle of the night. Khusrau was strangled and then re-arranged on his bed to make it appear as if his death was natural.

Prince Khurram as Emperor Shahjahan Whenorderedto handle the rebellion in South, he put in a condition to hand Khusrau in his custody. Jahangir refused initially but gave in in insistance by his wife. Khusrau was now a man on borrowed time. The end came in January 1622 when under Shah Jahan’s order, Raza Bahadur entered his chambers in the middle of the night. Khusrau was strangled and then re-arranged on his bed to make it appear as if his death was natural. Jahangir in 1627, Prince Khurram was proclaimed as Shah Jahan, the emperor of India. Khusao's sons, other step-brothers of Shah Jahan, and their remaining male off-springs were all put to death by Asif Khan (Brother of Noor Jahan) on order from Shah Jahan.

Tomb of Khusrao Mirza - Allahabad After the death ofin 1627,was proclaimed as, the emperor of India. Khusao's sons, other step-brothers of Shah Jahan, and their remaining male off-springs were all put to death by Asif Khan (Brother of Noor Jahan) on order from Shah Jahan.

(1587 – 1622) or Prince Khusrau was the eldest son of the Mughal emperor. His mother,was the daughter of Rajputof Amber (Jaipur), head of the Kushwaha clan of Rajputs.Emperor Akbar was disappointed with his only son Prince Salim who was addicted to opium and wine. Salim (who later became the Emperor Jahangir) regularly disobeyed royal orders and became infamous for murdering Akbar's grand vizier. After Akbar's death, the Mughal court was divided in two camps -of Amber and moderate Muslim courtiers preferred Prince Khusrao who was popular with the public because of his moderate Sufi beliefs. The powerful Persian nobles and Muslim clergy preferredas Emperor of India.Emperorhad brought his grandsonup in the liberal tradition he had fostered. He had the support of his motherandof Amber. The influence of Rajputs made the Persian nobles and Mullahs fear that Persian and Ulema’s influence would reduce in court if Khusrao were to become emperor. They extended support to Jahangir on the promise that he will follow Sharia - the orthodox Islamic way of court.Whenwas crowned emperor after Akbar’s death in 1605, he placedand his wife under house arrest in Agra fort. Khusrau escaped Agra with 350 horsemen on the pretext of visiting the tomb of Akbar at nearby Sikandria. In Mathura, he was joined by Hussain Beg with about 3000 horsemen. In Panipat, he was joined by Abdur Rahim, the provincial Dewan (administrator) of Lahore. The news of Khusrau's flight sped through the country like wildfire. Dissatisfied Chugtai, Rajput clans and several frontier tribes — flocked to his banner as did some senior Akbar loyalists.